#20 - Prepping for the Upcoming Abdominoplasty

 

As I mentioned in my last post, Dale had sent some pre-operative instructions and post-operative instructions, which (to me) were half assed, at best. 

 

As I am too type-A for this shit and need to be prepared I started asking questions and doing more research. 

Hopefully this is not too blurry for you to read.....The Pre-Op and Post-Op seem to have some info on one that should be on the other and seems to have some info missing entirely. 

My suggestion is ensure you read ALL of the info the doctor's office gives you and then start to question things to figure out what else you need to know/buy/do.

I will share my takeaways from my surgeon's Pre and Post Op docs below and then give you some info on what else I found out/bought/asked etc. in order to be well prepped and ready for surgery day.

Pre-Op Instructions 

My Takeaways on the Pre-Op Instructions:

• #1 mentions not smoking for 2 weeks prior to surgery......K got that. I don't smoke, I vape and a super low amount (1.5mg). I set myself a reminder that I need to go on the patch two weeks prior to surgery. It does NOT say it here but from all my research I found more info to indicate that you should not have ANY nicotine for 2 weeks prior to surgery so where I thought I was being smart (I'll just put the patch on 2 weeks before to ride out the withdrawal up to surgery), I found out that NO I should be completely nicotine free by two weeks before. So exactly two weeks before the surgery I had my last vape puffs when I went to sleep and then didn't pick them up again. Keep in mind I vape 1.5mg so for me it wasn't so much the nicotine I needed but the habit with my hands. You'll likely want to consider going on the patch much further in advance so you don't have to cold turkey it like I did......Oh and I will discuss this later but for those that do smoke cigarettes ir even higher levels of vape juice it's best to get off them AS SOON AS YOU CAN......trust me, after surgery if you are coughing (as us ex-smokers who are expelling the remaining shit from our lungs do) you will actually feel like you want someone to kill you and put you out of your misery....so start getting rid of it as soon as ya can. 
• Coughing, Sneezing and even laughing for the first few days after surgery will make you wish you had never done this

• #6 mentions the loose casual clothing - button up top preferred. Okay so I went with my regular underoos, super stretchy waistband pajama bottoms, a front zip sports bra, a zip up hoodie to wear over it and crocs with socks. In hindsight I did NOT need the underwear or the sports bra.....literally they got me from the car to the surgical suite but nobody else was around to see me anyways.....after surgery these were NOT going back on so might as well leave them at home. The pajama bottoms and zip up hoodie and crocs.....best ideas ever. 

• #7 mentions no jewelry....now I get this - no rings, bracelets etc. what I needed to know was what do I do with other piercings - Conch, Daith, Rook, Lip, Nose etc. I've had multiple surgeries recently and had bought a large assortment of Bioplast (literally plastic) jewelry for these that I used for those surgeries and assumed I could use again. I contacted Dale to ask and sure enough they said it was fine although the lip one would HAVE TO come out, no Bioplast even as there was a choking hazard.....fair enough (although my last two surgeries they let me use the Bioplast in my lip).

• At the bottom it mentions using an antibacterial soap for 3 days prior to surgery on the surgical area.....Trisan or Adapt. I went to my friend who is also my pharmacist and even she couldn't get Adasept for some reason....but I did find Trisan at Shoppers Drug Mart for $20......kind of dumb to pay $20 for some soap where you won't even use 1/4 of the bottle but whatevs.....I will follow instructions like a good soldier. I set myself a calendar reminder for 3 days pre-surgery to start washing daily with this. 

Post-Operative Instructions:

My Takeaways on the Post-Op Instructions:

• #2 mentions you will be given a prescription to fill before surgery day....make sure they give you this and you get it filled. This is your pain meds and trust me you will want to have them on hand and ready to go. The Percocet I got at the surgical centre lasted until about 24 hours later and then I started the pain meds from the pharmacy.

