The topic I didn't want to discuss - loose skin
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@hansep0012 They have told me to buy either large feminine pads or doggie peed pads. I assume that is to protect the furniture/mattress from me. I have even been told to have extra bedding. Maybe they just err on the side of having your over-prepare which I would actually prefer.
We are meant to measure the fluid so perhaps I need a new tab on my SS.
I do have to order the compression garment (2 since I have to be able to wash one while I wear the other) as I am required to have it the day of surgery. I have no idea if I am wearing it home or not. I want to order them closer to the time so I can make sure I can return them if needed.
I am kind of OCD about having things (specifically wet/moist things) on my skin. I can take it for a little while then I am absolutely compelled to clean up. Needless to say I don't eat things like hot wings in a restaurant because I have to wash my hands so often during the meal. The good news is that in the very near future I will have much less skin to worry about.
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@NovusDies yes, it is the remedy that will keep you focused and getting through the procedure and recovery. It sounds like your medical team is doing a good job of providing you information, what an awesome benefit! I'm rooting for you!1
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Thank you for sharing your story. I find honesty and openness, while scary for me, can also be freeing. Wishing you the best.
My only recommendations are:
1. Sweat pants/athletic pants with elastic waist. Fleece has a lot of give and may be more comfy around your tummy, plus easier on and off.
2. Also, to avoid have to change bedding so often, buy some washable bed pads ('pee pads') from a fully stocked pharmacy that carries medical equipment. They are soft and absorbent on one side, with a plastic barrier on the other. My mother has incontinence issues and my dad uses these both on the bed and for the sofa. They are very durable and washable and come in sizes about 2'x3' to about 3'x4'. The doggie pads may not hold up well under a human's weight, especially every time you shift or move.0 -
Pamela_Sue wrote: »Thank you for sharing your story. I find honesty and openness, while scary for me, can also be freeing. Wishing you the best.
My only recommendations are:
1. Sweat pants/athletic pants with elastic waist. Fleece has a lot of give and may be more comfy around your tummy, plus easier on and off.
2. Also, to avoid have to change bedding so often, buy some washable bed pads ('pee pads') from a fully stocked pharmacy that carries medical equipment. They are soft and absorbent on one side, with a plastic barrier on the other. My mother has incontinence issues and my dad uses these both on the bed and for the sofa. They are very durable and washable and come in sizes about 2'x3' to about 3'x4'. The doggie pads may not hold up well under a human's weight, especially every time you shift or move.
@Pamela_Sue
Thanks for the well wishes and the recommendations. I have your number 1 covered and your number 2. I bought pads meant for a hospital and I bought a supposedly silent yet waterproof mattress cover for additional insurance. It is one thing to wash some sheets it is another to mess up a mattress that is only 2 years old. I think when I am sitting in my chair I will put a towel down first and then the pad for the same reason.1 -
@NovusDies Hope your procedure went well and that you're recovering swiftly! Take the time you need to rest and recover.0
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Good luck with your surgery. With some of the weight I lost already, I can already tell that I'm going to need to do skin removal. I'm scared. Hopefully it goes well for you!1
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When does or did Novus have the operation?....hope all goes well....keep us updated on his status....thanks!0
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@NovusDies thinking happy thoughts for you.1
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Thanks all.
I am doing okay. I will update sometime soon.7 -
I hope everything's gone to plan for you and you'll be on your feet again soon x0
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Hoping it's gone well and that you're recovering well. We are all rooting for you😁😁0
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@NovusDies I sincerely hope your recovery is going well. Take care of yourself.
One of the things I’m most looking forward to is having breast reduction surgery. I’m so tired of carrying around H cups. I literally hate them. I want to get to a healthy BMI first though. I think recovery will go more smoothly if I am. But also I’ll have to probably wait a year for surgery since it’s not anything urgent. Once I get to around 170-ish I’ll talk with my GP. I may want or need other surgery too but the boobs gotta go first!2 -
Get better soon! Keep thinking of all the great things you will be able to do once all the excess skin is gone and you are healed.1
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@NovusDies wishing you a speedy recovery.0
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I think Novus is very much in our minds right now....hoping his operation is a success and brings him so much more freedom to continue his journey....what an amazing inspiration so many of you are....being able to share our worst fears and our greatest victories is so good for all of us...I hope Novus is feeling everyone’s good and healing thoughts coming his way!0
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Thanks all again.
