Anxiety about Upcoming LBL/TT
Hello, all. My LBL and TT procedure is scheduled for March 25th, about 3 weeks from now. I have been consumed with preparing for the procedure, from ordering post-op supplies, renting a lift chair, to working out more for my stomach and leg muscles. However, as the procedure gets closer, I am developing a lot of anxiety about it. I don't know why. I am very comfortable with my surgeon. In fact, he did a panniculectomy on me about 3 years ago before I ever had my gastric bypass. I am self-pay, so I do feel very guilty about the amount of money I am spending on myself; but my anxiety seems to be mostly related to being under anesthesia for over 6 hours and also about the recovery period. I have to return to work 10 days after surgery and I'm really anxious about that, too. Any advice from the "ones who have gone before?"
Thank you,
Kim Davis
Thank you,
Kim Davis
(deactivated member)
on 3/3/11 3:56 am
on 3/3/11 3:56 am
Good luck on your upcoming procedures. Remember it's healthy to be anxious, after all this is huge.
I'm starting to plan my next stage, I had LBL/Hernia repair and arm lift Nov. 5th and now that everything is healing so well the surgeon suggested it was time to do the next step - thigh lift and breast lift. I'm nervous and scared the same as I was with the first surgery. LOL Just like you I trust my surgeon but all those hours under anesthesia and the recovery period make me pause and worry.
I could have gone back to work 10 days post op but I would have been exhausted at the end of the day - I was still taking a cat nap each day at that point.I was also walking and moving more slowly than normal and it was frustrating - that might impact you at work. I was able to sit all day but did have to get up and walk around from time to time. You will have lifting restrictions for a couple of weeks - so I hope your work is not too physical. You should also have a contigency plan incase you have complications from surgery and can't go back to work as planned.
Go back several months to read old posts here - you'll find a wide spectrum of recovery from this surgery and lots of information to help you be successful in yours.
I'm starting to plan my next stage, I had LBL/Hernia repair and arm lift Nov. 5th and now that everything is healing so well the surgeon suggested it was time to do the next step - thigh lift and breast lift. I'm nervous and scared the same as I was with the first surgery. LOL Just like you I trust my surgeon but all those hours under anesthesia and the recovery period make me pause and worry.
I could have gone back to work 10 days post op but I would have been exhausted at the end of the day - I was still taking a cat nap each day at that point.I was also walking and moving more slowly than normal and it was frustrating - that might impact you at work. I was able to sit all day but did have to get up and walk around from time to time. You will have lifting restrictions for a couple of weeks - so I hope your work is not too physical. You should also have a contigency plan incase you have complications from surgery and can't go back to work as planned.
Go back several months to read old posts here - you'll find a wide spectrum of recovery from this surgery and lots of information to help you be successful in yours.
I had abdominoplasty/lipo yesterday. The way I feel today I could go back to work 9 days from now if I had to. I agree w/ Skylark Orchid that you'll be tired -- I was after my VSG, but just plan to do nothing but rest when you get home from work.
Anxiety? I had more anxiety about this surgery than all surgeries I previously had put together! The anesthesiologist said, "Why? You were at much greater risk when you had your VSG." I looked askance at him -- 30 minutes under vs. 3 1/2 hours under? Yes, but now that I'm not 93 pounds overweight my risk factor is way down. That was very reassuring.
Make sure you totally up your protein intake from now 'til surgery. My dr required 100 grams/day. I've read where some people have had to do 150 grams/day. Also vitamins A & C promote healing. Also, check into SinEcch. My PS had me get that (both orally and topical). Read about it -- very interesting. Seems to be working -- I'm about 24 hours post op and have yet to take a narcotic.
Good luck!
Anxiety? I had more anxiety about this surgery than all surgeries I previously had put together! The anesthesiologist said, "Why? You were at much greater risk when you had your VSG." I looked askance at him -- 30 minutes under vs. 3 1/2 hours under? Yes, but now that I'm not 93 pounds overweight my risk factor is way down. That was very reassuring.
Make sure you totally up your protein intake from now 'til surgery. My dr required 100 grams/day. I've read where some people have had to do 150 grams/day. Also vitamins A & C promote healing. Also, check into SinEcch. My PS had me get that (both orally and topical). Read about it -- very interesting. Seems to be working -- I'm about 24 hours post op and have yet to take a narcotic.
Good luck!
HW -- 255.8#; WW/pre-op lost 22.6#; CW -- 152.2#; GW 140#; 103.6# GONE FOREVER!
First of all Good Luck !
Second, it really all depends on how quickly you heal and if you have any complications. I know the complications word is a bad word on these boards but it does happen, I had a LBL on 12/30 ended up having to have a few blood transfusions and a few iron infusions (btw, my levels pre-plastics were great, I was able to give blood they were so good) but with the skin came too much blood that threw my levels all out of whack and I passed out cold.. I also ended up having to have a second procedure on 1/17 to remove a blood clot and a fluid build up under my skin, it was a mixed blessing cause the PS was able to remove more skin and my results are so much better than they would have been..
But, with that said I went back to work one week post op each time but I am a quick healer and I have a desk job so I didn't have to run around too much. The hardest part of returning to work was what the heck to wear to work (since I work in an office that normally requires business attire) and none of my old clothes fit, plus the ride into work is about an hour and 15 mins each way so it was hard to sit that long..
Good luck and if you wanna hear my whole story go to my blog www.shrinkingstella.com the details of my plastics are there.
Thanks,
Stella
Second, it really all depends on how quickly you heal and if you have any complications. I know the complications word is a bad word on these boards but it does happen, I had a LBL on 12/30 ended up having to have a few blood transfusions and a few iron infusions (btw, my levels pre-plastics were great, I was able to give blood they were so good) but with the skin came too much blood that threw my levels all out of whack and I passed out cold.. I also ended up having to have a second procedure on 1/17 to remove a blood clot and a fluid build up under my skin, it was a mixed blessing cause the PS was able to remove more skin and my results are so much better than they would have been..
But, with that said I went back to work one week post op each time but I am a quick healer and I have a desk job so I didn't have to run around too much. The hardest part of returning to work was what the heck to wear to work (since I work in an office that normally requires business attire) and none of my old clothes fit, plus the ride into work is about an hour and 15 mins each way so it was hard to sit that long..
Good luck and if you wanna hear my whole story go to my blog www.shrinkingstella.com the details of my plastics are there.
Thanks,
Stella
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