Mendee M.

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I can’t believe my last post was 9 months ago! I think I must have been a little depressed after my wreck and not getting my plastics in Dec. I didn’t even get on the Boards… Yet 9 months later I have perky boobs and little arms!!

I had my arms and BL done May 8, 2010. I really wanted augmentation too, but my surgeon would not do a lift and augmentation at the same time. I am SOOO glad he didn’t, because I no longer want implants. Oddly enough, after my lift my neck no longer hurts and I rarely have the back spasms I used to get. I never realized how much the big boobs affected me. However, I am still a 36D, and Victoria’s Secret is my new best friend! Who needs implants when you have VS!

I had gained a few pounds in preparation for plastics in Mexico, but have now re-lost that, plus a few more pounds. It’s amazing what happens when you follow the rules!   My very first goal was 135 pounds, but I changed that to 145 pounds when I got to 150 because I thought I would be too thin as 135. Well, I am now at 135 and am happy at this weight. The bags are back under my eyes, but I can deal with them. In May, my WLS surgeon asked me if I would mind doing a couple of photo’s for him to use for his brochures. Of course I told him yes. He is the best surgeon and I just love him. Well, to my surprise, he also did some billboards and a web page. Seriously??? A billboard??? I was shocked but honored. Tonight at a support meeting, one of the ladies there said that billboard helped her make the decision to pursue WLS. That even made it better!  Here is the link to the website that has the pics...   wesleyweightloss.com/

Well, tomorrow I am supposed to be having my Breast lift and augmentation and my arm lift. But that is not happening now. Yesterday, on my way to OKC to the airport, I totaled my Tahoe. The roads were clear from our snowstorm, but the shoulders still had a lot of snow on them. A big stupid gust of Kansas wind caught me and blew me onto the shoulder. We immediately started spinning and hit the concrete center divider head on, doing about 65 mph. We spun around again, and hit it head on a second time. My mom and I are ok, although we are pretty banged up. My mom had a large cut between her fingers that could not be stitched, so they super glued it. I have whiplash pretty good, and a huge knot on my chest from the seat belt.

Since I am going to have to spend the next week figuring out all the insurance stuff, and trying to find a car, I have to postpone my surgery till the spring, after tax season. I am SO bummed!! I am very thankful that my mom and I are okay, but I was so looking forward to smaller arms for the summer!!! 

I figured it was time for another update since my year surgiversary is in 5 days...

From my last post regarding being worried about getting too thin, I have now hit my "bounce back" and have re-gained about 5-7 pounds. I am happy with this. I had set my original goal at 135. At 150, I realized that this would really be too thin for my frame, and adjusted my goal to 145. I got down to 147, and was thinking that was almost too thin too. I was having a slightly hard time finding pants in a 4 long, and was starting to fret. I have since found pants that fit, and have gained back about 5 pounds. I was at 153 this morning. HUH??? That sounds so unimaginable!!  Needless to say, I am thrilled with my decision for WLS and the results so far. I had my year checkup with my surgeon and all is well. I take my vitamins every day, give myself B 12 shots every other week, and get in over 100 grams of protein a day. I also get in over 100 oz. of water a day.

I started researching plastics over the summer as I knew I would desperatley need them for my arms. They look like the arms of an 80 year old!! After several counsults here, I also researched Dr. Sauceda in Mexico. After seeing his results, and hearing about how wonderful he is, I have decided to go to Mexico for my plastics. I am so excited I can hardly wait for Dec. 27th to get here!! Merry Christmas to ME!!

I had the ultimate WOW moment this morning. I got on the scale, as I do EVERY morning, and said "Oh Crap!" I had lost another 2 pounds. I can't believe I was slightly dismayed that I LOST 2 pounds!!

I am not terribly nervous yet about my weight but am not trying to lose any more either. Even though I still weigh 151, I am wearing a size 4 or 6. Those size clothes are just as hard to find as plus size!!!  Kind of ironic!!

I had my first plastic consult last week as I am very self conscious about my wrinkly arms. The Doc gave me the option of having just the arm pit incision with lipo instead of the full long scar. He said they would not be quite as tight at the long scar method, however, I would get the benefit of no visible scar. I still haven't made up my mind yet. I also talked to him about a BL. He did not immediately recommend implants, but when the nurse said "if you are happy with your size and look in a sports bra, you will be happy with a lift." Ummm... that's exactly why I don't wear a sports bra... I hate the way they look!!!  So, the doc said I would be a good candidate for saline under the muscle because I still have a fair amount of tissue. I shouldn't get much rippling at all.