Things are progressing about as I expected. I have always known the first week would be the hardest. Things like the drainage tubes and the compression suit are not fun but the adjustment has not been steep and the tubes come out a week after the procedure if the drainage cooperates and mine is definitely slowing already.
I will give more of a report soon. For anyone facing this remember that we are not pioneers. It may not be commonplace but it is not uncommon either. Getting a good medical team is important and the rest is just following instructions and making smart choices.8 -
Glad to hear you're doing ok, and nice to see you back too.
Take care and look after yourself, I'm sure you're aware of how important the recovery period is.1 -
Happy to see Novus is doing okay!1
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@NovusDies, hope all is still going well.0
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@NovusDies I hope that you feel better soon and heal up quickly.0
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Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't see this before; I could have made some prep suggestions. I had a tummy tuck done 2 years ago due to similar issues that you were experiencing. I had a large flap of skin that I got yeast infections under. I won't go into the gory details as I am sure you already know.
After surgery I had alot of problems but I got through it and now I am 2 years post surgery and can tell you it was well worth it. Give yourself extra time to heal. My doc said I would be fine in 2 weeks... that was not my experience. Although I was better I was not ready for work nor did I feel well enough because I drained for about 5 weeks. I had lost about 100 pounds and I know you have lost more than I did. There is a huge water weight gain from the surgery so don't panic if you feel you weigh more than expected. It took months for the water to all come off. Expect some numbness from nerves that were cut. Some of that feeling comes back slowly. Right now it's actually a blessing as you aren't in as much pain as you might have been. If there is anything I can answer or support you in any way please feel free to PM me.3 -
cheryldumais wrote: »Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't see this before; I could have made some prep suggestions. I had a tummy tuck done 2 years ago due to similar issues that you were experiencing. I had a large flap of skin that I got yeast infections under. I won't go into the gory details as I am sure you already know.
After surgery I had alot of problems but I got through it and now I am 2 years post surgery and can tell you it was well worth it. Give yourself extra time to heal. My doc said I would be fine in 2 weeks... that was not my experience. Although I was better I was not ready for work nor did I feel well enough because I drained for about 5 weeks. I had lost about 100 pounds and I know you have lost more than I did. There is a huge water weight gain from the surgery so don't panic if you feel you weigh more than expected. It took months for the water to all come off. Expect some numbness from nerves that were cut. Some of that feeling comes back slowly. Right now it's actually a blessing as you aren't in as much pain as you might have been. If there is anything I can answer or support you in any way please feel free to PM me.
Thank you for being such a willing resource. If I come across anything I will let you know.0 -
A lot has happened so I am sure there will be more things to relay but let's at least get some of the basics out of the way.
I elected to have this surgery before reaching goal. Due to my genetics I carried so much of my weight up front as I lost it, it created a large impediment that greatly hindered my mobility. About 3 months ago I was given an estimate that about 30 pounds would be removed. The PS knew his business and that estimate was accurate. I was told some liposuction would be necessary to make the surgery a success. I struggled with that notion because I really only wanted to lose my weight through a natural process. I explained to the PS that he needed to do what was necessary for success but I did not want him to be aggressive. It turns out I didn't need any so that problem took care of itself.
I think a good sign you have a good group looking out for you is if the pre-op instructions are very thorough. I was under a lot of restrictions including no caffeine for 2 weeks before. Smoking in any form is forbidden 6 weeks before and if they even suspected I had nicotine in my system they might test and cancel it. I do smoke a tobacco pipe but it usually only happens a few times in the spring and fall. I have skipped doing it for entire year before so no worries there.
