Happytall1
The Journey Continues
Dec 14, 2008
I can not believe it has already been two months since surgery! I am allowed to eat anything at this point BUT I still am focusing on getting my protein in. I do not have an appetite and am not hungry. The only time I thought about food was when at work a patient had Olive Garden in their room and the garlic smelt so good. I went to Olive Garden but only ate one bite of a bread stick - not that I couldn't have more but I wanted to focus on the protein (chicken) and had about 3 bites of salad. It is so strange how my relationship with food is changing. I do miss the carbonated beverages and eventually I can have them but I am afraid if I start back with those I will get hooked and drink a case every day. I have not been nauseated ever - I don't drink with my meals because I get too full too quick. I am drinking the HOOD Calorie Countdown Chocolate Milk with Chocolate Protein every morning, and usually at night if I haven't got enough protein in. It is a lifesaver because it taste just like chocolate milk. I had some problems with the Calcium Citrate causing constipation but think I have worked that out by adding Magnesium Oxide to my daily routine. Funny how you have a side effect from a vitamin then have to take another to counter it......feel like I am taking a LOT of pills but if it keeps me healthy I can not complain. I do not have the energy like I did so I will be interested to see what my labs are and how I will need to adjust the vitamins. Everyone says "I can see you have lost weight - in your face" ........and of course I reply "Oh good - that was my problem area". I am thankful things are going this well. I know one day I will be able to eat more but at this point my focus is on the protein (I eat carbs but not much at all). When I get closer to the 200 mark then I will feel overjoyed! When I started this journey I had 159 lbs to loose.........now it is 104 - I am on my way!!
December 14, 2008
I have been coming out of "the fog" like feeling becoming more normal and been doing more lately. I still don't have a ton of energy each day ~ some days are better then others. I cleaned out my mom's room while she was out of state and updated everything - so I had some energy going for me! I am getting use to the daily routine of protein drinks, vitamins, and water ~ is it easy - NO! But I am adjusting which makes it better. I am hesitant to start any other vitamins till I get my first set of labs back to see what exactly I need. I have a feeling some of them might be low and might be why I am feeling so tired some days OR it might be the rapid weight loss? I know my hair has a different texture and I am wondering when and if the hair loss will start. Most people I have talked to say about month 3 and although I have thick hair I am not worried much about losing some hair (maybe that is weird - but I think I will be fine) without taking supplements. I have been to two Christmas parties so far and done well with the food - taking protein, small bites and having just a few bites of sweets. I got in trouble when I started drinking this great tasting raspberry tea - with ginger-ale...... I burped half the night (lesson learned - ask what is in the punch!) I am very careful about eating protein first and avoiding a lot of carbs. I truly believe I am a recovering carb addict. I found some drinks called FUZE that are low carbs -they have saved me! Plus mixing my chocolate protein with chocolate HOOD calorie countdown milk - has been a relief!! I don't think I could tolerate regular protein mixes on a daily basis if I didn't mix it with the chocolate milk. I haven't been walking as much lately due to the colder weather but hopefully that will get better. I go back to work on Friday - and I am really wishing it wasn't so close. I have been lucky to have this time off though and I don't regret anything!
Post OP
Nov 06, 2008
I came home taking 1/2 of a Lora tab 7.5 because I really felt that was all I needed. I was sore - stiff but that is to be expected. I took 2 Lora tab on night (Tuesday) due to difficulty sleeping.
When my drain was removed on Thursday (one week out) - I felt more pain in my LEFT shoulder (gas). I did range of motion -moving it around, massage, heat packs, kept belching, took ambien for sleep but the pain was intense so I took another Lora tab - I woke up fine lying on my right side. When I went to turn to the Left side I felt the pain again.
I went to the bathroom - rubbing my shoulder and started having heartburn, then feeling nauseated - the first time since the surgery. I started fanning my self to cool off (it worked). I got some lemon drink and took another pain pill.
Surprises: I can not take a normal sip of water - it is too much.
