TT and Breast Reduction Approved!

Yep, that quick!  Dr. Danyo's office called yesterday morning and set up my pre-op visit and scheduled my surgery for November 7.  There were several appointments available during November...I took the first one so I can be mostly healed by the holiday season.  I stopped my Plavix right away so there will be no chance of excess bleeding.   My concern now is not so much the pain involved but what will happen to my lower back from not being able to stand up straight for a week or so.  I haven't needed the injections for my arthritis since March so I am worried about my back being messed up.  I suppose I can talk to my pain management doctor...maybe we can fit in a bilateral injection prior to surgery as a pain preventive? Dr. Danyo told me the breast reduction pain is very minimal, that it doesn't hurt that much.  Is that true?  Doesn't matter, I'm doing it regardless but want to be prepared and know what to expect.  I wonder how it will feel to have "normal" breasts?  I was born without the ligaments that keep the breasts from falling so I have never really known anything else. (Cooper(sp?)Ligaments, I think?)  How will my 47 year old psyche adjust to having a much younger looking middle section?  I mean, in blunt terms, how's it gonna feel to have my boobs up on my chest instead of laying on my belly?  Will the doctor ask me what cup size I want to be?  Or will he take away what he feels is necessary?  I think a C cup would be pretty good.  A big relief from the DDD's I have carried around all of my life. As far as the abdominoplasty goes, will I get a new belly button?  I have what's called "open umbilicus"---it's very deep and open.  Most folks' belly buttons are just a closed scar but mine is an actual hole that leads right to the abdominal wall.  I used to freak kids out when I was a young kid by putting a pencil in there (I know, really ignorant) and crack up as they watched the pencil almost disappear completely. (DISCLAIMER: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!  I AM A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL! lolol)   I would love to have a new, closed belly button. Any post plastics out there can feel free to tell me their stories.  Be candid and honest though.  I want to know how I am going to feel afterwards.  Home care right after surgery will be minimal since Ed has to work and Erica is in college.  Sarah is pregnant with complications so she is limited to what she can do to help me around.  My best friend said she will come and help me out but she never even rolls out of bed until late in the afternoon.  Will I need alot of help?  I've never been one to stay down so I hope I can manage this thing myself. KathyG

congrats, wow that sure was quick. haven't done ps yet , so can't give you any advice on the pain involved.  where will the surgery be? how many days in the hospital. you'll have drains for a couple of weeks.  normal breasts!! what are they? my old bra size was a 48 FFF. had to buy them on the internet. now i'm a 40 DD. the girls have dropped off the us continent and are somewhere near the south pole. lol. interesting question about cup size. do you pick or go with his reccomendations? i have back fat  that grosses me out. i want what rob had, the whole circumference. everything pulled up & pull down and cut  off all  that is extra.  yes, they give you a new normal belly button.  that is funny about your sunken belly button, due to hernia surgery  in the past, imagine when i woke up and found NO BELLY BUTTON. gross. when i get my ps done i want my belly button back.  i'll ask for a cute one.  i think you will need some help for the 1st week. with both surgeries you will be constrained a lot. try to prepare for it. don't be afraid to ask for help. easier said than done. at any rate, good lucl. ((HUGS)) elissa

Congradulations !!! Ihope all works out. If you need anything Iamjust around the corner. See you lighter. Joanne

Kathy,       Joe will discuss the breast size with you at Pre-op meeting.  I had breast lift, tummy tuck, lower body lift and brachioplasty all at one time.  The pain from the breasts is almost non existent.  the drains are the most annoying thing about that procedure.  He will use the on-q pain ball which helps tremendously.   The tummy tuck for me was the trickiest, because i didn't have use of my arms and my lower body was lifted as well.   It is quite uncomfortable at first, but with the pain ball and the daulidid, it is manageable.   You will need some help the first week.   I would do it all over again tomorrow if I had too.   He will make a new belly button for you.      Joe is a very compassionate man and will discuss everything in detail.  I was so nervous, I had two pre-op visits.   He really is a great person as well as a talented surgeon.      Best wishes! Deb

Congratulations on your surgery approval! I had a tummy tuck at 18 months out . . . and while there was pain for the first couple of days which was managed with percocets, the thing I recall the most was being totally exhausted without energy for about a month. I have since learned that I should have been preparing my body for surgery and recovery by eating more protein for the couple of weeks pre-op. I had swelling for about 6 months afterwards. Be prepared to leave the hospital in sweatpants or other comfy clothing, and perhaps having to wear a size or two larger while you recover for the first month or so. I too am right up the street in Lakeside if you need anything! Good luck. -BJ

Hi! I am new to this forum. I am hoping to have Lap band surgery. I had a breast reduction in 2005. I would do it again. It was not very painful. I spent the night in the hospital and went home the next day. Two days after surgery I was painting my kitchen. It was the best thing. I went from a 40ddd to a 38c . No more saggy boobies for me. I wish you all the luck . And I am sure you will love your new boobies....

Lorraine