13 lbs of skin and one golf ball shaped hernia fixed, and here I am!

Well, had the surgery on December 23rd. down in Grinnell.. made it thru OK, took 3 hours, found one hernia, that was hiding! and fixed that, and took 13 lbs of skin and flesh off and left one big a$$ cut! al the way around my belly. and up my stomach. and down my hips a few inches! geeeeeeeeeeez ! do have 4 drain tubes in with these little bulbs on them that suction the stuff out, still draining. Stayed in til the 27th, although I could have gone home on the 26th, I just did not feel up to it, so I came home yesterday. I do have home health nurse coming in every day after my shower, to put the binder back on, over the tubes, it is just way too hard to do it myself. How do I feel? like a turkey cut up! LOL.. it hurts and stings.. I think it hurts a little bit more since they found the hernia to fix, but I am just sore. Cant lay on my bed though, because I am cut all the way around my back and it is just raw back there! ouch! The doc finally saw my legs in all their glory though, and THANKFULLY agrees that we will probably get insurance to cover that too. I was like, Told ya~!!! lol Will wait a few months for those though. ouchies. anyhow, doing fine here, I appreciate everyone thinking of me over xmas while I was in the hospital. Judi

Hello Judi welcome home I hope you get feeling better soon take it easy. I want to have it done but just not ready to have another surgry right now. take care have a nice holiday Laurie

Hi Judi, Glad to hear you're home and "in one piece"?? lol Did you know about the hernia or was that an extra?? Just think, by time summer rolls around you're gonna be all ready with the bikini!! Hope you feel well. Nut

Nut.. gosh I love that name, hehe, being able to call somebody *nut* lol.. I didnt know about the hernia, and neither did the doc til the day of the surgery. It was pretty deep, some fat covering it, so it didnt stick out very far, but I think it was fairly new, like within the last few months.. My belly had never bulged out like that before.. in that spot.. Yes, not ready for bikini.. but maybe something sexy for summer! now for my legs..... Judi

I am supposed to have it done in Grinnell, June or July. With Dr. Eibes. I'm kind of scared, because I don't handle pain very well. But I know I'll be ready for it. Where is Osage anyway? Happy New Year! Take Care and take it easy Love Lisa Young

Lisa, Dr eibes did mine too, he did the bypass as well. He is a GREAT doc.. but. if you cant handle pain very well... I dont know what to tell you. Of course, this is less then a week out.. but it is a way different and quite odd kind of pain. But definitely a lot worse.. mainly for me because they cut all the way around my back. before, I at least I had my back to lay on, etc, now I cant even lay on that, cuz I am literally cut in half... I wish you luck, and I Hope it goes well for you.. but I even have home health coming in to help with the drain tubes and the binders.. ouch! so look forward to that as well! Osage.. well, its up by mason city? clear Lake.. etc.. its way up here.. a good 2 hour drive from grinnell.. Judi

Ok, Judi, I am very courious. You & I weighed close to the same at the time of our surgeries so probably my appearance is similar to you unless you are really short or, for that matter, really tall. My tummy is awful but my legs are even worse. Today I made an appointment for a consultation even though it may be too soon. I figure that insurance won't pay for either a tummy tuck or the thighs but you give me hope. Just what are the criteria that insurance companies use as to whether they pay or not, especially on the thighs? I have no hernias or skin problems in the fold of the tummy. I figure that's because I spend 5 days a week in the pool. That chlorine will kill anything. Glad you're home & starting to feel better. Just think, in a few weeks you'll be looking so good! Dixie

Dixie.. well I was 365 at time of surgery.. and only 5'3. So short and round! as far as getting it approved, grinnell does so much for that, I didnt have to do much, just told them I had some lower back pain, and some skin problems, and I got title 19 to cover it all. no questions. or if they fought it, grinnell never told me anyhow. The legs.. well, they almost never get the legs paid for, however, I carried all my weight in my bum, and my thighs/upper legs. once he saw them.. he agreed thats for sure. they have to take pics to send in to insurance of your belly or whatever you are wanting done.. then just wait! Good luck dixie, it is worth it, or it seems like it now. Hugs and happy new year Judi

Congratulations on the successful surgery, I wish you a speedy recovery, well, as speedy as it could possibly be. Get yourself healed and then tackle the legs, you will be looking HOT come summer time sister. Take care Judi and be careful!!! Tamara

Morning Judi, I'm so glad to see you posting kept thinking about you. Excuse the memory prob I'm having was this a tuck or panni? Gal from Ia Foundation says they don't cover this! well of course I had to argue! I'm so happy for you Hugs Carolyn