daisy.chain
Lab Work Results
Jun 06, 2011
I got my labs back today. I have been really working to get my D, protein, iron, and A levels up. I got good news on the D. The treatment recommended by Vita Lady worked for me. I am at the high range and just a bit over. What a huge relief! My A is just right. My protein is on the low side but that is to be expected since I was not absorbing the protein I was using and now that I have switched to Optimum Nutrition, I expect my values to increase by the next draw. My iron is still very low. Only rising from 42 to 44 in the last 6 months even though I am taking 324mg daily with vitamin C.
I know I have complained about my bariatric clinic in almost every post but they really don't see a problem with my iron. They were really unhappy when I told them about the aggressive treatment I gave myself of vitamin D. They would have had me on 2,000 mg forever even though I was a fatigued exhausted dragging mess. Please! I'm not leaving it all up to them since they have very little to offer in terms of guiding my health. I do listen to their advice though, then I research the hell out of it, so I know where I really stand.
As for my iron, I am going to break up my tablet and add some chewable iron to my morning routine, just the BA 35 mg iron that I bought and then did not use. I will have blood work again in 3 months. If that doesn't increase it, I am going to try a more aggressive treatment of heme iron. Perhaps that change will work for me. Maybe not. My whole family does suffer from anemia and other weird blood issues. I just want to do the very best for myself since I spent so many years doing very little for myself.
For the first time ever, I have scheduled a massage and facial. I would be lying if I said I'm not nervous about it. It seems like a world I never let myself be part of. I'm so darn close to being in onederland that I wish it was a celebration of that, but life is short and I don't want to wait anymore. So here I come, loose skin and all. Yikes!
I struggle with exercise everyday. Most days I don't do it. It's mental and emotional. I am much more active now but I want to be one of those people who can stay on a schedule and get their exercise in like a supplement. I'm very mental about the whole thing. It's important for me to stay honest about it because sometimes I'm not.
I'm on day 7 of the plateau buster diet and I can say that it is harder than I thought. But I have lost another 2 pounds. Now I am 201....soooo darn close. The diet is harder than I thought to stay on, but I am doing it. It helps that it is only 10 days long.
And now the lab numbers. Most of these I don't know much about.
5/27/2011 ALBUMIN 3.5 3.4 - 4.8 g/dL
5/27/2011 ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP) 77 35 - 115 U/L
5/27/2011 ASPARTATE TRANSAMINASE (AST) 15 15 - 43 U/L
5/27/2011 BASOPHILS % AUTO 0.4 %
5/27/2011 BASOPHILS ABS AUTO 0 0 - 0.2 K/MM3
5/27/2011 BILIRUBIN TOTAL 0.7 0.3 - 1.3 mg/dL
5/27/2011 CALCIUM 9.2 8.6 - 10.5 mg/dL **I worked to bring it up.**
5/27/2011 CARBON DIOXIDE TOTAL 26 24 - 32 mEq/L
5/27/2011 CHLORIDE 106 95 - 110 mEq/L
5/27/2011 CHOLESTEROL 147 0 - 200 mg/dL
5/27/2011 C-REACTIVE PROTEIN 0.5 0 - 0.8 mg/dL
5/27/2011 CREATININE BLOOD 0.61 0.44 - 1.27 mg/dL
5/27/2011 EOSINOPHIL ABS AUTO 0.1 0 - 0.5 K/MM3
5/27/2011 FASTING YES
5/27/2011 FERRITIN 26 10 - 291 ng/mL **Used to be and 8!! Still like it to be higher.**
5/27/2011 FOLATE RBC 490 >= 280 ng/mL
5/27/2011 GLUCOSE 86 70 - 110 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HDL CHOLESTEROL 55 >= 35 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HEMATOCRIT 41.9 34 - 46 %
5/27/2011 HEMOGLOBIN 13.9 12.0 - 16.0 GM/DL
5/27/2011 HGB A1C 5.3 3.9 - 5.6 %
5/27/2011 HGB A1C,GLUCOSE EST AVG 105 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HOMOCYSTEINE 5 3.8 - 11.0 umol/L
5/27/2011 INSULIN 7.4 3.3 - 22.1 uU/mL
5/27/2011 IRON PERCENT SATURATION 14.9 15 - 50 % L **This is low and I am trying to increase it.**
5/27/2011 IRON TOTAL 44 42 - 135 mcg/dL **I'd really like this to be higher.**
5/27/2011 LDL CHOLESTEROL CALCULATION 78 < 130 mg/dL
5/27/2011 LYMPHOCYTE ABS AUTO 1.3 1.0 - 4.8 K/MM3
5/27/2011 LYMPHOCYTES % AUTO 24.6 %
5/27/2011 MCH 28.4 27 - 33 PG
5/27/2011 MCHC 33.1 32 - 36 %
5/27/2011 MCV 85.7 80 - 100 UM3
5/27/2011 MONOCYTES % AUTO 6.1 %
5/27/2011 MONOCYTES ABS AUTO 0.3 0.1 - 0.8 K/MM3
5/27/2011 MPV 9.3 6.8 - 10.0 UM3
5/27/2011 NEUTROPHIL ABS AUTO 3.6 1.80 - 7.70 K/MM3
5/27/2011 NEUTROPHILS % AUTO 67.3 %
5/27/2011 NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL 92 0 - 150 mg/dl
5/27/2011 PLATELET COUNT 218 130 - 400 K/MM3
5/27/2011 POTASSIUM 3.7 3.3 - 5.0 mEq/L
5/27/2011 PROTEIN 6.4 6.3 - 8.3 g/dL **Hoping my new protein drinks will increas this.**
5/27/2011 RDW 14.1 0 - 14.7 UNITS
5/27/2011 RED CELL COUNT 4.9 3.7 - 5.5 M/MM3
5/27/2011 RETINOL (VITAMIN A) mg/L 0.35 0.30 - 1.20 mg/L
5/27/2011 RETINYL PALMITATE mg/L 0.05 0.00 - 0.10 mg/L
5/27/2011 SODIUM 140 135 - 145 mEq/L
5/27/2011 TOTAL CHOLESTEROL:HDL RATIO 2.7 < 4.0
5/27/2011 TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 296 280 - 400 mcg/dl
5/27/2011 TRANSFERRIN 213 192 - 382 mg/dl
5/27/2011 TRIGLYCERIDE 69 35 - 160 mg/dL
5/27/2011 UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD (BUN) 15 22-Aug mg/dL
5/27/2011 VIT A INTERPRETATION Normal ()
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B1(THIAMINE) WHOLE BL 110 70 - 180 nmol/L
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B12 1027 211 - 911 pg/mL H **A bit high but not worried about this. I skip on about 2x per week**
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOS) 35.4 20.0 - 125.0 nmol/L
5/27/2011 VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID) 2.1 0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL H
5/27/2011 VITAMIN D, 25 HYDROXY 116 30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL H **A bit over and I will cut back since I believe it will continue to climb.**
5/27/2011 WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT 5.3 4.5 - 11.0 K/MM3
That's it for now.
