Re: hernia tummy tuck

June 23, 2001

In a message dated 06/23/2001 7:32:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

Tcoomermsn@... writes:

> The thing is my surgeon is not big

> on the ideal of a tummy tuck unless you were over 500#. Should I see a

> plastic surgeon? I want to get part at least paid by insurance.

> Thanks

> Tammy C

Oh Please! I can't believe that your surgeon puts a weight range on a tummy

tuck! Yes yes yes . . .see a plastic surgeon and see about getting both done

at the same time. However, if you are just a year post op, and not done

losing, weight not stable for at least 6 months . . .then put it off if its

not a medical necessity YET. People live with hernias for years! But as

soon as your weight is stable, use that hernia to get a nice tight tummy

tuck! I really wanted a hernia, dang it some people get all the luck!

) Vicki

June 24, 2001

In a message dated 6/24/01 12:05:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Haasevp@...

writes:

> I really wanted a hernia, dang it some people get all the luck!

>

Vicki,

I would more than happily give you one of my series of three hernias,

especially this last one. Three hernia surgeries in 18 months is NOT very

much fun, especially since the TT was done on #2 and #3 undid the smooth

midriff, and I now have the ripple effect back again. ;^(

I have also had complications with #3, done on Tues. May 8. I developed an

abscess that was initially treated with antibiotics starting on Tues. 29 May.

By Wed Jun 6 I had swelling the size of a small orange & soreness in the

midriff area; then on Thu Jun 7 it turned red. Hubby took me to the ER and I

was admitted to the hospital. I was given IV antibiotics 3 times a day while

I was there (discharged Mon Jun 11).

Fri Jun 8 WAS NOT A PLEASANT TIME to say the least. I had not one, but two

catheter drains put in to drain the infection: the first, unfortunately, went

into my colon; the second permitted them to withdraw 35 cc of pus from the

abscess. This took 5.5 HR (a HELL of a long time to lie on those AWFUL

transport stretchers and CT scan tables!).

Both catheters were withdrawn last Mon Jun 18. There still exists the

possibility of more problems later (next 3 months). The reason for leaving

the first catheter in was so that the colon would heal around it; then when

it was extracted, the colon would close and not leak fecal matter into the

abdominal cavity. Both catheters went through the mesh, so it is still

possible that another infection will occur there as they passed through the

mesh with contaminated gunk (can't think of a more technical term right now)

on it. I am still on antibiotics through Wed 27 Jun (16 days after leaving

the hospital). So, maybe that will prevent future infections.

I contacted the Patient Representative (advocate) due to concerns about

future surgeries to fix either the colon and/or infections resulting from

puncturing the colon and passing through the mesh. I have not heard anything

officially yet. However, both my surgeon and the radiologist who punctured

the colon have told the Hospital's

Risk Management that I should NOT be held liable for any expense (not covered

by my insurance). I have also asked for recompense for any time missed from

work as that will be money out of my pocket. (I become eligible to retire in

early July and am considering it, but have not made any decision yet. Upon

retirement, I would receive a lump sum payment for all vacation time I have

coming. Since my WLS [and the 3 hernias], I have used up almost all my sick

leave and have been using vacation to cover time missed for this latest

surgery.) I don't know if they will agree to this or not. HOPEFULLY I will

NOT have to find out.

In Charlottesville, VA

RNY 3/31/99 318

6/18/01 192

Unofficial 187 ;^)

June 25, 2001

Thank you for refocusing me after my no so bright comment about wanting a

hernia (it was true, I did want one!) It is the very complications you are

talking about that makes me not want a tummy tuck! See, I am way too chicken

to ever have surgery if I didn't have to. I had to have open gall bladder

surgery it was so bad, so I rolled that into the " optional, though medically

indicated " RNY. So I was hoping to have a hernia just to have the guts to

have the TT? I had to have my breast reduction as I couldn't live with the

chronic pain and sore neck and back. I had it done when I weighed 125 lbs,

of which 25 seemed to be breasts! I haven't had any other surgeries.

Your experience was really unbelievable . . . I hope you are recovering

and finding health again as well. Thanks for setting me straight and making

me happy to live with the skin . . .

) Vicki

In a message dated 06/24/2001 8:09:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

Taggie@... writes:

> > I really wanted a hernia, dang it some people get all the luck!

> >

> Vicki,

>

> I would more than happily give you one of my series of three hernias,

> especially this last one. Three hernia surgeries in 18 months is NOT very

> much fun, especially since the TT was done on #2 and #3 undid the smooth

> midriff, and I now have the ripple effect back again. ;^(

>

> I have also had complications with #3, done on Tues. May 8. I developed an

> abscess that was initially treated with antibiotics starting on Tues. 29

May.

>

> By Wed Jun 6 I had swelling the size of a small orange & soreness in the

> midriff area; then on Thu Jun 7 it turned red. Hubby took me to the ER and

I

>

> was admitted to the hospital. I was given IV antibiotics 3 times a day

while

>

> I was there (discharged Mon Jun 11).

>

> Fri Jun 8 WAS NOT A PLEASANT TIME to say the least. I had not one, but two

> catheter drains put in to drain the infection: the first, unfortunately,

> went

> into my colon; the second permitted them to withdraw 35 cc of pus from the

> abscess. This took 5.5 HR (a HELL of a long time to lie on those AWFUL

> transport stretchers and CT scan tables!).

>

> Both catheters were withdrawn last Mon Jun 18. There still exists the

> possibility of more problems later (next 3 months). The reason for leaving

> the first catheter in was so that the colon would heal around it; then

when

> it was extracted, the colon would close and not leak fecal matter into the

> abdominal cavity. Both catheters went through the mesh, so it is still

> possible that another infection will occur there as they passed through

the

> mesh with contaminated gunk (can't think of a more technical term right

now)

>

> on it. I am still on antibiotics through Wed 27 Jun (16 days after leaving

> the hospital). So, maybe that will prevent future infections.

>

> I contacted the Patient Representative (advocate) due to concerns about

> future surgeries to fix either the colon and/or infections resulting from

> puncturing the colon and passing through the mesh. I have not heard

anything

>

> officially yet. However, both my surgeon and the radiologist who punctured

> the colon have told the Hospital's

> Risk Management that I should NOT be held liable for any expense (not

> covered

> by my insurance). I have also asked for recompense for any time missed

from

> work as that will be money out of my pocket. (I become eligible to retire

in

>

> early July and am considering it, but have not made any decision yet. Upon

> retirement, I would receive a lump sum payment for all vacation time I

have

> coming. Since my WLS [and the 3 hernias], I have used up almost all my

sick

> leave and have been using vacation to cover time missed for this latest

> surgery.) I don't know if they will agree to this or not. HOPEFULLY I will

> NOT have to find out.

>

> In Charlottesville, VA

> RNY 3/31/99 318

> 6/18/01 192

> Unofficial 187 ;^)

>

June 25, 2001