Bye-bye Saddlebags and Batwings - San Antonio, TX

I am 58 years old, 5ft 7inches tall with a large frame and I have struggled with obesity for most of my adult life. I am not sure of my heaviest weight but I guestimate it to have been close to 300lbs. My husband became concerned about my overall health and wellbeing and he strongly encouraged me to have bariatric surgery. I had a vertical gastric sleeve (VGS) performed in February 2014. At the start of my VGS journey I weighed 277lbs. I modified my diet after the surgery and I started working out 5 days a week. By February of 2015 my weight was down to 205lbs. My overall health had improved and I was getting some body shape back. I was feeling good and looking really good in clothes – naked, I was not looking so good. I had lots of skin laxity on my underarms, belly, and boobs. I was especially frustrated with my saddle bags, no amount of squats, lunges, leg presses seemed to have any effect on my saddle bags.

I started thinking about plastic surgery and looking for a plastic surgeon in February 2015. I wanted to get my weight down to 187lbs before the surgery and I felt I could do that by October 2015. First I started looking locally; I interview two plastic surgeons close to my home (Houston). I also interviewed a plastic surgeon in Costa Rica and I considered a plastic surgeon in Mexico, but I really wanted to have my surgery in the States. I also wanted to have my surgery performed by a surgeon who was experienced in dealing with massive weight loss patients. I wanted to find a surgeon who week in and week out performs the type of surgery I wanted. I also wanted to find a plastic surgeon that would be honest with me and who would be my partner in my plastic surgery journey. I had a good feeling that I had found my plastic surgeon after reading Dr Fisher’s reviews on Real Self. I made an appointment for a consultation with Dr Fisher in July 2015. At the consultation, both my husband and I agreed that Dr Fisher was the one; we paid the deposit and booked my surgery for October 6th 2015.
In July I weighed 199lbs so I ramped up my exercise routine and reduced my calorie intake and at the pre-op appointment in October I had managed to get my weight down to 189lbs. I was pleased but I still had those pesky saddle bags.

I had my pre-op and the mark-up done on October 5th. Surgery was performed on October 6th. Surgery day, the pre procedure process was fast and smooth. I was seen by Dr Fisher, the anesthetist and the circulating nurse. I remember very little until waking up in PACU, my pain was very well controlled thanks to the PCA. I had a urinary catheter and 4 drains two originating from each hip. I stayed in the hospital for two days and then we went to a hotel.

We stayed at the Homewood Suites which was ideal for my recovery; the hotel provided a great breakfast every morning and they also provide a small evening meal Monday through Thursday. The room had a kitchen and a separate bedroom. It did not have a recliner, but we brought a zero gravity recliner/lawn chair with us. We also brought a raised toilet seat with handles which came in really handy. I had no problems with my wounds or drains; mostly I just lay in the recliner and slept. Dr Fisher came and visited us at the hotel on Saturday.

I had my first follow-up appointment on the following Monday October 12th. After the follow-up appointment we drove back to Houston making frequent stops along the way. When we got home I was able to get into our bed. I had my head and legs elevated and I really only rose to go to the potty or empty my drains or walk around for a few minutes. I did stop taking the strong pain killers and switched out to regular Tylenol after about 5 days at home. This routine continued until we went back for the next post-op visit on Monday October 19th. At this visit my drains were removed and I was placed into compression garments.

Every day gets a little bit easier and I regain a little bit more mobility and strength. My wounds are healing well; I am wearing compression garments 23 hours a day, sleeping a little bit flatter in the bed. I still can’t sleep on my sides yet or lay on my belly. I am taking nothing for pain - I really don't have any pain unless I over exert myself, but I am still swollen, especially in my lower back and lower abdomen. I still have some numbness along the suture lines on my arms, but my arm range of motion improves every day.

When you look at my post-op photos the marks you see on my torso are from the compression garment and remember I am still swollen. I will post more photos as the swelling goes down.
I am very very pleased with the outcome of this surgery and I am looking forward to the next stage of my body transformation which will be a thigh and breast lift.