Introducing myself and asking for some advice

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Lora. I am three years out of my  gastric bypass surgery, about to go in for a hernia repair and have the extra skin taken off of the stomach (sorry the name is not at the tip of my mind right now) in 1 1/2 weeks. Was wondering if anyone might have gone through that and would have any words of advice for me to get me through any rough patches that might come up. I'm nervous and excited all in one. I have to date lost 150 lbs since starting my journey, 141 since the surgery. Feel so much better and healthier since then too. Anyway if anyone has any advice to offer feel free to give it. Thanks.

Hi Lora, welcome. Congratulations on your weight loss. I have not had my ps/hernia repair as yet, so I can not give much advice. I suggest you check out the plastic surgery message board. There is a lot of info there and people who have already gone through the process. I believe the word you were thinking of is pannicultectomy, that is the removal of the excess overhang of abdominal skin.

Wishing you all the best.

Sher

 

Thank you. I will go do that.  And thank you for the welcome too. Its nice to have a place to come and talk about things and ask questions from others that have gone through the same things.

Hi Lora- Just wanted to say hi and welcome.  I had the lap band surgery in September.  I cant wait until I can get in and have the excess belly skin removed!!!!  Good luck

Hi Lora & welcome! I had the TT & hernia repair done.  (Seperate surgeries.) I had my TT done through a PS & not my WLS Dr.  To me the TT was a breeze.  It was a little sore but definately manageable.  Sleeping sitting at an angle such as recliner for a week or so will definately help.   I did go home with drains for 4 days to me that was the most bothersome thing about the PS. The hernia was a little more touchy & my personal experience was worse than the open WLS I had.  It was done laproscopically & another Dr. at St. Francis (used to work with Dr. Barba) did the surgery.. she was great! I did have 4 herias on top of one another so have a HUGE piece of mesh holding me in place.  I was also more comfortable sleeping on the recliner for a week or so...  Pain killers were sent home with me..& I took advantage of them.. the Dr. warned me that the pain would be pretty intense if I went laproscopic but recovery time would be quicker.  I was feeling like my "old" self at about 1 1/2 weeks out.   Took a "long weekend" after surgery & went back to work part time for a week.  One word of advice.. DO NOT leave the hospital after the hernia repair until you are out of the influence of the anesthesia etc..  Had I known what I was in for.. I would have insisted a stay over for the pain.  Again I had 4 hernias & the repair was pretty intense... Dr. called me "swiss cheese" Yours can be easy breezy.  :)    For both surgeries.. can't lift, pull, or tug for a few months (about 3 give or take)  & with the TT you get to wear a "binder" during those months to keep everything nice & tight.. it isn't that bad.. & there is some really pretty ones on the market once you're up & running..  Best wishes, Mickey    

Thank you both for the welcome. Mickey,       Thank you for the advice on the surgeries too. I will be staying in over night so I don't have to worry about leaving before the anesthesia effect is off.  Didn't know about having to wear a binder that is going to put a little kink in my summer plans ( ie... swimming and what not) but oh well it will be worth it. I sure hope you are doing better now and things have worked out for you. Sounds like you had a little bit of a long haul. Congrads.

Only 5 months out here and have lost almost as much as you from my high. Can't wait to get to Plastics Time!!! I am ready for my arms to be done NOW! LOL Anyway welcome to our corner of OH. We are a friendly group and have a great time.

Hi Lora!

You are gonna be just fine! I have to say though, you couldn't possibly look more beautiful than you do already!

I love you, Sis!

Jules

Hi again everyone. Letting you know that I had my surgery about a week ago. I posted it over on the June 2008 Surgery date message board but don't think most saw it. Anyways I am home doing better. Healing well. I go see the doctor tomorrow. Don't know how much they took off cause the doctor didn't weight it  and getting on the scale doesn't work cause of swelling ect. Guess for know its a waiting game again. I would like to thank my angel(julieN64) though for letting people know that I made it through ok. Will keep you up to date on what he says tomorrow.