Kris O.
Back to work
Apr 28, 2008
Well today was my first day back to work! I did not tell most of my co workers I was having RNY surgery, I just told them that I was having girlie surgery. I stopped in to visit last week and let the cat out of the bag. Needless to say when I returned most people knew I had WLS. I was pleasntly surprised at how happy were for me and excited that I did it. I guess what choice do they have, it's done! It was nice to come back to compliments and great support from my co workers! I underestimated them!
Being back at work was nice, except for the 200+ e-mails and 52 voicemails, fortunately most were hang ups. I was getting bored at home, I probably should have gone back last week but then thought what the heck I'll take another week if I can. I just wish there would have been some sunny warm April days while I was home.
Being back at work was nice, except for the 200+ e-mails and 52 voicemails, fortunately most were hang ups. I was getting bored at home, I probably should have gone back last week but then thought what the heck I'll take another week if I can. I just wish there would have been some sunny warm April days while I was home.
Heartburn
Apr 25, 2008
Ugh, heartburn reared it's ugly head today. I have GERD and when the nurses discharged my they said I didn't need to worry about Prilosec. I thought that was odd because my PCP said I would need to take it for a few months after surgery when I had my pre op physical. I called the nurse line today because I was MISERABLE! She checked and said I should have been taking it all along. I think the nurse at the hospital was so eager to get me checked out that she didn't bother to check anything! The good news is that I have taken the Prilosec and I am much better. Whew. Other than that things are continuing to go great!
Before Photos
Apr 22, 2008
I just posted my before photos taken the night before surgery. All of those years of avoiding being in photos, I never really realized how big I was! Thank goodness for this surgery. I am amazed at how easy it has been. The battery in my scale died so I have not weighed myself since my post op visit last week. I think I am OK with that. I have focused on the scale so much in the past, this time I am going to focus on the other stuff and however the scale moves is a bonus. I know I won't last too long before replacing the scale but it will be OK until I do.
Mmmmmm pureed foods
Apr 19, 2008
Yesterday I started on pureed foods. I started with Bean and Bacon Soup pureed using milk instead of water to thin it out. It was yummy! So was the mashed banana. I was able to eat it all which is scary, does that mean my pouch isn't working? I expected to be Thanksgiving day full! I was full but not uncomfortable which is how it should be I guess. I know pureed is like slider foods and I think the true test will be when I am at semi soft stage. I am not in a hurry to get there. I want to follow everything to a "T" at this point.
Here is what I have learned so far
* Just because you can puree it doesn't mean it will taste good!
* Malto Meal isn't that bad, just doctor it up with a little cinnamon and Splenda brown sugar or SF Maple Syrup
*Set a timer for 20-30 mins so I don't eat too fast
*I am not lactose intolerant! I was afraid of that, I love milk!!!!
*Applebees has great French Onion Soup (Clear Liquid!) Just ask for it without the crouton and cheese and let the onion sink to the bottom.
*Flinstones Chewable vitamins do not taste like I remembered as a kid but they are not too bad.
*I couldn't live without my Magic Bullet
Here is what I have learned so far
* Just because you can puree it doesn't mean it will taste good!
* Malto Meal isn't that bad, just doctor it up with a little cinnamon and Splenda brown sugar or SF Maple Syrup
*Set a timer for 20-30 mins so I don't eat too fast
*I am not lactose intolerant! I was afraid of that, I love milk!!!!
*Applebees has great French Onion Soup (Clear Liquid!) Just ask for it without the crouton and cheese and let the onion sink to the bottom.
*Flinstones Chewable vitamins do not taste like I remembered as a kid but they are not too bad.
*I couldn't live without my Magic Bullet
Post Op!
Apr 17, 2008
WOW, I am already a week post op! I was going to try to blog my journey sooner than this but I guess that never happened! My goal is to do this at least once every week. I know how helpful it was to me to read others blogs. Hmmmmm we'll see how long that lasts.
I feel very lucky that I completed the process in 4 months. I was sure it would take at least 6 months and surgery would be over the summer. Wrong!!
Surgery day came upon me pretty quickly, the LD was really not that bad. It is amazing what a little protein powder, milk, ice and a TBSP of SF pudding can do in the Magic Bullet!
I was surprised at how calm I was right up to the time they wheeled me in to the OR. I knew I was really ready. I was in a lot of pain right after surgery while I was in recovery. I few shots of pain meds in the old IV and I was good to go until they banged my gurney into the back of the elevator on the way up to my room. When I got there they asked if I knew the people in my room (my parents). I of course said I have never seen them in my life, my dad is Donald Trump! My dad is still laughing about that one! I was pretty comfortable that night ~ having the pain pump in my hand the whole time was part of it I am sure.
The next morning they removed the catheter, and I was able to walk around more freely. I was amazed at how little pain and discomfort I had, I was able to take a shower on my own and boy was that great! I walked, dozed, walked, dozed most of they day.
The second night I got a little more sleep although the nurses and staff were loud outside in the halls. I have always heard that a hospital is no place to get sleep- now I know why!
I was discharged the next day and home by noon! Ahhh home sweet home. My own bed with my kitty purring in my ear! I have been without pain and nausea-I feel so lucky. This last week has been clear liquids, walking, more clear liquids and more walking! I am excited to start pureed foods today.
So far I am down 29.1 lbs! Approx 9.1 since surgery day (They weighed me in kgs so I am guessing at the conversion). Not too shabby. Dr Ikrumaddin told me today that this is the easy part. The hard part will be a few years down the road when I am thin (yes, he said thin!!!!!!!!) and the potato chips and junk will be calling my name. He said it is so important to follow the plan and I couldn't agree more!
Well.... cheers to the rest of the journey!
I feel very lucky that I completed the process in 4 months. I was sure it would take at least 6 months and surgery would be over the summer. Wrong!!
Surgery day came upon me pretty quickly, the LD was really not that bad. It is amazing what a little protein powder, milk, ice and a TBSP of SF pudding can do in the Magic Bullet!
I was surprised at how calm I was right up to the time they wheeled me in to the OR. I knew I was really ready. I was in a lot of pain right after surgery while I was in recovery. I few shots of pain meds in the old IV and I was good to go until they banged my gurney into the back of the elevator on the way up to my room. When I got there they asked if I knew the people in my room (my parents). I of course said I have never seen them in my life, my dad is Donald Trump! My dad is still laughing about that one! I was pretty comfortable that night ~ having the pain pump in my hand the whole time was part of it I am sure.
The next morning they removed the catheter, and I was able to walk around more freely. I was amazed at how little pain and discomfort I had, I was able to take a shower on my own and boy was that great! I walked, dozed, walked, dozed most of they day.
The second night I got a little more sleep although the nurses and staff were loud outside in the halls. I have always heard that a hospital is no place to get sleep- now I know why!
I was discharged the next day and home by noon! Ahhh home sweet home. My own bed with my kitty purring in my ear! I have been without pain and nausea-I feel so lucky. This last week has been clear liquids, walking, more clear liquids and more walking! I am excited to start pureed foods today.
So far I am down 29.1 lbs! Approx 9.1 since surgery day (They weighed me in kgs so I am guessing at the conversion). Not too shabby. Dr Ikrumaddin told me today that this is the easy part. The hard part will be a few years down the road when I am thin (yes, he said thin!!!!!!!!) and the potato chips and junk will be calling my name. He said it is so important to follow the plan and I couldn't agree more!
Well.... cheers to the rest of the journey!
