This is so great and so hard...
I had my lower body done about 5 weeks ago, after having lost 220 pounds. I had a LBL, tummy tuck, hernia repair, spiral thigh lift and butt lift/augmentation. 10 hours of surgery.
The results are truly amazing -- flat abs, smooth thighs, and I actually have a butt (for the first time in I can't remember).
BUT -- the healing process is just awful for me. I've had so many openings/wounds. Right now I have wounds on both inner thighs near my groin (which have been healing decently for 3-4 weeks), and now I have a decent size wound at the drain site on my left hip and a HUGE opening/wound on my back. That one scares the bejeezus out of me.
I've been seeing a wound expert and he is looking into having me use a wound vac on the back wound. I swear -- it's at least 1/2" deep, 1/2" wide and 3 inches long. May not sound like much, but I can get an entire 4x4 12-ply gauze in there and have room to spare. It's freaking me out. I never look at it except at that very moment when I'm reapplying damp gauze (twice a day).
Anyway -- I needed to vent. Most days I'm patient and accepting. Some days I just don't want to get out of bed because I know I'll have to deal with the wound dressing (and the compression garment and the protein shakes and the vitamins and the and the and the....)
Julie
The results are truly amazing -- flat abs, smooth thighs, and I actually have a butt (for the first time in I can't remember).
BUT -- the healing process is just awful for me. I've had so many openings/wounds. Right now I have wounds on both inner thighs near my groin (which have been healing decently for 3-4 weeks), and now I have a decent size wound at the drain site on my left hip and a HUGE opening/wound on my back. That one scares the bejeezus out of me.
I've been seeing a wound expert and he is looking into having me use a wound vac on the back wound. I swear -- it's at least 1/2" deep, 1/2" wide and 3 inches long. May not sound like much, but I can get an entire 4x4 12-ply gauze in there and have room to spare. It's freaking me out. I never look at it except at that very moment when I'm reapplying damp gauze (twice a day).
Anyway -- I needed to vent. Most days I'm patient and accepting. Some days I just don't want to get out of bed because I know I'll have to deal with the wound dressing (and the compression garment and the protein shakes and the vitamins and the and the and the....)
Julie
Vent away. I know Tom has been dealing with a couple of openings too. I think Kennedy had a wound vac for quite a while after her plastics. I haven't seen her on the DS board for a while.
Who did your surgery? Congrats by the way! I know how good it is too look in the mirror and really see your body in a whole new light. I love looking in the mirror now.
Who did your surgery? Congrats by the way! I know how good it is too look in the mirror and really see your body in a whole new light. I love looking in the mirror now.
Chris
HW/225 - 5'1" ~ SW/205/after surgery 215 ~ CW/145~ BMI-25.8~Normal BMI 132 ~DS Dr Rabkin 4/17/08
Plastics in Monterrey - See Group on OH Dr Sauceda Jan 13, 2011
LBL, BL, small thigh lift, arms & a full facelift on 1/17/11 UBL 1/21/13
Love my Body by Sauceda
Hey Julie..!!
I haven't had plastics yet, but I wanted to just say, I will be praying for you that those places heal as they should...Please try and think positive..that, I believe, has a lot to do with your healing..negative begets negative, positive begets positive...If your body is feeling like a long leisurely walk..get out and think positive things about how wonderful you are going to look and feel soon...Stop thinking of what could go wrong, and think of ALL the things that are going to go right...!
I haven't had plastics, but I have had surgeries and I have always tried to have positive thoughts...( I admit, I have had to do some hard and heavy convincing on occasions)
When I had back surgery, some of my family was very concerned, but I just knew, I was going to be alright and my surgeon could not believe how quickly, I healed and how quickly I could walk with ease...Today, I Thank the Good Lord, for my back surgery and surgeon..I don't even think about my back anymore...As I think about having plastics, I will admit, My nerves have tried to run wild, but I keep telling myself, hey, all is well...you (me) will be as before...God has taken GOOD care of me and HE WILL AGAIN..!
I hope you don't think I'm a know it all...That is not what I'm trying to say or put forth...I just want you to do well, and I felt like sharing positive thoughts, could help in your healing...
Blessings to you, Sweetie...
cyndy
I haven't had plastics yet, but I wanted to just say, I will be praying for you that those places heal as they should...Please try and think positive..that, I believe, has a lot to do with your healing..negative begets negative, positive begets positive...If your body is feeling like a long leisurely walk..get out and think positive things about how wonderful you are going to look and feel soon...Stop thinking of what could go wrong, and think of ALL the things that are going to go right...!
I haven't had plastics, but I have had surgeries and I have always tried to have positive thoughts...( I admit, I have had to do some hard and heavy convincing on occasions)
When I had back surgery, some of my family was very concerned, but I just knew, I was going to be alright and my surgeon could not believe how quickly, I healed and how quickly I could walk with ease...Today, I Thank the Good Lord, for my back surgery and surgeon..I don't even think about my back anymore...As I think about having plastics, I will admit, My nerves have tried to run wild, but I keep telling myself, hey, all is well...you (me) will be as before...God has taken GOOD care of me and HE WILL AGAIN..!
