reconstructive surgery update

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone:

Here's an update on my reconstructive surgery. I saw Dr. Ciletti

today for a post-op check up. All my incisions are healing nicely.

However, he's advised me not to resume my sit-ups or weight lifting

until after Labor Day. Dr. Ciletti and I are really pleased with the

results. Other than the 30-inch scar I have from hip to hip, it

looks pretty darned normal, especially under clothing. If I wanted

to (and I will NEVER want to), I could wear a Speedo and the scar

wouldn't show. There is some residual swelling below my belly

button, but it will decrease within three to six months, which is

normal.

However, it's official. I will be having ANOTHER surgery, which is

actually a " revision " to the male breast reduction. As I explained

earlier, Dr. Ciletti chose to do less invasive liposuction on my

chest instead of the tissue removal/nipple relocation. Before the

surgery, he told me that it is not uncommon to have to do some slight

revisions (which are covered under the original price) due to the

unpredictability of each individual's healing, so I'm not surprised

that I will be having another surgery; I swear it will be my last.

Well, never say never. Maybe in the future I'll do some face work.

I'm not getting any younger… he he he! Anyway, my chest is greatly

reduced (no more unsightly man breasts!), but there appears to be

some residual tissue left below the nipples and the nipples are

somewhat folded over, like a deflated balloon.

Dr. Ciletti told me to make another appointment with him in 3 – 4

months, and we'll see how things look and decide how we will

proceed. It is normal to wait this long because we want me to be

completely healed from my recent reconstructive surgery. The rapid

succession surgeries performed on " Extreme Makeover " are really not a

good idea for the general public. However, I look at myself and

sometimes feel a bit like a " Swan. "

You know it's strange. My new pants fit just right, but for the

first time in my life, I understand how people can wear fitted

clothes and be comfortable. Now that I don't have a loose, expansive

middle area, my pants fit the same whether I'm standing or sitting.

Also, even though my pants are more fitted than I'm used to wearing,

there's a lot more room in the pockets. I didn't realize this until

the first time I put my hand in my pockets. Before surgery, my

pockets would be tight and my hands would get caught a bit upon

exiting. Now however, there is no fat roll hidden in my pockets, and

my hands slide in and out easily. These little details never would

have occurred to me, so that's why I'm sharing them with you.

Only you all would understand being thankful for having extra room in

your pockets, or being able to sit in fitted pants and not having

your belly spill over the waist.

I asked Dr. Ciletti to take pictures of the skin and fatty tissue

that he removed from me. In a couple of weeks he will email them to

me. I'm not sure if I want to see them, but I'm sure that curiosity

will get me. Well that's it for now. Thanks for reading.

Gemello

open rny 06/03/03

reconstruction 05/25/04

-138 lbs

P. S. One other thing: I've been cleared to go on amusement park

rides! Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Great America here I come!!!

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Gemello

I can totally understand all the new things that most people take for

granted or dont consider at all.

As for your next surgery, just consider it a path of your journey.

You will do great and will be glad you had it once its all over.

[Guest guest]

Gemello, I am all for the amusement park rides without being asked

to get off because the bar wont close around you. I loved the old

Wooden Roller Coaster at the Board Walk. I have not been there in

years.

Thank you for enlightening me regarding the reconstruction

stuff. I am just not there to even fathom something like that.

Perhaps in time. Love

> P. S. One other thing: I've been cleared to go on amusement park

> rides! Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Great America here I come!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Gemello

You sound as if you are doing very well. I am almost 2 weeks out of

reconstructive surgery and havent even dared get back on the

treadmill! Dr Fisher said four weeks at least, but I miss it. Maybe

the lowest setting would be ok!! I have had 3 of the four drains

removed and should get the last one out Wednesday. I hope to back to

work on the 27th instead of the 4th of Oct.

Huggles

> Lesa, Colleen and everyone else:

>

> Thanks for your kind wishes. I really appreciate your sentiments.

>

> I just wanted to give a brief update on my reconstructive surgery

> recovery.

>

> On May 25, 2004 I had male breast reduction and an abdominoplasty

> (tummy tuck). The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue.

>

> I have lost 8 inches off my waist (for a total of 20 inches), and

my

> chest area is flat like I wanted it. However, in November I will

see

> my surgeon about revision surgery to the nipples, since there is

some

> puckering. I think they will need a slight lift (the cost of which

> will be included in the total price I've already paid).

>

> I still have some residual numbness, which I've been told will last

> for a year or maybe more. My belly button is (in my humble

opinion)

> very cute. You can't even tell that the surgeon repositioned it.

It

> looks totally natural. My scar is 30 inches long, hip to hip,

> wrapping partially around my back. There are 4 tiny scars in my

> chest area from the liposuction, which are hidden behind the chest

> hair. (Who knew chest hair would have a function?)

>

> As for exercise, I've been doing cardio on the treadmill since the

> day after my surgery. As with my gastric bypass, I had to take the

> intensity down to the lowest, most gentle level. Now I'm back at

> full speed in that area.

>

> Monday, the 6th of September was the date my surgeon gave me for

> starting back with my ab workout and free weights. Before surgery,

I

> had built up to 250 ab repetitions a day, with three days of free

> weights (circuit training) using 15 lbs weights in each hand.

>

> Well, as you can imagine, I've had to take all that intensity down

to

> a very low level. My first day back doing my ab routine, I could

> only do 5 of each type (a total of 50 reps). My abdominal muscles

we

> spongy and shaky, and there was some mild discomfort. Ouchie! But

> after only 6 workouts, I can already feel more strength in that

area,

> and the discomfort is diminishing.

>

> As for the free weights, I completed three workouts (for the first

> week) with 2.5 lbs in each hand, 5 reps for each type of exercise.

> For the second week, I'll be progressing to 7 reps using 5 lbs each.

>

> The first time I was able to complete the whole workout cycle--

> cardio, abs and circuit--I felt so wonderful and powerful! For the

> first time in my life, I feel physically strong (hey, I'm no

> Hercules, but I love the feeling of vitality).

>

> You know, when I first started out doing exercises, I hated it!

But

> I've stopped telling myself that I hate it. I use my favorite

music

> and have set up my exercise area the way I like it. I also honor

my

> exercise routine by keeping the area nice and inviting, just for

me.

> I have my goals posted on a nice bulletin board, and I track every

> day that I exercise on a nice calendar just for that purpose (also

on

> fitday.com).

>

> I've set up that area to ensure my success, and I no longer give

> myself any excuse not to exercise. I'm going to really date myself

> here, but I often repeat this line (to my own amusement) from the

> movie " Fame. " I remember Debbie 's character telling the

> dancers, " You want fame? Well, fame costs. And here is where you

> start paying. "

>

> So as I'm sweating on the treadmill, I'm laughing to myself

thinking

> of her telling that to me. I also spend the whole workout telling

> myself positive things. I won't let one negative thought poison my

> mind. So my workouts are also a positive mind set workout, too.

>

> It turns out that this alone time is a good break from all the

> world. It helps that I start out at about 4:45 am when the world

is

> quiet, and I can be truely by myself. I can't say that I really

like

> the exercise, but I like the time I have to work on me. I love the

> results. As I toss the sweaty workout clothes in the hamper, I say

> one word: " Success. " And when I hit the shower, I remind myself

that

> I've done something great for me.

>

> Didn't mean to make it such a long post. Thanks for reading.

>

> Gemello

> open rny 06/03/03

> reconstruction 05/25/04

> 315/171/165