Shystermom
I have made it to "onederland"
Jan 06, 2009
Today I weighed in and was 195 lbs. I haven't been that light since my pregnancy in 1999. I don't feel that much lighter because of this stupid drain. It still hurts at the drain site and is unsightly and smelly. But I signed on for this operation and don't regret it. I was just unlucky enough to have a complication. I am back at work full time, working 100 per cent so I'm doing what I have to do. I am just cranky because of the drain. I wonder if I might have more weight loss if I had no drain, and thus, more energy to exercise at night when I come home from work? I wonder if, when the drain is finally removed, I will have greater weight loss? In any event, 22lbs is good. I'll take it. I am living on chili, Carb Control yogurt, Weight Control oatmeal, SF popsicles and string cheese. I supplement with tuna occasionally and just tried shrimp salad which was pretty good. I tolerate everything. It's more a matter of what appeals to me at this point, which is almost nothing. The only thing I really look forward to and sort of crave are my popsicles. Which is weird, because I generally can't take any cold liquid at this point. I don't even like cold food, i.e. cottage cheese - I have to leave it out and let it get room temperature before I can tolerate it, otherwise it hurts going down. Yet popsicles - I love 'em. Go figure. And I feel like I'm getting some liquid in - they're about 3 ounces apiece. I eat 3 a day. Good thing they're cheap and lo-cal.
I am working my way through my protein drink sample packs from Enjoyhealth.com Realizing I really like the nectar and not into the whole chocolate/vanilla shake thing anymore. I just don't want milky stuff anymore. I am off Muscle Milk now - have to return what I bought because I just don't want it anymore. This WLS is so crazy - one week I want something specific, like vanilla shakes, the next, no. By and large, this pouch is a good one. I have not dumped, it lets me know quickly when I've eaten too much or too fast, and it is rarely hungry. So we are making peace together, my pouch and me.
4 comments
I am working my way through my protein drink sample packs from Enjoyhealth.com Realizing I really like the nectar and not into the whole chocolate/vanilla shake thing anymore. I just don't want milky stuff anymore. I am off Muscle Milk now - have to return what I bought because I just don't want it anymore. This WLS is so crazy - one week I want something specific, like vanilla shakes, the next, no. By and large, this pouch is a good one. I have not dumped, it lets me know quickly when I've eaten too much or too fast, and it is rarely hungry. So we are making peace together, my pouch and me.
Happy New Year!
Dec 31, 2008
Realize I haven't posted in awhile, but part of that is because everything has been status quo. I am back to work and find that I get very tired in the afternoon. I wish I could nap daily from 3 - 5 PM. Also, my drain starts hurting alot at the end of the day too. There is the same amount of fluid in the drain, so I know the leak has not yet healed. I didn't expect it to be.
I am living on Stew Leonard's chicken chili, cottage cheese, string cheese, Carb Control yogurt, SF popsicles, jello, and chocolate pudding. I am tired already of my famous "chicken mash" and really tired of protein shakes and drinks. I am sorry I bought so much. But since I need to keep drinking protein, I must plow through it all. I find I get full very fast and am rarely hungry - I guess that was the whole point of Gastric Bypass, right? Well, in that respect, it's working. I am returning to the doctor on Tuesday 1/6, at which point I'll see just how much weight I've lost. I believe I've lost an even 20lbs at this point, but I don't trust my scale at home.
I am thoroughly enjoying communicating with all my OH buddies. This is my support group and I am so glad I stumbled onto this website.
I wish anyone reading this a Happy and Healthy New Year's. - Lisa
Trying to get my ticker to work
Dec 24, 2008
I wonder - will this be the last week I am ever in the 200's . . .?
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Leaky Me
Dec 24, 2008
Well today was my 2 weeks out of surgery checkup. Dr. Maffucci said I do not need another surgery - "You would have already been operated on if I needed to surgically repair the leak". However, he said I have to be patient with this drain and continue to wear it until approximately the first week of February. He also said it's the kind of thing where it will appear to be draining the same amount for awhile and then one day it will "dry up" and there won't be much fluid in the drain. That's the day they know the leak is closing. And soon after that they can pull it out. So, I have to get used to this. It's not as bad as needing another surgery or a feeding tube, but it is uncomfortable, depressing, painful at times and annoying. It smells and it looks bulky under my clothes. I want it out ASAP, but have to wait. They weighed me and I was 200 lbs. even. Down 17 lbs since surgery on 12/9/08.
