POSTED UNDER Panniculectomy Reviews REVIEWS
175 Lb Natural Weight Loss and No More Belly Flab
ORIGINAL POST
I went to see my neurosurgeon in October to...
$4,400
I went to see my neurosurgeon in October to discuss my pain pump sticking out due to my weight loss over the last three years. He asked if I would be offended if he would refer me to a plastics guy in his circle. I said no that's fine I'm not sure what he can do but I'm open to it...
I had my consultation at Palm Beach Plastic Surgery....I felt like that was a whirl wind talk....I had questions and lots....he addressed all of them but it felt rushed...this is something scary I never even thought about doing. I mean it's skin it's there and I'm not vain person. Don't like what it looks like then don't look. I mean I have sagging arm skin and upper thighs that could use some duct tape ....but I've worked so hard to lose this weight I was happy with my weight loss and the rest was more of a accept me for who I am, that's just me.
Was I embarrassed when running up the stairs in my night gown and could hear it slapping...well yeah I would go up before my boyfriend just so he wouldn't hear all that. I lived in yoga pants to keep it hidden. I did a good job of keeping hidden from everyone except myself! There would be times I'd be getting ready to get in the shower and hold all that skin in my hands and say...we'll I'd be pretty small if i didn't have all this [RS bleep] flapping...kinda roll my eyes get in and shower get out not look in the mirror quick get dressed and start my day.
Okay they have gotten the approval for the two surgeries one to replace my pain pump and do the Panni at the same time. Gonna use the infinity incision to tighten the tummy muscles so I'll have two scars horizontal and vertical...not digging that idea but okay if it gets rid of this flab I can do it. I went in for my pre surgery consult and his nurse went over things again it felt rushed so I just zoned out and asked her to just give me the material to real.
I came home began reading doing more and more research and reading on my own now that I have all the proper papers to know exactly what I'm looking at. I never once looked up or at things that went wrong or failed. And I'm glad I didn't look until after.
Got to the hospital at 6 am for an 815 surgery.
I had no idea what to expect....now I have an amazingly high pain tolerance....kids all natural births, 9 back surgeries, 3 bladder and a total hysterectomy scar from hip to hip when I was 27.
Day one ride home was a little rough with bumps but tolerable...get in get settled (I had everything prepared the night before for my spot on the reclining couch) day one not bad the drainage tubes suck I now have balls on my chest....and they are gross emptying ever few hours...pain pills taken before pain actually sets in every 5 hours. Slept off and on thirsty and my throat is in pain from the tubes in the OR in much needed ice cream or a slushy....
Day two (the worst day of it all) the pain actually kicks in my pain pump isn't coupled to my PTM so that I can get relief from my tail bone killing me from sitting....I don't cry from pain ever....I normally just breathe through it...I had tears!!! BIG ONES and uncomfortable shaking....pills were not cutting it. I doubled them and still I never passed out nor felt like they worked I can't take it....regrets I. Doing this....finally get my new pump and PTM coupled and get a bump and ahhhhh relief comes and I am not crying anymore I can actually sleep ...
Day 3 time to see the doctor the drive is across town not a fun trip takes 25-30 minutes to get there and a long walk into his office...in my pajamas no less (moo moo) he takes off the binder I see everything for the first time....not impressed at this point everything is so swollen I look bigger than I did going in. I'm asking questions and he's answering them quickly and hopes I'll shut up I guess...I got more sympathy and questions answered from his nurse once he left the room. I looked down only to learn he didn't do the infinity tighting due to my skin being too thin from the pain pump protruding for so many years he didn't think it would be a good idea...kinda glad one less scar on the poor body. I look down at my vaginal area it looks uneven and puffy...what the hell? Looking at my belly I look wide now under my boobs was I always this wide? So I ask he says yep that you....I just kinda sat there...they bandage me back up binder on and he will see me in a week to remove the tubes.
Each day it's getting easier....except taking showers so I do those every two days or every other....I have a waddle walk I have not had a BM in 8 days....tells me to get a fleet I said no I'll do it with an oral fleet (mag citrate) I've already tried miralax, and all natural laxatives NOTHING is moving in there!
Day 12....I FINALLY have my BM everything kicked in all at once and all I can say is thank god ....
Two week post op visit- takes the binder off starting to look somewhat normal checks my tubes and says they can come out...thank god!!! Not a comfortable thing to have done but also nothing compared to Tuesday the day after surgery...it's okay. I can have a shower in 24-36 hours....and I am to use oil over the glue to help remove it. Yay let's do this!
