February/March 08 plastics

[kareyquilts 1]

IceCream: I was wondering how you were doing! Sounds like your doing well. Isn't it wonderful to have a flat stomach?! I think that swelling is the bain of plastic surgery and we all have to be very patient! That part sucks, huh!? I'm still feeling very tired myself. I guess enjoy the excuse to take it easy! My hips are very sore, but not bruised. My PS had me wear this foam stuff under my compression garment for the first week and it really helped the bruising. Luckily, bruising does go away. I bet your hips will look great when its all said and done!

[I'm still here 0]

Hi Karey,

I had some stitches taken out on Wednesday, The PS was very pleased with how things are looking, hardly any Fluid build up in the tummy, barely any bruising in the boobs. The only thing he was surprised about was that my hips were really bruised & didn't look that different despite having taken out nearly 500ml from each hip (I think thats the right mesurement... anyhow he said he took out alot.) & it's really bruised... very purple. He did say before I went into surgery that depending on swelling & bruising it could actually look worse than before! Has anyone had this kind of thing happen? I have really pronounced saddle bags & would love for them to be gone, as I was expecting from the lipo... it's a little too early to tell ofcourse, but everything else is looking good. The boobs are standing up & the tummy is nice & flat ( albeit a little swollen still) ... All in all I'm really happy.... just still have to take it easy!

IceCream - I had terrible bruising for at least two weeks around my TT incision and on the inside of and back of my legs from the bottom of my butt to almost my knees from the Lipo. I couldn't really see the bruising on my legs from the front and so I couldn't figure out why it hurt so much to sit down, then I turned around and looked in the full-length mirror . . . I almost passed out when I saw my legs and couldn't believe how bruised they were. Luckily, the bruises went away and the soreness from the lipo is getting better everyday.

Best of luck to you ~

[kareyquilts 1]

Nina: Are you out there? I was wondering how your return to weight lifting and exercising was going? I want to get back to it, but I'm worried that I could do myself harm. How is the swelling going for you? How are you doing in general? I hope you've been busy for the holidays and haven't just given up on us!

[ousooner 1]

Just checking in to say 'hi' - I may not post everyday, but do come to check in and see how everyone is doing.

Where are Neal and Nina? When they don't post for a day or two it makes me worry about them . . .

It feels like all I have done is EAT since I had my TT and I am so lucky I haven't had a big gain . . . If I had gotten an un-fill before my surgery, there is no telling how much weight I would have gained.

I hope everyone has a great weekend . . . Happy Easter.

Sorry I don't check in as often lately. Good to see everyone is doing well. I am doing pretty good. I am like you though, all I have done is eat since PS. My Dr said not to diet while I heal. Well, I certainly can not be accused of dieting. I started back to day being good. I wasn't unfilled prior to PS, but have never been really tight anyways. I called and cheduled a fill for April 4th. I really need it. I am having revision done on May 21st and I want maximum results, so I am really buckling down, even before my fill. Swelling is getting better. I am now wearing my pre-op pants finally, though are still a little snug. The great thing is that when I wear someting tight now, nothing hangs over my belt and no once can tell they are snug.

[icecream 1]

mommi-hammi,

thanks for the reply. My bruising has started to dissipate, it's gone from solid purple to broken up & loosing colour. Although the bruising is going down, my saddle bags are still there! It's a matter of patience, I'm sure....

Everything else is feeling pretty good otherwise. Good luck to you too!

[kareyquilts 1]

Neal: Good to hear from you. I'm going for a fill on Friday myself. Back to reality! The swelling is the pits isn't!?

[ousooner 1]

Question for everyone. Am I the only one with no external stitches. I hear other talk about getting their sticthes taken out, but I was closed up with surgical glue and had no external stitches. Don't know if that's good or bad. My band Dr did the same thing.

Also, since insurance wouldn't cover the surgery, we had to pay for everything upfront. Normal procedure. I notice today, that the anesthesiologist (who we already paid a little over $1,500), also submitted a claim to my insurance company for $2,750. UHC paid it all out but $295 for my deductable that was piad by my flexible spending. Makes me think they double billed and if insurance paid it, we are entitled to the $1.500 back. What do you guys think. I called the anesthesiologists office and left a voice mail. Waiting to hear back from them. I am wondering how they submitted a claim since I didn't give them my insurance info. I wonder if they got it from my PS who did submitt, but was denied. My parents said I should call the insurance copmpany and ask why they covered the anesthesiologist if they wouldn't cover the surgery, but I am affraid if I call, they will realize they made a mistake and rescind payment.

[juliegeraci 7]

Personally speaking I would work with the anaseathilogiest instead of the insurance company. You know how funny insurance companies can be. Good luck getting your refund!

[I'm still here 0]

Neal - I too would start with the Anestheologist's office before I contact the insurance company. If you don't get a good explanation from them, then I would consider questioning it with my insurance company. Good luck . . .

[ousooner 1]

Personally speaking I would work with the anaseathilogiest instead of the insurance company. You know how funny insurance companies can be. Good luck getting your refund!

Neal - I too would start with the Anestheologist's office before I contact the insurance company. If you don't get a good explanation from them, then I would consider questioning it with my insurance company. Good luck . . .

I agree, thats where I started. Its really nothing extra out of pocket, it just doesn't feel right until I get an explaination.

[kareyquilts 1]

Neal: I think you should get a refund from the anestheologist. I don't have any stitches on the outside. Only glue. I like that because I think there will be one less thing to make a scar out of.

[losingjusme 12]

i had stitches - still have some in fact.

good luck with the money...

[icecream 1]

I had a few external stitches, I think only 2 in the tummy at either end of the incision & 4 in the boobs, 1 on each nipple & 1 at either end of the underneath incisions. I had them all removed a week post op. The rest of the stitches are dissolving. Good luck with your refund.

[HarleyNana 10]

I had two undissolvable stitches, one at each of the two drainage tubes.

Neal, I see your delima, but I'm sure the Dr.'s office will gladly refund your money, rather than be reported for double dipping.

[HarleyNana 10]

Karey & Christina, can't remember which one of you posted pictures of your "parts" removed, but I asked to see mine, OMG! The sections were much larger than I had expected, in fact my tummy was in two 1/2 sections, and the breast was more than I expected too. When i go back for my after pictures in May I'm going to ask for copies while I'm with the picture lady.

I told my PS how disappointed I was with my breast and he said it was the best he could do because of the previous reduction and issue with the way the nipples were reattached. You'd think they were all put back the same way.

OK, I was in a gabby mood this AM, sorry.