First skin removal surgery Tuesday
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clcmfp
Posts: 108 Member
I’m so nervous! Way more nervous than I was to get the sleeve. Any words of wisdom or advice from those who’ve done it? I’m having a lower body lift, modified medial thigh lift (top half of thighs), lipo and fat transfer to my butt.
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I can't say much on this topic, but I did have a tummy tuck and liposuction after my last child was born (and this before my gastrectomy.)
My advice is get plenty of rest and let your body heal. Be selfish for a bit and think about yourself. I wanted to be up and about to care for everyone and trust me that was not the best thing for me. That being said, when you are able to walk around (which you will often have to do before you get discharged) do the best that you can. You will probably be sore and swollen, but its good to get your blood moving to help repair your muscle tissue. You will say (and I guarantee it
) you will say to yourself..."Why did I do this?" Those thoughts are because you will be in pain, just being honest. The good medicine that you get in the beginning WILL dissipate and you will feel tender especially around your incisions. Listen to your doctors instructions, however, if they haven't had surgery before...LISTEN to your body. if you feel something is not right, voice your concern even if you think your being annoying. Lastly, wear your compression garment even when really want to take it off. It's important to keep everything tight and bound until you fully recover. Lastly, don't be discouraged if you don't see what you thought at the beginning, it usually takes a couple of months to see the final result. I hope I didn't scare you, I realize every surgery/patient is different. I wish you the best of luck and a speed (but full) recovery. 4 -
You didn’t scare me at all. Thank you so much, this is really helpful. I do way better with the truth than rainbows! Somehow preparing for the worst helps calm my anxiety, but the only thing that will really make it go away is just to be on the other side of this and experience it for myself. But the more stories I gather, the better understanding I get of the range of what I might experience from the people who say is was just uncomfortable to those who say it’s the worst pain they’ve experienced short of a kidney stone. At least I’ve had one of those for reference... Thanks again!0
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I know some people had surgery this week. I hope your doing well! And that recovery is not to painful.
Stay rested!
Happy Healing
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Oh wow. A lower body lift and a medial thigh lift together is absolutely no joke. I am a fast healer, but this was like nothing I’ve ever been through. I’m on Day 12 post-op now and am finally able to do most things by myself. (God forbid) I drop something though as bending is not possible. Nor is stair climbing, showering with my drains (some surgeons allow it, mine doesn’t), sleeping anywhere other than a recliner, doing laundry as my washer is upstairs, etc. I read someone’s surgeon described a lower body lift’s recovery as akin to recovering from a serious car crash. I believe it.
My surgeon removed 11.3 pounds of skin/fat. Crazy as I looked thin in clothes before! Can’t wait to continue to regain movement, life’s normal rhythms, and the stamina I had before. Right now I feel about 95 years old!7 -
So happy you made it through, You will get better more and more everyday. Just be patient.2
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Congrats on a successful surgery! We want piccys B/A's
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Congratulations!! Wishing you a speedy recovery.2
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Down to feeling about 82 years old now after 16 days. I have some wound dehiscence, a common complication of thigh lifts, but it’s a huge bummer nevertheless. Still in my recliner which has become the center of my sad world. I am so looking forward to full healing. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long while.
Mental preparation for this surgery is maybe 8% about pain and 92% all the other crap that goes with being cut in half and sewn back together! This includes depending heavily on others for everything, very limited range of motion, endless wound/drain care, stripping and replacing compression garments no stairs (thighs), sleeping in a recliner, and having trips to the doctor being your only outings. The impact on your emotional state are what you really need to prepare for!5
