Peter Fisher, MD (retired)

Hi , I am 23 years old , I am 5'5. I have extra fat in my stomach that I no longer want. And also I have a double chin. I don't mind my big arms but would you recommend taking fat out of my arms? I don't have a problem with being a BBW but I do want a better shape and a flatter stomach. Thank you

I am so grateful to Dr. Fisher for getting me in for surgery before he retired in December. I had surgery 1 weeks ago and I have worn my compression since they put it on me in recovery. I have only removed it to shower apply Neosporin, Arnica gel and oils. Marena is the most comfortable next to the skin for this elongated amount of time.

Updated on 9 Nov 2020:
The nerve pain is next level. Dr Fisher prescribed Gabapentin and that drug has preformed wonders. I still have i tense breakthrough pain but it is so much better with it than without. My wounds are doing great. No openings thank to my diligence and the compression;)

Updated on 23 Nov 2020:
Had my 34 day post op with Dr. Fisher today. My incisions ?ook great and I'm so happy hear that since I put so much work into caring for them. My swelling is not good and he prescribed more Lasix. I need to keep my legs up more :( My small boobs are healing excellent. Bought a medium sports bra today and I am so happy about that. ( I needed a tighter one according to the doc.) If I can get the nerve pain to leave me alone it will be a wrap :)

Updated on 14 Feb 2021:
The incisions are doing great, still swelling in the knees, liposuction holes are healing, and the nerve pain is still with us :)
The liposuction may be the culprit on the nerve pain not sure but it is getting better everyday.

After losing a bunch of weight; and at 57; I was left with a lot of sagging droopy fat and skin. Dr. Fisher took eighteen pounds off; and did muscle repair also. Hard recovery; sore for weeks... but just look! I don’t even know myself any more!

This surgery was amazingly easy and comfortable; and I cannot be more thrilled with my results. I was a 40-42DD and saggy and asymmetrical. I’m now a 38-40DD and they point up beautifully! Totally natural looking and feeling; not fake at all. Thrilled as always with Dr. Fisher.

So I’ve made the decision to have my implants removed and not replaced. I just don’t think implants are for me. I’m really excited, scared, and ready for relief. Living with these implants has decreased my quality of life. It hurts to sit, attempt to jog, and the mental impact has also been a roller coaster.

Updated on 5 May 2019:
So today I start a liquid diet as per request of he doctor in preparation for my lower body lift with the removal of butt implants. Here is a list of foods that are ok while doing a liquid diet.
* All kinds of fruit and vegetable juice (no pulp)
* Pureed fruit or vegetables
* Milk
* Soy or almond milk
* Yogurt (without fruit chunks)
* Melted cheese
* Eggs can be eaten like a soft custard
* Honey
* Syrup
* Coffee
* Tea
* Soft drinks
* Sports drinks
* Water
* Strained cooked cereal
* Broth
* Creamed soup (no pieces or chunks of vegetables or meats)
* Pureed meat can be added to soup (again, no chunks)
* Sugar
* Flavored gelatin
* Ice cream (no fruit, chocolate chips, etc.)
* Sorbet and frozen yogurt

Updated on 6 May 2019:
So my husband drove me down from Austin this morning for my pre op with Dr Fisher. Fisher took his time marking me up, looking over his markings, erasing and re marking. I also put lotion on today which made it hard for the marker to stay on my skin :/ I’m horrible at rules. But let me just say, like everyone else on here, I love Dr Fisher. He is so kind and each time I’ve seen him he really takes the time to look over me and you can just see the wheels spinning in his head. He has never came across as condescending or even fake. He is not overtly friendly but actually genuine. He told me he thinks my implants look great but he understands that they are causing me so much pain and was sympathetic to that.
I’m a different case for him in regards to butt implant removal. I chose him because I didn’t want to just have them removed from just any doctor and be left with huge saggy squishy pockets in my cheeks. I had a saggy butt before implants. If I’m going to go under anesthesia again to have them taken out I want to at least improve something else and I’ve really wanted a TT for a long time. He specializes in access skin due to severe weight loss but I haven’t seen any doctors specialize in access skin due to butt implant removal. With all his experience I’m positive that he is just the guy for the job. I don’t want bandaid remedies of fat transfer or different implants. I want to fix the foundation which I feel is what I should have done in the first place. I let people in the past talk me out of getting a TT just because of the scar, but I’m 37 and I’m going to wear the scar like a badge of honor, or tattoo over it lol. I hope im not rambling. I’m hungry so my thoughts are all over the place.
Anyways surgery tomorrow at 7am. I am now checked in to the Homewood Suites for just tonight. My husband has left back to Austin because we have a 16 year old daughter a 1 year old yorkie that need some sort of adult supervision. Never went to surgery all by myself before but I’m ready and positive.
Oh and one last thing, I’m hungry and I’ve already ate all the jello, ensure, and broth I brought with me. Can’t wake up after surgery and EAT!!!

Updated on 7 May 2019:
When I arrived at the hospital I was checked in really quick. I got here around 5:15 and was in a bed ready to go by 6:25. So far all the staff have been very pleasant and comforting. I was really worried about that. I couldn’t pee for the pregnancy test so they drew blood instead.
When I woke up I was laying on this bed that is shaking I guess it’s supposed to prevent blood clots. I didnt know what was going on and thought I was shaking lol. Came to my senses and realized it was the bed.
I have these things wrapped around my legs that go back and forth squeezing them to prevent blood clots.
The staff has been amazing. I told Dr Fisher my concerns about them not attending to me and that I will be all alone, they have been checking on me every hour I think stripping my drains and helping position my cath to help me pee. My cath keeps having a hard time draining because of my weird position. My body is not propped up only my knees. And I’m not to change my position until I see dr Fisher tomorrow. I feel slight pain in my stomach but my back is killing me which I’m uncertain if that has anything to do with the surgery.
The worst part of this so far is that I still can’t eat lol. It’s completely opposite of what I’m used to.

Updated on 8 May 2019:
Dr Fisher came by bright and early at 6am. He moved me up from ice chips to clear liquids. So they brought in a bunch of clear stuff for me and that only made me have to pee more, which meant someone had to basically drain the pee from my foley because the position I’m in and the sandbed I’m laying on make it extremely difficult for it to flow out. My nurse Keyta was extremely busy and we decided to turn my iv fluids down so that she wouldn’t have to keep coming in here to push the pee through. Well then it was time to put on my compression garment. It took her a long time to get everything together, people to assist, a walker, and a recliner. Getting up out this bed, I felt like I was going to rip open my stomach. It was no fun. I started to feel nauseous so Keyta decided to give me some anti nausea meds through my iv but it was beginning to burn. So she decided I needed a new iv as the one on my hand probably got messed up from me clinging on to the nurses while trying to get out this sandbed. Nausea subsided on its own so we got me into my compression garment. Then my drains started filling up real fast so the nurses had to quickly empty them and measure them all while I was standing hugging Jean the PCA. After that they put me down in the recliner and Keyta went to get the stuff she needed to give me a new iv. She attempted but couldn’t get a vein. She got me back into the bed and went to get a nurse who is very good at placing IVs. This other nurse tried several times but came to the conclusion that I was much to dehydrated and that’s why she couldn’t get a vein. So as I waited on my shaking bed for the nurse to get ahold of Dr Fisher I started overheating in my bed. I think it was the Percocet and being dehydrated but I felt like the bed was cooking me. Turns out there was a thick blanket on the bed that they threw in dirty laundry after getting me out the bed and a new thick blanket could only be obtained from OR. So I sat in the hard recliner for awhile trying to cool down while they tried to figure what to do with my bed and IV. I’m telling you I was ready to just take out this catheter and go home. I knew I was dehydrated from not eating. I don’t do well with fluid only diets. The nurse agreed with me and let me eat. That food made me feel ten times better. They laid down some thin blankets on the bed and I got back in it. I swear something still feels off with it cause now it’s shaking me like crazy. Ughh just got to get through the night. Dr Fisher agreed to letting them take out the foley tonight if we keep struggling with it. Only problem then will be, how the hell will I get in and out this bed to pee.

