Ms Understood
Perceptions change
Jul 07, 2009
Wow, I thought I was just feeling paranoid lately at work. I have read how you are seen differently after weight loss, and have been experiencing it. At work (Sbux) at least I only noticed w/ the customers, the men have become even nicer, too nice in some circumstances, the women, not as nice as they were, for the most part.
As for my co-workers, I (stupidly) assumed everything was ok. It was just little things that seemed off though, my boss constantly commenting on my weight loss, talking about her need to lose weight, what she is eating, how it's once a day etc. All of a sudden, I go from being a competent barista to being seen as a crappy one. This perception changed as the weight came off. I have worked for Sbux for 1.5 years now. I was one of the biggest girls pre-op at my store. The only thing REALY that has changed has been my weight, and I am more confident now, I feel I am better at what I do than I used to be. But everything I do now gets picked apart. I stayed with the company because I didn't want to just get the surgery and run, I liked being there, but now, the work environment has become somewhat hostile. I noticed it's from the women who I have become smaller than, the ones thinner than me are not the ones picking me apart.
I have worked at some other stores and made friends with the people there who never knew me as fat. One of the girls from the other store worked at mine yesterday, I guess two of my co-workers started in about me to her. She jumped their case and said she already knew me and liked me. They were really nicer than normal to me last night.
So I guess that's my sign, I need to leave, this job served it's purpose, and I need to move on.
2 comments
As for my co-workers, I (stupidly) assumed everything was ok. It was just little things that seemed off though, my boss constantly commenting on my weight loss, talking about her need to lose weight, what she is eating, how it's once a day etc. All of a sudden, I go from being a competent barista to being seen as a crappy one. This perception changed as the weight came off. I have worked for Sbux for 1.5 years now. I was one of the biggest girls pre-op at my store. The only thing REALY that has changed has been my weight, and I am more confident now, I feel I am better at what I do than I used to be. But everything I do now gets picked apart. I stayed with the company because I didn't want to just get the surgery and run, I liked being there, but now, the work environment has become somewhat hostile. I noticed it's from the women who I have become smaller than, the ones thinner than me are not the ones picking me apart.
I have worked at some other stores and made friends with the people there who never knew me as fat. One of the girls from the other store worked at mine yesterday, I guess two of my co-workers started in about me to her. She jumped their case and said she already knew me and liked me. They were really nicer than normal to me last night.
So I guess that's my sign, I need to leave, this job served it's purpose, and I need to move on.
6 month post op measurement comparison
Mar 26, 2009
Preop 3 months 6 months
287lbs 47% bodyfat 232lbs 40% bodyfat 190lbs 35% bodyfat
Neck 16 14 12.75
underarm (torso) 42 37 34
across the bust point 47 43.5 37
across the sternum/bra strap 39 35 32.5
2 " above waist 41 35 28.5
waist 41.5 37 31.5
Abdomen (across the broadest
part of the apron) 49 39.5 35
Under the apron 50 ----- ----
Hips 54 47 43.5
Left Upper Arm 16 13.5 12
Left Forearm 12 10.5 9.75
Left Wrist 7 6.5 6
Right Upper Arm 15.5 13 12
Right Forearm 12 10.5 9.75
Right Wrist 7 6.5 6
Left Thigh 30 25.5 23.5
Left Knee 17.5 15 14
Left Calf 19.5 17.5 16.5
Left Ankle 9.75 9.25 9
Right Thigh 30 26 23.5
Right Knee 17 15 14
Right Calf 19.5 16.5 16.5
Right Ankle 9.5 9.25 9
Torso
(From one shoulder, across the breast & belly,
between the legs and up the
backside to form a loop) 77 --- 66
1 comment
287lbs 47% bodyfat 232lbs 40% bodyfat 190lbs 35% bodyfat
Neck 16 14 12.75
underarm (torso) 42 37 34
across the bust point 47 43.5 37
across the sternum/bra strap 39 35 32.5
2 " above waist 41 35 28.5
waist 41.5 37 31.5
Abdomen (across the broadest
part of the apron) 49 39.5 35
Under the apron 50 ----- ----
Hips 54 47 43.5
Left Upper Arm 16 13.5 12
Left Forearm 12 10.5 9.75
Left Wrist 7 6.5 6
Right Upper Arm 15.5 13 12
Right Forearm 12 10.5 9.75
Right Wrist 7 6.5 6
Left Thigh 30 25.5 23.5
Left Knee 17.5 15 14
Left Calf 19.5 17.5 16.5
Left Ankle 9.75 9.25 9
Right Thigh 30 26 23.5
Right Knee 17 15 14
Right Calf 19.5 16.5 16.5
Right Ankle 9.5 9.25 9
Torso
(From one shoulder, across the breast & belly,
between the legs and up the
backside to form a loop) 77 --- 66
4month update..
