23 days post surgery. Still very angry that I got a pulmonary embollism! It has slowed me down!
I am still swollen. More swollen on days that I do more activity. My breasts are recovering, dropping into "place" - and man oh man - they are sore! I had returned to work this week, as an admin assistant, but couldn't make the full 8 hours. Two days I left work in tears with pain in my breasts and incision site.
Would I do it again? Yes I would. In a heartbeat! I'm just not patient, wanting to get back into the gym. However, our daughters, future son in law, and my husband - AWESOME! Even got the husband to take me to HEB this morning shopping for my Thanksgiving groceries!
Slow down is my advice. Let people help you. Keep walking, but not too much. And for the breast lift, keep that bra on!
I took pictures the first and second week, will post one or two soon. But this week, I had the blues. I felt puffy, I'm tired of the garment 24 hours a day, tired of the sleeping position, and tired of being tired and sore. So - no pictures for week 3, but I don't see alot of change from last week.
Well I look forward to Thanksgiving, to see the family and let them see my great new curves! Not so excited I will be in sweats, but doing this during the fall/winter is the way to go. I plan on being in some great clothes come spring time.
Talk to you soon. If you have done this, hang in there! If you are thinking of doing it, only you know if it will be right for you. Have your support system in place.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
14 days ago I was prepped and waiting for my turn to roll into the surgery room. Today I'm still at home, recovering not only from the surgery of the tummy tuck and breast lift, but from the pulmonary embolism. Walking outside for coffee with my husband, one of my favorite things in the morning, took my breath away.
I've had some sadness this week. The breathing thing got me really down! And, as the surgi-tape comes off the breasts, I can feel the incisions, not comfy! Also, the nipples are so ultra sensitive just the touch of the shirt causes my hair to stand on end!
The tummy incision is looking good, and the swelling is going down, I think.
I've been asked if I'm glad I did it, would I do it again? YES - the answer is yes without hesitation. To sit in a chair and not have my tummy flab sitting on my thighs, wow, I can't describe how that feels! Now that I'm standing straighter I can surely see what a big change! To imagine another 4 weeks, what I will look and feel like, I can't wait!
Looking at pictures from the summer, I look at myself and wonder what will a picture of me with my lifted breasts look like?! Looking into the mirror I smile as I look at my breasts, perky, up where they belong without the push up - happiness.
My sweet husband, and children, have done a great job of taking care of me. Checking on me. Doing things I can't do (which also gets me down a bit, but I'm getting stronger). A great reminder is to let people help you. Visits from Mom and Dad, dinner, phone calls from friends, it all breaks up the boredom, reminds you how much you're loved, even on days when you feel bloaty and slow.
I do wear a fit bit. And daily I have made myself walk. Trying each day to add a few steps. Because I am determined to get back to the gym, be healthy and fit for life, and enjoy living!
It helps to have a doctor who can accept text pictures, and help you evaluate if your worries are real worries or not. They have been great, since they are 300 miles away, of checking on me and answering questions I have.
Before long I will work on adding some pictures. Our poor daughters, they will be tired of taking these pictures by the end of 8 weeks! But I sure am happy to have their love and support.
I've had some sadness this week. The breathing thing got me really down! And, as the surgi-tape comes off the breasts, I can feel the incisions, not comfy! Also, the nipples are so ultra sensitive just the touch of the shirt causes my hair to stand on end!
The tummy incision is looking good, and the swelling is going down, I think.
I've been asked if I'm glad I did it, would I do it again? YES - the answer is yes without hesitation. To sit in a chair and not have my tummy flab sitting on my thighs, wow, I can't describe how that feels! Now that I'm standing straighter I can surely see what a big change! To imagine another 4 weeks, what I will look and feel like, I can't wait!
Looking at pictures from the summer, I look at myself and wonder what will a picture of me with my lifted breasts look like?! Looking into the mirror I smile as I look at my breasts, perky, up where they belong without the push up - happiness.
My sweet husband, and children, have done a great job of taking care of me. Checking on me. Doing things I can't do (which also gets me down a bit, but I'm getting stronger). A great reminder is to let people help you. Visits from Mom and Dad, dinner, phone calls from friends, it all breaks up the boredom, reminds you how much you're loved, even on days when you feel bloaty and slow.
I do wear a fit bit. And daily I have made myself walk. Trying each day to add a few steps. Because I am determined to get back to the gym, be healthy and fit for life, and enjoy living!
It helps to have a doctor who can accept text pictures, and help you evaluate if your worries are real worries or not. They have been great, since they are 300 miles away, of checking on me and answering questions I have.
Before long I will work on adding some pictures. Our poor daughters, they will be tired of taking these pictures by the end of 8 weeks! But I sure am happy to have their love and support.
