freelee

I would call your dr right away.

Thank you Nynandra........I knew I wouldn’t be able to get it down if chunky and didn’t want to go through that expense if it was chunky.

6 months!! Sorry I missed that. Just hoping to be in smaller clothes before that. Guess that sounds pretty vain, doesn't it? Sorry, chalk it up to impatience.

With this swelling..........are your clothes still fitting better than before you had the surgery?? Did you go a size smaller, and how soon? Less than 2 weeks before I have my panni, and have all of these crazy thoughts in my head.
Thanks

Good thing to remember for my future, thanks!

How soon before you were able to wear a size smaller pants/tops? Even with the swelling?

RealMe, thanks! All of you are making me much calmer about this. According to the surgeon, there won't be a lot of muscle work done, and at my age that is just fine. Glad you told me the compression band will help with the flattening, I thought it was just for recovery.
I'll keep you posted.
Freelee

Thanks so much for the good advice. Sherri, you made me feel much better and good suggestions. I do want to talk to my surgeon more in-depth. Dr-P thanks for the encouragement.
Freelee

Thanks so much. I followed your progress and you've seemed to do very well. I'm 64 and just questioning myself on "elective" surgery at this age....of course I'm healthier than I was in my 40s and 50s I guess.

I'm two years yesterday from my gastric bypass and have my pann in two weeks (June 30). I'm pretty nervous and have heard so real horror stories but also have heard how much it is worth it. Thanks for all who have come before on this site and posted positives and pictures. My biggest fear is taking care of the drains I have to come home with and that the hospital stay is so short. How long do I have to stay in/or near my bed? I know all of us are different in our recoveries, but I would appreciate any insight you wish you would have known then that you have learned. Two years ago I was 280 and now 125.....so greatful and looking forward to this new "adventure"
Freelee

Thanks for the responses. Now I have a couple of questions for those of you who have completed the process. Anyone use a portable wound vac? How do you tell if it is working? Most of the time it sounds like a gieger counter and which makes me think it is leaking, but when it is silent (rarely) I feel like it is not working. I still have it at home as well as the two drains which I understand may take from 1-2 weeks to be removed.
Also, I came home 10# heavier than I went in, and 3 1/2 # of skin was removed. Is this normal and is it all fluids from the surgery? When can I begin to see it go down? I am walking and up and around. I love the way my stomach looks and my feet are not swollen anymore.
Anxious to see the end results......do you go down a size in clothing and how soon?
My surgery was Fri (June 30) Today is Tues (July 4)....Happiest 4th of July wishes to you all!!

Nursejenny thank you so much for all of your posts. They really kept me engaged and calm leading up to my panniculectomy on Friday and home Sunday night. Your posts have been very encouraging , honest, and informative.....a big help to others. Although, not as complex or complete as yours, I am thrilled with the outcome of my surgery and will post my before and after photos soon.
You are a real inspiration and I wish you all the best in this new phase of your life and your move. I posted mine under panniculectomy....check. Thank you again.
Freelee

Thank you so much for your posts and photos. I am having my panni on June 30 and have been a little nervous. Your explanations and photos have really helped. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Freelee

Hi to all of you! I had RNY 21 months ago when I was 62. I have lost 150 lbs and have such a better outlook on life. I am so thankful I had it done. If I can help out in any way, please let me know.

Hope all is going as scheduled. Sorry to be replying so late. I will be 65 in August, had my gastric bypass June 2015, coming up on two years. I have lost 150 lbs and kept it off this second year, Siam very pleased. I will be having a tat Jane 30. I think I'm more nervous about this than my initial surgery, but I have to remember I am so much more healthy than I was at 280lb and technically my body is younger than it was.

2 years ago I had RNY, and at the beginning of this summer I had lost 150 lbs. I am at goal. June 30 I had my panni and he took another 3.5 lbs of skin. I am very happy with it. It does take longer to heal than I had expected. After surgery they immediately had the compression brace on and am still wearing it almost 24/7. i gained some Water weight (up to 131 from 117) but am now down to 126. my biggest fear is I will continue to gain if I dont get back on my walking/jogging routine soon. i had to have a section of my incision reopened due to a tiny complication, so I am having to pack an open 3" foe a month until it heals, so the major walking is off the table and "strolls" just arent cutting it weightloss wise.
Good luck on your journey. I am very happy with my results. Now I wish I could do my arms and thighs.