• #5 mentions you should have gravel and a stool softener (Senekot) on hand before surgery. You will want to ensure you have these. While I only needed the gravel once (the day AFTER my surgery) I was happy I had it when I needed it. The Percocet and the T3s are GOING TO bung you up after surgery and you will NOT be able to strain to poop. I cannot emphasize this enough......although the though of liquid shit is gross, it will be a million times better than constipation so you will 100% want that stool softener and will want to start taking it pretty much the day of your surgery. If you think I am making this up, go ahead and try to deal without it......come back and tell me how wrong you were later. ;) 

• #6 in the Post Operative document mentions that you may take Ibuprofen (Advil) for break through pain but that there is a risk of increased bleeding and it says ** DO NOT take Ibuprofen before surgery **. This does NOT mention for how long prior to surgery you should refrain from taking it - you would think this would be on the Pre-Op document and in either case that it would be more clear. As I had a wicked migraine I reached out asking this exact question - how long before surgery should I NOT have Advil and is there anything else I can have as I have an awful headache - she advised that anything that thins your blood (advil, aspirin, echinacea, alcohol) should all be avoided completely for two weeks prior to surgery but that you can take Tylenol products. Ummmmmm this is a pretty fuckin  important one to leave off your Pre-Op instructions guys......

• #7 mentions you can eat what you can tolerate - I stocked up on light things - chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup etc. 

• #14 mentions your drain recording sheet that you need to track on and bring to your follow up appointments - I will have a section on this later. 

Further Research / Follow Up Etc......

So.....after reading this and doing my own independent research, I started making myself a list of the things to buy and to do before surgery

• One of the things that is NOT mentioned anywhere here is the Abdominal Binder - From everything I read online, after surgery, you need to wear an abdominal binder for many months following surgery but there was no mention as to whether this was something that you need to purchase yourself and have ready for when you get home. I followed up and for my surgeon (yours may be different) mine was included and would be provided on the day of my surgery. 

• Having worked out a lot over the last year I know how intensely painful it is when you workout your abs/butt/thighs hard core one day when you haven't in a long time. I remember how insane it is when I can barely sit down on the toilet because your muscles hurt so much. I read on ONE post, only one, and I cannot for the life of me understand why more people haven't suggested this - that you might want to consider a toilet seat riser so you do not have as far to go when you need to sit down on the toilet. This one purchase was worth its weight in gold and I cannot explain how thankful I was that I bought it. 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08P4WM3B6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

• I am a side sleeper by nature, it's practically impossible for me to sleep on my back and even when I try I almost always wake up back on my side so I was concerned because of course you will not be able to sleep on your side for a while.....but what to do???? Hmmmm appears pregnancy pillows are the way to go according to some people and I grabbed this pretty cool one on Amazon (link below). This truly did help me sleep more upright and kept me tucked in and facing up.....and I was able to move it different ways - whatever worked to get me comfy and keep my knees elevated but staying on my back. Having said that, it was a bit awkward to get myself situated in it right at first and I need my hubby's help to do sol.......and I did only use it for the first week or so and then found I was perfectly fine with just regular pillows so you may be able to save yourself the $80+ and use regular pillows to just jam up under your sides to prop you up and keep you on your back. 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09LQWCJMG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details 

• Some folks also get wedges instead (or also) - these help position the knees upwards to take stress off the abdomen. I did not get these and instead just used pillows. 

THINGS TO BUY

• Stool Softener (I used Senekot but there are many brands)
• Gravol for upset stomaches as this ""may" happen
• GingerAle and Soda Crackers (in case you get an upset tummy)
• Gatorade - As you won't be eating much it's best to keep you electrolytes up....I drank a lot of this the first few days.
• Lanyard to pin your drains to for once you are allowed to shower (any basic lanyard will do)
• Trisan (or Adasept if you can find it) or other antibacterial wash for the days leading up to surgery
• Advil or Tylenol (whichever you prefer) for breakthrough pain and for after you're done the Percocet and T3s
• Consider if you want to purchase something like the toilet riser and pregnancy pillow mentioned above. :)

Some things I ended up having to buy AFTER THE FACT - didn't even realize I would need them are:

