Googler

@@Googler I looked up Tubigrip, hopefully it provides more support than it looks like it does. I, personally, preferred VERY firm compression. It just felt better on my healing muscles and my surgeon told me that the longer I wear compression, the better. Since this was my one and only shot, I wore compression for 6 months.
The hospital gave me this: http://www.staples.com/Medline-Premium-Tri-Panel-Abdominal-Binders-Small-Medium/product_521329/
Once the drains were out I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007QMK2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1/
and this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cupid-Extra-Firm-Control-Bodybriefer-Style-5908/20931991
That was just my preference, You will find what suits you best.

@@LisaMergs men actually do worry about these things. My hubby just weighed in and lost 70lbs (diet and walking everyday for 4 months) and he is insecure about the skin starting to drop down there. He's afraid it will cover and hide the goods.
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Thank you all for discussing the puffy pubic area. Good to know it can be stretched back tight!
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And as an aside- why is it men don't worry about these things?. Lol.
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I have no information on reconstructive procedures to share, but I'd like to recommend that you have a good interpreter with you at some if not all appointments. The service may turn out to be unnecessary, but I wouldn't want to leave room for misunderstanding.
Everyone I've talked with who has had reconstruction (these are indeed reconstructive undertakings, not plastic surgery, which sounds cute by comparison) stresses the importance of having surgeons who've done lots of the work we're talking about.

I can only speak to tummy tucks. Yes I was very sore and could not get up or down for a few days without pain. Also, pain pills were a must for the first week for me.
My doctor pulls your mons ( pubic area) up when doing his TT ... And also does liposuction there and on my love handles. It really helped! It took about 6 months for all my swelling and itching to go away... The scar has faded a lot in the 18 months post op.
Best of luck.
Ask a lot of questions is my advice!

