post op panniculectomy

Hello family, I am going for my pannus removal next week and i wanted to know from the veterans what things you consider important to have at home or  to do in preparation for surgery. What kind of things were you eating after surgery any restrictions or loss of appetites.  Is there anything that you did in preparation that you found a waste of time or money. Finally, is there anything that you wish someone had told you to do in preparation for the surgery that you consider essential to your recovery now. Let thank those of you in advance for all of your help. I am excited yet unsure of what to expect when I see my new body...How are you all feeling now? How long did it take for you to resume some of your daily activities...thanks again guys you are the best.

Hey...well I am almost 2 weeks out and I can honestly say this was more then I expected-. But not at all in a bad way, just unexpected. My GB was nothing because it was just a few little lipo spots but this had me feeling like I wa**** my a semi-you know, once the meds wore off in the hospital, you slowly realize what you are unable to do for yourself. The doc even told me the next day that a lot of people don't expect all of this...he's right! Just moving around sucks because you use your abdominals for everything so sitting, leaning, laying, any movement is so difficult...you are extremely hunched, even if you tried to stand straight-your skin is just so flippin tight! NOW the good news for you is that I had a lot of pain and swelling and soreness attributing from my 3 areas of lipo..which I can promise you are SO MUCH WORSE than the actual panniculectomy incesion! OMG! I did not even notice my incesion, until he removed the bandage a week later...visually I freaked..but that and my belly button was not even an issue.Sore? Of course... but I spent most of my timy groaning about the sorness from the lipo... I did not have the ab tighting, thank god, so that was less pain for me. (No kids, no need!) I think as long as you accept there will be discomfort and focus on what's to come, you'll be fine... I keep trying to play dress up every day and can't because my thighs and butt are so swollen I can't even see how clothes are yet! I feel as big as a whale! Oh and one last bit-the drains and binder...suck! I am 2 weeks out and still have them in bc I am draining a lot..many people have them out in a week-hopefully that will happen for you! The binder, altough VERY annoying, provides this great compression for the swelling! It's just too humid to deal with all this crap...I thought I was free from the girdles! :) Good luck!!

Thanks Jessica, I feel alittle better now...I am not having any lipo jus the panni and belly button done..so maybe I wont do to bad.  It sounds like most of your pain was due to the lipo ..which is encouraging...at least for me. How are you getting around now being two weeks out...hows your swelling?

Hey, I actually think I had a 'turning point' on my 9-10th day... which was just in time because I had to start school this past monday-so I was 11 days out! Close one! I am able to walk around straight-er, anyways...sitting or laying down for a while sucks because you have to uncrinkle when you get up and you can literally feel your belly all tight like you have to stretch out! Leather-feeling! I am better though, most definatly more so than last week-I just keep thinking everyday is better that the last! Swelling...giiiiirll I feel wide as a whale! On my post op pics you can tell it went down a good deal even just from the 1 day post op to the 1 week post op pics..I could see a line down my stomach!!! I started using ice which reall helps..I just stuff a gel ice pack inside my binder and let it sit on my tummy and belly button...my tummy is so tight and hard so it really helps! I even kept it in right until I pulled into school today-I thought about keeping it tucked in, but the drains in my pants got me bulky enough!

So how did you sleep your first week...were you in a bed could you maneuver by yourself or did you need help getting up and down. What about going to the bathroom and showering, how difficult was that? I am asking because I will be recovering for the most part by myself and I am trying to make provisions. We actually started out the same weight I am 175 at the moment though and I am looking to get down at least another 5-10 before my date...I hope but anyway how much pain is the incision and belly button causing.  I know you said most of the pain is from the lipo buy I was trying to get and understanding of how much easier your recovery would be not having had the lipo.I am only having the panni and belly button done. I am sorry If I am asking to many questions.

Oh it's more than okay to ask a bunch of questions, believe me I played 21 questions over and over ever since I had my GB! I am also a single living girl, BUT I used my mama the first few days and really I don't know how I could not have! I couldn't bend or put my legs up or adjust my pillows...and esp with getting all put together-I needed assistance with the binder and holding my drains, washing the icky binder...etc. I made her pick up so many things off the ground she bought me a grabby stick thing! lol Oh! One fabolous investment...a 'boyfriend' pillow! Those pillows with the arm things, OMG. heaven! You have to be all sandwiched up an that's really the only position that feels good so that was great, I stayed sittng up and could use the 'arm' for my sides and to lean on when getting up. I just stuffed pillows under my legs and was good to go! I couldn't shower for like 2 days after and your dressings are still on so I sponge bathed and had my mom wash my hair... 1 week post he removed my dressings so I took real showers, just really careful. It was hard to reach and bend but definatly do able. I wanted to drop my last 30 by surgery but school gave me no time to exercise and my honeymoon is done so it wasnt gonna just fall off. I hope to loose some now just because I walk out of bordem...I am like 20lbs up right now with all the freakin fluid! Heffer!! My pain is minimal with the incesion and belly button-theres this clear glue stuff over the incesion that makes it all itch like crazy and I freak bc I think I am peeling scabs off but it makes the incesion look worse than it is...it' dark from the batedine-the marker is still on it.it wil look better with more showers. I just put vaseline-NO NEOPORIN- so I don't itch..I will do Vitamin E once its healed for car.... no bandages...my belly button is very tender... it's swore if I touch it or hit it, but it's just open and healing..they had these antibiotic soaked gauze in but they fell out, so now it's just icky and stitched.... but really only my lipo aread hurt... they are no joke, which you'd never imagine! The binder feels so good, I am right now letting it air out then wrap up for the night.once the drains are out I will be so happy, I an deal with the stiffness and occasional pains!

Wow, thanks for your help...we will talk tmw...I am going to head to bed but I know I have another 21 questions for ya..thanks so much you are great.

 No prob bob! I am glad I could be some help to you, don't hesitate to drop me a line.,,you'll probably really need me post op! You can PM me if you want to keep in touch, take care and good luck dude!!

You are my new best friend...how do you PM...lol

Okay see I am really tired cause I am thinking IM  as in instant message instead of PM.... I know how to PM...I think I should call it a night and try this tmw...