Straight from the doctor, I came into work for the first time since surgery. I have so much mail and things to clear out! But it is good to be back and great to have a job to go to when so many are being laid off in this economy. Thank G-d for my job.
Last night was a big Hanukkah party at the temple. We all had a very nice time. I brought my own little Carb Control yogurt and a SF Jello chocolate pudding and my own little plastic spoon. I didn't feel up to dancing, but it was nice to socialize. This IS a Happy Hanukkah for me, despite the drain. Surgery is behind me and I have a new chance at the second half of my life. G-d has been very good to my family this year. Steven is down to 190 from 225 as well. We will be nice and lean heading into 2009.
2 comments
Straight from the doctor, I came into work for the first time since surgery. I have so much mail and things to clear out! But it is good to be back and great to have a job to go to when so many are being laid off in this economy. Thank G-d for my job.
Last night was a big Hanukkah party at the temple. We all had a very nice time. I brought my own little Carb Control yogurt and a SF Jello chocolate pudding and my own little plastic spoon. I didn't feel up to dancing, but it was nice to socialize. This IS a Happy Hanukkah for me, despite the drain. Surgery is behind me and I have a new chance at the second half of my life. G-d has been very good to my family this year. Steven is down to 190 from 225 as well. We will be nice and lean heading into 2009.
Good News and Bad News
Dec 19, 2008
So I'm back from the surgeon's office and it appears that there's good news and bad news. The good news is, I'm not going to be re-admitted to surgery to correct the leak. The bad news is, I have to wear the drainage tube for approximately 6 weeks while the leak heals on its own. The tube will carry all the bad stuff out of my body for that time. Six weeks seems like an awfully long time to live with this discomfort and the smell and having the change the bandages and not being able to sleep on my stomach. But when I signed on the dotted line and they explained that there was a 1 % chance of a leak, I never thought it would be me. Now it's 100% me. So that's the story. I have been instructed to eat my protein, stay hydrated and call them if I run a fever or have bad abdominal pain. I have to check in weekly. And that's about it.
I know that it's better than a second surgery, but it's not exactly the easy recovery I anticipated. What can you do? Nothing. I wanted this, I still don't regret it, and I will do what I have to do to get to my goals of being permanently off high blood pressure medication and having a healthy BMI.
Last night I ate more of my chicken and cheese mash. Today I had a SF Jello chococate pudding cup and 3 oz of tuna mashed with lowfat mayo and lemon juice. Very good, and I feel full.
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I know that it's better than a second surgery, but it's not exactly the easy recovery I anticipated. What can you do? Nothing. I wanted this, I still don't regret it, and I will do what I have to do to get to my goals of being permanently off high blood pressure medication and having a healthy BMI.
Last night I ate more of my chicken and cheese mash. Today I had a SF Jello chococate pudding cup and 3 oz of tuna mashed with lowfat mayo and lemon juice. Very good, and I feel full.
Diagnosed with a leak yesterday
Dec 18, 2008
So yesterday, I went up to get my drain tube taken out. Steven and I were there at 9:00 a.m. Imagine my surprise when Peggy (Director of the Bariatric Center) started to say she didn't like the looks of what was in the bulb end of my tube, and suspected a leak. When Dr. Mafucci, my surgeon arrived, he confirmed it. They sent me for a CAT scan, had me drink more blue dye (yuck) , drink something else foul that tasted like cleaning fluid and get my blood drawn.
By 4:30 PM, I was finally done and they made noises like they might have to go back in and surgically repair the leak. The other way to handle it was, I was to go home and start taking in "mechanical" i.e. the pureed protein - chicken, cottage cheese, etc. and report back to them how I kept it down. If I could tolerate food without problems, there was a good chance the leak would heal on its own. Of course I have to wear the drain tube a while longer. They also talked about possibly inserting a second drain tube, and a feeding tube if I couldn't keep down the solids.
