I'm Home and Recovering... Dalton PS Update...
Sorry I haven't posted before now but today is the first day I've actually felt remotely like my old self and wanted to get on the puter. Aside from the achiness all over my body (kind of like a really bad flu less the cold and sinus), I feel pretty good. I am staying on top of the pain with my regularly scheduled dose of Liquid Loortab Elixir. Love this stuff. The pain seems to be subsiding, when I first got off the morphine pump, they had to go back to supplementing with morphine injections. Every 2 hrs around the clock I was getting something for the pain. Don't remember much from that day, I drifted in and out of consciousness alot . I can remember trying to eat and waking up with a fork in my hand and a bite of food in my mouth and not remembering having fallen asleep.
Fortunately I was able to get off the morphine completely and come home after staying 4 lovely days in Wakemed. Truthfully, the hospital stay wasnt that bad. I did feel like somewhat of a lab rab (sorta like in Greys Anatomy when Yang is fighting to see the cool patient), its like hey, lets go see the guy who lost 253 lbs and has 250 staples in his gut. COOL dude. The nurses were great and I cant say enough good things about my Dr.
While its still early and I wont see the full effects of his work for several weeks, I can honestly say, Dr. Schwarz is a master at his craft. We were not able to do the chest work with the abdominal surgery. After he got me on the table, he realized just how much skin he had to deal with. 6.5 hours later, he was done. We decided that we will deal with the chest reconstruction in a few months and do it as outpatient to save cost. In the end, this was the safer route for me and will probably be the least costiest.
My advice to you all, if you have the means or the will to fight the insurance company and you need the abdominoplasty work after losing the weight, I suggest you begin planning your surgery now. For me, this is the most dramatic and self sastifying stage of my weight loss. To be able to look down at a flat stomach and see my toes without looking over and around my waist is just amazing.
Now for the ugly details...
This surgery is not for the faint at heart or for those who can't suck up a lot of pain for a few days. The first few days after surgery you feel like you have been fileted and stuffed through a meat grinder. And its pretty god aweful ugly looking, tubes protruding, staple lines everywhere. IV bruises, tape wounds, swelling, redness, and those stinky drains. But improvement does happen quickly.
I opted for the vertical incision and surprisingly that one does not hurt all that much. So yes, I have a zipper now. Funny how I made such a deal about wanting lap RNY and ended up with a zipper anyway. Well worth it though. Dr. Schwarz told me that in some sections, he removed 18-20 inch widths of skin. My abs are so tight, that eating those first 3 days post surgery took me hrs. Very much like a newby RNY. I lost a few decent meals at the hospital. I would go to the bathroom and when I got back, the orderly had taken my tray. The sad thing, I was really enjoying that cheeseburger.
I am not sure how much weight he took off. The dr. told me he was so consumed with managing my case safely that he forgot to have them weigh it. However I can say it was minimum of 10 lbs (likely more). Surgery morning, I weighed 210. This morning, I weigh 200 and I still have a fair amount of swelling. I am thinking 12-15 lbs total. Then I probably have another 3-4 lbs to remove when I get the chest reconstruction work. I think I will end up in the 190 range somewhere. Thats a fantastic number and I will be very happy there. Dr. Schwarz told me that you would never know it from all the skin, but I am actually a small framed person inside. I have to admit, when someone tells me their weight and it registers that I weigh less than them, its sort of a mixed feeling - totally psyched that I weigh less (hey I was always the biggest guy in the room) but still in a lot of disbelief that this is the new me and that I could possibly ever weigh less than someone else. I was chatting on the phone last night with my BF from HS. He was always Mr. Healthy and now I weigh 30 lbs less than him. That was an awesome realization.
So I am afraid to say it for fear of jinxing myself, but come tomorrow, I could very well be in that cool place called Onederland... we shall see.
Lastly, I just want to say thanks to everyone out there who provided updates to my friends on OH while I was recovering and for all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. They truly were appreciated more than you can know.
~Dalton
Fortunately I was able to get off the morphine completely and come home after staying 4 lovely days in Wakemed. Truthfully, the hospital stay wasnt that bad. I did feel like somewhat of a lab rab (sorta like in Greys Anatomy when Yang is fighting to see the cool patient), its like hey, lets go see the guy who lost 253 lbs and has 250 staples in his gut. COOL dude. The nurses were great and I cant say enough good things about my Dr.
While its still early and I wont see the full effects of his work for several weeks, I can honestly say, Dr. Schwarz is a master at his craft. We were not able to do the chest work with the abdominal surgery. After he got me on the table, he realized just how much skin he had to deal with. 6.5 hours later, he was done. We decided that we will deal with the chest reconstruction in a few months and do it as outpatient to save cost. In the end, this was the safer route for me and will probably be the least costiest.
My advice to you all, if you have the means or the will to fight the insurance company and you need the abdominoplasty work after losing the weight, I suggest you begin planning your surgery now. For me, this is the most dramatic and self sastifying stage of my weight loss. To be able to look down at a flat stomach and see my toes without looking over and around my waist is just amazing.
Now for the ugly details...
