WeeSteppn
Back to Work
Jan 05, 2010
Yesterday was my first day back to work; almost 5 weeks out. I was very nervous about coming back to work because my boss is 100 mph at all times and I"m just too tired right now. I am about out of vacay time though and can't afford 66% of my pay on disability so I forced myself to come back. I did okay with the day. I was just very tired b/c I could'nt take my normal nap. I've been really struggling to get out of bed in the AM and have been late both days but thankfully my boss is just so glad to have me back that it's okay right now. I was surprised to find that I wasn't buried in piles of work when I returned. I stayed on top of e-mail while I was off so that really helped and I only had 1 stack of "to-do's" on my desk. It really is strange though when the world is operating at a different speed than you. It's like I'm in slow mo. I walk, talk, move, etc. in slower motion that anyone around me and they're all running circles. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things though; lil by lil and day by day. Luckily I have a desk job so that helps too. Trying to build a schedule where I get my water all in and vitamins. Still a work in progress but making strides. So anyway today is day 2 and I'm chugging away. Hopefully I'll feel more like myself soon.
I'm still experimenting with food to see what works and doesn't. I don't have many belly aches anymore but do still feel generally sour or something. My poops are leveling out. I go every few days and sometimes they have solid matter and sometimes it's still really watery. Dr. L said this is normal and will be more solid around 2 months. So for now, I'm content just trying to get feeling more energetic and trying to find new foods since I'm gagging down the same ol' same ol'. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll post again as soon as something signifigant happens. :-) Hope you all had a great holiday! Mine was easy peasy as my husband wants to snowmobile but since I can't get I sit in the motel bored out of my mind. 4 more weeks and I can go again. Woot!
Mandy
2 comments
I'm still experimenting with food to see what works and doesn't. I don't have many belly aches anymore but do still feel generally sour or something. My poops are leveling out. I go every few days and sometimes they have solid matter and sometimes it's still really watery. Dr. L said this is normal and will be more solid around 2 months. So for now, I'm content just trying to get feeling more energetic and trying to find new foods since I'm gagging down the same ol' same ol'. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll post again as soon as something signifigant happens. :-) Hope you all had a great holiday! Mine was easy peasy as my husband wants to snowmobile but since I can't get I sit in the motel bored out of my mind. 4 more weeks and I can go again. Woot!
Mandy
1 Day Down
Dec 24, 2009
Well I did it! I am 3 weeks out so I knew I couldn't eat many of the foods I normally would and I somehow managed to get through Christmas (we do it on Christmas Eve) without eating 1 single thing I shouldn't have. I totally avoided the appetizer table with all the cheesy dips, cookies, etc. That was always my favorite part and it killed me so I totally avoided it so I wouldn't just mindlessly pick something up and jack myself up for the day.
At dinner, I had green been casserole, grilled chicken and some pork roast. I just kinda picked at it since I could'nt fit it all in. The hardest part was throwing my plate away with food on it since the rest of the family doesn't know about my surgery they'd have surely noticed I didn't eat much and throw a hissy. So I slickly put my napkin on it and folded the plate in 1/2 and threw it away while everyone was yacking.
Then at dessert I was nearly out of will power but did manage. My sister in law made a chocolate cheesecake especially for me. Everyone in the family knows I am the sugar hound and generally I'd eat a few pieces of whatever there was and also some cookies. I'd pretty much eat non stop so this was tricky to get around why I wasn't eating any.....let alone a little.....but none at all. It killed me to pass up that cheesecake....Uggg....then I got depressed b/c I thought I'll never be able to eat this stuff again even when I heal because it'll prolly give me gas and bloat me and who knows what else. I must be honest when I say that thought depresses me and I've asked myself what I've done more than once.
Anyway, point is I made it through the day without incident and today we'll go to my side of the family and I"ll have to go through it all again. My mom has already called and told me she's made me chocolate chip cookies from scratch so now I gotta figure out how to decline with respect when she made them especially for me. It's hard being the sugar whore of the family because people have certain expectations of you. Then tomorrow I'll be able to chill at home and eat without scrutiny and then on Sunday back to the in laws for another food gathering. There's going to be meatballs, wings, cheesy potatoes, dips, desserts again, etc. So again, I'll have to figure out how to wiggle out of this and behave myself without drawing too much attention to myself.
I do have to ask myself how many holidays I can do this. Maybe I can just say I"m trying to be healthier and not eat sugar and white flour then it's not a lie but then they'll start the "just have a little then". Uggg.....why do we have to explain why and what we eat?
Happy Holidays to you all. Hope it's a good one.
