ObesityHelp

I spent almost an hour typing an update on here yesterday only to have my ie fail at the last minute and I lost it all.  So if this update seems rushed/abrupt, that's why.

It seems like it's been a while and I don't remember what I've updated you guys on and what I haven't, so I'll just give a general run-down of everything.

KIDS UPDATE

My daughter is doing well.  Still cheering and loving it.  Still boy crazy and worrying me sick over it.  Still full of drama.  She dropped a D on her last report card and is terrified that it will keep her out of cheer next year, so she's working hard to bring it up.  The only thing is that my daughter's definition of working hard isn't necessarily anyone else's definition of working hard.  So I have to stay on her a little bit.  I hope she brings it up this semester.  We found another lady who wasn't psycho to corn row her hair and I sew in the extensions every couple of weeks, etc.  She complains about almost everything and is a smartmouth.  I think that may be normal for her age, but it still makes me want to pinch her head off sometimes.  I make her write sentences instead. 

My son is doing well also.  Football season is over with so now he is spends that time running track and lifting weights, etc.  He has the body of an underwear model - all muscle without a pinch of fat on him.  If he had more confidence and wasn't so bashful, he'd have girls and probably some grown women falling at his feet.  He has a girlfriend (still the odd one whose parents wanted us to come have a "get to know you" supper with them on xmas night.  The girl's mother is a little too friendly with my son in my opinion.  She texts him and facebooks him.  I find that odd, but maybe I'm the behind-the-times one?  When this girl broke up with my son a week or so ago because things were "moving too fast for her", this woman counciled my son (via text and facebook) on how to win her daugther back - saying things like "just talk to her like a friend for a few days and see what happens" and stuff like that.  Nothing she says to him is creepy or anything.  I just get an overall feeling of unease with how much contact she has with him.  It may be just me.  But I'm watching that situation though.  (My son knows I find it weird and that irritates him because he just absolutely LOVES her family.  He says that they are the friendliest people/family he has ever known.  They really are.  They try to invite us to do things with them occassionally.  I hesitate to do that because I don't want it to be weird when the kids eventually break up - which I have no doubt will happen since she's 13 and he's 15.)  But I digress.

HUBBY UPDATE

Hubby is still working.  At the end of his initial 6 month probationary period they didn't hire him though.  They extended his probationary period another 6 months.  I think it was because he was behind with his work (even though everyone stays behind - maybe he was more behind than most?) but I'm not really sure.  He has been doing better though since then, so I really think they will hire him at the end of this 6 month period.  If they don't, I think I'm going to encourage him to look for something else because that's just weird.  He really likes his job a lot.  (At least he says he does and I really hope he's not just saying that to convince me or himself that he does if you know what I mean.)  I love his schedule and his lack of job-stress - so I hope they DO hire him or whatever they call it when they allow you to stay on and go off probation as a "real" employee.  But I have no control over any of that, so I try not to think about it or I'd run mad with worry.

He is almost done painting my parents house.  It looks really good.  The weather has prevented him from working on it for a week or so now, but it shouldn't take much to finish it.  I may get out there and help him finish it next weekend or something.  Who knows.  They just paid him for it a day or so ago (pretty good too actually) so it needs to be wrapped up soon.  Hopefully then he'll start on OUR house.  (Please lord, let him start on our house.  It needs it SOOOOO bad.  It has been half-painted for probably a year now - maybe longer.  No kidding.  Trust me.  I would NOT kid about this.)

MOM & REST OF FAMILY UPDATE

Mom is doing well.  She's keeping her weight off and looking GREAT!  She seems to be feeling great too!  She has recovered nicely from her plastics and is trying to pay down her bill quickly so she can go for another round!  More power to her!

I saw my aunt in Wal-Mart and she looks great too.  She and mom had been over to their dad's (my papa's) house.  He is not doing so well.  He's old and it's probably getting close to the end there.  I'm not really sure.  I'm not a visiting type of person - even with family.  I've told you all that I am socially disfunctional.  That is not just with friends.  It's with family too.  So I haven't been to see them in forever.  That's sad.

