Reconstructive Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi all --

Not that anyone knows me from posting a lot, but thought I'd share and ask

for your thoughts.

Just got a call from my plastic surgeon and was informed that I have been

approved for an abdominoplasty and thigh " lift. " I am 17 months out from a

proximal RNY and have gone from 314 to 191.5. I am scheduled for Valentine's

Day (February 14).

I read the list every day and hear much of the PS/reconstruction that folks

have gone through, but now it's different since it's MY turn. Such is life

and, not normally being a wuss, I am finding myself focusing on the final

product to fight off the fears that are now creeping up on me.

My main concern is the thigh " lift. " This was unexpected as it has nothing

to do with the WLS. (From what I've read from this list, this PS is not to

be taken lightly, and I would not consider it if it were not mandated by my

surgeon.)

The thigh lift is in addition to reconstructing the outer most or " outside "

portion of each of my thighs that were brutally scared by an operation I had

when I was 6 months old (experimental surgery at UC San Francisco).

Essentially, the thigh lift is to remove 47 years of scar tissue that have a

death grip on my thigh muscles. Thus, the surgeon will be " lifting " my thigh

to accomplish this as well.

Can someone please remind me what to expect with the thigh lift? The

scaring (oh yea, like I need to worry about that at this point). Drainage

tubes? Recovery time? Walking?

I realize these are questions I should ask my surgeon (and I will), but I

would like a " heads-up " from the folks I embrace and who have " been there. "

Thanks so much for your replies, privately or on the list.

Bobbie

Anchorage, AK

Open RNY 5-11-01

Then: 314

Now: 191.5

[Guest guest]

Congrats!!!

I am so envious I could spit. Phht phht!

I started at 370 and am now at 235. My Dr. said to start looking

around for a PS, but I want to be where you are before I proceed.

What insurance do you have? What did you have to do to document your

case and apply for coverage? Is the thigh portion covered? How much

are you going to pay yourself? How did you find a PS? Are they

doing it all at once?

Spill your guts! I want to know it all.

I bet you look great in the 190s. How tall are you? I am 5'9 3/4 " .

At 235 I am wearing size 18. My goal is anything below 200.

Wow..February is so close...time will go fast with the holidays.

Just think.. all of the ps will be over by summer and you'll have all

that sun and fun in a body that feels as good as you do. I am so

happy for you.

Smiles,

Vicki A.

> Hi all --

>

> Not that anyone knows me from posting a lot, but thought I'd share

and ask

> for your thoughts.

>

> Just got a call from my plastic surgeon and was informed that I

have been

> approved for an abdominoplasty and thigh " lift. " I am 17 months

out from a

> proximal RNY and have gone from 314 to 191.5. I am scheduled for

Valentine's

> Day (February 14).

>

> I read the list every day and hear much of the PS/reconstruction

that folks

> have gone through, but now it's different since it's MY turn. Such

is life

> and, not normally being a wuss, I am finding myself focusing on the

final

> product to fight off the fears that are now creeping up on me.

>

> My main concern is the thigh " lift. " This was unexpected as it has

nothing

> to do with the WLS. (From what I've read from this list, this PS

is not to

> be taken lightly, and I would not consider it if it were not

mandated by my

> surgeon.)

>

> The thigh lift is in addition to reconstructing the outer most

or " outside "

> portion of each of my thighs that were brutally scared by an

operation I had

> when I was 6 months old (experimental surgery at UC San

Francisco).

> Essentially, the thigh lift is to remove 47 years of scar tissue

that have a

> death grip on my thigh muscles. Thus, the surgeon will

be " lifting " my thigh

> to accomplish this as well.

>

> Can someone please remind me what to expect with the thigh lift?

The

> scaring (oh yea, like I need to worry about that at this point).

Drainage

> tubes? Recovery time? Walking?

>

> I realize these are questions I should ask my surgeon (and I will),

but I

> would like a " heads-up " from the folks I embrace and who have " been

there. "

>

> Thanks so much for your replies, privately or on the list.

>

> Bobbie

> Anchorage, AK

> Open RNY 5-11-01

> Then: 314

> Now: 191.5

[Guest guest]

<< be referred OUT to the civilian >>

definitely try to get referral for this reason: Most truly ace medical

surgeon personnel are now being " reserved " for " enlisted and locked in " men

and women during this time of war clouds.

secondly, although there are ace surgeons in military, many, many are 10

years behind the times, (my USAF dh had a gall bladder out at Fitz army base

hosp, and has an 8' in scar, and it COULD have been done lap, but no one had

that skill at that time— said it was an experimental technique when in fact

'outside' they haed been doing it for several years). Many army-navy-air

force hospitals are not exactly what one would call cutting edge with

equipment either. House and senate commmittees of vet benefits are to blame

on this one. It is an egregious situation in many areas.

love,

ceep