POSTED UNDER Panniculectomy REVIEWS
Life Changing! - Southfield, MI
ORIGINAL POST
My name is Nicole R and I am a 37 year old African...
WORTH IT$7,500
My name is Nicole R and I am a 37 year old African American female. Throughout my life I struggled with constant weight changes as a result of poor eating habits resulting in a severe loss of muscle tone in my abdomen. In late 2011 I decided to seek professional assistance with weight loss and joined a local medical weight loss program which assisted me in losing 45 lbs. Afterwich, I began having severe yeast infections and pain in my sides and back and therefore began consulting with local surgeons to have the skin removed.
After meeting with a couple of surgeons and being discouraged after being told that I was not the ideal weight to have the procedure, a family member recommended that I consult with Dr Bryan. While meeting with Dr Bryan she advised me of my options and gave me a realistic idea of what to expect after the procedure. She took pictures, and estimated that she could removed about 15 pounds of excess skin from my abdomen. I was advised to give her staff about 6 weeks to get a response from my insurance company.
Within 3 weeks I received a call from Dr Bryan's staff advising that the procedure had been approved and we scheduled a surgery date for January 14, 2013. During the pre-op appointment Dr Bryan and her staff instructed on how to care for the JP Drains and gave me pain medication prescriptions to fill prior to being released from the hospital.
I am currently 8 weeks post-op and I am loving my new body! I never knew that I had curves hiding under all that hanging skin. Dr Bryan removed a total of 18 pounds during the surgery. Like many of the reviews that I read I too have had an infection, most likely due to being a type 2 diabetic, which has slowed down my healing process. I am very happy with my results and most importantly, I could'nt have been blessed with a better Doctor. Dr Bryan treats each patient like a family member. She visited each day that I was in the hospital and is always accessible, patient and reassuring no matter what time I call her. Dr Bryan has even met with me after hours and on the weekends when I had concerns.
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Replies (8)
UPDATED FROM msrose08
Post op and I can't seem to stay offline shopping!...
Post op and I can't seem to stay offline shopping! I don't have to shop at Lane Bryant anymore!!!!! I have a newfound love for Gap and The Limited!!
Replies (32)
March 23, 2013
Hey, you look.great. im scheduled for a TT on April 3rd with Dr Bryan. Only seen her work once. glad a stumbled across you page..
March 23, 2013
You will not be disappointed! Im sure that you are having your procedure at Harper and she is highly respected there. she will visit you each day and no other doctor will touch you. Dr Bryan is a perfectionist and you will be pleased with your results. If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask me.
March 24, 2013
Actually she's doing it at DMC in Madison heights. Not sure why. What time was you sx, and how long did it last. What type of garment did you purchase. Sorry abt all the damn questions, lol
March 24, 2013
That's good, perhaps due to patients complaining about Harper. My surgery was scheduled for 9am and was scheduled to go until 1, It lasted about 90 minutes longer as Dr Bryan is a perfectionist. Dr Bryan will place you in a binder immediately following the procedure. The Staff will change them as they become soiled KEEP THEM! they are very necessary and expensive! You can always take them home soak them in peroxide and they will come clean. Another good thing to know is if you wash them DO NOT place them in the dryer they will completely tear up. I've bought additional binders from Binson's Medical Supply on Woodward and 13 Mile although the Box says $80 they usually ring up for $20 so it's best to have Dr Bryan have you in the right size before you leave.
After I was released I stayed in the front button house coats which I purchased from Walmart for $13.96 they were super comfortable and allowed me to be comfortable with having the drains. On the days that I went to see Dr Bryan I wore loose sweats, you will not want anything around your tummy. You will be sleeping erect for a while, it's best to buy body pillows and I have purchased one of those pillows with the arms from Walmart for like $16 which was a big help.
The most important thing that I will stress is NO DRIVING for at least 3 weeks or a month. MY cousin and I both started driving at 2 weeks and we both ripped our incisions and had infections and open wounds. (which I still have today!!!!)
I read the reviews for the tummy tuck etc and when those people say that they returned to work after 2 weeks I think its baloney. It takes a long time to regain your strength after surgery and I am still very much tired after completing tasks such as washing 2 loads of laundry. so try to have as much assistance as possible because you will need it. And also learn to properly milk those jp drains.