Mandy
1 comment
At dinner, I had green been casserole, grilled chicken and some pork roast. I just kinda picked at it since I could'nt fit it all in. The hardest part was throwing my plate away with food on it since the rest of the family doesn't know about my surgery they'd have surely noticed I didn't eat much and throw a hissy. So I slickly put my napkin on it and folded the plate in 1/2 and threw it away while everyone was yacking.
Then at dessert I was nearly out of will power but did manage. My sister in law made a chocolate cheesecake especially for me. Everyone in the family knows I am the sugar hound and generally I'd eat a few pieces of whatever there was and also some cookies. I'd pretty much eat non stop so this was tricky to get around why I wasn't eating any.....let alone a little.....but none at all. It killed me to pass up that cheesecake....Uggg....then I got depressed b/c I thought I'll never be able to eat this stuff again even when I heal because it'll prolly give me gas and bloat me and who knows what else. I must be honest when I say that thought depresses me and I've asked myself what I've done more than once.
Anyway, point is I made it through the day without incident and today we'll go to my side of the family and I"ll have to go through it all again. My mom has already called and told me she's made me chocolate chip cookies from scratch so now I gotta figure out how to decline with respect when she made them especially for me. It's hard being the sugar whore of the family because people have certain expectations of you. Then tomorrow I'll be able to chill at home and eat without scrutiny and then on Sunday back to the in laws for another food gathering. There's going to be meatballs, wings, cheesy potatoes, dips, desserts again, etc. So again, I'll have to figure out how to wiggle out of this and behave myself without drawing too much attention to myself.
I do have to ask myself how many holidays I can do this. Maybe I can just say I"m trying to be healthier and not eat sugar and white flour then it's not a lie but then they'll start the "just have a little then". Uggg.....why do we have to explain why and what we eat?
Happy Holidays to you all. Hope it's a good one.
Mandy
Withdrawals?
Dec 18, 2009
I am going to the movies tomorrow with a friend and she wants to eat lunch afterward so I took a peek at the menu trying to find something I can eat since I'm not quite 3 weeks out (she doesn't know about m surgery). I saw all my old favs and started to drool. Then I went to get my hair cut and drove past the ice cream place where I always got ice cream when I'd get my hair cut. I feel almost sad when I think I will never be able to eat these things again without complication. It's depressing and I'm not sure why because I know it's better for me this way and although I tell myself I just want to be able to eat a little bit of it I know I will eat too much. When I had my Lap Band I thought I'd just eat a little bit but always overate so I know this is much better but if I'm being honest I feel depressed by the thought of not eating ice cream, pizza, etc. I looked over that menu and couldn't find but maybe 2 things I felt safe in trying while in the company of someone else.
Does this depressing, left out feeling fade I wonder? My husband eats normally and I must admit sometimes I drool over what he's eating. I can't expect him to change how he eats for sure. Plus, I've been super emotional lately which I read can happen but I'm ready for it to stop......I'm crying at tv commercials for pete's sake!! LOL!
If anyone reads this what are you thoughts on how I"m feeling depressed? Did you go through this too? Also, my tummy feels sour most of the time. Does this go away? I don't necessarily feel sick just .....off.....sour. Plus, when I poo....it kinda burns my bum and feels very acidic. Normal?
I do seem to have some more energy and have got my treadmill walks up from 5 min to 15 at a time and have been eating some meats and am getting about 60 g of protein and 50-60 oz of water so I'm trying......sip, sip, sip....walk, walk, walk. :-)
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Does this depressing, left out feeling fade I wonder? My husband eats normally and I must admit sometimes I drool over what he's eating. I can't expect him to change how he eats for sure. Plus, I've been super emotional lately which I read can happen but I'm ready for it to stop......I'm crying at tv commercials for pete's sake!! LOL!
If anyone reads this what are you thoughts on how I"m feeling depressed? Did you go through this too? Also, my tummy feels sour most of the time. Does this go away? I don't necessarily feel sick just .....off.....sour. Plus, when I poo....it kinda burns my bum and feels very acidic. Normal?
I do seem to have some more energy and have got my treadmill walks up from 5 min to 15 at a time and have been eating some meats and am getting about 60 g of protein and 50-60 oz of water so I'm trying......sip, sip, sip....walk, walk, walk. :-)
Nearly 2 weeks out
Dec 13, 2009
Well Tuesday will be 2 weeks exactly since surgery. I'm still struggling to figure out what gives me gas and what doesn't. I'm uncomfortable most times as I try to figure this out but come Tuesday I'll be able to start adding some meats to my diet which will be very nice. I'm pretty sick of the same foods. I got some great suggestions from the main board on foods they were able to tolerate and on some on the go foods at drive thrus since my husband and I spend a great deal of time on the road.
My scar looks like a railroad track. I wonder why the insertion points of the staples look worse than the actual incision? That bugs me since that part isn't so bad but the staples dots are terrible looking. All well I guess.
As far as everything else goes I'm moving along each day trying to get all my limits of stuff and not get too confused between what I know to be correct based on what I've learned here and by what my surgeon tells me. He seems to give a lot of recycled RYN advice. My fluid intake hovers around 50 oz a day which I'm really trying to improve and my protein intake is anywhere from 35 - 60 g a day which I know isn't enough but I guess I'm trying for the 30, 60, 90 rule. I just can't seem to get more in. Perhaps when I add meat it'll be easier. I am doing my walking. I walk 30 min a day broken down into 3 10 min walks or sometimes into 5 min increments. So just taking each day 1 at a time and hoping to get feeling more like myself soon sine Christmas is around the corner. I don't mind not eating all the junk but I would like to not feel like crap the entire day. :)
Hope you're all doing well and have a great holiday. See you on the boards.
Mandy
2 comments
My scar looks like a railroad track. I wonder why the insertion points of the staples look worse than the actual incision? That bugs me since that part isn't so bad but the staples dots are terrible looking. All well I guess.
As far as everything else goes I'm moving along each day trying to get all my limits of stuff and not get too confused between what I know to be correct based on what I've learned here and by what my surgeon tells me. He seems to give a lot of recycled RYN advice. My fluid intake hovers around 50 oz a day which I'm really trying to improve and my protein intake is anywhere from 35 - 60 g a day which I know isn't enough but I guess I'm trying for the 30, 60, 90 rule. I just can't seem to get more in. Perhaps when I add meat it'll be easier. I am doing my walking. I walk 30 min a day broken down into 3 10 min walks or sometimes into 5 min increments. So just taking each day 1 at a time and hoping to get feeling more like myself soon sine Christmas is around the corner. I don't mind not eating all the junk but I would like to not feel like crap the entire day. :)
Hope you're all doing well and have a great holiday. See you on the boards.
Mandy
Surgery in a Nutshell
Dec 10, 2009
Well I finally had surgery on Dec. 1. I went in quite nervous and the hospital staff didn't really ease my fears as they kept doing things that made me more nervous. For example, during the checking in, a doctor said to give me one quarter of something and the nurse dispensing said okay I need one AND a quarter of this and that. I was doped but knew what I heard and protested and she finally checked w/the doc to find out she heard wrong. Then the anethesiologist (sp?) had super coke bottle lenses and you could tell he had a time trying to judge distance. So much so that standing next to my bed talking to me he leaned forward and hit me in the face 2x with his clipboard. This is the person putting me to sleep and bringing me back to life?! Huh! Then when they put in the central line (the google eyes got to do this too) they gave me a heavy dose of Ketamine and covered my head with a sheet so it would catch the blood. The guy with the bad eyesight was having a tough time getting it into the exact right place (because of his lack of good eye sight no doubt) and after the 3rd poke I started to complain. Even under that drug I could feel him fumbling around. Then I asked to see my hubby 3x's before I went into surgery and they finally went and got him literally 30 sec before wheeling me into the room. I was so drugged I hardly remember him standing there looking concerned and scared. Afterward we talked and he had his own complaints about how communication was handled.
The surgery ended up taking 6 hours rather than 3 because the Dr said I had a ton more adhesions that he originally anticipated. They didn't communicate with my hubby about why it was taking longer than thought and he was freaking out beacuse he expected 3 hours not 6. He was all over the hospital trying to get someone to help him figure out what was happening because the attendant in the waiting room that was supposed to handle that stuff decided to leave for the day and didn't tell anyone and left a phone with a note that said to reach the operator dial 0. Nice! Finally he got my surgeon to come out and explain what was up with me and that I'd been taken to ICU for recovery.
In all I was in the hospital from Tues - Sat and was not very satisfied with the experience. They never saw to me as they should. I'd hit my light and literally it'd take an hr to see what I needed. Once, for example, I spilled my apple juice all over me, my bed and the vibrating stockings I was wearing. I hit my light and after 1 hr 15 min ( I watched the clock) I unhooked my self from everything and went walking the halls to find someone to help me. Meanwhile I sat in sticky juice soak and wet all this time. I finally found a nurse who said she'd be right there. I went back to my room and after another 30 min of nobody I broke down and started to ball my eyes out. I was already bathing myself, getting myself in and out of bed, etc. They were doing nothing for me except giving me drugs when needed and I couldn't even get someone to get me clean lines?! I just couldn't take it anymore. During my crying fit someone finally came because they said my heart rate was sky high and I explained what was happening and they said you were not waiting that long as if it was a few minutes. This was bull because I watched the clock because I had already had a few days of waiting on them so I started to see if it was all in my head or not and started to watch the clock and also this let me know that they did in fact know my situation but were responding to others first all that time. Either way, it was crappy and I did not appreciate the hospital care at all. This was 5 days of this in many different ways. Very understaffed or sometiing I don't know but I did not get the care I should have for sure!I was glad to be released on Sat.
