KarenG.

THanks Losin! Haven't heard from you in a while. I guess that I have retained like 15lbs of fluid?! There is no way I gained the weight that they cut off! Karey warned me not to weigh myself and I didn't listen and now I am down in the dumps. How the heck are you and how is the pregnancy coming?

I just had a very sad moment. Despite having 12-15lbs of skin removed last week and basicallly not eating for days I weigh about the same as I did before surgery. How is that even possible? I dont feel that bloated. Granted I was wearing my binder, drains bandages, a tank and pants and I usually weigh naked but still I feel like I should have been down a FEW pounds - can anyone reassure me?

Sucess in that area! I won't but i am dying to know. My appetite is still pretty reduced plus the binder makes it hard to eat much of anything. I understand that the fluids have built up in my body and the scale probably doesnt reflect my true weight right now. I am not so worried about the appetite thing because I wasn't eating much before the surgery and have been eating very little since surgery - I was on sugar free liquids for 2 days in the hospital. Is it possible that I have lost more than 15lbs including the skin loss - how cool would that be? Thanks Tracy! I remember you from before - we started about the same time at about the same BMI and I remember we were bothing trying to get to onderland at the same time! I am excited to see your progress towards surgery also. Where did you carry most of your weight? I was shocked when the surgeon told me 12-15lbs since she had said 5-9 originally. Howwever, looking in the mirror now - it is mostly off my butt - my thighs - although smaller and tighter now are still pretty big - I really need an inner thigh lift also.

Had a follow up with surgeon yesterday. I got two drains removed and the pain pump. Everything looks good! Still can't believe my belly button and my hips - insane! I am feeling ok - pain is fine if I take my meds regularly. the only thing is that I am not sleeping well even though I am pretty tired all the time. Also, I feel like I am having a hard time eating even a tiny bit. Is this swelling? Is this because the binder is tight? I am really wondering how much I weigh now but there is no scale available where I am now and I am sure that I weigh much more because of fluid retention and all the stuff on me - so probably better if I don't weigh myself!

So today was a little rougher - pain pump is empty. Also Mirolax isn't helping too much if you get the picture. :confused:

So, so sorry you are having this complication. I am sure that it will be OK but please keep us updated from Florida. Totally sucks that you have to go but sounds like the right decision - the stress of worrying alone makes it worth it.

I am taking Mirolax but still no action!? Yikes - what do I do about that?

I spoke with the surgeon adn she said the dizzy thing is normal. I feel amazingly ok! I keep saying that so maybe it will change. My pain pump is empty now so it is just the percoset but still I feel ok with it. Not like dancing around ok but walking around house is fine. The biggest bummer is not being able to sit comfortably - just walking hunched or lying down.

SO I am feeling pretty good. I am tired easily so I have been sleeping on and off. The percoset makes me tired. I hate the hospital so that was killing me - plus all the IVs etc make it impossible to sleep. Now that I am home I feel ok. My surgeon was really excited about my results and I did get a peek when they were changing the gauze under my binder - I cant't believe that is me! Also I have no behind - really there is nothing there - apparently that is where I had the most excess skin. Totally weird feeling not to have anything to tuck up under me when I sit! Yesterday I tried to change the gauze myself (some of my drains are leaking) and I literally almost passed out when I opened my binder - anyone have that happen? I didn't feel pain I just almost blacked out. I have absolutely no appetite but need to eat with the meds so am trying to do that. Anyway that is my status update!

HI guys a quick check in because I am pretty tired still. 12-15lbs of skin was removed (I was suprised by that). I feel pretty ok with the percoset and the pain pump (miracle device). I ended up spending a bit more time in the hospital because they wanted to check on some bleeding. I am finding the drains gross and the binder annoying. Other than that I feel pretty much ok. I will write more about my experience when I have some more energy later.

And I am off! Thanks for the support guys. This feels like the calm before the storm. Will *speak* with you soon! K

Thanks so much for responding to the TOM question. It will be almost over but it was stressing me out anyway. I guess the surgeons are used to blood!

Thanks Karey! Will check in as soon as I can.

YOu look amazing! As you know I go on Thursday and am feeling a bit nervous but seeing your great results gave me more courage. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Frangi. The biggest Q for me right now is what to do if my TOM isn't over. I think it will be mostly over but not 100%. Sucks right? Also, I am probably as it turns out in the hospital for 2 days. I can ask my sister to post an update if she can but I don't think there is wireless in the hospital. I will certainly post something when I get home.

Congratulations on the date. I am going on Thursday and v nervous. I dont think your expectations are too high but I keep trying to check myself too.

hey Karen.. how did it go on the 8th? Hope went smoothly and you are feeling better!

I am glad to help. I read every single thread I could on this topic and find other people's experience helpful. 3 days to go!

OK - here is the question. I am going to have my TOM during surgery. It is late (definately not pregnant) so at this point unless it comes tomorrow I will have it on surgery day. Anyone know what the deal is with this? Do I need to call and tell them? That seems unlikely.

No idea - I would imagine he would just have to make sure the tubing doesn't get pulled. If he hasn't done a band patient I would have him call your bariatric surgeon.

F - sorry you aren't as far along as you wanted. Keep us updated!

Thanks KD! I appreciate your status updates .. my nerves are KILLING me.

Thanks Frangi - I think I am obsessing too much on the scale! I imagine that I will be dissapointed if they don't take off too many lbs but I don't really know why I am so worried about that since I am about 1lb from goal. Truthfully, I dont really feel like I need to lose more fat just SKIN. Also I keep thinking about how many inches I will go down - also not too logical because I am tall enought (almost 5'7") that the size 10s and size 8s I get into now look fine on me. The body issues never end do they? Probably all this thinking about the results is helping me NOT deal with my nervousness about the surgery.

I decided to start a new thread because my surgery date is fast approaching. I am getting very nervous. I am having a lower body lift with a hernia repair. I am staying one night in the hospital. I will go home with a pain pump. I should have drains in for 2 weeks. I am taking 3 weeks off from work. I am getting partial insurance coverage becaues of the hernia repair. My surgeon said that I can expect her to remove between 5-9 lbs which should easily put me at goal. Of course I am hoping for much closer to 9. I am driving my friends and family crazy with my nervous chatter on the topic. Can anyone relate? Anyway - I think that I included the usual questions that people want to know when they read these threads! Most of my nervousness stems from not being able to do things for myself and fear of gaining weight becaue my exercise will be so limited! Can anyone relate to that? Am I being silly? Hope whoever reads this thread will find it as informative as I have found all those who have gone before me!

Hi Frangi - I am not getting anything to fill my tush in so I wonder if I am going to be too flat! It already feels bony with all the skin there - isn't it weird to feel uncomfortable on a hard seat/in bathtub now without the weight? I am a bit nervous about the stairs! thanks for advice.