So I can speak to the Brachioplasty as I had mine done 7 weeks ago but I will also answer your question about puffy pubic area because my surgeon and I talked about this specifically.
When she examined me for my Abdominalplasty she actually molds your body to show you how things will look. One of the things I was worried about was that puffy loose skin there. It will be pulled tight and flat just like the rest of my tummy.
I would definately ask your surgeon that specific question but I made it clear that I want that to go away.
As for the arms. I had mine done 7 weeks ago and they are absolutely fabulous. My Brachioplasty took a lot longer than she initially thought but she took her time and made sure they were well contoured using a laser liposuction before removing just the skin. Some doctors will just cut off the fat and skin and sew you up. Personally doing the Lipo first seems to be the better procedure. Because she does this, I had no arm drains whatsoever.
Then I was put in a compression garment that looked like a bolero jacket. That was miserable because it was too small. So they ordered just sleeves for me and I got them about 3 days later, I wore those for the first 4 weeks and noticed they were rubbing on the underarm incisions. So, I went to my local health equipment supply store to see if I could find just individual sleeves so I did not worry about them being connected. I purchased a pair of compression sleeves that are used for women who have their lymph nodes removed following breast cancer surgery. They are expensive. 75.00 each but the best money I spent!
My doc believes the longer you wear compression the better outcome for the arms because they do swell for along time. I am 7 weeks post op and mine are still swelling everyday. I wear the compression daily for most of the day and then will take them off for a little while.
I honestly don't mind wearing these sleeves and they have better compression than the sleeves that were ordered for my via my plastic surgeon. I have noticed my incisions are healing better and there is less pain in the incisions because swelling is being kept to a minimum which is why they have you wear them in the first place.
In terms of recovery for the arms. I did have a complication, it turned out I was allergic to the surgical adhesive so for the first 3 weeks I was in a lot of pain due to burning and itching. It felt like I had laid both arms on top of the stove and left them there. It about drove me insane with itching as well but there really was nothing we could do about it because the adhesive was holding everything together. I took prescription Benadryl for 3 weeks straight every 6 hours and packed my arms in ice, literally to help with the burning. I slept with ice packs on. To say the least the first 3 weeks were rough but as soon as the mesh covering with all the surgical glue on it was removed, the itching and burning stopped within hours.
I was so happy! Not if they itch its mild and because they are healing.
I definately underestimated the pain involved but have a feeling from talking to others most of my pain was the burning from the allergy.
Next is my tummy and breasts and Like you, have no idea what I will do about clothing because I have to believe the swelling will go on a long while. I guess it will be yoga pants for me.....plus I am having a breast lift and adding a small implant to give me my fullness back. so my tops will definately fit differently. LOL. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I think I am the one you are referring to when you say 9 months to return to normal. But you need to understand, I had a complication. That is not a common outcome for people. I had soft tissue swelling in my lower back that made it painful to sit up in a chair for more than a couple of hours at a time and caused massive Fluid retention with physical activity after my extended Tummy Tuck. It did improve over time, but took a full 9 months to be completely resolved. Complications are a risk with ANY surgery, but they are by no means the norm.
Were it not for that specific complication, I would have been back to work full time at 4 weeks post op. Though I would recommend 6 weeks off if you can get it.
For the first 2-3 days, I couldn't care for myself, due to the severe abdominal pain and restricted movement. I needed help getting up and down out of bed, using the restroom, showering, etc. It was about 12 days before I could stand and walk fully upright. I would say it was a good 3 weeks before I could laugh, cough, and sneeze without soreness. My incisions were closed and I was able to shower immediately post-op, but it was a good 6 weeks probably before they were "healed". It was about 2 years before they were faded to the lightest they ever got. I experienced extreme amounts of phantom pain and itching for the first year and it took about three years for that to fully subside. I think all of that is pretty normal and had nothing to do with my complication.
For compression garments, you should be able to get your stage one garments through your surgeon. These will be the most restrictive and you will need to probably wear them for the first 3-4 weeks post-op. Stage 2 garments you may get on your own and they are less restrictive. You will wear these for a few more weeks. And then stage three garments are just normal compression-wear like you would by in a department store. Spanx is a major brand here in the US.
As for clothing sizes, it's really hard to predict. It depends on how much skin you have, how it's distributed, and how much swelling you have. It will be a good 3 months before the swelling is completely gone and you see your true results. But if you have a lot of skin removed, you could drop in clothing sizes immediately, despite the swelling.
I think it is INSANE that they do this as an outpatient procedure in the US. As I mentioned before, I was useless as a newborn for the first three days or so and had a very hard time getting up and moving around for a good while after that. I had my surgery in Mexico and stayed at a recovery house for two full weeks post-op. I am SO grateful to have done it that way. I had nurses to tend to me 24/7 that whole time instead of relying on family members or friends to do truly humiliating personal hygiene tasks for me.

That's awesome that they cover it!!
As far as the lower BMI, look at it this way. Insurance probably will only pay for it once, and the less you weigh, the better the end result.
As far as maintaining for a year, this is a life change. The weight loss is not temporary as long as you keep following a healthy exercise/eating plan and don't fall into old habits. So maintaining for a year is small potatoes in the big picture.
I know it's disappointing to have to wait, just keep your eye on the prize and the time will be here before you know it and the end result will be fabulous!

Well at least they cover abdominoplasty at all, so that's good news! And I agree, a BMI of 35 doesn't seem that far out of reach. If you are determined, I think you can get there and stay there for a year. Just think of all of the money you are saving by not having to pay out-of-pocket any time you feel your motivation waning.

Also, I am a year post op from a VSG. My surgery was 8/31/15. Starting weight 341, current weight 230. My last BMI was 37 or 38. I currently wear a 14/16 from a 28.

Well I am exactly 4 weeks post op from Abdominoplasty and a Brachioplasty. I feel great and plan on returning to work Monday. I could have returned 2 weeks ago. My pain only lasted for about a week. Now, my arms still have a numbness and tingling and that will last for a few months. It's aggravating but not painful or unbearable. I wear under armor long sleeve compression shirts often because it significantly reduces the nerve sensations that I'm feeling.
After about 1 week I was definitely down a pant size. I had a large apron, so it was a very noticeable difference. The surgeon removed 15lbs of skin/fat. After 2 weeks I started taking walks. By the third week I felt like myself, yet still taking it somewhat easy. For instance, I shopped today for about 5 hours. I forgot I had surgery exactly one month ago today.

