txrisquediva

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I am seriously happy about my progress.  Stairs are no longer a threat.  I can shop and get clothes that don't start with a 2-.  I am feeling confident, happy, smaller, cuter.  Yes, I have a big ego, but that is what happens when you ask God for something and he gives you your wish. 

I wished for better health, better numbers at the doctors office and better weight.  I got it all!  I celebrate by setting goals.  At 200 I bought a Coach purse.  At 175 i plan on motorcycle lessons so I can get a Vespa.  At 150, I will get cowboy boots (Yes, I am a native Texan.)

To all you folks who are doing well, congrats.  To all you folks who are frustrated, get back on that horse.  Ride this out--you made it through surgery.  That was the hard part--refocus, relate and reconstruct the habits that got you to loosing.

Julius Erving:
If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end...

I have talked to many people about my WLS and most have been positive.  I am writing to address those who are on the edge thinking it is scary, it is unnecessary, it is dangerous.  First, let me clear the air and say I was and am still worried about the dangers of WLS.  But, I am damned scared of high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease -- I had to weigh out what to do.  I was supposed to have this surgery with my friend in 2006 but chickened out.  I was not ready. 

I am the type of person that goes to the mall and I shop all day and then go back and buy after I have searched for the deals.  I applied the same technique to having surgery.  I could not go through until I was ready.  The 6 month evaluations and appointments gave me confidence.  Tomorrow is my two month anniversary and I must say the changes are good.  My diabetes is almost non-existent, my blood pressure is dead-normal and I will do bloodwork at the end of May to check the chlosterol. 

I started this journey at 246 and today I weigh 192.  There is no other way I could have lost the weight this fast; I worked for years in water aerobics and never came close to this.  My first reason for surgery was health, yet folks are telling me I look like a different person.  That feels good.  My bra size was 48DDD--it is now 42DDD (my friend tells me I need to get 40DDD).  When I walk around the house in my old undies, if I am not careful, they fall off.  I was in a 24--now 18 is fitting nicely, if not a little bit loose. I walk 4 times a week for 2 miles.  I usually get in my protien and vitamins, but only about 3-4 bottles of water because I simply get busy at work and forget to drink.  I am getting better.  I think I will become a Sonic ice fan and munch on that all evening this summer.  Closest one is 4 miles away from me...That will be a bicycling goal, no way I am walking 8 miles for ice. 

I say all that to say those who have had surgery know what I am saying.  We are now a part of the before and afters.  Those of you looking at before and after pictures, pray and talk to your friends and go to a group meeting.  It is a life changing procedure, but worth it--if you are ready. 

Please feel free to send me questions if you are considering surgery and I will be honest.  I am not getting paid to be an advocate of WLS, but so many of the friends I have on my page have helped me, it is only fair that I pass something on.

Leave it to me and English teacher to allude to MJB (Mary J Blige).  I am a week out of surgery, I m eating soft foods and feeling like I am on my way.  Before I continue to ramble, let me say, "A BIG THANKS TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO SUPPORTED ME AND GAVE ME LOVE AND GAVE ME ADVICE AND GAVE ME COURAGE-HOPE-ADVICE.  

So now, I will make come comments about my experience.  Before you go to the hospital, buy what you need to eat:  i highly recommend protien bullets, there is no way you are going to drink that carton of protien and you will hate the powder ones, they are low in protien and you wont be able to get in liquids due to surgery.  Buy few packages of broth.  I had the Swanson brand.  The chicken broth started to smell oily to me; just a few days ago, I was sucking this stuff down.  You will hate it after a few days.  Sf popsicles are a godsend.  Ice chips from Sonic.  Motts Light Apple juice tasted like heaven and yes, I watered it down. 

Had a long wait so I recommend bringing a good book or magazine or puzzle book.  Leave the rest of your stuff in the trunk of your car.  Your family can retrieve it later.  You won't need ID after checkin due to hospital wristbands.   If you have portable dvd bring it.  My husband did and he was able to watch movies with headphones.  He said it made wait time so much better.

I have natural hair, but had it twisted so I wouldn't have to comb it.  I recommend bringing a head scarf.  Even thought they give you a bonnet for your hair, it helps.  I packed just a little bit too much, but I needed my robe, slippers and toilet stuff.  I bought a quilt to cover my bed.  It helped keep the cold at bay and was a nice conversation piece.  Walk, walk and more walk then practice breathing.  Have someone walk with you.  Drs. Hospital had a nice patio that was sweet for sunning/resting between steps.