Updated on 11 May 2019:
So I survived my second night in the hospital by having my foley removed. That thing was driving me mad and I slept wonderful once it was removed. If y’all don’t know this tip when peeing with a compression garment on, use a plastic cup. It helps prevent getting pee on your garment. My favorite staff at Baptist Methodist Hospital was my first night nurse Haleigh and her PCA Jacob. And Keyta my day nurse on both days was amazing. She was overworked and could have used way more help from others working but she took great care of me. My opinion on the hospital is mixed. There are some great staff that I met while there but it seemed the good ones were getting overworked and when my room door was open I could hear a lot of staff laughing, and sounding like they were not doing anything while one nurse is running around exhausted and apologizing for asking for help from others that didn’t seem like they were doing anything anyway. My husband arrived around noon and my discharge went very quickly.
DAY THREE OF RECOVERY:
Today has been maybe one of the worst.
I started my period. So that’s been horrible. These drains really freak me out. Seeing all that blood come out of them makes me nauseous plus being on my period is making me even more sensitive. So yeah, today has been absolute hell. I can hardly walk, move, sleep, or even watch tv cause I feel so dizzy. Drinking as much water as a can and drinking my protein shakes. I know I probably need to go #2 and would feel a lot better once i do but I’m hanging on to my sanity at this point. These bandages itch like crazy and there is nothing more I’d love than to wash my hair. We called dr Fisher about he nausea and being dizzy and he told me to take off all compression garments until period is over. Hopefully it will be subsiding by tomorrow, my periods don’t usually last longer than two to three days.

Updated on 11 May 2019:
DISCLAIMER: I’m not in any way going to sugar coat my experience and pictures I post my be upsetting and graphic to some. I’m about honesty and transparency.

Getting better at stripping drains now that they are turning more clear as opposed to that deep red blood they were in the beginning. Starting a green smoothie cleanse along with eating a high protein diet because I think having a BM at this point would do wonders on my overall mood and well being. Last night I was having a nightmare and I woke up to my husband shaking me waking me up (he looked terrified) told me I sounded possessed. I needed to go to the bathroom so he assisted me out of bed but as he was describing the noises I was making, I started laughing. OMG laughing is so painful right now!!! For some reason this pain made me laugh even more and I almost peed on myself.

Updated on 12 May 2019:

THIS RECOVERY IS NO JOKE!!
Since I’ve been home from the hospital my husband has been on his feet for 13 hours a day care taking for me. Obviously he is also having to fill the roles I typically do but I am literally bed ridden. Doctors orders but even if I wanted to I can hardly walk. We ordered a walker, shower seat, and toilet raiser yesterday. Before the surgery my butt implants were causing me back and leg spasms which have increased ten fold since the surgery. I can only stand at about a 30 degree angle. Took my second bird bath yesterday sitting on the bath seat we purchased. My daughter washed my hair for me as I leaned over while seated on the bath seat with a plastic cover (the kind they drape over you in a salon) over me to keep me dry. This morning I woke up and most of the bandages covering my incisions were coming off so I took them off (with doctors approval) Took another bird bath cleaning with hibacleanse on the incisions.
Also discontinuing my antibiotics as I realized today that it was causing me to have horrible headaches, itchy skin, and somewhat blurred vision. Never experienced that with antibiotics before. I thought it was the pain killers but i took them separately and it turned out to be the antibiotics. My butt look pretty good. I’m not sure if it’s from the auto augmentation dr Fisher did but honestly I expected a flat board. It’s definitely not saggy.

Updated on 13 May 2019:
Yep, I’m over it. These drains are annoying the hell out of me. They are constantly in the way, getting caught on things and they just hurt. No matter where I put them they are in the way. Made an appointment to see Dr Fisher on Friday. I really hope they are removed cause I may lose my mind with them. Finally convinced my husband to buy a power assist recliner cause I can’t get up without assistance. Wish we had ordered one sooner but it will be here on Wednesday so I hope that is soon enough. Finally had a BM yesterday. Still feel constipated though. Ughhh can this all be over yet. I knew what I was getting into but I swear no amount of preparation can prepare you for this. I’m just uncomfortable no matter what. Pain pills and pillows and still can’t get comfortable.

Updated on 15 May 2019:
So typically after a week post op from all my other surgeries I’m ready to ween off the pain medication but I’m in miserable pain still. Up until this point I couldn’t quite figure out where my biggest pain was stemming from, because everything is so swollen after surgery. The swelling is subsiding but my pain is increasing. It’s my drain location. As the swelling is subsiding the drains are literally being pinched between my flesh and my hip bones, as I have three coming out on each side. This pain is becoming so unbearable at this point that not even the oxycodone is helping relieve it. I had stopped wearing my compression garment several days after returning home from surgery because I started my period and was still draining 80ml a day from some of the drains leaving me feeling dizzy and nauseated and the compression was not helping. I have not been able to put on a compression garment since because the compression only further puts pressure on the drains that are being pinched between healing tissue and bone. My fluid measurement is down below 35 on all my drains except for 1. I NEED THESE DRAINS OUT. I had an appointment on Friday to see Dr Fisher but I’m in agony and can not wait another two days, I’m not sure I can wait 1 more day. This pinching from the drains with combination of the tightness that is to be expected after a tummy tuck is a pain that no matter how I position myself, can find any relief. As the inflammation goes down, my pain is skyrocketing. Also I’m nervous that not wearing my compression garment is going to ruin my results. But putting the compression garment on with three drains placed right behind my hip bone is not going to happen. I can not sleep or even relax at this point. This is a pain level 10 for me.
We got an appointment bumped sooner from Friday to tomorrow. So I have one more day. I have enough pain medication to get through till tomorrow so that helps my anxiety but I’m going to have to really mentally center myself even for this less than 24 hour wait. Only way to describe the pain is like several clothes pins pinching your healing incisions to your hip bones and pulling you skin at the same time. Really wish my drains had been placed in a different location separate from my incision.