0 comments
I know I have complained about my bariatric clinic in almost every post but they really don't see a problem with my iron. They were really unhappy when I told them about the aggressive treatment I gave myself of vitamin D. They would have had me on 2,000 mg forever even though I was a fatigued exhausted dragging mess. Please! I'm not leaving it all up to them since they have very little to offer in terms of guiding my health. I do listen to their advice though, then I research the hell out of it, so I know where I really stand.
As for my iron, I am going to break up my tablet and add some chewable iron to my morning routine, just the BA 35 mg iron that I bought and then did not use. I will have blood work again in 3 months. If that doesn't increase it, I am going to try a more aggressive treatment of heme iron. Perhaps that change will work for me. Maybe not. My whole family does suffer from anemia and other weird blood issues. I just want to do the very best for myself since I spent so many years doing very little for myself.
For the first time ever, I have scheduled a massage and facial. I would be lying if I said I'm not nervous about it. It seems like a world I never let myself be part of. I'm so darn close to being in onederland that I wish it was a celebration of that, but life is short and I don't want to wait anymore. So here I come, loose skin and all. Yikes!
I struggle with exercise everyday. Most days I don't do it. It's mental and emotional. I am much more active now but I want to be one of those people who can stay on a schedule and get their exercise in like a supplement. I'm very mental about the whole thing. It's important for me to stay honest about it because sometimes I'm not.
I'm on day 7 of the plateau buster diet and I can say that it is harder than I thought. But I have lost another 2 pounds. Now I am 201....soooo darn close. The diet is harder than I thought to stay on, but I am doing it. It helps that it is only 10 days long.
And now the lab numbers. Most of these I don't know much about.
5/27/2011 ALBUMIN 3.5 3.4 - 4.8 g/dL
5/27/2011 ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP) 77 35 - 115 U/L
5/27/2011 ASPARTATE TRANSAMINASE (AST) 15 15 - 43 U/L
5/27/2011 BASOPHILS % AUTO 0.4 %
5/27/2011 BASOPHILS ABS AUTO 0 0 - 0.2 K/MM3
5/27/2011 BILIRUBIN TOTAL 0.7 0.3 - 1.3 mg/dL
5/27/2011 CALCIUM 9.2 8.6 - 10.5 mg/dL **I worked to bring it up.**
5/27/2011 CARBON DIOXIDE TOTAL 26 24 - 32 mEq/L
5/27/2011 CHLORIDE 106 95 - 110 mEq/L
5/27/2011 CHOLESTEROL 147 0 - 200 mg/dL
5/27/2011 C-REACTIVE PROTEIN 0.5 0 - 0.8 mg/dL
5/27/2011 CREATININE BLOOD 0.61 0.44 - 1.27 mg/dL
5/27/2011 EOSINOPHIL ABS AUTO 0.1 0 - 0.5 K/MM3
5/27/2011 FASTING YES
5/27/2011 FERRITIN 26 10 - 291 ng/mL **Used to be and 8!! Still like it to be higher.**
5/27/2011 FOLATE RBC 490 >= 280 ng/mL
5/27/2011 GLUCOSE 86 70 - 110 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HDL CHOLESTEROL 55 >= 35 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HEMATOCRIT 41.9 34 - 46 %
5/27/2011 HEMOGLOBIN 13.9 12.0 - 16.0 GM/DL
5/27/2011 HGB A1C 5.3 3.9 - 5.6 %
5/27/2011 HGB A1C,GLUCOSE EST AVG 105 mg/dL
5/27/2011 HOMOCYSTEINE 5 3.8 - 11.0 umol/L
5/27/2011 INSULIN 7.4 3.3 - 22.1 uU/mL
5/27/2011 IRON PERCENT SATURATION 14.9 15 - 50 % L **This is low and I am trying to increase it.**
5/27/2011 IRON TOTAL 44 42 - 135 mcg/dL **I'd really like this to be higher.**
5/27/2011 LDL CHOLESTEROL CALCULATION 78 < 130 mg/dL
5/27/2011 LYMPHOCYTE ABS AUTO 1.3 1.0 - 4.8 K/MM3
5/27/2011 LYMPHOCYTES % AUTO 24.6 %
5/27/2011 MCH 28.4 27 - 33 PG
5/27/2011 MCHC 33.1 32 - 36 %
5/27/2011 MCV 85.7 80 - 100 UM3
5/27/2011 MONOCYTES % AUTO 6.1 %
5/27/2011 MONOCYTES ABS AUTO 0.3 0.1 - 0.8 K/MM3
5/27/2011 MPV 9.3 6.8 - 10.0 UM3
5/27/2011 NEUTROPHIL ABS AUTO 3.6 1.80 - 7.70 K/MM3
5/27/2011 NEUTROPHILS % AUTO 67.3 %
5/27/2011 NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL 92 0 - 150 mg/dl
5/27/2011 PLATELET COUNT 218 130 - 400 K/MM3
5/27/2011 POTASSIUM 3.7 3.3 - 5.0 mEq/L
5/27/2011 PROTEIN 6.4 6.3 - 8.3 g/dL **Hoping my new protein drinks will increas this.**
5/27/2011 RDW 14.1 0 - 14.7 UNITS
5/27/2011 RED CELL COUNT 4.9 3.7 - 5.5 M/MM3
5/27/2011 RETINOL (VITAMIN A) mg/L 0.35 0.30 - 1.20 mg/L
5/27/2011 RETINYL PALMITATE mg/L 0.05 0.00 - 0.10 mg/L
5/27/2011 SODIUM 140 135 - 145 mEq/L
5/27/2011 TOTAL CHOLESTEROL:HDL RATIO 2.7 < 4.0
5/27/2011 TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 296 280 - 400 mcg/dl
5/27/2011 TRANSFERRIN 213 192 - 382 mg/dl
5/27/2011 TRIGLYCERIDE 69 35 - 160 mg/dL
5/27/2011 UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD (BUN) 15 22-Aug mg/dL
5/27/2011 VIT A INTERPRETATION Normal ()
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B1(THIAMINE) WHOLE BL 110 70 - 180 nmol/L
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B12 1027 211 - 911 pg/mL H **A bit high but not worried about this. I skip on about 2x per week**
5/27/2011 VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOS) 35.4 20.0 - 125.0 nmol/L
5/27/2011 VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID) 2.1 0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL H
5/27/2011 VITAMIN D, 25 HYDROXY 116 30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL H **A bit over and I will cut back since I believe it will continue to climb.**
5/27/2011 WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT 5.3 4.5 - 11.0 K/MM3
That's it for now.
