Reconstructive Surgery: My thoughts so far (1 week out)
This is what it is -- a midpoint report, reflecting my fears and concerns and doubts.
I have been fighting for the right to have reconstructive surgery for over 2 years now -- there's a whole legal battle going on, where I've won some battles but am currently losing the war. There is a class action suit, an enforcement action by the CA DMHC -- but where I am right now is that I was just laid off with pay for a considerable amount of time, plus i have the cash to self-pay right now, so I decided to go ahead and do it and worry about reimbursement later.
One week ago, I went down to Newport Beach for stage 1, which was supposed to be just the facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty and canthopexy. When I got to the Surgicenter Sunday AM (yes, I had surgery on Sunday!), Agha looked at my face and decided that my cheeks were so hollowed by my last few pounds of weight loss that I needed autoaugmentation to fill out my face -- so he changed plans at the last second and decided to do my arms in addtition, to harvest fat for my cheeks and to skip the lower blepharoplasty (my face would become too swollen by the autoaugmentation to do it properly). So that's what I had done.
Maybe I didn't read enough. Maybe I didn't hear what I didn't want to hear. I'm not sure. But the fact is, I am shockingly surprised by how hard this has been, how uncomfortable and unpleasant this feels, and how discouraged I currently feel about my ability to handle more surgery -- and I'm doubting a bit the need to have done this.
Almost my entire face is numb, stinging, feels extremely tight and uncomfortable. My ears feel like they don't belong to my head -- like they are big fat rubber things sewn to my head. I feel like there are internal straps attaching my ears inside down the side of my cheeks to under my chin. My neck feels like it has a huge bandage around it. The insides of my ears feels swollen and itchy. Behind my ears aches. My eyes ache and sting and itch. I can't lay any way except on the back of my head, which makes my head and neck and shoulders ache. Everything stings and tingles and itches constantly. It doesn't feel like my face will ever feel like my face again.
My arms are stinging and aching like a mofo. My armpits HURT. I already know that there will be tweaks needed at the top of my arms and at the elbows. I have to keep my arms up above my heart level and the elbows and armpits constantly hurt. I can't put my arms down by my side. I have to walk with my arms out in front of me like Frankenstein's monster.
While I was in bed the first few days, I could not get comfortable for very long. I cannot imagine how hard the LBL with spiral thigh lift is going to be -- how the hell can you even lay in bed?? I am currently scheduled to have those procedures on Nov. 30th -- I am freaking out that I cannot tolerate that pain and discomfort! But having started this, and having the time off from work, this is the only chance I will have -- I am completely conflicted by this at the moment. How difficult will the LBL and thighs be? For how long will I be as miserable as I feel right now? How discouraged and depressed will I be able to tolerate being?
I am such a wuss.
I have been fighting for the right to have reconstructive surgery for over 2 years now -- there's a whole legal battle going on, where I've won some battles but am currently losing the war. There is a class action suit, an enforcement action by the CA DMHC -- but where I am right now is that I was just laid off with pay for a considerable amount of time, plus i have the cash to self-pay right now, so I decided to go ahead and do it and worry about reimbursement later.
One week ago, I went down to Newport Beach for stage 1, which was supposed to be just the facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty and canthopexy. When I got to the Surgicenter Sunday AM (yes, I had surgery on Sunday!), Agha looked at my face and decided that my cheeks were so hollowed by my last few pounds of weight loss that I needed autoaugmentation to fill out my face -- so he changed plans at the last second and decided to do my arms in addtition, to harvest fat for my cheeks and to skip the lower blepharoplasty (my face would become too swollen by the autoaugmentation to do it properly). So that's what I had done.
Maybe I didn't read enough. Maybe I didn't hear what I didn't want to hear. I'm not sure. But the fact is, I am shockingly surprised by how hard this has been, how uncomfortable and unpleasant this feels, and how discouraged I currently feel about my ability to handle more surgery -- and I'm doubting a bit the need to have done this.
Almost my entire face is numb, stinging, feels extremely tight and uncomfortable. My ears feel like they don't belong to my head -- like they are big fat rubber things sewn to my head. I feel like there are internal straps attaching my ears inside down the side of my cheeks to under my chin. My neck feels like it has a huge bandage around it. The insides of my ears feels swollen and itchy. Behind my ears aches. My eyes ache and sting and itch. I can't lay any way except on the back of my head, which makes my head and neck and shoulders ache. Everything stings and tingles and itches constantly. It doesn't feel like my face will ever feel like my face again.
My arms are stinging and aching like a mofo. My armpits HURT. I already know that there will be tweaks needed at the top of my arms and at the elbows. I have to keep my arms up above my heart level and the elbows and armpits constantly hurt. I can't put my arms down by my side. I have to walk with my arms out in front of me like Frankenstein's monster.
While I was in bed the first few days, I could not get comfortable for very long. I cannot imagine how hard the LBL with spiral thigh lift is going to be -- how the hell can you even lay in bed?? I am currently scheduled to have those procedures on Nov. 30th -- I am freaking out that I cannot tolerate that pain and discomfort! But having started this, and having the time off from work, this is the only chance I will have -- I am completely conflicted by this at the moment. How difficult will the LBL and thighs be? For how long will I be as miserable as I feel right now? How discouraged and depressed will I be able to tolerate being?
