ObesityHelp

I have been extensively researching RNY GB for about eight months, and have known about gastric bypass surgery for about two years. I want to be sure I know as much as the doctor about what may happen to my body before, during, and after. I am 26, and I desperately want to start living a "normal" life of a young woman my age. It feels as if I have just "gone through the motions" of my adult life. I almost cry at the thought of being deemed "normal" and having someone look AT me rather than away from me. I fantasize about running, horseback riding, swimming, and dancing. But most of all, I look forward to the possibility of gaining my self-esteem and self-confidence back. I don't want to be the girl with just the "pretty face" anymore!

**4/03/00-After much research, I finally decided on a surgeon-Dr.Marema, and attended his seminar. It was very informative, I wrote all about it under my "surgeon" category in my profile if you would like to know more. I am very comfortable I made the right choice with Dr.Marema. I also made my next appointment with Debbie, Dr.Marema's RN, for May 3rd. It will be approximately 3 hours long. I think this is where we go over all the "gory details" so they know we understand what we are getting ourselves into and to get the paperwork ready for submittal to the insurance company.

**4/05/00-Made my appointment today with the bariatric psych - Dr. Moorehead. My appointment is Friday, 04/28/00. It is recommended I have this done beofre I go back for my 05/03/00 appointment. This way, the psych report can be ready and included in my paperwork submission. I am also planning on attending the post-op support group on 04/25/00. I think it will be great to hear and see real live inspiration and be able to ask my questions and concerns to those who are "on the other side" already.

**4/12/00-I called Dr. Marema's office today and spoke with Karen. She was awesome! I have just been like a kid waiting on Christmas morning to come. It seems like May 3 can't come soon enough. I am so nervous and I guess I just needed some reassurance of the events to come and the "chain of events" to come. She explained things again to me to put my mind at ease. She was great and understood my anxiety.

**4/23/00-Happy Easter everyone! I am visiting my parents house for Easter dinner and before everyone gets here, I thought I would kill some time and update my little events that happened last week. Last Tuesday I called my PCP and talked with her on the phone about my decision to proceed with WLS. We have always had a great relationship so I thought it would be no big deal discussing it with her. Wrong! I could not believe how she put up this "wall" as soon as I brought the subject up. My insurance is an open access product, so I don't need her referral to go to Dr.Marema. So I simply told her that I appreciated her time and her thoughts, but I was still going to proceed because I know what is right for me. Then I called my OB/GYN and to make the day even better, she had the same opinion. I just could not believe these people. I mean, I am 130 pounds overweight. What do they want? Do they want me to wait until I am 200 pounds overweight and at death's doorstep? Come on people! I truly felt that having two female doctor's, that they would understand especially. I guess I am wrong. Therefore, I will be searching for new doctors who can support me in my decision rather than criticize! So, if anyone knows of any WLS friendly PCP's in SW Broward county, please lend me any suggestions! Ok, thanks for letting me vent! :o)

Anyway, I have been working hard on all the paperwork I have to have ready for my meeting on May 3rd. It amazed me just how much time and MONEY I have spent on diets and pills, and pieces of exercise equipment ( and I mean like home gyms, not dorky stuff, those are not cheap!), and I lost count of how many books and tapes. I knew being a pack rat would eventually pay off somehow! :o) So, I think I am finally ready. I am looking forward to my psych eval this coming Friday. It will be one more step closer to a new life!

Thanks everyone again for letting me vent about my inconsiderate doctors, and have a Happy Easter!

**04/27/00-I attened my first support group meeting on the 25th, and it was great! I am now absolutely, positively sure I picked the right doctor. His staff is phenomenal and his patients are testaments to him. It was so informative and touching, listening to everyone's different perspectives. I look forward to next month's!

I have my psych eval tommorrow morning at 11am. I'm excited to speak with Dr.Moorehead more extensively, since I briefly met her at the support group meeting.

**04/29/00-I had my psych eval yesterday morning, and it went very well. Dr. Moorehead had a patient that was running late, so I met with Dr. Parish instead. I really liked him! It was actually a nice and friendly meeting. It wasn't "stuffy" as I had imagined for some reason. I've never been to a "mental health professional" before, so it was all a new experience for me. He was very easy to talk to and we actually had many laughs, and as I had expected - other than my weight, I am completely normal!:o)

I meet with Dr.Marema's nurse, Deborah, this coming Wednesday, May 3, at Holy Cross and I am sooooooo excited! It's another step closer! It seems forever for this meeting, since April 1st!!!