Ups and Downs
Jun 01, 2011
I feel like it's been forever since I have posted here. I have had many ups and downs. My weight was slowly coming off until the beginning of April, then I hit a major plateau. I didn't loose a pound for 6 weeks. It was right at my 6 month post op mark. Textbook, I guess. I waited it out and tried not to get too discouraged but I was also right at 203. I know that in the past my body did not want to be under 200 lbs. In past diets it took a huge effort to get under and then weeks later I would bounce back up to 205 lbs and stay there.
I also started loosing MORE hair during this time. My hair had not grown back in since the post-op fall out and that made me panic a little. Even though I had searched for information on hair regrowth before I stumbled across a post that has really changed my life. It was about types of protein and bio-availability. Even though I was taking in over 80mg of protein per day from suppliments and food my body was becoming more and more protein deficient. I didn't need a blood test to tell me this. My hair was falling out, my muscles were weak, my nails were brittle and not white, the skin on my face was flat looking and sallow-ish.
I decided to completely stop the protein I was using (which lots of other post RNYers use) and start over with the highest rated protein. I only drank 100% whey protein isolate and within days I started to improve. Within a week or so I felt better than I ever have post-op. EVER! I was completely blown away.
Apparently some folks just don't absorb food source protein well. Period. Then if you add a protein supplement that is just ok, or pretty good, you are going to suffer, which is what was happening to me. What a vast improvement from before this supplement. My surgeon believes a protein is a protein and that as long as you are getting enough you will be fine. But their definition of "fine" and my definition of "fine" are worlds apart. I am so happy I found what works for me. On top of it all I don't think it has helped my body loose weight to be protein defecient, but I'm not sure of the total impact. I will never know.
I have many issues with my bariatric clinic but suffice it to say, that after pushing and pushing I am finally getting my 6 month labs done...late...but 2 months before my 6 month check up...which will be 10 months post-op. Yes, they are screwed up. I am one of the rare people that will be very happy when my primary doctor can take over my care (1 year post op).
Today is day two of the plateau busters diet. So far so good. I hope it kicks my metabolism into better fat burning! I will post again my progress in 9 days.
My current stats are:
8 months post op
down 63 lbs
down pants sizes from 28 to 20
down shirt size from 2X to Large
down 1/2 shoe size from 7 1/2 to 7
68 pounds to go
I don't look like my picture anymore...need to post a new one.
1 comment
I also started loosing MORE hair during this time. My hair had not grown back in since the post-op fall out and that made me panic a little. Even though I had searched for information on hair regrowth before I stumbled across a post that has really changed my life. It was about types of protein and bio-availability. Even though I was taking in over 80mg of protein per day from suppliments and food my body was becoming more and more protein deficient. I didn't need a blood test to tell me this. My hair was falling out, my muscles were weak, my nails were brittle and not white, the skin on my face was flat looking and sallow-ish.
I decided to completely stop the protein I was using (which lots of other post RNYers use) and start over with the highest rated protein. I only drank 100% whey protein isolate and within days I started to improve. Within a week or so I felt better than I ever have post-op. EVER! I was completely blown away.
Apparently some folks just don't absorb food source protein well. Period. Then if you add a protein supplement that is just ok, or pretty good, you are going to suffer, which is what was happening to me. What a vast improvement from before this supplement. My surgeon believes a protein is a protein and that as long as you are getting enough you will be fine. But their definition of "fine" and my definition of "fine" are worlds apart. I am so happy I found what works for me. On top of it all I don't think it has helped my body loose weight to be protein defecient, but I'm not sure of the total impact. I will never know.
I have many issues with my bariatric clinic but suffice it to say, that after pushing and pushing I am finally getting my 6 month labs done...late...but 2 months before my 6 month check up...which will be 10 months post-op. Yes, they are screwed up. I am one of the rare people that will be very happy when my primary doctor can take over my care (1 year post op).
Today is day two of the plateau busters diet. So far so good. I hope it kicks my metabolism into better fat burning! I will post again my progress in 9 days.
My current stats are:
8 months post op
down 63 lbs
down pants sizes from 28 to 20
down shirt size from 2X to Large
down 1/2 shoe size from 7 1/2 to 7
68 pounds to go
I don't look like my picture anymore...need to post a new one.
20 Weeks Today
Feb 14, 2011
Down 50 pounds! What a difference 50 makes. Just loosing 10 pounds per month, but hey, I'm not complaining.
0 comments
17 Week Update
Feb 02, 2011
It's been 17 weeks (and a couple of days) since my RNY. The first three months were brutal for me. A lot of pain and problems eating and drinking. The last 3 weeks have been MUCH better. I choose foods that I know will not give me problems. I have had some other issues crop up.
My face is a disaster! It has daily breakouts with red bumps and dry spots. It's a disaster. It's red and looks awful. It's very strange and I went in to see my NP and she referred me to dermatology. I told her that this only happened after surgery and I was fine before. She sent me to the nutritionist who told me to start eating nuts daily because she thought I may not be getting enough essential fatty acids. So I have been doing that for two weeks with no change in my face. She also said that I should try taking probiotics in case the outbreaks are from an overgrowth of bacteria. I have been taking Culturelle with 50 million freeze dried bacteria for the last two weeks with no effect on my face. HOWEVER, the good news is that the probiotics have completely changed my bathroom "issues". I am completely regular and have no problems with dry hard constipated stools. So that is one big benefit of the probiotics. I am loving how much better my overall digestion is. Unfortunately I don't know what is going to help my face. i drink 80 to 100 oz of water a day, so dryness is not the reason. I hope I will know more on Monday when I see the dermatologist.
I have decided I am a slow looser, relative to so many others. I am loosing 10 lbs per month. Not bad, not great. I definitely need to get some regular exercise on board. I do get plenty of exercise chasing and lifting my 30 lb 19 month old, but it isn't exactly what my body needs to get my metabolism going and loose more weight.
I now weigh 220 lbs (I have lost 45 lbs) and truly none of my pants fit and very few tops. I have some that I have gotten from others on this journey who are ahead of me, but they just aren't right for me. Plus, I need to replace my work suits. So I guess I will forge into shopping land. I have gotten a lot of advise about this and I believe that I will be mentally and emotionally prepared. It might even be a little fun?!
I spend a lot of time on the boards for WLS, reading and reading. What I read a month ago has different meaning for me now that I am further along. It's a process. I have learned a great deal. I have also learned that I need to find my own path. We are all so different and yet so similar. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from others.
