My story: Gyne surgery + abdominal & flanks lipo / Los Angeles, Dr Dadvand

[Bobby - LAgyne]

The Aftermath:

That's how things looked when I got back home from the surgery.

There were two pads taped to my chest under the vest.  Two pads glued underneath the binder on my the sides for my flanks and one more pad on the belly.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

First Night: was very bad, very very bad!  Those drains were pain the in the, well... armpit! They were extremely uncomfortable and would hurt very badly with every move I made. I could feel them inside my body as I moved around. Sleeping was strictly limited to on my back and on 20-30 degree angle.  I was taking Vicodin for pain and it helped me sleep as well.  Chest was not very painful, but the stomach and the sides!! after the Lidocaine effect dissipated, it felt like somebody beat me really really bad in my stomach and kicked me on my sides.  I had so much drama getting off the bed and climbing back up!  The binder on my belly was not fun either.  It was put tight and itchy underneath.


Dr D gave me a call in the evening to make sure if everything is ok and reminded me of a few instruction to follow:  low sodium intake, no dairy products for one day, sleeping on an angle, no raising the hand more than 90 degrees, start my antibiotics and etc.

 

[Bobby - LAgyne]

That's how the Drains looked liked from above:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Drains Close-up:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Sore Throat: right after surgery, when I woke up, I felt pain in my throat and my voice sounded like a horse.  It lasted about 6 days.  I asked Dr D about it, and he said it's because of the tube they put into my throat during the anesthesia so I could breathe and not die!!  Well, thank you!!  He also told me that the sore throat may be on the worse side because while I was under anesthesia, he sat me up so many times to make sure things look natural when I'm vertical!! and that caused even more irritation to the throat and voice cords... oh well!!

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 1 Visit at the Office:  He made sure everything is fine.  He checked and milked the drains to make sure they are not clogged.  That hurt a little as the vacuum inside the tubes was increased.   I was given a measuring cup to measure the blood at every 24-hr intervals and a chart to record the numbers.  I was instructed to give them a call once the volume is less than 20ml per day on each side. 

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Daily Activities:  I stopped taking Vicodin on the 2nd day as it was making me sleepy and groggy and I didn't really like the feeling and also the belly and side’s pain was less now.  All I needed was a couple of Tylenol once in a while.  I started driving on day 3.  The weight limit to pick up is strictly 15 lbs for 6 weeks.  Sleeping is still on my back only and on 20-30 degree angle. 

I didn’t shower for 7 days.  He instructed me on how to wash/clean myself, but there were many restrictions: the pads on my chest may not get wet what so ever, I cannot raise my hand more than 90 degree when washing my hair, I needed to be careful with the drains and etc.  So I decided to suffer but not mess with anything.  I did use wet warm towels to wipe myself, which was helpful.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Removing the Drains: The fluid volumes decreased very rapidly.  They were less than 20 ml on each side on day 3, but Dr D wanted me to go in for removal on day 5.  They were less than 10 ml on each side on day 4.  He told me he prefers to be on the conservative side and now I appreciate that because there’s never been any excessive fluid after the drains were removed.

I have watched YouTube videos that guys suffer when the drain is removed or at least they pretend they suffer.  So I went in expecting a lot of pain and burning while the he pulls the snakes out!!  He cut the single stitch that hold each drain in place and told me to hold my breathe in and next thing he said: it’s out!!  That’s it?? All I felt was like the feeling of somebody moving a feather on chest, for one second.

Drain removal was done by himself, not a nurse, not front desk staff, nor maintenance guys!!

I felt much better now that the drains were out.  The pain and poking feeling under my skin was gone. I could freely move my hands without any burning at the incisions.  But there were still 90 degree limit when raising my hand and still sleeping on my back on 20-30 degree.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Bruising: was surprisingly minimal, especially at flanks and abdominal area.  I was expecting to have more, but thankfully it didn’t happen.

Numbness: is pronounced. Not much on the chest in general and belly, but it’s definitely noticeable on the flanks.  I’d been told about this and my understanding is that it will go away over time.  The nipples are different story though.  My right side has lost about 70-80% of its sensation and on the left side, I have completely lost the senses.  I don’t feel anything to the touch.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7 Visit: was an extremely exciting day.  I was super excited to see the results and on the other hand very nervous and worried mainly because of the possibility of loose skin issue.  I hold my breath as Dr D removed the vest, pads and bandages!!  Wow!! It was flat!!  I stood up and look at myself in the mirror, looked at my wife and almost cried!!  G was history!! It was gone!! And for being out of surgery only in 7 days, my chest looked normal!  Belly was flat.  Flanks were smaller, but he said I have about 40% swelling and results will come in months.  

He removed the stitches from the lipo incisions and put some sort of tape on but left the ones under the nipples.  

I took a tshirt with me to the appointment that I could never wear.  I bought the tshirt a while ago but G was inhibiting me from wearing it.  I put it on before leaving his office and although it was a little chilly outside, I didn't wear anything over the tshirt and enjoyed my new body!!

See the pictures below:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7:

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Day 7: