MelissaF
5/5/09 1 Week Postop LBL
May 05, 2009
Hi Everyone!
Ok, so I had my LBL on 4/28/09. Surgery was 7 hours and spend 2.5 hours in recovery. I had major chills in recovery and had to have a bear hugger placed on me to warm me up. I just could not get warm. I remember the pain from shivering so violently but luckily I was heavily drugged so I don't remember too much about it. The first 36 hours was rough, I will not lie. I ended up staying two nights in the hospital due to fever and nausea and pain. I always get nausea with anesthesia. They gave me propholactic antiemetics but to no avail, I got heaves. I only do this when I get up. I suspect b/c I am somewhat dehydrated and well just the anethesia itself. So once I pushed fluids it helped a lot. I think my blood pressure was getting orthostatic when I stood up (dropped low) also b/c of low volume (dehydration). I also had a hard time coughing due to pain and the tightness of the binder so I think I had some fluid in my lungs causing me the fever and of course the dehydration again I am sure contributed. So with that said, I stayed two nights in the hospital. I am glad though, I just wasn't ready to go home the first postop day.
Doc told my parents and husband that he was ecstatic with my outcome, he didn't have to make any additional outter incisions on my lateral sides that he spoke of just internal to sever the fibrous tissues. I sitll have a bit of a roll there but I am ok with that. The abdomen looks PHENMONENAL. He removed 7 lbs of skin. I really didn't have any fat and skin weighs nothing so when you think of it.. thats a lot of skin. He said he took some pics, so I am ancy to get my hands on those!! I will post them when I get them. I did post 1 week out pictures for those of you who are my friends. You have to be a friend to view them. If you request, I will add you if you aren't too freaky :P hehe.
I did receive some IV valium on day two to release the muscle pain, I really needed it. After that, I was a new woman. I was able to get myself out of bed and have been doing great ever since. I am so happy!
My pain really miminal! I would do this again in heart beat. The postop nausea and intial pain was the worst part and oh.. I did get some reaction to the tape they used on the intial OR dressings.. it blistered and the skin is raw so I am having to use silvadene cream on those twice a day. They hurt and my incisions do not.. go figure! I still can't sit upright in a chair without feeling pulling. So I mainly sleep or lay on the couch with 3 pillows behind me and one pillow under the knees. I can't roll on my side yet either of course. I am sleeping pretty good. I am weaning off the roxicet and going to plain tylenol and he did give my a script for a very small dose of valium if i need it. I have taken it a few times but only try to when I need it.
The binder I have to wear is supposed to be worn for 3 months for best results. It actually isn't too bad. It is crotchless.. nice eh? sexy!! so no need to remove to do any bodily functions, which is nice. I do have two so I can launder one while I am wearing the other. BIGGEST TIP! Get mens "wife beater" t-shirts... and in the smallest size without being overly tight. This keep it from scratching and keeps the dressings in place, its amazing the difference in comfort. GET THEM GET THEM GET THEM! I also have a toilet seat riser and it has helped tremendously. The recliner, well for some reason I just prefer the couch with pillows.
I had 4 drains and two OnQ pain pumps providing lidocaine for pain relief at incisions and also where he went up under the skin to sever those firbous areas causing the rolls on my adjacent side. It helped a lot. I took those out myself on Friday when they ran empty. No big deal. So just 4 JP drains left. One in each hip and one in each labia.... yeah you heard me right labia.. u can see it in my pics. I didn't want to cover it up in my pic b/c I want ppl to know what they are getting into. I left it in its full glory so hopefully you aren't offended. I am a nurse so this sort of stuff just doesn't phase me. I have had hardly any drainage out of these things since surgery which is bizarre b/c most previously obese ppl have more drainge than the average plastic surgery patient who hasn't been obese. I was supposed to possible have some removed on the 11th (monday) but b/c I have had such little drainage they said I could come in tomorrow and have them looked at and possible ALL removed. Glorious! I hope so.. I can shower once he removes them all. I haven't had a shower in a week, would be nice! Aaron, my husband, has been washing my hair and helping me with those sorts of things. I just love him. I know he loves me for who I am and he really has been there for me through thick and thin, ugly or not.. the man just loves me. I am so very lucky! For those of you who don't know, he also had RNY 8 years ago, I met him when he was 7 months postop. It has been a blessing to share this common bond with him. However he isn't a dumper and he doesn't get low blood sugar etc, so we do have different journies but still, its nice to share this commonality.
Well I think that is it for now. I will update as I progress and plan to take weekly pictures to see my progress. I did try on my preop jeans today... even swollen they are baggy! OMG! amazing!!!!!! This is just incredible, somebody pinch me! I went in weighing 144, came out 146.5 (swelling) and now 138. Wow.. wow...wow.
I will update more later! Thanks for keeping up with my journey!!! This has been such a fun ride!