• Benedryl Liguigels - A side effect of the Percocet (for me not necessarily everyone) was INTENSELY HORRIBLE itching. My surgery was on Wednesday and by Thursday evening when trying to sleep I was scratching everywhere and a lot. My mom ran and grabbed me these and they were a life saver, almost immediately after I took them. 
• Hydrocortisone Cream - Adding this on week 5......long past the Percocet phase and the itch is UNREAL, EVERY DAY. Between the healing and the binder and compression garment holding everything in so tightly the itch is unbelievable and I have been using the Benadryl and Hydrocortisone cream SO MUCH. And keep in mind we cannot get anything over 1% over the counter in Canada. I am fortunate I had some 2.5% on hand from before and it's the only thing keeping me sane so perhaps ask your doctor for a prescription for 2-2.5% that you can fill before surgery. Trust me you'll thank me later.
• Cottonelle Flushable Wipes - By about day 2 when I realized that I would be pooping a lot (from the Senekot) and would not be able to shower as routinely as I am used to, for cleanliness sake I purchased a 4 pack of Cottonelle Flushable Wipes on Amazon so that I could use them after pooping or to freshen up my arm pits/body etc. I got a 4 pack (168 wipes total) for $13 on Amazon. I did not end up using even one full pack before they weren't needed anymore so if you can buy them in advance when prepping get one pack at WalMart, not 4 from Amazon lol
• 4"x4" IV Drain Sponges - At my follow up appointment two days post surgery they checked everything and gave me a handful of abdominal bandages and told me I could begin showering as of day 3 and changing out the bandages. They gave me two packages of 4x4 IV drain sponges to go around where the drain is inserted into the skin. For some reason they only gave me the TWO packages (each package has two so that’s four) and since I wasn’t seeing them again for two weeks and my drain insertion point started leaking a bit (to be expected) I went through those in 2 days and had to then order more online from Amazon so ask them for extra…..for the $10K plus that you are paying them they can and should give you more fucking drain sponges. 

TO DO

• I have a two story house and knew I would be moving about from bed (upstairs) to the couch (downstairs) or to let the dogs out etc etc. So I put everything I needed together in a backpack to make it easier for me so I wasn't forgetting things anywhere and then having to try to go back for them. In my backpack I had all my meds (Percocet, T3s, Gravol, Senekot, Tylenol and Advil as well as my normal meds - Birth Control, heartburn etc that I need to take) a book, a pen, my glasses (I only use them when watching TV), my crackers, my portable cell phone charger and cables.

• I practiced setting up my bed with my pregnancy pillow and other pillows. I made sure I had a little step stool next to the bed to help me get in an out as my bed is higher. 

• I put my toilet seat riser on both of the toilets I might use it on to ensure it fit properly on each and wouldn't wobble and fall off lol. 

• I prepped all my loose clothes – shorts, pajama bottoms, tank tops - anything that was loose and could easily be pulled on and over my drains. I put them all in a stack where I could reach them for a few days as it will be exceptionally hard to bend to grab them out of drawers etc. I put them all in a pile on my bathroom counter which worked out really well. 

Okay guys......I think we're as prepped as we can be.....hope this helps you prep for your upcoming surgery.....and best of luck!!!

Next post will be how surgery went, what's happening day-by-day and how things are progressing. 

Spans across/through/between posts #18 - #20 - F45 Journey

My friend Sia, like me, had struggled with her weight most of her adult life and she was another one who, like me, had tried everything.....other than putting in the "hard work" cause I mean who the fuck really "wants" to work at it right???

She had started doing Crossfit and eventually found this place called F45 and had been going there for over a year at that point. I had been watching her progress and she had lost a ton of weight and really loved it there.

I was still skeptical that it would do anything for me and I had lost the majority of the weight I wanted to lose but did still have SOME eight left to take off and now wanted to tone and get stronger more than anything.

In January 2022, I decided to do a free one-week trial at F45 Blackmud Creek where Sia and Ben had been going. 

The classes were at 530am and I went to the first one with Sia and Ben on Monday, January 3, 2022 – Redline. 

For those that have never been Redline is not so affectionately called DEADLINE and everyone was surprised that I went to that as my first ever class and more so that I actually came back…….They joked about how horrible Sia was for not warning me about Deadline and she said "well I figured if she does Deadline and actually comes back, then there is NOTHING that can stop her"........she was right.

 

I decided before the first free trial week was even done that I was joining. It’s crazy expensive but somehow, someway I instantly found a place I enjoyed going …..with people that immediately treated me like family and pushed me and spurred me on and made me want to actually drag my ass in there at 5:30 in the fuckin morning each day and was therefore willing to fork over the dough. 

 

I was diligent and for the first while I was going 5-6 days a week. I had some old injuries and so some things I couldn’t yet do or I had to modify and that was fine. 

The trainers were amazing and always helping me look for ways I could modify certain things. 

