Home again, home again; not so lickety split...

Oct 27, 2007

Originally posted 10/23/07

Hi y'all! Boy am I so glad to be home and posting to the boards!

I was at the hospital at 5:30 am last Thursday, October 18th, for surgery. Got prepped and the anaesthesiologist started my IV and gave me a happy shot. That's the last that I remember until I was in postop. Momster says I boldly flirted with the cute anaesthesiologist; something along the lines "he could stick me any time" among other things. She said I was cute.

Momster said the surgery took three hours. I remember waking up in postop, hearing a child crying and telling the child that it was going to be alright. No clue where that came from, but I felt the need to comfort whilst coming out of my drugged stupor.

The hospital staff was awesome; I walked three laps around the floor on Thursday and did about six on Friday. I was doing very well with walking off the gas and haven't had serious pain since Friday - except for my hips and being bedridden for three days.

The staff had me take four potassium pills instead of pushing another IV. After swallowing the third pill, I couldn't keep anything down except water, not even that nasty Atkins protein drink. Doc thinks the oral dosage irritated my stitches and now has standing orders for all of his patients: no oral potassium. 

For me, the worst thing so far is the water gain. I walked in for surgery weighing 266 but I left the hospital today weighing 317. It's funny, I've been 317 lbs before, but I'm more out of breath and huffing/puffing with the extra weight now than before. My therory is that it took gradual time to get that extra 51 pounds on the first time, as opposed to getting it all in five days. Ugh! 

My JP drain was filling up like crazy, even after 4 days. Fortunately, doc thinks it was old blood and plasma and not internal bleeding. I didn't exhibit signs of internal bleeding.

Dr. Pirrello bypassed 175 cm of intestine.

Anyway, I'm home now and taking it easy. Will keep y'all updated with what's going on with me later. I'm gonna go to sleep now.

I missed y'all so much!

Five days and counting...

Oct 13, 2007

Right now, I'm regretting not taking the October 8th date I was originally offered. I want my surgery to be done and have my tushie firmly planted on the losers' bench. Grrrrr! 

Needless to say, I HATE waiting. 

I've been stressing hard about gaining weight before surgery. I SO don't want my surgery postponed. Well, when I stepped on the scales on Tuesday morning, I was up FIVE POUNDS! OMG! The water weight has begun. EEEK!

I resolved to take futher action and after consulting with my cousin, who is an excellent nurse, we both agreed I'd not do any harm by doubling my fluid pill dosage. I take hydrochlorothiazide and am taking it twice a day instead of once a day. Additionally I have really done my best to up my water intake to avoid any dehydration issues.

Today I got on the scale, after five days of doubling the fluid pills, and not only have I lost the initial five pounds water weight, I've lost an additional five as well! Yay! I'm starting to breathe a little easier about my weight now. Whew!

I've had edema since I was a child. Nothing too bad and only bothers me occasionally. I wasn't even on fluid pills until my blood pressure went up. (My systolic number is high, not the diastolic.) However, the edema has forced me to wear double- and triple-wide shoes. 

With the doubled fluid pills, my feet are skinny! They're flat and all of my shoes are too loose! Yay me! I'm sitting here wiggling my slippers around my feet just to enjoy the experience of LOOSE shoes.

I had my first 'wow' moment and I've not even had surgery! I never knew I had such cute feet. Now, I need a pedicure for them.


I'm just a big ball of nerves!

Oct 09, 2007

Ok, it's officially eight days before surgery. Seven days until I do the bowel prep, the hibiclens showers, the nexium and the antibiotic. 

I'm terrified of gaining any weight, so I've voluntarily gone on a liquid diet. Three CBI shakes and a light meal. Usually protein and something with fiber in it. I'm drinking at least 64 oz water a day and have cut out all sodas, caffeine and calorie drinks - aside from the shakes. I've not had any problems with the liquid diet; haven't felt ravenous.

I've been out of work for a week with a bug and the poos. I know I'm going to get written up when I return, but I'm not returning until I've gotten better. I'm so bored! I've done all my laundry, cleaned my house, gone through my papers, reread my surgery info and I troll OH for hours. My vitamins are ready and I'll fill all of my surgery prescriptions on Thursday. 

