I decided to start a new thread because my surgery date is fast approaching. I am getting very nervous. I am having a lower body lift with a hernia repair. I am staying one night in the hospital. I will go home with a pain pump. I should have drains in for 2 weeks. I am taking 3 weeks off from work. I am getting partial insurance coverage becaues of the hernia repair. My surgeon said that I can expect her to remove between 5-9 lbs which should easily put me at goal. Of course I am hoping for much closer to 9. I am driving my friends and family crazy with my nervous chatter on the topic. Can anyone relate? Anyway - I think that I included the usual questions that people want to know when they read these threads! Most of my nervousness stems from not being able to do things for myself and fear of gaining weight becaue my exercise will be so limited! Can anyone relate to that? Am I being silly? Hope whoever reads this thread will find it as informative as I have found all those who have gone before me!

Hi Karen,

Good luck tomorrow!!!

I had my TOM during both of my surgeries. The first time was really bad because my (five) fibroid tumors (which were also removed during Round 1) caused heavy, heavy bleeding. Having my TOM really didn't seem to cause any major problems -- it was just one more (very minor) thing I dealt with during the recovery process. Hope this helps!!!

Can't wait to hear back that you rocked your surgery and are on the road to recovery!!!! Sending quick healing vibes your way!!!!

Thanks so much for responding to the TOM question. It will be almost over but it was stressing me out anyway. I guess the surgeons are used to blood!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow!

And I am off! Thanks for the support guys. This feels like the calm before the storm. Will *speak* with you soon!

K

Saying a prayer for you!!

KarenG , Keeping you in thoughts and prayers today!!!

Sending positive vibes and prayers your way! Welcome to the Flatlands!

Hi Karen,

Thinking of you today. I hope by now, you are in recovery and doing well.

Big healing hugs to you! :crying::smile::wink2:

Karen,

I've been thinking about you. I hope your resting comfortably. I can't wait to hear from you.

HI guys a quick check in because I am pretty tired still. 12-15lbs of skin was removed (I was suprised by that). I feel pretty ok with the percoset and the pain pump (miracle device). I ended up spending a bit more time in the hospital because they wanted to check on some bleeding. I am finding the drains gross and the binder annoying. Other than that I feel pretty much ok. I will write more about my experience when I have some more energy later.

Congratulations! Glad it's over with and you are complication free! Hope the rest of your recovery is smooth. Rest up!

I'm glad to hear you are home and doing well. Get plenty of rest. Your drains will be out before you know it and you'll have a little more energy each day. Keep us posted when you're up to it.

Wow. 15 pounds is a lot of skin. I bet you are going to look great. Happy healing!

Congrats!! I'm glad you are doing so well. Take care of yourself!!

SO I am feeling pretty good. I am tired easily so I have been sleeping on and off. The percoset makes me tired. I hate the hospital so that was killing me - plus all the IVs etc make it impossible to sleep. Now that I am home I feel ok. My surgeon was really excited about my results and I did get a peek when they were changing the gauze under my binder - I cant't believe that is me! Also I have no behind - really there is nothing there - apparently that is where I had the most excess skin. Totally weird feeling not to have anything to tuck up under me when I sit!

Yesterday I tried to change the gauze myself (some of my drains are leaking) and I literally almost passed out when I opened my binder - anyone have that happen? I didn't feel pain I just almost blacked out.

I have absolutely no appetite but need to eat with the meds so am trying to do that.

Anyway that is my status update!

Good morning Karen,

I never blacked out, but I did have several episodes where I felt like I was going to. For me, it was when I was out for a little while in the second week. That was my signal to get back home and rest.

You must be really excited with your results. It is amazing what a good doctor can do.