The Trials and Tribulations of having a Plastic Surgery

The Trials and Tribulations of having a Plastic Surgery

On September 19th of this year, I went in for plastic surgery. The procedure is called a Panniculectomy. This is a procedure is a less invasive procedure than a full tummy tuck.  It doesn't involve tightening of stomach muscles. the only thing they typically do is removal of excess skin and lift your pubic area if need be. Having excess skin isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can cause unhealthy skin integrity. Sometimes they remove your bellybutton as they did in my case because I had an umbilical hernia.  That is why I decided to have surgery. For years I had a rash and yeast build up that caused a multitude of issues, so after losing 112 pounds I decided to find a plastic surgeon who took my insurance and researched how the procedure could be covered. 

As luck would have it, I found a surgeon that not only thought my insurance would cover this but wrote up the form for Medicare to approve the surgery. And not only was I approved but I was approved in 8 days. That to me as I have been in the medical field for almost 3 decades is near to never happened before. Sure, enough I had my surgery. I will say the recovery has been challenging. I had arrived home with two drains, one on each side of my hips. After one and a half week I had the right-side drain removed. But still have the left side drain in. It is being pokey. I have been put on limited activity and have been told to rest that is not to overdo. I will say nurses make lousy patients and doctors aren't any better. So, patience is a virtue. HAHAHA!!! I really have no patience. My surgeon stated to me in a text message that I need to remember some very important things when it comes to your case. That is, you aren't the person you use to be, you have had multiple surgeries and most importantly you don't have the immune system you had when you were in your 30's. Welcome to old age folks Yup I said it I am on the teetering edge of being a senior citizen. Wow!!!! I never thought I would say those words. 

Let's face it I am 7 years from officially collecting Medicare even though I collect it now under Social Security Disability Insurance due to my Fibromyalgia. Something I never thought would happen to me either. But as life goes on, I must say God marks out a path for you that you just have to endure. He would never do this unless he knew I could handle it. I guess I need to learn some more patience. Honestly, I am only 5 weeks post op, and it is perfectly normal for drains to act this way. All I need to do is behave. Many who know me know that is near impossible for me to accomplish. I guess behaving is my choice for now. Now onto other things.

As I sit here writing my blog which I haven't done in a hot minute I will try my very best to behave myself. A task That will definitely be challenging for me. LOL!!! I suppose I should add a recipe to this post as a very dear friend of mine in Florida always enjoys seeing them.

Baked Fish with Lobster Stuffing               Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 to 40 mins.

1 to 1/2 pounds of your favorite white fish

One to two Lobster Tails chopped in small chunks (Honestly you could use any part of the lobster you have).

Ritz Crackers (10 crackers crushed)

3 Tablespoons of butter take on TBSP and set aside

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 tsp minced garlic (garlic powder will work if fresh isn't available)

Fresh Lemon juice from a half of a lemon

Take garlic, butter, onion and cook up until onion and garlic are translucent.  Set oven 

In a baking dish spray with oil. place fish in baking dish and make a slice in the center of the fish. Making a well for the stuffing. In a bowl, take butter mixture you chopped lobster and crackers and mix together so everything is incorporated. squeeze lemon juice onto the fish and sprinkle salt and pepper if desire. Then take your lobster mixture and press into the well of the fish. add a few small pieces of butter and top onto the stuffing to help with browning. Bake fish at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 mins depending on thickness of the fish. You know it is down when fish is flaking easily with a fork.  Serve with your favorite vegetable.

Until then Stay Happy, Stay Safe, and Stay Positive.

Sally