Time for Plastics

May 15, 2013

Wow- it's been over two years since my last post...what happened to the time???  I've been living my life - that's what!! My weight has stabilized for a year now between 206-210.  It's now time for plastics.

I got my date of August 9th 2013 with Dr.Sauceda in Monterrey, MX.....I'm getting a lower body lift with anchor cut (to remove panni), inner thigh lift, breast lift with implant. 

I'm soooo excited!  Only 85 days until my surgery date...LOL! 

 

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3 month Update...Holy crap!

Mar 05, 2011

Geez.... I can't believe I haven't updated this blog in almost 3 months...shame on me!  :>)  Well, as of 3 months post-op I am down 50lbs from surgery and including the 21 lb loss pre-surgery I'm down a total of 71 lbs!!  HW 353 and currently I'm at 282.  I started in size 30/32 tops or 4x's and now I'm down to 26-28 (I wear mine on the loose side!) and my pants were 32s and I'm down to 26s.  Even my boobs have shrunk - I have extra room in my DDDs...time to go down to the DD! John said I better not loose any more or instead of a breast lift I'll be getting some implants too! Men!!

My scar is healing well.  It's still pink but it's not gross and I've starting putting silicone pads on it which is suppose to help the healing and minimize the scarring.  My abs still hurt - especially where the drain holes were.  It's still slightly uncomfortable for me to sleep on my side but I suck it up!

I'm still unable to do lactose so when I want to drink milk or eat soft cheeses I take Lactaid Pills.  Because of the Lactose Intolerance I also can't do any type of whey protein shake.  I've tried egg protein but it's too salty.  I'm hoping that the further out I get I can start drinking shakes...it's a struggle to get in over 100g of protein daily just with the food. 

I struggle daily to get my vitamins in.  I'm very busy at work and I tend to forget to take them and then try to shove them all in at the end of the night which probably isn't truly working since you should take them at different times...I've started setting my cell phone timers to go off every hour so I can remember to take my vites.  If there is one thing that I MUST not fuck up - this is it!!! 

I haven't begun really exercising yet.  I know my weight loss will increase once I begin and I really need to start.  I have a treadmill and the Wii Fit and I bought a bicycle and now I just need to get off my ass and just do it.  I've used tons of excuses but it's time to put those away and put the words into action.  Next time I post an update I hope to be able to tell you I love exercise...hahaha...yeah right!!!

I haven't found much food I can't eat.  I can't do wheat gluten or the whey.  I think the most frustrating part is eating something one day and then the very next day my tummy says F U and I have to throw it up.  I haven't had to throw up due to eating to fast or eating to much in over a month so I think I've finally figured that part out.  KEY - use a shrimp fork and a baby spoon to eat - it really does help!

I'm going to be going to CA to see Dr.Keshishian in June for my 6 month follow up.  I'm going to try to lose another 30 lbs by then so that I won't have to buy a 2nd airplane seat.  I have to remember this is a marathon - not a sprint - so slow and steady wins the race. 

Let you know how the next 90 days goes....well, in 90 days!  :>)  Peace and love, Peace and love!
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First Follow Up!!

Dec 17, 2010

Today was my first follow up appointment with Dr.K and I got my drains pulled.  He was actually over an hour late due to surgery but I wasn't complaining because he was working on my angel Terry (Stillhopeful) so it was ok. 

OK, I had the RNY and I remember having a drain pulled and it stung a little but HOLY SHIT!!!  When Dr.K pulled these drains I wanted to scream in pain!  I can still feel "ghost pains" as I sit here and type this.  I don't know if it was because I has these drains in a LONG time - 11 days or if it was just how they were situated but man, I hope when the feeding tube comes out it will be a hell of alot better. 

I also have a small leak in my incision but Dr.K said it is to be expected as it is the way he sews us up.  He makes a tunnel and a small opening at the bottom so that the drainage goes to the bottom and doesn't cause infection.  So, he opened the opening a bit more, used some long Q-tips to shove up there and then the damn broke and all this bloody crap came squirting down  -sorry to gross you out....I had been wearing a maxi pad inside my binder to soak up the leakage and he said go ahead and continue to do that.  He said as the incision heals the leaking will slow down.  He just said to wash it daily and redress it.  He also told me that if it starts turning green or gets a strong odor to contact him because it would indicate an infection. 

He released me to any and all foods but said try one new food daily (make sure it's protein) to find out if it works with my system.  He also asked for me to follow up in 6 and 12 months.  I told him I will try to fly from Florida when I can but no promises but we are both in agreement my PCP can order my labs every 3 months for the first year and I will call him for any issues I have and send him my labs so he can review them.  I will try to make a trip out at my 6 months - it won't cost but a few hundred dollars.  This is a lifelong commitment and if I can afford it I can't rely on inconvenience to stop me. 

