Any tips for panniculectomy in two weeks?

[freelee 128]

I'm two years yesterday from my gastric bypass and have my pann in two weeks (June 30). I'm pretty nervous and have heard so real horror stories but also have heard how much it is worth it. Thanks for all who have come before on this site and posted positives and pictures. My biggest fear is taking care of the drains I have to come home with and that the hospital stay is so short. How long do I have to stay in/or near my bed? I know all of us are different in our recoveries, but I would appreciate any insight you wish you would have known then that you have learned. Two years ago I was 280 and now 125.....so greatful and looking forward to this new "adventure"

Freelee

[sjfink 239]

First, congratulations on your great weight loss & having a date for the next step! If you're just having a panniculectomy and not a full Tummy Tuck, the recovery shouldn't be too bad. The muscle repair they do in the TT is the most painful part! You'll definitely want to get up and move around frequently, just like after your bypass. Drains are uncomfortable, but caring for them isn't bad. I'm sure you'll do great!

[freelee 128]

Thanks so much. I followed your progress and you've seemed to do very well. I'm 64 and just questioning myself on "elective" surgery at this age....of course I'm healthier than I was in my 40s and 50s I guess.

[Sherrie Scharbrough 311]

I had my Panni in 2015. I was at my goal weight of 125#'s and I can defintly tell you my recovery was nothing. The drains are not bad at all. I had to have my daughter come and drain them and change my bandages for awhile. I could do the drains but for the life of me I couldn't do the bandages. I kid you not it was a super duper recovery. Now I took my pain pills for a little while because I was told that I didn't want to take them after I was already in pain. I didn't even have to wear a compression belt. I even had the nurse call my PS I just thought he had forgotten to get me one on order. He removed 10plus #'s. The only thing I wish is I would have went with the TT with Lipo on my upper stomach. My advise is to really make sure that your Suregon knows exactly what you want. My PS promised this and that and didn't follow thru with it. I am glad I had it done but just wish I would have known that now I DO need lipo on my upper stomach. He said he would give me a good deal for $6,000 he woud do Lipo and a breast lift. I feel like he was just setting up more business and I would have gladly paid the extra if I had known.

[Dr-Patient 830]

I want to get one so badly, but I won't. But I hate this overhang.

But you should do fine...and you'll have that flat abdomen once all healed!! Good for you. Go for it!! Rock it.

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

When I had my TT/Panni, I was so worried that I'd be completely debilitated and that the drains would gross me out which causes me to pass out.

Actually there was barely any pain, just a tightness from the muscle repair. Be prepared to walk/sleep in a slightly hunched position. They won't want you straight for at least a week.

Woke up with a compression belly band, which had to be worn 24/7. I was told that the longer I wore compression, the better the final result. Once the drains were out, I bought compression body suits and waist nippers.

The drains, while being annoying, were not that gross. Never even felt queasy, and for me, that's saying something!!

Had a long piece of gauze, tied so it's a big loop, and a safety pin. Would put it around my neck so that I could hang the drains while showering. Make tabs from cloth tape around the drain tubes.

I was shocked at how easy the recovery was! Felt like I barely skipped a beat, just moved slower and hunchy.

Best of luck! Keep us all posted on how you are doing.

[freelee 128]

Thanks so much for the good advice. Sherri, you made me feel much better and good suggestions. I do want to talk to my surgeon more in-depth. Dr-P thanks for the encouragement.

Freelee

[freelee 128]

RealMe, thanks! All of you are making me much calmer about this. According to the surgeon, there won't be a lot of muscle work done, and at my age that is just fine. Glad you told me the compression band will help with the flattening, I thought it was just for recovery.

I'll keep you posted.

Freelee

[freelee 128]

How soon before you were able to wear a size smaller pants/tops? Even with the swelling?

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

On 6/19/2017 at 6:54 PM, freelee said:

How soon before you were able to wear a size smaller pants/tops? Even with the swelling?

Don't remember how long. I'm usually a size 0-00. After surgery I was a 4 for quite a while, then 2, then eventually back in 0-00