Lower Body Lift Surgery coming up ... please help me out

This is why, I seem to be dragging my feet into getting this done. I want the results, but dread the process to get there.

I know that everyone is different.  I had a lower body lift, breast lift with augmentation, bilateral brachioplasty and butt enhancement on 2/6/2012.  To be honest, it wasn't very painful for me at all.  I was honestly expecting the worst pain, but I didn't have it.  I did have an epideral anesthesia (twilight) vs. general anesthesia and I think that helped with my pain level.  The only problem that I have encountered was a wound opening on my incision line a few weeks post-surgery (it is still healing - but it is healing nicely) and this is a common complication of this type of surgery.  I also have a small seroma on my right arm that is slowly getting smaller and resolving.

I couldn't be more pleased - and more surprised at the lack of pain that I have had.  I didn't get a recliner - my husband was going to get me one, but I told him I did not need it and have had no trouble getting in and out of my bed.

Allison

That is an encouraging post.  I worry about incisions opening with the worst possible scenario happening.  I will most likely use Dr. L, and I know he is very skilled with these types of surgeries.  However....I'm nervous about it, and that is totally not like me.  I had 3 children and insisted on natural childbirth for all 3...with the exception of the first as I was not yet 7 months when she was born.  But it was natural nonetheless.  I have a high pain tolerance.  I think it's the thought of such a long incision...  I get to the point where I tell myself forget it...I'll be 57 this summer...just accept my body for what it is.  Then I undress to shower at night, and I really dislike my backside.  I guess I will just keep coming to this board, reading everyone's experience, looking at their great photos and hear how happy they are with their results  until I can move forward with this.

If you have a high pain tolerance, then you will be fine.  My Dr told me the only people that really say they have a lot of pain are those that have a low pain tolerance or those that tend to take pain medication for any little ache or pain which causes their pain tolerance to be lower.

Thank you, that makes me feel better. 

I have bought very few clothes since having my surgery, but I had to buy a few things yesterday.  I really wanted a white pant/jean for summer.  I went to 4 stores and tried on countless brands, textures and types.  The bottom line is I carried a large amount of weight in my butt.  It is worse than my abdomen.  My butt falls in layers, literally, and is as flat and wide as a pancake.  I finally resigned myself to the fact I will not be able to wear white...not with dignity anyway.  I came home and started talking about this surgery and told my family I'll probably have my body done first versus my face .  I think the other huge thing that concerns me is the 8 hour surgery time.  That is the amount of time Dr. L has reserved for me if I move forward with this.  I am having a thigh lift as well.  Maybe he won't need all 8 hours...that is just a long time to be under anesthesia.  But he explained it is not a deep anesthesia the entire time. 

 I had a 360 degree LBL, breast implants, and arm lift all done at the same time in 2011.  It wasn't as bad as I feared.  Of course there is pain, but it can be managed with medication.  You will be able to find a position that makes you comfortable - either in a recliner or propped up somehow.  With the incision all the way around you're gonig to be most comfortable a little bent over.  Too far will pull on the back of the incision, Too upright will pull on the front.  But you can find what works for you.  I bounced back pretty quickly.

Thank you so much everyone who shared their stories with me. I know everyone has a different tolerance to pain, and everyone heals differently. I have come so far to lose the weight that I cant imagine allowing this extra skin to constantly making me feel like I am still obese. I am doing this more for mental reasons so I can feel better. I am not having physical complications from the skin. I really dont have a ton of excess skin to talk about , but enough to make me feel insecure when I am naked and even in shorts ( back of thighs ) .... I hope that my recovery isnt to difficult and I am lucky enough to have a wonderful husband to be there as well as my mom and other family. I will def get a raised toliet seat as several people have mentioned that. I too have 2 dogs and 4 cats that love to jump on the bed so I think a recliner might be best for me to get comfortable. I am so scared. I am never mentally prepared for surgery. I have always been the type to do everything for everyone so being immobile for at least 2 weeks is going to hit hard as it did with my sleeve surgery. I wish you all the best with your wls journey and I would love to keep in touch with you as time goes on. My surgery is May 4th which is still a little bit away, but I am trying to get prepared now. I once again appreciate everyone's story and input on my post and I Thank you for all your great ideas. I def took notes :) 

I had LBL, Breast Lift, Thigh Lift, Arm lift all done in one 13 hour surgery using an epidural.  I was expecting mega-pain but it didn't come.  I slept in a clinic bed for 5 nights (it would have been 2-3 except that I had my face lift on day 3).  I moved to a hotel bed on day 6.  Getting up and down was a chore but was nothing like what I expected seeing that I couldn't use my arms or legs to propel me upright.  The day after the body work, I was walking around my clinic room.  The next day I was walking the halls.  Day 7 I was going out to lunch and to the movies.  I came home on day 12 and slept in my bed.  I was able to start sleeping on my side around day 9 or 10.  It's taken me 3 months to sleep on my tummy but that's because of my breast lift, not my LBL.

I got a female urinal but only used it 1 day because it just wasn't a problem getting up and down from the potty.

I think the most difficult part of it all is post-op.  Taking care to keep incisions from opening up and paying attention to the healing process.  I'm three months out now and all I need to do is keep up with scar care which can be a pain in the tush.  I wore compression garments for 6 weeks 24/7 then switched to occasional flexee (spanx) garments.

The only problem that I really had directly post-op was getting prepared for my first shower on day 2 post-op.  The nurse didn't tell me to remove my garments and sit on the side of the bed dangling my feet for 30-35 minutes.  I nearly passed out when I got into the shower.  Dr. Sauceda later told me that I needed to really sit and let my blood pressure stabilize before trying to get up and walk.  That did the trick and I was fine after that.  I would remove my garments 30-60 minutes before I knew I was having my daily shower.  It also felt great to breathe as those garments can be so darn tight in the beggining.

Anyone had luck getting insurance to pay for lifts? I have bad rashing in my inner thighs. I Look like a shar-pei