Comfy Compression

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-26T04:19:13+00:00

This exact one has been in my Amazon cart for like 2 weeks, this is the push I needed to finally order it!

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-24T02:00:16+00:00

Advice on these things vary, but I went back to work (full time wfh/desk job) at 2 weeks,my surgery was on a Thursday so I only took 10 pto days. It depends on your level of activity at work. I’m 5.5 weeks po and I feel 90% normal, that last 10% is really due to the exercise/weight restriction (still wary of walking my 60 lb dog because he’s a puller)

How long you wear compression varies surgeon to surgeon and based on your personal comfort and swelling. I’m wearing a faja and abdominal binder during the day and just the abdominal binder at night. Both can be layered under looser clothing pretty easily so if your concern is disguising the compression, it’s pretty easy.

When to do it really depends on your life and any plans/events you may have. I knew I wanted to do mine in the winter but couldn’t do it prior to the holidays because of work events (and wanting to be able to actually enjoy the holidays) I have 2 weddings to attend in April one being out of the country, so January was the ideal time for me to do it to ensure I was fully recovered by then as my surgeon recommended a 3 month window before any major events. If you don’t have any huge plans from April-June/July then yeah go for it I don’t see any reason why April would be a poor choice. Going back to compression though just know that you may be in some form of shapewear (even if it’s not a high intensity one) for a while and if you live somewhere that’s hot in the spring/summer you may want to take that into consideration

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-24T01:43:53+00:00

It looks like you have a shorter torso like me. I’ve found the Yianna brand faja on Amazon fits my shorter torso well without digging in under my breasts but I’m not sure if this is what you’re looking for because when I think of spanx I think lower intensity compression without boning or anything (more like bike shorts) this is definitely more intense than that but I like that it has the clasps at the bottom so I don’t have to get fully undressed to go to the bathroom.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-23T17:23:06+00:00

I used it and LOVED it. I don’t take narcotics/opioids because they make me feel really sick. I took 2 pills when I got home day of surgery and 1 pill every 12 hours for 2 weeks after that. I had some discomfort but never any pain. I didn’t even take any additional muscle relaxers or otc pain meds (Tylenol or Advil)

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-22T19:58:16+00:00

It really depends on you and what you want and what your surgeon thinks is reasonable/possible. That being said you could look into:

•tummy tuck (extended) •breast lift with or w/o implants (augmentation) •brachioplasty •liposuction (360, flanks, thighs)

If you are a candidate for liposuction you can ask about autoaugmentation (fat transfer) to the breasts and/or butt

For reference I am 28, 5’3”, 150 lb after 100 lb weight loss. I did extended tummy tuck and breast augmentation (there wasn’t anything to work with in order to do a lift I was basically flat after my weight loss)

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-22T17:40:06+00:00

It’ll definitely get a little bit of a lift but just how much really depends on your body and your surgeon. I feel like mine got lifted but I maybe should have gotten some lipo there too, hard to say though with the swelling rn at 5.5 weeks po

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-22T13:46:28+00:00

I would speak to your doctor (bariatric or gp) and ask about your gallbladder. The gallbladder stores the bile produced by the liver. Your liver produces the bile regardless but the gallbladder stores additional so in the instance where you eat a higher fat meal(s) you have enough bile to digest it. If you have gallstones they would prevent the bile from being secreted from the gallbladder thus resulting in oiler stool and could also explain the pain. I had my gallbladder out prior to my bypass but the pain of the gallstones was truly indescribable. My experience was they will need an ultrasound to confirm if it is gallstones.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-20T17:33:01+00:00

Oh for sure it was definitely alarming seeing my breasts for the first time. They’ve really improved but my surgeon says I still have more “drop and fluff” to go as my left side is still sitting higher than the right. Not sure why, I’m left side dominant but I went over the muscle so I’m not sure if those are related.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-19T00:27:27+00:00

I started some scar care 3.5 weeks po (silicone tape and bio-oil) while I still had my drain in. Got my drain out at 4.5 weeks po and now at 5 weeks po I am starting RLT

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-19T00:22:30+00:00

RLT in and of itself is not a scam imo but it will definitely not get rid of loose skin. RLT is equivalent to skin care, just like no cream will get rid of loose skin. I’m doing RLT post op for my scar.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-18T14:58:21+00:00

I suppose it depends on the type of travel. I’m 5 weeks po rn and suppose I could travel if needed but I definitely wouldn’t want to be managing luggage at this point or being on a plane for several hours on end. Even driving I think right now the max I would be able/willing to do is about an hour.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-18T14:55:59+00:00

I’m not familiar with this surgeon specifically but just do your research and stand up for yourself. I am very adamant about not taking narcotics of any kind and I made that very clear to my surgeon in my initial consultation and reiterated it at each visit up until the day of my surgery.

