Jodie H.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I have not been updating for the past year, I know that is terrible.  I have lost 87 pounds and plateaued, I feel, at 215 pounds!  I am starting to post on plastic surgery site to see if I am crazy to think of it so early.  I am feeling like cutting the rest off!

I updated my avatar this week at the urging of one of my surgery support buddies, Lauren.  Thanks everyone for the encouragement!  I am 43# down in 10 weeks.  Exercised 5x this week!  I have never done that before.  I have even had a bit of energy to do some light gardening...no more muscle aches...etc.  Thank you god!  And thanks again to my parents for helping with financing this and my surgeon and staff that did an excellent job...last but not least all the wonderful, supportive people on the OH website!  You guys and gals rock!
Jodie

I had what I would call muscle soreness that was of extended duration about week 2-3.  I thought maybe I was just getting use to walking for exercise at first, but since the pain persisted I wondered about the potassium deficiency thing.  Ate more bananas and Optipro shakes were advised to me by the local supplement shop as a good supplement for "tissue repair".  That did seem to help. I also stopped walking as much (was going 2-3 times per day) the second week when still at home.  Now need to bump it back up, but the leg soreness has subsided.  I am also able to eat more, so maybe that helps too.  I asked the dietician about my leg muscle soreness and general low energy--she said to make sure I'm getting the protein in, drinking enough water and taking the multivitamins.  I was short on the water...so trying to do better. 

I am two weeks out today and have lost 20 pounds!  I never would have thought that possible before now.  The first week was the bulk of it at 15 pounds, but I know that is always the case in losing weight.  I tried my first "soft solid" today of Tuna and boiled egg with light mayo.  I thought I could eat 3oz or so, but not possible!  I must not have chewed well enough because it felt like a rock going down.  I will chew more next time.  Tonight will stick with gumbo--nice and soupy  :).  I am still having a hard time believing I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks--that is amazing!  And since starting more solids I don't feel hungry anymore (I did the first week on clear liquids).

Currently, I am still staying with my mother and father until the Dr. releases me for driving (I live alone, but in the same town).  My sister drove here from Houston from Wed. til today (Sun.) which was great--she left her husband and 2 kids (1 & 4) behind to come and help nurse me!  She was just great bringing flowers to hospitals etc. and making sure me and Mom didn't have any cross words :).  Also, co-workers came and brought DVDs and my best friend a card with a gift certificate for new clothes.  I am so grateful to have so many loving people in my life and I think this surgery really makes me realize--DAMN, I HAVE IT GOOD!  Now, it can only get better!!! 

I had my surgery on March 28th as all things considered it seemed the longer I waited the worse anxiety I had. Amazingly enough, my hives went away the day of surgery and were gone for another day, however they are back now.  I have anxiety issues that were there before and will have to work on in therapy and support groups.  BUT, right now I have taken some Loratab and will be taking a nap soon!  Soooo overall, my first report is .......the operation went smooth--only one day night in hospital.  The surgery was at 9am Wed., I was discharged by 10am Thurs. I did very well by all accounts.  I didn't have anything to compare it to as I have never been in a hospital before for anything!  Vista staff was great and responded with immediacy each time I called!  Can't complain about a thing there. Now, it is just dealing with a liquid diet while everyone else is eating the good stuff.  I have to say my family is being supportive (sister came in from Houston and Mom stayed with me in hospital).  I can't expect them not to eat or just drink liquids like me, but my mother did shut down my Dad's idea of a crawfish boil today, knowing it would make it hard for me.  Only the first night was really nauseating when they reheated some fish and various foods for dinner--I felt like throwing up.  Also, I had gulped my meds and some water too fast the same night and learned--not a good idea--sip, sip, sip.  Both times, I went outside and walked around the pool until the feeling passed and that seemed to helped.  So, I am learning. Thanks for all the support.  Will write more later.
Jodie

I finally decided which procedure now I have to set a date!  I am a cash pay person who is wanting the sleeve gastrectomy.  3 out of 4 Dr. first told me to go with a RNY, but finally I asked Dr. Hargroder--"if it was you who weighed almost 300 pounds and in my situation--right here and now--what would you do?".  He told me he would go with the sleeve for 2 reasons:  less operative risk and fact that I was cash pay.  Being cash pay means that if there was a complication after surgery my insurance would still not pay!  Thank god I asked.  Now that is decided-seems everyone wants me to wait for one reason or another--my college reunion on March 24 (Mobile, Al).  My niece's birthday on March the 10th (Houston, TX).  My sis wants to be here but can't come before that.  I'm thinking--this is part of my problem--putting everyone else's needs first!  The Dr. can do it as early as March 5th and I feel I'm ready.  Really I can't stand the thought of waiting another 4 weeks for the reunion--which is out of town and haven't been to one in 10 years.  I am making myself crazy trying to do everything and make everyone else happy!  I was wondering how people deal with anxiety before and especially after surgery--my main coping technique is to eat!!  :(