ChrissyD70
This took too long to post
Jul 01, 2010
Wow, has this been a long, hard journey! I am so glad that its finally almost here. I am sure everyone on FB is too, LOL, probably tired of hearing me talk about it! Too bad, don't you know by now that I dont shut up???
Just a few things that I wanted to say because I have received lots of messages/emails regarding this surgery..
Some of them have been supportive, informative, worried, cautious or just down right against it. SO I am going to start with the negatives and then end on a positive.
To those who are against it, think it's the easy way out, wont work, diet and exercise should do it instead of surgery, etc. Here is what I say to all of you...
I am sorry that you feel the way that you do, support is what I need right now. Not negativity. This is a decision that I did not make lightly nor am I am doing this for personal appearance. Between sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, GERD, not to mention just being overweight, I am at risk for bad things to happen.
This surgery is just a tool. It's not the answer. It's not the easy way out either. Along with making the decision to have this surgery, I am also committed to giving up some comfort foods. The size of my stomach is being reduced from 40-50oz down to about 1-2oz, I have to make sure that anything I put inside of me is beneficial. I also have to commit to taking nutritional supplements for the rest of my life. There are risks (other then surgical) such as malnutrition and dehydration that I am very well aware of. All of this has been taken into consideration and the pros far outweigh the cons. Hopefully I can get you to flip to the supportive side.
To those who are all for it... Here is what I say to you..
Thank you so much for understanding what I have chosen to do. If you see me falter along the way, slap the crap out of me!!! LOL I really don't see that happening. For everything I had to go through to get to this point, I will absolutely NOT screw up this opportunity.
I have chosen to make all of this very public for several reasons. By telling everyone how I am progressing and losing (in a GOOD way, weigh? lol!!!) , I am keeping myself accountable. For all that know me personally, I aim to please. Plus if someone else has had this surgery, needs support, thinking about getting it done, etc, I am here.
I think that sums up just about everything at this point. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time you see me, you will be seeing less of me. :) I also have a blog of all of this, if you would like the web addy, just let me know.
Thanks so much!! Fingers crossed and off I go...well, almost. Need to be at Des Peres Hospital (www.despereshospital.com)
May 29th.. the aftermath of surgery
Nah, its not that bad. Things were crazy right before the surgery and then shortly after. Its tapering off now and things seem to be getting better.
Two days before surgery on the 17th, who should happen to visit but AUNT FLO.... grrrrr... However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I went in for the surgery and everything went well. I had to be in ICU for a day because of the sleep apnea. Tracy in the ICU was a GODSEND!! It was like hanging out and being treated by my sister in law. They are even of the same vintage. Then they moved me down to a regular room.
Thats when issues started... It was over 80 degrees in the wierd shaped room. The nurses were awesome, but terrible at cleaning rooms. I was there from Tuesday thru Thursday and no one cleaned the room, changed the sheets, would give me new gowns.. NOTHING.. I had blood on pillows and sheets because I'm a bleeder.. There was blood in the bathroom, on the floor in the room, etc. Just horrible.
I was supposed to get out on Wednesday but my lab work was not looking good. They wound up doing 2 blood transfusions and then letting me go on Thursday. Thats the blessing in disguise of Aunt Flo.. I think if she had come later, after the hospital, things would have been bad.
Friday after the surgery I felt GREAT! Was walking all over the house dancing with my MP3 player. Later that afternoon is when things started getting icky. I had bad bad bad pain in left side, we thought it was gas. So we called the doc on call. Also, I couldnt take the lortab. Liquid vicadin... blech... So I asked him for Tylenol 3. Was much better. But I still had the pain in my side.
I go in Monday for my 1 week post op. My stomach is a massive bruise all across it. Stretching the staples. I thought it was normal because of all the work they did inside. Nope... doc maybe missed an intramuscular bleed or something? So he made a drain incision for the blood to come out. Working well.
Everything otherwise is going well. Adjusting to being a non smoker and re-learning how to eat.
Going back to doc on Tuesday to check on incision. I am going to really point out about the bulge in my side and how its getting bigger and warm... ugh.. :)
July 1st update
I am a terrible poster. I will get better after this, I swear!!
The incision was ok, I am 6 weeks post op right now and still have alot of discoloration in my stomach. It has been wonderful reintroducing flavors! After the pre-op liquid and liquids after surgery, my taste buds were ready for new stuff. Spices have become a great friend. There is a spice store in St Louis (www.penzeys.com) and its just amazing! There are lots of things that I can add to stuff to make it different then the day before. Variety is the spice of life, right?
The main issue I am having at this point is my energy level SUCKS. It's an effort to do almost anything. I hear this is normal and its just my metabolism trying to reboot. I hope it gets rebooted soon before I lose my mind!!
