Question:
Someone with experience, please describe pain with lower body lift.

I am thrilled to have been approved for this procedure. Now that I have gotten past the excitement of approval, the fear of the pain and discomfort is beginning. I guess since most people with a TT walk hunched over for a few days, what will I do since my incision will go all the way around? Will I still be hunched over? How do I sit down? Will it hurt? When can I walk with some comfort? My surgeon said that he will give me some kind of new pain control that is belt-like, and I can push the button for pain relief. I think I get to use this for the first week. Please send me some words of experience! I would love to hear from you!    — raye (posted on November 29, 2003)

November 29, 2003
Owwww! Ouch! That would describe the pain from a lower body lift. I had one at the end of August and had 14 pounds of skin removed. Everyone has a different tolerance to pain and for me the first time I tried to stand up after the surgery was some of the most intense pain I've ever felt. I had to walk very slowly and hunched over for about 10 days, but every day was much better than the last. The thing they give you for the pain is wonderful however, that is if you're getting the same thing I had. I had this thing that was inserted directly into my abdomen and constantly dripped painkiller into my abdomen and if I needed more, there was a bolus I could press that would flood the area with painkiller. I really loved that thing and I was quite sad when it ran dry. The part I actually hated the most about the surgery was the drains that I had to check and empty for the first two weeks. I couldn't wait to have those removed because I like to sleep on my side and I found it impossible to do that with those drains sticking out of me. All in all it was not a pleasant experience at all, but would I do it again? In a heartbeat! I love my flat stomach and my smooth rear end. It's definitely worth a couple of weeks of pain and discomfort for years with a nice looking body. Especially if like me you've never had one before.
   — Traci H.

November 29, 2003
I had my LBL on October 6th. First off, let me say that I think the severity of this surgery is severly -under- rated in most of the online information. This surgery was by -far- tougher on me than my RNY, and I had my RNY open. I had several complications caused from having an internal bleed after surgery that I won't go into, but suffice it to say that the recovery has been trying at best. Also be aware (nobody seems to mention this), that you can have swelling that lasts up to 6 months after this surgery. You will also have a swath around your waist that is about 8 inches or so wide that will be practically completely numb. When I say numb, I mean I have spots you could literally stick a thumb tack in, and I wouldn't feel it. This lasts for up to year from what I hear. I had the little pain pump thing that you are talking about, but you have to be careful with that thing. It almost works too good. You will be tempted to try and straighten up too soon because it keeps you good and numb, but you want to take at least a week to even approach anything resembling standing up straight. So am I happy with the results of the surgery? Yes. I have a better looking waistline now than I have EVER had in my life. Looks really good. However, I not happy with how this surgery was represented to me in terms of severity by my surgeon beforehand. He told me that 4 weeks off work was a very conservative amount of time. Even without the complications I had, I seriously doubt I could have returned to work at 4 weeks. Of course, your mileage may vary. Alot depends on swelling, pain tolerence etc... Not trying to scare you off from the surgery, but rather just give you a few facts I didn't have before I had my surgery, so that you can plan your recovery, and more importantly, set your expectations, more accurately.
   — Greg P.

November 30, 2003
I had my abdominoplasty less than 2 weeks ago. The pain was less as well as diffrent than my Open RNY. It was more soreness, and you are relieved of the hanging skin doing just that pulling and hanging. The pain from the RNY was more internal due to the cutting and stapling. I have 3 drains, one was in my "new naval" and one on each side of my body whuch have not yet been removed. My incision is an upside down "T" from chest down then from sided to side. The surgery was well worth it even with the swelling I still will have. What a diffrence and a normal looking naval. Go for it and good luck!
   — EMN

December 1, 2003
When I had my tt, I never walked hunched over at all. It was probably the easiest surgery (other then getting my tubes tied) that I had ever had.
   — Patty H.