ssflbelle
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Everything posted by ssflbelle
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200+ pounds to loose and scared
ssflbelle replied to Bombshellkitten's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I started my journey weighing 497 pounds. Following 2 weight loss programs I lost on my own and through exercise down to 317. At that weight I had the sleeve done in Jan 2016. That helped me get down to 210 and now I am only 30 pounds away from my goal. You have to follow the high protein, low carb program you are given, exercise when the Dr says it is ok to do so and have the right frame of mind. I have not regretted the surgery at all. You can do this! Many have been your weight and lost. I found that going to support groups, joining forums like this and the special forums for higher weight losss on this site and a lot of other weight loss sites and private facebook groups to be very helpful with encouragement and support. I worked hard to get this weight off and with all the excess skin hanging the hard work doesn't show, so if my insurance pays for those surgeries I am getting them done as well. One month ago I had the first of four excess skin removal surgeries. I didn't regret that surgery either. In the Fall I hope to have the excess skin on my tummy removed. -
I weigh my foods after they are cooked.
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Hi all I don't think I posted in this thread before. Forgive me if I have. I had my 3 procedure surgery on Jan 26th 2016 at the age 0f 60. In addition to the sleeve, I also had a hernia repaired and my diseased gallbladder taken out. Three weeks ago I had the first of four excess skin removal surgeries. I speak for myself when I say this yet it may apply to all of us. If this surgery is truly what you want GO FOR IT! We may take a bit longer to heal because of our age but age shouldn't stop us from getting the surgeries and living the remainder of our lives without all his excess weight and skin. I know I am happier and healthier for having done this.
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Finally had breast reduction surgery
ssflbelle replied to ssflbelle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
3rd week followup and I am doing so good the Dr doesn't want to see me again until Aug 14th. The FNG looks great and the mounds are being to take shape. After all the excess skin was removed the Dr said I had enough tissue to give me a nice B mound. Had three more stitches removed from the right breast. The swelling was down as well as the pain from last week's visit. Overall the Dr and I are very happy. I can finally sleep on my side, lift more than 5 pounds and ride my tricycle. So thrilled to be able to do those things again. The walking and bike riding will help get my strength back so maybe I can return to work on Aug 8th with just the walker and may not need the scooter any more. That would be fantastic to finally walk around the agency. -
What was the biggest surprise for you at or after surgery? What do you wish you had known?
ssflbelle replied to sunmeadow's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
How very painful trapped gas can be. I was not able to walk at the time and the gas got trapped in my back shoulder blades. It was so bad my Doctor and I thought when the nurses and Pt had to lift me off the toilet they broke my ribs. My doctor had X-rays taken but nothing was broken. Had to take twice the amount of extra strength Gas-X than the normal person does. That gas lasted 3 weeks and was very painful. -
Need advance tips for next June at a convention
ssflbelle replied to Sosewsue61's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Will the hotel have a small microwave, refrigerator and a coffee maker which will allow you to heat just water? If there is no microwave or small refrigerator may be you could rent one for the days you will be there. If there is a refrigerator you could get milk, string cheese, crab meat and turkey sticks. The milk could be used to make protein puddings. The coffee marker could be used to make protein high oatmeal, soups, and some of the other high protein packaged foods like Sloppy Joe, Chili mix etc that this site sales in their store. Also some high protein bars and chips would be good. Nine months from now you will probably be at your goal and will be able to eat a variety of good food items. With all the dancing you will be doing whatever you eat I am sure will be worked off. Good luck during these next 9 months. -
How are people affording all these plastics???
