Welcome

Welcome to my Personal Blog about my weight loss since 2002 with the lap band, at my heaviest I weighed 155kgs and my goal weight is 75kgs which I hope to achieve one day.
Please enjoy your stay and come back soon to see my progress.

Friday, August 6, 2010

On the road to my goal Weight

I apologise for not updating in a while but life has been rather busy in the last few weeks.... I am now going on to week 9 and I am no longer wearing my girdle... my tummy tuck scar is dark yet flat and has healed lovely and my belly button though dark is perfect ! I am very pleased with the results...

I went and saw my Doctor last week and I no longer need to go back , but they have offered me a breast lift so on Nov. 1st I have a appointment to see Dr Dean concerning it...

I have also been given to clear to start losing weight again and to start using my Diaformin and I can excersize now...

So I have chosen to have only 3 mil in my lap band and in the last few weeks I have found it to be a good choice I no longer get the night time cough or having to be sick after eating , though I may have 1 or 2 more mil put in when I see my Doctor in September... but at this time I feel farelly good.

So on 26th June I started over with my eating plan and decided to go low Gi and eat 3 meals a day and 3 small healthy snacks and its really working... on the 26th June I was 93.5 kgs and by eating low GI/low Fat I was 91.8kgs a loss of 1.7kgs in a week.

I came to realize a few things with my weight loss over the years and realized when I was on my doctors 1000 cal a day diet it worked at first but then I stopped losing weight and instead put it on, because my body went into starvation mode.... with my new eating plan of approx 1200-1500 cal a day I am more alert, more awake and feel better for it.... and my cravings for sweet foods has really stopped....

Will update again on Monday when I weigh my self for the week .....

Monday, June 28, 2010

Update and good news

Well its nearlly 3 weeks post op, time goes so fast..... so I had a small school reunion on Saturday night we went to dinner at Italian restraunt , I actually ate half of my meal ! then we went to the boho bar it was a fantastic night and I saw some wonderful people that I have not seen in 15 years, I had so many compliments on how I looked it made me feel so good about my self.

Today I went for a follow up appointment at the hospital and my bellybutton has healed over, my incision line is healing nicely and the seroma has gone down to a point they could not get any out with a needle and he has said I am on the road to recovery...

But then he mentioned the "revision" word.... my cut line is pucked like a curtain top... and it looks like I have more excess skin that was not removed and he said there was allot of skin above my bellybutton that would not get smaller with excersize or liposuction so he said that he feels I should have a vertican tuck.... so he wants to wait for 6-8 months. He also said I would need breast, arm and leg lift and my back would need to be lifted also.... so I have allot getting done and I need to lose 20kgs at least until its done...

Friday, June 25, 2010

More pics 16 days post op

Its now 16 days post op and my dressings are half off, My belly button is still red and the swelling has gone down and the swelling where they feel I had seroma has not changed.... But I feel its looking good, and can't wait to see the swelling to go down.

My weight goes up and down depending on the day at the moment, doctor told me to not weigh my self until the swelling has gone.... its so hard cos I am one those that weigh's my self daily .... one day I can be 89kgs next 90kgs....

I have more feeling in my cut area especially if I roll onto my side it makes you yelp ! its not the nicest feeling but I am not in pain as such. I no longer need pain killers and if I do its panadole.....

So I am looking forward to heading out tommorrow night to a schoolies meet up , Most of them I have not seen in over 15-18 years and it shall be nice being able to dress up and look slimmer ! most of these people saw me when I was rather heavy... it will be nice to see how we have all changed and if most have kids ect.... we are going via mini bus to the Boho bar in Adelaide.... shall take pics !

