Panniculectomy

That is the name for the kind of tummy tuck type of procedure I'll have done next week. Funny. When the doctor tells you to "google panniculectomy and I'm sure you'll find all kinds of information." I liked that.

This is all very disjointed. But, that is sort of the way I'm feeling about this right now. I'll be more coherent later.

The plastic surgical procedure known as panniculectomy is designed to remove excess skin and body fat. The name derives from the 'apron' of abdominal fat and skin (abdominal panniculus, or pannus) that is sometimes found on patients suffering from obesity, or on patients who have experienced massive weight loss.

My massive weight loss was after three pregnancies. I gained 50 pounds the first pregnancy. 25 pounds on the second and third pregnancies. I lost all of the weight with the last two pregnancies, but kept about 20 pounds on after the first one. But, I am 5'2 and my stomach would get GIGANTIC even if the rest of me was small.

A panniculectomy may be conducted as a single procedure or combined with an abdominoplasty, depending on the patient's condition. However, panniculectomy is quite different from abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck). Abdominoplasty tightens muscle as well as removing skin and fat, but a panniculectomy deals exclusively with excess skin and fat. Liposuction (lipoplasty) removes only surplus fat, whereas panniculectomy removes surplus fat and skin.

I'll stay overnight in the hospital and they'll put a drain in my side to let out excess fluid. How is THAT for gross?

I found this little tidbit on the Internet:
As with all patients, provide emotional support throughout your patient's hospital stay. Remember that he may be embarrassed by his condition, so respect his privacy and help him maintain his dignity.

No kidding. Embarrassed? Really? I have lived with this for years and felt pretty disgusting. Yeah, I try to feel sexy and attractive, but it is hard sometimes with this "apron." Yuck. The doctor is going to cut out all that skin and affiliated fat. He'll cut out the c-section scar, which caused a lot of these problems. He'll pull the top of my stomach down to meet the skin down near my pubic area. He'll make me a new belly button, too. I'm sort of sad to see my c-section scar go. The doctor and Army of Dad were shocked at that comment. The nurse understood, though. Those are the battle scars from my three children. *shrug* I know, it doesn't make sense. Will miss my cute little belly button, too.

But, what is really weird is reading the post-op expectations the doctor gave me. Here's why:
"You scar will more than likely look its' worst approximately three months after surgery. It may be red, elevated and firm. This is the way our bodies normally heal ... It normally takes 12 to 18 months for a scar to reach its final appearance."

Three months? 12-18 months? Yikes. Worst part: NO SEX for at least a couple of weeks. 14 DAYS. NO SEX. OHMIGOD!

Doc said this procedure isn't as bad as a full fledged tummy tuck. I'll be driving in four to six days. Lifting the baby within a week or so. No baths for two months. That sucks. I LOVE MY BATHS!

*sigh* But, not more infections. No more flabby belly. I'll be a real hottie. Now, maybe my 10-year-old won't be telling me how much prettier his friends' moms are becasue they're skinny. Maybe. I'm not going to hold my breath.