post op plastics

For a very long time I put plastics on a high shelf that I couldn't reach.  I told myself I didn't need to entertain my vanity, that I was at a healthy weight, that my weight was stable, that I could do all sorts of things that  I couldn't do before my sleeve.  And then as the years went by I added my age to the reasons why I shouldn't reach up onto the high shelf.  But the REAL reason I didn't want to think about plastics was because I was afraid I had no lost enough weight.  I had hit my plateau and nothing much budged.

But one day last fall I decided to actually find out.  As it turns out my BMI was PERFECT.  It took a few months for my insurance company to approve the procedure.  I was always getting those yucky rashes under that apron of flesh that hung down and that made the operation medically necessary.

12 days ago I had a panniculectomy and abdominoplasty.  This is a tough recovery. And, I was naive about how quickly I would be up and about. They took off about 12 pounds of skin and fat. And, I've lost another 8 pounds because I simply have no appetite.  The sleeve is the world's best portion control, but complete loss of appetite is pretty effective, too.  :-)  But exhaustion comes early and stays late.

I do see changes, though.  There are the physical ones.  I no longer have that nasty apron of flesh that hung down and kept me perpetually self conscious.  There is swelling and stuff, but that will gradually go down, and, frankly, I don't care if I'm a little lumpy in some places.

I'm quite sore, but the pain is different from what I experienced the first week.  That first week I had to struggle to get in and out of bed.  And, it felt like I was coming apart a bit at the seams.  This week my muscles are just sore.  I have fibromyalgia and that could be a factor in this soreness.  I have very little energy, probably because I'm not eating enough.  But I've only had one moment when I wondered what on earth I had done to myself.

I'm going to be lazy for the next few days and spend a number of moments each day patting myself on the back.  I did this!  It isn't an easy thing and I did it. 

BTW, if any of this sounds a bit wonky, it's because I'm on pain drugs.  :-)

It sounds as though your recuperation is getting better each day.  Already in your second week you can detect the pain is different.  With each passing day, I hope you feel better and stronger, and see the results.

As a suggestion for more support from members that have had PS too, check out the Plastic Surgery message board.  

Best wishes to you!

Good for you... pain meds and all.  I think about it already... because you can't chose how you lose the weight and there are some wonky things happening.... Glad your insurance paid out... that is great and 20lbs total? Woot! Woot!

Congratulations on getting the surgery!  It's not small feat to 1) get insurance to pay for it, and 2) recover from it.  

Glad this finally happened for you.  Take it easy and go slow...and post after pictures when you're up to it!  

Take it one day at a time and go S L O W!  Give it a year, but it's so worth it!  Post this on the Plastic Surgery Forum also  

We look forward to your updates.