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Random Things Share  Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 7:43am | Edit Note | Delete So...today I have officially been back to work for 1 month. It's been a rollercoaster ride of sorts, but I am still hanging in there and SURVIVING! Things are so different during your 6 weeks recuperating time that when it is time to go back to work ...it is a shock to the system. No matter how much you try to prepare for it. I was extremely worn out the first week back to work but now 1 month later it is better.

During this first month back to work, of course, I got to eat different foods during this time also so two big things going on at the same time. I tried lettuce from a salad for the first time at our work cafeteria and that made me soooooo sick and it didn't agree with me nor stay with me. So needless to say I haven't touched lettuce since, it will have to be a lot longer time before I embark on that again. Speaking of food intolerances, I've also had problems with tuna. One day i can eat it just fine the next time it says "let me out NOW" and out it slithers. I have had issues with cabbage as well.

Knock on wood, I haven't had any food issues this week. I am trying to make smarter choices and think about what I am putting in and how I put it in so it doesn't want to see the light of day again. :) I have been eating a lot of salmon, even tried shrimp and that went well. I don't eat fruit and I know I should be doing that and will work on that.

One thing I have found hard to do since I have been back at work is to get my daily walking in. I am trying and today I am off so I am going to walk walk walk. I still have a ways to go on weightloss but I haven't regretted this decision at all, even though at times I have felt like I was having morning sickness all over again, this has truly been the greatest thing I have ever done for myself!! All in all I feel sooo much better. I still have a fear of going up or down steps so that is why I still ride the elevator (dont laugh people have asked me why I don't take the stairs?)

I have gotten a lot of nice comments and please bare with me I am still not used to this, this is all new to me!! I am getting better accepting them....I've also gotten some not so nice comments about why didnt I try different diets etc, excuse me, first of all I did try everything before having this surgery done, and second of all it's NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS...it's my body, last time I checked!!

My family I think was a bit skeptical when I first told them I wanted to have this surgery done but they have all come a long way in their support since I have had the surgery and they see how well I am doing. It is so weird for me personally to think back about the day of the surgery, I was NEVER nervous or scared, I felt a complete calm and I knew I was doing the right thing. This is coming from someone that said she would NEVER have that surgery. Now that's what I call a miracle of sorts, it has been my silver lining......................

2 months out!!! Share  Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 3:30pm | Edit Note | Delete Today is my 2 month anniversary of my surgery~sometimes I can't believe it's been 2 months already. This phase I'm in at the present time has been a hard one for me for sure.

Yesterday when I got so sick on tuna I wouldve sworn the same feeling of having 'morning sickness.'. It was not fun...

Regrets?! I have none because I feel great health wise. I have issues but im not worrying myself sick over them. Just coasting along....

 

First week back to work Share  Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 8:29am | Edit Note | Delete First of all, I enjoyed my 6 weeks off of work immensely, and although I need a much bigger paycheck, I was not jumping up and down to return to work. Alas, my first week back to work consisted of a 4 day work week, how can anyone complain about that. Monday was rough. I took for lunch grilled chicken and mashed potatoes that I had had the previous day from Texas Roadhouse. I thought everything went fine...thankfully it did til I got home and then it came back up. I found that after work on Monday I was exhausted--not because I had done anything strenuous but because I was now back into a "structured" environment.

Tuesday was an entirely different kind of ballgame! I decided to try a scrambled egg for breakfast--yuck! Then I tried a salad for the first time, and I didnt even get that much lettuce...but you guessed it, this really did not agree with me!! I was sick in the bathroom 4 times at work!!! Becky (gotta love her, I do) came and gave me a wet paper towel to help in my time of misery. Word to self DONT try new things away from you humble abode! Lesson learned....

Wednesday, I was off to celebrate my mom's birthday ( I take her birthday, my daughters birthday and my birthday off every year.)

Thursday, I had split pea and ham soup. It was good. It might not have looked or smelled too good but it was! That night I had my first part of a hamburger on the George Foreman grill and it was Y U M M Y!

Friday, I took my other part of burger and had that. I also had a baked potato and mashed the stuffing out of it. I had went to the cafeteria because they were having meatloaf(trust me I know better than try to eat anything like that at this stage) but I thought for sure with meatloaf they would serve mashed potatoes and guess what they didn't have them!!! OMG was I disappointed. But everything managed to stay in place nothing came up...since Tuesday.

I have found that since I have been back to work and am getting in that routine it is easier for me to drink more water--I guess because I am yakking more I need more to drink.

All in all it hasn't been a bad first week back to work--I miss walking whenever I feel like it.

Today was weigh day and I managed to lose 5 lbs this week so I would say it was a success!!!

Rough Patches Share  Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 10:18am | Edit Note | Delete I haven't written in awhile because I didn't know how to put my feelings/emotions into words that would be understandable to anyone other than me. I am now 5 weeks post op and overall I feel great! I never in a million years thought that walking would come to mean so much to me and that I would like doing it but I really do!