The owner Ali was only there once in a while but was so nice, I loved her instantly.

 

The head trainer Susie was this tiny little gorgeous model like blonde thing. Sweetest chick ever and so encouraging and amazing. She has her own fitness business outside of this and runs that as well.

The other trainers were Christie, Charity, Ana, Deanne, Emily and Kat who were all just unbelievable in their own ways and I loved them all.

L-R: Charity, Christie, Kat, Susie, Deanne, Emily & Ali

I joined the challenges almost immediately with the first one being in January just after I joined. 

You get weighed in and do your body measurements and then you go hard core on the workouts and healthy eating etc. for the entire time of the challenge and then get re-measured/weighed etc at the end to see any changes.

 

By March 2022 I had completed my 50^th class and by the end of June I had completed over 100 classes. That’s 100+ classes in 6 months!! 

 

In late June, I managed to finally do box jumps…..box jumps are something I had avoided at all costs due to an old injury….and to the tremendous fear of falling on my face in front of everyone. What I didn’t realize was Kat was watching me do it and when I landed the first she never said a word, when I landed the second she lost her bloody mind and started taping and screaming and so literally the whole gym stopped to watch me do another and another. They all stopped doing their own workouts to yell and scream and clap and run over to high five me. The emotions I felt…….I can’t even describe that day to you. 

Our "home" is closing.......

Unfortunately only about two weeks later on July 18, 2022, we got a devastating email from the owners Ali and Trevor advising that the studio was closing and the last class would be that Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Covid had wrecked many people’s businesses and livelihoods and theirs was no exception they simply couldn’t make it work anymore. 

 

We all went to that last few classes and we cried and commiserated. This WAS OUR FAMILY. We didn’t know what to do next but knew that we HAD TO stay together. 

 

Moving on........where do we go???

Sia started reaching out to other F45’s starting with Windermere to tell them what was going on and see if they would take us on, honouring the cost we had been paying. Although expensive it was still cheaper than other F45s……they agreed

 

Coming full circle I went to my first class at Windermere with my “family” on Monday July 25,^, 2022, and appropriately it was Deadline again bahahaha. 

 

They have a head trainer Joel, which meant Susie would NOT be coming with us and of course we understood that but it made us sad. 

 

Christie and Kat were both offered jobs at Walker Lakes F45 so we would be losing them but thankfully Charity and Deanna were both offered coaching positions at Windermere so that meant we would at least see them. 

 

I can’t say I’ve really lost weight per se but I have 100% changed my body – clothes fit differently, I feel stronger. 

 

In July 2022 I decided to have my wedding dress “preserved” in a box so it wouldn’t get wrecked. I remember trying it on one last time before it got boxed up and although I was weighing in a few pounds heavier than when we got married the dress was almost falling off me – so much looser in the mid-section and the boobs so it was easy in that moment to tell that the scale is not always the indication you should go by (I know they say that but it’s hard to stay off the scale and ignore the weight when you’ve been bred to believe the scale is what matters your whole life)…….anyways, I weighed more but overall I had “shrunk” lol.

 

From July 25, 2022 to May 2, 2023 we have all faithfully worked out at Windermere and our family, for the most part (minus a few coaches) has remained intact. 

 

One thing that started in 2023 were my headaches started getting much worse again and cardio days set them off big time so I stopped doing the cardio days and was only doing strength days but that’s what I loved anyways so I was okay with it.

 

I am trying EVERYTHING for the headaches – massage, chiropractor, physiotherapy, medications, blood work, a catscan of my brain to ensure there was nothing major going on (there wasn’t thank god), stretching…..I have asked for a referral to a neurologist and am waiting (impatiently) on that.

What in the actual fuck??? Again????

Anyways……..May 2^nd it was announced that Windermere would now be closing ad the final day of classes would be May 6^th. Of course we were all upset, blindsided and heartbroken. We didn’t want to go through this again. 

 

Everyone immediately went into action mode – checking out Movati, a nearby gym or various cross fit locations…..trying ton determine what do we WANT to do and what CAN we potentially do where some of us can stay together. 

 

Movati was offering a “deal” but only for a few more days. A few people jumped on that immediately. 

 

Sia once more took the reins and contacted Man Made Crossfit on the southside here to see if they could give us a demo day, they agreed to do one on Sunday, May 7^th. 