Pain wise I am still in quite a bit of pain but considering I lost an appendix, gallbladder, tons of adhesions were cut out and 1 Lap Band plus the actual DS surgery I suppose I probably should be. The 1st week was really tough and I wondered if I'd ever get better but the last few days I've felt a measureable difference so that's good. My main annoyances at this point are that I have this strange film on my tongue (Dr says it's not thrush) and when I take medicines or have protein shakes (Dr says this is what it's from) it leaves this nasty taste on my tongue; I wake up in the middle of the night with it too. I wish it'd go away already. Then I can't sleep either. I wake up every single 2 hrs almost to the minute all night so during the day I'm exhausted. I don't know why I wake up. I feel nauseau and it wakes me. Something about laying down upsets my tummy. Other than that, I'm getting about 50-60 oz of water and 30-50 g protein daily which I think is pretty good for being 10 days out. I'm really trying to do good. I walk on the treadmill for 10 min every 2 hrs or so even in the night when I get up with the sick tummy. Other than that, I'm trying to fight the urge to do dishes and stuff and trying to get as close to normal as possible. Oh, my other annoyance is the gas. I walk, walk, walk and drink and I still have nasty gas that gets trapped and hurts my ribs and makes me feel sick and I can't get it to come out. I try Gas X which makes me burp mint and doesn't help. Just makes me more sick to my stomach. I haven't actually vomited yet (thank God) but I feel close with the whole mouth watering, etc.
I got my staples out yesterday. The actual incision look great; very thin and white. The staples marks are red though and look angry. If it weren't for them the line would be hardly noticable even at 10 days. Very nice job with that. The staple holes though are very loud and noticable. Hopefully they'll chill a bit but I doubt it. Every time I've ever had staples before they scar terriblely for me.
Anyway folks that's me so far. Hope you're all doing well. Chat soon.
Mandy
0 comments
The surgery ended up taking 6 hours rather than 3 because the Dr said I had a ton more adhesions that he originally anticipated. They didn't communicate with my hubby about why it was taking longer than thought and he was freaking out beacuse he expected 3 hours not 6. He was all over the hospital trying to get someone to help him figure out what was happening because the attendant in the waiting room that was supposed to handle that stuff decided to leave for the day and didn't tell anyone and left a phone with a note that said to reach the operator dial 0. Nice! Finally he got my surgeon to come out and explain what was up with me and that I'd been taken to ICU for recovery.
In all I was in the hospital from Tues - Sat and was not very satisfied with the experience. They never saw to me as they should. I'd hit my light and literally it'd take an hr to see what I needed. Once, for example, I spilled my apple juice all over me, my bed and the vibrating stockings I was wearing. I hit my light and after 1 hr 15 min ( I watched the clock) I unhooked my self from everything and went walking the halls to find someone to help me. Meanwhile I sat in sticky juice soak and wet all this time. I finally found a nurse who said she'd be right there. I went back to my room and after another 30 min of nobody I broke down and started to ball my eyes out. I was already bathing myself, getting myself in and out of bed, etc. They were doing nothing for me except giving me drugs when needed and I couldn't even get someone to get me clean lines?! I just couldn't take it anymore. During my crying fit someone finally came because they said my heart rate was sky high and I explained what was happening and they said you were not waiting that long as if it was a few minutes. This was bull because I watched the clock because I had already had a few days of waiting on them so I started to see if it was all in my head or not and started to watch the clock and also this let me know that they did in fact know my situation but were responding to others first all that time. Either way, it was crappy and I did not appreciate the hospital care at all. This was 5 days of this in many different ways. Very understaffed or sometiing I don't know but I did not get the care I should have for sure!I was glad to be released on Sat.
