Robynne Hazebroek-Buzanko

Greetings everyone. As you can tell, I’m new here. Looking for somewhere to share my story and experiences with as I begin the second stage of my journey. Let me start at the beginning. I’m a Canadian living in the Netherlands. I’m 34 (approaching 35 soon). I’m married (for 11 wonderful years) and I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter who will be soon turning 9 (later this month). About 2 years ago (september 2012) I underwent Gastric Sleeve surgery in Bruges, Belgium. I was sent home after 2 short days in the hospital (operated on Wednesday, home on Friday) and had a quick and painless recovery. The most trauma I had was the nausea from the anesthetic. I am still discovering the new ways my body reacts to certain foods, but it’s a process I enjoy. I also enjoy having control over what I eat and how much – which is why I chose the Sleeve surgery instead of a Bypass. Now – 2 years later and I’ve lost nearly 65 kilos. I’ve been “steady” around this weight for a while and late last year was referred to a plastic surgeon to see if I qualified for surgery via my insurance. On the 24th of December I received a letter saying my insurance had approved my case. So here we are and in about 2 weeks’ time I’ll be having a Fleur de Lis tummy tuck. I’ve been doing everything I can to prepare my body for the surgery (high-impact cardio + Core/cardio training on top of my usual 7.5 km bike ride each day). I’ve done research on how I can help my body after the operation (lots of protein). I’m not sure what else I can do, really. I’m also not quite sure what to expect and I know it’s different for everyone. Sometimes I read stories that give me hope my expectations and hopes should come true (slowly resuming my quiet and easy-going job after about a month) and then I read horror stories which give me nightmares of losing my job (homebound for 3 months – as a temp this is a worst-case-scenario). I must be honest – this will be only the second time I’ve EVER been in hospital (not counting the birth of my daughter). I’ve NEVER broken a bone or needed stitches or whatever so this has all been quite daunting. On the other hand, I’m super excited and impatient to have the surgery done and see the beautiful results of all the hard work. I’m hoping later this year to get approval to have my breasts corrected as well, but we’ll see how that all works out in the end. If anyone has any questions or tip – please don’t hesitate to write. Thanks for reading. Robynne

Ooohhhhhh..!!! I haven't had any trouble with that (yet), but now I'll know what it is & what to do if it does happen... Thanks...

Hello peeps.. Relatively new to these forums. More than two years ago I had a Gastric Sleeve & have lost close to 65 kilos. I live in the Netherlands but was born in Canada. In 1 1/2 weeks time I'll be getting a Fleur de Lis TT -- and I'm a little nervous. Not sure why specifically really. Nerves combined with excited impatience too. :-/ Confusing. I was wondering what some of your experiences have been. I know the surgery is heavy-duty. My surgeon told me it would be 3 months before I felt like my old self, but I am curious how others have felt. How long before you could walk a block or two? Climb stairs? I am hoping to SLOWLY (couple hours a day at first) return to work after about a month, but I'm not sure if this is realistic. Anyone have any tips or suggestions? I'm all ears.. Robynne

@@JamieLogical My surgeon didn't warn me about much more than how important it was to take it easy and to expect a low-energy level. Hahaha! The three spots look indeed like places where, once the stitches were removed, the skin wasn't quite healed enough and they've split slightly. I'm not really worried about these spots - I know they'll heal. My impatience is the problem - they aren't healing quick enough for me! Hihihi.. Two small spots in either side, near the front of my hips - and the biggest in the middle where all 3 pieces of my inverted T come together. They explained that - considering the amount removed - it wasn't at all strange. The wound from diaphragm (including my navel) down looks great and is already hardly visible. Just a bit of dry skin around the joins (nothing major). I go back for a check up Tuesday..

@ Jacileggs - that's great news! Do you have a date? Things here are going great! I feel great, but still find myself not able to do what I feel I can do. The wound is healing slowly. There are 3 small spots that need extra care, but progress is visible. Once everything is a bit more settled, I'll post another pic...

Thanks again guys. My anxiety is purely in my own neurotic and slightly schizophrenic mind - logical side fighting with emotional side. Of course it'll take time and of course it feels vulnerable - but the doc wouldn't have been so casual if it was anything to worry about. I know this - but my emotional side can't stop worrying! Hahaha! Anyone else have this problem? And I am SO happy with the results. Happy how I feel and how it looks. The reward for all the effort the past few years. Time to readjust my perspective - I know I'll still walk around places I think I can't fit through for a while and buying clothes will definitely have to be WITH someone who will knock the oversized stuff out of my hands. All wonderful stuff I'm actually looking forward to. New challenges that'll just be fun. I was allowed to sleep laying flat on my back (instead of half-sitting) last night! Bliss!! And getting ever closer to being able to sleep on my side again!! Can't wait! Tho - it'll be weird without the lump of tummy to "cuddle" with! Hahaha..

