Two Weeks Following Fup-Ectomy...

Mar 15, 2012

My two week follow up from having my Panniculectomy, and wait for it... My Dermatolipectomy, THAT is the formal name given to the removal of the flesh from my Happy Little Cooter.  For those who do not know who my Cooter is, well that is the new name my vagina got after having 361 grams (or .8 pounds) of flesh removed.

My surgeon, always the sweet and gentleman that he is, was all smiles and handshakes for me yesterday.  Did I mention, he is a lefty?  Anyhow, he was very pleased with his work, and my work - the recovery process that can make or break a procedure.  We laughed a bit, I started to tear up AGAIN when I thanked him for the marvelous job he did.  We discussed that I had swelling and a lump in the right side of my vulva the day prior, he chalked it up to my being "asymmetrical".  Sigh, I guess I was THAT close to being perfect...

Here is the Operative Report I was given - maybe I should have asked for his autograph?!  "Estimated blood loss for this case was 250 cc (1.06 cups).  Circulating nurse reported sponge and instrument count correct.  Total weight of the pannus was 7863 grams (17.33 pounds) and the mons pubis was 361 grams (.80 pounds).  I added the "American" measurements.

So technically I did not lose 19 pounds, closer to 18 and change, I guess they just rounded up when they told me 18 & 1 pound, respectively.  But, the cool thing I learned was the correct name of the procedure used on my mons pubis: dermatolipectomy - try and say THAT three times! I still have not seen the billing for the procedure, as someone asked if it is billed as separate procedures (I think it most likely is - they have to bill more to get more, right?), but will be happy to update the information when I find out.

My recuperation is boring, but it is going well.  I still am not cleared for "real" exercise, but allowed to walk "fast", as opposed to "do not raise your heart rate above..."  I am not allowed to carry more than 5 pounds, and as my sweetie suspected, I am also NOT allowed to drive the vacuum around the house, sigh.  Can you believe it?  When someone says "You are NOT supposed to do housework," don't you know I suddenly have this overwhelming need - NEED - to clean!  Okay, so I am making deals with my family, they will ALLOW me to do laundry, as long as I do not lift the basket.  I am allowed to cook, as long as I do not stand for more than 15 minutes at a time - and NO HEAVY LIFTING (I was using my cast iron skillet today, making baked beans).  Oh, and I did drive my truck for the first time, and was excited about doing that!

I have yet to really try on clothing, as I am still very swollen - I owe some current photos, I will try to talk someone into taking them for me.  My sitting is still not upright, but then again, I do not want to risk splitting open.  Since my incision looks "happy," I am now allowed to use A & E ointment, and already using it twice daily.  I am glad I kept most of my "granny panties," as I do leak a little & the ointment is probably going to leave said panties looking sad...

The very coolest part of my incision - I do NOT have Frankenstein looking stitches!  I was really checking them out, and I guess they are all under the skin, so they must just absorb (I forgot to ask about them).  I was told not to make a follow up appointment until my two drains are producing 20 cc a day, and they it is a same day appointment.  Sadly, I am not upset about still having them, I drain them a few times a day, and have gotten used to the "procedure" I have to go through, just to go to the bathroom.  When I wear pants with pockets, I get to just pop them into them - and get to skip wearing my Velcro belt that can be itchy... I have to dangle the bulbs down the inside of my panties, swing them up under my body cincher, then either attach to the Velcro belt, or drop them into my pockets - it takes some time to do, so do not get behind me waiting to use the bathroom!

Addressing the "at what weight did you have to get to before getting your surgery" question: There is NO weight number, it all depends on the classification of pannus (1 - 5), and whether the surgeon thinks you are up for the surgery.  I was very athletic before my reconstructive surgery, so I have had clear lungs, little risk of blood clots, and I have healthy skin.  There is a certain degree of skin necrosis associated with having a pannus that hangs beyond your mons pubis, but I did not have broken skin, nor any evident infection (yeast is the most common, so you have to really be on top of using surgical scrub a few days prior to surgery).  The other big question I seem to get is: Why isn't this considered a tummy tuck?  Well, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty is removal of fat, skin, and repair of muscles.  What I had was merely removal of flesh - or fat & skin.  This procedure does NOT hurt as much as an abdominoplasty, not that I would know from experience, as it is just flesh.  Sure, it hurt and still hurts, but not badly. 

This was not just a cosmetic procedure, I have known 15 years that I needed to have this done, but wanted to get the most benefit by losing as much weight, so they could remove more skin.  When I get closer to a "goal weight," which I do not have a set goal weight, then I can look into getting the rest of the skin removed and get the muscles repaired.  Evidently, I heard yesterday that MANY insurance companies have changed their stance on Panniculectomies, and are approving more, and quicker.  That was why I was told they have been flooded with patients since December.  That makes me happy to hear that, as this isn't just a cosmetic thing, and anyone who sees it that way, I dare them to spend just TWO days wearing a prosthetic, it is difficult to have swinging flesh on your lower torso.  The panniculus can be intrusive sexually, cause skin infections & irritations, the weight of it can cause back strain, puts a person center of gravity off especially when losing weight, muscles tighten, but flesh just hangs - my butt shrank, but my belly just drooped lower.  My suggestion to any person with a pannus that hangs beyond their pubic bone, find a surgeon who specializes in panniculectomies, and get a consult.  You may be pleased to hear that you will be covered for the procedure, and it will change not only your physical well being, but it has done amazing things to my emotional well being!

This has been a very emotional time for me.  I am thankful for the help I have received, and am looking forward to moving forward with even more effort, as I can finally imagine what I will be, not what I wish I could be.  No more "wishing" I could lose weight!  If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well, so as soon as they clear me - yes, I was stared directly into my eyes, "Brenda, still NO swimming," - I will be back to swimming mile after mile and doing as many, if not double on land!  I cannot remember ridding a bicycle without my "fup," that is going to feel amazing!  I am very excited to consider only needing one swimsuit to swim in, as opposed to wearing a swim brief backwards to hold me in, under my swimsuit.  This was absolutely worth working for, and for anyone thinking weight loss is easier after surgery, go back and read my blog!  Much of my success I attribute to surgery, but I also have worked hard, physically.  It may take me a year or more, but at this point, I am so ready to finally feel normal, I wouldn't mind if it took twice as long.  Ask yourself, what size where you a year ago?  Now think about a year forward - will you be the same size?  Bigger? Smaller?  Well, it all depends on what YOU are willing to do to change your life in a year. 

I am now 16 months out from having weight loss surgery, and I am almost 180 pounds lighter.  I still have another 100+ to lose, but being able to look at the journey I have made, it just doesn't seem so hard.  Sure, I have to deal with my "head hunger," but feeling better physically has made my emotional life better than it has been in a very long time.  Just ask yourself, "Am I Worth It?"  I sure as hell hope you answer YES!  If you do not, hey, write me, maybe you just need someone to help you make the journey.  Trust me, I appreciate EVERY PERSON who has sent me emails, comments, calls, because support is what we need!  Do you need support?  I am more than happy to tell it to you like it is - I won't be too blunt, but I also am not sugar coating the details, either.  Do you want to wake up every morning looking forward to your day?  I know I do!  Do this for you!!!

Brenda : )~

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