Ok, got a letter today from insurance.
They say my BMI is too high for them to consider an abdominoplasty. BMI must be below 30 or 35 w/WLS surgery and must be maintained for 1 year. My BMI is 36.6, so that's not completely out of reach, but I still have to get there, plus remain steady for a year.
I'm disappointed, even though I expected it. I'd kind of hoped it would come out differently.
This is the first denial. I'll talk with the surgeon over the next few weeks (he's currently on vacation) and see if there's anything more to do.

@@JamieLogical I did have muscle repair. he also did Lipo on my back and flanks. I was back at work in 12 days. I have had plenty surgeries and found that the faster i get up the better i am. I had gallbladder surg and was at work in 3 days..... had my lb surg on Tuesday and was back at work on the following Monday.

Two pregnancies so i had to have it done.

@@Googler My suggestion to you is do your research... don't go with just any dr. I wanted a dr that didn't use drains... and that i had 24 access too. Which i did via his personal cell. I could also go to his office anytime with any questions or concerns. I also looked at his other patients before and after. what the scar looked like and i wanted my as low as possible. I also didn't want to come out with a fat cat...or ugly navel...... lol

for me it was worth every penny of the $8800. I took these two weeks ago i think... i was fixing to take a shower and it was steaming up... thats why they look edited...

I understand, LisaMergs. If insurance doesn't pick up the tab or most of it, then I can't see me being able to have any reconstruction done. Our vacations are expensive (flights to/from the US, etc.), so those trips are my perks. I'd have to skip visiting with family for a year or two and I just can't do that. My parents are getting older and I don't want to miss seeing them while I can.

bayougirlmrsc, I appreciate the links, thank you, and the offer.
It sounds much like the original bypass/sleeve surgeries--the first little bit, you're wondering if you made the right decision, then when things heal up a bit and you're mobile and seeing some benefits, it gets so much better. If I have the procedures, I hope it turns out well for me too. Thanks so much to all of you!
I'm really hoping insurance will approve the surgeries. Not knowing anyone here who has had it done, I don't really know the criteria or if it's even possible. I'm excited, apprehensive and nervous and that's without knowing anything...lol. Once I hear something, I'll post it here--good or bad.

I understand, LisaMergs. If insurance doesn't pick up the tab or most of it, then I can't see me being able to have any reconstruction done. Our vacations are expensive (flights to/from the US, etc.), so those trips are my perks. I'd have to skip visiting with family for a year or two and I just can't do that. My parents are getting older and I don't want to miss seeing them while I can.

I understand, LisaMergs. If insurance doesn't pick up the tab or most of it, then I can't see me being able to have any reconstruction done. Our vacations are expensive (flights to/from the US, etc.), so those trips are my perks. I'd have to skip visiting with family for a year or two and I just can't do that. My parents are getting older and I don't want to miss seeing them while I can.

Thank you, @TheRealMeIsHere! , for the links.
That's part of why I was asking. In case there's something that I want to order and have someone send it to me over here beforehand.
I actually have one of these (different brand) http://tinyurl.com/jzkyzjc
and when I spoke about being able to get it off and on for the restroom, I thought the compression would be more along the lines of this (i bought them as a set a while back) http://tinyurl.com/gu6k28p
I figured the underwear type because that's where the scar/sutures are, but I guess if they sew/tighten the muscles, they're all up and down there.
Did you wear the compressions for 6 months 24/7 (sleeping too)?
My FIL wears Rx compression stockings for circulation and they were explicit about him absolutely not wearing them at night/while laying down.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I received some information from the hospital and it talks about a 'tubigrip' that they recommend be worn for 4-6 weeks after the abdominal surgery. That's a compression band. So at least the first one will be supplied at that hospital. So that's one answer.

