I'm HOME!

Hi guys! I got home late Friday evening.  I had my panniculectomy and bilateral mastopexy last Tuesday, Feb 27th. Everything went great.  The surgery lasted 4 1/2 hours, a little longer than they expected, but all went well.  I have 4 drains still in me.  I have to call the surgeon who did my chest this morning and hopefully the 2 drains in my chest will come out this afternoon or tomorrow. and the 2 stomach drains will come out Thursday. They took off 16 pounds of skin, 2 pounds from each side of my chest and the rest from my stomach and sides. I will say the pain the first couple of days was not fun, but since about Saturday not bad at all.  (morophine and vikodine are God's greatest creations). I finally got to take a shower yesterday and that made me feel so much better.  It was so weird not having any belly to lift up to wash under, its basically kind of flat now. The coolest thing though is that when I roll on my side, from what I can see when my dressings are being changed is that my chest does not move with me.....there is nothing there to roll over.....NO MORE CLEEVAGE!  LOL     I want to thank all of you for all your help and prayers through this, you all know how much that really helps and how much it means. Any info or help I can give to anyone please never hesitate to ask! Thanks, Alan

Hey Alan....congrats on the removel..... only tip I can think of, is when empting those nasty drains...you kno whow you are suppossed to milk the tubes...to make it easy on my fingers, I put the tube on the bathroom counter, and rolled over the tube with a round bic pen, like a rolling pen...and whoosh, they were clear... Vit E, < stab the little pills, and squeeze out the goo, to help with the dry skin, but beware wi will not wah out..so cover it with an old t-shirt.... have sun with your new body Russ

Thanks Russ  all the advice helps.....already got blood all over the sheets, but I am not complaining this whole trip and everything involved is worth it. Alan

Congrats Alan,  I'll start by saying that I've had so many surgeries that my doc once jokingly said to me, "Ron, you go ahead and set up for surgery, we'll be in a while". Nothing like a little OR humor to calm the nerves a little. I'm always nervous as hell before any surgery, just put me to sleep and I'll deal with whatever when I wake up. That's my motto!  I'm nowhere near the point of considering a panni, only 7 months post-op, but having you posting your progress really helps those of us who may be considering it in the future. Thanks for that and also thanks for being open to questions.  Take it easy and enjoy the "NEW" you! Ronnie

Thanks Ronnie, I know reading all the postings before my original RNY and before this surgery helps so much.  Anything I can do to pay back and help anyone is my pleasure. Congrats to you too on the great job you are doing. Alan

Congrats on the great outcome of the surgery! I am 16 1/2 weeks out from my RNY, down 95# and wondering about a pani myself. It is nice to have someone just a little further down the road to tell you of any detours that may be lurking. Congrats on having your skin fit you! My prayers will be for continued good results.