For the first time I can feel full -
For the first time I chew my food to mush -
I can eat a couple of bites and am ready to quit -
Things I have eaten: Mashed potatoes with gravy, Tomato soup with cheese, Saltine cracker with butter, Arby's roast beef - just the meat dipped in Au Jus, Scrabbled eggs with cheese, Soft fried egg in butter Oatmeal with peanut butter, Jello, Pudding, Popsicles Water - plain, Water with sugar free flavoring, Corn-beef hash with ketchup. I have been very open to trying anything as long as I chew it up to mush. It is so strange to FORCE yourself to eat.
November 29 ~ One Month ~
There are many feelings I have experienced during this past month. I am excited to have the surgery behind me. I am excited about the weight loss ~ 37 lb in one month! I have so many caring people in my life that have checked on me.
I have to address the difficult thing for me though. I have used food for comfort since I can remember and dealing with the lack of coping has been very difficult. It has been difficult to get up each morning - not hungry and knowing I must try to eat something. I don't feel like fixing anything, eating anything and just want to sleep. I have always taken an anti-depressant and I know that due to rapid weight loss there is an increased amount of estrogen that circulates - I am wondering about that and the absorption of my anti-depressant.
I do get out and take walks with my kids daily, I take my vitamins and meds everyday, I drink my protein. I am having trouble with liquids - nothing taste good.....probably due the ketosis that my body is in. I do get out of bed but the "desire" to get out there and do things like I did before. I do not have to go back to work until Dec 19th which I think is a blessing.
I haven't seen a lot of people write about the emotional swings early post op and this I would consider a "situational issue". I don't think IMO it relates to anesthesia but more to the whole lifestyle change and coping.
Since I don't have my friend food there for comfort and coping - IT IS HARD. I haven't even had a lot to deal with. My family is supportive and I am thankful. I really haven't experienced any stress during the past month it is just dealing with reality after WLS - until you personally face food is now used for nutrition and not as your coping mechanism it is hard to explain. It is frustrating when you are use to eating in less then 10 minutes (which wasn't good) but now you HAVE to take longer, chew your food up in small bites and not drink with the meal. The enjoyment I would get from eating is gone. I know this is an issue that I will deal with and in time will get easier but I am surprised the feelings I have experienced.
Closer.........Closer.......
Oct 16, 2008
October 30, 2008 Dorthy and I did great as a team motivating the other, getting out of bed, support, etc. I spoke with Dr. Stewart today about when I would be discharged because this weekend is race weekend at TX Motor Speedway which means traffic will be a nightmare! He was cautious and said we will see how things go - I trust his judgement and will do whatever he says. He told me that my catheter could come out this morning (instead of 5 PM) and we could start on clear liquids, cap my IV off later if I did okay, give me full liquids for breakfast and go from there. So about 10 AM I took my catheter out - once a nurse always a nurse ;o) I had been up walking a lot - doing well with that but no passing of gas. They gave me some ice chips till lunch time then I got clear liquids but was not hungry at all. I took a couple of sips of broth and that was it. The dietician came in and basically talked to me about the gastric bypass diet ~ I know it is her job to educate but it is frustrating when they use the standards for the bypass and don't even use standards for the DS. I basically stayed up most of the day from 5 AM till I took a snooze about 2 or 3 and woke up with Charlene sitting in a chair by my bed. My mom and kids came in shortly after that. I encouraged them not to stay long since the traffic would be bad and I didn't want them caught in traffic. My daughter decided she wanted to spend the night......so we asked if it was alright and they said "they have to be 16 but since you are doing so good - we will let her". Dorthy's daughter Shyann stayed the night too - since they are both in 6th grade they bonded and it was a big help having my daughter do things for me! That evening Jenn D and Tim came by for a visit. I was perky but could tell the day was getting longer and I was getting tired.
