enaebmik
6 month update
May 14, 2010
I can't believe that it's been 6 months already. Life is just flying by. My weight loss is wonderful. My scales read 157 this morning! I haven't been in the 150's since I was in my 20's. I have so much energy. I am no longer exhausted after coming home from working 10 hour days. I still have energy to enjoy the evening.
I haven't started shopping at stores yet, so far have been buying everything at the salvation army. I have been quite lucky with my finds. I am going to wait until I get to my goal weight of 140 and then make sure I stay there before I start investing in clothes at real stores....but boy, shopping is really fun, even at the salvation army. I will pick up something that I think is cute, then think, "that won't fit me" then put it back. I take clothes into the dressing room that are to big and then have to go back and get the things that I couldn't imagine would fit me....it is a wonderful feeling.
As far as food goes, there is nothing that i can not eat. If I eat carbs, I do get gassy, but that is easily controlled by me. I struggle getting my protein in, but most days I am pretty close to my goal. I have tried several types of protein shapes, but so far haven't found one that I can tolerate enough to drink. I do eat atkins protein bars on the days when my protein intake is a little low. They are alright.
It is weird to feel your body and feel how close the bones are to the surface.........it has been so long since I could feel my bones, it is hard to explain. Then all of a sudden they are there.....amazing. I have started exercising with a little help from my son. Hopefully, I will see the benefits of this within a few months.
I have absolutely NO REGRETS about having this surgery. It is the best decision I have ever made for MY life! Comparing my life before and after....well, there is no comparison. LIFE is GREAT!
0 comments
I haven't started shopping at stores yet, so far have been buying everything at the salvation army. I have been quite lucky with my finds. I am going to wait until I get to my goal weight of 140 and then make sure I stay there before I start investing in clothes at real stores....but boy, shopping is really fun, even at the salvation army. I will pick up something that I think is cute, then think, "that won't fit me" then put it back. I take clothes into the dressing room that are to big and then have to go back and get the things that I couldn't imagine would fit me....it is a wonderful feeling.
As far as food goes, there is nothing that i can not eat. If I eat carbs, I do get gassy, but that is easily controlled by me. I struggle getting my protein in, but most days I am pretty close to my goal. I have tried several types of protein shapes, but so far haven't found one that I can tolerate enough to drink. I do eat atkins protein bars on the days when my protein intake is a little low. They are alright.
It is weird to feel your body and feel how close the bones are to the surface.........it has been so long since I could feel my bones, it is hard to explain. Then all of a sudden they are there.....amazing. I have started exercising with a little help from my son. Hopefully, I will see the benefits of this within a few months.
I have absolutely NO REGRETS about having this surgery. It is the best decision I have ever made for MY life! Comparing my life before and after....well, there is no comparison. LIFE is GREAT!
2 month Update....
Jan 08, 2010
Once again, this is a private email that I sent to another Ds'er here on OH. I decided to post it here as it really is a good overview of what is going on with me at 2 months post op!
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As for me, I am doing WONDERFULLY! I feel like my old self again, only better. My toughest time was week 3-5. I simply wasn't drinking enough and felt horrible. (so please, even when you think you can't possibly have one more drink, take 2 more sips!)
I am happy to say that is all behind me! I can eat almost anything. Beef and chicken seems "heavy" in my stomach yet, but it is getting better. I struggle to get my protein in, and when I can force myself, I do drink a protein drink, but I HATE them, so I don't drink them as often as I should. I am doing fine now on drinking water. No more sips, just regular glups! As I am typing I am eating fried chicken strips and they are good. I just peel most of the breading off and then dip them in ranch dressing. I do not feel deprived of food at all. I have even went to the movies and enjoyed popcorn. I eat alot of cheese, sandwhich meat, eggs and bacon, pepperoni, pickled eggs, hamburger, celery with peanut butter, meatballs, shrimp (shrimp was very easy for me to eat early on...it sat very well in my stomach and is high in protein, if you haven't tried it yet-give it a try!). Over the holidays I enjoyed cheesecake on a couple of occasions. This morning I ate 1/3 of a sausage and egg biscuit from McDonalds. I can eat just about anything I want, I just try to always have protein first.