Jan 26, 2009
I feel so terrible that I have become one of those people who get their surgery and quit updating their blogs. I remember pre-op reading every profile I could, and hoping and dreaming that someday it would be me too.
Well, I had a bit of a rough start at 4 weeks out. I had really bad acid at night and began to not tolerate things well. I never went past the liquid stage. I had bad vomiting every time I tried anything more solid. During that time I wish I was closer to my surgeon, as my problem would have been easily found and fixed. I ended up returning to NY and it was found that I had a stricture where the intestine was reconnected. Super rare, especially with my type of surgery. In some ways, I look at as if I had the RNY, it could have been worse if was was prone to strictures. I stayed in NY for 2 weeks and the dilated it 3 more times. I remember the incredible relief I had the very first time the dilated it. I could drink water and it didn't sit, I didn't have the nausea anymore at all. I went into WLS knowing that something may go wrong, I am so thankful it was an easy fix. Since then it has been easy getting in all of my nutrition and vitamins. It was amazing that at 3 months I could gulp water again, take a handful of vitamins with no problems. The swelling had gone down and the stricture was gone.
As of a few days ago I am now 4 month post op. I am down a total of 109lbs (30lbs lost before surgery). Unbelievable. I cannot believe how instant it feels. I have my old face back when I look in the mirror. Other people see me as I have always seen myself. I don't feel like I have to prove anything to anyone anymore. I am not my weight, that's not what people see when they look at me. It has been incredibly freeing. I am amazed at how fast it happened.
I went horseback riding for the first time in years, I used to love to ride. It just became too uncomfortable to do at at my higher weight. I can sleep on my back without feeling like I am suffocating. I feel feminine again. Oh, and my feet have become smaller, lol. Necklaces fit nicely now too.
I have read about some people having a hard time seeing themselves smaller, this has not yet happened to me. I think I saw myself at the size I am now, even when I weighed over 100lbs more, maybe because it was my average size since I was a teen. I don't know what will happen when I get smaller, and out of my "comfort zone". Other people have a "comfort Zone" for me as well. I think they are ok with my loss as long as it fits into their ideals. Right now everyone for the most part is very positive about my weight loss, but I have noticed there is a size they themselves set for you, if you become smaller than that , I am afraid it may be an issue. But there is nothing I can do but deal with it when it surfaces.
I had my 3 month labs come back. I was disappointed that my iron was low and a few things needed tweaking. I have not missed a day of my vitamins since my stricture was fixed, but I realize that the first two months were hard on me and if I wasn't keeping food down, I most likely was not keeping vitamins down either. So my goal is to eventually have ideal labs. I want to be more healthy than I was before I gained the weight in the first place.
0 comments
Well, I had a bit of a rough start at 4 weeks out. I had really bad acid at night and began to not tolerate things well. I never went past the liquid stage. I had bad vomiting every time I tried anything more solid. During that time I wish I was closer to my surgeon, as my problem would have been easily found and fixed. I ended up returning to NY and it was found that I had a stricture where the intestine was reconnected. Super rare, especially with my type of surgery. In some ways, I look at as if I had the RNY, it could have been worse if was was prone to strictures. I stayed in NY for 2 weeks and the dilated it 3 more times. I remember the incredible relief I had the very first time the dilated it. I could drink water and it didn't sit, I didn't have the nausea anymore at all. I went into WLS knowing that something may go wrong, I am so thankful it was an easy fix. Since then it has been easy getting in all of my nutrition and vitamins. It was amazing that at 3 months I could gulp water again, take a handful of vitamins with no problems. The swelling had gone down and the stricture was gone.
As of a few days ago I am now 4 month post op. I am down a total of 109lbs (30lbs lost before surgery). Unbelievable. I cannot believe how instant it feels. I have my old face back when I look in the mirror. Other people see me as I have always seen myself. I don't feel like I have to prove anything to anyone anymore. I am not my weight, that's not what people see when they look at me. It has been incredibly freeing. I am amazed at how fast it happened.
