Jen68

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Good morning! I had my surgery 3 days ago and want to share my experience so far.  I am sitting in my hospital bed...it is 5:15 am.  I needed to get up and pee (to fill my "hat" so they can measure my urine output)

day 1...surgery day. Very calm and all  the staff were fabulous and did a great amazon of keeping my family in the loop. Signed in at 12:30 and they had me back gowning up and  preparing me by 12:45.

My surgery was supposed to be at 2:00 but we started early.  I only remember being strapped down  and then waking up in recovery. Came to my room about 4:00.  The only downside was it took about an hour to get my pain/discomfort under control as they didn't get my pump hooked up right away. After that I perked right up! By 8:00pm I was telling my family that I couldn't believe how great I felt.  

I was pretty much up all night as  they kept coming in to check vitals, urine output, and  to look at my belly.  I faithfully pushed my button for pain control. But by 10 am the next day I felt like my pain mess were making me crazy so I asked for just plain Tylenol.

the highest my pain has been was an 8. And that was  just because my pump didn't get hook Ed up right away.

I had  my first walk the night of my surgery. I walked four times yesterday.  I found that the walking really helps to get the gas and fullness out a of my belly.   I gained 5 pounds after my surgery!!!!!  This am I have lost 2 of those pounds. My tummy  is a little tight and distended and I've been reassured that is just the gas.  

Last night I asked for some liquid Lortab for pain and it really helped my pain.  But I just woke up with more pain  so took some oral liquid Lortab.  My Dr found a hiatal hernia so I that repaired also.

I am Going home today and ready for my own bed.s

No regrets. My biggest struggle will be my love of food...I think this will always be a struggle for me. But I Am prepared.d..if I need to get therapy for my food issues I will.  I have come too far in this process.

This time next week I will be in recovery from  having my sleeve done. I am nervous, excited, anxious, scared, worried..pretty much every emotion.  I am feeling so grateful that I have insurance coverage and the means to complete this process. 

This liquid diet has pretty much sucked.  I have made dinner/food for my family pretty much every day since I started the diet (except the 2nd day when I was losing my mind).  I miss REAL food..the salty, the chewy, the tastes and flavors.  Not sure if its the chewing I miss or the experience of food I miss. 

Some of the things I recommend so far:

1)My Oster blender and bottles that fit upside down to blend my protein shakes and then I can take them on the go with me.  I use one for my shake and one for 20 ounces of water to get my day started.

2)Unjury unflavored protein mixed with soup or juice.  We are allowed to have tomato soup on our liquid diet and the unflavored protein added to that made a kind of creamy tomoto soup. Yum.

3)Gum.  I have been doing lots of gum chewing.  It has helped me through the crazies of my liquid diet.

4) Drink lots and lots of water!  This has helped with my pre surgery weight loss and with food/sugar/carb/coffee withdrawals

5) Practice and taste protein before you start your liquid diet.  It took me a while to find what I like and what worked for me

6)Prepare to be constipated.  Even with all the water I've been drinking I have had to take 2 dulcolax per day. (maybe it's just me)

7) Be kind to yourself and listen to your self talk.  Stop your self talk if it is harmful or counter productive.

That's all I've got today. 

Nine more days till my sleeve.  Food and I are still working on our relationship.  It's funny to me that Unjury chicken soup tastes like liquid gold to me this morning. I'm pretty tired of jello, pudding, and shakes...too much sweetness for me!

Really do feel foggy, though.  I am counting cals and protein grams per NUT and Dr. recommendations but still feel hungry and foggy.  And sooooooo COLD all of the time. Seriously, I still have body fat. WHY in God's name am I cold??

Happy Sunday from snowy Iowa to all!

Soooo...It is now day 5 of liquid diet.  TEN days to go. (yes I'm counting) I have cried more in the past 4 days then I do when I'm pre-menstrual. What the heck.  First, my life could not be more stressful right now.  Second, my pattern has always been to saddle up to the chip bag or get some yummy burgers, or make a pizza..the list goes on and on.  But I haven't been able to do that.  Let me tell you...my 20 oz. bottle of water is not comfort food.

But in just 5 days I have learned a few things:

1) Food can't always be my comfort

2) I won't die if I eat less than my body is used to

3) I really am kind of mentally strong

Last night I made chili, garlic bread, and ceasar salad for my family for dinner.  It's weird to cook and not be able to taste what I'm cooking.  (I pride myself on my cooking skills) So my hubby just had to taste everything.

I am now under 220 pounds! It's been quite a while since I've been at that weight. I'm trying not to be obnoxious and text my BFF and my girls (my daughters ages 18, 22, and 20 are my "support" people) with weight loss updates or whining about my liquid diet.  Again...back to that whole "being with just me" thing that has caused me to eat in the past.

Overall...I feel like a lot of self-discovery has happened in 5 days. Weekend goal...get two walks in!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Today is the second day of my liquid diet.  My sleeve date is 01/29/13.  I am not physically hungry but mentally struggling with the no "REAL" food thing.  I really am fully educated, prepared, and aware of what I have signed on for but my heart seems to be starting to grieve for the food that I will not be eating (which I am logically ok with and had already made peace with...or thought I had) This liquid diet thing is smacking me right in the face as a reminder of how deep my issues with food are and how much I rely on food. Not sure if I need to sign up for therapy  ASAP or ride this wave of panic and despair.  Just as I used to kind of plan my days around food ..I have found myself saying to people when we are talking about weekend plans and such "Well I dont know...I'll be on my liquid diet so I'm not sure how I will feel."

Two weeks to sleeve date seems like a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time!  Anyone else dealing with this or experience this? 

31 days until my VSG!  Working on eating less and eating healthy.  I start my liquid diet 1/15/13 and that is the day that I have my scope also.  Anyone have any pre-surgery hints or tips? Anyone from Iowa out there?

Happy Saturday!

Hello to everyone out there!  First blog on what I hope to be a life-changing journey.  I have finally gotten WLS approved.  I have been exploring this for about 5 years and just recently my husband took a new job with insurance that covered WLS.  I started making the calls in May to find out about eligibility and attended the mandatory seminars, and classes, completed my psychological evaluation and all my info was sent to insurance on 12/2/12.  I was called and informed that approval was completed on 12/18/12!  I am so excited.  And a little nervous.  But I'm not one to go into things lightly....so I've done lots of homework.  I am looking forward to learning from everyone on here and excited to share my experience with the hope  that somebody will benefit from my experience.  Surgery is 1/29/13 in Iowa.  Anyone who has any tips, advice or experience with Mercy Weight Loss Center...I'm all ears.    I plan to be happy dancing my way to weight loss.  Night all.