I saw Dr. Sterry today, and he said that I was progressing on schedule. He cleaned out my belly button and noted that the infection has improved a lot. I have to go back in 2 weeks.

I started noticing the drains more and more beginning Monday. They seemed to create a lot of discomfort when I walked. I also found that when I sit at my desk I got very uncomfortable. I called Dr. Sterry's office this morning to find out if what I am experiencing is normal. I got an appointment to go in at 4:30pm (my original follow-up appointment was for 9/8). Dr. Sterry asked how much was coming out of the drains, and based on what I told him decided to remove them. I was so thankful for that. I felt better almost immediately (yes, it was probably psychological :) ). I would have been happy to leave the drains in if that is what would have been best for my recovery, but I was so happy that they were able to come out. I did end up with an infection in my belly button which Dr. Sterry prescribed something for. And the best part, I can take a shower now!

So, as I have a lot of time on my hands while recovering I was thinking about the number of pounds removed during my surgery. I realized that I had lost 10 pounds from when Dr. Sterry told me he would remove 18-22 pounds. So, if you factor that in, he actually removed more that he originally thought. Way to go Dr. Sterry!!

Dr. Sterry said he removed close to 16 pounds. Of course, I had to weigh myself this morning and I am down 10 pounds. Wow, that is unbelievable. I didn't even expect to be down between the swelling, binder, drains, etc.

I had my plastic surgery on 8/30 with Dr. Sterry at Mt. Sinai Hospital. The surgery went well and my stay in the hospital was about as good as I could hope for. One unexpected side effect from the surgery is my lack of appetite. Either the muscle tighening or the binder makes it difficult to eat much; my capacity to eat is about 1/2 of what it was going into the surgery. It is like have the gastic bypass surgery all over again; what a bonus.

I had a little bit of trouble with one of my drains in the hospital. The tubing was separting from the bulb that collects the fluid. I was walking around the nursing station, doing my laps, when I realized I was leaving a trail of blood along the way. Dr. Sterry came and thought a sucture around the tubing, where it goes into the bulb would keep the problem at bay. Later a couple of the residents came by to fix the drain and started talking about not giving me any anesthetic for the sucture. I was a little confused because the problem wasn't where the tube came out of me, but at the end. I told them that, and they did fix the problem. The lesson here, make sure you speak up for yourself, the doctors are not always right.

Dr. Sterry said that he took off close to 16 pounds! Woo Hoo! I did tell him that he cheated me since he originally told me he would take off 18-22 pounds.:) Of course, I am thrilled with the 16 pounds!!:):)