panniculectomy surgery

Hi all,

New to the site. I'm just curious as to if anyone has had theand panniculectomy surgery  what the recovery was like for them.

I had the surgery on May 5th and it's been rather difficult.The swelling not being able to do very many activities even now a month afterwards.

So if anyone would like to share their experience with me I look forward to hearing from you.

thanks
mandy

Hi Mandy! I had my panni/tummy tuck May 4th, and yes the swelling is a real pain in the but! I've found that you really need to watch what you eat. Stay away from salty, high sodium foods. They puff me out big time. Swelling is basically a given regardless, but salt/sodium makes it alot worse. Also, drink alot of water. (I've got to watch and practice what I preach, I don't drink enough!)  I've had 2 infections already on my incision, the last one being the worst. Doc had to cut out some dead tissue and now the "hole" has to be packed with guaze strips. Thats no fun either. He said I should heal in 2-3 weeks.  This hasn't been a great experience but everyone keeps saying that down the road I will say it was worth it. I'm not so sure...yet. Good luck to you Mandy. Hope the swelling goes away soon!

Hi Lady

Thanks for your response. I do stay away from the high sodium and salty foods in general due to high blood pressure, I went and saw the surgeon today and he said it's completely normal to have the amount of swelling I have  and it will last for up to 5 months...but it's hasn't been the greatest experience for me.Now he's telling me to go out and buy some spandex pants/shorts for support..Which I never understood from what I have read and heard from other people having the same surgery they all came home with a binder or some kind of support which I didn't receive now he's telling me 4 weeks after  surgery I need to go buy something for support.. Which will help with the swelling.Also he informed me I will be swollen for atleast 5 months.Which kinda bothers me because none of my clothes I could wear before I had the surgery doesn't fit me so I now have to go out and buy new clothes just so I have something to wear this summer. Ihad almost 7 pds and over 2 feet of skin taken off and I still can't fit into anything I owned before so it's been a very frustrating experience for me.
I also had an infection in my incision and that really sucked but it's fine now after being on two different antiobotic's.
But thanks for your advice and I do hope you feel better real soon.Sounds like you have had a hard go at it also.. Best of luck to you also..

I read your post and had to reply to you. I had my panni/tummy tuck on 5/18 and I am in the same situation with regards to the infections. I currently have a 5 inch opening in my belly that I have to do the gauze packing too. I also have an area right next to it that I'm experiencing stitch rejection and it's draining into the larger wound. I'm so depressed about it and worried. I've just finished 2 antibiotics and still there is a terrible odor when I change the packing.
How are you doing now?

Hi! Not sure if this post was directed at me, but I believe it was. I was actually just at the docs office this morning. He had to cut open another small area that had been draining so it will have to be packed also. I'm about to finish my 2nd round of antibiotics as well, so hopefully  that will take care of the infection, but will have to pack the affected area for at least another 2-3 weeks. I have to go back to the doc tomorrow and take someone with me so they can be shown how to "pack" me. I can't do it well enough myself. It has been an experience, one I wouldn't care to repeat again, but there aren't any guarantees. And yes, just like you, I've been so depressed,  wondering if I'm ever gonna heal, wondering if I did the right thing having this surgery even though it's too late to go back now. Some sail through this surgery without any problems at all and then there's us..the  lucky ones right?  There are alot of us out there, we're not alone.  Anyway, I wish the best of luck to you on a speedy recovery. Hang in there, it's gotta get better sometime!   Take care.

what kind of abdominal binders are you guys wearring? I had my TT over the weekend and am findind that it rides up and doesnt compress the lower area where the majority of my staples/stitches are and thats where the most of my swelling is.

I haven't been wearing any binders, my surgeon informed me today that I should go buy something that has support now.. Which I find odd considering it's been 4 weeks since I've had my surgery...

they gave me one at the hospital velcro binder but its falling apart I've washed it alot already because of blood stains ..if you go on line there are slimpressions shapewear and contureMD check out those websites..

Hi...I had my panni removed May 3rd adn I have had no real issues..in fact I was supposed to return to work not until next wekk and I have been there for the last 2 weeks and only took off 3 weeks. I do get tired very easily, like today I am exhausted...I really havne;t had any swelling, and my binder is the one they gave me from the hospital and it is my secrity blanket.

wow  I wish I was in your shoes. My stomach is soooo swollen it looks like I'm a couple months pregnant..
Glad to hear your recovery is going well..