Updated on 16 May 2019:
I’m over the moon happy to have almost all of the drains removed. Put my faja on immediately after. Feels good to have compression on so I can have the best results possible. Today is a good day :)

Updated on 17 May 2019:
I am promising myself this is last elective surgery I am ever having. I was prescribed 3 Percocet a day written before we left the the pre op appointment. The hospital had given me 6 in total the day before discharge and I had a pain pump. So leaving the hospital I was expected to start weaning immediately. Not take it every 4 to 6 hours but just three times a day, I thought they say stay on top of your pain medication or else the pain will get the best of you. My husband and I did the best we could to only take just the three a day with 4 Advil, and typically advil really does ease my pain in combination with Percocet just fine. But if any of you have read my update my pain has been pure torture. Advil is like throwing pennies in the water wishing the pain will subside this time around. I get that there is an opioid epidemic and doctors need to use all precaution to prevent patients from abusing there narcotics, but at what point does this become patient neglect. Dr Peter Fisher has done amazing things, and being a Harvard graduate I figured I was lucky to even have him agree to do my surgery. I regret this surgery more than any other. I got my drains removed yesterday and felt immediate relief. All but one. I asked them about pain management from this point on and they told me I should be weaning off the painkillers by then. They actually called me on Tuesday to remind me that I needed to be weaning off the medication and I told them about the pain and they gave me an appointment for Friday to have the drains removed. I had my husband call back the next day and demand something sooner so they gave us Thursday. We live an hour and a half away and would have driven that day. I didn’t get to see fisher to have them removed as he was busy and saw another doctor who works within the office. He said there really shouldn’t be anymore pain so I felt he was implying that I don’t need any more pain medication. I was nervous as I only had three more pills left. But I didn’t want to fight with these guys over my pain, I figured I would just get though it and I would be ok now that there was only one drain. Asked the doctor how much movement I’m allowed because I see girls with other doctors after 9 days going back to normal life and even driving. The doctor said I should be moving around and that he encourages it. He told me not to go to the gym but I should be able to go on walks and start pushing myself unless I feel pain. So we went home and I started moving around like I typically do. Nothing drastic, I gave my 4 lb dog a bath in the kitchen sink and changed the sheets on my bed with my husbands help. And laid down the rest of the night. Right before bed I kept feeling water dripping down my legs and when I took a paper towel to wipe it I realized it was pee. It kept happening every time I got up no matter how well I emptied my bladder. Had to put on a diaper because it just wouldn’t stop. Never had this problem in my life. I didn’t want to think of any other issues that could arise because at this point Dr Peter has proven to be mostly unavailable for any type of emergency that might require any other action that was more than a text message or phone call. Last night as I was trying to settle for bed the pain started settling in real bad. A sharp pain on the side my drain is located stabbing my pelvic bone. I woke up this morning un able to move. We called dr fishers office and I am an absolute mess. I’m crying and freaking out. They said they would call in Tylenol with codeine. I told them that if that doesn’t help I’m going to the er to have this drain removed. They told me over and over the consequences of doing so, but I’m in so much pain, it’s like they just didn’t get it. Peter Fisher will be absent for the next week for two weeks. Meaning even if I wait till Monday I won’t see him anyways. Anyways this might be the last thing I post on this surgery. So far this has been so brutal, I don’t care about the results. I don’t care if I look disfigured anymore, I need this pain to stop.

Updated on 18 May 2019:

I had a breakthrough: I realized last night that I possibly had a UTI. My husband texted the doctor asking if maybe I had a UTI, doc said possibly, and immediately called in antibiotics to our pharmacy. Husband picked up some AZO urinary pain relief and I’m feeling 20% better. Last night I also drained 120ml from my one drain. That’s a record for me. Since there is so much pain I’m feeling in my waist area, I was unable to identify it. Just walking (more like limping) to the bathroom hurts, trying to pee through a garment without pee going everywhere is straining. I kept wondering why the night before I was experiencing urine leaks. It seems almost retarded that it didn’t occur to me earlier but as I said in my last update, I really just didn’t want to think of any complications cause this recovery so far has been very intense.
From all the other stories I’ve read on here, I have to say, lower body lift seems to have a HIGH infection rate. Nothing scares me more. What scares me the most about infection is that most people leave it out of their stories and only mention it in their comments and they gloss over it. I’m neurotic, if you couldn’t tell by now lol , I like many other girls have read COUNTLESS stories on here. I for one don’t like surprises. I want to know what everyday of recovery was like for others at least up to two weeks. If they get infections, I want to know every aspect of that. It’s easy after recovery to reflect back and say “it wasn’t that bad” which I think happens a lot. So I made a promise that I would deliver what I wished others would do. It’s not easy to update this when your in pain but it’s also not hard because really what else do you have to do when recovering, ijs. This has been my surgery diary. It’s for me as much as it is for others.
So as far as how I’m doing in total today? I’m frustrated and feeling mostly everything. I’m taking Tylenol with codeine and it helps a little. The day I went to dr fishers office to have my drains removed, I was still taking Percocet. I was able to walk without a walker. I feel like the lack of appropriate pain management has reversed my recovery. My husband may have to take another week off of work to care for me because I’m back to where I was when I left the hospital as far as ability. Why this sucks for me more than others, I wish I knew. I only have speculations.

Updated on 19 May 2019:
I’m feeling 50% back to my usual self. I mean I don’t feel crappy and dizzy so that’s a major plus. About to take a shower on my own for the second time since the surgery. It’s complicated to take showers with drains I know some girls just let the drain hang but I hate the way that feels. I keep mine in a cloth pouch I got off Amazon and pin it to my clothing or I hold it/have some else hold it in any other situation. Today I’m going to put my drain on a lanyard around my neck and do my best to keep it away from water. I am still using the shower seat because I can only stand for like 5 - 10 mins at a time and I use the handheld shower head so I have control where the water goes.. I wash my body daily and clean my incision daily with hibicleanse. I do my best not to get a lot of water near my drain site. After shower I moisturize my entire body and lightly go over the healing part of my incision with lotion. I apply Neosporin lightly with a q tip and then I cover the drain site with dry gauze and tape.
My one drain is going back down in ml so that’s exciting although the contents look weird. They are still red but also contain a lot of tissue and it just looks foamy. Sent a picture to dr fisher and he said everything looks good. I read last night that LBL has a 78% complication rate. Which explains why so many girls end up with infections. I’m watching my drain and healing incision like a hawk. Know that if your drain is pulling out brown, green or pus like fluid that’s not good. Also if it smells bad call your doctor ASAP

Updated on 19 May 2019:
I made a booty timeline lol
Oh the places my booty has been

Updated on 20 May 2019:


So today has been very uneventful and really nothing new to report other than I finally released my bowels. So if that is not your kind of discussion, skip the next part of this update. If you are someone that suffers from IBS, than this discussion is probably something you’re used to having. If your IBS is like mine, it at times can feel like YOUR WHOLE LIFE REVOLVES AROUND POOH! It’s ok, I know your suffering.