My dad is doing fine.  His business seems to be doing well - especially for the winter.  Although really the only thing I have to gage that on is the fact the the crews do leave every morning in the trucks.  That's not exactly any scientific evidence that things are great.  LOL.  I just don't hear him complaining (and of course I'm not going to ASK him how the business is or he'll actually respond and I really don't want to ever talk about business - well hardly ever - with my dad).  It's just not a good idea - you will have to trust me on this. 

He told mother that he was going on a diet this week.  I don't know if he really will, but he probably will.  Usually when he says he is going to do something, he does.  I'm not supposed to know though.  He never tells anyone he is going on a diet (I guess so that noone will know if he fails that he was trying to do something to begin with).  So when dad diets, it is usually supposed to be a secret.  He only tells mother.  Then she tells me.  Then I mention it to my husband.  But then it goes no further.  Well, unless I blog about it on the internet or something.  But really... who reads this who would ever speak to my dad in a million years?  I hope he does go on a diet and I hope he's one of the 2% of people who succeed at them.  He is over 300 pounds now and that worries me. 

I feel bad sometimes - like I contribute to it.  Really I guess I do.  Usually once a week, I cook a dessert for my hubby (homemade scratch cookies, pie, cake, candy or some such).  Since one man doesn't need an entire dessert, I usually send 1/2 down to my dad.  Whereas my hubby will take the whole week to eat his 1/2 of whatever it was (pie, cake, etc), my dad will usually eat his 1/2 for dessert that night.  I missed the last couple of weeks before last for some reason I can't remember now and he called wanting to know what he had done wrong.  So he's kind of come to look forward to it and would definately miss it when I stop.  But I WILL stop whenever he starts his diet.  I've told mom to tell me when he does because then I will stop sending desserts down there (or only send low-cal, low-fat, low-sugar ones - which are few and far between due to my husband's taste and I cook things he will like).  So I think I definately never should have started sending them down there.  I just didn't want to waste food and it is hard to cook for ONE person.  (My kids don't like most desserts I make my hubby because he usually wants stuff with nuts in them and they hate nuts.)  So I'm not sure what to do on that front.  Part of me definately thinks quit sending them.  But part of me KNOWS (and I do KNOW because he has done it for YEARS) that he'd just eat some other crap he's got down there if I didn't send it.  Still, I'll probably start sending just a tiny sample down there and have hubby take the rest to work to share or something.  Daddy may be hell bent on eating himself into an early grave, but I'm not going to provide the shovel. 

MY JOB

I have been REALLY busy at work lately.  It seems like it's been that way since my plastics in November.  Actually I don't think it SEEMS that way.  I think I really have been busier in the last couple of months.  Part of it is the time off I took in December and part of it is the increased work-load that has accompanied the extra job duties we just had placed on it.  It's a combination of things that have added up to me feeling like I'm constantly a week to 2 weeks behind in everything I'm doing.  Oh well.  It has to get better soon, right?  Okay, maybe not HAS to get better - but HOPEFULLY will get better soon.

MY WEIGHT & PLASTICS

I have recovered nicely from my plastics.  It turns out I only THOUGHT that they removed every bit of fat I had out of me from my abdominal area.  Turns out, they don't do that at the same time they do a tummy tuck because if they could remove TOO much and leave you with sunken in places or poke marks, etc.  To reduce the likelihood of that, they just lipo most of what they think needs removed, then do a lipo touch-up (if you need it) when most of your healing is done from the tummy tuck. 

