Patient Reviews

lp2004dude

Review from Realself

Apr 01, 2016

29 Year Old Male, Procedure Soon - Houston, TX In 2013, I started this journey after becoming completely disgusted with myself. I was at my most darkest time of life, the weight gain had put me at a low I didn't think I would ever overcome. I was 26 years old, weighing 447 lbs. I knew I had goals, big goals I wanted to accomplish in my life but my self esteem, my confidence and my appearance was holding me back & I knew if I didn't change something now, it would eventually overtake me. So over those next two years, I lost 170 lbs on my own (and I say that with much excitement, because losing it on our own, takes such will power & determination!) I started my own business which is growing tremendously, I became involved in my city & elected as a director on the board and my confidence is out of the roof. I couldn't be happier with myself in taking those steps to where I am today. But there was one thing that bothers me, I am now dealing with the excess skin, I met with the surgeon and asked if it was better for me to try and lose more weight before proceeding and his advise was pretty straight forward, the stomach abdominal area will never lose that fat, yes I could lose more, but it will not make a difference in that area. So with that being said, I made my decision, I will proceed with the full abdominal tummy tuck which should remove a minimum of 13 lbs of fat and excess skin is what he was thinking. I was asked if I was worried about any scars etc, but as I was thinking about it, not at all, the meaning behind that scar will always remind me of what those days were, they will be my warrior marks! But I am super nervous, the procedure is roughly 3 hrs with a 2-3 week recovery time. We will be setting an exact date today! ???? Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated! I will keep updates posted for anyone who is interested in following Okay so my date for surgery is set for April 6th, and I am getting very nervous. I want to just cancel to be honest after reading some of the reviews. Ugh. I have huge support from my family who keeps telling me it will be worth it, but I am super nervous. Help me! Someone give me some positive input! My pre op was just confirmed and set for 9am tomorrow. I'm beyond nervous, excited and a lot more emotions! Well pre op went well. I discussed everything with the Doctor, I was given a bag with pads, gauze, vitimans, laxatives, a med that will help with the bruising etc. I did my final before pictures and surgery is set for 12:30pm tomorrow. I'm ready! Keep me in your prayers, I will post one final post tomorrow before surgery. Below is a pic of everything I received. Well it's here. I didn't sleep to well last night. I am ready for it to be over with it already. My scheduled time got moved up to 11:30am so I am headed to the hospital now. Here we go. I will update as soon as I feel up for it. I'm finally post operation. The pain has pretty rough last night. I remember waking to the operating room and that was it. I woke up in recovery. Doctor said between the skin and lipo of my chest it was 20 lbs, surgery and Recovery time was about 4 hours. I made it home and literally take my pain meds at exactly 4 hrs. I set up alarm because I do not want this to wear off. I do walk at an angle because I simply can not stand up right yet. I also have two drains, which hurt, and drained about 55cc out of them last night. The doctor is sending a nurse to my home today to see how I'm doing and examine my insicion. I do hurt, but as of now I have no regrets. I can't really feel a difference just yet because I have so much pads, a binder and vest on right now. I did step on the scale just to see and I am 7 lbs lighter then yesterday. I will keep everyone posted, thanks everyone for the prayers and concerns. I will try and get some pictures up soon I'm doing expectionally well. I have an appetite, eating not to much though just don't want to get my stomach to upset. I have taken two showers since the surgery. I am standing a little taller each day. My scale is still down 12 or so lbs and I'm draining about the same. I get up and walk a lot about 30 mins a time. It feels so good to stretch out my back. I can do tell a difference. I will continue to keep updating everyone who is following! Everything is going exceptionally well. My chest is still very sore, and my insicion is painful only at times. Doctors appointment went well, drains have to stay in one more week. I weight about 14 lbs less then pre surgery. But I am swelling like crazy in my legs and waist as no pants or shorts fit me yet. I am very happy with my results if I can just get the swelling to stop. I would do it all over again. I can hardly believe it's been 4 weeks since surgery! Recovery has been quite a journey. It's been hard at times, I guess especially with the swelling and exhaustion I feel so easily at the end of the day. The hardest part is not over doing it. You don't realize how the procedure is quite a shock to your body until you feel it. I had to learn to take it easy even 4 weeks after, as it takes a good 12-16 weeks for you to fully recover from it. Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY! No doubt, hands down go for it. I would do it all over again if I had too! I hit my lowest weight a few days ago, losing about 17 lbs since my surgery. I just removed the surgical tape today and my scar has healed quite amazing. I am still Numb pretty much all over the incision area and my left leg is numb from my waist to mid way down. I plan on returning to work out in the next few weeks and see how that goes! Sleeping is tough, I had to sleep sitting up for the first 3 1/2 weeks after surgery and just was able to sleep in my bed within this past week. It's still not all that comfortable for me just yet. I will post some pictures soon! I encourage you to go for it if you have any doubts at all! It makes a worlds difference and you deserve it!