Hi there

I'm sitting at home recovering so I have time to reply lol.

I think it first depends on where you are from to help determine what's covered. I'm from Canada so here, in Ontario specifically, sometimes it will be covered (Pannilectomy) but that is just removing the "apron" with no contouring or muscle repair. It also depends on the size of the panni (part of the stomach that hangs down) and if there are medical reasons for it's removal (rash, infection, etc).

1. You will know if you want/need plastic surgery. No one can answer this question for you in my opinion. Speaking with surgeon's about what bothers you and what you want and what they can do with the outcome will help you decide. It's important to be realistic about your expectations but a good surgeon will explain all of that. Asking these questions and research is a great start!
2. Most surgeons (in my experience) want you to be at a stable weight for 6 months to 1 year min. Hopefully at your goal weight.
3. There are many thigh lifts (medial thigh lift, etc), bracioplasty (I think this is the arm lift/bat wing removal) and then there is the lower body lift (lower belt lipectomy) that's what I just had done. It cuts you all the way around your mid section below the bikini line and pulls everything up (this helps the butt lift and thighs) and pulls everything down (helps with saggy stomach skin and tightens the back and sides) plus muscle repair (stitching the muscles together to tighten them). I had this done at a plastic surgery clinic - 2 surgeons, 1 anthesiologist and many nurses. I didn't do it at a hospital. My surgery was about 3+ hours and I stayed at the clinic overnight and went home the next morning.
4. This procedure cost me approx $19,000 (CAD) I also had fat transfer to my butt included in this cost. No part of my surgery was covered, I had to pay myself.
5. I'm from Canada - can't comment on this, sorry
6. I also had RNY almost 2 years ago. Make sure you go to a plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience dealing with WLS patients. Mine does and won't prescribe NSAIDS but I was given pain killers/narcotics.
7. I see a lot of people go to Mexico and there may even be a page dedicated to this but I'm not certain.

Good luck with your journey!

I'm writing this just to share my experience thus far because I found it helpful to read others experiences while waiting for my surgery.

Today is day 10 post op. The pain is manageable and would be better described as discomfort rather than pain. I had LBL with fat transfer (9lbs of skin/fat removed).

Looking back, the first 2-3 days were a blur mostly due to the medication. I definitely needed a support person to help me getting up and sitting back down and with showering, changing dressings and putting the binder back on.

I am now independent and don't require assistance with normal activities however I cannot lift so I need assistance with lifting things/moving things more than a few pounds.

I have been working from home since about day 3 just answering emails. I was able to take breaks/naps when needed. I physically went to work yesterday for 3 hours and it was ok. I still have my drain in so that is my biggest limitation right now. It's in my groin and leaks so I have to be careful that it doesn't look like I peed myself. Sitting in my work chair was a little challenging. I made my first day a Sunday purposefully for people wouldn't be there. I worked from home today but plan on going in tomorrow.

I drive about 1 hour each way to work so yesterday my hubby drove me but tomorrow I will drive myself.

I went grocery shopping with hubby on day 8 and it was no problem. Just had to take it slow.

I've felt weak and tired but listen to my body and rest/nap when needed.

I'm still sleeping in a recliner and feel that's most comfortable.

In hindsight, here are the things I couldn't have gone without:

-Support person for 72 hours post op minimum

-Puppy training pads - I used these to sit on the couch, car, etc. They are waterproof disposable pads and helped protect the furniture from my drain leaks. Also nice because I was without panties for a few days post op and didn't want my bare bum on things

-lanyard for my drain bulb while showering

-gauze and lots of it to sop up my drain leaks and cover my incision line for a few days post op

-quick grab protein snacks (turkey bites, deli meat, light baby bel cheese, etc)

-recliner

-table beside recliner for necessities (Kleenex, water, lip balm, remote, meds, phone, book, diary, etc)

-long tongs - these helped me reach things that were just out of reach so I didn't have to stretch too much

-pillows for propping (I needed these behind my back, under my legs, beside me for my arms, etc)

-comfy warm socks

-House dress (I wore a Roots cotton pullover loose dress - made a huge difference to wear this with no undies - sometimes when needing to pee it was such a feat just to get to the washroom that simply pulling up the dress and sitting made a huge difference)

-men's non-ribbed under shirts for under the binder (I use men's small walmart brand, they are nice and long but keep a barrier between your skin and the binder. I change this undershirt at least twice a day to keep things clean as some areas leak a little. I initially had 4 but sent the hubby for another pack and now I'm thinking I could use another 4 so I'm not doing laundry every other day)

-bottled water (easier than getting up to refil your bottle because you need to drink a lot)

I think those are the staples from my perspective. I also found it helpful to keep a log of everything - when/what meds I took, naps, bowel movements, etc. The days start to blend and when the dr asks these things it was easy for me to look back in the journal and tell him.

I was told recovery would be 4-6 weeks. I feel right now that my biggest barrier is my drain. If I didn't have my drain in then I would have likely been back to work late last week. I'm nervous about going to work with it because I don't want it to leak and I don't want people to see it and it's pretty bulky.

I'm not walking completely upright but just about. I can straighten up but it really pulls in my groin area. The surgeon said he'd like to see me walking upright by this Thursday so I've got a few more days to practice.

Lastly, this surgery has been easier than I expected but I was prepared for pure hell. It's a big surgery and your body goes through significant trauma but for me it hasn't been too bad and I had extensive muscle repair too.

My belly button is going to be a problem I think as it had a crust over it that they told me I had to get off with peroxide. I've done that but it doesn't look good. I'm following my PS's instructions and we'll see what he says on Thursday.

Thanks for reading and good luck on your journey!

Quick facts:

Surgery date weight: 155lbs

Weight day after surgery: 150lbs

Lowest weight (2 days ago): 147lbs

Current weight: 149lbs (swelling since scale shows increase in water weight)

Total inches lost (day before surgery compared to yesterday):

Waist: 1.5 inches

belly button area: 4 inches

apron hanging area/thickest part: 6.5 inches

Update on LBL and thigh LIPO

surgery was 3/7/2018

i spent one night in the hospital. Healing is coming along fine. Was off the pain meds in 4 days. Drains were in for 9 days. Only set back i am allergic to the tape being used over the stitches so i now have a ton of water blisters along my hip line where the compression binder sets. So now i have medicated pads on those areas, i am wearing a tank top under the binder to keep the binder from touching the blisters. The doctor has said he as seen it before and not to worry. Will post some pictures in a few day.

Thank yo

Thank u Erin for the list of helpful "tools". Will definitely come in handy. Im trying to be as prepared as possible. ALtho, I'm sure nothing will prepare me for the amount of pain afterwards.

I definitely have enough pillows i think, i just bought 6 fluffy pillows and later today I'm going to get one of those pillows that have the arms, so it may help when i want to sit up. I have an adjustable bed...but its upstairs, and my PS told me I may not want to do stairs for a few days...so, in to the spare room I go, with the plain ol' regular flat bed. lol.

How many days do they keep you on narcotis for generally? Im just wondering how much pain i may have to deal with, and for how long. Like, is it a 10, on a scale from 1-10....? I do realize everyone handles pain differently tho, so i suppose its up to the individual. BUt, in your experience, was it like SUPER painful, where you're crying daily and wondering "why did i do this?".....or is just like discomfort, and slightly painful when moving?

I would recommend avoiding any surgeon who doesn't have extensive experience with people who have lost large amounts of weight.

I don't know what you're asking about wearing the compression garments - are you asking if I wear them under clothing? Yes. In my case I wore a lot of sleeveless dresses while recovering, so I'd wear them under my dress, but they were still visible, since I was wearing sleeveless things.