**05/01/00- I went and met face to face with my internal med doctor today since I wasn't pleased with the way things ended on the telephone regarding my decision to have WLS. I am so glad I met with her. Apparently, she did some homework, and I brought in all my research info, and by the end of our discussion, she is supporting my decision 110%!!!! Even though I do not need her referral, it is still important to me to have her support. It was well worth the office visit!

When I got home tonight, Deborah left me a message that Holy Cross is having an accreditation eval on Wed., and our class has been pushed up to tommorrow morning. (ugh... I had a big meeting tommorrow at work that I have had scheduled for four weeks!) Oh well, priority is Dena for a change!!! :o)

**05/02/00-Went to the "class" this morning. It was well worth the time away from work. Deborah was very informative, and she really helped you gain a better understanding of what is going to happen to you and what to expect in the hospital. She collected our paperwork and gave us the scripts for pre-op tests to have done once we get approval. She also gave us a script to have a H.Pylori blood work up done asap (in case it is positive, it gives them enough time to treat it).

**05/05/00-I went to a SmithKline Beecham lab at lunch today to have my blood taken for the pylori test. It was quick and painless. And the great thing is that, since I decided not to wait a week to get the next available appointment into my "pcp" to have her do it, I did not have to pay a dime. I just walked in, had only one person in front of me, filled out a form, gave them my script from Deborah, my insurance card, had the blood taken, and was back to work within the hour!

Another step closer. The lab will fax Dr.Marema's office the results in 2-4 days. I also faxed Karen my license and insurance card again this week. Apparently it was misplaced from my initial April 1st seminar I attended (they made a copy of it that night).

So now they have everything they need, I have done everything I am supposed to do, and so now it is just the waiting game......

**05/11/00-WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got approved!!!!! I don't know whether to scream, cry, or throw-up. What a mix of emotions! I couldn't be more grateful to all his staff and for United HealthCare. My paperwork was submitted the morning of May 10th and we had an approval by the afternoon of May 11th!!!!!! Not even 36 hours!! WOW!!! I am truly grateful and feel truly blessed for this new lease on life!

**05/16/00-I called Vicki today and she was SOOO helpful! She gave me my date of 06/22/200 and she helped me get a handle on all these tests and "final" steps that need to be done. She helped me coordinate my gallbladder ultrasound, EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work all on the same day at Holy Cross Hospital on May 27th. So here is my "final step" timeline:
May 22 - Physical with Dr. Marema
May 24 - Nutritional consult with Joanna
May 27 -Gallbladder ultrasound, chest x-ray, blood work, and EKG
June 1 - Pulmonary clearance appt with Dr. Schwartz
June 5 - Cardio clearance appt with Dr. Flores
June 12 - Final pre-op appt with Dr. Marema
June 22 - SURGERY!!

I'm so excited and nervous! It's REAL now! :o)

**05/23/00-Just another update. I have been on a business trip in Seattle for the past 5 days and got home on Sunday. It was so gorgeous out there and the weather was so nice and cool. Unlike the swamp here in FL! The long 8 hour flight out there definitely reminded me of why I am getting this surgery! It was SO uncomfortable on the plane being squeezed into a seat two sizes two small and BARELY having the seat belt fit. My tummy got in the way that I couldn't put my tray table down to eat from. So, while everyone else was eating, I had to pretend I wasn't hungry. UGH! I hate being this way! And what's scary is I'm not that "big" compared to others considering this surgery and if I go through the things I do at my size, imagine how others bigger than myself feel!? I can't wait until next year when I go for this annual conference. I'll definitely smile every minute I am on that plane not squeezing and sweating to death!

