I'm in Swell Hell, and other musings from recent plastics

[iamsoworthit 430]

I know I'm far behind you at only 3 weeks, but my mons is really swollen, I would almost describe it as pendulous. I'm really hoping this is temporary.

Mine almost is hard by the end of the day. I think it's all Fluid but it does get better over night and returns to normal. I have been trying to only wear my compression garmets in the evenings and that helps with the swelling.

[BethinPA 305]

my first 1.5 weeks back to work was brutal. I am a hospital administrator, so I am in a lot of meetings. When I am in my office, I sit on a pillow and when I get home I rest. I had an incision split at Christmas and when back to work on 1/11. Be prepared for low energy and I swear my brain still isn't completely working like it did. I asked a neurologist who I know and she said that many hours under anesthesia takes a toll on short term memory but it will come back.

Keep the area clean and use it as a sign you may be doing too much too soon. My surgeon said skin that was obese does not heal the way other skin does and we are prone to those. Luckily I only had the one on my hip. It is completely healed and everything looks great now.

Hang in there!!!

Thank you for the pillow idea. I worked the past 3 days and the pillow was helpful. To sit on, but also for my head - I got dizzy several times, and just laid down on the floor with my head on the pillow for a bit until my head cleared. I saw my surgeon yesterday - he put stitches back in where my incision had opened up (big time) and drained 450mls of a seroma from my abdomen. I almost fainted twice while was doing it. I just keep telling myself this will all be worth it in the end!

[iamsoworthit 430]

Thank you for the pillow idea. I worked the past 3 days and the pillow was helpful. To sit on, but also for my head - I got dizzy several times, and just laid down on the floor with my head on the pillow for a bit until my head cleared. I saw my surgeon yesterday - he put stitches back in where my incision had opened up (big time) and drained 450mls of a seroma from my abdomen. I almost fainted twice while was doing it. I just keep telling myself this will all be worth it in the end!

Bless your heart! You may need to be home a bit longer. Is that an option for you? I had some serious blood pressure drops in the beginning but it has gotten better. I still use the pillow because it takes the pressure off of my back incisions and slightly pushes me forward. Make sure you take care of yourself. This surgery is no joke and we need to remember to take care of ourselves first.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Thank you for the pillow idea. I worked the past 3 days and the pillow was helpful. To sit on, but also for my head - I got dizzy several times, and just laid down on the floor with my head on the pillow for a bit until my head cleared. I saw my surgeon yesterday - he put stitches back in where my incision had opened up (big time) and drained 450mls of a seroma from my abdomen. I almost fainted twice while was doing it. I just keep telling myself this will all be worth it in the end!

Beth, I am feeling for you! You might not be ready for work since you are feeling so light headed. You don't want to pass out, fall and hit your head. How many weeks ago was your surgery?

Those seromas are miserable. I've read that they are as common as 35-40% in surgeries like this. Mine encapsulated, so that's making matters worse for me.

I had a couple of open areas after my lower body lift that were slow to heal, and one in back that split. They left red wide scars. However, even with the minor complications and all the scars, I still think it was worth it!

I hope you feel better soon!

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

What the last page of posts tells me is that time off and recovery is under estimated. I took a full 6 weeks off before returning to a desk job! I know not everyone has that luxury but I think increased risk of some follow on issues if you overdo it.

I was cleared to stop wearing compression at 6 weeks (i THINK ) but I wore stage 2 bottoms for 2 months more. I felt insecure working out, riding horses without them. Also helped keep swelling in Check.

[BethinPA 305]

What the last page of posts tells me is that time off and recovery is under estimated. I took a full 6 weeks off before returning to a desk job! I know not everyone has that luxury but I think increased risk of some follow on issues if you overdo it.

I was cleared to stop wearing compression at 6 weeks (i THINK ) but I wore stage 2 bottoms for 2 months more. I felt insecure working out, riding horses without them. Also helped keep swelling in Check.

I totally agree with you. My surgeon recommended 3 weeks, which I took. I worked three full days out of five in week four, and that was rough. So, I decided to work 5 half days this week (week 5), to ease into things somewhat. My job is semi desk work, semi active. I still have a seroma that was drained again today, and stitches in the back where my incision opened up. If I could do this again, I'd do it differently. But I hope to never have to do this again!

When I look at the reviews on realself.com, everyone seems to have a great recovery and are able to spring back with no complications. How can that be?

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I totally agree with you. My surgeon recommended 3 weeks, which I took. I worked three full days out of five in week four, and that was rough. So, I decided to work 5 half days this week (week 5), to ease into things somewhat. My job is semi desk work, semi active. I still have a seroma that was drained again today, and stitches in the back where my incision opened up. If I could do this again, I'd do it differently. But I hope to never have to do this again!

When I look at the reviews on realself.com, everyone seems to have a great recovery and are able to spring back with no complications. How can that be?

I wish I could have taken more time, but there really wasn't any way I could have. I had two separate surgeries, so that would have been 12 weeks. These seromas are harder to treat than one would think. I had to have two encapsulated ones cut out, and I'm not sure they are not back. sigh.

I know what you mean about real self. However, I have found some horror stories there, too. People who had far worse complications and outcomes than I have. I knew going in that this would be my outcome....I had a post op seroma after one of my c-sections, I had a post op infection after my gastric sleeve, and lately I've noticed small cuts are slow to heal. When I had some areas that were slow to heal, some necrosis in the front, and a dehiscence in back after my LBL, I know that I'm slow to heal. I increased calories and Protein, was meticulous about Vitamins, and still had issues. I think I might stop having elective surgeries, lol. I used to heal so quickly, so this is surprising to me.