Just had my panni done because it is covered by my insurance. None of the other will be.Because of age I decided to not have a tummy tuck............but if I had to order my dream plastic surgeries they would be:
next: arms then: thighs then: neck then: breast reduction, not augmentation
But all of that is a dream at this time. I am extremely pleased with my panni and I only had it done 8 DAYS ago.

Great! Take it slow, and don't worry about what you are NOT eating, but what you are eating.

Sorry, it wasn't a tat. Don't know where that came out of my 64 year old brain. Anyway, for my 2 year surgiversary, I had a panniculectomy done last Friday, removal of stomach skin. i am so excited about it. Today is only Tuesday and things are going great!
Sorry about "tat"

I'm two years yesterday from my gastric bypass and have my pann in two weeks (June 30). I'm pretty nervous and have heard so real horror stories but also have heard how much it is worth it. Thanks for all who have come before on this site and posted positives and pictures. My biggest fear is taking care of the drains I have to come home with and that the hospital stay is so short. How long do I have to stay in/or near my bed? I know all of us are different in our recoveries, but I would appreciate any insight you wish you would have known then that you have learned. Two years ago I was 280 and now 125.....so greatful and looking forward to this new "adventure"
Freelee

Just had my panni done because it is covered by my insurance. None of the other will be.Because of age I decided to not have a tummy tuck............but if I had to order my dream plastic surgeries they would be:
next: arms then: thighs then: neck then: breast reduction, not augmentation
But all of that is a dream at this time. I am extremely pleased with my panni and I only had it done 8 DAYS ago.

Sorry misread your post! Yep Starbucks pricey!! When I go I normally get vanilla latte or blonde roast ...my daughter used to work at Starbucks and I asked her about fraps and they are not carbonated. My personal preference is to try and stay away from sweeteners unless stevia. I've read they're very unhealthy. Better to have sugar but then the calories would be astronomical!!

Thanks for the responses. Now I have a couple of questions for those of you who have completed the process. Anyone use a portable wound vac? How do you tell if it is working? Most of the time it sounds like a gieger counter and which makes me think it is leaking, but when it is silent (rarely) I feel like it is not working. I still have it at home as well as the two drains which I understand may take from 1-2 weeks to be removed.
Also, I came home 10# heavier than I went in, and 3 1/2 # of skin was removed. Is this normal and is it all fluids from the surgery? When can I begin to see it go down? I am walking and up and around. I love the way my stomach looks and my feet are not swollen anymore.
Anxious to see the end results......do you go down a size in clothing and how soon?
My surgery was Fri (June 30) Today is Tues (July 4)....Happiest 4th of July wishes to you all!!

At my 2 yr RNY anniversary I had my panniculectomy this past Friday (June 30). I got home Sunday night (July 2). I'm so pleased and excited, plus I have very very little pain. Since I'm 64 I opted not to have muscle repair since that would increase the pain and recovery and at my age, for me, not necessary. i am already happy about the results. I am already walking straight and up and down stairs.
Will post a before and after pic soon...pretty amazing. He took 3 and a half pounds of skin off, but it looks more like 9 because it looks so different.I came home with two drains and a portable wound vac which are both much less bothersome and gross than I thought they would be.
I'll be glad to answer any questions........oh, and yes, my bcbs did cover it, but wont cover arms or legs (which is why I probably wont be having those done!).
Very happy!

Nursejenny thank you so much for all of your posts. They really kept me engaged and calm leading up to my panniculectomy on Friday and home Sunday night. Your posts have been very encouraging , honest, and informative.....a big help to others. Although, not as complex or complete as yours, I am thrilled with the outcome of my surgery and will post my before and after photos soon.
You are a real inspiration and I wish you all the best in this new phase of your life and your move. I posted mine under panniculectomy....check. Thank you again.
Freelee