Tummies and boobies OH MY!!

First post!
Nicholes Tummy Tuck Blog

03/17/2008 rny gastric bypass
04/2008 gallbladder removal
04/2010 pancreatic surgery (g tube insertion)
05/2010 pancreatic surgery repeat
06/2010 g tube removal
11/15/2010 tummy tuck blog began
11/16/2010 surgery date (tummy tuck)

Hi, My name is Nichole. I am 31 y/o F. I had gastric bypass almost 3 years ago.
On 3/17/2008. I have lost 140 lbs. I was 305 lbs, I am 5'6. I am currently give or
take 165-168 lbs. I have had some problems since my gastric bypass to include,
pancreatitis as the biggest problem. There have been a few others, 3 abdominal
surgeries. I also have given birth to 4 children. So needless to say I have some
extra abdominal skin that needs to come off and hopefully my outcome will be
desirable and cosmetically appealing. This blog is a journal of my pre op
mental state. Post op feelings and events. As well as I will TRY to add photos
for those who wish to see what I look like before and after. I am getting a
Tummy Tuck with a muscle repair.

(written on 11/15/10)
Last week 11/05/10 and 11/10/10. I did all my pre op stuff I had to do. UA, Blood
and meet with whom will be my favorite pre op person the anesthesia (spelling I know)
gal. Who will be giving me the good drugs :D. I also met with the surgeons PA.
She seemed nice, she will also be in the OR with him (Dr Woll) as well. I was told
then I will have 2-4 drains. 2 below my hips and maybe 2 above the incision.
I was also told that I will have an incision about 2 inches past my hip bone to hip
bone. I will be taking photos in a few minutes to document my "physical" appearance
and for me to be able to look at when I wonder what in the hell did I do to myself.
I will be also likely having a muscle repair. The muscle repair is basically where
they take the muscle that has stretched from my zyphoid process (lower breast bone)
to my pelvis/pubic area. The muscle repair is supposed to be basically like what
a shoelace does to a shoe. Brings the muscle into itself again so I can have
better muscular definition in my stomach. 6 pack maybe :D.

I know I will be in a decent amount of pain. I will be on a morphine pca
(patient controlled analgesia) pump. Basically I will be able to give myself my
painkillers as soon as I am post op. I plan on keeping it in my hand ;). Because I
am planning on being in a considerable amount of pain. I also was told I will be on
painkillers (percoset or vicodin) when I return home.

11/15/2010: about 24 hours pre op
Today is a mix of emotions. I am scared, happy, nervous, excited, anxious. I feel
like I did when I was 9 mos pregnant, I am nesting of sorts. Pre making meals for
us, doing laundry, keeping up on dishes, cleaning. I have to go take my pregnancy test
later on at the hospital. I also hope to make it to the library to grab a few books
and dvds to kill time while I am post op and not able to do a lot. Tonight I have
shower (duh) but I am supposed to scrub the "site" with some scrubby thing with
antibacterial soap in it. I am also supposed to use it again in the am. I have to
call later on to get my op time. I sure hope they give me something for nerves.
Think it is too early to ask??? I am beginning to be a nervous wreck.
I have had some problems with anesthesia before with previous surgeries. I had a
knee surgery about 5 years or so ago. When I was still fat. I was in the OR, I was
given the paralytic that they give so your body relaxes before they place the
breathing tube. I had what is called "anesthesia awareness" meaning I remember more
than I should. I remember the Dr asking the nurse to apply cricoid pressure.
Meaning I was about to have a breathing tube down my throat while awake but
paralyzed. Not being able to open your eyes or being able to let the OR staff know
that I was not "out" is not a fun thing. Scary as hell actually.
I also "woke up" once during a procedure. I woke up during the removal of a g tube
(feeding tube).
I felt the pain when they were taking it out and yelled that it hurt. The Dr then
told them to give me more meds.
So that said I am a bit apprehensive. I have told everyone who will be in the OR
about my past experience and that I do NOT wish for it to happen again.