I hope you don't think I'm a know it all...That is not what I'm trying to say or put forth...I just want you to do well, and I felt like sharing positive thoughts, could help in your healing...
Blessings to you, Sweetie...
cyndy
Hi Cindy,
I'm so glad you are not suffering from back troubles and the surgery worked for you.
I also believe that positive thinking is really important. For about two weeks during my recovery, I listened to a hypnosis tape for healing which also stressed the importance of positive thinking.
Most days I'm able to be positive. At first, I could be positive for 2 days, then on the third day, I'd cry. Now I'm positive for about 5 days, and on the 6th day I cry. Improvement!
I also thank the powers that be for my fabulous friends. When I am down, I know I can call one of my friends and they will help me get past that. (Of course, I would do the same for them. I really love my friends.)
Thank you for the positive thoughts, Cindy. And let us know if you decide to go ahead with the plastics.
Julie
I'm so glad you are not suffering from back troubles and the surgery worked for you.
I also believe that positive thinking is really important. For about two weeks during my recovery, I listened to a hypnosis tape for healing which also stressed the importance of positive thinking.
Most days I'm able to be positive. At first, I could be positive for 2 days, then on the third day, I'd cry. Now I'm positive for about 5 days, and on the 6th day I cry. Improvement!
I also thank the powers that be for my fabulous friends. When I am down, I know I can call one of my friends and they will help me get past that. (Of course, I would do the same for them. I really love my friends.)
Thank you for the positive thoughts, Cindy. And let us know if you decide to go ahead with the plastics.
Julie
Why don't you google homeopathic wound healing or something like that. I know many years ago I was a huge vitamin/mineral freak and the day after I delivered one of my children the doctor had to ask me if I had an episitomy! He should have known; he did it, but I healed so quickly. Certainly worth a little research.
HW -- 255.8#; WW/pre-op lost 22.6#; CW -- 152.2#; GW 140#; 103.6# GONE FOREVER!
Very interesting, Judith. How far in advance of giving birth did you start taking whatever homeopathic would healing things? Or was it just that you'd always taken alot of vitamins/minerals?
Right now I'm taking 200 g protein each day (at least, with the rare exception), lots of arginine, tons of B12, about 600% of all the other vitamins, and L-glutamine. I've recently added zinc and iron.
Julie
Right now I'm taking 200 g protein each day (at least, with the rare exception), lots of arginine, tons of B12, about 600% of all the other vitamins, and L-glutamine. I've recently added zinc and iron.
Julie
Wow, sounds like you're on the right track for supplements. I just was quite the health freak that whole pregnancy -- ate sprouts almost daily, lots of different vits/mins (can't remember them all -- it was 31 years ago!), and laid in the sun in a bikini every day. That sun-thing? So not me. The ONLY time in my life I had a tan. So maybe it was all the Vitamin D I was soaking up. I am a big believer in Vitamin D. Are you taking any D3?
HW -- 255.8#; WW/pre-op lost 22.6#; CW -- 152.2#; GW 140#; 103.6# GONE FOREVER!
HI Julie, I can feel your pain and frustrations! It definatly gets better.
I had LBL Feb 25th, 2009 - I had a complication right off the bat right in the middle of my back. (necrosis). It was opened and we had to pack it and then the doctor sewed it back up. Then we had to open it back up. Then a good while went by and it was almost done healing. And another spot started acting up and YEP, all over again.
I am telling you all this not to scare you but to say that it DOES get better and I would do it all over again to get the results!! I am actually getting ready to go in for my 3rd surgery Feb 23rd. for my Upper Body Lift and I can't wait!
If you want to email me feel free. [email protected]
Kristi Akers
Gastric Bypass - Feb 6, 2004
Lower Body Lift - Feb 25, 2009
Breast Lift/Lipo - Dec 7, 2009
Upper Body Lift/Arms - Feb 23, 2011
Gastric Bypass - Feb 6, 2004
Lower Body Lift - Feb 25, 2009
Breast Lift/Lipo - Dec 7, 2009
Upper Body Lift/Arms - Feb 23, 2011
Hi Kristi,
I've heard that alot of people have had an opening right there, in the middle of the back.
My big wounds were also a necrosis, I guess. Some dead tissue instead of healing. Once that gets cut ou****ch out! The would just opens and opens! It gets so huge! That's what happened on my back (and on my left hip, etc.).
I sure hope I don't get any more openings. I must admit to being a bit scared of that. But you are right -- it does get better. It will heal. No matter what, it will heal. I tell myself this daily. Many times a day. This too shall pass, it will heal.
Good luck on the upper body!
Julie
I've heard that alot of people have had an opening right there, in the middle of the back.
My big wounds were also a necrosis, I guess. Some dead tissue instead of healing. Once that gets cut ou****ch out! The would just opens and opens! It gets so huge! That's what happened on my back (and on my left hip, etc.).
I sure hope I don't get any more openings. I must admit to being a bit scared of that. But you are right -- it does get better. It will heal. No matter what, it will heal. I tell myself this daily. Many times a day. This too shall pass, it will heal.
Good luck on the upper body!
Julie
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