March 24, 2013
Im so glad that you decided to share your story online I was so surprised when there was no Dr Bryan patients online.
March 24, 2013
Thanks for sharing everything with me, its very helpful!!!! I will finish my shopping with weekend. And ill keep you posted. You relax and heal!!! we're gonna be extra HAUTE this summer;)
March 25, 2013
Hi Nicole:
You look great keep posting and thanks for the great tips. I am schedule for TT vs Pani on May 21st. I was wondering if I should do the full TT or just the Pani. So you only had the Pani and didn't get the muscle tighten?
March 25, 2013
Congrats on the great new body you have there. I'm scheduled for my TT on Thursday.
March 25, 2013
Thank You! I feel so much better about myself. I wont even go into a Lane Bryant besides to buy a bra
March 25, 2013
Wow you sure do look great (I looked at your pictures again). I'm also a bigger woman who will never be 140# (239# to be exact right now) but still felt the need to get rid of this fat and skin that just doesn't respond to my water aerobics exercising. Plus my weight fluctuates ALOT (too many diets over the years) so I feel I still deserve to have the best results possible. My PS is doing lipo on my back & flanks then on my front for the best results. I can't wait to have a waist again. If I'm able to lose weight PO I won't feel bad if my tummy isn't super tight anymore, I'll always look better than I do now. Atleast I don't have to buy any elastic waist pants to heal in because that's 99.9% of my wardrobe now.
March 25, 2013
I am so happy for you this is really life changing. I can wait to see your pics!! after surgery you may question was it really worth it because of the pain and the answer is YES. No more buying frumpy clothes to hide your flaws! one word of advice LIVE IN YOUR COMPRESSION GARMENT! my cousin took hers off too early and have two weird humps on her sides, yuck!
March 25, 2013
Thanks for the advice msrose. I also own alot of spanx so I'm hoping that will be helpful for my healing time. I find it wierd about how you can wear a smaller dress, but you are still bigger on top & pants. Maybe since you're no longer at Lane Bryant and buying "regular" sizes they are definantly formed differently. I buy from the women sizes since they seem to understand my woman figure better. Thanks again for the advice, even thou I only have 2-1/2 days to go (not that I'm counting) I sure wish it was here and over so I can starting living on the flat side myself!
March 26, 2013
Take this time to get everything in order. Laundry, online bills, tying up any loose ends! grab lots of pillows, and most importantly relax! this will be a life changing experience. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.
March 25, 2013
Ladies thanks for reading my story. one thing that I will mention is that I have NOT been able to buy smaller pants since my surgery and I dont quite understand why. Initially I went out and purchased smaller pants only to not be able to get them past my hips. In addition, I've had to go up 2 full cup sizes in my bra but I can fit a size large dress as opposed to a 2X. Perhaps this has something to do with the lipo. Neverthelss, I am loving the new me and just cant stop shopping online!!!!
March 28, 2013
Really that is interesting about the size. I will be like you if
Can get results by looking slimmer and fitting better in my clothes.
UPDATED FROM msrose08
Hello Ladies, thanks for checking me out. I added...
Hello Ladies, thanks for checking me out. I added a new pic today and I realized today that I am VERY HAPPY!! I noticed that some swelling has subsided because I was able to put on a pair of cotton khakis with no stretch. I mean I actuallly got them past these thighs, buttoned and zipped!! Yay!
Replies (23)
April 11, 2013
How are you progressing now?
April 12, 2013
Thanks for asking. After all I've been through I can honestly say that today I realized that I am HAPPY!! Not only do I look better but I feel better as well. I love the fact that I can shop ANYWHERE and buy clothes. I am no longer a slave to Lane Bryant and the plus size department. My open wound is almost closed, I should be returning to work soon, and I feel ready to take the world by storm. I have a new lease on life. I will post updated pics
April 12, 2013
Each person heals differently. Some are able to resume after 6 weeks, some 2 weeks (although I don't see how) but my surgeon recommended 8 weeks and it's been almost 12
April 12, 2013
Yeah this true , I hope three weeks is good for me. Because oh boy that's all I have and I'm not taken FMLA because I don't want them in my business.