Some of the weight I have lost must be due to my hair FALLING OUT. Since 12 weeks out I have been shedding it consistently. I recently got a shorter cut to make it more bouncy to help conceal the scalp spots. Ugh. It is disheartening. It did motivate me to make sure I was getting adequate protein. I take Biotin too. But what I really need is just acceptance that this is a phase. Which I hope it is!
Moving, sitting, standing, walking, all gets better over time. I am more flexible. I still cannot kneel to give my son a bath yet but I can sit on the floor and play with him. That is a major change. Sometimes I forget I can do it now! I don't feel like I need a team to lift me when I do get up from the floor.
Eating too much is still a challenge for me. I believe I can eat more than I should, up to 1 cup depending on the food. That means it's my job to be sure that I don't overeat. Portions were always my problem, so this is going to be a challenge for me. Retraining my mind to eat what I need and not what I think I want.
Exercise has always been my demon. I am working on that relationship with myself. It's essential for me to be at peace with it. It is mental and emotional for me.
My labs are not where I would like them to be. I have taken the advise of many and gotten printouts so that I can track what I need. My NP and surgeon consider the bottom of normal to be perfectly ok. That's not ok with me. That gives me no reserves.
My NPs advise is not so good about it either. My D is very low, so they said to take the highest RDA which I believe she said is 2000 IU. Well, that's for people who absorb it well. When I asked about that she said that we can increase it if we need to after my next set of labs in 3 months. No thanks. I take 8000 IU per day and will ask for labs again in 4 weeks.
My iron, protein, and calcium are on the last number of the lowest of normal. They told me that is "fine", "labs look good". Uh, no. So I have increased my calcium by 500 mg per day. That's up to 2000 mgs per day taken with 2 to 3 hour spacing and I try to take them with some sort of dairy calcium (yogurt). I'm not sure if that will help, couldn't hurt though.
I am getting in around 70 to 80 g of protein per day. It fluctuates, but I never go with just 60 g. I get it all mostly from food with one protein shake per day. I take it in in 30 g per meal. Before I would double my dose and make a 60 g shake but I learned that we don't absorb that much at once, so essentially it's a waste if it's over 30 g per serving.
Finally, my iron has been such an issue. Low iron sucks! My NP has prescribed my 325 mg of Ferris fumerate daily. I believe this is working for me. My iron stores have improved by 60% in the last 3 months. I'm still very low, but it was dangerously low (just like my D). I take it with one stool softener (a must) and 500 mg of vitamin C. I was taking 1000 mg but my nut told me to cut back to 500 mg. She felt 1000 mg was just a waste for what we want it to do, break down and help absorb the iron.
My main goals right now are to:
1. Not overeat
2. Add regular exercise
3. Bring my lab values way up for Iron, Protein, Calcium, and D3
4. Enjoy my life
That's it for now!
Peace,
Daisy
0 comments
My face is a disaster! It has daily breakouts with red bumps and dry spots. It's a disaster. It's red and looks awful. It's very strange and I went in to see my NP and she referred me to dermatology. I told her that this only happened after surgery and I was fine before. She sent me to the nutritionist who told me to start eating nuts daily because she thought I may not be getting enough essential fatty acids. So I have been doing that for two weeks with no change in my face. She also said that I should try taking probiotics in case the outbreaks are from an overgrowth of bacteria. I have been taking Culturelle with 50 million freeze dried bacteria for the last two weeks with no effect on my face. HOWEVER, the good news is that the probiotics have completely changed my bathroom "issues". I am completely regular and have no problems with dry hard constipated stools. So that is one big benefit of the probiotics. I am loving how much better my overall digestion is. Unfortunately I don't know what is going to help my face. i drink 80 to 100 oz of water a day, so dryness is not the reason. I hope I will know more on Monday when I see the dermatologist.
I have decided I am a slow looser, relative to so many others. I am loosing 10 lbs per month. Not bad, not great. I definitely need to get some regular exercise on board. I do get plenty of exercise chasing and lifting my 30 lb 19 month old, but it isn't exactly what my body needs to get my metabolism going and loose more weight.
I now weigh 220 lbs (I have lost 45 lbs) and truly none of my pants fit and very few tops. I have some that I have gotten from others on this journey who are ahead of me, but they just aren't right for me. Plus, I need to replace my work suits. So I guess I will forge into shopping land. I have gotten a lot of advise about this and I believe that I will be mentally and emotionally prepared. It might even be a little fun?!
I spend a lot of time on the boards for WLS, reading and reading. What I read a month ago has different meaning for me now that I am further along. It's a process. I have learned a great deal. I have also learned that I need to find my own path. We are all so different and yet so similar. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from others.
Some of the weight I have lost must be due to my hair FALLING OUT. Since 12 weeks out I have been shedding it consistently. I recently got a shorter cut to make it more bouncy to help conceal the scalp spots. Ugh. It is disheartening. It did motivate me to make sure I was getting adequate protein. I take Biotin too. But what I really need is just acceptance that this is a phase. Which I hope it is!
Moving, sitting, standing, walking, all gets better over time. I am more flexible. I still cannot kneel to give my son a bath yet but I can sit on the floor and play with him. That is a major change. Sometimes I forget I can do it now! I don't feel like I need a team to lift me when I do get up from the floor.
Eating too much is still a challenge for me. I believe I can eat more than I should, up to 1 cup depending on the food. That means it's my job to be sure that I don't overeat. Portions were always my problem, so this is going to be a challenge for me. Retraining my mind to eat what I need and not what I think I want.
Exercise has always been my demon. I am working on that relationship with myself. It's essential for me to be at peace with it. It is mental and emotional for me.
My labs are not where I would like them to be. I have taken the advise of many and gotten printouts so that I can track what I need. My NP and surgeon consider the bottom of normal to be perfectly ok. That's not ok with me. That gives me no reserves.
My NPs advise is not so good about it either. My D is very low, so they said to take the highest RDA which I believe she said is 2000 IU. Well, that's for people who absorb it well. When I asked about that she said that we can increase it if we need to after my next set of labs in 3 months. No thanks. I take 8000 IU per day and will ask for labs again in 4 weeks.
My iron, protein, and calcium are on the last number of the lowest of normal. They told me that is "fine", "labs look good". Uh, no. So I have increased my calcium by 500 mg per day. That's up to 2000 mgs per day taken with 2 to 3 hour spacing and I try to take them with some sort of dairy calcium (yogurt). I'm not sure if that will help, couldn't hurt though.
I am getting in around 70 to 80 g of protein per day. It fluctuates, but I never go with just 60 g. I get it all mostly from food with one protein shake per day. I take it in in 30 g per meal. Before I would double my dose and make a 60 g shake but I learned that we don't absorb that much at once, so essentially it's a waste if it's over 30 g per serving.
