OH Juli's Plastic Surgery

[OH Juli 15]

Yeah, Sue put it pretty well.

Pannis just remove the skin.

Tummy Tucks repair the muscle by lacing it together. As for the belly button, my doctor cuts around the orginal button and carefully measures the newly pulled skin, cuts a hole and attaches it to the area.

There's got to be a better way to detail that...

But my belly button is where God put it. The skin it's poking through however was put there by Dr. Martin. :thumbup:

[kareyquilts 1]

Sue: Congratulations on your surgery date!

A panni only removes the lower portion of the stomach (the part that hangs down over the pubis). A Tummy Tuck pulls all the skin down (above the belly button) repairs the muscles underneath the tummy (if needed) and gives the belly the nice flat look. A panni can have an abrupt look to it because the bottom of the stomach just seems to fall off, the skin above the belly can still be loose and jiggly. A pani is done to alleviate skin rashes below the panis, not really for an aesthetic look. Do look on Dr. Schulman's website for examples. Hope this explanation is helpful. It's hard to explain.

[gone 4 ever 6]

Thanks all

[JosieK 120]

hi juli

glad you are doing well.....i know you are a trooper so i'm watching your recovery and lellow's to get psyched for my surgeries.

i think i was getting unrealistic about recovery and planned to do some things too soon after the operation. your post has really made me decide to slow down and i've cancelled everything (attending weddings, graduations, etc).

one thought i had....everyone that has gone before with PS has validated the difficulty immediately following surgery but loves the results and is happy afterwards....that's what is keeping me going forward....(i'm not a trooper (big baby) and was seriously thinking of cancelling the PS.)

my pre-op is next tuesday so i should know more then.

glad you are getting on your feet......

Edited April 24, 2009 by josiebies

[mrgrta 0]

Julie, thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. Reading this thread has really help to prepare me for what's to come. Hope you're feeling better.

[kareyquilts 1]

Josiebies: Don't let us scare you off. You're a beautiful women and you're going to love the flat tummy. It's doable, we've all lived to tell the tale. You'll have some nice battle stories to share and your doc will give you some good drugs! Keep us informed!

[JosieK 120]

hi kareyquilts,

thanks for your email....actually you gals are helping me to be more realistic about what to expect which will in turn i think help my recovery.

i've been taking the info i'm getting from all of you and really appreciate it.

thanks!

josie

[OH Juli 15]

I'm a reality baser too. This idea that I'd be able to get tons of stuff done is silly. But actually, I am able to do things like a load of laundry, cook dinner, do the dishes...I'm able to go all day without pain medication, but I do take it at night.

Apparently my seromas are becoming legendary. Today they took off 28 ounces again. That's a boat load. The surgeon is talking about maybe putting a drain back in, but apparently I'm healing and I have two pockets collecting Fluid, so I'd still have to get drained on the smaller one.

Alas, I'm just planning on twice weekly visits to the doctor. He's funny and I love the office people, the hour and half drive is bit much but nontheless, I'm driving it.

Okay, so I'm sitting at a size 12 right now. I think I'm going to land at a 10. For whatever reason I think that's big, but it's not. It's who I am.

Sigh.

[mrgrta 0]

Juli, sorry to hear about maybe getting a drain put back in. It sounds like you are doing wonderful other than that. My doctor said to pretty much expect a seroma. If that is the only complication, then I can deal with that.

Size 10 is wonderful!!! It is probably where I will end up too. Take care.

[favorite 3]

juli,

i remember when i was growing up and size 12 being the size of the all american girl. you worked hard and now its your turn to shine. congratulations all american girl!!

[OH Juli 15]

Awe shucks, me being the all American Girl? That sounds nice.

I'd just like to fast forward a few more weeks so I can be better healed and in less pain.

Alas, I'm a plastic surgery whimp. I suppose I can answer all the people who ask if I'm going to become a PS addict with a truthful and resounding 'NO'.

