kukukat
Life is better
Aug 02, 2011
Since my RNY surgery on May 27, 2011 my daily life has improved in many ways. I can walk up a flight of stairs without becoming winded; I can get into and out of smaller spaces -- a booth in a restaurant is no longer a huge obstacle; I'm starting to fill a laundry basket with clothing that I will never wear again -- I'm so excited to give them away! I'm not constantly searching for something to stuff in my mouth. I feel happier, 30 lbs lighter and hopeful that the rest of my life can be healthier, that I'll be doing instead of watching; living instead of just passing days.
I have been on blood pressure medication since the mid 1990's, but I am hopeful that can become a thing of the past. I am sure that I was headed for diabetes, a bullet that I may have dodged thanks to this surgery. I had constant pain in my hips and knees prior to my surgery. I can't say that my joints are perfect now, and probably can't expect them to be (I'm 58 years old and was obese for the last 25 years... what would you expect?) But they feel better and with additional weight loss I am hopeful that they will continue to feel better. If the day comes that I need to have joints replaced, my lower weight will surely be a benefit going into the surgery, as well as prolonging the health of the new joint.
I am grateful that I could qualify to have this surgery done. I am grateful to my doctor and his staff, to this online community and to others I have met who have fought this battle and been victorious. I not only feel physically healthier, but mentally healthier, too.
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I have been on blood pressure medication since the mid 1990's, but I am hopeful that can become a thing of the past. I am sure that I was headed for diabetes, a bullet that I may have dodged thanks to this surgery. I had constant pain in my hips and knees prior to my surgery. I can't say that my joints are perfect now, and probably can't expect them to be (I'm 58 years old and was obese for the last 25 years... what would you expect?) But they feel better and with additional weight loss I am hopeful that they will continue to feel better. If the day comes that I need to have joints replaced, my lower weight will surely be a benefit going into the surgery, as well as prolonging the health of the new joint.
I am grateful that I could qualify to have this surgery done. I am grateful to my doctor and his staff, to this online community and to others I have met who have fought this battle and been victorious. I not only feel physically healthier, but mentally healthier, too.
Stuck
Jul 20, 2011
Frustration with being stuck at the same weight for weeks. Hmmmm. I don't weigh every day, but it just doesn't seem to move. I am not a good exerciser for the sake of exercising (I am too bored with it, I have to be accomplishing something like weeding my garden or painting or laundry or pushing a shopping cart all over Target!) but I started a swimmercise class last week, which I hope will get me through the summer. It is too hot to be outside if I'm not in water!
I'm thinking I'll go back to the protien shakes again, too. All liquids might push me off that 220 mark on the scale.
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I'm thinking I'll go back to the protien shakes again, too. All liquids might push me off that 220 mark on the scale.
A little snag
Jun 13, 2011
I had a bit of a rough patch a few days ago. My post op appt went well, the scale at the DR's office telling me I'd lost 12 pounds and not the 15 I thought, but that is ok. My scale is telling me 20 pounds today and it is 17 days post op...
But the snag was that after graduating to soft foods I got in big trouble the next day. Refried beans went down very well... so tasty and filling and nourishing. But the next day I tried a Nutrasystem fritata which had some chopped veggies in it (no problem right away); 2 tsp of peanut butter like a lolipop seemed ok, too, when I got hungry and hadn't made plans for my next meal (bad to not plan!); the next thing I bombarded my poor tummy with was too much mashed potatoes, too fast. I mixed in protein powder, so the nutrition was there. But too much too fast resulted in 6 hours of agony. So, I learned something. Back to liquids (thank you nurse Phyllis at the Dr's office) the next day and introduce no more than one soft food each day.
*note to self: do not clog up your pouch's exit with chopped vegies that you aren't ready for! Imagine what the combination of vegies and peanut butter might have done. Not pretty!
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But the snag was that after graduating to soft foods I got in big trouble the next day. Refried beans went down very well... so tasty and filling and nourishing. But the next day I tried a Nutrasystem fritata which had some chopped veggies in it (no problem right away); 2 tsp of peanut butter like a lolipop seemed ok, too, when I got hungry and hadn't made plans for my next meal (bad to not plan!); the next thing I bombarded my poor tummy with was too much mashed potatoes, too fast. I mixed in protein powder, so the nutrition was there. But too much too fast resulted in 6 hours of agony. So, I learned something. Back to liquids (thank you nurse Phyllis at the Dr's office) the next day and introduce no more than one soft food each day.
*note to self: do not clog up your pouch's exit with chopped vegies that you aren't ready for! Imagine what the combination of vegies and peanut butter might have done. Not pretty!
10 days after
Jun 06, 2011
First of all, the fear I had that my knees would hurt after surgery and I'd have to get up out of bed and walk the halls in pain were for naught! The hospitals have pretty good ways of making sure that you don't have pain. I didn't even know my knees were there!
I had very good care in the hospital -- all the nurses were very good.
I had a bit of nausea on the second day so was allowed to stay an extra day. I was glad I didn't have to "go to the matt" on that question. It was the nursing staff's idea and I was just glad to get another day of care before going it alone at home.
Of course with great sisters like mine, you never really go it alone. My sister came and stayed with me for two nights, making my drinks and keeping track of my meds. Lucky me!
So now here I am 10 days since surgery. I have lost 10-12 pounds, but I am not exactly sure how accurate my scale is. I can tell that my clothes fit differently now, too. I can't wait to start throwing away my clothes!