First shower without tubes....holy god what a difference no pain no trying to bite the balls to wash and it doesn't take 30-45 minutes anymore it's back to 15 minutes so happy and it was the best shower ever!!!
I have to go back in two week.
He removed 4.25 pounds of skin ....I'm going to add some before weight loss and after along with the after photos two weeks out I didn't think to take before pics of myself.... I'll keep you updated and pics current as much as possible. I'll add some standing shots as well.
I'm no driving slow and short trips.
I had my consultation at Palm Beach Plastic Surgery....I felt like that was a whirl wind talk....I had questions and lots....he addressed all of them but it felt rushed...this is something scary I never even thought about doing. I mean it's skin it's there and I'm not vain person. Don't like what it looks like then don't look. I mean I have sagging arm skin and upper thighs that could use some duct tape ....but I've worked so hard to lose this weight I was happy with my weight loss and the rest was more of a accept me for who I am, that's just me.
Was I embarrassed when running up the stairs in my night gown and could hear it slapping...well yeah I would go up before my boyfriend just so he wouldn't hear all that. I lived in yoga pants to keep it hidden. I did a good job of keeping hidden from everyone except myself! There would be times I'd be getting ready to get in the shower and hold all that skin in my hands and say...we'll I'd be pretty small if i didn't have all this [RS bleep] flapping...kinda roll my eyes get in and shower get out not look in the mirror quick get dressed and start my day.
Okay they have gotten the approval for the two surgeries one to replace my pain pump and do the Panni at the same time. Gonna use the infinity incision to tighten the tummy muscles so I'll have two scars horizontal and vertical...not digging that idea but okay if it gets rid of this flab I can do it. I went in for my pre surgery consult and his nurse went over things again it felt rushed so I just zoned out and asked her to just give me the material to real.
I came home began reading doing more and more research and reading on my own now that I have all the proper papers to know exactly what I'm looking at. I never once looked up or at things that went wrong or failed. And I'm glad I didn't look until after.
Got to the hospital at 6 am for an 815 surgery.
I had no idea what to expect....now I have an amazingly high pain tolerance....kids all natural births, 9 back surgeries, 3 bladder and a total hysterectomy scar from hip to hip when I was 27.
Day one ride home was a little rough with bumps but tolerable...get in get settled (I had everything prepared the night before for my spot on the reclining couch) day one not bad the drainage tubes suck I now have balls on my chest....and they are gross emptying ever few hours...pain pills taken before pain actually sets in every 5 hours. Slept off and on thirsty and my throat is in pain from the tubes in the OR in much needed ice cream or a slushy....
Day two (the worst day of it all) the pain actually kicks in my pain pump isn't coupled to my PTM so that I can get relief from my tail bone killing me from sitting....I don't cry from pain ever....I normally just breathe through it...I had tears!!! BIG ONES and uncomfortable shaking....pills were not cutting it. I doubled them and still I never passed out nor felt like they worked I can't take it....regrets I. Doing this....finally get my new pump and PTM coupled and get a bump and ahhhhh relief comes and I am not crying anymore I can actually sleep ...
Day 3 time to see the doctor the drive is across town not a fun trip takes 25-30 minutes to get there and a long walk into his office...in my pajamas no less (moo moo) he takes off the binder I see everything for the first time....not impressed at this point everything is so swollen I look bigger than I did going in. I'm asking questions and he's answering them quickly and hopes I'll shut up I guess...I got more sympathy and questions answered from his nurse once he left the room. I looked down only to learn he didn't do the infinity tighting due to my skin being too thin from the pain pump protruding for so many years he didn't think it would be a good idea...kinda glad one less scar on the poor body. I look down at my vaginal area it looks uneven and puffy...what the hell? Looking at my belly I look wide now under my boobs was I always this wide? So I ask he says yep that you....I just kinda sat there...they bandage me back up binder on and he will see me in a week to remove the tubes.
Each day it's getting easier....except taking showers so I do those every two days or every other....I have a waddle walk I have not had a BM in 8 days....tells me to get a fleet I said no I'll do it with an oral fleet (mag citrate) I've already tried miralax, and all natural laxatives NOTHING is moving in there!
Day 12....I FINALLY have my BM everything kicked in all at once and all I can say is thank god ....
