POSTED UNDER Body Lift REVIEWS
41 Yo Female 5 Yrs Post Bariatric Surgery & Mommy of a Toddler - Wichita, KS
ORIGINAL POST
I looked into body contouring surgery 3 years ago,...
PhrystinJuly 6, 2015
WORTH IT$13,455
I looked into body contouring surgery 3 years ago, then became pregnant with my only baby. Now, I'm ready to move forward with my lower body lift!
At my heaviest, I weighed 272, and within 6 months of my surgery, I was down to 150. Only gained 15 pounds during pregnancy, and lost the baby weight right away.
I initially looked into tummy tuck, breast lift, and arm lift. 3 consults later, and I have scheduled a lower body lift. I will have my breasts, inner thighs, and arms done later.
I am nervous and excited all at the same time. Pre-op appointment on Wednesday, and can't wait to get more info from my surgeon about what I need to be getting prepared do that my family survives me being down for 2 weeks. I will pay more after my appointment.
At my heaviest, I weighed 272, and within 6 months of my surgery, I was down to 150. Only gained 15 pounds during pregnancy, and lost the baby weight right away.
I initially looked into tummy tuck, breast lift, and arm lift. 3 consults later, and I have scheduled a lower body lift. I will have my breasts, inner thighs, and arms done later.
I am nervous and excited all at the same time. Pre-op appointment on Wednesday, and can't wait to get more info from my surgeon about what I need to be getting prepared do that my family survives me being down for 2 weeks. I will pay more after my appointment.
Phrystin's provider
Replies (5)
July 13, 2015
I had Bariatric surgery 2 years, my high weight was 320. I got down to 190, held for a year and started look looking at skin removal. My plastics doc recommended 3 procedures and my insurance company approved 2. I am now 7 weeks post op from basically a lower body lift. I was truly blessed and only had to pay $3,500 out of pocket. It was totally worth it and I am thrilled with my choice. Don't second guess yourself, you deserve it. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help if I can. Best of luck to you!
July 21, 2015
Thank you, I am needing pep talks now that it's becoming real. But I'm not turning back, I consider it an investment in my son's future, as well as mine.
July 21, 2015
We're all here for you, before and after your procedure. There's a new forum to check-in with your procedure date. Feel free to add yours.
UPDATED FROM Phrystin
14 days pre
2 weeks to go!
PhrystinJuly 13, 2015
Had my pre-op appointment last week, for information regarding the surgery itself and things to do the week before the procedure. My doc has instructed me to start taking Colace the week before surgery, then a bottle of magnesium citrate the Saturday before surgery. Don't need an official 'cleanse' but want to make sure that I won't have issues after surgery. Smart thinking if you ask me!
I'm very excited, but now I'm starting to feel guilty. Like this money should be going to a college fund for my boy.
I'm sure I will have many thoughts back and forth on whether or not this it's the best use of funds, but still... This is a lot of money to me and I don't want to regret my decision.
I'm very excited, but now I'm starting to feel guilty. Like this money should be going to a college fund for my boy.
I'm sure I will have many thoughts back and forth on whether or not this it's the best use of funds, but still... This is a lot of money to me and I don't want to regret my decision.
Replies (3)
July 13, 2015
Yes mine wants me cleaned out a day or two prior to my lbl (end of August) as well. Help to
July 13, 2015
Sorry posted too soon. It helps to get you a very smooth result. Otherwise your colon is full and belly puffy. :-) Excited for you! Good luck!
July 21, 2015
I am super compliant when it comes to medical issues, so really whatever they say will be fine with me. I sure don't have a basis to argue with them! I'm getting more nervous and excited as it gets closer. And I imagine I would be crazy if I weren't having these thoughts!
UPDATED FROM Phrystin
6 days pre
1 week!!! Eek!!!
PhrystinJuly 21, 2015
I am so nervous, and it's a week away! I have never had anxiety before, so this is new to me. I am trying to get everything together, as my son will turn 2 while I'm recovering. I think I have most things taken care of, but every day I think of something new I hadn't considered.
I will take photos sometime this weekend. I have a few, but none I am comfortable posting. I took them myself so I'm fairly certain they could use some different angles to properly show everything that I would want to keep track of.
I will take photos sometime this weekend. I have a few, but none I am comfortable posting. I took them myself so I'm fairly certain they could use some different angles to properly show everything that I would want to keep track of.
Replies (8)
July 21, 2015
I can imagine how you are feeling - I have about 11 weeks to go to my lbl and just thinking about it makes me excited, but nervous all at the same time. I think that a lot of it has to do with the fact that we have put in so much effort to get to this point. Unless you have been through the weight gain/loss/gain circle I think its hard to understand all the emotions associated with it.
I congratulate you for coming this far and for your weight loss achievement. I am following your PS journey and look forward to your future posts.
I congratulate you for coming this far and for your weight loss achievement. I am following your PS journey and look forward to your future posts.
July 22, 2015
Thank you, I will try to update as often as I can! I will be so excited to see how you do! :)
July 22, 2015
Good luck on your surgery! I just had a lower body lift almost 5 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier with my results! The only downside is how much pain I'm still experiencing but I had a circumferential tummy tuck, lipo on my legs and knees, Lipo of my lower back, butt lift, and monsplasty. But from all the reviews I read on here my pain is not typical for 5 weeks post op. Everyone seems fine right after surgery except me lol. But even though I still wouldn't change a thing and the results are worth it 100%!!
July 22, 2015
Thank you for your feedback! For recovery, what do you recommend? What worked what was not value added? Like what the as your recovery setup?
July 22, 2015
I slept in a recliner for the first week. I drank 2 protein shakes a day plus green juice and small amounts of chicken breasts and fruit to snack on. I took arnica and tons of stool softener but it didn't work for me. TMI- first bowel movement was day 5 and hurt so much! I cried...I had tons of help. You really need someone to care for you for the first 7 days. You will need help getting up, help with changing your clothes and in my case I had a catheter for the first few days so I needed help draining it. You will also need help preparing meals, and sponge baths. I couldn't take a real shower until week 4 because of an infection I developed after one of my drains was removed.
July 22, 2015
I have small children and everyday my family members and friends took turns taking care of them. The pain meds didn't help me at all so I felt extreme pain the first few weeks. Even now it is 4:00am and I am awake because I can't seem to find a sleeping position that is comfy and doesn't hurt. There have been many sleepless nights for me. I'm thinking I might go back into my recliner. I'm worried because I have to return to work this Friday and I am not ready. before surgery my dr told me I would recover by week 4 and I could return to work but I don't know why I'm still experiencing so much pain?
July 23, 2015
Oh man, it sounds like you've had quite the journey! Do you regret your decision? I hope you get some relief, it's scary to think chronic pain is a potential with this surgery. My surgeon did let me know about that, but of cost said that was an unlikely possibility.
I am only taking off 2 weeks, so I hope I'm not making a mistake...
I am only taking off 2 weeks, so I hope I'm not making a mistake...
July 23, 2015
No regrets at all! From what I read on here everyone seems to say week 6 you start to feel completely healed and you can resume regular activities like working out. Good Luck!
Congratulations on your weight loss. You look fantastic! I'm sure your doctor will go over this but this video is very helpful. It discusses what types of medications to avoid before surgery.
You also may want to check out this checklist of items you may need, put together by another RealSelf member. It's a good starting point and you probably have many of the items already.
Please keep us updated as the date gets closer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5aUzn2qW1o: <iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5aUzn2qW1o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>