plastic surgery on Monday......

Hello everyone.
I was banded 2.5 years ago. I have lost about 95 pounds and have been stable for the past 15 months as far as weight....I bounce over the same 5-7 pounds over and over again. I have a hugh apron of skin and have been having back and rash problems. My PCP has told me that it was time to consider plastics.I consulted 3 plastic surgeons since Oct and settled on one and am scheduled for an extended abdominoplasty ( extended tummy tuck) and liposuction on Monday. I am a tad scared and nervous about the whole thing...surgery and recovery and all.
 I am posting here because I have had little or no response on the plastics forum....I had a couple of questions and I would appreciate it if anyone could offer some sage advice...
1. How is the post op period with the band......did you feel tighter and should I stock up on protien shakes and greek yogurt?
2. The doctor has already given me perscriptions for pain and nausea...both oare pills ... I am thinging I should call and get some liquid Lortab ordered instead of tablet Percocet.....what do you think..? I was thinking liquid would be easier the first couple of days postop.
3. If any of you have had surgery with drains ....how did you handle the drains ie clothing and where to put the dang things.... I have heard a few dofferent things and was curious. I plan on wearing loose fitting night gowns and sundresses and will probably pin them to my abdominal binder......
Thanks guys . I do not post on here often... usually just lurk but none of my close friends have had this tyoe of surgery and I figured I would ask the "experts". Thanks again.
Janet

I had a tummy tuck in Dec. I am lucky in that I have a high pain tolerance and react really well to anastesia. You are right, you will be wearing a binder and the drains will clip onto it. The drains are a real pain but hopefully you wont need them more than 5-6 days.
I did have a complication, too much fluid build up in the ab area. He had to do a procedure to drain and clean it out. So I had to go under again. Even so, I would do it again in a heart beat.
As far as medication, they gave me a supository for nausea (makes sense, you wouldn't be able to keep down the pill if your throwing up). I would look into getting that. I got percecet for pain and was able to disolve it. In any case, I had no problems swallowing pills for my other meds. Stocking up on some shakes is probably a good idea, you won't feel like eating anyway. I am excited for you, best wishes!

how exciting!!!

Ive never had surgery with drains, so I'm sorry I cant answer, but I have a question for you....

I'm 115 lbs down, and still have roughly 40 to go until I get to my goal of 180 lbs.  

My question is, how do you know when to start the consultation process, etc??  Should I wait until I lose the last 40??  I guess only a plastic surgeon would have the answer, but in your experience, what are you doing?

JAclyn,
My weight had been stable for more than 6 months. My PCP and I had discussed even prior to me getting the band how I would deal with skin issues after. We both knew that there would be skin that would never "go away" . At my annual physical last Sept she asked me if I was still considering plastc surgery for my lower abd....I answered yes but I was not sure when.....her answer...now would be good.
I started researching it and had my first consult in Nov.....mullled over the idea waited and then had 2 more consults in Feb and March. I asked the surgeons if it would make a high difference if I was not at goal weight ( which I am not). We discussed how much more I wanted to loose and how long my weight had been stable. I answered honestly.....I would like to loose about anothe 20-30 more pounds......with surgery my surgeon figure I will loose between 10-15 pounds when it is all said and done....leaving me about anothe 20 or so to loose......at this point I have lost so much he said that that would leave minimal extra skin as I would loose form my entire body and it would not make a difference. All 3 surgeons had simiale answers for me. Even with plastics my tummy will not be super tight or super flat....but I will not have the hugh apron that covers my entire pubic area........Good enough answers for me.....
I ultimately had to decide for myself if the timing was right......I decided yes and here I go.....I am nervous scared and excited all rolled into one.....hope this helps.....
Janet

YES!! It helps!! thank you so much!!

I too have that "apron" as well.  Its the worst part of my excess skin...   well, that and my breasts which I HATE completely, but that will have to wait until I'm at goal I think.   

Good luck and I cant wait to see after pics!! (if you're willing to share of course)

Good luck with your surgery.  I haven't had plastics.  I'm a pear shape, so the loose skin is on my legs and it's not something insurance would ever cover, so it's capri's for me in the summer.  Anyway.......,  regarding pain meds, I would ask for some liquid Vicodin or Lortab ( it's hydrocodone and tylenol) I'm a RN.   

And there's an oral dissolving med for nausea called Zofran.  You have to get the ODT ( oral dissolving ) form and you just put it under your tongue.  You don't have to swallow water.  I have some of that for "just in case" in my purse.  I don't ever want to throw up if I can help it.

You could always crush up the pain meds and stick it in applesauce or yogurt etc.  Won't taste good.

Let us know how your surgery goes!  How exciting, wish I could, but got two in college.
Kristi