ObesityHelp

In one way it's hard to believe it's ONLY been three months since surgery and in others, it seems like a lifetime ago.

It's a couple of days shy of 3 months but I've lost 56 lbs since the pre-op diet. Post op recovery was uneventful, no issues at all. I think I covered in my surgery post that I was on pain meds and Gravol for a day or two post op but that was it. I stopped the meds once the air pains lessened and that was after 48 hours or so. I remember sipping water initially and thinking how cumbersome and unnatural it was, and wondering if I'd ever go back to being able to take a big drink of water, and the answer thankfully is yes. I could probably do that after the first 6 weeks or so.

I didn't drive for the first seven days but found the first couple of days I ran errands I was a little tired / wiped afterwards. I never got so tired that I needed naps though. I loved having February and part of March off, it was a great time to hibernate and recover.  I now walk the dog each evening, it's only 20 - 25 minutes but I enjoy it. I haven't been following any eating regiment, I know those on the OH forums are very high protein, low carb and low calories but that doesn't work for me. I stopped losing weight once I hit the pureed stage and didn't lose for a good 5 weeks or so. It was VERY frustrating. I tried low carb, high protein, high carb / low protein, a high calorie day to 'shock' the body, low calorie, more water, etc. nothing moved the scale. And yes I lost inches during the first few weeks but that didn't continue the whole time I was stalled. I then started losing weight again around my monthly cycle but that was only a few pounds again. I noticed in month 3 that I started losing weight again after my cycle but it's been lasting longer (weight loss) this time. Hopefully the body is starting to get up to speed with the calorie restriction and is letting go of the starvation mode.

I have been noticing on the days that I feel like I've eaten a lot (probably 1000 - 1200 calories as opposed to 800) are the days I lose weight but this has just started in the last two weeks so we'll see if that holds true or not. Clothes are fitting better, I'm dropping inches, people are noticing, I'm feeling great, life just seems easier in general. I was never on medications or had breathing issues, so that's not new but my joints feel better, I don't feel so stiff getting out of bed in the morning. I've never gotten sick from eating too much, never had foamies although my stomach will make a low gurgle noise if I've been drinking liquids too soon before eating; it's like there's not enough room and although not painful, there's air trying to release through my mouth (but not gas).

All in all, it's been a great experience, a few headaches and disappointments early on because the weight stall for so many weeks. I'm still amazed at how little I can actually eat. There's many times I WANT to eat more because it's so good but I physically can't (ie, Easter turkey dinner, I could only have a slice of meat, spoonful of dressing and potatoes but no room for broccoli, carrots, pickles, etc, and definitely no room for dessert).  I've gotten lax in taking my vitamins and need to get back into the habit of doing such. I do get a B-12 shot once a month instead of taking B12 supplements - one less to remember to take and it's easy.

I had my 6 week appointment with the doctor on March 25th and I return again on June 10th.

There was a blizzard on Sunday and clean up took place on Monday so the roads weren't too bad leaving on Tuesday morning. We arrived early.

I checked in at the information desk in the lobby around 8:00 am (told to arrive by 9 am), received a number and was sent to the little pre-admissions waiting room just to the left of the information desk. I was registered at the same place as when I did for pre-admission testing. I was sent up to the 3rd floor which was the palliative care unit (but you're only there for a short time). I was given a paperish johnny shirt to put on after I stripped off. The johnny shirt was double layer with cut outs on the outside layer; this was then hooked up to a heat pump to help eliminate infection post-surgery. Vitals were also taken and an IV inserted.

I was finally wheeled down to surgery around 10:50 am (surgery was scheduled for 11 am) where I was asked a number of questions (this happens many times). I had a red bracelet on (in addition to my hospital bracelet) alerting them to my intolerance to morphine and codeine. I was wheeled into the hall along with others and Dr. Ching stopped by to talk to me about my what she would be using to keep me asleep. Dr. B. stopped by to see if I had any questions which I didn't. I was wheeled into the surgery suite shortly after (around 11:20 am) and the ladies there starting getting me prepped and moved me to the surgical table. I was finding it all very emotional and tears were falling down my face while inhaling the gas. The ladies were so kind, I just remember them wiping my face and telling me everything was going to be fine and I was doing great.

