Jeanette R.
Update
Apr 13, 2007
Decided that maybe I should update this thing. For the past couple weeks, I've been fully cleared to do whatever.
Last weekend, Nakai (my dog) and I had our first post-LBL agility trial. He didn't do too hot as I think he may have had a bit of the doggy flu, but I held up OK. I got some tingling of my incisions after each run that lasted about 5 minutes, but it wasn't that bad. We have our first outdoor trial of the season this weekend and he seems to be feeling much better so I'm hoping for a better outcome.
The one thing I did notice is that now that all my extra skin is gone, my back didn't bother me at all after the trial like it used to (I have 2 degenerative discs in my lower back). The trial was held at an indoor soccer ring and although they have really nice soccer turf, it's still laid right on top of concrete. My ankle bothered me just as much as usual (no cartilage left), but my back didn't bother me at all. I wasn't able to get my surgery covered originally as being medically necessary, but I'm going to submit it to my insurance after the fact now that I know how much better my back feels. All I can do is try.
I'm coming up on my 3 year RNY anniversary. It's two weeks from today, actually. I can't believe how much my life has changed since then for the better. I can now finally be as active as I want to be. I still have some confidence issues, but they are getting better. I still look in the mirror at times and can't believe that what I'm seeing is me. 3 years ago I was 268. This morning, I was 141. I'd like to get a few more pounds off me, but I'll be happy just making sure I don't gain any weight back. I'm down from size 26W jeans, to size 8 and from XXL tops to M/L depending on how they're made. I have broad shoulders so sometimes I have to get a large just to make sure I can move my arms without ripping out the back. I can also fit in shoes that are my actual size. I have wide feet and pre-op I had to get 8Ws to get them to fit right. Now I can usually get away with a 6W. Who knew that losing weight would affect my shoe size?
Oh well, that's enough for now.
Last weekend, Nakai (my dog) and I had our first post-LBL agility trial. He didn't do too hot as I think he may have had a bit of the doggy flu, but I held up OK. I got some tingling of my incisions after each run that lasted about 5 minutes, but it wasn't that bad. We have our first outdoor trial of the season this weekend and he seems to be feeling much better so I'm hoping for a better outcome.
The one thing I did notice is that now that all my extra skin is gone, my back didn't bother me at all after the trial like it used to (I have 2 degenerative discs in my lower back). The trial was held at an indoor soccer ring and although they have really nice soccer turf, it's still laid right on top of concrete. My ankle bothered me just as much as usual (no cartilage left), but my back didn't bother me at all. I wasn't able to get my surgery covered originally as being medically necessary, but I'm going to submit it to my insurance after the fact now that I know how much better my back feels. All I can do is try.
I'm coming up on my 3 year RNY anniversary. It's two weeks from today, actually. I can't believe how much my life has changed since then for the better. I can now finally be as active as I want to be. I still have some confidence issues, but they are getting better. I still look in the mirror at times and can't believe that what I'm seeing is me. 3 years ago I was 268. This morning, I was 141. I'd like to get a few more pounds off me, but I'll be happy just making sure I don't gain any weight back. I'm down from size 26W jeans, to size 8 and from XXL tops to M/L depending on how they're made. I have broad shoulders so sometimes I have to get a large just to make sure I can move my arms without ripping out the back. I can also fit in shoes that are my actual size. I have wide feet and pre-op I had to get 8Ws to get them to fit right. Now I can usually get away with a 6W. Who knew that losing weight would affect my shoe size?
Oh well, that's enough for now.
3.5 Week Post Plastics Update
Mar 07, 2007
Went back to work last week and have been pretty busy. I'm working from home, but after being on the computer 8 hours a day, I sometimes don't feel like being on it at night as well.
Here's what's been going on.
Dr. Madry ordered a compression garment and I've been wearing it for the past two weeks. Although now, I only have to wear it 8 hours a day. He does 3 weeks of 24/7 and 3 weeks of 8 hours a day and then nothing after that.
I ended up having to take all my steri strips off in the shower at the two week mark, aka my second shower (wasn't allowed to shower with my drains). I was itching so much from the tape, I couldn't stand it anymore. Benedryl wasn't working that well, so they had to go. Dr. Madry wasn't upset when he saw how red I was. It looks like I'm still wearing the tape as you can see the outline of where it was due to all the redness.