No more drpession at all! If anything just the opposite. I have lost 32 pounds as of this morning. I know that it doesn't sound like much for 2 months out, but I started at 228 and my goal is around 140, so percentage wise, I am doing well. I have so much more energy. My clothes are getting very big and I have things that were uncomfortably tight before that now are very loose.
My bowels are settling into a nice morning pattern now. I did go through some tough constipation for a couple of weeks and I backed 1/2 off my calcium for a few days, but finally have my calcium back up to 4 a day and am handling it fine. I am also able to swallow all of my pills now without a problem. I wondered if that would ever happen, but now, no problem! I swallow 4 at a time and calcium is the only thing I have to swallow one at a time!
I am so grateful that I went through with this surgery. I am happier every day that goes by. In another month or so, you will feel the same way. I just know now that this is going to work! I did have a major stall for almost 3 weeks, but that passed and the weight is once again leaving. (The stall corresponded to my constipation...don't know for sure that they were related, but it sure felt like it!)
I have paid with pain a few times when I tried to add Diet Pepsi back into my life! (I know I shouldn't, and I'm not drinking it again for a while!). It felt like my stomach was being blown up like a balloon and that it was going to burst. Horrible, horrible pain. It took about 30 minutes before the pain passed. But like a dummy, I waited a week and then tried it again. The next time, no pain. So I had another drink a few days later and the same horrible pain returned. I believe that I have finally learned my lesson and I am going to stick to water for a few months before I try another soda. (I am a diet pepsi addict!)
Take care and take another drink!
0 comments
************************************************************************************************************************************
As for me, I am doing WONDERFULLY! I feel like my old self again, only better. My toughest time was week 3-5. I simply wasn't drinking enough and felt horrible. (so please, even when you think you can't possibly have one more drink, take 2 more sips!)
I am happy to say that is all behind me! I can eat almost anything. Beef and chicken seems "heavy" in my stomach yet, but it is getting better. I struggle to get my protein in, and when I can force myself, I do drink a protein drink, but I HATE them, so I don't drink them as often as I should. I am doing fine now on drinking water. No more sips, just regular glups! As I am typing I am eating fried chicken strips and they are good. I just peel most of the breading off and then dip them in ranch dressing. I do not feel deprived of food at all. I have even went to the movies and enjoyed popcorn. I eat alot of cheese, sandwhich meat, eggs and bacon, pepperoni, pickled eggs, hamburger, celery with peanut butter, meatballs, shrimp (shrimp was very easy for me to eat early on...it sat very well in my stomach and is high in protein, if you haven't tried it yet-give it a try!). Over the holidays I enjoyed cheesecake on a couple of occasions. This morning I ate 1/3 of a sausage and egg biscuit from McDonalds. I can eat just about anything I want, I just try to always have protein first.
No more drpession at all! If anything just the opposite. I have lost 32 pounds as of this morning. I know that it doesn't sound like much for 2 months out, but I started at 228 and my goal is around 140, so percentage wise, I am doing well. I have so much more energy. My clothes are getting very big and I have things that were uncomfortably tight before that now are very loose.
My bowels are settling into a nice morning pattern now. I did go through some tough constipation for a couple of weeks and I backed 1/2 off my calcium for a few days, but finally have my calcium back up to 4 a day and am handling it fine. I am also able to swallow all of my pills now without a problem. I wondered if that would ever happen, but now, no problem! I swallow 4 at a time and calcium is the only thing I have to swallow one at a time!
I am so grateful that I went through with this surgery. I am happier every day that goes by. In another month or so, you will feel the same way. I just know now that this is going to work! I did have a major stall for almost 3 weeks, but that passed and the weight is once again leaving. (The stall corresponded to my constipation...don't know for sure that they were related, but it sure felt like it!)
I have paid with pain a few times when I tried to add Diet Pepsi back into my life! (I know I shouldn't, and I'm not drinking it again for a while!). It felt like my stomach was being blown up like a balloon and that it was going to burst. Horrible, horrible pain. It took about 30 minutes before the pain passed. But like a dummy, I waited a week and then tried it again. The next time, no pain. So I had another drink a few days later and the same horrible pain returned. I believe that I have finally learned my lesson and I am going to stick to water for a few months before I try another soda. (I am a diet pepsi addict!)
