Rain & Feeding my Friend the Squirrel...

Apr 11, 2012

What does the rain and feeding a squirrel have to do with anything?  I have become so friendly in the last month and a half with a squirrel with a notched right ear, he comes to my sliding door looking for Fig Newtons & sunflower seeds.  What else could I do while I recuperated?

Well, it has been almost a month and a half, and I finally got to try out my swimming ability.  For my first day back in the water, I had, "Where have you been?" "Did you get the surgery?" "Oh my god! You look great!" "Are you getting any other surgeries?"  To tell the absolute truth, it felt amazing to get all that attention.  Funny, I used to come in, grab my pass, and head to the locker room.  Maybe a little chit chat with the receptionist, but usually I just popped my ear plugs in & swam.

Okay, so to let you know how I feel 6 weeks later, I am a little sore.  When my tummy isn't under compression (girdle or binder), it does feel tender & I have to tighten my abdominal so much, it starts to make a new ache.  Not a bad ache, just different.  The panniculectomy is NOT a tummy tuck, and the only thing anchored to my muscle is the upside down V at the top of my lady parts & where my belly button used to be.  My swelling is still evident, and I even iced it last night.  I took things SLOWLY, but found I still had decent endurance, I swam an hour and did a mile and a half.  The suit I wore yesterday needs to be tighter, so I will have to go on the hunt for more thrift store treasures!  I still cannot get over wearing a size 20 swimsuit - my jeans are comfy, a size 22/24 -- but I need the compression of at least a size 20 swimsuit.

When folks ask about the pain, trust me, it really isn't so bad you would deny yourself the end results!  Sure, it hurts, but so does childbirth, but women still have kids, right?  It has been a life changing surgery, and I am NOT exaggerating.  To get personal, I actually have feeling along the mons pubis (the topside of the lady parts - covered with the short & curlies) that I NEVER had before.  Or, maybe I had feeling, just less, as it was sandwiched by a blanket of fat.  My sweetie & I are taking an extended weekend in Oregon, along the Coast - I have warned him that he BETTER PUT OUT, or else... Understandably, he is afraid of breaking something or hurting me, but a woman has needs...

I cannot say for sure why, whether skin coloring, care of my skin, but my scars are already very faint.  So, for my friends asking when I plan to get the infamous tattoo (super secret, but will share after I get it), I am waiting for the swelling to go down, and frankly, hope that my tummy flattens out a little.  Protein, vitamins, wearing my binder or girdle, and REST, that also has helped to keep the scars to a minimum. 

Miles swam so far this year - 91!  I will be slow to get it back to the 15 - 20 miles a week, but I am also back in the water two weeks earlier, so I hope to make 600 by end of year.  Thank you to EVERYONE who has supported me!!!  I still need to update all the swimsuits! I just received two in the mail - THANKS LYNETTE, I'll find them great homes!!!  There are more suits size 24 and up, so if anyone has any usable suits 22 and under, I am happy to help you find them a new home with a fellow OH Member.

To all of you out there contemplating weight loss surgery - do not fear it, but know you do have to put in your far share of work to get the results.  In 16 1/2 months I have lost 186 pounds, with another 100+ to go.  For those of you who have lost or are in the process of losing and have a long pannus (fat apron), you may be eligible for RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY - a Panniculectomy - and it will change your life!  Life is long, so try to keep that into perspective.  I originally was going to get surgery in 2004 (considered the panniculectomy in 1996), but life had a way of making me have to postpone.  Third time was the charm!  Never lose sight of goals, and try never to let frustration make you give up!  Positivity isn't a guaranty in life, but if you work for it, you will have a more enjoyable life.  Trust me, I can turn a negative into a positive in just how I look at it.  Stay positive, and you will have more happiness than you thought possible!

Brenda : )~

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