Day 2 Post op: 11/19/2010

Well hello again. Surgery was 2 days ago, on the 16th. It is now the 19th and I
have been home for just under 24 hours. I woke up from surgery not feeling too bad.
I made it to my room and was put on a clear liquid diet. (water basically). I was
handed a "full clear liquid" diet. To include ginger ale, jello and fruit juice.
All full of sugar. My mom brought me a burger and zucchini. So I decided to skip
the clears and eat some food. I had no problems with that. My pain was minimal,
morphine was not working well for my respiratory effort. I was only breathing
5x per min they said. Spo2 levels were down from 54%-90%. While awake and
sleeping so I was put on o2. I was also switched to dilauded. That helped some,
with the pain I know now I prefer morphine for pain control. I slept on and off the
first night. Never sleeping for more than an hour and 1/2 at a time. I awoke about
6 am ate, and decided I felt so good I would go for a walk around the floor, with
help of course. I cleaned up my room, washed up and brushed my teeth and hair.
I overdid it. I also paid for it as well. So I have learned my activity level has to be restricted no matter how good I feel. I was not expecting to feel as well as I do but I feel alright.
I am moving now. Last night was a bit rough, I slept on the couch and had to go to
the bathroom a lot as the IV fluids were coming off.

Dr Woll was awesome!! He said he took 2 1/2 lbs of skin off!! I have 2 drains and
they are in my groin area. I have not taken the bandages off yet. I have seen a small
preview of my tummy without the binder on and I have an hourglass figure already!!
I am supposed to take the binder off tonight and the bandages off over the
incision. Shower and lightly clean the area. I am still on pain killers now but I do not think I will need them much longer. I need to learn to take it easy. Benadryl is somewhat helping the itching. I am itchy everywhere!! My back, arms, legs and even face.I have tons of small open scratches all over my body. Mostly because of the pain killers are making me itch. I feel well I am able to get on and off the couch alone now. Tonight may be different, as that is when it seems I am the sleepiest and in the most pain. Well it is nap time again. I will write more whenever. I also have some photos to post and I will be taking more pics as time and how I feel permits. Maybe before/after my bandages come off tonight.


\

Nov 22,2010
6 days post op:
Day 6. Today is the first day I can stand up for more than 5 minutes and not be
exhausted. Thank goodness. I can also (for the most part) stand up straight.
I was able to stand and wash dishes from dinner,last night this morning. Excited I
was able to do them but sad cause I able to do them agin lol. So much for milking
it. (Just kidding) I have taken more photos since surgery. I will have to add them to the blog page
when I get internet. I feel good for the most part. 2 nights ago we went to the mall. I walked around
for almost 1 1/2 hours. I was dragging ass yesterday for overdoing it. So yesterday
I chilled out on the sofa. And did a whole lot of nothing. However last night I

needed to make a trip to the store. I went to walmart and got a new tank top. I

LOVE wearing tank tops what are "slim" fitting. 1 it shows off my tummy and 2 it

also although it is likely psychological, helps me with some compression in the

tummy area. I cant really wear a bra with the binder on tho so that kinda sucks.

