Question:
Had a lower body lift with a full belt lipectomy and I have some questions...

The procedure was done a week ago (it was the first of three plastic surgeries I'm having over the next six months to get rid of the excess skin) and I swear I'm hurting more now than I was over the weekend. Why? My plan was to constantly feel better. I'm wondering if others who have had this extensive of a procedure done have experienced the same thing. Also the tightness in the abdomen. I can't tell if it's fluid build up (which is draining through 3 drains) or my inability to deal with tight skin since I haven't had any in many many years. They took 13 pounds of skin and yet I weigh 6 pounds more than I did the day I went in for surgery. What's up with that? Has one week without the gym or any physical activity caused me to gain this quickly? Horrifying thought! My last question is about the whole skin donation thing. One of the first things my mom said to me when I woke up was that they called around to various hospitals and medical facilities to offer my skin, but no one wanted it. She said they wanted to be sure that I knew they tried because I had said I wanted to donate it. I don't remember ever saying that. I know all about the whole skin donation myth and that that old skin is way too stretched out to be of any good to anyone. Did I get stupid under anesthesia? Why would they even try to do this and then insist that my mom tell me about it? It's got me curious and I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas what was going on. My plan was to put the skin in a giant bottle and label it Maxi Me and keep as a mascot and reminder of what I never ever want to be again. Just kidding, but really, I do think that would be a great deterrent if I ever start to cheat. Thanks for any input you can provide. Traci - down 285 pounds from 426 to 141 (and let me tell you that makes for a lot of extra skin!)    — Traci H. (posted on September 2, 2003)

September 2, 2003
Traci, Congratulations on your amazing weight loss. The extra pain could be the swelling. I had the LBL, and I noticed that after the first few days, when I started taking off my compression garment to shower or wash the garment, I would swell very quickly and become very uncomfortable. I learned to not take it off unless it was urgent, and then get it back on ASAP. That excess weight is just water, so don't worry. I ballooned up as well. My PS said I looked like a frog (thanks a bunch Dr. P :) She did give me two water pills to take at the end of the first week which helped relieve it somewhat. You'll have to ask your plastic surgeon if you were talking about donating your skin when you were going under. What a great story that would make LOL.
   — mom2jtx3

September 2, 2003
Shades of Silence of the Lams. Maybe we could make a coat out of it. heheheh. I think it is swelling you are experiencing. Remember this is a tremendous shock to the body. I think you will be generally pleased but I read it takes up to 6 months for the body to get back into shape.
   — snicklefritz

September 5, 2003
When I had my tt, I weighed in at 140. The next day after having 5 pounds of skin cut off, I weighed 145!!! It's just the fluids they pump into your body before surgery. In a week it will be gone.
   — Patty H.

September 5, 2003
Hi Im a pre-op(surgery in Dec) but I wanted to say congrats on your amazing weight loss and was wonedering if you have your journey documented anywhere? If not could you just give me some pointers or let me know what your secret was to losing all that weight? How long did it take? I have about 230 lbs to lose. Thanks and hope you have a speedy recovery!
   — curliequu