Panniculectomy :) - Dubuque, IA

Finally seem to have leaped the last of the hurdles and left them behind me. The last couple months have been (thankfully!) uneventful. My scar looks really nice although still very purple. This will take some time and it's ok with me. I have been trying to incorporate more activity into my life and have yet to settle into a good routine. We run so much with our kids that a set schedule is impossible and it's hard to go on the days off, but that will eventually work itself out. I'm very happy with my results. I have a long way to go with weight loss but I feel so much better about myself. It seems ages ago. When I stop to think of what it was like having all that extra belly fat hanging there, I realize how much that negatively impacted my self esteem. I immediately notice how dark it feels so I don't think about it often. I am so thankful to have it gone. My Mom asked me once in the middle of all my medical problems if it was worth it and if I would do it again. She was trying to get me to admit it wasn't, but even at that time I couldn't quite say it wasn't. Now I have no doubts! Even as sick as I was, it was worth it! I still recommend doing your research and fully understanding what complications could arise before doing it. Have a plan and make sure your surgeon and family physician are on board- you could end up seeing a lot of them. Also make sure you have a good support team to help you. It's a big battle and impossible to do it alone.

Ended up at the ER again on day 8. I was running a temp of 102.9. After 2 days I was transferred to a higher level facility. My blood pressure was running in the 80/50 range, tachycardia, the high temps and hemoglobin dropping. Finally on day 11 my hemoglobin hit 6.9 and the transfused a unit of blood. Hemoglobin rose a whole point! My blood pressure is now in the 100's/60's and heart rate has decreased. I have not spiked a fever in 48 hours. Cellulitis is still persistent so I will will likely be her for a couple more days.

I have an appointment this afternoon for my one week follow up. I can't get the swelling in my legs and feet to go down. My stomachs is still very swollen as well and lots of fluid output. I'm drinking a lot of water hoping to flush it out but no luck so far. I think I will specifically ask about some compression hose and again about compression to the site. I think I would have been so much more comfortable with some support instead of this "hanging free". The fluid on one side has finally become clear and yellowish, the other side is still pink but mostly clear now. The glue and scabbing is starting to come off too.