GREATFUL

Hey Everyone, Had my followup with the PS. Did not remove any drains, but I didnt expect him to, they are still going pretty good. OMG I am so happy with the way I look. I just can't believe it is my tummy. I have posted some more pictures - they are Day 5 pictures Password- OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. I am surprise just how much it took out of me just to go to the Doc. I am wiped out. So it is nap time for me. Later all, Laura

Well today is my post-op appointment with the PS. Will finally get to see what is under these bandages. I do not think I will be getting any drains out today, draining too much. Pluse, I am in no big hurry, I know it helps with the swelling. (I say that now, ask me in a few more day, LOL) Itching is starting to get a little annoying. I would love to take a shower, was able to wash my hair last night with the wonderful assistande of my DH. That did help how I was feeling alot. DH is back to work today so I am on my own, he will taking me to the PS for my appointment later today. Sorry rambling, just very bored..... Laura

Sue, I know what you mean about the people on this site. My DH thinks it is funny how I want to keep up with everyone here and know how they are doing. You can talk to your DH, you can talk to a friend and family. But they cannot understand all that you are going through. Then you can come here and express your concerns, share your fears and victories with someone who is going throught the exact things you are. I think of this place as a blessing. Take care all, Laura

OH, Thanks you Skinnyjeans for the sweet comment. And, I am down another pound this AM. So I am back where I was on the day of surgery. I know I am still swolen some, because he took of around 5lbs of skin, and that has not been reflected in the scales yet. But I am not worried about my weight, just about healing. It is just habit to weight myself each morning, LOL, some habit never die. Laura

Another good nigth.....it was a great night. I took my last pain meds at Midnight and did not wake up until 8 am. So feel very rested this morning. But not good enought to make it to church. I know God understands. I think my pain pump is finished or real close to it. I am feeling some twinges in my muscle area that I had not felt before today. Almost like I have done to may situps or someone punched me real hard in the tummy. I took some lortab and it has helped with the discomfort. I will see how it goes the rest of the day when it comes to pain meds. Thinking I will wait until after my followup with the PS tomorrow before coming off the pain meds. I just can't wait to see what I look like without the bandages. PS did not give me permission to remove them, so I am not. Later, Laura

Allie - I had my surgery at a surgery center, they also do not have over night stay. But it is just 15 min from my house. I also had my DH to stay with me, and a few friends as backup. I did better being in my own bed. BUT, like I said, I was only 15 min from my PS. With yours being 2 hours away, I would consider staying in a hotel room. Do you not have any family member who will be coming with you? Will they be sending you home with a pain pump? That thing was a life saver for me. I am sure that is why I am doing so good. I didnt have a catheter or an iv when I went home. Because of that I got up every hour and went to the potty. Kept my blood moving, no clots. What I would do, and this is just me.... I would have someone with me, family. Second I would make sure I am going to have a pain pump and other good pain meds. I would get a hotel room and stock it with lots of Water, Protein drinks and low salt Snacks. I would stay at least until the first followup with the PS. I don't think I needed professional nursing, but I did have my DH to help me. All I did was....take pain meds along with lots of water, nap and pee. You need to do what you feel comfortable with. Good luck, and take care Laura

Sue, Thanks for the nice comment. I know that he did not go as high as he wanted to with the muscle tightening. His concern was putting a kink in my band tubing. I am about the 4th lapband patient he has worked on. He was telling me a new technique that he came up with, so not to cause problems with the band tubing and still gettin a nice flat tummy. I was out of it when he told me what he did, but I will find out more Monday. I will be a good girl....no more peeking. You should see me at christmas time, LOL Laura

Okay, could not stand it any more. Had to look. I posted 2 more pictures on makemeheal if you wanna see. I can tell a big diffrence from the side. Now I just want to get the bandages off, can't wait till Monday, but I will be a good girl and not bother them. http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. password - OMGnoflab

OH, and I was also down 2 more lbs this morning. So I am back where I was pre-surgery. I can't wait till all of swelling is gone and I can see the 5lbs of skin/flab he cut off show up on the scales. Funny, so much of having a TT is a waiting game - wait for the surgery, wait for the drains to come out, binder to come off, to shower, to poo (lol), to walk standing up, etc.

Had another good night. Feel very rested. Some friends came over lastnight and visited, they were amazed on how well I am doing. I just sat in the recliner. Some of my girlfriends are brining food today for my DH and they are going to stay to watch chick flicks. Drains are still producing around 50 cc or ml (I cant remember which one) each time. Emptyed them about 2 times yesterday. Still taking pain meds, I believe it is smart to stay on ahead of the pain for the first few days. I don't know how others feel about that. When I had my 2 c-sec and hist, I did that also, and I had a very good recovery. PS told me that you do not heal as well when you are in pain, because your body is busy fighting the pain and not busy healing. Take care all, Later Laura

Thanks Josie and Mimi. I cannot wait to see it without the binder also. But I am going to try to make until Monday. My biggest fear about removing it before then is the chance I will mess up the pain pump some how. Do not want to be without it until it is empty. I truly believe it is what has helped me out the most. Josie my surgery last 3 hours and he took off around 5 lbs. It is amazing how good I feel. But I am taking it easy, I just want to heal and not mess anything up. Take care, Laura

Good for you Allie. Like you, at first I thought I needed the lower body lift. But my PS did convence me that I did not need one. I am only one day out, but I think he was so right. I carried most of my weight in my tummy area. I am excited for you. December will be here before you know it. Laura

I have before pictures on makemeheal. Only after are with the binder still on. Will take some without Monday. Password is - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792.

