Hi Lizanne,
I had my surgery on Jan. 9th. My ps said it would be 6 - 8 hours, but it
ended up being about 10 hours. In fact, I didn't get out of surgery until after
10 PM. The reason it took so long was because in addition to the arms and
lower body lift, he removed a growth from my belly button (it was fluid that
hardened from my hernia that was repaired when I had my WLS in April 2006),
repaired a hernia that we didn't know about and mostly because I was oozing.
He said he'd couldn't make any headway because he kept having to take care of
the oozing.
The first day after the surgery was horrible. I questioned my sanity and it
was the only time, I had any regrets. The drains in the arms were really
uncomfortable and made it hard on my arms since they were in my armpit area.
The lower body lift hurt a lot too, but the arms were really the most
uncomfortable part.
I was only supposed to stay overnight at the hospital, but due to the length
of the surgery and just how I felt in general, my surgeon had me stay
another night. So I went in Wed and came out on Friday. My hubby and son were
staying in a guest residence hotel affiliated with the hospital and I asked
hubby to book two more nights so I was close to the hospital and did not have
to
travel far to get home. So we stayed there until Sunday and then I stayed
with my mother for a week so she could pamper me. I had a great time with her,
we haven't spent that much time together in a long time and it was really
nice. Plus she came with to my follow up appts.
As far as cost, the whole thing cost me 23K. I had to prepay it, but I had
submitted a letter from my PCP, bariatric surgeon, a personal letter and
pictures of my belly and rashes for insurance. Initially I received a letter
saying that I had not submitted enough proof of medical necessity, but then a
few days later, I received a call from the surgeon's office that I had been
approved for the stomach portion of the surgery. Because I now had money
coming
back from the surgeon, he asked me if I wanted to have the full lower body
lift done for the difference. At first I asked if I could have my inner
thighs done, but he said he would do whatever I wanted, but it was not the best
way to go. So I decided to go ahead with the LBL after all and I am glad that
I did. I am still supposed to get money back from the insurance, but have
not received anything as yet.
My highest weight before WLS was 326 and I got down to 140 - 145. I now
wear size 5 -6 in panties and can wear bikinis, briefs and boy shorts if I
want.
Even tho I am still pretty swollen, he did a great job. My sister in law
thought he was going to take 20 lbs off me, the surgeon himself thought it
would be about 14, but in fact, he said they only weighed 8 lbs. As of yet,
due
to the swelling, I have not lost any weight and this morning weighed in at
141.8.
My only issues now after almost 3 weeks is that I have a spot on my butt
crack that has not healed as well as the rest of me, but I put cream on twice a
day and the spot is slowly healing. I also have pain in my arms, they've
been very sore, but I take tylenol with codeine and that helps.
As far as what I learned from the experience is to be realistic. Having said
that, knowing what I know now I would still do it exactly the same, but I
was of the mindset that if I said I was not going to have pain, I wouldn't have
pain, lol, but that's not always how it is in the real world. I had a lot
of pain, but I got up and walked the day after surgery and walked more the next
day and every day got gradually better.
I would tell anyone who is going to combine plastic surgeries to be aware
that it's going to hurt. I still some day would like to have my inner thighs
done, my boobs lifted off my knees and a face lift, and I would still consider
combining to get them done faster.
Hope that answers your questions.
Sue
In a message dated 1/27/2008 10:19:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
lizanneflowers@... writes:
Sue,
I am glad you posted. Please tell us all about your plastic
surgery. I will maybe be lucky enough to get a tummy tuck, but I
know I will need a brachioplasty, I just probably can't afford it.
My bat wings are the worst part of me. So tell us the cost if you
don't mind, how long you were in the hospital, how painful, what you
have learned about it that would be helpful to us. I always like to
be informed from people who have had the experience.
Lizanne
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