JulieIND
8/22/06 --
I'm almost a month out and it's been fun...LOL! I was hospitalized about a week and a half after surgery, which was no fun. I woke up and got very dizzy. My husband had to call the ambulance because I could not stand up and was dry-heaving. I think it was either dehydration or low blood sugar. Regardless, I had to stay overnight in the hospital and have been doing pretty good since then.
I didn't last long on Stage 2. It says in the manual some people are only on it for a few days, which seemed to be me. I am still using a lot of the softer, high protein foods *cottage cheese*, but I am pretty much eating whatever I want.
I haven't vomited or gotten sick at all. Everything seems to sit well in my tummy unless I eat too fast. That's always been a problem with me, so I guess it will take me a while to get used to eating slow and chew, chew, chewing.
I went to the doctor today and am down 24 pounds since surgery. So my guess is I'll have lost 25 pounds in the first month. I'm pretty pleased with that weight loss and hope it keeps on going.
'Til next time . . .
7/29/06 --
Well, I'm five days out, and -- I'll tell ya what! -- it has been A LOT harder than everyone said it was going to be. Here's a rundown of how my first few days went:
DAY 1:
Went to the hospital. Not too impressed with the facility. It's okay, but not like my hometown hospital. I got taken back to a room with a lot of areas separated by curtains. They started my IV and got me ready and took me back to the OR. I remember them putting me on the table, and that was about it.
The next thing I remember is kicking and screaming that I was going to throw up. I don't know why I was saying that, because I really wasn't going to. I think I just had it in my head that I was going to be throwing up a lot after this procedure. Funny...
After they took me back to my room, I pretty much slept all day and didn't get up until the evening. When I did get up, it really wasn't that bad. The only problem I had that day was urinating. I had to be catheterized twice to get my bladder working on its own again.
DAY 2:
I was supposed to be released today; right? At least that's what everyone said :) My bladder still wasn't emptying all the way and I was having moderate pain/nausea, plus slightly high BP; so I stayed in another day. No biggie! My roommate was this poor old lady who I felt so bad for and really worried about. She couldn't use her call light, so I had to get someone when she yelled out for help. Maybe I'll get a discount for helping out?!?! LOL
DAY 3:
Got released. Went back to hotel. Very nauseous. I felt like I didn't know what to eat/drink. Everything had been staying down okay, but I was worried that one little bite was going to throw me over the edge. Down 4 lbs. Swelling in feet/ankles is GONE, BABY!
DAY 4:
Started having diarrhea. I called Kim. Told me to take an Immodium, which I ended up gagging on and had to go back to the hotel room after I gagged all over my shirt. I wouldn't say I threw up, though. It's just that the pill broke up in my throat, and it made me sick! I went back to the hotel, and Dr. D. told me to let it run its course, and hopefully things will work out.
DAY 5:
Wow! Not too bad today. We sorta kinda went shopping today around Frankenmuth, Michigan, at the yearround X-mas store. I was out of the hotel for about 5 hours and did okay. It was kind of depressing seeing all the touristy food shops selling fudge and fresh German sausage! Oh, well...
I've been eating different soup broths, yogurt, Gatorade, and lots of saltines. Those have been my saving grace! Also, a friend who had the MGB suggested the Yoplait Whips, and, boy, are those good! There's not as filling as the regular ones and taste more like a desert.
I also ordered the Elete Water drops today so I can get off the GATORGAG! Yuck! I used to like that stuff, but it's leaving a horrible taste in my mouth, and I miss good ol' fashion H2O.
Still haven't vomited! Yipeee....
Well, that's it for now. :)
7/21/06 --
Can you believe it's only 4 days until I'm going to have the MGB? I am getting so nervous and wondering if this is the right thing to do. I have been talking to tons and tons of post-ops just to get an idea of what to expect and hearing about their experiences.
The one thing that scares me the most is the nutritional deficiencies that I've been hearing about. I guess there's no way around that, and it seems that people who have had any type of WLS can have that problem. I'll just have to take all my supplements and keep on top of that so I can be healthy!
Well, that's it for now. I probably won't update until I'm out of surgery. I leave on July 24th in the a.m. It should be about a five-hour drive. My mother will be coming up that evening to help take care of the kids. Hopefully, I'll be well enough in a few days so they can stay with me. I don't want to be without them for seven days!
See you on the other side!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/11/06 --
Less than two weeks away! I just got my letter from the psychologist, and -- guess what -- I passed! WooHoo! :)
I also went to my doctor yesterday for my physical and blood tests. So it looks like I'm on my way, provided all blood work comes back normal.
I talked to Kim Hazen yesterday and will be sending my packet in on Friday if I don't get everything from my PCP by then. I'll probably plan to send it then anwyays, because I'm sure it won't be done in time.
Only thing left is pregnancy test next week, which I know will be negative, as I'm getting an IUD on Friday.
Until next time...
6/29/06 --
Hello, and welcome to my profile! I now have a date for the Mini-Gastric Bypass surgery in Bay City, Michigan! I will be starting my new life on July 25, 2006.
Today I had my psychological evaluation. I thought it was a bunch of B.S. and cost me $200 for her to ask me a few questions she had on a form on her computer. Big friggin' deal. Anyways, hope I passed, LOL.
I've been getting myself mentally prepared. I still am very nervous, but I know this is going to be great! I've been corresponding with a few other MGBers, and they have been sooooo wonderful to me. This surgery really brings people together in our own little network. All their stories are so insprining, and I can't wait to share mine with pre-ops one day!
Next is my visit to my PCP for blood work and physical. She's already written my support letter and she's very excited about my decision. Then I'm done with my packet and will send it off.
Doing the packet wasn't that hard. It just took me a long time to make up my mind and set a date. I think once you call and set a date, everything just starts falling into place.
Well, that's all for now!