I went horseback riding for the first time in years, I used to love to ride. It just became too uncomfortable to do at at my higher weight. I can sleep on my back without feeling like I am suffocating. I feel feminine again. Oh, and my feet have become smaller, lol. Necklaces fit nicely now too.
I have read about some people having a hard time seeing themselves smaller, this has not yet happened to me. I think I saw myself at the size I am now, even when I weighed over 100lbs more, maybe because it was my average size since I was a teen. I don't know what will happen when I get smaller, and out of my "comfort zone". Other people have a "comfort Zone" for me as well. I think they are ok with my loss as long as it fits into their ideals. Right now everyone for the most part is very positive about my weight loss, but I have noticed there is a size they themselves set for you, if you become smaller than that , I am afraid it may be an issue. But there is nothing I can do but deal with it when it surfaces.
I had my 3 month labs come back. I was disappointed that my iron was low and a few things needed tweaking. I have not missed a day of my vitamins since my stricture was fixed, but I realize that the first two months were hard on me and if I wasn't keeping food down, I most likely was not keeping vitamins down either. So my goal is to eventually have ideal labs. I want to be more healthy than I was before I gained the weight in the first place.
A beautiful post I wanted to share....
Oct 30, 2008
This really hits home wherever you are on your journey..it was posted by Jamie Ellis on the NY board. I needed to read this today.
LISTEN TO THE LIFE OF THE MORBIDLY OBESE
author unkmown
LISTEN to the embarrassment we encounter in our every day life. The name-calling, stares, rude comments and looks of disgust we endure battling the last acceptable form of discrimination. People we meet that give us a far wider berth than we need when passing us on the street, in the hall…in life. Afraid that somehow our disease of obesity might be contagious.
LISTEN to our apprehension as we expertly eye the chair. Will we break it, or will we fit. Will we ever fit into life, as "normal" people know it?
LISTEN to our agony as we just walk and perform the simple activities of daily living on joints screaming in pain from incredible burden they were never meant to carry.
LISTEN to the pain of our humiliation when ridiculed by a doctor for "allowing" ourselves to get so fat. Realizing even the doctor's office is not a "safe" place, we tend to neglect our heath even more. Hey doctor, didn't you take an oath to help?
LISTEN to our hopelessness after being turned down over and over for a job or promotion because we don't "match the corporate image" of the person they envision for this position.
LISTEN to our guilt. Because of our size, we feel we've cheated those we love out of the parent, spouse, child or friend we feel we should've been. Our embarrassment has now become theirs as well.
LISTEN to our anticipation as we eagerly embark on yet another diet. THIS will be the one. This time I WILL SUCEED!
LISTEN to our frustration as once again we fail at another attempt to lose weight, reinforcing once again our feelings of worthlessness, failure and defeat.
LISTEN to our fear for what life holds if we don't have this surgery. We try to ignore it, to stuff it down, but when we are brutally honest with ourselves, we realize an early death is an almost certainty.
LISTEN to our indecision as we do extensive research, trying to outweigh the risk of complications (up to and including death) versus the chance of a new life. A chance to improve our health, move without pain, play with our children, the opportunity to just "fit in" to society.
LISTEN to our indecision as we second-guess our decision to have surgery. As we ask ourselves, "Should I try just one more diet?"…And tell ourselves, "If I only had more willpower."
LISTEN to us as we eagerly meet with the surgeon, with our five- page, single-spaced, list of questions in hand. Let down by the medical profession in the past, can I really trust this person who looks at me with compassion, as he assures me I'm a "good candidate" and he can help? Please God, I want to believe him, tell me I'm not setting myself up for failure once again.
LISTEN to our feelings of helplessness as we place our future in the hands of an insurance company. Fully aware that with a simple denial letter, all the work we have done to this point, may be pointless. This surgery is not without cost, physical, emotional and monetary.
LISTEN to our joy as we open the long awaited "approval letter" or obtain financing to make this dream a reality.
LISTEN to us as we grasp for a chance at improved health, of moving with ease and just living life as a "normal" person.
LISTEN to our renewed hope of living long enough to see our children grow up, get married, play with grandchildren and grow old alongside our mate.
