Julie G.
Aug 3 journal
Aug 06, 2007
I'm feeling pretty good, got up and took a shower, went outside for a walk with my mom for a few blocks. It was nice to get out of the hospital and get some fresh air. We took another walk outside later in the other direction and went to a plant nursery, pretty neat to see all the different plants. It looked like a secret garden, just beautiful. Dr. A came in several times during the day to check on me and helped us get our computer linked to the internet.
I'm just amazed that I feel as good as I do for having surgery the day before.
Aug 2 Journal
Aug 06, 2007
Dr. A took us to our room and then about 10 minutes later I was wheeled in a wheelchair (I could've walked, but I just humored them) to x-ray and then to the lab for blood tests, then back to my room to change. About 5-10 minutes after that I was on a gurney and wheeled to the OR window and slid over on the new gurney and wheeled into the OR. The anesthesiologist had to put my IV in because my veins are hard to find, and I was glad he did so I wasn't poked a billion times by the nurses. Then pretty soon I started getting woosy and was out like a light. Next thing I knew I was in my room recovering, I was really tired so just slept most of the day. I think my mom said I woke up about 2 hours after they brought me in (at about 4 pm) and then around 7 I got up and walked a little ways, because I remember everyone saying on here that the sooner you walk the quicker you'll recover. Then slept a little more, until 9 and walked a little farther. Everytime I woke up I seemed to get nauseous, so we asked for some more meds. Around 1am the nurses came to check on me and the IV had moved and wasn't good anymore, in fact the stuff was just pumping into my hand and made it swell up with fluids, so they tried to put it in my other hand and didn't have any luck. They said they would try later to put it in, I think that was around 5 or 6am and they couldn't put another one in, which was fine by me because I seemed to be doing just fine without it, no pain, no nausea, and I wasn't stuck to a pole. Dr. A came in around 8 or 9am and said they would give me sublingual pain meds since the IV was out, but I didn't need them so no sense in taking them.
Aug 1 Journal
Aug 06, 2007
Made it home Aug 6, 2007
Aug 06, 2007
Dr. Alvarez was amazing as everyone has said, and I am very happy with my experience. He is very accommodating, personable, and encouraging----I just loved him!
And would reccommend him to anyone who is looking for a great doc and a fast and easy recovery. On my 2nd post-op day I went shopping at this huge outdoor mall with my mom, and did pretty good. Had to rest a few times, but that was probably because I hadn't had many calories in. I will say that I am having a hard time getting in a lot of liquids, but I'm trying to sip as much as I can and keep those air bubbles out. On my flights home I starting reading Susan Maria Leach's book "before and after" and it is a great book! She actually had the RNY but her experiences and stories are pretty easy to relate to. And she has some great recipes and guides as to how to keep on track with eating the right foods. I'm making the chicken stock as we speak (I eliminated the salt though and added other spices) and it smells delicious! I can't wait to try it later. It is a great book with many inspiring and helpful ideas about how to deal with our new lives, and I would reccommend this book to anyone having WLS.
I just wanted to let everyone know I made it home safely and want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement
Looking forward to my new healthy life and can't wait to get some energy back!I will post more about my experience later.
The call that will change the rest of my life!!!!
Jul 23, 2007
I can't wait! Thank you everyone for answering my questions over the past few months, it's because of you all that I had the courage to make the call and set a date! I don't think I would've ever had the courage to do it without hearing all your wonderful experiences with your sleeve and especially how everyone raves about Dr. Alvarez
Only 10 days away! Can't believe it!
July 1, 2007
Jul 04, 2007
Well not much has happened since my last update, but the medication that I was on didn't work for me. And as I had predicted I wasn't able to stay on the diet for long. I think I'm about 290 right now, I lost down to 284 but gained it back.
I've been looking into Dr. Alvarez in Mexico, since I am a self pay, and from what I've heard he is an excellent surgeon. Hoping to get a date soon, still trying to convince my mom to go with me, but might just have to go do it on my own, otherwise it may never happen.
January 20, 2007
I recently visited the local clinic where I live (on Jan 9th) to get a general check-up and to see how unhealthy I am. I hadn't been to the doctor since 1999 for a sports physical, so I figured it's time to go see what I need to fix. I don't feel like there's anything wrong with me other than being obese, but I figured I better go get a check-up anyway and see if I need to fix any problems.
On January 4, I started a low carb, low fat diet because I figured I'd start eating like I would have to if I were on the VSG to see if I could stick with the healthy eating style. Of course I would be eating smaller quantities with the VSG, but basically I've been trying to eat healthier because I need a lifestyle change. I told my mom I would stick to the diet and see if I lose any weight by the end of this month, and if I don't lose a significant amount of weight by the end of the month I would go get the VSG done. I was ready to go get the VSG at the begining of January and told my mom I was thinking about going and getting it done. She told me she wanted me to try one more time to try and lose the weight without the surgery, and if I couldn't lose the weight with the low carb low fat diet, then she would go with me to get the VSG.
Well since starting the diet on January 4th I've gone from 300lbs to 290lbs (10 pounds lost in 16 days). And I have learned from my doctor that I have high blood pressure and high fasting insulin, So I'm now taking a few different pills to see if they will help or fix my problems. I have talked to another person who said their daughter had high fasting insulin and medication did not help her problem. Her daughter ended up getting the VSG to solve her problems, because she wasn't able to lose any weight with the high fasting insulin.
I'm going to stick to the diet for as long as I can and see if the pills help me fix my problems and help me lose weight. I don't have high hopes for being able to lose all my excess weight on my own without the VSG, but I will honestly try to lose as much as I can before opting to have the VSG. I would love to be able to lose the weight without surgery, but I have doubts that I will be able to lose all my excess weight and keep it off.
So that's my update for now, and we'll see what happens in the future :)
