Post op April 24, 2006

[Guest guest]

It is great to read the posts on this site. Pam Marsh, I read your

posts with great interest. I was surprised about you being able to

get the tummy tuck and breast augmentation only 2 1/2 months after

your first year anniversary. I thought we were supposed to wait two

years. That is what I had been told. Can you tell me the reasoning

behind why you were able to do that so soon.

I just wanted to say that I really struggled to get that 23 lbs off

for my surgery. I was also shocked that they weighed me on the day

of surgery. I had my weigh-in prior and was only 2 lbs away from

goal but the scheduled me anyway. The day of surgery I was 5 lbs

away, but they allowed the surgery. I think it is up to the

individual doctor or site. I think I was lucky.

I have not had any major problem with my surgery. I did have

adhesions from prior surgery which made it take longer to do. I

also had gained 10 lbs of water from the fluids. I had to retake

that weight off and I also have lost an additional 15 lbs during the

month of April. I wasn't discouraged about the water weight because

they gave me so much fluid my hands and feet and ankles looked like

little fat sausages. I was so relieved when they finally went

down. I can't imagine what I will look like later. I look so much

better now. I feel that there definitely was a big psychological

attitude change within myself. I would also recommend that you do

the exercise they tell you to do. I was only in the hospital two

nights. The surgery day, the following day and was out the next

morning. I am walking anywhere from 2 to 6 miles a day. I walk to

train station and take Caltrain and walk home. The distance

averages around 5 1/2 miles, and I usually walk around 1 or 2 miles

at work depending what I am doing that day. I did do weight

training and water aerobics. Though when it got cold I didn't do

water aerobics during the winter. I will start with trainer again

next Tuesday for a month or two. I was the worst at dragging my

feet doing the exercise. However, it really made a huge difference

in my recovery and how I feel now.

I didn't stick to stage two for very long. I talked with the

surgeon about that do. He was okay with me being in stage 3. I

didn't realize there was a stage 4 but there is. I am guessing that

is when the first year is up and you really have to make sure you

are following the plan so you won't gain your weight back. I

virtually eat anything I want but I do have to say some things that

I liked, the taste changed so it seems counterproductive to eat

them. I did get very nauseous when someone in my office popped

popcorn in the microwave oven. I had to leave the room until the

odor was gone. I drink milk that is for lactase intolerant, so no

problems there. I can swallow pills so I asked the doctor if it was

okay, as I didn't want to get anything stuck, he said yes. This is

kind of long but my point is common sense goes a long way and will

be your best friend. Have I had any problems, yes, some dumping as

I tested what I can eat. Not a whole lot. Have had a couple of

episodes where I ate too fast, not pleasant, clammy, sweating,

feeling like stuff is stuck in throat. Took about 45 minutes to an

hour before unpleasantness passed. Still learning.

For those of you struggling to lose your 10%, hang in there. Once

you have this surgery you are going to feel so much better. One

more thing, my knee is much better, I don't use sleep apnea machine

and my diabetes numbers are down. I suspect they will go down

further as time moves on. The psychological impact is enormous. I

can't stress enough how important this is. It can go either way,

negative or positive. My internal issues haven't gone away though

my out image is changing. Still working on those.

I really didn't think I could lose that weight. I struggled almost

a year. The support from the groups is so huge in its impact on

your journey to your surgery. Take advantage, it is one of the best

things we can do for ourselves.