Melissa770

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January 10 day 2 post op

Dr. S came in this morning and asked how I was doing.  He said he was willing to release me from the clinic back to the hotel, but he preferred that I stay one more day.  But honestly I wasn't quiet up to the move so I elected to stay.  He had another all day surgery today.   I was feeling pretty good most of the day, until my shower, I don't think the nurse put gauze on the places the Dr lipo suctioned and its very sore.  I asked for a pain pill and Isabell brought one one along with my antibiotic.  She said after dinner she will give me a sleeping pill.     I should be leaving around noon tomorrow.  My friend had to leave for the weekend, but he stocked up the hotel fridge with high protein foods and he washed out my dishes from the clinic to take back with him for me to get food from the breakfast bar. I also asked him to buy lemons to squeeze into hot water, I hear that is good for the swelling.   Dr. S stopped by after 9pm, he had just finished his surgery.  He said he will pick me up and take me to the hotel tomorrow.  

January 9  

My friend spent the night on the couch, he said it was very comfortable, but wished it was a little bigger.  I sent him off to the hotel for breakfast and a proper nap.  

Dr S came in and told me my job for today is to eat lunch then sit on the edge of the bed for 30 minutes, then walk around the room.  He said I could take a shower if I'm up to it.     So I did just as he instructed.  I was able to take a shower,  i was also able to get a good look at my body. I'm very sore from the lipo suction, my back and hips are so bruised they are black, my boobs are swollen my nipples dent in. But I know it will all resolve with time. I was able to get pictures, but there is so much bruising I don't want to scare anyone away.  I do bruise easy so I was expecting it.   The nurse removed my Foley catheter and my IV catheter, I'm now taking my pain meds, antibiotic and anti inflammatory meds by mouth.   I think I'm doing pretty good considering I got out of surgery 24 hours ago.   It's 8pm here and I'm still waiting on dinner, I think the oral meds on an empty stomach was probably not a good decision!   Ialthough I am up and walking with no problem, other than being sore.

Be aware that Breakfast is served between 8 and 10am.  Lunch between 12:30 and 2. Dinner between 7 and 8.  Protein bars are a must.

January 7

Today is the day!  I woke up at 4:30, nervous, excited and ready to go.  I was packed and downstairs waiting in the lobby earlier than I had to be, Mr and Mrs Dr Sauceda picked me up around 8am.  He and his wife escorted me to the clinic waiting room where i sat to wait along with other patients and their families while the Drs were doing their doctor stuff.  About 20 minutes later Dr. S came to get me and introduce me to Cat, he said there was a problem in the surgery room and he would come get me soon, so Cat and I sat and chatted almost an hour before the nurse came in to help her shower.  I went back to the waiting room. At 10:45 a nurse came to get me to start the prep for surgery. I changed into a gown, booties and a hair net.  My nurse was Isabell, very sweet but efficient, she has a beautiful smile.  She placed my IV and talked with me while I waited.  

My surgery ended up being delayed because of a problem with the surgery room, they began my prep at 11am.  I was in the process of being prepped when Dr. S came in and gave me the choice of proceeding with the surgery or waiting until tomorrow morning, that was a little after 12pm, he advised that tomorrow would be better rather than the surgical team becoming fatigued from working into the night. I agreed and he sent me back to the hotel along with Cat who was being released, she looked so great it made me feel much better about my up coming surgery.  

When I got settled back into my hotel room I took a nice nap, and suddenly the door opened and low and behold my friend arrived!!  He had told me he would try to make it, but I had doubts and was afraid to get my hopes up, but I left his name at the front desk just incase.  When he came to the room and opened the door he was a bit startled to see me in the room he thought I would be at the clinic, I didn't have a way to contact him to tell him about the delay.  

Cat, my friend and I went to dinner at the Italian restaurant, it was very good.  Cat looks great and is a great inspiration!  We walked her safely back to her room after dinner, then my friend and I headed to the HEB to pick up a couple of tubes of Vitacelina, oxyclean, and water.   It had been a very long day so I went to bed really early.   

January 8

Today is the day!  This time I promise it is!  I was only allowed a light shower, so I washed my hair and other important parts and just let the water run over my body.  I carefully patted myself dry.  I managed to keep all the marks visible, but I also created a few new ones where the skin on my stomach folded over.  Dr S chuckled over the additional marks.  Once I was back in pre-op he redrew the correct lines.  

My nurse today is Pamela, her English was a little rough, but we made it through everything without a problem.  between her English, hand gestures and all those who blogged in detail about their experiences (THANKS!!) I was able to piece it all together.  Mrs Dr Sauceda placed my IV, it took two times before she could get it placed, Isabell had used my best vein yesterday and it was still a little swollen. It didn't hurt too much.  Pamela gave me the happy pill, then two other nurses escorted me back to the surgery room.    The surgery room was warm, the beta dine was warm, but once the scrub cooled off it was a little chilly.  I carefully climbed onto the table and I was instructed to turn onto my side and pull my knees toward my chest.  Mrs Dr. S gave me something in my IV that stung a little, I glanced at the clock and it was a little after 9am.  She then put a mask over my nose and mouth.... And seconds later I was out.  

