Melody M.

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Finally!  I had been at 99 - 99.5 lbs for a week, and was so ready to hit the 100 lb. mark!  As of Saturday, June 2nd, I have officially lost 100 lbs.!!!!  Actually, I've lost 102 now.

I feel so much better!  I can't believe the energy I have!

I had a swallow test two weeks ago to determine whether I have a leak or a stricture.  I'd been unable to keep much food down since beginning solid food.  The results were "normal", but Dr. Facundus said it could be an ulcer.  He prescribed disolvable Prevacid (insurance does NOT pay for it!), and Carafate.  It seems to have helped.

He also said that it could be a tolerance issue.  I'm simply not able to tolerate the foods I'd been eating.  He said, "If it makes you sick, don't eat it again."  Duh.  Wish I'd thought of that.  Seriously.  Why did I have to have him tell me this?  Couldn't that have occurred to me all by myself????

Well, anyway...I am down 52 lbs!  I'm 1/3 of the way there!

Yesterday was the one month anniversary of my surgery, and I have lost 31.5 lbs.  

I am still struggling with fatigue and lack of energy, but I'm sure it's because I am not getting the protein I need.  I hate protein drinks, and honestly haven't been making myself drink them.  I'm toying with the idea of just waiting another week and a half till I can eat solids, and getting protein bars.  I know they're horrible, but at least be "over with" more quickly than drinking that nasty stuff!  However, in the last several days I have gotten these horrible, sick, headaches that hit me very suddenly.  I'm sure it's because I haven't been doing what I'm supposed to.

My surgery was Monday, November 13th.  I had to be at the hospital at 7:30 am.  We dropped the kids off at friends' house and it was so hard telling them goodbye.  What if...you know?  We finally left for the hospital and my parents were already there waiting on us.  

We waited in the waiting room forEVER!!!  It was about 10:00 when I finally got to a pre-op room.  By that time I'd worked myself into a frenzy and they gave me some Versed after the IV was placed.  I didn't think that it had really worked on me, but my husband tells me that I called Dr. Facundus "Dr. McDreamy".  Oh my.  I'm just glad that is ALL I said.  

I don't remember the recovery room, but didn't feel as much pain as I thought I would.  It wasn't as bad as my c-sections had been.  The worst part was thirst.  The little lemon sticks they give you for your mouth helped, but I eventually had my husband run them under the sink and sucked on them.  Still didn't help much.  Just had to tough it out.  

I also was so weak...and I'd been under general anesthesia before and knew this reaction was different.  Something wasn't right.  I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I had several visitors that day and couldn't stay awake enough to talk.  But it wasn't a normal "coming out of surgery" feeling.  I was just so weak.  My blood pressure started getting really low and I was passing out every time I'd try to get up.  

That night at about midnight I started throwing up blood and I figured I was going to die.  It wouldn't stop.  Dr. Facundus came in and said he thought it was oozing from the staple line.  But he said that he had never had a case where the patient threw up as long as I did.  That night, he sent me for an endoscopy with Dr. Dohrenwend and he determined there was no perforation, so it must just be what Dr. F. suspected.  He gave Brad pictures of my gut, and it's gross, but impressive.  I think I may send them in my Christmas cards this year.  I stopped throwing up right after the procedure, and after having two units of blood started to feel much stronger.

WHEN could I have water?!?!?!  "Not till Dr. Facundus sees you and gives us the go-ahead."  So I asked my sweet, unsuspecting husband to bring me a wet cloth for my head.  When he gave it to me I promptly stuck it in my mouth and sucked as much water as I could.  I think I may have given him a coronary.  He's a very "by the book" guy and I am afraid I scared him.  By this time it was Wednesday morning and Dr. F. had surgeries that day.  I hoped he'd come in to see me before he started, but nope...he didn't come in till close to noon.  But he said I could start on liquids, and I thought I might jump out of bed and hug him!  I knew I wasn't dehydrated since they'd been giving me IV fluids, but dang-it I was thirsty!

I knew I was feeling better when I could gripe about the beeping machines and the tights I had to wear.  They were killing me by Wednesday night.  I was ready to go home.  So ready.  