2 comments
Ok, so I had my LBL on 4/28/09. Surgery was 7 hours and spend 2.5 hours in recovery. I had major chills in recovery and had to have a bear hugger placed on me to warm me up. I just could not get warm. I remember the pain from shivering so violently but luckily I was heavily drugged so I don't remember too much about it. The first 36 hours was rough, I will not lie. I ended up staying two nights in the hospital due to fever and nausea and pain. I always get nausea with anesthesia. They gave me propholactic antiemetics but to no avail, I got heaves. I only do this when I get up. I suspect b/c I am somewhat dehydrated and well just the anethesia itself. So once I pushed fluids it helped a lot. I think my blood pressure was getting orthostatic when I stood up (dropped low) also b/c of low volume (dehydration). I also had a hard time coughing due to pain and the tightness of the binder so I think I had some fluid in my lungs causing me the fever and of course the dehydration again I am sure contributed. So with that said, I stayed two nights in the hospital. I am glad though, I just wasn't ready to go home the first postop day.
Doc told my parents and husband that he was ecstatic with my outcome, he didn't have to make any additional outter incisions on my lateral sides that he spoke of just internal to sever the fibrous tissues. I sitll have a bit of a roll there but I am ok with that. The abdomen looks PHENMONENAL. He removed 7 lbs of skin. I really didn't have any fat and skin weighs nothing so when you think of it.. thats a lot of skin. He said he took some pics, so I am ancy to get my hands on those!! I will post them when I get them. I did post 1 week out pictures for those of you who are my friends. You have to be a friend to view them. If you request, I will add you if you aren't too freaky :P hehe.
I did receive some IV valium on day two to release the muscle pain, I really needed it. After that, I was a new woman. I was able to get myself out of bed and have been doing great ever since. I am so happy!
My pain really miminal! I would do this again in heart beat. The postop nausea and intial pain was the worst part and oh.. I did get some reaction to the tape they used on the intial OR dressings.. it blistered and the skin is raw so I am having to use silvadene cream on those twice a day. They hurt and my incisions do not.. go figure! I still can't sit upright in a chair without feeling pulling. So I mainly sleep or lay on the couch with 3 pillows behind me and one pillow under the knees. I can't roll on my side yet either of course. I am sleeping pretty good. I am weaning off the roxicet and going to plain tylenol and he did give my a script for a very small dose of valium if i need it. I have taken it a few times but only try to when I need it.
The binder I have to wear is supposed to be worn for 3 months for best results. It actually isn't too bad. It is crotchless.. nice eh? sexy!! so no need to remove to do any bodily functions, which is nice. I do have two so I can launder one while I am wearing the other. BIGGEST TIP! Get mens "wife beater" t-shirts... and in the smallest size without being overly tight. This keep it from scratching and keeps the dressings in place, its amazing the difference in comfort. GET THEM GET THEM GET THEM! I also have a toilet seat riser and it has helped tremendously. The recliner, well for some reason I just prefer the couch with pillows.
I had 4 drains and two OnQ pain pumps providing lidocaine for pain relief at incisions and also where he went up under the skin to sever those firbous areas causing the rolls on my adjacent side. It helped a lot. I took those out myself on Friday when they ran empty. No big deal. So just 4 JP drains left. One in each hip and one in each labia.... yeah you heard me right labia.. u can see it in my pics. I didn't want to cover it up in my pic b/c I want ppl to know what they are getting into. I left it in its full glory so hopefully you aren't offended. I am a nurse so this sort of stuff just doesn't phase me. I have had hardly any drainage out of these things since surgery which is bizarre b/c most previously obese ppl have more drainge than the average plastic surgery patient who hasn't been obese. I was supposed to possible have some removed on the 11th (monday) but b/c I have had such little drainage they said I could come in tomorrow and have them looked at and possible ALL removed. Glorious! I hope so.. I can shower once he removes them all. I haven't had a shower in a week, would be nice! Aaron, my husband, has been washing my hair and helping me with those sorts of things. I just love him. I know he loves me for who I am and he really has been there for me through thick and thin, ugly or not.. the man just loves me. I am so very lucky! For those of you who don't know, he also had RNY 8 years ago, I met him when he was 7 months postop. It has been a blessing to share this common bond with him. However he isn't a dumper and he doesn't get low blood sugar etc, so we do have different journies but still, its nice to share this commonality.
Well I think that is it for now. I will update as I progress and plan to take weekly pictures to see my progress. I did try on my preop jeans today... even swollen they are baggy! OMG! amazing!!!!!! This is just incredible, somebody pinch me! I went in weighing 144, came out 146.5 (swelling) and now 138. Wow.. wow...wow.
I will update more later! Thanks for keeping up with my journey!!! This has been such a fun ride!
