ObesityHelp

I discovered last Wednesday that the information I got from the surgeon's office about returning to work was incorrect.  I spoke to Judy who told me that I could have returned whenever I wanted, I just needed to tell them when.  I spent Wed. and Thurs. following up with the office and the disability people at work and finally got cleared to go back on Friday.  It was a pretty mellow day...I didn't get alot done but at least I was out of the house.

Yesterday was my 3 week surgery followup appointment.  I met with Ryan, one of the PAs.  I am not sure what I expected but there wasn't any exam or bloodwork.  He really just asked how it went and if I had any difficulties or any questions.  Then he showed me how to do the B12 shot.  That squicked me out a little bit but I did it myself and got through it.  I am sure it will be okay, it's only once a month.  I also got the clearance to start calcium and iron in addition to the multis.  My next checkup is in 3 months.

I also met with Elizabeth the dietitian yesterday.  She was pleased with my progress and told me to keep doing what I have been doing.  No flaxseed until 3 months though.

My scale at home was exactly the same as the dietitian's scale but 1.3 lbs higher than the surgeon's scale.  Since the surgeon's scale is the "official" one, I'll use that as my official number.  That means I was 322 lbs as of Tuesday.  That's a 43 lb. loss since my first surgery consult, or 17 lbs since surgery.  Woo!  I am below 50 BMI even!

Now I REALLY, REALLY need to get exercising.

372 Highest weight
365 Consult weight (12/06)
339 Surgery weight (1/07)
322 current weight (2/19/07)

Today I got to try soft foods for the first time.  Well, I have been eating cottage cheese which is probably a bit marginal, and that's been fine.  Anyhow, I had a scrambled egg for lunch with a little ketchup.  It went down very well, no pain, no dumping or throwing up.  I am a little worried that I am eating too much but I understand that's a common concern at this point.

I am still not back to work yet.  My surgeon's office originally filled out my FMLA paperwork to have me out for 6 weeks which is just insane.  When I called and asked they said that I could get a new form at my 3-week appt.  Since I had been telling everyone at work that I would be back after two weeks, I am a little concerned that some stuff I left with other people is not getting done properly.  But my boss says that I need to get better and that the work will always be there.  I feel totally fine though.  I am torn between trying to get back this week and just taking the time off to get some stuff done.  We'll see.

My boss and the rest of the management team sent me flowers today.  Two freakin' dozen rainbow roses.  Jesus!  I have NO idea what that was about unless it's because I am about to become a member of the management team myself.  They are gorgeous. I definitely recommend ProFlowers even if you have to arrange them yourself, because they really are wonderful.

372 Highest weight
339 Weight at surgery
327 Weight on 2/8/07
325 Weight on 2/10/07
323 Current weight (2/12)

Ok, technically 1 week as of tomorrow.  But still, I am doing well in my opinion.  I have been getting most of my water in, my protein intake is a bit low but I don't see how I can do any better at this stage. 

I am off the pain meds now.  We've gone out a few times to Target or the bookstore, and I do pretty well but get tired after about an hour.  I am feeling much more normal now than a few days ago.

Friday I was really, really emotional for some reason (that I now think was hormone related, due to my period arriving today).  I was just crying and crying.  Brian sat with me and that helped alot.  Yesterday and today, though,I have been in much better spirits.  Part of it, I think, is that most of the food I've been eating has been really unappealing.  Cream soups out of a can? Yuck.  Protein drinks?  Well, I can gag them down but they taste so sweet.  Cottage cheese is ok, and I found some soup that isn't too bad even with protein powder added (Creamy Tomato from the Campbell's Soup At Hand line).

I have dumped twice already, I believe due to too much sugar.  The first was from a piece of banana mixed in a protein shake.  The second time was today from drinking a whole glass of SF CIB.  After the week long saga of finding the stuff (Brian couldn't find it anywhere) I am unhappy that I cannot apparently drink it.  But in reality it doesn't have a high protein content so maybe it is for the best.

Tonight I had the first genuinely yummy meal.  Mom made pot roast for everyone else so I took a small piece and pureed it.  I mixed in some of the drippings (sans fat).  In the end I added the meat to some mashed potato.  It was really tasty.  I guess it was the feeling of eating real food.  It sat well and I didn't get sick.  There was even a little bit left over that I can have tomorrow.  I will have to try this trick again the next time she cooks a meat I think I can handle, maybe a hamburger or some chicken. 

I am going to work on getting up earlier so that I can get started earlier with my breakfast and water.  I am reliably getting in 40 oz, I know I can do 48 easily but with eating breakfast at 11, it doesn't give me that much time.  Besides, I have to go back to work soon enough.

Time to write some product reviews...I've been trying various new things lately.

372 Highest
331 Current
??    Goal

I got back from the hospital this afternoon around 4PM.  Things went pretty well with surgery and recovery.  I had lost 26 pounds officially as of Monday and Dr. Drew said I had done very well. I also had a 1 inch gallstone which means that insurance should pay for my gallbladder removal.  Other than that, things were uneventful surgery-wise.

In other things, I had to spend 4 hours in the recovery room because they didnt have a bed on the station.  That REALLY sucked because my back was killing me from the stupid bed.  The nurse was really nice though which made it easier.  The nurse, her charge nurse, the waiting room lady, and everyone was trying to sort the situation out . Then when I finally did get up to the room, I was sharing with someone who wasn't bariatric.  In fact I don't think anyone in the immediate area was bariatric.  It was odd because i thought it was a bariatric unit. 

My roommate was having some serious issues which made rooming with her difficult.  Her oxygen meter kept going off, she was really whiny, her phone kept ringing and she didn't answer it, etc.   I listened to my iPod most of the time which made it more tolerable.

My nurses were all great except my day nurse today wasn't very attentive.  Also, a number of them weren't able to work the bariatric bed.  By this morning I was telling them what to do.

Oh well, time to go rest.

Well, tomorrow is the big day.  I have already had my mag citrate with the expected results...now I am just chugging liquids to stay hydrated.  My will and health care directive are in place, I put retainers in my piercings, I have some liquids and soups for when I get home, I lost my requisite 20 pounds (almost 22) - so I'm almost ready to go.  Wow.

I am nervous now, I have to admit.  I even have a cold sore coming in on my lip from the stress. 

I do think it will go well.  I am just nervous about recovery, about pain, about staying in a hospital and maybe having to share a room with someone and so not having enough privacy. 

372 ---  Highest weight
365 ---  Weight at surgeon consult
343 ---  Current Weight