Today was *supposed* to be my big day :-( PS postponed

 Thanks, Ladies, for your support and commisseration!  If feels good to be heard.

Of course, now that the surgery is scheduled, I'm feeling a bunch better physically :-}  Part of me is wondering if my bariatric surgeon is too trigger-happy and wanting to do surgery on something that may be clearing itself up.  BUT family and friends are telling (reminding?) me that it's important to get this cleared up so it won't be an ongoing issue and I can move on with the PS and other good things. And I know they have my best interests at heart and are more objective than me right now, so...on we go with lap surgery Wednesday!

L

Thanks for return post to me above-my pains come and go and hurt sometimes more after I go to the toilet.
I so understand relief now that each procedure is scheduled. I'm still waiting on a new surgery date and it's hard enough waiting fir the surgery and I'm still waiting for the date for the surgery. I'm angry and frustrated. If I was just given a date I would feel relief!
I don't like that you are going for two scheduled surgeries close together but I am not a doc/nurse. I just wish/hope it would/could be possible if the two surgeries were able to be done at the same time.
Best of luck healing and continued health!
Mikimi

That's disappointing.
I can only imagine how you feel. Planning for PS for so long ,being ready and then this.
I wish you a speedy recovery and pray that your July 16 date holds true.

Good Luck......

PS. I live in the Raleigh area and have been researching PS myself,  I've seen following surgeons for consults Dr. Edward Ray and Dr. Coan.  Who is the surgeon you decided to go with and why did you choose them? If you don't mind answering.

Thanks
 

Hi! Actually I am using Dr. Ray! He was my third consult, and I actually went to him thinking I Wouldn't use him but that it would clarify which of the two others I'd seen I should go with. (Gunn and Erdmann). But I liked Ray the best. He answered all of my questions well, his staff was very responsive and on the ball, they hooked me up with a patient to talk with, and in general it just felt like the right fit for me. Unfortunately he was the most expensive of the three, but ultimately it just felt right.

After I've gone through the surgery I'll Be happy to share my experience!

Did you have your surgery done at Duke (Durham or Raleigh) or at Rex?

L

I 've eliminated 110 lbs and I'm looking to have a lower body lift and they recommended the inner thigh/ medial thigh lift at the same time.

I'd hope to get my arms done in the future, but this is the thighs/hips is the area that bothers me the most. No matter how much training / workingout I do... it is, what it is.

Since I'm paying for this out of pocket and my time off work will have to be accumulated vacation or time off without pay I really have to plan this out.

I have really been surprised at the fact that these surgeons send people home after doing ~ 6 hrs of surgery on them. I told Dr. Ray that I was uncomfortable with that and asked what it would cost to stay an additional 24 hrs. It comes to around $750.00.  For my peace of mind, it is well worth it after being under general anethisia for ~ 6 hrs.  I have almost considered 3 days. I figure the 1st 3 days being the worst and since I live alone I don't want to burden inexperienced family members with this serious of a medical situation. Just my personal choice.

The recovery time is another thing that surprises me. He said ~ 3-4 weeks off work. I read of people recommending 6-11 wks. (I do understand it is dependent upon the type of surgery, the indivuals health and the type of work they do) but I really need to get a better confidence in the number so I can plan.

Sorry for the rambling. It is just nice to have found someone so close to my area going through the same stuff.

I will certainly put you on my calender to be praying for a complication free surgery, speedy recovery without problems and awesome result : )

Take care.

 Hi! I had a similar concern about being home at the beginning, particularly because I live alone and would be relying on family and friends to help. Dr. Ray recommended a nurse who has stayed over with some of his patients in the past. My plan is to have her drive me home and stay with me for the first 48 hours, then fill in after that with my support team. I'll let you know how that goes!

First  I hope the Gallbladder surgery goes well.
I had mine out and it quickly resolved the problems.
Recovery time from the laporscopic removal is quick, so hang in there.

Did Dr. Ray say how much the nurse charges to stay with you?

Also, you mentioned that you had a consult with dr. Erdmann, I believe he is with Duke.
What was your impression and how different was the costing ? I was told it would be less because he works with the Fellows in the surgical training,

Anyway...Certainly praying that you get through this first surgery with no problem and can be looking forward to your PS.

Thanks!

If you "friend" me on OH I'd be happy to share what I can through private messages.  I may be out of it for a few days, but happy to share once I'm on the mend. Until I actually go through the PS, I'm not sure if my impressions of the surgeons mean much...come end of July I should have much more to tell!

Best,

Laura

Well, obviously, the gall bladder is more pressing than the plastics and, once you have the gall bladder taken care of, you need to recover from it.

Keep up the good spirits and your plastics will be performed sooner than you expect.

 Thanks! Yeah, even though I feel 100% now and my heart wants to move the plastic surgery up, my head is telling me to have the lap surgery and make sure everything's okay first. That's the plan!

Best,
Laura