Feedback after my recent plastics (male - tummy tuck, breasts, arms, pubes)
In case this information helps anyone, I want to share feedback on my recent plastic surgery experience. I had RNY 18 months ago and lost 145 lbs total.
Being obese most of my life, after losing the weight I had saggy skin in my belly region, pubes, breasts and arms (bat wings).
I could not take off work for 3-4 weeks multiple times, so decided to get everything done at once. Total cost was about $16,000 (self pay).
This surgery was so much harder than my RNY, which in hindsight was a piece of cake. After my plastics, I needed around the clock care from my family for 2 weeks- as I needed pain meds every 4 hours and had limited mobility in my arms.
I slept in a recliner for 2 weeks (I could not lay flat nor get in and out of bed) and I had 8 drains that my family had to help measure and then empty a few times a day.
I don't want to scare anyone by saying this, but even with pain meds, it felt like someone was stabbing me with ice picks in various parts of my body. The biggest surprise for me was that my perception was that I would be almost healed and ready to return to work in 2-3 weeks. Now, after 8 weeks, I am still not 100% and am pushing myself to lift my arms above my head.
The point of my post is to BE PREPARED and know what you are getting into. You need a recliner, good support from family for the first few weeks, and think of recovery in terms of MONTHS rather than weeks. Would I do it again knowing what I now know? Yes. But without a doubt, this was the hardest and most painful thing that my body has ever been through.
Good luck to all on your own personal journeys.
Being obese most of my life, after losing the weight I had saggy skin in my belly region, pubes, breasts and arms (bat wings).
I could not take off work for 3-4 weeks multiple times, so decided to get everything done at once. Total cost was about $16,000 (self pay).
This surgery was so much harder than my RNY, which in hindsight was a piece of cake. After my plastics, I needed around the clock care from my family for 2 weeks- as I needed pain meds every 4 hours and had limited mobility in my arms.
I slept in a recliner for 2 weeks (I could not lay flat nor get in and out of bed) and I had 8 drains that my family had to help measure and then empty a few times a day.
I don't want to scare anyone by saying this, but even with pain meds, it felt like someone was stabbing me with ice picks in various parts of my body. The biggest surprise for me was that my perception was that I would be almost healed and ready to return to work in 2-3 weeks. Now, after 8 weeks, I am still not 100% and am pushing myself to lift my arms above my head.
The point of my post is to BE PREPARED and know what you are getting into. You need a recliner, good support from family for the first few weeks, and think of recovery in terms of MONTHS rather than weeks. Would I do it again knowing what I now know? Yes. But without a doubt, this was the hardest and most painful thing that my body has ever been through.
Good luck to all on your own personal journeys.
Good for you. I'm out by 6 weeks now, dealing with some complications. Don't you find it's very emotional too? I am struggling. I thought I'd be up and at 'em right away, and I'm not. 13 hours was plenty enough to set me back by a bit. But I find insomnia has set in, no interest in food, and looking at things negatively. I really thought I'd be up and running. No one really talks about this side of it.
Bonnie
Bonnie
I can do hard things, life is teaching me that I can.
Lost 222lbs with rny, 20 lbs regain.
Plastics, July 2010 with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey, Mexico
Yes, it is very emotional- much more than I expected. I went through a bit of depression for 2-3 weeks and I am normally a very happy and upbeat person.
You would think that one would be elated at losing all the excess skin that you have looked at for most of your life- but the reality sets in that obesity has really destroyed your body and you will always have scars to remind you of that. Also, being 'thin' does not bring instant happiness. You still have to battle any demons and emotional issues from within.
You are right Bonnie, very few people want to acknowledge the negatives related to plastic surgery. Yes, you want to be upbeat and 'think positive', but you also have to prepare yourself for possibly months of pain, then numbness/discomfort, and all of the emotional and physical changes that come with the plastic surgery.
You would think that one would be elated at losing all the excess skin that you have looked at for most of your life- but the reality sets in that obesity has really destroyed your body and you will always have scars to remind you of that. Also, being 'thin' does not bring instant happiness. You still have to battle any demons and emotional issues from within.
You are right Bonnie, very few people want to acknowledge the negatives related to plastic surgery. Yes, you want to be upbeat and 'think positive', but you also have to prepare yourself for possibly months of pain, then numbness/discomfort, and all of the emotional and physical changes that come with the plastic surgery.
I don't think the physical scars bother me near as much as the emotional. It's like taking the last two rny years, and shoving them into a very short time span. And I'm starting to think no one says much about this because it is a sign of weakness, no one likes to show weakness. I guess I've always been a tell it like it is person, and I do. I never thought I'd feel this way. Must run, off to see my doctor to try to get all this fluid off my abdomen, think we're looking at re-installing the drain as I popped a seroma and my surgeon felt it was safe to remove the drain putting out 125 cc a day as it would come out the hole from the popped seroma. Not. It's building for the last two weeks, so either the hole doesn't connect, or it's a pin hole. Not looking forward to another drain, but really don't want to go on sloshing and walking at the same time. Nice to talk about this with you, makes me feel more normal.