October 29, 2008
SURGERY DAY: Today is the day I have been waiting for.......I know I need to remain calm and I am at peace with my decision for WLS. I have done everything prior to surgery that I can think of.....I know it is not something everyone wants to think about but I updated my will. Told the people in my life how much they mean to me and how I love them. I am trusting in God and know I am in his hands today and always. I am meeting my angel -Kathy B at SBUX's at 7:15 am for her to follow me, mom and the kids up to the hospital. I know there is one surgery in front of me and the waiting will be hard - but by tonight I will be in my hospital room and everything will be fine!
* Kathy met us - we drove fast (according to her) and made it to the hospital with plenty of time. I met Dorthy's husband - Jeff.... she was in the OR getting her RNY - I joked with her prior to today and said "could you hurry up so I can get my procedure done".
Kathytook some before pictures since I apparently had been busy doing other things ???and forgot to take some. The kids brought blankets to snooze in the truck since it was an early morning.
PRE-OP: I met some great nurses, got my IV, got a heparin shot (that hurts) I give the shot as a nurse but being on the other side of the needle was not fun! I peeked at my chart since I couldn't remember all of Dr. Stewart's orders.......and wouldn't you know it - I got caught by a nurse......who said "that's a no-no" - ooops...too late now! The anesthesiologist Dr Wedgeworth came in and introduced himself - the word was he bought the staff BBQ for lunch.....I made sure he and Dr Stewart felt comfortable and reminded them if they wanted to take a break and eat something it was fine with me. I really liked all the doctor's and nurses! I wanted to make sure the doctor's and nurse's had full stomachs and were happy since my procedure was going to be a long one. I also asked about putting something under my lower back for support during surgery. I knew that many patient's complain of back pain after long surgeries and thought it was worth a shot asking for some sort of support - Dr. Stewart said they could do something.
PROCEDURE TIME: Then they called cause the OR was ready - I said good-bye to my mom and angel. I think looking into Kathy B's eyes I could tell she was afraid for me - it was like she was thinking "don't you die on me". I wanted to hop off the stretcher and give her a big hug but instead told her I was going to be just fine ~ told her I would see her later. She later told me that after they took me away - she went into the bathroom and cried. I can never thank her enough for taking off work - to sit in a hospital with my mom and two kids for over 12 hours......it means more then words can express!
POST-OP: I woke up to see Jenn D in my room, Kathy B and my family. They took me back for the procedure a little after 10:30 AM and I didn't get to my room till 7:30 - 8:00 PM that night. Everyone said Dr Stewart stated "it was textbook case" which made me feel better. My son Landon was worried about me getting something to eat - wanted to make sure mommy was taken care of! I had a catheter, IV, oxygen in my nose, blood pressure cuff and sequential hose on my legs. I was pretty much staying in bed. My night nurse was Debbie and she made sure I stayed on top of my pain medication. I asked not to have the PCA pump - just a personal choice. I wanted to just get Toradol for pain and then if I needed additional morphine I could ask....for me it was one more piece of equipment in the way. About 5 AM - Debbie took my oxygen off, my blood pressure cuff off and I asked to get up. The pain was not as bad as I thought it would be. I know I have a high pain tolerance and can deal with a lot ~ so everyone will react different. I asked if my partner "Dorthy" across the hall had gotten up and they said yes - "twice" but she wants you to come by her room even if she is sleeping. I was determined to get up then. I needed to rest but also knew I needed to be moving - now was the time!
October 22, 2008 Well in one week I will be in North Texas Hospital recovering from my DS surgery. I am so ready to be out of surgery and on the loser's bench. Everyone talks about the wild ride and how amazing it is....there is still that thought of - what if it doesn't happen for me - what if I don't lose the weight. I have to focus on doing the best I can and not let negative thoughts come into play. It is hard sometimes because those thoughts have been in my head for so many years. I know I need to get the weight off for my health, to be there for my kids, to experience life the way it is meant to be experienced.
October 16, 2008 Off for a hidal scan - which took forever to show any emptying into my small bowel. Before they would procede with the second part of the test this had to happen, I moved around pressed on my gall bladder, walked around the hospital, came back and did it all again......finally it emptied. THEN the fun part the second part of the test where they injected some fun substance that made me have severe pain and nausea..........I would have loved to have my gallbladder ripped out then and there!
