Hi everyone,

I haven't been here in a long time but wanted to reconnect with you guys :scared2: I'm getting ready to finish my journey.

I'm getting cosmetic surgery in 5 weeks. I can't wrap my head around it. I've wanted this for so long, but yet, having the band for 5 years, I seem to be doing everything in my power to sabotage myself from being lean. My band is leaking - we think it's the port - and there have been a lot of bumps along the way that has stalled, reversed, and slowed down my weight loss.

I'm not mad about it; my journey has been unique. I can't even begin to describe the things I have learned about myself. It all unfolded the way it should have, I suppose.

But, just when the surgery was most out of reach - I'd gotten laid off - miracles happened and now I'm not only having my leaking port/tube fixed, I'm getting everything done, by one of the top cosmetic surgeons for post bariatric weight loss, two weeks before my 34th birthday. What an amazing turn of events.

I'm scheduled for a body lift, breast lift, brachioplasty (arms) and flankplasty. The only thing he's not doing is my thighs because they don't need it. Yet. lol. They're also replacing my port to a low profile one. Dr. Joseph Capella in Hackensack Medical is my guy. I researched tons of surgeons - this dude is mine.

All this, and I am still clinically overweight. I am shaking my head at the irony of it all.

Yet, why not? My leaking lap band is getting costly for twice-a-month fills. I have no local support group and live alone, so solitary eating is the biggest culprit. Getting the lap band fixed will help me in January shed the last 30 lbs of fat, and work on my lean muscle building.

I suspect that having the surgery will drastically change my relationship with food -- by having beautiful, reliable restriction that helped me lose 100lbs a few years ago (and mercifully helped me totally forget about food) and will give me a shot to my self esteem that has been sabotaging me.

I know it's purely psychological, but I would work SO HARD, and work out, and track my food...especially over the summer...and start losing..10 lbs, 15 lbs...but I would look in the mirror at the "frownie moustache" of my stretched belly, suck it in, ALMOST see a normal shape...and then become depressed knowing that nothing I did would ever fix 30 years of being obese. Then, I would stop trying.

I have loved watching my fellow bandsters go through the surgeries and can think of nobody better to share it with.

Dec 7th is the date. Oh my gosh :thumbup:

Kate

Day 5 post op. My percocets ran out and I switched to Tylenol with codeine. I'm more aware of all my stitching and can tolerate the discomfort most of the time. Getting out of bed was surprising today because I can stand up straighter. My quads stopped burning from the hunched walking I would do and I feel actually good today.

I have feeling in my nips which is great, and every now and again I get little twinges in them as things heal and close. Right now it feels like a horde of tiny healing gnomes are all over me, mending torn skin and slapping awake nerves who fainted. It's not unpleasant. I feel like a giant ant hill.

Today mom and I are gonna go out shopping for food. I'm psyched to be in one of those scooters at the supermarket. I'm not sure I'm allowed to operate those while on codeine but my mother has a twisted sense of adventure and finds it fun.

My bodylift incision is pretty ugly. It's tailored in the same way as my arms, so I don't like to look at them. They don't hurt but they look painful. Everything around my waist is numb thank god. I do have some tension blisters on the base of my spine on the scar. Doc says it's very typical and they will go away. I ignore them and cover everything with a light sterile dressing.

The stool softeners have not worked yet. We will pick up some additional supplies today to help in that area. I can feel activity and pressure but no results yet. Any advice on this?

I decided not to share any pics until I have healed a little more. My belly is swelling big time. I look like a tube now. Doc says it will peak Sunday and then a big flushing will happen. Definitely looking forward to that. At least my hands returned to normal size. I looked hilarious.

Ok nap time, then a busy afternoon. Going to continue kissing up to mom because she is actually taking the first two drains out on weds. Need to stay on Nurse Ratchett's good side you know ? Lol.

Hi Kate,

Glad you feel good today. Don't overdue it out shopping. I did this myself and was wiped out. I only went out 2 hrs. I think someone said try mineral oil for constipation. I definitely feel for you though. Are you taking extra stool softner or just recommended amount?

I know what you mean about the incisions. I was pretty scared when I saw mine. not that they hurt just looks very painful. My sister said it looked like they cut me in half and I thought they looked jagged, but they are not. Very thin line. They will improve over time. It does feel different as the nerves start waking up. You had a lot of work so I'm sure you just feel it all over.

So mom will take drains out. That's cool. Keep resting. Are you getting enough Protein to promote healing?

It sounds like you are doing really great, Kate, and I hope you enjoy driving the cart at the store, LOL.

Mimi

Mimi it was more fun than I anticipated. Those suckers have a heck of a tight turn radius.