Tip: I get asked allot how much weight was removed via the tummy tuck.... I was told 3kgs which will not show until the swelling goes down.... what people do not understand is water weigh's more than fat/skin so what they remove will usually not show on the scales until the excess fluid and swelling is gone.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

First post op appointment and fill put in my band

Today I had my fist post op appointment, they took out the stitches and said my infection would clear up soon, my cut line looks good and is still healing so they changed the dressing and noticed allot of fluid under my bellybutton , and said it was Seroma so I have another appointment on Monday to check if the fluid has gone down or they will put a needle in there and remove some.... They also told me I cannot pick up Jamie my 1 year old for at least 6 weeks so Trent has to stay home another week yet..... ( photo of Jamie and I in my recliner having a sleep )

I also saw Dr Toouli and I have lost 2.2kgs in the last 13 days, even with swelling so I am rather pleased with that news, he put in 3 mil into my band as I did not want the band to tight and be sick.

He also said he wanted me to lose another 20kgs to have a BMI of 25 ....so I have allot of work to do, though I cannot go to the gym for another 8 weeks so for me thats the big plan to join a gym and tighten whats never been tight before and to lose the last 20kgs once and for all..... he has me on a 1000 cal a day eating plan, and at the moment I have to walk 20 mins a day until my plastic surgeon gives me the all clear to do more....

So any way Im feeling rather tired and will be glad to go to bed !I can now sleep on my side fully so the doc says !

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Itchy itchy itchy and other thoughts

So today I went out for lunch with Mum, Dad, and Auntie and I wore my size 14 jeans and there was room and I am only 12 days post op.....  I had roast pork my favourite and it was lovely.... but I did get tired as time went by and above my pubic area got rather painful so I got some new wound dressings and was glad to come home.

I came home and took the tape off my bellybutton and my tummy tuck wound and its not looking to bad , its gone dark and some places were dried over and I had to hold my breath to pull the tape off my pubic area .... it was rather painful I wish I had shaved but was told I did not need to. So its now all clean and my bellybutton is looking allot better.

So tonight I had to do allot of soul searching I was feeling rather emotional over the whole op.... like don't get me wrong I know its early days and the swelling is still there but above my bellybutton gives me concern, there is allot of skin still located there and my abs do not feel tight.... I have been able to stand straight since day 3 or so , so it had me wondering did the doctor tighten my muscles and if she didn't will it mean if i loose more weight will I need a revision.....  My husband told me to ask the doctor on Tuesday and to be patient..... I know as a public patient there is not much choice but for me this was a big thing I wanted it done properly as its somthing I do not wish to do again and I can't help but have concern....

I think I shall write a artical on going through the public health system to have a tummy tuck done to help answer some questions others may have.....

Tip: Look at purchasing a Recliner or hiring one for when you get home if you don't already have one, I was lucky to already own a electric recliner and its been the most comfortble chair and bed for the last 8 days..... Its handy to sit up while you sleep with your legs up so I am so lucky to have one.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Very lucky to have such a wonderful husband

I feel so lucky to have Trent, he has taken fantastic care of the kids and I know without him I would not of been able to go through with the tummy tuck. I feel its brought us all closer in some way as a family and the boys have been having a blast especially since hubby lets them do things I don't usually let them ! so I feel very lucky to have such a good hubby taking care of us all.... its been very tight but his boss has told him to stay home until Monday the 28th, but thankfully I have paid extra bills when we were paid last so we have not had to live so tight.

So if you do decide to ever have a tummy tuck just make sure you have someone who can help you, though you may feel up to doing things you used to do, your body may not be ready its a big operation and its easy to get tired... and if you have little children such as I do then do make sure you get help.... I have Joel 3, Josh 2 and Jamie 1 and without my hubby I would be in big trouble !

On with op news.... Its now day 10 , the days meld together and seem to be going fast, I cleaned my bellybutton and had more discharge but its all clean and the bedadine is definetly helping... I slept in my own bed this afternoon and it is such a weird feeling, there is no padding and sleeping on my side is not to easy but it was nice to sleep in a bed instead of sitting in a chair.... and I cooked my very first meal tonight Roast lamb with veg.... sitting on a chair is handy ! but I have felt tired allot today... but its been a nice day.

Tip: If you have young children in nappies to change them instead of lifting them kneel on the ground and roll there body to one side, clean then lay clean nappy down then roll them back onto the nappy.... makes nappy change time easier.