I just got home from the May support group meeting and had my physical with Dr. Marema yesterday. It was good to see and talk to everyone again. (Hi Kim! :o)) I'm a Director of HR for a large company and I opened the flood gates by offering my assistance if anyone needed a "recommendation" of a health insurance company, since Dr. Marema's office can't legally recommend one themselves. There were a few, especially a husband and wife, whom i am so glad I was able to help. But, then there were others who somehow expected me to be able to just know if there plan would approve them. That's a whole different ballgame. I can recommend companies that seem to be supportive in WLS and those that are commonly opposed and have exclusions. However, you as a patient need to be an INFORMED patient. READ your policy! I couldn't believe that some people are walking around not even knowing if they have an HMO, a PPO, or a POS. This is YOUR coverage. Know what you have! READ your summary of benefits that is sent to you when you receive your card, or request one from your employer to read. READ the exclusions of your policy. READ if there is an exclusion for weight loss products or if there is an exclusion for WLS. Dr. Marema's staff can only help get you approved if you give them the tools they need. There is no WLS genie to grant your wish. You have to be informed, you have to be persistent, and you have to be willing to do your part of the leg work! Don't sit back and be envious because those of us who get approved so quickly. Rather, give them the info they need, do your part, be educated of YOUR insurance plan, and be willing to work for want you want! Of course, there are still some who will need to appeal. But, if this is what you want, you will fight for it! Want it bad enough to fight!

I go for my nutritional consult tomorrow night at 6:30. Only 30 days left!! :o)

**05/29/00-Happy Memorial Day everyone! Hope everyone had a nice day off and paid tribute to those who sacrificed for our freedom! Just wanted to take a few minutes and update here. I had my nutritional consult last Wednesday and spent all morning Saturday at Holy Cross Hospital having pre-op tests done. Had my chest x-ray, gallbladder ultrasound, EKG, and blood work. Two more steps out of the way! Next I have an appointment with my PCP tomorrow at noon just for her to give me medical clearance. Even though I don't "need" it and I already have approval, Dr. Marema still wants me to have it done. Then I have my Pulmonary appointment this Thursday and then my Cardio next Monday. Almost there! Only 24 days left!!:o)....

**06/05/00-Hi all! I'm at work and thought I would update real quick (shhh...don't tell :o)) I had my PCP appointment last Monday, my Pulmonary consult last Thursday and my Cardio consult this morning. A OK from all three and now all I have left is the last pre-op appointment with Dr. Marema next Monday and then surgery day! WOW! Sometimes it feels as though it is flying by and yet other times it seems as though the days are just creeping along. Only 17 days left to go!!

**06/12/00-Well, now it feels official. I had my final pre-op appointment with Dr. Marema this morning. His surgical coordinator, Vicki, did a great job organizing the meeting. There was a group of us having the surgery within days of one another and it gave us a chance to ask any final questions. We also signed our consent forms, took a WLS "quiz", got our scripts for post-op meds, were told what time each of us needed to check-in the morning of surgery, what to eat and drink the day before, got our post-op upper gi appointments, and our post-op g-tube removal appointments. Everything is finally DONE and now all I have to do is wait for the 22nd. Only 10 days left...

**06/18/00-It's Sunday evening, about 10:45pm, and of course I can't sleep. So, I thought I would write a little. I spent this weekend shopping for all those last minute items I think I will need for when I get home from the hospital. My mom has been right by my side. She is the best! I am truly blessed to have THE best mom in the whole world! :o) Every time I see her, I always look for her wings, because I just know she is my angel! Only 80 hours until I report to the hospital. Only a little more than 3 days left!!! Hurry up June 22nd!!!......

**06/21/00-only 14 hours left. I have organized my laundry room, organized my pantry, lined the shelves, and even installed a new toilet seat in my spare bathroom that I had bought weeks ago and had procrastinated doing. Talk about restless, huh? Can't wait to take that sleeping pill tonight! :o) Anyway, I wanted to tell all of you thank you for your warm wishes, and I will see you all "on the other side" tommorrow!!!! :o) :o) :o)

**07/04/00 - Happy 4th everyone! Sorry it took me a while to update, but I'm finally getting my energy back. I was in the hospital for five days, and was walking 7 hours out of recovery!! I was supposed to go into surgery at 10:30am, but didn't actually go in until about noon. I know everyone's pain tolerance is different, but I really didn't think it was all that bad. It was uncomfortable, but on a scale from 0 to 10, I would say the worst part was about a 6 or 7. But, that's my opinion only!

I am healing wonderfully, my incision is beautiful, AND I have lost 22 pounds in only 10 days. Wow! I got my g-tube out yesterday and had my first weigh-in and almost fell over. I noticed my shorts were already baggy, but when I stepped on the scale I almost couldn't believe it.

I just want to thank the wonderful people who sent me well wishes. I truly appreciated all of them. Thank you Marie for coming to see me, it was so nice of you. but most of all, thanks to my mom. She has been by my side through EVERY step. She is truly my angel!!!