LISTEN to our fear as we roll into the surgical suite. The sights, the smells, the needles, the faceless people behind the masks. Do you care? Do you understand, or will you too make cracks about my weight once I'm asleep? My life is now in your hands, please take care of me. I have a brand new life ahead of me, and so much to live for.
LISTEN to the sigh of relief as we wake up in pain…but alive! Stand up, walk a few steps, cough and deep breathe. Sure nurse, whatever you say, I can handle it…because I'm alive!
LISTEN to our delight as the weight starts to drop off, realizing this is for real. We are actually on the loosing side.
LISTEN our misery as the body we once knew so well, now betrays us with nausea and vomiting when we attempt to eat.
LISTEN to our frustration as we attempt to do something as simple as drinking a glass of water.
LISTEN to our panic at the first plateau or weight gain. As that little voice inside tells us, "Once again I'm a failure."
LISTEN to us relax and let out our breath as we watch the numbers on the scale edge down once again. Plateau over. Renewed hope. Maybe I will make it after all.
LISTEN to our efforts to move as we slowly and painfully attempt to exercise in a body that is still morbidly obese.
LISTEN to our confusion as our emotions wreck havoc with us. Why am I crying? Why do I feel depressed? Why am I mean and snapping at the ones I love? I don't like this person that has taken over my emotions.
LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment the first time we walk a mile. It rivals the high of any runner completing their first marathon.
LISTEN to our depression when we realize we can no longer soothe our emotions with food. We now have to learn to feel and deal with these emotions.
LISTEN to our tears as we mourn the loss of that brief but satisfying sensation of gratification we once obtained from the "comfort foods" we can no longer have.
LISTEN to our obsession surrounding the scale, vitamins, protein drinks and carb counts, determined not to fail "this time".
LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment as we pass up that calorie laden, high carbohydrate treat, telling ourselves, "My new life is sweeter than any dessert."
LISTEN to our elation as we reach that "century mark" that once seemed so distant, but now is a reality.
LISTEN to our resolve to reach our goals. Moving the weight on the scale down another notch, reaching a new "century" of numbers, wearing the dream outfit and attaining our "goal" weight.
LISTEN to the gratefulness in our hearts as we thank our surgeon for not only their technical skills, but equally important, their understanding and compassion for the morbidly obese. Thank you doctor for the opportunity to rejoin society and live life.
LISTEN to our amazement as we come to the realization that "reaching goal" wasn't the most important thing in life. It was the lessons we learned, the friends we made and the sense of accomplishment we gained along the way.
LISTEN, don't talk, don't give advice, don't judge, just listen. And then, maybe then, you will start to understand the life of a morbidly obese person.
LISTEN TO THE LIFE OF THE MORBIDLY OBESE
author unkmown
LISTEN to the embarrassment we encounter in our every day life. The name-calling, stares, rude comments and looks of disgust we endure battling the last acceptable form of discrimination. People we meet that give us a far wider berth than we need when passing us on the street, in the hall…in life. Afraid that somehow our disease of obesity might be contagious.
LISTEN to our apprehension as we expertly eye the chair. Will we break it, or will we fit. Will we ever fit into life, as "normal" people know it?
LISTEN to our agony as we just walk and perform the simple activities of daily living on joints screaming in pain from incredible burden they were never meant to carry.
LISTEN to the pain of our humiliation when ridiculed by a doctor for "allowing" ourselves to get so fat. Realizing even the doctor's office is not a "safe" place, we tend to neglect our heath even more. Hey doctor, didn't you take an oath to help?
LISTEN to our hopelessness after being turned down over and over for a job or promotion because we don't "match the corporate image" of the person they envision for this position.
LISTEN to our guilt. Because of our size, we feel we've cheated those we love out of the parent, spouse, child or friend we feel we should've been. Our embarrassment has now become theirs as well.
LISTEN to our anticipation as we eagerly embark on yet another diet. THIS will be the one. This time I WILL SUCEED!
LISTEN to our frustration as once again we fail at another attempt to lose weight, reinforcing once again our feelings of worthlessness, failure and defeat.
LISTEN to our fear for what life holds if we don't have this surgery. We try to ignore it, to stuff it down, but when we are brutally honest with ourselves, we realize an early death is an almost certainty.
LISTEN to our indecision as we do extensive research, trying to outweigh the risk of complications (up to and including death) versus the chance of a new life. A chance to improve our health, move without pain, play with our children, the opportunity to just "fit in" to society.