I go to see my angel Terry tomorrow at the hospital.  Dr.K said she did well in surgery and I know she'll be happy to get some company tomorrow, just for a bit. 

Oh yeah - I lost 7 lbs so I'm down to 325.  It wasn't as much as I wanted but Lupe said it's not bad because I still have alot of fluids in my body from the surgery.  We shall see. 

I can't WAIT to get home to Florida.  I am soooo bored in the hotel all the time.  I get tired easily and Mom doesn't like to drive the freeways so we've been stuck here most of the time.  I leave early Sunday morning so tomorrow is our last day.  I am so grateful and hope my flights home are as easy as the ones here.  I'm not looking forward to the flight of stairs I need to climb to get into the plan at Burbank airport tho....what freakin' airport doesn't have jetways by now????????//
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Attack of the Surgical Tape!!!

Dec 10, 2010

Now that I am released from the hospital and back at the hotel and FINALLY able to sit up in a chair without my abs feeling like they are going to explode I can tell my tale of revision surgery!

I had to be at the hospital on 12/6/10 at 7:30am.  I was given IV fluids, my legs were wrapped for circulation purposes and put on my gown.  I was given a blood thinner and some antibiotic drips were started.  Mom was called back after about 30 mins and spent about 20 mins with me before the transport guy came back to get me.  I had to use the bathroom twice before I was rolled back -those IV fluids go thru quickly!  I was rolled back to pre-op and was re-introduced to my bariatric nurse Susan and then my anesthesiologist who explained what he was going to do.  Of course, I had to pee so bad that I was just praying Dr.K got there soon because I wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom - they prefer you have urine in your system so it's easier for them to know when the foley is inserted correctly!  Luckily Dr.K arrived about 2 mins later and I was wheeled into the OR.  I was asked to move to another gurney and then my arms were layed down and I was out....

I don't remember waking up in recovery - when I remember waking up was in my actual room.  The surgery took just under two hours to complete.  Dr.K had a bit of a surprise when he opened me up as it appears my previous surgeon used a stalastic ring around my stoma which he did NOT indicate on any surgical reports - so it took him a bit longer to get that out and re-do my sleeve. 

All I can remember of that night is coughing and coughing.  Everyone kept telling me it was just my throat getting use to the NG tube and I told them NO - it feels like something is stuck in my throat because I can't breathe.  The told me it might be a mucus plug and to keep coughing it up.  So I did - for about 3 hrs I kept coughing and then they noticed my heart rate was decreasing rapidly then going back up then decreasing so they called in a cardiologist who said I had to go to ICU for monitoring.  While I waited to be transported I had one HUGE cough and up popped something in my mouth - nothing but a 3 INCH PIECE OF SURGICAL TAPE!!!! Yup - it was stuck on my NG tube and was accidentally pulled down my throat during surgery which they didn't know had happened.  My mom took it to the nurses and I think everyone in the hospital heard about it in 15 mins...Dr.K didn't think I should have to go to the ICU but the cardiologist who was on duty made me go so down I went.  They were very nice and I spent 1 night and the next morning I went back to my regular room.  This of course caused them to run a bunch of heart testing on me including an ultrasound and EKGs, etc...more money more money!

I had AWESOME nurses - Rosemary and Angelica - they are wonderful!  Unfortunately they were off the day I left but I said my goodbyes the day before.  The night nurses were great too!  The only ones I had complaints about were the phelbotomists - they couldn't draw blood from a stuck pig - EXCEPT my ICU God - he was unbelievable - able to get blood from the tiniest vein in my wrists with no pain!  I usually have very good veins but they all kept getting blown out...that is the one part I will not miss! 

I spent 3 1/2 LONG days in my room.  I was released pretty quickly as I wasn't expected to leave until Friday but Dr.K gave me my walking papers on Thursday.  I got my catheter removed on Wednesday - talk about horrible! I don't know how they expect you to walk so much with such and uncomfortable thing dangling from your plumbing smacking you on your thigh with every step making it more and more irritating! The first thing I asked Rosemary Wed AM was PLEASE take out my catheter - I told her there was a $20 in it for her...LOL! 

I didn't have anything to drink the first night or the 2nd, I was allowed ice chips the first day but at night I was allowed nothing but these swabby things...yuck.  Tuesday I was given the ok by Dr to start the blue water to see if there are any leaks - it's really just Dasani water with blue food coloring in it and if the blue leaks into the drains then he knows there's a leak...no leaks for me!  Wednesday I was on stage 1 which was clears.  

Wednesday was one of the worst days because the gas set in...talk about pain!  Luckily, THursday am I woke up at about 2am and whoosh...my plumbing had woken up and I had the runs about 6 times, luckily I could feel the gas coming down so no accidents but it wasn't the most comfortable thing! 

