Sweet Pee

I had a TT back in 2007 and I chose a horrible Plastic Surgeon at that time so my TT incision looked like a dog bite and my Nable (belly button) was left with a hole. So this time around when I had my surgery I asked my Artist (that's what I called my PS) to fix it for me and he did a beautiful job. I am very happy with all his work.

Everyone is different and every doctor's work is different I am a long distance runner that also works out. I wasn't really comfortable running until about 5 months out. My doc released me to light exercise at 10 weeks and full exercise at 16 weeks. You will be great just make sure you take your time to heal properly- if something hurts there is a reason.

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

It was both a shock and a joy for me when I attempted my first run after losing about 80 pounds. I kept waiting for the "wall", it didn't come! My heart, lungs, and muscles were keeping me going.
I almost cried, it took me back to when I was a skinny lad who ran everywhere just because I could and it felt good. There is such an elation that comes with realizing that you have another chance at health.
The only thing that slows me down are my 65 year old joints but I work around them.

Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughtful reply. It really does help to process with others.
I'm not craving per say. Just had 2 days of hunger. Today was less. I did a moderate 2 mile hike so I'm curious to see how hungry I am tomorrow.
I'm having abdominal defused edema in the afternoon and at night. Still wearing binder. The swelling and the binder impact how much I eat at any sitting, for sure.
I do supplement at home. Too much to fuss with on vacation, though. Lol.

I am not sweetpee but Cbt my insatiable hunger happened in the early weeks post op. Others lose weight during the "high burn" but I maintained being so hungry. I stayed focused on Protein but ate often!
So most of us are cleared for activity at 6-8 weeks but I will share a warning of some ladies in my FB support group who caused themselves complications after 6 weeks by way over doing it. I sometimes think I was way wimpy as I waited more like 12 weeks plus to resume horses, farm work, and hard workouts but I did manage to avoid complications. I had mega procedures done at once including the LBL. Anyway main message is that recovery is slower than it seems..

This surgery will make the strongest, stubbornest individual realize that our body is in complete control, and we must humbly follow along, no matter if we are willing participants or not.
Give it some time. You will be back in the drivers seat in a few more months. Until then, just happily and meekly go along for the ride.

This surgery will make the strongest, stubbornest individual realize that our body is in complete control, and we must humbly follow along, no matter if we are willing participants or not.
Give it some time. You will be back in the drivers seat in a few more months. Until then, just happily and meekly go along for the ride.

Hi LovingmeForever,
Your before and after pictures are amazing!! You look stunning. Your transformation looks like a totally different person, which with time will keep on getting better. Congratulations!
Smile,
Sweet Pee

Please ask as many questions you want. I asked the same questions pre-op. My husband bought me an electric recliner. The recliner has been the best thing for my recovery. I can seat and sleep in it just by using the remote. I am happy that all happen at one time, just one recovery. I flew home, I live in Florida. I am not going to lie, the first week was tough, but it started getting better after that. Today is my 18 days post op and I am feeling great, no pain at all just my new butt feel uncomfortable when I seat. Your time will come sooner than you think.

From the first time I dialed his number I knew he was the one. After that I sent him pictures of my whole body and as soon he got my pictures he called me back and we were talking for over an hour about my reconstruction surgery. Then he asked me to go and get some blood work and send it to him. After he saw the results he gave me an approval to have the surgery. I have all those procedures at once and I stay in Mexico 7 days. Yesterday was my 2 weeks post op and I feel great. Dr Gutierrez called me daily since I left Mexico to check on me. I never had a dr that check on their patients daily after surgery.
I will be posting more pictures as soon as the blisters that I got from the tape are better. If you have any questions just ask.

I had the best experience with Dr Victor Gutierrez, Elsa and the whole team, I love my new body and I love my Artist!!! Pictures are from before and the same day of surgery. More pictures to come this week.
Dr. Victor E. Gutierrez is not only a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, but also an Artist!!!
You can completely put your trust in him to make the best decisions for your reconstructive surgery. I could not imagine myself going to any other PS after the excellent care I received from Dr. Gutierrez, Elsa and the whole team. You will not be a patient to them, you will become their family, that's how much they care.
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is a Board Certified Plastic surgeon in Tijuana, Mexico.
The entire process before and after surgery was an absolutely unforgettable awesome experience. I have never been cared for by another doctor so compassionately and lovingly the way that Dr. Victor Gutierrez and Elsa did.
After my lower body lift, thigh lift, breast augmentation, butt lift surgery and TT and Nable revision my transformation is amazing. I am in love with my new body!!! His perfect and brilliant work has changed my life forever.
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is absolutely without question the best, most highly educated doctor and amazing Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. I recommended Dr. victor Gutierrez 100%.

I remember how nervous I was too! Things are going to go very well for you!!!

Weigh everyday.
Regular exercise.
Eat greens, fruits, Beans, and nuts. If I get off track, I juice fruits and vegtables for a few days until I start to crave to eat vegetables again.

I just want to cry happy for your transformation, CGJ. It gives me goosebumps. You just look confident and pleased with who you are. Good job.

Ran a 15K yesterday!! It was awesome FUN!!!!!

I crossed the finish line and it was the best feeling ever!!!!

Ran a 15K yesterday!! It was awesome FUN!!!!!

I crossed the finish line and it was the best feeling ever!!!!

meagain3,
here is what i will tell you but please know this is my opinion from my experience only…...
i waited 18 days after my last sign of swelling before i began walking……i walked for 2 weeks before i started jogging and another week before i started running.
i know that you are excited and need the training for the half marathon but if you are not ready don't push it. get rid of that swelling….there are plenty of races out there!!!
weight:
On friday i weighed in at for the first time at a weight below my pre surgery weight by 2 pounds and i have been working out like a maniac. i am doing my best not to be beholden to the scale. it is a complete mental thing….i went to a facility that has a Bod Pod and had my body composition tested. i am going to try and stay off the scale because as you know with all of this working out putting on a little muscle may throw off the scale results and my fragile psyche can't take it. it sounds like you are exactly like me!!
in summary:
I will give you want you wanted……IT ABSOLUTELY WILL GET BETTER. In my opinion you just have to take 1 step back to move 2 forward with the working out and swelling.
also, it is my interpretation when they say swelling can last 6-8 months or even up to a year they are not referencing the type of swelling that you and i experienced in our lower extremities. that type of swelling is the body dealing with the trauma of the surgery and is different than the above the scar swelling post op. again, that is me and far from a medical opinion
stay in touch!!
BTW: what half marathon are you considering at the end of march???

Good luck! I'm excited for you, also!!!

Thank you Renee! I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight:) I will take lots of pictures from tomorrow on. Thank you for all your help and support!!! You are an Angel:)

I am so excited for you!!!!!

I am heading to San Diego tomorrow!!! Having my dream surgery on March 4th. I will share my experience and pictures with each of you as soon as I feel ok to be on my iPad I am having a thigh lift, breast lift with implants, TT and nable scar revision and flanks with butt lift. I am ready!!!!!!

I hope you feel better soon.