4/22/09 - Less than one week until PS (LBL)
Apr 21, 2009
Hello Everyone!
As I sit here and type this, I think about how my body is going to change in less than a week after my LBL is completed. I can hardly wait to get the "flub" removed. Over my better judgement, I decided to post preop pictures
. I did this for a couple of reasons. 1) Many shared their pictures with me preoperatively and I know it wasn't easy for them just as it isn't easy for me. 2) I want to watch my progress and pictures are the best way to view our changes and trends - found this out with taking monthly pics with my RNY and 3) to answer everyone's question as to why in the world I am persuing such a major surgery when it really isn't needed. UH yes it is. I hide it very well under clothing. A good supportive tank under your shirts, padded bra and right fit in jeans is all you really need. Take those items off and well its a mess. I am very excited that my husband is supporting my deicision to have this done as it wasn't cheap, over 10k out of our own pockets. I was going to just have the TT but my surgeon tells me I really need the kit and kaboodle to be the most satisfied. I trust his judgement. I take care of many of his pts postoperatively and I know how meticulous he is and how he truly cares for their well-being. That said, hes the expert.
So if you are my friend on OH you can view my preop plastic photos, viewer beware.. they are quite graphic. My friend Shira (thanks Shira) has quite the sense of humor and added "coverings" to my girl parts.. she chose a wrinkled sharpai.. now isn't that a hoot? She's fabulous! LOL.
So I would say enjoy but they are far from enjoyable in my eyes... but at the same time I look at those photos and think, wow,.. I have come a long way baby!
I will post again when I am on the other side... until then.. thanks for keeping up with my journey!
16 comments
As I sit here and type this, I think about how my body is going to change in less than a week after my LBL is completed. I can hardly wait to get the "flub" removed. Over my better judgement, I decided to post preop pictures
. I did this for a couple of reasons. 1) Many shared their pictures with me preoperatively and I know it wasn't easy for them just as it isn't easy for me. 2) I want to watch my progress and pictures are the best way to view our changes and trends - found this out with taking monthly pics with my RNY and 3) to answer everyone's question as to why in the world I am persuing such a major surgery when it really isn't needed. UH yes it is. I hide it very well under clothing. A good supportive tank under your shirts, padded bra and right fit in jeans is all you really need. Take those items off and well its a mess. I am very excited that my husband is supporting my deicision to have this done as it wasn't cheap, over 10k out of our own pockets. I was going to just have the TT but my surgeon tells me I really need the kit and kaboodle to be the most satisfied. I trust his judgement. I take care of many of his pts postoperatively and I know how meticulous he is and how he truly cares for their well-being. That said, hes the expert. So if you are my friend on OH you can view my preop plastic photos, viewer beware.. they are quite graphic. My friend Shira (thanks Shira) has quite the sense of humor and added "coverings" to my girl parts.. she chose a wrinkled sharpai.. now isn't that a hoot? She's fabulous! LOL.
So I would say enjoy but they are far from enjoyable in my eyes... but at the same time I look at those photos and think, wow,.. I have come a long way baby!
I will post again when I am on the other side... until then.. thanks for keeping up with my journey!
3/16/09 - LBL Scheduled 4/28/09!!!
Mar 16, 2009
Yep, that is right, I am having my lower body lift April 28th, 2009 with Dr. Rene Recinos with Mason City Plastics. I am uber excited and a bit nervous too of course. I have worked hard saving up over 200 hours of PTO and a lot of moola to make this happen. I am fortunate that I have a husband that understands my experience with this journey as he too has had RNY 8 years ago this may! Talk about a veteran! He has went to every consult and been by my side every step of the way. I LOVE MY ROCK OF A HUSBAND!
After meeting with my surgeon I realized that my body is far from textbook for plastics unlike my RNY which was very textbook. I have adherant places along my torso creating several rolls of melted skin. Those places are connected with fibrous tissue and he will have to go under my skin and sever that tissue all the way up from my hips to my breasts on my lateral sides. He will also do the normal circumfrential cut for a LBL but will have to make additional cuts on my hips, lower sides going vertically. I will have 4 drains and be off work for 6 weeks. I bit afraid of the pain but I know I need to go through this so I do not look like a 32 year old in a 80 year old's body. I have worked very hard to get this far and ready to complete my amazing journey!!
I will keep you posted on my recovery and thanks for letting me share my excitement about the next phase of this incredible experience of a lifetime!
*HUGS*
3 comments
After meeting with my surgeon I realized that my body is far from textbook for plastics unlike my RNY which was very textbook. I have adherant places along my torso creating several rolls of melted skin. Those places are connected with fibrous tissue and he will have to go under my skin and sever that tissue all the way up from my hips to my breasts on my lateral sides. He will also do the normal circumfrential cut for a LBL but will have to make additional cuts on my hips, lower sides going vertically. I will have 4 drains and be off work for 6 weeks. I bit afraid of the pain but I know I need to go through this so I do not look like a 32 year old in a 80 year old's body. I have worked very hard to get this far and ready to complete my amazing journey!!
