Weight Loss Surgery Directory

godzilla’s Posts

Topic: RE: Adhesions where drains were?
Sounds more like a dog-ear than adhesion as adhesions are usually internal.
Speak or email with your PCP/PS to verify.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Very scared...need encouragment please
Sounds normal to me! I'm sure you were also nervous before weight-loss surgery (although I did not notice if you had one).
Most ppl are scared/worried/freaked before any surgery that Gd Forbid something might happen to them and who will watch their children.
I tend to not be nervous until the day before when it will really happen as I live in Israel where the health care system is similar to UK and until I have my HMO approval I have no reason to be scared-yet.
You could postpone but you have plenty of time between now and then to build up your protein and strength as well as prepare meals and freeze for you and your family for when you recover. Teach your husband how to run the washing machine and where clean laundry goes. Write up a schedule for the kids that is easy to follow:chores, activities or camp, carpools.
You need to take care of you after your weight-loss journey.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: A bulge has formed above my right hip at the incision line of TT
Ditto previous poster.
Call your PS and get someone to take pics and email.
Sounds like what I gave on sides of my breast lift.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Question about "scar revision" surgery
There was no real pain from the gangrene (it started at 1cm) but after debridement and during the Wound Vac I had pain.
Scar revision as a rule seems to be easier. However every body and how they react to pain and discomfort.
Breast Lift is supposed to be easy-peasy and yet I suffered compared to others
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Question about "scar revision" surgery
Well after my gangrene from my tummy tuck, a year later I had my breast lift and at the same time the healed what once was gangrene was revised and it healed nicely.
I am very fair-skinned and I tend to scar ugly no matter what.
I need a scar revision from my Breast Lift as I have dog-ears on sides of boobs which I hope can be done and soon.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Swelling (Edema) in legs after LBL?
Man lady, you and I and some others just have the gamut of difficulties!
In Israel if not going private but rather in a public/govmt hospital, one stays in until all drains are removed and then weekly clinic apptmts.
My legs were in electric compression the first 24 hours (annoying!) and then ace bandage up to knees that would unravel in me.
Elevate (some say on two pillows and bent knees) and call or email your PS/PCP and ask about ace bandages.
I think of you and all these glitches along the way to a healthier and more comfortable body. Gd Willing it will happen soon!
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Wound care, pain, regret
I so wish I could call you and help you they this!
If you want that we email then send me a pm.
My email is mikimi.steinberg@gmail.com
I had dehiscence on my lower left side and where belly button would have been that had turned slough to gangrene and the wound vac was attached with a forked divider and the sponges swished and matrederm on top. It did take almost seven weeks to heal and I was in hospital the entire time. I could not imagine how I would have managed being home (I live alone) with a wound vac. Now when my right breast opened the hospital sewed it up in day surgery bug within five days it reopened! That was treated with tielle and silvercel bandages and somehow it got infected. I would take a shower and get nauseated at what I saw come out of it so I would ask a reins come be with me in case I would faint. I have dog-ears on the sides of my boobs which I hope can be repaired but with my wound healing issues it is a problem. And I do not have diabetes, my hba1c is low outside the norm and my zinc is high outside the norm.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Wound care, pain, regret
Man our cellphone package deals are do different here!
I have a deal where the first six months are 50SH and then after it is 100SH/month with unlimited calls including 55 countries, unlimited Internet and text messages.
The iPhone I bought is on payments of 115SH/month for 36 months.

If you ever need me-msg me or post on the Board for me to post to you.
Pain meds take minimum half hour to kick in unless in liquid form (oxycod) and you still feel the nurse poking and squishing sponge conductors into you. It hurts more on removal and the trick is pain meds and if they wet it enough on removing do it doesn't pull your skin. Then nurse will take out her bendy ruler and measure dimensions. At least that is what and how for me in Israel and my PS arranged that I stay in hospital with WV. Portable WV will need to be charged for six hours and works sixteen. But as I live alone it was in my best interest to remain in hospital got the duration of my treatment.
Hang in there!
