Looking for any tips!!!! infraumbilical panniculectomy sx on 12-29-11

Good Morning OH,

I'm coming out of lurk mode to say that I have been approved by ins for a panniculectomy words just can't express how blessed and exicited to know that my apron will finally be leaving me! lol Like most of you I have struggled with my weight since childhood and for the first time ever I weigh what I call normal weight, now I made it to the next step wow I feel like I'm in a dream and can't wake up someone please pinch me!...Okay on to my question I would like to know what I should do between now and the day of surgey. I have pre op on 12-1 so not sure how detail that will be? but after sx what may be somethings that I may need watch for or comfortable ways to try and sleep any and all ideas, suggestions, and advice is welcome!

I rented a lift recliner chair from a local medical supply company. It has been the best thing ever, as after surgery the most annoying thing is trying to find a comfortable position for sitting or sleeping.

Arrange things in your pantry and fridge that you can easily reach without bending too much.

Drink lots of fluids so have. Stock of your favorite crystal light or whatever on hand.

Have some lanyards Handy for when you want a break from your binder and you can attach your drains to them

Get some anti bacterial soap ( dial) to shower with starting several days before surgery.

Good luck.

Thank you so much!!! Is it real expensive to rent lift chairs?

It may just depend on where you live etc. mine was $330 for a month. I've seen others here mention a cheaper price. The brand I have is "pride" . It reclines to a sleeping position.

I just found a place here in my are 195.00 for a month! Thanks so much anything else you can think of please let me know...

I liked the option to between the chair and the bed ( still do) so ave lots of pillows too.

 If you're going to be sleeping in a recliner (which I agree is a great idea, I slept in one and it was great) then you might need a special neck pillow. I found that regular fullsized pillow were too bulky and hurt my neck, so I first ended up with one of those u-shaped airplane neck pillows, which was nice because I could turn my head either way and be supported. Then I switched to a small thin memory-foam pillow that was sold as a car pillow, that was nice too. If worse comes to worse, you can roll up a washcloth and stick it under your neck to provide support and go without a pillow. I used that as a stop-gap for a few days and it worked. 

You need to make sure that the chair you get is very comfortable and doesn't have any parts that are insufficiently padded. Some lift chairs are kind of poorly padded and if that's the case with yours you could line it with a thick bedpad/mattress cover or something else, because you will be sitting/laying in it a LOT and when people are on narcotics bedsores are a very real threat because you won't be shifting your body as much, so pressure spots can develop. I got a very sore tailbone for a few days and it could have progressed to a sore if I hadn't dealt with it and switched my position entirely. 

Straws are nice but not absolutely vital. A huge waterbottle with a nice big straw (the kind that aren't disposable) is good to have because you won't have to refill it often, and it's just easier to drink thru a straw without spilling on yourself. 

Toilet seat raiser was a godsend. They're cheap on amazon.com. 

plain water might make you nauseous, it often does after surgery, so have something you can use to lightly flavor your water. I used True Lemon packets, which are sugar free but you could also use crystal lite, etc. 

How exciting for you!!! I'm amazed you got it approved through insurance, that's quite a feat!! They're SO diffifult about plastics, even in the most severe cases it seems. Congratulations! 

Thank you so much Lizzy for all the wonderful advice will make sure to check the chair before I rent it and get plenty of pillows! I was able to find a toliet seat riser at my parents and even a walker from when my dad had his knee replacement last year so I think I may be set. I actually for a TT but couldn't get financed for the remaining bal that the ins would not pick up so I hope I the panni will help? I hear the results are not as great as with the TT maybe next year I can proceed and maybe have it done the right way...Again thank you!!!