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SOOO grateful that today went better and that you got some information about what is happening with your body. Sounds disturbing but certainly under control. Breathe deeply and be gentle with yourself!
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.
on 5/23/18 2:32 pm
Argh. I typed out a very long pst and it got eaten....
So my appointment went really well. The doctor apologized and explained that his surgery yesterday was supposed to end at 1:30 and it didn't end until 7:30. He said I wouldn't have wanted him working on me at the end of that day. I think that's a fair statement.
He said I have wound dehiscence rather than an infection. Dehiscence is where the tissues separates and dies along the incision line. It's fairly common with a medial thigh lift and was not helped by my early incontinence and accompanying bacteria.
He cleaned out all the dead tissue (not at all painful as the tissue was dead). Everything that I could see that was yellow/gray was not pus, but was dead tissue, hence the smell. After cutting away all the dead tissue, he showed me how to pack the rather alarmingly large holes that he said not to be concerned about with gauze soaked in Dakin's solution (has bleach in it, but doesn't hurt either) - they will heal and fill in from the bottom up and sides in. He said there won't be any need for a skin graft or surgical repair even though it looks a bit alarming now.
He also removed all my lipo stitches and took out 2 more drains (still 2 to go). He showed me how to massage my lipo'ed chin to break up the scar tissue and smooth it out.
I explained how easily I become upset and he gave the same explanation we all hear before WLS - fat holds hormones and when it's disturbed through surgery and lipo, many of his patients become very emotional, eespecially the lipo patients. I had a lot.
Bottomline, I understand what happened and why he couldn't see me. It's just really unfortunate that I'm coming from very far away on LA freeways. The scheduler made me an appointment for next week and said she'd work on her end so I would come in midday rather than morning or afternoon to avoid traffic. I felt like she was trying to be very accommodating after yesterday. I feel better and feel really happy to have my wounds addressed and a plan to get them back on track.
Writing from my new home, my power-lift recliner. It certainly has been easier to get in and out of by myself without twisting my abs. I may move back to the bed this weekend but it has been a real key to easing my home recovery!
I had an extended abdominoplasty and extended mastopexy on Friday with Douglas Forman at Sibley hospital. I hadn't ever had anesthesia for that many hours (about 6) but I came out pretty quickly and without an nausea. When I got to my room, they hooked me up to a morphine pump and gave me Valium for the muscle tightness. I used the pump 2-3 times an hour just to be sure that the pain didn't get too bad. Most of the pain was when I changed positions and got up and down. That really hurt but I just took my time and moved slowly. I walked the halls a few times while I was in the hospital but very slow and bent over to not pull on my incision. They took my Cath out at 5 and I didn't have any problems going. I just had to be sure that I gave myself plenty of time to get up!
The PS stopped by at 10 and said that I could go home. I used a small pillow to protect my abdomen from the seatbelt and hitting potholes hurt but I was just glad to be going home!
I've pretty much lived in my recliner since then except for laps around our house. I took my oxy and Valium regularly Saturday and Sunday and really only had pain when I got up and down from the chair. I wasn't really in any pain on Monday but I took the meds before riding to my followup appointment and haven't taken anything since. Twisting and bending too far does twinge but just reminds me not to do too much.
My PS is very pleased with my results and I'm just having trouble not seeing the extra ab skin and smaller firm breasts. It's just as much shock as seeing the smaller me in the mirror.
Here's a few pics:
Me in my compression wrap and bra. I had 4 drains in, 2 in my breasts and 2 in my ab. My left breast drain came out on Monday and the other breast and one ab drain should come out tomorrow because they are barely draining. The other one still needs a few more days.
Here is my abdomen. You can see the low abdominal incision. The vertical is because the PS had to take out my RNY incision to put in the belly button. The RNY incision was pretty bad so I'm excited to see how that turns out!
Also meant to say that I got to have a shower after my first appointment and it was pure heaven!
So that's my news. I'll keep you updated!
Edited to add that the PS commented that there was no fat to Lipo on my ab, just skin. Never imagined that!
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.
Yes, he does the procedures fairly quickly because that is what he has focused on during his career. When I interviewed him he said that he would eliminate unnecessary steps. He did my entire body in 6 or 7 hours back in 2013.
He does not do auto augmentation to the buttocks... he doesn't do any fat transfer... he told me that he doesn't believe in those procedures because the fat falls down after a while...
It is YOUR body. You have the right to question anyone and anything.
He always made himself available to answer my questions. He certainly never seemed offended by them, as well as he should not be, and we had some very good discussions.
I have heard a surgeon getting all huffy... I recall one gal saying that the surgeon's assistance laughed at her and asked, "Do you know WHO you are talking to?" as if the doctor was above being asked questions. To be clear this was not Dr. Capella.
Good luck!!!
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
Let us know how the appointment goes today.
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.
on 5/23/18 8:31 am
Yep. I'll wait until all is said and done. i know someone could easily find my surgeon on posts, but I'm purposely not putting his name on these to give him some benefit of the doubt and allowing for my general depressed mood about having complications. I'm interested in what he'll have to say today about what happened...
I agree about the write ups - I relied on them as well. But when all results are in (not when emotional).
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
I wondered if you might be having second thoughts about him. Your friends are counseling wisely, you should wait until in a better frame of mind to decide. It could be his office staff causing the confusion rather than your surgeon. In the meantime I hope you get on a good path with this today.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
I think I was on the same schedule as Erin.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Oh Cecily, how awful! I can't imagine your frustration! I too am dependant on the generosity of friends to get to my appointments and it can involve some horrendous traffic. I feel your pain!
Your friends are right that right now is not the time to fire your surgeon or his staff but you need to document the incidents and write them up in every place that you can leave reviews! I read those reviews thoroughly before I chose my surgeon and it is your best ammunition right now. PS depend on word of mouth references and good reviews for getting patients because they are not the only game in town. Customer service is very important to me and lots of other people who are spending lots of money.
Hang in there and I wish you good healing and a quick recovery!
PS don't forget to write this up on OH and RealSelf
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.
donnaloza · 2 replies · 447 views