Take care and take another drink!
Post-Op Report
Nov 16, 2009
This message was originally sent to another OH member. I decided that perhaps more people could benefit from reading it. At the time this was written, I was about 5 days post-op from an OPEN DS with gallbladder removal.
I had my "pre-op" meeting the week before my surgery. It was kinda nice in that most of the people at the meeting were also scheduled for surgery the same week and one woman was having it the same day. Of course, I was the only switch in the group, the rest were bypass patients. The woman who led the group, a nurse named Linda was a little goofy, but like-able enough. I think she was just trying to make us feel comfortable. At this meeting she gave us our incentive spirometers and had us practice using them. We were told to bring them to the hospital with us. I think the best part about meeting Linda is that she had a switch about 7 years ago (don't quote me on the date...but it seems right). In general she just reviewed what to expect on our surgery date and the next few days to come. The meeting was worthwhile.
The night before surgery was HORRIBLE. We are required to take 2 different antibiotics 3 times a day the day before surgery-this was a piece of cake. Unfortunately, we are also required to drink Halfgolytely. You start by taking a couple of laxatives and then at 6pm, you have to start drinking this SHIT. I am not exaggerating to say that I was gagging as I was trying to swallow. I had mixed it up in the morning, kept in in the refrigerator so it would be good and cold, I flavored it with the flavoring packet that comes with it-but it didn't matter, it was horrible. We are supposed to drink the whole half-gallon jug. I was NOT able to do so. I actually only drank 1/2 of it then quit. I knew from the olden days of my nursing career that we really only needed the water to run really clear out of your rectum-then it was good enough. I hoped that was still true, but even if it wasn't, I dont' think I could have done it. I gagged and puked the same time pure water was screaming out my butt. My butt burned so bad it made me cry and whine like a baby. Towards the end I was laying naked on the bathroom floor crying and finally said, "screw it" I am done. Luckily, it only took about an hour from my last dose before the effects ended and I was able to go to bed.
I didn't tell anyone that I didn't drink it all. I knew that there couldn't possibly be anything else in me. I was told that I was the first case of the day and to arrive at 7am. We (my husband and I) arrived about 6:45 and they took me right into the ambulatory surgery unit. We start out there and then go to the surgical floor following the recovery room. The ambulatory surgery staff was very pleasant and good at getting everything done quickly. Dr. Hill came down to see me one more time to ask if we had any questions. Before I even had time to think about it, as soon as all of the questions were answered, they were giving me a "little something" in my IV. I remember feeling a little weird on the way up to the OR and then my memory stops. My husband was given a beeper and told to go to the lobby to wait. Dr. Hill said he would have him beeped as soon as I was out of surgery and he would give him an update. My husband said that it happened just the way they told him it would. I was in surgery for 2 hours and then in recovery for 1 1/2 hour. I don't remember anything about the recovery room at all. (by the way, he does take the gallbladder out at the same time-he said since he is doing it open, it doesn't take long, but that will change when he does them lap)
My first memory is awaking in my PRIVATE ROOM-(thank goodness) with my husband sitting in the room and a nurse taking my vital signs. I had a regular IV running, a PCA pump with Morphine, an OnQue pump that was inserted into my wound to help numb the incision area, oxygen on my nose, a catheter in my bladder, a hemavac wound drain and flowtron boots on my legs. I don't remember alot of this day, however, I do remember getting up to walk.
Wednesday was probably my hardest day. The anesthesia has completely worn off and I hurt. Thank god for the PCA pump. I was able to get a dose of morphine every 6 minutes and believe me, there were many times that I tried to get it early. Finally, I realized that I was waiting until I felt pain to push the button and by then it was to late. Once I realized this, I pushed the button every know and then, even if I wasn't huring much and from then on, it was much better. They took the catheter out of my bladder on Wednesday-which was good because it was uncomfortable, but it was also bad because getting out of bed to go to the bathroom was alot of work. I walked the halls like an old lady, but I walked them!
I was given my first clear liquids for diner this night. I was able to consume same spoonfuls of warm liquids-cold I just couldn't do-it hurt!
