12 days to go - LEGS
I had my pre-op with my surgeon today! I gave him lots of money. All that's left is to pay the hospital when they call to do my pre-op. And, apparently, my PCP hasn't shipped her approval over, which isn't a huge surprise since she's slower than molasses. I'll call her tomorrow to ask about it.
I am so ready to be finished with surgery and then to be finished with surgery recovery. He said that I could expect this to be closer to surgery #1 than surgery #2 in terms of pain and recovery. So... "yay."
I think I'm most nervous about showering since I only have a bathtub mounted shower, not a walk in shower. Stepping into the tub seems like it'll be challenging. He assured me that I'd be able to bend my knees even though the incision will go down my calves. So that's good. I just might not be able to do that as soon as I'm actually cleared to shower.
I'll have drains until my first follow up and Lovenox for two weeks.
Aaaaaaaaaaah!
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
I can't wait to see your "after" pics. How far down your legs will the incisions go? I opted not to do my thighs initially because a. the only time anyone sees them is in a bathing suit and b. I didn't want the scars and c. I have heard that the recovery can be tough. But I can't just pick up any pants in my size since I have the thigh skin and the rest of my body looks pretty good so I am definitely wishful that my legs were fixed! I think you will do great - you have an awesome support system and honestly think about the pain of the abdominal tightening - it can't be anything close to that! Just get home and chill and have the guys help you. Granted, you will have to go pee which is likely challenging but other than that, I know you will look back on all of this a year from now and not even remember the pain and recovery. I am excited for you!
I'm not entirely sure about the scars - at least halfway down my calves? Maybe lower.
I figure I might need help getting up and down from the toilet, but I do have a toilet seat riser and hopefully that'll make it easier! And I pick up the chair I'm borrowing from a friend on Saturday. Woo!
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
That is interesting because I have heard surgeons do not do calves. To get the knee skin I would assume just past the knee but I have never heard any incisions further than that.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I had heard that too so super happy that my surgeon will do some calf work on me.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
I think taht woudl be good. i see some - "stopped by the knee" and it looks like there was more they could do.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
so... are you reconsidering having the legs done? you are still young.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
I just don't think I can rationalize it at this point in my life. I mean, it doesn't bother me enough to feel self-conscious on a daily basis - I see it in the mirror when I'm naked but my BF doesn't think anything is wrong with it or me (weirdo lol) so I guess that money is better spent on other stuff. I am super curious to see how Gwen's turn out however, and that could tip me towards surgery...you never know! My scars are super light so maybe that wouldn't be such a big deal at this point.
good luck with it. Hope everything is going to be well.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Time is ticking away. It will be here in no time. I am hopeful that you won't have trouble with the bathtub. I stayed in a hotel for a few days, but I know I didn't have any trouble after I came home. I hope you won't either. Here's to an end to surgery recovery! You've had a lot of it.
HW: 375 SW: 282 CW: 167 GW: 159