Pain wise I am still in quite a bit of pain but considering I lost an appendix, gallbladder, tons of adhesions were cut out and 1 Lap Band plus the actual DS surgery I suppose I probably should be. The 1st week was really tough and I wondered if I'd ever get better but the last few days I've felt a measureable difference so that's good. My main annoyances at this point are that I have this strange film on my tongue (Dr says it's not thrush) and when I take medicines or have protein shakes (Dr says this is what it's from) it leaves this nasty taste on my tongue; I wake up in the middle of the night with it too. I wish it'd go away already. Then I can't sleep either. I wake up every single 2 hrs almost to the minute all night so during the day I'm exhausted. I don't know why I wake up. I feel nauseau and it wakes me. Something about laying down upsets my tummy. Other than that, I'm getting about 50-60 oz of water and 30-50 g protein daily which I think is pretty good for being 10 days out. I'm really trying to do good. I walk on the treadmill for 10 min every 2 hrs or so even in the night when I get up with the sick tummy. Other than that, I'm trying to fight the urge to do dishes and stuff and trying to get as close to normal as possible. Oh, my other annoyance is the gas. I walk, walk, walk and drink and I still have nasty gas that gets trapped and hurts my ribs and makes me feel sick and I can't get it to come out. I try Gas X which makes me burp mint and doesn't help. Just makes me more sick to my stomach. I haven't actually vomited yet (thank God) but I feel close with the whole mouth watering, etc.
I got my staples out yesterday. The actual incision look great; very thin and white. The staples marks are red though and look angry. If it weren't for them the line would be hardly noticable even at 10 days. Very nice job with that. The staple holes though are very loud and noticable. Hopefully they'll chill a bit but I doubt it. Every time I've ever had staples before they scar terriblely for me.
Anyway folks that's me so far. Hope you're all doing well. Chat soon.
Mandy
Surgery in 2 days
Nov 28, 2009
I am SO nervous about my DS in 2 days, Dec. 1. I don't know why either. I've had WLS before and don't remember being half this nervous for that. Perhaps because it wasn't quite as involved as this? Not sure but I've actually felt sick to my stomach a few times already from the worrying that something will go wrong. My husband has been pretty silent throughout my planning phase and just actually started to voice his opinion about it this weekend and basically told me it wasn't worth it and why would I want to put myself through this and that he isn't comfortable with the idea of it not being reversible. I am not even hearing what he's saying because it pissed me off that I've tried to get his feelings all along and he has basically just nodded and now that I'm 2 days away he wants to start back peddling. All well, I wish he were more supportive but I'm doing what's right for me with or without his support. I would just feel better if I had it. I'm nervous and scared as it is and now I have to worry about this from him? I find myself worrying about the dumbest things like if I died he wouldn't know how to pay the bills or figure out our insurance policies to get that all straightened to help with my funeral bills, etc. Why the hell am I thinking like this? It's freaking me out. I also worry that me worrying will make me more apt to have problems during surgery like it's not healthy for my heart or something and so I'm trying to calm myself. It's just all very strange for me since I was not this nervous before and now I"m a wreck and I really don't have anyone to share it with since my hubby would just tell me not to go through with it. He really doesn't understand. He thinks it's all about looks and so he doesn't get it. He's overweight but doesn't seem to care. It's not a serious issue with him yet but he is overweight. Apparently most guys don't get worked up about weight like women, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm 2 days til d-day and trying to keep it together. I will update once I'm home. because I'll make it home, right?! 
Hope T-day was great for everyone.
Mandy
3 comments
Hope T-day was great for everyone.
Mandy
Mirena Update (& others)
Nov 23, 2009
As mentioned in a previous post I had my Mirena put in last Friday. That was a pretty rough day but I had some of those stick on heat pads and did that during the day at work and by Saturday (1 day later) I was totally fine except for some mild cramping. As of Sunday, I was totally fine; no cramping no more bleeding from the punctures, etc. I do have a little bit of cramping today but that's because I'm due to start my monthly cycle soon (mid week). Overall, I think I am really going to love this thing once my body gets used to it and the spotting period is over. I haven't really had that yet but I hear it's standard. So 2 thumbs up so far.
I got a call from the hospital where I am having my surgery today to get some pre-admission stuff done. They kept asking me if I was bringing all my files with me and I said no they were supposed to have been sent over 2 weeks ago. My surgeon just changed hospital affiliations and so now my surgery has moved to another hospital and apparently they don't have any of my stuff yet. I hope that doesn't cause a problem when I go in Tuesday. We'll see and keep our fingers crossed.
As the date draws near I am nervous but excited too. I guess this is probably normal. I keep having nightmares so I must be more freaked that I originally thought. All well, I've been on the table before so I can do it again, right? I saw the post yesterday on the main board about someone basically planning a revision if her current WLS didn't pan out and I agree with the others.....why would you want to go through this all again? Geez. I am and loathe the idea of it and am mad at myself for not making the 1st one work better but I need to be totally honest with myself and in doing so I know I need the malabsorbsion component. So that's what I'm doing and hopefully I don't have any issues and don't need surgery ever again! HA! Wish me luck!