 

A bunch of us showed up. Now to say that I almost died feels like an understatement. I seriously fucked up my elbow doing a “snatch” and the majority of the session was cardio and because it’s pairs I was pushing so hard that I got a massive migraine, almost puked and Krista (my partner) MADE ME sit out halfway through which is when I was so frustrated and angry I started crying. 

Later on Sunday, we got the email from F45 that the owners are in talks with a potential investor and as such the doors would remain open for two more weeks (up to May 21) while they sort through things. 

 

Tuesday the 9^th I went to strength at F45 and was super excited it was open and I was back but quickly realized my elbow was MUCH worse than I had thought it was so then couldn’t go back at all until I sorted that out. I’ve been seeing massage and chiro trying to fix it. 

 

Meanwhile we have lost a bunch of members that went to Movati and Sia and Ben decided to move on to Man Made Crossfit where we did our demo day, so only a few of the original folks are now left and I haven’t heard from any of them. It’s sad and I feel like my “family” is now gone. I am quickly losing my motivation. 

 

May 21^st Joel emailed to advise everyone that F45 would be remaining open. I told him I have been off due to my injury and that I have surgery coming up June 7^th and will need to put my account on hold from June 7 to July 19^th at which point I can come back. 

 

Sigh…….the motivation is less and less and now with the injury and then my surgery where I have to be off……I guess I need to determine next steps for me after July 19^th........

#19.....Next Steps in the Loose Skin Saga......

Dr. Edwards Consultation

On January 23, 2023, I head down to the mall for my plastic surgery consultation. I truly say that flippantly as I still find this hilarious.

I park at WalMart and head into the mall and wonder if this is like hillbilly surgery…..come on down to “the mall” and we’ll cut ya open…..need some bandages or Tylenol after the procedure we have WalMart and Safeway right here for ya…….

 

Okay back to the overview here…….first things first, these fuckers could give you some better directions as I have apparently come in at the complete opposite side of the entire ,all so walk from one end to the other before finding it. Sigh. 

 

Once I get to the office I grab an Abdominoplasty brochure in the waiting area and settle in for some reading. I don’t get very far before they call me in.

 

I sit and wait in one of the medical rooms and in walks Dr. Edwards….. I shall give you his bio now in case you care:

 

Dr. David Edwards attended medical school at the University of Alberta, graduating in 1983. He then did a Rotating Internship in Ohio at the St. Thomas Hospital Medical Center. Following this, he completed his training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Alberta, obtaining his Fellowship (FRCSC) in 1988.

 

Dr. Edwards next undertook a Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship at the Cosmetic Surgery Hospital in Woodbridge Ontario in 1989. He then returned to his hometown of Edmonton, where he began practice in 1989.

 

He presently practices at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Misericordia Hospital, and the Meadowlark Surgical Centre & Cosmetic Clinic. He is, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Edwards is a member of numerous societies, including the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, and MANUS (The Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand), GAM (The Canadian Microsurgery Society), the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

 

So first thing I notice is he sits down and asks me what I’m interesting in….what am I looking for…..what are my issues (so to speak) and he seems to genuinely be listening and caring. 

 

When I’m done with all my explanations he asks me to undo my pants so he can take a look at my stomach and says oh yes we can totally get this taken care of for you. 

 

He explains to me what the procedure looks like:

1.     They make an incision across your lower abdomen above the pubic hairline. 

2.     The skin is then “lifted” off the deep muscle layer of the abdomen as far up as the ribs. 

3.     The belly button remains where it is just kinda dangling and hanging around waiting to be repositioned……..wait…..WHATTTTTT? What do you mean it dangles and will be repositioned?? how is that possible….I mean my belly button seems pretty well ensconced in its place sir. He tries to explain to my feeble mind that he cuts really delicate incisions around my whole belly button essentially cutting it “loose” from the other skin that will be removed and so then it’s just dangling and hanging out for the time being in its same location but it is no longer “attached” to all of the surround skin. 

4.     The abdominal muscles under the skin that was lifted (mentioned in step 2) are then repaired essentially by stitching them together toward the centre to “tighten” them.

5.     The skin is all pulled downward and all the extra fat/skin is removed from the bottom

6.     A new little hole is cut into the now flattened leftover skin where my belly button was before/will again be now and the belly button that’s just been hanging out up until this point is kind of “popped through” the newly designed belly button hole. 