Two week post op visit- takes the binder off starting to look somewhat normal checks my tubes and says they can come out...thank god!!! Not a comfortable thing to have done but also nothing compared to Tuesday the day after surgery...it's okay. I can have a shower in 24-36 hours....and I am to use oil over the glue to help remove it. Yay let's do this!
First shower without tubes....holy god what a difference no pain no trying to bite the balls to wash and it doesn't take 30-45 minutes anymore it's back to 15 minutes so happy and it was the best shower ever!!!
I have to go back in two week.
He removed 4.25 pounds of skin ....I'm going to add some before weight loss and after along with the after photos two weeks out I didn't think to take before pics of myself.... I'll keep you updated and pics current as much as possible. I'll add some standing shots as well.
I'm no driving slow and short trips.
Thinnergranny's provider
Replies (4)
February 28, 2017
YOU GO! I had tt 26 days ago....glad i did it but it hurts like a MOTHER! And i am glad i didn't know how awful it was gonna be or i would have run outta that Drs office in my paper gown! Its done now and i will recover:)
February 28, 2017
Hey I'm giving honest feedback that's for sure! Every story I read was not true! The emotional things that go along with this that no one tells you about...the crying for no reason how you go through the stages of not liking your results to adjusting to them to hoping for a better outcome....I'm almost 30 days out and I'm still not sure I'm happy yet! I'm still numb on many levels no I have belly button pain....you ask questions and they say yep that's you....well excuse me I haven't seen ME in. Very long time so just answer my questions.... as I roll my eyes! I'll be posting in a few days with updated photos so be on the lookout...good luck in your new body! Peace
February 28, 2017
I am all about honesty! The pain is,excruciating. The mind bend is weird...not feeling like yourself... Literally. I had some of this anxiety and mood swings with my breast reduction but the tt is a whole new animal! We are on that rollercoaster now! Gotta hang on! :) And you look good :)
February 28, 2017
Thanks.....I'm trying this is no easy task! I lost my smile during this process and I can't seem to find it! This is one roller coaster I don't ever wanna get back on again!!! I will never do anything plastic surgery wise EVER again! This was insane!!!! Made it sound so simple and I'll be immediately happy that's a joke and an understatement.....insert sarcasm with an evil laugh
February 28, 2017
Me either. I am done. Well except for that Brazilian butt lift....Not! Hahaha and OUCH
February 28, 2017
How in the hell do you heal from that??? I mean can you sit? And does it feel weird? Idk....I'll keep my little flat ass! That's kinda like those people who do a body lift....no flipping way in hell..... I thought about my boobs lifted and the extra skin on my arms and legs(thighs) nope nope nope not doing it any of it. People are insane and love pain who keep going....I'm good the tummy did me in and now I'll just continue to grow older gracefully wrinkles and all! I am a grandma of 3 and well....I'm not trying to be 26.....
February 28, 2017
Oh man I feel you there!!! 12 days .....12....yes 12! Then everything I tried came out all at once but hey at that point I was just glad it was out and NO pushing ;-)
February 28, 2017
I have no idea why or how about that button lift. I keep seeing it on here and I am strangely fascinated by it. I had breast reduction because I had too it was affecting me living my life. My boobs came in when I was 14...one was a DD the other DDD:( I lived with those until I was 52:( I looked and felt like I had a huge pair of flounders hanging around my neck :0 the tt was a secondary idea after that....cause I thought "Hey I survived that why not tt?" Silly silly woman
February 28, 2017
Yea you lost your mind!!!! I just thought oh why not have to wear a bra make them perky...I am a 38DD was a triple but I only lost a cup with that 175 weight loss...after this though my luck I'd have one nipple pointing upand one down so then I'd be wobbly nips....I'll pass don't like them don't look and don't touch them it's very simple:-)
February 28, 2017
I wanted that reduction for 30 years....So glad I had it before Tt! I honestly didn'the care about perky but the same approximate size was a must....one booby swimming in the cup the other jammed in for dear life . Constant rash back ache on my 5'2 frame. I have rheumatoid arthritis so they had to go. I admit the tt was for vanity only no matter what I tell my hubby....who was not pro surgery in either case. He just thinks I'm insane.Get thru another day girl
March 8, 2017
I use this stuff from Puritians Pride - Cascara Sagrada, it is natural and it is a tree root. I had the bariatric Sleeve and just had Pann. & Abdomino done 2 weeks ago. I understand about the bathroom, this stuff usually works within 24 hours and it is gentle since it is natural.