I have had problems with protein from virtually day one, but I have never given up and the dieticians always encouraged me just keep trying to find something you can tolerate. I think, after 5 looooong weeks, struggling with that I have finally found one...yay!! This has been a BIG concern for me! Several people that have had the surgery told me that they experienced the same thing so then at least I felt normal, somewhat. But I was still concerned...I want to be healthy that is the main reason for having this done!

I had my first followup appointment with Dr E on April 28th and I had lost 49 lbs at that time--in 26 days! Wow!! I had to see the dietician first and they determined that I had ketosis and was dehydrated, so I had to buy some juicy juice and dilute it with water for 2-3 days to get more carbs in my body. Then went to see Dr E. He examined my scars they were healing fine no stitches needed to be cut...he said I could swim the English Channel if I wanted to and I could go to Phase 2 of eating.

I was never so happy and excited to get away from liquid diet!! I don't think I will ever go back to that even if I am sick--it was too yucky for me!! First of all, I used to LOVE cottage cheese now I can't stand to even look at it. Never liked yogurt and still don't-got sick to death of oatmeal, beans, baby fruit...that was awful!! I asked about popcorn said I could eat all I wanted just had to watch out for the sugar, and I asked about fish...I could eat all the fish I wanted.

Soooo the Saturday after this I ordered Red Lobster oven broiled flounder to go it was delish!! Another day my mom and I went to my fav restaurant Outback and I ordered the salmon...it made me sooo sick...not dumping (knock on wood) never had that, but I swear it felt like my stomach was on fire!! Tried it again a little later that night thinking that maybe at the restaurant I didn't give it a good enough try, well it still felt like that. Ok salmon done for awhile. Then next day I tried broccoli did the same thing to me!! What i don't understand if I have to coat my stomach with Carafate and Nexium why the hell does my stomach feel like someone lit a fire in there?

I called up there to Indy talked to Dr E nurse first she told me to stay away from broccoli, cauliflower & salmon for awhile. You think? Then told me to call dietician (nurse also said this didn't sound "normal"), the dietician told me basically the same thing and told me to eat mild fish flounder--tilapia--orange roughy. Thats all fine and good but this stuff is not cheap. If not better in 1 week need to call up there.

Then on girls night out I ordered the wrong flounder by mistake got the wood grilled instead of the oven broiled and it made me sick. I am done with fish for awhile I think, next time I try it again it might go a lot better for me.

I can honestly say when someone is eating sweets in front of me it doesnt bother me in the slightest but my nose has a thing for salads if someone is eating one near me I want to reach over and take a bite, that will be the next phase of food and i cant wait!! I still crave pizza when I see the commercials but for the most part I am good with my choices I have now, had to be creative but am happy.

The first time I was "allowed" to have popcorn, I tasted it and it tasted like cardboard to me. I have since had it a few more times and it tastes almost normal now. :) That was one of my favorite things!

So in conclusion I am still happy with no regrets that I had this surgery done, just wanted to share my stories, "rough patches", and delights as well--maybe it will help someone else that might be struggling in one way or the other.

Thanks for the continued support!!!

Crazy little thing called WILLPOWER Share  Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 5:32am | Edit Note | Delete Willpower is something I thought I had ( or convinced myself I had) from time to time through out my life. I tried NutriSystem several years ago and it did work for awhile. I tried Weight Watchers more times than I can count with minimal success. Diet pills worked for awhile...

After years of trying this diet and that diet and never being able to stick to any of them-I just sorta gave up and gave into any craving I had. I began to feel awful- my knee hurt, I got sleep apnea (and didn't like the CPAP so sent it back), I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, my back hurt, etc.

Several co-workers had had Gastric Bypass done, but I'd always say that wasn't for me-I could lose the weight myself. Well, I had tried that for years and look where it got me--nowhere fast.

Then I had watched something on TV about how Gastric Bypass reduces or gets rid of diabetes for good. It is then I started my research on the surgery. (I must admit I was in denial about my diabetes and was NOT a practicing diabetic!!)

Is this surgery good for everyone? I would say no. All I know is it helped me change my life for the better--my knee no longer hurts, I don't snore, and most of all I'm off ALL diabetic meds.

With this surgery willpower doesn't really enter the picture in this phase of the diet but I know in the future willpower will rear its ugly head again but now I know I can make better choices!!

Trying on clothes Share  Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 5:14am | Edit Note | Delete I never in a million years thought trying on clothes would be so hard. I tried on one pair of capris so far, they didn't fit. The thing is I really don't know what size I wear.

Today is weigh day--I can't wait to see what the scale says. I was really hoping for a 10 lb loss this week but with me being sick I don't know how that will play out.

I'm excited about getting new clothes since all of mine hang off of me now. It will be sad to get rid of some articles of clothing that covered me for awhile..but I know I can't keep these things out of sentimental value or I might just turn into a hoarder!! I am keeping a pair of jeans AND capris--just because!!

