TracyKwe

My heartfelt condolences go out to you and yours during this tough time. Be sure to take good care of you through all that you'll go through in the next little bit. A loved one's passing is never easy to walk through and I will be praying that Creation watches over you and helps you with everything that is heavy and hurtful. May many blessings and peace come to you,your loved ones and your home and may your hearts heal happy. ((((HUGS))))

Thanks Cristin! I appreciate your kind words. I will for sure get back here and let everyone know (and maybe even see...thinking about actually posting pics after this one! ) how I'm doing as I get on. Besides,I hear I'm gonna have some serious down time what with all the pain coming with this procedure...Figure I won't be able to do much else but try and relax,read,breath and heal for the first little bit so yeah, I guess the old computer will be in there somewhere!

Hi DebiC! Yes,I had an original weight goal of 150lbs and if I reach that I will be very happy I am sure. But after the sleeve surgery I am more focased on how I look and feel in my clothes.And this procedure is going to help me with that. I will be having a fleur de lis Abdominalplasty with a full torso, corset- type muscle tightening and hernia repairs. There are alot of different insurances that require different criteria for them to cover this type of procedure. My hernias, along with the weight loss (1oolbs stable 6mos post-surgery was my particular insurances criteria) as well as having my primary caregivers and Bari surgeon's written approval and recomendations were ALL required before I was approved. I was told that I more than fit all the criteria and all the Docs involved in it say that they expect a good result. Yes,chances are that I may need a nip and tuck here and there later,but for now, I have to get this pannus off! Like You, it is beyond my privates and is now causing more problems for me than I am able to keep ahead of. I am already disabled with a very serious back and this is just not helping.I got out of my wheelchair and I am NOT going back! My surgeon is all for using this as a tool to keep me mobile and on a good path to full recovery.I have to say that I am so ready for this right now and with good compression and support undergarments for continued binding therapy, they expect that I will be able to keep it all realitivly tight even with another substantial weight drop.And if not,my thighs and arms will have to be done anyway..... .....so here's to hoping that the work can all get done somehow! Hahaha!

One Year Sleeve Anniversary!!!!! Hooooray!!!! Had my sleeve done one year ago Feb. 25th 2011. Feeling great and 136lbs down at my last weigh in a week ago. And yes,I am celebrating with Abdominoplasty this year on Feb. 29th! And yes, I am very excited and very,very,happy to be here! It's sorta surreal being here today,a year later, and facing this next procedure. I will admidt that this one is an exciting deal though. Yeah, it's a big deal getting this much done to a body but Wow! the outcome is gonna be sooooo worth it! With all I am reading and hearing from my docs, this is gonna hurt like nothing I have had before.And ya would think the three c-sections would have counted more;but I hear this one is much tougher.I'm ready though. Doc said... "Your gonna love me for what I am going to do for yo but you are going to hate me for how much pain your going to be in." So yeah, now I'm getting ready for it. Getting the house done,gathering all my hospital gear,preparing the Family,on my pre-surgery diet and healing therapies and so on....One week till Surgery....Bring It On! :ph34r: I would love to hear from anyone that has gone through this type of procedure.I am very interested in what others did to help with recovery and any tips or tricks anyone might know about this particular surgery and what I might expect afterwards.Especially if you had a sizable pannus.( I was 376lbs before my sleeve. ) Looking forward to reading your replies..Thanks for sharing.

Hey there and Hello! Just turned 41 in May. Married for twenty one years, this July, to the most wonderful, loving,caring,compassionate Man I could ever hope for.We have Three wonderful Children together and we share a beautiful step-daughter that has Blessed us with three Perfectly Wonderful Grandchildren. We are a part of a huge,loving,strong extended family and live a very Traditional Native American Lifestyle here on the Rez.I was sleeved on Feb.25th 2011 and am well on my way to a much healthier Me.I have lost 70 lbs so far and am starting to feel a nice difference in my own skin.I get here to the site every so often and enjoy reading the progress stories and similar experiences that others here are sharing.I wish all good things for everyone that comes here and my hope is that we all find our way through our Journeys safely and walk our paths to our futures in all good and healthy ways.... Peace and Beautiful Blessings to everyone.

Here from the U.P. Livin' on the Rez and doin' alright after gettin' my sleeve on Feb.25th.Was one of the first patients here in this new medical center (going on to be a center of excellence) that they have here. Hope to see more of us here soon.

12 days and I'm rollin' right along. Still got hard esophigeal cramps when I forget my meds, but I'm on my way to that sweet time. Feeling good about my choices and got lots of good thoughts about where I'm goin'.Didn't like the upper G.I. I had this morning but really looking forward to my Dr.s appointment tomorrow.Gonna get weighed and 'm happy to do it. Huh,very different for me. Hope anyone and everyone that comes here has a great day and a happy time on the weight loss trail.

Was sleeved Feb 25th and all is well. Having esophigeal cramps and some back issues but other than that I am right on track. Had my first upper G.I. just this morning and I'm heading in for my first Surgical post-op visit tomorrow. I'm happy with my choice and I feel that this was just what I needed to get where I want to go.At last weigh in (as I left the hospital 4 days after surgery) I hd lost 40 pounds total. Actually excited about my weigh in tomorrow! Wonder what happy numbers I'm gonna see....

I was sent home with a script of Levsin for esophigeal cramps.Couldn't live without it. Cramps would grab me ALL the time without it. I was told that it was very normal and would gradually subside. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

I was sleeved almost two weeks ago and I took everything I brought in home with me. I had no problem with the hospital when letting them know what I wanted. But yes,there were cultural issues with me.I live a traditional Native (Anishnabe) lifestyle and requested my parts for tradition and ceremony and was quickly accomidated. You'd think if we can get them just because we ask anyone ahould be able to.

Thanks Paul! It was good of you to drop me a word like that.I like what you had to say and appreciate the effort. Going in tomorrow morning for my surgery and I'm really feelin' it today. But I hold my resolve real close and I know I will get through all this just fine.Your advice about the support group is good stuff. I agree for sure that those of us going through this need that BIg Time! They set us up for AFTER surgery but so far nothing for before around here. I think I'm gonna get on that myself actually.Maybe that kinda work will be good for me and help keep me motivated and happy after. Nothing like doing for others to keep your mind off yourself. Figure to try and keep busy as soon as I am able to get busy..(after I heal a bit of course) Hahaha! Thanks again... Take care!

Going in tomorrow morning FINALLY! Nervous,excited,and HAPPY to get on with it. Not looking forward to all that is uncomfortable and scarey but this chicka ain't scared o' nuthin' so bring it on Docs Lets roll!!! ( talkin' trash and laughin' hard and happy! )

Congratulations and all good wishes for all the best things today! I'm right behind you... (getting ready for mine tomorrow) ...Good Luck!

Feb.25th Here! *Almost time !!!