October 14, 2008 I went to my pre-op class with Leah, Vicki, Sue and Dr. Stewart. Then onto pre-regisiter, CXR and lab. Jumped through those hoops and onto getting doppler studies which thank God were negative. I asked many more questions as a result of the recent passing of TMB family members. Mark, Lynnette's brother passed away told and I have so many emtions right now. I am so very sad, feeling like it is unfair, wishing his life didn't have to end. It makes me nervous but at the same time feel better educated to handle the situation post op as I learn more information about Alison and Mark's death.
October 11, 2008 Met with some TMB peeps at RNS and then headed to meet some DS peeps for lunch. I was so glad to spend time chatting and getting more information!
What will be my destiny????
Sep 11, 2008
July 15 th, 2008 I called Dr. Stewart's office to find out what needed to be done if I decided to have the DS done instead of the RNY. I have to attend his WLS seminar. The seminar was being done TODAY from 8 to 12 .......so you guessed it - I missed it. The next one will be August 19th. A WHOLE MONTH - I have to wait. This is very frustrating because he only does the seminar once a month. I put my name down but not sure if I should go ahead with the RNY since I have everything done or just wait.
July / August 2008 The more information I get - the more I think I need to wait and have the DS instead of the RNY. I can't believe there isn't more information about DS - most people just talk "Gastric Bypass" and it seems like that is the only option. I am so thankful I am getting more information EVEN though I want the procedure NOW.
August 19th, 2008 I drove to Denton (raining) and finally found the Holiday Inn Express (good thing I was early cause it was difficult to find). I stayed after the seminar to talk with Dr. Stewart and he thinks I will not have to start everything over again that I should be able to send the information in to the insurance company.
As I drove home - I called Leah to schedule the one on one with Dr. Stewart. We are going on vacation so it will have to be Sept 9, 2008. I called insurance just to make sure I had everything and they said I only needed 2 years weight history and I did not need a letter from my PCP but when I asked Leah she said "they don't know what they are talking about" ............and I have to believe she knows what she is doing because of the speed she usually gets insurance to approve it. I will do whatever she says in order to make sure the surgery gets approved!
Tiny steps to my destiny
Sep 11, 2008
September 8th, 2008: COPD??? WHAT????? Okay - I went to my pulmonologist for a "routine" follow up (a couple years late) BUT I went!! I was hesitant to see the doctor in Fort Worth just because his office staff seems very disorgainized and not very helpful. I did go to the appointment and the "intake" person was a respiratory therapist who was funny, nice and helpful (plus knew what he was doing). Long story short - my lung function was at 57% and then did updraft and it came up 12%. The doctor did not want to put me on steroids (THANK YOU LORD) but started me on Advair (which I hate the thought of taking that medicine due to bad publicity of s/e. He said my sarcoidosis is stable and not changed that it is more then the type normally in remission for most people and with my COPD.......WHAT? Wait a minute - I just turned 40 and now to hear I have COPD. Well, asthma is considered COPD but I know I have a bit more complicated case then just "asthma".........BUT to hear those words from a doctor was hard to comprehend. It was a reality check. I can no longer sit on the side lines - I need to get healthy for my kids, my family - and most important ME!
September 9, 2008 Today I met with Dr. Stewart for the one on one consult. Everything went well and I plan to have the DS. I just wish the approval process was complete and I didn't need to jump through anymore hoops. He knows what he is doing but just frustrating that all the other stuff takes so long to document and then send in to insurance. I am thankful they are going to send in my information with the nutritional consult that I did prior for the RNY. Hopefully I will have all my stuff this week. I need to get some labs drawn, a sono of the gallbladder, a diet history and that is it - did an EKG in the office .........so we should be good to go! Oh but I also have to send in 3 years of doctor's notes documenting my weight. The letter from the doctor with the specific year and weight was not good enough - they need the actual note.....lucky for me I have it at home!
