Roberta W.
Feeling better
Aug 11, 2007
I am finally starting to feel better after this infection I contracted. Still some nausea but the redness, swelling and pain have decreased significantly. Yesterday I walked my dog Emma 2 blocks up and back, which is a huge improvement for me. For the last 1 1/2 weeks I could barely get to the mailbox. During my first week at home post-op, I was walking a good 4-5 blocks!! Then the infection...could hardly get out of bed!
I am soooo jones-ing for food. I have even had food dreams where I ate a whole sandwich and most of an apple fritter and then realized, "OMG, my new pouch is gonna explode!! What have I done to myself!!" and then wake with relief that it was a dream.
It is only 1 1/2 weeks until I am released to soft food but I tell ya, I can't even look at broth or jello anymore. It makes me want to puke
Finally got my pre and post op pix up...turns out my pix were too large...duh!!
Thats all for now,
TTFN, Roberta
I am soooo jones-ing for food. I have even had food dreams where I ate a whole sandwich and most of an apple fritter and then realized, "OMG, my new pouch is gonna explode!! What have I done to myself!!" and then wake with relief that it was a dream.
It is only 1 1/2 weeks until I am released to soft food but I tell ya, I can't even look at broth or jello anymore. It makes me want to puke
Finally got my pre and post op pix up...turns out my pix were too large...duh!!
Thats all for now,
TTFN, Roberta
Wow, where to start...
Aug 08, 2007
I haven't been online for a while because I have been feeling like sh*t. Everything was going well then last week I noticed a big drop in my energy, increased nausea and pain. Then last friday I noticed a redness around my incision. I marked the perimeter with a felt pen and within 2 hours it had almost doubled in size. Called my doctor who said go to the ER (7pm). There I got a CT scan where they found an incisional seroma about 2" X 1". I was pumped with fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea meds and morphine
(better living through pharmaceuticals!!!).
Then monday I saw Dr. Oh in his office where he drained about 7cc of bloody fluid from my seroma. He also scheduled another endoscopy (cause of my nausea and vomiting) which I had today. Results: Gastritis. That is good since he thought I might have a stomal stenosis.
So, all in all, I am very fatigued and nauseated but it is just a small bump in the road.
I have been trying to upload my pre and post op pix but so far no luck. May have to contact the webmaster.
TTFN, Roberta
Everything was going well then last week I noticed a big drop in my energy, increased nausea and pain. Then last friday I noticed a redness around my incision. I marked the perimeter with a felt pen and within 2 hours it had almost doubled in size. Called my doctor who said go to the ER (7pm). There I got a CT scan where they found an incisional seroma about 2" X 1". I was pumped with fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea meds and morphine(better living through pharmaceuticals!!!).Then monday I saw Dr. Oh in his office where he drained about 7cc of bloody fluid from my seroma. He also scheduled another endoscopy (cause of my nausea and vomiting) which I had today. Results: Gastritis. That is good since he thought I might have a stomal stenosis.
So, all in all, I am very fatigued and nauseated but it is just a small bump in the road.
I have been trying to upload my pre and post op pix but so far no luck. May have to contact the webmaster.
TTFN, Roberta
I'm back online after my surgery....
Jul 22, 2007
Just a short note now because I am kinda tired. I am 6 days post-op and am feeling better every hour!! It is amazing how quickly I am improving. My revision was long (4.5hrs) but uncomplicated. Spent two days on the surgery floor and had good care, unlike my friend Jamie who had rotten care. It amazes me how two patients in the same hospital can have such widely varied experiences. Anyway, I've been walking a lot, and resting and tolerating liquids well. Today I weighed 318lbs!! Down 35 lbs total (6 post-op)!!!!
That's all for now!
That's all for now!
Only a few hours until surgery
Jul 16, 2007
I can't believe my surgery date is finally here. I am so excited. Nervous, yes, but mostly excited. I am heading over to my partner's house now. I never sleep before surgery so we are gonna watch videos all night. That should calm my nerves.
I just wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful OH friends that I have met and journeyed with. All your surgery comments and posts have truly helped. Can't wait to join you all on the loser's bench...see you on the other side.
