Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Hello everyone: I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my drains. Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this surgery. There were no surprises. The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better as I heal. For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been about for me. Just being normal. My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my chest area instead of larger scars. There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a hospital by ambulance. My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released and sent home. I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but otherwise, I'm doing great. Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. Gemello further beyond the " other side " -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Congrads Gemello. Who did your surgery? W. open RNY 10/14/2003 PB/ Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Thanks Ramona! You're in my prayers. I wish you strength in your challenges. You deserve the best. Don't forget that! Gemello > Hi Gemello, > I am so happy for you it brings tears to my eyes. > Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 , Thanks! My surgeon is a Kaiser surgeon based in Hayward/Union City. His name is Dr. Ciletti. By the way, Kaiser did NOT cover any part of my reconstructive surgery. Gemello > Congrads Gemello. Who did your surgery? > W. > open RNY > 10/14/2003 > PB/ Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 > > Congrads Gemello. Who did your surgery? > > W. > > open RNY > > 10/14/2003 > > PB/ Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Hi Gemello, Happy to hear that you are home and doing well. I am thankful that your friend Bill was there to look out for you. Opting for reconstructive surgery can be a big decision - but I think getting rid of that excess can help get rid of some the emotional baggage that morbid obesity can inflict on us. To look normal - that sounds so wonderful to me. Take it easy. Give yourself time to heal. All the best, Kay open RNY 12/1/03 Gemello DiGiovanni wrote: > Hello everyone: > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > drains. > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > surgery. There were no surprises. > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better > as I heal. > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > about for me. Just being normal. > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > chest area instead of larger scars. > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > hospital by ambulance. > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released > and sent home. > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > Gemello > further beyond the " other side " > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Gemello Great to have you back, you normal person you! That was a smart move having your friend Bill with you, way to go. I'm only 4 months out but every day I feel more and more normal. I can't wait to be at the point you are. Congratulations, I'm really happy for you. Lori S. > Hello everyone: > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > drains. > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > surgery. There were no surprises. > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better > as I heal. > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > about for me. Just being normal. > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > chest area instead of larger scars. > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > hospital by ambulance. > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released > and sent home. > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > Gemello > further beyond the " other side " > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Gemello - I'm so happy your reconstructive surgery went well. I am even more delighted that you are so pleased with the results. Ellen I'm back Hello everyone:I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over.I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my drains.Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this surgery. There were no surprises.The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better as I heal.For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been about for me. Just being normal.My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my chest area instead of larger scars.There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a hospital by ambulance.My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released and sent home.I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but otherwise, I'm doing great.Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers.Gemellofurther beyond the "other side"-133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Welcome home, Gemello! I'm so happy for the success of your surgeries, the fact that your good friend was present, and for your joy in your "normalness!" Pat Pre-Op So CA -----Original Message-----From: Gemello DiGiovanni Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 9:48 AMTo: gastric-bypass-support-kaiser-patients Subject: I'm backHello everyone:I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over.I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my drains.Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this surgery. There were no surprises.The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better as I heal.For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been about for me. Just being normal.My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my chest area instead of larger scars.There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a hospital by ambulance.My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released and sent home.I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but otherwise, I'm doing great.Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers.Gemellofurther beyond the "other side"-133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Thanks Kay. I will take your advice and try to relax. Hope you're doing well. Gemello > > > Hello everyone: > > > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > > drains. > > > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > > surgery. There were no surprises. > > > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my > > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all > > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left > > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better > > as I heal. > > > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's > > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > > about for me. Just being normal. > > > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally > > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained > > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my > > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > > chest area instead of larger scars. > > > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and > > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > > hospital by ambulance. > > > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on > > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also > > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and > > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released > > and sent home. > > > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > > > Gemello > > further beyond the " other side " > > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Thanks Lori, Isn't it strange how being just normal is the best thing? I don't know if someone who hasn't walked in our morbidly obese shoes would ever get that. Thank goodness for this group. Otherwise, there would be no one who would understand me completely. Our loved ones can sympathize, but only people like us get the meaning deep down. Thanks for listening. Gemello > > Hello everyone: > > > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > > drains. > > > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > > surgery. There were no surprises. > > > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is > my > > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not > all > > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has > left > > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get > better > > as I heal. > > > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a > man's > > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > > about for me. Just being normal. > > > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had > originally > > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he > explained > > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, > my > > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > > chest area instead of larger scars. > > > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, > and > > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > > hospital by ambulance. > > > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff > on > > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had > also > > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak > and > > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was > released > > and sent home. > > > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > > > Gemello > > further beyond the " other side " > > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Ellen: Thank you for your kind words. I don't know what I'd do without our wonderful group! Gemello > Gemello - I'm so happy your reconstructive surgery went well. I am even more delighted that you are so pleased with the results. > > Ellen > I'm back > > > Hello everyone: > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > drains. > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > surgery. There were no surprises. > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better > as I heal. > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > about for me. Just being normal. > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > chest area instead of larger scars. > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > hospital by ambulance. > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released > and sent home. > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > Gemello > further beyond the " other side " > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Thanks Pat, I was thinking the whole time, " I've got to remember all of this so I can share it with my online support group. " This whole process for me would be literally impossible without this group. It helps keep me focused and grounded. Thanks, Gemello > Welcome home, Gemello! I'm so happy for the success of your surgeries, the > fact that your good friend was present, and for your joy in your > " normalness! " > > Pat > Pre-Op > So CA > I'm back > > > Hello everyone: > > I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over. > > I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night > (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and > was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my > drains. > > Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this > surgery. There were no surprises. > > The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him > take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw > myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the > swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my > body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The > incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all > the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front > (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left > my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I > have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better > as I heal. > > For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's > body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been > about for me. Just being normal. > > My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally > planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained > to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my > chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive > liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my > chest area instead of larger scars. > > There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going > according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I > should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. > The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and > there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a > hospital by ambulance. > > My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the > surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on > how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my > drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also > failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't > for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner > time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and > chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released > and sent home. > > I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal > muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but > otherwise, I'm doing great. > > Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers. > > Gemello > further beyond the " other side " > -133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Gemello: I am so thrilled for you....Congratulations and Im glad that everything went so well for you. You must look and feel amazing. I had my reconstructive consult with Dr Fisher/Richmond yesterday. Kaiser is going to cover my pannectomy(?) but Im having them do my arms at the same time for a fee. He said they will pull up from the groin area too and that it should be around 5-10 pounds. Unlike the tummy tuck though I dont think they tighten muscles....but I cant afford the surgery on my own....I will just be glad not to have the hanging apron. Hopefully mine will be the end of July or the beginning of August. I began this journey at 315 and am currently at 170. That is a 145 pound loss so far. I want to get down at least 15 more before surgery. All my best wishes are going out to you and your rediscovery of yourself. Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Gemello, I am so glad things went so great for you. You sound like you are in good spirits and we know that attitude is so important in the healing process. Congratulations! CarolGemello DiGiovanni wrote: Hello everyone:I'm back from my reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness it's over.I'm not in much pain, just discomfort. I slept well last night (thanks to meds), and I actually got up by myself this morning and was able to change my dressings, take a sponge bath, and empty my drains.Thanks to online support groups, I was very prepared for this surgery. There were no surprises.The surgeon removed 6 lbs of skin and fatty tissue (and I had him take a picture of it, but I haven't seen the picture yet). I saw myself naked for the first time this morning, and even with the swelling and nasty looking incisions, I can't believe that this is my body. That flap of abdominal fat and skin is gone forever. The incision for the abdominoplasty wraps around to my back, but not all the way, just about 2 inches on each side. The lifting in front (where pubic area meets the incision of the abdominoplasty) has left my inner thighs looking great. I could just cry at the results. I have never had a flat chest and abdomen. And it will only get better as I heal.For the first time in my life, my body looks normal, the way a man's body should look. Being normal is what this whole process has been about for me. Just being normal.My surgeon decided to do liposuction on my chest. We had originally planned for a type of anchor cut on each breast, but as he explained to me, when he stretched my skin downward for the abdominoplasty, my chest flattened out so nicely that he decided for the less invasive liposuction. As such, I have only four tiny incisions around my chest area instead of larger scars.There was a time at the surgery center that things were not going according to plan. After surgery, I began to bleed more than I should have been. I woke up in recovery in a small pool of blood. The nurses had to move me from side to side to sop up the blood, and there was even talk of rushing me from the surgery center to a hospital by ambulance.My dear friend Bill (a Registered Nurse) had accompanied me to the surgery center. He knew exactly what to do and directed the staff on how to stabilize my condition. He had discovered that one of my drains was under me and therefore not draining. The nurses had also failed to empty the drains which by then were full. If it weren't for his actions, I would have been sent to the hospital. By dinner time, my condition was stabilized, and Bill fed me grilled steak and chicken kabobs. Yummy protein! By Wednesday morning, I was released and sent home.I have to walk slowly, and I'm stooped over because my abdominal muscles are so tight (common reaction to abdominoplasty), but otherwise, I'm doing great.Thank you all for your positive wishes and prayers.Gemellofurther beyond the "other side"-133 lbs (+ 6 lbs removed throught reconstructions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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