Need input from wise sisters/brother

Aloha!!

Yes, the little plane ride is rather frightening. I am going to ask my surgeon if that is at all feasible. My husband was an airline pilot, and flew in small planes a lot, and I remember them being kinds tricky to get into and out of. And that wasn't with a wound, drains, etc.

I do have someone who used to be a plastic surgery nurse who lives in my same building who will come and help me with anything I need....plus friends for the other stuff.

Thanks so much for responding!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I went with a friend to Mexico when she had a lbl--yes, you will need help. 

The wheel chair will be an absolute necessity;  trust me, you won't want to walk for very far.

Sometimes we just have to relax and let someone do something nice for us just because they REALLY want to do it.  I promise, it won't hurt a bit!

So, yes, talk to your surgeon.

Congratulations on your surgery!

Aloha Lynn...and it is wonderful to meet you!

OK....wheel chair a necessity. I needed to hear that. My thought was that I would be wheeled out of the hospital to a taxi....then at the airport I could be wheeled to the plane, and have a chair waiting on Maui to take me to the curb. Seems like I could do that alone.....but maybe not. I know it would make me FEEL better to have a friend along!!

I am listening to everyone tell me to LET SOMEONE HELP ME! I needed to hear that, and hear it again....my head is hard!!

Thanks so much!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen,

I have NO experience with plastics but do have an opinion or two.

Better to accept the help. If you don't need much help, great. If you need a great deal, even better to have people lined up.

You may not require much, but don't get caught alone if the need arises.

People actually LIKE to help out a friend or family member.  

Kisses
Annette

Aloha sweet Annette....

You might not have experience with plastics, but you sure have experience with surgery!! I hear your words of wisdom, and I will put away my pride and let people help me.

Thanks and hugs!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen

Talk to your surgeon and explain the situation, and ask his opinion. 

If you don't take your friend up on the offer of a flight home, what other options do you have to return to Maui?  If you have to take a small plane anyhow, by all means take advantage of the friend's offer.  At least you'll have someone with you to help, not strangers.  If the other options include a larger plane, it would be easier to maneuver yourself in and out, I'm sure. 

You'll definitely need someone to meet you at the airport and help you get home and settled.  Janet is doing exceptionally well, but I wouldn't want her to be alone for more than a few hours at a time.  I think it would be best for you to have someone stay with you for a few days, including at night.  Janet was able to get out of bed and back in last night by herself, but it was much more difficult and painful than with me helping her.  And I don't think she could empty the drains alone, because of the bending and twisting involved.
If you aren't able to shower for a few days, it wouldn't be the end of the world.  You could always stand out on the lanai and let those wonderful Hawaiian breezes do their work.  But if you do decide to shower, you'll need help maneuvering the drains and drainage bags.  Two hands is not enough.

Maybe this is too much info, and I don't mean to be negative, but trying to do everything for yourself is not always the way to go.  You have friends, let them help.  You would do the same for them. 

You're in my thoughts.  I hope the surgery and recovery are uneventful.

Candy

Aloha my friend.......I am so glad you posted! You ARE going through right now what I'm talking about. If I didn't take the small plane, I would just go to the airport and take a regular Hawaiian flight to Maui. Maybe my friend's boyfriend can fly her over and she can meet me at the airport and bring me back! I would happily pay for her airfare. My flights are covered by Kaiser as well as the surgery.....I know, amazing!

Janet is my inspiration and I really loved hearing from her, too. My nurse friend here said she will come and take me into the shower. I have a walk in shower so it will be somewhat easier than a step in tub. I broke my leg seven years ago in the tub, and had a walk in installed back then....with a grab bar!

I really appreciate your sharing your experience with Janet. It's so right now and that's exactly what I need to hear. I have so much more information to go on now than I did early this morning. Tomorrow I will call my surgeon and get his take on all of this.

Hugs to both you and Janet..........gentle, gentle!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Dear sweet Karen,
Do as I say, not as I would try to do ok?
TAKE the help.  You will need it.  First of all, after my lap RNY I had a drain for a week.  It hurt like HECK just showering every time it moved, and of course it is hard to hold it and shower at the same time.  and that was only 1 drain.   You will need help the first few days.  You probably won't be able to walk tall, but crouched over.  You will have drains, probably a binder of some sort and be on drugs for pain.  Remeber anesthesia stays with us longer since we are "gently aged".  Even turning in bed or reaching for a glass of water will be an issue.  what if you were to fall down?  You need someone there for a few days, end of story, period, the end! 

Aloha and thank you sweet Debbie.....I ALWAYS PAY attention to what you have to say. I keep thinking about RNY surgery and how almost painless it was, and I forget that this is much more invasive surgery in some sense......they cut much larger portion of skin than RNY. That I guess is where the pain is.......in the incision?

I am convinced now that I WILL accept help in any form in which it presents itself. I'm learning another of life's big lessons here......you don't just get to GIVE help, you have to be humble enough to accept it when needed without feeling guilty or a bother.

Thanks for sharing your experience.......I'm paying attention!! HUGS!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen,

I haven't had a panniculetomy, but I did have a breast reduction (at age 53) and it was very hard to recover from, partly because of pain and partly because I was anesthetized for so long (so  I was really messed up).  I don't think I could've gotten in/out of a small airplane for at least a week afterwards.  You will definitely need wheelchair and any other assistance you can get.  If your friends want to help you, say "yes"!  I'm sure they're offering out of love and concern and won't consider it a sacrifice at all.

Good luck!
Jean