Kelli Chan

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well, I've been back to work for 2 weeks now and its going ok. I'm tired at the end of the day, but I work 10 hour days and was tired before surgery, but sometimes I feel really drained. I'm healing well, the scars on my thighs are thinning out, looking pretty good I think. 

I started at the gym about 2 weeks ago, and its going well. I'm thinking about getting a personal trainer for a month or 2 to help with the weight training. Honestly I'd like to have them evaluate me, write up some routines, watch that my form is ok, and then I'd like to be on my own. I'm pretty self motivated, so I can do it without the "support", and actually I dont want the cost for a long period of time.

I weight 138, and I want to weigh 130, so I've got a few pounds I want to lose. I have been carb crazy since surgery, I dont know what my problem is, but its all I want...I'm trying to avoid them, and eat whole wheat etc, but the bad carbs are getting the best of me...I know if I could cut them out completely I'd drop those 8lbs....gonna try!

I'm swelling in the tummy area, and I really am not thrilled with my thighs, but not much you can do with them. I plan to tighten them up with exercise, and hopefully that will make me happy.

All in all I am happy with the results of the lbl and inner thigh lift. Much better than it was before. Now to lose this last 8 lbs!

Lets see, where to start....on Friday I went to my PS for my weekly follow-up, and asked him to pull the drain...it wasnt draining a whole lot, and it was starting to get red, and irriitated, so he pulled it... There wasn't a big space, and not much fluid came out when he squeezed, so he wants me to milk the thigh for any fluid. There was a hole there you could see inside, and he said it will heal from the inside out, by that evening, it had already started to close up. As of now it doesnt look like any fluid  is collecting there, so thats a good thing!

On Saturday I had my daughters 3rd birthday party, it was a Princess theme, and she seemed to have a blast! She is such a girly girl, it kills me!! High Maintenance already...her daddy is going nuts, and he says he feels sorry for any future suiters, b/c she is going to be one hard to handle girl! 

I have taught her to say she is a STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN WHO DOESNT NEED A STINKIN MAN!! She cracks me up when she says it! I want her to know that she can rely on herself, and not feel like she needs a man to complete her... I see so many girls who define themselves by whether they have a boyfriend or not, and I dont want that for either one of my children, so I have my son saying he is a strong, independent man who doesnt need a stinkin woman...he's 9, and doesn't really say it with the zelous my 3 year old does, but its still funny!

I have to go back to work on Tuesday, and I have mixed feelings....I wanna go back, I love my job, at the same time, I really enjoy the time off. On top of that, I started getting sick yesterday, and now I have one doozie of a cold...took some Nyquil last night and it kicked my ass!! Waiting to take more at bedtime tonight, b/c I will be out all night!! My head feels so fuzzy and foggy, and I can't breathe at all through my nose, and my throat is sore!! I'm one walking BLAH!

I go back to the PS on Friday, and plan to start working out at the gym tomorrow, maybe that will help me feel a little better...who knows! I still have 9 pounds I want to lose, so I need to get my butt in gear!

Well, my seroma filled up again, and it was starting to hurt so I called the dr. today, he had me come in so he could put a drain back in the site! So, my hubby took me up, all drugged up with Vicodin and Valium! The doc put in a tube, that sticks out, and the fluid runs out of the tube, and it is surrounded by bandages to soak up the run off, and then the bandages are wrapped with ace type bandages to keep them in place. It looks gross, its bleeding from the site, and it hurts depending on how I move my leg, but I'm hoping this will do the trick!

I really want to start working out again, so this is holding me up...I can feel myself gaining weight as we speak!!

I did what I said I wasn't going to do and got on the scale Saturday, and I weighed 139lbs...I was so upset, I was really hoping to be 135 at the MOST....I haven't been eating a lot, but I have allowed myself to eat more junk than usual, with the rationale that I need the calories...NOT a good idea...I need to get back on track b/c I love this new tummy, swelling and all and I dont want to lose it! I'm actually looking forward to working out so I can get rid of this last 9lbs...thats my goal now, and to buff up my arms, to get a visible 6 pack, and firm up the thighs! I'm anal, and goal oriented, so I always have to be working towards something!