Well, when I went in for my follow-up, I showed him how puffy my kitty still was.  (Turns out, he didn't lipo that area at all like I thought he had - he just lifted it.)  I also had a little more fat left on my right side than my left which was visible now that most of the healing from the tummy tuck is done.  He also said that he could remove more from below my breasts right at the top of my abdominal area which I was totally psyched about!  So he suggested a lipo touch-up and he agreed to do it under local right over my lunch break at work one day.  (Definately not an ideal situation to get that much lipo done under local as opposed to being put under, but it's not like any surgeon really wants to put me under when they know my history with anesthesia.)

I had my lipo touch-up done this past Thursday (01/28/10).  As promised, they set it up for my lunch break and I only had to take a couple of hours of leave to tack on there to fit it into my schedule!  I walked out of there when it was done like nothing had even been done to me!  They removed another 550 cc (if I heard them correctly - but I didn't ASK, I just overheard, so I definately need to verify that # because I certainly can't take that to the bank by any means).  They lipo'd my kitty and places throughout my abdominal area - especially up at the top and on that right side right about my incision.  It was a REALLY odd experience to be awake for.  I worried that the feeling of the vaccuum tube would make me sick (like gross me out kind of sick), but I was okay.  It did hurt.  In fact, some of it hurt pretty bad.  But I was pretty numb for hours afterwards.  That was good because they said I needed a support garment that went higher, so I had to run by Wal-Mart and shop for one right after I had it done!  But I found one that works, so it's all good.

Just like the first plastics, the swelling is annoying.  Some days there is none.  Other days I wonder if I am going to be able to pull the compression garment back up over me because it is so tight.  Some days, I look normal in the mirror.  Some days there is so much fluid from swelling that my body around the garment puffs out like muffin top (only in reverse since it's my thighs on the bottom that tend to do this and not the chest/stomach at the top).  Hopefully it will go away soon.I hate swelling.  I really do. 

I always read (on here and other places) that you could swell for up to a year after plastic surgery.  I never wanted to believe that.  Honestly, I kind of figured that that was some post-op's way of excusing results that they were less than elated with or maybe even to excuse away a little weight gain.  I believed that was the case sometimes because I just couldn't believe that you could stay swollen for up to a year following something like plastic surgery when people that have things like HEART surgery and other major surgeries don't stay swollen for that long.  But in this case, seeing is believing (or rather LIVING it is believing).  Even at almost 2 months out from my initial plastic surgery, I still had some days where I was swollen.  It wasn't nearly as BAD or as OFTEN - but it was definately still there and definately still an issue. 

I hope the swelling from this procedure goes away and goes away fast.  I absolutely HATE the undergarments (compression/support/control panties) that I have to wear.  They are about as attractive as hand-me-down granny panties and about as comfortable as a corset.  NOT good.  But enough of that complaining.

My weight is doing just fine.  I am easily maintaining my weight in my 125 - 130 maintenance window.  I stay a little closer to 130 since my plastics - but I don't care.  I could forever stay at 129.9 and I wouldn't care.  As long as I am in that comfort window I have set for myself, it's all good.  I've heard and read that it can take up to a year for a person's weight to restabalize post-plastics.  I haven't found that I fluctuate though.  I mean I do have "gains" on the scale when I'm swollen.  I even got up to 130 even once since my plastics.  But I knew it was fluid, so I didn't freak.  It fell back off the next week when I wasn't as swollen.  But other than that, I've not noticed any actual weight fluctuations (that weren't fluid related as I just indicated).  So either fluid weight was what they meant when they were talking about weight fluctuations OR I dodged a bullet there?  I don't know or care.  I weighed in at 129 pounds this morning (when I wasn't swollen).  After going to town today though, etc, I am so swollen tonight though that my garment feels obscenely tight around my thighs - so I'd probably weigh 132 or 133 if I were to weight myself now.  In fact, hold on and I will just to see what it says.  Be right back....

Sorry that took a minute longer than I said.  What can I say?  I had to pee too.  I weighed 132.  Am I good or what?  I figured it would be about that.  Not only can I physically SEE when I'm swollen, I can feel it.  It's not something you have to wonder about.  LOL.  It is fairly obvious.  But on to my next complaint.

