Post Op update!!!!

o.k. where do I begin..... It has been one week and one day since I had my "LARGE VOLUME LIPOSUCTION" or SUCTION LIPECTOMY completed. Honestly today is the 1st day I can actually stretch my arms forward enough to type on the computer keyboard and give you all an update. and trust me that is a big deal. I don't know how to explain the feelings after this surgery because I have had nothing to compare to it up to this point but I will say my OPEN RNY 2 years ago was a breeze compared to this; so don't enter into this procedure without a great deal of thought and research. The sections of my body I had done were: My upper trunk and arms. As Pixielf told you earlier my back looks and feels like, "I have been run over by 18 (not 17 or not 19...but DEFINITELY 18) MACK TRUCKS loaded of course. " and to me that is an understatement. They did remove 22 liters of fat; originally they only suspected between 15 - 17 liters; they just didn't believe me when I told them I have a lot of remaining tissue.....I guess now they do. I had to receive 2 transfusions; by the way through an IV in my foot; since the lipctomy was done on my arms no place there for an IV; let me tell you; having an IV for 3 days in your foot is no picnic either. I had 4 drains; one feel out the night of surgery; one taken out 2 days laters; and went to the surgeon on Thursday and still have 2 drains remaining in my sides (hopefully) to get them out on Monday when I return....they are very constrictive. As for the bruising, I truly didn't know that many areas of your body could be bruised simultaneously and with the post op swelling well that should be enough said. But Pixielf did get it right; a warm shower is the next thing greatest thing to heaven. I laid on a freeze ice pack last night and was finally able to sleep on my side for the first time in a week. Can you say RELIEF............... Now the answer would I do it again.....HUMMMMMMM that is real though one....not through all the research, pictures, emails, questions asked, was I truly prepared for this...so at this point I would have to say no.....but I am still terribly swollen. Just think it only took me 38 minutes to compose this post so that I could update you all, becuase it is so uncomfortable to even raise my arms up to keyboard level..... I just want to be honest with all of you... Please keep me in your prayers, don't feel badly for me, I am going to copy and paste this on the plastic surgery board as well...becuase I don't think I can type any more today. Blessings always, Betty Myers OPN RNY 5/25/04 -142 pounds SECUTION LIPECTOMY UPPER TRUNK AND ARMS 10-06-06 -22 pounds

ouch !!!!sorry you are hurting so much , right now i dont think you would be too good of an endorsement for p.s. lol just trying to get a smile from you. rest and it will be better soon , hopefully. will say a prayer for you . Jan

Betty!! (BIG HUG) Thanks for being honest with us....I WAS thinking I'd like/need to have a tummy tuck because I have so much skin and, now I think I need to wait a LONG time before I do it. LOL I can't imagine....hope you get to feeling better very soon! Kelli

Kelli: I think my biggest problem is that I had and still have so much fatty tissue that my weight loss from my WLS had become stagnant....and disappointing.... Trust me I didn't enter into this lightly....but I won't lie to anyone it is extremely painful....in comparison; after only 3 days after my open RNY I was home from the hospital and ocassionly only took an extra strenghth tylenol....for pain.... I am on PERCOCET 325 mg for pain every 4 - 6 hours and can barely make iit through the time and can't find a comfortable position to sit, lie or stand in. Thanks for the prayers. Betty

I was just talking today with someone who also reported that lipo was the most painful thing that had experienced - worse than 10 child births. So, I feel for you and will pray for less pain, less swelling and better days ahead. God Bless, Marilyn