I just wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful OH friends that I have met and journeyed with. All your surgery comments and posts have truly helped. Can't wait to join you all on the loser's bench...see you on the other side.
Pre-op Day 2 and counting down!
Jul 14, 2007
Ok, now I am starting to get nervous. Went to the Hot Flash Dance (dance for "more mature" lesbians) with my partner tonight and I am glad I did. I think if I had hung around home, all I would have thought about was my surgery coming up on Tues.
Now I am just tying up some loose ends around the house. I am going to spend the night before surgery with my partner, watching videos and playing Playstation2 games. I always get so nervous the night before surgeries (I have had 19 surgeries just on my knees) that I never sleep so we plan on not sleeping and playing instead.
Now I am just tying up some loose ends around the house. I am going to spend the night before surgery with my partner, watching videos and playing Playstation2 games. I always get so nervous the night before surgeries (I have had 19 surgeries just on my knees) that I never sleep so we plan on not sleeping and playing instead.
Two new goals...
Jul 11, 2007
Today I added two new goals, the first of which is very important to me:
1) To be able to participate in life with my partner.
The last year has been very hard on our relationship. Because of my addictions, depression and weight gain I have not been the best partner. I have been isolating myself or physically unable to do things with Melissa, yet I don't want to hold her back so she will often go with someone else. This hurts me terribly! Yet I only blame myself!!! My dream is that I will be able to be active with her and participate in our relationship fully. I want to be the partner she deserves.
2) To have spills fall on my napkin on my lap instead of on my boobs and belly!!!
'nuf said
1) To be able to participate in life with my partner.
The last year has been very hard on our relationship. Because of my addictions, depression and weight gain I have not been the best partner. I have been isolating myself or physically unable to do things with Melissa, yet I don't want to hold her back so she will often go with someone else. This hurts me terribly! Yet I only blame myself!!! My dream is that I will be able to be active with her and participate in our relationship fully. I want to be the partner she deserves.
2) To have spills fall on my napkin on my lap instead of on my boobs and belly!!!
'nuf said
I had to put my dog to sleep yesterday :(
Jul 10, 2007
I am so sad
I am definitely a blu dog today. Yesterday I had to put my 17 1/2 y/o cockapoo to sleep. My dear sweet Samantha. 
I can hardly write this today...I miss her so. But she had a long and happy life until this week when she had multiple seizures...then I knew. My vet, who I have known for decades (and might I add I put all his kids through college
) said Samantha would never have lived that long and had the great quality of life had it not been for the devotion and great care I gave her. That means the world to me cause there is always the question of "is it the right time?".
So now Samantha is playing pain-free by the Rainbow Bridge with Hunter, Shauna and Phoebe (my Miniature Schnauzers).
I have been playing all day with my 2 y/o mini schnauzer Emma who seems to be grieving too.
If you haven't heard about the Rainbow Bridge, here is the story (I cry every time I read it):
Rainbow Bridge
I am definitely a blu dog today. Yesterday I had to put my 17 1/2 y/o cockapoo to sleep. My dear sweet Samantha. I can hardly write this today...I miss her so. But she had a long and happy life until this week when she had multiple seizures...then I knew. My vet, who I have known for decades (and might I add I put all his kids through college) said Samantha would never have lived that long and had the great quality of life had it not been for the devotion and great care I gave her. That means the world to me cause there is always the question of "is it the right time?".So now Samantha is playing pain-free by the Rainbow Bridge with Hunter, Shauna and Phoebe (my Miniature Schnauzers).
I have been playing all day with my 2 y/o mini schnauzer Emma who seems to be grieving too.
If you haven't heard about the Rainbow Bridge, here is the story (I cry every time I read it):
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Pre-op day 9 (and counting down)
Jul 08, 2007
Just a little over a week now until surgery!!! I am soooo excited 
I wish it was tomorrow, except that I still have some pre-op weight to lose. I have gone from 353lbs to 323 lbs today....yeah but my surgeon wants a 35lb pre-op weight loss. So I have 9 days to lose 15 more. I'm worried...what if I miss it by a few pounds. Well, tomorrow is my final pre-op appt with him and I will ask.