2 comments
By 4:30 PM, I was finally done and they made noises like they might have to go back in and surgically repair the leak. The other way to handle it was, I was to go home and start taking in "mechanical" i.e. the pureed protein - chicken, cottage cheese, etc. and report back to them how I kept it down. If I could tolerate food without problems, there was a good chance the leak would heal on its own. Of course I have to wear the drain tube a while longer. They also talked about possibly inserting a second drain tube, and a feeding tube if I couldn't keep down the solids.
ShystermomMadhu Rangraj, M.D. RNY (12/09/08) Member Since: 09/29/08 [Latest Posts] |
So, it's the morning after my appt. yesterday and I think I'll be okay. I ate my first pureed food last night - a pureed chicken breast with a Kraft cheese slice nuked on top - yummy soft comfort food and cheesy. I ate alot of it, like 8 oz (it took 2 hours but I was watching "Private Practice" and "House Hunters" so ok). Anyway, no stomach pain, no vomiting, no pooping - I slept all through the night, no fever, etc. I woke up feeling fine and told Peggy there was nothing funky in my drain tube. So they think it's a really small leak that only liquid is coming through, and although I have to go back tomorrow to get blood drawn to see if my white blood cell count is high (i.e. infection starting), they don't think it's the type of leak that will require surgery to fix. Nature will probably take it's course and heal the leak I've been told. I've also been instructed to get the food protein in (as opposed to liquid protein) so that's what I will do. They said if you have to have a leak, it's best to have one like mine - tiny. will update - thanks again - Lisa |
Looking Back on my Hospital Stay
Dec 16, 2008
I decided to write a few words about what I remember of my hospital stay before I forget. If there's a chance anything I blog helps even one person, it's worth it.
I was told to arrive at 6:45 a.m. at the ambulatory surgery entrance. Told no valuables or jewelry. In my bag I brought pajamas (useless), small clock (didn't need it - had one in the room on the wall), Vaseline jar for lips (used it), sleep mask (used it) foam earplugs (used them), book and reading glasses (used during the last hour of my stay), squeezy stress toy shaped like a little cow (used it during IV flushes) moisturizer, toner and cotton pads (used to freshen up to go home) bathrobe (didn't use it).
A nurse took me to a prep area where I stripped naked and put all my clothes in a hospital plastic bag and put on a gown, little booties and a hair net/cap thing. Iooked sterile. I climbed up on the gurney. My husband and child came in to say goodbye. I was all smiles. Then my surgeons came by and anesthesiologist. After a few words, I went under.
I woke up in recovery. Very groggy from the anesthesia, but glad to have survived it and have all my faculties. It seemed like a very short time that my husband and child came in to check on me. I was in alot of pain and asked them to go.
It took forever to get a room for me. Finally, at 4 PM, I was moved to a room. My roommate was a woman who didn't stop talking. I used the sleepmask alot, pretending to be asleep so she wouldn't talk to me. She also had the TV on all the time. But she has Muscular Dystrophy and I feel sorry for her, so I can't say bad things about her.
Anyway, I didn't want to watch anything. I couldn't read. All I did mostly was lie there and sleep and just think. I had issues with nausea with pain medication. The only thing that really worked was morphine, but it made me nauseous. Demerol and Dilaudin didn't make me nauseous, but did nothing for the pain. So my catch 22 for 2 days was that I was nauseous and lightheaded most of the time I was awake. I walked the first evening to the nurses station and back. I remember feeling surprised that my legs were just fine. It was my midsection only that hurt. I had good slippers with me to shuffle around in.
The catheter feeling was weird. I'm glad they removed it in the morning. That also forced me to walk to the bathroom to pee, which required buzzing for a nurse to come in and unhook my IV. Luckily, I never timed it too close to have a problem. The nurses were all mostly very nice, even when my IV came out and they had to re-stick me 2x. That was really painful and I was glad I had my squishy squeeze stress cow toy that Sasha had given me. Also, every time an IV "flushed", it was painful. So glad this whole part is over. I have a new respect for my mother in law who has IV's all the time with her health problems and numerous hospital stays.
