June 2, 2006
I started looking into this WLS option earlier this year after seeing many others at work be so successful. I don't have a lot of co-moribidities, but I don't feel very energetic EVER and I'm tired of being tired. I've lost the same 40 lbs. over and over and then still have 60 more to go. I am very lucky to have a supportive husband who has run interference for me with my family and they have "fallen in line" and decided to be supportive as well. LOL!
My journey so far has been easy (getting approved, etc.). Right now I'm preop and on the diet. My surgery is scheduled for June 26th! I feel good about my choice of surgeon and hospital.
August 18
I haven't posted since I was preop, so I thought I'd add a few things. Surgery went smoothly and on schedule (June 26th). I was in the hospital 4 days with only a small hiccup ( a fever ). My surgeon ran all kinds of tests and found nothing. So as soon as I was fever free for 24 hours, he let me go home. My family was awesome and someone was with me at all times while I was in the hospital. My wonderful daughter stayed nights and didn't leave until someone came to relieve her. It was such a blessing to have her home this summer from college. Her availability allowed my DH to keep his work schedule which was super important because he's self employed.
I went home on Thursday before the 4th of July and began trying to do the liquid diet. As happens to most, my tastes really changed and I had a hard time finding things I could stomach, but I did okay. I also walked on my treadmill as much as I could (way too hot to walk outside). I had my followup appointment the following Wednesday (day after the 4th) and the Dr. let me start pureed. I was soooo excited. On Thursday I went back to work. So I was off a week and a half which I thought wasn't too bad.
After being on pureed for a couple of weeks, I started trying to chew foods and started running into trouble immediately. I didn't recognize the signs of a stricture until I had completely digressed to just being able to keep clear liquids down. I just thought I was doing something wrong. So at 1 month out I checked into the hospital (outpatient) and had the stricture stretched. For a couple of weeks I did better, but suffered from a reasonable amount of nausea. By the time I got over that, I was starting to foam every time I ate anything other than cottage cheese and yogurt (so tired of THAT!), so I went back to see my surgeon. He predicted I was developing another stricture and he was right. So yesterday (Aug 17) I had another endoscopy. It was scheduled for later in the day, so I was very low on fluids by then. After five tries and a good while under warming blankets, they got an IV in. They had to use a pediatric needle. I hate IVs!!! Then for some reason the Dr. doing the endoscope had to go in twice (I was too out of it to ask why and my sister who was taking me home didn't ask either!). My throat is bruised. But, Hey!! I can eat today. I actually ate five grilled shrimp and a couple of sauteed mushrooms tonight for dinner! I'm in heaven.
As of today, I'm -43 lbs.!!
Will update again later.
September 10
I haven't updated in a while. So here goes. I developed another stricture (the third time) and went in for what should have been a routine endoscope on September 1. The medicine to put me under did not work and I was awake the whole time. Something went wrong as the doctor was stretching the stricture and he perforated me at the bottom of my pouch. I was sent immediately to radiology where it was discovered that I had free air in my abdomen which is not good.
When I was brought back from radiology, the doctor who did the scope had paged my surgeon. They concurred that I would have to stay in the hospital. I was put on IV antibiotics and IV nutrition. It was so disappointing as the next day was my precious husband's birthday and we were supposed to go to the Auburn-Washington State game. We had 50 yard line tickets. We were also going to visit with my daughter who is a senior at Auburn. I stayed in the hospital from Friday until Tuesday when I was discharged with home health care. I have been on IV antibiotics and nutrition (TPN)since then (on a PICC line) and it's now Sept. 11.
September 11
Thank God, I got an excellent radiology report this morning. The radiologist said there was no leak (the microperforation has healed) and no air in my abdomen. So after I see my surgeon on the 12th I should be able to get this PICC out and start eating again. My weight has stalled since being on the TPN and in fact I think I have gained 2 lbs. I know that will turn around when I get back to normal.
Remembering the victims and families of the terrorist attack 5 years ago.
September 12
I got my PICC line removed by Dr. Mailapur today. I had NOT GAINED but lost 6 lbs!! I was sure with being down and having all that nutrition through IV that I had gained. So that was good news. It's so great to be off the IVs and he said I could go back on liquids and work back up to pureed and then to regular food.
Of course when I got home, I found out it wasn't going to be that easy. My stomach has been bypassed for almost 2 weeks and it doesn't want to work. I'll just take it slowly.
September 26
I had my three month postop checkup this morning. I have lost another 10 lbs.!! Woohoo! I'm feeling pretty good and doing better with my eating. I'm down to 14-16 sizes. I bought my first clothes in the REGULAR size department this weekend at Parisian! It was so exciting! I have also taken some things to be altered. I work full time and need clothes!! I'm hoping the alterations will get me through for a while with the few things I've bought.
October 15
I'm at 200!! Almost in onederland! Feeling pretty good although I've gotten sick two times this weekend, both times on chicken. Kind of surprised because I've actually been doing better with chicken lately. My doctor told me not to give up on chicken because it's such a good source of lean protein, but geez, it's hard to keep trying stuff that might make you sick. I guess I need to stick to fixing it at home because that seems to be when I do best with it. I'm also more relaxed when I eat at home, so that may be part of it.
Trying to figure out this new format here at OH. I like it, but I sure am glad I hadn't gotten my profile "spruced" by anybody yet! I may be able to do some of it myself with this new format and tools.
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