Mikimi
Topic: RE: Wound care, pain, regret
I really would like to verbally talk with you on my dime (or shekel).
I know a lot about Wound Vac. Been there done that.
When they home care nurse comes to change its grey sponge and dressing, ask for a liquid pain killer at least a half hour before they take anything off or else you will be in excruciating pain. My EV was hanged every 3-4 days.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Wound care, pain, regret
A Woind Vac was not an option for you?
Ask your PS about it but seeing as it on your butt it might not be applicable.
My gangrene was 1mm (slough first) but after debridement was 3x4x7cm and I was on the wound vac for almost seven weeks. However my gangrene area was in the invert T of my tummy tuck. The wound vac closed it in about two to two and a half months.
After my Breast Lift my right breast opened around and under the areola. I had a day surgery where it was stitched closed and within five days it slowly reopened. It was totally closed by almost four months.
I can totally empathize with your pain and frustration.
I repeat, I am happy to call you if you want.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: 1 year later!!!!
Ditto on the second opinion, but not just the advice of another PS as if yours was an incompetent but also for a fresh set of eyes on your body surgically-wise. If you have been taking pics of yourself as you heal and recovery.
Pain and swelling are annoying to say the least.
And yes I remember your healing difficulties and related as I also had healing issues with dehiscence, slough and gangrene; debridement and a wound vac.
Best of luck on completion of your journey to health healing and emotional body image to match all your affords in your struggle to a more normal eating and lifestyle in mind and body!
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Is it normal?
So great to read you are doing better and getting the best treatment possible..
Thank GD for digital cameras or smartphones to be able to email our PS and then discuss w/o always waiting or rushing right in.
Healing is a process and some of us take longer than others.
I reiterate on my earlier post...if you want a phone-pal, I am more than happy you call you.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Best type of bra nine months after BL
My BL was 30/07/12 and I had incisions open which necessitated reckoning and a much longer recovery period until I was allowed to wear any bra I want.
Unfortunately the sides of my boobies have dog-ears and I hope to have revised.
These dog-ears cause me a lot of discomfort in wearing a bra and what I wear most is a cross between a "training"bra and a sport bra that goes over my head with no hooks or twist and turns but also no cups.
I have gone bra shopping but have left the shops very disillusioned by high prices, padded bras, and shop ladies *****fuse to come into the changing room at look at my boobies. The shop lady's idea of help is to hand me five types of bras and to tell me to try them on.
So how do I measure my boobies for a bra. I can figure out the band size but I am stumped on the cup as they now fit in my hand.
Should I look for other sport bras or real bras?
I am hoping my PS can find a loop-hole to get my HMO to agree to revise the dog-ears (and maybe also remove side boob blubber too); but bureaucracy is a b*tch mo matter where one lives. These dog-ears cause me pain whether I wear a bra or not - on my left boobie I have major discomfort even if my arm brushes against it!
I am still on Appeal (actually on re-Appeal) for thighplasty in two stages.
I was scheduled for pre-op last week and had to postpone.
Any advice/suggestions are welcome.
Mikimi in Israel
 

Topic: RE: Is it normal?
If you get admitted for IV antibiotics (which might be best to get more effective treatment) you might also need debridement or WoundVac on the opened areas.
If GD Forbid that is what happens and you want to talk (or whenever) I am more than willing to make an international phone call if you pm me your number and time difference from Israel (we are 7 hours later than NY).
I'm glad your pcp is on top of things but you have to be proactive for yourself -and you are!
Best of luck-Healing and Health!
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Is it normal?
Call your PS or nurse.
Dehiscence is when incision opens and each PS treats differently.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Medicaide denied me even with a referal from my primary
Welcome!
From what I have learned, no Primary Doctor should write the word Cosmetic but Reconstructive Surgery to bring the body to a more normative state.
Resubmit but have as much documentation of rashes and treatments of them.if dermatologist can add, all the better.
A lot depends on the wording. Panni surgery more likely to happen then bat wings.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: advice for TT and breast lift no implants?
Not to sound condescending but I would imagine your PS or clinic will give you a flier with some info and recommendations to healing and recovery.
