Surgery scheduled. Nervous! What to expect?
Hey all!
So I am scheduled for a tummy tuck on May 22nd. My hanging skin all over my body has caused me lots of emotional grief ever since I lost all the weight, especially bein one of the few19 year olds going through this. Now that there is an actual date, I am getting cold feet! I know deep down this is what I want, but I am so scared of hating the results, this horrible swelling I hear people talking about, the pain, and the huge financial committment.
I would love to know if any of you have gone through this experience. The nerves of a first plastic surgery. I would love to hear any stories, experiences, ANYTHING! :)
I just want to know what to expect, and if you would go through the process again.
So I am scheduled for a tummy tuck on May 22nd. My hanging skin all over my body has caused me lots of emotional grief ever since I lost all the weight, especially bein one of the few19 year olds going through this. Now that there is an actual date, I am getting cold feet! I know deep down this is what I want, but I am so scared of hating the results, this horrible swelling I hear people talking about, the pain, and the huge financial committment.
I would love to know if any of you have gone through this experience. The nerves of a first plastic surgery. I would love to hear any stories, experiences, ANYTHING! :)
I just want to know what to expect, and if you would go through the process again.
Banded 7/29/08
Starting Weight: 240 Goal Weight: 140 Current Weight: 119
What you are feeling is totally 100% normal and something that every one of us felt to different degrees before our surgery.
The financial expenditure is a big one but I have never seen one person say that they wish that they didn't spend the money and still had that hanging skin on their abdomen. You can rationalize the money in 100 ways and if you look thru pasts posts you'll see that we have done just that. Think of it as an investment in your future happiness. You are 19? Lets assume, conservatively, that you rock that bod for the next 46 years. Take your total expense and divide by 46. Does that yearly dollar amount seem too much to pay for your self confidence? to like yourself when you look in the mirror? to be able to shop where you want and buy the type of clothes and Victoria Secret stuff that you want? to feel comfortable with your partner when things get romantic? I think it will be some of the best money you have ever spent.
The swelling is an incredible annoyance. It is not painful, the surgery itself is not very painful and what pain there is is managed with painpills, it is uncomfortable. Don't be scared by our complaints about the swelling. We are complaining, venting, and whining about it because we are going thru it and the experience is unlike anything else most of us have had. We also focus on our discomforts because we are no longer thinking about the panni that used to be there. Or the rashes. Or trying to buy clothes around the sagging skin. Or how miserable it made us to look in the mirror.
Recovery isnt a walk in the park. This isnt a haircut you are getting. There are some pains and some discomforts. Unlike a haircut the full 'look' isnt always visible after the surgery and you will have to try to find patience while you heal up. You will heal though and you will be ok and you will look fabulous compared to how you look now.
I don't regret my surgery for my stomach for one second. One of the best things I have ever done myself. I think, in time, you will feel the same way.
The financial expenditure is a big one but I have never seen one person say that they wish that they didn't spend the money and still had that hanging skin on their abdomen. You can rationalize the money in 100 ways and if you look thru pasts posts you'll see that we have done just that. Think of it as an investment in your future happiness. You are 19? Lets assume, conservatively, that you rock that bod for the next 46 years. Take your total expense and divide by 46. Does that yearly dollar amount seem too much to pay for your self confidence? to like yourself when you look in the mirror? to be able to shop where you want and buy the type of clothes and Victoria Secret stuff that you want? to feel comfortable with your partner when things get romantic? I think it will be some of the best money you have ever spent.
The swelling is an incredible annoyance. It is not painful, the surgery itself is not very painful and what pain there is is managed with painpills, it is uncomfortable. Don't be scared by our complaints about the swelling. We are complaining, venting, and whining about it because we are going thru it and the experience is unlike anything else most of us have had. We also focus on our discomforts because we are no longer thinking about the panni that used to be there. Or the rashes. Or trying to buy clothes around the sagging skin. Or how miserable it made us to look in the mirror.
Recovery isnt a walk in the park. This isnt a haircut you are getting. There are some pains and some discomforts. Unlike a haircut the full 'look' isnt always visible after the surgery and you will have to try to find patience while you heal up. You will heal though and you will be ok and you will look fabulous compared to how you look now.
I don't regret my surgery for my stomach for one second. One of the best things I have ever done myself. I think, in time, you will feel the same way.
HW-345,SW-300, CW-144lbs. DS 5/11/10. First round of plastics with Dr. LoMonaco 11/8/11 LBL, BL. 14lbs of skin removed.
2nd round with Dr. LoMonaco 2/8/12 Brachioplasty, Thigh lift, Breast Implants.
Lots of pain for the first 3 days. A little advice, if you don't have a recliner, GET ONE ASAP or borrow one. That's going to be your new bed for about 3-4 weeks. Second, I don't know what type of pain meds you prefer, but liquid Lortab was my
best friend. I have also heard good things about percocet and Hydrocodone. The only downside to Hydrocodone is the prolonged use will irritate the stomach linning or your pouch linning and will cause a lot of discomfort. Best of luck to you.
Now, the feeling is totally normal. The day I went in was more excited than nervous, then I was really calm, like I knew I would come out ok. You will do fine.
best friend. I have also heard good things about percocet and Hydrocodone. The only downside to Hydrocodone is the prolonged use will irritate the stomach linning or your pouch linning and will cause a lot of discomfort. Best of luck to you.
Now, the feeling is totally normal. The day I went in was more excited than nervous, then I was really calm, like I knew I would come out ok. You will do fine.
~Paul~
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