ObesityHelp

Big Medicine premiered on TLC Mon, May 28.... there are 13 episodes and they all air mondays at 8pm (central time) and then air again at 11pm, just in case you missed it.  Ive heard rumors they will start to show reruns some time in July... 

Well, I am very honored and excited to share some neat news... In conjunction with the show, I have been asked to do some interviews with Dr. Garth and Robert Davis! :0) 

Monday, June 04, we will be on a show called "IVillage Live" which airs on NBC.  Unfortunately, it does not air in Houston... 

Here's some info on the show:

This groundbreaking series brings television, the Web, and mobile technology together into one fascinating talk show! Episodes are broadcast both online and on TV, and viewers can interact via chat rooms, polls, text messages, and an audience question box. The show broadcasts from 12-1pm (est) from the following cities:  Dallas, Chicago, Hartford, Washington, DC, Seattle, Oklahoma, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Philadelphia.  For more information, visit   iVillage.com 

So you can watch it online, from what I understand...

I just think it's awesome to be a part of a show like "Big Medicine" which shows WLS in a positive light. I can only hope that my story is able to touch at least one person in some way!!! 

Hello everyone!!! Thanks again for all the good thoughts, prayers, well wishes, emails, and phone calls…lol…. I think that covers everyone! :0)

I am happy to be home from the hospital and things are going just great. Here’s a quick rundown on how things went Friday with my plastics….

Got to the hospital at 5:40am, and they put me in a private room to wait for surgery time. I changed into a gown and lay in bed. My dad went upstairs and helped my mom walk downstairs to come be with me.  We were very happy that she was in the hospital and could be with me before my surgery.

 About 7:30 I got set up with my IV, and then Dr L did my markings.  I was wheeled down into the OR to get things started.  Of course, after this point I don’t remember ANYTHING!!!   The rest of my story from that day comes from everyone else around me….

 Dr. LoMonaco started with my back side.  Like my mom, I was scheduled for the buttock-auto-augmentation. Once in the OR, though, Dr L said I did not have enough tissue/fat to use for that.  I knew going into surgery that it was possible this would be the case, so I was prepared for that.  He did the back part of the lower body lift….the butt lift, the back, etc.  

 I was flipped and he got to work on the front: tummy, front/ outer thighs, mons (pubic) lift, and breasts. He said that after he loosened the skin on my belly he put his hands up underneath to pull it down and it was like a 2x sweatshirt on a size small body.  I also had smooth round saline moderate profile mentor implants 275 cc filled to 320 cc on each side to augment my breasts.   

 After surgery, I vaguely remember being back up in my room by about 4pm. When I talked to Dr. L he said that they removed about 5 lbs of skin. 

 Like I said, I am home and doing just great… Mom is also doing great. I took a shower when I got home from the hospital and it wore me out!! We are both good getting up and walking around a little bit, and feel really good.  Thanks again!!

I just want to send a GIANT THANK YOU to everyone who sent well wishes our way, had postive thoughts, and prayers for mom.

Today was a very looooooooong day... We had to be at the hospital (12 Oaks) at 5:30, but surgery was scheduled for 7:30.  Because we'ren having all our plastics filmed, the film crew came in about 7:00 to get some interview footage of mom and I together. Nurses started her IV, took vitals, etc.   Things were running just a bit behind.  When Dr. LoMonaco got there, we had to do a little bit more filming before he could do his markings. 

Due to Mom's asthma, she had to have a breathing treatment which made her ill. She was not feeling well when Dr. L had to do her markings.  After that, they laid her back down and started to prepare to take her to the OR.   She was already feeling tired from the breathing treatment and started to fall asleep while Dad, my sister, and I followed the bed down to the OR, where we said our goodbyes right outside of the door.  This was between 8:30 and 9am.

We were able to head straight up to the room she's now in to wait for her through surgery.    About 12 or so, Dr. L took a break. This was after he did the back side of the LBL and the Butt-Auto-Aug.  He said that there was a little more blood loss than expected, but she was doing okay now.  

About 2 or so, we saw Dr. L again.  He said that he was finished with the front portion of her LBL.  He said that she made up for the blood she lost on the back side, b/c she hardly bled AT ALL on the front.  We were sooooooooooooo relieved to hear that!!  Then he went back in for the Breast Reduction/lift. 

About 5 or so, he was finished and came back to let us know that it was all over.  He said that the results actually exceeded his expectations.  They removed approx. 15lbs of skin and tissue all together.

She didnt get into the room (out of recovery) until almost 8pm.  there were some problems with the nurses.... i guess it was during report (?) and no one wanted to go down and get her, even though she was ready at 7 to come up to the room.  when she got up to the room (finally) she looked great.  her hands and arms were pretty swollen, though.  She is/was still very out of it, but thats to be expected.  She was able to chew on some ice chips, but thats all.   My BIL is staying with her tonight at the hospital.

In case any one wants to know, she is at 12 oaks in Room 864. her stay will be 48-36 hours depending on how she responds.  

I cant wait to see her tomorrow when they change the dressings!!!!  I will keep you all updated on her, and then on my own surgery friday.  :0)

Thanks again!!!