Finally, my iron has been such an issue. Low iron sucks! My NP has prescribed my 325 mg of Ferris fumerate daily. I believe this is working for me. My iron stores have improved by 60% in the last 3 months. I'm still very low, but it was dangerously low (just like my D). I take it with one stool softener (a must) and 500 mg of vitamin C. I was taking 1000 mg but my nut told me to cut back to 500 mg. She felt 1000 mg was just a waste for what we want it to do, break down and help absorb the iron.
My main goals right now are to:
1. Not overeat
2. Add regular exercise
3. Bring my lab values way up for Iron, Protein, Calcium, and D3
4. Enjoy my life
That's it for now!
Peace,
Daisy
12 weeks post op
Dec 27, 2010
I can hardly believe that it has been 12 weeks since my surgery. This does not seem routine in the least at this point. I still have issues but I have a great level of acceptance with them. My last post was a big rant and I needed to do that for my own sanity. Thank goodness there is OH.com for that because I would (and still might) drive my family crazy.
I have a CT scan scheduled to find out about the constant pain in my left side. I have been trying to get a hold of my NP to find out about my labs, but with the holidays it has been a challenge.
Speaking of the holidays, what a strange experience it has been. I sort of lost my zest for cooking over these last 3 months. It has become such a chore for me, I used to love it. But over the holidays I kind of got a little spark back. Mainly because somewhere in my mixed up brain, I started to believe I could eat it all. Well, that was short lived. But I was able to sample some festive treats without a problem. That was a nice surprise. I did loose track of my protein and water at times. Every time I would get down on myself about it, I would have to remind myself that it was the holidays and to lighten up. It's ok, it's really ok. I only had 2 painful gastric episodes and that I believe now was from eating too fast. I was just so excited! When ever I wanted some MORE of something I would try to remind myself that I have had a lifetimes worth of that thing...what ever it is...and that I don't need it. Overall being able to eat some of the meal and some of the goodies was a gift for me.
My body is definitely changing again. I can now tell that I have more stamina, I move differently, and I sit differently. My legs have even tried to cross a time or two and I think...legs what are you doing?...but that is what they want to do. I am still wearing baggy clothes and am reluctant to go out there and shop or swap. I guess I am apprehensive (afraid). A couple of times this week I have felt myself getting afraid to gain weight back, because this is the point where it always happens. I hear the words of others I have read. You will loose weight the first 6 months to a year, you don't need to stress out, just follow the plan. So I am trying to do just that.
As for my vitamins, I am getting more D3 (dry) and getting a little obsessed with the whole thing. But if there is something to get obsessed with, I guess that isn't one of the the worst things.
0 comments
I have a CT scan scheduled to find out about the constant pain in my left side. I have been trying to get a hold of my NP to find out about my labs, but with the holidays it has been a challenge.
Speaking of the holidays, what a strange experience it has been. I sort of lost my zest for cooking over these last 3 months. It has become such a chore for me, I used to love it. But over the holidays I kind of got a little spark back. Mainly because somewhere in my mixed up brain, I started to believe I could eat it all. Well, that was short lived. But I was able to sample some festive treats without a problem. That was a nice surprise. I did loose track of my protein and water at times. Every time I would get down on myself about it, I would have to remind myself that it was the holidays and to lighten up. It's ok, it's really ok. I only had 2 painful gastric episodes and that I believe now was from eating too fast. I was just so excited! When ever I wanted some MORE of something I would try to remind myself that I have had a lifetimes worth of that thing...what ever it is...and that I don't need it. Overall being able to eat some of the meal and some of the goodies was a gift for me.
My body is definitely changing again. I can now tell that I have more stamina, I move differently, and I sit differently. My legs have even tried to cross a time or two and I think...legs what are you doing?...but that is what they want to do. I am still wearing baggy clothes and am reluctant to go out there and shop or swap. I guess I am apprehensive (afraid). A couple of times this week I have felt myself getting afraid to gain weight back, because this is the point where it always happens. I hear the words of others I have read. You will loose weight the first 6 months to a year, you don't need to stress out, just follow the plan. So I am trying to do just that.
As for my vitamins, I am getting more D3 (dry) and getting a little obsessed with the whole thing. But if there is something to get obsessed with, I guess that isn't one of the the worst things.
11 weeks and 2 days post op
Dec 22, 2010
I want to post, but then again I don't. I spend a lot of time on this site. Everyday, researching and learning about what I have done to myself. I can't say the last almost 3 months have been easy for me, they haven't. I had this surgery to be healthier and stronger, so far I am weaker and have more health problems. It's very discouraging at times. I have had a lot of problems eating. I have thrown up many times and just been very sick for hours on end. I should back up a bit.
When I hit the 8 week mark I started experimenting with regular foods, healthy foods, mostly proteins. I have been following the rules but there are times when I end up in terrible pain, with lots of burping, hiccups, and vomiting. Sometimes it is vomiting foam, sometimes this slimy thick mucus, and sometimes all of the above and the food I ate. I have been in this state for 2 to 6 hours before. At first I thought it was food intolerance but it happens with food that I have had no problems with as well. It doesn't make sense to me. I am following the rules regarding drinking before and after meals, chewing to apple sauce, and eating slowly. Every time, I am back to mushy foods and liquids for a while, until I am brave enough to move forward again. I understanding getting sick every once in a while but for hours and hours. Does this happen to everyone? How many times a week is it acceptable to throw up?
I also have had a pain in my left side since surgery. It is the only reason I still take pain meds, it gets so bad. So my surgeon has ordered a CT to see what is going on. Of course that is not the definitive exam, just a start.
I guess my biggest complaint is that the surgery clinic is not on top of things. One of the NPs is out until mid January so they called to cancel my 2 month follow up and schedule it 4 months post op. That is so not OK with me on so many levels. They preach how life changing and serious the surgery is, then not see me for 4 months? Again, just common sense says to me there is something wrong here.
I believe in being my own advocate just like so many people state here, I just thought it would be over something less basic than getting a follow up appointment. I did not have a real review of my labs and some tests were not ordered like the B and D blood levels. It gives me an uneasy feeling that they are so disorganized and unprepared for their patients. It also makes me feel like I am all alone in this especially since the clinic seems to minimize post op issues (Aside from the Internet, thank God for that!).
So I feel lost in a sea of information that I just don't have a great handle on (vitamins, lab work, eating without pain). I ask myself, what if it just one lousy year and at the end of it these issues are resolved and I am on track with my energy and health, would it be worth it? Yes, I think so. But am I being naive? Is that what is going to happen?
I read about others who are exercising and having the life they have always wanted, but that is not happening for me. I know this site and others have a bent toward tolerating the bad and spreading roses and smiles over it. That's not totally real, and I think that there are people who get a one sided view of what it takes to have the surgery and endure the outcome.