I'm healing well, although it has been determined that I will most likely need a revision of my thigh lift as I still have a bit of loose skin at the very upper part of my thighs. My stomach looks good, but I see a pouch starting to form, like the skin is going lax again. It's still quite swollen and maybe it is just some swelling. Only time will tell. Even if I have a little bit of loose skin, it'll still be better than before.
Dr. Madry removed 8 lbs of skin. To date, I've lost 13 lbs since the morning of surgery and I'm still swollen (Yippee!!!). I have a lot of areas that are still numb. Especially on the outside of thighs where Dr. M. lipo'd my saddle bag area. I also have areas where the nerves aren't quite sure what's going on. If I touch the skin about an inch to the right of my new belly button (which I can actually see without lifting skin off it), it feels like I'm touching my belly button. It's strange, but kind of fun to "play" with. I have other odd nerve things going on too, but I was expecting it, so I'm not surprised.
I went shopping for new pants last weekend as it doesn't look like I'll be able to wear my jeans...at least right now, they just aren't comfortable. Maybe it's because the waist hits me at the waist instead of where I'm used to, around my hips. At any rate, I was surprised when I got grabbed some size 8's only to find out they were too big. I'm in a size 6 dress pant (with elastic waist). Whoo Hoo!!! My size 10 jeans are still quite tight though. Weird how that works.
I asked Dr. Madry about when I can go swimming and he said it's still too soon. I was only asking because there is a skydiving water landing seminar the end of March that I want to go to. He said by then, I should be OK, but for now it's only the elliptical or bike or treadmill. No lifting more than 10 lbs for at least another 3 weeks. He's not sure that I'll be able to wear a parachute by then, but said we'll have to see how I'm healing. Since I'm a newbie skydiver and there is no water anywhere near where the dropzone I go to is, I may just observe from the dryness of poolside this year. I should be able to take it next year. I thought I was going to hear the typical, "why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane" speech, but it turns out that Dr. Madry was in the skydiving club during his undergrad and has 70+ jumps under his belt, so he was totally cool about it.
He says I'm healing really well. So far, none of my incision has opened up, so I consider myself very lucky after seeing all the pictures and hearing all the stories from people who said they've had their incisions open up. I know I'm still at risk, but at least for now, I'm doing OK.
I'm back to doing agility with my dog, Nakai, as of last week. I haven't ran full speed and really have only done like 5 second jogs to get Nakai's speed up in parts of a course. I'm taking it easy for now. Our next trial is on Easter weekend, so I have time to fine tune some things...like distance work. Since I can't run with Nakai, I'm working on that and it is helping.
I now have some before and after plastics pictures. I just have to decide if I'm going to be brave enough to post them.
Here's what's been going on.
Dr. Madry ordered a compression garment and I've been wearing it for the past two weeks. Although now, I only have to wear it 8 hours a day. He does 3 weeks of 24/7 and 3 weeks of 8 hours a day and then nothing after that.
I ended up having to take all my steri strips off in the shower at the two week mark, aka my second shower (wasn't allowed to shower with my drains). I was itching so much from the tape, I couldn't stand it anymore. Benedryl wasn't working that well, so they had to go. Dr. Madry wasn't upset when he saw how red I was. It looks like I'm still wearing the tape as you can see the outline of where it was due to all the redness.
I'm healing well, although it has been determined that I will most likely need a revision of my thigh lift as I still have a bit of loose skin at the very upper part of my thighs. My stomach looks good, but I see a pouch starting to form, like the skin is going lax again. It's still quite swollen and maybe it is just some swelling. Only time will tell. Even if I have a little bit of loose skin, it'll still be better than before.
Dr. Madry removed 8 lbs of skin. To date, I've lost 13 lbs since the morning of surgery and I'm still swollen (Yippee!!!). I have a lot of areas that are still numb. Especially on the outside of thighs where Dr. M. lipo'd my saddle bag area. I also have areas where the nerves aren't quite sure what's going on. If I touch the skin about an inch to the right of my new belly button (which I can actually see without lifting skin off it), it feels like I'm touching my belly button. It's strange, but kind of fun to "play" with. I have other odd nerve things going on too, but I was expecting it, so I'm not surprised.
I went shopping for new pants last weekend as it doesn't look like I'll be able to wear my jeans...at least right now, they just aren't comfortable. Maybe it's because the waist hits me at the waist instead of where I'm used to, around my hips. At any rate, I was surprised when I got grabbed some size 8's only to find out they were too big. I'm in a size 6 dress pant (with elastic waist). Whoo Hoo!!! My size 10 jeans are still quite tight though. Weird how that works.