7.     They stitch up around this little belly button hole to get my belly button settled in its new place and then stitch up the top skin and the bottom skin (now pulled together after the excess was removed) down along the lower abdomen under the bikini line. 

 

Here is a photo and below that a video that both helped me understand it a bit better.

Link to: Abdominoplasty Procedure Video 

 

My additional questions:

• I ask about the recovery – how long will I be off work? He says typically 3-4 weeks depending on how physical your work is. I said I sit at a desk all day and he says then probably about 3 weeks but of course it will all be dependent on how you’re healing of course and to keep in mind that although I sit at a desk, sitting still, upright for 7.5 hours a day may/will be uncomfortable for a while.

• What about the gym? He says probably about 6 weeks or so. 

• I ask about the cost of course and he say “the costs for the Abdominoplasty is $10,000 plus tax. Some doctors are more, some are less, this is just what I charge”…….he said it in a way that made me feel surprisingly comfortable with the cost. Like he’s saying yeah there may totally be people that are cheaper and by all means you can go check them out……but you get what you pay for…….but there are also people that are far more and I am not out to gouge people so…….it is what it is, check things out and you do you lol

 

After answering all of my questions and having made me feel so comfortable, I leave and the next day I contact his surgical booking person Dale and say okay I’m ready to go…..what do you need from me.......LET'S DO THIS!!!!

 

Post Consultation

Dale asks when I am interested in having the surgery. I have been thinking this through and there are a few considerations:

-      I can’t get ANY time off work between now (January) and the end of April to mid-May as this is our NO time off time because we’re so busy……so no way I can be off for 3-4 weeks. 

-      We’re going to Disneyworld on September 23^rd so I want to be done and healed before that.

-      I want to give myself as much time as possible to heal before Disney but also know I can’t take a bunch of time off until at least mid-May I think well let’s push it to the beginning of June……I will have some nice weather to sit in the yard recuperating and then should be healed up by the end of June/beginning of July…..long before Disney. 

-      I check in with Mom and Sean to see…..If I was to go with Wednesday, June 7^th, can the two of them coordinate to take Wednesday to Friday off to assist me for those first few days (help with the dogs, feed me, run me to my appointments)……yep they can…….okay……so I tell Dale we will go with Wednesday, June 7^th.

Dale sends me some paperwork:

-      Standard agreements

-      Deposit info (need to pay $500 with the remainder due 2 weeks before surgery)

-      Lab requisition for bloodwork and a ECG that needs to be done prior to surgery

-      Medical report my family doctor has to complete and send back prior to surgery

-      Pre-operative instructions

-      Post-operative instructions 

 

I called Dale with my credit card number for the deposit and then it’s on the books and we are good to go. 

Dog Ears

Huh......what the fuck am I talking abut dog ears for in a post for a tummy tuck??? Okay so after my consultation I was talking to my sister about it and she mentioned our friend who had it done ended up with Dog Ears and needed a second surgery to correct that and I should ask whether it's included IF it's needed. 

Turns out Dog Ears are a common side effect of tummy tucks and occur when there is excess skin left at the ends of the incision line creating a small fold of skin resembling a dog ear. 

They can be particularly noticeable when you are standing or sitting as they tend to bunch up and create a bulge. 

I did  follow up with Dale to ask if after surgery any revisions were needed to correct any issues from the first surgery if this was covered? I mentioned the friend who ended up with the “dog ears” on the sides and her surgeon covered it and fixed it up for her. 

Dale advised that yes typically any revisions necessary from the original surgery are covered. IF AHC changes the rules, that could change what is covered, but as of when she advised me they had no indication that any revision surgeries would be de-insured. You do need to wait a minimum of 3-6 months post-op before any revisions would be considered to ensure all swelling has gone down etc. 

So just a thought to ask about this with your surgeon. 

I'll have further posts explaining more about how I prepped, things I looked into and found out beforehand, things I bought to make life easier while recuperating etc. 

 

#18 - Next steps…….What to do with all this skin......

For the past few years I have been having more issues with the loose skin I have from my weight loss. 

The skin hanging under my belly over my groin area (the “gunt” or “gunny sack” or apron or whatever lovely name you know it by) will at times leave me with rashes in my groin or even open sores when stretch marks in my groin area “tear open”. Also at times my belly button tears on the sides which is super painful. 