When I start to feel better then I will get more serious about trying on clothes and working on the new Kazi!! ;)  

All about changes Share  Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3:47pm | Edit Note | Delete First of all, I must say since I have had this surgery 16 days ago, I can't believe all of the food commercials on TV. Nothing really bothers me or "speaks" to me but pizza. I had to laugh when I ready on a site for gastric bypass patients, a lady wrote that her husband brought a pizza in her house for him and their son and she spent the better part of the evening trying to figure out how she could puree some pizza!

I am on a full liquid consistency diet until week 5 and then I can add tuna and salmon, believe me I can't wait! In fact, I tell anyone and everyone that I come in contact with about this. So I am pretty much expecting to see everyone I know at Red Lobster on May 7th. My followup appointment with Dr Evanson is April 28th and I am going to see if I can beg him to let me eat fish sooner. I need to have that chewing sensation or I will lose my mind. :)

I am walking, I haven't gotten sick yet, and I was right this has been my BIGGEST challenge, but I haven't regretted this decision once. I did this for all the right reasons--ME! The most awesome thing is I am off all meds I took before and my blood sugar remains right at normal level. I am sooo thankful because of this. This is hard work, I wont lie. And the people that say this is the easy way out, make me VERY angry. There is NOTHING easy about this.

I know people are going to judge no matter what, that is their problem. I feel better already--I dont get so winded when I walk, I have been told I haven't snored, I can definitely tell in some of my clothes and it is a good feeling!

Anyone that knows me knows I am a true water rat, so when I am able I am going to hit the pools for some fun in the sun and a good workout in the pool. After pool season is over then I am planning on joining the Y.

I am changing for the better physically I am still true to myself in every other way that counts! I am forever grateful for this surgery and Dr Evanson for helping me take control of my life.  

Thursday, April 8--day 6 of post op Share  Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 8:45pm | Edit Note | Delete What does a full night sleep feel like? Boy would I love to know! Seems me and sleeping all night have parted ways and I don't like it one bit!!

On another note, at breakfast today I tried fomethinf completely different -- 1 oz kidney beans-1 oz sugar free pudding. That was a nice change. And the beans turned out to be good for me...

For lunch I had 1oz of cojack cheese and another ounce of that wonderful pudding.

I called my family doc he says stay off ALL diabetic meds!!! If I were near him I probably would gave kissed him. Wow!!! What a difference just 1 week can make--yippee!! As I keep saying..I've been given a second chance and I will NEVER take this for granted!!

Amanda came for a visit and gave me some things to try to see what I like and can tolerate. We had a great visit and she answered so many of the questions both my mom & I had.

Bobby and Becky both called me and also made my day..

Getting ready to eat dinner going to try the string cheese again and string it and see how it goes. Not sure what the othe ounce will consist of.

I did take a shower today which took a lot out of me, I took a wonderful nap, did some walking in the sunshine, and drank and TOLERATED milk and even liked it. So two thumbs up for this day overall!!

Wednesday, April 7th--day 5 of post op Share  Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 1:04pm | Edit Note | Delete This day presented an entirely new set of challenges. One is I had to crush my Zoloft into a 1 ounce cup of meal and let me just tell you friends that won't be happening again!! My tongue was completely numb after the 2nd bite..gave to call dr on Thursday to get switched to liquid form.

I called my surgeons office with a few ?'s, and they called me back right away. This Protonix is like Nexium etc and they are now giving me liquid Prevacid. My blood sugar has been holding steady at 85 wahoo! Surgeons office wants me to call my family doc to see if he wants me to take diabetics meds for awhile or not. I vote no, gotta enough that I'm supposed to make sure I get in. But we'll see....

For breakfast I had 1 oz of Coco Wheats and 1 ounce of cojack cheese. I tried to eat a piece of string cheese just not quite sure what the fascination is--to be honest, I am a little afraid of the string cheese. I concentrated while i was chewing but I didn't like how it was maybe the texture.

For lunch I had 1 ounce of baby food applesauce and 1 ounce lowfat cottage cheese. That was uneventful.

For dinner I had 1 oz of lowfat cottage cheese and 1 oz of sugar free pudding.

I only had 1 dose of pain meds!!

Tuesday, April 6th--post op day #4 Share  Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 7:51am | Edit Note | Delete A complete learning curve kinda day!! Trying to get in some kind of routine is crazy to say the least!! I get 2 1 ounce meals 3 times a day--so roughly we space them out about every 5 hours. Trying to get this vitamin, that pill and fluids in seems to be a neverending battle!! I am thinking you must not be able to understand the concept unless you've been thru this.

They tell you in nutrition class that before surgery -- your stomach is the size of a football and afterwards it is the size of a ping pong ball--just imagine all the things we have to now try to fit into this ping pong ball sized tummy! Whew! I can tell you this alone is a challenge.

Many have checked in on me via calls, emails or texts--I appreciate that!! Amanda has answered every question I've had and still thinks I'm normal ..and loves me!

Doctor prescribed me protonix and insurance doesn't want to cover it so they are deciding what to use in it's place.

Walking is getting better...