Heather H.

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Ok....my surgery was the 11th of feb. Its been almost 2 months, and I am having difficulty. I am always always always nautious...and because of feeling so sick i dont eat, which leads to weakness and tiredness. What should I do? I am trying to make myself eat....and today since I am making myself eat I dont feel as sick. Maybe I should just try that for a little while. At least I am trying. I never feel hungry. So I am not quite sure if I am suppoesed to be feeling like this or if it is normal.

Hey All,

Sorry for taking so long to get back. I had my surgery on the 11th of February, and it has been a total of 9 days since then. The surgery was quick to me. I got it done laproscopically. The morning of was quite stressful because we did not even know if we could make it because of the big snowstorm we had 2 days before. There was a storm a week before that gave us about 2 feet, then this one gave another 2 feet, so needless to say I was worried I was going to have to rescedule again. I did NOT want to go through pre-op a 3rd time. So the morning of I was afraid it was gonna come down to rescheduling, and I cried to my mom. Next thing I know my mom is outside shoveling our driveway! mom to the rescue big time! She said it was because my tears that she wanted this really bad for me. **Side note: Without my mom I would not have been able to do any of this. she is my rock, and I dont know what I would have done without her. Thank you mom, for loving me so much. I love you with all my heart.** I was supposed to be at the hospital at 8:30 a.m, but because of the snow I dont think I got there until almost 10! My surgery was scheduled at 11:15. I went in, (our car was filled with my dad, my mom, me, my grandmother, and my aunt) and they took me right back. I found out I lost another 7 pounds! I thought I did a bad job on my pre op diet but I guess not. So I go in, they get my blood pressure right away, but then came time for the I.V. they had to stick me 3 times, but they got it on the third try. When I had went in a few weeks prior when my dog bit me, they could not get a vain, and they stuck me 4 times! and got nothing! This time was looking up. My family came back, and then next thing I know they rolled me away for the surgery. I kissed everyone and told them I would see them later. I was so nervous I was crying and shaking. I got back to the O.R, and met the nurses. I met someone I already knew, and she had gotten Gastric bypass too. They put me on the table, and talking to me the whole time, and making me laugh. Everyone was so nice. It was very cold in there though. they started to put the gas mask on my face first with just oxygen. Then told me they were going to use the stuff to put me to sleep. Silly me tried to fight the stuff, but I was out within a minute. I didnt even see dr. monk, and next thing I know I woke up in recovery. They said I had been there for like an hour. I woke up to them putting an I.V in my other arm. I think the first one blew or something. I was in quite a bit of pain, and they gave me some pain meds, and fluids. They soon rolled me up to my room, and I felt so special cuz I had my own room. I used the pain button quite alot and when I did the drinking test thing the stuff tasted nasty, I wish it could have been water. My mom had spent the night the day of the surgery...shes a trooper sleeping in the hospital chair. I came home on friday, leaving at almost 8 p.m. I actually didnt go home home, I went to my grandmothers house. I stayed there for about 3 days, then I went home. My first blood test for the cumadin was a fright. I was nautios the whole way. My grandmother and aunt were also very anxious around me because I wasnt getting a lot of fluids in, and no protein. But they kept thinking I had to get lots of protein in when the docter, and nurses keep saying liquids are more important right now. I just did not have much of an appetite, and I still dont. I couldnt even handle the smell of food. I am a little better now. So I went to get the drain out on wednesday, and it was uncomfortable, but didnt really hurt. Thursday and friday though I kept getting really bad sharp pains around and under where I got my drain out. It was sooo unbarable!  I cried everytime I stood up. I prayed and prayed, and my mom and dad had people praying for me, and I believe God handled it well. LOL. Of course he did, he always does. But I havent had that major pain today, but my stomach and side are very sore because of all the pain I went through. I almost went to the hospital today, but maybe it was just gas since its going away now.  Well, in semi- short.... thats how my journey has been so far. Im still not very hungry, I have been on full liquids since tuesday, and am having difficulty getting the fluids I need in. I just aint hungry. I was 375 a few weeks ago, and I am now down to 340 lbs. So this stuff is working! lol. Just keep me in prayer guys that the pain goes completely away, and that I get the fluids that I need in me for my nourishment. Thanks for the support and God Bless!

