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Full Body Lift February 4th

Hi Brenda, Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you today and hoping that with each passing day, you are feeling stronger and with less pain. Please take care and know that we all wish you the best!
 
Thanks everyone, all this support has me tearing up. :) You are all such amazing people, I love you all.

I promise to write more when I'm feeling up to it but just wanted to say that I've been home since Friday evening and now in day 5, I'm proving to be a best-case-scenario with no complications. Pain level is about what you'd expect but 100% worth it. 5 drains to care for and giving myself daily blood thinner injections for another week or so.

I can't wait to be able to stand upright to see what this body is going to look like! Because of the stomach muscle tightening, I'm hunched forward and will be for about 3-4 weeks. So far, all I can see is that my former DDDs are about a B! Not since elementary school, hehe... ;) But they're up where they're supposed to be! My sister said my belly button looks great and that things look a lot tighter, even despite the swelling. I have to take her word on that for now but had her take some pics that I'll post when I'm up to it.

Swelling on the arms is massive so I can't type long. Hopefully in another week or so, I can read what has been going on here and catch up with everyone. I hope you're all doing well and that anyone who has had surgery since I went in, is home recovering well. Have a great week guys. :)

Love,
Brenda
 
Thanks everyone, all this support has me tearing up. :) You are all such amazing people, I love you all.

I promise to write more when I'm feeling up to it but just wanted to say that I've been home since Friday evening and now in day 5, I'm proving to be a best-case-scenario with no complications. Pain level is about what you'd expect but 100% worth it. 5 drains to care for and giving myself daily blood thinner injections for another week or so.

I can't wait to be able to stand upright to see what this body is going to look like! Because of the stomach muscle tightening, I'm hunched forward and will be for about 3-4 weeks. So far, all I can see is that my former DDDs are about a B! Not since elementary school, hehe... ;) But they're up where they're supposed to be! My sister said my belly button looks great and that things look a lot tighter, even despite the swelling. I have to take her word on that for now but had her take some pics that I'll post when I'm up to it.

Swelling on the arms is massive so I can't type long. Hopefully in another week or so, I can read what has been going on here and catch up with everyone. I hope you're all doing well and that anyone who has had surgery since I went in, is home recovering well. Have a great week guys. :)

Love,
Brenda
And PS - they weighed the skin/tissue removed and it was 10.2 pounds. So when I get on the scale in a couple weeks after swelling goes down, I should be at or lower than my final goal weight. :)
 
Brenda, Thank you for writing and letting us know how you are doing & feeling. We understand how difficult it is to write at this time and appreciate you updating us on your surgery. Stay strong and keep up the great recovery. Hugs to you -- Take care.
 
And PS - they weighed the skin/tissue removed and it was 10.2 pounds. So when I get on the scale in a couple weeks after swelling goes down, I should be at or lower than my final goal weight. :)
That is fantastic news Brenda, I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see the pics :)
 
Thanks again everyone. :) I'm doing well, way better than I'd anticipated at only day 12.

Getting around the house is getting easier every day. Still caring for drains but gave myself the last blood thinner shot (yay) & fingers are crossed that drains will come out Tuesday. Pain is completely tolerable unless I move suddenly. I've learned to think out my movements to plan an approach before moving. It's kind of funny.

Since I had my stomach muscles repaired, I have to walk/stand hunched over so it's taking a toll on my back but I'm standing a little straighter every day. Showering feels great but makes me a little queasy. Incision areas are mostly numb but touching them with soapy hands still scares me. But it's all getting easier.

It's early, not even quite 2 weeks. Based on my research, by week 4, I should feel more normal again. It still looks really gross but wanted to share at least a couple pics for anyone interested.

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Wow! I don't suppose you know exactly how many stitches do you got in your body? Or are they staples?

My sister asked and he said between 400-500. I wanted a pic of the 10+ pounds of skin to show off but he said the nurses took it away before he could get one. It's kind of twisted anyway but I was curious as to what that would look like!
 
My dark and twisted sister also asked him if it's hard sewing through human flesh and he giggled (first time he broke professionalism). He said no, that the needles are very sharp. ;)
 
Oh man and we think we have it worse after surgery that’s a lot of work and pain
Thanks Bill, I have my eye on the prize! It's going to be sooooo worth it! I can already see how tight everything is, I can't imagine the results in another couple months. :)
 
Thanks Bill, I have my eye on the prize! It's going to be sooooo worth it! I can already see how tight everything is, I can't imagine the results in another couple months. :)
And I got on the scale Friday & surpassed my goal weight! I'm now well within the "normal" BMI limit for my height!!!
 
Thanks again everyone. :) I'm doing well, way better than I'd anticipated at only day 12.

Getting around the house is getting easier every day. Still caring for drains but gave myself the last blood thinner shot (yay) & fingers are crossed that drains will come out Tuesday. Pain is completely tolerable unless I move suddenly. I've learned to think out my movements to plan an approach before moving. It's kind of funny.

Since I had my stomach muscles repaired, I have to walk/stand hunched over so it's taking a toll on my back but I'm standing a little straighter every day. Showering feels great but makes me a little queasy. Incision areas are mostly numb but touching them with soapy hands still scares me. But it's all getting easier.

It's early, not even quite 2 weeks. Based on my research, by week 4, I should feel more normal again. It still looks really gross but wanted to share at least a couple pics for anyone interested.

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Under Arm: View attachment 2490
Good grief Brenda! You are so brave. That is so much to go through in one go, but you are going to look fantastic xxx
 
Good grief Brenda! You are so brave. That is so much to go through in one go, but you are going to look fantastic xxx
Thanks Julie! I'm so excited to see real results.
 
Thanks again everyone. :) I'm doing well, way better than I'd anticipated at only day 12.

Getting around the house is getting easier every day. Still caring for drains but gave myself the last blood thinner shot (yay) & fingers are crossed that drains will come out Tuesday. Pain is completely tolerable unless I move suddenly. I've learned to think out my movements to plan an approach before moving. It's kind of funny.

Since I had my stomach muscles repaired, I have to walk/stand hunched over so it's taking a toll on my back but I'm standing a little straighter every day. Showering feels great but makes me a little queasy. Incision areas are mostly numb but touching them with soapy hands still scares me. But it's all getting easier.

It's early, not even quite 2 weeks. Based on my research, by week 4, I should feel more normal again. It still looks really gross but wanted to share at least a couple pics for anyone interested.

View attachment 2488

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Under Arm: View attachment 2490
Oh my goodness! That does look painful.
I am so glad you are feeling a little better everyday. You are going to be so happy with your new body.
Congratulations.
 
Thanks Julie! I'm so excited to see real results.
I wonder what size you will be, you look tiny! I bet you never thought you would be described as tiny :) I can’t wait to see your after pics xxx
 
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