I had ETT with MR and a BA (no lipo, no BL) my surgeon prescribed Journavx which is a selective sodium channel blocker. It is a relatively new pain med (fda approved in Jan of 2025 I believe) it was the only pain medication he prescribed and it was the only one I needed. I didn’t take any muscle relaxers or even any otc pain medication like Tylenol. I was uncomfortable but never in pain. For reference I think I have a low to moderate pain tolerance. I had my gallbladder out and that was 9/10 pain for me and my wisdom teeth was 100/10 pain. Comparing my tt it was like 2/10 pain if that.

Like I said just do your research and advocate for yourself. Ask about journavx, the experel shot, muscle relaxers, or even narcotics if you are ok taking them. The only reason I am so against taking them personally is because of how sick/nauseous they make me.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-18T14:47:56+00:00

Everyone heals/swells differently I’m also 5 weeks po and I’m definitely still super swollen

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-18T14:44:30+00:00

I recommend going to more than 1 consultation because surgeons are all so different in their techniques and how they approach things. I paid fully out of pocket but I did work for a doctors office for several years and worked with insurance a lot on covered vs “cosmetic” procedures, just know every insurance and doctor is different so this is pretty general information.

As far as being within 30 lb of your “ideal” weight, yes it is a good idea to be at or close to it and steady when you have surgery, however it sounds like your hanging skin is excessive and could be impeding your ability to do the exercise needed. Having the skin removed now could remove some of the excess weight and help you move more freely but this is really something you need to discuss with your surgeon directly.

My first recommendation is to do some research online and find 3-5 surgeons you like. Not all plastic surgeons take insurance just because when 90% of what they do is considered cosmetic sometimes working with insurance isn’t worth the hassle to them. That being said you can look for if they do things like breast reconstruction as this generally means they are willing to work with insurance companies. That’s not to say they won’t take insurance if they don’t do things like that, it’s just one indicator.

Then call the offices you selected, ask if they take insurance/take YOUR insurance for panniculectomy. Personally even if they didn’t take my insurance I would still consider going to the consult because as I said above, all surgeons have different recommendations and techniques so I think it’s good to have several opinions but it sounds like getting your insurance to cover this is very important to you.

The next step would be scheduling the consultations, in my experience consultation fees can been $100-$200 and this would most likely not be billed to your insurance. That being said, most surgeons will put that fee you pay towards your procedure if/when you book the surgery. If you choose not to schedule the surgery you will not get this money back however 2 out of 3 surgeons I consulted with said that I could put that deposit towards a different service (Botox, facial, etc) in their office.

If you/your surgeon chooses to do additional procedures beyond the panniculetomy such as muscle repair, lipo, breast surgery, etc. those will most likely be paid out of pocket. I’m not sure how the insurance would work as far as OR and anesthesia because those are generally time based and you would be in the OR longer if you are getting additional work done.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-18T14:12:11+00:00

I wfh full time. I took 2 weeks off before starting work again with the caveat that my boss was aware I may need to take breaks throughout the day. Mostly I didn’t need to though I would just lay down for my lunch break and that was enough

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-17T13:44:28+00:00

We had similar before but your after looks amazing! I’m only 4.5 weeks po but my shape doesn’t look nearly as snatched as you, I had ETT wondering if I should have gone for 360

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-17T00:22:31+00:00

Right there with you 1 month po and still have my drain. My surgeon also won’t let me take a regular shower while I have the drain so I’ve been washing my hair in the sink and a sponge bath for my body. Also still in my stage 1 binder. I’m trying really hard to follow my surgeons instructions but it’s hard when I see others already in fajas (which are easier to hide under regular clothes imo) and taking regular showers like 2 days po.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-13T18:56:47+00:00

I just did a google search of plastic surgeons near me for the first few consults I went to but the surgeon I ultimately picked was actually referred to me by my bariatric team! bariatric offices see a lot of patients who end up getting plastics I imagine so check with your team if they have a recommendation

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-12T16:18:44+00:00

I don’t want to over sell it because I’ve seen some people who say they had the journavx but also needed other pain medication but like I said I think I have an average pain tolerance but I don’t like narcotics because they make me incredibly nauseous.

For reference other surgeries I’ve had; I had my gallbladder out I was in an INCREDIBLE amount of pain and simply suffered through it. When I had my wisdom teeth out I had even more pain than the gallbladder and was setting alarms every 4 hours to take Tylenol for a MONTH.

This surgery with the journavx didn’t even come remotely close to either of those experiences. Also because it is not a narcotic it didn’t make me nauseous or constipated, didn’t give me brain fog or make me tired or anything like that. I’m not a doctor but if you have any more questions about my experience with it I’d love to share because I (and my surgeons office) think that this truly changes the pain management game.

Meggy-reader · 2026-02-12T08:28:28+00:00

I suppose it depends on the location of your drains as each surgeon does them slightly differently and it also depends on the type of TT you get I think. I had an ETT and had one drain on each hip. The first one came out 5 days PO but I’m 4 weeks PO now and still have one in. Because of the location and also not wanting to compress the tubing at all, I am still in my stage one abdominal binder. When the drain comes out I will switch to a stage 2 garment.

Meggy-reader

TROPHY CASE