rolmar
Feeling much better!
Jan 12, 2008
I am feeling much better and was able to return to work yesterday. I am not perfect getting 64 oz of water in or 70 grams of protein but I am getting there. I am no longer nauseas and I am getting stronger every day. It just takes me a very long time to eat, which is fine. I am able to eat a whole egg now and bought some Morning Star frozen products which are pretty tasty. I lost the 4.5 lbs that I gained in the hospital so now I am still at the same 34 lbs lost. It is nice to feel good again!
dehydration!
Jan 05, 2008
Well, I ended up in the hospital for 9 days due to dehydration. I thought I would never get out! The doctor said it was not uncommon for some surgery patients to end up in the hospital for this reason. It was sad that I had to spend New Year's Eve alone in the Hospital. It was just so hard for me to get my water and protein in since surgery. Even though I was doing a little better every day, it just never was enough. I went to the ER on 12-27-07 under the direction of the surgeon's nurse and was discharged on 01-04-08. Luckily, the upper GI series and CT scan showed no problems with my sleeve. Just all the complications that come from dehydration. Well, hopefully it will never happen again even though I still struggle. I am feeling better but still weak, I guess it will take some time. I just have this big fear now that I will end up in the hospital again! I think I've been traumatized! Oh, I gained 4.5 lbs in the hospital even though I was not eating! I guess my innerds are happy to have water!
Sleeved 17 days ago!
Dec 23, 2007
Well, I'm 17 days post-op and every day gets a little better. I am on soft/pureed foods now. It is amazing how little I eat. I cannot even eat 1/2 an egg at this point and only about 2 oz of yogurt. Of course, not at the same time. That is my breakfast and lunch. I have really not taken any of my protein powder because it grosses me out at this point. I am going to try soon. I have been getting better with my water though. I am still a little weak but probably because I am not getting the protein in.....my fault. Or it could be that I recently had major surgery! I don't like the sight of the protein shakes and I cannot stand the smell of coffee right now. I used to drink about a pot of coffee a day. My nutritionist said these symptoms are common after surgery and it is kind of like pregnant women being sensitive to smells. I have lost over 30 lbs since I started my liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery! That is pretty cool. I will be starting work again on Wednesday. I can't wait to see everyone. It will do me good to get back into a routine again.
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 11, 2007
Hello Everyone.....Thank you all for your kind wishes and prayers for my speedy recovery. I just got home from the Hospital this afternoon. I was kept a little while longer because it seemed everytime the sun went down, I developed a low-grade fever. Last night, no fever; today, home! The doctor just wanted to make sure I was okay before I left. He said he did not want me to be that 1 in 1000 that had to return to the ER with problems right after discharge. I have been off all my pain medication since the morphine pump was removed on Saturday. Morphine is amazing and I don't even remember what my pain felt like. I am feeling well, just a little weak but after all, I just had major surgery. I'm not getting all my fluids or protein in either. I'm sure I'll feel better when I'm more nourished and hydrated. I will write later on with my experience (which was not bad at all) but for now, I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers. From my friends, family and people who I have never met....Thanks :-)
Less than 12 hours to go!!!!
Dec 05, 2007
In less than 12 hours I will be checking into the hospital. I have my bag packed, my Milk of Magnesia downed and house in order. Now all I have to do is get this over with. I am still not nervous. I am anxious to get it over with though. I am ready. I have been preparing for months. I have survived my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. My last day at work was yesterday. Everyone was very supportive. I even received a gift or two. Imagine that, gifts for having surgery! Who would have thunk it! I am down 15 lbs. I've been the same exact weight (to the ounce) for 3 days now. I'm already at a plateau. Just like my body to do something like that! I want to thank all my friends who have sent messages to me, new and old. It really helps to know people are supporting and praying for you to do well and succeed. The next time I blog will be after surgery. Thanks again to everyone! See you all on the LOSER'S BENCH!!
The time is getting closer.......
Nov 27, 2007
I went for my pre-op appointment at the Cleveland Clinic this morning. I met with a doctor, someone other than my surgeon, who gave me a prescription for liquid Lortab pain reliever and also Prevacid orally disintegrating tablets (which I will be on for at least 3 months after surgery). Although, when I got home, it looks like the doctor printed his name but did not sign it where his signature is supposed to be. We'll see how that fairs at my local Walgreens. I was told I needed to take one dose of Milk of Magnesia the day before surgery and did not have to go through a "bowel prep" which was rumored. I guess just to get things moving a little and not keep me in the potty all day. (TMI, I know) I will be receiving a phone call the day before surgery with my time of arrival and any other last minute instructions. I asked the Anesthesiologist if I could wear make-up and nail polish because I wanted to take photos since I will be "scrapbooking" my journey. He said it was okay, as long as the nail polish was not very dark. He told me some patients even have their surgery video taped. Now, I won't go that far! The doctor also told me that I may have a "small umbilical hernia" that they will look at with the camera when I am in surgery. The doctor will also biopsy my liver while "in there". I DO have to see my PCP again. He wrote my clearance on a prescription but they want a "special" form filled out. Also, my EKG expires 6 days before surgery, so that will be repeated.