**07/17/00 - 25 days post-op and down 27 pounds. WOW! The doctor's office said that by 3 months you should be down 30% of your excess body weight. And, for me, at 25 days, I am at 20% already. Cool beans!

I got my first B-12 injection today as well. And the doctor smiled at how well my incision looks. I might post pictures of that, I'm not sure yet. He also gave me the OK to take a bath again if I want to rather than a shower. I can also start applying creams/ointment of my choice to the incision to aid in the cosmetic healing.

Oh - don't laugh too hard at my before picture I finally got around to having posted. HA!

**07/28/00 - Hi all! Just wanted to take a moment and update. Today is 36 days post-op and I am down 31 pounds! I now weigh 251 pounds and my BMI is down to 33.9!! :o)

Everything has gone really well for me. I've gotten sick three times. Once because I didn't chew well enough and it got stuck (don't think you can drink to help it go down - it doesn't work!), the second from a calcium liquigel I tried taking, and today because I took my vita4life with breakfast and it didn't agree together. For some reason I can't take the vitamin with food. Anyone else have this problem??

Also, I had to call my ob/gyn. With this initial weight loss, it has kicked my hormones into fifth gear and I have gotten my period for the third time since the surgery. (Sorry if any gentlemen are reading this)So, she called in a much stronger pill, with extra iron,to the pharmacy for me. So hopefully, that will help regulate things back to normal. My poor body is probably soooo confused! I haven't had a period in a year and a half, and now all of sudden, wham!

Otherwise things are going pretty well. I have NO regrets!!! It's amazing how much better I already feel about myself. I even treated myself to a manicure and a pedicure last weekend!! :o)

**08/06/00 - 45 days post-op and, as of this morning, I am down 40 pounds forever!! Wow! *grin* I can't believe it!

The only trouble I have had are with the vita4life vitamins. I get sick every time I tried to take them. So I am back on the chewables for a while until my body can tolerate the vitamins. Just another "quirky phase" my body is going through.

Otherwise, things are going well and I have NO regrets!!

**08/24/00 - 63 days post-op and I am down exactly 50 pounds! Yippeee!!! I can't believe I've lost 50 and I just had my two month anniversary two days ago! That's 46.7% of my excess weight I needed to lose(I had 107 total to lose as of the morning of the surgery). AND my BMI is already down to 31.5! WOW! I am feeling so great about myself. People at work flood me with compliments daily (I just love that!). This is the best I have felt about myself in years.

I haven't gotten sick at all since I went back on the chewable vitamins. So, maybe we will try the Vita4Life's a little down the road. Perhaps I will tolerate them better then. I haven't had any problems with food. (I finally got over the chicken thing-I had a hard time stomaching it for a while). I am pretty good,about 95% of the time, with sticking to protein only. It does get pretty boring, I must admit. But hey, it is well worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah - I wore a pair of size 18/20 jeans last night when I went out with some friends. And guess what? They were actually comfortable! And I even wore them with a nice silk top without any "dunlap" of belly over the waist. What a concept! I thought for the longest time that jeans were a cruel invention created by a skinny person!! :o) Until next time....

**09/01/00 - As of this morning, I hit 50% of my excess weight gone in only 71 days! I am now at 228.5 pounds, down 53.5 pounds. WOW! My doctor is probably going to be speechless when I go back for my 3 month follow-up on the 18th. So I have 17 more days before my visit.

I spent a couple of hours the other night going through all of my "old" but "new" clothes. How awesome that was! Boy, it was like going shopping for a whole new wardrobe without spending a dime. I am comfortably in a size 18/20. I can even fit into my 16's, but they are still a little tight. While I was cleaning out my closet, I held up a pair of pants that were a size 26 and it was amazing how big they were and that I used to wear them. I literally almost began to cry. This was truly the best decision I have ever made for myself. I feel I am beginning to have my life and my dignity back.

**09/06/00 - 76 days post-op and I am now down 57 pounds. I now weigh 225 and I have lost 53% of my excess. WOW! Only 50 more to go to reach goal!

**10/1/00 - Wanted to update... I just passed the three month post-op mark, and I am now down 70 pounds. I am wearing a size 16 comfortably and bought a pair of size 14 jeans this week. And, I could actually zip them up standing! Now that's a concept! Also, I got a great e-mail from a lady who actually read my whole novel here and thanked me for my words of encouragement. It was so nice to hear that. So many times I wonder if anyone reads this or if it helps anyone. So if you read anyone's profile and it helps you in the slightest bit, let them know!!! I will try my best to post a current picture before my next update. Until next time......