I will keep you posted on my recovery and thanks for letting me share my excitement about the next phase of this incredible experience of a lifetime!
*HUGS*
2/28/09 Approved!!!
Feb 28, 2009
Hi Everyone!! Hope everyone is well! Just checking in to provide a bit of an update!
After battling with my insurance company since October I found out I was approved for a panni removal!
I am going to go forth and have a lower body lift however and see my surgeon on March 11th to discuss details and options etc. I may even have some breast work done not sure as of yet. I know he will not exceed 6 hours of OR time so LBL for sure and if there is any time he may do some additional. I am just so excited! I am hoping to have the surgery the mid to end of April!!!
My dentist, who is also a fellow RNY patient that I met at my support group a couple years ago, is also working on my teeth and I am in the process of bleaching and will get some low prep veneers put on also soon. I am going to have an awesome smile here soon as well!! I am so excited. Not that my smile was bad before but I needed some adjustment to my teeth anyhow.
My friend Britt and I are doing an online support group here on OH and we are very excited about it. She has completed her OH Support Group Leader training and I will soon after April myself. Right now we are just getting our group going and we are ecstatic about it!! Thanks Britt for asking me to be a partner with your group, you rock!! I love this girl so much!!!
Other than that, we just got back from Vegas! My husband surprised me with a trip there for Valentines day and belated 30th bday present for him and 5 year anniversary present for us! It was a blast. We saw a show each night!!! We stayed at the stratosphere on the north end of the strip so we did do a lot of walking which was good considering the food there was WAY too good and this girl overindulged way too much. As much as it is nice to go away its good to come home though and get back to your routine.
Spring is around the corner and I cannot wait, it has been a long winter. It was nice to the 70's for a while in Vegas however! It was fabulous and just the breat we needed!!!
I will post more about my plastics when I have more info after the 11th of March when I see my surgeon. Thanks for checking in with me!!
I still can't believe the changes my RNY has given me... I thank God for every oppourtunity he has given me to live my life again with this amazing surgery and all the blessings that go along with it. Thank you to all my friends who have been there with me every step of the way and supported me also. What a journey this has been!
3 comments
After battling with my insurance company since October I found out I was approved for a panni removal!
I am going to go forth and have a lower body lift however and see my surgeon on March 11th to discuss details and options etc. I may even have some breast work done not sure as of yet. I know he will not exceed 6 hours of OR time so LBL for sure and if there is any time he may do some additional. I am just so excited! I am hoping to have the surgery the mid to end of April!!! My dentist, who is also a fellow RNY patient that I met at my support group a couple years ago, is also working on my teeth and I am in the process of bleaching and will get some low prep veneers put on also soon. I am going to have an awesome smile here soon as well!! I am so excited. Not that my smile was bad before but I needed some adjustment to my teeth anyhow.
My friend Britt and I are doing an online support group here on OH and we are very excited about it. She has completed her OH Support Group Leader training and I will soon after April myself. Right now we are just getting our group going and we are ecstatic about it!! Thanks Britt for asking me to be a partner with your group, you rock!! I love this girl so much!!!
Other than that, we just got back from Vegas! My husband surprised me with a trip there for Valentines day and belated 30th bday present for him and 5 year anniversary present for us! It was a blast. We saw a show each night!!! We stayed at the stratosphere on the north end of the strip so we did do a lot of walking which was good considering the food there was WAY too good and this girl overindulged way too much. As much as it is nice to go away its good to come home though and get back to your routine.
Spring is around the corner and I cannot wait, it has been a long winter. It was nice to the 70's for a while in Vegas however! It was fabulous and just the breat we needed!!!
I will post more about my plastics when I have more info after the 11th of March when I see my surgeon. Thanks for checking in with me!!
I still can't believe the changes my RNY has given me... I thank God for every oppourtunity he has given me to live my life again with this amazing surgery and all the blessings that go along with it. Thank you to all my friends who have been there with me every step of the way and supported me also. What a journey this has been!
1/30/09 2 year follow up
Jan 30, 2009
Hi Gang!
So what's going on with me.....
1) Had my 2 year follow up with my surgeon and labs are STELLAR! Many have asked my vitamin regimen so I will post it below:
First thing in the AM: Synthroid.
Before Breakfast: 2 chewable flinstone, 1250mcg of sublingual b12, 100mg Thiamine (b1), 400mg magnesium, 800mcg folic acid, 5,000 units dry vitamin D3, 500mg L-lysine (I take this to prevent cold sores) and 500mg calcium citrate with Vit D.
