kareyquilts

StephC: How exciting for you! Hope you get the go ahead soon and your PS gets you right in. I think the anticipation is the hardest part. I'm only 3 days out, but I don't think I can go back to work for a couple weeks (maybe a few hours a day). Good luck!

Thanks for the info on the compression garments. When I'm up to it I may get another way. The doc's office gave me one today. Mary Petunia, your in my thoughts and prayers today! God bless you!

I have 5 drains, plus the pain pump. I don't really mind the drains. Went back to PS today. He said that everything looks good. I found out that I don't have the anchor line (center line with the breast lift). When he put the implant it, the breast lift enough and the bottom of the breast had alot of volume, so I only have the suture line around the areola and under the breasts. They really aren't that big (I got a peek today) without all the padding they have around them. I'm going to try and take a shower today. Putting the compression garment on looks a little tricky, but I guess my DH and I will figure it all out. I'm feeling very emotional today. Just a little exhausted and in pain, but also very happy. I think it's going to look good. I'm just thinking about the whole journey of loosing the weight. How much work its been. How strong I've gotten, emotionally and physically. I think that the lapband surgery was harder in a lot of ways. I no longer have the pulmonary hypertension, the diabetes or all the mental baggage that goes with being overweight. I think that all the exercise that I've done in the last year has really paid off. Even though the MR is extremely painful, I can do squats and get around pretty good. Maybe I've already mentioned this, I'm a little drugged out. Anyway, I feel like I'm a different person both physically and mentally than I was 1 1/2 years ago. I'm still the same person in my basic personality and interests, but I'm tougher and more goal oriented. I've learned to put myself first and to take care of myself. My relationship to food has changed. I not as much of an emotionally eater. I don't eat out of boredom, etc. I love the lapband. I wish more people could understand how much better their lives could be with it. I still think of myself as a big girl, but I'm started to get a better or more realistic idea of my physical size. I figure when this is all done, I'll have made the 100 pounds lost club. Quite a journey....

LJM: It has to get better because everyone says so! I'm where you're at, hoping to feel betterl. Even with the swelling and pain I'm beginning to think it was well worth it. It's a painful miracle! Hang in there!

I meant to say that it was all loose skin that he removed (not muscle), it's the drugs. LOL.

Just thought I'd check in with my exercise buddies. The surgery went well. The lipo hurts alot. The muscle repair is the pits and I'm feeling very whining. Other than that all is good. I really think that all the exercise paid off. The PS said I had very little fat on my stomach, that is was all muscle. Pretty cool! Also, I'm glad for all those squats because I've been able to use those muscle to help me ambulate. I'm strong but it will be a while before I'm back at the gym. Take care, all!

TexasT: I can do machine and hand embrodiery, but on the quilt, I'm doing it all by hand. I like the jean quilt because they can use it for picnics, etc or as a bedspread. My DD and her finance will be living in an apartment so I didn't want to make a quilt for their bed until they know more what style and color they want. Good luck on the liquid diet!

Neal: Glad your doc is so on top of things, but sorry you have to be tweaked! Have you started back to work and how are things going? Do you have pain and mobility? Just trying to gauge how long I'll be a hunchback! LOL.

Thanks for the encouragement and support. Today is better than yesterday, but it is a painful experience. LJM: I'll think about getting into bed on my knee. HMM. Mary Petunia: So excited for you. God bless See you in the flatlands! YEAH!

Okay looking at this picture, my breast look really large, but there is a lot padding in the support bra. I don't think there going to be that large, but I haven't had the big unveiling yet! My stomach looks flat, but I can't really tell that yet either. It's pretty much a painful miracle!

Nina: I think your right that some of the blood is coming from the lipo incisions. The muscle repair is where most of the pain is coming from, besides the lipo which is alot more painful than I thought it would be. Today I feel a little better, can stand a little straighter. I'm not questioning my decision to get this all done. IT is a hard process! You're lucky you didn't get the drains, but they don't bother me too much. Here's a picuture with the drains:

Texas T: I do love to quilt! I'm a freak for fabric!! My daughter is getting married in May and I'm making her a jean quilt. Every other square will be embrodiered with sayings about love. I've got the squares cut and thought it would be a good project to do the embrodiery while I recupperate. So far, I feel way to crappy, but I'm expecting that will change soon. Think I will have to go in to the doc today, I'm having a lot of bleeding around my drains, not sure where it's coming from because of the compression garment. My garment is soaked. Did anyone else out there have this problem? Anyway, the pain is more tolerable today, so I guess I'm on the mendl

Well, I made it into the flatlands! On the way to the hospital, my DH said, you know we can turn back if you want. I was shaking from shear nerves. My blood pressure was 140/70. I normally have low blood pressure. LOL. I'm doing pretty good, except for having to go to the bathroom a lot and that is not a fun experience. Getting in and out of bed is not fun! The pain meds and pain pump are very helpful, but it still sucks. How long do you think it takies to be able to move without pain? Sorry about the drugged out typing. I'm exhausted better quit. Just wanted everyone to know that I"m okay.