My husband isn't too keen on the whole thing. Major surgery and all scares him. Plus, after the hernia debacle from the previous surgeries, he just doesn't trust they'll get it right. More that I'm giving them yet another opportunity to jack things up.
Photos are tomorrow and then waiting to see if insurance will pay. I just feel that if insurance is willing (big IF), that I'd be foolish to not take advantage of the possibility. This in addition to truly wanting the hernia issue fixed and to be rid of that pain.

Again, thanks to you all.

Hi India928,
I had some regain before my conversion, but comparing the two--from day-of-surgery weights.....
at 4 weeks after the sleeve- | at 4 weeks after bypass conversion-
I was down 21 lbs/9.7 kgs, | I'm down 17.6 lbs/8 kgs
So I've lost my regained amount, but I expect it to go much slower than before. I stopped losing before the end of the first year with the sleeve. I'm hoping in the long run, this will be better overall.
Good luck!

I haven't weighed myself since I've come home. I'm holding out for a bit to let some swelling go down. With my Protein shakes (~150 cal) and bits, I'm getting at least 500, one day was more than 700. Still, should be low enough to lose.
I'm really trying to get my Protein in to try and avoid the hairloss that I had with the sleeve. Truth is, I still don't know that I made the right decision in having the bypass. I wanted the sleeve to be enough. No dumping fears, no real restrictions in what I could eat, just how much. I love spicy foods and with the bypass I worry I'll not be able to have those.
Also, I know that losing now will be different. I can't expect a big rush of weightloss. I've had that already. It's my hope to lose 50 lbs by the end of the year. Even that may be too much to ask, but I'm hoping. I still have loads of excess weight, and though I don't expect to get to a tiny size, I'd love to be under 200 lbs someday.

I'm scheduled to go from sleeve to bypass this coming Thursday (april 23) and I'm nervous as hell.
I have no gerd/reflux issues really. I've been on omeprezole (20mgs per day) since before having gall bladder surgery in 2006. I was sleeved in sept.2012 and lost nearly 100 lbs, but have started gaining back (about 15 lbs so far). The surgeon recommended GB, but with my size, he agreed to my choice of the sleeve. I was so hoping it would be enough, but if I'm gaining after just 2 years, obviously not. The sleeve has been easy--like realllly easy. No issues afterwards, No dumping, no problem with spicy foods, nothing. The gall bladder surgery was open, so recovery from lapro-sleeve was nothing compared to that nightmare.
I'm terrified of the rerouting and dumping for life. Others in my surgery group (9 total) all had the bypass and only one has had complications (opening too small to the stomach).

I also have an incisional hernia from the gall bladder surgery to be fixed, but I needed to lose weight before they'd try it. So now, this coming Thursday, I'm supposed to have the incisional hernia fixed, along with a hiatal hernia and convert to bypass. t.e.r.r.i.f.i.e.d.

Yes a week out no heartburn sore but able to walk 1.5 miles a day

Surgery from 1030 In room at 7 tired sire but walking going home tomorrow shake going down well.

Here is the thing, if you had the sleeve previously or the lap band previously you should know exactly what you should be eating and doing to lose the weight.
Icing is definitely not on the food plan and you already know that because you are scolding yourself.
You have to get comfortable cooking meals for yourself and staying away from any pre-packaged foods. There are a lot of lovely Protein rich meals you can whip up in short order. I am not sure what phase of the plan you are supposed to be on but I am guessing if you are eating frosting, you are on regular foods by now.
Lean chicken, Turkey, Beef, and pork provide excellent Protein. Along with eggs, Beans and protein supplements. If you focus your meals around those foods and fill in with good carbs like vegetables and fruit, you will be well on your way.
Also, I am sure you know this but the more sugar & Carbs (empty calories) you eat, the more your body will crave them.
The other thing is exercise. Not sure what your current activity level is but if you are not exercising start by walking a lot everyday.
I wish you the best of luck and I know if you put your mind to it you can make it happen. You just need to have a talk with yourself and decide if you are going to be successful. It is 100% up to you.