 

Any/all of these things typically happen following heavier work out sessions where I’m moving a lot and bouncing around – so more so cardio but I find it can happen at any time for any/no reason as well.

Coverage by Alberta Health Care 

I had reached out to Dr. Toy’s office (“THE” plastic surgeon in Edmonton if you know anything about plastic surgery in Edmonton) in September 2016 to ask about a consultation as I had lost a significant amount of weight and was interested in a Panni.

(Note: A Panni……official name panniculectomy is an operative procedure used for abdominal wall contouring, changing the shape and form of the abdomen by removing significant excess skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue from the tummy area. This procedure is performed on patients with a large overhanging abdominal panniculus.

 

His office replied to advise me I had to have my Doctor send in a referral and it was a TWO YEAR waiting list at that point. Well what in the actual fuck……..

 

Okay so left that alone and forgot about it for a while……..

 

For some reason – I am not that bright – I reached out to Dr. Toy’s office again (not sure why I didn’t look up other doctors, maybe thinking since it had been some time (4 years) the process would be different now, or maybe I forgot it was his office I reached out to the first time, who knows) in  July 2020 to ask again about a consultation and again his office replied to advise me I had to have my Dr. send in a referral and it was a TWO YEAR waiting list STILL at that point. 

 

This time I approached my doc with the info and background I know of…….I told him the following: 

As you know I’ve lost about 90 lbs since my weight loss surgery and I am having issues with the excess skin. I’m getting rashes and tearing and it’s painful. 

 

I am aware that after significant weight loss Alberta Health Care may cover a panniculectomy which is an operative procedure used for abdominal wall contouring, changing the shape and form of the abdomen by removing significant excess skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue from the tummy area. This procedure is performed on patients with a large overhanging abdominal panniculus. 

 

I know this requires a doctor’s referral and was hoping you could refer me. 

 

He said well yeah you’re right…..who would you like to see? Again at this point being not that bright and not having researched any other doctors but knowing Dr. Toy is like “the best” or some shit like that I said Dr. Toy and he said okay I will send in the referral. 

 

And I'm stillllllllll waiting...........

Fast forward at least a year and a half and I am sick and tired of waiting as I haven’t heard a word since I asked for the referral. I would like to think that my doctor DID in fact actually do the referral (and did not forget or drop the ball) but that Dr. Toy is just an overpaid asshole with a giant waiting list and so there STILL is no openings.  

 

From the reading I’ve done while waiting, it appears that the Panni usually is for body contouring and to remove the pannus – the apron of skin hanging in the lower abdomen, under your belly button and this typically does not do much to fix any loose skin or ab issues above the belly button. Because I have excess skin hanging over my belly button and below this is more in line with a Tummy Tuck (official name: Abdominoplasty) where they tighten the abdominal muscles and get rid of the extra fat, skin, and tissue both below and above the belly button. 

 

Again from what I have read SOME doctors will do the procedure and charge a portion to AHC as a Panni and then the patient pays additional money to have the abdominal repair for above the belly button at the same time. Some doctors will NOT do anything in addition to the Panni and then you end up with a very odd looking stomach…….blah blah blah……..so many weird things and questions etc. 

 

At this point it’s about October 2022 (can’t remember exact dates) and I decided that because I had a decent savings account and “could” potentially afford to pay for this I wanted to start taking matters into my own hands and start researching more so I could get some informed answers and potentially move forward rather than continuing to wait….and wait…….and wait. 

 

Researching Surgeons……

So when I start researching surgeons there are some names that pop up more routinely with amazing reviews and on lots of posts, blogs, plastic surgery websites etc. These are Dr. Toy, Dr. Chong, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Giuffre, so I start checking things out…….

Dr. Jonathon Toy 

Remember I had reached out twice to ask about consult and was advised I needed the doctor’s referral. Well now that I was considering moving forward with paying I looked into it again as he really is one of the most “renowned” surgeons in Edmonton with a million amazing reviews and everyone seems to think he’s God. 