Toodles!
Mandy
0 comments
I got a call from the hospital where I am having my surgery today to get some pre-admission stuff done. They kept asking me if I was bringing all my files with me and I said no they were supposed to have been sent over 2 weeks ago. My surgeon just changed hospital affiliations and so now my surgery has moved to another hospital and apparently they don't have any of my stuff yet. I hope that doesn't cause a problem when I go in Tuesday. We'll see and keep our fingers crossed.
As the date draws near I am nervous but excited too. I guess this is probably normal. I keep having nightmares so I must be more freaked that I originally thought. All well, I've been on the table before so I can do it again, right? I saw the post yesterday on the main board about someone basically planning a revision if her current WLS didn't pan out and I agree with the others.....why would you want to go through this all again? Geez. I am and loathe the idea of it and am mad at myself for not making the 1st one work better but I need to be totally honest with myself and in doing so I know I need the malabsorbsion component. So that's what I'm doing and hopefully I don't have any issues and don't need surgery ever again! HA! Wish me luck!
Toodles!
Mandy
Mirena - ouch!
Nov 20, 2009
Went in today at 10:00 to have my MIrena birth control placed. I took a pill last night that was supposed to soften my cervix and dialate it since I have not had kids so it'd be a bit less painful.
First thing she said once I was strapped in with my girly bits in the wind was, "Ohhh....I hate hoped it would have dialate your cervix more. This might hurt a bit." Nice!
She had me cough at which time she punctured my cervix on each side with some plyer looking things. This hurt a tiny bit but not unlike the poking of the cervix you get at your annual pap. The actual insertion of the Mirena though really sucked ass! Hurt! When she first started to go in I actually caught my breathe because it surprised me and hurt much more than I anticipated. So I started giving birth like breathing to calm myself. Right when my breathe caught she said, "Are you still with us?" so she must have noticed how quickly I tightened up everything.....LOL. My hands immediately started to sweat. Then I felt blood running down my butt crack! TMI I know but just a good picture of how much it hurt. Ha! Anyway, the process took about 15 minutes so not completely unbearable but I certainly won't lie....it hurt like hell and I have a relatively high threshold for pain.
Right now I am cramping but manageable. I am a person who never really had to deal with cramps before because I never got them with my periods so I don't really have a reference point but they are midly irritating and making me want to lay down and sleep. I have to wear tampons / pads whatever you like for the next few months because of the bleeding. She said I'll bleed a bit now from the puncture wounds to my cervix and then I'll spot on and off while my body regulate itself; generally lasts a month to a few depending on the person.
So overall the process was quick but very, very uncomfortable. I am glad I did it though because I"m a long time pill user and won't be able to count on those after my Dec. 1 surgery so this is a good option. Now here's to hoping I'm not spotting during my 3 or 4 day hospital stay. Their pads and fake undies suck big time! That happened to me once before! Not fun.
Take care.
Mandy
2 comments
First thing she said once I was strapped in with my girly bits in the wind was, "Ohhh....I hate hoped it would have dialate your cervix more. This might hurt a bit." Nice!
She had me cough at which time she punctured my cervix on each side with some plyer looking things. This hurt a tiny bit but not unlike the poking of the cervix you get at your annual pap. The actual insertion of the Mirena though really sucked ass! Hurt! When she first started to go in I actually caught my breathe because it surprised me and hurt much more than I anticipated. So I started giving birth like breathing to calm myself. Right when my breathe caught she said, "Are you still with us?" so she must have noticed how quickly I tightened up everything.....LOL. My hands immediately started to sweat. Then I felt blood running down my butt crack! TMI I know but just a good picture of how much it hurt. Ha! Anyway, the process took about 15 minutes so not completely unbearable but I certainly won't lie....it hurt like hell and I have a relatively high threshold for pain.
Right now I am cramping but manageable. I am a person who never really had to deal with cramps before because I never got them with my periods so I don't really have a reference point but they are midly irritating and making me want to lay down and sleep. I have to wear tampons / pads whatever you like for the next few months because of the bleeding. She said I'll bleed a bit now from the puncture wounds to my cervix and then I'll spot on and off while my body regulate itself; generally lasts a month to a few depending on the person.
So overall the process was quick but very, very uncomfortable. I am glad I did it though because I"m a long time pill user and won't be able to count on those after my Dec. 1 surgery so this is a good option. Now here's to hoping I'm not spotting during my 3 or 4 day hospital stay. Their pads and fake undies suck big time! That happened to me once before! Not fun.
Take care.