Ok, before I go into my surgery details I must tell you that in 1994 I had a C-section with the birth of my son.  The epidural failed.  Initially the anesthesiologist assumed I was just panicking and the pain I felt during the prep was just a small patch but he assured the doctor he could proceed.  Once the doctor and anesthesiologist realized the extent of feeling that I had, which extended to the entire right side of my body from my belly button over it was too late to stop the surgery and they didn't want to risk general anesthesia due to my weight of over 300lbs.  Needless to say I have had many nightmares from that experience and that ended my desire to have more children.  

So, now for my PS surgery details; I woke up a few times during surgery, and I felt a few quick moments of pain, but I was back out quickly. The pain I felt came and went so quick that I hesitate to even mention it.  Mrs Dr S did a beautiful job of managing everything.  So anyone reading this that has not yet had surgery and are afraid of feeling it, please don't be.   The pain was relieved very quickly, Mrs. Dr. S. did a wonderful job at managing it.  

Despite the occasional language barrier, which has been easily figured out so far, I would say that my care thus far has been excellent.  Pati is as nice as everyone says she is.  Dr. S. has been very patient in his care and speaks excellent English.   I woke up from surgery in the recovery room.  My friend came in to sit with me, once I was a little more wake they rolled me to my room.  Once I was settled into my room I sent a few messages to friends and face timed with family. I asked for a sleeping pill and went right to sleep.    I don't regret my decision to come here, and I do think I would have been fine even without my friend, although I'm very glad he did come.        

January 05, 2013

I'm pretty much packed and ready to go.  I bought a gift for Paty, well, more for her daughter, it's a little piggy bank with her daughter's name on the side. I'm really hoping it will survive in my checked luggage.   My best friend is going with me, He is just as excited as I am.  I think it's great having him along to take care of me and to be my advocate should something go wrong, I tend to be a little ditzy at times and he's great at keeping me together.  And he has a way of making even the most boring of times fun.  

Between work and all the stuff I needed to do to prepare to leave and being stressed about the upcoming surgery was beginning to take a serious toll on me, so I took Thursday off work and my daughter and I spent the day at the spa.  It was well worth it!  I also did the wire transfer to Dr. S to pay for my surgery.   

Today I had a few last minute errands to run, including getting my haircut.  Everything was flowing smoothly until I received a text from y friend telling me he didn't think he could go.  Seriously??!!?? Less than 24 hours from departure and he tells me this??   I called my mother to tell her the news, she broke down crying on the phone.  She didn't want me going to Mexico, but she felt more secure with my friend going. She was really upset.  My daughter stayed up all night crying and begging to go with me.  It was a sleepless night.  

January 06, 2013

After a very terrible night I managed to pull myself together and totally repacked.  I managed to get everything into two carryons, one I checked and the other I carried on board as well as Paty's gift.  I even managed to cram my favorite pillow into my small checked bag. Strangely I think the pillow helped to give me a little comfort in going alone.  

Off to the airport, I was first to arrive at the gate.  I did a last minute check of email, OH messages and texts.  The flight itself was uneventful.  When I landed I discovered all the signs are in Spanish, but it's easy enough to figure out where to go and what to do.  Going through immigration was slow, they do stamp your passport and slide in a white card.  Thanks to Dee I know to keep the card in my passport, (THANKS DEE!!) apparently that card is your temporary visa which details information about you and how long our are expected to be in Mexico and why you are here.   When you go through customs you have to place all bags on the X-ray machine, once you items pass through and you gather them you have to press a red button, if the button turns green you go, if it turns red you have to go through extra screening.  I was green, yippie!!!