But I digress,
I needed to get some milk and maxi pads also. Yea sounds like TMI however there is
a reason that I mentioned this. To the people who are reading this blog who will be
getting a tummy tuck, taking care of someone who is having a tummy tuck. I HIGHLY
recommend Extra long maxi pads. I am using Stayfree brand 4 wall/channel extra
long pads. I love them!! I am using them for covering my incisions. They are PERFECT!
Tape them over the steri stips and they provide immediate softness and protection.
Wide enough for adequate coverage and thick enough not to cause pain under the
abdominal binder I have to wear for the next 3 weeks. Also thin enough not to hinder
the job the binder is doing. They also would not snag the stitches I have (if I have any)
should they poke out and catch like gauze would. The Pads would work for someone
Who’s wound is not healing and constantly seeping. They can also be cut around your
drains and do not hinder bathroom use one bit! My wounds are healing well and my
incisions are not infected (that I know of). But there is occasional tugging and
pulling of my incisions that is painful and has made me wonder if I tore something
in the area. I just look at the pads and know I am not bleeding or goo is coming
out. Much cheaper than gauze and less tape is needed. I have 2 pads taped together
and then taped onto me. Aw hell rather than explain it I will add the photo to this blog.
I am not sure what the actual job that the binder is doing but I am ok with wearing
it. I do take it off (not completely) just open it up a few times daily to let
myself breathe normally and my incisions get some fresh air. I may be able to take
a shower alone today. I may ask for some help from the kiddo cause I need to shave my legs badly.
That may hurt to bend over like that. I can also bend over now and pick something
small and light off the floor. It does hurt but I can do it. I am also mostly
standing up straight again also. Actually this morning my glasses had fallen under
my bed and in order for me to be able to see I had to get them. I got on my hands
and knees to reach under the bed and retrieve them. No one was here sooo... I did
it. It hurt like heck but I am trying to wean myself of the painkillers.. Did not
happen this am because of the glasses thing. I hope to be completely off within the
next day or 2. I need to make an appt for a "wound check" for tomorrow with the Drs office. They
should pull the right drain out. The output is 20 cc. They will take it out they
said when it is less than 20cc for 24 hours. I MAY be able to talk them into it
tomorrow or wed. The drain is a pain, The right one pulls and tugs and when I strip
the tubing it causes some pain in my right side as well as burns a bit. The drain
looks like it will hurt like a SOB when it is pulled. I know when I had my drain in
my left side post op from my gastric bypass it was the most painful 20 seconds I
had ever experienced in my life. It was also infected and the pa did not know it
was sutured into my skin at the time. So that I am sure did not help my experience
much. I just know that I am hopeful to have at least the 1 removed.
Today is Monday, Thursday is Thanksgiving. I am planning on going to my moms house
to spend the holiday with them. I have not spent a holiday
with them in the past few years. Well I have nothing post op to write
about at this time. I will write more after I visit the Drs for my post op check up. I am also 165 again. Back to my pre op weight (give or take a few lbs) Until then have a fabulous week!

Wish list!!

My Christmas Wish list. I don't want anything for Christmas but for Erica to have a good one! That said a list of things I want to get for myself someday. One at a time but it is something to do today. So skip this post if you like. I'm having fun with it!! For those of you who know me, you know I am not materialistic AT ALL. But a girl still likes to get things right???

Nicholes Wish List:

http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=49148 (the center 3 colors)

http://www.louisvuitton.com/us/flash/index.jsp?direct1=home_entry_us (in black)

http://www.buythebullet.com/

http://www.applevacations.com/caribbean/ (hey a girl can dream cant she??)

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=cmsh&subm=1&dsct=&dlvl=&rtmn=&rtmx=&dcty=&drid1=3687&dcty=Venice+Italy&tdpt1=&trtn1=&ffst=0&cadu1=2&cmbt=2&qryt=8&rdct=1&semcid=13172-1&eapid=13172-1&kword=trips%20to%20Venice!e.ZzZz.602596635.0.3822732716.trips%20to%20venice.trips_to_Venice

http://www.carnival.com/BookingEngine/SailingSearch/?dat=012011&embkCode=MIA&dur=D2&dest=C

Times Square New Years Eve!!!

Mardi Gras!

That is all I can think of for now. I suppose I just need a vacation. I suppose it is cause I have never had one. Unless you count a honeymoon. Not talking about that one tho lol. bad memories...

A new start

Yikes it has been 3 months since I have posted on this blog. I am sorry for those of you looking forward to it. I have a few followers but not a bunch. Nice and small how I like it. I have more that are not visible than are tho.

Ok where to start. The pancreatic problems appear to be over. I have had some trouble with anemia. I had to have an iron infusion. But that appears to have worked as well. Scared feeling helpless at times but dammit I am doing it. With some help from friends. (Thanks Tiff)!!.

Shoot I don't even think I have posted that I have a job now. Not childcare anymore but I am working on the top of Pikes Peak as an EMT. It is an OK job. I am getting some decent hours in but not as many as I would like. Hardly nuff to sustain us but budgeting sucks anyways.