I feel like a new woman today. Well not quiet, a new woman recovering from surgery. Today I decided I had had enough with these very hard poops I have had since week one and two, and it is indeed time I took matters into my own hands. I am not shy to enemas. One look in my closet will tell you that. I’ve been really hesitant to do an enema since surgery 1. I can hardly reach around to wipe my butt. Like this issue right here is probably the main reason. 2. How was I going to make it to the toilet in time because I walk like a limping pirate and am like a turtle on its shell in any laying position. I typically do these on the floor in my bedroom with a absorbency pad underneath me (yes I’ve had accidents:( ) and a diaper on (lots of accidents) but I can not bend down to the floor without struggling to get back up. So, enough with the s**ts i found a way.
I did the enema in an empty bathtub with a diaper on (no accidents ew) and I swear opened the gates of hell. I’m pretty sure I’m about 5 lbs lighter but I hate scales so I can’t confirm this. And no accidents YAY!!!! The bathtub worked out really well because I used the ledge of the tub to get myself in and out and to the potty right next to it.
So if you’re like me and two week into recovery and still haven’t had anything but rock hard poo. It’s time to address the issue my dear, and you will be so happy you did.

**ive been taking 4 stool softeners a night, every night since surgery with nothing but hard poop. So yeah, I was far too backed up.

Updated on 21 May 2019:
I’m impatient. I’m even more impatient when I can’t do normal things I typically do like clean the house like a Tasmanian devil. OCD, you bet I am. But I will fight that nagging in my head with everything I have if I can get the fluid down enough to get this drain out next week. They say the less you move the less fluid that will come out. So I’m going to stay as still as a statue.
Pain is ok. I feel like I have a pulled butt muscle in my butt cheek on the right side that hurts really bad to be touched or to even walk. The pain from the lipo on the back of my thighs is gone and I can almost lay on my left side. If I move around to much my incision in the front starts swelling real bad, so I take that as my que to lay down and prop my legs up. It subsides about an hour after laying.
Everything I eat that is cooked gives me painful gas. So that is fun. My skin no longer feels so tight that I will break In two. I do not suffer from any type of itching so I’m grateful.
Just gonna keep eating lots of anti inflammatory foods, drink lots of water, I guess start binge watching something and wait for this time to pass. Yay healing!

Updated on 28 May 2019:
Left the house for the second time since surgery for a quick run to the store. I was scheduled to get my last drain removed today cause I was certain it was going to be ready after Memorial Day weekend. Nope, I’m plateaued at 65ml. I’m convinced I’m just juicy. The color of my fluid is no longer dark maroon but is a pink/yellowish color. It’s strange because it seems like my left side is healing faster that my right. My results are improving as the swelling subsides a little more everyday. I’m moving around a little more everyday but with very limited range of motion. I sleep on my left side comfortably now with no pain. My daughter is scheduled to have double jaw surgery in two weeks and really hoping I’m feeling much better and able to care for her adequately by then.

Updated on 30 May 2019:
Yep, I’m finally free. Overnight my drain dropped to 30 and how grateful I am that it did. I was prescribed another round of antibiotics just to be precautious but other than that I feel like I’ve hit a major milestone having that last drain gone. Obviously I still have to take things slow but I feel like maybe relaxing, will now be more relaxing without. It may seem crazy that a drain could make that much of a difference. But until you’ve had them, there is just no way to explain how “draining” they are.

Updated on 4 Jun 2019:
I’m feeling really good. I have good days and bad days but today is a good day.
On my good days, I have energy to get up and move around but still need regular breaks of laying down because I get tired easily.
On bad days, I can’t stand without throbbing inflammation. I inflame in my stomach and legs. I think my bad days are really a side affect to what I eat the day before. I find that if I eat a mostly raw diet, or foods cooked with very little oil or salt, and avoid high sugar foods that I feel better overall.
I received my second lymphatic massage and the tension behind my knees was unbelievable and felt amazing to get relief. These massages are game changers in my opinion when it comes to healing after surgery. I waited till my drains were removed to start these. The lady I use comes to your house so if any of you reading this live in the Austin area just private message me for the info.

Updated on 28 Jun 2019:
Sorry about the late update. I saw Dr Fisher last week Thursday and everything looked great. I meant to post some pictures last week but to be honest, I have been so busy caring for my daughter who had upper jaw surgery two weeks ago that I just didn’t find the time. The saddest part is that I was going to take pictures today and brag about my results, and smooth recovery since the horrible bladder infection but I noticed something was off. I had inflammation and redness near my butt crack. Sent these pictures to Dr Fisher and he itmmediately responded that he needs to see me tomorrow to look at me and possibly operate. Honestly I hesitated coming on here to write about this. It’s a strange feeling, hard to describe. I do not know exactly what is going on and of course neither does Dr Fisher until he sees me but it’s probably an infection. This is not his fault by any means, so please do not take this as an indication of his work. This procedure has a high complication rate. Any procedure does really. Also I’m 37 and while that isn’t old, after watching my 16 yr old daughter bounce back from upper jaw surgery after two weeks like nothing happened... it’s abundantly clear to me that the older you get, the harder surgery is on the body. I said in the beginning of my review that I wished others documented their complications like they did their results... so here we go.
My right side has been my fussy side this whole recovery. It’s the side I had that one pesky drain in for what felt like an eternity and it’s just always hurt more than my left. I have no idea why but I’m not surprised that it’s still gonna make a fuss about me having this surgery 7 weeks after lol.
Two days after I saw Fisher (last week Thursday) I noticed I wasn’t feeling so good and took my temperature. Temp was 100.7 so I took some ibuprofen and it went down. Next day I noticed that I had more pain coming from my right butt cheek. Tissue was feeling harder and somewhat itchy. It has intensified daily since then but not until today did I notice that it was red and raised in the area. So I’m going to say that my first symptoms started about six days ago. First the fever, then the increasing daily pain, followed by an overall unwell feeling, then itching and hardening to now red/raised/warm to the touch. Going in tomorrow at 11 am to have doctor fisher possibly (most likely) open me up to take a look and clean out infection. He told me he doesn’t think this will tamper with my results (which are phenomenal) but even if it does, I would be sad but health comes before vanity. He told me to pack an overnight bag just in case and not to eat past 7am. I’m a little freaked out, mostly in shock cause this escalated so quickly, but most of all I’m grateful for Dr Fishers immediate response and plan of action. I will update again tomorrow once we figure out what the game plan is. Wish me luck ladies.

Updated on 29 Jun 2019:
Turns out everything is pretty much ok. Dr Fisher did an in office exam. Cut open a little area where it was red and swollen but only blood. Took a needle but only blood. So we think it’s just a superficial infection. Antibiotics are all that’s required. I can’t tell you how happy that made me. Hoping that these antibiotics make it all go away.

Updated on 29 Jun 2019:
The first picture is of me with butt implants like 2 months healed. I was ecstatic by those results but they were short lived because the implant dropped significantly and started moving around, with was so icky. My butt right now looks almost the same but I don’t have to worry about an implant relocating itself this time around

Updated on 30 Jun 2019:
As quickly as this escalated, it is also quickly de escalating. I am taping maxi pads over the incision because it has been leaking fluid through gauze and was staining my clothes. I know that bbl girls do this for drainage and it’s been working really well. Pain is decreasing, it no longer itches, and you can see the visible decease in inflammation on the entire side. On bed rest again laying on my stomach which makes me a little bonkers, but we gotta heal.