Monday, November 5, 2012
11 days ago I had a tummy tuck and breast lift. I am so glad I did! However, I was a little surprised at the intense pain in my tummy. I stayed overnight at a "resort" where my husband was an angel! He took care of me, got me to the restroom with tubes hanging off me, drove me to a friends house in the pouring rain while I vomitted. My first two thought of advice, do alot of squats so you have some strong legs to straddle the potty, stand up, etc...because your core will hurt! And, be sure you have someone with you who loves you dearly, has the strength to make you pull through the pain, and the compassion to wipe your puke from your hair. Thanks honey!
I stayed with a friend for the first few days, while my husband went home to work. I had tubes in my stomach. My friend encouraged walking, drinking water, and had some good movies to watch. It was like a slumber party. During this part of recovery I found it helped to have a massager on the recliner to prevent soreness. It helped to walk, eventhough there was always somethere to help.
Unfortunately I became "one of the few" on the way home. I ended up with a pulmonary embolism. We drove from San Antonio to our house in West Texas on Wednesday, stopping twice, and by Thursday morning I was in the ER. Shortness of breath and a constant cough. The CT scan showed a clot in my lung. Take it serious, I was very lucky!
Take advantage of family. Our daughters have been over to help with everything, my mom came over to cook and visit. I couldn't be doing this good without them!
I have a fitbit. It's a step counter. My goal is to keep going a little further each day, encouraging myself to work. It's easy to want to sit down, because my back is sure sore from the crunched over walking, but I'm determined to get back on the track, and back to the gym soon!
Well for today - I will encourage you to have a few sports bra (zipper front) - Sweats. Get up and get "ready" each day. Walk. Walk. Walk. Drink your water and eat healthy. (gassy foods, no - it hurts!)
Massager for the chair is a help! If you must travel stop every 30 minutes to walk. If you have any strange symptoms, seek help!
I stayed with a friend for the first few days, while my husband went home to work. I had tubes in my stomach. My friend encouraged walking, drinking water, and had some good movies to watch. It was like a slumber party. During this part of recovery I found it helped to have a massager on the recliner to prevent soreness. It helped to walk, eventhough there was always somethere to help.
Unfortunately I became "one of the few" on the way home. I ended up with a pulmonary embolism. We drove from San Antonio to our house in West Texas on Wednesday, stopping twice, and by Thursday morning I was in the ER. Shortness of breath and a constant cough. The CT scan showed a clot in my lung. Take it serious, I was very lucky!
Take advantage of family. Our daughters have been over to help with everything, my mom came over to cook and visit. I couldn't be doing this good without them!
I have a fitbit. It's a step counter. My goal is to keep going a little further each day, encouraging myself to work. It's easy to want to sit down, because my back is sure sore from the crunched over walking, but I'm determined to get back on the track, and back to the gym soon!
Well for today - I will encourage you to have a few sports bra (zipper front) - Sweats. Get up and get "ready" each day. Walk. Walk. Walk. Drink your water and eat healthy. (gassy foods, no - it hurts!)
Massager for the chair is a help! If you must travel stop every 30 minutes to walk. If you have any strange symptoms, seek help!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Well tomorrow we leave for San Antonio. Today I voted and got a haircut. I'm mostly packed. I'm soo blessed with a wonderful family! The kids came over to eat, visit, see what needed done, and give me hugs and kisses. Tara doesn't like me saying "I'll be hot in time for your wedding" but I will!!
My parents called, wishing me well, and my Dad asking if I'm getting a brazillian butt. Ha, he makes me laugh. And my dear friends, Nancy called wishing well, Dana called giving me encouragment, and Rhonda is ready and waiting for me, her houseguest/patient. I would say it's been a great day with texts of the people I've shared with. All well wishers. Surround yourself with people who are supportive and understand, and those who want to talk ill of what you're doing, let them go do that...it's not their journey, they don't get it, and they don't want to share it, don't let them bring you down.
I'm feeling emotional tonight. Wondering if a sane person really voluntarily undergoes a surgery with the potential for "pain" - but I've worked hard to lose the weight, and will continue to sculpt my body with diet and excercise, and I deserve it. As I was told tonight, "this is about you taking time for yourself."
See I'm worried with a rescheduling of the tube removal, so I will be without Rick for a few days. Rhonda will be a great nurse I know! Mallory would drop everything to go there with me, or bring me home, but I've decided at this point, to ask her to help once I'm back at home. While I'm there, I plan to sleep and "recover".
The emotions are strange. I feel selfish. Scared. Anxiety. And at the same time I'm so excited, so anxious to lose this skin and fat, so ready to feel the change!
I doubt I sleep tonight. My brain just won't quit. It's surreal that in 48 hours I will have undergone a change to enhance what I've been working at the last 2 1/2 years!
I love my family dearly and I thank them for their support! I apologize in advance for the tears and the crazy medicine talk that is sure to come. Love you guys! Let's do this thing!