In Israel the medical system is similar to the NHS and if going via a public hospital (I have no money living off of govmt Disability) usually only one procedure done at a time; I have had TT and breast lift with no augmentation but a year apart. Both times two pieces of paper with "rules" for in the hospital and tips for when at home.
Each PS/hospital/clinic might have different rules/tips for rest/compression. garments and driving I don't drive and had a three hour bus ride home do arranged to stay near the hospital until after my first clinic apprmt.
I have very low threshold on pain and tend towards complications which mystify the medical staff.
I live alone but for my showers I would ask a friend to come over to be nearby "just in case" I was wobbly on my feet and to out the creams on my problematic areas.
With TT I had lower back pain from not being allowed to stand upright the first week or so. My boobies had their own problems looking very bruised (often normal) and then one boobie opened near the areola. I still to this day (my breast lift was 30/07/12) have hypersensitivity in my breasts which not very woman has.
I don't regret for a moment either of my surgeries even if I do not look like a thin woman I look way better now than I did when I weighed 120K at 152cm. I am also on Appeal for inner thigh surgery but it seems to be a losing battles with the higher-ups.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Lost your belly button?
Most PS redo your belly button and most people are quite pleased with their new belly button.
That being said,all my previous abdo surgeries were not laparoscopic and my TT was an inverted T. I told the PS I did not want a new or any belly button so as to avoid any complications. One cute hunk resident PS interning in Israel from Mexico teased me that I wanted to be like Adam and Eve. In any case, I got my TT with no belly button and I healed very poorly and developed a slough which turned to a small gangrene that needed debridement and was I was treated with a Wound Vac for almost seven weeks.
If your PS says he can do you a new belly button-go for it!
I don't mind not having a belly button but I regret the poor healing I endured and I wonder if I had had a belly button if I would not have had a complication. I know that is a dumb theory.
Minimizing in Israel
Topic: RE: Pre-Op lipo for Thighplasty for 2 May and am still in Appeal
My HMO committee meeting turned me down so I appealed higher up the chain to the Ministry of Health the end of January.
And I am still waiting for an answer from the Appeals committee.
I did some of the tests but am waiting for next week to do bloods,EKG and chest X-ray. So on Sunday (in Israel Sunday is a regular day) I'm to call the main number of my HMO and speak to a specific person to ask her to find out what is going on.
Time is clicking away....
For a pre-op one comes with all their tests to see surgeon, anesthesiologist and whatever else is needed.
I am not even nervous yet about surgery as I don't even know if surgery will happen or not.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Excessive Skin Removal
Although I live in Israel,
Keep complaining to your GP on each and every problem your skin suffers.
Check the OH suite and type in the search engine for PS in your area as you want a PS qualified and expert in post weight-loss people as they would be much more likely to write a recommendation as you need.
Hopefully others will chime in with more accurate information.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Your Experience with Thigh Lift
Strange-I just typed a long post and it didn't post...
My understanding is that thighs are very risky (I am on appeal to have my inner thighs) and quite painful. Some surgeons do thighs in two stages-lipo and six months later the excess skin removal.
We have one area fixed in removing excess skin and enjoy the flatter and smaller look but at the same time we notice more the other jiggly parts of our bodies.
Smooth healing for you.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: Upcoming Surgery!
Okay. So if you want to email then pm to me.
Mikimi
Topic: RE: Upcoming Surgery!
I hear you girl!
And if you want a long-distance friend who is willing to call you, I am here for you and you can pm me your number and time difference. My cellphone provider package gives me calls abroad (I live in Israel) for free.
I am waiting on answer from the Appeal for thigh surgery (but it would be done in two stages half a year apart).
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: TT revision
I think will be worth it if you are anyhow having surgery.
I'm hoping for HMO approval for thigh surgery and am in midst of Appeal.
Mikimi in Israel
Topic: RE: TT revision
I had had a small gangrene at the T junction so when I went in for my Breast Lift a year later the problematic area was repaired.
With done PS, I have read that a revision within a certain amount of time is financially (or at least partially) covered by the PS.
Mikimi in Tzfat