[melimel68]

I've seen 4 different plastic surgeons and finally selected the one I'm going to use. Originally I was just going to have a tummy tuck but after talking to the last surgeon he showed me just how "bad" my backside really was and that I would probably end up coming back to get it done later on so why not do it all at once. After talking with friends and family they all agreed with him so that is what I've chosen to do. I was fine until last night when an old friend contacted me after hearing that I was doing this and she wanted to give me lots of advice because she also had it done last year. She had a terrible time with it and said I would probably be off work up to 6 weeks. The doctor said 2 weeks since I have a desk job but now I'm really nervous. Any words of wisdom from those who've had it done. When were you up and moving around good? She indicated I wouldn't even be able to sit on the toilet for weeks. Huh? Seriously?

Help!

[not quite Barbie]

If you don't have a toilet riser, get one! It's a plastic seat that goes on top of your toilet seat so you don't have to bend down so far, or struggle to stand up. Week 1 was really tough for me. Week 2 I was standing fairly straight, still hurting but able to get around and do things for myself. Week 3 I was driving and feeling pretty good.

I have a desk job and could have gone back after week 2 but was glad to take the 3rd week.

Get lots of pillows for your bed. Prop several against the headboard, have at least 2 more to put under your knees so you're in a "lawn chair" position. To get out of bed roll on your side with your knees bent. The slowly lower your legs over the side of the bed while you push your upper body upright until you are sitting on the edge of the bed. Reverse to get in bed.

No drains! Wow. Kind of scary.

Take your pain meds on schedule. Actually, I was suppsed to take 2 every four hours. Instead I took one every two - three hours. It keeps the medication level steady so you don't get low and have a lot of pain. Don't try to be brave - take 'em. Take stool softeners with your pain meds.

Search in the plastic surgery forum. I put a post there last April with pics from my LBL. It's really worth the pain. Don't sweat it, you'll do fine!

[melimel68]

Thank you Barbie!! Yeah I was a little nervous about the drainless too but my doctor convinced me it's perfectly safe and it's now all he does. I bought a toilet riser today so I'm good to go there. I also bought a grabber because my friend said you will not believe how much stuff you will drop or need to pick up and bending over that far is vey difficult. I'm going to be staying by myself after about day 4 but have friends that will come over if I need them. My doctors office said I should be fine as well. One good thing is that I don't have to have any muscle repair work so hopefully there won't be as much pain.

Thanks for the feedback and yes I had already seen your before and after and you looks awesome. I can only hope to look that good!

[dixieladybug]

Wow no drains? I had three with an extended tummy tuck. That was the worst part of it for me. I hated them. Good advice from barb. Good luck and i know you will love it after you recover.

[Madison's grandma]

no drains?? i had a lower body lift /tt and i had 8 drains!!! 347 stitches!! but i lived and i am sure you will!! good luck

much love
mary

[pretty woman]

I believe I will need this done but waiting to lose all the weight first. ALready see the sagging and bagging.
My mom had it done in the mid 70;s. TT and upper thigh lift all at one time. I don't recall belabored recovery. I think a higher toilet seat is a GOOD idea..and of course take the pain Rxs...

Can you give me a ball park figure of the price? I keep wondeirng about it.
I think my upper arms will need some tweaking... so I am wondering what it will cost.

Thanks. Good luck.

[Dr. Mel]

I'm curious about all of this as well (cost, recovery time, etc).

I have not had these procedures, but have had 3 c sections, and in the day, an open appendectomy. Any abdominal surgery is rough the first few days. Thank goodness it doesn't last forever and each and every day is a tad better.

Best of luck to you!

I'm already dreaming about a day where I can get some of the excess skin taken off. I don't know if it will ever happen, but nice to think about the idea of a flat tummy in the future!

[Madison's grandma]

Originally Posted by Dr. Mel

I'm curious about all of this as well (cost, recovery time, etc).

I have not had these procedures, but have had 3 c sections, and in the day, an open appendectomy. Any abdominal surgery is rough the first few days. Thank goodness it doesn't last forever and each and every day is a tad better.

Best of luck to you!

I'm already dreaming about a day where I can get some of the excess skin taken off. I don't know if it will ever happen, but nice to think about the idea of a flat tummy in the future!

dont know about hers Dr Mel, but my lower body lift and tummy tuck was 12000.00 i was in surgery for about 7 hours they took off 8 pounds of skin!! and i was supose to be off 3 weeks, it turned into being off 2 months because one small part of my incision didnt heal real well.....but all in all it was soooooo worth it!!! i would do it over 1000 times!!!

much love
mary

[melimel68]

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't updated since my surgery. I had i done on the 21st and today is my first post op visit. I did end up with some blisters on my backside (not near the incisions) due to them pulling the skin so tight I think and the tape they use to hold it tight. I went back Monday after talking to the nurse and she removed the strips around near the blisters. I'm using a special enzyne type of mesh with lots of vasoline to keep it moist so the blisters drain back into my body. They don't really want them to burst. So far so good I think.

As far a the drainless procedure I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I had little swelling but obviously I had major surgery so there has been swelling. The weaving techniques my surgeon uses said that it keeps your body from making extra fluid and that during the procedure if he felt I need a drain or two he would put them in but I ended up with none. I also have had no bruising that I've seen. It might start showing soon so I'm not going to be upset if I do bruise. It still looks a bit icky so I won't post pics yet but hopefully soon.

On top of the lower body lift I also had a breast lift with implants. And so far they look amazing! And I do not have any real pain with them. I can't use my arms to lift myself or reach up high but that's normal. I was a DDD before I los weight and ended up in a D after weight loss but it was mostly skin. I didn't have much tissue left. He removed my tissue when he did the implant because he said it would not look natural and now that I see the after I believe him completely.

I'm planning on being off work for 2 weeks since I have a desk job but with the blister issues I've had I might have to go back in 3 weeks. I'm kind of playing it by ear. I've foudn the more I walk around, even if just a few minutes it makes me feel better physically and especially mentally. I went outside for and walked around my yard for the first time yesterday and it felt great! Boosted my spirits. I'm not married and spent my recovery alone after having family with me for 4 days so it's easy to get the blues a bit.

Dr. Mel, my surgeon charges $8,500 just for the lower body lift alone. If you do it with other procedures you get a break on the cost. For my breats reduction/augmentation/lift and lower body lift total was $16,600. His prices were pretty inline with the other surgeons I visited except one that was VERY expensive and his before & after shots were not very impressive. When I met with Dr. Raphael the first time I knew he was the one. He was truly excited when he saw my body and loves transforming people, especially weight loss patients. He has some top bariatric surgeons that refer patients to him. He made me feel so at ease!

I'll update more when I get back from my post op appt. I haven't had any pain meds since last night and plan to drive myself. I actually feel that ok. I use a pillow to lean against but feel fine to drive. He said to wait a week to drive so I'm going by his rules lol.

more later,

Melissa

[pretty woman]

Melissa,
Thanks for sharing your plastic surgery with us. THanks for telling me the price.
Your insurance didn't cover ANY of it? Not even removing the "panni"??that extra skin hanging over your abdomen?
Did you do anything to your upper arms? I never thought about my breasts...but as others have said they do look like deflated balloons right now. Much to think about.

Texas...kind of a far jump for me, but I think I need to wait around 9months before investigating.
Take good care of yourself ok? If I were closer I would share a cup of tea with you.
Can't wait to see your pics when the time is right.
Rest up, ok?