Everyone who came to check on me said I was "textbook" and everything looked fine. I sent Steven & Sasha home in the evening and just rested.I did call my parents and tell them not to come out and visit me. It was dark and cold out and I was tired - what was the point? They promised to visit in the morning. I had to eat a cup full of blue dye ice chips which were nasty and got blue all over my lips and hands. I think the dye is supposed to tell the Drs. if there are any leaks in your system. Luckily, I had no leaks.
The next day, my parents did visit. It was great to see them, but I was very nauseous through the visit. I hope that didn't scare them. I tried to be as normal as possible. With all the nausea however, I never vomited or heaved. I had visits from Peggy from the Bariatric Center and Tamara, the nutritionist. Peggy changed my dressing and instructed me on how to empty my drain and change my own dressing. Both are such nice women and very caring.
I found sleep very difficult. I am not a back sleeper, and it was hard for me. I was smart to have my own squishy pillow from home - it helped to hug that. I told Steven not to visit me on Day 2 - the economy is bad and I'm doing fine. He should work a full day and not make his boss mad. He doesn't need to come up. But he surprised me anyway visiting after work. Peggy wrote me a prescription for Atenelol 25 mg (instead ofthe 50 mg I had been taking) and Tylenol with codeine for the pain.
I walked 2x that day, and even spent some time in the visitor's lounge where there is a nice couch and TV. Steven visited me for about 45 minutes in the late afternoon and I read a newspaper. He kept commented how good I looked and how well I was doing, considering I had only had the surgery yesterday. He reminded me how he just laid in the bed all day the day after his Surgery on June 3, 2008. I remember - he's right. Today, he looks thin and trim and feels really good. I hope I am as successfull eventually as he is. Anyway, once Steven left, I shuffled back to the room. By the evening, I had a watery chicken broth, Crystal light and a can of Glucerna. Couldn't finish all of it, but it went down just fine. In the evening, I watched most of "Private Practice" from 9 - 10 PM in the visitor's lounge sitting up straight. Good for me!
By Thursday morning, I was ready to go home. My IV was unhooked and I was given breakfast - the same as dinner the night before. With no fluids or meds going into me, there was nothing left to do but leave. I called Steven and asked him to come get me at 12:30 PM and he agreed. He and Sasha showed up right on time. I changed into comfy stretch pants and a button down shirt. Slip in moccasin shoes and I was ready to go. I cleansed and moisturized my face and brushed my teeth. I walked around and I read some of my book as I waited for them to get me. Packed up my bag and before I knew it, I was being pushed in a wheelchair to the front entrance and was discharged.
And THAT, my readers, is my story of my time in the hospital.
0 comments
I was told to arrive at 6:45 a.m. at the ambulatory surgery entrance. Told no valuables or jewelry. In my bag I brought pajamas (useless), small clock (didn't need it - had one in the room on the wall), Vaseline jar for lips (used it), sleep mask (used it) foam earplugs (used them), book and reading glasses (used during the last hour of my stay), squeezy stress toy shaped like a little cow (used it during IV flushes) moisturizer, toner and cotton pads (used to freshen up to go home) bathrobe (didn't use it).
A nurse took me to a prep area where I stripped naked and put all my clothes in a hospital plastic bag and put on a gown, little booties and a hair net/cap thing. Iooked sterile. I climbed up on the gurney. My husband and child came in to say goodbye. I was all smiles. Then my surgeons came by and anesthesiologist. After a few words, I went under.
I woke up in recovery. Very groggy from the anesthesia, but glad to have survived it and have all my faculties. It seemed like a very short time that my husband and child came in to check on me. I was in alot of pain and asked them to go.
It took forever to get a room for me. Finally, at 4 PM, I was moved to a room. My roommate was a woman who didn't stop talking. I used the sleepmask alot, pretending to be asleep so she wouldn't talk to me. She also had the TV on all the time. But she has Muscular Dystrophy and I feel sorry for her, so I can't say bad things about her.
Anyway, I didn't want to watch anything. I couldn't read. All I did mostly was lie there and sleep and just think. I had issues with nausea with pain medication. The only thing that really worked was morphine, but it made me nauseous. Demerol and Dilaudin didn't make me nauseous, but did nothing for the pain. So my catch 22 for 2 days was that I was nauseous and lightheaded most of the time I was awake. I walked the first evening to the nurses station and back. I remember feeling surprised that my legs were just fine. It was my midsection only that hurt. I had good slippers with me to shuffle around in.
