Re: My reconstructive surgery experience

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

Wow! It's finally over and you are on the road to recovery. Arms must be doing ok since you are able to post a little. I can't imagine doing all that surgery on an "out-patient basis". I thought you would be in the hospital for two or three days. I so admire your bravery. I hope I am half as brave when I have my tt - I am really a wuss when it comes to pain. Keep up the positive attitude!

Ellen

My reconstructive surgery experience

I arrived at the hospital at 645 AM for a 8 AM scheduled surgery time. I was taken in and changed into a gown. Then I sat in a nice recliner and asked over and over the procedure I was in there for. After a few minutes Dr Fisher came in and proceeded to draw all over my tummy with a permanent marker. I looked very cute with all his lines and circles all over (LOL). That was when he explained to me that these procedures are now being done on an outpatient basis and if all went well would be going home tonight. I was more than a little nervous. Dr Yokoo came in next and did the drawing and taking pictures of my arms. An IV was started and I walked to the OR. The next thing I know Im in recovery. All went well and I was discharged around 7pm. even as freaked out as I was to be going home so soon, I did amazingly well. I have only moderate pain. I have 4 drains, one in each arm and two in my tummy. I think I have been much more comfortable home than in the hospital. Even with all the tubes and the binder on I can feel a difference!! My tummy is gone, my arms dont jiggle. I cant wait til the drains are gone and I get a really good look at my new tummy. right now its not very pretty...flatter yes but definitely a mess. My belly button is now where it belongs.Ok arms are getting tired...will write more as I think about it or anyone has any questions.Huggles

[Guest guest]

, how exciting! Thanks for the

details. I’m so glad it’s all going so well for ya.

- Lesa -

My reconstructive surgery experience

I arrived at the hospital at 645 AM for a 8 AM

scheduled surgery

time. I was taken in and changed into a gown. Then

I sat in a nice

recliner and asked over and over the procedure I

was in there for.

After a few minutes Dr Fisher came in and

proceeded to draw all over

my tummy with a permanent marker. I looked very

cute with all his

lines and circles all over (LOL). That was when he

explained to me

that these procedures are now being done on an

outpatient basis and

if all went well would be going home tonight. I

was more than a

little nervous. Dr Yokoo came in next and did the

drawing and taking

pictures of my arms. An IV was started and I

walked to the OR. The

next thing I know Im in recovery. All went well

and I was discharged

around 7pm. even as freaked out as I was to be

going home so soon, I

did amazingly well. I have only moderate pain. I

have 4 drains, one

in each arm and two in my tummy. I think I have

been much more

comfortable home than in the hospital. Even with

all the tubes and

the binder on I can feel a difference!! My tummy

is gone, my arms

dont jiggle. I cant wait til the drains are gone

and I get a really

good look at my new tummy. right now its not very

pretty...flatter

yes but definitely a mess. My belly button is now

where it belongs.

Ok arms are getting tired...will write more as I

think about it or

anyone has any questions.

Huggles

[Guest guest]

, how exciting! Thanks for the

details. I’m so glad it’s all going so well for ya.

- Lesa -

My reconstructive surgery experience

I arrived at the hospital at 645 AM for a 8 AM

scheduled surgery

time. I was taken in and changed into a gown. Then

I sat in a nice

recliner and asked over and over the procedure I

was in there for.

After a few minutes Dr Fisher came in and

proceeded to draw all over

my tummy with a permanent marker. I looked very

cute with all his

lines and circles all over (LOL). That was when he

explained to me

that these procedures are now being done on an

outpatient basis and

if all went well would be going home tonight. I

was more than a

little nervous. Dr Yokoo came in next and did the

drawing and taking

pictures of my arms. An IV was started and I

walked to the OR. The

next thing I know Im in recovery. All went well

and I was discharged

around 7pm. even as freaked out as I was to be

going home so soon, I

did amazingly well. I have only moderate pain. I

have 4 drains, one

in each arm and two in my tummy. I think I have

been much more

comfortable home than in the hospital. Even with

all the tubes and

the binder on I can feel a difference!! My tummy

is gone, my arms

dont jiggle. I cant wait til the drains are gone

and I get a really

good look at my new tummy. right now its not very

pretty...flatter

yes but definitely a mess. My belly button is now

where it belongs.

