You're welcome - and good luck! Every new independence milestone is wonderful :)

hello,

i was approved for Panniculectomy but my surgeon wants me to check with a cosmetic surgeon about a full tummy tuck before choosing this route. Has anyone ever done a panniculectomy and then years later had any more work done to your upper abdomen? She made it sound like if I do the panniculectomy, it done and nothing else can be done ever. I'm not saying I'll want it but she thinks I won't be happy with just the panniculectomy as it'll leave me with a good size muffin top. I just want to explore this a little because I want to choose the panniculectomy but maybe later tighten up the upper abdomen.

Sure! Here's the product I used -- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDSXFCK

Also, regarding the hooking. My surgeon mentioned that I could hook the hooks and then put the garment on just like a t-shirt and WOW. I hadn't thought about that (because I'd just planned around having someone help me), but it totally worked. :)

For all of my surgeries I phased out my compression garments slowly. Once I had the go-ahead, I'd find there were times I wanted them and times I did. Even now, something like 9 months after my brachioplasty, there are times that I want to wear my arm sleeves because they would feel good.

I did switch from the heavy-duty compression gear to stuff I think of as OTC compression. I found some comfy arm sleeves on Amazon that are nice to wear, spanx-type things for lower body, etc.

I think the recommendation to stop wearing them is more of a "you can stop them now" and not a "you have to stop them now." Listen to your body after you've worn them as long as the surgeon requires.

Recovery from my arm and breast lifts was really easy. I found the arm sleeves quite comfortable, even in the height of a hot and humid summer. I can't remember exactly how long I wore sleeves, but it was fine.

In theory you'll have AC most places?