Once Dr.K found out I had my bowels moving he came in later that day, said I could go home, to give me lunch on full iquids and make sure I could tolerate the Vicadin and then send me on my way....I think Mom had the room packed up in 20 seconds flat before he had even left...LOL! 

Overall, I was very happy with the staff.  My mom was motivation enough to get out walking and I actually felt better when I walked so I did 3 times around the nursing station every 2-4 hrs.  My walker was the squeekiest thing tho - other patients were complaining about me walking at 3am...oopsie!  Angelica gave me a shower on Wednesday which hurt because the binder is off but it felt good. Pretty sad when you need two people in there re-doing my dressings and putting my binder on - all because my boobs are so big one had to hold one up while the other did the drying, taping, etc....at that point tho you really don't care! 

Dr.K came to see me every morning around 4:30am.  It was our standing date...then he flew off to Delano for his other surgeries - yes, the man flies his own plane - is there anything he CAN'T do???  I'm in utter awe.  He is just fantastic.  He called me today to ask how I was doing and feeling, just wonderful!  I see him next Friday to get the drains pulled and then I'm headed home on the 19th...I'll keep you posted!



 
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Hello California!!!

Dec 05, 2010

It's been almost a month since I've written so I figured I better update my blog.  I'm sitting here in the hotel room in Glendale impatiently waiting to begin my bowel prep for my surgery tomorrow morning 12/6/10.  I'm REALLY not looking forward to that part!

I got to CA this past Thursday 12/2.  I flew Southwest and bought two tickets for myself and one for my Mom.  Luckily neither flight was full so I should get a refund for the 2nd tickets on both flights.  We rented a car from Burbank airport and I was VERY thankful for bringing my GPS from home with me.  CA freeways are VERY confusing and I strongly urge anyone who is coming from far out of town or another state to get a GPS - it is a Godsend! 

I had my appointment with Dr.K on Thursday in which I had an "Orientation" meeting with another woman and her parents going over all viable WLS options and he went over all the standard items about pre-op and surgery and post-op and vitamin regimens..etc, etc, etc.  Then he met with me one on one and all I can say is I LOVE THIS MAN!!  He has a wonderful outlook, he's funny, he's smart and he knows his shit!  My mother also was impressed with him as well.  I feel completely confident in his abilities and bless God each day that my journey ended me here with him.  I can't say enough good things about him.  Overall I think we spent about 3 1/2 hrs at his office talking with him.  

Friday I had pre-op which was quite long.  I met again with Dr.K to go over any other questions or thoughts that came up from the day before, mine were mostly vitamin related.  He kept telling me over and over that I need to get it out of my head that I failed my surgery - he said the surgery failed me - that it's NOT my fault that I gained weight back - it was simply the wrong surgery for someone like me with such a high BMI and he personally believe the RNY sucks and refuses to perform it.  I told him it's hard to get that out of my head when EVERY single Dr I have ever had has told me it's my fault I'm fat - I need to eat less and move more.  I wish all Drs had his outlook on it!

After I met with Dr.K I went over to pre-admission and prepared all the paperwork with admissions.  I met Chett Peabody (I just love that name!)the RN in charge of getting me checked in and set up for any other pre-op testing needed and he is such a great guy.  So bubbly and sweet!  Not to mention he's smooth on the eyes if you know what I mean...lol!!! I then met Susan, the head of Bariatric Nursing and will be my head nurse Monday, she too was very nice.  I then went and had 12 tubes of blood drawn...yuck! 

Mom and I spent the rest of  Friday driving to Palmdale and then made our way back thru Angeles National Forest and the mountains.  Unbelievable scenery although the driving was trecherous.  Mom kept taking pics and telling me to look there or look here - I couldn't because if I did we would be driving off a 1500 foot cliff and needless to say surgery would be pointless at that point! :>)

Saturday I drove thru LA (holy crap, I thought rush hour on I-95 in Miami was bad!!!) - again, thanks to my GPS we made it thru safely.  We drove to Santa Monica and then to Malibu and further on the Pacific Coast HIghway - absolutely breathtaking views.  I highly recommend it if you have extra time to burn.  I got to put my feet in the Pacific Ocean - it's a hell of alot colder than the Florida Atlantic waters I'm use to!!  We came home and I had a final meal of Pizza that Dr.K told me to indulge in.  He said don't worry about the liquid diet 2 days before, the magnesium citrate will take care of it...LOL!

So here I am - getting my bag prepared to take to the hospital.  Magazines, lotions,chapstick,  Kindle, Laptop and cell phone with all the chargers.  I'm sure I won't use half the stuff but Mom is staying with me and I know she will likely use my Kindle and Laptop so it's all good.  In a few hours I begin my bowel prep...ugggh....

I will follow up after surgery with all the good, bad and I'm sure the ugly....

