2 weeks post op Surgeon Visit (11/10)

On Saturday, November 11, I had my 2 weeks abdominoplasty post op visit with Dr. Vincent DiNick, MD., who did my surgery. (Barix/Forest Health in Ypsi) Progress is good, I'm healing well, some of the incision is almost invisible, some of it is still light red and healing well, he said. I initially had 4 JP drains, and am now down to 1. I go to these appointments with NO expectations on how many he may or may not remove so there is no disappointment. He has taken out 3 since my 1st post op visit. My weight is skyrocketing, however it's due to lack of exercise and the immense swelling going on in my body. He indicated that would go down in the next 1-3 months. My feet look like big peach colored ballons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I can barely fit into my tennis shoes, clogs and even bedroom slippers. Around the house I wear socks. Nothing else fits! I remind myself daily to look in the mirror, and that alone is what keeps my heart happy and content, seeing a flat tummy, no excess skin and no big bulges hanging down to my thighs. It is when I look in the mirror I am reminded why I chose to do this, rather than feeling "why did I do this again???". I'm taking one day at a time, and resting and with great company at present. As you may or may not know, Mom brought me to my friends home and left - she went back to her home near Alpena and we speak almost daily. She sounds happy to be home, and I request that if you would, remember her in your thoughts and prayers this coming Thanksgiving. It will be difficult, as it will be her first Thanksgiving Day without my father, who passed in February of this year. I can't imagine how hard this will be for her, but I am hoping to be home with her so she isn't alone. Thank you for your continued support and emails, phone calls and cards. I could use some more yahoo friends, I lost my 3 year Yahoo ID somehow....can't log in so if you want to contact me using YAHOO Instant Messenger or previously did (my old yahoo ID was: stacey_mi_1959....it's funked up now) please use my new one: loves_horses_59 I would appreciate friends since I lost all but 3 of mine. Again, thanks so much for the support each of you have given. It's a great joy to wake up, get to the laptop and see mail from people here. Warm generous hugs Stacey W

Congrats Stacey!!!! I am hoping to avoid abdominoplasty....but I'm 6 months out from my RNY and at my check last week my doc asked if I had thought about it....so....(sigh) looks like I may end up going down that road. We'll see! So glad you're doing so well!!! Way to go!!!!!!!!! Hugs Sydney

hi Stacey--gladto hear you are doing so well. remember to let your body heal..........sometimes that ole swelling stuff means we are doing a bit too much in our recovery. so listen to your body.......i am healing well too........but i have really been taking it easy and have become one with my body suit! please take care of yourself.........i am just so glad that Dr. Dinick did our surgeries....he has done a masterful job--my incisions are outrageously thin and beautiful.........and as swelling goes down i can already see how just wonderful my tummy and arms look. we are so lucky............and thanks so much to Carey for all of her support to us too! They are the best! now go relax, eat something healthy and heal! hug rae

Thanks so much. Rae: I just can't get over how thin those incisions are. When I had WLS, my incision was thick. And Dr. DiNick asked who did it, I told him and he said it looked "sloppy!". I can see why. His are MICRO thin!!!! As for the swelling he did tell me 2 weeks it would go down. I'm not doing anything he didn't ok, I asked what I can and can't do, so I would know. It was just Friday when Mom dropped me off at my friends, and I've been here since. One step at a time, one day at a time, and I just take it slow and easy. (except for typing- i've always done that fast so it makes up for lack of moving around!!!) I hope that you are healing well also and recovering well. Isn't he amazing??????????????????? Don't you just love his work? His bedside manner is the best since .............uh, well it's the best. Good to hear from you Stacey

Stacey... I don't have yahoo, or I would add you as a friend sorry... Between AIM and iChat, I have enough messengers.... Glad to hear that you are recovering well, and you got rid of more drains... WTG... Sounds like things are going well.... take care and don't do too much, your body needs to heal.... Shawn M.

Glad to hear you are doing so well. I know the swelling can be an issue but just think of the end result like we did when we first had the WLS. My Yahoo ID is meowbubbz Suzanne

So happy that you are down to only 1 drain. Yes I will think of you and your Mom on Thanksgiving Day. I am changing your id on yahoo so I can see you on now. Sorry it got messed up. Take care my friend and keep us posted. Hugs Debbie M

Hey Stacy...Glad that you are doing better today!!! I got your message on the yahoo thing and I don't do yahoo....I have so much keeping me busy here on aol with messages I can't fit yahoo in my time slot....Sorry. I had a nasty headache tonight and I think it May be tension. Hope you continue to feel better and get well soon!!! Hugs Judy