colin5353

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Well its been a little while and all has been going well, apart from Gallstones and Haemochromatosis. Both sound nastier than they are.

Weight wise Im down to 87kgs, which is 13 less than I was going to be happy with.

Did a quick trip with Tim to visit friends in Merced, Ca and then on to NY, Helsinki, London and Singapore before heading home and back to work - all in 3 weeks.

I have deferred my Uni Post Grad course till next year, given the above health crap. But over all its going well.

On Monday I had a visit to my dietician, I had seen here about a week pre-op, but hadn't seen her prior to that for ages. Overall she was happy with my progress, I am her first client that has had both the Lap Band and then a VSG, so she is very interested in what happens food wise.

Of course I knew that she would tell me that a) I wasn't drinking enough water and b) I wasn't eating enough protein.

Ta Da - yep, on both.  So I was given a quick reference chart with protein portions in it, a quick look and I realised that I was under each day by about 20-30grams. I don't think I've ever been a huge protein eater, I'm quite happy some days to be the boring non-meat eater. Anyway, I did eat a piece of fish on Monday night, and have upped the meal replacement drinks, Optifast is going to make a fortune out of me :-)

Yesterday, I had some crackers with cheese, and that was good.  For lunch I tried potato bake, and whilst most of it stayed down, I did get distracted and started eating too quickly and not chewing properly - yep, a stomach with a row of staples holding a incision seam together doesn't like to be rushed.

Today has been better, protein today so far 39grams.

I have made a chicken curry for dinner, wonder if I will be able to eat it ? :-)

Had my post op update visit with my surgeon today.
He was happy with my progress, my weight loss to date and my healing.

Asked about my right side pain, and he advised that this is always the part that takes the longest to heal, as it is the port where the stomach was pulled through, and there are a number of large sutures inside pulling the cut abdo muscles together. Knowing that I’m an impatient RN when it comes to my own recovery, he told me to relax and enjoy my time off. Which since I was due to go back to work next weekend, he said No! And I’m off till April 10th, which will be 5 weeks post op.

GORE WARNING - BELOW:

I have uploaded a pic taken during the VSG - of my stomach both pre and post removal, the top left shows my liver retracted and the adhesion, the top right is the start of the disection of the stomach, bottom left is the finished product looking toward the bottom of my stomach, the bottom right pic is my favourite, it shows the stomach post VSG, looking from the bottom towards my liver (all nice and non fatty - optifast does the job)and gallbladder, you can see the staple line quiet well  (I just find it amazing). Enjoy.

Cheers all.

Col

Overall going well, able to eat more solid liquids, custards and creamed rice. I can tollerate about 220mls and then thats it, full stuffed and really cant do anymore.

Weight loss since surgery has been 13kgs (28lbs), so nothing to sneeze at. Speaking of sneezing, I did that the other day and the pain was incredible, I must have slow healing muscle tissue!

I am now able to sleep on my left side , but still have a little problem moving in bed, I forget and tend to try and shift too quickly, waking myself up in pain as I realise - umm no cant do that yet.

But we are getting there, my only concern is not being well enough to go back to work in 9 days time, the ward I am going back to is very busy and can be very heavy with lots of post op pts, so not looking forward to that - but wait and see.

All steri-strips have come down, and the incision sites and all nice and clean, healing well. My surgeon was able to use a couple from previous surgeries, but in total I have 9 tiny stab sites, and 5 small 2cm incisions and 2 x 4 cm incisions, on where my old lap band port was sited (and removed) and one where the stomach was pulled through. All look nice and clean, dry and healing well. Some of the original banding sites and so faint you can hardly see them.

Off now to have breakfast, cup of tea and Optifast (need more protein in my diet).

It is day ten post op today, and overall I'm doing well.  Still some pain on my right side - where one of the larger incisions is, but its not too bad. Will ask about it at my next surgeons appointment, nxt week.

Yesterday I had custard, I was so over thin liquid I needed something else, its was nice.