I then woke up recovery around 1:30 pm, with the gas mask still on and a nurse asking me if I had pain, I nodded and she asked me what it was on a level of 1 - 10. I said 10, she gave me Dilaudid and then something for sickness. One of the first things I remember when waiting for her to get my pain and nausea meds was 'I made it, I'm alive' and 'I'm so happy that it's over!' and feeling such gratitude. I remember thinking the discomfort I felt wasn't as bad as I expected for surgery. I slept off and on and was taken up to ICU around 5:30 pm - it took this long to get a bed on the unit. My sister, who was with me and who's an RN (formerly  ICU) was relieved as she hadn't seen me since 11 am and neither of us had expected that wait.

The nurses managed my pain and nausea. The air from the surgery was contained to my stomach so I was given Dilaudid to help with the discomfort but it made me nauseous so it was a vicious cycle. I tried water that evening but I just dry heaved and the nurse said we'd try again the next morning. I slept poorly but dozed off an on.  I hear of many who walk, walk, and walk the first night but I was never encouraged to and was feeling fine (because of the meds) so I didn't. I wasn't necessarily in pain but because of the gas, I was uncomfortable.

When I sat up on the side of the bed the next morning, it was just before my dose of meds for nausea so I felt like crap and that's when Dr. B. came in (around 9:50 am). He wanted to see me to drink some water that morning (I hadn't yet) and would check back with me later that day. He told me if I wasn't feeling up to it, it would be no problem, I could just stay another night (but on the normal med-surg unit). I was devastated and was not interested in staying another night.

I drank one bottle of water over the course of a few hours and was onto my second. I was sitting up and feeling much better by the time Dr. B. stopped by the second time (around 2 pm) and he asked how I was. I said MUCH better. He agreed and released me with instructions to call his office if ANYTHING came up. He then left a prescription for Dilaudid and another for my time off work.

The ride home was uneventful and I was happy to be going home. Recovery just goes so much better once home. It was time for more pain meds and Gravol when I got home which put me right to sleep. My bedroom is on the lower level and I had no problem with stairs or sleeping in my own bed (some find it more comfortable to sleep in a recliner for the first few days). I've had no pain from the actual surgery or my incisions to date, which I find amazing!

The next day (Thursday) was much better. I still found it hard to drink the water but the projectile air release from my stomach had stopped, so no dry heaving.  I had a nap in the afternoon and continued to feel better as the day wore on, especially after a shower. My sister noted that I should use a hairdryer on a low heat to dry my incisions after a shower just to make sure they're good and dry and prevent infection. She also noted that since it had been well over 48 hours since my last bowel movement that I should take a Senekot (stool softener) that evening and another in the morning. This would hopefully prevent getting too constipated and having to exert with too much pressure. This seemed to do the trick as things started semi-back to normal the next day. I took pain meds this morning for the last time. I woke up semi on my side (I usually sleep on my side or stomach, never on my back) and it didn't hurt.

I felt great on Friday and started on full fluids. It took 30 minutes to eat 1/2 cup of cream soup but it tasted pretty good after days of water and two weeks of protein shakes. My mom dropped me off an electric candle warmer so I could put my soup bowl on it and it would keep my meal hot. I would HIGHLY recommend picking one of these up since my soup was initially cold after 5 minutes ($7 at Michael's craft store). I was able to lay and sleep on my side tonight and slept much better.

I'm day 6 post-op (Sunday) and feel back to normal and have for a few days. I was able to sleep on my stomach the last two nights and am having no issues with that. One thing I did mention to my sister today was that I kept having this feeling like something was on my tongue, like micro hairs. I had the feeling for a couple of days but thought nothing of it. When we looked at my tongue there was a whiteish residue, not quite thrush or a fungal infection but she thinks it's because I've only had liquids for 3 weeks, thus, no roughage to remove this normal residue. For now, I'll gargle with salt water 4 times a day and will scrape my tongue with my toothbrush and also gargle with Listerine to help it. This may not happen to others but I'm mentioning it just in case others reading this newly pre-op do experience it.

I'm looking forward to driving on Tuesday and to getting my staples removed in two weeks after that. I'm also looking forward to starting the pureed stage and then of course, real food! I haven't been able to weigh myself at home so I can't wait to see what my weight is at my 3 week check up.

