vogue

The ice did the trick momentarily. I'll be doing it again today.

I gave up on the bedside bathing and took a shower yesterday. Hooked the drains onto something and had my way. Felt great.

Energy level is fine. I have cabin fever. I have a hard time sitting still. I think if I had the muscle repair/TT work I'd feel a lot worse.

My Dr emailed this morning. Said to come in and let PA take out my drains today instead of waiting til Wednesday. But when I called, no PA is there today and he is I'm surgery. So I'll just see him tomorrow instead of Wednesday. Drains will come out a day early. They really itch/ burn at the opening so knowing I'm seeing the Dr soon is making it less tempting for me to rip the drains out myself

My scar is UGLY. UGLY. and looks like I have a keloid on part of it. It's still covered with tape so I'll get a better look tomorrow.

Do you think periodic body wraps would help starting a couple of weeks after surgery? And what about body reshapers during the process?

Save your money.

Only my husband knows. Didn't tell my kids or parents.

Same here. Hubby only knows. No parents or kids

Congrats !! That's amazing.

If you do a lot of heavy exercise ( heavy weight lifting, marathon or triathlon type training) you will NEED the carbs. Otherwise keep them as low as you can. Sub 50 grams is ideal

::::: pasting what I wrote on a similar topic::::

With those drink squirt things. ( Mio, etc ) it's easy to have low sugar or sugar free drink fluids all day.... There's free filtered Water on the ship. I mixed a Mio-type drink with seltzer over crushed ice and stayed happy

I purchased trial sizes of Protein powder and grabbed milk cartons from the Breakfast station and purchased a $1 from dollar store to use to mix any of that in...

If you let them know, Carnival will take out the overpriced Water, soda etc from the room fridge and allow you to use to store your medically necessary items. I explained that I needed it to store medicines and food related to my medical condition. No further questions were asked except if I would need receptacle to dispose of needles (like for diabetic injections)

I had a few alcoholic drinks. Maybe 3 the entire cruise. You will feel the alcohol faster but it seems to wear off just as fast. ( it really doesn't but our post op bodies trick us into thinking it does ) ... Being mindful of that I didn't drink everyday

With most cruises, there are so many opportunities to walk and even more. Water aerobics. Zumba on LIdo deck , the gym. Or just taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

I did a LOT of room service. And I had that chocolate cake every night.

I came home with less than 2 extra pounds that were well earned with no regrets. That's what vacations are for

Just wondering if anyone's health insurance paid for any reconstructive surgery? I'm going to need a total lift. I know my insurance won't pay, but I'm wondering if they may pay for a breast reduction.

Depends on your policy and if they deem if medically necessary. You can't go just by insurance carrier because each individual policy is different based on the group coverage contract or private insurance inclusions

Mine paid for panniculectomy. Would pay for more if meet STRICT guidelines. Some (very few) get full body lifts or even partial(lower) body lifts paid for by insurance but most don't. That's why many opt to go out of the country where self pay prices are more affordable

My issues with starting came after taking laxatives to relieve Constipation. Or if I had anything sugary. That was for about first year. Now I still get the bubblies if I drink something sugary but at least I don't shart

I wore strategically set sanitary napkins in my undies

With those drink squirt things. ( Mio, etc ) it's easy to have low sugar or sugar free drink fluids all day.... There's free filtered Water on the ship. I mixed a Mio-type drink with seltzer over crushed ice and stayed happy

I purchased trial sizes of Protein powder and grabbed milk cartons from the Breakfast station and purchased a $1 from dollar store to use to mix any of that in...

If you let them know, Carnival will take out the overpriced Water, soda etc from the room fridge and allow you to use to store your medically necessary items. I explained that I needed it to store medicines and food related to my medical condition. No further questions were asked except if I would need receptacle to dispose of needles (like for diabetic injections)

I had a few alcoholic drinks. Maybe 3 the entire cruise. You will feel the alcohol faster but it seems to wear off just as fast. ( it really doesn't but our post op bodies trick us into thinking it does ) ... Being mindful of that I didn't drink everyday

With most cruises, there are so many opportunities to walk and even more. Water aerobics. Zumba on LIdo deck , the gym. Or just taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

I did a LOT of room service. And I had that chocolate cake every night.

I came home with less than 2 extra pounds that were well earned with no regrets. That's what vacations are for

Congrats on breaking the control the scale had on your brain. How you feel about yourself and how you feel about how you feel you look is much more important. The wife's hands on you is an added bonus!!