After Lunch: bariatric advantage calcium lozenge with D
Afrer Dinner: bariatric advantage clacium lozenge with D
Evening: Bariatric advantage calcium lozenge with D
After Dinner: 27mg iron gluconate (no tea, coffee, dairy foods, calcium supplments within 2 hours before or after) with 500mg of vitamin C to aid absorption and a plain colace for bowels.
2) I was 145.6 on the scale clothed and was 140 clothed last year. NOT BAD if I do say so myself. I was excited. It hasn't been an easy past year learning WHY i eat and having to feel emotions I have never felt before as I always ate myself through it. I still try to do this at times but I have learned to do other things. Winter is hard b/c I can't go outside here. Northern Iowa is WAY cold and LOTS of snow. Very hard sometimes, looking forward to spring! I plan to run a couple more 5ks! All comorbidities are still resolved, life is great. I never take the tool for granted as I know weight gain is easy at this point in my journey. I can eat a lot more now.. gotta be careful and mindful.
Otherwise, life is good. I had to resubmit to insurance for my plastics.. hoping for an LBL and would love if they would pay the panni portion. They said they needed 3 more months of documenation. I just finished that and resubmitting so we will see. Doc says I have 10-15 lbs of excess skin overall. So I am just trying to maintain my weight where it is at for now.
Hope everyone is good! Thanks for checking in with me.. see you next time!
8 comments
So what's going on with me.....
1) Had my 2 year follow up with my surgeon and labs are STELLAR! Many have asked my vitamin regimen so I will post it below:
First thing in the AM: Synthroid.
Before Breakfast: 2 chewable flinstone, 1250mcg of sublingual b12, 100mg Thiamine (b1), 400mg magnesium, 800mcg folic acid, 5,000 units dry vitamin D3, 500mg L-lysine (I take this to prevent cold sores) and 500mg calcium citrate with Vit D.
After Lunch: bariatric advantage calcium lozenge with D
Afrer Dinner: bariatric advantage clacium lozenge with D
Evening: Bariatric advantage calcium lozenge with D
After Dinner: 27mg iron gluconate (no tea, coffee, dairy foods, calcium supplments within 2 hours before or after) with 500mg of vitamin C to aid absorption and a plain colace for bowels.
2) I was 145.6 on the scale clothed and was 140 clothed last year. NOT BAD if I do say so myself. I was excited. It hasn't been an easy past year learning WHY i eat and having to feel emotions I have never felt before as I always ate myself through it. I still try to do this at times but I have learned to do other things. Winter is hard b/c I can't go outside here. Northern Iowa is WAY cold and LOTS of snow. Very hard sometimes, looking forward to spring! I plan to run a couple more 5ks! All comorbidities are still resolved, life is great. I never take the tool for granted as I know weight gain is easy at this point in my journey. I can eat a lot more now.. gotta be careful and mindful.
Otherwise, life is good. I had to resubmit to insurance for my plastics.. hoping for an LBL and would love if they would pay the panni portion. They said they needed 3 more months of documenation. I just finished that and resubmitting so we will see. Doc says I have 10-15 lbs of excess skin overall. So I am just trying to maintain my weight where it is at for now.
Hope everyone is good! Thanks for checking in with me.. see you next time!
12/4/08 Two Years Today!
Dec 04, 2008
Hi Everyone!
I know I don't post often on here anymore. Life is sure busy for me! I am really enjoying my life now and loving every minute of being healthy! I cannot believe it has been two years since my surgery as of today. Where does the time go? The journey is full of ups and downs but in the end I would do it again in a heartbeat to get the quality of life that I have.
The upsides: Being able to shop anywhere I want and fit into trendy clothes, no longer having diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress inctoninence, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, being winded when I walk or not being able to breath when I laid flat in bed b/c of the weight pressing down on my chest, not worrying I won't wake up in the morning as I might just die in my sleep (not kidding, I had this fear). Being able to run! I love to run now. I have done 2 5k races and plan to do more in the spring. Being able to lead a local support group. Being chosed to be the bariatric coordinator of my hospital (I had to step down due to wanting to start a family soon and too much time involved). Having an almost 7 year postop at my side each and every day (my rock.. my husband - I love you!)
The downside: I dump like a truck on sugar, I have reactive hypoglycemia really pretty darn bad. I crave carbs like big time when I get to in over my head with them and play a huge blood sugar roller coaster game and want more and more like a crack addict so I have to limit them and will always have to. It keeps me in check so I am not so sure its really a "downside" as it is a blessing.
