“Time for a Change - TT Scheduled - Huntsville, AL”

Hi, I am a divorced mother of two wonderful boys, 13 and 9 yrs old. While I am overweight, I have been truely blessed to be in good health. I have been on the weightloss rollercoaster only to get discouraged when the belly would look worst the more I lost. So I finally decided to see if I was a candidate for a TT even though I am 60 lbs overweight and learned I was. I was so excited but scared to death at the same time.

I set my date and paid for it yesterday so no turning back now. I am scheduled for 7 February 2011. OMG!! This is really gonna happen. I just hope that the results are worth it and will encourage me to make them even better thru diet and exercise. I want to feel beautiful again.

I go for my pre-op 18 Jan, so if I can get my nerve up, I will post before pics.

Updated on 18 Jan 2011:
Well I had my pre-op doctor's appt today. Got the lovely pics made and will hopefully get them to post here within the next couple of days. (Hope I have better luck with those than I have with my profile pic which is still not showing) Also got my prescriptions and "what to do" list. Only 3 more weeks. I am already planning on the next job, boob reduction and lift. But I hope this surgery gives me the encouragement I need to stick with exercise. At least after this, when I lose weight I should be able to see improvement in the belly area.

Next up, doing my hospital pre-registration and blood work Friday.

Updated on 28 Jan 2011:
So I would like to celebrate with a few friends a week before surgery and wondered if having a drink or two will matter? I tried to call my doc but they had already closed for the day/weekend. Anybody out there that might can advise me? I don't plan to get drunk but would like to have a couple. Say goodbye to this old body. :)

Updated on 8 Feb 2011:
Well my day, 7 Feb, has come and gone. I am getting around ok. Lots of pain but I guess that is normal. I have my med beside me so as to keep on schedule. I think however that the pain a feel is mostly from the drains, which btw are gross. So I hope all of this will be worth the final results. I am kinda afraid to take off the binder and compression hose. Afraid I cant get them back on since my bending over just isnt going to work at this point. Also, I have no appetite. Not sure what to do about that. I know I need to eat but just the thought of eating and then having to use the bathroom, scare me to death. Its hard enought peeing much less anything else.

Updated on 9 Feb 2011:
So this is day 3 after the TT. I have not taken off the binder or the compression hose. I know I couldnt get the hose back on if my life depended on and dont really have anyone to help me with doing that at the moment. But one thing about this binder, it has gauze pads and form between it and my body. Not sure if any else has had it this way. I guess my question is, I would like to take out all that bulk and just put a shirt or pillowcase between me and the binder. Anyone else dealt with this?

Updated on 12 Feb 2011:
I have posted one pic. I still cant get my profile pic to load and have not received my pre-op pics from my PS but trust me when I save there is definitely improvement. I go for my first post-op appt Tues, 15 Feb. So I hope to get the pre-op pics as well as more post-op pics to post.

The journey to this day has not been so bad. I was able to handle the drains and even keep up with my meds but still had my mom there in case I needed her. She has her own health issues but said she enjoyed having to worry over me instead of the other way around. I love her. My dad would even come home at lunch to give me my blood thinner injection since I was definitely incapable of doing that. So I know I am truely blessed to have some awesome parents.

All in all I am most satisfied with the surgery and hope to only see improved results as time goes on.

Updated on 13 Feb 2011:
Question to put out there.... I want to take the binder off for a few just to bath and let it breath. But I feel so weird, almost nauseated without it on. I think it acts as a comfort/security blanket. I know my insides are not gonna fall out but you know.... But just for a few minutes I would like to sit with nothing on. Nothing to adjust. Ah.....

Updated on 17 Feb 2011:
Well 11 days post op and still have 1 drain. Was hoping to get it out today but still too much draining for that. I am feeling more comfortable but have become very susceptible to mood swings. I have had an emotional breakdown like every day this week. I know or rather hope I am still swollen and this is not the final results but I still see improvements but I am just having a hard time. Anyone else been here?.....