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POSTED UNDER Panniculectomy Reviews

I'm 39, Mom of 3 (13, 15, &17), Lost 120lbs when I Was 19. I've Kept It off for 20 Yrs. Time to Fix my Skin! - Duluth, MN

UPDATED FROM Jen1017

Nearly 3 months post-op

I'm nearly 3 months post-op. I'm so happy with my results. I can't believe how swollen my lower tummy still is. I had my final post-op appointment with Dr. Baertsch and he said it can take up to a whole year until I'm "normal". It's been a great journey. I'm excited how my results will continue to improve.

Jen1017's provider

Andrew Baertsch, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (5)

You look so amazing. What a transformation. How are you feeling?
Thanks for your kind words. I love my results. I'm waiting patiently for the swelling to cease. If I excersize, I swell alot. Other than that, I'm very happy. Best of luck with your appeal. It's a long process, but worth it.
Geez. Sorry. The part about the appeal was for leanne0603. I'm happy with my results, but impatient to feel 100%. The swelling I have won't allow me to wear my jeans yet. 3 months post-op. I have a hard time waiting. Ugh.
You look awesome and I'm glad you love your results. Congratulations! I'm really unhappy with my 3 month results. Before surgery I was never asked if I was pregnant, I've now been asked five times. I look worse now then before. I have a second opinion appointment on September 4, 2015 as well as checking into having a breast reduction. Hope everything goes well. Congrats again.
I can understand your frustration. Hang in there. You'll get answers in September. And i hope they operate again and you get what you deserve. Hang in there. Good things are right around the corner. Hugs!
You look amazing!! Congrats to you on your successful surgery. I too am in limbo waiting on insurance. I also had a denial but I appealed their decision. Hopefully I will get approved. I have lost a total of 150# and am so ready to finish my journey! Wishing you the best and hoping everything heals quickly. If you have any tips for me I would love to hear them.
Eek! Congrats on appealing. You are a fighter!! I pray that it works out the best way possible for you. Congrats on 150 pounds. That's amazing. Tips??! The BIGGEST mistake I made in my journey so far was not resting after my surgery. I was up and moving and sweeping and cleaning and, and, and. I did everything BUT rest. I developed a seroma after my 2ND drain came out. (A pocket of fluid.) That fluid had to be removed with a tubelike needle. It was AWFUL. So my best advice is REST and let others do for you. Keep us posted!!! Hugs.

Totally agree, Jen1017.  Rest is the best thing you can do for yourself after a procedure like this.  Having a setback can be so traumatic.  Thanks for sharing this important tip.

Thank you for the advice. I sent my appeal letter last Friday and this Friday got a letter saying they received it and are scheduling a review within two weeks. Glad it's going faster than anticipated!! I will keep u up to date.
I had the same issue, my surgeon did a peer to peer phone call with the insurance company and I received a phone call 5 days later that it was approved and surgery date is now set.. Ask your surgeon if a peer to peer is an option it may speed it up for you. Best of luck!
You look fantastic hang in there it gets better. :)
Thank you. When do you think I'll see my next set of drastic changes? My 3 month mark will be July 29.
From what I understand it can be six months to a year to see the final results. But you don't need to worry your tummy looks really good. I am keeping an eye on mine it has now been 3.5 weeks. I am pretty lucky though cause I had very littel swelling. :)
Did you have any lipo done? Wish my panni turned out as amazing as yours!
I had an abdominoplasty with a small amount of lipo done on my flanks. I was pretty toned underneath all that icky skin... you'd never guess it, but i was. So that helped with my results too. Thanks for your kind words!!!!
UPDATED FROM Jen1017

2 weeks and 2 days Post-op

My 2nd drain came out yesterday and WOW do I feel FREE!! I love that feeling. My swelling in the upper part of my torso has lessened and I see a bit of contour. Doctor said my 2 week results are "superb". I'm keeping my binder on 24/7 except for showering. It's like my safety blanket. My incision is healing nicely and I feel so blessed. I was sad and depressed last week, not loving my results. How quickly things took a turn for the better.

Replies (4)

Sorry to read insurance denied your surgery. However, congrats to you for moving forward anyway. Fantastic results!
Awesome glad your recovery is happening fast! I still have one drain in and it won't be removed until Thursday of next week. That's 31 days safter my surgery. I feel like it's attached it's self to my skin and it a permanent part of my body by now. Crazy
You look absolutely amazing!!!!
l'm in Duluth, just in the the phase of getting photos done and sent for insurance. I WISH my photos looked like yours going to insurance! You looked great before but after surgery you look like a svelte model! Congrats! I hope my journey has a happy ending like yours! I'm going through St. Luke's Plastic Surgery Dept..... Send me some good vibes, skinny mama...... :-)
UPDATED FROM Jen1017

Let the Healing Begin!

I am beyond thrilled with my results. The "after" pictures I've posted are only 2 days post op. I'm sort of in shock. I was able to take my binder off for the first time today and I cried and cried when I saw the results. SO pleased. I've wished, wanted, and waited for this for 20 years. So glad I went for it. And I'm assuming my results will look even better in time because I have so much swelling just now. Thank you, Lord!!! What an amazing opportunity. Thank you to Dr. Andrew Baertsh, and his staff at the Lakewalk Surgery Center in Duluth for the amazing experience. I am at a loss for words. It was one of the most emotional experiences in my life (other than the birth of my children). I was able, for the first time IN MY LIFE to look in the mirror and not hate what I see. I'm so ready to be back on my feet and enjoying life.

Replies (5)

Wow you look amazing.
Did you end up just doing a panniculectomy or did you go for a tummy tuck?
Thank you.
Abdominoplasty is what I had done. Since my insurance denied the paniculectomy, doctor recommended tummy tuck.

To be able to do something just for you after waiting 20 years has to be so satisfying.  Congrats on your wonderful results.  Please keep us updated.  Your journey is quite inspiring.

I'm so glad you can feel great about yourself. You already are looking fantastic. Did you end up getting an abdominoplasty or panniculectemy?
Abdominoplasty. I'm so happy with the results. And thanks for the compliment. I feel GREAT!
Looking awesome! Congrats to you and happy healing!
THANK YOU!!! The results are more than I expected.
You look great! So natural looking! Happy for you! ♡
THANK YOU!! I feel like I'm e newborn. Hee hee. THANK YOU!
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