Hi all! A week away from a tummy tuck..any suggestions?

Iam having a tummy tuck done on 4-30 and am more scared about this surgery than I was when I had my bypass done 4 yrs. ago!!!  I would appreciate any input from those of you who have had it done yourselfs pleassssssssssssssssssse! Thanks, Janet Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa to Lynn, Dixie, Jesi, Lynda, Carolyn and everyone else!!!!

Jeez, Janet, Where the heck you been???  I hope everything is going well for you!  You must be excited about your TT!  I only had the skin removed.  I had more issues with that than the GB.  I lost a lot of blood and passed out twice in the hospital.  Had to get 2 units of blood.  Then had a seroma that I named Fred since he was so persistant.  Not much pain involved tho.  Where are you having it done?   I'm sure everything will go fine.  I'm the person that if there is a .01% chance of a side effect, I'll have it.  So I'm not the norm. Lyn

Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Lynn!  Thanks for responding gf!  Ive been working @VT here in Holstein for almost 2 yrs now, 40 plus hrs.. a wk. so I don't get a lot of time on the computer anymore, Im pooped by the time I even think of getting on here lol.  It just amazes me how fast time seems to fly any more.  Iam having surgery in Omaha at Methodist and I think that is why Iam soooooooooooo scared, a new hospital with new Dr.s....Iam also having hernia repair done as I have 4 so that makes the total no. of hernias 9 over the last 10 yrs. my mom had the same problem so I guess I inherited it from her!   OKKKKKKKKKK so how are you doing???  How is life in DM?  Hope all is well....Janet

Life in DM is always the same.  Too much traffic and too many people.  I'm a small town gal at heart (Storm Lake). 

Last June I had 60% of my pancreas removed and all of my spleen due to nesidioblastosis (post GB hypoglycemia).  Recovery has been slow.  I still have blood sugar issues.  Not as low, but almost daily.  I also now have to get iron infusions.  I am not absorbing any iron.   Hope everything goes well for you tomorrow.  Let us know when you get home! Hugs Lyn

 

Have you been back to Storm Lake lately?  GF it sure is growing also!!!  Jordon Creek is still one of my fave areas in Des Moines.  WOW girl you have been through ALOT....I can't even imagine!  Your in my thoughts and prayers!  Have the Dr.s given you an outcome to all of this?  As far as the iron absorbtion?  Girl you have got to be tired all the time????  Hang in there ok!  Im doing ok, I go back tomorrow for a checkup and am hoping to get these tubes out????  Otherwise just laying around doing nothing.....except for driving myself and family crazy of course lol! Take care of you.... Janet

Haven't been to Storm Lake in ages.  No reason to anymore.  It's changed so much that it just isn't the sleepy little town I grew up in. As far as the iron absorbtion, will probably have to keep getting iron infusions for the rest of my life.  I really think that the pancreas surgery really messed up my absorbtion.    And as far as the hypoglycemia, I don't think they really know.  Some days are good, some are not, even tho I ate the same things. Glad to hear you are doing well.   Hugs, Lyn

Hi Janet!  I also have had 2 hernia's and I need the last one done 4yrs. ago repaired, the mesh has moved. I'm not in any pain but my gut is so big I look 9 + mo.P.G.  My DR. told me she wouldn't operate on it until I loss weight, and I've always stuggled with that. Now I went to another surgeon and asked about the lapband, and he said yes I would be a canidate for it and then after I lost even 50lbs. he said he could fix the hernia.  I HATE  having sugery especially on my stomache muscles . Does anyone have any advice on hernia surgery and also when I lose all the weight I'll want a tummy tuck, so what does a girl do?????  Margo from Ames

Hiya Margo....I feel for ya girl, but it sounds to me like you need to have something done!  Iam really surprised that they won't do the hernia repair until you have lost some weight???  I would think they would be worse after losing weight?  Mine never got that big so I can only imagine how you feel.....mine were all small but were painful, as a matter of fact 4 yrs ago I sneezed and blew one out and that was very painful!  I was more scared of having the tummy tuck than of any other surgery I have ever had and trust me girl I have had ALOT over the yrs. but actually it wasn't that bad at all!  So have you decided to have the Lapband done?  As far as the hernias go if they are that big already I would insist they repair them for sure!  Take care and keep in touch ok.....Janet

Hey Janet!  I still need my Phsyc evaluation and I see the Dietiacan on the 20th . I'm going to the support group at Mercy Capitol on Tuesday night, my 1st one . How long were you off work  for your tummy tuck?  I'm still in the research of having the lapband, I guess. One day I'm gonna have it and the next I'm not sure. I read on here where some who's had surgery still have'nt lost any weight after months and I wonder what the heck????  I hate myself so bad ever morning when I get dressed for work, I feel like a freak with this big belly . I've got to do it!!!!  I need some encouragement!!!    Margo

Hi Janet, I am sooooo sorry that I missed this posting. I haven't been stopping in much lately. I am also very busy & when I'm not busy I'm exhausted. You may have read that I am in treatment for breast cancer. Three chemo treatments down & just one to go, on Tuesday, as a matter of fact. I have been fortunate in that I have had very few side effects & the ones I have had have been easily handled.  Right after my mastectomy, I was hired for my first nursing job. Fortunately it's just part-time as I can't handle working 5 days straight yet.  However, I love my job & I think that is what is keeping me sane & not thinking about the "what ifs." down the road. I, too will be spending some time with my plastic surgeon. I don't think I want reconstruction as it will involve 3 separate surgeries but I do need a repair of some sort. My mastectomy didn't heal well & I ended up with what I refer to as my "man boob".  There's a lot of scar tissue & extra skin & fat. It makes wearing a prosthesis uncomfortable & I can't buy one that feels natural until it is flattened out. I have to ask the oncologist when it will be safe for me to have surgery once I'm recovered from this last treatment. I suspect it will be at least 4-6 weeks. Now, I realize this advice is probably late but let me offer it anyway. Seromas.... yech, unfortunately they are very common with people who have had lost lots of weight before a tunny tuck. Just be patient with them & do have them drained if they are uncomfortable. If you have one & have been putting off getting it drained, don't be afraid. They usually go in through the incision line & it's still numb so it's not painful. However, don't be shocked by how much is removed. It can be lots. I even had a seroma after my mastectomy drained several times & one time it was more than a cup of fluid. Is the surgeon having you wear a support garment? If so, wear it religiously. It will keep you more comfortable & will affect the appearance of the final results. I even had to wear mine in bed but my tummy ended up flat & as hard as a board , until I gained 20 lbs,that is. My surgeon will not allow any exercise at all for 6 weeks, even walking for exercise. He says that exercise increases the blood flow to the area & that increases fluid there also.  He also wanted me to do very little at home, no lifting, bending, housework, etc. Your scar is probably pretty big & ugly right now. Don't worry, it will fade. Within a year or so, mine was almost completely faded away. There are creams & ointments you can buy over the counter that help with it fading. Even just breaking open a vitamin E capsule & smearing that oil on helps. Let us know how you are doing when you get a chance & feel well enough to post. Dixie