If I were, it wouldn't have taken me so long to realize that the reason I couldn't access my own blog was because I was logging in with the wrong e-mail address. Hey, my hubby is the techno geek of the family; it's why I pay him the big bucks ;)
An awful lot has happened since my last posting, most notably that after consults with three different plastic surgeons, and a surprisingly easy insurance approval for panniculectomy, I underwent a belt lipectomy, or lower body lift, three weeks ago, on March 29th. A pretty intense surgery, my LBL took approximately six hours (nine hours from the time I was taken to the OR to the time I was released from recovery and sent to a room) and involved an incision all the way around, about where low-rise pants or a bikini bottom would sit. Mine included removal of the pannus (the "apron" of skin that falls below the belly button in people who've lost weight) with a with the creation of a "new" belly button, tightening of abdominal muscles, an outer thigh lift, and a buttocks lift - in true "green" style, my surgeon "reduced, reused, and recycled" some of my own fat to give shape and lift to my tush. All the excess fat over my hips and below my bum is gone, and so is all of the cellulite that dimpled the backs of my thighs.
My research showed that roughly 99% of surgeons have their patients wear a compression garment after tummy tuck, but my surgeon reassured me that he would suture me so tightly that a compression garment wouldn't be needed...and he was right. I joke that if my hubby gets bored he can amuse himself by bouncing quarters off my bum or my belly :).
Now, I have to admit that this surgery is not for the weak of heart. I was so scared that even after having the LaLa juice administered I was telling everyone that I was okay with living with a layer cake top (having surpassed muffin top about 75 lbs ago) and would be glad to get up and just go on back home. My husband and our youngest son, who had accompanied us that day, just laughed. I vaguely remember putting my hands up, thinking I could push away the mask, and that's my last memory before hearing someone call my name in the recovery room. Apparently I was pretty worried about picking my maltese up from the groomer, even though he'd been the day before and was safely ensconsed at home. It's funny the things the mind can dredge up under the influence.
No matter how hard I tried to stand up and walk that night, I simply could not do it. I'd make it as far as to stand up beside my bed (and my gosh, but that hurt) and then a wave of heat would wash over me and I'd start to get sick. Thankfully I was able to ambulate early the next morning, which we all know is a big part of recovering from surgery.
There never was a point when I was so miserable that I regretted having this surgery, not even when I waited too long between doses of pain medication...NOT a smart move. From the moment I lifted the covers and, through the bandaging and drains and tubes could see a flat stomach, I knew I'd done the right thing. The day after, when I could stand in front of the mirror and assess everything, that was confirmed. In spite of the fact that I looked like I'd been pieced together by a manic-depressive quilter during a manic phase, I could see the immediate changes and imagine the ones to come as my body healed.
I can't sing enough praise of Bio-Oil and Mederma, but mostly the Bio-Oil. Once the incion was closed, I started four-times daily deep tissue massage (or my version of it anyhow), twice with Bio-Oil and twice with Mederma. Even though I know it can take up to nine months for all the redness to dissipate, there's a noticeable improvement in color and texture on a daily basis. I highly recommend these products.
One of the hardest aspects of the surgery was dealing with the drains. I came home with four of them. Two came out after nine days, a third came out after another five days, and the last one was finally removed three weeks post-op. They didn't hurt; they were just a big incovenience and trying to keep them hidden was a huge challenge. Thank goodness for loose fitting tops. The absolute hardest part has been not being able to pick up our second-youngest grandchild. Every day she asks me if my tummy is better and every day I have to say not yet, because I know as soon as I say yes I'm going to be expected to pick up Her Highness and tote her around. Right now we compromise by having somebody lift her onto my lap so we can snuggle.
Belt lipectomy is not a cheap surgery, but it was financially doable for us because of our insurance covering the panniculectomy part. That approval helped defray some of the expense by covering part of the costs, including one of the two nights I spent in the hospital. I was tempted to forego all the rest of it and just have the fully-covered panniculectomy, but I knew I wouldn't be happy with the results of that procedure alone.
I've been blessed with a very strong network of help. My husband took vacation time from work to focus on taking care of me, and he, our son, daughter-in-law, and oldest daughter, took care of everything related to the house and meals and laundry and pets so that I didn't have to worry about a thing. Even though I'm three weeks post-op, I still tire easily, and they're all still pitching in. I feel like a lady of leisure! Of course, the girls can be a bit bossy at times *LOL*, and I can't get away with a darned thing, but I honestly can't imagine how people manage after surgery when they don't have the kind of strong support system I've enjoyed.
It's drummed into us that we undergo weight loss surgery for the health benefits, and that's true. Goodness knows that I'm certainly enjoying the relief of the severe osteo-arthritic knee pain that slowed me down for so many years. Chasing grandkids wasn't something I was able to do before undergoing lap-band back in December of 2007, and I can't imagine being able to carry our Butterbean around the way I do if I hadn't bitten the bullet and fought with insurance companies and had weight loss surgery. But I don't think it's fair to deny that there's an aesthetic component to it too, at least for many of us. Yes, we're healthier, but we want to look good too. And what's wrong with wanting the way we feel on the inside to be reflected on the outside? What's wrong with wanting to look as fit and healthy as we feel? Nothing, that's what. A person who's physically and emotionally healthy wants to look their best. A little vanity is a good thing because it shows that we care about ourselves and want to present our best face to others.
Of course, I'm not a therapist or counselor or psychiatrist or any kind of trained, educated professional. What I am is a woman who's been there, done that and bought the t-shirt and who can now wear that t-shirt without looking like the Michelin man. And that's a good thing.