Funniest thing: yesterday I was looking in the mirror and I saw this dark area on my cheek. I thought, wow, is that a bruise? How did I get a bruise? Turned my cheek and saw the same thing on the other cheek?!? On closer inspection I realized I had gotten my dimples back!!!!! I haven't seen them in a long time but apparently I have lost some weight in my face and they re-appeared...ABRACADABRA!
I wish it was tomorrow, except that I still have some pre-op weight to lose. I have gone from 353lbs to 323 lbs today....yeah but my surgeon wants a 35lb pre-op weight loss. So I have 9 days to lose 15 more. I'm worried...what if I miss it by a few pounds. Well, tomorrow is my final pre-op appt with him and I will ask.Funniest thing: yesterday I was looking in the mirror and I saw this dark area on my cheek. I thought, wow, is that a bruise? How did I get a bruise? Turned my cheek and saw the same thing on the other cheek?!? On closer inspection I realized I had gotten my dimples back!!!!!
I haven't seen them in a long time but apparently I have lost some weight in my face and they re-appeared...ABRACADABRA!Pre-op day 13 and counting down
Jul 04, 2007
Day 2 on the pre-op LD.
OMG, today was sooooo hard. First, I had been up all night with diarrhea then this evening my partner and I went to the fireworks show. Not only did they have a Kidd Valley restaurant at the park but everyone around us was either bbq-ing or had tons of other food. I almost snagged a drumstick off someones grill as I walked past. Hell, they weren't looking! I am so hungry I feel obsessed with food. I had trouble concentrating on the fireworks because I was drooling thinking about double cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms and rootbeer shakes!!!!!!
ohhh, I am going to bed and hoping tomorrow will be better...
Roberta
OMG, today was sooooo hard. First, I had been up all night with diarrhea then this evening my partner and I went to the fireworks show. Not only did they have a Kidd Valley restaurant at the park but everyone around us was either bbq-ing or had tons of other food. I almost snagged a drumstick off someones grill as I walked past. Hell, they weren't looking! I am so hungry I feel obsessed with food. I had trouble concentrating on the fireworks because I was drooling thinking about double cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms and rootbeer shakes!!!!!!
ohhh, I am going to bed and hoping tomorrow will be better...
Roberta
Pre-op Day 14 (and counting down)
Jul 03, 2007
I'm on the count-down now! T minus 14 days to surgery!
I am soooo excited to have found a buddy here that is having the same surgery, on the same day, at the same time and at the same hospital (different surgeon)!!!!! I might even ask if we can be on gurneys next to each other so we can freak out together when the nerves hit. Way cool!
Anyway, started my strict liquid diet today. I had sort of gone liquid for the last week or so, just eating a little something in the evening (which is the hardest time for me). Since my doctor told me on 6/11/07 that I had to lose 35 lbs before surgery
, I basically went:
No Sugar
No Milk
No Alcohol
No Snacking
Half Portions
No Eating After 7PM (ooops, couple slips here)
So far, I have lost 18 lbs and hope the pre-op liquids will drop me to the 35lb mark.
I'm off to have some broth (which I like to add lemon juice to....delicious)...
TTFN,
Roberta
I am soooo excited to have found a buddy here that is having the same surgery, on the same day, at the same time and at the same hospital (different surgeon)!!!!! I might even ask if we can be on gurneys next to each other so we can freak out together when the nerves hit. Way cool!
Anyway, started my strict liquid diet today. I had sort of gone liquid for the last week or so, just eating a little something in the evening (which is the hardest time for me). Since my doctor told me on 6/11/07 that I had to lose 35 lbs before surgery
, I basically went:No SugarNo MilkNo AlcoholNo SnackingHalf PortionsNo Eating After 7PM (ooops, couple slips here)So far, I have lost 18 lbs and hope the pre-op liquids will drop me to the 35lb mark.
I'm off to have some broth (which I like to add lemon juice to....delicious)...
TTFN,
Roberta
About Me
Kent, WA
Location
55.3
BMI
Surgery
07/17/2007
Surgery Date
Aug 15, 1999
Member Since