Dr. Sauceda's driver was waiting right outside customs holding a sign with my name on it.  He was very quiet and seemed shy, he apologized and told me he does not speak English. I told him it was ok because I don't speak Spanish.  He picked me up in a Lexus, and he drove very fast, weaving in and out of traffic.  It was all good, I have a theory:  accidents happen on the road, so the faster you go the less time you spend on the road and that reduces the likelihood of an accident...... Right? Once I arrived at the hotel the driver checked me in, while I was waiting Dr. S called and the hotel clerk handed me the phone,  it really is perfectly orchestrated.  He told me he would pick me up between 6:30 to 7 and to shower before.   I got settled into my room, it's nothing special, it's a typical hampton inn.  Not as "nice" as some I've been in, but clean and comfortable.  I was able to connect to wireless and face time with my kids, I sent out a few emails and messages.  I still had a few hours so I took a quick nap.  I woke up and showered with Dial antibacterial soap (THANKS CHRIS!!). Maybe it's not needed, but it made me feel like I was in some way preparing myself a little more for the big event!  I wore a sundress with a sweater and brown muk luk house shoes that went up to my knees, my thought was if I have to stand completely nakkid at least I can wear the warm cozy knee high house shoes, after all it's covering the only part of my body that he doesn't have to touch..... I waited in the lobby for Dr. S. he arrived promptly at 7.  I recognized him the moment he walked in.  What everyone says about him is so true.  I felt immediately comfortable with him.  We drove to the parking deck of his office building, the level we parked on was completely empty, but when we walked inside the lobby area was very busy. We rode up to his office in the elevator, all the offices were closed and dark.  He unlocked his door and I waited in the waiting room for about 20 minutes while he did some work.  I took advantage of the time and was able to send my daughter a few messages.   Dr. Sauceda and I went over my paperwork and medical history, then went into the exam room where he told me to take off everything but panties and put on a robe with the open part to the front, he said to call him when I was ready.  I did as instructed.  When he walked in he said to take off the robe.....  I also took off my house shoes, he didn't seem impressed with them and at that moment they were more annoying than they were comforting.   I won't go into too much detail, but the markup was exciting, he starts in a specific area and measures placing his lines, you have to stand, lay down, stand, turn, raise arms, lower arms, etc.   Once he is satisfied he had me stand in front of the mirror and he showed me where he would cut, what he would remove and what outcome he was hoping to achieve.  He is very honest and direct in what he feels he can do, he says the rest is up to our bodies, first in how we are put together and the tissue he will be working with, second in how we heal.  He said everyone's skin is different and even our skin can be different from one part of our body to another.  One persons results will not be another's because we are all different from each other, even though we have the exact same procedure the results can drastically vary.  The toughest part of the whole evening was deciding whether to add breast augmentation in addition to the lift.  In the end I opted for small implants to give the upper pole a little more fullness which a lift alone would not do.  He said he would probably use 250cc implants.

Arms, butt, tummy, abdomen, hips, breasts.... All marked and ready to go!!   He ok'd me to take a Tylenol PM to help me sleep, but nothing past midnight, even water.  I took the PM and was asleep quick, but not before taking a few photos from my markup.

So... I'm sitting here staring at my calendar, counting the day, recounting the day, then counting again.  I'm obsessed.  It's crazy because I don't even need to count the days, I have been mentally ticking them off every night before going to sleep and every morning when waking up.  26 days until I leave for Monterrey and meet Dr S.  and 27 days until I wake up from my surgery.

let me give you the backstory.  When I first started my journey on OH years ago I chronicled the days leading up to my RNY and the year that followed.  All that was lost after OH upgraded (I'm assuming).  While I can't go back and capture the thoughts and emotions I was going through at those moments, I can tell you that like many others here, my life changed!!  Oh how it changed!!

 I had an open RNY with Dr. Paul Macik on February 12, 2002.  My highest weight had been over 300lbs.  I was 267 the morning of my surgery.  Over  the following months I lost 105lbs.  Life was good.  I bought my own home, I started doing things with my kids, I started DATING!!!  When seeing friends or family for the first time since surgery it felt so good to have them tell me how great I looked and how beautiful I was, before it was always "You have such a pretty face".  

So, everything was perfect... Right??  Well, not quite, not on the inside.  I still had demons.

Suddenly I was the center of attention with men.  I had no idea what to do with that, or how to react.  Because I was still so self conscious of my body I would just smile and shy away. I  had a lot of first and second dates, but it was really hard for me to allow anyone to get too close physically.  I became hyper aware of the excess skin I was carrying around. When I would look at pictures of me I could see the flabby arms and the "apron roll".  When I looked in the mirror all I could see was the gross disfigurement from the abuse I put my body through.

Physically I felt great, so great I forgot to take my vitamins and as a result in 2007 I ended up in the hospital having to have two blood transfusions and an iron infusion.  That was the beginning of my downward spiral.  Not long after being hospitalized we got a new manager at work and what a pompous ass he turned out to be.  The stress from work, the depression from excess skin and the lack of energy from anemia all added up to weight gain.  I slowly gained over 50 lbs over the next 5 years, that's half my initial weight loss!!!  I knew I needed help, but wasn't sure where to turn.  It had been YEARS since I attended a support group meeting. Then... I received an email from OH advertising the 2012 OH convention in Atlanta in October... The convention was book at a hotel literally across the street from my office building.  I booked the conference and hotel room for the weekend so I could fully participate in the seminars.  I signed up for "Back on Track" class in ATL that started the following week. I also received a consultation with a plastic surgeon from Tijuana.  

And so my next phase began.  I faithfully attended the Back on Track classes, which reminded me exactly why I had the surgery to begin with.  With the encouragement of other members of the class I was motivated to start taking Zumba classes (fun!), And the get back to the basics of what I should have been doing all along.  Since October (2 months ago) I've managed to lose 22 lbs so far!! Yippie!!  I am hoping to lose another 10 lbs before I have plastic surgery with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico on January 7th.  Wish me luck!!