The next step in my new transformation is about to begin! My hernia surgery is scheduled for 10/4/24. Lets hope and pray that this time is a success.
I have managed to lose over 80 lbs, and I feel so much better already. I've been able to do things I've not been able to do in years. I have taken many long walks that I would never been able to do 80 pounds ago. The last time I flew home from Florida, I was walking through Atlanta airport, and all of a sudden my Fitbit went off, flashed 5000 and fireworks! I was trying to get to the next terminal so I was like "what the heck?" I'd never seen that on my Fitbit before. Evidently I managed to hit 5000 steps! And before the day was over, I managed 7,100 steps! I lived too! LOL
So this hernia of mine, (Her name is Hernatia) is about to become history, I hope. From what the surgeon and the plastic surgeon who is in charge of closing me up says, it's a kind of a big deal surgery. The hernia surgeon will split me open from breastbone to hoo-haa. He will tuck all my intestines and colon back where they are supposed to be, and use my inner skin to sew it all in nice and tidy. I'm not sure if he will use mesh or not, it just depends on what he finds when he gets in there. Then the plastic surgeon will close me up. in the beginning, the plastic surgeon said he would remove the excess skin (called an apron), but after discussing it with hernia surgeon, they decided that another incision from hip bone to hip bone would be too much to try to recover from at one time. So I may have skin removal later on. But honestly, I am not trying to be a sexy beast, I just want to feel better! I have grandbabies I need to spoil!
Without the support of my family, I could never have gotten this far. Especially my sister Debbie. She is my partner in all of this and has been there for me for every long boring trip to Indianapolis, every appointment, every panic attack I've had, all of it. I can't ever thank her enough. She is going to be with me for my surgery, but I feel bad because I'm going to be in the hospital 5 to 7 days, which means a big hotel bill. I keep telling her to go home till I get released, since I'll be well taken care of in the hospital, but she is a stubborn old heifer. But so am I, so we will see who "wins".
So the process starts with pre-op testing on Friday. Then the countdown to 10/4. I am so ready for it to all be over with. And since I've had 2 previous hernia surgeries, I kinda know what to expect. I hate sharing pictures but this one kinda gives you an idea of the size of the hernia (around 20 lbs). Yes it's huge. As the surgeon said "it's not the biggest hernia I've ever seen, but close". And also in this picture are the reasons I can't wait to be able to be back to normal! I've got grandkids to spoil! Nana is coming kids!!!
Thank you to all my friends who have been so supportive through all of this drama. Won't be long and all of this will be a flicker in the rear view mirror! Love to all....
