FunnyDuddies
I started my journey in 2004. I joined a few online support groups, and tried to get information on the lap-band. By 2006 I had chosen a doctor, and had plans to have the surgery.
On July 10, 2006 I had lap-band surgery in Monterrey, MX by Dr. Sanchez. My highest weight was 372. I am on track to reach 199 by my one year anniversary.
I have a 10cc Vanguard Band and it is currently filled to 8cc's. I have my fills done by Dr. Hernandez in St. Petersburg, FL. She is great!
I will be having apron removal surgery soon. My skin has not tightened at all, and my apron is now causing me a lot of problems with my back, skin, and stomach muscles. Time to do something about it, even if I am not at goal.
I never know what to say on these, so I will stop for now, and just slowly add to it as time goes on. :)
ONE YEAR UPDATE
Well my one year bandiversary is going to be in 3 days, and I am doing well. I am currently 211. That is a total of 161 pounds lost in a little over a year. I still have a long way to get to goal. I am currently at where a lot of people start their journey. That is hard to deal with. But I feel better than I have in years, and I am starting to look human again.
My apron removal surgery is on July 16th. I will be going to Dr. David Smith here in Tampa, Florida. He and his team will be removing the apron and upper abdomen excess skin to rid me of infections and skin irritations, as well as take the pulling weight off of my back. I am very excited but also VERY nervous. I am sure it will be fine though.
My hair is growing back out quite a bit. I shaved it all off about 2 months after my surgery. It was falling out dramatically, and it was fried from dying and chemicals, so I decided to start fresh. LOL Its all soft, and new, and the right color now. It feels good to have a full head of hair again.
I will post pics of my before and afters for the plastic surgery after the deed is done. Pray for me! LOL
Plastic Surgery
My plastic surgery went great! 20.8 pounds of skin and fat were removed in a process called a panniculectomy. It is basically a tummy tuck but without the muscle reconstruction and liposuction. I also ended up without a belly button. But I am free of the horrible apron that was pulling so much on my back and causing so many infections. I have tons of pics to upload, as I take them every day. But I have not gotten any of them off my computer. I am currently 3 weeks out from plastic surgery. i plan on going back to the gym to do treadmill work at week 4, and go back to full on working out by week 6. I am drinking tons of water, eating lots of protein, and taking lots of naps. Recovery has been hard, with a few bumps in the road, but so far things are cool. I had my first drain removed along with half of my staples at the 2 week mark. I am praying for the other drain to be removed at the 3 week appt. I will ask to keep the staples in one more week as I feel my incision is still weak and needs the stability of the staples.
Barely any of my clothes fit. I had to go out yesterday and buy a bunch of new clothes. And I hestitated in doing that because I am still quite swollen. But I had to wear something. So I bought a bunch of XL pants and tops from hanes at Walmart. Comfy, stretchy, and they wash well. :) That is the key to my wardrobe right now.
I am still wearing my binder, and wearing it tight! I will move onto compression garments when I get my drain out. I will only buy new panties when nothing leaks any longer. Right now almost every pair I have has been ruined from drainage. It just comes with the territory I guess. But that is ok, none of them fit me right as it is. :)
I can't wait to get back into the gym and continue my loss!!!