That being said, I am definitely missing some of the perks others have gotten. I did not have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, joint disease, sleep apnea, etc. So I cannot revel in the delight that those are going away. I can see if I did, like many others do, I would be doing the happy dance no matter how weak I felt. I also didn't hate myself and my body pre-op. I certainly hated those who discriminated and punished me socially and emotionally for being overweight. Again, that is not gone either since I am still very overweight.
I can be patient. I can wait for my "pay off", for lack of a better phrase, but I don't want to be sick, in pain, fatigued, and vomiting through the whole process. I'm at a loss right now.
For my own tracking purposes I have lost 35 pounds in the last 11 weeks.
I vomited and was in pain after eating
Tofu after the second time.
Fresh cooked chicken after the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth time.
Fish sticks after the third time.
Soft cheese (Laughing Cow) after the sixth and seventh time.
Cottage cheese after the tenth and eleventh time.
Hummus after the fourth and fifth time.
String cheese after the first time.
Lunch meat after the first time.
A cherry tomato after the first time.
Water sometimes.
No problems with:
Homemade chili
Ground beef
Ground turkey
Turkey meatloaf
Ham in pea soup
Canned chicken
Eggs (soft cooked)
Crackers (Melba Toast)
Bread (whole grain low carb)
A taco from Del Taco, for heaven's sake!
Refried beans
Soups of any kind
Milk
Greek yogurt
Edamame (soy beans)
Cereal (non sugared)
That's all I can think of right now.
0 comments
When I hit the 8 week mark I started experimenting with regular foods, healthy foods, mostly proteins. I have been following the rules but there are times when I end up in terrible pain, with lots of burping, hiccups, and vomiting. Sometimes it is vomiting foam, sometimes this slimy thick mucus, and sometimes all of the above and the food I ate. I have been in this state for 2 to 6 hours before. At first I thought it was food intolerance but it happens with food that I have had no problems with as well. It doesn't make sense to me. I am following the rules regarding drinking before and after meals, chewing to apple sauce, and eating slowly. Every time, I am back to mushy foods and liquids for a while, until I am brave enough to move forward again. I understanding getting sick every once in a while but for hours and hours. Does this happen to everyone? How many times a week is it acceptable to throw up?
I also have had a pain in my left side since surgery. It is the only reason I still take pain meds, it gets so bad. So my surgeon has ordered a CT to see what is going on. Of course that is not the definitive exam, just a start.
I guess my biggest complaint is that the surgery clinic is not on top of things. One of the NPs is out until mid January so they called to cancel my 2 month follow up and schedule it 4 months post op. That is so not OK with me on so many levels. They preach how life changing and serious the surgery is, then not see me for 4 months? Again, just common sense says to me there is something wrong here.
I believe in being my own advocate just like so many people state here, I just thought it would be over something less basic than getting a follow up appointment. I did not have a real review of my labs and some tests were not ordered like the B and D blood levels. It gives me an uneasy feeling that they are so disorganized and unprepared for their patients. It also makes me feel like I am all alone in this especially since the clinic seems to minimize post op issues (Aside from the Internet, thank God for that!).
So I feel lost in a sea of information that I just don't have a great handle on (vitamins, lab work, eating without pain). I ask myself, what if it just one lousy year and at the end of it these issues are resolved and I am on track with my energy and health, would it be worth it? Yes, I think so. But am I being naive? Is that what is going to happen?
I read about others who are exercising and having the life they have always wanted, but that is not happening for me. I know this site and others have a bent toward tolerating the bad and spreading roses and smiles over it. That's not totally real, and I think that there are people who get a one sided view of what it takes to have the surgery and endure the outcome.
That being said, I am definitely missing some of the perks others have gotten. I did not have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, joint disease, sleep apnea, etc. So I cannot revel in the delight that those are going away. I can see if I did, like many others do, I would be doing the happy dance no matter how weak I felt. I also didn't hate myself and my body pre-op. I certainly hated those who discriminated and punished me socially and emotionally for being overweight. Again, that is not gone either since I am still very overweight.
I can be patient. I can wait for my "pay off", for lack of a better phrase, but I don't want to be sick, in pain, fatigued, and vomiting through the whole process. I'm at a loss right now.
For my own tracking purposes I have lost 35 pounds in the last 11 weeks.
I vomited and was in pain after eating
Tofu after the second time.
Fresh cooked chicken after the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth time.
Fish sticks after the third time.
Soft cheese (Laughing Cow) after the sixth and seventh time.
Cottage cheese after the tenth and eleventh time.
Hummus after the fourth and fifth time.
String cheese after the first time.
Lunch meat after the first time.
A cherry tomato after the first time.
Water sometimes.
No problems with:
Homemade chili
Ground beef
Ground turkey
Turkey meatloaf
Ham in pea soup
Canned chicken
Eggs (soft cooked)
Crackers (Melba Toast)
Bread (whole grain low carb)
A taco from Del Taco, for heaven's sake!
Refried beans
Soups of any kind
Milk
Greek yogurt
Edamame (soy beans)
Cereal (non sugared)
That's all I can think of right now.
7 weeks post op
Nov 23, 2010
I don't know if I can formulate my thoughts very well but I don't want my 7 week update to slip by me.
Things have been challenging this last week. After I stopped eating dairy I decided to narrow down dairy to see if I could tolerate some types of dairy. I tried milk in sf pudding, no problem. I tried just milk, no problem. I tired Greek yogurt, no problem. So I think it is pretty much just cheese.
So I have really been following the rules and staying within guidelines so I don't have the horrible upper gastric pain, gas, bloating, and dry heaving that I thought was caused by cheese.
On Saturday I had a perfectly reasonable 3 oz meal of tofu. An hour later I took a drink of water and all Hell broke loose. I was in the same condition mentioned above, beside myself in pain. I walked and walked and tried to work it out but then I knew I was going to be sick. At first it was just air, then fluid and I felt better...for about 1 minute. Then dinner was coming up and as I was going through this I just got phenomenally pissed off. I just threw it all up out of anger and frustration. I was so angry. I am doing what I was told to do and it is getting harder not easier. Angry puking...that's a new one for me.
The next day I went strictly to soups, but I felt defeated and disappointed. I wonder often if I made the right decision. I always wanted the sleeve and ended up being talked into RNY. I have to make my peace with this because it is done. Done. Done. There is no going back.
I eat two meals most days. I don't have enough time in the day to get in three. In the mornings I really don't feel like eating but I am really thirsty, so I try to get enough water in before I take a single bite. I usually end up eating my first meal around 1 pm. I have been much more motivated to get protein through foods because I really dislike the protein drinks right now. I do have one I can tolerate so I have that every day. At this point though, I can't eat enough to make the food proteins bring me up to 60-80 per day.