WTF is up with the bruising following lipo?  Seriously.  You leave the surgery and there isn't any bruising.  Even the next day and the day after, no bruising.  The suddenly on day 3 (and it was the 3rd day post-op with my first plastic surgery and the 3rd day post-op from the touch-up lipo also), I wake up with a light rainbow on me - black, blue, purple and a dark sickly looking yellow.  Isn't that weird that it doesn't show up until day 3? 

Really that is not weird compared to what I'm about to tell you though.  I hesitate to even tell any of you this because it will make me look stupid and I don't like looking stupid (who does).  But the way I figure it, I've probably looked stupid on here before and been too stupid to even know it - so why not forge ahead?  I mean really, at this point, why hold anything back - even the stuff that makes us look stupid?   WARNING... Gross stuff ahead! 

So everyone knows when they do lipo, they make tiny incisions around the area you want lipo'd.  (These are small incisions made just big enough to stick a ball point ink pin into as this is about how big around the long rod they use to vaccum the fat out of you is.)  Well, I had 4 of those holes (incisions) made - all of which he made right in my anchor incision from my tummy tuck to keep from adding any additional scars.  I had one hole/incision about an inch above my belly button, one hole/incision right in the center of the "t" portion of my anchor incision (right above the center of my pubic hair) and one hole/incision on each end of the horizontal portion of my anchor incision.

Well, when they do lipo, they pump your stomach full of fluid that helps numb you, etc.  Usually this fluid is absorbed into the body over time as you heal.  Some of the fluid can also leak out of the incisions post-op (since it is fluid and there are holes - albeit stitched shut after the procedure - but still holes all the same).  I either didn't read that or didn't remember that from my lipo research.  So after my procedure when I went to pull on my compression garment, fluid just literally started running out of the hole/incision on my right side.  I called the nurse over and was like, "OMG I have done something to myself!"  She grabbed a bandage and put it on there and said something like, "No, that can totally happen sometimes.  It's that fluid we pumped you full of.  That's one reason why we had your incisions covered in pads whenever you had your tummy tuck w/ lipo.  You need to get some maxi pads and just put them over the holes to catch any of the fluid to keep from ruining your clothes."  Then I was like oh okay. 

Well, when I came home and tried to pull the compression garment on/off to go to the bathroom, etc - every single time I did it, fluid would come out.  (I am not talking about a drop here.  I'm talking about probably 2 tablespoons.)  It was also hard to get the garment pulled up on me AND put/keep the pad over the holes while trying to pull it up in place, etc.  So I was standing in my bathroom with my pants down, looking down and thinking to myself.... (follow along here with my thought process y'all)....

I'm thinking.... okay... the fluid is in there.  It comes out worse when I pull up my garment because I'm having to mash my swollen self down into the garment.  So pressing on myself causes the fluid to come out.  I wonder if I could just deliberately press on myself and just mash it all out.  Then I wouldn't have to worry about trying to have 3 sets of hands to hold pads in place over 4 holes while pulling up the garment, etc.  I mean, it if was HARMFUL for the fluid to be leaking out of the incision, it would have worried the nurse: but it didn't.  In fact, she seemed completely unphased by what I considered to be lot of fluid to just be running out of a hole in a person.  I'd also be lying if I didn't admit to the fact that the OCD part of me could not stand the thought of fluid being in me like that.  And I was still numb, so it wasn't like it was going to hurt.  Also, I didn't have to worry about injuring my insides because there was nothing done inside but the lip this time.  WARNING..... I mean it guys.  Gross stuff is coming. 

So you guys see where this is going, don't you?  That's right.  I decided to just slowly and deliberately mash as much of the fluid out of myself as I could.  So I started slowly mashing on my entire front (from just below my breasts to my lower mons - everywhere that got lipo'd).  If you can imagine how you'd slowly try to work air bubbles out of a sandwich bag, that's what I did.  Most of the fluid came out of the hole/incision on the right side, but some also came out the left and a few drops only came out the bottom center (while none came out of the above-the-belly-button hole/incision). 

