Day 31 post LBL, thigh lift

CC C.
on 6/8/18 7:17 pm

I'm trying to stay positive, but some days that's easier than ohers. I had another follow up with my surgeon today. I get the sense he's as frustrated with my non-healing as I am. In addition to my original groin wound dehiscences (which are healing well, but slowly as expected given their depth), I have since had 4 points open on my LBL incision line in the last week. The thighs have been switched over to medicinal honey treatments and the waistline ones will continue Dakin's solution for now. I will go back to see his PA next time (didn't know he had one!) in 2.5 weeks. I'm sure it's becasue my wound care is in a holding pattern, but it feels slightly like he's washing his hands of me by handing me off. I'm sure that's my depression over all of this talking.

As for the lipo under my chin, I have developed pretty strong scar tissue that makes it look awful and have been told to massage it vigorously. This time, when I said it's so tight I can't tilt my head back without my mouth gaping he said I need to step it up to "medieval" squeezing and twisting of the tissue to break up the scars. It hurts like hell.

I was only allowed to shower for 2 days before they were taken away again due to new openings. And they won't come bac****il I stop opening and my current wounds start closing.

None of this is his fault, it's just my bad luck, but I am SO regretting having anything done. I would trade this crap for my extra skin back right now if I could.

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 6/9/18 2:13 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

The not showering seems weird to me and I'm sure it isn't true but makes me wonder if that and the wound healing issues are related (just my cleanliness fanatic self thinking). I was able to shower after my TT right away and I don't recall seeing others complaining of not being allowed to shower.

But the point of this reply (by my 5 am self, up since 2:30 am), is that I had some hard bumps in my cheeks which you could see and feel after my facelift. I too had to massage them like crazy - I actually got face rollers on Amazon to make it easier. They did go away.

Here is the roller I like best: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1UTH51/ref=oh_aui_sear ch_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-123 CW: 120 (after losing 20 lb. regain)!

CC C.
on 6/9/18 7:06 am

It does to me too, but I could sponge bathe and they got covered in iodine and new bandages daily. The openings on my LBL didn't start until after I was cleared to shower. I'm sure that's not connected either. But from a morale standpoint it's been a real low point of this experience.

I'll check out the roller, thanks!

Librarian67
on 6/9/18 7:40 am
RNY on 02/28/17

Wow! Sounds really difficult! I am so sorry for the complications and slow healing but the no showers has to be making it all so much worse. I know that when each of my drains were taken out and I had an open spot, I couldn't take a shower for 24 hours, but I don't really understand not being able to take a shower long term. Fingers crossed that it isn't much longer.

HW: 248+, SW (RNY: 2/28/17): 244, GW (10/17): 125; LW: 115; 45# regain (19-20); CW: 135.6; new goal: 135; Plastics: Ext mastopexy, Ext abdominoplasty-5/18/2018; diagnosed w/ gastroparesis 11/20.

CC C.
on 6/9/18 7:43 am, edited 6/9/18 12:44 am

I guess it's that these spots are open to the inside so he doesn't wan****er flowing in there. It just sucks. I've gotten good at sponge baths and washing my hair in the sink, so I'm not really gross, a shower just feels so much better.

Gwen M.
on 6/9/18 8:10 am
VSG on 03/13/14

I've been afk a lot due to my schedule - I'm really sorry to read this.

How much protein are you getting? Your body needs it to heal so the joke for the Dr. Michaels Fan Club is "protein until you vomit." (Thanks to NYMom for that!)

My wounds were leaky until.. after Christmas. And I had my legs done in early November. It sucked, a lot. I cancelled Thanksgiving due to my morale. :/

It seems very strange to me that you can't shower. I was allowed to shower after every surgery starting two days post-op. Even with drains and with wound openings. So I'm really sorry about that. It seems like a strange requirement.

You might consider contacting local massage therapists and seeing if any of them have experience with scar tissue.

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

CC C.
on 6/9/18 8:19 am

He says over 100g. I end up around 120g a day. Does that sound like enough? The massage therapist is a good idea. I worry that if I break the shower rule and it gets worse that I'll only have myself to blame. Or that worse, he'd drop me as a patient or something.

Gwen M.
on 6/9/18 8:24 am
VSG on 03/13/14

You might try increasing it to 150g. Protein helps us heal so.. it's worth a try.

I hear you on the worrying about breaking the shower rule. I'd be nervous too.

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

CC C.
on 6/9/18 8:26 am

Thanks, Gwen, I'll give it a go. It can't hurt.

Patty R.
on 6/9/18 4:27 pm - Harrisville, RI
RNY on 09/08/16

I'd like to suggest you find a wound specialist nearby. There are many reasons for a wound/incision to get "stuck" and not completely heal. In my experience, surgeons slice, dice and done. They lose patience when you aren't the "text book" case. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions and you should not fear he'll let you go as a patient, if anthing, you will fire him!!

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