LISTEN to our indecision as we second-guess our decision to have surgery. As we ask ourselves, "Should I try just one more diet?"…And tell ourselves, "If I only had more willpower."
LISTEN to us as we eagerly meet with the surgeon, with our five- page, single-spaced, list of questions in hand. Let down by the medical profession in the past, can I really trust this person who looks at me with compassion, as he assures me I'm a "good candidate" and he can help? Please God, I want to believe him, tell me I'm not setting myself up for failure once again.
LISTEN to our feelings of helplessness as we place our future in the hands of an insurance company. Fully aware that with a simple denial letter, all the work we have done to this point, may be pointless. This surgery is not without cost, physical, emotional and monetary.
LISTEN to our joy as we open the long awaited "approval letter" or obtain financing to make this dream a reality.
LISTEN to us as we grasp for a chance at improved health, of moving with ease and just living life as a "normal" person.
LISTEN to our renewed hope of living long enough to see our children grow up, get married, play with grandchildren and grow old alongside our mate.
LISTEN to our fear as we roll into the surgical suite. The sights, the smells, the needles, the faceless people behind the masks. Do you care? Do you understand, or will you too make cracks about my weight once I'm asleep? My life is now in your hands, please take care of me. I have a brand new life ahead of me, and so much to live for.
LISTEN to the sigh of relief as we wake up in pain…but alive! Stand up, walk a few steps, cough and deep breathe. Sure nurse, whatever you say, I can handle it…because I'm alive!
LISTEN to our delight as the weight starts to drop off, realizing this is for real. We are actually on the loosing side.
LISTEN our misery as the body we once knew so well, now betrays us with nausea and vomiting when we attempt to eat.
LISTEN to our frustration as we attempt to do something as simple as drinking a glass of water.
LISTEN to our panic at the first plateau or weight gain. As that little voice inside tells us, "Once again I'm a failure."
LISTEN to us relax and let out our breath as we watch the numbers on the scale edge down once again. Plateau over. Renewed hope. Maybe I will make it after all.
LISTEN to our efforts to move as we slowly and painfully attempt to exercise in a body that is still morbidly obese.
LISTEN to our confusion as our emotions wreck havoc with us. Why am I crying? Why do I feel depressed? Why am I mean and snapping at the ones I love? I don't like this person that has taken over my emotions.
LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment the first time we walk a mile. It rivals the high of any runner completing their first marathon.
LISTEN to our depression when we realize we can no longer soothe our emotions with food. We now have to learn to feel and deal with these emotions.
LISTEN to our tears as we mourn the loss of that brief but satisfying sensation of gratification we once obtained from the "comfort foods" we can no longer have.
LISTEN to our obsession surrounding the scale, vitamins, protein drinks and carb counts, determined not to fail "this time".
LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment as we pass up that calorie laden, high carbohydrate treat, telling ourselves, "My new life is sweeter than any dessert."
LISTEN to our elation as we reach that "century mark" that once seemed so distant, but now is a reality.
LISTEN to our resolve to reach our goals. Moving the weight on the scale down another notch, reaching a new "century" of numbers, wearing the dream outfit and attaining our "goal" weight.
LISTEN to the gratefulness in our hearts as we thank our surgeon for not only their technical skills, but equally important, their understanding and compassion for the morbidly obese. Thank you doctor for the opportunity to rejoin society and live life.
LISTEN to our amazement as we come to the realization that "reaching goal" wasn't the most important thing in life. It was the lessons we learned, the friends we made and the sense of accomplishment we gained along the way.
LISTEN, don't talk, don't give advice, don't judge, just listen. And then, maybe then, you will start to understand the life of a morbidly obese person.
I am switched!!!
Oct 04, 2008
On Tues the 23, I was switched. Here is my surgery experience. We arrived at the hospital at 7 am. I signed more paperwork and was brought into the waiting room. They called me into the pre-op room and went over my health history. I was scheduled to go into surgery at 9:30, but it was delayed because the Dr had two emergency surgeries before me. I was next to a gut who was having a lap band after me. We were told that everything would be delayed until 3pm. No worries for me, as I had waited this long, whats a few more hours. The guy next to me had a fit and didn't want to wait any longer because he "had not eaten since yesterday and could not wait any longer". -He was having weight loss surgery, what did he expect? So they finally brought me into the OR, I was beginning to become real, and I was beginning to become nervous. They hooked me up to IVs and put on a warming blanket. The Anesthesiologist asked me to tell him about my kids. That was the last I remember.