Well, the seroma is filling up again, so not sure what the doc will do on Friday. Anyway...I had to go shopping today to get a dress for a wedding I'm attending on Saturday, and I had such a great time! I got a beautiful dress, in a size 8....couldn't believe it. I also got some new undies at Victorias Secret, and they were size small!! I was flippin out!!! Also had to get some new bras, size 36B, from a 44C...but in the fall when I have my breast lift and augmentation, I'm hoping to be a 36C. 

I hope to post some pics of me in the dress this weekend. I actually look curvy in the dress...I was so shocked!

My pain level is good for 3 weeks out...just taking 1 pain pill at night to help take the edge off so I can sleep, I'm really sore, and laying in the bed is a challenge.  I need to update some post op naked pics to, especially of my thighs....they seem to be doing well, other than the seroma...still have a lot of swelling in them, and in my abdomen, but I'm still smaller than I was pre-op, which a lot of people are not, so I'm not complaining.

Still not really hungry much, and when I want to eat i want to snack and eat junk....so I'm trying not to do that too much....I find it hard to eat when I'm home, and easy to eat all day long at work...not sure why that is...you'd think I'd eat more at home, more time, more access...but I work in reverse!

I'll post more this weekend!

Well, my lovely little seroma has decided to fill up again....I waited it out the weekend, but had to go to the docs today, and he drained 40cc's from it today. He also put some tetracycline in it to help it stop filling up and he wants me back on Friday. So we shall see...I hope it helps b/c the more it fills, the more pain I have when I walk...it feels like my skin is going to split open like a ripe melon, and it burns! I hope this does the trick!

Well, my left thigh was starting to hurt, in the knee area. It was swollen, hard, and it was painful to walk on...it felt like it was going to split open like a ripe melon. So I called the dr. office, they had me come in and it is a seroma. The doc drained 35cc's of fluid, and put me on 
anti-biotics as a precaution. The needle aspiration did not hurt at all, but the doc said he doesn't want to do it again. He said the more fluid he drains, the more the body will send there, so I need to use warm compresses and wrap it. I will go back on Monday for another follow-up. He was not happy that my right hip drain is still draining, so he put some tetracycline in it to stop the draining and help with infection. It should stop draining, and once its under 30cc's for 2 days the drain can come out, so I'm hoping by Friday it will be gone! The weird thing is my husband is a nurse and the doc said he can pull it! At this point, I dont care I just want it out! I'm supposed to be at a family reunion on Saturday, and I'd like to go drain free so I can wear regular pants, not sweat pants...I want to feel kinda normal. I'll post more pics after my drain is out, and when I follow up with the doc on Monday.

Had my second follow-up appointment today with my ps and he removed 2 of the 3 drains that were left. My right hip is still draining about 50cc's a day, so he said when it gets to 30 it can be pulled. He thinks by Monday that should happen, and my husband can do it b/c he is a nurse and he can snip the stitch and pull the tube. He said things look good, my left thigh isn't as nice as he'd like, there is still some saggy skin, but he hasn't said anything about a revision...I think we need to see how the swelling plays out and go from there. Its not perfect, but it is a million times better than it was, so I'm not really complaining! I go back next Friday, June 1 to see him again.

AFter my ps appt I had to see my primary care...he flipped out when he saw me! He said he didn't even recognize me, and told me not to lose any more weight. I told him I didn't want to know what my weight was, so he didn't even weigh me, he went with what I told him prior to surgery which was 148. He reviewed my labs and is a little cocerned b/c I'm borderline anemic, but the something like the indices are low, but the levels are fine? It made sense to him, said its nothing major right now, but wants to keep an eye on it. He said it doesn't look like I'm bleeding anywhere, he thinks I'm just malabsorbing, which is what my gastric bypass surgeon said at my last visit with him.

I'm feeling ok....my thigh incisions are feeling tight, and walking on them scares me, feels like I'm going to split open, but I think its b/c they are healing, and the skin is scabbing and pulling tight. I feel great but have to limit my activity so I dont hurt myself. Easier said than done!

I plan to update pics next week on the 2 week mark from surgery, and hopefull that last pesky drain will be gone!