The catheter feeling was weird. I'm glad they removed it in the morning. That also forced me to walk to the bathroom to pee, which required buzzing for a nurse to come in and unhook my IV. Luckily, I never timed it too close to have a problem. The nurses were all mostly very nice, even when my IV came out and they had to re-stick me 2x. That was really painful and I was glad I had my squishy squeeze stress cow toy that Sasha had given me. Also, every time an IV "flushed", it was painful. So glad this whole part is over. I have a new respect for my mother in law who has IV's all the time with her health problems and numerous hospital stays.
Everyone who came to check on me said I was "textbook" and everything looked fine. I sent Steven & Sasha home in the evening and just rested.I did call my parents and tell them not to come out and visit me. It was dark and cold out and I was tired - what was the point? They promised to visit in the morning. I had to eat a cup full of blue dye ice chips which were nasty and got blue all over my lips and hands. I think the dye is supposed to tell the Drs. if there are any leaks in your system. Luckily, I had no leaks.
The next day, my parents did visit. It was great to see them, but I was very nauseous through the visit. I hope that didn't scare them. I tried to be as normal as possible. With all the nausea however, I never vomited or heaved. I had visits from Peggy from the Bariatric Center and Tamara, the nutritionist. Peggy changed my dressing and instructed me on how to empty my drain and change my own dressing. Both are such nice women and very caring.
I found sleep very difficult. I am not a back sleeper, and it was hard for me. I was smart to have my own squishy pillow from home - it helped to hug that. I told Steven not to visit me on Day 2 - the economy is bad and I'm doing fine. He should work a full day and not make his boss mad. He doesn't need to come up. But he surprised me anyway visiting after work. Peggy wrote me a prescription for Atenelol 25 mg (instead ofthe 50 mg I had been taking) and Tylenol with codeine for the pain.
I walked 2x that day, and even spent some time in the visitor's lounge where there is a nice couch and TV. Steven visited me for about 45 minutes in the late afternoon and I read a newspaper. He kept commented how good I looked and how well I was doing, considering I had only had the surgery yesterday. He reminded me how he just laid in the bed all day the day after his Surgery on June 3, 2008. I remember - he's right. Today, he looks thin and trim and feels really good. I hope I am as successfull eventually as he is. Anyway, once Steven left, I shuffled back to the room. By the evening, I had a watery chicken broth, Crystal light and a can of Glucerna. Couldn't finish all of it, but it went down just fine. In the evening, I watched most of "Private Practice" from 9 - 10 PM in the visitor's lounge sitting up straight. Good for me!
By Thursday morning, I was ready to go home. My IV was unhooked and I was given breakfast - the same as dinner the night before. With no fluids or meds going into me, there was nothing left to do but leave. I called Steven and asked him to come get me at 12:30 PM and he agreed. He and Sasha showed up right on time. I changed into comfy stretch pants and a button down shirt. Slip in moccasin shoes and I was ready to go. I cleansed and moisturized my face and brushed my teeth. I walked around and I read some of my book as I waited for them to get me. Packed up my bag and before I knew it, I was being pushed in a wheelchair to the front entrance and was discharged.
And THAT, my readers, is my story of my time in the hospital.
Enjoying my "maternity leave"!
Dec 16, 2008
Well here I am, it's exactly 1 week ago today that I was operated on. I feel really good. I have enjoyed my precious Monday and Tuesday off from work - I made lunch for my husband and daughter and saw them off to school/work. I have done light housekeeping such as laundry folding and washing dishes. And I have cooked for them (without feeling a moment of hunger myself, despite the good smells). It's like being on maternity leave, which I remember fondly from 1999, was the BEST 6 months of my life. I loved being a stay-at-home-mother and always wished we had the money so that I wouldn't have to work outside the home. I haven't been home for a full week since that time. This is wonderful. Anyway, as far as my WLS updates, I am going tomorrow to get my drain out, which should really relieve the majority of my pain. I have found the only way to sleep through the night is to take 3 teaspoons of Tylenol with codeine, not the prescribed two. Yes, the medicine is almost done, but I'm betting on feeling better once this drain is out. Maybe, if need be, I can beg for a second prescription.
