Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Kathy goes under the knife!



Recommended Posts

I was banded in September 2008 and have lost about 240 pounds since then, from 433 to 190. I'm finally serious about getting cosmetic surgery. I met with my plastic surgeon yesterday, and I am scheduled for my first of two surgeries on July 24! I am going to have a Tummy Tuck with anchor (vertical) incision, breast lift with augmentation, arm lift, and Lipo on the thighs. The second surgery (date TBD) will include the backside to make it a full lower body lift and a medial thigh lift. I am so excited! I know it's a lot of surgical procedures all at once, so I'm sure the recovery will be tough. But I want to get this done and out of the way!

To give you an idea of what my surgeon is dealing with, I've attached my "before" picture. That is, before plastic surgery but after 240+ pounds gone.

I will keep you all posted here with progress updates and pictures too. Any pre-surgery advice from those of you who have been down this road before?

Kathy

post-240233-13813141884774_thumb.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have no advice seeing as I haven't even gotten my band yet but I just want to say CONGRATS. The fact that you've lost SO much weight is an inspiration and a huge accomplishment. I would love to hear YOUR advice! That weight loss is really incredible congratulations I wish you the best on this next chapter in your life !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm thrilled to see that you've lost so much weight! Congratulations! I'm looking forward to seeing your before and after pictures! Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow Congratulations!!!

Best wishes on your upcoming surgeries.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Way to go!!! that's awesome! I was just banded so I don't have any advice, but I wanted to tell you congratulations on your success!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just be prepared for the recovery. I had a TT on may 22 followed by a breast reduction and lift on June 5. I guess I wasn't expecting to feel so drained and I'm getting a little restless sleeping in the recliner. But I'm feeling better today than I have in the last week so maybe I'm turning a corner.

The only other thing I would suggest is if you are in a relationship, make sure you prepare your man for what the girls are going to look like. I think my husband was a little overwhelmed with their appearance.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Kathy congratulations in your amazing weight loss and kudos to you for having made a decision on reconstructive surgery.

I was banded 8/2010, weighed 300 lbs in a dress size 26...today am 164 and a size 8.

I am 12 weeks post op abdominalplasty and breast reduction.. I had 7lbs of fat/flesh removed... The best advice i can give is to get a "lift chair". I lived in it for 3 weeks... It is incredible how much help it was for me when having to get up, if even just to use the bathroom. I was not too proud to use a walker n shower chair either... best thing I did for myself.. My sister recently had surgery (hysterectomy) 3 weeks post-op and did not plan ahead she is still suffered because of it... It is incredible how much we use our ab region just to sit and stand, with the tt it is painful, and a tough recovery but I would do it again in a heart beat!! Gonna get my legs n arms done next!! But probably not for another year. Also be prepared to feel exhausted it takes alot out of you... I'm finally back to routine schedule with gym n work out, took me exactly 3 months to have energy to go back! Oh n crunches still hurt but I'm glad to be able to finally feel a bit normal again...

Good luck to you, you'll do great!! Hardest part is mentally preparing yourself! You've done that already!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

CONGRATULATIONS. I had my "wings" removed for several reasons. Pain was way less than I expected, hardly any at all. Healing started very quickly, slowed down, and now is going quickly again. I look at my arms and can not believe how great they look. Very proud of your accomplishment.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does insurance cover these skin removal surgeries?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have no advice seeing as I haven't even gotten my band yet but I just want to say CONGRATS. The fact that you've lost SO much weight is an inspiration and a huge accomplishment. I would love to hear YOUR advice! That weight loss is really incredible congratulations I wish you the best on this next chapter in your life !

My story is posted on my profile, feel free to read it. In short, my best advice is to actively manage your band. Being either too loose or too tight (really!) will slow down your progress. Keep the faith, make good food choices, and find some kind of exercise that you enjoy. :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just be prepared for the recovery. I had a TT on may 22 followed by a breast reduction and lift on June 5. I guess I wasn't expecting to feel so drained and I'm getting a little restless sleeping in the recliner. But I'm feeling better today than I have in the last week so maybe I'm turning a corner.

The only other thing I would suggest is if you are in a relationship' date=' make sure you prepare your man for what the girls are going to look like. I think my husband was a little overwhelmed with their appearance.

Good luck![/quote']

Can you explain what you mean by "overwhelmed" by the appearance of the girls? Was he not pleased?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Kathy congratulations in your amazing weight loss and kudos to you for having made a decision on reconstructive surgery.

I was banded 8/2010' date=' weighed 300 lbs in a dress size 26...today am 164 and a size 8.

I am 12 weeks post op abdominalplasty and breast reduction.. I had 7lbs of fat/flesh removed... The best advice i can give is to get a "lift chair". I lived in it for 3 weeks... It is incredible how much help it was for me when having to get up, if even just to use the bathroom. I was not too proud to use a walker n shower chair either... best thing I did for myself.. My sister recently had surgery (hysterectomy) 3 weeks post-op and did not plan ahead she is still suffered because of it... It is incredible how much we use our ab region just to sit and stand, with the tt it is painful, and a tough recovery but I would do it again in a heart beat!! Gonna get my legs n arms done next!! But probably not for another year. Also be prepared to feel exhausted it takes alot out of you... I'm finally back to routine schedule with gym n work out, took me exactly 3 months to have energy to go back! Oh n crunches still hurt but I'm glad to be able to finally feel a bit normal again...

Good luck to you, you'll do great!! Hardest part is mentally preparing yourself! You've done that already![/quote']

Regarding the lift chair, did you rent this from someplace? My parents have a recliner I'm planning on borrowing but it's not a lift chair. Good idea about the walker and shower chair. I think I can borrow a walker and a shower chair shouldn't be too expensive.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does insurance cover these skin removal surgeries?

Not in my case this time. I actually had a panniculectomy after I had lost about 80 pounds due to severe and worsening rashes. (See my full story in my profile.) Insurance covered that. The rest of this is cosmetic so I have to pay out of pocket.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I rented the lift chair from a local rent to own agency and it only cost $14 a week... Well worth it. A recliner will help you sleep but you will still struggle with pressure from getting up. This may only be painful fur the first week it two. I was sleeping in my bed by week three however restricted to a prop-up position by pillows for a other week or two.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Can you explain what you mean by "overwhelmed" by the appearance of the girls? Was he not pleased?

I guess since the incision lines for the abdominalplasty were so clean and I had very little bruising and since it was considered the more serious of the two surgeries, we were just surprised how black and blue the girls were. They were so swollen and mis-shaped. Now (almost two weeks outs) they are much better. However I did have. Complication of escemea (sorry thats spelled incorrectly) meaning I had poor circulation to the incision and I have had some tissue loss to that breast. Because of that I won't have a neat scar. But he said when it heals, he will go back in and revise the scare. It won't be prefect, but he said it should be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×