“Had TT Now Going for Thigh Lift August 19, 2011. ”

After losing 145 lb via diet/exercise, am left with a lot of hanging skin. Had tummy tuck on Mar 18, with 10 lb of skin removed by PS. Now I can see my legs - whoo hoo, but what a mess!! Am nervous and excited all rolled up into one as this is a lot of $$$ I am spending on myself.

Main concern with this surgery is infection and scar splitting as gravity will pull on it. I'm 57 and may have to keep working for ever, but feel I am worth it.

Updated on 2 Jun 2011:
Saw PS today to discuss some skin removal in upper back of hips/flank area today at same time as thigh lift. Ok, so it's a body lift - a little more involved than I thought it would be. Added surgery time and $$ and healing. Since thigh lifts like this are a concern with healing, might be advisable to only do one procedure at a time. I'll think on it and decide soon. Can't hardly wait for September and the big day, nerves and all!

Updated on 15 Jun 2011:
Saw orthopedic surgeon today about right knee. Asked if he had any concern with my getting medial thigh lift and if possible infections from it traveling into metal knees. Ortho surgeon told me he was NOT worried at all & to just let him know when I was ready to fit the 2nd knee joint replacement into my schedule. Told him medial thigh lift comes first, with complete healing. Only mention this due to mult. surgery procedures and how they might impact one another or if they would cause one surgeon to back off. I absolutely DON'T want PS backing off any...

Updated on 17 Jun 2011:
Folks tell me I have 'skinny' legs & actually the legs were what was noticed first after I reappeared on the scene following the TT removal of pannus. What they don't know is that the jeans cover the loose skin & you can't tell it is there. But...I know it is there & I would like it to disappear. I prefer the scar. Do wish I knew more about what was involved and what to expect and prepare for - recovery wise.

Updated on 19 Jun 2011:
Will order compression garment tomorrow. It is high waisted and then goes all the way down legs to mid-calf, with zippers built into part of the sides. Crotchless, of course, so it doesn't get removed except for cleaning/switching garments.

Sure hope surgery team is able to actually get it on me while I'm under. It looks like it will be 'very' difficult to put on. Guess maybe one slow inch at a time. Hope they scheduled that into the timeframe as it might take them all day & into the night. LOL.

Updated on 19 Jun 2011:
Asked hotel where I will be staying following surgery if they would place me in a room closest to the elevator, to eliminate as much walking down corridors as possible.

Updated on 7 Jul 2011:
Custom compression garment has been ordered. It is a mix of the garment I wore for TT as we know that part fits, but with smaller legs & thighs. The company also wants to eliminate the two side zippers and put in one zipper that is located in the front middle of the garment. All tailor made for yours truly. Sure hope it fits...

Updated on 12 Jul 2011:
The custom-made compression garment has been completed & shipped. They wanted to put one zipper in middle (crotch to under breast) rather than two zippers down each side. Sure hope it fits...

Updated on 25 Jul 2011:
Have ordered a freshette - traveling one since I'll be in a hotel at least 5 days. This should work well with the crotchless compression garment and the new skirt I just bought. Skirt goes to just a few inches above ankles and should just cover the compression garment, as it goes below the knees.

Will look at high rise toilet seat addition with grab bars this coming weekend. I may need something at the hotel...? Want to be all prepared. Will ask PS about steri strips, gauze pads, etc as it is best to have MORE than less during first couple weeks of recovery.

Updated on 13 Aug 2011:
To help relax & take mind off upcoming surgery, have decided to take hot bubble baths each night until Thursday, the travel day to Seattle. And use the locally made shea butter with goat's milk. My feet will be so soft and luxiurios (sure I spelt that wrong) that the surgical team will say "wow, what beautiful feet she has" and not even notice all the skin laxity going on everywhere else - LOL. Unless they want to admire their handiwork of the TT, that would be ok. Heck, I'll be under - won't know what they say - LOL. And thank goodness I got most of the sticky wax off my do-it-yourself bikini line/ mini brazilian wax job I tried to give myself...might have caused a raised eyebrow or two, especially with all the shredded cotton that then stuck to the wax when I tried to get it off...

Updated on 15 Aug 2011:
Drains come in sterile packaging, so PS's nurse says they'l try to show me drain stripping, but definitely after surgery. I like docs/staff to talk to me direct (even if drugged) as I "like to know" for myself. Very important to me.

Updated on 22 Aug 2011:
Thigh lift was Aug 19 and was about 2 hr or so. Incision makes an "L" shape in groin and traveling down to the knees,where the drains exit. I am in a compression garment going from tummy down to mid-calf. It is tight, but any swelling is minimal and drainage is good. I will slow down on pain pills today. I was up walking within hour of getting back to hotel room due to having to pee - thanks to IV bag of fluids. The Freshette device makes this real easy. PS changed dressings today and I had first shower. PS has me 'airing' myself out of compression garment an hour each day.

Updated on 30 Aug 2011:
All steri-strips came undone during the night and incision opened about 1/4 inch by 1.5 inches. Seems a bit puffy on one side, but doesn't hurt or wiggle when touched? PS can look at it Thurs. I just couldn't bear to have nothing but ointment and gauze over it, so did put one narrow steri-strip over center of it, then gauze, then a larger second gauze over that. Also dried gently with hairdryer and then ointment to right groin leg where it has been reddening up, which I think is from moisture, sweating, and rubbing irritation. Put gauzes there also. Will check again tonight.