Tara W.

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Well Here we are!!  Just over 4 months out from surgery.  It's been and very easy and natural transition for me, which I am very thankful for.  I think a lot of it was Red Deer clinic and the things they made us do in prep for surgery and our 10% weight loss.   As of today I'm down 110lbs from my start weight!  down to 205!  size 14-16 pants, and Large shirt.   I can do back to back spin classes without wanting to die hahahaha.  I have taken up running and am doing intervals of 6 mins run 2 mins walk.  It's really been a new lease on life.  

Well I finally got my VSG surgery on July 16th with Dr.Menezes at the Red Deer Hospital.   Everything went according to plan.  

     The day of surgery I went to the hospital with my husband and checked into the pre op unit.  I was given a gown and some heated wipes,  I had to follow the instruction on the sheet they gave me about how to wipe down my entire body with the wipes.  They are to help reduce the spread of MSRA and other nasties that live in hospitals.   Then I put on my gown which was very cool.  it was call Bair Paws, made by 3M.  it's a paper gown that has a plastic lining in it like a vacuum bag, they plug in a hose that blows warm air into it which keeps you nice and toasty and helps maintain your body temp during surgery, since it's pretty cold in the OR.  They brought me down to the OR waiting room and plugged me in to warm me up, super nice.   then they wheeled me into the OR and I climbed onto the table and before I knew it I was out (Also they had U2 playing in the background which made me super happy, it was pretty noisy so I couldn't make out what song it was.)

     Waking up in my Room was the next thing I remember, my nurse seemed to just be there and stayed with me the whole time, I was in a fair amount of pain since, well you know, I'd just been jabbed full of holes and pumped full of gas, and had the bulk of my stomach yanked out through a tiny hole in my belly.   The nurse had to go and get my meds, and then I was more comfortable.  after sleeping on and off for a few hours I remembered what my support group ladies said, Walk, walk, walk to help move the gas.  So that's what I did.  I got up and started walking about 4 hours after I woke up,  not for long times but man did it feel better to be walking.  The only down side is they used these crazy air filled compression leggings that massaged the muscles in your legs to help prevent blood clots, Which are great but every time you want to get up to walk or pee, you've got to page a nurse to unplug you and then plug you back in after.  That's a bit of a hassle.  the bed they have there is also filled with air to help reduce pressure points and blood clots.  which didn't help with my Nausea, it was like a water bed.  also it was all very noisy, air whooshing sounds.  for the most part I walked a bit and slept that day.

  Day 2 The surgeon came in early to tell me that everything had gone super well and they didn't think there was going to be any problems with my recovery.  the Next step was going to be an X-ray leak test and then I would be approved for liquids.   They came a little later to take me down for the X-ray.   This was the worse part, they gave me a barium drink, which I promptly barfed up, which meant I had to drink more.... so awful, the X-ray machine moved around all over them laid me down and moved some more.   After that it was back to my room for more walking and resting.  around 3 my surgeon came back and said everything was great with the leak test and that I was cleared for fluids.  I was brought ice water and apple juice, and they both kind of hurt to drink.  not the best.  they brought some jello which went down easier.   pain was much better only had to take morphine once.  My husband, Mom, and Little girl came to visit me a few times which was nice.

  Day 3 Discharged!  Doctor came and said all was good and they were going to send me home.  So we drove home, and my husband picked up my meds, and here I have stayed since.  Drinking as much as I can and keeping on top of my meds.  so far so good.   The plus side is I haven't really been hungry at all.  and that's a win because some people don't get the big dip in grehlin.

Well I finally got the call.   My nurse Colleen called me last Friday.  I was super excited to get the call, thinking.. OMG this is it!!!   She was super cool, "oh hi this is Colleen, I just wanted to confirm your up coming appointments at the clinic since there's been a bit of confusion with them"  And I was super bummed.. "yup, this on that date, and this on that date, and another class here, yup"   then she totally pulled an Oprah on me! "good, good just wanted to check you had all those ... BECAUSE I HAVE A SURGERY DATE FOR YOU!"  hahahaha   it totally felt like I was getting a free car.  So awesome!  It must be the best part of their job to call and give the goof news after limping us along through the process for so long.   So I guess I'm on official count down,  it all feels very surreal at this moment.  July 16th is so much closer then I thought when I took it.  it was May 30th so I was like well that's 3 months away, until my husband told me it was actually more like 6 weeks..... WOW.... 1.5 months, that's so ... SOON hahaha after waiting for months and jumping through their hoops it feels so soon.  crazy. 

Well I had my mental heath assessment this week.  I went very good.  I'm not crazy ;)  I don't seem to have any eating disorders other than food is yummy.   She cleared me from any more visits with them, unless I decide I need them.  So another hurdle cleared...  moving this train forward!!  In other news I've dropped 50lbs since last spring and since my first nurse appointment in november I'm down 35 inchs total.   LET'S GET"ER DONE

Got a call this week for my gastroscope, April 24th!   wowzers things are really moving along now!  I've got my mental health appointment booked for march 2nd, a nurse appointment april 8th, a mental health class may 5th, and a sleeve class june 8th.  There's a good chance some of those are going to have to be bumped up because they're guessing it will be a may or june surgery

My surgeon appointment did not disappoint!   Dr.Menezes was very nice and went through everything with me.  After a quick exam and weigh in he was super impressed that I'd lost my 10% already.  He said I was ready to be booked for surgery.  So not only was it a yes, it was a yes and lets not waste anymore time!  Surgery date to come with a few more hoops to go through, like scope, and mental health but I really don't see any problems with those..... 3 months and counting-ish ;)

Well I went in today to see the dietitian,  she's super happy with me. I'm down 11lbs since my last appointment so that's awesome. She told me that they had just got their appointment block for surgeon meeting and wanted to make sure mine got booked today before I left.  They all seem to be 110% on board with me getting this done.  Which is awesome!   So I've got my nurse appointment in January and I see the surgeon February 3rd!  Then a mental health appointment in March.  I'm super stoked!! The dietitian gave me some better guidelines to follow.  So now I'm gonna dial it in ;)

Well I had my initial appointment at the clinic today!   It was an excellent experience, the Nurse who I was dealing with was great and was soooo understanding.   It was really a mind blowing experience to sit across from a medical professional and have them say "this is not your fault".  normally I go into appointments feeling like my back is against a wall and trying to think of how I can explain how hard I've worked to lose the weight.   And after we finished our conversation and she had heard all my stories she said again  "I don't know if I can get you to actually believe me, But this isn't your fault, and we are going to help you".  After we got through all my history and what have you, we talked about what I want and she agreed 100% that I should get the sleeve and that it would be a great choice for me.  She recommended that I should see a surgeon next. I was booked in to see a dietician next month and another nurse follow up for january and they are going to call me with my surgeon appointment time.   This is really happening!!  I can't believe it! 

Well tomorrow is my First Nurse appointment at the Red Deer clinic!  I'm really excited and anxious about it.  I've been having a lot of dreams about it.  All very far fetched haha.  I'm looking forward to finally getting in and starting everything.  I've been tracking my food for the last month so I'm ready to see what they have to day!  Wish me luck!  

Well today was orientation day at the clinic for me!   They went over all the different stuff they do there.  I've done a lot of research so there wasn't anything hugely surprising, but it was super nice to get the ball going on this and get a little idea of time frame.   I've already been doing the online modules for the study I'm working with.  So I've been working on those, having a few food funerals too haha.  I'm going to start with my fitness pal tomorrow and start tracking so I'm a step ahead for my first nurse appointment next month!   this is starting to get real!! Soooo Exciting!!!