I just bought some protein bars to take on our trip to Disneyland next week. I am going to try one today. They are called Pure Protein and come in three flavors from Costco. We will see if those work for me when I am on my feet all day. I am only afraid of getting overly tired or getting dehydrated, so I just want a simple plan, if possible.
I don't really have my energy back yet. Some days I have pretty good energy and other nada. Everyday I am colder than I ever have been. I know that my protein stores and iron levels are low. I am very good about taking most of my supplements. I try. Sometimes I wait too long for that last calcium and it comes down to the evening calcium or the nighttime iron and I have to go with the iron.
Another thing I have NOT done is exercise regularly. The first few weeks I was good about getting out and walking, but in the last few weeks I have done only house work and not much of that. I will be getting a lot of exercise at Disneyland and I hope that helps jump start me. Also, all of our hotels have gyms so maybe I will show up in one of those. Boy, doesn't that sound like a firm commitment?? LOL!
As far as food is concerned I am most interested in whether or not I can eat protein based foods. So I have successfully eaten chicken, ground up pork (repeated though), ground turkey, turkey lunch meat (very thinly sliced), and some beef (cut very thinly in a moist sauce). I am happy about that. I had a very bad experience with lunch meat when I first tried it and from then on I have torn it up and added it to turkey soup, which is much easier to eat.
I am on OH.com daily and I still wonder if I am doing it right or not. There are so many different methods and opinions. Sometimes I feel very afraid that I am unknowingly doing something wrong. Paranoia I guess. This is so new still that I don't trust myself.
I have lost 28 pounds and I am happy about that. Standing is easier and I can stand longer. I can pick up and hold our 17 month old now, just not a lot. I can bend over and put him in his crib at night which makes me very happy. I can chase him a little bit, but he has way more energy than me and I get really tired by the end of the day. I am wearing a smaller size and enjoying my new PJs. My necklace is longer and my rings are loose. I know I am getting smaller. I am not hungry in the typical sense and I am grateful for that because it would be so much harder if I were. Finally, I still have my hair, for a while at least.
Peace, Daisy
0 comments
Things have been challenging this last week. After I stopped eating dairy I decided to narrow down dairy to see if I could tolerate some types of dairy. I tried milk in sf pudding, no problem. I tried just milk, no problem. I tired Greek yogurt, no problem. So I think it is pretty much just cheese.
So I have really been following the rules and staying within guidelines so I don't have the horrible upper gastric pain, gas, bloating, and dry heaving that I thought was caused by cheese.
On Saturday I had a perfectly reasonable 3 oz meal of tofu. An hour later I took a drink of water and all Hell broke loose. I was in the same condition mentioned above, beside myself in pain. I walked and walked and tried to work it out but then I knew I was going to be sick. At first it was just air, then fluid and I felt better...for about 1 minute. Then dinner was coming up and as I was going through this I just got phenomenally pissed off. I just threw it all up out of anger and frustration. I was so angry. I am doing what I was told to do and it is getting harder not easier. Angry puking...that's a new one for me.
The next day I went strictly to soups, but I felt defeated and disappointed. I wonder often if I made the right decision. I always wanted the sleeve and ended up being talked into RNY. I have to make my peace with this because it is done. Done. Done. There is no going back.
I eat two meals most days. I don't have enough time in the day to get in three. In the mornings I really don't feel like eating but I am really thirsty, so I try to get enough water in before I take a single bite. I usually end up eating my first meal around 1 pm. I have been much more motivated to get protein through foods because I really dislike the protein drinks right now. I do have one I can tolerate so I have that every day. At this point though, I can't eat enough to make the food proteins bring me up to 60-80 per day.
I just bought some protein bars to take on our trip to Disneyland next week. I am going to try one today. They are called Pure Protein and come in three flavors from Costco. We will see if those work for me when I am on my feet all day. I am only afraid of getting overly tired or getting dehydrated, so I just want a simple plan, if possible.
I don't really have my energy back yet. Some days I have pretty good energy and other nada. Everyday I am colder than I ever have been. I know that my protein stores and iron levels are low. I am very good about taking most of my supplements. I try. Sometimes I wait too long for that last calcium and it comes down to the evening calcium or the nighttime iron and I have to go with the iron.
Another thing I have NOT done is exercise regularly. The first few weeks I was good about getting out and walking, but in the last few weeks I have done only house work and not much of that. I will be getting a lot of exercise at Disneyland and I hope that helps jump start me. Also, all of our hotels have gyms so maybe I will show up in one of those. Boy, doesn't that sound like a firm commitment?? LOL!
As far as food is concerned I am most interested in whether or not I can eat protein based foods. So I have successfully eaten chicken, ground up pork (repeated though), ground turkey, turkey lunch meat (very thinly sliced), and some beef (cut very thinly in a moist sauce). I am happy about that. I had a very bad experience with lunch meat when I first tried it and from then on I have torn it up and added it to turkey soup, which is much easier to eat.
I am on OH.com daily and I still wonder if I am doing it right or not. There are so many different methods and opinions. Sometimes I feel very afraid that I am unknowingly doing something wrong. Paranoia I guess. This is so new still that I don't trust myself.
I have lost 28 pounds and I am happy about that. Standing is easier and I can stand longer. I can pick up and hold our 17 month old now, just not a lot. I can bend over and put him in his crib at night which makes me very happy. I can chase him a little bit, but he has way more energy than me and I get really tired by the end of the day. I am wearing a smaller size and enjoying my new PJs. My necklace is longer and my rings are loose. I know I am getting smaller. I am not hungry in the typical sense and I am grateful for that because it would be so much harder if I were. Finally, I still have my hair, for a while at least.
Peace, Daisy
6 week post op
Nov 15, 2010
I don't feel like making an entry but I will kick myself if I don't. After all, this only happens once in a lifetime, hopefully.
I can't tell if food is a good thing or a bad thing. It changes daily. No, per meal. One meal I will have what I have eaten before and it will cause me upper gas pain and terrible burping. Later, I'm fine. It's a little unsettling since I want things to smooth out at this point.
I have figured out that I am lactose intolerant, which really sucks. I depend on dairy for good quality protein and a quick meal, but not anymore. I almost went to the hospital the gas and bloating pain was so severe! It went on for 6 hours, well past 2 am one night. For three days I suffered with no relief (from gas x or any of the 'remedies') until DUH! I figured it out. No more dairy for me for quite a while, if ever.
So I had to reformulate my entire eating plan. I must say I felt more than a little put out because it's just plain hard already and putting more restrictions on what I can eat, was depressing. But for the last few days I have managed on turkey meatloaf and hummus, mostly.
