Manatee's turn for plastics

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi Manatee:

Now that the lap band forum's been updated to show more pics at the top I think your picture should be there. You've really had such a tremendous transformation!

Congrats.

Sue

[Donna113 2]

Wow Sue, you've done phenomenal yourself! Do you have any b/a pics you'd like to share? I find them so inspirational.

[Manatee 4]

Plastics -- problems?

Had another followup with the doc on Thursday. He pulled out some more Fluid, but not much. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the swelling/scarring isn't going down. It should be shrinking now, but instead it's formed a hard tube of tissue right around the middle. It's almost like having a bicycle tube under the skin. He doesn't know why it's doing that.

He wants to give it a bit more time, but is thinking that it won't go away on its own. He's now talking about a followup procedure to go in and "core out the scar tissue".

Hmmm, I'm not too interested in yet another general anesthesia surgery, but then again I paid to have a certain body shape, and it's not here. At least I won't have to pay for the next round.

[Sue Magoo 71]

Sorry to hear about your complications. I hope that a little more time takes care of the problem instead of surgery.

Beauty takes sacrafice, and you're a beautiful man now. Please find comfort in the fact that you are a very attractive man now.

Take care.

Sue

[gone 4 ever 6]

Manatee, sorry to hear you might have to have more PS. I pray you don't. I read somewhere that after you heal if you gently massage your scares and pull gently on them several times a day that scare tissue under will not form or it breaks apart.

[kareyquilts 1]

I would also be very aggresive about the massage. It really can help. Best wishes!

[Manatee 4]

10 weeks, minimum

Had yet another followup on the tuck and Lipo. Doc pulled more liquid out, but less than before.

He's insistent that the swelling and such will pull down. I asked him what his thoughts were on a revision, and he wants to wait 10 weeks before making a decision on the additional surgery.

I'm getting pretty impatient, but I will give him the 10 weeks. The only positive in this is this doc is a perfectionist, and is determined to make this look good.

And on we roll...

[Donna113 2]

Overall, how are you feeling?

[Manatee 4]

Overall I'm fine. Still have strange sensations and such, some low level pain, but nothing that's more than an irritation.

[Donna113 2]

That's great to hear. Do you like the new shape that's coming along? It sounds like the bloating and swelling has gone down quite a bit.

[Manatee 4]

Doc has given up on the "swelling" diagnosis

Went in again today for a scheduled followup. Doc only pulled off a very small amount on the one side, and didn't even bother with the other. He said that he's decided he will have to go in for a round 2. Full general anesthesia, slicing open the sides again, and more Lipo. That is then followed by more time in a compression garment, etc. Fun....

I also went by the lap-band surgeon and got a fill under fluoro. This is the first fill after the complete unfill for the PS. The band is in good position, tubing looks good, etc. We didn't add much, just 3 cc in the hopes it will kinda remind me about my eating without generating a full restriction. If I keep easing up after that assistance then we will go tighter.

As long as the job search is underway I do NOT want to appear medically abnormal in any way, and so the very tight adjustments will have to wait.

[Manatee 4]

I've been reading through some of the other recent plastics patients threads.

Holy cow.

I think I'm gonna stop whining now. Open holes and months of bed rest and such are just overwhelming. I'm not sure how you guys do that. I'm frustrated with my (apparently) very minor side effects, and some of these folks are really in pain.

I suppose I just have too much free time now to obsess over body shape -- I need to find a volunteer gig or something to give me something else to focus on.

[Donna113 2]

Sorry to hear you are in the job market at this very precarious time in the economy. Good luck with the job search and the revision.

[kareyquilts 1]

Manatee: So easy to obsess over our bodies after all the hard work, then plastic surgery opens this whole new world of possiblities... Much better to get busy and try and live a balanced life. I've been there. I could get more procedures because this ole body isn't anywhere near perfect, but I'm trying to switch gears and think about being healthy and helping others, etc. Your ps will help you get tweaked and it will all be good!

[Manatee 4]

Once more, a tuck followup

It's been 4 weeks since the last meeting with Dr. Chop-n-Drop. During that time I've noticed that the hard ridge of tissue has softened to what looks like a 'normal' roll of excess fat. No Fluid buildups, no pressure, etc.

Doc took a look and is still Pleased With Himself. The scar is where it's supposed to be -- red and noticeable -- but is fading nicely. Scars don't bother me anyway, I already look like I survived an icepick attack.

The plan now is another 4 weeks of recovery, and then a final liposuction procedure to clear out the last of the roll and belly flab. He might hit the lower back again if he thinks it's necessary. Honestly, I don't care that much about the back because I cannot see it :thumbs_up:

So, Feb 5 expect another update.