Panniculectomy - Before and After - The Dream of a Lifetime!

Panniculectomy - Before and After - The Dream of a Lifetime!

Deciding to have a panniculectomy done following a dramatic weight loss is such a personal choice but for me, it was the dream of a lifetime!

One hears rumors that it is the worst pain in the world, but I am here to tell you it is not. Was there pain? Heck yes. Was it unbearable? Absolutely not! The worst pain I experienced was when I awoke after surgery and the pain ran in a line from one side to the other, just underneath my breasts.

Later, upon questioning this, the nurse informed me it was due to the retractors used during surgery. It seems that while your midriff skin is separated from the underlying muscles, the retractors are used to hold it up and out of the way while the surgeon tightens the muscles, removes the lower tummy skin and prepares to pull this skin down to stretch the entire area from your breasts to just above your legs and female anatomy. I believe this pain to be more prominent because the nerves in that area remain intact.

READ MORE...AND SEE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES

In contrast, the pain in my tummy and along the suture line was minimal. Oh yes, I moved somewhat gingerly when getting up and down and I had to walk bent over for the first 7-10 days. You are told you know you're in the correct bent over position if your hands can touch your knees. This allows very little stretching to your new tummy while it begins to heal. You see, the pain is minimal because the nerves have been cut during the surgical procedure so there is a strange numbness to your tummy. The feeling is reminiscent of touching the side of your cheeks after having novacaine injected in your jaw. As for the numbness, I am close to 4 months post surgery and my tummy still feels numb and that is normal.

My procedure included the removal of 12 lbs of excess skin, which was completely medically necessary to address the chafing, soreness, cleanliness issues, skin breakdown, skin tears, back pain/strain and the mobility issues it caused from hanging way past my thighs. The weight alone was incredible. When wearing cotton underwear, the size chosen had to increase by 2-3 sizes to allow for my bulbous tummy. They could be worn easily but my tummy was then allowed to sway back and forth with each step leading to the chafing, soreness, tearing and back pain mentioned above.

On the other hand, when electing to wear a tighter fitting control-top panty, there was pain in trying to gather this jelly-like sagging tummy and stuff it inside these tight fitting undies. Fragile stretchmarked skin tore easily. Those of us who have gained an extreme amount of weight, or are of my generation, may recall efforts to put on jeans that you have outgrown. In that procedure, you start by pulling your jeans up, then lie on your back on the bed to let your tummy sink in and wrestle to close the zipper as zipping your jeans standing up is no longer an option. This method was also used when trying to wear those girdle-type underwear.

Once the wrestling match was successfully won, this would provide the most support. Can you even begin to imagine how uncomfortable it could be? Even so, it did not begin to stop the chafing or the cleanliness issues although it did help with keeping your tummy from swaying like someone walking on a suspended bridge!

Upon awakening, there are drain tubes in place that are attached to corresponding grenades (bulbs) that contain the drainage fluids that are normal and occur post-operatively. The drainage tubes have to be stripped periodically throughout the day. The tubes are a tough plastic-type material, similar to that used in the air hose of a fish aquarium. To strip the tube, you simply take a pen, pencil or some other like item, and place it on one side of the tube. Then you squeeze the tube between the pen-like item and your thumb and pull it gently from the point it exits your body (mine was at my hip) down to the end of the tube where the grenade is. This pushes the fluid into the bulb through a one-way valve and keeps the tubing clear of small blood clots that are being suctioned out. The bulb containing the drainage material has to be measured, recorded and emptied. Now this is not painful, but it does take a little time.

If you are able to enlist the help of someone in achieving this during the first few days after surgery, I would highly recommend it. My sister, Terry, was my caretaker and such a Godsend during my first postoperative week. (Thanks Teddie!) As you may be able to see in the pictures below, my suture line extends past my midline on both sides so it was just a little difficult to try and turn enough from one side to the other to strip the tubes by myself and not pull a tube. Now after the first week or so you'll be a pro and, oddly enough, the task will be quite easy. Heck, you might even think about starting a nursing career!

