pataroony

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I am 4 years post sleeve and over the past 2 years, I've gradually regained 25 lbs. (155lbs average but lowest was 142 lbs so technically regained 40ish lbs).  I was very sloppy in my post-surg regimen...I ate solids too soon, resumed diet soda after 4 months, didn't drink much water, was lazy and had protein shakes for lunch rather than real food...AND STARTED EATING POPCORN to de-stress when going through stressful application process to university for all 3 daughters (that's my excuse anyway) so needless to say I didn't try very hard to learn new coping strategies.  I still can't eat a lot at once but for some reason, I can pack away a whole big bowl of popcorn.  I also didn't exercise except for a little dog walking.

I had plastic surgery in August, 2012, a year after my sleeve...it went really well.  However, having much slimmer hips and bum (thanks to body lift and lipo) gave me a false sense that I was getting away with eating junk food because my usual area of weight gain (pants) didn't happen the same.

So here I am, recommitting to the 3-4oz protein first meals, 3 x day with 2 protein shakes and water in between...also recommitting to walking hour per day, pushups/squats/situps.

see my photos for a progressive healing pictures...I had some scar pain at the end of the second week but now no pain.  I've been taking it easy with minimal lifting, walking, minimal bending and stooping.  Two more weeks until I am allowed to start abdominal exercises, which I'll ease into.

Hiya:  I had surgery on Oct 3/11.  They first start a 'line' in your left hand for administering anesthetic; I also got some sort of antianxiety med through that.  Then they wheel  you into the operating room.  You scoot yourself from the rolling bed onto the operating bed.  You won't remember much after that.  You wake up in the original room with a bunch of nurses, maybe hubby, looking at you waiting for you to wake up.  You're sortof groggy, of course and feel like sleeping.  Not long after that, maybe 15 minutes, the nurse helped me get dressed.  I was asked to try to pee, which in retrospect, I should've taken more time to try.  Anyway, if you don't pee, they insert a cathre in your peehole, which doesn't really feel like anything.  Mine was day surgery so I went to my hotel room with hubby with the peepee bag and another drain out of my gut.  This was afternoon...the rest of the day I slept, emptied my peepee bag into the toilet, slept some more.

I had clear surgical patch on the 5 holes in my tummy.  The holes were bruised around them-ugly.  No pain because I had a drinkable narcotic.  The next day I went to the hospital (so far only ice chips) and did the swallow test...no biggy...the stuff is blah and they don't make you drink more than a mouthful. 
Do not pull out your own cathetre...there's a balloon inflated inside you preventing you from pulling it out...I managed to pull it out but I don't recommend it.

Then they hooked up saline to my iv line left hand and I sat and read/TV while they gave me fluids.  Then back 'home' to the hotel.  While you're on heavy pain meds you'll feel nothing much.  Now I'm weaning off, 6 days later, and I feel the bruising around the left lower  hole where they did the most work through.  My bruising is turning yellow/fading...my tummy, some people name it, feels odd...hard to tell fullness or hunger.  If your tummy is hurting, you'll feel the pain in your left middle back/shoulder blade.  I've been slowly walking more, now taking a 5 minute walk.  I have a little bit of gas and diarhea (hardly anything comes out).

Hi:  I'm on my second day post op-it's great to be on this side of the procedure...I'm feeling fine...a little gas now is working its way through.  Started on my protein shakes in demitas cups.  I'm no longer feeling shaky/weak but still on liquid narcotic so maybe masking things.  If I feel pain mid back or around my left shoulder blade, it's referred pain from my stomach so a clue to relax and take it easier.

WEll, I've retaken all my measurements plus a few odd measures due to the fact that I am carrying my weight in all sorts of places  besides the obvious.  I've included my wrist, finger size, hat size, sternal notch to nipple w/o bra (LOL), forefoot, palm or glove size...plus a variety of others. 

I'm now going to make some talking videos about all the things I contend with by being heavy...such as sweating, peeing my pants (WTF), chafing, tight bracelets and so forth.  I have already taken close-ups of my biceps (cellulite and all), my gut (prior surgery scars and all), and my face/neck.

I am most facinated with peoples' face changes with weight loss.  I know that having fat cheeks/neck can hide the character in a face...I soooo want to resemble my beautiful daughters...look more like their mother. 

Today I start my clear liquid...right after my coffee and skim milk/chocolate protein bar...wow...it's such a nice ritual in the morning...I've got to come up with something I enjoy...

I am moving a recliner to my bedroom and setting up a nice reading area so I can not be constantly interrupted by 3 teenagers/husband who are always talking to each other from other ends of the house (I seems to be the translater) and are always asking me where shit is...How should I know..but for some reason...I seem to catalogue that kind of info...anyway, I'll be out of sight and can concentrate on enjoying good books.
Gunna be super-D-duper!!
Pat

Hi All:  I just got back from Coos Bay, Oregon...drove 10 hours sunday, monday was pre-op (nutrition class, anesthetist, surgeon, psych eval, nurse)...then drove 9 hours back today...kind of pushed it.

The whole process has been expedited because I'm self-pay and decided on the dates myself.  It's like anything I do, once I've decided, I just want to get it done.  My surgeon I was referred to in Richmond said he'd notify my doctor early next year of my initial appointment date and that the pre-surgery period would be 6-8 months after that date (if I qualify, which I'm not sure I would, being "only" 38.6 BMI.).

So, I have considerable supplies of Whey Powder (minimal fat/carb) and certain vitamins/supplements.  I also have a prescription for pain/nausea meds to acquire prior to surgery date (Oct. 3/11).  I will be down there from Sunday, the 2nd, to Saturday the 8th to ensure everything's hunky dory.

On my way, I bought leggings and long pretty sweaters to help transition through different sizes.  I also went to a cool used clothing store and bought a few items that I will be able to wear like -20lbs from now.  Like many of you, have have a wardrobe consisting of several sizes.  I'm good down to size 14 bottoms (without stretch) and size L tops.  Right now, I'm size 14/16 with considerable stretchability, which fudges the whole size scheme.  My arms are huge, which messes up top sizes and my bums smaller but my gut is huge so it's sortof querky to figure out.

I can hardly believe it's going to happen.  I need to plan out my day of shakes tomorrow and try to drink 3 oz. every hour like after, with water spaced out as well...I will have some difficulty as I tend to forget to eat for hours and also never drink water because it seems to go right through me, which is inconvenient.

Hey, everyone:  I have a surgery date of October 3, 2011 (selfpay) on the beautiful Oregon Coast, Coos Bay, where I spent many times growing up - happy memories.  I finalized plans today - and then went to a movie to indulge in one food which definitely got me where I am today: Buttered Popcorn and pop.  Well, I feel yucky now and won't miss it.  I also ran into a childhood friend,  a fellow 'tomboy' who knew me when I was very trim and athletic (she's seen me overweight so  no problems there) but it reinforced my desire to become more 'myself' as I was, not back to a certain weight, but back to feeling a certain way, a certain vitality.  I'll be 50 years old next July so it'll feel good to feel younger in this way.

I hope everyone's having a good week - and if not, hit the "restart" button!

and I like emoticons

It's hard to decide on a surgeon with self-pay...costs of Mexico and Las Vegas similar - Alveres super cheap...hmmm

I'm stuck...trying not to continue obsessing with weight/food but not content to be large and unhealthy...will weight loss surgery (gastric sleeve) be the answer...I know I'll have to still be ultracarefull and eat healthily but I'm hoping it will alleviate the nagging hunger I can't tolerate with regular weight loss plans

And to go to Mexico?  wow...