Momster has ordered me two new nightgowns to wear in the hospital. Nothing I have is right, because I sleep in t-shirts. The new gowns are sleeveless, v-neck and come down to my calves. While they're the same gown, one is black/white floral and one is heather gray. They'll look great with my robe.

Right now I'm a nervous wreck and want several vodka tonics and a pack of cigarettes and/or a bag of oreos. Instead, I bought some SF chocolate pudding and ate one.

I'm worried about money, worried about having everything ready, worried I'll be postponed on the day of my surgery because I gained weight or some test doesn't come back right.

I'm excited about starting a new journey, a new life, an improved me. Assuredly, this is the toughest journey I'm ever going to take, but I'm looking forward to the ride.

In a year, I'll look back on this and wonder why I was so worried. That gives me some peace.

Foods High in Protein

Oct 09, 2007

*This was posted on the RNY board. I'm copying it here for future reference.

Shortcut: An ounce of meat or fish has approximately 7 grams of protein.

Beef

  • Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein
  • Steak, 6 oz – 42 grams
  • Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of protein per ounce

Chicken

  • Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
  • Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size)
  • Drumstick – 11 grams
  • Wing – 6 grams
  • Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams

Fish

  • Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce
  • Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein

Pork

  • Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein
  • Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams
  • Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams
  • Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams
  • Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams
  • Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams

Eggs and Dairy

  • Egg, large - 6 grams protein
  • Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams
  • Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams
  • Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label
  • Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz
  • Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz
  • Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz

Beans (including soy)

  • Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein
  • Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams
  • Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams
  • Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans
  • Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein
  • Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams

Nuts and Seeds

  • Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein
  • Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
  • Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams
  • Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams
  • Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams
  • Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams
  • Pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 19 grams
  • Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

Good luck!!  Of course, still read your labels!


Update

Oct 08, 2007

Ok, it's 10 days until my surgery. I'm a jumble of adrenaline and have a hard time sleeping. I just feel so excited all the time and that there's so much for me to do. 

I've been sick for the last week and out of work with the flu. Last Friday, I started on a liquid diet so I don't gain any weight pre-op, so I've had zero energy and a bad case of the poos.

At work, absences are a write-up, wether I'm out a day or a week. I can't afford to go out again before surgery (can't afford another write-up) so I'm going to take as much time as necessary to get a handle on the energy and the poos. My paycheck is taking a beating. I'd already planned on it, but not this soon.

Momster is buying me a couple of new gowns to wear in the hospital and at home. I found some cute ones at Old Navy and she's going to order them this week.

I've been shopping for a recliner with Momster, but I'm going to tell her not to bother further. While it would be nice, I think I'll survive without it and I don't want the expense of a recliner. I just didn't want to spend my recovery time lounging on the nice, new, white sofa.

Sis is awesome!

Oct 08, 2007

Hi y'all!

I posted last week that Sis was having serious issues with my surgery. Although I never got to speak to her directly (vastly differing schedules), Momster really helped Sis understand what this meant to me and that I needed her support.

On Friday, Momster came home with a red gift bag. I thought it was something for herself, but she gave it to me and said it was from my sister.

Inside were Sis' favorite size 14 pants and a card. The card said she was really proud of me and that she supported me 100%. Then Momster told me Sis has planned a gift a day until surgery! Wow! I got teary-eyed because Sis hasn't been so sweet to me since we were kids.

So far I've gotten:

10/5 Sis' favorite size 14 jeans
10/6 Sis' favorite large top - sleeveless, blouson neck, salmon color, ties at waist
10/7 $5 Blockbuster gift card - to rent movies while I'm recovering
10/8 A cd music mix she made herself (I really love music) and a pin - the pin is a jigsaw puzzle piece and the card it is on reads:
"Isn't it a wonderful thing that we're all so different?
Each of us has strenghts and skills to share.
And when we link our individual strenghts together, we're invincible.
Can't imagine us without you."

Awww! I love my Sis!

Cy

Dear Fat...

Oct 07, 2007

Jasmine posted this, I copied it from her for inspiration.