September 10, 2008 I woke up at 5 am to go to Baylor for lab draw and sono. The sono is usually scheduled but I was very nice and the radiology department "worked me in" which just took about an hour. Besides I had to have my 200 vials of blood drawn first. AND then the news........my gallbladder IS...........healthy - no sludge, no stones, NO removal. I asked the sonographer if he would sono his gallbladder for different results but he said "that wouldn't be ethical". Just thought they would take it out while they were in there for the DS.
Then......a call from LEAH - "Dr. Stewart saw something on your EKG and wants you to get cardiac clearance" - WHAT? Okay last week I turned 40 and now I am officially falling apart. She said I just need a stress test and can make an appointment with someone in Fort Worth or Denton. Well - the earliest I could get in was the 18th........so we will go from there.
September 11, 2008 Leah called and said that all she is waiting on is the dictation from Dr. Stewart and then my file would be complete.........which means the insurance process for approval could start - WOOOO HOOO. She thought it would be done by tomorrow (Sept 12) and she would send everything in. I asked if she would call me so I can start calling Aetna everyday to get the approval process moving (with that little nudge of daily phone calls)
September 12, 2008 I was in the middle of a doctor's appointment with my PCP and got a call which later found out was Leah. I just had a fear that something had gone wrong and it was Friday so I wouldn't find out until Monday if I didn't get a hold of her Friday afternoon. I called and she picked up the phone. She asked why I didn't answer the phone and I told her that I was in the middle of the doctor's appointment to which she said that she could have made it a lot better. She said "I have your approval". I said "my what??". I told her "I thought you were faxing it in today". She said "I have your approval". I asked how in the world she got it done so quickly? She said that "I have been doing this for so long and deal with the same people that I know what they are looking for." I was in SHOCK! I actually have APPROVAL from my insurance. I just need to have a stress test on the 18th, get copies of my labs and then go to Dr. Stewart's office on the 18th and get MY SURGERY DATE!!!
Septemeber 16, 2008 I went to a get together with some of the people on the DS board and was so glad to finally meet some of the wonderful people! I walked in late because I had no clue where I was going and went up to a group of people and asked if this was the group......and ummm - it wasn't. Then I walked around and finally located everyone. We took pictures and had a great time asking questions, listening, laughing and just knowing that each of us could relate with our weight struggles. I hope to make other get togethers with people on the DS board!
September 18, 2008 I had my stress test today with Dr. Coldwell (cardiologist next to Dr. Stewart's office). Who came up with the idea to put leads all over your chest (have naked) then walk on a treadmill till you are about ready to pass out then "jump on the table as fast as you can" so more pictures of your heart can be taken? I think if you even show up for a crazy test like that you should pass! But everything looked good with the cardiologist so then I got my little "cardiac clearance paper" and walked on over to Dr. Stewart's office. Leah had just gone to lunch (think all sorts of things since I live 50 miles away) BUT the good news was that she was in the office and when the other lady told her I was there to schedule my surgery - she came out front!!! I was so excited. In my head I was thinking the perfect date would be October 20th or 22nd - and of course Dr. Stewart is going out of town that week. Next thought - October 15th because he only operates at North Texas Hospital on Wednesdays. But had to wait for Leah to get his okay since he would be leaving out of town on the 16th. Well - got the phone call and Dr. Stewart said "NO" because if something went wrong he wanted to be in town which I think is best but couldn't help but want the surgery sooner. SO ......now my date is October 29th, 2008. It seems like it is so long away. I really wanted it sooner but I prayed about it before hearing Dr Stewart's answer and wanted to leave it in God's hands. Time will past and I will begin my incredible journey soon!!!
September 25, 2008 I found out today that someone very wonderful to the TMB has passed away. "Jerry'sgirl" - Alison was 3 weeks post op from her gastric sleeve and died in the car on the way to the ER. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I can't imagine the thoughts / feelings that are going through their minds. All of this makes me anxious about my surgery. I know I have made the right decision but the thought of something happening to me and my kids growing up without their mother is not a thought I like to have. I have faith in God and have to trust in his plan for me. Too many things have happened to bring me to this point.
