Pre-op appointments for plastics: done!

I had all my pre-op appointments for my upcoming abdominoplasty this morning.  All were basically painless, except for the blood draw and the interminable waiting between appointments! 

I had to do bloodwork, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, and a cardiac/lung assessment with an internal medicine doctor.  Everything looks good, doc said I'm at very low risk for any heart problems during surgery, and I'm a go for 10/1/08.  I also paid my - gulp - $4500 to cover the stuff my insurance won't pay for (abdominal muscle tightening and relocating my belly button).  I'm just grateful my insurance is at least paying for the skin removal - otherwise I don't think I'd have been able to afford this... 

I've started collecting the stuff I'll need/want after surgery - baby wipes, pillows to prop myself up, reading material, recording stuff on Tivo/DVR for when I'm up to watching tv, etc.  I've got lots of lunch and dinner dates w/ folks who want to see me before I have surgery, and am working on getting commitments for friends to stop over and see me while I'm recovering!  Extroverts like me don't like to be home alone, so I'm betting I'll spend a lot of time online and on the phone once I'm up to it. 

Anyway, that's my story for today.  I am planning to take before an after pictures, for those of you *****ally want to know what a body looks like when it goes from a high weight of 409 pounds down to 175-180 pounds (think flabby deflated balloon and you're halfway there).  I will probably post my pics at a site where I can secure them w/ a password; not will to put my flabbiness out there for just anyone to see, you know, but definitely willing to share with my OH peeps. 

Peace, out -

Kellie

I've marked my calender.  You can best believe I will be sending positive thoughts your way from not until you are fully recovered.  Many wishes of good fortune to you! ~Clinell

Thanks, Clinell, I appreciate you ongoing support.  By the way, LOVE the new picture - girl, you are looking fab-u-lous!!!  Keep up the great work

Kellie

I'm so excited for you Kellie! You will be in my thoughts and prayers for sure, wish I was closer to come visit you!

I canceled my plastics appointment, just don't have time right now with all the Mom stuff going on. Someday ...

Thanks for sharing my excitement, Jan, and thanks for your support - it's good to know my OH peeps are out there for me.  I wish some of you guys lived closer too - I'd love to meet you and Kix and PJ and Jen, and oh, just everyone!!! 

Plastics will wait until you've helped your Mom through everything that's going on in her life.  Unfortunately, all the excess skin isn't going anywhere!  Plus, your plastic surgeon can continue honing his skills on some other folks in the meantime -

Kellie

You go girl!

Great news - thanks for keeping us updated. You'll have so much good wishes coming your way - you are an inspiration.

Thanks, Patty - I appreciate your kind words, and the support of all my OH peeps

Kellie

That's like 2 weeks away!  How exciting.  Wow, a flat tummy...

Yikes, 2 weeks is right!  I got my surgery date about 6 weeks ago and it seemed so far away.  Now it's right around the corner.  Thank goodness for Ambien so I can sleep, as I'm already starting to get super nervous, and thank goodness for narcotic pain medication, as that's how I am having the courage to face the post-op pain!!! 

I've never had a flat tummy - I suspect I'll spend a lot of time gazing at my nekkid belly in the mirror!!! 

Kellie

I second the hooray for Ambien. I think its saved my sanity recently.

I am so excited for you!!! Wow Wow Wow! I watched someone's plastic surgery on TV the other day and the before and after on the stomach was AMAZING. She had abs! She also had her arms done (first on my list, oy they are bad) and a boob job. She looked wonderful.

And so will you!