Friday, June 18, 2010

9 Days post op slight infection of my belly button

Its now been 9 days since my op, time does go fast ! I have been taking it easy as much as possible, on Tuesday I started feeling rather unwell, so I went to the doctors and they gave me medication for nausea they said its due to the medication....then my bellybutton dressing fell off and though I have been trying keep it dry I noticed it weeping for the first time yesterday, so today I checked it and noticed in one corner some creamy yellow looking stuff and the inside of my bellybutton is red though not smelly and It feels hot and burning.... so I went to the doctors again tonight and they said it was the starting of infection so I am now on antiobotics and I have to wash it daily , dry it then put benadine on it...... Then I noticed when I sat down on the loo that there was some like weeping and bleeding from my tummy tuck scar , I have cleaned it as best as I could and put betadine on it, though I read this is normal at this stage of the op........ so I have taken some panadole fort and just need to rest up and see my Doctor on Tuesday.

On a good side I now weigh 89kgs , the swelling has gone down a ton and find it only bad at night, and I am standing up straighter... so every day I find things easier and I really am looking forward to seeing my belly.

Tip: I had some pregnancy pads left over from when I had Jamie and have found these handy to put around the cut line above my pubic area and one on each side for the rubbing, I have the full pant girdle and find it rub so it helps for a little but of cushioning.

I have 1 pic of Jamie and I asleep on my recliner taken today when we fell asleep, will post it some time over the weekend.....

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Tummy tuck day 5


Today I have photo's to show you all....

Today I woke feeling rather swollen, I got up rather stiff today and in allot of pain but its getting easier... I have been taking 2 panadole and 1 endone atm so i am not so sleepy all the time.

I went for a walk today and found every step was easier but just felt rather sore and swollen after. I had a hot shower and got to the toilet for the first time today to do a stool... it was painful but it made me feel less bloated.

I slept on the bed also for the first time and on my side but its rather sore so i think i shall set to sleep on my chair for now.... I just get so tired so fast which is expected... but it has not been to bad. I expected the pain to be worse but it feels like a stretching pain and if i do somthing to fast i feel a heat like pain.... laughing is also not somthing i like to do !

will post the pics then relax some more, still not being able to stay awake long enough to watch a movie as such but I am getting there.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Tummy tuck first 5 days

Day 1 Wednesday

I was due to be at the hospital at 12.30 on Wednesday the 8th June, I left that morning on the bus and arrived by 12.00 I went to the day surgery section and within a hour i met with a nurse who went through my paper work.... at 1.30 a nurse came with my surgeon Dr Dean came and draw up my tummy and got me into a nightgown ect.... at 3.00 i was taken to a area where a girl was having the lap-band done was waiting I gave her some tips and wished her luck then at 4.00 i was taken into the pre op area..... I was given a needle then they put a drain in my arm i was taken into the operating theatre and that is all I remember...

I remember looking at the clock post op at 7.30 feeling very tired, and sleepy but not sickly ... i was not sore at that time, I was then taken to my ward in the private hospital .... where i had my own pain pump which was rather helpful... i was asked to breathe in deep and cough which hurt like hell but other than that no real pain.... just a sore throat and dry nose. I ate half a sandwich and 2 dry crackers that evening and inbetween sleeping i spoke to trent not that i was fully aware of my self at that stage but i was missing them a ton.

Day 2 Thursday

Today was allot more painful I had to get out of bed today to go to the toilet which was rather painful, i found a rolled up blanket pressed down on my tummy helped allot... I had half a piece of toast for breakfast and couple of mouthfuls of weetbix with hot milk and some apple juice, it was rather cooling on my throat. I again had the pain pump to use and i had more blood tests as my iron levels droped to 70.

The doctor was very pleased with how i was healing, the left side drain was removed and she is very pleased with how i was getting out of bed alone, she said i will still need to stay in for 1 to 2 days more.

I got to have a shower today and felt allot better after, coughing and getting up out of bed is painful but breathing deeply helps.

Day 3 Friday

Today I woke at 5.15 and felt so much better, i was able to get up out of bed alone with no help and my asthma that played up the day before was allot better so i did not need any more oxygen.