I am surviving my liquid diet. I stopped by the "bariatricEating.com" store on my way home from the Clinic. Teresa, the Nurse, was very helpful. She is 4 years out and has lost 240 lbs. She looked amazing! I just got a new protein shake, Labrada Bananas and Cream. She let me sample it. I hope that new flavor helps me get through this period. I am tired of Vanilla and Chocolate. I also bought some DaVinci sugar-free syrup that I can put in the shakes and coffee to mix things up a little. Getting down to the back stretch. Amazingly, I am still not nervous. Hopefully I will keep this "inner peace" throughout my surgical experience. I can't imagine not getting nervous but it's mind over body. I can only hope.
I am surviving my liquid diet. I stopped by the "bariatricEating.com" store on my way home from the Clinic. Teresa, the Nurse, was very helpful. She is 4 years out and has lost 240 lbs. She looked amazing! I just got a new protein shake, Labrada Bananas and Cream. She let me sample it. I hope that new flavor helps me get through this period. I am tired of Vanilla and Chocolate. I also bought some DaVinci sugar-free syrup that I can put in the shakes and coffee to mix things up a little. Getting down to the back stretch. Amazingly, I am still not nervous. Hopefully I will keep this "inner peace" throughout my surgical experience. I can't imagine not getting nervous but it's mind over body. I can only hope.
Liquid diet.....Day #4
Nov 25, 2007
Well, today is liquid diet day #4. I am surviving. For the first time, I have been seriously thinking about weight-loss goals. For some reason, I have trouble seeing myself losing a great deal of weight. I guess because I have been going up in sizes for so many years, I forget what it is like to not have extra weight. I forget what it is like to fit in "normal size" clothes. I have been reading a book called "The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients". It really has been a good read so far. It has taught me already to start thinking about dreams that I had forgotten about and goals other than weight loss. I've been so pre-occupied with my weight for so many years, I have not given much thought to things other than home and work. Which is kind of sad. I already dusted off the Tae Bo CD's I bought off QVC years ago and have opened them up for the first time. Today, I plan on exercising to the CD. I don't like exercising because I am so over-weight but because I am forced not to eat, thought I'd give it a try. Plus, I want to do everything right to make this new direction in my life successful. So far, I have lost 8 lbs!
Liquid Diet Day #1
Nov 22, 2007
Today is day #1 of my 2 week liquid pre-op diet. I feel if I can get through the first couple of days, it will become easier. The thought of having no solid foods until further notice is finally sinking in. I kind of feel a sense of loss for some reason. Funny, isn't it? I'm probably not the only one who feels this. I'm sure it will pass.
Yeah......I'm cleared
Nov 16, 2007
I thought I would have to see my primary doctor again for a History and Physical and another EKG but when the Cleveland Clinic faxed over the requirements for clearance, my doctor filled it out and faxed it back almost immediately. What a nice guy! I have had everything done and I am in good health but I thought I may have to repeat some things prior to surgery but I don't.....Yeah! Now just the pre-op evaluation with the anesthesiologist and surgeon and it's a done deal. My 2 week liquid diet will start on Thanksgiving so I will be have my Thanksgiving this weekend. I wanted to start my liquid diet even a little earlier but my friend from High School will be visiting and we would like to go out one evening to have some fun. I am grateful we will spend some time together before my surgery. I will be taking some "before" pictures in the coming week, as well as measurements. I am hoping to figure out how to post pictures on this website. I received my book "The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients", as well as the workbook and final success tracker. I am going to read that this weekend, as well as brush up on the other preop information I received. I am not nervous right now and am quite excited. I hope I stay that way!
I have a DATE!!!!
Nov 13, 2007
I have a date.....Thursday, December 6, 2007! I will be meeting with the anesthesiologist and surgeon on 11-27-07 for pre-op. I will have to see my primary doctor for a history and physical and another EKG, probably more blood work also. Now, I will be thinking about my pre-op liquid diet. I have to do everything perfect, just as the doctor ordered. I feel the doctor will do his job and I have to do mine!
About Me
Greenacres, FL
Location
26.3
BMI
Surgery
12/06/2007
Surgery Date
Aug 05, 2007
Member Since
