Hey guys,
I have my surgery with Garramone (DI) scheduled for early July. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I think my excitement outweighs my nervousness - I mean, I've been waiting for chest surgery ever since I started getting these damn moobs, and now that it's officially happening, I'm thrilled. But, as with all types of surgery, it's a little frightening nonetheless. I'll be flying down to Florida four days in advance, and I'm staying with my grandmother for as long as I need to, before flying back home (I live in MD). I was wondering if anybody who's already been through all this can offer me any tips, advice, etc. that were very useful while they were recovering. How long will I be having severely limited mobility? Does eating a healthy diet speed up the healing process? Anything you guys can share with me is much appreciated! Thanks.

Make sure you have button down shirts to wear since it'll be difficult to put shirts on.

Congrats!  I had surgery with Garramone last June, so while it's a been a year, it's still kind of fresh in my mind.

Nygeel is right--button downs are essential for the first several weeks.  Don't even try putting on regular shirts.  Lifting your arms above your head (or even greatly from your sides) is a big no-no.  Bring easy to put on pants like scrub bottoms or sweats; slip on shoes are also good.  Wear or bring socks with you to the surgery center, it can get rather cold. 

Extra pillows are a good thing.  My back hurt a lot from the bandages being so tight (I loosened them with permission).  Bring something to keep yourself occupied like books, handheld games, movies, etc.  Don't be surprised if you end up sleeping most of the time.  Most people have some degree of pain--stay on top of it.  Take your antibiotics and pain pills as directed; the antibiotics are incredibly nasty tasting and smelling so I ate them with jello and held my nose lol  Publix (a grocery store chain) has a pharmacy where you can get the antibiotics for free.  Without insurance the pain pills cost less than $20.

Showering and/or bathing is not possible until after your bandages and drains are removed.  I wouldn't even recommend sitting in a tub mostly due to having to get in/out would be too taxing on your arms/chest.  Soapy wash cloths and baby wipes are good alternatives.  My mom washed my hair over a sink as well.  Constipation can be an issue with the pain pills and the anesthesia; a stool softener like Colace can help. 

Since you are traveling by plane, request a wheelchair ahead of time on your return ticket.  It was a lifesaver for me.  Bypassed the security lines, got zipped around the airports, and got excellent seating.  Plus my pat down was so minimal it was ridiculous.  Ah, the pat down.  Because you can't raise your arms above your head, you can't go through the body scanner.  Garramone will give you a letter that explains all of that to the TSA (airport security) people.  The letter doesn't out you so how much you elaborate is up to you.

A good diet before and after surgery would be great.  Staying well hydrated and being in good physical condition are also important.  Sometimes the anesthesia can cause nausea.  Having bland foods available as well as clear liquids (which includes jello and broth) can help.  Bendy straws are awesome. 

I realize this is getting long and I'm sure that I've forgotten things, but this should be enough to get you started.  If you have any answers feel free to ask in the thread or PM me

In addition to what Adio said, Dr. Garramone will recommend buying Ginger Ale and Sour Dough bread for after your surgery to help you from feeling sick.  I did not have a problem with feeling sick at all. I also did not have to worry about constipation.  In fact, I had the opposite problem once my body woke up, so I hate to say it, but be ready for either reaction, especially since you can't use your own arms. 

If you decided to get mansculpture too, be ready for buying undergear type pants. I basically used them as underware because I had no real choice.  Between them, bandages and the binder, I could not fit anything else in my pants or tucked into the undergear pants if I tried.  It was an adventure and I think that procedure made the whole thing a bit more difficult all the way around because bending over hurt, sitting too long hurt, having to prop up feet all the time was hard to do anywhere other then bedroom where I was staying.  The binder was down to my hips, so moving in general was hard to do. 

Dr. Garramone and his staff are awesome.  The surgery center he uses is great too. The place I stayed for a week was great.. I can't say enough positive things about the whole experience.  Just listen to what they tell you and don't be scared to call if you have questions.  If Bridgett can't answer the question, she will get in touch with Dr. Garramone and make sure you have an answer asap.  If he is in surgery, it may be a few hours, but it will be same day.

