I'm home

Oct 14, 2012

Wow, I am home after 2 days in the hospital from RNY surgery. My experience, well, it really was terrific. I was scheduled for surgery at 8am, it was a bit later than that when I finally got wheeled into surgery. Surgery lasted only 1 1/2 hours and I spent 3 hours in recovery. 2 of those hours I was awake just waiting for a room. Got to my room at about 12:35 and was wa;king at 2:15. I then walked every 2 hours, I was feeling terrific. Dr came in, I asked him if he even did the surgery since I felt so good. That night went well also. I had a cath in and still wasn't able to drink until the next day. Woke around 5am on Friday and started walking again. Got the cath out and made a promise to myself to walk each and every time I had to go to the bathroom. Which by the way was quite often. Then, 4pm Friday afternoon, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks! Nausea! Never before had I felt so sick. There was also a pressure going through my back, stomach, chest, I couldn't lay still, but felt sick everytime I moved. Nausea meds weren't helping at all, I couldn't walk, sleep, drink, I couldn't even take roxicet. Finally, 5am Saturday, I was given a different kind of nausea med and I was a whole new person.

Up walking again and drinking, it was like I was never sick. I am so glad to have done this and don't regret it at all. Even as sick as I felt, I would do it all again, to know that I am on my way to being healthy. I really haven't had much pain at all. Just discomfort, sitting or sleeping. Although getting in the required liquids has been a struggle. I feel so full all the time. I am trying to get 8oz of some form of liquid every hour. I'm about an hour behind because I feel like I am floating! The pressure is getting to me with each sip. So I wait a little bit and then start again. Sip, sip, sip. Not gulping at all. Warm liquids seem to be better for my pouch. But, I have to say I am so happy. Not hungry at all. Will be on liquids for 2 weeks and then on to soft foods. I am looking forward to some eggs, refried beans and chili though lol Will update more soon. :)
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Two days left and last day to eat!

Oct 08, 2012

Well, here it is. 2 more days and then I will be joining the loser bench. :) I am so excited! Couldn't really sleep last night. Lot's of tossing and turning, mind racing, thinking of all the things that got me to where I am today. Kind of like "woe is me", I can't believe that I have to have surgery to get healthy. Wonder if that has happened to anyone else. I am not worried or afraid to have surgery, but I couldn't help regret that I have put myself in this position. That in all of these years, I couldn't make the right food choices for myself. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, that is what kept me up all night. Plus, I am mourning food at the moment. I know that I will be able to eat a lot of my favorite foods, but I also will be giving up a lot as well. But, I am completely ready to start my new and improved life.

I am actually not hungry today. I thought about it a lot. "What would I have to eat my last day?" Steak, chinese, so many choices really. Now that today is here, I am not even hungry. Tomorrow I am on clear liquids and then nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Then clear liquids for 2 weeks post op. I can do this, I will do this. And this precious tool that is about to be given to me, I will not take it for granted. I will use my tool as directed and follow every part of my surgeons plan. I have lost 40 lbs pre op and am not ever looking back. Planning to lose 175 more, being healthy, doing all the things I have wanted to do for the last 15 years is what I have to look forward to. What a blessing this surgery is for many, many people. I am glad I am about to be one of those people. :)

So, when you hear from me again, I will be on the other side! :) See you soon.
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Approved!! :)

Sep 26, 2012

I was told not to call until October 3rd, to make sure everything was a go. But, I started thinking, what if they never submit to insurance and then on the 3rd I call to only find out that they still have to submit and surgery is on the 11th!!! So, to keep my mind sane, I called and left a message on the voicemail of the lady that handles the insurance and just asked if they had submitted yet. Then, I was getting impatient and called my insurance company directly to see if anything was submitted. Well insurance told me that I was not approved yet, but they could'nt tell me if my paperwork had been submitted. So, I HAD to wait for Dr office to call mw back.

I just got THE call. You know the one. The one that approves you for surgery. The most important call of your life. That one call that determines the rest of your life! Ugh, so thankful that this happened today. What a relief and not having to worry about it for the next two weeks. Yay! Now, I can relax and just wait for the first day of the rest of my life! :)
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17 Days!