 

Anyways I go to his site and get this…….the fucker charges a $100 (plus tax) consultation fee just to talk to you about it…..and this fee is NOT deducted from the final surgery fee. I am sorry but the simple fact that on top of the $10-20k surgery you also have to be so petty as to charge me $100 for ½ an hour of your time just to tell me about the potential surgery…….I was instantly like, I am done with you……God or not. 

 

Dr. Feng Chong

So this guy is another one that is insanely highly rated. I call his office to ask about a consultation and they ask a bunch of questions and they get to the “do you smoke/vape” question and I am honest and say I quit smoking years ago but yes I currently vape, a very low mg amount but I do. 

 

They advise me that Dr. Chong will not even see me for a consultation until I have been smoke/vape free for a minimum of a year before the CONSULT even happens (not the surgery but the consult)……..okay fuck you too……next……

 

Dr. Edwards

Dr. Edwards is next and seems to have lots of accolades and when I had asked my friend Cyndi who she went to she had previously told me her surgeon was not taking patients but Dr. Edwards was and he was supposed to be really good…….so online endorsements and Cyndi’s suggestion……both looking good.

 

Dr. Edwards works out of Meadowlark Health Centre. Ummmmmmm okay this dude works out of a mall???? 

 

After doing some more searching I realize that Dr. Edwards, Giuffre as well as another few surgeons (Dr. Korus and Dr. Adil) all work out of there and that Meadowlark which used to be a “mall” now still has a Walmart and Safeway but otherwise is entirely made up of medical offices and facilities and has for many MANY years so I guess it’s not “as” weird as I am thinking it is lol. 

 

I call and they are booked through the end of the year but ask a bunch of questions and set me up with a consultation with Dr. Edwards for January 23, 2023.

Dr. Giuffre

I call for a consult with Dr. Giuffrie and they advise he is also booked through the remainder of the year and they don’t yet have his schedule for the new year so to call back closer to December and they would schedule me in. (Note: I called back and got a tentative consultation date in March 2023).

 

 

 

 

 

#17 - The Wedding Dress(es)

Quite some time before Sean proposed to me I bought a wedding dress lol. Walking down the street in Vancouver with work friends I saw a dress in the window, went in and tried it on and it was so pretty. 

 

I thought, I love this and it’s only $500 and I assume he will be proposing soon so hey why not…….

 

If he doesn’t then I get rid of the dress…….and him lmao

 

Well he finally proposed on Christmas day 2017. 

We knew we wanted to get married in Mexico so we started planning so we could give family and friends as much notice as possible to allow them to save up to attend so we planned it for May 2019. 

 

When I started planning I still assumed I would use my pretty dress I had and it was light and airy and would be perfect for the extreme heat and humidity of Mexico. 

However when I tried it on again, sadly I was no longer sold........hmmmmmm.

 

I don’t know what changed but I no longer felt the same about the dress so I knew I needed to look around, but trust me I had ZERO desire to. Even though I've lost weight I do not "enjoy" shopping like most ladies so wedding dress shopping was not an exciting prospect for me.  

 

My best friend was coming to spend Christmas with us in December 2018 so perfect timing to check out David’s Bridal with her and my sister so I could look for a dress and they could look for their bridesmaid dresses.

 

December 27, 2018, we go to the appointment and lo and behold when I am about to give up and say "fuck this noise I have a dress and none of these have been better than that one", I try on literally “ONE LAST FUCKIN DRESS” (I may have actually said that I think) and when I came out of the room the looks on their faces and the tears in their eyes made me go look in the mirror and shit……well I was done, I started crying.......and I said yes to the dress and never looked back. 

 

I was sitting at about 150 lbs at this point so still 83 lbs down from where I started before surgery.

 

The dress would need some alternations and I found an amazing local place to do them and worked with her closer to the date to go back and forth for fittings and check ins.   

 

In March 2019, I went back to pick up my dress and I have never felt more like a princess (well except maybe on the actual wedding day). I felt to absolutely beautiful and was then more sure than ever this dress was made to be worn by me and that I had made the right decision getting a different dress. 

 

On May 15, 2019, on a 30+ degree day in the Mayan Riviera when I put that dress on and came walking down the aisle I have never felt more beautiful (and disgustingly hot lol) in my entire life. 

 

FYI I am STILL trying to sell that first dress. I put it down to as low as $100 and no takers so I even tried donating it to an organization and they weren't taking any more.....sigh......Might have to turn it into some kind of expensive halloween costume one day.