Updated on 14 Jul 2019:
It took about a week for the incision to heal that Dr Fisher made. Every night during that week I would wake up with fluid soaking through the pads and onto my bed. I started sleeping on puppy pads to prevent changing my bed sheets everyday. It finally closed around last week Monday. I woke up yesterday (Saturday) to find I was leaking again. I also started my period yesterday. Not sure if the two things are related in anyway. The incision dr Fisher made two weeks ago looks like a blister now and as I write this on Sunday, the fluid coming out this morning was very bloody and now at 6pm looks brown and I think it might have a smell to it. I’m laying here in disbelief and thinking of all the ways I messed this up. I feel defeated. I’m driving the four hour drive to and from the office on my own tomorrow.
I can’t find anyone else who has experienced this. I confused about what this is.

Updated on 22 Jul 2019:
So last week Friday I went and got a CT scan to see what was going on with the right side. The hospital concluded that it looks to be an abscess from where they think the implant was removed. Saw PS today and we agreed to open me up and see what’s going on. So I have surgery on Wednesday morning and for the first time ever, I’m excited for surgery. Ok I know that sounds weird AF. I am weird, but I’m usually as nervous as a cow in a beef factory before surgery. Why I have had so many is honestly bonkers. Then again I’ve never had surgery twice with any surgeon so maybe that’s why I’m not nervous at all. Plus I want this issue to go away already. I’ve been leaking fluid into my buttcrack for a month now and I’ve been rolling up gauze like a tampon and placing it between my cheeks to absorb the fluid. I place about two to three maxi pads behind the gauze sticking to my compression garment to stop any residual leaking onto clothes or furniture. I have to change the gauze about every two to four hours. It’s exhausting. Not to mention that the antibiotics are really starting to wear me down. The surgery should take no longer than an hour and I might get drains again. Which would suck but I welcome a drain if that is what needs to be done.
I do not blame Dr Fisher for any of this. Complications are apart of surgery. This can happen to anyone with any procedure. And to anyone reading this and asking themselves “is it worth it” I strongly encourage you to really sit down with yourself and think about what the risk benefit ratio is for whatever procedure you are considering.
This recovery for me has been rough but it’s been absolutely worth it at the same time. My butt implants needed to be removed and this to me was the only way I could remove them and correct the initial issue I got them for which was really to correct my saggy bum. I added the tummy tuck because I felt like an incision all the way around just made more sense then one on my back only.
And speaking of my stomach,
I know I’ve been mostly focused on my butt for this entire review and I feel it’s almost unfair to my tummy. My stomach is just now starting to really settle down with the inflammation from the view of my side profile but because of the infection on my butt I’m holding fluid in my upper back that isn’t doing my waist side profile justice but my stomach is a work of art. I feel weird referring to any part of my body as perfect but my belly button just might be a cosmetic masterpiece. It’s still purple but that will fade and the shape is so natural.

Updated on 11 Aug 2019:
Sorry for taking so long to update after my surgery to stop the fluid leakage. That minor surgery went great. The pain that I had on my right side was treated with that surgery. Literally no pain! I had another drain placed and had it removed 12 days after the surgery. Dr fisher said that I had granulation tissue that was loaded with fluid that may have became infected during the early parts of my recovery and just wasn’t healing. He cleaned it out to give me a new start and I truly believe this is over.
I have zero pain now and I feel almost back to normal. I’m not allowed to exercise for another week. I got really depressed with that set back, I’m not gonna lie. No one plans for set backs, and being that I’ve recovered from 5 other surgeries complication free, I may have taken healing for granted. I did everything I was supposed too. I followed all the rules, but healing can never be completely predicted.

My biggest advice to anyone who is going to do ANY surgery, is to make sure you are in a good place to take time to deal with any complications that may occur. I’m lucky that I currently am not working. So I didn’t have that stress on my shoulders of taking time off. My sister had a tummy tuck a month before me and was back to working as a nurse in ER six weeks later. No complications. She is ten years older than me and this is her first surgery. So everyone is different.
I will post pictures of my results in a month. I feel a bit self conscious at the moment cause I’ve been a living blob in the recliner eating my sadness away lol. When they weighed me at the hospital I was 156! I haven’t weighed that much in years. Before surgery I was 140lb and before butt implants I think I was 130lbs. I hate weighing myself because I struggled with an ED as a teen. So I’m back to healthy eating and promise promise to post pictures in a month and every month after as I’m sure lots of people wonder about the healing of the scar, or at least I do. Never had one this big so it will be interesting to see month by month how it diminishes. I do like to spray tan so I’m thinking of using waterproof tape over the incision when spray tanning so that you can see it without the tanner. I welcome any and all suggestions. Currently only using bio oil on it because it’s to large to use those silicone tapes.

Updated on 12 Aug 2019:
I know I said I was gonna wait but my sister was bugging me to share pictures with her so I figured I would share with y’all as well. I feel really out of shape cause I’ve been doing very little for the last three months but I figure posting these anyways will give me motivation to leave the cookies and Ice cream alone and get back to healthy eating.

Updated on 19 Dec 2019:
So my healing has been doing good. I’m just going to post some pictures.

Updated on 4 Jan 2020:
I feel I achieved my desired results with this procedure. I know there is a lot of debate if this could have been achieved with less invasive methods. I do not believe so. The before picture was taken a year after hanging up my clear platform heels as a stripper. I did everything to make my back end look more perky but that was mostly skin from fast weight loss and aging.

Updated on 23 Jan 2020:
So my stomach still swells and I’ve for them most part gotten used to it. But lately it’s been swelling and it hurts slightly on the left side. I need to do a follow up with doctor fisher again but wondering if any one else experienced this. I left a video.

Updated on 23 Jan 2020:
Ok I’m not sure it posted the first time

Updated on 9 Jul 2020:
Still loving my results but now I’m on hunt for how to minimize my scars. I still struggle with bloating in my stomach which is annoying.

I’m a post gastric sleeve patient and needed improvement in sagging dimpled skin. I had lipo to the arms, flanks, stomach, thighs, and calfs. Also, an arm, thigh, and buttock lift performed together in one 10 hr surgery.

Updated on 14 Mar 2019:


Updated on 14 Mar 2019:


Updated on 20 Mar 2019:


Updated on 13 Sep 2019:
I have healed up pretty well and swelling is pretty much gone. The down side is my scars are still pretty red but mine usually are for about year. Unfortunately my cellulite come back once swelling went down but I had it before surgery. Liposuction didn’t not help it for sure. I had some openings on my hips that did heal. My grown and buttock scars are easy to cover in my full coverage panties and bathing suit bottoms. I’m pretty happy with my results. Hopefully at one year the inner leg and knee scars will be a lot more pale. I just have to be patient.

Updated on 13 Sep 2019:

I’ve been over weight since childhood. After a 140lb weight loss between 2012-2014, I had an extended arm lift, BA/BL in Jan2015 with Dr. Peter Fisher in San Antonio TX. I am returning to Dr. Fisher on 21Mar2019 to have a lower body lift and spiral thigh lift. Since there are fewer reviews and information regarding extensive thigh lifts, I wanted to document my surgery to help others.