I have 3 more consults before I decide on which Doc and what procedures to have. I originally wanted PS in the spring when I can have a more than a few days off from work, but now I am considering the week of Christmas. At least for my arms. Timing is much better, and I wont have to worry about covering up the wrapped arms when it is starting to get hot out and I would be wearing short sleeves.

We'll see what the next few PS's have to say...  

Wow, I can't believe I am over 6 months out. Tax season came and went and I am sure that helped the time fly by! March was fairly uneventful, but I learned a few things about my pouch. I CANNOT EAT when I haven't had at least 2 bottles of water. Also, eating is touchy in the mornings. My pouchy stays grouchy until about 11 AM. I just drink a protein shake for breakfast and then start eating solids later,

I had to have my gall bladder out in early April. I had been getting some wierd pains and one Sunday morning, I woke up in extreme pain. I thought I was having a heart attack. Hubby took me the the hospital where they kept me for 2 days for "observation and testing". I went back in the following Friday and had it out. I was back to work on Wens. Piece of cake! 

I have posted my weight loss below. I was curious to see if my weight loss has slowed down since I only have about 15 more pounds to lose. I would like to get to 145, however, everyday someone tells me I need to stop losing.  Funny... I just don't see what they see when I look in the mirror. I sure wish my mental image would catch up to my physical image!

10/25/2008	220
11/10/2008	225	-5
11/21/2008	221	-4
11/30/2008	205	-16
12/9/2008	203	-2
12/20/2008	198	-5
1/13/2009	191	-7
1/23/2009	189	-2
2/11/2009	190	-1
3/12/2009	176	-14
3/24/2009	172	-4
4/1/2009	170	-2
4/23/2009	162	-8
5/23/2009	160	-2

Well, my 3 month surgiversary was last week. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. While I have had a few bumps along the way, I am THRILLED with my results so far and am also glad I ended up with the bypass and not the band. I am certain I would not have done nearly as well on the band. My biggest issue is eating fast, and I DO get in trouble if I eat too fast.  My father was a Marine, and they are taught to inhale their food in basic training. This was of course passed on to us kids. It's a hard habit to break!! Many times I find my self getting up from the table and doing something in between bites just to help me slow down!

I still also think Dr. V is an awesome Dr. It must be apparent because I did a commercial for him, and have now been interviewed for a magazine article. HOW EXCITING!!! It cracks me up when people come up to me and tell me they saw me on TV. Click the link below if you want to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdCgiNfA27s

So, I am down 45 pounds in 3 months. That actually sounds kind of slow to me, however that is almost 50% of my excess body weight, so I guess I won't complain. I am actually down 80 pounds from last winter too, so I feel GREAT.  My husband and I went hiking in Rocky Mountain Natl. Park at Christmas, and I was barely 6 weeks post op at the time. It was a blast, and we have now planned 2 more trip there this year. I have also started walking on the tread mill at my local gym, with the incline as high as it will go. I think that will help me get more conditioned for the hiking.

Well, its getting to the hight of tax season, so I probably won't post again until after April 15th.

Wow... What a RIDE!!! I just don't understand why anything related to my WLS can't seem to go my way!!! 

Here's a recap of my ride so far:
10-27- Surgeon began my Realize band surgery, but discovered that my hernia was WAY too large for the band. He closed me back up and canceled my surgery.

11-10 (Monday)- Had my RNY at the same time as my hernia repair (5 ½ hour surgery). Surgeon said the hernia repair was a bigger deal than the RNY since 50% of my stomach was in my chest cavity.  Doc was very worried about my left lung collapsing since he worked near it so long. Also, he had to use mesh made from pig tissue to patch the hernia.  During my time in SICU, I had a hard time maintaining my BP and sats, and my heart was racing. Doc filled me with fluids because I was dehydrated. (I gained 25 # in fluids in 1 day!!)

11-11 (Tuesday) Moved to a regular room in the hosp. BP and sats still low, but were getting better. I got to start eating applesauce and broth, although I had NO desire to eat.

11-12 (Wednesday) Dr. V got my labs back and my hemoglobin was low. I guess it was an 8 when it should have been a 12. BP, heart rate, and sats are better, but STILL not great. Doc said I could go home in the evening if I wanted. I told him I was slightly concerned about all my stats not being great. He said in that case, we need to do a blood transfusion. He said it would stabilize my stats and make me feel better. I got 2 units of blood, and did feel much better. I ended up leaving the hosp. around 7 PM.