Had my first follow-up appt today, and it went great! He removed 3 of my 6 drains, and said to come back Friday, and he may be able to take the last 3 out....thats all 6 out within 10 days!!! Doc said I could shower today, and I have to say it was the best damn shower I have ever had. It felt so good.....I felt human afterwards....even went to lunch with my parents, and they couldnt' believe how good I looked. I did my hair, and make-up, and it just felt great! I can't believe I have to wait 6 weeks, I feel really good...now I walk really slow, and I"m pretty sore, cant stand upright completely, but all in all...I feel awesome. I have some swelling, and I'd like to see it go away so I can really see how I'm sculpted now, but so far I like what I see. Now I'm really anxious to get my breast lft and implants in the fall...I may have to move that up if I can afford it! I'm down to 2 pain pills a day, not too bad, they take the edge off, and I'm moving a lot more, so that is all good. I am a little constipated, I have had 2 bm since surgery, and the first one was akin to childbirth all over again, it was NOT good. The 2nd one much better, but today I'm in pain again...I was hoping that was all over with, but I guess not. I'm slightly dehydrated due to all the draining, and not much eating and drinking, so I"m trying to take in a lot of water...food hasn't interested me too much. Today is the first day I've really felt hungry, but still not eating a lot, I bet not even 1000 calories a day, but I am eating protein bars and drinking protein bulletts ,so that will help, and also aid in healing quickly. Doc said incisions looked good, no sign of infection, so thats good. The steri strips will come off on their own, but right now they dont seem like they are budging, so its driving me nuts that I can't see what the incison really looks like. Well I'll post more after my Friday appointment.

May 19, 2007 

Well, I had my lower body lift and inner thigh lift on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 and all went well. I was under for about 8 hours, and the doc removed 10.7lbs of skin! I came out with 6 drains,an On-Q pain pump, my thighs wrapped in ace bandages, and an abdominal binder around my waist. I stayed overnight and was discharged Wednesday afternoon. The hospital stay was tough, no rest at all, and the first time I had to get up and walk I thought I was going to kill the evil nurse who made me do it, but it got a little easier every time I did it, not to mention the Demerol and Viscerol shots, and the Vicodin pills I was taking around the clock helped...I basically slept all day Tuesday and Wednesday...couldn't keep my eyes open for longer than 3 minutes at a time. It was rough the first few days, but today has been a world of difference. On day 3, I was able to get up myself and shuffle around, go to the bathroom by myself. Today has been even better....I was feeling spry so I thought I'd see how the steps would be, and I made it up and down them without a problem, ti freaked my husband out when he saw me standng in the bedroom this morning! My drains are doing well, and the doc says he will probably be able to remove some on Monday. The one in my right leg hasn't drained at all, not even in the hospital! I have a feeling I will keep the 2 hip drains they have been pretty steady, but any of them going will be nice, its just difficult to around with them hanging everywhere! I've taken pics since day 2, not sure where I'm going to post them, maybe on picturetrail or makemeheal, I haven't gotten that far yet. All I can say, is with all the swelling, pain, blood, drains, etc etc what I can see of myself so far the change is AMAZING!! My stomach is flat, my legs are less bumpy and jiggly, its soo freakin weird!! Well, I'll post more after I see the doc on Monday.

April 27, 2007

Well, in about 2 weeks or so I will be having my lower body lift and inner thigh lift! I can't believe its almost time. I'm getting a little anxious now. Worried about the recovery, pain, swelling, etc etc etc. Can't wait to look "normal", and can't even begin to fathom what it will be like to get dressed and not have belly to tuck into clothing!! I'm really looking forward to the boob job in the fall...that is exciting, and not scarry at all! 

I bought a bikini today for the first time ever! Its a size 8/10 and it fits!! I really just wanted the top to go outside and get some sun in by the pool, and I plan or wearing shorts, but hey, maybe I will wear the whole suit for the tan if it looks ok...that would be a shocker!

Some days I can see I look thinner, other days I still feel fat as ever, I'm hoping the PS will help me see the thin me, I think I just cant get past all the stomach that I know is there, others tell me I look great, but they dont see me naked!

Well as it gets closer I'll journal some more, and I think I'm gonna post some before and after pics, I know I have found them extremely helpful, so I want to be able to do the same for others.