As far as any updates...my husband and I are in the process of looking into adoption for kids and me going forth with plastic surgery. I am weighing anywhere from 140-145 most of the time. I wear size 4 in jeans and 6 in dress slacks. I am a medium top. My top weight was 328 preop and got down to 280 on surgery day. I got to goal in 11 months at 140 lbs. 133 was my lowest and I realized that is too small b/c after I saw the plastic surgeon I was told I have 10-15 lbs of excess skin so my goal is to just maintain where I am at. He wants me to have a LBL, breast implants and lift and arms done (im debating that one). I needed more documentation before insurance would cover the pani portion so I will resubmit in January. They will cover the panni portion and I will be responsible for the rest. I just want to finish the process and keep moving forward with life.
I can't thank all of you enough for the support over the years. I have been on this board a very long time and would not have been as successful as I am now. I do lurk some but for the most part I am just enjoying my life and do bop my head in from time to time. This journey is very much a mental process more than it is a physical one. I have struggled with family dynamics changing and even lost some friends along the way but gained others. It hasn't been an easy ride mentally for me especially from 1 year to 18 months out. The past 6 months have been a lot better but I have reached out and received help. I encourage you to do this if you need it. Our postop coping mechanisms come back into play a lot. I was a binge eater preop and I continue to struggle with the desire to want to do this even as a postop. We are now left to feel our feelings or transfer addict to something else. I encourage you to explore your preop demons and understand why they continue to want to come into play postop because surgery did not fix our brains. Transfer addictions are real and happen to more people postop than even like to admit to it. I know from being a support group leader. Being aware of its possibility and learning to cope with stress in more healthy ways is the hardest part for many. Just learning to live postop is the biggest change for me personally, not the pouch or the surgery itself. If we can overcome that, we have no choice but to continue to be successful.
Thanks again!
I know I don't post often on here anymore. Life is sure busy for me! I am really enjoying my life now and loving every minute of being healthy! I cannot believe it has been two years since my surgery as of today. Where does the time go? The journey is full of ups and downs but in the end I would do it again in a heartbeat to get the quality of life that I have.
The upsides: Being able to shop anywhere I want and fit into trendy clothes, no longer having diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress inctoninence, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, being winded when I walk or not being able to breath when I laid flat in bed b/c of the weight pressing down on my chest, not worrying I won't wake up in the morning as I might just die in my sleep (not kidding, I had this fear). Being able to run! I love to run now. I have done 2 5k races and plan to do more in the spring. Being able to lead a local support group. Being chosed to be the bariatric coordinator of my hospital (I had to step down due to wanting to start a family soon and too much time involved). Having an almost 7 year postop at my side each and every day (my rock.. my husband - I love you!)
The downside: I dump like a truck on sugar, I have reactive hypoglycemia really pretty darn bad. I crave carbs like big time when I get to in over my head with them and play a huge blood sugar roller coaster game and want more and more like a crack addict so I have to limit them and will always have to. It keeps me in check so I am not so sure its really a "downside" as it is a blessing.
As far as any updates...my husband and I are in the process of looking into adoption for kids and me going forth with plastic surgery. I am weighing anywhere from 140-145 most of the time. I wear size 4 in jeans and 6 in dress slacks. I am a medium top. My top weight was 328 preop and got down to 280 on surgery day. I got to goal in 11 months at 140 lbs. 133 was my lowest and I realized that is too small b/c after I saw the plastic surgeon I was told I have 10-15 lbs of excess skin so my goal is to just maintain where I am at. He wants me to have a LBL, breast implants and lift and arms done (im debating that one). I needed more documentation before insurance would cover the pani portion so I will resubmit in January. They will cover the panni portion and I will be responsible for the rest. I just want to finish the process and keep moving forward with life.
I can't thank all of you enough for the support over the years. I have been on this board a very long time and would not have been as successful as I am now. I do lurk some but for the most part I am just enjoying my life and do bop my head in from time to time. This journey is very much a mental process more than it is a physical one. I have struggled with family dynamics changing and even lost some friends along the way but gained others. It hasn't been an easy ride mentally for me especially from 1 year to 18 months out. The past 6 months have been a lot better but I have reached out and received help. I encourage you to do this if you need it. Our postop coping mechanisms come back into play a lot. I was a binge eater preop and I continue to struggle with the desire to want to do this even as a postop. We are now left to feel our feelings or transfer addict to something else. I encourage you to explore your preop demons and understand why they continue to want to come into play postop because surgery did not fix our brains. Transfer addictions are real and happen to more people postop than even like to admit to it. I know from being a support group leader. Being aware of its possibility and learning to cope with stress in more healthy ways is the hardest part for many. Just learning to live postop is the biggest change for me personally, not the pouch or the surgery itself. If we can overcome that, we have no choice but to continue to be successful.
Thanks again!