Updated on 24 Mar 2019:
Arrived in San Antonio a day prior to surgery and met with Dr. Fisher and Joann in the office for surgical marking. Talking with both of them made me excited. Since I was happy with the shape of my behind, we switched from a lower body lift (360 tummy tuck) to an extended tummy tuck. My thigh lift markings ended about two inches below the knee, and he marked some areas for liposuction. I had a previous surgery, and Dr. Fisher also said he could touch up the scar line for my previous arm lift. Other than marking, JoAnn taught me how to use the drains and instructed me to wash with hibiclens the night before and morning of surgery. I drank plenty of broth and water for the rest of the evening.
Here are a few things I did to prepare for surgery:
(1) I started a packing & questions list on my phone a few months in advance. This allowed me to add items to the list as they came to me.
(2) increased my water and protein intake.
(3) started a liquid diet two days before surgery.
(4) Secured help from my cousin who is a nurse, rented an Airbnb, and rented a lift recliner.
(5) completed blood work and an ECG.
(6) bought a compression garment.

Updated on 24 Mar 2019:
I arrived for surgery at Methodist at 0530 and was in my room around 1700. The first night was a blur. I had a PCA pump to self administer pain meds. Overnight, the pain got a little worse as I could feel the numbness wear off near the incisions. I started taking oral pain meds the second day, and they seemed to control the pain better. Dr. Fisher came by both days. The nursing staff was attentive, but I’m glad I had my cousin to help know what to do - such as she noticed my catheter bag wasn’t filling, and she adjusted things to help the urine to flow. (Your bladder shouldn’t feel full when you have a cath). My cousin taught me how to do cath care because the nursing staff didn’t complete it for two days (prevents UTI). The nurses did not know how to care for the drains very well, and the nursing assistants can’t do more than empty the drain, so my tubes didn’t get stripped as often as needed. So be sure to learn about your drain tubes from JoAnn and Dr. Fisher to allow yourself to complete this task independently.
I wasn’t able to walk more than a few steps on Day 1, but was able to sit in the chair for an hour. Dr. Fisher gave me an Rx for diflucan to prevent a year infection, and I took it post op.. I started a liquid diet on Day 1, and I had soft solids on Day 2. On Day 2, I was able to walk the hallways, and they took the catheter out since I felt confident I could make it to the bathroom. Once I voided on my own, I was cleared for discharge. We stayed for a few more hours to nap and take my next set of pain meds before leaving. I put on my compression garment to leave the hospital. The ride to the Airbnb was manageable.
I took a few after picture before leaving the hospital. I’m still very hunched over, but the results are immediate.
Multiple people in the OR and on the floor told me they thought Dr. Fisher’s work was amazing and that he had patients come in from all over. I already knew how great he was, and I got lucky that he is only 4 hours from my house. There aren’t many surgeons that do such a great job on major weight loss patients, but Dr. Fisher is an artist with redraping all the excess skin. He also has a wonderful personality, so it made the choice of picking Dr. Fisher as my surgeon even easier.

Updated on 25 Mar 2019:
Some photos that I took in the mirror after being marked and operating room photos from Dr. Fisher. I had about 6lbs removed from my abdomen.

Updated on 26 Mar 2019:
Day 4 - showering was uneventful. Felt nice to take off the compression garment, and it felt equally as nice to have it back on. My incisions were all covered with silver infused bandages, but none of the edges were sealed. I called the nurse before and after my shower because I was worried about the bandages getting wet. The bandages did get waterlogged, like a wet diaper, so we removed them. I took a few pictures before I got back into the compression garment.
Day 5 - I have had chronic, mild constipation over the last 5+ years, so having an easy bowel movement today was a small success. I was on a liquid diet two days before and after surgery, and the hospital administered senokot the first two days post op. Since discharge, I’ve taken two tabs of colace twice daily. I tried an enema on Day 4 with no movement. I’ve been drinking extra fluids for the last two weeks, and I’ve kept it up after surgery even though it has meant extra trips to the bathroom.

Updated on 1 Apr 2019:
Day 8 - my first visit with Dr. Fisher since discharge. I had two drains. Both had produced less than 30cc in the previous two days, so he removed the drains. Drain removal was painless. Everything looked good, so we drove home to Dallas. A four hour drive that was extended to about 6 hours with several breaks and a stop for lunch.

Day 9 - I moved out of my recliner and slept half a night on the sofa with a pillow under my knees. Showering and bowel movements are going just fine. My skin is dry / flakey so I got some Dove moisturizing soap. I took pictures today and will add them soon.

Day 11 - made it all night sleeping on the couch and slept for about 7 hours before needing to use the bathroom. I stick to a low carb diet, and I had a piece of cake today for my mom’s birthday. It made me realize that I truly feel better when I keep the junk out of my diet. I wanted to feel as good as I possible for this surgery, so I have been a little more diligent with my eating habits in the last few weeks. My weight at home was 157.1lbs prior to surgery and 148.1lbs today. I’m down 9lbs even with all the swelling I have going on. My compression garment is still fitting well that I’m happy wearing it all day. Dr. Fisher recommended a corset for extra compression, so I will look into that soon.

Updated on 1 Apr 2019:


Updated on 1 Apr 2019:


Updated on 5 Apr 2019:
Day 13 - I slept in my own bed with a pillow under my knees.
Day 14 - I ordered two more compression garments in a smaller size. I will be wearing these for several weeks. I bought two, so I didn’t need to wash clothes as often. I’m bathing every other day with moisturizing soap, but my skin is still really dry. My incisions look good - flat, none oozing (not even where the drains were removed). I do wear my compression every moment that I’m not in the shower. I’ve been keeping my feet up to reduce the little bit of lower leg swelling I’ve experienced. I’m eating a healthy high protein diet. I’m also staying sedentary. I’ve had help for two straight weeks. I can do most everything myself, but I’m determined to take it easy to prevent wound openings and complications. I mentioned to Dr. Fisher that I see a lot of reviews for people with wound openings at 4+ weeks, and he explained that it is due to the internal sutures beginning to dissolve.

Updated on 11 Apr 2019:
Day 18 - I slept in my bed completely flat.
Day 19 - Most of my incisions are scab free after my shower. I gently use a wash rag over my incisions, and what few scabs were left are pulling free. I’m using lotions/Vaseline on my incisions since my skin is dryer than before surgery.
Day 21 - At dinner, I realized that I had not used any Tylenol today. I have a bit more swelling directly above the mons area since this is where my compression garment is loosest. I ordered an ab board from Amazon to help give the area some pressure. I wore it under my compression garment for about 12 hours today. It isn’t incredibly comfortable, but it did seem to help the tenderness I’m feeling in that area. I’m standing completely straight. I’ve been getting dressed the last few days, and I’m thrilled!

Updated on 11 Apr 2019:


Updated on 20 Apr 2019:
Zero complications. Minimal pain. I am stiff and tight if I stay in the same position too long. I plan to stay mostly sedentary and to keep the compression garment on for at least another two weeks. I am ready and motivated to get back to yoga, but I know I am not ready. All of my incisions are scab free except at the t-junction in my groin, so I am using silicon tape across all of my scars except the t-junction. I have been using dry gauze around my t-junction and belly button since these areas stay moist.
I have enjoyed trying on old clothes from my closet that (previously) didn’t fit well. Hard to resist the urge to buy new clothes, but I want to wait a few more months while my body continues to change. My compression garment is easy to wear under jeans, capris and dresses, so I have been getting dressed most days.