Well I survived! I think I was euphoric when I started coming out of the surgery. The recovery nurses thought I was entertaining. They said most of their patients aren't as happy as I was coming out of anesthesia. The nursers were great. Not sure how I look, except that I am definetly in the flatlands. I have a new low profile port and the band doc decided to take some of my fill out. I think because it was her first low profile port and she wants to give me an adjustment so she can see how it works. I am in a lot of pain and trying to stay on top of it. It's not so much the stomach as it is my lipo and my hip and shoulder. Feels like they pulled muscles when they were getting the compression garments on. I'm not sure about the size of my breasts, they have padding in between them and the bra, but my breast are a lot higher! The PS said he took 3 pounds of fat with the lipo. One exciting thing was that the PS said there was very little fat on my stomach, it was mostly skin. They removed 4.5 pounds of skin. He took a picture and I might post it, don't have it yet. Well I hope this makes sense. I'm falling asleep as I type, so I better quit. Thanks for all the well wishes!

Okay, we're leaving for the hospital now! I think I liked thinking about the TT more than actually going! This is taking a lot of courage. It really is a leap of faith. I'm taking some deep breaths and trying to get centered here. I guess I'm leaving... Deep breaths...

Okay, I'm all ready for tomorrow (at least as much as I can be!). I'm going to get some shut eye. I posted some before pictures on my thread if you want to check it out. Pretty scary! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f12/kareyquilts-tummy-tuck-bl-lipo-ba-52831/index4.html#post744569 Looking forward to finally joining everyone in the flatlands! Thanks for all the well wishes and support. Will try and check in soon. Breathe, Believe and Be Happy!

Okay, miracle of miracles, I think I'm all ready and I have hours to spare! LOL! I'm going to try and post some before pictures. They're pretty scary and I would never wear this in public. Just got the swimming suit for the before pictures. I wear a size 10, but you would never know it from the pictures. Okay, here goes: imdone.bmp

Thanks everyone for your well wishes! It means a lot to me. I really do need the positive energy. So nervous tonight, I'm shaking while I type. I've made the schedule for carpool, caregivers, lunches, etc. for my almost 9 year old DD. Given her a little extra TLC. I'm packing for the hospital and trying to get the bills paid (it is the first of the month). Just trying to remember everything that might need doing, so I can REST! I'm going to try and take some before pictures tonight. I did have a lymphatic massage today and some Chakri energy work done. I think it helped, my head isn't pounding near as much! I just need to remember to relax and believe. My mantra to Losing Just Me: "Breathe, Believe and Be Happy." I'm going to keep saying it! I'll try and get my husband to post and let everyone know how it went. Bye for now!

BJean: Thanks, I'm going to do some deep breathing and stretching right now!

Well, I'lm going to miss you all this month. My plastic surgery is tomorrow and I just wanted to wish everyone a good March. Hopefully, I'll be joing you again in April or May. I wanted to lose 20 pounds and only made 10, but I really feel like this group helped me. I loved posting the weekly results. I hope you guys keep it up. Check out my progress on my thread in the Cosmetic Surgery section. I'll be updating how everything is going. I'm really freaking out today, but I know it's all going to be all right. Well tomorrow I'll be surgery around 6 hours, so I guess I'll be doing my own mini-marathon. LOL! See you soon.

OKay, I've been up since 3:00 AM. I even started composing a song, to the tune of "The Night Before Christmas," except it's: The night before plastic surgery and all through the house, not a creature is stirring not even a mouse. When what to my wondering eyes should appear? Vision's of the flatlands and too much too fear!" Well you get the idea. I'm getting very, very nervous. I've got a sore throat and a head ache. Amazing what nerves can do to you. I'm going to run a zillion errands today, including buying a cheap bikini so I can take some before pictures. I took to nudes ones, but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to post them. I guess I'll see have the surgery. I see the results. Right now it's hard to imagine what the results will be like! Can't believe the day is finally coming! YIKES!

You're looking great! What a difference. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I need them. Starting to freak out a little, as in getting very scared! I have to keep telling myself that it's all going to be good. Looking at your results is very reassuring. God bless you. Take care!

Mimin & BJean: Thanks so much for thinking of me. I'm totally freaked out about tomorrow. I'm trying to stay calm, but I feel like I'm shaking inside. I've got a splitting headache and a sore throat. Just praying I don't start running a temperature! I couldn't take postponing the surgery, my nerves are just too bad. Come visit me on my thread in the cosmetic surgery section and I'll be posting updates. I know I'm going to love the results, it's just a lot of worrying about not dying on the table and dealing with the pain. I'm going to take some nice deep breaths now! Already feeling a lot better. LOL! Anyway, glad you are all keeping up the fight. I'll be ready for a new weight loss challenge in a month or so. Want to get that last 13 pounds off! BJean, I think you will love your Body Bugg. It's pretty user friendly and it will give you lots of great information. Good luck all!

Mommi-hammi: I would call the doc about your chest pain, it probably is heart burn, but you could also have a clot in your lung. You need to call your doc! Let us know how you're doing!

Nina: You're a cutie! You're stomach is nice and flat, even with the swelling. I don't see a lot of bruises from the lipo. How is that going? So glad you're home and all is well. You must still love your PS to be thinking about another surgery. You just look wonderful, can't wait to hear all the gory details!