The surgery lasted just under 4 hours. I woke up in recovery about an hour later pretty nauseous and quickly in need of a restroom visit. I think that led them to believe I was ready to be discharged. I should have probably waited a little longer. I was "wobbly" even after I got home. We had taken a cane from her grandmother's estate with us because we tend to over-prepare for everything... that was fortunate.
You are highly encouraged to move so the evening of the surgery when I felt I had my legs firmly under me again I started doing walking laps in the house. Boring but necessary.
Friday I was still feeling sick. I returned to the doctor for a quick exam and to be re-bandaged. They encouraged me to take the nausea medicine but I began to realize that sitting still and walking wasn't very painful it was only bending and getting up and down that really hurt but it didn't last for long. I was sure the pain killer was making me sick so Saturday morning I switched to OTC and I have been managing my pain that way since. I do not suggest anyone think this was a good idea. I have always been a rip the bandaid off person. If it is a choice between feeling bad nonstop and being in intense but momentary pain I will always choose the pain.
Saturday was also the day I realized I had not taken enough precaution against constipation. I started too late. I would strongly suggest that if you are allowed start taking a stool softener the day before your procedure. That whole situation completely wrecked me that day. It was FAR worse than the pain of recovery. It also pushed me just past my limit on energy and pain. I slept on and off from mid morning Saturday until Sunday morning.
Sunday morning was a new day. I felt good and I started doing my inside the house laps more and more briskly. I had a "good enough" system for pain and the precautions I had taken prevented any further restroom issues.
Monday was a repeat of Sunday except my dog (still a puppy) came home from being boarded.
Today I did my first outside walk. Just a little over half a mile but I did it almost 4 minutes faster than I was able to do it before surgery.
That is enough for now. Good grief. I wrote a book already.
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Glad EVERYTHING is working out!....is your operation comparable to a c section?....not that you have had a c section but wondering about the pain level...I think my knees being replaced was very painful...I am glad to read that you are doing so well....hang in there!0
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conniewilkins56 wrote: »Glad EVERYTHING is working out!....is your operation comparable to a c section?....not that you have had a c section but wondering about the pain level...I think my knees being replaced was very painful...I am glad to read that you are doing so well....hang in there!
I would think a C section is worse but that is only a guess. For me idle pain/discomfort is usually no more than a 2 or 3. Bending motions initially were about 8 and then seemed like they drop a number each day. When I have thrown out my back the pain was a 10 and it felt like getting stabbed repeatedly with every step I took to the restroom first thing in this morning. This was never that bad.
Keep in mind that I only had one procedure. Many people elect to get a fully body lift done after they have been at goal for awhile and I imagine the pain there is a lot more constant because there are so many more wounds. I have a giant wound but it is all in one place.
It should also be worth pointing out that the same thing that required this surgery before goal is also the thing that caused me a fairly regularly amount of pain when I was at my heaviest. I learned to live with it so I may not be the best judge.
I am not saying any of that to scare anyone and all kinds of people get through it at many different ages so it is not something I would tell people to avoid if they need it. I just don't want to mislead anyone. This may be technically cosmetic surgery but the risks are high and the recovery is no joke. Any surgery that involves the abdomen is a high risk for blood clots. I am on a blood thinner at the moment and I am wearing compression socks.1 -
That was my next question...is it considered cosmetic surgery if the extra skin is causing physical discomfort?....does health insurance take care of any of the costs?....I am on Medicare so surgery cost for myself would most likely be out of pocket expense...how did you find the doctors and staff you felt comfortable with?...I know I am probably asking a lot of questions but you answer things so regular people can understand it lol...my doctor that is also a weight management doctor has suggested that I have a leg wrap done if I continue losing weight sometime after the holidays...I am not even sure what this procedure is....you have no idea how many people you are helping as you share your “ journey” ...have you thought about making some motivating videos?.....that would be great!0
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conniewilkins56 wrote: »That was my next question...is it considered cosmetic surgery if the extra skin is causing physical discomfort?....does health insurance take care of any of the costs?....I am on Medicare so surgery cost for myself would most likely be out of pocket expense...how did you find the doctors and staff you felt comfortable with?...I know I am probably asking a lot of questions but you answer things so regular people can understand it lol...my doctor that is also a weight management doctor has suggested that I have a leg wrap done if I continue losing weight sometime after the holidays...I am not even sure what this procedure is....you have no idea how many people you are helping as you share your “ journey” ...have you thought about making some motivating videos?.....that would be great!