I asked Dr. Madry about when I can go swimming and he said it's still too soon. I was only asking because there is a skydiving water landing seminar the end of March that I want to go to. He said by then, I should be OK, but for now it's only the elliptical or bike or treadmill. No lifting more than 10 lbs for at least another 3 weeks. He's not sure that I'll be able to wear a parachute by then, but said we'll have to see how I'm healing. Since I'm a newbie skydiver and there is no water anywhere near where the dropzone I go to is, I may just observe from the dryness of poolside this year. I should be able to take it next year. I thought I was going to hear the typical, "why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane" speech, but it turns out that Dr. Madry was in the skydiving club during his undergrad and has 70+ jumps under his belt, so he was totally cool about it.
He says I'm healing really well. So far, none of my incision has opened up, so I consider myself very lucky after seeing all the pictures and hearing all the stories from people who said they've had their incisions open up. I know I'm still at risk, but at least for now, I'm doing OK.
I'm back to doing agility with my dog, Nakai, as of last week. I haven't ran full speed and really have only done like 5 second jogs to get Nakai's speed up in parts of a course. I'm taking it easy for now. Our next trial is on Easter weekend, so I have time to fine tune some things...like distance work. Since I can't run with Nakai, I'm working on that and it is helping.
I now have some before and after plastics pictures. I just have to decide if I'm going to be brave enough to post them.
WOW
Feb 15, 2007
WOW...I can't believe how flat my stomach is and how smooth my thighs are.
I had my first post-op appointment today. Robin said Dr. Madry was in surgery and just missed seeing me. Robin started taking the bandages off, but I quickly took over. I decided to do it so I could control how fast the tape was ripped off me. It was much better when I took over. My stomach is flat, my love handles are gone and my thighs are smooth. I can't believe how good I look. I asked Robin how much skin he took off, but she wasn't sure. Said they don't have the surgical report yet. She said I'm healing well. No signs of infection or seromas. I still have the steri-strip tape all over, but no more big bandages. Just the binder and ace bandages on my legs.
Just as I was almost completely redressed, Dr. Madry came in, so I had to undress again. He is impressed with how I look already. Said my swelling and bruising isn't as bad as he was expecting (yeah Arnica).
I go back in a week for another checkup.
I had my first post-op appointment today. Robin said Dr. Madry was in surgery and just missed seeing me. Robin started taking the bandages off, but I quickly took over. I decided to do it so I could control how fast the tape was ripped off me. It was much better when I took over. My stomach is flat, my love handles are gone and my thighs are smooth. I can't believe how good I look. I asked Robin how much skin he took off, but she wasn't sure. Said they don't have the surgical report yet. She said I'm healing well. No signs of infection or seromas. I still have the steri-strip tape all over, but no more big bandages. Just the binder and ace bandages on my legs.
Just as I was almost completely redressed, Dr. Madry came in, so I had to undress again. He is impressed with how I look already. Said my swelling and bruising isn't as bad as he was expecting (yeah Arnica).
I go back in a week for another checkup.
Happy Valentine's Day
Feb 14, 2007
My surgery went well. Lucy M. spent some time waiting for me to get out of surgery with my Mom. I totally wasn't expecting that. She's such a doll. She put my Mom's mind at ease and later my sister's. I guess while I was dozing in and out, she showed them her LBL scars. Could have fooled me. I had my little pain pump and knew how to use it so I could care less about what was going on around me. I remember hearing them complain about my IV machine beeping, but for some reason, although I heard it too, it didn't bother me. Guess it was the drugs.
The night sucked. My room was so hot that I couldn't sleep. They actually turned the heat completely off and then gave me some cool wash rags to cool off with. They didn't help too much but at least they felt good while they were cool. I think it was around 3:00 when I finally cooled off, but then it was so light in my room I couldn't sleep...even with the drugs. The nurse came in to check my vitals and then closed my door so I finally got some sleep. I got a roommate at 9:00. I heard the nurse call her name and later when I got out of bed to use the bathroom, I looked and thought I recognized her. I went for a walk in the hall and asked my nurse if she knew her last name. Turns out it was a co-worker. She doesn't work in the same building I do, but we used to work together. How freaky was that? We talked after she woke up a bit, but since she had surgery that morning, she was kind of out of it. Small world. Any way, they weened me off my IV pain meds and switched me to the Norco so they could make sure it would be enough when I went home.