I am such a wuss.
You're not a wuss. You've been sliced and diced and are being held together with tiny acrylic thread, for all intents and purposes.
I remember when I had my anchor cut TT 10 years ago, before I even had heard of anyone else having one, the first few weeks, I felt like my whole torso was detached from the rest of me. It looked like doll skin because I was so swollen and I had numbness everywhere. It got better after two or three weeks, but plastic surgery is NOT easy. I know I'll think long and hard about getting any done when I lose this time around. And I had a laundry list of nips and tucks I wanted to do, from face, to arms, to thighs. The tummy was just the biggest project, so to speak. I did end up revising because I had weird hip-hangage, and that was more of a lower body lift circumference thing. Sleeping was flat on my back, with plenty-o-vicodin.
Hang in there. Sending encouraging ju ju your way.
I remember when I had my anchor cut TT 10 years ago, before I even had heard of anyone else having one, the first few weeks, I felt like my whole torso was detached from the rest of me. It looked like doll skin because I was so swollen and I had numbness everywhere. It got better after two or three weeks, but plastic surgery is NOT easy. I know I'll think long and hard about getting any done when I lose this time around. And I had a laundry list of nips and tucks I wanted to do, from face, to arms, to thighs. The tummy was just the biggest project, so to speak. I did end up revising because I had weird hip-hangage, and that was more of a lower body lift circumference thing. Sleeping was flat on my back, with plenty-o-vicodin.
Hang in there. Sending encouraging ju ju your way.
* Take 1 DS, add a little p90x and stir :)5' 3" HW 293/SW 253/Goal 130/CW 128
The best way I can describe it is a combination of going away and getting used to the feeling. A HUGE part of it is the swelling. I felt a big improvement after the swelling died down to a dull roar. I did have my drains removed too quick on the revision surgery and had to have fluid aspirated via a huge ass needle, but I HAD to go back to work 10 days post op and i knew I couldn't with the drains still hanging from my body.
Even now, 5 years later, there are areas for sure around my incision lines that don't feel normal, but its better. I have phantom itches sometimes where I know it isn't external, and if I could reach inside my belly button i might be able to get to them, but sometimes, a little rubbing on the outside helps that to go away.
I think once the swelling goes down, you'll feel alot better. You're a brave woman, that I know.
Even now, 5 years later, there are areas for sure around my incision lines that don't feel normal, but its better. I have phantom itches sometimes where I know it isn't external, and if I could reach inside my belly button i might be able to get to them, but sometimes, a little rubbing on the outside helps that to go away.
I think once the swelling goes down, you'll feel alot better. You're a brave woman, that I know.
* Take 1 DS, add a little p90x and stir :)5' 3" HW 293/SW 253/Goal 130/CW 128
Hey there wuss --
We all feel like this unless we are 18 and in the prime of health when we go through this. 18 year olds feel it too, but they're so overcome by other drama that they probably don't realize it at the time.
I'm three months out from just ONE procedure -- the lower-body-panni-flab-ectomy-and-butt-lift -- and I am only now feeling really normal. It took more than three months to get to the point that the surgery is not the first thing I think of every morning when I wake up.
You are really just barely out of surgery -- this is so much the acute phase of healing, that nothing will feel right. You are still doing all the right things.
And let's face it -- if you decided in a few months that you no longer wanted to have another reconstructive procedure of any kind, ever, the world would not come to an end. There is no mandate REQUIRING you to have any more procedures, and what you do in the future is still a matter of your own free will (and bank account).
Blessedly, all you have to do now is rest.
That did not work out for me, BTW. Resting is just as hard as feeling weird and in pain, maybe harder. So I'll be curious to see how that works out for you.
Wishing you all the best --
We all feel like this unless we are 18 and in the prime of health when we go through this. 18 year olds feel it too, but they're so overcome by other drama that they probably don't realize it at the time.
I'm three months out from just ONE procedure -- the lower-body-panni-flab-ectomy-and-butt-lift -- and I am only now feeling really normal. It took more than three months to get to the point that the surgery is not the first thing I think of every morning when I wake up.
You are really just barely out of surgery -- this is so much the acute phase of healing, that nothing will feel right. You are still doing all the right things.
And let's face it -- if you decided in a few months that you no longer wanted to have another reconstructive procedure of any kind, ever, the world would not come to an end. There is no mandate REQUIRING you to have any more procedures, and what you do in the future is still a matter of your own free will (and bank account).
Blessedly, all you have to do now is rest.
That did not work out for me, BTW. Resting is just as hard as feeling weird and in pain, maybe harder. So I'll be curious to see how that works out for you.
Wishing you all the best --
Timing-wise, doing the LBL and thighs on Nov. 30th is the only thing that makes sense. If I don't do it then, I will probably lose my window of opportunity, because I have to heal before job hunting. I am still being paid, though "released" from duties, through the end of January. I have a job offer that I am not totally in love with, but it IS a job, that is going to require a commitment soon. They are not only potential partners, but also people I know and am friends with, so I don't want to and can't dick them around for much longer. I am quite conflicted about this as well, and am probably confounding my PS issues with these issues.