Sep 24, 2012

Well, time has really slowed down. I couldn't believe how fast time was going at first. The last couple of weeks has been dragging by! 17 more days to  go. I am so completely ready for this. Didn't need to purchase or prepare anything. I will be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks after surgery. Since my tonsillectomy, I haven't been able to eat anything sugar free, which is really upsetting. So it looks like I will be having lots of broth. Hopefully I will be able to drink some protein shakes. Since I had my tonsillectomy, I haven't been able to have anything sugar free, or even sweets like chocolate anything, all of it tastes like metal to me. Very depressing. Though I hear that will go away and I will gain my taste back after a few months. So far though, it's not getting any better. Time will tell though.

So, here I sit, waiting. Ready to be on the other side. Ready to be a loser. Ready to start my new life. :)

My goals for after surgery are many.....
1. Be comfortable in the car for more than 30 minutes.
2. Be able to go to kids school and walk around for open house without getting winded from the stairs.
3. Cross my legs. I haven't done this since high school.
4. Touch my toes.
5. Dress without having to sit on the bed to put pants and socks and shoes on.
6. Ride rollercoasters again. Haven't done this since high school.
7. Reduce pain in my knees.
8. Be able to exercise with little to no pain.
9. ZUMBA! Enough said!
10. Wear clothes that the first number doesn't begin with a 2 or 3.
11. Go clothes shopping in a "normal" store.
12. Be able to do activities with my kids.
13. Sleep comfortably.
14. Fit into a NFL, NHL jersey that is purchased from my local store and not online to get the biggest size and even those don't fit.
15. Be able to go back to college and walk the campus.
16. To go back to working full time without pain.
17. To park anywhere in a lot and walk to the front door.
18. Bungee Jumping! Again, enough said!
19.To be comfortable in my own skin again.

I am sure there is so much more that I can't think at the moment. But shouldn't that be enough? No person should ever have a list this long to feel better about themselves and to be comfortable. I have put myself into this position, but will reach each and every one of my goals and then some. I'm taking back my life and punching it in the face! :)

Time to go for now. I'm sure I will update again before surgery.  
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Tonsillectomy post op :-(

Aug 23, 2012

Well, today is day 4 of my tonsillectomy post op. Let me just say, day 1, was a freakin honeymoon. Ever since day 1, has been a nightmare. Oh the pain. I have never in my life experienced this much pain before. I would much rather give birth twice then have this surgery once!!

I guess as an adult it is more painful and the recovery time is longer, and some deal with the pain better than others. I have a very high pain threshold, but this just takes the cake. Horrible, horrible pain.

Want to know the frustrating part? I literally can't eat food. Sure a bite here and there is forced down, but all in all I may have gotten a total of 3 cups of real food (mashed taters, mac n cheese) since Monday. That's great, right? Getting used to really not eating and going to further kick this weight loss into gear, even if it isn't the proper way, right? NO of course not, because as of today I weigh 10 more lbs then I did on the day of surgery!!!!! I am retaining water like a B****!!

So, I feel like a stretched out balloon, ready to pop at any moment. I have not really eaten in 4 days, and my throat feels like im swallowing shards of glass. Ugh! I'm supposed to take something for pain every 4 hours. I am lucky if the medicine lasts an hour now.

I have my rny in 7 weeks and I was worried about the waiting game? Well, now I can focus on this damn healing process to make sure I am ready for another surgery in 7 weeks. Got my plate full now.

Will update more soon. Hopefully when I feel better and don't feel like bitching. lol



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Not ready for this!

Aug 19, 2012

So, tomorrow is my tonsillectomy and I am really not ready for it. I know I shouldn't be worried about it, but I have heard so many horror stories about the pain and recovery time. Ugh!

And, Friday I started getting severe pains in my abdomen, so I am thinking that my diverticulitis has flared up. Miserable , miserable pain last night all night. Couldn't sleep. Feeling a little better today. Still in a bit of pain, but I am sure after my surgery tomorrow, I wont feel a thing but a really bad sore throat.

Went on a clear liquid diet today, hoping to help my flare up and settle my colon down. What a life. I guess things could be so much worse, but I am really stressing over the few things that I have going on. Plus, if you have never had diverticulitis, the pain is like no other. I have had 2 ectopic pregnancies and I dont ever remember that pain being this bad. And that pain was unbearable! Oh well, I will update more after surgery tomorrow! 
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Went for my Pulmonary Function Test!

