Gina R.
1 month post op and OMG
Jun 08, 2008
Been a while since I posted so I though t it was time for an update. My "OMG" title is that I am already down 2 pant sizes. Thats right!!!! I went to JCPenny this week to have my haircut and once I got finished I decided to browse the clothes. I was looking at these really pretty shorts/skirt and I was looking for the next size down from my normal pre WLS size but they didn't have it. Then I thought what the heck I'll try 2 sizes down and see how close I am to fitting in them. OMG, OMG, OMG they totally FIT!!!!!!! Before WLS this size wouldn't even make it past my hips and now they come all the way up AND even button!!!!!!! I just can't beleive it!!! As of today I have lost 39 lbs but I have hit a stall recently and it is discouraging but I'll be okay.
Overall, my recovery hasn't been bad. Once the JP drain came out it was great. My pouch does hurt from time to time but thats normal. I am on the soft/pureed foods phase so my diet consist of tuna, salmon, cottage cheese, and eggs. I could have other soft foods but right now thats all my pouch is willing to let me eat. As of right now I'm content with that. I don't get hungry nor do I crave sweets or pop. That really amazes me!
I go back to work Tuesday. I am kind of glad to be going back. It was nice being off and able to recover but its getting boring. I guess the only thing I dread is that I'm afraid people will watch what I eat and wonder "should she be eating that?" or "did you see what she ate?' I know its normal for people to do that, I have even thought the same exact thing about other WLS people. I just don't like all eyes to be on me.
My wonderful hubby has been a jewel throughout my recovery. He is still amazing in helping me with my recovery. He even cleaned the bathroom this week while I was napping!!!! He also went grocery shopping. What more could I ask for?!?! He is amazing. I couldn't have made it through the surgery or the recovery without him.
Well, thats it for my one month update. Thanks for reading!
2 week follow up
May 24, 2008
I had my 2 week follow up this past Thursday and I am amazed. I have lost 24 lbs in just 2 weeks, how is that possible?!?! I had to do WW for 3 months before I seen that much lost!!!! THe DR said my incisions are healing good, I'm eating good, and getting everything in. I go back in 3 months for labs and another check up. I can't tell you how happy I am!!!!
Onto recovery....
May 12, 2008
I'm home ~ YaY!!! I got home yesterday around 4pm. My surgery went fine. I had to be at the hospital Wednesday at 9 am and they went ahead and took me to preop and got me ready for surgery. My doctor was already preforming a surgery and there were some complications so he didn't actually take me back until around 12:30. The entire time I was waiting I kept thinking about all the "what ifs" and then I got Kendall on my mind and came very close to backing out. I kept thinking how selfish it was of me to have this surgery and if I died Kendall would be left without a mother. So I just laid on the gurney and cried. Tony kept telling me everything would be okay and nothing would happen. Then a really pretty thin nurse came in and of course I told her why I was crying and she told me she had gastric bypass 8 yrs ago and nothing had happened to her and she had kept her weight off. So that was some encouragement. Then once I got back to the OR the nurse for my surgery and the anesthsiologist kept me laughing until I went under. My nurse was from the same area that I'm from and we were talking about the way "we" talk. So he asked me if I was from a hollow or a holler and I replyed I was from a holler and the anesthisologist just about wet hisself laughing so hard. That was actually the last thing I remember. The next thing I remember was them putting me in my room. I was still on the gurney and Tony was standing in front of me with flowers. I looked up at him and said "I didn't die!!" he was like yes dear, they gennerally shot for you to live lol. Wednesday night was really hard. I was in a lot of pain and I told Tony "why would anybody do this to their body?'" But I was just miserable. They pump you full of CO2 during the surgery and even though they try to get it all out there is still a lot left in there. I was having gas pains all in my chest, shoulders, and even neck. I kept asking if it was normal and they told me yes and to walk so I just tried to walk it off. Thursday was a lot better and I felt 100% better. They started my phase I of gastric bypass diet and I handled it really well. Yesterday at lunch time I was released. Beleive it or not I only have one incision that is causing pain. I forget about the other incisions even being there. The one incision that is causing all the pain is the one with a JP drain in it. My doctor sent me home on the JP drain. It is aggrevating, if I don't tack it to something or keep it in my panties then it will hang down below my kness and I'm pretty sure people don't want to see that lol. Tony used a paper clip yesterday and tacked it to my belt loop for the ride home.
Once again I must brag on my awesome hubby. I thought he was awesome after gallbladder surgery well he surpassed that. He was truly at my beck and call. Even at 3am when I wanted to walk he got up out of his dead sleep and went with me. He has done things this time that must men wouldn't even think to do. He wouldn't even eat in front of me until I was like honey eat seriously I don't care, I wasn't even hungry. These surgeries have really brought us so close and I am so thankful that God blessed me with a wonderful husband. He went to work today but before he left he set me up with everything I would need while he's gone.
I am on the road to recovery now. The pain comes and goes but I'm sure I'll feel so much better once I get this stupid JP drain out.
I'm glad I went throught with the surgery. I have always been "the girl with the pretty face" and now I'm ready to be the pretty, healthy, active, girl!
my first WLS appt
Jan 10, 2008
I had my first WLS appt this past Tuesday and it went really good. I first met with a nurse who asked a bunch of questions about my medical history. Then I had my psych evalution. I had been so worried about that part of the appt. I don't know why, I guess it was just the not knowing what they were going to ask. This part only took about half an hour and there was no reason for me to be so worried. It was a breeze. Then I had my dietary consult. The appt was very informative. Most of the stuff they told me I already knew from doing so much research on it but then there was some stuff they told me that I didn't know. I still have to have some blood work done which I'm getting ready to get done this morning. I also have to have an EGD, which I dread more than the actual surgery, gallbladder ultrasound, exercise/physical therapy evaluation. My next appt is Jan. 31st, at this appt I will have the exercise/physical therapy evaluation and I meet with the actual surgeon who is going to be doing my surgery. I am really excited.
