Plastics or no plastics ?

[Healthy_life2 8,330]

How is your pain level so far?

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[OneDollarBill 371]

7 minutes ago, jenn1 said:

How is your pain level so far?

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I have no pain in the chest area at all and really no pain while resting in the recliner. Now when I get up to walk around or go to the bathroom I have some pain/discomfort since you have to walk bent over and gravity pulling on the Abdominoplasty. I have no pain from the Tummy Tuck incision site.

I go back to the Dr on Friday to get the staples removed.

Edited December 13, 2017 by OneDollarBill

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

@jenn1 - you look strong and fit and not saggy in the pics!!!

@OneDollarBill - good luck brave man on your recovery!

I hope to have plastic surgery when the time comes, how many types ? At least lower body lift, likely boobs - who knows on arms n thighs, I could probably live with the thigh jiggle. I square dance and would hate to allemande left and knock someone over with my arm skin!!!

[Sullie06 1,047]

I would love a Tummy Tuck and to have my breasts fixed because they have all but disappeared but my insurance won't cover plastics at this point (maybe sometime in the future because my local group has had a couple people actually approved for plastics by insurance recently).

My skin isn't super saggy but between prior C-Section and having a B shaped belly my stomach needs help. I'm a year out almost, 113 pounds down and 14 pounds from goal so by the time Im ready for plastics I might be able to get approval. If not, I still plan to get my breasts done and just pay out of pocket. Nobody sees my stomach anyway and it doesn't bother my hubby.

[FluffyChix 17,418]

What's a B-shaped tummy? Inquiring minds...

LOL @Sosewsue61 You slay me! You really do! Wipe out on the allemande left. Wipe out on the allemande left! Guess it brings entirely new meaning to "swing your partner," doesn't it?

[KatyasMommy 56]

I have no pain in the chest area at all and really no pain while resting in the recliner. Now when I get up to walk around or go to the bathroom I have some pain/discomfort since you have to walk bent over and gravity pulling on the Abdominoplasty. I have no pain from the Tummy Tuck incision site.
I go back to the Dr on Friday to get the staples removed.

Hey!! I'm actually scheduled this Friday 12-22-2017 to get panniculectomy and abdominoplasty. Any advice prior? Did you stay in hospital over night? How long was procedure? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!!

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[Sonyawon 135]

Lol I'm in the same boat with all of you ...I'm 112 lbs down and I'm sure I will still lose 40 to 60 more..... sagging like a shark came up and bit the raft and all the air came rushing out!!!!!!!!! lmao.

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[OneDollarBill 371]

7 hours ago, KatyasMommy said:

Hey!! I'm actually scheduled this Friday 12-22-2017 to get panniculectomy and abdominoplasty. Any advice prior? Did you stay in hospital over night? How long was procedure? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!!

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Hey there. It been officially a week since my surgery. I have had two follow up appointments with my surgeon since.

I came home the same day. I was ok with this as I tend to get restless with all the stuff they typically have connected to you.

The procedure was just over 4 hours. That also includes the chest stuff.

Here is what I have learned

1. Stay on top of your meds. I made sure I took my pain pill every four hours. I did get off the pain meds by Thursday morning.

2. Take colace as the narcotics are doing to back you up.

3. Coughing and sneezing will hurt like hell.

4. sleeping has been a challenge. You have to sleep in a recliner. As of Sunday night I was officially allowed to lay on my back. While this was great it added a whole other level of sensations and aches. Now on my back I’m stretching the ab muscles out along with everything else

5. I’ve been having trouble sleeping and getting comfortable. Between the binder they have me in and the tightness from the abdominoplasty it feels like I have someone sitting on me. I actually bought some melatonin to try tonight in desperation for a good nights rest.

Despite these things I feel great. Although I have to remind myself to take it easy and not over do things. I do have swelling as does everyone. My surgeon stated the swelling will hit its peak on day 7 and then should slowly reduce.

Edited December 18, 2017 by OneDollarBill

[KatyasMommy 56]

15 hours ago, OneDollarBill said:

Hey there. It been officially a week since my surgery. I have had two follow up appointments with my surgeon since.

I came home the same day. I was ok with this as I tend to get restless with all the stuff they typically have connected to you.

The procedure was just over 4 hours. That also includes the chest stuff.

Here is what I have learned

1. Stay on top of your meds. I made sure I took my pain pill every four hours. I did get off the pain meds by Thursday morning.

2. Take colace as the narcotics are doing to back you up.

3. Coughing and sneezing will hurt like hell.

4. sleeping has been a challenge. You have to sleep in a recliner. As of Sunday night I was officially allowed to lay on my back. While this was great it added a whole other level of sensations and aches. Now on my back I’m stretching the ab muscles out along with everything else

5. I’ve been having trouble sleeping and getting comfortable. Between the binder they have me in and the tightness from the abdominoplasty it feels like I have someone sitting on me. I actually bought some melatonin to try tonight in desperation for a good nights rest.