Yes, the world will not come to an end. However, with my arms and face done, the contrast with the belly and thighs and boobs is even worse. Kind of like remodeling your house -- once you put in new windows, you HAVE to fix the plaster, and repaint, and then the floors look like crap in comparison.
Perspective -- I need perspective. And percoset.
Yes, the world will not come to an end. However, with my arms and face done, the contrast with the belly and thighs and boobs is even worse. Kind of like remodeling your house -- once you put in new windows, you HAVE to fix the plaster, and repaint, and then the floors look like crap in comparison.
Perspective -- I need perspective. And percoset.
I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems. Plastic surgery is big stuff and much harder to recover from than people expect at times. It does get better, and even though the first days are hard, the outcome is really worth it! We all have different levels of pain tolerance and healing, so each of us is different in what we can and cannot do. I had my arms and sides done the day before you - Oct. 31. I've been using my arms since Sunday, and while they are more comfortable elevated, I'm not in that great of pain, but I've used more pain meds with my arms than I did with my thighs. Its really all individual. Hang in there, don't give up, know that there may be other hurdles along the way, but it really is worth it! Thats why so many of us have gone back for phase 2 and phase 3. The first time is the hardest, and then the next stages seem easier once we are pros!
Jennie
31 lbs lost before surgery
31 lbs lost before surgery
Yep!! Plastics are alot harder than I anticipated too. 
I had the face lift & arms done also. Just the lower facelift. Not as extensive as yours sounds but had absolutely no problems with the face or arms. Uncomfortable? Yes,, but not SUPER painful.
So I marched bravely on to the next procedure two weeks later-- my TT & BL. Now, I consider myself a tough ol' woman. I can take alot. But those two procedures kicked my b***. Was it REALLY that bad or was it the close proximity to the previous surgery? Was it the hacking cough I developed after the surgery that made it so painful or is it that bad for everyone? I don't know, but now I have to have a revision for the TT. It didn't heal right. I am NOT looking forward to it AT ALL!! I just want it done & FINALLY OVER!!
For me, I did read alot! I'd heard of those that described the pain. But, like I said, I considered myself really tough, able to take ALOT. Guess I'm not as tough as I thought.
I think one painful experience makes us extremely leary of the next. You've had your painful one. Let's hope and pray you sail through the next one with very minimal pain & a speedy recovery!!
PamT
I had the face lift & arms done also. Just the lower facelift. Not as extensive as yours sounds but had absolutely no problems with the face or arms. Uncomfortable? Yes,, but not SUPER painful.
So I marched bravely on to the next procedure two weeks later-- my TT & BL. Now, I consider myself a tough ol' woman. I can take alot. But those two procedures kicked my b***. Was it REALLY that bad or was it the close proximity to the previous surgery? Was it the hacking cough I developed after the surgery that made it so painful or is it that bad for everyone? I don't know, but now I have to have a revision for the TT. It didn't heal right. I am NOT looking forward to it AT ALL!! I just want it done & FINALLY OVER!!
For me, I did read alot! I'd heard of those that described the pain. But, like I said, I considered myself really tough, able to take ALOT. Guess I'm not as tough as I thought.
I think one painful experience makes us extremely leary of the next. You've had your painful one. Let's hope and pray you sail through the next one with very minimal pain & a speedy recovery!!
PamT
It was complete hell... lbl w/anchor-cut... my breast-lift w/augmentation... didn't even feel the pain... fat injected into my arse... oh the pain and swelling w/ the body-lift... I must have lived in my recliner two months...
It took me a year and a half almost for the fine tuning and to be sure all swelling had left me. I'm now recovering from the tightening of the skin below my chest (reverse abdominoplasty, new belly button and a quick fix to my hip. This is CAKE compared to the other summer when I couldn't sit.
I feel more the emotional pain of the person I once was... why did I eat myself to 313 lbs? I know why now... I know I've been able to maintain for close to three years... the physical discomfort will go away and scars will fade... it's the spector of what lurks...
I've won the gold at the Olympics... now I take it to the World Championship.
It does get easier... you have to hit bottom... then each day gets better... you'll see. It's difficult to let go and not have control and wait things out... I know.
You're on the mend...
It took me a year and a half almost for the fine tuning and to be sure all swelling had left me. I'm now recovering from the tightening of the skin below my chest (reverse abdominoplasty, new belly button and a quick fix to my hip. This is CAKE compared to the other summer when I couldn't sit.
I feel more the emotional pain of the person I once was... why did I eat myself to 313 lbs? I know why now... I know I've been able to maintain for close to three years... the physical discomfort will go away and scars will fade... it's the spector of what lurks...
I've won the gold at the Olympics... now I take it to the World Championship.
It does get easier... you have to hit bottom... then each day gets better... you'll see. It's difficult to let go and not have control and wait things out... I know.
You're on the mend...
highest :313 | current :124 | low goal :145 | lowest: 118 
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