seaforest

Hi folks, Felt like updating so here I am. All has gone well so far. They found I had a hernia during the surgery so that got taken care of. Pain hasn't been bad at all but I did do my pain meds for the first few days. I'm looking forward to getting rid of drains and being able to lie down instead of "beach chair" sleep. Anyway, I find myself super grateful for my good health and a few more pounds gone. I did the fleur de lis Tummy Tuck. I can tell things are different but haven't really "seen" myself yet. Best wishes and Happy Halloween to all!

Hi folks, Felt like updating so here I am. All has gone well so far. They found I had a hernia during the surgery so that got taken care of. Pain hasn't been bad at all but I did do my pain meds for the first few days. I'm looking forward to getting rid of drains and being able to lie down instead of "beach chair" sleep. Anyway, I find myself super grateful for my good health and a few more pounds gone. I did the fleur de lis Tummy Tuck. I can tell things are different but haven't really "seen" myself yet. Best wishes and Happy Halloween to all!

Hi folks, Felt like updating so here I am. All has gone well so far. They found I had a hernia during the surgery so that got taken care of. Pain hasn't been bad at all but I did do my pain meds for the first few days. I'm looking forward to getting rid of drains and being able to lie down instead of "beach chair" sleep. Anyway, I find myself super grateful for my good health and a few more pounds gone. I did the fleur de lis Tummy Tuck. I can tell things are different but haven't really "seen" myself yet. Best wishes and Happy Halloween to all!

@anaxilaI agree with you about plastics and pain! I've had RNY GB, Total hip replacement and now plastics in the last 2 yrs. Plastics is by far the most painful! Between my extended brachioplasty and lower body lift I have 73 inches of incisions! I guess that explains the pain! The result is worth it though! I'm already planning round 2...upper body lift and then round 3...thigh lift.

I am now 5 weeks post lower body lift and brachioplasty. All the suggestions already given are great. I had some things left over from my hip replacement surgery 14 months ago that I found helpful for this surgery. The most important being a "reacher/grabber." It kind of became a game of picking up the things I dropped, tv remote control, books or magazines, phone etc. I'm not usually a clumsy person but after 12 hrs of surgery it takes a while to get your energy and strength back! The actual Tummy Tuck was probably the least painful of my procedures. The arms are the worst. It took me a week to be able to stand up straight and about a month before I could bend over without feeling like I was going to split open in the back. I slept in my recliner for the first month but am now back in my bed. I did my recovery alone except for someone coming in daily to bring me food and change my compression wraps on my arms. I managed the emptying of my drains, changing abd binder and sponge baths myself. After two weeks I could do my own arm wraps until I finally got my compression sleeves I ordered from Marena!
If you are having just the tummy tuck you should have a nice recovery. I didn't have a C-Section but I would think they may be similar. Keep up with your pain meds, take it easy for a while and you should do fine. Good luck with your decisions.

I expected to be quite debilitated. In reality, my life barely skipped a beat. Yes, I was moving slower, hunched, slept sitting up and wore the binder. Other than lifting, was able to take care of myself & do most things just fine.
One tip I was given is wear the binder or some other firm support for at least 6 months. The longer you wear it, the better the long term result. I bought waist nippers & bodysuits with firm support once the drains were out.
Best of luck!!

yep - I agree with the above two responders. Plastic surgery is MUCH more painful than WLS.

I borrowed my mother's walker (that she had for some surgery a few years ago), and that was helpful the first few days because I was so hunched over. I borrowed a raised toilet seat from someone - can't remember if I actually used it or not, though. I must have because I remember I was in quite a bit of pain the first few days - esp when I transitioned (lying to sitting, sitting to standing, etc)
They gave me an abdominal binder at the hospital, so I didn't need that - although I did buy an "extra firm hold" girdle thingie (I think it was Maidenform - but lots of companies make them) for when I no longer had to use the binder (at around three weeks out, I think)

Caveat: I'm a tall guy, so things may be different for me as opposed to you superwomen who are used to pain.
I suggest a helper.
My Tummy Tuck hurt more than my open RNY surgery. Any movement was agony. Non-movement was agony.
Maybe two helpers. When you point at things you need done it will hurt.
After your surgery perhaps I'll favor you with my tummy tuck horror story. Exciting times!
They removed 12 pounds of flesh from me. When I was wheeled out of the hospital, I was surrounded by balloons my parents bought announcing "It's a Boy!" I got a lot of strange looks.
Good luck,
Tek

Hi,
I'm scheduled for my Tummy Tuck in October. I'm wondering what I should make sure I have around the house to make the recovery as comfortable and easy as possible. For those of you who have gone before me, what would you recommend? (I did try a search but maybe I asked the wrong question.)

