Question:
Does anyone have any pre-plastics advice?

I have lost 110 lbs and am 20 months out RNY. I feel lucky to have been approved for a paniculectomy to remove the excess "flap" of skin. I am paying the addition for a full abdominoplasty. I am a bit nervous and am not certain what to expect. I have been told I can go back to work in a week. Anyone have advice who has had this done?    — robinmarra (posted on August 16, 2008)

August 16, 2008
hi. way to go on loosing the weight!! I have not had this done personally, as I am fixing to have gastric bypass. I do however have a very close friend who just had this done. She lost almost 200 pounds with the surgery. I know her recovery was a lot worst than with her gastric bypass. She said with the gastric bypass, the pain medication prescribed was amazing and helped the pain. She said with the adominoplasty the medicine didnt even touch her pain. so, after seeing her in all that pain, i have decided not to have my excess skin removed once i loose all my weight. so, good luck with what you choose.
   — jackie L.

August 16, 2008
If you make it back to work in a week, Hon, you will be super lady...I had a really good experience with Abdominoplasty 10 years ago but I could not have gone back to work for at least a month. I had a drainage tube in me that didn't get removed for 2.5 weeks. And I didn't even have so much to cut off. Good luck. Lyn
   — SkinnyLynni2B

August 16, 2008
A very dear friend of mine had her tummy tuck the end of May, she is just now getting back to work, said it was very painful, they took 7 1/2 pounds of skin off her and she is very happy to have had it done.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 17, 2008
A week? Perhaps you meant to write a month? I have hd a number of PS and NONE of them had me back to work in a week. How many LBL has this PS done and does he have exp with WLS pts? That is very important to know!! Good luck!
   — SameButDifferent

August 17, 2008
I also have had that surgery done...7/1 and still not sure about returning to work this coming week. Not too painful anymore, but may have to do some lifting. The drains may not come out for as much as three weeks and the pain was definitely more to absorb than my WLS. I have been told that I have a high tolerance for pain. I don't know what kind of work that you do, but I didn't even want to sit in front of the computer for about two weeks. I slept in a recliner for the first two weeks or more. I wouldn't have changed my mind, though, the results were great. Still a little bloated, but working on that. I wish you good luck and hope that you will be able to return to normal activities as soon as possible.
   — mcgriff_d

August 17, 2008
Hi there ! I have a surgery date for lap band on Aug 26th since I have gained so much weight in one year. Good news for you though. I have already had an abdominplasty in 1997 after losing 100 lbs. I had 12 inches of skin removed. I have also had breast augmentation so I am very familiar with these types of surgery. A week is not enough time to re coop after an abdominplasty. They also tighten up your muscles with sutures if they are good physicians so your muscles are very sore. Plus you will have drainage bags that you will need to empty for the first few days. I was lucky and only had one. Most ppl have two. It was the best thing I ever did for myself and the pain was worth it. I am guessing that the lap band will be much easier than the abdominplasty at least from the other ppl ethat I have heard from. Take your time and rest but assure you it will be all worth it. Congrats on losing the weight. I have to lose about 70lbs to be back to my normal weight but I can tell you that my tummy is still tight and even after regaining the weight I was assured I would not need another abdominplasty. It last for years. Great job. Please feel free to email me with more questions. Plus if you can tell me at all about how the surgery has helped you, I would love to hear it. Thanks a bunch.
   — trbccowan

August 17, 2008
See Jill23's blog, she recently had a TT. She has pictures of her surgery. Good Luck going back to work so soon, I don't personally think that is something I would want to do.
   — jenks621

August 18, 2008
You really should got over to the Plastic's Forum and read there. You'll find many more experiences and advice there and lots of pictures too... http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/ Once you get there...at the left click on message board and read some of the topics...Good luck with your surgery! You're gonna look awesome on the beach in an itty bitty suit! :)
   — .Anita R.