Dr. Salzhauer is my modern day Leonardo da Vinci!!!

Hi sheeney7, Went for my pre-op on Tuesday & the Dr. feels confident everything will go fine. Explained that I'm a nervous wreck & he appeased me by saying most surgical patients are (very true). But, what really helped is that he gave me his personal cell to call for anything prior & post surgery. That means a lot to me! Now, I'm still worried & moved my surgery date to 2/11 gives me extra time to lose weight. Planning surgery after the holidays was not smart (too much temptation). Wish I could get those shakes (they look healthy) but this surgery has really set me back. So, I will do it the old fashion way :(. BTW, the bra line back lift is for those of us that have bulges of fat in the bra line area (rolls of fat made worse when wearing a bra & slim fitting shirts) yuck! It appears to be a new procedure not many surgeons preform. Thanks for your advice it really helped :)

Ok keep us posted! xxoo

Hi Tammy18, Thanks for the recommendations. I really think the drive post surgery is what adds to my fears. I had a BR about 4 years ago & had to take a taxi from the Hsp to my house & it was not bad. Do remember feeling very nauseous but did not throw up. However, I did throw up after waking up in the recovery room. The nurse had to change my surgical garment. But that trip was only 20 minutes & only 1 procedure. I have considered breaking up the surgeries, but I'm really hoping a month after surgery I will be employed. If I break them up it will require time to recuperate from 1st surgery & going back for 2nd & recuperating from that which may take longer then what I gave myself to physically & financially get myself going. It took me many years to save up for this & I could definitely put the money to better use (especially being unemployed) but I think it's time to take care of myself & feel good! Especially in South Florida where looks are everything & competing for jobs it tough! I hope this will give me an advantage especially in confidence. BTW, had my pre-op on Tuesday & shared my fears with the surgeon he said it was completely normal & he gave me his personal cell to call him with any questions or concerns pre/post surgery. That really helped me appease some anxieties & helped me warm up to my surgeon even more. I've done a through background chk he has no malpractice suits or sanctions. He will be assisted during my surgery which will in turn decrease my down time. Thanks again for taking time to appease some of fears. How is your recovery going? Has it been painful? Was it a full arm lift? Posing any pics? Thanks again & wishing you a speedy & painless recovery.

Sorry just saw you do have pics up.. You look great!!!

I have posted pre and post op pics and will post more pictures at my 14 day post op mark. I'm doing fine and went back to work 5 days after full arm lift surgery. The temp. In Florida is helpful since the colder weather makes it easier with wearung the garment. Last Tuesday my fee stitches were taken out and that gave me more movement. Most of the surgical glue has come off and my scars look pretty good and better than I expected 12 days post op. Good luck and being anxious is normal prior to surgery and I hope you will be as happy as I am and my only regret is not having it done years ago

Thanks but the before ones are ugly...haha. I weigh now 118 and never lost more than 8-9 lbs in my life so this an inherited issue and not one of big weight loss.

Hi Littleflowerlady, Thank you very much for the well wishes. Yes, I agree we will both look like a million dollars :). Did you have your breast done in the DR too? Hopefully, your reaction to stitches is minimal to none! The only recommendation is not to get on a plane too soon give yourself time to heal. Pls keep us posted. Best of luck :)

Thanks Aztec305. I wish my problem with the disolveable stitches were minimal...but unfortunately after five months, I am still having them causing blood blisters and pus. The scars have widen out as the problem requires me to get the scars opened and the offending stitch removed surgically. My surgeon says he will use as few as possible. But since I have to get on a plane...it is part of the operation. I will have to see if there are other options. I got this operation done in Ontario...as it was covered by OHIP. No matter what the problem, I know that I won't regret it! Even if my scars are wider than normal....I don't mind....just part of the me that will be improved! Battle scars of life!

I'm excited for you because even though I'm nervous as heck I'm also crazy excited for this change. It's been way too long & finally ready! So, I can imagine you kind of feel the same. What I intended to say was to wait a couple days/2 weeks after your surgeries in the DR before boarding an airplane. BTW, I wonder if surgical glue is strong enough to use instead of or in combo with stitches. We will be fine!!! The count down begins! :)

I had a total of 3 or perhaps 4 stitches and the remainder was glue and I had not one issue related to the glue....but everyone's skin is different.

Hi Tammy18, Hopefully littleflowerlady has the same luck as she's allergic to dissolvable stitches. Btw, how's your recovery coming along? Hope it exceeds your expectations.