ssflbelle replied to swizzle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
I had to pay $200.00 to the hospital. Am 19 days post op from a breast reduction of 1400 grams from the left and 1500 grams from the right and a FNG. Am hoping and praying I don't get any other kind of bill. -
My Bariatric Surgery Consultation in Two Days
ssflbelle commented on Deborah B's blog entry in Deborah B
I think I kind of know how you feel. I was 60 in Jan 2016 when I had my sleeve, hernia repair and gallbladder out all on the same day. I had never had any kind of surgery in my life so I was extremely nervous and anxious. However, I also knew with all that was wrong with me if I didn't have these surgeries I would not have much of a life left to enjoy. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. Just 18 days ago I had my second surgery which was excess skin removal from my huge sagging deflated breasts and a free nipple graft. The second best surgery of my life. Because of all the weight I have lost I will need 3 more excess skin removal surgeries provided insurance pays for them. When all is said and done I will be a new woman and you will be too. It will be a challenge but if I could do it I know you can too. You will feel so much better and have a happier life. Send me an email if you want me as a friend. I am willing to help you with moral support and encouragement. -
When I had my sleeve the Doctor also did a hernia repair and removed my diseased gallbladder. My hernia has come back but it is not causing me any pain. I am 34 pounds from my goal and had the 1st of 4 skin removal surgeries. I am hoping with this 1st skin removal surgery it will help me be able to exercise more so I can get to goal soon so I can have the 2nd skin removal surgery and the hernia could be repaired at that time. . However since I do have the hernia the thought has crossed my mind that if I can't get to goal I could try for a revised sleeve at the time of the second hernia repair. If your Doctor is going to be in there anyhow and the tests show your sleeve needs to be revised If it was me I would do it.
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WELL CRAPPERS
ssflbelle commented on mama3beartn's blog entry in MAMA3BEARTN ---,---'@ WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY
Getting delayed can be very frustrating. My 1st plastic surgery in March was canceled. I too had everything planned out at work as I am a teacher. We switched all the clients over to another teacher at the Center and the following week I was back at work. Three months later we had to do it all again but thank goodness this time it wasn't canceled. I had my surgery June 26th and am home recovering. I hope today Friday they were able to give you the info you wanted and everything works out well for you. Good luck keep us posted. -
1 1/2 years post op
ssflbelle posted a blog entry in Welcome to my journey toward being able to walk again!
On July 26th it will be 1 1/2 years ago that I had my 3 procedure hernia repair, gallbladder removal and sleeve surgery done. I have lost over 280 pounds from my highest weight but was still not able to walk without excruciating pain in my back. . 18 days ago I had the first of 4 excess skin removal surgeries. The Dr felt that I was low enough to be able to have a breast reduction and free nipple graft. I was suppose to have this surgery in March but the day before surgery, they canceled it due to finding microcalcifications in my left breast. I had to wait over 6 weeks to get approved for a biopsy and it proved to be benign. Than I had to go through all the preop testings and get approval again . Finally on June 26th I had my breast reduction and FNG. Today is the 18 day after surgery and I just walked 1/4 of a mile with my walker without any back pain. It felt so great to be able to do this walk without pain. I was and probably will continue to be hunched over as I still have a huge amount of excess skin on my tummy and lower half which needs to be removed as well. Despite being tired from the walk and sweating like crazy in this Florida sun I was able to do this walk. I am thrilled and just pray to God that I continue to be pain free on the rest of the walks I plan to do this weekend and in the future. I have a goal to do in Sept 2018 the WLSFA Stamp Out Obesity 5K walk. Would love to do it this year but I doubt I will be ready for it in time. But come 2018 I am sure I will be able to do it if there is a group in South Florida sponsoring it. -
Finally had breast reduction surgery
ssflbelle replied to ssflbelle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
I also put this as a status update as I am thrilled. So sorry if your reading it here again but I thought it was fantastic that 18 days after my 1st excess skin removal surgery I walked 1/4 mile with the walker and had no back pain. This is the farthest I have walked in over 30 years without pain. Praise God! When the second excess skin removal surgery is done I may be able to walk without the walker. I have worked so very hard over the last few years to lose these 280 pounds and am so happy to see some positive results with my walking now that the weight and boobies are gone. Can hardly wait for the second procedure but I know I have to. Fall Season can't get here fast enough for me. Will continue to walk during the weekend and hopefully by next weekend maybe i could walk a mile. Today a visited with a friend in the community to the South of me. Tomorrow I plan to visit a friend 1/4 mile North of me. Sunday I plan to walk to the clubhouse. Am so enjoying this ability to walk. :):) -
Today 18 days after my 1st or 4 skin removal surgeries I was able to walk 1/4 mile with the walker. This is the farthest I have walked in over 30 year without any back pain. I am so excited that I was able to do this. When the 2nd skin removal surgery is done in the Fall I may be able to walk without the walker. To be able to do all the activities that were taken away from me over 30 years ago would make me so very happy and proud at what I have accomplished over all these years. Over 280 pounds gone, smaller boobies and soon a smaller tummy and than 2 more skin removal surgeries is a lot to go through but it is so worth it in the end.