Change of Plans
Oct 09, 2008
10/9/08 Well after going to my new job a few times I realized that this job has big shoes to fill, bigger than I can deal with right now. I am wanting to start a family sometimes soon and because my family does not live here in Iowa and I have to travel several hours to see them, this job isn't feasible for me. There are other reasons too but mainly its for my lifestyle that I chose to step down as Bariatric Coordinator. I was very humbled they chose me for the position and maybe I will have some connection with the program at a later date but for now I am keeping my weekend job and I feel blessed I was able to have it back. My boss was very understanding as were the ladies that hired me into the new job. I will miss working with some of them, especially the ladies at the clnic, Dr V's wife and the nrsg supervisor who I got close to in a short period of time but they were very understanding for my reasons for leaving. I hope nothing but the best for the program and I remain excited that its availble ot the people of north Iowa and want nothing but success for them. I hope they find the right fit, I just wasn't that person and I am ok with that. That is about it for now, my parents are coming next week and I am excited for that to happen! Been a while since they have been here. Milo, my new puppy is growing like a weed, hes so dang cute and has me wrapped around his little paw lol. Until next time...
Started My New Job!
Oct 03, 2008
10/3/08 I started my new job as Bariatric Coordinator! It is going to be a challenge as I will have a lot on my plate starting this program from the ground up. I have a lot of very wonderful people that are working with me though in this process so I feel blessed in that regard. It is going to be very busy for me the next couple of years as we are going for Center of Excellence for our bariatric program. There is a A LOT to this everyone, so know if you are having your surgery with a "center" that you are in GOOD hands! Husband and I were going to start looking at starting a family but because I took this job that has to be put on hold a bit. We are still open to the adoption process but again, time will tell with all of that. I would love to be able to do both but it doesn't look feasible at this point in time. I am pretty sure I will be putting in a lot of overtime at my job in order to make things happen, but I really don't mind. I love knowing that I involved in something so wonderfully awesome for the people of North Iowa! For now I am working at my previous job and new job as I have to give a 2 month notice. It makes it a bit hectic being that I work nights at one and days with the other but they are working together nicely to see that I transition over in the best possible way, for that I am fortunate. Hope all of you had a terrific summer and my favorite season is now upon us.. FALL! I have loved going sweater shopping! I have gotten all new clothes for my new position and loving every minute of it shopping. Still awes me when I can put on a 4 and they are baggy on me (some brands anyways). I am maintaining my weight around my orginal goal weight just fine, 140 lbs. I like where I am at. I have 10-15 lbs of loose skin according to the plastic surgeon so I am just going to focus on maintaining around 140ish. Life is so good. Be blessed everyone! I know I am.
Wowza!
Sep 28, 2008
9/28/08 I found on Friday that I am going to be the new Bariatric Coordinator for my hospital. I cannot tell you how super excited I am about this career move! This is a new program so I will have to build it from the ground up and their goal is to achieve Center of Excellence. I am so pumped and ready for the challenge. God is good, life is good.. RNY has given me so many blessings in my life, more than my wildest dreams could ever imagine. What a gift!
Long Overdue Update
Sep 20, 2008
9/20/08 Hello Everyone!
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. Life sure gets busy after RNY! So let me bring you up to speed on everything that is going on in my life. My husband and I went on vacation and had a blast this past summer. I was able to so many things I have missed out on before in my life as an obese person. I got to ride go karts, go to the beach without a coverup (wow) and just be so active, it felt awesome!
I am still working as a nurse on a skilled/rehab unit however recently our hospital decided they are going to launch a bariatric program! They have talked about it off and on for the past few years and decided to put it off for a while back when Des Moines was having a lot of law suits with a certain surgeon. Well now Dr. Versteeg from Ft. Dodge is coming to Mason City. I already colead run a support group with one of his patients so I do know his wife well as she attends support group meetings sometimes. I also attended Dr. Versteegs seminar but chose Dr. Glascock in Cedar Falls because he belonged to a Center of Excellence where Dr. Versteeg did not. Well, Dr. Versteeg is hoping to achieve this status at Mercy. Another sugeon who is relatively new to WLS will be doing mostly lapbands by the name of Dr. Mohamed. It is an exciting time for our hospital and the people of north Iowa who have been wanting bariatric surgery!
With this new program comes new positions, one of them is a bariatric coordinator position! I did apply for it but if I am offered the job and accept it I will be making a lot of personal sacrafices. Going from working 2 days a week to 5, being salary paid and management and not making that much more money, driving into Mason City 5 days a week, will need day care once I have kids, etc... so if I took it, it would purely be for the fact that I am passionate about the bariatric field. I did let them know this in my interview as well as that I am interested in having children soon. All which could hurt me but I want to be honest. I have a lot of knowledge I can share with me being a patient myself and my only hope is that whoever ends up in this position will be good for the patients, even if I do not take on the position myself. The second interview, if there is one, will be with the surgeons and PCP (who happens to be my pcp who has had RNY herself). Small town eh? I believe the surgeon she hired did HER RNY, as if it can't get any more nutty lol..