Lol...believe it or not, I picked up some crazy glue since I know that it is used as an emergency sealer. Figured I would keep it on hand in case something happens while I travel. I will be staying 12 days after my surgery...so I should be ok

I will make sure to bring a bucket & bags (back up) will also carry some water & crackers. Thanks for the well wishes :)

First things first My Bariatric Life, you look awesome, congratulations! Now, I've made a mistake regarding surgical cost I added an extra 0 meant 12,000. Regarding my back (it's too wide w/2 big fat rolls on bilateral sides ). In order for the PS to give me more of a feminine contour & rid me of those bulges he will lipo from just above my waist up to my upper back. Due to the excess skin & fat under my arms (bra line area) which lipo alone will only leave more loose skin; that extra skin will be excised. I'm shocked that there is not enough info on bra line back lifts. Don't know your situation but, a bra line back lift may be better suitable if there's excess skin (lax skin) instead of lipo. I did find a good after pics from bra line back lift on this forum.. Hope this helps.

Well thanks so much!!! I am so happy I did this. And you give me hope that my surgeon can lipo the back fat and tighten the skin through the LBL scar that I already have. My excess is on the lower back. That's too funny about adding the extra zero! Good luck next week! I will be following your story.

Thanks, still have about 2 weeks left, yikes! One question, hope you don't mind? Did you have a monsplasty or was the area addressed by the TT? Can you believe I'm already thinking of my next procedures :). Well, let see how I do with these 4 procedures coming up. Thanks again for the well wishes!

You aren't scheduled for surgery on the 30th? Oh I know just how you feel. I have been thinking about my breast implants forever - even before my last surgery but they have always been planned for my final surgery. I hope to get them in June. What are you thinking of next? Yes, I had my mons fixed both with the tummy tuck and the thigh lift. My surgeon did not consider it a separate procedure, though.

The jitters are on high gear now (lol). I would also like to have a thigh lift, maybe a TT, BA, eyelid lift, & monsplasty. Now the big question is do I stay near by after the surgeries or have a taxi ( accompanied by my mom) drive me home almost a 2hour drive. Am I going to be ok after 4 surgeries to sit in a car for 2 hours (but be in the comfort of my own home) or stay in a hotel (btw, hotels in near vicinity are going for $500 a night, yikes!) Really can't afford that!

You are probably better off doing the ride right after surgery. You will be full of pain killers and anesthesia. I was feeling fine and online blogging after my surgery. Then at 2 am the pain set in!!! Just bring pillows for the bumps.

Was the pain unbearable? I'm a chicken & know people have different pain threshold. Which procedure was the most painful for you?

I have had three plastic surgeries so far. The first was the tummy tuck and the pain was intense for a few days. The pain killers make it manageable. I actually drove my sportscar 700 miles by myself at 8 days post op. I had to go off pain killers 2 days prior to do that. It was bearable. My second surgery was four procedures and I had very little pain. The first two nights were hard but after that it was easy. I used hardly any pain killers and flushed them down the toilet before leaving the care center. My third surgery was facial rejuvenation and that was somewhat painful because I had a lot of bleeding during surgery and a lot of swelling afterwards. With both the tummy tuck and the facelift I had my pain killer script refilled. The tummy tuck was the most painful by a long shot.

BTW I am a big baby when it comes to pain. So if I can do this, anyone can.

Wow, you drove 700 miles 8 days post, brave woman! The rhino has me the most worried not being able to breath through my nose! Assuming the lipo on my full back & arms will be the most painful following the brachioplasty (T-scar).

My brachioplasty recovery was a nuisance! You can see my review. As far as lipo, it did not hurt me one bit and I had no bruising. I took Arnica Montana and Bromeline pre op and post op. I guess maybe it help??? My facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Winslow, swears by it.

I have heard years back that Rhino is not that painful aside from when the cotton stuff was taken out but that was like over 20 years ago that someone told me that and it was in Europe where patients don't get the medication like over here. I had the Brachio and I didn't drive 8 hours but after 4 days I drove to work which is close to 1 hour and than of course 1 hour back home...

Talking to you through posts has really helped. Right now at the Doctor office getting clearance. Can't thank you enough for taking your time to help this nervous stranger :). So, your next procedure is in June?

Oh, I forgot to mention that I started Arnica 2 days ago. The PS also recommended. Also started my multivitamins. Was given a prescription for Iron. Now I forgot if I start before procedure or after due to the blood loss from lipo. Well I will wait & see what my iron level is when I do my bloodwork and decide.

Wow, you are trooper! Hopefully, I will be able to drive soon after because I don't have anyone to take me for my post op. Do have to say the doctor is sending one of his nurses to check on me the next day at home.

