kconnors

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A week ago yesterday I had an abdominoplasty with rectus plication, coupled with a hernia repair. The hernia existed prior to my 1/28/08 GPS.

I will join the ranks of those that say that the recovery pain is more than that from the GPS. However, overall it is easier because I am not having to relearn how to eat or deal with the accompanying emotional issues.

Yesterday for the first time, I walked slowly for 1.5 miles. The previous day, 6 days postop, the two drains were removed. Still have all the bandaging on all wounds, belly button needs Neosporin 2xday. Today I tried on a pair of pants that fit prior to the surgery and am happy to report they fit. Before today I was wearing extra-large elastic waist pants because my tummy was so swollen and tender.

Would I do it again - yes. Would I recommend it - only if the person knew it was REALLY gonna hurt and was okay with that.

Problems I anticipate include possibly having the belly button not "survive" the surgery, also some self-image issues about suddenly having no body part to touch where there used to be something. Specifically, when I reach to touch my trunk below my belly button,  there is nothing there but air unless I move my hand inward - that is kinda creepy. Already happy with my new look in these pants, though - that's priceless!

It has been 19 months since my  WLS. I lost most of my weight in the first 6-7 months. In the past year I have lost about 20 pounds. Now it's time to address the ventral hernia I have had since even before the surgery. It was not noticable because there was so much fat in the area. Now it is noticable and so is the blob of flesh and fat that hangs a bit from my lower abdomen. Due to both of these issues I wear a large size 14 pants but they bag in the butt and legs.

I decided about 9 months ago to have the hernia repaired in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Insurance will pay only for the hernia repair. My surgery was scheduled to accomodate my work since our busy season is over in September every year. September 15, 2009 is my surgery date and the hernia repair wil be done by the same surgeon that did my RNY because I think she is just awesome. I also had her recommend a plastic surgeon she would be willing to work with, and she suggested Dr. Topol. The two of them will be getting started on fixing and reshaping my abdomen right about 1:30 pm that Tuesday. I expect to be out of work for up to three weeks. Having asked a few plastic-surgery alumni about their experiences, I am expecting to still have a drain in place when I return to work. To help with that, I have purchased a couple of dresses that hang from the shoulders to reduce any friction on my belly and to hide the drain.

I just ran my first 5K last week and am feeling like I am in terrific physical condition, and so I expect that factor will be a great help in healing. I'll post back here after my surgery and hope to have a couple of before and after pics by then.

18 months since my RNY and I am having a hernia repair and abdominoplasty in 39 days. Insurance will cover the repair but not the plastic surgery. I have heard it will be painful but am ready for my pants to fit better. Anyway, my orig goal weight was 160 and still is, but I have stayed right around 180 for many months. I am giving it the last oommphh here before surgery to be closer to 170 and it is likely a lot of fat will be removed at surgery time. My RNY surgeon and the plastic surgeon agree that my lower belly skin and fat are just kind of stuck there and it is not uncommon.

Steps to goal are to change up eating to switch out some carbs with vegs or protein, and to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. I am training for a 5K run/walk in 3 weeks so my cardio workouts are either walking, fast walking, or running, or elliptical at a high resistance setting.

Will post before/after pics related to the surgery.

-K

I used the 5-day pouch test right before Thanksgiving and it helped a lot. Weight starting to  come down again and was able to eat reasonably well on Turkey Day!

So now it's been a month since I hit my lowest weight of 190.0 and have been wavering between 193 and 190. Bad eating habits are trying to creep back in, and good exercise habits have waned.

Now is the time to turn this around.

I need to get back to basics and will use this site and its advice as one way to do that.

Look for future posts with more positive statements!!!!

Current size 14w-16, xl tops,bra 38DD.

So now I'm in the phase of this journey where my surgery has allowed me to lose 80percent of my overweight and now I have to do the rest. Not that I haven't done ANYTHING up until this point, it's just now is the part where I am more like a non-surgical weigh loser in order to get down to what is considered "normal" weight. I am still a few pounds above the "only overweight" BMI and am looking to crossing that barrier.

I now need to be more considerate in what I choose for foods and quantity, and more vigilent about exercise.

My checkup with the surgeon two weeks ago showed from my blood tests that I am very low normal for iron, way down on B12 and D. So my chewable, all-inclusive vitamin has been canned. Now I am supposed to take two multi-vitamins per day, one calcium with D per day, a prescrition-level D once per week and a sub-lingual B12 once per day. Add to that two other daily pills I have been taking for years for anxiety and depression...  I am not yet doing really well getting all these pills down because they are all supposed to be taken alone, not with each other.

I am again working with a personal trainer to modify my pre-surgical gym routine to one for my new size and abilities. I have signed up for a 4-mile walk as a donation to breast cancer research, that will occur this coming Saturday. My outdoor plan is to snowshoe this winter, use my exercise bike this winter, go to the gym 4 times per week, and next spring WHEN I weigh 160 to reward myself with kayaking lessons and work my way into buying a kayak after renting one a few times to be sure that's what I want to do.

I still have the size 12 red jacket/skirt I bought before my surgery, hoping it would fit this year at Christmas. Not sure if that's going to happen but it's still a goal. Right now I can squeeze into a couple of size 14 things but my belly pouch is very pronounced when I wear something tight.

Overall I am extrememly happy with how things have gone and would recommend this surgery to everyone that is serious about making a life-long lifestyle change.

I could just cry tears of joy - there is a lump in my throat. Yesterday I went mountain climbing again for the first time in years. I used to do that every weekend but had to give it up as my weight went up too high. Yesterday I sat on the top of a firetower and took in the beautiful vista and just thanked God over and over for being able to have this experience again. I had given up on it for so many years.

You cannot know the joy I feel - I want it for everyone out there who has lost part of their life due to obesity!

I am now 6.5 months post-surgical and have lost 120 pounds from my highest weight, and 90 pounds from my surgical weight. I feel very healthy and full of energy, everyone tells me I look "awesome" and I am now down to wearing size 16W clothes (from size 32). I still don't eat breads of any type except crackers and still am staying away from chicken and turkey as they caused me problems around month 3. My hair isn't much thinner if at all, I do have "bat wings" and a poochy tummy, but it is all worth it.

To anyone considering this surgery, it's a great choice if you are ready for it!

I will try to post a recent pic now that I just barely hit 199.9 pounds - haven't been under 200 since 1983!

Today I officially crossed the line from severly obese to (just) obese! Visit to surgeon was very good - blood tests again in a month and see the surgeon again in three months!

Everything is going well now, no pain or other issues and bowel issues have significantly improved since I have been having a protein smoothie with fruit and Benefiber mixed in.

I'm working on becoming a full-fledged bicyclist and enjoyed my first 10-mile ride with my sister May 26th. I keep teetering on the threshold of having lost 100 pounds from my highest weight. Less than two pounds to go. I'll be sure to post here when I hit that mark!

No regrets and only positive things to say about having chosen gastric bypass surgery.