But what would you do differently? I don't know what I would do differently...other than just take more time off?

Either, way, I'm still not sad I had it done.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

The main reason I went to Dr Sauceda is that I couldn't take time off to do 2-3 surgeries without spreading the work over YEARS. Doing it "jumbo" style like i did has certain increases in risk, but this particular surgeon does it alot so seems to have a very tuned "after care" to mitigate this.

I did not experience pain, no wound openings, my swelling wasnt even that bad and yet recovery was very very difficult. I wasn't allowed to drive until 3 weeks post op. I was instructed to walk like a 95 year old arthritic granny ... small steps, hunched a bit, very slow.... it killed me. When my friends saw me 3-8 weeks out they were wowed by my results but quite literally "scared" about how slow i moved and how tired I was. I am a live wire that runs "hot" and so to see me moving like a slug and exhausted after a 60 minute outing ...

One of my friends actually called a plastic surgeon in New York he was aquainted with because he was sure I was dying...lol. That surgeon reassured him and I did go on to have a complete recovery of course.

I saw a local PS to discuss face fillers and he was very admiring of my arm scars - saying they very often widen. I bet one of the reasons mine didn't is those 6 weeks of doing NOTHING. And I mean I wasn't allowed to do anything except for slow (arthritic granny style) walking. I had my dishes set out on the counter so I didn't even have to reach for a glass of Water.

My point is that I think that sometimes surgeons are overly optimistic and don't give conservative enough advice, sometimes patients dont have a choice and must go back to work early on and of course there is the "luck factor".

There is only one thing I "might" do differently which is my thighs. I didn't get the long thigh lift so my lovely firm arms are not replicated on my thighs. Flip side, I don't have that long scar. For some reason, the idea of the leg scar bothered me ALOT.

Anyway, give it at least 6 months post op before you decide how you feel about results. I was pleased from day one, but I was looking at some "scar" photos from 2-3 months post op and they were wicked ugly. Those same scars are scarcely visible now 16 months post plastics. The "bad" scar i have is the back point on the Lower Body Lift - I didn't open up, but the scar widened considerably and I am not sure when since I can't see that spot.

The "after" pics were taken approx 6 months post op and you can see the front scar in the swimsuit. That is practically invisible now. anyway, when ever I get discouraged about my "results" I look at this. I encourage you all to take an objective look and I bet you experienced HUGE improvement too.

[BethinPA 305]

I wish I could have taken more time, but there really wasn't any way I could have. I had two separate surgeries, so that would have been 12 weeks. These seromas are harder to treat than one would think. I had to have two encapsulated ones cut out, and I'm not sure they are not back. sigh.

I know what you mean about real self. However, I have found some horror stories there, too. People who had far worse complications and outcomes than I have. I knew going in that this would be my outcome....I had a post op seroma after one of my c-sections, I had a post op infection after my gastric sleeve, and lately I've noticed small cuts are slow to heal. When I had some areas that were slow to heal, some necrosis in the front, and a dehiscence in back after my LBL, I know that I'm slow to heal. I increased calories and Protein, was meticulous about Vitamins, and still had issues. I think I might stop having elective surgeries, lol. I used to heal so quickly, so this is surprising to me.

But what would you do differently? I don't know what I would do differently...other than just take more time off?

Either, way, I'm still not sad I had it done.

I think I pushed myself too hard, and did too much too soon. It's that nurse mentality, that gotta-stay-active-and-keep-moving attitude. I was out walking every day from the get-go, and post op day #7 I was out shopping, driving and visiting. I wished I had dialed it down a bit, I think it set me back, healing wise. I'm really trying with the nutrition, supplements and Protein, but I could have done better. I just have to stay the course and take the long view. Tonight I was looking at pictures from last summer/fall - the warm weather will be back before we know it, and I want to be ready for anything when it comes! ????

[MichiganChic 3,262]

@@CowgirlJane I considered going to Mexico, but I was worried that if I had complications, I would have problems with post operative treatment. Since I did have them, it was probably a good decision for me. I do not blame my physician at all - I had minor complications that are known risks with these types of surgery. Also, Michigan is a LONG way from Mexico, and I worried about travel with drains, increased risk for blood clots, etc.

@@BethinPA I know I also did too much too soon. I agree, it's the nurse in me! Get out of that bed and walk. I didn't want pneumonia or a DVT. I was also out and about, thinking I'm tough. I entertained at my house Christmas eve and cooked a big meal for 20 people. I also wish I hadn't done that. I am a little like a tank - I just keep going no matter what. So, I would never encourage a patient to do what I did.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I don't think any of this is caused by a surgeon. It just happens sometimes and too much activity increased risk. Anyway some Dr s. Patients have complications too and I hear about them on our Facebook group. They always recover fine...just takes time. You all know that. It is more words of caution to others that the internal healing post major reconstructive surgery is much bigger than what you see on the surface. Reduce risk of swelling,wound issues etc by not pushing activity too soon.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

@@CowgirlJane - agreed. People really should take this serious. I know that sooner or later these seromas will heal, but I don't think it's going be for a while. In the end, I fear I'm going to be off work again, and in the end, the rush to get back to business just cost me more time. It's been 8 weeks, and I'm still not 100%, and potentially looking at another surgery.

It is also true that complication are not necessarily the result of a poorly performed surgery or a bad surgeon. In my case, I do not think my surgeon did anything to cause my seroma. Depends on the complication - sometimes it might be the surgeons fault. These are elective procedures, and surgeons are humans who can make mistakes. In the end, we all go in knowing and assuming the risks. I'm still glad I did.

Edited February 14, 2015 by MichiganChic