Despite these things I feel great. Although I have to remind myself to take it easy and not over do things. I do have swelling as does everyone. My surgeon stated the swelling will hit its peak on day 7 and then should slowly reduce.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the advice and info! Couple last questions, what is your daily activity like? Is it hard to walk? How's driving? How's eating? How's the drainage bag and how long did surgeon recommend to keep it in for?

[OneDollarBill 371]

2 hours ago, KatyasMommy said:

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the advice and info! Couple last questions, what is your daily activity like? Is it hard to walk? How's driving? How's eating? How's the drainage bag and how long did surgeon recommend to keep it in for?

My daily activity the last week had been very limited. I think I spent the first couple days sleeping on and off.

You won’t be able to and the surgeon won’t want you to stand up straight. You have to walk bent over. This actually hurts because now gravity is pulling on this new stomach and my lower back hurts a little bit for having to walk hunched over for a few days.

Yesterday was the first day I actually ventured out the house on my own and first day I was cleared to drive. Driving was a little uncomfortable just had adjust my seat a little bit more so I wasn’t sitting straight up-and-down.

The only chore I did was running to the grocery store which actually wiped me out. When I got home I was pretty tired after that.

Eating is OK now. But the first few days all I can really do is drink Protein Shakes. It was kind of interesting that I felt like I didn’t have the room or the capacity to eat. Almost like those first days having the sleeve. I don’t know if it was just because I didn’t have an appetite because of the surgery or other circumstances.

I can’t speak to the drains. I do not have any drains. My surgeon used a technique with something called body glue. This eliminates the necessity to have drains. It was an extra cost out of my pocket but supposedly helps speed up recovery time and eliminated the need for me to have drains. I had never heard of it before but glad I went with that option.

[KatyasMommy 56]

Yes, absolutely no appetite! So far I've only had Protein Shake and chicken broth and an egg. Trying to eat because I feel very drained of energy. They ended up having to admit me to the hospital yesterday because after waking up from anesthesia, my bladder didn't wake up andI couldn't urinate. Thankfully bladder finally woke up 30 minutes prior to them putting a catheter in me! So Dr took a total of 15lb from my stomach!! That was a big shock but I'm excited to see how it looks. Also, how many times did you walk around after surgery? Did you sleep a lot?

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[PrayingForWeightLoss 340]

I have lost close to 50 pounds now and don't have sagging belly skin but my boobs are sagging big time. The only reason I am not having plastics is because we can't afford it. Otherwise, I desperately need it. Very soon I I might be tripping on my boobs while I am walking. I guess I will have to look for a good bra to pack the boobs into.

[OneDollarBill 371]

4 hours ago, KatyasMommy said:

Yes, absolutely no appetite! So far I've only had Protein Shake and chicken broth and an egg. Trying to eat because I feel very drained of energy. They ended up having to admit me to the hospital yesterday because after waking up from anesthesia, my bladder didn't wake up andI couldn't urinate. Thankfully bladder finally woke up 30 minutes prior to them putting a catheter in me! So Dr took a total of 15lb from my stomach!! That was a big shock but I'm excited to see how it looks. Also, how many times did you walk around after surgery? Did you sleep a lot?

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I want to say the first week I did sleep in and off a lot. I equate it to the anesthesia working it’s way out and the pain meds.

I tried to get up every hour I was awake and walk around. Sometimes that meant pacing the living room.

Going back to the topic of pain this second week has been worse than the first. I had been getting serious pain in my lower left and right stomach area above the incision. My surgeon said it was the swelling going down and the nerves firing back up. This went on for the last two days. Today it feels better. Just be prepared for that.

Oh and the binder is starting to annoy the crap out of me. Christmas will mark the two week mark of surgery. I have another follow up on Tuesday. Hopefully of all goes well I can ditch it pretty soon.

[KatyasMommy 56]

Oooh man, yes!! I haven't pooped yet but feel I need to make the slit bigger. They put me in a girdle that has a slit at bottom but I don't trust it!! Thanks for the warning. Are you still on pain meds? So the worse thing happened to me. I started getting phlegm and I'm very careful to not cough but it hurts so bad to even try to get it out. Did you experience any of that?

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[OneDollarBill 371]

3 hours ago, KatyasMommy said:

Oooh man, yes!! I haven't pooped yet but feel I need to make the slit bigger. They put me in a girdle that has a slit at bottom but I don't trust it!! Thanks for the warning. Are you still on pain meds? So the worse thing happened to me. I started getting phlegm and I'm very careful to not cough but it hurts so bad to even try to get it out. Did you experience any of that?

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I stopped taking the prescription pain meds after 4 days and switched to Advil.

Yes, ouch yes I had phlegm as well due to the anesthesia. I just tried to do these long throat clearing coughs to minimize the pressure. I thing sneezing was worse though.

Hope you are holding up well otherwise.