Mandy
Sitting and Waiting
Nov 17, 2009
Hi Gang,
So as of today, I have completed all my pre-op work (labs, DEXA, endo, etc.) and am basically sitting and waiting for Dec. 1 to get there. I have ordered all my vitamins and put them into AM, Mid-day, PM & Bedtime holders and have bought stuff for after surgery such as Body Mint, Poop-ourri (sp?), Gas-X, etc. I have made my grocery list of acceptable food items for after surgery and will pick those ups the Thanksgiving weekend before my surgery. I feel pretty prepared although it's not helping with my nervousness.
I have had WLS before so I know partially how I will react to anethesia and it's not generally good but I also know this is something I really want to do and can't wait for so let it come, right? I have arranged to have 4 weeks off work (I have a desk job) and hope that'll be enough. I was up and moving pretty good after my Lap Band surgery but this will be open and a revision which I hear is more intense to recover from. Hopefully everyting goes well. I am also nervous about the vitamins. I hope I get the schedule down correctly; I am using the one from Michelle @ Vitalady.com. I'm unsure when exactly to start it since I've gotten mixed information from folks but I'll figure it out. Just have to make it a part of life and make adjustments when necessary.
So overall I'm good right now just nervous a bit and trying to get everthing in order (I'm OCD about being organized if you can't tell).
My biggest concern is that my huband and I bought snowmobilies last year and have been preparing to go all summer long. We bought all new gear and a new trailer and all sorts of stuff to prepare. We have reservations for New Years and I'll only be 4 weeks out at that point. Clearly I won't be able to snowmobile but I'll feel like a drag the whole time. I feel bad and like I'm imposing on my husband's good time as I know how much he's been looking forward to this. Hopefully by the next trip in January sometime I can go? Not sure. My restriction papers only said no lifting, pushing or pulling for 4-6 weeks and then only up to 10 lbs after that. I don't know what the rules are on being bounced around a bit so I'll have to ask my surgeon about that. We generally just go slow and don't bunny jump hills but it's still a big jarring so I'm not sure. I sure hope I don't have to sit the whole winter out although I don't want to do any damage to myself either. My husband would be so disappointed. He's kind of a baby about his play time. Maybe I'll just tell him to go w/o me if he has to. He'll be pissy about it but I have to do what's right for me. Taking care of me is something new and someting I have to always be telling myself.
So anyway that's the update for now. Just sitting and waiting. BTW: got a call from Dr.'s office last Friday saying the hospital is being changed and so is the time but not the day. So we're still on for Dec. 1. I'll probably update again after I get home from the hospital. Be in touch soon ya'all.
Mandy
0 comments
So as of today, I have completed all my pre-op work (labs, DEXA, endo, etc.) and am basically sitting and waiting for Dec. 1 to get there. I have ordered all my vitamins and put them into AM, Mid-day, PM & Bedtime holders and have bought stuff for after surgery such as Body Mint, Poop-ourri (sp?), Gas-X, etc. I have made my grocery list of acceptable food items for after surgery and will pick those ups the Thanksgiving weekend before my surgery. I feel pretty prepared although it's not helping with my nervousness.
I have had WLS before so I know partially how I will react to anethesia and it's not generally good but I also know this is something I really want to do and can't wait for so let it come, right? I have arranged to have 4 weeks off work (I have a desk job) and hope that'll be enough. I was up and moving pretty good after my Lap Band surgery but this will be open and a revision which I hear is more intense to recover from. Hopefully everyting goes well. I am also nervous about the vitamins. I hope I get the schedule down correctly; I am using the one from Michelle @ Vitalady.com. I'm unsure when exactly to start it since I've gotten mixed information from folks but I'll figure it out. Just have to make it a part of life and make adjustments when necessary.
So overall I'm good right now just nervous a bit and trying to get everthing in order (I'm OCD about being organized if you can't tell).
My biggest concern is that my huband and I bought snowmobilies last year and have been preparing to go all summer long. We bought all new gear and a new trailer and all sorts of stuff to prepare. We have reservations for New Years and I'll only be 4 weeks out at that point. Clearly I won't be able to snowmobile but I'll feel like a drag the whole time. I feel bad and like I'm imposing on my husband's good time as I know how much he's been looking forward to this. Hopefully by the next trip in January sometime I can go? Not sure. My restriction papers only said no lifting, pushing or pulling for 4-6 weeks and then only up to 10 lbs after that. I don't know what the rules are on being bounced around a bit so I'll have to ask my surgeon about that. We generally just go slow and don't bunny jump hills but it's still a big jarring so I'm not sure. I sure hope I don't have to sit the whole winter out although I don't want to do any damage to myself either. My husband would be so disappointed. He's kind of a baby about his play time. Maybe I'll just tell him to go w/o me if he has to. He'll be pissy about it but I have to do what's right for me. Taking care of me is something new and someting I have to always be telling myself.