Thursday my IV and PCA pump came out and I knew that I really needed to start drinking. I tried, I really tried, but every time I swallowed, I had a waves of pain. It was almost like I could feel it going down my stomach and my stomach contracting. I asked Dr. Hill about it and he said that unfortunately some people experience stomach spasms due to the trauma to your stomach. He assured me that it wouldn't last more than another day or two. Thursday I was allowed to shower and this felt wonderful. The nurse removed my OnQue pump right before my shower. it didn't hurt at all.
This was the day that my diet was supposed to advance to stage 3. I was excited to think perhaps some soup wouldn't hurt my stomach. Imagine my surprise when the same exact things arrived for a stage three diet (beef or chicken broth, tea and crystal light-I gagged just looking at it). The only difference is they added some type of protein drink. I couldn't drink this-it made me sick.
By Friday morning, I still wasn't able to drink much of anything. I kept trying, but it was a real effort. The only thing that hurt was having my hemovac removed by Dr. Hill. He told me that it wouldn't hurt, that I would feel a weird kind of pressure-I believed him and therefore didn't brace myself for pain. IT HURT and I told him so. He apologized and said it usually doesn't..
The only complication I had post operatively was low oxygen levels. I had to wear oxygen right up until Thursday afternoon, but after that I was good. I never did fart while in the hospital and I was kind of worried about that, Dr. Hill wasn't concerned and told me I would by the next day, and he was right!
The staff were all great! The surgical ward is really nice. The rooms facing the water were wonderful, but I didn't have one of those. My private was room 2229, my view was of a brick wall. The room was great though. The TVs are little LCD flat screens that are on an arm that pulls down from above the head of your bed. This was perfect to put the TV right where you wanted it and then to push it out of the way when you were done. I had a private bathroom. The hallways on the unit are carpeted, so you don't' hear the hallway noise. They do NOT use overhead paging except in an emergency. Even when you push the nurse call button, no buzzer sounds. The nurses always answered quickly and they also checked on me frequently so I rarely had need to push the nurse call button. You certainly don't get much sleep there, they woke me up every 2 hours Tuesday night, but by Wednesday they woke me at 11pm and then around 4am. On Thursday evening, I told them that I refused to be awakened after the 1130 pm set of vital signs. (I was feeling okay and really just needed to sleep). My young nurse was shocked and said, I can't do that, the doctor said I have to do your vitals every 4 hours (she was funny). I said, "yes you can, just write that I refused and then leave me alone". She must have went out to talk to other nurses and when she came back she told me, "I really have to write in your record and if something happens to you, it will be your responsibility". The end result was that I slept all night and it felt good.
When I was discharge on Friday, I was started back on all of my old preop meds along with two new prescriptions, Tylenol with codeine and Prilosec. It was good to get home Friday, but then i quickly realized it was going to be a little tougher on me. When I was in the hospital bed and I wanted to get out of bed, I would raise the head of my bed and then use the bed rails to help pull myself up the rest of the way. This was way harder and more painful at home.
I struggled really hard for the last couple of days getting any fluids in. For some reason, I can't even think about drinking a protein shake. However, today feels like I may have turned a little corner and I was able to sip on water WITHOUT ANY PAIN!. The lack of pain makes a big difference. I have also had a few bites of sugar free jells a couple of times. Today I was able to drink a little bit of tomato soup and it actually tasted good. I am going to have my mother take me to the store tomorrow to buy ice cream. I am going to try a small milkshake with some protein mixed in to see if I can tolerate that.
As strange as it sounds, Friday night I had extreme head hunger. I was feeling like crap and wondering what in the hell have I done to myself. I kept thinking of everything I wanted to eat and it went on and on.......
Today, Sunday has been by far my best day. I only had stomach spasms a few times. I drank the most water to date and I even got outside to walk to the mailbox. This felt good. Today, it wasn't so hard to get out of bed. I think my wound is healing, so I had less pain but most of the credit goes to learning how to roll over onto my side to get out of bed. I have only had to take pain pills once today.
My incision is looking great. We are held together with glue, no staples or stitches. Dr. Hill said I could keep a dressing on it if I wanted, or I could leave it open to air-he didn't care. I have kept it covered until this afternoon and then I left the dressing off. I am looking forward to getting out of the house tomorrow.