2 1/2 hours later, I woke up in recovery. While they were wheeling me in. I remember feeling pain and that I was going to throw up. This guy came and gave me something in my IV that made it all go away. I remember being tired but not wanting to sleep. My H was due to fly in at any moment. I just remember lying there and trying to get the nasty anesthesia gas they out of my lungs. My H finally came with Melissa and he was so relieved that everything was OK. They had to leave soon after and I was left waiting in recovery. They did not get me a room until midnight. All of the nurses were really nice in recovery though. They had said I was the youngest there (???) which is weird, I am not really very young (29).
I finally got to my room and could not sleep very well that night.
The next day the Dr's came in for the rounds and said everything went well. I asked one if I had gallstones and he said I did. I was glad that I wasn't making up all of the pain I had been in all of these years.
Dr. R was also telling everyone that I was an artist. He asked me to donate one of my pieces to the Hosp. I was then cleared to have a leak test done . I had noticed the new nurse never gave me anymore IV fluids, but I agreed that I could dink once the leak test was finished. I didn't get the test until about 2 that afternoon. I remember when I had it done for my pre-op tests that you stood on a part of the table and it tilted you back. Not this time, they had a little stool and I was asked to crawl up there and get on the table. The lady giving it asked me what surgery I had and once I told her questioned me why. They radiologist seemed like he was in a hurry and asked me to swallow faster. It hurt to take big swallows. After the leak test the brought me back to my room. I finally was able to drink. They also took out my foley so I could go to the bathroom on my own. That night I had an allergic reaction to the morphine and when they gave me the benadryl it nearly knocked me out.
I guess I was not peeing enough that evening and they became concerned. I believe it was because I hadn't had anything in my IV's or liquids all day. They thought my bladder might not be working and tried to put the foley back in several times. They began to load me up with fluid. It felt so weird going through my body. I felt so full of liquid , like I was going to pop, and at one point during the night I was certain that I was going to drown. I panicked and there was this one really great Dr that had been there since my surgery, her name was Nora. She said that I was going to be OK, and I will feel so much better in a few weeks, and not to worry. I slept a little bit that night.
The next day went well and I was going to the bathroom OK. They were concerned that I had blood in my stools but it was from surgery and my blood tests were OK. It was still scary to go to the bathroom and have it be blood. I had not been on any painkillers since the reaction to the morphine and was not in any pain that I needed them. I felt a little sore and the bumps hurt on the way home.
Overall things have been going great. I do have the super smell but the smell of things don't make me nauseous. I have had no nausea. I get sore from having to sit still but I am trying to walk around a lot.
2 1/2 hours later, I woke up in recovery. While they were wheeling me in. I remember feeling pain and that I was going to throw up. This guy came and gave me something in my IV that made it all go away. I remember being tired but not wanting to sleep. My H was due to fly in at any moment. I just remember lying there and trying to get the nasty anesthesia gas they out of my lungs. My H finally came with Melissa and he was so relieved that everything was OK. They had to leave soon after and I was left waiting in recovery. They did not get me a room until midnight. All of the nurses were really nice in recovery though. They had said I was the youngest there (???) which is weird, I am not really very young (29).
I finally got to my room and could not sleep very well that night.
The next day the Dr's came in for the rounds and said everything went well. I asked one if I had gallstones and he said I did. I was glad that I wasn't making up all of the pain I had been in all of these years.
Dr. R was also telling everyone that I was an artist. He asked me to donate one of my pieces to the Hosp. I was then cleared to have a leak test done . I had noticed the new nurse never gave me anymore IV fluids, but I agreed that I could dink once the leak test was finished. I didn't get the test until about 2 that afternoon. I remember when I had it done for my pre-op tests that you stood on a part of the table and it tilted you back. Not this time, they had a little stool and I was asked to crawl up there and get on the table. The lady giving it asked me what surgery I had and once I told her questioned me why. They radiologist seemed like he was in a hurry and asked me to swallow faster. It hurt to take big swallows. After the leak test the brought me back to my room. I finally was able to drink. They also took out my foley so I could go to the bathroom on my own. That night I had an allergic reaction to the morphine and when they gave me the benadryl it nearly knocked me out.
