Upoming LBL surgery

Hi, everyone -
Well, I am scheduled for lower body lift (abdominoplasty and buttock lift and lots of thigh lipo) on December 9.  I had my pre-op on November 23, and feel overwhelmed with all the information I was given and what to expect.  I don't know whether to cry or laugh!  Cry over worry about how long it will be before I can get around and how much pain I'll have - laugh over peeing into a funnel so I don't get my garment wet!  I live on the east side of Washington, but am flying over to the west side as there are no plastic surgeons around here that really specialize with WLS patients, and I want someone I feel comfortable with.  Dr. Dry has been really wonderful - great bedside manner!  Makes you feel cared about and gives you confidence in him.  Wondering whether I'll really be able to go back to work on January 4.  How did the rest of you do re returning to work?  And how much did you lose in skin and fat with your surgery?  Any advise?
Thanks, Wendy

I haven't returned to work yet.  My surgeon gave me a note for 2 months.  I was planning on going back early but developed a slight complication (a seroma) so now I'm taking it one day at a time.  With my LBL  the doc said he took about 4 pounds of fat & skin.
I was okay to spread my legs over the toilet and slightly squat - no funnel needed:-)
Good luck
L.

hi, I'm a week and two days out, I'm on tylenol 1 now...don't have alot of pain,more of a burning sensation as the muscles and nerves settle. I'm up and about, showering, and can get up/down quite easily on the toilet. I'm booked off for two months, energy is an issue..little walks then rest all day long.

Just curious, had you consulted with Dr. Egrari as well? I was wondering the differences between him and Dr. Dry. Doesn't Dr. Dry work out of Kirkland?

I had my LBL (belt lipectomy) with Dr. Aly and lost around 14 pounds (I think it was) of skin and fat.
 
My main suggestion would be to protein load. I never had to do the funnel thing, my garment unsnapped or unzipped if I remember correctly. I really don't remember there being terrible amounts of pain at all.

I was off on my school summer so I can't help you on the back to work thing.

At the OH conference I talked with the staff of several plastic surgeons, and talked with a couple of the plastic surgeons - only one offered consults on-site there, Dr. Dry!  So he is the only one I actually met for a consult.  I talked with some of his past patients as well.  Then I did some checking with AMA and plastic surgery board as well.  Very confident in my decision. 

Your pictures are amazing!  Congrats.  You look beautiful - I should say "more" beautiful than ever!  It is such an amazing feeling to be able to do things that others take for granted.  And I am excited to reach out and try things I never even considered before.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Wendy

Hi!
CONGRATS on your upcoming surgery.  I had my TT almost 3 months ago.  I have been very fortunate and had a really good/easy recovery.  I think loading up on protein pre and post op helped.

On my profile I have a few blogs with all the tips/tricks I've learned....feel free to check them out.

Emotions are normal...I'm scheduled for surgery next week and am just starting to get a little nervous...that will last a couple days and then I'll be ok again.

So glad you have a surgeon you are comfortable with and have confidence in...that's so important.

Best wishes to you on your journey!!

Are you having more plastic surgery next week?  I will keep you in my prayers as well!
Wendy

I looked at your profile, but couldn't find the tips you were talking about - actually couldn't find any blogs at all. 

Hmmm, you should be able to see them.... here's the link  www.obesityhelp.com/member/moosie1234/   it's on the right side of the page...says  "moosie1234's blog"
Let me know if you still don't see it.

Here's an example of one of the postings......

Tips for getting ready Pre and Post OP
on October 14, 2009 9:17 am
Published
Congrats on your upcoming surgery....it will be here before you know it.

Here are some of the Pre and Post OP tips I can share.......(keep in mind I'm not a medical professional I'm only sharing my personal experiences).

PRE-OP
-Cook and freeze in individual pkgs meals.  THey will be easy to re-heat post op.  Thiings like Lasagna cut into indiv portions, meatballs, chilli, soups, meatloaf (cook and cut into indiv slices, wrap and freeze), pasta w/spinach, chicken breast (spice some with curry or italian dressing to make a variety), bake a couple of potatoes cut them half and wrap them....makes it easy to pull one 1/2 out to add to a meal.
-Get your hair cut, your nails done, etc...it will be a while before you can do it again.
-Move the things you use on a regular basis down from high shelves in the kitchen/bathroom so you can easily reach them
-Figure out if you can sleep in your bed with pillows propping you up or if you need to use a recliner.  If in a recliner put 1 or 2 fitted sheets over the recliner.  This will not only make it a little more comfortable on your skin but it will absorb any bodily fluid leaks
-Pay your bills (utility, mortgage, credit cards, etc) even if they are not due till the week after surgery....you just may not be able to get to the post office or to log on and take care of it.  Better to get it over with if you can.
-Go shopping and stock up on things you use a lot of (I filled the pantry with 3 weeks worth of things like protein powder, fiber cereal, oatmeal, prunes, etc...