Dear Fat,

You and I have had a love-hate relationship for a long time and now it's time to make some big changes.  While I have hated you and what you have done to my body, I know I have made a welcome home for you, and embraced you.  I invited you to to cover my frame, hide my femininity, protect me from unwanted attention, and you did your job very well.  In fact, you were something of a friend, always there when I needed to fade from attention or find a reason for not exercising all of my potential.  You were the visible sign of what I rationalized to be an acceptable addiction, and helped me to smugly assert, that at least I'm not addicted to alcohol, smoking or drugs.

You have been a willing friend, but not a true friend.  Because while my body has been fat, I am realizing that fat is not what defines me.  While I've believed for years that fat is my true identity (after all, others describe me as Fat, not as "Leslie, who is fat") that identity is changing rapidly.  There's a deeper and truer friend inside me who is now addressing you, Fat.

Fat, you're no longer in control.  My deeper, truer friend, has taken an amazing step to put you in your place and your role is diminishing even as I speak.  My deeper, truer friend, myself, is putting you out for good.

When I see you hanging on someone else's body, I will not judge them.  I will understand that they haven't met their truer, deeper friend yet.  I will understand that you are filling a role for the time being and will pray that their eyes will be opened as mine have been, and that they will summon all their courage and effort to finally and completely put their relationship with you in the past. 

Pre-Op -- Done!

Oct 04, 2007

I am home from my pre-op appointments with my surgeon, the hospital and the anesthesiologist! I officially weigh 274 on the doctor's scale, and can't gain a pound between now and my surgery date; per the anesthesiologist's nurse. Unfortunately, I'm going to be on or close to starting my period, along with the perquisite water retention. I'll be calling my surgeon tomorrow to advise them of this. I DON'T want my surgery cancelled because of my period.

Momster came with me to my appointments today, which made me very happy. She got to meet Dr. P and talk to the anesthesiologist. Everyone we spoke to at the hospital had nothing but excellent things to say about Dr. P and Momster was very impressed. She's really feeling better about my decision (but not about the surgery, itself) and is going to really be great support.

This is suddenly feeling so REAL! Two weeks from today, I'm going to have surgery and finally sit my soon-to-be-shrinking tushie on the Losers Bench with a lot of other folks. Wow! To think, everything I've been through to reach this point is just a prelude to the ride I'm about to have.

People who have faced the same challenges and failures with weight, endured the social stigmas associated with obesity, faced the same fears and anxieties I've experienced have successfully overcome their obesity with WLS. I know that I won't fail to succeed with my surgery and reach goal, as long as I follow the rules.

I trust in the skill and expertise of my surgeon and will be a faithful follower of his WLS Way. I've tried things my way and I've not enjoyed the results. It's time for me to shut up, listen and do as I'm told.

20 days 'til surgery

Sep 28, 2007

There are 20 days until I have surgery! I wish it would hurry up and get here so I can be post-op and losing.

I read through the surgeon's information packet again looking for his post-op information. It doesn't go into too much detail about my post-op diet except to give a few basics, which I already knew.

There was some great information about dietary supplements. Here's what the surgeon recommends:

Multivitamin 1x day, for menstruating women get one that includes iron.
Methylcellulose (Citrucel) 1 tsp 2x day in 2-3 oz of any type of fluid
Vitamin E 400 units 3x day for 1 month, then multivitamin should do
Glutamine (aka L-Glutamine) 1-5 grams mixed in yogurt 2-4x day
Fish Oil & Flax Oil Tablets 1-2 pills 1-3 x day, start slow and build up
Zinc/Magnesium 3 pills/men, 2 pills/women, taken on empty stomach 30-60 mins before bed
Bran Tablets 1-2 500mg tablets 1-3 x day, start slow and build up

With that in mind, I purchased my vitamins.

From Vitacost I purchased:
http://www.vitacost.com/Index.html

Country Life Magnesium Zinc 
Doctor's Best Best MSM 1500 (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Jarrow Formulas L-Glutamine -- 1000 mg
NSI Flaxseed/Fish Oil Complex 

I got the Provitamin Isotonix liquid supplements:
http://www.mawebcenters.com/dmg_2/provitaminsolutions.html?gclid=CMW12NXboosCFRBBZQodKH12kw

Isotonix® Calcium Plus 
Isotonix® MultiTech with Iron

I believe liquid vitamins will be the best for my altered digestive system and the associated malabsorption. The Isotonix line is formulated to be the same water pressure as the fluids in the body, so it is even more easily absorbed.

