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

loverofcats
on 3/19/12 1:32 pm

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.

     "          
 LW-Apple-Gold-Small.jpg image by PlicketyCat
    
allypad64
on 3/19/12 2:07 pm - henderson, NV
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


Plastics by Dr. Sauceda in Monterray, MX - 2/6/2012 (yippee!).  Lower Body Lift, BL/BA, Arm Lift, Butt Lift.



dasie
on 3/19/12 8:52 pm
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.




    
susie64
on 3/20/12 10:28 am
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.

Highest Wt 278/Surg Wt 246/Current Wt 148.6/Goal Wt 145 (initial goal)   
dasie
on 3/20/12 11:33 pm
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. 




    
NoMore B.
on 3/20/12 1:56 am
 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.
alicia601
on 3/20/12 3:12 am - NY
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 :) 
                
Lee ~
on 3/20/12 4:29 am - CA
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.

HW: 249   SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011

speedyclaire
on 5/17/12 5:34 pm - Fremont, CA
Anyone had luck getting insurance to pay for lifts? I have bad rashing in my inner thighs. I Look like a shar-pei
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