LBL in 2 weeks with Dr. Nandagopal - what to expect??

Hi folks - I'm having a full LBL in 2 weeks with Dr. Nandagopal at his clinic in Vaughan (Usculpt). I've been planning this for a long time and feel like I have all of the necessities (loose compfy clothes, reclining chair, ice packs, panty liners, protein shakes, help from family members who are booked off work, meds, etc) but now I'm getting the nervous/excitement and I'm just looking for more information or personal stories.

I had RNY in May 2016 and have lost about 130lbs. I've been stable for a year.

I'd like to know what recovery is really like. I don't think I need muscle repair (surgeon said he didn't think so but will know better once he gets in there). Assuming I don't - how is the recovery? Am I crazy to imagine doing some work a week later? I have an office job and it doesn't require physical activity.

Any last minute tips?

Any advice or information is appreciated.

Thanks so much!

I love Dr. Nanda and his team at USculpt. Have had many procedures there. The pre and post op care is outstanding. Muscle repair is the worst pain. I did not do a lbl as at the time not offered. Did fleur de lys TT then later did the posterior lift to complete with autologous butt lift. Actually going for lipo and fat transfer to butt in March. Just take it easy and don't push to hard. Concentrate on healing and uping your protein etc...

Thanks Lesley! I'm also doing the autologuous butt lift too along with the LBL. I was nervous at first about having that big of a surgery at the clinic instead of a hospital (I'm doing it at the clinic in Vaughan) but Dr. Nanda took his time and answered all of my questions and made me feel much better about the clinic. Have you had your work done in the clinic or at the hospital? I believe he works out of Scarborough General too? Thanks again - I feel better already :)

I had 2 procedures done at the hospital by Dr. Nanda before he started his clinic in Vaughan. I think I was the first one. Love the clinic. The Anaesthesiologist is wonderful so are the nurses. Nanda has taken a sabbatical from SGH. Having lipo and fat transfer to butt done on the 11th.

Thanks again - this makes me feel better.

I'll be warming up the bed for you - my LBL is Mar 9 :)

You will be in great hands. Just be easy on yourself. It will hurt but should be under control. I was amazed at how many abdominal muscles I needed to just pee. A higher toilet seat was a god send. Their 24 hr care is wonderful.Don't hesitate to call if you are having issues.

My doctor said I didn't need 'much' muscle repair either, but I've still been incredibly tight in my abs. In my case, the first 5 days were the worst and I was on enough narcotics (oxy & valium) that it all became a blur. After that, it's been a slow incline in function. At just shy of 4 weeks I feel about 80% like myself. I still have a lot of muscle tightness in my abs and glutes and am taking a 1/2 Valium every other night. I still don't sleep well at night. I went back to work from home at 2 weeks post op, but I was still taking a break mid-afternoon for a nap. I'm going back to work in the office at 4 weeks, but I still can't sit for more than about an hour at a time without my butt aching a lot, so I plan to get up and walk around and use a seat cushion.

I have a pretty bad ass pain tolerance and I will say this surgery was a doozy. It's all worth it now, but you are going to want to plan for your downtime!

This is helpful - thank you.

When I had RNY I was prepping for it to be quite bad but I had almost no pain. I would say more discomfort than pain and I too have a high pain tolerance. Nausea was the worst for me. Have you experienced any nausea?

I will certainly plan for this now - I was thinking that with my pain tolerance and how much I've prepared, I should be ok to work from home in a few days - around day 4 was my plan. I'll see how it goes and plan for some downtime and of course listen to my body.

Congratulations on your success! Might be a silly question but do you absolutely love your results? I'm having a hard time imaging life without my "apron". While it's not huge (didn't get OHIP coverage) it's still something that really bothers me. I have to buy shirts that go down low enough not to show the bulge under my pants, etc. I'm so excited to get rid of this thing! LOL

Thanks again!

After my VSG I had terrible nausea for 36 hours. I dry heaved at least hourly for that whole time. I had very little pain otherwise though. This surgery I told them I had issues with nausea after my VSG (and actually after a following minor procedure that required sedation) and I don't know what they did, but I was much better. I had nausea that was treated with Zofran (in the past only Phenegren would work) and once they got it treated I could have eaten a (tiny) 10-course meal.

I do really love my results, but be prepared that there will be days where you question them heavily. I was ecstatic at first and then my brain started to mess with me as 'swell hell' set in and I thought I wasn't going to have a flat stomach. Even at nearly 4 weeks out I'm still swollen some/most of the time, but I get glimpses of the completely flat stomach. It's baffling for me to have a flat stomach. I also had a breast lift, so my boobs are even more of a marvel to me.

The female in me still nitpicks at myself - re: my stretch marks and the tiny amount of extra fat I carry under my bra line that I now am paying way too much attention to. I see you friended me, you'll be able to see my pictures (so far).

That's a great idea - I'm going to give my surgeon a heads up because I also usually have nausea after surgery and it can last quite a while with me.

You look amazing and so happy! Good for you. It's hard work! We're always our worst critics - why is that? LOL

"Swell hell" - I'll think of that and chuckle. I did read that one person was so swollen she thought she looked 6 months pregnant! That really freaked me out. I'll do everything I can to keep the swelling down including resting and keeping my binder on.

Thanks again and good luck on your continued journey!!