This was a quick appointment, only about 15 - 20 minutes. I was down 13 lbs and for someone who hadn't been weighing at home, it was a nice confirmation that I was staying on track - no cheating - and the scale reflected that. The appointment consisted of the weigh-in, taking vitals, a nose and rectum swab (you can do this yourself or Monique will) to test for MRSA, and just a last run through of pre-surgery instructions. Monqiue is as excited for us as we are which is fabulous, what a resource. She'll go over any final questions you may have and is so reassuring.

A couple of things she did share with me is that if us sleevers need to take antibiotics in the future, we'll have to take Tecta (prescription) or Zantac with it. The antibiotics are too hard on our stomachs so the Zantac will coat it. She also reminded me that we should only use acetaminophen, ie, Tylenol, not anti-inflammatory's, ie, Alieve.

She mentioned that two people who had been scheduled to be sleeved that morning had to be canceled as there were no beds available the ICU. She said that only happened maybe 2 times last year so hopefully the odds are on my side!

I also stopped by Medical Records, which is located right across from where the check-in / admissions desk is (where you register and get your yellow paper bracelet) to request a copy of all my appointments for last year. They'll have you fill out a form, show two pieces of government issued ID, and let you know they'll mail it out to you in a few days. This will be used for tax purposes. Monique let me know Dr. B. will give me a doctor's note for time off work when he comes to check in with me the morning after surgery.

My next posting will hopefully be post-surgery!

I got the call on Tuesday, January 15th, that my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, February 5th - in 3 weeks!! Pre-admission testing was scheduled for January 17th, so a very fast turn-around time.  I was told my surgery was 9 am but Monique clarified that I have to be there for 9 am and the actual surgery is 11 am.

When you arrive at the hospital, you go to information, they direct you to pre-admission testing, they'll sign you in, give you your hospital bracelet like when you visit the bariatric centre, a list of tests and send you to see Monique. I was with her for about an hour and went over many forms, again, getting vitals taken. The respiratory therapist came in to show me how to use the device they use after surgery for clearing your lungs (one of those clear plastic machines with the balls in it, that you blow into and make the balls rise).  Monique went over many of the risk factors and signs of trouble you may encounter after surgery (fever is a sign of a leak, and a warm red lump on your calf is a sign of a blood clot in your leg that can travel up through your body, and laboured breathing a sign of one in your lungs). She reviewed the do's and don't's after surgery and what to expect.

I then met with Rinette who went over the diet plan pre and post op. This was more interesting then when it was reviewed during the all-day info session. She talked about the importance of the various stages and why doing the pureed stage is needed to help the stomach adjust to some consistency. Some try to go right from liquids (and do liquids during the pureed stage) to soft foods and their stomachs don't always adjust or handle it well.  She gave me the information for the shakes and gave me a sample. She noted that it's easier on your body if you can start decreasing calories / meals in advance of the 2 week pre-op diet. It's not such a shock to your body when you drop down to 900 calories (I think that's what the count was) per day.

From here, I went for blood work, x-rays (which took an hour and a half! the wait was crazy) and ECG (literally only 5 minutes with maybe a 5 minute wait). I began with Information at 10:00 and ended my day with the ECG at 2:00. It was a full, intense day!  I ordered my shakes before leaving and the vanilla was back-ordered (which I wasn't happy about!!) so I ordered chocolate shakes and some bars. They assured me they should be here on Monday, in advance of starting on Tuesday.

My appointment for the pre-op weigh-in (to confirm I'm losing weight and following the shake diet) is Tuesday, January 29th, one week after starting the shakes and one week before surgery. I figured out that it will be 5 trips to Moncton (from Charlottetown) in the next 9 weeks!

I was excited to sign off on my surgery papers. It began with a visit with Monique, who took my vitals and went over my information again. I then met with Dr. B. who flipped through many forms, filling in what he needed to. He asked me what was the worst thing that could happen in surgery and I said death which was correct.  Leaks are also a risk.  The only thing I'm on is the pill and he advised me to stop taking this in advance of surgery as it increases the risk of blood clots. He had me initial / sign in a few places but it was over in about 5 minutes. He didn't have much to say so it was sort of anti-climatic but yet exciting because it's all signed and official!

Now I just wait for my surgery date.