You wont be able to wear bra or undies after surgery--too much tender.  Too many changes to your body to look at.  Wear a dress that covers all the important parts and a pair of sandals/flip flops.  You are only going home.  Speaking of home, take with you those nice blue packs of washcloths, those small oz. cups.  If your doctor gives you liquid pain meds, they are easy to rinse and easy measure.  Saved me on tablespoons.  the Hospital champlain visited adn prayed with us--that was a huge touch.  Big impression

Important point--send someone to get your meds before you leave so they ride home with you. After being nurse-pampered for 2 days, I needed the support of pain meds.  They are useful.  Back to the blue packs, when you start to do regular things, you will need wipes.  Trust  me.  Details are dirty so I will spare them.  Drink and follow orders.  No exceptions.  Helps avoid the terrible D's like dumping, di-o-re-a, dehydration.

Sleep naturally; don't try to reproduce the hospital bed.    You will wake up with a pain headache from sleeping wrong on your staples.  Climb up on your knees and lay down flat on your stomach if that is how you sleep.  The first 3 days, I woke up every 4 hours with pain. 

I hope those of you who are pre-surgery take the information to heart.  I really want your experience to be positive, so do positive things and prepare.  

Today, I cajoled my hubby into helping me with "Wipe Down Day"'.  As I cleaned out all the foods I will be missing, we wiped down the counter and the cabinets and the microwave and the stove and the pantry and the frig and the shelves and a bunch of other stuff.  Usually I do it alone or pay my niece Kimberly, but today, we did it.  So with a super clean kitchen and dust free shelves, I am getting ready for surgery.

I can't say I am nervous right now, I feel like I am anticipating.  I have an appointment for hair today at 12:30.  I usually wear this, but I am getting it twisted into my other style.  My students prefer the Afro; I prefer the twist--no combing, just spray and go for a month.

I want to take a moment to thank all the ladies/men who shared advice.  You would not believe how much you helped me.  All you who don't blog or write notes, please consider re-doing.  I know you are all members of the 100 club or are enjoying your new sizes; yet, we still need your advice and expertise.  I will do the same as soon as I get home.  Reading the input from people all over the country was a def. plus.

THANK Y'ALL A BUNCH!

Started packing tonight to get rid of nervous energy.  I am surprised I don't feel hunger.  I want things to go well and I want my health to kick up a notch soon.  I have 400 cholesterol, borderline diabetes and slight high blood pressure. 

This is a step to I hope a healthier life.

Wednesday I begin my liquid diet.  I am somewhat comfortable with my ability to stay focused.  This is eye opening because it is a definite step toward surgery.  I went to Walmart and loaded up on sugar free jello and pudding and EAS protien.  I have not decided what to buy for protien post op--all the postings say your taste buds change. 

This time next week, will be my first day as a WLS patient.  That statement is like an elephant in the room.  My  mind thinks, how will life change; will I be able to find a variety of things to like; will I like the new me; what will I look like; will my health improve quickly or down the road?

I am sure some of you had the same questions.  Any advice would be appreciated.

     Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat.

How the test is performed :  You will be given a sedative and an analgesic (pain killer). A local anesthetic may be sprayed into your mouth to suppress the need to cough or gag when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect your teeth and the endoscope. Dentures must be removed.

In most cases, an intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to administer medications during the procedure.

You will be instructed to lie on your left side.

After the sedatives have taken effect, the endoscope will be advanced through the esophagus (food pipe) to the stomach and duodenum. Air will be introduced through the endoscope to enhance viewing. The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum is examined, and biopsies can be obtained through the endoscope. Biopsies are tissue samples that are reviewed under the microscope.

After the test is completed, food and liquids will be restricted until your gag reflex returns (so you don't choke).

The test lasts about 5 to 20 minutes.

taken from http:// www.walgreens.com/library/contents.html?docid=003888&doctype=1 on March 7, 2009)

Just got home from a calm experience.  I was scared to do this pre-surgery test because like most folks I hate needles and have surgery jitters.  It went well.  My procedure was done at Doctor's Hospital and to their credit, they took care of me. 

I have small veins so the nurse did what she called a heat pack.  She took hot, wet towels and placed them over my hand and arm.  She said my veins would gravitate toward the heat and be easier to stick.  She was right; it worked.  I had to wait for my procedure for a while, but once they got going, It went fast. 

I was awakened, wheeled into a post-op area where I was given apple juice and paperwork.  A guy wheeled me out to the vehicle and my hubby drove me away to hope.

To state again, I was worried about doctor's sticking things down my throat to view my insides, but It is two hours later and I am pain free, pleasantly sleepy and I don't feel any soreness in my throat or stomach.  Hope this helps you.  I am a scary cat so for me to state these words, says a lot.