I wish there were a big enough word to describe how thrilled I am with my results so far. I’m eight days post-op from LBL with J-Brachioplasty...is that what it’s called? Recovery has been much easier than expected. I had gotten myself all worked up based on some accounts of the unbearable pain, but thankfully I haven’t experienced that at all. Yes, it hurts. And yes, it feels pulled tight as hell, but it’s not the kind of pain that shuts your brain down. And, so long as I don’t move there is no pain at all. Like, honestly, none. Since Day One. It’s getting up and moving around that brings on the drama, but as I said it’s not that bad even then. Maybe I just got super lucky. I don’t know but I’ll take it!
I’ve never had kids so I don’t know what that’s like but I can tell you I would’ve been one of those women with the blood curdling screaming in delivery. For sure. I don’t like bandaids being ripped off. I consider myself a wimp with pain. I did have a really bad car accident thirty years ago, with broken hip/pelvis/knee/arm, and I can say that was Shut The Brain Down pain for weeks on end. So that’s my history for your reference.
So back to this...I was on a pain pump in the hospital the first day and then switched to Percocet Day 2. I did NOT want to give up the pain pump but the Percocet actually worked even better in the long run. My nurse explained that the pain pump gives a little burst that helps with the discomfort immediately but the Percocet is long lasting and a more profound relief. (I hope I’m remembering that correctly.) Anyway, it worked.
I was in one of those air/sand beds that relieves pressure points. That is a game Changer! Yet another thing I was worried about because I’d read someone say they felt claustrophobic, couldn’t breath, etc. For me it was heaven on this earth. A relief from the tyranny of gravity at a time when it is really needed. It sounded like Dr Fisher always orders that for his patients.

Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
So, I’ve been overweight since about the age of seven. I’m 51 now. I have always been pretty active though. I tried everything to lose weight. I’ve done every diet. No need to list them...you all know them. I’ve done hypno therapy, spent weeks in a couple of very expensive weight loss clinics, all sorts of counselors, therapists, dieticians, drugs, everything. My insanity with food runs deep. I never wanted bariatric surgery for the usual reason: pride. It felt like giving up. Well, a few years ago I did give up. I weighed 353 pounds at 5’9” and realized losing weight on my own simply wasn’t in the cards for me and it was die or get surgery. Not hyperbole. I literally thought I wouldn’t wake up many nights. I felt that sick all the time. I had so much swelling in my lower legs, horrible roasaca. Just a living wreck. Also, I knew I wouldn’t make it another year in my active job since I had serious pain and mobility issues.
Surgery changed all that. It saved my life. The first time I tried it, I was refused at the last minute because I hadn’t stuck to the diet for the month prior. Two years later, I tried again, and on 12/28/15 I had a gastric sleeve done by Dr Heider in Huntersville, NC. He was fabulous, by the way, and I wholeheartedly recommend him.
I literally do not get that blissed out effect anymore from overeating. I can’t binge like I used to, and when I do overeat I start sneezing and feel so sick. My escape through food is greatly narrowed. I’m still not totally right about it, but the improvement is stunning and just keeps getting better and better all the time and I really can imagine one day being relatively sane about food.
So, that’s my backstory.

Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
I started researching surgeons many years ago and soon came upon Dr Fisher. I considered others but decided last year that Dr Fisher accomplished just the results I wanted. There were two other doctors I considered in CA but one’s aftercare seemed very sketchy, and the other’s most recent results aren’t what they used to be, in my opinion. So many women end up looking so flat and rectangular and it’s not attractive to me. I didn’t want to be small but I wanted to be curvy, instead of my usual lumpy potato shape. In August 2018 I flew out to San Antonio to meet him, and chose a surgery date that day. 1/8/19. I immediately felt so comfortable in his ability and his personality is just the type that puts me at ease. He’s a really genuine, down-to-earth doctor. Super confident but not a trace of arrogance. He’s blunt, which I love because to me it speaks to his integrity. Very approachable and didn’t make me feel rushed. He wasn’t annoyed by my questions, or if he was he certainly didn’t show it. He told me I had to lose another forty pounds and I swore I would. (235 pounds at the time) Well, I didn’t. In fact, I gained thirteen pounds after that appointment. The last two months before surgery I ended up losing about twenty-five pounds. It only made everything tougher on everyone because Dr Fisher had to do a lot more liposuction and it made my recovery a bit tougher, I’m sure. The less liposuction the better. Bottom line. I don’t know my weight on surgery day but it was around 225 I estimate.

So, I flew to San Antonio on the Sunday before my Tuesday surgery. I’m staying at the hotel his office recommends. The staff here are very accustomed to dealing with his patients. I’m a lunatic about germs so I bought all sorts of wipes and spray and went full OCD sanitizing my room. I also bought groceries for the coming weeks.
HEB, a local grocery store, will deliver if you order online for a 3% per item fee plus $5.
I bought a toilet chair, which I never ended up using. I did not need a walker.
The electric recliner is an absolute must, in my opinion. I literally cannot imagine this recovery without it. It costs about $100 per month and the hotel will give you the rent-a-center info to order it. Of course I lysol sprayed it and put a sheet over it. I do NOT want an infection.
The compression garments have been a real challenge for me. I’m so wide through the hips. To save yourself some money I suggest you begin that process several months in advance so you can return items and try different styles without paying expedited shipping. These things are not cheap. If you can find a place locally that will measure you and make it for you, even better. I have found the sizing isn’t that accurate. I’ll do an additional posting about just that subject since I would’ve really appreciated that info myself.
I know some people do this on their own, but if you can I’d really recommend you have someone come with you. I am usually so independent but I couldn’t have done this without help, or let’s say I would’ve been really stressed out and miserable. Just having someone to get my call button at the hospital when it falls down the crack, get me some water, make me food in the hotel, etc. It’s tough to move around and since I lost so much blood due to all the lipo, my energy level has been very low. You will definitely need someone to help you the first couple of days, and you can pay someone to do that. Dr Fisher’s office will give you the info. They aren’t nurses though. I had to show mine how to deal with my six drains, but she was super helpful and nice.
I’d recommend buying gloves and extra Hypaclens to wash yourself with once you can start showering. They’ll have you wash with that after you get marked up the night before your surgery, and then again the morning of. The markings stay on even if they fade a bit. Don’t worry about that. I saw all the ink going down the drain and freaked out but enough remained.

Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
I got to the hospital at 5:30 AM for a 7AM surgery. It’s a transplant hospital so I felt as confident as one can that they had some semblance of control on infection. It was super, extra clean, and that’s coming from me!
I answered some questions on an iPad, authorized treatment, and then they took me back at about 5:45. My brother came with and sat in a designated waiting room.
I got undressed, peed in a cup, they put on my compression socks, my nonslip socks, and my lower leg compression squeezers...I have no idea what they’re called, but they alternately squeeze your calves. I assume it’s a clotting prevention thing...unknown. Let let my brother come hang out with me then.
The staff was so wonderful. Totally put me at ease. I wasn’t nervous at all that morning anyway. I really wasn’t nervous at all leading up to the big event. Just excited! I knew the risk but it was 100% worth it to me because I simply could not go on in my monstrous body. You saw my before pic, right??
Dr Fisher came in and said Hi...all the pleasantries and reassuring words. Of course I eyeballed him to make sure he hadn’t been out partying all night and he seemed to be in top form. I felt really confident I’d chosen the right guy for this. Then the anesthesiologist came by. I’ve never met an anesthesiologist who wasn’t perfectly friendly and sweet, and this one was no different. I don’t know his name but I give him the highest kudos possible. He made me feel so safe and he was also really down to earth...maybe it’s Texas.
Next thing I know, it’s probably 6:10, they stick some dreamy street-illegal potion in the IV they’d started and I was happy as a clam. Next thing I remember it was 1:30AM and I was in my air/sand heaven-bed in my roomon the fifth floor. The first thing I thought was, “Well, I survived! Yay!” And then I noticed I was not in pain (I was fascinated by that), and I was wrapped up like a mummy.
To be continued...my thumbs need a break.

Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
Dr Fisher came in the next morning to check on me and said it all went great. They took off 11 lbs of skin/fat and 7 liters through lipo.
The hospital staff was simply fantastic. Really kind and patient. Also, I didn’t have the experience here that I’ve had in my past three where they come in and wake me up all night long. They let me sleep. I felt I could really relax and begin healing. They got me up into a chair in the afternoon, and I was told they were taking it a bit slower than usual with me because I’d had so much lipo.
I was discharged on Thursday once I was able to show I could walk and once I urinated after they took out the catheter.
I got to the hotel in the early evening and settled into my new home: the recliner. It’s the only place I sit or sleep. I tried to lie on the bed today (Day 8) but wasn’t able to because it was too painful.
So, I have six drains hanging down from my hips and those have to be “milked” many times a day and emptied, and the amounts recorded. Dr Fisher’s nurse will give you the charts to put the info. They don’t hurt but they are annoying and in the way. They could’ve been taken out at my first follow up appt on Day 7 but they were still draining quite a bit, so they’re still in.
So, at this point, I can feel an improvement every single day. In terms of pain relievers I take 3 Advil four times per day and one Oxycodone usually around midnight or so.
One challenge for me is taking a shower. I get really tired and it makes me feel like throwing up when I touch my body, literally. It’s all numb and hard and it really feels so gross to touch. I didn’t expect that at all. I know all that will resolve with time so I’m just trying to turn my brain off when I shower, but it’s not easy. Also, the drains are heavy and without clothing to help support them, they weigh me down. Again, I know I lost more blood than many do, and I already had a lowish bloodcount going in, so that all factors into the general sick feeling/exhaustion when I shower. I’m sure most of you won’t experience that.
As I think of things I’ll post them, and I’ll post the info about the compression garments tomorrow. Please feel free to ask anything and I’ll be happy to answer. I know I had so many questions myself before all this.
Also, I’ll let you know how it all unfolds. I’m really going to try to stay on task with this so you can see how later weeks and months go.

Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
I took arnica for about five weeks pre-op and immediately after the surgery. I know the jury is still out on whether or not it helps, but since it doesn’t hurt I decided to take it. Also, I’ve used it in cream form for years and feel it definitely works on bruises. My arms haven’t really hurt at all. There’s just tightness and discomfort and swellings. The incisions are really closing up beautifully.

Updated on 17 Jan 2019:
This morning I woke up feeling so much better. Just less overall discomfort. I was pretty emotional last night and this morning for some unknown reason. I don’t know if it was hormones or this recovery. I was anxious, uncomfortable, crying a bit. That’s not unusual for me but it really came out of nowhere. A friend brought up an interesting point. She said there is probably a lot of release of emotion with the removal of all the fat and skin. Like when transplant patients end up with all these completely new personality traits that the deceased donors had. All that fat on my body came from stress and unhappiness so maybe it’s being released. Very hippy dippy but I love that stuff!
Getting out of my chair was less painful and I have markedly more energy. Getting out of the chair, first standing up, always hurts. Even with the magical recliner. It’s that first thirty seconds of gravity tugging hard but then once I walk around I feel great.
A couple of sidenotes: Really try to have your digestive system empty before surgery. This is something that’s easy to forget and will make your life hell if you don’t act ahead of time. You do not want to have to go to the bathroom that first week, and you wouldn’t anyway because everything comes to a stop for some days with the anesthesia. My surgery was Tuesday and my last meal was Friday night. I had nothing but water, black coffee, and one bowl of broth in those days. I also drank Smooth Move tea to clear myself out. I took Colace the night before surgery and was given something like it by Dr Fisher the first morning after. I continued to take Colace and Arnica on my own several times per day, and am still doing so. I live in fear of getting impacted because it happened after my car accident and it is such pain you just can’t believe it. I ate fiber gummies beginning Day 2 and drank as much water as I could. I ended up pooing Day 7 with no pain in my incisions, or anywhere else.

Updated on 30 Mar 2019:
I’m doing well. Thanks for asking. I’m still hooked up to the wound vac for the big wound and still have a few smaller ones that I pack with gauze once a day but I’m definitely improving. My doctor here at home estimates the main wound won’t be healed for several more months. My body is still shrinking although my weight is the same...not sure how that works but I can see it in clothes that didn’t fit a few weeks ago and now do. I’m getting a 90 minute massage/lymph drainage treatment with cupping twice a week and that has helped tremendously with the numbness. I seem to feel a marked improvement after I see her and when I missed a week I really felt it. A stitch poked out of my arm a few weeks ago but then it disappeared so I guess is got sucked back underground. So bizarre. I feel like a walking science experiment. I still need to lose a good fifty pounds but even so I’m really happy with how much smaller I am. I’m so wide though, especially in the waist, so I look much thinner from the side than straight on. That’ll improve as I lose fat. I’ve said it before but I want to reiterate how much I love my butt. I’m very much a work in progress still, but if I can find the courage to continue with future surgeries I think it’ll all eventually come together. I’ll post a couple of pics of myself in clothes, taken last week. S

Dr Fisher is the best! Headed to San Antonio in April. This should be the last of my skin surgeries. He has previously done leg debulking via lipo, thigh and butt lift. This trip will be for thigh revision and these guns! Lol

Updated on 2 May 2019:
This being my 5th procedure, third on my legs alone, I am simply amazed at how far I have come with Dr Fishers help. I hope my legs are happy with this recent procedure, but as much as Dr Fisher probably wanted this to be my last, there may be one more due the larger size of my right vs left but I need to give it time!!! Recovery is long for legs.

Updated on 2 May 2019:
Arms are a cake walk in comparison to legs!!

Updated on 29 May 2019:
Im so happy to be in the body im meant to be in. While i think i may need a final leg revision, i will let Dr Fisher judge that.

Updated on 10 Jun 2019:
Feeling amazing. I am one year out living the low carb lifestyle, 40 pounds down and recovering beautifully.

Getting ready to go see the best surgeon ever again! My arms and thigh revision. My thighs are a very special case. Look at the before pics then pics after debulking. Ill post current day pics here. My scars are very minimal. I am currently at 149 and hope to be 135 when i go back. Have been doing low carb for 6 months and loving it!