My parents called, wishing me well, and my Dad asking if I'm getting a brazillian butt. Ha, he makes me laugh. And my dear friends, Nancy called wishing well, Dana called giving me encouragment, and Rhonda is ready and waiting for me, her houseguest/patient. I would say it's been a great day with texts of the people I've shared with. All well wishers. Surround yourself with people who are supportive and understand, and those who want to talk ill of what you're doing, let them go do that...it's not their journey, they don't get it, and they don't want to share it, don't let them bring you down.
I'm feeling emotional tonight. Wondering if a sane person really voluntarily undergoes a surgery with the potential for "pain" - but I've worked hard to lose the weight, and will continue to sculpt my body with diet and excercise, and I deserve it. As I was told tonight, "this is about you taking time for yourself."
See I'm worried with a rescheduling of the tube removal, so I will be without Rick for a few days. Rhonda will be a great nurse I know! Mallory would drop everything to go there with me, or bring me home, but I've decided at this point, to ask her to help once I'm back at home. While I'm there, I plan to sleep and "recover".
The emotions are strange. I feel selfish. Scared. Anxiety. And at the same time I'm so excited, so anxious to lose this skin and fat, so ready to feel the change!
I doubt I sleep tonight. My brain just won't quit. It's surreal that in 48 hours I will have undergone a change to enhance what I've been working at the last 2 1/2 years!
I love my family dearly and I thank them for their support! I apologize in advance for the tears and the crazy medicine talk that is sure to come. Love you guys! Let's do this thing!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Random Anxiety
In 5 days I will be at my pre-op visit. I have alot on my mind; random thoughts, worries, lists of things needed, and total excitement!
My family has been very supportive of my decision. They are helpful and inquistive, and to quote my Mom, it just sounds "dreadful" - love her!!
I have realized you find who really supports you and wants the best for you, and who doesn't. My advice is to surround yourself with positive people, and let go of jealous people who want to bring you down. It is enough of a struggle to lose the weight, and make the decision to better yourself without trying to pamper those who aren't true to you.
I do have some friends who have already gone through this, and they are being such great help. Wedge pillows, pointing out the need for zipper clothing, bras, and button up VS pj's.
Well - I don't have very much to add today. Maybe just a thank you to my dear husband for the love and support over these years, and the positive feedback. Thanks to him for listening to me read from my computer..and all of my random thoughts and worries. A big thanks also to our dear daughters Mallory and Tara who were by my side when I could not finish 15 minutes of zumba a few years ago. And continue to praise me and challenge me to continue to be better, now that I am loving step, rpm, zumba and horizontal conditioning! And to my parents. I know they worry and I know they pray for me. And finally to our dear friends who will be there to take care of me, calm Rick, and take him on a great motorcycle ride, that I will be sad to miss.
It is obvious that I am the only one who could get me to this point. But I sure couldn't do it without the love and support of family and friends!
My family has been very supportive of my decision. They are helpful and inquistive, and to quote my Mom, it just sounds "dreadful" - love her!!
I have realized you find who really supports you and wants the best for you, and who doesn't. My advice is to surround yourself with positive people, and let go of jealous people who want to bring you down. It is enough of a struggle to lose the weight, and make the decision to better yourself without trying to pamper those who aren't true to you.
I do have some friends who have already gone through this, and they are being such great help. Wedge pillows, pointing out the need for zipper clothing, bras, and button up VS pj's.
Well - I don't have very much to add today. Maybe just a thank you to my dear husband for the love and support over these years, and the positive feedback. Thanks to him for listening to me read from my computer..and all of my random thoughts and worries. A big thanks also to our dear daughters Mallory and Tara who were by my side when I could not finish 15 minutes of zumba a few years ago. And continue to praise me and challenge me to continue to be better, now that I am loving step, rpm, zumba and horizontal conditioning! And to my parents. I know they worry and I know they pray for me. And finally to our dear friends who will be there to take care of me, calm Rick, and take him on a great motorcycle ride, that I will be sad to miss.
It is obvious that I am the only one who could get me to this point. But I sure couldn't do it without the love and support of family and friends!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
My name is Sydney and I am a 44 year old mom of two beautiful, successful, daughters. I am married to my high school sweetheart, and I'm about to get a mommy makeover.
Over the years I've done the yo-yo diets, the phenphen, diet programs, and in the last 3 years I have discovered that my gym membership, healthier eating, and changing to a job with normal hours, has helped me lose weight and keep it off. More on that later.
I have never blogged, although I enjoy other blogs!
My reason for doing this is to share my journey through a tummy tuck and breast lift. I have been on the computer nightly reading other blogs and learning from those before me, maybe I will be a shining light for someone in the future.
My surgery is exactly one week from today.
Over the years I've done the yo-yo diets, the phenphen, diet programs, and in the last 3 years I have discovered that my gym membership, healthier eating, and changing to a job with normal hours, has helped me lose weight and keep it off. More on that later.
I have never blogged, although I enjoy other blogs!
My reason for doing this is to share my journey through a tummy tuck and breast lift. I have been on the computer nightly reading other blogs and learning from those before me, maybe I will be a shining light for someone in the future.
My surgery is exactly one week from today.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)