I am pretty pooped, so going to head to bed. Please forgive any typos as I can't really see what I am typing very well. My glasses were downstairs and i just didn't have the energy to go get them.
Take care,
Kim
0 comments
I had my "pre-op" meeting the week before my surgery. It was kinda nice in that most of the people at the meeting were also scheduled for surgery the same week and one woman was having it the same day. Of course, I was the only switch in the group, the rest were bypass patients. The woman who led the group, a nurse named Linda was a little goofy, but like-able enough. I think she was just trying to make us feel comfortable. At this meeting she gave us our incentive spirometers and had us practice using them. We were told to bring them to the hospital with us. I think the best part about meeting Linda is that she had a switch about 7 years ago (don't quote me on the date...but it seems right). In general she just reviewed what to expect on our surgery date and the next few days to come. The meeting was worthwhile.
The night before surgery was HORRIBLE. We are required to take 2 different antibiotics 3 times a day the day before surgery-this was a piece of cake. Unfortunately, we are also required to drink Halfgolytely. You start by taking a couple of laxatives and then at 6pm, you have to start drinking this SHIT. I am not exaggerating to say that I was gagging as I was trying to swallow. I had mixed it up in the morning, kept in in the refrigerator so it would be good and cold, I flavored it with the flavoring packet that comes with it-but it didn't matter, it was horrible. We are supposed to drink the whole half-gallon jug. I was NOT able to do so. I actually only drank 1/2 of it then quit. I knew from the olden days of my nursing career that we really only needed the water to run really clear out of your rectum-then it was good enough. I hoped that was still true, but even if it wasn't, I dont' think I could have done it. I gagged and puked the same time pure water was screaming out my butt. My butt burned so bad it made me cry and whine like a baby. Towards the end I was laying naked on the bathroom floor crying and finally said, "screw it" I am done. Luckily, it only took about an hour from my last dose before the effects ended and I was able to go to bed.
I didn't tell anyone that I didn't drink it all. I knew that there couldn't possibly be anything else in me. I was told that I was the first case of the day and to arrive at 7am. We (my husband and I) arrived about 6:45 and they took me right into the ambulatory surgery unit. We start out there and then go to the surgical floor following the recovery room. The ambulatory surgery staff was very pleasant and good at getting everything done quickly. Dr. Hill came down to see me one more time to ask if we had any questions. Before I even had time to think about it, as soon as all of the questions were answered, they were giving me a "little something" in my IV. I remember feeling a little weird on the way up to the OR and then my memory stops. My husband was given a beeper and told to go to the lobby to wait. Dr. Hill said he would have him beeped as soon as I was out of surgery and he would give him an update. My husband said that it happened just the way they told him it would. I was in surgery for 2 hours and then in recovery for 1 1/2 hour. I don't remember anything about the recovery room at all. (by the way, he does take the gallbladder out at the same time-he said since he is doing it open, it doesn't take long, but that will change when he does them lap)
My first memory is awaking in my PRIVATE ROOM-(thank goodness) with my husband sitting in the room and a nurse taking my vital signs. I had a regular IV running, a PCA pump with Morphine, an OnQue pump that was inserted into my wound to help numb the incision area, oxygen on my nose, a catheter in my bladder, a hemavac wound drain and flowtron boots on my legs. I don't remember alot of this day, however, I do remember getting up to walk.
Wednesday was probably my hardest day. The anesthesia has completely worn off and I hurt. Thank god for the PCA pump. I was able to get a dose of morphine every 6 minutes and believe me, there were many times that I tried to get it early. Finally, I realized that I was waiting until I felt pain to push the button and by then it was to late. Once I realized this, I pushed the button every know and then, even if I wasn't huring much and from then on, it was much better. They took the catheter out of my bladder on Wednesday-which was good because it was uncomfortable, but it was also bad because getting out of bed to go to the bathroom was alot of work. I walked the halls like an old lady, but I walked them!
I was given my first clear liquids for diner this night. I was able to consume same spoonfuls of warm liquids-cold I just couldn't do-it hurt!
