Drains out and stitches removed

Got back from the plastic surgeon today. He removed my drains and all the stitching. So now I just have to lay around and recover. Next up is an appointment with another surgeon, Dr G, to discuss the procedure for repairing a bilateral hernia. Can't wait to return to work but probably won't be until after Memorial Day. Back to gym at same time. Rob

Hi Rob, Congrats on getting those drains out, has to be a relief. On your way back to normal...actually I guess better than normal huh! yay! Linda

You must feel so much better. I know the one drain from the bypass was enough for me. Enjoy your free time...work will be there waiting for you Ellen

Wow I can' wait to see you!!!

FS Rob is definitely flat now with no drains. How is the swelling? Okay be truthful how much pain are you in now???? Did you have to use much meds? Can you tell I am just full of questions. The gym....I miss it too. I have been doing too much other stuff to get there. Today I go back. I just need mental vacation. I am betting you will need one too real soon. Is the Oprah reruns getting to you yet? Hugs Debbie

Hi Debbie, Yeah, I can tell that there is a lot missing downstairs but there is certainly a lot of swelling. As far as the pain, it is practically all gone. I have not done any pain meds since Tuesday. Occassionally you get stinging feelings from where the stitches were but and uncomfortable feelings when you stand but mostly things are good. It still hurts a lot to cough or laugh, so I try and limit phone calls from my boss. I am wearing a binder that wraps around my waist and helps to hold me together. I get to take it off when I take a shower. The interesting thing is I feel like I am always holding my stomach in now. Not sure how Debbie and Kathyrn and some of the others were able to get multiple surgeries accomplished at the same time. I admire them so much more now. For true honesty, the most painful part of the plastic surgery recovery, was the first bowel movement. Definitely painful! Plumbing is in much better shape now. Dr. Malek was supposed to talk with Dr Gee(?) on Friday about the bilateral hernia repair but I didn't hear back from him. I'll probably call him on Monday to find out what they recommend. Don't really want to miss too much additional work but it might be getter to get it down so I can begin recovering. As far as Oprah goes.... I may get my wife to drive me up to the gym on Monday night so I can watch people doing what I wish I could be doing. Also, maybe I can help my spinning instructor (Julie) with the music. Kerri will probably say no, since she really listens to those doctors. Just another RNY-FS PS story. Your pal, Rob

Hey FS Rob. Glad the worst is behind you. Hope the pain is less each day. Are you allowed to do any thing? Let me restate that, do you want to do anything yet? TV absolutely stinks. Laying around is pretty awful, (7 weeks off for knee's). I guess you can't do much in the yard yet either. Are you allowed to drive? Glad the drains and stiches are out. Feel better and will see the war scars later. yuk! Elissa

Hi Elissa, Yeah, every day is a bigger picnic. If I'm not careful I may need to do more chores around the house soon. I hoping the scars will look better after a couple of months. I'll be returning to work next Tuesday. See you soon. Rob

Rob, We haven't had an opportunity to meet, but I've been following your progress. I just received notification from my plastic surgeon yesterday that my insurance company approved my procedure. I go for a pre-op visit next Wednesday and will then schedule the date. I've done some research on the web regarding the surgery. It sounds a bit scary, but no more so than the gastric bypass. It will be good to get rid of the excess skin that is "hanging around" - ha! How long ago was your surgery? I'm trying to plan how long to be out from work. Congratulations! You've come a long way and the new picture looks great! I still don't know how to post a picture... Jean PS - My one year anniversary was Tuesday, 23 May.