Robin, Dr. Madry's nurse, came in and took the binder off to check on me....this was the first time I saw my nice, new flat tummy. It was beautiful. Granted it was still bandaged so I didn't get the best look, but it was nice to see. My legs are pretty swollen and bandaged up as well. Dr. Madry was stuck in meetings and with the weather, she didn't think he was going to make it in. She was going to sign my discharge papers and said I could go home when I was ready.
I got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon during another snow storm. Man, it's been snowy the past few weeks. I'm loving it. I love snow. I actually like to shovel and snowblow it...no, I'm not insane. Guess I won't be doing that any time soon.
I'm not doing too bad. I was surprised that I had no problem getting up the stairs when I got home. My legs aren't really sore at all.
My stomach is another story. I feel like I've been hit by a Mack Truck. Getting up and down is hard, but once I'm in whatever position I was trying to get to, I'm OK. No need for the toilet seat riser as I haven't had any problems getting up or down. Guess it helps that I'm only 5'2".
I have 4 drains in. One in each leg and one on each hip. They're a pain, but a necessary evil, I guess. I go to see Dr. Madry tomorrow for my first post-op appointment.
Oh well, time to get some rest. The Norco is kicking in.
The night sucked. My room was so hot that I couldn't sleep. They actually turned the heat completely off and then gave me some cool wash rags to cool off with. They didn't help too much but at least they felt good while they were cool. I think it was around 3:00 when I finally cooled off, but then it was so light in my room I couldn't sleep...even with the drugs. The nurse came in to check my vitals and then closed my door so I finally got some sleep. I got a roommate at 9:00. I heard the nurse call her name and later when I got out of bed to use the bathroom, I looked and thought I recognized her. I went for a walk in the hall and asked my nurse if she knew her last name. Turns out it was a co-worker. She doesn't work in the same building I do, but we used to work together. How freaky was that? We talked after she woke up a bit, but since she had surgery that morning, she was kind of out of it. Small world. Any way, they weened me off my IV pain meds and switched me to the Norco so they could make sure it would be enough when I went home.
Robin, Dr. Madry's nurse, came in and took the binder off to check on me....this was the first time I saw my nice, new flat tummy. It was beautiful. Granted it was still bandaged so I didn't get the best look, but it was nice to see. My legs are pretty swollen and bandaged up as well. Dr. Madry was stuck in meetings and with the weather, she didn't think he was going to make it in. She was going to sign my discharge papers and said I could go home when I was ready.
I got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon during another snow storm. Man, it's been snowy the past few weeks. I'm loving it. I love snow. I actually like to shovel and snowblow it...no, I'm not insane. Guess I won't be doing that any time soon.
I'm not doing too bad. I was surprised that I had no problem getting up the stairs when I got home. My legs aren't really sore at all.
My stomach is another story. I feel like I've been hit by a Mack Truck. Getting up and down is hard, but once I'm in whatever position I was trying to get to, I'm OK. No need for the toilet seat riser as I haven't had any problems getting up or down. Guess it helps that I'm only 5'2".
I have 4 drains in. One in each leg and one on each hip. They're a pain, but a necessary evil, I guess. I go to see Dr. Madry tomorrow for my first post-op appointment.
Oh well, time to get some rest. The Norco is kicking in.
Tomorrow's the Day
Feb 11, 2007
Well, tomorrow is the day. I've been preparing for this day for a while now. I started working out my abs, obliques, thighs and arms big time in January as I've heard that it'll make the recovery easier. I hope that's true. I guess only time will tell.
I also started upping my protein this past week. Can't hurt to jump start that. I've been taking my Arnica Montana again and have Bromelain to start after sugery to help with the swelling and bruising.
I'll be off work for two weeks and then my boss is letting me work from home for the following two weeks. I hope that'll be enough time. We have a casual dress code, I wear jeans everyday for work and hope that I'll be able to wear them before I go back into work. Otherwise, I'll have to go out and buy something I can wear.
Oh well, guess I better go to bed. Need to be well rested...not sure why that is since they put you to sleep anyway, but I'll go with it.
I also started upping my protein this past week. Can't hurt to jump start that. I've been taking my Arnica Montana again and have Bromelain to start after sugery to help with the swelling and bruising.
I'll be off work for two weeks and then my boss is letting me work from home for the following two weeks. I hope that'll be enough time. We have a casual dress code, I wear jeans everyday for work and hope that I'll be able to wear them before I go back into work. Otherwise, I'll have to go out and buy something I can wear.
Oh well, guess I better go to bed. Need to be well rested...not sure why that is since they put you to sleep anyway, but I'll go with it.
