Body Lift: Stories

GK - wow so sorry to hear all you've been thru! Totally sucks that your PS wasn't even able to help or even cared too. Glad you found someone decent!

I'm also having wound issues but not due to infection. My wound is quite large in the front but superficial and not so deep. He says it can look worse before it looks better. Did you see that to be the case? They are now doing the wet to dry method. My dr has been great and assures me it will heal. Reading your story helped me see that 1st it could be worse. I'm not having to fight a massive infection and 2- that I have a dr who is on it. I see him weekly and he is available by phone 7 days a week. I have to change the dressings twice a day. Well my mom does I should say. I'm at almost 8 weeks. He says it could take 1-2 months. How long did your take?

I'm glad you are well now and congrats on all the races you are running & supporting.

Not so random but I'd rather not elaborate here. You can email me at ginger.kabureck@yahoo.com and I'll tell you the whole story...
Thank you everyone for your thoughts- it has been a tough road but I'm better now =)
I have decided to "pay it forward" and from all of the support I received and prayers I was given, I am using my body, spirit & mind to begin running 5k's, 1/2 marathons and marathons for those in need. I've selected about 3-4 races per month where I will donate money and run for a good cause. I have joined a running group called the Road Warriors out of southern IL. You can visit their site here: runningroadwarriors.org I did my first 5k on Sunday, the 4th of September, and the proceeds went to a widow and her daughter who lost her husband and child's father in Afghanistan during the war.

Thank you for your candour. I'm sorry you've been through this. I hope things are better now.

Wow I just read your blog~ I am SO sorry you went through all this holy smokes girl friend~ are you doing better now?

That is so wrong they never called to check on you! I would call them and be like hey remember me?? hehe. So it was just a random incident that you contracted the staph and strep? The doctor didn't do something to cause it? I guess that is a lesson for those of us looking for a doctor, seeing if they are affiliated with a hospital. I'm glad you are doing better, I would have been a mess just seeing those places open on my body.

no I didn't have drains, I formed a hematoma throughout my abdomen and my doctor drained it manually by cutting the incision open and pushing the blood clot out. he then inserted a penrose drain that stayed in 6 days. upon removal of the drain I contracted both staph & strep infection and had to have an operation to remove the pus filled tissue throughout my abdomen. I was hospitalized for 5 days and then sent home on a wound vac for 6 weeks for the 2 gaping wounds in my abdomen where the pus had been removed. I was seen by a home nursing group that had to change the wound dressings 3 times a week. I ended up not being able to fight the infections alone and had to get the vac off so that my new dr could do the wet-to-dry gauze method. it has been a very long, stressful and traumatic experience but I am finally closed up and healed. the scars I'm left with are about an inch thick versus the thin scar a normal, healthy operation would be left with.
my surgery was done in his office building and he was unable to treat my infection because he is not affiliated with any hospital. I had to find a new plastic surgeon to complete the abscess removal and after care. his office has never called to see if I'm even still alive. but I have faith in divine justice ;)

Hi. Did you have draining tubes in the after the surgery was done the first time? I have read people that have tummy tucks have a drain when they leave the hospital. What made you get the infections? Looks like it was pretty scary.

I learned how to eat from caloriecount, sounds weird but I had the tools on that site to research calories in foods (ya know, no nutrition facts on the side of an apple), a BMI calculator, food log, weight log, and so many other tools to aid in healthy living. As for exercise, I walked my neighborhood (2.5 miles) daily and did a dvd workout (Jillian Michaels 30-day shred) and over a 2 year period worked hard at eating right and exercising and finally reached my goal of 140lbs. I have kept the weight off for the last 2 years (through a pregnancy even) by going to the gym and continuing to eat a healthy diet. It's never been easy but for myself and my family, getting healthy and fit was an obligation. I don't want my kids being obese like I was through my childhood. It's all about making a change you can stick with, there are many ways to drop a few pounds but unless you're eating right and exercising, its not worth it because you haven't changed bad habits and will eventually revert to old ways.

You look great! Congratulations to you!