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Thanks so much. No more back pain. As for the boobie surgery I still have some swelling under the armpits but the pain isn't severe enough that I need to take anything for it. I am icing the girls twice a day and the swelling is less.
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Finally had breast reduction surgery
ssflbelle replied to ssflbelle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Had my 2nd week followup. Had 3 to 4 blue stitches removed from each breast. I didn't look so I don't know if those stitches came from the T locations or from the nipples. I have been having pain under the armpits despite icing it down 2 to 3 times a day. Was told to keep icing them down and continue with the cream and petroleum dressings changes daily. Finally tomorrow I am able to take a shower and wash my hair. Am looking forward to washing my hair. if I am not too tired tomorrow evening I plan to go play cards with my Lady friends. This will be the first activity since my surgery. Am trying to get my balance and walk a bit more despite the herniated discs I have. Balance is still going to be a problem because of all the excess skin I have around my middle. My middle is now bigger than my breasts but I am still working towards getting to my goal weight. Have another followup scheduled for July 17th. -
3 1/2 weeks post op gained 12 pounds
ssflbelle replied to chynadoll619's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Are you moving your bowels? If not, get some Miralax. You could have some of this weight gain from constipation bloating. -
Dime sized pieces for the rest of our lives?...
ssflbelle replied to Rraine's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
1 1/2 years post op and to this day I still follow many of the skills I was taught to apply to be a mindful eating. I continue to use a small lunch plate for all my meals, I cut my pieces of meat into the size of a nickle, (so yes it is a bit bigger now) lay my fork down between each bite, chew, chew, chew again until it is almost liquid and don't drink anything during the meal. I see no reason to go back to eating bigger pieces of food. -
Congratulations! Glad to hear your doing well. Even though it was only 3 pounds I bet it makes a world of difference in how you feel and look. I am also 61 and just last week had a breast reduction with a FNG and am doing great as well. The next surgery if approved will be my tummy. I have a lot of damage as a result of losing over 280 pounds. If my tummy turns out as great as my Breasts my back is going to feel so much better. I already notice a difference in the 6 pounds they took off my breasts.