**10/27/00 - Yeah, I know, I still need an updated picture. But, as of this morning, I am down exactly 80 pounds! Yippee! I only have 27 left to go to reach my goal for my height(6'1"), which is 175. I just passed my 4 month mark on Sunday, the 22nd! WOW!! I am wearing a size 14/16, down from a 26. I actually have a LIFE again. I am going out, shopping, exercising, mountain biking, roller blading, and horse back riding! I feel like I am eating to live and not living to eat anymore. What a freedom from food this has given me. I almost cry at how far I have come and how much my life has done a 360 degree turn in the last few months. By all means, I have absolutely NO regrets. I finally made myself a priority when I was pursuing this, and now I am so glad I did. Please, for those of you considering, do your homework and make sure you are making the best decision for you. And, if you decide to do it, good luck and best wishes. I only wish I could bottle and sell the happiness I have for life now. If I could, I know I would be a VERY wealthy woman! :o) I gotta go, I am on my way to Victoria's Secret to do some shopping!!!! :o) :o) :o)

**11/07/00 - I am under the 200 mark! Yippee!!! As of this morning I now weigh 199. That's 83 pounds in 4 and a half months. The weight loss has slowed but it is still coming off. Even if I never lost another pound, I would be thrilled. I bought a size 12 pair of jeans from Lerner this weekend and a size 14 pair of jeans from the Limited. And - I got them on standing AND they look good! WOW! I bought some work clothes, all loose fitting, in size 14 from Casual Corner! I love life again. I am really excited because now my wonderful mom is now beginning her steps through this process. She was always interested, and now that I have gone through it, she is ready. I went to the meeting with her and my dad last night, and I can't wait for her time to shine! She is such a beautiful lady, inside and out! Hopefully, she won't have to wait long since she is going to be self-pay (no insurance hoops to jump through).

**12/06/00 - As of this morning, I now weigh 184 pounds. 98 pounds gone forever! My BMI is now 25 - IDEAL!!! IDEAL???? What a concept! Me, ideal? Oh my gosh!! :o)

All my 14's are VERY loose, and I am comfortably wearing size 12's and almost size 10's. At my height, 6'1", I feel that I don't want to lose too much more. Maybe another 10 or 15 at the most. I feel I look wonderful and am just thrilled with all the positive changes my life has taken. I feel like I have done a complete 360 in only 5 and a half months. It's just incredible when you actually think of how short a time it has been. I know I need to update my photo, because I don't look anything like that before picture now. (thank god!) :o) I will try to get one posted. If I don't update again before Christmas - everyone have a wonderful holiday. I know how grateful and thankful I am this holiday season for my new and active life!!!

**12/22/00 - I am now down 104 pounds and today is exactly my 6 month anniversary. Woohoo! These past 6 months have really flown by. I celebrated today by wearing a pair of leather pants I bought this week (in a size 12 :o)). They look great! But, most of all, I feel great! My BMI is now 24.1 and that is in the ideal range. I have SO very much be thankful for this holiday season, and am actually looking forward to the new year with my new lease on life. Good luck to all of you, and happy holidays!

**01/09/01 - I HAVE REACHED MY GOAL WEIGHT!! As of this morning, I reached my goal weight in only 6 and a half months. WOW! I am down exactly 107 pounds and am comfortably wearing size 12's and some 10's. My BMI is now 23.4 and that falls smack dab in the middle of IDEAL! Ideal? What a concept! Me? Ever since my 6 month check-up in late December, I have slowly added more carbs and reintroduced fruit into my diet. I have only tried bananas and canteloupe and have had no trouble. That's the same for virtually every food I have tried. I am fortunate that everything I have tried seems to still agree with me. I am pretty sure I dumped for the first time, on accident. I am NOT one of those people that has this surgery and then goes and eats a Twinkie "just to see what will happen". How stupid! Why have this surgery if you are not going to modify your behavior and learn from your past mistakes????