Otherwise, we got a new puppy, his name is MIlo, cute as can be. He is half bichon/shitzu, known as a "teddy bear" or Zuchon, I posted a picture of him. Love him! He is getting along with are weiner dog pretty well.
As far as my postop life, I am doing pretty well. I still have my struggles with emotional eating and have had to work hard at changing my relationship with food postop. I am maintaining my weight around my origininal goal weight of 140 lbs which I am thrilled with and still wear a size 4 and 6 in some other things. Small to medium tops. I cannot complain. All my comorbidities are resolved which makes me estatic. Life after RNY is unreal. Truly... If I do not get this job as a bariatric coordinator then my next challenge is to try and get my personal training certification.
Husband and I are also looking at doing a membership site for WLS patients that would want to belong to a smaller community. I would do a free newsletter with the option to buy a monthly membership for a nominal fee. I think it would be great to connect to those very serious about their health and well-being after surgery on smaller scale. We hope to launch this at the first of the year. It is still int he works.
Nothing else really going on other than that.. I am just stoked with what RNY has given me the opportunity to do in my life, I never want to take my tool for granted as it is just that... a tool. Thanks for checking in!! I will try to be better about updating my blog! I also have a PS consult this coming wednesday just to see if insurance would cover anything as far as plastics are concerned.. gathering lots of info right now to see what decisions we wanna make with family planning, etc...
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. Life sure gets busy after RNY! So let me bring you up to speed on everything that is going on in my life. My husband and I went on vacation and had a blast this past summer. I was able to so many things I have missed out on before in my life as an obese person. I got to ride go karts, go to the beach without a coverup (wow) and just be so active, it felt awesome!
I am still working as a nurse on a skilled/rehab unit however recently our hospital decided they are going to launch a bariatric program! They have talked about it off and on for the past few years and decided to put it off for a while back when Des Moines was having a lot of law suits with a certain surgeon. Well now Dr. Versteeg from Ft. Dodge is coming to Mason City. I already colead run a support group with one of his patients so I do know his wife well as she attends support group meetings sometimes. I also attended Dr. Versteegs seminar but chose Dr. Glascock in Cedar Falls because he belonged to a Center of Excellence where Dr. Versteeg did not. Well, Dr. Versteeg is hoping to achieve this status at Mercy. Another sugeon who is relatively new to WLS will be doing mostly lapbands by the name of Dr. Mohamed. It is an exciting time for our hospital and the people of north Iowa who have been wanting bariatric surgery!
With this new program comes new positions, one of them is a bariatric coordinator position! I did apply for it but if I am offered the job and accept it I will be making a lot of personal sacrafices. Going from working 2 days a week to 5, being salary paid and management and not making that much more money, driving into Mason City 5 days a week, will need day care once I have kids, etc... so if I took it, it would purely be for the fact that I am passionate about the bariatric field. I did let them know this in my interview as well as that I am interested in having children soon. All which could hurt me but I want to be honest. I have a lot of knowledge I can share with me being a patient myself and my only hope is that whoever ends up in this position will be good for the patients, even if I do not take on the position myself. The second interview, if there is one, will be with the surgeons and PCP (who happens to be my pcp who has had RNY herself). Small town eh? I believe the surgeon she hired did HER RNY, as if it can't get any more nutty lol..
Otherwise, we got a new puppy, his name is MIlo, cute as can be. He is half bichon/shitzu, known as a "teddy bear" or Zuchon, I posted a picture of him. Love him! He is getting along with are weiner dog pretty well.
As far as my postop life, I am doing pretty well. I still have my struggles with emotional eating and have had to work hard at changing my relationship with food postop. I am maintaining my weight around my origininal goal weight of 140 lbs which I am thrilled with and still wear a size 4 and 6 in some other things. Small to medium tops. I cannot complain. All my comorbidities are resolved which makes me estatic. Life after RNY is unreal. Truly... If I do not get this job as a bariatric coordinator then my next challenge is to try and get my personal training certification.
Husband and I are also looking at doing a membership site for WLS patients that would want to belong to a smaller community. I would do a free newsletter with the option to buy a monthly membership for a nominal fee. I think it would be great to connect to those very serious about their health and well-being after surgery on smaller scale. We hope to launch this at the first of the year. It is still int he works.
Nothing else really going on other than that.. I am just stoked with what RNY has given me the opportunity to do in my life, I never want to take my tool for granted as it is just that... a tool. Thanks for checking in!! I will try to be better about updating my blog! I also have a PS consult this coming wednesday just to see if insurance would cover anything as far as plastics are concerned.. gathering lots of info right now to see what decisions we wanna make with family planning, etc...
About Me
Northwood, IA
Location
33.8
BMI
Surgery
12/04/2006
Surgery Date
Mar 09, 2004
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Me before... wow, was that me
328lbs
Below goal and feeling fantastic!
133lbs