Soo I am getting out of this place I live in. Have been here for a lil while but it is time to get out and have a better home for Erica. Hell I could (and have) lived anywhere but she deserves more than this place. So we are moving into a town home across town. It is only for a few months, so I can save up some cash to have our own place and not have to deal with anything but being a good mom and role model. I need to focus on that. I will find a church to start attending as well. Maybe if my head is on just a bit more spiritually then I will be able to make better choices. Ill keep you updated on that.

Sooo last night I get a call from a production company. (been waiting on this call for a while now) About doing H/M. They are also asking if I am interested in a part in this upcoming movie. Am I interested? Not really but damn how often does this happen??? Not that I am interested in being an actress but Shit this weight loss has opened SOOOOO Many doors for me. Nothing would have happened if I was still FAT, lets face it producers dont call fat ppl... Sooo I may go for it. This is a vampire movie. I am waiting on a call. They got the financial backers now for it so casting is beginning.
Me an actress lmbo... OK whatever works. I suppose I am good at Drama, My mom always said I was dramatic. Although that has slowed down since I became a grownup.

I also got another call about a job with a consulting firm in NYC. Not moving there but an independent contractor for well umm a magazine so to speak. Apparently my name is getting around town (who woulda thought) I answered an ad from Craigslist in Feb and did the movie and now ppl are calling me!! Exciting but I am leary as well. I dont know what to thing about that. I have not really EVER made myself marketable. Now I am and didnt do anything. Falling in my lap. I suppose God has a plan for me now.


Lastly before I end this. I have an appt Next Wed with a surgeon. I am approved for a tummy tuck!! I hope I can save up nuff cash to support us for a month. I SHOULD be able to go back to work after 2-3 weeks but I am saying a month just in case. I hope I can have some help taking care of Erica after. Like getting her to school and the like. I know she will help me :) She is such a cool kid.

Ha the other day I was headed to see my Mom and oldest son Andrew (he will be 13 soon) :( Anyways,,,
Erica was putting my lip gloss on. And I told her no more that she will look like a hooker. Yea, I should not have said that but it slipped. Sooo She asks me what a hooker is. My gosh it was so cute. But I quickly realizes she DOES listen to what I say and does not ignore me like I think she does. So I told her to ask grandma. Grandma said it was when a girl gets all dressed up and flirts with boys and goes to jail. (Thanks Mom for the save)

I will post more often I promise. Have a good week ya all!!

No more pancreatic blogging!!

From now on this blog is going to be about something other than my health. I am tried of having issues so I am done going to the Drs and done going other places.

Lets start from a new beginning shall we?? I have a job interview tomorrow. The second one for the Ambulance Company in Trinidad. It is a 2 hour drive, long but not excruciating. Take a while to get there especially when there is nothing but jazz on the radio. Cds have all been heard and I just kinda talked to myself last time and went over some protocols and etc. This time I will be talking to myself once again. Going over possible interview questions.

I contacted the recruiter and said how nice it was to meet them and learn about the company etc. I got a quick response and was asked if I was ready to come back!! I am of course. I also asked if I could do a ride along. He said to come dressed in uniform. So it looks like I will have the opportunity to be able to do a ride along should someone get hurt or sick. I also should be able to see how the medics and basics work together. That is all for now. More later!

Tubeless

Well it sure was a long night last night. Tossing and turning. I had to wake up take a shower hop online and finally got a bit of sleep. (an hour). My new neighbor went with me to the hospital and watched Erica while I was in the hosp.

Got there needed to take a pregnancy test of course it was -. Registered and waited for the Doc to be ready for me. The Nurse Anesthetist came in and knocked me out. I WOKE UP during the procedure!!! I remember waking up saying OUCH OUCH and the Dr looking at the Anest guy and said give her more NOW!! Apparently he listened cause I woke up in the PACU. After laying on my back for an hour. The muscle was on the tube. I went to the clinic again. Had an x-ray and went home after a while.

I'm still loopy and tired now so I will post more later. I was given gauze and tagaderm for the leaking. So far it is not leaking. Or much that I know of. Sweet Dreams Ya'all!