So anyway that's the update for now. Just sitting and waiting. BTW: got a call from Dr.'s office last Friday saying the hospital is being changed and so is the time but not the day. So we're still on for Dec. 1. I'll probably update again after I get home from the hospital. Be in touch soon ya'all.
Mandy
Endoscopy Done
Nov 03, 2009
I had my endoscopy done today. Dr. L wanted to take a peek and make sure my Lap Band was still positioned properly and that it wasn't the reason why I was having problems. He said it looked okay and hadn't moved but told the person who drove me that I should call the office tomorrow. I think perhaps he didn't want to chat with a sleepy me and will give me the 411 tomorrow when I call. I'm hoping anyway.
It wasn't that bad really. There were some issues such as when it took the nurse 3 pokes to finally get the IV started. The 1st 2 times she poked through one side of the vein and right through the other side. Nice! Hurt like heck. Finally the 3rd time was the charm. She said it was because I was dehydrated. I was dehydrated because the person who called to register me for my endoscopy they said no eating or drinking for 48 hrs prior and when I got there the admitting nurse said, "nothing to eat or drink since midnight, right?" I said, "midnight?" Umm....try 48 hours. There was another nurse in the room and she was like, "you've had drinks since then though right?" I said, "nope. they said 48 hrs." She said you must be thirsty and I said..uhh...yea! So anyway, they had a hard time with my veins because I'm dehydrated. Anyway, procedure went well as far as I know. Easy to wake up from. Much easier than waking up from a real surgery! So that was my last bit of pre-op work. Givinng my luck all I need now that I'm ready is for Dr. L to decide I"m no longer a candidate for some odd reason or something to go wrong with my insurance. I just can't get excited because I'm too worried I'll jinx myself so I'm trying to hold my happiness at bay.
Also, I have an appointment on Friday to discuss with my GYN/OB getting the Mirena put in pre-surgery. That would be ideal but who knows if she'll even approve me for it since I don't have kids. I really hope so though. I'd like to start to get the spotting and such out of the way and get it going doing what it is supposed to considering I"m not off my pills. I really do not want kids right now so I'd like to get something else in place (we're using condoms of course but they aren't the same). So that's the update with me right now. Just plodding along taking it 1 day at a time.
P.S. forgot to say I did my psych eval yesterday and my bone density test. The lady doing the DEXA scan was kinda bothered that my Lap Band was getting in the way of the scan. She thought it was a belly ring and then I told her what it really was. I kept picturing it melting under the radiation of the Xray. Strange huh? Haha! So here we go anyway! Thanks for all the question answering all. Much appreciated.
Mandy
0 comments
It wasn't that bad really. There were some issues such as when it took the nurse 3 pokes to finally get the IV started. The 1st 2 times she poked through one side of the vein and right through the other side. Nice! Hurt like heck. Finally the 3rd time was the charm. She said it was because I was dehydrated. I was dehydrated because the person who called to register me for my endoscopy they said no eating or drinking for 48 hrs prior and when I got there the admitting nurse said, "nothing to eat or drink since midnight, right?" I said, "midnight?" Umm....try 48 hours. There was another nurse in the room and she was like, "you've had drinks since then though right?" I said, "nope. they said 48 hrs." She said you must be thirsty and I said..uhh...yea! So anyway, they had a hard time with my veins because I'm dehydrated. Anyway, procedure went well as far as I know. Easy to wake up from. Much easier than waking up from a real surgery! So that was my last bit of pre-op work. Givinng my luck all I need now that I'm ready is for Dr. L to decide I"m no longer a candidate for some odd reason or something to go wrong with my insurance. I just can't get excited because I'm too worried I'll jinx myself so I'm trying to hold my happiness at bay.
Also, I have an appointment on Friday to discuss with my GYN/OB getting the Mirena put in pre-surgery. That would be ideal but who knows if she'll even approve me for it since I don't have kids. I really hope so though. I'd like to start to get the spotting and such out of the way and get it going doing what it is supposed to considering I"m not off my pills. I really do not want kids right now so I'd like to get something else in place (we're using condoms of course but they aren't the same). So that's the update with me right now. Just plodding along taking it 1 day at a time.
P.S. forgot to say I did my psych eval yesterday and my bone density test. The lady doing the DEXA scan was kinda bothered that my Lap Band was getting in the way of the scan. She thought it was a belly ring and then I told her what it really was. I kept picturing it melting under the radiation of the Xray. Strange huh? Haha! So here we go anyway! Thanks for all the question answering all. Much appreciated.
Mandy
