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Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Shelly W. on 7/30/08 8:45 am
    Congratulations on your surgery. Praying for a quick and painless recovery.
  • Comment by Frozen_Peach on 7/30/08 5:30 am
    CONGRATS! Your day is finally here! GOOD LUCK - and see ya on the other side!
  • Comment by DebbieJean W. on 7/30/08 4:30 am
    Best wishes for you today! You're gonna love your sleeve!
Click here for the surgery support page
Hi there-  I am so excited to begin my journey and want to thank you all for all the marvelous posts................
 
figbart's Blog
figbart's Blog


One month Aug 31, 2008
on August 31, 2008 9:25 pm
Haven't updated in a while.........so here goes.
    I had my follow-up with Dr. Lauter, lost 24 lbs so far, feel great.  I asked him about liver biopsy, said it was probably from fatty liver, if blood work doesn't show improvement in a year........he said I would probably have to have another biopsy !!  I am now off all my meds (bp, cholestrol (bad for liver) and am weaning off of effexor). I feel great, have tons of energy........loving my sleeve !!  I have had a bit of heartburn, been taking tums, forgot to ask the doctor about it.
     I do have to call my PCP and ask about my 'period' returning.........mostly just spotting. I think it is from all the fat I am losing, and the surge of hormones, but will have it checked out for sure.  I also have to have a follow-up appt. with breast doctor ( have "atypia" and had a biopsy in May). They wanted to put me on a tamoxifen type drug, but since I have a funky liver, want to revisit the options.  This is my year to take back my health to the best of my ability !!  Every year I would say, gotta lose weight.......... and every year, I would gain a little more and add another medication.......now I have a tool to help me take back my health !!  Woot !! Woot !!
  I need to update my ticker..........
I also need to take pictures and measurements............ but with school starting, I have a thousand things to do this first month back............so much better than last year, I was so tired and bloated........
Til next time

    the sleeve rocks !!
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Surgery/hospital/1st week
on August 7, 2008 9:52 pm
Aug 7 2008    1 week+1day out.................