Supplies you need.....
-A toilet riser for when you get home (#1 must have!)  You can get one at CVS for $25.   FYI - if you are staying at an after care facility call ahead to make sure they have a toilet seat riser for you in your room.
-Stool softners and laxatives.  You may need the laxative the first 2-3 days to get things moving...then you can use the softeners.
-5x9 gauze pads and regular or long sanitary pads.  I used the sanitary pads on my sides where the extra thickness helps tremendously!!
-A back scratcher...you might get very itchy from the pain meds and you won't be able to reach everywhere.
-Moisturizer for the rest of your body.  I don't know about you but I get very dry from the anesthesia.
-2 pairs loose pajamas with button down top or a button (or snap) down house dress.  (you'll want to have a change of clothes 'cause you'll probably get some blood and stains on the first pair...
-a lanyard or something to hang your drains from, especially when you shower( I used a sash type belt around the house and a piece of string in the shower)
-take a pen and notepad with you....it helps to keep track of things like drainage amounts, when you take pills, how you feel, questions you have for the Dr, etc etc
-Socks..........my feet hung off the recliner chair and out of the blanket and got COLD!
-Take some pre-mixed protein drinks and bars
- 3-5 MENS T-shirts (the tank top type...aka wife beater t-shirts).  You will want to use this under your binder otherwise the binder rubs your skin raw!  I put on the gauze/pads then pull the undershirt over them and them put the binder or compression garment on.  Feels so much better!
-I took a couple of sudoku puzzles and a book because I planned on staying 4 or 5 days in aftercare...I did do some puzzles on day 2 and 3.
-Some sort of sucking candy (sugar free or whatever you can have).  REALLY helps me to with the dry throat and sudden tickle that makes me cough.  OMG you do not want to cough after the Tummy Tuck!!!
-a camera.  If you are into documenting everything (like I am) you'll want to get some pictures...
-Your toiletries....shampoo (the place I was at did not have shampoo!), soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, chapstick, moisturizers (I tend to dry up after surgery...not sure if its the shock to the body, the anesthesia or the pain meds but I get drier than normal so I take lots of moisturizer). 

POST OP -
Swelling is expected.  How much varies with each individual but you can expect to swell some.  The good news is it is temporary!  It may last 2 months, 3 months, or 6 months even a year.......again it's different for everyone.
There are lots of things you can do to reduce the swelling....
Theses are things I'm doing to keep my swelling down and it is working, I have very little swelling (thank heavens).

-Avoid salt...especially hidden salt in canned food and pre-packaged frozen meals, luncheon meats, hotdogs, pickles, etc.
-Drink more water.....drink more than the normal 8 cups or more than the amount you normally drink.
-Drink 3-4 cups of plain green tea with a splash of lemon (I do this and it works)
-Elevate your legs as much as you can.  Instead of watching TV in the livingroom chair I lay down in bed and put my legs up on 2 pillows.  The key is getting the legs up higher than your heart.  Having your legs up in a recliner is not going to do much......they are not elevated enough....you need to get them up
-Use an ice pack. (after being on my feet for hours...like a 4 hour shopping marathon....I'm a little sore so I use an ice pack).
--Wear a compression garment (with legs that go at least to your knees).  This did the trick for me. When I started to swell in my thighs and butt after my Tummy Tuck I got into a compression garment and within 3 days most of the sweling was gone.  The few days I did not wear it for a couple hours I could see and feel more swelling.  I've been wearing the binder on top of my compression garment.  I'm 6 weeks out but still wearing them and it's keeping me flat!
-Walk, but not too much too soon.  Don't over do it like I did.  At week 5 post-op I jumped on the treadmill full speed and pulled a muscle.  Now I can't do anything!


Hope this helps a little....I'll post more as I learn more.

Best to you on your plastics journey.
Ruth

Hmmm - maybe I have to be a "friend" first?  I see where it says moosie1234's blog - but there's nothing there - even when I go into Archives - just empty.  I'll ask to be added to your friends.  Thanks for the tips!