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I had very good care in the hospital -- all the nurses were very good.
I had a bit of nausea on the second day so was allowed to stay an extra day. I was glad I didn't have to "go to the matt" on that question. It was the nursing staff's idea and I was just glad to get another day of care before going it alone at home.
Of course with great sisters like mine, you never really go it alone. My sister came and stayed with me for two nights, making my drinks and keeping track of my meds. Lucky me!
So now here I am 10 days since surgery. I have lost 10-12 pounds, but I am not exactly sure how accurate my scale is. I can tell that my clothes fit differently now, too. I can't wait to start throwing away my clothes!
Thank you for your encouraging words...
May 21, 2011
Thank you to everyone I've heard from for your good wishes. I'll be sure to post something on this site after my surgery. I am so looking forward to feeling better. But I know I'll have some time of feeling worse before I feel better.
When I look around this site and see so many gorgeous women who started out as bad as I am or worse, I am utterly amazed and so inspired. I have to admit that there is a nagging little voice inside my head that says quietly, "oh, that's not you" ... but that little voice is going to be proven wrong -- that betraying little voice is NOT MY FRIEND!
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When I look around this site and see so many gorgeous women who started out as bad as I am or worse, I am utterly amazed and so inspired. I have to admit that there is a nagging little voice inside my head that says quietly, "oh, that's not you" ... but that little voice is going to be proven wrong -- that betraying little voice is NOT MY FRIEND!
It is becoming clearer
May 20, 2011
I have been worried about how I am going to do with the surgery and my arthritis in my knees, since I have to go off my anti-inflammitory med. I called my orthopedic doctor and asked him if I could have cortisone shots. Nope -- it makes your blood sugar go up and increases the risk of infection. Drat!
Talked to one of Dr. VerSteeg's staff members today, "Kath". She seems very helpful and willing to go the extra mile for you. I couldn't help but think that if my life is difficult now (and it is... just getting up from a chair, or into the car, or up from bed, etc. etc.) how much more difficult will it be when I awaken from surgery and have to get up from the bed. She said that I would be given a liquid lortab so it will pretty much take care of the pain in my knees as well as the abdominal pain. (So I'm a weinie, I readily admit it!)
Kath also suggested a walker for getting around my house. She says I'll be able to manage by myself and not have to have someone stay with me when I get home. But I do have two sisters close by who I'm sure will help if I need them. She recommended Arthritis Strength Tylenol for my pain. She's talking about getting me a Rx for swimming or using a therapy pool afterwards. These people are good.
I also called my Physical Therapist to see if I could use my TENS unit on my knees. Yeah! He explained how to situate the electrodes to my knees and how long and at what strength. Bless his heart. And good for me, I'm coming up with a solution or two of my own! The TENS unit was an expensive gadget I bought for my back -- but I noticed that there are settings for the knee, shoulder, wrist, etc.
It's all becoming clearer that I can, must, and will play a significant role in my recovery and the success of my endeavor.
I had a call from my friend Linda's friend -- Peggy. Never met her before but we talked for a long time. She told me about her surgery and answered questions that I had. I see this is all a very positive thing. These people are good.
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Talked to one of Dr. VerSteeg's staff members today, "Kath". She seems very helpful and willing to go the extra mile for you. I couldn't help but think that if my life is difficult now (and it is... just getting up from a chair, or into the car, or up from bed, etc. etc.) how much more difficult will it be when I awaken from surgery and have to get up from the bed. She said that I would be given a liquid lortab so it will pretty much take care of the pain in my knees as well as the abdominal pain. (So I'm a weinie, I readily admit it!)
Kath also suggested a walker for getting around my house. She says I'll be able to manage by myself and not have to have someone stay with me when I get home. But I do have two sisters close by who I'm sure will help if I need them. She recommended Arthritis Strength Tylenol for my pain. She's talking about getting me a Rx for swimming or using a therapy pool afterwards. These people are good.
I also called my Physical Therapist to see if I could use my TENS unit on my knees. Yeah! He explained how to situate the electrodes to my knees and how long and at what strength. Bless his heart. And good for me, I'm coming up with a solution or two of my own! The TENS unit was an expensive gadget I bought for my back -- but I noticed that there are settings for the knee, shoulder, wrist, etc.
It's all becoming clearer that I can, must, and will play a significant role in my recovery and the success of my endeavor.
I had a call from my friend Linda's friend -- Peggy. Never met her before but we talked for a long time. She told me about her surgery and answered questions that I had. I see this is all a very positive thing. These people are good.
How can I be so confused?
May 19, 2011
I am so glad that I can call the Dr's office anytime day or night. There is so much to get straight about this process. I left the Dr's office yesterday thinking that I was supposed to start these protein shakes before surgery. How can I be so confused?
So, now I understand, just keep my intake low calorie, low fat, low carb and protein rich. I am so happy I don't have to do a bowel prep before surgery! I was mentally prepared for it because it seems like you always have to do bowel prep if you are going to the hospital!
So I am going to get to celebrate my birthday with my sisters tonight after all. Next year's will be an even better one I'm thinking.
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So, now I understand, just keep my intake low calorie, low fat, low carb and protein rich. I am so happy I don't have to do a bowel prep before surgery! I was mentally prepared for it because it seems like you always have to do bowel prep if you are going to the hospital!
So I am going to get to celebrate my birthday with my sisters tonight after all. Next year's will be an even better one I'm thinking.