The doctor was very pleased with me today and said i could have the pain pump removed and go on the tablets... panadole and endone. I am now on iron tablets...

Mum came and saw me today, though i was rather sleepy i liked having her with me, its so hard being away from the boys....

Day 4 Sat

Today i woke early again, time is going so slow, got out of bed and went to the toilet, still not able to do a stool its rather painful today.... so much gas and the tablets don't seem to help.

The Dr checked me over and said I was that well that I could go home today, I have stopped draining so my right side drain was removed and I have a follow up on Thursday, she said she was very happy with how active i have been since the op.

I had my suit removed again... its so tight and so nice when you get it off, but i noticed a little swelling today but not much bruising... my waist is tiny ! my size 14's are loose and i know i will not see the full results for 12 months !!!

Mum, Dad Trent and the boys came to get me at 3.30 we came home, felt a little uncomfortble but not much pain on the drive home, just glad to be home with the boys.

Spent the evening cuddling up to Jamie he slept on a pillow on my side slightly .... its past midnight but i cannot sleep so every one else is asleep atm.... and YESS!! passed my first stool and gosh it felt painful but worth it even if it was tinsy..... oh well i will update tommorrow and get pics taken.... i have a rather sexy curvy waist now and wow my pubic area looks um huge ! lol reduction any one ! but i am so happy with the results so far...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Saw Dr Toulli

Well today I saw Doctor Toulli and had all the liquid removed from the band, works out I was the same weight I was 2 years ago..... I weigh 93.8kgs fully dressed undressed I am 93kgs...

Feel a bit down about it but I also had 2 children since I saw him last so it was to be expected. Needless to say he wants to see me in 2 weeks and then he is putting 6ml back in my band and then see if I lose any weight and tighten again if needed.

Hospital phoned and I need to be there at 12.30 tomorrow..... so its all going ahead as planned.

Will update again as soon as I come home, feeling rather sickly atm and do not wish to eat ! nerves I am sure..... any way will post again soon.

Monday, June 7, 2010

New photo's and before photos of my tummy tuck.


Well a new day and now 2 days or less til my op ! I have some new photo's to upload more recent ones from May and June.....

Feeling more happy now, I just cannot wait to see a more flatter tummy at the moment it looks rather blobby and deformed.... and there will be other work done but for a start I will be very happy to see it done and over with.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Tummy Tuck Time



I know it has been such a long time since I posted but life with 4 children is not easy especially when they are 3 and under. But I am happy to announce that on the 12th April 2009 we welcomed Jamie into the family , another boy but he was a very healthy big boy weighing 7.9 pounds and very tall for his age.

I was very shocked at how much weight I put on through the pregnancy though as with my other boys I wanted lettuce, cucumber, red onion ect... I just ballooned and weighed 100kgs after having Jamie.... I was rather upset as I had tried really hard but My body did not bounce back to well.

A month after having Jamie I was called in to meet a Doctor regarding my Tummy tuck, though at that time I did not feel ready to go through such a big operation they wanted to put me on the waiting list so I would be ready by the time it came around. I remember meeting my Doctor and being weighed... the dreaded scales ! I was 97kgs and felt just horrible at the time, I was then told about what to expect, what they would do ect. I was told the wait would be 3 months- 9 months...

Well 12 months later I got a phone call to say my name had come up on the waiting list and my surgery date is June the 9th. I had my pre admission appointment last week which went for 3 hours, they checked my weight and I now weigh 90kgs ( dressed) , my heart, my breathing , took lots of blood tests, photo's and asked many questions and explained it all to me.

On June the 8th I meet with Dr Toulli and have all the fill out of my band, I will have it put back after the surgery and well I have not seen him in over a year or 2 now.... I am unsure on how he will react I think I was 99kgs or so when I last saw him.

I am feeling excited, nervous, happy, scared, worried... just wan't it over with ! I have been left with allot of excess skin and fat so to finally have a tummy that is more flat will be wonderful.....

I promise to keep you updated....