gusmom
3 Month Surgiversary
Jul 05, 2010
Well, tomorrow it will be 3 months since VSG. Finally, finally I am feeling more energy--I thought it would never come back. I went food shopping 2 days ago and for the first time in years, I wasn't exhausted and my knees didn't hurt. On the 4th, I went to a fireworks display where they were being shot off over Fire Island--I was able to STAND and watch them--3 months ago, I would never have been able to stand for that long a period of time. I am down 55 lbs.--I know that is good, but I want it to be more. I have not lost an ounce in 9 days now--and I am frustrated. I have not added more calories, I keep it under 800, I have been swimming everyday....I don't get it. Is there a 3 months stall??? I have been cleared for all foods except steak, veal and raw veggies--man, I want a salad so bad--the steak, eh. I still find that I can usually only get in 2 ozs. of dense protein at a time, plus a teeny portion of veggie--therefore, I have to eat 4-5 times a day in order to meet the protein goal. Also, still struggling with fluid intake--I went to have blood drawn on Friday, and she could not get a drop out--she tried 3 veins in both arms and then in my hands and STILL couldn't get a drop--that is scary. I have always had bad veins, but now, I guess I am always a little dehydrated and it is harder. Needless to say, I am attempting it again tomorrow. I threw a retirement party for my husband last weekend, and everyone was very complimentary on my weight loss--even though I still have about 150 to go. All and all, I will finally acknowledge that the sleeve is working and that if I just keep doing what I'm doing, it will eventually come off. I would like to be 100 lbs. lighter by February because by then I will begin shopping for my "mother of the groom" dress.
0 comments
7 Weeks post-op
May 26, 2010
The good news is that I am still losing slowly, but steadily--I'm at 38 lbs. now with all of that being post-op. Food is going down a little easier than it was even just last week. Maybe I'm just recognizing the signs of trouble and am instinctively avoiding them? Probably. I am beginning to add a little fruit and toast as per instructions from NUT. The Cornell program does not seem to be hung up on a "no carb" thing. She said as long as i was getting the minimum requirement of protein in, I could add other things. What I'm actually eating is only 3 or 4 slices of banana with my cottage cheese and 1/4 to 1/2 of a whole wheat bagel thin once a day.
I had a disturbing day yesterday as I had to go back into the hospital to have the IVC filter removed--only, THE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET IT OUT! After being sedated for 3 hours and 2 surgeons trying to retrieve this thing from both my neck and my groin--they finally had to give up and declare that it is in there permanently. It seems it is stuck to the inside of my Vena Cava. This freaked me out--however, I am assured by the Vascular surgeon that it is perfectly acceptable for them to remain in--but that it is his preference to remove them, when possible, which is most of the time. I don't know if i am really comfortable with that--but what am I supposed to do? I can't get it out myself--so I'm "stuck" with this dilemma. Now I have a new worry to stew about--I'm worried this thing will dislodge itself and begin migrating! Between this and my blood clotting disorder--I feel like a ticking time bomb--but at least I'll be a thinner one. lol
1 comment
I had a disturbing day yesterday as I had to go back into the hospital to have the IVC filter removed--only, THE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET IT OUT! After being sedated for 3 hours and 2 surgeons trying to retrieve this thing from both my neck and my groin--they finally had to give up and declare that it is in there permanently. It seems it is stuck to the inside of my Vena Cava. This freaked me out--however, I am assured by the Vascular surgeon that it is perfectly acceptable for them to remain in--but that it is his preference to remove them, when possible, which is most of the time. I don't know if i am really comfortable with that--but what am I supposed to do? I can't get it out myself--so I'm "stuck" with this dilemma. Now I have a new worry to stew about--I'm worried this thing will dislodge itself and begin migrating! Between this and my blood clotting disorder--I feel like a ticking time bomb--but at least I'll be a thinner one. lol
6 Weeks post-op
May 17, 2010