In the beginning, all I had to do was lightly mash anywhere on my front and fluid would run out.  In fact, if I mashed enough it would "shoot" out of the incision on my right side.  After about 5 straight minutes of this (and using an entire box of extra super absorpancy tampon fillings to capture the fluid as it came out), I changed my approach to ensure that I got as much of it as possible out. 

I began working from the outsides towards the incisions themselves.  If you can imagine how you'd try to work air bubbles out of a plastic tarp or cover, that's what I was doing.  I'd start mashing at the outsides and work my way to the incision and the fluid would run (and sometimes spray/shoot) out.  I did that for about another 5 straight minutes (and used another box of super absorbancy tampon fillings to soak up all that fluid). 

By then, my stomach actually looked and felt more normal/better.  It was like an instant swell-reducer and I still don't regret doing it.

In any event, that's my update which I really HAVE to wrap up now because I'm falling asleep while typing this (it's 2:20 am & I have to get up to go to work tomorrow - HELLO!!!!).  So I gotta go!

I'll update again when I can! 

Wen

I weighed in this weekend @ 130 lbs even.  Normally, that would be my freak-out zone entry point.  BUT, I am swollen and I can FEEL and SEE that I am swollen.  So I don't believe it's actual "weight" gain, but "fluid" weight.  In fact, I'd bet money on it.  (I also know I haven't been taking in any more calories, etc to have a real gain.)

I saw my plastic surgeon this week.  He saw my swelling and said to start using my compression garment again.  (Yes, it is such a joy wearing that.  I was SO excited.)  He also said he could do a second round of lipo.  (It is really just finishing the lipo they already started pre-op.  That was news to me.  I had thought they lipo'd every bit of fat I had in me through my middle since that is what I asked for.  Well, it turns out, they can't really do that while they're doing the tummy tuck because they may take "too much" and leave you with divids or sunken spots of something.  So they are really  just going to finish the lip that they already started.  It will be done in the office right there and I won't be knocked out or anything.  There is no way I'm getting put to sleep for anything again unless I HAVE to.)  So anyway, I'm swollen, back in my compression garment and waiting to hear from them as to when they can work me in for an hour or so to finish my lipo.

Due to the swelling, I've stopped taking my salt tablets.  I figure being off them for a few months isn't going to kill me.  Maybe it will help with the swelling.  (Although, so far... not.)  I am still salting my food though.

I have noticed that I have edema in my legs and ankles lately.  I don't know why.  It's annoying.  As a matter of fact, the edema in my legs is really worse than my plastic surgery swelling.  Who knows why?  I don't.  I have those deep sock rings around my legs when I take my socks off at night.  I hate that.  If it keeps up, I'm going to the DR about it. 

I ordered an ice cream maker online this weekend - a Cuisinart Ice-20.  I'm going to start making my own protein ice cream.  I can't do protein shakes, but I do love me some protein ice cream.  I made my first attempt batch from a recipe I found online with  my blender tonight.  It was pretty good.  It had more of an ice milk texture though than an ice cream texture.  So it needs work.  But it is good. 

My daughter, who recently turned 13, and I have been into it 2 or 3 times in the last week.  She is SO smart-mouthed.  I seriously think that SHE thinks she can do pretty much whatever she wants the majority of the time.  She seems to believe that she is the boss of everything and everyone in her world too.  I have seriously wanted to ring her neck at least twice in the last week.  This must be a teenage daughter vs mother dynamic.  I hope so.  I'd hate to think it was just us.  But I seem to remember wanting to ring my mother's neck when I was a teenager.  So I'm thinking it's normal.  She had better improve her attitude quickly or I may be on the wall to a nuthouse.  Not good. 

In any event, I had today off for the MLK holiday.  It's back to work tomorrow.  Joy.  LOL