Very rambly but I don't disagree. How are you?

Oh yes! I noticed that weekends were tough but now that I'm home all the time....good thing I choose healthy foods for my kitchen. I did notice that being busy really helps. I've been working from home this week...last week, I still went to the office partly because I was afraid of the refrigerator...that was fine because no public contact...but still seems better to be home. Since work meant I was on the phone or video conferencing...that seemed to keep me out of trouble. My plan today is yard work since it's sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be wet, so chores around the house. I really miss the gym! I was going every day and my yoga classes. I liked the structure of having somewhere to go for a specific thing. I'm trying not to fall into the "I'll do it later" trap and keep up the movement.
And, there's the self-talk. Just because I'm bored or sitting still doesn't mean I'm hungry. Remembering to listen to one's stomach is the biggest challenge.

Oh yes! I noticed that weekends were tough but now that I'm home all the time....good thing I choose healthy foods for my kitchen. I did notice that being busy really helps. I've been working from home this week...last week, I still went to the office partly because I was afraid of the refrigerator...that was fine because no public contact...but still seems better to be home. Since work meant I was on the phone or video conferencing...that seemed to keep me out of trouble. My plan today is yard work since it's sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be wet, so chores around the house. I really miss the gym! I was going every day and my yoga classes. I liked the structure of having somewhere to go for a specific thing. I'm trying not to fall into the "I'll do it later" trap and keep up the movement.
And, there's the self-talk. Just because I'm bored or sitting still doesn't mean I'm hungry. Remembering to listen to one's stomach is the biggest challenge.

My 1+ year sleeversary! #Sleeved12/20/2018 

Sent from my SM-S506DL using BariatricPal mobile app

1 month + Update:
Life is progressing along, some days it like I never had surgery other days a sneeze leaves me incapacitated 😳
Belly button is coming along better now. My Primary swapped it for kicks and giggles to run a culture because she is that thorough. Turned out positive for an infection... no doubt from my inability to keep the area dry during showering.
No problem, messaged my surgeon to keep him in the loop and set up a follow up visit some time soon. Received a rx for antibiotics and I'm using a wound wash after I shower to clean the area as well as bacitracin. I am so glad I have a surgeon and primary who are consistently accessible.
Current weight today is 152 but 2 days ago ot was 162 because of Water retention and swelling 😳 this is exactly why you cant always trust the scale. I'm sure ill be something else tomorrow. Sadly with the water weight/ swelling I developed really nice curves and now they're gone again 😭
Bathing suit pics below (this suit didn't accommodate my breast pre surgery but now its slightly loose)

I don’t know if I’m still a Sophomore, I kind of feel like a Junior now. I had my 18 month post op today! The Dr. & nutritionist are both thrilled with my results, although my Dr. would like me to gain 10 pounds because of my age (59). I was honest with him and said there was no way I could psychologically handle an intentional gain at this point which he understood. I’m not losing anymore and I’ve read that a 10 pound bounce is very common by year 2.
There is a monthly support/informational meeting at the hospital for pre and post op patients, they asked me to give a presentation followed by a question and answer session next month. I’m kind of nervous and very flattered that they asked me to do it. I asked if she wanted me to send her a copy of what I plan to say and she replied, ‘No, we trust you”.

I could use some advice. I’m going to discuss my experience of course, foods, menu planning, restaurants, exercise, journaling and most importantly attitude, emotions, expectations, reality and getting and keeping your mindset and motivation.
Please hit me up with ideas, I want to do a good job!

Just posted a video of my journey. Hope everyone is doing well!