Ok arms are getting tired...will write more as I

think about it or

anyone has any questions.

Huggles

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow! The very thought of a tummy tuck as an outpatient procedure floors

me - but these days they do seem to get you out of the hospital asap. I

seem to recall reading a study somewhere that showed that folks actually

recover faster at home.

I am so envious. My arms don't jiggle - " jiggle " doesn't even come

close to describing the flap, wobble, droop and so on. They bother me

much more than my tummy does. Oh, well . . . my turn will come.

Did you have to be at particular goal weight or at a stable weight for a

specified time before they would do the surgeries? I am just wondering

when I can hope to have reconstructive work done. I still have about 50

pounds to lose . . . I think . . . maybe . . . actually I'm pretty

clueless because I don't really know where I am likely to end up.

Take it easy.

All the best,

Kay

in San Leandro

open RNY 12/1/03

Diane Duenas wrote:

> I arrived at the hospital at 645 AM for a 8 AM scheduled surgery

> time. I was taken in and changed into a gown. Then I sat in a nice

> recliner and asked over and over the procedure I was in there for.

> After a few minutes Dr Fisher came in and proceeded to draw all over

> my tummy with a permanent marker. I looked very cute with all his

> lines and circles all over (LOL). That was when he explained to me

> that these procedures are now being done on an outpatient basis and

> if all went well would be going home tonight. I was more than a

> little nervous. Dr Yokoo came in next and did the drawing and taking

> pictures of my arms. An IV was started and I walked to the OR. The

> next thing I know Im in recovery. All went well and I was discharged

> around 7pm. even as freaked out as I was to be going home so soon, I

> did amazingly well. I have only moderate pain. I have 4 drains, one

> in each arm and two in my tummy. I think I have been much more

> comfortable home than in the hospital. Even with all the tubes and

> the binder on I can feel a difference!! My tummy is gone, my arms

> dont jiggle. I cant wait til the drains are gone and I get a really

> good look at my new tummy. right now its not very pretty...flatter

> yes but definitely a mess. My belly button is now where it belongs.

>

> Ok arms are getting tired...will write more as I think about it or

> anyone has any questions.

>

> Huggles

>

[Guest guest]

:

I'm so happy that everything went well! Our prayers worked! Take it

easy and enjoy the down time. About a week after reconstructive

surgery (tummy tuck and male breast reduction), I was feeling good

enough to venture out to see a movie. What a treat that was.

I was able to conceal my drains underneath my clothing so no one

would see those drains (not a pretty sight, don't you agree?)

Three days after I got home, I started taking showers. I'M NOT

SUGGESTING YOU DO THIS. Just stating what I did. A day after I was

home, I took a sponge bath in the bathtub (we have an oversized bath

tub) but I made such a splashy mess that I figued that taking a

shower couldn't be worse. I used very light water pressure and

soaped up CAREFULLY with the water turned off.

I also applied peroxide (as directed) and neosporin and changed my

dressings after each shower.

I'm also lucky because we have a built in bench in our shower. I

took it really slow and careful (never while alone in the house) but

boy did that shower feel good.

I'm so glad you're doing well!

Gemello

-143 lbs

> Kaiser covered my tummy tuck, but I paid out of pocket for my arms.

I

> am told the price is going to be around $6000. Both surgeries were

> performed at the same time in Richmond Kaiser by both DR Fisher and

> DR Yokoo. Ive always realllly liked Dr Fisher and had just met Dr

> Yokoo but she is just as wonderful, actually she is amazing! My

tummy

> tuck was covered due to back problems, rashes and the apron hanging

> halfway to my knees. It has to be a medical reason for Kaiser to

> cover it. Arms are never covered Im told. Ive lost 152 pounds..315

> down to 163. I havent weighed since reconstructive surgery, Im

> waiting until all the drains are out. But they said it was about 8

> pounds of tissue removed.

>

> Huggles

>