Had my surgery on Friday! Feeling pretty good but I am still relying on the drugs! I had an Exparel shot that supposedly lasts 3 days so that should be wearing off and then I will just have the hydrocodon they gave me to take by mouth. I have my first follow up appointment on Tuesday so that will be the first time I get a chance to see anything. I was able to see that my backside is much tighter, no sag!

Quick Thoughts:

1- Drains. Kind of a pain but not as bad as I thought they would be. That doesn't mean I don't want them gone now but they are tolerable

2- Pain. I think it is way to early to say considering the meds

3- Mobility- Toughest part is getting in an out of bed

4- Results- Can't say yet

5- Nausea- I am fortunate, I have had non

6- Eating- Not very hungry but I am just doing Protein shakes and yogurt

7- Restroom- Dreading having to sit for the first time, that is going to be painful

8- Would I do it again?? NO QUESTION!!! Absolutely!!!!!!

Lookin good!!! I'll be sooo glad not to have to wear bandages

I didn't have bandages for long, maybe a week or so. I still am wearing the binder 8 weeks later 24/7. I am sure I don't need to but it feels good and if it helps with swelling then I will stick with it for a while longer!

I didn't have bandages for long, maybe a week or so. I still am wearing the binder 8 weeks later 24/7. I am sure I don't need to but it feels good and if it helps with swelling then I will stick with it for a while longer!

My dr. said the longer I wore the binder or some kind of compression, the better the final result. Wore mine for 3 months

^{The real me is here.....I swore I heard the same thing so that is why I have kept wearing it. I see my dr again in 4 weeks so I will see what he says then}

^{Thanks for backing me up on that one!!}

Thanks for the info, I'm half way to my goal wt and have been trying to find out about how much it cost and if my insurance will cover any of it . I need from my thighs and up to my neck done. I called Cigna Health Springs and they couldn't tell me ant thing said to talk to my Dr and let him submit a claim and see if they woulda aprove it. Does any one else have Cigna Health Springs, rhey paid for my sleeve without any problem. I hope that they will pay for what I need done now. I'm glad you are doing so great , good luck

My dr said to wear it for at least 6 months. Or some kind of compression garment to keep the skin from forming wrong

I'm going for my first consultation today, anyone who has gotten the surgery what questions would you be sure to ask if you did it over again?

<p>I was able to get my panni/tt 100% covered.</p> <p> </p> <p>First I printed the criteria fro panniculectomy, from my ins. website. </p> <p> </p> <p>second, took that to my pain management dr., who wrote a letter echoing EXACTLY what ins. wanted. I have alot of spinal issues.</p> <p> </p> <p>I also wrote a letter explaining all the health issues that have resolved with weight loss, how important exercise is in keeping the weight off, and how extra skin impedes me.</p>

I went fir my first consult and was told to lose another 30 pounds to get the thighs done but everything is good for the panni. A little nervous but this is much needed.

Everybody… I am still looking for a plastic surgeon in the Tampa area!! Probably moving out there in June so I might as well just have everything done there.

WEEK 9 UPDATE:

For those of you considering this operation as well as anyone that has recently had it and feel like you will never be able to get out of bed and or have no idea how long it will take you to get back to your exercise routine…...

I am here to tell you that today I ran for 60 mins and covered 6.82 miles without any type of pain or problems.

The scar is doing great…..it is fading very well. I believe the silicone strips are working well, they were expensive and are a pain in the a$$ because of the effort. Wake up, take them off, wash them, workout…..shower, put them back on….. and repeat in the evening if you workout again. But, like I said, it looks great so I will continue to keep up with them.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

Hooorah!!! Thanks for the update.

Scout how long was your surgery once you were in the OR?

I was in the OR for over 6 hours and under for 5 and a half. It was long.....I never had a problem with recovering from anesthesia but this time I was in a fog for quite a long time. Close to a week actually. And by fog I mean, a little forgetful and just kinda out of it.

You mention that photos of those of us that had plastics in Mexico show that results are obviously not as good but I shouldn't take it personally. Well I disagree - my results are great and it is kind of hard to not take that personally.

If I were rich and could afford the nursing care I would have needed on top of the higher cost USA surgeons I would have happily stayed local but saying that my results aren't good because I went to Mexico is frankly untrue and unkind and smack of nationality based judgement on surgeons. And I got great care both there and follow up at home.