rhodest
I had my initial consultation with the nurse practitioner, Chris Nelson, at the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006. She was great and even answered my huge list of questions. I have chosen Dr. Thomas Lavin as my surgeon. He works out of the brand new Southern Surgical Hospital in Slidell.
I already attended the first support group meeting, which was followed by a presentation by Dr. Warden of Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. Both meetings were absolutely great. I really liked the fact that they have knowledgable professionals running the support group. The support group is the first Tuesday of each month at the SSH in Slidell.
I completed the medical clearance preop visit with my PCP and was cleared as a low-risk patient. My last labs were faxed to Dr. Lavin's office, too. I had to get psychological clearance from my regular psychiatrist. It was tough, but I got clearance. She really asked the difficult questions about long-term committment and anatomy change. I also got my sleep study results faxed to Dr. Lavin's office. I did this sleep study a few years ago.
I also went to Quest Lab to take the Helicobacter Pylori urea breath test. It's a new test where you exhale into a little bag, drink some mysterious potion, then exhale into a different bag. Really hi-tech, but I am negative for H.pylori (a nasty gastrointestinal bacteria). If it were positive, I'd have to take antibiotics for a month.
Via telephone, I have confirmed my surgery date as Feb. 8, 2006.
On 1/30, I attended the preop teaching class given by Deanna at Dr. Lavin's office. She was great. The time flew by and I learned so much!
After the class, I went over to the Southern Surgical Hospital in Slidell to get my preop workup done. It's a brand new hosptial with a great staff. They are all trained to understand the needs of the obese patient. They have nice big chairs, "queen size" gowns, etc. After I registered, Juana was in charge of the intake forms/setting up my medical record. She is fabulous! So many papers and questions, but it all got done. Dr. Mettier, the anesthesiologist, also came in to talk to me and add records to my chart. After that, the bariatric nurse educator, Kim, came in and gave me my own personal incentive spirometer to bring with me to the hospital (now I KNOW I'm special :P). She then reviewed the entire pre- and postop experience and what I had to do. She also gave me some samples of protein, vitamins, etc. (I wish I had brought a tote bag, so much stuff!). Next, I had a chest x-ray, had my blood drawn, and finally an EKG. Before I left, Juana took me on a tour of the facility. Everyone there is so nice. The place is fantastic. All rooms are "private" but have two beds with two separate TVs so a guest can stay with you. How about that?
On 2/1/06, I finally met Dr. Lavin and he is awesome. He really has a command of what he is doing. He is very confident and reassuring. He listened intently to every question I asked and answered all to my satisfaction. After meeting with him, I signed all the consent forms with Lisa. I have also alredy set up my one-week postop appointment where it is set up like a class, following which I have a visit with Chris Nelson.
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February 7, 2006:
Well, it's the day before my surgery and I have so much to do. Where's that life insurance policy? How much liquid can I get in before midnight? I haven't really slept in a couple days just because my mind is racing, so I'm really tired. Rest would be a nice idea, but no time for that. There will be plenty of rest after tomorrow. I hope all goes well and I get to write another paragraph (or probably chapter) in this story...
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February 11, 2006.
I woke up from anesthesia! I am so happy about that. My surgery went absolutely great with no complicaitons at all. I had no nausea from the anesthesia which I credit to the clear liquid diet for 2 days preop. My biggest problem was the pain in my throat from the tube that was in there during surgery. My hospital stay was barely two days because I did so well. However, when I came home, I realized I was off the baseline non-narcotic pain medicine, Toradol, so I had a lot of pain at home, but the Demerol helped that. I am just trying hard to practice deep breathing every hour and walk on my Gazelle every hour (I do it for about 5 minutes per hour right now). I keep sip, sip, sipping and have 2 more days of clear liquids until I get to add protein drinks. So many thoughts are whirling around in my head about my future. There is a nagging feeling of hunger that is only in my head; purely psychological. I imagine that will go away after a while. It's not really that distracting, but it's really strange. I'm not hungry because I constantly have something to sip on (broth, water, ice, SF popsicles). I started my Rx for Carafate and Prilosec when I returned home yesterday morning. I am continuing my Metanx and started my chewable vitamin (which is delicious). More later. I'm just so glad to be here!
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February 18, 2006
Well, come to find out, that pain in my right side would NOT go away. Demerol was useless. I was admitted through the hospital ER on Sunday, Feb. 12th. I had a gallbladder attack! It had to come out. What? More holes in my abdomen? Why not. Let 'er rip. I got it out Monday evening and went home Tuesday evening. Now I have gone through two major surgeries and two bouts of general anesthesia in less than a week! I have never been so tired in all my life; mentally and physically. All I can do is sleep and rest. I know I will do better eventually, but this is so boring.
