6 Month Check-up

Feb 23, 2008

Well I had my 6month checkup and had blood work drawn.  I will find out next week about my labs.  I don't particularly feel full of energy so perhaps something will need to be modified.  I am not happy with my overall weightloss in the past 6months. Typical of me I haven't tried hard enough.  I have eaten things I shouldn't, I have snacked more than i should, I haven't exercised enough, I don't always get enough protein in.  I knew this wouldn't be easy, but I did think more weight would have come off and that the I don't feel hungry feeling would've lasted longer.  I know if I hadn't had surgery I probably would've been over 400lbs.  I don't regret it.  I just need to find things to do to keep me busy so I don't snack at night. I need to committ to exercising regulary.  I keep talking about water aerobics but am nervous to start.  Dr. McDowell said he would like to see me lose another 50lbs.  I wish I'd lose that by mid June...lol... I know me, that won't happen.  Ultimately I would like to get to 180.  That is 100lbs from now.  Such a long way to go and so much harder.  I go back in August for my year check-up, with any luck I will be under 200 or slightly over..we'll see!


5 Months Post-Op

Jan 16, 2008

I hate this thing, I typed a whole bunch of stuff in here and then tried to change the font and lost it all.. lol  Sooo I am 5 months post op and have lost 91lbs. I haven't posted as much as I thought I would.  The negatives are I haven't lost as much weight as I could've because I haven't forced myself to eat enough protein EVERY SINGLE DAY and  I haven't exercised enough.  I think I was taking too much Iron and whatever because I had a horrible week with BM's, but Colace has saved me.  The positives, I am in smaller sizes, I have a little more energy, I have a tiny bit more confidence, I am less grumpy then I was at 373.  I can fit into booths comfortably.  Different little things.  Anyway my 6month followup is next month and I hope to lose 10lbs or more to put me over 100lbs lost.  My hair has been falling out since the 3rd month and it continues to.  I have taken Coromega and Biotin daily and I hope that is helping somehow.  Luckily my hair started out super thick, it's thinned out too much.  But I am working hard on getting in plenty of protein everyday.  I have committed to exercize 3 days a week minimum on my XL GIider.  Plus I will be starting water aerobics 2-3x's a week.  I look forward to Spring and warmer weather to be active outside!

Recovering at home

Aug 30, 2007

Today is August 30th and tommorrow is my 2 week followup, well they say 2 weeks but it's about 3 weeks.  Monday will be 3 weeks.  Anyway this past couple weeks have been hard.  I never thought I would have a problem eating or drink water.  But I am rarely ever hungry.  I still haven't gotten in 60 grams of protein in just about any day.  And I still don't get in 64oz of water every day.  It is getting easier though.  I found I can still have ice cold water.  I put ice in it so it's cold but not freezing cold as before.  I can't drink warm or room temperature water, it makes my stomach hurt.  I occassionaly have crystal light, but I don't particulary care for sweet things like that.  I have kept everything down I have tried, no problems.  I have had refried beans with cheese at home and Taco Bell, I have tuna salad, pureed chicken, cream of wheat, carnation instant breakfast, protein drinks, popsicles, cheese, lean cuisine meal pureed, and other things.  I have a hard time dealing with left overs.  I don't like left overs much and when I make something, since I can only have a small amount it ends up getting thrown out.  I will have to just deal with it.  I haven't been walking as much as I am suppose to.  I have little energy.  I know if I were getting enough protein and water and walking then I would have energy.  Gosh is it ever hard.   Thankfully I have been off work for 3 weeks and boy have I needed it.  It has taken awhile to get comfy in bed.  I like to sleep on my sides but until the last few days, I haven't been able to. The first couple weeks,  It was especially  painful getting in and out of bed and moving around.   Now that I am about 3 weeks out, life is getting easier and the pain is gone and the incisions are healing well.   I don't regret having the surgery, I just hope that I don't have complications any time soon or ever if possible. 

Hospital Stay

Aug 30, 2007

I ended up having to stay in the hospital for 4 days.  Every day got a little bit easier.  I walked the halls a few times a day and by the 3rd day I had walked the halls 11 1/4 times.   The second day I had to do a water test and I felt kinda nauseated from it.   Now I am going to complain..I was not very happy with most of the nursing staff at Baptist.  My husband stayed with me all day every day and night and never left until I did.  He is a wonderful, loving, caring husband who I appreciate immensely.  So I am not sure if because he was there they didn't feel the need to check in on me.  But the day time nursing staff maybe came in once or twice the whole day.   Whenever I needed something and would buzz for them, they would be kinda short and sometimes not even say okay and it would be a forever wait.  My mom went out there to get ice chips for me and my husband to heat up soup.  Whenever they would go out there there would be several nurses just sitting there chatting.  Hardly over worked.  They took out my catheter and my IV out and didn't bother to have pain meds ready for me.  They said they have to send down for it.  When they came back in awhile later I asked about it again and they said they would check ,but that it was still not up there.  Needless to say I was in great pain.   Finally it came in and helped but then I had to go through that another time or two.  Once I buzzed the nurse and she said she would let someone know and when that someone came in my room, she said they never told her I needed pain meds.  Onto the foods... the first meal they brought was suppose to be all liquid and it was not, they messed up and gave me pureeds.  Then another time what I was given didn't match what was on the sheet.   Plus they said that I didn;t finish my water test, that I only had 2 of the 4 medicine cups, that was not correct.  All of this contributed to me having to stay another day in the hospital.   Only thing I can say is the night time staff was awesome.  They checked my blood pressure and temperature regularly and dumped my potty pan and gave me meds etc.  I thank Brittney, I think she was like a nurses aid or something, she was very sweet and helpful and then Steve a nurse on my last day was very nice and helpful as well.  I was ready to go home.