March 8, 2017
Looking for that today! Also came down with a killer cold:( If it's not one thing its another:( YIKES
March 8, 2017
Just ordered me some! Thank you! If if it works you've done your good deed for the year!
March 8, 2017
Girl I'm sorry you caught a cold on top of this! I've been lucky! I didn't even sneeze until week 3 thank god! However when I do it pulls down low! Pooping is easier now that's for sure. It's not back to everyday but at least it's every two or three not 12 days!!! I just started eating very dark green salads to help that along! Good luck....
March 9, 2017
Coughing is hard:( I think the miserable cold has sort of taken my mind off that other awful thing! And i don't want to jinx myself but i feel i may have turned a corner in this tt thing
March 8, 2017
I had it done on February 17, I have lost 225 lbs so far. Came home from Surgery the next day with no pain pump, and I am glad that I had my own pain pills since the doctor couldn't get the script right. I was told by my doctor and someone who had it done (I think she only was cut vertical) and did not have all the muscles tightened, This has been more painful then having a total hop replacement. I could not move, all my core muscles were screaming. I kept moving the who time. My question is that it is not 3/8 so almost 3 weeks since surgery and I still have an apron, smaller then it was but still an apron. Am I still swollen or did he not take enough off? I gained almost 10 pounds due io the fluids that the hospital puts into you. I have taken most of that off but according to the Dr he took off only a 2.2 lbs of which I am very depressed about. Does anyone think that this smaller apron will go away? I did last week get back on my recumbent bike (that is the only excersise that I can do due to back problems), I am working back up to my old 45 minutes a day, I am doing about 20 minutes now. There is till pain, sleeping is not an option since I like to sleep on my side and side sleeping hurts. Will the pain eventually stop or am I not giving it enough time to heal? Would love to hear from anybody.
March 8, 2017
Well.....I waited for my ps to give me the thumbs up to go back to the gym. I was at a month and a day. I had to beg! I can walk for 10 and ride a bike for 10 unless something is pulling then I am to STOP. I went yesterday for the first time...that 20 minutes wore me out! And I am a 3-4 day a week gym goer. I also did 20 minutes of arm weights. I was way to swollen to have any flap left. I'm still swollen it's tight the only area that is flabby is my vajayjay it's full of fluid sigh....it looks huge! I had 4.25 pounds of skin removed. It depends on how much loose skin you actually had. WEAR THAT BINDER 24/7 that helps!!! I am now to where I can go a few hours without it and if I want I can take it off to sleep. However I choose to stay in mine. It could go down try not to worry too much. We will heal up for an entire year! Not just months....at 3 months the swelling starts to slow down we don't get real results until 9 months. Just keep asking your PS questions. Do not try to do things before you are supposed to. I still sit quite a bit I am not rushing this only to screw it up. I'm never doing this [RS bleep] again! I lost 175 pounds before I did this. I'm done with weight loss now I just want to maintain my curves. The pain will come and go. But if you are having extreme pain you are doing too much too soon! Sit! I have ADD and OCD I am a pacer and I have had to fight myself from doing too much! Am I bored and tired of sitting HELL YES....I wanna go go go....but I'm not because I don't wanna ruin this so one day at a time my number is on here have questions text me! Good luck
March 8, 2017
Dr told me that there would be no pain and I can do anything that I want withen reason. I can drive as slong as I am not on pain killers. I folded laundry 3 days after surgery, had my hubby put the laundry and put it into the drier but I folded. Told Dr this when he took out my drains and he then said I did to much, he flip flops. I run an in home business so I go a lot of sitting by the computer except for pulling orders which isn't to bad if the stuff I need is not in one of the bottom draws. I am just depressed with what I look like I still have an apron an and my Vjayjay looks weird. Belly is either burning or itching. I know the itching is good that it is healing and my tape if all off now, but just really depressed which is not me and my husband is upset because he can't make me feel better. I wear the binder all day but I cannot sleep in it, it ends up feeling like I am being cut into two.
March 8, 2017
Just text me 7725842136. I'm Melissa....you are going through the same stuff I went through and another gal I met on here. She and I talk daily because we are the only ones who truly understand what we are talking about. Text me and I'll chat with you!!
March 8, 2017
Your doctor wasn't being honest! Mine told me this was gonna hurt. He said this is probably the most painful surgery I preform I was told to sit for 2 weeks and at 3 I could go back to somewhat of a normal routine with limits which I have listened to 100% I haven't had any drainage tube issues or nothing!