I'd love to be a 4, but if I leveled out at an 8, I'd be ok. Right now I'm at 10/12 and I am definitely on the puffy side of average.

While I like the way my body looks at size 4, it ages my face. My face looked better 30 pounds ago at size 8-10. Which as I mentioned put me back to overweight BMI

At size 10, I was still overweight by BMI standards. Most everyone else thought I was normal. I've since teetered to the thin size at size 4. I wouldn't cry if I got back to size 8

Drains are bothering me today. Not hurting, more like irritating and itchy kinda burning. Not sure if it's because nothing is coming out of them anymore or because feeling is coming back in those areas or something else or some combo of them all. What I do know is if they accidentally happened to get yanked out, I won't fret

I never had any. When I was nearly 300 pounds I couldn't fill a 38C. I'm a 34B in my very inexpensive push-up bras.

Great thing about having itty bitties, you can find inexpensive bras AMYWHERE. and push-up bras are my BFF.

Looking good even just a few days after. You must be so excited about reaching your goal and getting rid if the loose skin.

Thanks and yes it's exciting. Now if only I can find a cure for cabin fever during this recovery. March Madness and Netflix aren't enough

First three pics are morning of surgery.

Last 3 are three days post- op

X

I just got sleeved and still have 125 pounds or so to go and I ALREADY had a panni from pregnancy. It's already worse with 40 pound weight loss. I can't imagine how much worse it's gonna be. Vie already told my husband I'm having it done when I'm all done with this. It's so annoying. I'm glad it went well! How long will you be off of work?

Dr says. 4-6 weeks. I could probably go back in 4 but if my job lets me, use the last 2 to get some spring cleaning etc done

Similar to Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck involves muscle repair and / or tightening plus Excess skin removal and often some contouring of the abdomen area

A panniculectomy. ( panni) is the removal of excess skin that lies below belly button only

Stupid time out double posting monster

OK so I had my appointment. I need to have my gallbladder removed. I have gallstones. I also have hiatal hernia. The gallbladder surgery will be a separate surgery from my sleeve and hiatal hernia repair during sleeve. Then when all is said and done I can stop talking 8 excedrin and popping zantac150 like candy every day. So it's a positive I guess. It is a reality if nothing else. Just trying to find the silver lining.

Given Any reason why it all can't be done at once?

With the amount of weight you have lost and the expected amount to still lose, I'm sure the reasons for getting a penni would be unquestioned. However, everything I have read and heard suggests, it will probably not be considered until you are almost at your goal. You would certainly not be satisfied either if you had it done too soon, only to end up with lots more sagging skin and problems upon reaching your goal. Good luck. congratulation on your great success. Keep up the excellent effort.

Many of the super morbidly obese end up with multiple PS procedures. A pannus that is too huge can impede further progress.

My Dr never gave me a self pay price because I never asked. I was told there was special pricing for self pay.

When I got my EOB , my insurance company did pay over. $25K.

I'm guessing there is one price for the insured and another for the uninsured or underinsured

I had a similar experience with PS. Dr quoted me a price and when my insurance approved me they inflated the price so my OOP would be the same as a cash paying patient. No thanks

I'm. 3 days postop from panni surgery but I was under goal.

What your insurance pays for is individual. When it does pay, you must have medical documentation to prove you meet the requirements. My insurance made no mention of needing to be at goal. If the pannus is causing you the problems mentioned, start getting your doctor to prescribed creams and to take pictures.

The panni surgery will only remove excess skin but will make your life easier. Good luck

I don't know if anyone is even reading this... But it's almost 72 hours post-op. I took off all my clothes for DH to take pics after I bathed. even with the swelling, I'm amazed at how I look.

My tummy is rock hard which is weird... I know it will relax as it heals.

My right drain has had no measurable output in more than 24 hours. I just emailed the Dr to ask is it ok to leave in place til next Wednesdays appointment. I also have 1 stitch that is a ill puckered. Not sure if it's due to swelling or not.

I took a percoset at 8pm despite not being in much pain. I spent most of yesterday sitting up on the couch and did a lot of twisting & turning to stay in comfy positions. I was concerned I'd be sore in bed. I slept well for the most part.

I weighed myself naked. Put drains on a hook on the door trying to not have them in the measurement. It was 143.8. Not too bad if I say so myself.