Surgery Day August 13, 2007

Aug 30, 2007

So today is August 13, 2007 and I am due to have surgery.  The last few days I felt sad and confused and had what if's and so on.  Today I got up and took a shower using the antibacterial cleanser they give you.  My mom came into town last night so it was my husband, mom and myself off to the hospital.  We got there and had to fill out some paperwork and then waited and was taken up to another waiting room.  After a short wait I was taken back to the holding area and got into my gown.  The anesthesiologist came in and explained things and got me all set up and he was real nice and funny.  Also the nurse came in and explained things and got me some new heating blanket bear thing because it was so cold in there.  Eventually my family was able to come in.  I felt a little sad again, not because I was scared, just that I had waited 4 months for this and it was finally here and I knew my life was going to change tremendously.  So then a short time later my mother in law and grandmother in law came in.  We probably were waiting an hour and a half.   It was nice visiting with everyone.  By the way the IV in me made me have to pee every 30minutes lol.  One time I was in the bathroom and Dr. McDowell had came in and was telling my family what all was going to happen.  I pretty much missed all of that.  He said he was finishing up with a patient and getting ready and so it would be a short time later.  The surgery assistant ladies (for lack of their actual titles) came in and asked several questions and said they would be right back.   I visited with my family more and went pee one last time.  They returned and said they were putting something in my iv to sedate or relax me I guess.  I said goodbye to everyone and they wheeled me off.  I got about 15 feet and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery in alot of pain.  I was mumbling and moaning.  The nurse couldn't understand me but I was saying I wanted to sit up for some reason.  I keep talking and he kept not understanding me lol.  Finally I think he propped my bed up a tad.  I am sure the lady beside me was annoyed because I kept moaning and mumbling.  Then I must of faded out for awhile because then they wheeled me into a room and told me to move over to the bed and I really didn't want to do that.  The nurse said this would be my room and I wouldn't have to do this againl.  So eventually I made it over there.  My family came in after that and I was in and out of it and in pain.  That was the jist of the first day.  I was in pain and slept a little.   They didn't get me out of bed until the next morning because it was so late in the day by the time I got to my room from surgery.

Surgery Approved

Jul 20, 2007

This morning, July 20, 2007, Baptist called and said Aetna approved my surgery!!  YAY!  I go for pre-op testing on July 30th and start my 2 week liquid diet and then surgery on August 13th.  I am excited, not nervous.  I imagine I will be nervous when I arrive at the hospital surgery day.  I hope they can do it laparascopically and the pain isn't too bad and that I sail through the recovery with ease.

Waiting on Insurance Approval

Jul 09, 2007

Today is Monday July 9th.  I called Baptist to see if my paperwork had been sent yet and Amy told me they sent it on Tuesday the 3rd.   I called Aetna on Friday to see if they had received my paperwork yet, lol.  Of course they hadn't yet.  I guess with the holiday that would delay it and then by the time they get it and I can put into their system it would take a week for sure.  I will hold off on calling Aetna again until this Friday.  I kinda want the doctors office to call and tell me I am approved rather than calling Aetna and hearing it has been denied or is pending more info, etc. I will find other things to do and just think positive.

Final Consultation with Dr. McDowell

Jul 03, 2007

I finished my 3 month Aetna surgery prep program and had my consultation with Dr. McDowell on Friday June 29th.  Overall I lost 7lbs.  I actually went up like 8lbs the first part of it and then lost those pounds plus some additional. So I lost 13lbs overall.  I could've done better, but obviously I have issues with overeating, that is why I am having the surgery.  But I did walk more and practiced drinking water separate from meals, I replaced some meals with Slim Fast low carb shakes, I worked on adding more protein rich foods and eliminating more sugary stuff and carbinated drinks, etc.  So after Dr. McDowell finishes his report, they tell me they will submit my paperwork to Aetna the week of July 2nd.  I am hoping for a quick approval.  From what I hear of others having Aetna, most seem to be approved in a weeks time.  


Explaining my wallpaper

Jun 22, 2007

The background picture on my page is of my sister and me (on the left) excited about a box of donuts. lol The obsession with food started early. 


Psych Eval

Jun 22, 2007

I had my psychiatric evaluation today (6/22/07) with Dr. Victor O'bryan at Baptist Hospital.  It went very well.  I am well informed about the surgery before and after process so it was a breeze.    

About Me
Lebanon, TN
Location
42.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/13/2007
Surgery Date
May 01, 2007
Member Since

Friends 14

Latest Blog 11
6 Month Check-up
5 Months Post-Op
Recovering at home
Hospital Stay
Surgery Day August 13, 2007
Surgery Approved
Waiting on Insurance Approval
Final Consultation with Dr. McDowell
Explaining my wallpaper
Psych Eval

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