**02/17/2001 - Well I went to the Gap last weekend and tried on size 8's!!!! All my size 10's are comfortable and slightly loose. I am holding steady at 168-170 lbs. at 6'2"!!! I feel great and FINALLY have two after pictures my mom took of me and sent to me. So have a look! :o)

**03/21/2001 - Tommorrow is my 9 month birthday. Wow, has the time flown by. I thought I was done losing, but apparently my body decided to lose a little more. It seems that I am now hovering at 162 pounds. That's a total loss now of 120 pounds!!!! This makes my BMI 20.8 which is below ideal and on the border of thin. I know I should be grateful, and I am, but I just don't want to loose any more. At my height, I'm starting to hear alot of comments that I am getting too thin. Even my size 10's are baggy now. Plus, I can feel alot of bones when I rub my neck or my back. I never thought I would even dream of saying that I don't want to loose any more, not in this lifetime anyway.

**08/20/2001 - I will be 14 months post-op in two days and have been holding steady at 157 pounds for about 3 months. 125 pounds lost forever!! I am comfortable wearing loose size 6's and I just bought a couple size 4's.


So much has happened since my last update. I've sold my home, moved, and GOT ENGAGED!!! I met this special someone last May (BEFORE my surgery!!!!) and we've been friends ever since. We started dating a few months ago and on July 7th he hired a plane to fly over the beach with a banner asking me to marry him while we dined at our favorite restaurant!! He is truely my soulmate and my life is just so wonderful. I have never been happier, and I LOVE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since I sold my house, I am going to be investing my money in the best thing I know of.....ME!!! Next Friday, August 31, I am having a breast lift and an abdominoplasty to help get rid of the excess skin and put my breasts "back where they belong!" :o) I booked this surgery over 3 months ago after doing MUCH MUCH homework and after visiting nearly a dozen different surgeons. I will be curious to see just how much is removed. I am SOOO excited and nervous. Although I am wearing 4's and 6's, when I look in the mirror I still see the "fat" girl, perhaps because I think I resemble a Shar-Pei! :o) I just can't wait to look in the mirror and finally see what everyone else does, a tall, thin woman.

Until next time.......

**10/01/01 - I had my lift and tummy tuck, and I LOVE the new me. All that nasty excess skin is gone and you could bounce a quarter of my abs now they're so tight! My surgeon, Dr. Don Revis of Ft. Lauderdale, www.southfloridaplasticsurgery.com, did an incredible job. He is truly an artist and I can't rave enough about him, his office, his demeanor, everything. His office even sent me flowers the day I was discharged from the hospital! He is, by far, the most personable surgeon I ahve ever met and would HIGHLY recommend him. He is NOT one of these "doc-in'the-boxes" you can find if you want cheap and quick. If you want quality, and you want soemone with impeccable credentials, Dr. Revis is it!

I had the surgery Friday, August 31, 2001 at Imperial Point Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale. I stayed overnight and was released the next morning. I had a little discomfort, but it really was not that big of a deal. Nothing compared to my open RNY last year. And, not only did I have the typical hip to hip tummy tuck, I was also cut vertically. Surgeons don't usually like to put a vertical scar on someone, but since I already had one, he wanted to tighten me up vertically as well. So, he cut out the old RNY scar, cut me down the middle, around the belly button, to the bikini line, and hip to hip. I know it sounds like alot, which it is, but I'm serious, it was nothing compared to last year! I suppose because this was all on the "surface" and not really internal.

I also had my breasts lifted at the same time. Believe it or not, they did not hurt at all! he cut around the nipple on each and removed the redundant skin. Now, they don't look like they did when I was 20, because I did not want an implant. At a size 4,and I am already a full C cup, I have a hard enough time shopping for clothes as it is. I sure don't want to be any bigger! They do however look much, much better. They don't point south anymore!

I was only out of work for a week and I have been wearing they special garment he ordered for me and I woke up with it on post-op. Speaking of post-op, last year for my RNY surgery, I barely recall the post-op period and don't really remember anything except waking up in my room. This was WAY different. I was still under general anesthesia for 4 and a half hours, but I was wide awake in the OR, thanking Dr. Revis and the anesthesiologist, I was wide awake and talking to the nurse in recovery, and was wide awake except for about a half hour catnap all day Friday in my room. The doctor just shook his head and couldn't believe I wasn't sleeping. Alot if it, of course, has to do with the fact that I am much healthier now than I was last year and it wasn't as risky going under as it was last year with my excess weight.

I still have some swelling of course, and will for quite some time. My 6's are loose and my 4's are snug from the swelling, so I can't wait to see what my final result will be. I am SO thrilled I bit the bullet and spent the money to do it. I've never made a financial investment that's had more satisfaction than this one!!!