angelnurse

LJM-Weighed myself this morning down another 2 pounds, so I'm actually 2 pounds to goal. Woooo Hoooo!!!

Thanks Karey, you will probably lose at least 2 sizes, so think at least size 6. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your plastic surgery journey.

Yes, it feels kind of weird without them. After I take a shower, I wear them while showering, I feel loose and wobbley without it. I dry off as fast as I can then get a dry one on. They aren't too uncomfortable except the area where the zipper is, it kind of presses into your skin. You get used to them real quick.

LJM-I know, whodda thunk!

My Plastic Surgeon says that they don't use the skin because it is such "poor" quality. He says because it is so stretched out and thin, it is not the optimum for skin grafting. I don't know that if they were in a "pinch" and needed any skin bad enough that they might take it. Just my "2 cents" worth.

LJM-My doc gave me 2 garments, it was covered in his fees. I looked them up online and I'll give you the address, but they r very pricey. The website is : Design Veronique - Compression Garments The ones that I have are #855 Zippered Full-Body Girdle. He usually gives you one zippered and one pull-up, but one of the gals from my support group had the LBL done last April and she said that it was too hard to use the pull-up one. I asked my doc if I could have 2 of the zippered and I'd be willing to pay the difference, he gave me the 2 and didn't charge me any extra. I would think that you'd need more than just a "binder" after your surgery, but I'm not a doctor. Hope this helps.

JM-Thanks! I'm thrilled with the results so far, I can't imagine how great the final results will be. I'm already down to a size 8 jeans with all the swelling and I started in a size 28-30 jeans. I never imagined that I'd get this small, I was shooting for a 12 or 14. I love my band and my plastic surgeon!

LJM-I am wearing pj's with a drawstring and have no problems and my incision goes up around my hip bones. The incision is pretty well protected by my compression garment.

Tami-Take it from someone who had a LBL 4 weeks ago, you don't need to go up a size for the swelling or the compression garment. I'm down 2 jean sizes even with the swelling and all my pre-op clothes are falling off. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth. Good Luck with your surgery.

Christie-You are so welcome! I wasn't sure if I would post pics so soon, but decided it'll only get better and it's more realistic to see all the swelling. It'll prepare those that want to get this done and let them know that it's "a work in progress". Good Luck to you on your journey!

Thanks LJM-I'll be waiting to see your pics and to hear about your PS journey too!

Thanks Donna, I wasn't sure at first that I would post naked pics but then I figured what the heck! So many other people had done it before me and it has helped so many, so...I'm looking forward to the final results.

Sunsett-a LBL is a lower body lift, which includes a tummy tuck, removal of the pannus, tightening of the abdominal wall, an outer thigh, mons and buttocks lift. My price was $8,900 cash price but it varies from state to state and doctor to doctor. That was also last years price, went to a consult with a friend last Friday and she's having the LBL with the same surgeon as I and the price has gone up. She was quoted $10,370 and the patient coordinator forgot to add $500 more that she was supposed to, so she was able to save a little. The patient coordinator said the Hospital fees had gone up. Most plastic surgeons give free consults and I'm sure if you know what you want they could quote the prices over the phone. Hope this helps you.

Paulax-Thanks! I'm trying to take it easy, but am so bored. Looking forward to going back to work on the 1st, just hope I'm ready then.

Karey-I'm feeling better, thanks! The swelling is a tricky thing, everyone is so different and the doc didn't know when it would be down, but the final results are usually at 6 months to a year. I wear the compression garments 24/7 for 6 weeks then 2 weeks during the day and off at night. I'll probably wear them as long as I can stand them, as it'll help with the swellling as well as the scarring. I think the worse thing has been the swelling and the next was the 2 drains. The best is yet to come with the final results. Keep me posted on your PS journey.

The after pics are only 3 weeks out, so I have a lot of swelling and the final results will be much better. Sorry that the pics are so big, hopefully no one gets grossed-out. It may not look like it but I'm into a size 10 jeans even with all the swelling, so hoping for at least an 8 when the swelling goes down.

Good job Karey!

Nina, Thanks for the help, I tried to upload the pics but they failed, so I don't know if it's something with my computer or what?

Nina, Thanks for the help, I tried to upload the pics but they failed, so I don't know if it's something with my computer or what?

Karey-I get to wear the compression garment for minimum of 6 weeks 24/7 then 2 more weeks during the day. I will probably wear them longer to help with the swelling and the scarring. Sorry that u couldn't help me with the pics either. I'm very swollen today as I overdid it. After I went to the docs, I had to do some grocery shopping and I was up too long. I'm supposed to go back to work on the 1st of Feb, but I may take off another week or two if I need to. How r things going with your PS plans? Hope everything is falling into place for u.

Went to the doctor's today and had the last drain removed. Hooray! It feels so good to have that out, now if I could just get this sweeling to go down, I'd be a happy camper. Got my pre-op pics and some 3-week pics today, but don't know how to post them. If someone could PM me and walk me through the process, I could probably post them. Help!

Karey-you go girl, do some for me!

Karey-according to my trainer and the book that I got, slow movements with heavy weights is the key. You go until your muscles are fatigued. I usually only get about 6 reps in, if I can do more, it's time to increase the weights. When I say slow I mean 15 seconds to contract, then another 15 to relax. It's a little hard at first to go so slow, but after a while you get used to it. I think with lighter weights and more reps you're actually at a higher risk for injury. I see people on the weight machines going so fast, that's when you can pull or strain something. Of course, this is just my opinion.

been there done that, u r right, it doesn't work.

Kat-I'm doing okay, still in some pain, but drugs help. Went to the Docs today for the last drain to be removed but it stays til Friday. Doc says I'm doing great! Good Luck with your upcoming PS.