Question:
WOULD I HAVE THE PANNI AGAIN???NEVER
I HAD SURGERY ON JUNE 9TH 2004. I HAVEN'T EVER IN MY LIFE BEEN IN SO MUCH PAIN. I HAVE HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURGERIES IN MY LIFETIME. I THINK THIS IS FARMOST THE WORST SURGERY I HAVE EVER HAD. I AM ALMOST 5 WEEKS POST OP..WHEN WILL THE PAIN GIVE UP?????? — fradycat007 (posted on July 15, 2004)
July 15, 2004
If you are still in severe pain at 5 weeks then something isn't right. You
would still have some discomfort but nothing severe, so talk to your
surgeon to make sure something else isn't going on, like an infection.
<p>I have 10.5 hours of surgery when I had my LBL. When I woke up I
wasn't sure I wanted to live. The next day I decided I'd much rather have
WLS all over again than what I had done. For me the great majority of the
pain came from how tight my skin was - it just burned. I had drains for
8-1/2 weeks (5 from surgery and then had those removed at 3 weeks and had
to have 4 added back in over time) and let me tell you that was no picnic.
I had to drive an hour each way about twice a week for 6 weeks because I
kept needing to go back to the surgeon. I also had a small section of skin
die at the top of my butt crack (I'm cut 360 degrees) that he excised in
the office and sewed shut. About 10 days later it ripped open as the area
was too tight so I ended up having to pack it for 3 months till it healed
shut. I also lost almost 5 units of blood and had 3 transfused, so I felt
like a washed out dishrag till about 4 weeks time. While all of this was
undesirable I survived it. I am thrilled with the results of my LBL and
given the exact same situation I would choose to go through it. I had
prepared myself mentally for severe pain as I had read that PS is way worse
than open WLS and truthfuly it was. But I only have to go through each
procedure once. I had 19 lbs of skin removed so there really wasn't a
choice in the matter. Given the need for just a few lbs to be removed then
I would think twice about doing the procedure as there are risks with
surgery and major risks with 10.5 hours of anesthesia. Fortunately my body
just sleeps like a baby and does well with surgery.
<p>After surviving the semi nightmare of the LBL I actually went
ahead and had the 2nd stage of the abdominoplasty (above the waist) done
3-1/2 months later. I knew the pain would not be the same and it wasn't.
It was just as bad if not worse, but not from the abdominoplasty work but
because the surgeon lipo'd 4 liters of fat out of my legs and 95% of it was
removed in the 12" above the knees. When I woke up and tried to move
my legs I cannot even begin to desribe the pain from the swelling and the
trauma from the lipo work. The area above my knees were the size of
basketballs, no lie! I stood up the first night and thought I would try to
walk. I took 4 steps and headed back to bed but not before requesting a
barf bucket. Never in my life have I gotten nauseated from pain. That's
how severe it was. That surgery was 8.5 hours. But again I survived that
surgery and now at 5-1/2 weeks PO the legs look way better than they did
before surgery and the upper pain from the new 360 degree incision at the
breast line continues to heal. I'm back to working out and getting back to
a normal life. Is it totally pain free, no, but is very tolerable and each
day is some better. Everything the surgeon pulled up is anchored to my
ribs.
<p>What people need to realize is these are major surgeries and there
will be pain and a lot of pain most likely associated with it. It will
take time to recover but if you truly needed the PS in the first place it
will all be worth it in the end. It doesn't last forever and the end
results are amazing. I have an hourglass figure that I have NEVER seen in
may life. More importantly I can buy clothes that fit appropriately and
not ones that are too huge in the waist because they need to get over the
gut. My legs are still a little larger than the rest of me from a clothing
size standpoint but once the leg skin is removed in Nov. everything will be
brought into proportion. I had been dreading the leg skin removal as I
have heard how painful it is and the swelling issues etc., but now after my
experience from the lipo work I know it really won't be any worse, which
helps me to prepare for that surgery mentally. I also know that in 3 weeks
time I will be pleased with the results as things heal and settle down. I
cannot believe how from week to week things improved. Time heals all
things, including our memories as to how bad it was.
<p>I've lost 252 lbs and there was no other way to get rid of the
excess skin and fat but through surgery. At 43 the skin had shrunk as much
as it possibly could. To me completing the WLS process included PS. I
will never forget that I weighed 442 lbs but I also do not feel I needed to
be reminded of it every time I looked in a mirror. I still have my huge
bat wings to remind me, but they don't bother me much anyway. I may get
them removed and I may not, only time will tell. For me the PS is the
mental closure piece to this process.