March 8, 2017
If i did much less i'd be in a coma:( Just so sick of this 200 lb rock sitting on my abdomen! When does this awful feeling go away?! Feel like my guts are being sqeezed out:(
March 8, 2017
I am 35 days out I still feel like I have a rock on me and some days o feel so swollen I don't wanna go out. But I keep this damn binder on do my thing and keep hoping for the best! I am getting smaller it happens just doesn't feel fast enough:( but it's working....just text me if ya want 7725842136
March 8, 2017
Thanks Melissa I am Kim:) My family is really tired of hearing me whine:( My husband ask me everyday how i'm feeling and everyday i say the same thing..."Like i am gonna die" Today i'm gonna tell him "better" wether i do or not. I mean its insane what ever you do you use your abdominal muscles! I do hope coughing and sneezing will not hurt me worse
March 8, 2017
Oh Kim! I understand people ask how you are but they really don't care and if you're honest they don't wanna hear it....then why ask me??? Seriously Text me 772-584-2136 you can [RS bleep] at me and I'll understand completely what you're going through
March 8, 2017
I understand, if my belly is not burning it is itching. Forget about sneezing, coughing and for some reason I can't make it to the bathroom in time to get my yoga pants down.uuuugggghhhh
March 8, 2017
My insurance will pay to have my thighs done but not sure if I want to do it or not. It shouldn't be that bad since they would not be touching the core
Do you know of anybody that had their thights done?
Do you know of anybody that had their thights done?
March 8, 2017
I thought about it but I've been reading others and saw the pics and said no
March 8, 2017
No i don't...this tt has nearly done me in...i am done with plastic surgery! But really it cannot be any worse than tt. If you can handle it you can do it! I am keeping my flabby thighs and batwing arms:) But ask me in a year when all this agony is a dim memory:)
March 8, 2017
My poor back from just sitting has been killing me! Thank god I have my internal pain pump I'd be dying without it
March 19, 2017
Thank you for all the details. Mine panny is Apr 5th.
UPDATED FROM Thinnergranny
17 days post
Here's an update with new pics
You have to remember I also have a Medtronic pain pump implanted on my stomach that's where you see the "dent" on my left your right side.....and my vajayjay is still swollen the swelling is lessening I just removed my binder for these pictures so you're gonna see lines from that. I'm still pretty numb I get a tingling sensation once in awhile as if you foot is waking up....strange but hey that's not too bad considering. I'm working on glue removal tonight with my organic oils....that's my new belly button ????
Replies (1)
February 28, 2017
I feel your pain about the vajayjay...swollen and sore and half bald :( pitiful lookin:( My husband jokingly commented that i've got a bigger package in my pants than he does right now! Hopefully the old sugar bowl will stop swelling and be right:) My motto and my mantra is just get through one more day....just one more:)
UPDATED FROM Thinnergranny
17 days post
Not liking my results
Tonight I'm working on the glue with the oil and q-tips .....as I sit here and look at this I'm in tears wishing I hadn't done this....I feel like a freak! I have bunched up areas of skin puffy parts sticking out around stretch marks I feel like I was glued together in the dark....I don't ever want to be naked in front of anyone ever again!!! I am totally regretting this right now .....I see him again on the 24th and I hope he has answers for all this because I feel like a side show freak at the moment ???? in truly hope things change because I am stuck with this freak show. My vajayjay looks like chicken skin in the photos it's lopsided ???????????????????? I don't even want to look at myself so why would anyone else want to....do NOT happy right now!!!!!!!
Replies (3)
February 20, 2017
I'm getting apron surgery 3-14 can you post pics?? Didn't see any
February 28, 2017
No no no....don't cry.....it only makes your gut hurt more:( We are just made up of skin and bones and muscles these heal....just slower than we'do like:( But they WILL Heal. Right now clear thinking is at a premium....and after what you'very been through hard to come by. So go ahead and be sad mad or anything else you need to be. Just get yourself past one more day....just one more. You are always welcome to vent to me....no judgement here.
October 15, 2017
Trust me the scare will lighten and you will feel better. It's going to take a little time. I know what your feeling.
You should be very proud of yourself, you look fantastic. Â The smile on your face tells it all:) Â Thank you for joining and sharing all of your pictures and journey details. Â
That would be wonderful, I would love to see your updates. Â