Well not much to expect, but being smaller. Finally got over the cold from Hell and am scared, eager, excited for Friday. I have been huge for a while and sometimes the neck and back pain gets too much, time to make a change if you can because it will assist you later on in life is my belief. I waited too long but glad Im doing it now!! Updated on 26 Jan 2017: Is there anything I should have on hand after the procedure?
As of today my insurance has given the green light on the Panni and the breast lift... Leaving me to pay the diff for the tummy tuck/ lipo. My experience up to this point has included a lot of research... Questions on real self and obesity help.com. I had another follow up appointment with my surgeon after doing further reaearch and due to the fact that when I had my initial consultation I was so excited that I did not do a good job of taking in all the info he provided... Dr. Delaney was great and welcomed all my questions and concerns. Today's appointment really put me to ease. The next step for me was to follow up with hospital billing to inquire about my out of pocket responsibility ... 10%... Can you say happy camper! Now just waiting for surgery date! Updated on 12 May 2015: So I know I have not updated in a while.. This journey has been very educational/ informative. My doctor, Kevin Delaney of MUSC has been the best. From his staff to assistant. I had to have total of 3 follow up appts due to having more and more questions. Not to mention the email inquiries I sent as well. With each appt I felt more and more assured. My biggest concern through the whole process was what my finished look would be and how much it would cost me. So I decided to also have a consultation with another surgeon. I was greatful that he was honest with me about what he felt his end results would be. I compared many procedures... Tummy tuck, belt lipectomy, and a few others. I have to admit I became a little more worried about my expectations for my final result...this prompted another follow up visit with Dr. Delaney. And as always...he put me to ease. My final word on comparing surgeon's... Each level of skill that the Dr. brings to the table is vastly different. I was blessed to have honest surgeon's...Not to mention my good friend had her tummy tuck two weeks before me and I was priveledged to see Dr. Delaney's work first hand... Remarkable results...closure was the most impressive...no dog ears...no side fat overhang... She did complain about the pain. Not looking forward to that part! Updated on 18 May 2015: So today..in approx one hour I will be in surgery. I feel so nervous... I started wondering about mortality rate... And what are the odds of complications... Even had the thought to cancel my surgery... Is it being too vain to have surgery... Society puts so much pressure on us women to maintain a certain look! Have to sign off now... Updated on 18 May 2015: Prior to surgery your doctor brings out his "Picasso" ... My surgeon was so focused when doing my mark-up...armed with measuring tape and all. I didn't get any pics of my lower body markings... Updated on 18 May 2015: Updated on 26 May 2015: I spent one night in the hospital... The first 2 days I needed pain meds to be comfortable... Day 3 to 4 I just took over the counter pain meds... I have had to take muscle relaxer from day 2 on... Due to bring prone to muscle spasm. For me the pain is tolarable... What I found to be the most uncomfortable was getting in and out of bed... And trying to sleep. I really could have used a recliner to sleep in. I go to the doctor on Thursday hoping to have my drains removed. I ventures out of my home in day 5... Went to my local Walmart... While I had to walk slow.. And feeling funny with all the bulbs underneath my dress...It occurred to me that somebody could have thought I was shoplifting... Day 6 I drove myself to lecal CVS store... Best suggestions to everybody is listen to your own body. And you will need somebody at home with you initially.