I guess I was not peeing enough that evening and they became concerned. I believe it was because I hadn't had anything in my IV's or liquids all day. They thought my bladder might not be working and tried to put the foley back in several times. They began to load me up with fluid. It felt so weird going through my body. I felt so full of liquid , like I was going to pop, and at one point during the night I was certain that I was going to drown. I panicked and there was this one really great Dr that had been there since my surgery, her name was Nora. She said that I was going to be OK, and I will feel so much better in a few weeks, and not to worry. I slept a little bit that night.
The next day went well and I was going to the bathroom OK. They were concerned that I had blood in my stools but it was from surgery and my blood tests were OK. It was still scary to go to the bathroom and have it be blood. I had not been on any painkillers since the reaction to the morphine and was not in any pain that I needed them. I felt a little sore and the bumps hurt on the way home.
Overall things have been going great. I do have the super smell but the smell of things don't make me nauseous. I have had no nausea. I get sore from having to sit still but I am trying to walk around a lot.
Tommorow I leave for NY.....
Sep 20, 2008
Just a quick update before I leave to NY...
Wow, it has been an interesting week . But I made it, and I'm STILL going to have surgery. I have had so much to deal with that I missed my two week freak, and the reality of surgery has not completely settled in. I somehow have made enough hours at work to qualify for another 3 months health insurance...woot!! I got all of the leave paperwork together and I will receive enough to at least pay my ins. premiums while I am out.
OMG I have been SO stressed though, I found out Thurs afternoon that my surgeons office had not received any of my pre-op testing that I had done a week or two earlier. I called my PCP's office and they said they would fax them ASAP. I could not get my pre -op results myself because my PCP is 4 hours away and I had to work until this Sat.
Throughout this whole ordeal, I have had issues with the surgeons office getting records from them. I go to another Dr. too (thankfully) and asked them to fax my complete record to the surgeons office, so if I hadn't done that, they would have nothing.
I finally told my Mom that I was approved for surgery (she has not been completely supportive- we have had some issues). I was complaining that my PCP seemed to always have trouble with getting and sending faxes. My mom told me that they don't fax. She works with my PCP's office on a daily basis because she is a pharmacist. I guess the never fax anything and do all of the refill and call in scripts over the phone. That explained why NOTHING they faxed ever made it to the surgeons office. I could have had surgery this summer if all of the paperwork was in from the PCP's office.
So I asked my mom to try and pick up my records from her and fax them to Dr. Roslin's office. She went in to pick them up and the PCP swore that they had been faxed. She said she wanted them anyways just in case. My PCP didn't have the Hosp release/history form that I gave her at my last appointment to send with my pre-op results. She just wrote on a script that I was cleared for surgery. She then argued with my Mom that I didn't need the from (I did) . To make a long story short she finally signed the form and gave it to my Mom yesterday afternoon. Throughout all of this, the surgeons assistant had to call my PCP's and TELL them how to do a fax.
Anyways, at least it is all finished, thanks to my Moms help. I am really thankful she came through for me.
So today was my last day at work, it was crazy busy. But all of the work that it took to get to right now has been worth it.
More good news: my H had an interview and it looks like he has the job!! It works out perfect because it will start once he is back from NY and it gives him a week to finish the house we are trying to sell.
Melissa Mermaid has opened up her home to me during my recovery, I am so grateful for her hospitality.
I am so thankful for my amazing friends and family, without them, this would be impossible.
Wow, it has been an interesting week . But I made it, and I'm STILL going to have surgery. I have had so much to deal with that I missed my two week freak, and the reality of surgery has not completely settled in. I somehow have made enough hours at work to qualify for another 3 months health insurance...woot!! I got all of the leave paperwork together and I will receive enough to at least pay my ins. premiums while I am out.
OMG I have been SO stressed though, I found out Thurs afternoon that my surgeons office had not received any of my pre-op testing that I had done a week or two earlier. I called my PCP's office and they said they would fax them ASAP. I could not get my pre -op results myself because my PCP is 4 hours away and I had to work until this Sat.
Throughout this whole ordeal, I have had issues with the surgeons office getting records from them. I go to another Dr. too (thankfully) and asked them to fax my complete record to the surgeons office, so if I hadn't done that, they would have nothing.