I'm All Set
Feb 07, 2007
Well, I got my pre-op testing done on Monday and saw Dr. Madry for my final pre-op appointment today. We discussed what to expect. He said that I'll go home on an antibiotic and Norco for pain. He said it's a combination of acetaminophen and vicodin.
I asked him when I could start exercising again and he said that I'd have a limit of lifting no more than 10 lbs for at least 6 weeks, but he said that I could do the elliptical machine a week after surgery. I about fell out of the chair when he said that. Since I'm having a thigh lift, I wasn't expecting to be able to do that so soon.
At any rate, my surgery is scheduled for 12:00 on Monday. I have to be there at 10:30. I am NPO after midnight. I can only drink enough water to take my synthroid in the morning. Man, that's going to be a long time without water and I'm always thirsty. Guess I'll have to water load Sunday night.
I asked him when I could start exercising again and he said that I'd have a limit of lifting no more than 10 lbs for at least 6 weeks, but he said that I could do the elliptical machine a week after surgery. I about fell out of the chair when he said that. Since I'm having a thigh lift, I wasn't expecting to be able to do that so soon.
At any rate, my surgery is scheduled for 12:00 on Monday. I have to be there at 10:30. I am NPO after midnight. I can only drink enough water to take my synthroid in the morning. Man, that's going to be a long time without water and I'm always thirsty. Guess I'll have to water load Sunday night.
Ouch...That's Expensive
Jan 17, 2007
Well, I had my consult with Dr. Madry today. I even set a date. My LBL with muscle repair, medial thigh lift and liposuction will be done on February 12th. I could have had a date the end of January, but my niece's birthday is February 2nd and I want to make sure I'm feeling OK for her party.
Unfortunately, Dr. Madry doesn't think my insurance will pay for any of my surgery. My panni isn't big enough and the few rashes I do get are not bad enough to be considered medically necessary. I called my insurance and asked what their definition of medically necessary was, he was right. It's not even worth trying. I might try after the fact, but for now, I'll be paying out of pocket.
I'll have my surgery at Alexian Brothers Medical Center and spend the night there. Then home on Tuesday. My Mom will be my caretaker along with my dog who will make sure I get my exercise when the time comes for that.
Unfortunately, Dr. Madry doesn't think my insurance will pay for any of my surgery. My panni isn't big enough and the few rashes I do get are not bad enough to be considered medically necessary. I called my insurance and asked what their definition of medically necessary was, he was right. It's not even worth trying. I might try after the fact, but for now, I'll be paying out of pocket.
I'll have my surgery at Alexian Brothers Medical Center and spend the night there. Then home on Tuesday. My Mom will be my caretaker along with my dog who will make sure I get my exercise when the time comes for that.
I've Made My Decision
Jan 03, 2007
I finally made up my mind that I'm going to have plastics done. I now have a consult with Dr. Madry on January 17th. I'm planning on having a LBL and medial thigh lift, but I'll see what he says.
Getting back into the Swing of Things
Dec 15, 2006
Well, it's been forever since I updated my profile. Not a whole lot has been going on other than I've gained a bit of weight back. I've been really bad about getting my exercise in and it shows. I'm now up to 150 lbs again (my lowest weight was 136 for about a day). I've decided that enough is enough and next week plan on getting my butt back into the fitness center at work. I want to get down to 130 and I'm not going to get there by making excuses.
I'm contimplaing plastics but am not sure I'm ready. I've had this plan in my head to have the surgery in January for several months, but now, I'm not so sure I should go ahead with it until I can get my weight down to where I want it to be. So I guess I have a lot of soul searching to do.
That's it for now...it's late.
I'm contimplaing plastics but am not sure I'm ready. I've had this plan in my head to have the surgery in January for several months, but now, I'm not so sure I should go ahead with it until I can get my weight down to where I want it to be. So I guess I have a lot of soul searching to do.
That's it for now...it's late.
I'M APPROVED!!!!
Nov 24, 2003
Oh Happy Days. I just got a call from both WFL and my insurance company. I’ve been approved. Can you believe it? On the first try too. I couldn’t wait to tell my Mom so I called her at work. She congratulated me and asked what’s next? I have no idea. Doc’s office is already closed for the day.
About Me
Northern, IL
Location
26.7
BMI
Surgery
04/27/2004
Surgery Date
Dec 22, 2003
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Day of Surgery, 4/27/04
264lbs
Almost 1 year post-op. Down 112 lbs.
152lbs