This surgery is not for the faint at heart or for those who can't suck up a lot of pain for a few days. The first few days after surgery you feel like you have been fileted and stuffed through a meat grinder. And its pretty god aweful ugly looking, tubes protruding, staple lines everywhere. IV bruises, tape wounds, swelling, redness, and those stinky drains. But improvement does happen quickly.
I opted for the vertical incision and surprisingly that one does not hurt all that much. So yes, I have a zipper now. Funny how I made such a deal about wanting lap RNY and ended up with a zipper anyway. Well worth it though. Dr. Schwarz told me that in some sections, he removed 18-20 inch widths of skin. My abs are so tight, that eating those first 3 days post surgery took me hrs. Very much like a newby RNY. I lost a few decent meals at the hospital. I would go to the bathroom and when I got back, the orderly had taken my tray. The sad thing, I was really enjoying that cheeseburger.
I am not sure how much weight he took off. The dr. told me he was so consumed with managing my case safely that he forgot to have them weigh it. However I can say it was minimum of 10 lbs (likely more). Surgery morning, I weighed 210. This morning, I weigh 200 and I still have a fair amount of swelling. I am thinking 12-15 lbs total. Then I probably have another 3-4 lbs to remove when I get the chest reconstruction work. I think I will end up in the 190 range somewhere. Thats a fantastic number and I will be very happy there. Dr. Schwarz told me that you would never know it from all the skin, but I am actually a small framed person inside. I have to admit, when someone tells me their weight and it registers that I weigh less than them, its sort of a mixed feeling - totally psyched that I weigh less (hey I was always the biggest guy in the room) but still in a lot of disbelief that this is the new me and that I could possibly ever weigh less than someone else. I was chatting on the phone last night with my BF from HS. He was always Mr. Healthy and now I weigh 30 lbs less than him. That was an awesome realization.
So I am afraid to say it for fear of jinxing myself, but come tomorrow, I could very well be in that cool place called Onederland... we shall see.
Lastly, I just want to say thanks to everyone out there who provided updates to my friends on OH while I was recovering and for all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. They truly were appreciated more than you can know.
~Dalton
Dalton,
Glad to hear you are up to posting. Sounds like you are on the mend and doing well.
The medical staff only voiced what we here have always known, "you are one cool dude".
Thanks so much for sharing and let Rose know how much her update posts have meant.
Hope to see you at a meet-up soon.
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery...........................Carrie
Glad to hear you are up to posting. Sounds like you are on the mend and doing well.
The medical staff only voiced what we here have always known, "you are one cool dude".
Thanks so much for sharing and let Rose know how much her update posts have meant.
Hope to see you at a meet-up soon.
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery...........................Carrie
(((((Dalton))))))!!!
It's soooo good to see you again. I'm glad to hear that it's gone well and I can't wait to see the results first hand. I'm sure that you are right; this road you are on is not for the faint of heart, but you are a strong man and I know that you are going to be DELIGHTED with the results of Dr Schwarz and your own efforts.
Hang in there as you recover my friend.
Thinking of you,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Dalton,
Stan and i are so happy that you're doing sooooooo well!!! This was a HUGE and scary side road that you took on this long, exciting journey you're on. We can't wait to see the new you!! You should be very proud of yourself and changes you've made to your life and your lifestyle!! Looking forward to seeing you soon.,
Stan & Judy
Stan and i are so happy that you're doing sooooooo well!!! This was a HUGE and scary side road that you took on this long, exciting journey you're on. We can't wait to see the new you!! You should be very proud of yourself and changes you've made to your life and your lifestyle!! Looking forward to seeing you soon.,
Stan & Judy
Judy R
*Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow*
wow. I don't know whether I am now scared of having it done or whether I want it more. I am tired of surgery but also I am tired of skin. Saggy baggy skin. You are one cool dude for sure. I am so happy to hear you are feeling better. I hope your recovery is an unremarkable one. quick and easy. Let us know when you make it to onederland. I know you are excited. Take care.
My body does not define who I am but I am trying to define my body. It gets easier with every pound I drop.
Sandy
Sandy
Hey buddy!
I'm so happy and so proud of you for not giving up. You are truly amazing and such a good friend. That whole thing with your friend from HS is very awesome indeed! I'm also glad this is going easier for you than it was for me. I really did not want to see you in the pain I was in. But your a good example of how important the exercise and being in better shape can get you through surgery a little easier.
Hang in there. Wait till you have to go buy your new tidy-whities and new pants! It's going to be FUN (ever think of using that word with shopping??)
I'm so happy and so proud of you for not giving up. You are truly amazing and such a good friend. That whole thing with your friend from HS is very awesome indeed! I'm also glad this is going easier for you than it was for me. I really did not want to see you in the pain I was in. But your a good example of how important the exercise and being in better shape can get you through surgery a little easier.
Hang in there. Wait till you have to go buy your new tidy-whities and new pants! It's going to be FUN (ever think of using that word with shopping??)
Jenn
Pre-Surgery (08/01/07): 467.5
Surgery Day(08/30/07): 445
09/15/09: 237
Pre-Surgery (08/01/07): 467.5
Surgery Day(08/30/07): 445
09/15/09: 237
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