Well, I Did It!

[CarmenP 52]

Hello all!

A few months ago, I posted asking about doing plastic surgery to remove my “apron” of skin. Originally, I intended a panniculectomy. I met with a surgeon, and we went back and forth. He was advocating for an abdominoplasty, and I wasn’t interested in the recovery/pain involved with that procedure. But he didn’t think I’d wind up happy with the simple panniculectomy.

We finally reached a compromise of sorts. He did an abdominoplasty, minus the muscle tightening. While he was at it, he gave me a slight butt and thigh lift, removing a chunk of skin/fat - so-called “saddle bags” - from my sides/flanks. I also had my mons lifted (ladies, this was actually the part I wanted most, if you can believe it!)

I am currently 4 days into recovery. I’m SORE! I’m tired. I’m a bit swollen. Everything feels tight. I’m in a compression garment, and I feel like 2 pounds of sausage stuffed in a 1 pound casing. Lolol I walk hunched, can’t stand up straight, I have 2 drains, and I hate the idea of doing and undoing this ensemble so much, that I actually skip showers to avoid the hassle (and I normally shower AT LEAST once a day!).

The surgeon said, pre-surgery, he was maybe being a bit ambitious with the marks he’d made on my body. He was hopeful to get 90% of the skin. He actually got all of it, and then some! 15 pounds of skin, gone. And he said it was all skin. He didn’t need to do any Lipo, as there wasn’t any fat.

I will keep you all posted with my progress. But if you’re thinking of doing this, I’m happy to share whatever info I have. I’ll also post pics when I’m feeling better!

Carmen

[justmetj 421]

I bet you're so relieved that it's over! Did your insurance pay for it? If not, do you mind me asking how much it cost? I'm sure I will need it once I reach my goal.

[CarmenP 52]

Everything was just shy of $12,000. And insurance doesn’t cover squat. Not for cosmetic surgery.

[justmetj 421]

That's better than I thought it would be! I may have to travel out of state to get mine done. Cosmetic surgery in CA is so expensive. I hope you have a speedy recovery and take it easy. 😊

[CarmenP 52]

Thank you! Yes, if you have to pay out of pocket, you will definitely want to shop around! I know I talked to a lady in NY and she said the same - she went elsewhere because it was so expensive.

[GreenTealael 25,407]

2 hours ago, CarmenP said:

Hello all!

A few months ago, I posted asking about doing plastic surgery to remove my “apron” of skin. Originally, I intended a panniculectomy. I met with a surgeon, and we went back and forth. He was advocating for an Abdominoplasty, and I wasn’t interested in the recovery/pain involved with that procedure. But he didn’t think I’d wind up happy with the simple panniculectomy.< br />
We finally reached a compromise of sorts. He did an abdominoplasty, minus the muscle tightening. While he was at it, he gave me a slight butt and thigh lift, removing a chunk of skin/fat - so-called “saddle bags” - from my sides/flanks. I also had my mons lifted (ladies, this was actually the part I wanted most, if you can believe it!)

I am currently 4 days into recovery. I’m SORE! I’m tired. I’m a bit swollen. Everything feels tight. I’m in a compression garment, and I feel like 2 pounds of sausage stuffed in a 1 pound casing. Lolol I walk hunched, can’t stand up straight, I have 2 drains, and I hate the idea of doing and undoing this ensemble so much, that I actually skip showers to avoid the hassle (and I normally shower AT LEAST once a day!).

The surgeon said, pre-surgery, he was maybe being a bit ambitious with the marks he’d made on my body. He was hopeful to get 90% of the skin. He actually got all of it, and then some! 15 pounds of skin, gone. And he said it was all skin. He didn’t need to do any Lipo, as there wasn’t any fat.

I will keep you all posted with my progress. But if you’re thinking of doing this, I’m happy to share whatever info I have. I’ll also post pics when I’m feeling better!

Carmen

💙 Congratulations 💙

Where did you have it done? What doctor?

[CarmenP 52]

I went to Charlotte Plastic Surgery, and my surgeon was Dr. Scheuer. He’s WOOOOOOOONDERFUL.