April 12, 2013
Wow I didn't no that either way I guess I want bother. I was thinking maybe I should since I don't how ill heal.
April 12, 2013
Well I been up contemplating if I should apply for FMLA. Well if they not going to accept me being off I want bother.
April 12, 2013
I took 12 weeks of FMLA, and my surgeon worded my paper was if my c-section scar was causing issues and the Sx was necessary. As an employee you do have rights... my job never asked what type of.sx i was having,although i know they wanted to.
April 12, 2013
Ok great for your comment on FMLA. I'm sure I can talk withy ps and have it worried like I'm having a hernia removed because that's what I told them not that I care but my director is judgmental and really she is guessing but I never told her but when I told them ill be off on leave I left it on the message line personal so no reason to ask.
April 12, 2013
By all means take your FMLA! You can't be sure how your recovery will go. Every employer is different but FMLA is federal and it protects your job for 12 weeks. Whatever information you provide to them will be confidential.
April 12, 2013
Yes I'm familiar with FMLA and You are correct I just thought they had to share it with my director.
April 19, 2013
Becuase of my diabetes my progess is a slower than average, But I feel a lot better than I did right after surgery. I expect to return to work soon :)
May 24, 2013
Well I just wanted to add my 2 cents, I had my surgery on may 7th and 9 days later I was back at work and walking the water front everyday. It depends on you and how well you hill and the type of job you do. If your job requires lifting than you may need longer. I did not have a great deal of pain after my surgery although my co worker had a lot of pain and needed 3 weeks off. I will say I worked out alot before surgery and my co worker never work out so not sure if that made a difference. Good Luck!!
April 12, 2013
Rose,are you still using the garment Dr Bryan gave you after sx, if no, what type do you have and where did you get it from? Thanks
April 18, 2013
I am still using the compression garment. I kept the ones that were given to me in the hosptial even though most of them were the wrong size. However, I have purchased additional ones from Binson's for only $20
April 19, 2013
In addition, some people are not fans of the garment but I feel naked without it and it provides support. I find that not wearing it puts addition strain on my back...so I'll continue to wear it until I am no longer comfortable with it, although most people just go and buy spanx
April 18, 2013
OMG you look great!!!!! My body is very similar o yours and I'm scheduled May 3rd and I can't wait. I'm scheduled for panniculectomy/abnoplasty lipo hip and waist and a but lift.... The new me is on the way...... You look awesome... Congrats and keep posting... Please provide any pointers!,,,,,,
April 18, 2013
Thank You!! for comfort you will want to go to your local walmart and puchase a bedrest pillow (with arms) maybe 2 regular pillows and a couple of small square travel pillows. I slept upright for 3 months, at first it was uncomfortable!! you will need pillows to sit on, and take the travel pillows to the hospital to place over your tummy when moving around. I also found that with the drainage tubes the button up house coats were the most comfortable, I found those at Walmart as well
April 24, 2013
Thanks for your response, I'm going shopping this weekend for my pillows, cocoa butter and all the good stuff. I'll probably be sleeping like you but on my side as I will not be able to lay on my back because of the lift, going to be a little awkward but I'm sure it'll pay off and be well worth it. May 3rd is about a week away and I'm counting down to a more fabulous me!!!!!!!! Ttys, Vera
May 24, 2013
You look great!!!! I am so happy for you...and honey you doing the dam thing in them white pants. I have mine done June 7th. Wish me luck!!!! Keep up the good work!
May 24, 2013
You look AMAZING!!!!! I had my surgery on May 7, 2013 and I can not wait to see the end result. I lost 97 lbs and I had 3 lbs of extra skin removed off my stomach.
Hi there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!
Congratulations on your weight loss, that's a huge achievement! If you don't mind me asking, did you have weight loss surgery, or were you just guided by a weight loss doctor?
I'm so glad you're feeling well after your surgery and enjoying your results! We'd love to see a before/after photo, if you have any you feel comfortable sharing!
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Wow, you look great in your after photos! Was the doctor able to remove the 15lbs of excess skin that she estimated?
You've done so well with your diet, that's a huge achievement! You must feel great in your new body now.
Even better! That's so great, you totally deserve it after all the hard work you put into losing weight!