Thanks so much, guys. I'll be sure to bring plenty of button-down shirts - I have no shortage of those, hahah. I also have some more questions as well:

-I see a few mentions of wearing a binder post-op. Is this required or something? I've never purchased or worn a binder, because I have a relatively small chest, nothing that two layered sports bras and a loose shirt can't hide. Do I have to buy a binder just for recovery?
-Wiping after going Number Two: will I be able to do it? Or will I be needing assistance for a while?
-Sitting up for long-distance car rides: will I be utterly miserable? After my post-op appointment, I'll be going to stay with my grandmother on the Gulf Coast, which is about a three-hour car ride.

If I think of anymore questions I'll post them as they come up, since you guys are very helpful.

Thats really exciting!! I hope your surgery goes well  I cant give you any advise because I havent had the surgery yet but I want to see Dr Garramone too one day. So I have a quick question for you, how long ago did you have to book your surgery? Like is the waiting list long?

OK, I'm trying to remember what I needed that I didn't have and what I wish I had done.

Shave your armpits before the surgery, I woke up with tape on the hair, not helpful.
Have the person who is picking you up bring numbing throat lozenges, you will need them.


If you can, do some situps between now and then, the stronger your core is the easier it will be to move around without your arms post.

Quote from: Psyke on June 19, 2012, 02:33:24 AM
Shave your armpits before the surgery, I woke up with tape on the hair, not helpful.

Yes, I forgot about this.  I'd say don't even trim--just completely shave them.

A binder post-op is not required with Garramone.  He uses ace bandages instead.

You will likely be able to wipe yourself after surgery.  I was able to and I think most guys are, but sometimes people need help.  So be mentally prepared to ask for help but also know that it's unlikely you will need it.

The bumps on the road can be very uncomfortable post op.  I was also sick so that didn't help.  Might want to bring a small, soft pillow to put between you and the seat belt.  Make sure you can lie down/recline the seat.  Taking a pain pill about 30 minutes before getting in the car should help as well.

Quote from: harlee on June 18, 2012, 11:11:29 PM
Thats really exciting!! I hope your surgery goes well  I cant give you any advise because I havent had the surgery yet but I want to see Dr Garramone too one day. So I have a quick question for you, how long ago did you have to book your surgery? Like is the waiting list long?

I was actually very surprised with how easily they could fit me in, because I'd been hearing that summer was a very busy time for Garramone. Maybe I was just lucky. I scheduled my phone consultation in the beginning of April, and my phone consultation was April 23. From there, I made my appointment for July 10. So, less than three months in advance, I had a date ready to go. And thanks for your nice words, too!

Sorry about maybe confusing you.  The binder was because I had the manscuplture (lipo) in addition to the surgery since he offers it at the same time.  The lipo requires you to wear the binder for 6 weeks after.  The binder and bandages were both but on during the surgery...or after I was out, but still out like a light.  The binder is also most likely the reason I would not reach behind me at all.  I guess just having bandages makes life a lot easier.

Wish you the best, and try not to be nervous, they are all great folks.

I guess I can't add much as I think most people have answered your questions/ I am not post-op myself. But I wish you all the best with your surgery and make sure to keep us updated on how it all goes.

Hey guys,
I'm currently almost four days post-op. I had my surgery on July 10th, which was a Tuesday. Right now I'm flying on Vicodin and I feel like my bandages are trying to squeeze all of my inner-workings out through my eyeballs, but other than that, I'm extremely happy. I'll post a more detailed update when I'm feeling less like a human burrito.

Congraduations, glad you are doing fine.  Keep us updated.

Is it a bad thing that I'm getting my drains out Tuesday morning, and I'm still draining red fluid on my left side? I'm draining very little (about 3 CCs every eight hours or more), but what does come out is bright red on my left side. My right side is a yellowish-clear color, which I understand is normal.

getting drains out is great they were the worst part of my surgery -__-
i'd ask the doctor, either call or ask when you're there tomorrow. He won't take it out if you're not ready. And if he wants to, but you don' feel comfortable with it, ask to leave it in an extra day or two. If it clears up in the extra days, great and it'll put your mind at ease, if it doesn't, it then it probably didn't hurt having extra time.

Throughout the day, my left drain has cleared up, and aside from some traces of blood left in the tubes, it's almost entirely a yellowish liquid now. My post-op appointment is actually the day after tomorrow, so hopefully it'll continue to clear up in the next day or so.