I finally told my Mom that I was approved for surgery (she has not been completely supportive- we have had some issues). I was complaining that my PCP seemed to always have trouble with getting and sending faxes. My mom told me that they don't fax. She works with my PCP's office on a daily basis because she is a pharmacist. I guess the never fax anything and do all of the refill and call in scripts over the phone. That explained why NOTHING they faxed ever made it to the surgeons office. I could have had surgery this summer if all of the paperwork was in from the PCP's office.
So I asked my mom to try and pick up my records from her and fax them to Dr. Roslin's office. She went in to pick them up and the PCP swore that they had been faxed. She said she wanted them anyways just in case. My PCP didn't have the Hosp release/history form that I gave her at my last appointment to send with my pre-op results. She just wrote on a script that I was cleared for surgery. She then argued with my Mom that I didn't need the from (I did) . To make a long story short she finally signed the form and gave it to my Mom yesterday afternoon. Throughout all of this, the surgeons assistant had to call my PCP's and TELL them how to do a fax.
Anyways, at least it is all finished, thanks to my Moms help. I am really thankful she came through for me.
So today was my last day at work, it was crazy busy. But all of the work that it took to get to right now has been worth it.
More good news: my H had an interview and it looks like he has the job!! It works out perfect because it will start once he is back from NY and it gives him a week to finish the house we are trying to sell.
Melissa Mermaid has opened up her home to me during my recovery, I am so grateful for her hospitality.
I am so thankful for my amazing friends and family, without them, this would be impossible.
Pre op Measurements 287 47% body fat
Sep 11, 2008
Neck 16
underarm 42
across the bust point 47
across the sternum/bra strap 39
2 " above waist 41
waist 41.5
Abdomen (across the broadest part of the apron) 49
Under the apron 50
Hips 54
Left Upper Arm 16
Left Forearm 12
Left Wrist 7
Right Upper Arm 15,5
Right Forearm 12
Right Wrist 7
Left Thigh 30
Left Knee 17.5
Left Calf 19.5
Left Ankle 9.75
Right Thigh 30
Right Knee 17
Right Calf 19.5
Right Ankle 9.5
Torso (From one shoulder, across the breast & belly, between the legs and up the backside to form a loop) 77
underarm 42
across the bust point 47
across the sternum/bra strap 39
2 " above waist 41
waist 41.5
Abdomen (across the broadest part of the apron) 49
Under the apron 50
Hips 54
Left Upper Arm 16
Left Forearm 12
Left Wrist 7
Right Upper Arm 15,5
Right Forearm 12
Right Wrist 7
Left Thigh 30
Left Knee 17.5
Left Calf 19.5
Left Ankle 9.75
Right Thigh 30
Right Knee 17
Right Calf 19.5
Right Ankle 9.5
Torso (From one shoulder, across the breast & belly, between the legs and up the backside to form a loop) 77
in twelve days....
Sep 11, 2008
I will have my DS. I have not had the two week freak yet, I think mostly because I have been working like a mad woman trying to get in enough hours to qualify for 3 more months of insurance. I wish that this was a better time. I wish my husband had not lost his job when he did, it has been a hustle to make ends meet...and they are not quite met yet. Thank God for my friends and family. My sister put my ticket on her credit card and my Husbands parents are giving us some money to get by. We made both of our house payments for this month and my husband is going down to our house to finish getting it ready to sell. We have our truck up for sale and if we can sell it it will buy us another month from getting behind, and hopefully we can buy cobra for his insurance while we are at it. So although I am thrilled and anxious about surgery I have not had much time to really sit and think about it. I am afraid to get too excited beause I worry that last minute they will change thier minds or something will come up and it will be taken away from me.
Wait for it....
Sep 04, 2008
Last week my husband lost his job and his insurance, I only had one month left of mine. I had recieved a stall letter from Aetna and had almost come to terms that my surgery might not happen for awhile as I would have to work another 3 months to earn enough hours to qualify for insurance again. I checked the mail last night and I WAS APPROVED!! OMG!! I cannot believe it, my date is Sept 23, wow!!!
the wait is killing me..
Aug 21, 2008
I never thought that a two week wait would be so bad, after all, I have had to wait 6 years, what's a few weeks? LOL. Sigh, it is all so close.
About Me
NM
Location
21.9
BMI
Surgery
09/23/2008
Surgery Date
Sep 17, 2002
Member Since