Thursday my IV and PCA pump came out and I knew that I really needed to start drinking. I tried, I really tried, but every time I swallowed, I had a waves of pain. It was almost like I could feel it going down my stomach and my stomach contracting. I asked Dr. Hill about it and he said that unfortunately some people experience stomach spasms due to the trauma to your stomach. He assured me that it wouldn't last more than another day or two. Thursday I was allowed to shower and this felt wonderful. The nurse removed my OnQue pump right before my shower. it didn't hurt at all.
This was the day that my diet was supposed to advance to stage 3. I was excited to think perhaps some soup wouldn't hurt my stomach. Imagine my surprise when the same exact things arrived for a stage three diet (beef or chicken broth, tea and crystal light-I gagged just looking at it). The only difference is they added some type of protein drink. I couldn't drink this-it made me sick.
By Friday morning, I still wasn't able to drink much of anything. I kept trying, but it was a real effort. The only thing that hurt was having my hemovac removed by Dr. Hill. He told me that it wouldn't hurt, that I would feel a weird kind of pressure-I believed him and therefore didn't brace myself for pain. IT HURT and I told him so. He apologized and said it usually doesn't..
The only complication I had post operatively was low oxygen levels. I had to wear oxygen right up until Thursday afternoon, but after that I was good. I never did fart while in the hospital and I was kind of worried about that, Dr. Hill wasn't concerned and told me I would by the next day, and he was right!
The staff were all great! The surgical ward is really nice. The rooms facing the water were wonderful, but I didn't have one of those. My private was room 2229, my view was of a brick wall. The room was great though. The TVs are little LCD flat screens that are on an arm that pulls down from above the head of your bed. This was perfect to put the TV right where you wanted it and then to push it out of the way when you were done. I had a private bathroom. The hallways on the unit are carpeted, so you don't' hear the hallway noise. They do NOT use overhead paging except in an emergency. Even when you push the nurse call button, no buzzer sounds. The nurses always answered quickly and they also checked on me frequently so I rarely had need to push the nurse call button. You certainly don't get much sleep there, they woke me up every 2 hours Tuesday night, but by Wednesday they woke me at 11pm and then around 4am. On Thursday evening, I told them that I refused to be awakened after the 1130 pm set of vital signs. (I was feeling okay and really just needed to sleep). My young nurse was shocked and said, I can't do that, the doctor said I have to do your vitals every 4 hours (she was funny). I said, "yes you can, just write that I refused and then leave me alone". She must have went out to talk to other nurses and when she came back she told me, "I really have to write in your record and if something happens to you, it will be your responsibility". The end result was that I slept all night and it felt good.
When I was discharge on Friday, I was started back on all of my old preop meds along with two new prescriptions, Tylenol with codeine and Prilosec. It was good to get home Friday, but then i quickly realized it was going to be a little tougher on me. When I was in the hospital bed and I wanted to get out of bed, I would raise the head of my bed and then use the bed rails to help pull myself up the rest of the way. This was way harder and more painful at home.
I struggled really hard for the last couple of days getting any fluids in. For some reason, I can't even think about drinking a protein shake. However, today feels like I may have turned a little corner and I was able to sip on water WITHOUT ANY PAIN!. The lack of pain makes a big difference. I have also had a few bites of sugar free jells a couple of times. Today I was able to drink a little bit of tomato soup and it actually tasted good. I am going to have my mother take me to the store tomorrow to buy ice cream. I am going to try a small milkshake with some protein mixed in to see if I can tolerate that.
As strange as it sounds, Friday night I had extreme head hunger. I was feeling like crap and wondering what in the hell have I done to myself. I kept thinking of everything I wanted to eat and it went on and on.......
Today, Sunday has been by far my best day. I only had stomach spasms a few times. I drank the most water to date and I even got outside to walk to the mailbox. This felt good. Today, it wasn't so hard to get out of bed. I think my wound is healing, so I had less pain but most of the credit goes to learning how to roll over onto my side to get out of bed. I have only had to take pain pills once today.
My incision is looking great. We are held together with glue, no staples or stitches. Dr. Hill said I could keep a dressing on it if I wanted, or I could leave it open to air-he didn't care. I have kept it covered until this afternoon and then I left the dressing off. I am looking forward to getting out of the house tomorrow.
I am pretty pooped, so going to head to bed. Please forgive any typos as I can't really see what I am typing very well. My glasses were downstairs and i just didn't have the energy to go get them.
Take care,
Kim
