Question:
Anyone had all of their plastic surgery done at once?
— Sarah K. (posted on December 18, 2003)
December 18, 2003
I've heard of people having the tummy tuck, breasts and arms done at the
same time - it seems like yours is a little more involved though. But if
your surgeon is qualified it might not be too much. However, I really don't
think it's a good idea to drive halfway across the country a week later. Is
there a way you could stay in the area for a while? I just think it might
be too much to ask of your body. You will still be really swollen and
getting in and out of a car, not to mention the hours of sitting there just
can't be good for you. Have you talked to the plastic surgeon, what does he
say?
— Ali M
December 18, 2003
I had a extended Tt, extended Brachioplasty and a breastlift all done at
the same time with lipo. It took 9.5 hours. The pain wasn't bad for me, but
for some people they say its worse than the WLS. Depends on how much muscle
tightening is involved and your pain tolerance.
I agree with Ali. Absolutely not on the travel that soon! No WAY will you
be able to drive that long after this much MAJOR surgery.
— Kris T.
December 18, 2003
A staff member here at ObesityHelp.com had all her surgeries at once and it
was very difficult. After months and months she is still having after
effects from it. You might want to read her profile or email her. Her name
is Lissa Reed, she is a warm and caring person that is always willing to
help out a person in need or with questions.
— TheresaC
December 18, 2003
I had the beltlipectomy and some lipo done out of my area. Not NEARLY as
much as you. I didn't fly home from surgery until a week post op. Then I
had a 2 hour drive home from the airport. It was HORRIBLE. I still had
drains in the front & back of each hip, was walking bent forward,
couldn't lift or use my stomach muscle, couldn't bend or twist, was still
taking pain meds and still experiencing pain. I was also very weak still
from a surgery that was about 6 1/2 hours long and at the last gate when
the wheelchair didn't show up nearly blacked out - caught myself on the
half wall. Now look at your situation and how much more you're having
done. And you also won't be able to use your arms to help lift and move.
I personally think you're nuts having it all done at once, let alone
considering leaving my surgeon's area so soon and so far away to an area
where you have no support and have no way of making medical arrangements
for post op follow up care which will be very critical for you. You're
most likely going to still have drains at 1 week post op and definitely
will have stitches that will have to taken out at appropriate times. Plus
you'll need to be watched like a hawk for infections. Just the shear
amount of incision you'll have is incredible and really increases your
chance for complications. If you don't have follow up care arranged ahead
of time with qualified doctors and surgeons where you're going please don't
go there so soon. And my suggestion if you CAN make arrangements for
follow up care in California is to FLY down instead of drive and take many
hours off your trip.
— Shelly S.
December 18, 2003
I had a lower body lift. I was in intense pain for 2 weeks. I had 6 drains.
I also was so high on pain meds for that time I didn't know where I was or
what time of day it was (thank goodness). Now being a man I am a big baby
;). For those 2 weeks the PS was worse than the WLS. However I was all
better in 4 weeks. The recovery was much faster than WLS. I couldn't have
taken the trip which you describe, but maybe a stronger person (woman)
could. Good Lux
— Robert L.
December 18, 2003
Your just plain crazy sweetie! THat is so long on the operating table.
Every minute longer you are on the table increases your chance for
problems. That is a fact. Most plastic surgeons won't even consider doing
all of that at once. Every single surgery is a major surgery. You will be
in intense pain. Period. Your body will feel like it was ran over with a
Mac Truck. You will be on major pain killers. You will be at your highest
risk for infection, complications and bloodclots within the week after your
surgery. Have you told your surgeons office that you are planning on
driving so soon? My guess is not. If you have and they are willing to go
ahead with the surgery, I would get another surgeon. I know you are anxious
to have it all done quickly, but that is so much stress to put on your
body. Think about it, your incision is screaming for help from your body,
to fight off infection, to heal and to try and cope with the pain. But it
doesn't know where to go to first. There is just too much to do. ANDDDDD,
you will have a much longer recovery time then any one of those operations
alone. All that having been said. I have not had any plastic surgery yet.
My step-dad is a surgeon. I hear about it from the horses mouth.
I wish you luck, an experienced surgeon, quick healing, and that God is
watching you very closely.
— Jeanne S.
December 19, 2003
From what I understand your husband is in the military. If that is so,
could he not take some extra leave time or ask for permission to report a
week later than planned, so you have time to heal alittle before taking
that trip. I am a old military wife of a retired Marine, and it seems to
me that they gave my husband quite a long travel time to a new base, plus
he would take leave and we usually had time for vacation before we got to
our new base. The other suggestion would be to stay with a friend or
relative and let your husband go to the base and get settled and then
acouple of weeks, the longer possible, you fly out to the new base, after
you heal. Don't push yourself so hard, give your body time to heal. Good
Luck, and take care of yourself first.
— cindy
December 20, 2003
i'm military too and with alot of moves under my belt haha. you don't have
to travel together. they will pay for a plane ticket or let you fly
military. they will pay for a hotel or you could stay with someone. you
husband is entitled to leave if a dependent is having surgery and that
leave DOESN'T count against his normal leave at all. you have to have him
tell work so that these things can be taken care of now if you want any
help from the military. there are sooooooooo many things the military pays
for or gives you money for when you move but alot of people don't know
about them. go to your family support office AND the finance office. good
luck to you
— franbvan
December 21, 2003
I just had my arms done in Nov. and then a month later had a TT with muscle
tighting, and there is NO way you would have got me to travel that far! I
had an hours drive to the dr.'s and I thought that was pure hell! I too
thought it worse than the WLS and I had an open! Of course, I had an
epidural for 4 days and with the TT, I went home that same day. Not to
mention, that with the arms, I was not allowed to push myself up out of
chairs or anything, not sure how I would have handled getting up had I had
them done at the same time. I don't like anyone helping me!! Sneezing,
laughing, coughing is still very bad!! I had the TT done on the 4th, and
boy did he tighten them puppies up! Good luck, and don't push yourself too
hard.
— Terri Z.
December 21, 2003
Did anyone watch the guy on Extreme Makeover, they did all his at once and
they actually told him they wanted to skip the thigh lift, he said no do
all of it and boy was he in pain, had drains all over. But he made it
through ok, I think at first he had wished he had listened to the docs.
I know you will do fine, good luck!
— Saxbyd
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