In addition, I plan on continuing my probiotic which continuously reintroduces the good bacteria needed in the digestive tract. I'm currently taking MegaZymes DailyFoods. Unless I have a problem swallowing it post-op, I plan to continue with this brand.

Post-op, my surgeon prescribes:

Esomeprazole (Nexium) one 15mg tablet a day for 6 months
Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 gram (2 tsp) 4x day for a week
Scopolamine patch for nausea
Promethazine (Phenergan) 25-50 mg as needed for nausea
Mylanta or Maalox as needed

Like you always see on the boards, everyone's surgeon and program is different. What I experience may not be what you go through. Stay with your surgeon's program and ask questions of your doctors and your nutritionist.

The Isotonix multi has biotin in the formula. I'm adding Doctor's Best Best MSM 1500 (Methylsulfonylmethane) in order to help with the hair and nails. 

"MSM supports organ and joint function by donating sulfur for maintenance of healthy connective tissue. MSM helps keep skin, hair and nails healthy by donating sulfur for production of keratin, a fibrous protein. Supports joint function."

Weeeee...... Not!

Sep 21, 2007

Ok, now that I'm approved, I can't think straight. I feel like I'm in line waiting for a scary roller coaster ride. You hear the screams of the people riding ahead of you and you see most of the people who have already ridden smiling and talking about what a great ride it was and how they'd go again. You see the occasional person who is sick from the ride, lost their change or toy. For the most part, everyone has had a good experience and you can't wait to have your turn. Oh yah, THAT kind of anticipation, y'all.

I'm being bad with my food, water and a bunch of other stuff that I don't want to say here. I'm very cheerful and outgoing, but I'm also very scatterbrained and unfocused.

Tomorrow is another day and I get to start anew, so that's what I'll do.

I am being very good with my vitamins. I've not missed a day and am really seeing results. My vitamin D is low, so I've doubled my calcium/vitamin D supplement to try to increase it and I've been trying to get a little more sunlight. We nightwalkers tend to avoid the sun, so it's definitely a push against my inner nature.

I've got so much to do before surgery and I feel so scattered and disorganized. Just when I need to focus on something for me, I've got external demands for my time coming up. It'll be a juggle, but I think I can manage.

I want to organize all the protein samples I have amassed and put all of my WLS stuff together in one place for easy reference. Right now, a lot of things are on loan to mom or sis. I really want everything here for me to go through a hundred more times before 10/18/07.

I want my room clean and organized, all my laundry done and just do a thorough fall cleaning before D-Day. That way, I can come home to a nice clean room and no stress that I need to deal with anything.

I considered renting a recliner, but that's just not going to be in the budget. I think I can do with the bed and the furniture I have. This shouldn't be worse than my c-section, and I didn't have a recliner then.

I'm getting some pretty salad plates to eat from and found some REAL child-sized silverware from Oneida. It costs $20 per setting, but I think two sets would be worth the investment. I can keep one set in my purse for my lunches and going out to eat, the other set at home and wash it after each use.

I'm also getting some disposable 2 oz ramekins with lids for my initial post-op foods. Makes it easy to measure, store and haul. They're pretty inexpensive and I think I'll only need one sleeve of each. By then, I should be on solid food and eating from a plate.

Mom bought me a new robe back in January, which I hardly wear so it's like new, but I would like a new gown and slippers for the hospital. Nothing fancy, just something new and pretty.

I plan on going through the pantry, fridge and cabinets with Mom at some point to get rid of all the trigger and junk foods. She's taking my surgery as initiative to start eating healthier herself. Yay, Mom!

I need to go through all of my WLS recipes and organize them. That should be a fun task while I'm between sipping and walking post-op. Making a database will appease my inner OCD. Who knows, it could turn into a new WLS cookbook! Hmm... *gears begin turning*

Ok, enough of my late-night ramblings for now...

About Me
Charlotte, NC
Location
28.0
BMI
Surgery
10/18/2007
Surgery Date
Jun 18, 2006
Member Since

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