Statistics
Cost: $16,000 for BREAST LIFT AND FLEUR DE LIS STYLED Tummy Tuck (saved up and self paid)
Date: January 21, 2020 surgery date
Surgeon: Dr. Dana Goldberg, Jupiter, Florida
Three days before surgery Hibiclens antispetic showers and application of Mupirocin ointment. I ate my regular routine and variety of high quality salads, fresh fruits, nuts, veggies, baked seeded crackers (Firehook brand) with cheese nibbles along with hot tea/1% milk + 80 -100 oz. Water per day.
Day One
Surgery 9:00am - 3:30pm yesterday. Was administered Experal, Valium (if needed) and Enoxaparin. Recovery time until 6:00 pm. Hubby takes me home and I'm in bed by 8:00 pm until 5:00am to empty pressurize drains (3) + urinate. Off balance a bit and slumped to the floor. Puppy to the rescue! Not a fall - just loopy and off balance a bit. Walked around the house with my walker device twice. Surgeon does not want me bent over but standing straight up.
Day Two
Today follow-up appointment at surgeons office 9:15am. Everything looked great and they were amazed with my healthy appearance. I believe this is attributable to clean and simple eating, water, no sugar or salt or little processed products. 5 pounds of skin was removed and I feel so much lighter! That puts me at 124! - Of course, after swelling and settling in the next weeks and months to follow maybe more.... I had them take a picture of the removed flesh. I see it fascinating, not morbid. After all, it was a part of me once. Got a glimpse of the girls aka. breasts today and I love them!!! Perky and pretty. No longer the inherited elongated missels downward from my mother and Aunt! Haha.
Other supplements to help with pain + wound healing are daily Juven drink, Arnica, stool softener, Oxycodone graduating to Tylenol as needed. In other knee surgeries - I found keeping ahead of the pain was better than when in pain.
Overall, so far, this whole process has been intriguing AND not as bad as I thought. Sensing a good premise of what's to follow. My compression garments and socks actually feel really good - stabilizing me + fit well. They placed pads between the stitches and garment. So far feeling not pinching or discomfort. We are having crispy cool whether and enjoyed a walk down the block with hubby and puppy this afternoon. Tonight Hubby's making our favorite navy bean Soup with loads of veggies, cloves + baked ham cubes for flavor. He also made Chia pudding to die for made with vanilla, pear, orange, macadamia nuts, cacao powder... Nice winter recipes.
Very excited and feel most fortunate to take this next step to what will become another game changer. I want my 60's to be a fabulous decade!
Do hope all the ladies in our winterized plastics group continued best wishes and quality healing. Addie ;]

Quick update. 202 pounds gone in a year!

It was a fabulous year. I hope this one coming is as good. Thank you for all the challenges GT! You rock!

As a health care professional, I’m ALWAYS reminding my patients that they own their healthcare, the provider is the person with the expertise yes, but ultimately it is their body and their health.
Sometimes I get odd looks, but when I go to do a consult and people want to move on with their day I’ll hold their rxs hostage sometimes until they can at least tell me what they’re even taking them for.
When people apologize to me for asking a question, my answer is that my JOB is to make sure they’re as healthy and as informed as possible. It stuns me that not every single professional in the field has the same attitude

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆!!Congratulations Everyone!!🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
I hope everyone had a fantastic month & enjoyed a year filled with motivational challenges.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉2020 here we come 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

26. I didn't get to the face mask although it is on my list of things to do. I did get to yoga on Thursday and the gym. I left my phone at home so that can count as my 2 hours without the phone.
27. Just the gym, lunch with a friend, and the a movie with another one. Oh and signed the lease for my new office. So in addition to rearranging my home office/studio, I get to decorate the new space for my fledgling private practice.
28. Well, I trimmed a broken nail. Does that count? Heading out to the gym shortly. It's also my birthday! I'm going to go look at furniture because I'm excited about my new office.

21. Well the two tires turned into four tires - not what I wanted to spend my money on. But did have Breakfast that morning with an old friend in town from CA and went to the gym.
22. Yoga in the morning and gym on the way home. I didn't write a story but I do have to write a report on all my yoga classes attended outside of training - that can be my story which I will work on today.
23. Yoga in the morning followed by the gym (we can call that my intense workout).
25. Went for walk on the beach this morning with the three dogs. No gym as it's not open today. And, I've been working on reorganizing/rearranging my house since Saturday so that's well in hand. I'm also burning a bayberry candle today that I was gifted so that will catch me up with 21.
I hope everyone is enjoying their day!

I’m doing really well. My son got some fudge for a gift and I asked for a piece. I took a small bite and ditched the rest. It wasn’t the really good fudge, it tasted more like melted chocolate chips, therefore wasn’t worth the calories.

I planned our Christmas dinner and it was easy to do a pretty healthy one, we are having boneless pork loin. I’ll definitely have some Desserts and bread but I’m going to be picky about it!