11-13 (Thursday) Slept in my recliner off and on all night and through the morning. Decided I needed a shower, so off I went. I had grand visions of blow drying my hair, but was too tuckered out after my shower. My husband got home and could not figure out what was wrong with my hair. LOL

11-14 (Friday) This day is kind of blurry for me. I know I woke up feeling pretty ok, but somewhere during the day I noticed I wasn’t moving quite as good as I was Thursday. My Mom came over to bring me yogurt, and when I got out of my chair, she said she knew something was wrong, as I could not stand up straight. I was having some pretty good pain on my left side, but thought it was because I had been protecting my right side more. The later the day got, the worse the pain got. By midnight, I was trying to meditate to control the pain as it was severe. About 3am, the pain subsided some, so I decided to take a quick peek at the LW message board. Good thing I did! There was a post from someone asking if their symptoms might be a pulmonary embolism. DUHHH!!!!! HELLLOOOO!!!! Time to call the DOC!!! It never occurred to me that I might have a problem that was causing the pain!!! I was as the emergency room by 4 am! Thank goodness my mother in law was there!!! I would have been in deep trouble with out her!!

11-15 (Sat.) This day is also a blur for me as I was in the ER for a while, and then moved to SICU. I know they drained the fluid from around my left lung in the ER, and removed over a liter of fluid. That was the most painful experience I have ever been through!!! They could not give me enough drugs to kill the pain. After they got the fluid out, I slept and was moved to SICU. I was so out of it, I was completely unaware of the move.  Later I woke up to find I had the same nurse as when I originally had the surgery. She was great. I dozed on and off the rest of the day and night.

11-16 (Sun.) Sunday morning, I started feeling better. Besides having the fluid removed from my lung, I also pee’d out 20# of water. I felt MUCH better. I got up and sat in the chair for most of the morning, and the Doc came and said I could be moved to a regular room. AHHHH Freedom!! I think I moved to my room around 1 or 2 pm, and took a shower within the next 2 hours. It felt WONDERFUL. Got back in bed and relaxed for the rest of the day.

11-16 (Mon) Fairly uneventful day… Ate (drank) some food, watched some TV, went for a few walks in the hall. I didn’t really think the doc was going to let me go home, however, when he came late afternoon, he said I could go if I was up to it. Yahoo, I’m going home to begin my new life!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I have just over 3 days until my surgery! I can say I actually feel better this go around than last. I keep forgetting though that I will be in the hospital 4-5 days. I finally bought some PJ's and slippers yesterday so I will have something to wear. I also got out a small suitcase so I can get myself packed.

I bought a case of chicken broth at Sam's and also 6 cans of refried beans for the mushy stage. I still have lots of SF pugging, jello, and apple sauce from getting ready last time. My RNY girlfriend from work gave me a bottle of tuti fruity liquid protein, which I tried adding to water today, and it was GREAT!! It has 24 g of protein per bottle of water!! I hope I can tolerate it post op!!!

I feel like I am in the "nesting stage" like when you are pregnant and about to give birth. I have been cleaning like crazy!!! My stamina is still pretty low from the first aborted surgery, but I am still cleaning.

Wish me luck!!!

I meant to post before my Realize band surgery, but I just ran out of time.

Went in on the 27Th for my band, but just had a feeling something would go wrong. Well.. it did!

Dr. V got in there, and my hiatal hernia was so large, it could not be repaired easily, and he had to abort the surgery!! Doc said half my stomach was in my chest cavity, and that I would NEVER be able to have a lap band!
My hernia is so bad, that he will have to use donor material to fix it. There is no "just a few stitches" involved.

I have opted to go with the RNY as that is what my surgeon is comfortable doing on my. He will have to do it at the same time as the hernia repair, and I will be in surgery for over 6 hours. with a 4-5 day hospital stay (including a stint in ICU). Needless to say, I am a little scared now, not to mention feeling beat up from the surgery the doc had to abort.

Called Aetna on Friday morning, and they said they thought they saw an approval, but did not see the official letter. The said to call back later in the afternoon. I called back at 3PM and they said the official letter had gone out in the mail at 2PM.

This has now been a long weekend, becuase I had to do my sleep study Friday night, and I am having "last meal syndrome" even though I am supposed to be on liquids for 4 weeks.

I will get back on track tomorrow!