Until then - I've FINALLY made it and I'm sure as hell gonna enjoy the ride!!!
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To Hell and Back....

Nov 11, 2010

Well - I've been tired of getting the run around from Dr.G's office.   One time they tell me I'm getting the full DS, the next it's the ERNY then again the full DS.  I don't trust them....I just think he doesn't want to do any more revisions and that's fine - it's his choice.  I just wish they would have been honest right up front in May when I first inquired.  I've wasted 7 months....my own fault I guess.

So - I decided to go back to my original surgeon choice -Dr.Keshishian!  I was always impressed with him - calling me on a Sunday evening non-the-less with his kids playing in the background.  I originally balked at him  because he's on the opposite coast as me and I was worried about the flight, complications, price, etc...he is out-of netowrk for me.  However, I realize if I wanted this done by one of the best I have to make sacrifices too....

So I took a loan from my 401k paying myself back thru payroll deduction and I'm scheduled for surgery December 6, 2010!!!
I'm really excited, nervous, anxious and running  around like a mad woman trying to  get everything prepared.  I have some minor preop stuff I need to have from my PCP - surgical clearance, chest x-ray, EKG and labwork.  Hopefully all will be ok and there won't be any issues with my plans. 

Nothing EVER goes according to my plans!!

So.....it's off to see the Wizard the wonderful Wizard of DS!
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Better Late Than Never!!!

Jun 22, 2010

I'm disappointed, let down, sad and frustrated.  Looks like my surgery date won't be until Feb 7,2011 - yup, you heard me right...It seems as tho Dr.G has had so many revision patients he has been neglecting his other surgeries.  Of course I'm upset about this and agitated they didn't advise me about this at the time of my inquiry but supposedly he decided this after I was already in the process.  I can understand his decision even tho I'm sad I wasn't sheduled before all this blew up but what can one do???  Unfortunately my insurance approval is only good until 12/14/10 so looks like Tina will need to resubmit again to insurance and I can only hope they approve it again.  I don't know whether I should try to lose weight or just keep steady and don't gain????  Who knows!  So, now I will have to wait 7 more months (hell, I could pop out a kid in that amount of time!) and hope that an opening comes available and not too many people in front of me on the wait list. I looked into other surgeons however neither are in my network so I would be looking at spending almost $20k out of pocket - money I don't have.  So - I wait and wait and wait....I'll continue to research and use my time wisely.  Good things come to those that wait right??? 
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APPROVED!!!!!

Jun 16, 2010

Thank the Lord!!  I got the call from the insurance company on Monday that my DS revision was approved.  My case manager told me the approval is good for 6 months but I'm hoping to have the surgery before December, that's for sure!  Now I am just waiting for the scheduler to call me and give me my date.  I'll post as soon as I know when it is!!!  I just hate waiting.......
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Could it be????

Jun 11, 2010

New update: Letter finally received from transcribing - only 4 weeks later, but hey, we are at their mercy so what can you do?  Tina advised me she is waiting on the insurance company to advise her where to send the clinicals so I have to wait for that....hopefully when she finally submits to insurance I will have a quick approval. I'm very seriousy concerned about the surgery  date.  I've heard for revisions that Dr.G is scheduling in November?!  I can only hope that's not true but if it is then I just have to take that as a lesson to learn in patience. 

I got horrible news last week that my job was eliminated due to a company restructure.   Talk about a whammy!  There is a silver lining tho - along with the restructure they are opening up a different network so that means there is a position open for my level and I should be able to keep the same salary but unfortunately have to return my company car.  Unfortunately due to all the stress I'm eating non-stop and have actually gained weight when I should be losing it.  This isn't making my therapist or myself happy. 

Here's to hoping this next week brings some good news - an insurance approval, a job offer and a new car with a decent car payment.....here's to hoping!!!!!
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Now the wait begins.....

May 18, 2010

FINALLY - Dr.G has all of my pre-op paperwork in!  That's the good news....the bad news is - Dr.G has decided to become very selective in his decision to revise a patient if their BMI is over 50.  I am currently at a BMI of exactly 50 right now.  YIKES!  I'm trying my best to really eat healthy so as I can lose as much weight as possible.  I will do whatever I have to do to lose the weight necessary to have the DS-revision.  I DO NOT want an ERNY!  I want this damn pouch gone!  I so wish I had known about the DS back in 2001. 

So now - I wait, wait,wait for Dr.G to make a decision if he will approve surgery for me. Then if he gives the go ahead, I will have to wait, wait, wait for insurance to approve!  Hurry up and wait is my motto of the last month - hopefully soon I will have all my answers.

Til then - I'm gonna have to suffer thru my impatience and pray for a happy ending! 
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About Me
North Lauderdale, FL
Location
30.7
BMI
Surgery
12/06/2010
Surgery Date
Jul 21, 2001
Member Since

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