Mary Mulhall
Member
I am so nervous one month from today I'm having my surgery
Pannixulectimy
- Thread starter Mary Mulhall
- Start date
Bill sperry
Member
You’ll be fine !
kerouacsback
Member
I'm also going for it, but from all I read, it's a long, painful recovery. Stairs and driving are out of the question. It's a good idea to prepare, fill your pantry, set up a recovery area within arm's reach and make sure your meds are up to date.
When I went for my consult for panniculectomy, the doctor was shocked, said I looked great, called for her husband-doctor-clinicmate to come look, and he echoed everything she said.
They said if I wanted this because I had constant yeast infections, I'd have to seek nonsurgical help from several doctors. I started that process years ago, and long story longer, I still have painful burning infections and a standing prescription for clotrimazole 1% cream, 2x daily.
This feels abusive to me. They all said something to the effect that the fold had to hang down to my pubis, at least.
I know I didn't lobby hard enough. Now I'm 70 and I believe the sag (on the internal side) is causing urge incontinence. I've wet myself so many times, just going from sitting to standing. I had surgery for incontinence 35 years ago after being diagnosed with a prolased urethra.
My mom ended up getting major plumbing rerouting, including an implanted device to tell her when she needed to go. Her last 20 years were hell, one surgery after another, all related to problems with plumbing.
I'm scared shitless in both directions--having the surgery or life without it.
So I'm going for it. I'm looking forward to reading your experience.
When I went for my consult for panniculectomy, the doctor was shocked, said I looked great, called for her husband-doctor-clinicmate to come look, and he echoed everything she said.
They said if I wanted this because I had constant yeast infections, I'd have to seek nonsurgical help from several doctors. I started that process years ago, and long story longer, I still have painful burning infections and a standing prescription for clotrimazole 1% cream, 2x daily.
This feels abusive to me. They all said something to the effect that the fold had to hang down to my pubis, at least.
I know I didn't lobby hard enough. Now I'm 70 and I believe the sag (on the internal side) is causing urge incontinence. I've wet myself so many times, just going from sitting to standing. I had surgery for incontinence 35 years ago after being diagnosed with a prolased urethra.
My mom ended up getting major plumbing rerouting, including an implanted device to tell her when she needed to go. Her last 20 years were hell, one surgery after another, all related to problems with plumbing.
I'm scared shitless in both directions--having the surgery or life without it.
So I'm going for it. I'm looking forward to reading your experience.
kerouacsback
Member
That's dianeseattle. I reset my phone and now none of my passwords work.
dianeseattle
Member
I got a new referral form in the mail, with a new appointment to be evaluated for this surgery. I didn't even take steps to make it happen. I'm guessing this is one of the corollaries of COVID. People here have been getting postponements and reschedulings because doctors haven't been allowing nonessential procedures. But that pendulum is now swinging the other way.
In Seattle, medical facilities are on the news every day because they don't have enough personnel. And that's scaring the public, so they're canceling appointments, which is why, suddenly, my little ol' "elective" procedure has rocketed to the top of the heap. They've scheduled my surgical evaluation for November 15.
I'd been going back and forth about it, leaning toward cancellation. Actually, agonizing, not debating.
At my age, I doubt elective surgery would probably not be suggested again in my lifetime. But I'll probably live another 20 years. My dad lived to 85 and my mom died at 93. I really have to sort this out.
My reason for wanting the surgery is the constant yeast infections I get under my apron. Spores love to grow in the scar tissue from a few old abdominal surgeries, including a hysterectomy in 2000. The burning is awful and the stench is disgusting. I don't have a scar or sore anywhere else on my body.
I guess I'm just freaking out. I've been fantasizing about correcting this problem since before I had RYGB in 2007. Doctors wouldn't approve it until now.
I've also had the impression that the recovery is long and painful, though no musculature is cut, like in a tummy-tuck.
Has anyone here had a panniculectomy? If so, can you share your experience with me?
I'm guessing that surgery would happen immediately after I was approved in November. Please share if you can, so I can add your information to my decision-making process.
missyinacage
Member
Diane, I am glad that they got back to you without you having to jump through hoops. I don't know of anyone who's had it, except for Brenda from here. It's been a while since we've seen her, but maybe you could send her a private message. Some people set their notifications to receive an email if they receive a personal message so she might get it. And she had the whole she-bang. I remember the pictures but I don't recall if she went into detail about the process and recovery. But if the PM doesn't work, maybe just go back and try reading her posts to see if she explained it in more detail than I am remembering.