Aug 18, 2012

So, when I went to see the pulmonologist, I didn't get cleared because I needed to have a PFT. Well, yesterday I finally got that done. Tech said I did so well, it was like I had never smoked a day in my life. :)

Yay, I really needed to hear that, to further validate my reasoning for quitting that nasty habit! I had smoked for the past 15 years and only quit 9 weeks ago, today! So to hear that my lungs are working like a non smoker, is so beautiful! :)

Anyway, that was basically it. I need to see the surgeon one more time, on September 14th and I will see the psychiatrist that same day. Then all will be done, except for bloodwork which will be done within 30 days of surgery. October 11th, I am ready!! :) Now I can relax and recover from tonsillectomy on Monday!
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Tonsillectomy :(

Aug 14, 2012

March of 2012, I had a severe case of strep throat. Since then, on my monthly visits to my PCP, she has told me that my left tonsil looks double in size. Well, this last visit, she tells me that again. I told her, you keep telling me that. So, she says, we better have it looked at, just to be sure. I'm sure it's not cancer! Um, everything that is medically wrong with me since my mother died from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, is always met with a "just to be sure" attitude. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that my dr is very proactive, but it makes for waiting for results very difficult, mentally.

So, I go to see the ENT and he says, "Let's get them out!" No question about it, just get them out. Fine! But, now I am looking at being completely miserable, as I have heard it is much more painful and the recovery is longer as an adult! Sigh!

I also worry about not being recovered before my RNY in October. Although, the nurse says, i'll be fine!

I go for my surgery on Monday, August 20th. My Fiance's birthday is on the 21st and my birthday is on the 27th. Boo! Then looking forward to my October surgery. Yay! Can't wait.

Everything is done, except seeing the psychiatrist! September 14th is my last appointment with the surgeon and then as soon as the nut dr clears me for surgery, we can submit! What a relief that will be. :)

I'm sure I will be updating more of my blog, considering I will be doing NOTHING after my tonsillectomy. Looking ahead to boring days and nights. Hopefully I heal quickly though. :-)
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Cardiologist cleared me for surgery!

Jul 25, 2012

Yes! Went to get my EKG today and get cleared by cardio and it is done! One step closer to being a loser for good! My boyfriend said to me, "everything is getting done but what are you going to do when you are all done and you have to wait!" I never really thought about it until he said something. I will have all of my requirements done by September 14th, and I don't have surgery scheduled until October 11th. I can always hope for someone to cancel! :=)

A girl can dream, can't she? LOL

I am trying to find things to keep me busy for 2 months. I don't work at the moment, so I am home all the time. I have already gone through old clothes, getting them freshened up and ready to go for when I lose some weight. I have basically given away bags of clothes that fit me now, but I have no intentions on wearing them come winter, so out they went~!

Going to be getting kids ready for school soon, then what??? Ack! Will still have a month to sit and wait! I am focusing on trying to lose an additional 30 lbs before surgery. I want to be under 300 before surgery! But, the past few weeks have come to a halt with weight loss. i was losing an average of 2-3 lbs per week for the past 3 months, but now i'm going weeks only losing 2-3 lbs. I'm only eating about 800 calories a day, very little sugar, no bread, trying to eat lots of veggies and chicken! I need to get some more walking in, but it hurts my knees. I walk one day and down for 3 trying to deal with pain!

Well, August 1st, will be my last weigh in and August 9th is appt with pulmonology (sp)! Then waiting until September for Nut! I'll check in again soon!
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I have a tentative date!!

Jul 18, 2012

So, I go to my first appointment today to meet and talk with the surgeon. I ended up leaving with a tentative date of October 11th! I am SO excited! I cannot believe how fast it is approaching. I certainly did not expect to already have a scheduled date either. I knew what needed to be done and started my 6 month diet study 5 months ago, and I have already had my sleep study, so I knew I didn't need much to get it all together. They want 2 more dr notes and cardiac clearance and pulmonology clearance and psych eval and then we can submit to insurance. I will have a dr note on August 1st and then the last one in early September. I have cardiac appt on August 9th and psych eval on Sept 14th. Then one crazy long month to wait for surgery. Wow, I am so ready to be on the losers bench!
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About Me
Waynesburg, PA
Location
36.1
BMI
RNY
Surgery
10/11/2012
Surgery Date
Jul 29, 2004
Member Since

Friends 19

Latest Blog 12

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