Another Hosp Visit

Well hey all! Ok updates. I am up at 4 in the freaking am cause I can not sleep. I will be leaving in a few hours to get this tube pulled out!! Dr said that he will knock me out while pulling it cause it is painful. I will not have the hole closed just some gauze and tape. I will tell him I want some tagaderm tho cause my tummy is raw from 3 months of changing tape 1-3x daily. I am sensitive to most tapes too ugh. I just hope it closes up well and no infection and no "ooze".

So that is pretty much it. OH I almost forgot, I got my state certs last week. So finally State AND National certified. I went to an ambulance company monday for an interview well more like a pre interview. Exam/meet and greet type of thing. Seems like a decent place to work hours are good pay is not bad at all, ppl seem nice and everything I needed was explained to me. But it is 2 hrs away. So I would not be able to come home but 3-4 days a week. I would have to stay there and also find a VERY FULL time sitter for Erica. Maybe I'll get a college kid or something like that. Pay rent for a place to live or something. We'll see!! Either that or I will just move down there. I will then be able to come home in the evenings or days whenever the work is. But I would HAVE to be within a 15 min response time to be at the station to take calls when I would be on call. I was invited back (at the first interview) to come back for an informal interview with the ops team. So wish me luck!!

Back again

Well I realize it has been a while since I have posted on here. Some things have been going on with my personal life that are not bad but not good either. Those I dont want to talk about on this site.

However a bit of an update on my Pancreas. I have had this @#$#% tube in for 2 1/2 mos now and it is getting REALLY OLD!!! I made an appt with my Dr about 2-3 weeks ago and I asked him if it could come out he said no not yet. Because I have been having some problems eating. Well DUH!! I have a smaller stomach than most folks but I also have a G Tube with a balloon inside my small stomach which restricts my intake. Thus not being able to eat much. The foods I do eat are smaller amounts and I do stay full longer but I feel pretty icky when I eat. Mostly it is nausea and sometimes it hurts like hell in my RUQ (right upper quadrant) after I eat and digestion takes place.
So tomorrow I have another scope that is to be done and he will be taking "samples" of my intestines. Pretty gross sounding but I will be knocked out. (I would not have it any other way) Being knocked out is a delightful thing to have optional. It causes pretty neat feelings when "going under" OK OK I can say whatever I want after they give you the meds til I pass out. The versed is kinda neat :P. However I have realized that I do not like the way Benzos make me feel. Icky in recovery.

I am also FINALLY completely OFF the fentanyl patch. I did not realize that when I was put on them that when I was to get off of them I would have to Wean myself and that the "weaning" process is like a heroin withdrawl. I took a patch off a few weeks ago and was sooooooo I'll the next am I felt like I was going to croak. I called the nurse line and they told me to go into the ED or put another patch on. So I went into the ED. They gave me some valium (nice stuff when you need it btw) and send me home. They told me to put a patch on and let it get back into my system. Then when the patch ran out (after 3 days) to cut the next one in 1/2 and use that for the 3 days and continue over the next few weeks til I was off!! I cut my last patch at the 12 mg (roughly) area and wore it for a week. I took it off completely last week and only had a few icky days but the T3s helped with any discomfort. So for now I am only on T3s and am OK with it. Bye Fentanyl patches NEVER AGAIN!!!

I also am going back to school soon. I have applied and am waiting for the school to process things. Looks like my FASFA will be approved fairly fast and my COF (college opportunity fund) is done as well. So I will be going to paramedic school within a year. I hope to be able to meet some of the pioneers of ems soon. The history is fascinating to me. I love hearing about how things "were done" when some of the told and response times were not like they are now. I also hope to get another job soon as a Full Time EMT. I have my pprwk into the state. Just waiting on them to process it. I may call them shortly to see what the hold up is. (OK I will right now, brb)
dooddedoo doodedoo im on hold.
UGH they cant help me. Not right now anyhow, they are moving buildings. (go figure)

Well this was a long update. I hope everyone is doing well!