had my pani removed (all 16 lbs of it) Friday morning. It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated. I left the hospital the next morning walking upright and went to my DS' house overnight (he lives closer to civilazation than I do).

The worst part of it so far has been the constipation caused by the meds. But my son made an emergency run to Walgreen's at midnight last night and I was cured by sunup. MOM is a miracle drug for sure!

I'm in my own home now with nothing but steri-strips on my incision (I had anticipated drain tubes, compression garments, a body cast, and full-time RN on duty!).

The amputation feels very strange.......I'll have to get used to not having a bag of fat flapping against my legs when I walk. I still weigh what I did when I check into the hospital.......this swelling better go down and so had the scale or I'm going to be very upset!! I also have a round purple belly above my stitches.....just call me Barney!

Seriously, the nurses all really praised my sugeon....if any of you plan to have their PS in the Dallas area, Dr. Pollock must be the man. And the Texas Institute for Surgery is like a visit to a Hilton Hotel.....wonderful place (part of the Presbyterian system). Most of their surgeries are day surgeries but they do have 9 overnight rooms. The night I was there, there were 2 patients - with 2 RN's, a CNT, and a security guard all at your beck and call (and a wonderful dining room that prepared your food according to your instructions---too bad I can't eat much!).

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes!!

Gayle,

Congrats on your surgery!!! You must feel like a new person!! You are sooo lucky you didn't have the drainage tubes, they are the worse!! Well, enjoy your new body and I wish you a speedy recovery!

Update: Day 23...the tightness around my belly is finally starting to loosen up a little and the incision itself doesn't hurt at all - just an itchy feel now and then. But I had a bit of a shock today....I had DH measure my incision - 36 inches!! No wonder I felt like I'd been ripped open - I had!!

Gayle!! I'm thrilled for you! Truly!

I'm not banded yet, but even at 300+ lbs I have a huge apron, from my four pregnancies! (Foolish me, thought once 'stretched' it was good for as many runs as you wanted to give it -- no, I 'stretched' more and more each time!)

I fear it'll be to my knees by the time I near my goal weight! And you've made me somewhat optimistic that the insurance might pay for it!! I just assumed "No Way, Jose", since we've had to fight so hard to get them to pay for the banding!!

Hope you can share some pictures soon!

Hey, I'm glad to hear your skin removal went well, I fear, well, I think I will have to get the same procedure done in a year or so. I got my band on 10/06 since then I've lost 101 pounds 08/07 I just got my first 4 fills, from 0 straight to 4 since then I've been losing 2 lbs per day roughly. With working etc. people keep telling me since I'm young my skin will retract but I don't know, it's coming off too quick. I just turned 22 today. Whatcha think?

Nana.....your surgery is tomorrow!! Best wishes to ya!!

Pheal...and happy birthday to you! What a great gift you've given yourself....a little plastic twistee that nobody can see! Wonderful, isn't it!! Keep up the good work! Maybe you won't need the skin removed....but some things diet and exercise just can't fix unfortunately. However, a good pair of Spanx or Flexees do great in the meantime....buy yourself another birthday gift!!