I am existing just fine on Isopure RTD protein drinks, lots of Muscle Milk, SF jello, SF popsicles and my mother's chicken soup. I am having far less problem getting in the protein and liquid than I am the vitamins. I really can't stand all the chewables and things. I have to explore liquids once I use up what I bought.
I am enjoying corresponding with all the other OH'ers, including the folks who had the surgery within a day or so of me. But my nicest "conversations" are with those who have gone before me and have taken the time out of their busy lives to shoot me a word or two of encouragement. How wonderful it is to reach back and give advice to new peope when you yourself are a year or so out of surgery. I must do it to - to pay it forward.
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I am existing just fine on Isopure RTD protein drinks, lots of Muscle Milk, SF jello, SF popsicles and my mother's chicken soup. I am having far less problem getting in the protein and liquid than I am the vitamins. I really can't stand all the chewables and things. I have to explore liquids once I use up what I bought.
I am enjoying corresponding with all the other OH'ers, including the folks who had the surgery within a day or so of me. But my nicest "conversations" are with those who have gone before me and have taken the time out of their busy lives to shoot me a word or two of encouragement. How wonderful it is to reach back and give advice to new peope when you yourself are a year or so out of surgery. I must do it to - to pay it forward.
My Funky Food Dream
Dec 12, 2008
So I came home yesterday from my 12/9 Lap RNY in NYC and took a nap today. I had this vivid dream - I had to post. I was at the company summer picnic. Everyone I knew from work was there. For some reason, I had the "job" of transferring the dessert table from one folding table to another. I picked up chocolate cakes, platters of cookies, key lime pies. I remember cradling them in my arms and picking them up from one table and putting them down on another. I could smell all the sweet sugary smells, but I wasn't hungry. I saw myself in the dream at preop weight.
Is my subconcious reaffirming that I did the right thing? That I'm ready to put food literally to the side and not on my table? And what's with all the work people? I don't know . . . I am having trouble sleeping at night and so, I have napped in the daytime. I hope I can return to regular sleep, i.e. on my tummy - soon.
Is my subconcious reaffirming that I did the right thing? That I'm ready to put food literally to the side and not on my table? And what's with all the work people? I don't know . . . I am having trouble sleeping at night and so, I have napped in the daytime. I hope I can return to regular sleep, i.e. on my tummy - soon.
Home from the Hospital
Dec 12, 2008
Well I am home as of yesterday, 12/11 at 3 PM from my Lap RNY. I am tired and in discomfort/pain, but the Tylenol with Codeine that they prescribed helps. I slept through the night on the couch, practically sitting up in 2 four hour shifts - I took more T w/C at 3 a.m. which got me to a 7 a.m. wake up time. I am drinking Muscle Milk light Mocha Latte (2) for 30g protein and Isopure RTD Alpine Punch also 30 grm of protein. Note sure how I'll round out the rest of the day yet in terms of protein, but I'll think of something. I have plenty of shakes and powders in the house to mix around. Plus I took a Glucerna can hhome from the hospital which has 9 gm Protein, so I'll get there.
I keep telling myself I just have to get to Tuesday, when the drain comes out, and I will be in less pain. But now it's only Friday morning and Tuesday seems like a long way away. I don't feel like doing much of anything - I have to push myself to move. At least I was able to read the paper. Before, I couldn't read without being lightheaded.
My mom is here and that is such a blessing, not to be alone. I'm thinking at times "why did I do this?" but I know that's normal and I push those thoughts away.
This will be worth it in the end.
I keep telling myself I just have to get to Tuesday, when the drain comes out, and I will be in less pain. But now it's only Friday morning and Tuesday seems like a long way away. I don't feel like doing much of anything - I have to push myself to move. At least I was able to read the paper. Before, I couldn't read without being lightheaded.
My mom is here and that is such a blessing, not to be alone. I'm thinking at times "why did I do this?" but I know that's normal and I push those thoughts away.
This will be worth it in the end.