In addition, my suture lines and belly button were cleaned with peroxide, antibiotic ointment placed, new bandages applied and an elastic binder cinched tightly around my tummy. The tension that was applied to the elastic binder reminded me of the days when a Southern Belle's girdle was cinched one or two steps tighter. It did not feel uncomfortable; it was strangely reassuring to know something was holding my tummy together besides stiches and glue! The peroxide and antibiotic ointment was later discontinued while the bandage changes continued.

As the drainage slowed, the tubes were pulled. First my right tube was pulled; it took another 7-10 days before the left one was pulled. Was there pain with that, you ask? The only pain was a slight pinch when my surgeon, Dr. Cherny, gently cut the suture using a tweezer and a pair of surgical scissors. The tube pulled out freely and there was a momentary very slight uncomfortable feeling that lasted for a few seconds at most. And, in all my years in medicine, I have never met such a kind and caring physician/surgeon in my life. He had such a gentle touch and a caring nature that even when there was the slightest pinch, he would genuinely say, "I'm sorry," and explain that was the part of the job he disliked the most.

So, there you have it in a nutshell as to what you can expect when undergoing this surgery. It is scary at first, but I would do it 1,000 times over!!!

Now, for the very best part of all, the after surgery part! You didn't think I'd stop with the nutshell, did you? Nope, the next part is the like cutting the ribbon on the dedication of a new building! When that last drain tube is out and the last dressing changed, you are embarking on a new and exciting part of life's journey!

The flat tummy I have is a miracle to me! While the surgery overall is quite safe, any time someone undergoes surgery there is always the remote possibility of death. Knowing this, I willingly proceeded because I felt it would change my life that much, and it has!

It's been almost four months now since surgery and trying to put into words how it has changed my life is somewhat difficult. In many ways, it is similar to a rebirth as you truly are a new person. My tummy is flat and shapely and the health issues of a pendulous tummy are no longer a concern. I couldn't be happier if I was a princess receiving a tiara, a lovely ball gown and my glass slippers. Nothing physically has ever changed the way I feel about myself more than this surgery. Clothing now fits, my back doesn't hurt, I can walk without my tummy swaying from side to side and I feel pretty inside.

Now, I'm not necessarily talking about physical beauty. I'm talking about the feeling you have when you have set a goal, worked hard and were rewarded by your success. My goal was to lose weight, exercise and become healthier. It has taken 2 years and a lot of hard work, which was amazingly enjoyable when I chose to change my attitude and realize that the journey was one of the best parts! The time on this path has not been a race to a destination but has culminated in the precious days of my life! The lessons learned, the introspection gained and the friendships formed have been a most cherished gift. Lastly, I've been rewarded with health, happiness and a contentment of sorts. I'm very contented with what has been accomplished and I love my tummy and my new physique. I also look forward to setting new goals; I never want to be so content that I am complacent or stagnant in my personal growth.

As stated in an earlier article, it has taken a lot of soul-searching to share my semi-naked pictures with all of you and, by means of the Internet, with anyone who happens to search the words that Google finds in the article. I do so in the sincere effort to pay it forward and enlighten the path for those that follow and to honor those who paid it forward by helping me.

Here are the pictures that need no words to describe the miraculous change this surgery has made to my life!

BEFORE TUMMYPICTURE

April 8, 2008

This is 1 day before surgery

AFTER SURGERY TUMMY
PICTURE

April 10, 2008

This is 1 day after surgery.

NOW TUMMY PICTURE

July 25, 2008

This is approximately 3 1/2 months after surgery.

So, if you're wanting this surgery, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Research your surgeon, ask questions, and get ready for a breathtaking journey! Take before pictures, even if you're not crazy enough to put them on the Internet. You'll want them for comparison at some point in your life and once the surgery is done, the opportunity to take them is gone.

Hope you will participate in this little poll and let's find out together what everyone thinks. There are additional posts on this subject below which will provide you with a more indepth view of my experience.

Should you elect to have surgery or not, would love to have you contact me regarding your experience. Your comments are most welcome and appreciated below this post or on any post in the blog. Sunshine wishes and much success and happiness!

Other related articles -

Today's Surgery - Panniculectomy with Muscle Tightening (Abdominoplasty)

Surgery Day 1 - Balancing Your Mind and Soul for the Event of a Lifetime!

The Long Awaited Tummy Pictures and The Princess Leaves the Surgery Center