<p>I have been very honest to people about the pain from the PS's but
I still feel it is worth it. I would not volunteer to go through the
extensive procedures I had again but it was worth it the first time.
— zoedogcbr
July 15, 2004
Karen, I am so sorry that you have having such a rough time after your
surgery, and I would agree that this is something that you need to be
seeing your plastic surgeon about. You may have a build-up of fluid under
the incision that is creating pressure and causing your pain, or you may
have an infection brewing, so talk with your surgeon as soon as possible.
Other than that, I'm afraid that my response is not going to seem helpful
to you at all, but on behalf of the large numbers of people who read the
Q&A section and are in the process of trying to decide about plastic
surgery, I felt that it was critically important to point out that all of
us have different experiences with surgeons, surgeries, and personal
responses to surgery. I had an anchor-incision panniculectomy and armlift
and thought that it was the most "comfortable" surgery that I had
ever had....even less painful than my lap RNY. I was back to work
full-time in 10 days, drains and all, with my plastic surgeon's very
reluctant agreement. However, other than being pretty tired at the end of
the day, I had no problems at all. Unfortunately, lots of people think of
"tummy tucks" as simple little "adjustments". As an RN
who asked lots of questions and was able to observe this procedure before I
had my own surgery, I feel that it is critical for folks to understand that
this is a very major surgery with the same risk factors as any other major
procedure. Although I had a very positive experience and would do it again
in a heartbeat, it is not a decision to be made lightly. Pre-op patients
need to read about the negative experiences as well as the positive ones,
and then weigh out their own decisions very carefully. Next to my WLS, the
PS was the next-best decision I ever made for myself. I hope that you will
quickly get past this difficult time and be able to enjoy the end-results
of your surgery. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
July 16, 2004
I have to agree with Diana that everyone has a different experience and I'd
hate to discourage someone who's life may be dramatically improved after
plastic surgery. Again, I also agree with Diana and the other posters that
if you are still in that significant amount of pain there may be a problem.
There is also a difference in the amount of pain tolerance that each
person has. I'm so sorry that you are experiencing pain. Sometimes a
heating pad is helpful but would suggest that you see your surgeon before
you apply heat just to be sure there's no infection. I had TT 2 years ago
and also had double mastectomy at the same time. It was a pretty brutal
surgery but I still found the pain to be easily managed with medication.
But, I have a high pain tolerance so that's a factor too. I wouldn't want
to have TT again but I wouldn't discourage anyone else from having it.
Give yourself a little more time to heal and if you feel like venting this
is the place to do it. Everyone here is caring and supportive. I hope
your experience gets better each day!
— ronascott
July 16, 2004
Hi! I had the hip-hip/anchor t/t on June 21, 2004, just 2 days shy of my
one year anniversary of my open RNY on June 23, 2003. The t/t was
sooooooooooo easy. I was off of pain meds on week 2 and driving late that
week also. It was the easiest operation I've EVER had. I am a teacher with
the summers off, but could have easily gone back to work after 2 weeks. My
hernia operation in Nov. 2003, was the very worst for pain. OUCH. You might
have a seroma or an infection. You should check with your dr. asap. Best of
luck to you. Take care, Kathy.....295/180/170
— Kathy R.
July 16, 2004
Everyone is different and has a different tollerance for pain. I had a
total lift all the way around. Went back to work after two weeks. I can't
say I had any excrusiating pain. Discomfort, yes. I still feel tight and
am only 4 wks out. I do some evenings still take a pain med, just because
towards the end of the day I hurt. You should call your Dr. that just
doesn't sound right at all.
— Gail O.
July 16, 2004
This doesn't sound right to me. Especially if all you had was the
panniculectomy and not the muscle tightening. I had a lower body lift w/
muscle tightening and a breast lift, and didn't feel pain that like. I was
off the meds after two weeks. I think you should really get on your
surgeon and find out what's wrong.
— mom2jtx3
July 23, 2004
Hi. Sorry you are having such a hard time. I agree with the other
posters...pain this far out is unusual and maybe not normal. Most of my
folks are off narcotics in 2 weeks, and sore/tight but not really in pain.
Muscle spasms, and certain other pain syndromes can cause your prolonged
symptoms, so I would for sure address this issue with your doc.
— DrL
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