It Is Done!!

On Monday, I had the skin removal surgery.  Today is Wednesday.  I had the luxury of showering off a bit and discarding of the bandages that was holding everything together.  When I finally got a good look in the mirror, I was extremely pleased with the results!  Completely exceeded my expectations!  He removed a total of 22 pounds of skin. That doesn't include what he removed with some lipo sculpting. The most uncomfortable part of this is probably having to maneuver around the drains coming out of each leg.  But it's workable.  Pain hasn't been too bad. I've stayed on top of taking the pain meds which make me feel weird. Although, I'm thankful for them!

Last night, I slept really good. I'm hoping for a repeat tonight.

I'm staying off the scale until after the drains come out in a week. I'm swollen all over. I'm pushing fluids and protein.  Just ready to get back to normal now. In the meantime, I'll just take it easy and rest.

It's Really Happening!

I can't believe it's almost time!  Surgeons office called me this morning to let me know what time to be there.  Surgery is scheduled for 7am!

Don't know what it was about that phone call but it's all so real now.  It hit me like a ton of bricks. 

Tomorrow is my last day of work until September 16th.  Lots of loose ends to tie up.  Just have to remember to breathe!!!

5 Days!!!

Well, technically now we're at 4.5 since half the day is over.

Definitely still freaking out.  Anxiety is at an all time high and I'm wishing for a xanax IV right about now.  Thankfully, I've managed to stick with my healthy eating plan and I'm feeling less bloated and the water weight is pouring out...  Who knew blueberries were a natural diuretic?!?!  Holy moly! 

So I got my before pics all taken and cropped.  I need to blur out the naughty bits, but I'll post them with the afters probably sometime next week. 

I'll say one thing for sure...  all this waiting is for the birds.  I should have just scheduled this thing for the next day so it could have been done and over with.  I know all the anxiousness I feel can't be good for me.  Just the thought of it sends my stomach reeling and heart racing.  Why can't I just sleep through the next 4 weeks and be done with this!?!

Speaking of sleep...  I'm not doing that much lately.  Again, the anticipation of W.A.I.T.I.N.G keeps me from being able to relax and shut off my stupid brain. 

One kinda cool thing.  When I got home from work yesterday, I went to hang up my clothes and then thought "I doubt I'll be able to wear these again."  So this week, I'm paying tribute to all the clothes that will get their last wear.  Although there are not enough days between now and then to wear everything that won't fit.  So I'm just wearing my favorites one last time. 

Once I'm up for it after surgery, my closet will get a major overhaul.  When I'm done, I won't have any clothes left!!!

Now I've got to start saving up to replace my wardrobe.  Donations are being accepted.  =)

The COUNTDOWN is ON!!!

11 days until I go under the knife for skin removal and breast reconstruction!!!

Right now, I'm just taking each day as it comes.  And lately, they've been coming with a butt load of stress!  I have about 5 work days before I'm off for a few weeks to heal and the stack of work I need to finish is about as tall as I am.  Well, thankfully I'm short.  =)

I know as a result of the stress, I'm turning to carbs and other foods I know I need to stay away from.  So I'm committing myself to stick to protein, shakes, veggies, fruit, water, and vitamins for the next 11 days.  ESPECIALLY the shakes!!!  I have got to keep my protein up so I can ensure I heal well and QUICKLY!!!  Tentatively, I'm going back to work after 17 days...  as opposed to the original 22 days I was planning on taking off.  It's only the difference of 5 days, but I'm guessing a lot can change in 5 days.

This weekend, I'll have the hubs take my before pics so I can post them here.  In the meantime, I'm totally freaking out!  I'm excited, but extremely anxious about it all.  For some reason, I'm scared of looking worse than I do now.  Although I think anything would be an improvement to what I have right now.  It's just hard for me to imagine what I'm going to look like without all the skin around my abdomen and sagging boobs.  Honestly, I've always looked like this so I don't know any different.  The last time I had a semi-normal figure was when I was about 6 or 7 years old.  Somehow, I don't think I can compare the 33 year old body I have now to the body of a prepubescent child.

Did I mention I was freaking out!?!?!?!?