Skinny, I'm eating primarily lean Protein, then whole grains, fruits and veggies. Still can't eat a big Amy, doc says I have 2-3cc of fill. Half a salmon filet last night...felt like a million bucks afterward. Had eggs this morning. I have trouble working up a reliable appetite. I'm sure it's the drugs. But I did some great shopping,

Have an awesome Sunday folks :thumbup:

Back at ya, Kate!!!!

Mimi

That's great you have some fill. Sounds like you are eating just right. Did major swelling hit today as expected? Are you still draining bunch?

Have a great Sunday too. I'm going shopping for little bit.

It felt like my major swelling was fri and sat. My bewbs have drained some and look better. My face arms and hands are almost normal....and two drains are starting to deplete. Drain 1 is barely putting out one ml for the past two days, drain 3 is at like 30 - 35 a day and dropping. Drains 2 & 4 are still at 100+ a day so it's obvious which ones are coming out first!

I felt really good today. The majority of my walking was almost straight up. I take a minute or two to stretch but I am gaining stamina frighteningly quickly. I walked around pottery barn for half hour, then succumbed to the car and a nap, but then helped make meatballs for my mom (I declined since meat binds me up and I'm about to take 3 dulcolax tonite!) and a few hours later pitched in with the dishes. So far I can care for myself except getting pants and socks on, and some bandages. Feeling pretty positive with these improvements that I may be off mess by Friday which is my goal. I'm surprised at how much I can do with my arms, so I do it but try not to push it. On the mend!

How is your cold, skinny?

Hey there Kate! I am so glad you are doing so great! The swelling is a pain but will eventually get better and better. I hope Nurse ratchett is super nice to you lol :willy_nilly: xoxo

Hey Allie :thumbup: So how long post op were you able to drive? Be off meds?

I can't wait to get two of the drains out tomorrow. It's so bulky, I look like I had a sex change operation, LOL.

I'm planning on driving up to N Jersey to get my last 2 drains out and a progress check on Christmas Eve. I'll be almost 3 weeks post op. Do you think I'm pushing it?

Kate, why so far to have your drains out? Is that where your doc it? Might be a silly question, if so, I apologize.

Mimi

Mimi, the surgeons are 2 hours away in Hackensack. I'm in Philly. I traveled to NYU as well to get my band. I'm just into research and finding the best people in a reasonable distance. If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna find the best docs :thumbup:

Found out later Hackensack is one of the top 50 hospitals in the US. It showed...the care was excellent and the food menu for patients was elaborate, lol. GREAT food. Yes, I just said great hospital food!!

I can't imagine GREAT hospital food, so that is wonderful!!! I hope you are up for the drive, I wish you the best!!!!!

Mimi

Kate,

Where i stayed had great food too. Gourmet. Matter of fact we thought of staying for dinner than checking out just to get more food. They were so nice and had guest trays for my hubby too.

Glad you are doing well. You proably will be ok to drive week 3 if off meds and don't tire too easily. My dr. is hr away and drove after working 6 hrs. Of course I didnt' have as much work done as you though.

Are your drains in pub area like Allie were? Which drains will your mom remove tomorrow? have you taken any more pics?

Hey Allie So how long post op were you able to drive? Be off meds?

I can't wait to get two of the drains out tomorrow. It's so bulky, I look like I had a sex change operation, LOL.

I'm planning on driving up to N Jersey to get my last 2 drains out and a progress check on Christmas Eve. I'll be almost 3 weeks post op. Do you think I'm pushing it?

Hey Kate,

I was off of meds completely in 5-6 days. I drove the second week but that was ok since I hadn't been on meds in so long. I thought I had already posted to this but I guess not. If your drains are in your pubic area you might want someone to go with you. It was quite painful and I don't think I could have driven after having them removed. I do have a low threshold for pain though. Good luck sugar and I loved your facebook status.. you do rock!

Thanks ladies. What a day. This morning my mom just took two of my drains out - It only hurt some on the one side, I was breathing through it like labor and was fine The other side just felt like pressure. The change is IMMEDIATE. I am more comfortable moving, even with two still in.

Today is the first day I feel like I don't need pain medication. I've been struggling with constipation despite stool softeners and laxatives. We had a break through last night lol. Amazing how good you feel. AAHHHHhhhhhhhhh...

I'm off all meds right now, and am out of my bra. Things are healing nicely, no infections. Looking forward to going out to Breakfast with mom today. I may be on track to go home this weekend. We'll see...we know how I like to overdo it

Thanks for the info, Allie and Skinny! I seem to have needed meds a little longer than others. But today I feel completely clean and not sore. Can't get over how fast it changes. Mm, now my stomach is rumbling for some eggs!

The next two drains will come out next week - depending on how the next week goes, I may just take a train and a cab to the docs. There's no way I wanna sit in Christmas Eve traffic so close to New York!

Love everyone! woo hoo out of the woods!!!! :ohmy:

Kate