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This seems like asking for trouble. Recovery from all of these surgeries is major and requires a lot of energy from your body.
The fact that your plastics doctor is okay with that is a HUGE red flag to me.
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)
I am scheduled to have LBL with MR, BL w/ implants and small thigh lift in January. I recently found out I need a hysterectomy. Do you think it is reasonable to have the laparoscopic hysterectomy, wait 2 weeks and then having the cosmetic surgery? I am hoping to lump the recovery time together. Any experience or opinion. My plastics doctor is okay with me having the hysterectomy first but my GYN seems a little hesitant. I would have an 1.5 flight to get to my plastics doctor. TIA.
I had mine in the end of May. I had some complications (still having complications) but that's not the norm. I'm just one of those people.
Get quite a few white tank tops that are long to wear under your compression garments because they get itchy. You'll be able to pin your drains to your compression belt.
Also, get some men's basketball shorts (or pants, if it's cold) with a draw string. They have become my best friend. They have pockets for my phone or whatever else I need to have on hand.
If you can, sleep in a recliner. Mine was a 360 and though I had no pain in my butt, I still feel more comfortable in the recliner. I still switch back and forth.
Get one of those water bottles that keeps water cold for 24 hours. I think they're called Yeti bottles. Mine is an off brand but it was my saving grace to always have cold water. I even brought mine to the hospital. Once I was home, I kept my meds on the coffee table next to me and only had to get up to use the bathroom.
You will LOVE the results. Even though I've had problems, I already feel like it's been worth it even though I have to go for a revision. I'm scheduled for October as well but think it is going to have to be sooner.
The most important advice is PAY ATTENTION TO THE DRAINS! If they don't produce a good amount of fluid or if one is collecting less than the other(s), call your doctor immediately. One of mine got clogged and backed up which caused a terrible infection.
Keep everything as clean as possible and follow ALL instructions from your doctor. Stay ahead of the pain. Don't try to be a super hero. Take your pain meds. You will need them, at least at first.
Good luck and shout out any time!
HW: 292 - SW: 237 - GW: 165
(the first 55 lbs. was from Weight Watchers, over 2 years)
That's a GREAT list. I wore cheap tank tops from Old Navy under my compression garment to keep it from itching me because I was itchy! I also sent my daughter to the store for men's basketball shorts with a drawstring. I'm three months out and I still sleep in them. They're so comfy!
HW: 292 - SW: 237 - GW: 165
(the first 55 lbs. was from Weight Watchers, over 2 years)
I had LBL and at least for me, it was rough. I sure wouldn't want to have the results messed up for ANYTHING so my advice to you is if you're thinking of having more kids, I'd wait.
HW: 292 - SW: 237 - GW: 165
(the first 55 lbs. was from Weight Watchers, over 2 years)
I would wait if you want to have kids, but like others have said, it's something to discuss with your surgeon. Although my surgeon didn't bring this up with me, I've read that more than a 10-or-so pound loss or gain can affect your results. I doubt it would make much difference if you're talking arm lift, but LBL, probably....
RNY 06/03/15 by Michael Garren (Madison, WI)
HW: 373 SW: 316 GW: 150 LW: 138 CW: 163
Dr. Michaels is AMAZING. Highly recommend him as well. I could not be happier. :)
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)
It won't affect your ability to have kids, but having kids will probably screw up your results from reconstructive surgery.
Good thing to talk with a surgeon about.
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)
I second that! Dr. Joseph Michaels in Bethesda (Rockville, basically) Maryland is PHENOMENAL! He did my breast lift and lower body lift in one surgery, and then an arm lift six months later. Cynthia (NYMom22) on here as well as Erin (VSGErin) and Gwen (from the VSG board) went to him and are all equally obsessed. What makes him special is:
He studied and specialized in plastic surgery and body contouring after massive weight loss - we need a very different breast lift than someone who nursed two babies, for example.
He is OCD about pretty much everything, including his stitching which leaves very fine incision lines
He has wonderful bedside manner in addition to surgical skills, which is nice when you have to go stand butt naked in front of a mirror and have someone use a Sharpie to circle your hanging skin!
He doesn't nickel and dime you, charging you $40 for a bra for example
He is ALWAYS available - you can email him anytime and hear back immediately (unless he is in surgery)
I am thrilled with his work! Here are my posts with before and after pictures. Tell him Emily and Cynthia and Erin sent you - he knows us! Also, check him out on Instagram at @drjosephmichaels
Two years post-LBL post:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/6022374/Pic s-2-years-post-op-lower-body-lift-breast-lift-and-1-5/
P.S. If I sound like some weird super fan, it's because I AM! I love love love what he did for my body.
Well, each person is different. Some people found they like to sleep in a recliner after surgery, for example. I was fine in a bed. I had my breast lift along with a lower body life. I had zero pain in my breasts. My abdomen on the other hand - wowza! Then I had my arm lift separately and other than keeping my arms slightly elevated on pillows for 2 days, I was back to walking 4 miles a day and going to the movies after 4 days. Here is my list, but others may weigh in:
Things I needed:
- A wedge pillow (I don't have a recliner, the wedge pillow was perfect). I got this one online http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HHLBKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- A stepstool next to my bed to put a water bottle on, my cell phone, my OxyCodone for the middle of the night, a magazine, chapstick, etc. (so I didn't have to awkwardly reach to my nightstand)
- Someone to stay with me for a week, to help fetch me food and drinks and pills, to empty my drains, to just sit next to me while I felt crappy
- A crappy tank top or t-shirt that can get bloody to wear under the unsexy bra
- The weird front closure non-underwire bra that Dr. Michaels sent me home from the hospital with
- All of my prescriptions filled and ready BEFORE surgery (I had zofran for nausea, OxyCodone for pain, Valium for muscle spasms, an antibiotic to fend off infection, Lovanox to thin my blood)
- Non-prescription meds like Tylenol (I had a few headaches), Colace (stool softener), Senno (laxative)
- Gentle lotion like Eucerin because your skin (the skin without incisions) gets itchy being all wrapped up tightly.
- A lanyard to wear around your neck and hook your drains to while you are in the shower. (if you have drains)
- A clean apartment and clean sheets on the bed and clean towels. You don't want to have to worry about that after surgery, and you don't want to get infections either!
- Protein, protein, protein. Some bars, some chicken, some fish...whatever your favorite protein is...protein helps you heal so have your fridge and freezer stocked.
donnaloza · 1 replies · 364 views