So today I am finishing up my 6th week. My experience so far with VSG has been mixed--as is probably everyone's. Anyway, the positive: I have lost 32 lbs. and only 3 of it was pre-op, I am able to walk on the treadmill--only for a few minutes--but 6 weeks ago I couldn't walk on it at all, and I don't seem to be craving carbs anymore. I notice it is a little easier to fit behind the wheel of the car, and if I have to walk somewhere--I don't get as out of breath. The negative: I am struggling with getting my fluids in--honestly, I am only getting in about half of what i should and it is making me feel very sluggish. I have had 4 incidences of "sliming or foamies" whichever you call it. I know it is probably because I ate too fast, or too much. I can only eat about 2 ounces of protein at a time--and it has to be very moist (swimming in gravy is the best) in order for me to get it in. Then, I guess because I can only eat so little, I am hungry again about 2 hours later. Slider foods like sugar free yogurt or oatmeal go down easy, and I can eat about 5 or 6 ozs., but they do not stay with me. I feel like I spend my day focusing on planning meals and drinking schedules--and I really wanted this surgery because I didn't WANT to have to think about food anymore. So in that respect--I guess I was a little naive. I am hoping that as time goes on it will just come naturally to me and I can stop thinking about it all the time. I am glad I had the procedure though. I do realize that if this is my life now, that in time the weight has to come off, and I know that I am in it for the long haul.
1 comment
Confirmed date for surgery
Mar 09, 2010
Today I found out that I will have VSG on 4/6/10. I will also be having a filter placed in my artery the day before--so I actually go into Cornell on the 5th. I am excited, but nervous.
0 comments
Something else to look forward to
Feb 28, 2010
Today my son and his fiance went looking at wedding venues. The wedding isn't until the summer of 2011--this gives me some relief--I really want to be able to go dress shopping next year like a regular person. I also want to dance with him at his wedding. I also want to be alive....this is my biggest fear...this is why I am having the surgery....even though I am really afraid of it. I know it is the right thing to do, but I guess because everyone is always labeling me "high risk", I can't stop myself from being afraid...afraid of the surgery and afraid of not having the surgery.
0 comments
Surgery approved
Feb 26, 2010
I have never blogged before--or even kept a journal ever in my life. Maybe that has been a bad thing. It helps me to keep my feelings bottled up inside. So, here goes....
Today I heard from United Healthcare--I am approved for VSG. I have a tentative date of 4/6/10 because I first have to have a filter put in. I have a blood clotting disorder--and this, among other things, has complicated my journey to have weight loss surgery. I have been having clearances since August 2008! Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will admit that I am scared--especially because I have to have 2 procedures now, and then one later. My surgeon is choosing the VSG because I am high risk. Hopefully after some success--I will then possibly go on and have RNY. I'm not concerned about that at this time. I am just trying to take it one step at a time--first the procedure to have the filter put in, then the VSG. I am so ready to lose weight. I haven't been able to for over a decade. I am tired of being hungry, having diabetes, high blood pressure, being unable to walk more than 50 feet at a time, being embarassed, worrying if I will fit in seats, worrying if I will fall, blah blah. You all know what I am talking about.
1 comment
Today I heard from United Healthcare--I am approved for VSG. I have a tentative date of 4/6/10 because I first have to have a filter put in. I have a blood clotting disorder--and this, among other things, has complicated my journey to have weight loss surgery. I have been having clearances since August 2008! Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will admit that I am scared--especially because I have to have 2 procedures now, and then one later. My surgeon is choosing the VSG because I am high risk. Hopefully after some success--I will then possibly go on and have RNY. I'm not concerned about that at this time. I am just trying to take it one step at a time--first the procedure to have the filter put in, then the VSG. I am so ready to lose weight. I haven't been able to for over a decade. I am tired of being hungry, having diabetes, high blood pressure, being unable to walk more than 50 feet at a time, being embarassed, worrying if I will fit in seats, worrying if I will fall, blah blah. You all know what I am talking about.