Dr. Facundus came in Thursday morning and said I was well enough to go home.  Miss Neva wheeled me out and I gave her a big hug.  I felt like we had gone through a war together.  She had been so good to me when I was so sick.  I felt like I'd known her all my life.  

So now I'm home, and am getting my strength back.  Brad is doting on me.  I couldn't ask for a better guy.  He's my hero.  The kids are with my parents until Monday.  I miss them, but am glad to have the time to rest.

I'm glad this part is over.  Now the hard work is just beginning.  But I look forward to the rewards.

Oh, yeah,  I'm 5 days out and have lost 8 lbs since surgery.  That's a total of 13.5 lbs.!!!!!

297.6/292/284/140

Tomorrow is my surgery.  I weighed in on Friday, Nov. 10, and had lost 5 1/2 lbs.  Dr. Facundus said that he would do the surgery, but not to gain any weight over the weekend.  I don't think that will be a problem, considering I'm in the process of drinking my required two bottles of Magnesium Citrate!  I think I may be sick.

I've been making lists of last minute things to do, including packing the kids' stuff for a 1 1/2 week trip to Grammy and Papa's.  They are so excited.  They want to go NOW!  Wes keeps saying "Mommy's going to have an operation to make her healthy!"  Yes, sir, I am.  And hopefully I'll gain enough energy to be the mother they deserve to have.

I went for my pre-op appt today w/ Dr. Foreman.  I knew I had gain a lot of weight after quitting smoking, but I have gained - in the past 6 months - 17 1/2 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!  I almost fell off the table when he told me what my starting weight had been (I couldn't remember)!  Needless to say, I'm on a crash diet until the 10th.  That's when I have to go back to "weigh-in" for them to decide if they'll do my surgery on the 13th.  I'm also going to go first thing that morning.  Today I was weighed at about 4:30 in the afternoon, so the early hour should help by a pound or two.  I'm also not going to wear a big ol' sweatshirt like I did today.  I know changing the time of day and clothing aren't going to subtract 17 1/2 lbs from my massive frame, but it couldn't hurt.

I was so nervous at the appt today (because of the weight gain) that my blood pressure was 156/105!!!!!!!  My blood pressure is always normal unless I am pregnant (WHICH I'M NOT!!!)!  It was so high I was getting really nauseous.  I still don't think it's down to normal yet.  I took an Ativan since my nerves were really "shot", and that has helped a little, but I think I'm going to have to sleep it off.

I went to Kroger on my way home tonight and bought lots of veggies, broths, sugar free stuff, etc.  No carbs.  Got to get on the diet tomorrow.

I pre-registered today.  I was sitting in the waiting area and started getting really nervous.  This is actually going to happen.  

My thoughts are obsessed with this surgery.  I'm sure my husband wishes I'd talk about something else, but it's all I can think about right now.  I have so many questions.  I can't wait till my pre-op visit on 11/1.

November 13 - Just 2 1/2 weeks away!  I don't think I'll be able to travel for Thanksgiving, though.  Oh well, I don't care that much about Thanksgiving anyway, except for the parade.  And the dressing.  My mom's already promised me that she was going to make me a pan of dressing before the surgery, since I won't be eating much bread anymore.

October 19, 2006

Today I called BCBS of AL, as I've done every day since my insurance was filed, and I couldn't believe my ears!  They said I had met all requirements for RNY and it would be covered! 

It's hard to believe I'll feel better soon.  I would be lying if I said I didn't care what size I wear or whether I look good, but the main reason I need this surgery is because I feel so exhausted all the time.  My 2 year old and almost-4 year old don't deserve to have a mom who doesn't feel like going anywhere.  I want to run in the backyard with them.  I want to shop or go to the park all day with them without requiring a nap!  I want to see them grow up!

My husband and I bought an elliptical machine yesterday.  I'm looking forward to being able to exercise in private.  I hate going to a gym, and I hate walking in our neighborhood.  Maybe after some weight is gone.

Now I wait for Dr. Facundus' nurse to call me with a pre-op appointment date.  She can't do that until they receive the letter from BCBS regarding my approval.  I have no idea how long it will be till my surgery, but I am hoping (probably in vain) it will be before the end of the year.