Bonnie
Bonnie
I can do hard things, life is teaching me that I can.
Lost 222lbs with rny, 20 lbs regain.
Plastics, July 2010 with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey, Mexico
Anytime Bonnie. And anyone else with questions or comments, feel free to chime into the conversation! It's good to talk about things we are going through.
Sorry to hear about needing an additional drain. The (8) that I had made me look like a walking Christmas Tree and I was so glad to have them finally removed.
I mentioned this, but mainly I wish I had been more prepared (mentally) for the changes I underwent. I talked to friends who had similar sugery, talked to my surgeon, and checked posts on this Discussion Board - but none of that prepared me for what happened when I woke up from anesthesia.
If you have been through this, what surprised you the most?
For me, it was the amount of recovery time to feel 'back to normal'? Like Bonnie mentioned, our self perception is that we could quickly be back on our feet and back to normal in weeks rather than months.
I am both young and healthy, and 8 weeks out I still can't fully lift my arms over my head, I feel numb in some places, have intermittent pain (internal stiches poking me when I bend over, etc), and I still cant easily turn on my side or climb out of bed (takes a few tries). Not fun.
Sorry to hear about needing an additional drain. The (8) that I had made me look like a walking Christmas Tree and I was so glad to have them finally removed.
I mentioned this, but mainly I wish I had been more prepared (mentally) for the changes I underwent. I talked to friends who had similar sugery, talked to my surgeon, and checked posts on this Discussion Board - but none of that prepared me for what happened when I woke up from anesthesia.
If you have been through this, what surprised you the most?
For me, it was the amount of recovery time to feel 'back to normal'? Like Bonnie mentioned, our self perception is that we could quickly be back on our feet and back to normal in weeks rather than months.
I am both young and healthy, and 8 weeks out I still can't fully lift my arms over my head, I feel numb in some places, have intermittent pain (internal stiches poking me when I bend over, etc), and I still cant easily turn on my side or climb out of bed (takes a few tries). Not fun.
My plastic surgery was also much harder, both physically and psychologically, than I anticipated.
At 5 months post op, I am still not back to "normal" physically. I cannot sleep in my preferred position, which is on my stomach, mostly because it is uncomfortable to have my arms stretched above my head for prolonged periods. My scars are still sensitive to touch, especially on my breasts which means I can't really wear a regular bra but have been relying on sports bras. And they itch like CRAZY!! I am much more comfortable in stretch (rather than button up) pants. I'm still swelling like the buddah, especially when I am active....so I don't even REALLY have my exercise to help with stress relief, etc. I am at times THANKFUL I don't have a job to go back to and WISTFUL that I don't have the distraction one would offer.
Overall, I believe I am pleased with the results; there are a few minor issues that I will discuss with the PS at my appt. this month. I just wish I KNEW how much this would take out of me.
Best of luck to everyone!!
ETA: about the scars....the appearance of them doesn't bother me at all; in some ways, I consider them my battle scars and am proud of them. They also serve as a daily reminder of everything I went thru to have this healthier, more attractive body. I just wish they didn't ITCH so darn much!
At 5 months post op, I am still not back to "normal" physically. I cannot sleep in my preferred position, which is on my stomach, mostly because it is uncomfortable to have my arms stretched above my head for prolonged periods. My scars are still sensitive to touch, especially on my breasts which means I can't really wear a regular bra but have been relying on sports bras. And they itch like CRAZY!! I am much more comfortable in stretch (rather than button up) pants. I'm still swelling like the buddah, especially when I am active....so I don't even REALLY have my exercise to help with stress relief, etc. I am at times THANKFUL I don't have a job to go back to and WISTFUL that I don't have the distraction one would offer.
Overall, I believe I am pleased with the results; there are a few minor issues that I will discuss with the PS at my appt. this month. I just wish I KNEW how much this would take out of me.
Best of luck to everyone!!
ETA: about the scars....the appearance of them doesn't bother me at all; in some ways, I consider them my battle scars and am proud of them. They also serve as a daily reminder of everything I went thru to have this healthier, more attractive body. I just wish they didn't ITCH so darn much!
Marilyn (now in NM)
RNY 10/2/01
262(HW)/150-155(GW)/159(CW)
(updated March 2012)
Congrats on your progress Marilyn! I don't mind the scars.. just hope that the redness and swelling fade away over the coming year.
I struggle with the numbness and I also buy pants that have the stretch waist because things don't fit quite right yet even 2 months out.
I am seeing my surgeon in a few weeks and I'm going to ask her about a few problem areas (for example, I have two mini skin 'cones' poking out of my back). Hopefully that can be tweaked during a future office visit.
It's great to know others are experiencing, or have experienced, the same things.
I struggle with the numbness and I also buy pants that have the stretch waist because things don't fit quite right yet even 2 months out.
I am seeing my surgeon in a few weeks and I'm going to ask her about a few problem areas (for example, I have two mini skin 'cones' poking out of my back). Hopefully that can be tweaked during a future office visit.
It's great to know others are experiencing, or have experienced, the same things.
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