Some insurance will cover it if it creates a medical problem. I experienced everything from rashes, slow healing, and a general impediment to moving freely. My insurance company would not cover any of it for any reason. I tried a couple of approaches and I was basically told that if it was on fire they still would not pay. That was an exaggeration but I got the message.
I am not sure what a leg wrap is either but it sounds like something that will just take money out of your pocket. Be careful with "weight loss" doctors. I believe you should trust a doctor to monitor your health most have very little training in weight loss or nutrition. A registered dietitian is far better trained than a doctor in these areas.
My PS has faceless pictures of other surgeries to see. I felt during the entire time he and his staff were "on my side" and cared about my outcome. Even the administrator who helped me arrange for payment came in during my first follow up because she was so curious to see how I looked. She seemed generally excited I was free of it. I think they understood that unlike other more cosmetic procedures they do they were all working to change my life for the better. Their pre-op instructions were very thorough as were their post-op instructions. My suggestion is when it is time do not be afraid to shop around.
I have not considered making videos. I am not sure that is really a "me" thing to do. I will not rule it out completely though.1 -
Thanks for the answers....our family doctor who is helping me with my weight reduction is a MFP member and has lost over 80 pounds...he is the person that encouraged me to give this a try.....I shouldn’t have said he is a weight management doctor ...he is a family doctor who helps you if you need to lose weight...he gets really emotional when his patients get their “ lightbulb moments “ and start taking this all serious...he is so funny when he takes his phone out and asks if you want to see what he ate for a special occasion two years ago!...he logs every day...
I am so glad you found a medical team you like and are comfortable with...makes all the difference in your healing and transition...keep posting us updates because we really care!0 -
conniewilkins56 wrote: »Thanks for the answers....our family doctor who is helping me with my weight reduction is a MFP member and has lost over 80 pounds...he is the person that encouraged me to give this a try.....I shouldn’t have said he is a weight management doctor ...he is a family doctor who helps you if you need to lose weight...he gets really emotional when his patients get their “ lightbulb moments “ and start taking this all serious...he is so funny when he takes his phone out and asks if you want to see what he ate for a special occasion two years ago!...he logs every day...
I am so glad you found a medical team you like and are comfortable with...makes all the difference in your healing and transition...keep posting us updates because we really care!
Sounds like your doctor might be an exception to the rule. That is helpful.
I am still skeptical about what a leg wrap is supposed to do though. What you need is more circulation and nutrients to improve skin elasticity if the goal is to reduce excess skin. This is done with a good nutrient rich diet, lotion, exercise, and massage. It will likely only help though if you are borderline in need of surgery. If you were in substantial need of surgery, like I was, nothing prevents it.0 -
I think the leg wrap is for the excess fluid in my ankles....I read about some of it on the internet but a lot of people have it done for cosmetic reasons...there is some massage technique to help with circulation and then compression wraps for a period of time to reduce swelling in lymph nodes...I was so excited about losing 10% of my body weight I wasn’t really understanding what he was talking about....I do carry most of my weight in my arms and legs....
I have been to more than a few diet doctors and used pills back in the 60s and then Phen Phen which was amazing if you didn’t abuse it...and then I had another diet doctor that gave me injections of some witches brew....I joined weight watchers when the dues were only $2.00 a week!...I joined weight watchers so many times I started making fake names up when I rejoined....I tried nutri system,Jenny Craig, slim fast,south beach and Adkins....the only times I have lost weight was when I counted calories and kept a journal...you would think I would learn lol...
Do we have a priest among us?...this is beginning to sound like confession....I have shared more “ fat secrets” on here than I ever imagined I would....2
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