TracyK

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Well surgery is done and without complications.  (Thank you Jesus).  I am now 5 days post op and down 13 pounds.  Since I am not very friendly with anesthesia it took a full 3 days to feel myself again without feeling drugged.  However, yesterday was great. Completed all my protein, liquids, and doubled the steps I had the day before.  I am not hungry and feel great.  My tummy is still sore, to be expected, but nothing to hold me down.  God has given me a second chance and I am not going to mess this up.  (Not like I messed up the band...he failed me.).  Unfortunately, I am back from where I started back in 2004 and have motivation to get back on the WLS way of life.  I know this is going to be a life change but I feel that I will take a longer life over food any day.  I love my family and every day and experience I can share with them is a blessing.  

Talked to the doctor and we scheduled the surgery for the 4th of April.  I will be off the rest of that week, we have spring break the next week and I should be back (God Willing) on the 18th.  I am ready ready, I am excited, and I am doing a lot of reading about the diet and what is required. 

I can't believe I finally got the approval.  Well sort of.  They are going to do a similar-to-GB on my stomach as it is being coded as an inpatient general surgery.  The polyps and stomach issues are reason my stomach will be disected and sent to a lab for testing.  The Dr. stated it is like GB but not completely.  Either way I am happy to finally be able to get back to being happy.  I have gained so much weight...now up to 240.  Unhappy, tired, emotional, and roll this all up with feet, knee, and back pain it has not been a great couple of years.  I still walk and do the elliptical and try to keep busy as much as possible.  I have also started B-12 injections as my levels were in the low 200s.  Now after a few months I am back up to over 700.  I have had 9 different changes to my depression medicine and with that came all the extra weight.  However, I think now we have found the correct dosage to keep me somewhat sane.  I see the doctor on 6 March to schedule the surgery and get the specific details of my surgery.  I am finally seeing the light at the end of the long (almost) 2 year road. 

Feeling messed up in the head.  Tricare denied my request for a revision since I am not fat enough.  (My words, not theirs).  Since I am at 35 BMI my Dr. wanted to see if I had any co-morbidities. I have planter’s fasciitis in both feet, degenerative disk disease in my back, and lots more pain daily. However, my blood pressure is great, my cholesterol is at a 159, and I don’t have sleep apnea. Then I had an endoscopy. I went in thinking all would be normal and then was told they found ulcers and numerous polyps. He stated it would be because of the use of medicine from acid reflux and heartburn. The weird thing is I have never been prescribed this nor taken these medicines. Sure once in a blue moon I would take some tums but not on a regular basis. Even though this news can help my case, and I should be happy about the news to help my cause, hearing about this scares me. How can I have these when I have not done what causes this issue. I was told they were benign so I shouldn’t worry; I am taking his word. For now, with this new news we are looking at a mid-December date to complete the surgery. Instead of a by-pass they will be doing an RNY and send my stomach to pathology. I am now up to 215 from 145 when I was banded. Feeling large, unhappy, sluggish, and miserable. I miss being active without pain. I miss my clothes. I miss not feeling like I can be part of a group. I miss being adventurous. We will find out in November if I will be able to get back on the trail to feeling like me again……

Spoke with the doctor and the revision is scheduled for 16 Feb.  I am scared, excited, nervous, and anxious all at once.  I am feeling the effects of why I needed the surgery in the first place.  My knees, feet, and back are all screaming at me.  I forgot how much pain I was in before the band.  It is depressing on how the weight has creeped up on me.  I am ready for the revision to GB and ready to feel happy and pain free again. 

As of today, I am 8 days post op and my body is coming to grips with the hardships I have tortured it with.  I had researched this procedure via OH, YouTube, and surgical consultations, yet I still feel as if I was completely blind in what I envisioned my post op pain to be.  During the first 48 hours, my physical state was perceived to be at a Wolverine like speed.  However, reality cheap shot me when I woke up to the realization of my empty pain medicine bottle.  My primal instincts demanded I find an alternative way to ease the pain.  Although irrational, walking seemed to have been the only way to the light at the end of the tunnel.  However, I was (and still am) unable to achieve the 2K steps a-day where I was when the pain medicine was helping me.  I feel frustrated, my life consisting of pain-staking shuffles back and forth from the recliner to the bathroom, many times a day, and then ending the exhausting day with my feet up on pillow stuffed mattresses to keep my feet high.  

The incisions are not the culprits in this torture as they are numb to the touch.  However, the areas of "extensive" lipo are felt all throughout my thighs.  I feel helpless and trapped since I am not as mobile as I was pre-op.  I miss running and Zumba and count the days to when I can participate in these activities again.  I am happy with the way they look (besides the rainbow of colors) and am completely impressed with the results.  Unfortunately, the pity party I am experiencing is causing major distress.  I still need help getting off the recliner and I don't like having to announce when I have to use the restroom.  My family is amazing and are always there to help, I just feel like crap I am missing out on their games and activities which we all enjoy.  

I know within a few more months these feelings will be erased and replaced with joy not being embarrassed to wear shorts.  Am I upset that I decided to have this procedure done?  No, but I just wish that I had a more clearer understanding of what was ahead of me.  The TT seemed like a beautiful walk in the park compared to this one.  

As of today I am 6 days post op from my Tummy Tuck!  I am still sore and not able to move very fast.  But I am excited to see what the results are going to be.  I am keeping positive thoughts and am kicking all the negatives to the curb.  This was a hard thing to do after the first day since I was regretting it immediately after coming out of recovery.  With the help of my husband and kids they have been a blessing to keeping me sane and feeling comfortable.   I just yesterday had the drains taken out and am looking forward to my first shower today.  Towel bathing is not all it is cracked up to be.    I am not sure if I will be going along with the inner thigh lift and butt augmentation that the Dr is requesting yet.  I think it is the pictures of others progress that is holding me back.  As of today I am extremely happy and ready to bring in the new year!

I completed my first EVER official run on 29 Sep 2013.  It was the 16k (10 mile) Paris-Versailles La Grande Classique race.  I completed it in 1:55:18!  I am so proud of myself!  

My husband has surprised me with an appointment to see a plastic surgeon.  I am scared, happy, nervous, and excited.  We will see what the plan is.  I am looking for the tummy tuck, butt and thigh lift.  I am not sure if I will be doing all...  We will see next week what is in store for me.

Well I hit the big 40 without any problems.  I am loving life more and more.  I have been able to keep up with the kids and do more adventurous things with them like parasailing, zip-lining, and segway tours (to name a few), and I have even signed myself up for the 16k (10mile) Paris-Versaille run in September.  This will be my first "official" run and I can't wait.  I have placed a goal on myself to run 365 miles this year...1 mile per day.  I am midway through July and am exceeding this goal.  Finally, I am completing my bachelors degree in Information Technology Management next month.  I am so proud of myself and my accomplishments.