This weekend I start on mushie foods, so as with the lap band - I cant wait to have mashed potato or carrot & pumpkin.

My weight is dropping at a rate I am amazed by, especially given that I am drinking milk and juice. Since surgery I'm 8 kgs down, thats 8kgs in 10 days.

No longer on strong pain medication, the odd "chemists own pain relief (paracetamol and codiene)" last night was bad, trying to get comfortable in bed is the hardest. But getting there.

Hopfully I will be back at 100% to go back to work in 2 weeks.

Monday, March 5th 2007 0750am
Tim dropped me off this morning, checked in and waited for me to be given my room number, he then headed off to work. I was escorted to my room (private room this time), again right near the nurses station. I have had my pre-op shower and betadine scrub and now just waiting.

I have seen my anaethatist and just waiting for op time, relaxed and watching some really horrid morning television.

Monday, March 5th 2007 0950am
They have called for me for theatre, next time I write it will be post op.


Tuesday March 6th 2007 1130am
Day 1 Post op, spent yesterday in bed, very sore and having Morphine subcut injections every two to three hours. My IV therapy ceased this morning and I am being incouraged to drink more fluids, pain relieve is now Oxycodone tablets every four hours.  I have some fleeting nausea, but nothing serious. I feel I need more sleep. Staff have been very encouraging and I am about to have a shower.

Wednesday, March 7th 2007 2210pm
Day 2 Post op, I have been up and around more today, walking the halls of the hospital. Managed to catchup with a friend from my nursing course. We chatted for about 20 minutes, before I said I needed to get back and have a rest. Commenced on free fluids this morning, it was nice to have milk instead of that horrid salty broth. My anaethnatist called in to see me today, he said I sailed through the prodecure with no problems with blood pressure or other anaethestic complications.  I also saw my surgeon who is happy with my progress and has given me the ok to go home without review in the morning. Surgeon explained about the adhesion I had grown following my lap band removal, but it was easy enough to work around only adding about an extra half hour to the surgery time.

Thursday, March 8th 2007 0930am
Waiting for my life home, I have my discharge medications and have had a shower and another wander of the hospital ward. Whilst I love working in hospital I get really bored being a patient. Cant wait to get home.

Friday, March 9th 2007 1400pm
Day 2 at home. Feeling much better this afternoon, lots of pain this morning, but I think it was from the way I was laying in bed last night - I forgot that home beds dont move up and down like the ones in hosp, so I am propped up on pillows. Keeping my pain relief medication on track, and whilst it is making me sleepy it is helping. Have managed to drink 800mls (800cc's) of milk so far today, and about 200mls (200cc's) of water. Changed my stab site dressings, all look good, nil ooze, redness or infection.

All going well, so far :-)

Last night I downloaded a movie file of a surgeon doing a VSG, this surgeon is based in Perth, Western Australia (almost a local).

Whilst the file took 7 hours to download (we dont have broadband access in this part of the world), it was worth it, and it was amazing to watch. As an RN I understood what will happen in March, but it was great to see the procdure and I am now 100% sure I'm making the right decision.

Cant wait 38 days to go.

Yesterday I sent all my paperwork to the hospital, this will be my 3rd admission in 12 months. Cant wait to see if I get the same bed / room as I have the last 2 times.

Starting to wonder two things, a) am I doing the right thing and b) hurry cant I get this done quicker.

I keep answering - a) yes, as I keep reminding myself the past is a predictor of the future - all weight previously lost the conventional manner has returned  and b) no - have to wait because I cant get time off work sooner.

ARGH!!!

I met with my surgeon this afternoon, my surgery is confirmed for March 5th 2007.

Since having my Lap-Band removed on Dec 1st 2006, I have enjoyed way too much food. My weight has gone from 110Kgs, to 117kgs in a month. I have started back on Optifast to stem this trend, at least hold back some of the weight gain, until I can have my VSG in March 2007.