14 Years Post Gastric ByPass Starting Journey with Lower Body Lift - Chicago, IL

It's been a tough few weeks but I'm feeling stronger every day. I'm six weeks post op. Dr. Shirfrin and team have been great. I've seen him post op weekly and was given the green light to space follow-up to every 2-3 weeks.

Last drain came out at beginning of week 5 and I traveled for business (3 days) for the first time since surgery during week five. Tip to anyone traveling...use the special assistance wheelchair or electric cart...was very helpful to get me through the airports especially since I always seemed to be at the most distant gate.

Update on the skin necrosis. I don't want to scare anyone, it looks bad in the pics but is healing very well. I clean and repack 2x daily. Dr. Shifrin will do whatever revision is necessary when I have my thigh and arm lifts (next surgery).

Everything is starting to soften up except my butt. My abdomen feels fine. I'm still numb across back and butt and sometimes find it difficult to get in a comfortable position...but not the end of the world.

I've attached an updated abdomen picture. You can see I'm still pretty swollen and will be for a while which is pretty typical so not concerned. My waist is down another 3 inches, 6 inches total. I'm expecting another 3 inches or so when the swelling goes down.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

I'm 13'days out and today was my first day back to work. I'm a consultant and work from home office most of the time so was squirming around on a couple pillows in my office chair today. I thought I'd be able to take a break midday but no such luck.

I'm so swollen I think I will pop! I had my second post op last Friday and Dr. Shifrin has me out of the compression garment this week because I have experienced to much pressure which has caused some skin necrosis. We are treating with ointment to heal and try to avoid loss of skin. A yucky picture posted so we can all see the improvement over time!

I'm not posting additional post op pictures yet because with the swelling I just look like a square. I can see a shape difference overall and my sundresses are a bit looser, I anticipate yoga pants will be my friend -- but no way am I getting into my pre-op belted pants any time soon until swelling starts going down.

Three of the 4 drains still in and I'm hopeful they will come out this Friday during 3rd post-op -- we will see -- today draining was especially heavy -- anticipate it was the full day upright at a desk.

I'm optimistic. Dr. Shifrin is really pleased with progress and just reminds me that this is a huge surgery and it will be months before I start to really see the final results. I know he is right and trust him. Hope he clears me to get back into compression garment this Friday -- will help with the swelling!

Pillsberry Dough Boy out. Talk to you again soon.

8 days out, really swollen and boxy but know to be expected right now (sigh). So itchy, a good thing means I'm healing. Bruising starting to clear up but still pretty colorful given I'm fair skinned. A couple of you have been waiting for the backside. Can see differences in butt cheeks that if don't resolve in the coming months will be addressed with next surgery. Overall happy at this stage.