Before & After RNY, Revision and Plastic Surgery with ICG63
June 14, 2016Celebrating ICG63's Before & After RNY, Revision and Plastic Surgery Journeys
I've struggled with weight my whole life. I love food, tend toward depression and retreating, so a lot of "eating my feelings" over the years. Sought talk therapy, joined gyms, exercised sporadically, then would inevitably get bored with a monotonous routine and have sedentary periods. In 2001, feeling like I was unhealthy, had asthma, and just generally uncomfortable, had a
In 2001, felt unhealthy, had asthma, and just generally uncomfortable, I had a wake-up moment after 9/11. On that day, I had to walk home, from downtown NYC to uptown and was hot, scared and felt so vulnerable. I thought if I had to run to save my life, I couldn't have done it.
Before & After RNY, RNY Revision and Plastic Surgeries
OH Username: ICG63
Weight Loss Total: 100 lbs
Surgery Types: RNY in 2001
Revision RNY in 2013: Dr. Inabnet
Tummy Tuck and Hernia Repair in 2014: Dr. Taub
Body Lift, Mastopexy, Brachioplasty, Flankplasty in 2016: Dr. Capella
I had RNY surgery in 2001, and at my heaviest weight, I weighed 265 lbs and after surgery got down to 175-180 lbs.
Eventually, the weight came back on. I felt awful and depressed about the weight regain, and thought that I was a "failure".
Years later, 2011, I had to have my left adrenal gland removed because of a tumor. In the visits to endocrinologists, I met Dr. Inabnet at Mt. Sinai (NYC). He took my history and asked why I had gained weight. He thought it was worth investigating. His practice is endocrine and bariatric. Dr. Inabnet proposed a revision surgery after we dealt with the tumor/adrenalectomy.
On October 31, 2013, Dr. Inabnet was planning to revise my RNY to a Sleeve, but upon seeing the anatomy after getting in, he saw that my 2001 surgery was quite crude, and he could only do an RNY revision.
Apparently in 2001, the method that was used was a 1970's level technique, and the stomach was sectioned off but it became reattached in parts. In any event, the original RNY had failed, allowing me to eat more and not have the full feeling of a proper surgery.
After having my revision surgery, it was a gift for me to start again and it felt like a second chance! The reason I share it here is because there could be someone like me who regained weight, and without looking into it, might not realize there could be reasons, other than "you are a failure", for the weight to have come back.
After my revision, I got down to 165-170. After that, I decided (and insurance covered this) to repair my incisional hernia. I got it soon after my 2001 surgery which was performed "open" (as opposed to laparoscopically). After my weight loss, it was a real bummer to have a big protrusion in my upper abdomen, and it was more noticeable after I had lost weight.
I met with Dr. Taub and we discussed removing additional loose skin in conjunction with the repair of my hernia. On December 10, 2014, Dr. Taub repaired my hernia and performed an abdominoplasty with a fleur de lis incision. It was an amazing transformation for me. I've never had a flat stomach! It felt so much more comfortable not to carry the weight there any longer!
This surgery left me with "dog ears". They are extra flaps of skin on either hip where the incision closes and flat front meets excess skin in the back. In January 2016, I had them repaired by Dr. Capella. In addition, I had a Brachioplasty (excess arm skin), Flankplasty (extra skin between underarms and side of breasts), mastopexy (breast lift) and body lift. His method is the body lift, which cuts around the circumference, like a belt. He explained that the best results come when tight meets tight, so the upper skin meets the lower skin and can be smooth and tightened. In addition, Dr. Capella explained why he performed a Breast Lift and, at the same time as a Brachioplasty, for the same type of reason. He did an Extended Arm Lift where the incision follows down the armpit and below the breast. I have found with all my surgeries that the most painful aftermath is gas and constipation. So it was appealing to me to have one larger surgery than multiple smaller ones.
Special Milestone
In the Summer of 2015, I was feeling healthy, able to walk up hills without huffing and puffing, and wore a bikini for the first time in my life at 52!
How has ObesityHelp.com been a part of your journey?
I've been inspired by other people's stories, educated about what actually happens with surgeries, supported by reading the journeys of others, and motivated by seeing other members' pictures. ObesityHelp has also been helpful as a place to compare notes about surgeons.
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