Heather Hilker

I must say that the protein shake diet the second time around was much more complicated. I had gained some weight back going back to regular food after the hospital stay, but I lost it again, so I will be the same weight going into the hospital for surgery. I am much more excited about the procedure this time around. Im not quite sure why I was so freaked out about it before, but now I am definitely ready, and I know without a doubt its what I want. My cousin is scheduled for surgery now, and we are still waiting to hear about my mom. I pray to God that things come back positively this time. It will make her so happy. When she is happy, thats a good thing....she deserves it. I am a little worried about the snow though, I will be really upset if I have to do all of this over AGAIN! It would be just my luck though. But everything happens for a reason I suppose. Gods got everything under control. I am beat, and tomorrow is prep day. Soon I will be on the losers bench. (props to honeybear). I have a great support team, and I am a lucky girl. Thanks to all you guys for the words of wisdom, aakindness and support. God bless.

Heather

Hi
I'm Heathers mom and she asked me to post a blog for her. She was supposed to have surgery yesterday. However, on Tuesday her dog Chase bit her. She went to the emergency room that night and they gave her antibiotics and sent her home.
She did really well on her pre op diet, and lost 15 lbs. When the surgeon came in and saw her hand he said no way. We cant do surgery today. In fact he admitted her into the hospital. She has a cellutlitis infection. It is very painful.So she had to not only go through the pre op diet and ALL the pre op prep work, which included Castor Oil. Her nerves were bad. Now she has to go through it all over again. She said mom maybe I can lose15 more lbs before surgery

It is tentatively set for Feb 4th now.

wow....i cant believe the day is here already. I thought the protein shake diet would never end, but after the third day it was all good. I actually can stand them! today i am on the clear liquid diet, and had the caster oil this morning. ew... but i had strategy and its all good.  
        
So last night my dog attacked me. He bit my hand and hurt my wrist really bad. I went to the hospital and there were no stitches, and no broken bones. I am really upset though because we have to get rid of him now. Thats just  one thing i am upset and worried about.... I am nervous about the surgery but I believe everything will be fine. just wanted to check in and thank everyone for their support. I will update after I come home.

One word...... EW!
I do not like the shakes. I have tried, vanilla regular, vanilla with orange crystal light, chocolate, and strawberry. The strawberry wasnt actually that bad. I chased it down with strawberry kiwi propel....while holding my nose. My mom video taped me drinking the stuff this morning....needless to say the videos are quite hilarious. I would like to know if anyone actually likes the shakes? They are quite filling though. So I havent been hungry during the day. When I got hungry, that is when I was supposed to drink another shake, so thats what I did. I could have sworn that it heightened my senses or something though, because everytime I walked outside I smelled FOOD! I think I died a little inside after each whiff of mcdonalds, and burger king. lol.... nah Im joking, its not that bad. But it is sort of bad. But one day down, 6 to go. Meaning 4 shakes down and 24 shakes to go. Oh boy..... God please give me strength! lol. Onward shakes of protein!

I have received my approval letter from my insurance company, and the doctor's office has called to set up my surgery date for RNY. My mother and I had started our journey together for gastric bypass in April of 2009. Originally we started out wanting lap band, but Dr. Monk said that my mother would be better off getting gastric bypass because of her gastro intestinal problems. For me I stuck to lap band all the way up until our last doctor appointment. I decided that I needed to lose too much weight to get to where I need to be, and I don't trust my self discipline levels to stick to the diet with lap band. I feel that it gives too many loop holes. I realize that gastric bypass is still a big life change though. I am ready to change everthing so that I can be healthy. But as the reality of the surgery approaches, the more nervous I am getting. I am excited...very excited, but I am also very nervous. I realize that I have just been going through the motions, and I sort of know what to expect, but I think I am kind of blind going into it. Also, my mother and I were supposed to go through it together, but the doctor said he would prefer doing the surgeries at least a couple weeks apart. Originally she was going first, but she has a few more hurdles to jump before the big one. I am now going first and I dont know how she feels about it. I think she is a little upset that she isnt the one going first. I would like to get it over with because its killing me to keep on waiting. Its like you go months and months and then all of a sudden it comes up and slaps you in the rear! I am ready though, and I know my mom is ready. Im so glad my mother is the one I am doing this journey with. God really knew what he was doing when he handed me to this family. Here's to a new life, and a new road with my mother. 

Heather