Next round of PS

So I have consulted with four PS over last two months.  I think I have found one close to home I am comfortable with.  I do have some questions.  Two of them want to stage surgeons differently.  They want to do an extended TT, BL/BA for one surgery; Arm Lift/Medial Thigh Lift with Lipo of knees for second surgery; Butt & Lateral Thigh lift for the  third surgery.  Does this sound reasonable?  The other surgeons want to do LBL first; Arm Lift & BA/BL second, Medial thigh lift last..  Has anyone had similar surgeries?  Are there any advantages/ disadvantages for either?  Any ideas?  Scheduled the first surgery for Apr 9th so I have a couple of weeks to decide.  Also, did you have to increase your protein and check your B12 levels before surgery?

I can't reply about the combination or timing of surgeries, but my surgeon has stressed repeatedly the importance of protein before, during & after.   Nothing was mentioned about B12 - did yours offer any rationale for that?

Good luck.  I get a TT/LBL/BA on Friday.  Am having back issues right now and hope they're resolved in time or it's going to be very, very interesting!   Personally I think it's good training so I know what to expect this weekend!

tg

There is a form of anemia (Pernicious anemia) that is caused by a lack of B-12. It's common in WLS patients. I know two people in my small town who had WLS and had serious nerve damage from low B-12. I had a serious case of iron anemia for a while, but never had problems with B-12 because I take sublingual B-12 daily.

I did arms by themselves (this was a bonus as it was not required & I was able to do it b/c insurance covered my TT.  Then a couple weeks later I did TT and medial thigh lift.  Then was doing butt and outer thigh, which ended up being a LBL b/c my abdominal incision did not heal.  Next winter I will do upper body lift & contouring with BL.  I would have done my arms in this surgery, except I had not originally planned it to be done. (now that my lower body looks great I want my boobs to match.)

 I am not sure the reasoning behind the differences in opinions in the staging of surgeries. I would probably go with whatever appeals to you the most. I think I would like to go with what feature I needed fixing the most first. And I had every intention of increasing my protein before and after. I am making an effort but it's not quite turning out as I planned. And my Dr had me do a EKG and several blood tests before my surgery. I had them done but don't know if b12 was included. Also I was told to stay off the obvious stuff like birth control aspirin but also no vitamin E. 

Jennifer 

I had a TT, BL/BA, Lateral thigh lift with lipo.. If I would do it all over again.. I would do the TT, BL .. heal then do the BA with arms.. healing with the BL and BA together has been such a pain..

Quietly I swear I am not sure the implants are worth the unusual feeling...

Michelle

My plastic surgeon specializes in body contouring after massive weight loss.  He will only keep you under general anesthesia for 6 hours.  Multiple procedures like you mention can't be done in a 6 hour time block.  That could be a reason for the staging.

It is also difficult to recover when you can't move arms, legs or have pain in "core."  We still have to be able to move and it is very difficult.  I had fleur de lis abdominoplasty and brachioplasty and I was very uncomfortable and barely mobile for a month.

I upped protein to 100 gm a month before surgery and still at 100 gm 10 months after my plastics.  I had some complications with a large open wound and my tummy is still quite sore.  My plastic surgeon did extensive muscle work and said it may take 18 months to completely heal - so I'm keeping my protein consumption up for the healing process.

My B12 was checked before surgery.  I give my self a monthly injection and my level is above 1000, so all is good there.

You need to be at goal (my surgeon wanted me at goal and holding for 6 months prior to plastics), healthy, blood work in limits for your type of surgery, good physical condition, taking all your supplements, etc for the best results from plastic surgery.

Best wishes.