Mimi - I have 2 drains and the pain pump. Laura

PS said that he removed approximatley 5 lbs. I thought it would be more. But, I can already tell a diffrence, even with the binder. I have not looked at it without the binder. That will happen Monday.

Had a good night, only had to get up once to pee. I slept in the bed with my wedge and pillows under my knees. I feel real good this morning, hope it stays that way. Taking the pain med every 4 hours. I have a very exciting schedule planned for me today. Pee, take pain med, and sleep. Hay I might just throw in a movie for the fun of it. I have to bragg on my PS. He called me last night around 8:30 pm just to check on me. Not his nurse HIM. He wanted to make sure I was not in any pain, drinking lots of fluids, and peeing okay. Oh, yesterday before they took me back, after he marked me up, we all joined hand and said a prayer. Not your typical PS. He is not only a wonderful PS, his is a wonderful christian man also. I am very lucky. Drugs kicking in, back to bed. Laura

I am awake, very groggy and doing well. Surgery was at 8:30 am and got home around 2:30 pm. My wonderful DH is the best nurse in the world. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like. Back to bed for me. The newly flattened Laura

Thanks everyone for the info about the pain level. I had horrible sholder pain with the lapband also. So we shall see. I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off today. Running errons, picking up the house, cooking, gardening etc. I looked up at the clock and half of the day was already gone. One way to keep your mine off your surgery, keep yourself so busy you can harley think. I am planning a nice romantic dinner for me and my nurse (DH) tonight. I am going to try to get my DH to check in here for me after surgery. Thanks for all of the positive vibes....keep em coming.

Good for you... Drain Free at last. I know that has got to make you feel a bit more normal. So have you had to wait to shower all of this time? That would drive me nuts. Take care, Laura

TOMORROW BABY!!!!!! I can't believe it is almost here. I took off today because....well I just wanted too. LOL Knew I would be no good at the office. And I wanted to do just what I wanted to do today. Mess around the house, clean, cook, go grocery shopping, run errons etc. I am scheduled for 8:30 AM, have to be there at 7:30 AM. So this time tomorrow I will be there being preped. My DH shared with me lastnight that he is so worried I will be in alot of pain. Some friends of ours have been talking to him. One of them, their daughter had a TT years ago, and well, she was a big baby about the pain. And that is all they talk about. So he is a little concerned. I listened to him, we talked about the pain pump, and the wonderful drugs that he is to give me every four hours. I know that he loves me and hates when I feel bad in any way. He is very sweet...awwwwww. LOL Do you think some of it is how you expect to hurt or feel? If you expect to hurt you will. I am not being a pollyanna and thinking this will not be painful, but I am just trying to be positive about it. We shall see. Take care all....later Laura

I sure hope it grows back. Do you thank they make little lady toupees.......lol. No suitcase to pack, surgery is outpatient. I will be coming home the day of. Surgery Center only 15 min from house. No children at home, all grown and on their own. Only my wonderful DH and me. He will be takeing care of me. I am very blessed, his makes a great nurse. I keep joking with him that I am going to get him a short white dress with a little hat to wear and ask him to bend over alot. LOL He will be with me 4 days until he has to return to work. Then I have a few girl friends who are going to come stay with me during the day. We have a housekeeper that come every other week and she is scheduled to come the day of my surgery. So it will be nice to come home to a very clean house and not have to worry about it. My DH is neater than I am, so it will stay clean until she comes back in a few weeks. He likes to cook and will take care of himself in that department. I have a few things cooked up also. I have purchased, no salt crackers, puddin, Jello and some EAS shakes.

Josie - Thanks for your nice comments concerning my abundant flab. I am so looking forward to having it gone. What is funny, and this might be TMI, I am looking forward to being able to look down and seeing my pubic hair. I have only been able to see it in the mirrow. SORRY, that was TMI...... Does anyone else have that little bald spot from the skin rubbing? Allie - Surgery is THURSDAY, yep this THURSDAY!!!! Day after tomorrow.... two days from now. A little over 48 hours from now. Can you tell I am excited. I can hardly stand myself. Oh, a comment on the pics. The one where I am in jeans... thoses are size 8 jeans. I was so excited to get them on and zip them up, that was until I looked in the mirrow and saw the muffin top. I can't wait until it is gone and try those bad boys on again. Did anyone else take bromelin prior to surgery? TWO days and counting!!! Laura

If anyone is brave and not overly worried they might go blind, I have my before pictures posted on makemeheal.com: //www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792al.com - password is - OMGnoflab Dont forget I warned you, it is not a pretty sight. But just wait for the after pictures....... we can only dream.

Hey Allie - great job on the weight loss. I am so excited I could pee my pants. Only a few more day. I could not sleep last night for everything running through my head. Work, well that is another thing all together, lets just say I have been less than a model employee today. Cannot stay focused on anything that does not have anything to do with my TT. I am ready. Laura

PS is going to put a patch behind my ear for nausea. It worked well when I had my band. Hope is does this time also. We shall see. To be honest I am so looking forward to the down time. It has been non stop for the past few months. Work has been crazy and then my Dad getting sick. I am so very lucky to have my wonderful DH who is going to baby me for 4 days. I will be on my own after that but plan to be a lady of leisure. A few books I want to read, a stack of movies I want to watch and a knitting projects that I want to finish. Have my leave approve with work, not expected to come back until Aug 10th - 3 weeks off. Laura