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February 21, 2006
I am finally able to sit upright in a chair for more than an hour! I was also able to shower last night without trying to hurry before my legs buckled from beneath me in weakness. Yipee. I am feeling a little better. I have my "one-week" postop visit tomorrow morning and I will be able to drive there myself. I'm sure all will be okay.
Most of the time I have no problems with food, but sometimes I just want to eat chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes! ARGH! It's what I'm calling my "head hunger." It has no relevance other than it is an old habit that my body has come to expect me to give in to. I'm also a water-drinker. I love water and I really miss being able to chug-a-lug it from by big mug! It's the same feeling of depravation that I have with not eating food.
I have a theory about this problem with the old food habits: If you don't give into the habit (consuming lots of food or water), maybe the habit or sensation will eventually go away. It's a theory, and it's my theory, but I see that it could happen.
I think I might be able to walk by the end of the week, I mean fitness-walking. I've lost weight, but I want to lose more and feel better from being more fit. I am looking forward to it. I've lost over 20 lbs since my 1st office consultation visit - pretty nice for just lying around in pain.
I am looking at this opportunity as a "new start." I feel like I've been given a second chance and I'm going to try MUCH harder to do things right this time. Like most of us, I feel that I have always been a major screw-up, never meeting my full potential. Most people I know would say that's hogwash, but I feel it inside, so it bothers me. I kind of think that having more energy and confidence as I lose fat will also help me become more of what I couldn't be before.
I am single (never had a boyfriend). Yes, it's true. I have no kids (I planned it that way though). I am smart, funny, intuitive, and very kind. I have jumped from job to job, probably due to boredom, but I plan to focus more on my career than ever before. I also expect to take advantage of the absence of "fat discrimination" in the workplace when it comes to landing the great job I deserve. I am also planning on moving out of this hick town so that I have more opportunities to meet more people. Hand-in-hand with that, I suspect my newfound energy will help my new life and stay on track. If you haven't guessed it, I'm a planner. I live in the future. I also lost my car last month, so I need to buy one, which I have absolutely no savings for at this time and am currently unemployed (of course!). I also know that in a year or two, I will have to have a body lift and I need to save for that, too. See, more plans.
I keep learning new tricks to squeeze as much protein in as I can, putting it into other foods, etc. I was only hungry once a couple days ago and I had some chicken & gravy baby food. It was so delicious! It also filled me up really full. I also love V8 and I discovered that it has 2 g of protein/8 oz!
Wouldn't it be great to become obsessed with exercise? I've always wished that and I am going to try for that goal. I really do enjoy exercise, but it's much easier when I'm not so fat. I have a Gazelle walking machine thingie and it is fabulous. I have had it for a few years. It is fun and it works.
There is so much to look forward to and so much work to be done. They are REALLY right when "they" say that the surgery is just the beginning. If we can get past our first 6 months, using our discipline, it will be a real milestone for us! Everyday is so filled with wanting to eat, seeing others eat, smelling food, which makes it truly challenging. I have never really committed to anything in my life, but this is the first and most important commitment I am making and I fully intend to do my body good by mustering up all the discipline I can find (I may have to borrow some, LOL).
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Photos
 281 lbs. Before surgery, January 2006 |  |  245 245 lbs, 5 wks postop |
Well, in just a few days, it will be my one-year postop anniversary and I wish I would have written more along the way.
I have now lost just over 100 lbs and have a completely new life. My career is exploding and I have a wonderful boyfriend too. I feel so sexy, fit, and "human." I still have to lose about 50 more pounds though.
It has truly been a roller coaster ride, losing weight, while trying to control my old fat mind. For about the last 4 weeks, I obsess about eating and even stretched out my little stomach. Fortunately, I have discovered that, just like my old stomach, it shrinks back to its proper size. I can pretty much eat anything, even sugary stuff, but not a lot of it. Just like before the surgery, I eat until I make myself sick and I get very upset about that. We all know that feeling, right? I really need a support group to help me through this. Unfortunately with my job, I am out of town 5 days a week, so it's difficult to find and attend meetings.
I have become more fit with so much stamina. I use the treadmill, eliptical machine, and Gazelle for my aerobics. I just bought one of those big fitness balls to exercise on and it is amazing. It feels so good because it tones you while it stretches and relaxes you. Interesting concept. This ball looks so innocent, but whoops you into shape.
I think I am going to try to figure out how to convert my old profile into the new fangled one and figure out why my profile says "no photos uploaded." They're there, I can see them. I will also try to upload a current photo for my profile.
Thanks to each of you that sent me good wishes along the way. Support is priceless. Keep it real!