Found out last month that both @rs and I had Arm Lifts scheduled for the same week, just two days apart. @rs got the deed done yesterday, and I'm heading in for it tomorrow morning. We thought it would be fun/interesting/just-something-to-do to start a thread where we both could post to document our progress for a one-stop view of two different experiences of the same procedure.
So here we go!
@rs @ms.sss
Probably a better question would be, "What didn't swell up before surgery?".
Feet, ankles, calves, knees, elbows, wrists, fingers...all swell-free now.
Still have my lymphadema, probably will rest of my misbegotten life, but I am awake at 3 AM, so maybe not missbegotten, as much as blah. But I can also report my feet have narrowed out of wide width, my legs have reverted back to more normal shapely human legs from looking a cross between dining table pedestals and an elephant foot umbrella stand. And when I'm looking me over in the sunny light of day my shape is returning. Oh my tummy will never be perfect and flat, 3 9-pound babies, lax muscles and too too many years of obesity, but it's okay, it is what it is and it beats death all hallow, doesn't it? I can cram it into clothes, which I am dropping sizes on, Yippee Skippee. for me, I swore I would be stuck a 26- 28 W forever, bought the 30s in my former closet to sleep in, now I can see 20s coming soon! Ever deminishment is, Gee I haven't been this size since____insert a good memory here!! And when I'm not crabby I'm proud of the woman I am becoming, because I , best of all, know what she went through. I remember the chairs I got stuck in because I was too wide or I just didn't have strength to get up on my own. I remember sitting on an old wooden kitchen chair because relatives wouldn't let me on the GOOD furniture, then time I got stuck in the back seat, even with Tomkitten and his help I ended up with visible bruising .Of not having the stamina not to keep with others on a walk, having to rest halfway up a set of stairs, having take showers because I could s u t v down safely in the tub. These are a few of my sad memories, and almost every obese person has them. Of having Morbid Obesity on every record paper, Oh I yearn for a mere Overweight classification, and it shall soon come! I told someone recently I am half the Woman I used to be and twice as happy with myself, never dreamed of such deminishment in weight, starting to look like my dead relatives, still okay, some were very nice people who would cheer me on if they hadnt exceeded their earthly years. Of course there would be a Wisenheimer or 2,one branch was populated with smart alecks, the difference, they could not degrigate me any longer, I'm stronger in spirit, would look them in the eye, not cry but give back as good as I got! And ooh I have years of verbal abuse to have cremated! But I would never. return to the Old Days when the New Days and life are so much better!*!😜📦🌈
Hello All,
I wanted to share my review of A Slimmer Me with Dr. Montano.
My experience with A Slimmer Me (ASM):
I chose this company for a couple reasons:
1. They are family owned and operated, coming from a small town, which is important to the economy in my neck of the woods.
2. Annette and Lizette are extremely great at communication and making you feel like a part of the family.
3. Great price! I was fortunate enough to get mine scheduled and done while they were having a special so even better!
4. Great reviews.
My Experience in a Nutshell:
Day 1 – Arrival-
It was pretty smooth and simple, I was second to be picked up ( I drive so I parked near the border). The other patient that was there her flight was late so I was let know that they were running late – no biggie it was a beautiful day in San Diego.
Picked up and off we went! Arrived at the clinic checked in, paperwork, finished/paid the balance (regular docs office stuff). The office is very nice, up to date super clean; staff is very friendly & helpful.
Weighed in and then we went up to the second floor to start the pre-op testing.
Endoscopy (pretty sure I spelt that wrong- should hear me say it lol), Breathing test , blood work, cardiologist visit and test. Very simple and straight forward- the nurses & doctors were fantastic. Then we were driven to the hotel which is super nice and secure, big clean rooms all kinds of amenities.
Day 2- Surgery!! Talk about nerves!
Early morning, I think they picked us up at 6 am… back to the clinic, I went first, walked into surgery, Doc Montano is super funny, before I knew it I woke up in my bed. On the other side!!
I was up and walking about an hour after surgery, my pain was very minimal, gas is annoying, keep moving whether is it your legs/arms/toes while lying in bed or cruising the hall. I found the longer I was still, I got sore/stiff fast, that is when I could feel uncomfortable. (This was truly how I felt for the first week). I only took a week off after surgery then went back to work full time.
The nursing staff is very good about keeping you comfortable, anti-nausea medicine, pain meds, etc. They were great about hearing you moving around and coming by asking if you needed help getting out of bed/ whatever you were trying to accomplish. Don’t laugh too much- surprisingly uncomfortable… lol
Day 3
Doc Montano came by to check on us then we got dressed, packed up our little bag ( I brought an extra tote with my book, phone charger/ phone and wipes) I left my actual luggage with my companion. We were taken to the place offsite to get the leak test done, think super strong/sweet tang is what it tasted like- could’ve been way worse. Both of us looked good so we headed to the recovery house. Simple, clean, and comfortable is how I would describe it. There is a nurse at all times there at night there is a doctor who is on shift as well. Same as before great about keeping any nausea or pain at bay, they also removed the drain… It wasn’t painful just a really weird feeling but it was over quickly. I was up and moving around. Each room had its own A/C and heater combo so it was nice- I like to have a cold room. OH! broth, juice, Gatorade, ice Water, and jello…. Where amazing…
Day 4
Highlight of my day…. Hot shower… it was amazing, felt like a new me afterwards. Got ready, Doc came by to check on us and give us our take home meds, copies of the leak test, answer any questions. Then we said out goodbyes. Trip back across the border was quick (line wasn’t too long). I used just my birth certificate and driver’s license to cross with no issue.
Honestly, I would have been perfectly fine going by myself, my mom who is a nurse (of 30+ years) was very impressed with the entire experience. My sister and I will be going back to ASM for her operation Spring 2018. My date 10-13 (Friday the 13th lol) SW: 264 CW: 242 (estimate I weigh in every Friday) GW:170
AnnaMarieN reacted to ms.sss in A Tale of Two Arm Lifts (rs & ms.sss)
