After many long years of struggling with weight loss and gain. After the birth of my second child I was determined to get the keep the weight off. She just turned 4 and I am now the lowest weight I have ever been. In college I weighted over 360 lbs now I am under 200. After 1.5 years of debating about having my extra skin removed I found a great doctor willing to help. I got quotes from 17k to 10k. Within the last month I called the insurance company almost daily, last Thursday I got the call I had been waiting for-approved. I have so many things going through my mind. Updated on 21 Oct 2013: The date is finally set for Thursday, Oct. 31st. Updated on 28 Oct 2013: I am so close now, havehad many sleepless nights. My mind is racing and my body is all over the place. Mini-panic attack over the weekend. Tommorrow is final pre-op appt with dr then to the hospital for more paperwork, we have gone from days to counting hours. Fingers crossed Updated on 29 Oct 2013: Boy, today was more than I expected. I was with the doctor for over one hour, got my marking, scripts, information overload. Then off to the hospital, another 2 hours there. Five different people then bloodwork. Ironicly, they hospital called me 30 mins after I left because my glucose numbers were too low. They wanted to make sure iwas safe, surprised butthought it was nice. Weird instructions, prior to surgery iwas instructed to brush my teeth and use mouthwash to lessen risk of illness. Updated on 30 Oct 2013: We are in the final hours, I braided my hair as the dr said no shower until drains are out. Theyalso said to get maxi dress, so I got one today. All set just hours away. Updated on 1 Nov 2013: Yesterday was a whirlwind. The hospital has been wonderful, some of the nicest nurses. Got bad advice in pre-op, I have type 1 diabetes. I was told not to take insulin, which caused 2 hrs of delay to bring me down to an acceptable level and some tears when the dr also said to reschedule. The surgery lasted 4 hours. Then 2 hours in recovery. Placed in a version of ICU for monitoring. Up sitting in a chair now. Only managing pain with tyneoyl. Updated on 2 Nov 2013: Still in the hospital, they having issues with my disbetes. Hope to go home on Sunday. My doctor is great, I got to see the new me today, it is beautiful. He had to use staples for closure and to reduce infection, I know them coming out is painful but it will all be worth it. My insicion is 60 cm across and 25 cm vertical. Updated on 4 Nov 2013: I got home last night about 7 pm. First night was no so bad, got up andhelped take the kids to school. My doctor aranged for a home health nurse to come change my dressings. Spoke with the doctors office today, drains are producing minimal amounts might be removed tommorrow, they are not bothering me. Feeling pretty good just tired. Updated on 4 Nov 2013: Home nurse just left she said it is healing nicely. I have 54 staples across and 20 staples down. Some sweeping, but the nurse thinks they will remove drains soon. Updated on 5 Nov 2013: I am feeling much better than I or anyone expected. Called the dr they are ready to pull some of the drains. The drains are not bothering me to much. Overdid it a bit today. Made gluten free pizza crust then just put pumpkin muffins in oven, or it could of been the floors I swept. Updated on 6 Nov 2013: Just left from the doctors office 2 drains removed. It hurt for a second but then over and still better than the tubes. He is so pleased as I am also. Hopefully on Monday get the last 2 drains out then the staples will be next. Updated on 7 Nov 2013: It has been one week today. Feeling good. Updated on 9 Nov 2013: I was thinking by now I would have my strength back, nope. Little task take more effort. Nurse came today so she needed updated pictures. Updated on 11 Nov 2013: I am so happy with my results so far. The doctor removed my last 2 drains today. I get my staples out of on Friday. Everyone save water for I will be able to shower on Wednesday morning. I might even wake up earlier just to make sure I have enough time. :). Updated on 15 Nov 2013: Do not anybody lie, staples coming out hurt more than them going in. But it feels so much better. Walked 1/2 mile today. At the office they recommended eating pineapplefor swelling. I will take bromelain, pineapple extract as I can not eat a lot of fruit due to sugar content. Updated on 19 Nov 2013: Just left the doctor, woke up in a lot of pain. Called doctor they wanted to see me. My blood pressure was high and the right side on my insicion was fevered and very tender. I have a stitch abscess, the doctor had to open the wound and drain it. So painful. Back on antibiotics. Updated on 22 Nov 2013: Yeap, that is where I am. My infection is worse and Dr wants me on iv antibiotics. Updated on 23 Nov 2013: So I had a bad allegiric reaction to first round of antibiotics. Now they switched to a different combo. Not going home today :( Updated on 24 Nov 2013: On my way home very happy. Continue with antibiotics Updated on 28 Nov 2013: So much to be thankful for. Updated on 5 Dec 2013: Went to doctor on Monday. Can resume all activity. I am exhausted by 8 pm ready to pass out. I have wore my binder eventhough the Dr said as nessesary beacuase I have been working long hours. Still a great experience. Updated on 14 Dec 2013: My doctor recommended getting a massageto help with swelling. I went on Wednesday for a lympathic massage I can feel the difference. Updated on 17 Dec 2013: Ihave had 2 stiches work there way out of my insision, weird but nobiggie. I found a place that willdo my massages under insurance. I am going twice a week feeling great.