THAT is very nice of the doctor. I drove myself to my post op, as well. I figured if I could not do that then I would not be able to drive the 700 miles the next day!

Vit C and zinc also are good for healing, and I swear by amino acids. I take Xtend for my workouts and used Glutamine for surgery.

Oh that is so nice to hear. Thank you. Good luck getting your clearance! My last surgery is probably June. That is what I am planning for but I have not booked it yet. I might get scar revision after that in his office. I hope that I do not need anything else, at least not for a long time.

I wonder if Xtend is the same thing I have at home (watermelon flavor). My biggest issue is that I always feel so tired :(. My PCP did the works & couldn't find anything wrong. Maybe that I'm overweight & it's weighing me down. So, if u know about any natural supplements that helps w/ fatigue I would appreciate it. My doctor does want me to have a stress before my surgery because in my sleep study showed that I was experiencing irregular rhythms. Just saw the cardiologist he thinks all is normal & ok to proceed w/surgery. But will have to undergo stress test & wear a heart monitor for 24 hrs coming this Friday. Just saw you pics again & you look amazing just hope I have similar results. Well my plans right now is to recuperate quickly to find a job since I quit mine to get these procedures. I know that's crazy but could not take 2 weeks off at once :(.

Thanks about my body! I have the watermelon Xtend, too. Good luck with the heart study. Keep me posted!

Careful with zinc if you use it as a vitamin instead of from a food source. I started to use zinc tablets approx a week after my surgery for approx. 3-4 days a week, 1daily. On a regular basis I got dizzy and thought it still had to do with the surgery and perhaps doing to much. One time in a clothing store I got dizzy and at work so I thought it is just that I have been doing too much. I already knew that taking calcium and zinc together was not good for me so I took calcium on the other days and my regular multi vitamins daily. Last Friday at my 3 week post surgery mark I got so dizzy, nauseating, vomiting in such a short time frame and it got worse and worse so at my office I was laying on the floor for approx. 1.5 hr. I managed to get home after approx. 3 hrs waiting at my office prior leaving and all evening I was feeling so bad. My husband thought that either I was dealing with issues related to the proprofol, or maybe some brain tumor... A day later when I felt 80% better we started to do some research about a lot of things online and when I got to the zinc tablets I read that an average person can only have 40 mg per day..my tablets were 50mg and my 2 multi vvitamins contain each 15 mg of zinc. That means that day I was at 80 mg. I had no clue about that and I had bought the vitamins at the grocery store son thought that would contain a reasonable amount and not already excessive of what an average person should take daily. After reading the side affects which includes everything I dealt with including anemia than it explains all that I dealt with so I made myself sick. I guess I should have taken more in consideration when they say that you always have to consult with all doctor prior to taking anything but with all.my other vitamins I feel much better and I compared it by not using it for 3-4 weeks and taking them. At almost 52 in never had any hot flashes, still have my monthly period almost on the exact day and time and all other issues like.mood swings are solved by taking fish oil with GLA. I have not taken any zinc after last Friday but may start to cut up the pills into very tiny pieces to take a small dose since zinc has very good healing things in them...

Wow, thanks for sharing your experience. I take my zinc tablet at night because it is supposed to aid sleep, and I take it along with a few other supplements. I take my calcium in the morning. I have never had any side effects. The trouble is that most healthcare professionals don't know a lot about supplements. I had been searching for an MD in Nutrition but could not find one. My PCP had asked me to do that because I take so many supplements. She told me not to go to a regular nutritionist because s/he would not know anything more than I already know. I am 49 and I am NOT premenopausal so maybe the supplements have something to do with that. I take cod liver oil in a pill form, and a ton of other supplements.

Whew! I live in miami too and really thought u where going to pay $120,000 lol!

I am sorry! What a scary experience you had. Thanks for that info and I'm glad you are better!!!

Lol, I have to learn how to remove that extra 0. I do wish I had the 120,000 in my bank account though.

Thank you very much!

Thanks for the encouragement :)

*Are you*- damn auto correct lol

Hi hon, assume u made it home safe. In less then 2 days & it will be my turn. I did try to find a hotel/condo but too expensive for me now. My PC did say a nurse will come & see me at home. Hope they keep their promise. Thanks for the blessings, I really need it too many procedures. Blessings to you to!!!

Made it home safe :) Rooms in that area are expensive, even more so when is winter in other parts of the country. You'll do fine ;) Praying for a smooth process and recovery.

Thanks!!! Now can't wait to see this new body :)

I did it, yayyy!!! Thanks for the positive vibe.

Thanks you!