Thank you! It does feel amazing - but also surreal. Something I'm still adjusting to.. They told me it was approximately 4 kilos worth - which is another reason it's being "difficult" with healing.

Hello once again. So.. It's 11 days post-op. I went in today for my first check up. Stitches & bandages removed. All looks really good - except the point where all the pieces of skin were joined together. There's a little inflammation and irrigation which, the surgeon said was due to the edge of the corset. He prescribed me a cream for the inflammation and told me to come back in 2 weeks. Further, I am to ditch the corset for control-panties. Bought some today right away. Not the kind that go all the way to my ribs, just the waist-high kind. It's taking some getting used to, but I guess that's normal. Planning on cutting back the pain meds from 4 to 3 times a day... I've got a before & after pic. I find it hard to post, but going to make myself. I hope no one is offended by them... Thanks for reading and for all your support..

Hi again everyone. Had quite an ok night.. Was finally able to find a good position to sleep in. Pain is reasonable and mostly categorized as pressure & tightness, which is logical. Moving is still with difficulty and I'm walking like I'm 80, but that's ok. Got up in the night alone to pee; but movement is slow & sensitive. I'll probably be able to shower today and if my surgeon approves, I might get to go home. I'll keep you all updates and will post pics once I can get a good after pic done. Good luck everyone and feel free to ask any questions - no matter what!

The procedure went smoothly and it seems recovery is going quickly. I might even be sent home tomorrow..!!! Drains, catheter & IV came out today and I've been to the bathroom to pee twice. I've eaten and the doctor seems pleased. He explained the Fleur de Lis, while being the more "extreme" TT procedure, delivered the best and longest lasting results. If I lose more weight, the FdL TT results will stay just as nice whereas with the normal TT there's a risk of, after possible additional weightless, the skin could hang over the scar line requiring additional surgery.....

Well - nearly 6 hours post-op. I was one of the first scheduled today, so was wheeled off around 8.30 am. Supposedly for 2 hours. Ended up taking 4 hours. Nausea has been extremely minimal (thank goodness) and pain is also nothing to write home about. Not allowed to move much - which is why it's probably low. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt. Every twitch, every cough, every shift. But it's not horrible. My surgeon removed 4 kilos. Which I found surprising. He was happy with the results thus far - said it was looking too tight and my drains are surprisingly empty.. After pics will follow later..

Two days to go until surgery - each day is different. Some moments of pure anxiety, others of confidence. I feel sometimes rather schizophrenic in that the logical part of my brain is constantly arguing with the illogical part. I know it's all going to be great in the end... @ MoMo12onTheGo - my surgeon asked me to try & lose a little extra weight before he sent my file off for approval from my insurance -- my attempts actually had an adverse affect on my weight and I started to slowly gain despite being even more careful with food and working out extra. So he told me to stop and I returned to my current weight & stabilized. Over here, they are more concerned about seeing stability in your weight than having reached a goal weight. Technically, I'm still a little (I think .1) above the "desired" BMI, but after reviewing my case file the insurance company approved. My surgeon seems confident that the surgery will help push me through to my goal.

Thank you all SO much for responding. I am feeling much more reassured after reading your stories. My surgeon also said: "pain - we can manage! It's your energy levels you have to take into consideration." I don't mind being a little off for 3 months and pain I can handle, I'm mostly worried about getting back to work "on time". Work tells me to take my time, but as a temp I feel an invisible pressure to return asap.. I will keep you guys updated (if you like) and will post some before/after pics.

Wow. That's pretty hefty. I'm glad that everything eventually worked out and that you're still pleased with the results. I've promised my family (as well as my sweet colleagues) that I will put myself first (however difficult that is for me). My work has also assured me I can take as much time as I need. I WILL be listening to my body and following its lead. I'm so curious as to how it'll go and how I'll feel, but mostly how it'll look -- I've never been "thin" my entire life. It's all quite hard for me to grasp still.

Thanks for the responses so far guys. @ Jaycee - I'd be more than happy to correspond with you. The sleeve operation isn't performed very often over here so I don't have many people to talk to (in forums) about experiences and such. If I can help in any way please let me know. @ JamieLogical - don't worry! I'm sort of mentally preparing myself for the worst.. lol.. My surgeon told me not to worry so much about pain ("pain we can manage" he said) but more to take into consideration the lack of energy. The most important thing is to listen to my body and build up slowly. I hope I'm not home too long (not because I don't want to be home, but because it could cost me my job). I am prepared for pain and old-lady-like posture. My daughter, husband and in-laws are ready for me if I need them. As for the scar - I am well aware of it. But I'd rather have that than all the extra flesh in the way. If you don't mind my asking - what were your complications?