Well, I made it throught the surgery. Got to the hospital at 6:15AM Wed, the 30th and was given a gown and a bag for my clothes in the little pre-op room........They put in my IV line, asked me questions and next thing I remember, I was trying to wake up in Recovery..........I guess I was in recovery for a while,(4hrs) not because of any problems, but because my room wasn't ready !!  I guess the doc took a biopsy of my liver, said it looked fiborous or something.
    Most of Wed PM is a blur of walking with my IV pole, hubby and then sleeping.........thinking boy I really need to wash my face.........then I'd fall asleep.......lol
    Everyone is right about not being able to sleep, because they keep coming in to take your vitals. The next morning, I was hoping to go home after my "leak test"..........but that wasn't going to happen.  First of all, I had this nurse that turned out to be missing alot......... and wasn't exactly the 'caring' type.  When I got down to where I was suppose to have my leak test, I noticed that my IV was leaking all over the floor.........and my hand and arm were red and swollen...........my leak test was fine............but it took an hour to get it taken out and then since my nurse was mostly missing........I didn't know if I could have water, or how much I should try and drink,etc. I asked for some broth and it took 3hrs and asking at least 6 times before I got any. ( that's what I mean about the nurse being MIA)..........Anyway, by the time the doctor got there, I wasn't in very good shape...........so had the IV put back in and took some pain medication orally..............I had gone for 9 hrs with any pain meds and was almost in tears from being so miserable............I got a suppository for the 'gas',etc. and a sponge bath and some TLC from the next shift of staff..........anyway I survived and by morning, I got to go home.............and it was heaven!!!
       At home, I took my pain meds every 4 hrs, had my buddy the heating pad and slep off and on in the recliner..................Sat. I woke up and felt so much better............and was so glad that we have an antique bedroom set in the basement, where the mattress is low enough that I could actually sleep in a bed..........That was heaven !!!
      I know this is somewhat rambling...........but I have felt better every day since I got home.  I've only lost 10 pounds, but that's just fine.............I haven't been able to lose 10 pounds in the last 2 years and keep it off............
      Now I am waiting for the results of the liver biopsy. I figured if it was something really serious, I would have been called right away................the surgeon said that 95% of the time, it is nothing...........but you know how not knowing is.........??????????
      I know how important it was for me to read other people's experiences, so I will try to update this as often as possible...........
   Today, my 8th day out, I went an got a pedicure, manicure and walked all over the mall looking for GNC and actually felt pretty good.  I just realized my back didn't hurt while I was walking around the mall............before surgery, wal;king for long periods of time made my back hurt,etc.  I already feel so much healthier............and I feel so empowered having the "tool" to help me on this journey.
   Hugs.................
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two more days................yikes !!
on July 27, 2008 8:44 pm
 well just two more days..........am going to try and keep busy.............
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My waiting "routine"
on July 18, 2008 7:46 am
 Well..................this is my usual "WAITING FOR SURGERY ROUTINE":
  GET UP..............
CHECK OH...............
MAKE MY COFFEE/INSTANT BREAKFAST DRINK
CHECK OH
FIGHT THE URGE TO HAVE A MORNING CIGARETTE ( this is the worst time for me)
CHECK  OH
TAKE A SHOWER
CHECK OH
      TODAY I AM GOING TO GET THE CASHIERS CHECKS TO PAY THE DOCTOR AND THE HOSPITAL (one more thing checked off my list)
THINK ABOUT WHAT I NEED TO HAVE ON HAND FOR POST-OP
       that's about it.............................and so goes my journey
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July 16 2008
on July 15, 2008 1:03 pm
Hi-
  Just trying to pass the time until my surgery on the 30th, I have my pre-op Thurs..............I am trying not to smoke or eat carbs..............hard to do when you're nervous...........it's an hour to hour fight. I pass the time reading the posts on the OH website  !! I still have some stuff to get before surgery, I ordered the sample kit from BariatricEating and also a week packet of vitamins...........I will ask my doctor Thurs about other stuff I can pick up locally.  Since I am a teacher, I had to move my room this year and I am trying to get it all set up for the start of school in AUgust, since I don't know how I will be feeling then.,,,,,,,,,,,,But I am a pack-rat(I am a special education teacher) and I have stuff for K-6.........it's not fitting in my room.  Wish me luck!!
   I just added this and now I don't know where "MyStory" ?? went??
oh well
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waiting
on July 11, 2008 11:22 pm

   I am new to this site, but have learned so much by reading your stories and sharing in your journey ! I will begin my journey on July 30th, 2008. I am very excited and feel so good about finally doing something about the 100+ pounds I have acquired over the past 10 years..................

Thanks for all your sharing !!

 

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My Story

  

I am a 58 years "young" with two grown children, married to my best friend for 36 years. We live in Bellevue, WA and love it!  I have taught Special Education from preschool to high school.  I love teaching!! We came here after my husband "retired" from the Air Force.............about that time, I began to notice that I began to gain weight and it just wouldn't come off !!  To make a long story short, over time I have tried every diet, over exercised, not exercised,etc., nothing has worked. I have always been active and proud that I worked hard at keeping myself "fit". That was before, menopause, PCOS and then high blood pressure, fatty liver, high cholestrol,etc. This summer I told myself, that I was going to focus on myself and get back my health before it was too late. I want to be able to go hiking again, play soccer with my grandson, fit in a seat on an airplane comfortably............ Someone I work with got a lapband last year and she looks great, that got me thinking about WLS. The more research I did, and the more I thought about how everything else I had been doing had just resulted in more weight..........I mentioned to my PCP that I was considering the lapband. She asked if I wanted a referral, and I said sure !! That was July 3rd and now I have my surgery date. for VGS...................I am paying for this myself, but thought it was about time that I put myself first !! My husband has been very supportive and of course I am both excited and scared...............but can't wait !!  I just have my Psych to do Monday and then make sure everyone gets their money and I will be on my way :)

     I am hoping to go to a support group before my surgery so I can meet some people from around here also.

I will let you know how it goes .......................  :)