0 comments
Just a few things that I wanted to say because I have received lots of messages/emails regarding this surgery..
Some of them have been supportive, informative, worried, cautious or just down right against it. SO I am going to start with the negatives and then end on a positive.
To those who are against it, think it's the easy way out, wont work, diet and exercise should do it instead of surgery, etc. Here is what I say to all of you...
I am sorry that you feel the way that you do, support is what I need right now. Not negativity. This is a decision that I did not make lightly nor am I am doing this for personal appearance. Between sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, GERD, not to mention just being overweight, I am at risk for bad things to happen.
This surgery is just a tool. It's not the answer. It's not the easy way out either. Along with making the decision to have this surgery, I am also committed to giving up some comfort foods. The size of my stomach is being reduced from 40-50oz down to about 1-2oz, I have to make sure that anything I put inside of me is beneficial. I also have to commit to taking nutritional supplements for the rest of my life. There are risks (other then surgical) such as malnutrition and dehydration that I am very well aware of. All of this has been taken into consideration and the pros far outweigh the cons. Hopefully I can get you to flip to the supportive side.
To those who are all for it... Here is what I say to you..
Thank you so much for understanding what I have chosen to do. If you see me falter along the way, slap the crap out of me!!! LOL I really don't see that happening. For everything I had to go through to get to this point, I will absolutely NOT screw up this opportunity.
I have chosen to make all of this very public for several reasons. By telling everyone how I am progressing and losing (in a GOOD way, weigh? lol!!!) , I am keeping myself accountable. For all that know me personally, I aim to please. Plus if someone else has had this surgery, needs support, thinking about getting it done, etc, I am here.
I think that sums up just about everything at this point. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time you see me, you will be seeing less of me. :) I also have a blog of all of this, if you would like the web addy, just let me know.
Thanks so much!! Fingers crossed and off I go...well, almost. Need to be at Des Peres Hospital (www.despereshospital.com)
May 29th.. the aftermath of surgery
Nah, its not that bad. Things were crazy right before the surgery and then shortly after. Its tapering off now and things seem to be getting better.
Two days before surgery on the 17th, who should happen to visit but AUNT FLO.... grrrrr... However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I went in for the surgery and everything went well. I had to be in ICU for a day because of the sleep apnea. Tracy in the ICU was a GODSEND!! It was like hanging out and being treated by my sister in law. They are even of the same vintage. Then they moved me down to a regular room.
Thats when issues started... It was over 80 degrees in the wierd shaped room. The nurses were awesome, but terrible at cleaning rooms. I was there from Tuesday thru Thursday and no one cleaned the room, changed the sheets, would give me new gowns.. NOTHING.. I had blood on pillows and sheets because I'm a bleeder.. There was blood in the bathroom, on the floor in the room, etc. Just horrible.
I was supposed to get out on Wednesday but my lab work was not looking good. They wound up doing 2 blood transfusions and then letting me go on Thursday. Thats the blessing in disguise of Aunt Flo.. I think if she had come later, after the hospital, things would have been bad.
Friday after the surgery I felt GREAT! Was walking all over the house dancing with my MP3 player. Later that afternoon is when things started getting icky. I had bad bad bad pain in left side, we thought it was gas. So we called the doc on call. Also, I couldnt take the lortab. Liquid vicadin... blech... So I asked him for Tylenol 3. Was much better. But I still had the pain in my side.
I go in Monday for my 1 week post op. My stomach is a massive bruise all across it. Stretching the staples. I thought it was normal because of all the work they did inside. Nope... doc maybe missed an intramuscular bleed or something? So he made a drain incision for the blood to come out. Working well.
Everything otherwise is going well. Adjusting to being a non smoker and re-learning how to eat.
Going back to doc on Tuesday to check on incision. I am going to really point out about the bulge in my side and how its getting bigger and warm... ugh.. :)
July 1st update
I am a terrible poster. I will get better after this, I swear!!
The incision was ok, I am 6 weeks post op right now and still have alot of discoloration in my stomach. It has been wonderful reintroducing flavors! After the pre-op liquid and liquids after surgery, my taste buds were ready for new stuff. Spices have become a great friend. There is a spice store in St Louis (www.penzeys.com) and its just amazing! There are lots of things that I can add to stuff to make it different then the day before. Variety is the spice of life, right?
The main issue I am having at this point is my energy level SUCKS. It's an effort to do almost anything. I hear this is normal and its just my metabolism trying to reboot. I hope it gets rebooted soon before I lose my mind!!
About Me
O'Fallon, MO
Location
24.0
BMI
Surgery
05/17/2010
Surgery Date
May 30, 2010
Member Since