[canastajerri 0]

After debating, do I put a thread on here or not, apparently I’ve decided it’s a good idea, so here it is.

I’m scheduled for my plastic surgery April 6th.

I’m having a lower body lift, a 360 incision and a vertical incision, a mons lift too. I’m having my arms done, and a revision to a breast reduction surgery from years ago. I’m not getting implants.

I’m seeing Dr. Kurtis Martin. His staff has been amazing. He makes me feel very confident in his skills. This will take 7 hours of surgery and I’m maxing out the amount of time he will work on one person. It’s good, because I don’t think I’ll need other surgeries. I was kind of apple shaped and didn’t carry a lot of weight on my legs (relatively speaking) so I’m not having leg work done. However the way he places the incision on/around my hips there will be some improvement with my legs.

I’m guessing there’s 20-25 pounds of skin that’s coming off. I’m basing that on the estimates the two surgeons I saw gave me. One said 15 with a wink, the other said 30. I’m going with Doctor 15. Doctor 30 was super eager to cut me as much as possible and wanted to give me the works. Dr. 15 asked me what I wanted and even made me defend the vertical incision decision.

As much as I’d like to get my neck done, there’s no money for that now. Maybe later if I strike it rich.

I was shooting for dropping more weight before surgery and I hope I still will, by my weight loss has stalled. I exercise regularly and hard, so I know it’s about eating fewer calories. But the good news is I’m pretty buff under the skin! I’ll be able to show off my muscles this summer.

I will have my port revised too, btw. Being unfilled doesn’t sound appealing to me, but I know I’ll work through it.

And I don’t know that I’ll be posting pictures of my half naked body. As grateful as I am to those who have gone before me who have posted their pictures, it’s just not in the cards for me.

Oh, and let me answer this before it gets asked. I do feel like if I waited one more year I’d probably have all my weight off. However, right now I have a job that will pay for the panniculectomy, and generous benefits for time off. A year from now I probably will not be able to take off for 4-6 weeks. I base that on the fact I’m finishing my MBA the end of March and I’m going to be looking for something new this summer/fall.

Surgery now is the best fit for the schedule.

Yeah, you saw right, I’ve been in school since 2005. I got my undergrad then my graduate degree while losing a bunch of weight. It was absolutely deliberate. I'm absolutely that awesome.

Hi, would you mind sharing the approximate cost of the panni surgery? I know it probably varies in different parts of the country but I'd like an approximation before I get into the idea any deeper. It sounds like it is pretty painful! I admire you for having all this done while you are young. This will enable you to have a more fulfilling life. Thanks. canastajerri

[kareyquilts 1]

Juli: I'm a size 8-10, was a 6 before my unfill (Boo-hoo). When I'm feeling bad about my size, I try to look around at my peers and get some perspective. Being average with a little better plus having a flat stomach is a good thing! Hope the seromas get better soon!

[OH Juli 15]

canasta-

The cost really depends on what you are going to have done and if your insurance covers any of it. Typically if you have a big pannus they will cover that, but anything more is going to be out of your pocket. And a pannuculectomy with out a Tummy Tuck won't give you the results you probably want. I don't know that it would be worth the pain either.

My advice, call a few plastic surgeons and get consultations. They are free.

[OH Juli 15]

So I went and got drained again today.

The surgeon wants to put a drain in again. I don't want one. I'm graduating a week from Sunday and don't want to commence with a drain sticking out of me.

I need to really talk to him about it. Ick.

However, I have to say I'm feeling good having been drained and he told me I'm allowed to take a bath! That will be so nice. I love soaking.

So kids, I have to buy a pair of short/capris to wear to an outside party tomorrow. A dress is too dressy and my workout pants are too casual. I'm not looking forward to it but psyching myself up for a bit of shopping and buying only a size 12. I know I'll be in a 10 eventually, but I can't force the issue.

Rambling here......