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Coffee after gastric sleeve
ssflbelle replied to shericrazylady's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I had my first sip of coffee 6 weeks after my sleeve surgery. I had been drinking the high protein hot chocolate drink and added a 1/2 of a teaspoon to the protein hot chocolate. Now a days 1 1/2 years post op I make about 2 cups of coffee a day. I add my hot chocolate to the 1st coffee. I drink a bold and tasty generic brand from Walmart. At Walmart I also discovered a protein creamora which I use in the second cup of coffee instead of the sugar free creamora. It is a chocolate mint taste and both of these types of coffees start my day off very nicely. During the day I still drink 4 liters of water so I am never dehydrated. -
Finally had breast reduction surgery
ssflbelle replied to ssflbelle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Thanks Kathy I appreciate your words of encouragement. I had my 1 week follow up. The Dr removed the stitches holding down the nipple graft bandages. He was very gentle and I did feel a few tinglings as he was doing it as well a a few later tonight. He said that good was, I maybe didn't lose all sensitivity. He said the nipple graft looked good and what will be happening over the next few weeks. He had the nurse go through the daily cleansing and changing of bandages routine. They asked if I needed a nurse but I thought I would be able to do it without one. Besides it would probably be a very long drawn out procedure to get it approved. I have friends in the neighborhood I can ask, if I need help. They have been very helpful all along, with providing my roommate and I with meals, sending cards, flowers, DVD's and books and short visits. I got a chance to look at the breasts and they look good to me. After I got home I took some measurements and based on now with the swelling and all, I think I will turn out to be a B cup. That is some different from where I acme from. I was told to cut back on the meds to 2 a day and so far tonight I am doing fine with the less meds. I was gone for about 3 hours and when I got home I fell asleep in the recliner for about 4 hours. A very much needed sleep as I had used the walker to go into the Doctor's office. Used the scooter to go into the drugstore to get some gauze and tape needed to do the daily cleansing routine. The store was much bigger and more spread out then the Doctor's office. Will be going to the 4th of July celebration for about 2 hours tomorrow. It will be good to see all my neighbors and socialize for awhile. I see the Doctor again on July 10th. Will post more when that visit happens. -
I seriously can't believe it! Crying from Happiness!
ssflbelle replied to Dashofpixiedust8's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
WoW what an accomplishment. I know you are not only looking great but feeling so much better. I hope my recovery goes as smoothly as your seems to be going. I will know more on Monday my 1 week post follow up for breast reduction. -
Finally had breast reduction surgery
ssflbelle replied to ssflbelle's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Thanks all for your kind words. I am just relaxing and taking things slowly. Will have more to post after the follow up on Monday. Hope everyone has a good weekend. I have plenty of books to read and DVD's to watch. -
Getting pre-op medical testings and clearance is so stressful and frustrating. I supposedly had all my pre-op testing for excess skin removal on June 9th. Wednesday days before surgery is to happen I am told I need to head back to the PCP and have PT (Prothrombin Time), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time), and INR (International Normalized Ratio). asap. Why the heck wasn't this done June 9th. So I rush my butt to the PCP get this done just in time to get over to the hospital for the pre-surgery appt only to have to go back to the PCP because the hospital said I have an infection from a blood blister that broke open on my breast. Now I am on a cream and antiboitic 5 days before I am to have surgery.
Friday 3 pm I was told the PS still didn't have medical clearance. Got the referral lady to email me the 17 pages of clearance, printed it off and hand delivered it to the surgeons office. I just don't understand why I am having so much trouble getting these breast boulders turned into molehills. If this surgery is canceled again for the second time I am going to be so upset I think I will explode and hack them off myself.
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As for the clearance my referral lady in Deerfield Creek (a 45 minute ride south of where I live) had it. I had her send it in a email to me. 17 pages I printed off at 3:15 pm on Friday, dressed and drove over to the PS and hand delivered it to the staff. Told them to call Kris the Dr nurse (as she was at another office over 30 minutes away from the office I go to) go over all 17 pages with her and make sure they have everything they need. if this blister heals I was not going to let medical clearance cancel this surgery. However I still have to wait until 10:30 Monday markup day to see if the blister healed to have this to needed breast surgery.
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I was scheduled for a breast reduction, lift, FNG on March 21st. The day before surgery I was to be marked. However when I got to the Doctor's office I was told I had to go and get another mammogram and an ultrasound. Later that day the Dr called and canceled my surgery for the next day. It took over 6 weeks for a biopsy to be taken. It was benign. I then had to wait 1 1/2 more weeks to get a rescheduled date. Today I was told my rescheduled surgery date is Monday June 26th. Have to go through pre-op blood work and an EKG again. It will have been a 3 month delay but it is hopefully finally going to happen.
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If I get the surgery. Sent a picture of the popped blood blister to the surgeon at his request. It is so hard for me to believe this thing may cause my surgery to be canceled. He saw it and said if it doesn't get worse than maybe we can do the surgery. Will know better when he sees me at 10:30 on Monday for the markings. This will be a very frustrating and stressful weekend.