I have been trying foods out by just having a nibble to see how my body reacts. Last night we went to our friend's house for dinner. I of course, brought my own food, which was awkward, but so what. It was only awkward for about 5 minutes. I had half of a corn chip while we were there after I scrutinized the chip for about 4 minutes for it's content and to assess how well it could be chewed and digested. It was less than a taste and I chewed it to apple sauce consistency but it made me feel more normal which is very funny if you think about it, that not eating it would make me feel less normal that giving it the mental third-degree.
I continue to struggle with the wretched protein drinks, but there is no way around them. I have done lots of experimenting and to date, still nauseating. My problem is that they are just to sweet and taste too much like protein. I tried adding some really cool sugar free syrups but it made it so much worse. I'm not a sweetener/sweet person so to me it's awful. I am working on it though. I'm going to try adding some instant decaf coffee to the chocolate one to bring some acrid-ness into the picture. I'm already using one scoop of sweetened protein and one scoop of unflavored (which doesn't mean NO flavor. It just means protein flavor with nothing masking it. Yeah, blech.)
My body is changing more and more now. It is becoming less stuffed and becoming more pliable. I have lost 26 lbs as of this morning (started at 265 lbs) but I have lost many inches, down two sizes in pants and tops. Which is pretty remarkable. I only have this size next in the closet then I need the clothing exchange or second hand shops. I have found that even wearing pjs that are too big make me uncomfortable. So out with my old and in with someone else's old is going to happen soon.
I did call my surgeon today because I am having abdominal muscle wall pain when I bend down and sometimes when I stand up or sit down in a chair. One inch away from the incision on my far right is a lump, and that is exactly where it hurts. I imagined this to be nerve pain. Nerves get cut, then they slowly grow back (not all the way sometimes) or scar tissue pain. But I am worried that I might have a hernia. I have a 17 month old that weighs 28 pounds and today I am able to pick him up after the 10 pound or less restriction was lifted, but I don't want to hurt myself. Hopefully they can see me tomorrow. Worrying is not what I need to be doing. I need to be doing my life again.
I still have bouts of doubts, but it is getting better.
In a week we go to Disneyland. I am hoping I get some energy boost before then!!
0 comments
I can't tell if food is a good thing or a bad thing. It changes daily. No, per meal. One meal I will have what I have eaten before and it will cause me upper gas pain and terrible burping. Later, I'm fine. It's a little unsettling since I want things to smooth out at this point.
I have figured out that I am lactose intolerant, which really sucks. I depend on dairy for good quality protein and a quick meal, but not anymore. I almost went to the hospital the gas and bloating pain was so severe! It went on for 6 hours, well past 2 am one night. For three days I suffered with no relief (from gas x or any of the 'remedies') until DUH! I figured it out. No more dairy for me for quite a while, if ever.
So I had to reformulate my entire eating plan. I must say I felt more than a little put out because it's just plain hard already and putting more restrictions on what I can eat, was depressing. But for the last few days I have managed on turkey meatloaf and hummus, mostly.
I have been trying foods out by just having a nibble to see how my body reacts. Last night we went to our friend's house for dinner. I of course, brought my own food, which was awkward, but so what. It was only awkward for about 5 minutes. I had half of a corn chip while we were there after I scrutinized the chip for about 4 minutes for it's content and to assess how well it could be chewed and digested. It was less than a taste and I chewed it to apple sauce consistency but it made me feel more normal which is very funny if you think about it, that not eating it would make me feel less normal that giving it the mental third-degree.
I continue to struggle with the wretched protein drinks, but there is no way around them. I have done lots of experimenting and to date, still nauseating. My problem is that they are just to sweet and taste too much like protein. I tried adding some really cool sugar free syrups but it made it so much worse. I'm not a sweetener/sweet person so to me it's awful. I am working on it though. I'm going to try adding some instant decaf coffee to the chocolate one to bring some acrid-ness into the picture. I'm already using one scoop of sweetened protein and one scoop of unflavored (which doesn't mean NO flavor. It just means protein flavor with nothing masking it. Yeah, blech.)
My body is changing more and more now. It is becoming less stuffed and becoming more pliable. I have lost 26 lbs as of this morning (started at 265 lbs) but I have lost many inches, down two sizes in pants and tops. Which is pretty remarkable. I only have this size next in the closet then I need the clothing exchange or second hand shops. I have found that even wearing pjs that are too big make me uncomfortable. So out with my old and in with someone else's old is going to happen soon.
I did call my surgeon today because I am having abdominal muscle wall pain when I bend down and sometimes when I stand up or sit down in a chair. One inch away from the incision on my far right is a lump, and that is exactly where it hurts. I imagined this to be nerve pain. Nerves get cut, then they slowly grow back (not all the way sometimes) or scar tissue pain. But I am worried that I might have a hernia. I have a 17 month old that weighs 28 pounds and today I am able to pick him up after the 10 pound or less restriction was lifted, but I don't want to hurt myself. Hopefully they can see me tomorrow. Worrying is not what I need to be doing. I need to be doing my life again.
I still have bouts of doubts, but it is getting better.
In a week we go to Disneyland. I am hoping I get some energy boost before then!!
5 weeks post op
Nov 08, 2010
Today I am 5 weeks post op and until last night I had only had a few moderate problems. Last night something went very wrong. It started 1/2 hour after I ate 1 slice of lunch meat and 1 string cheese. I ate slowly and chewed well. I had not eaten a string cheese before but I had the lunch meat earlier in the week. I didn't feel pain with fullness, I suddenly had terrible upper gas pain. I walked and walked, I laid down, but nothing would relieve it. Finally, I remembered the GasX! I took some and in about 1 3/4 hours it was over.
About an hour after that, I tried to drink 11 oz of my protein drink and it happened again. Much worse the second time around! This time I remembered the GasX and took it. I immediately because nauseated and started dry heaving AIR. It was SO painful. After about an hour it settled down and I fell asleep from exhaustion.
That was the last night of my fourth week.
I woke up this morning and felt weak, which I normally do in the morning, but fine. Now I am kind of afraid to go near any of it. But I do have to drink my protein tonight. I just can't stomach taking in so much sweet in the morning and during the day, so I hold off until evening.
Happy week 5 to me!
0 comments
About an hour after that, I tried to drink 11 oz of my protein drink and it happened again. Much worse the second time around! This time I remembered the GasX and took it. I immediately because nauseated and started dry heaving AIR. It was SO painful. After about an hour it settled down and I fell asleep from exhaustion.
That was the last night of my fourth week.
I woke up this morning and felt weak, which I normally do in the morning, but fine. Now I am kind of afraid to go near any of it. But I do have to drink my protein tonight. I just can't stomach taking in so much sweet in the morning and during the day, so I hold off until evening.
Happy week 5 to me!
4 Weeks Post Op
Nov 01, 2010
Today I am 4 weeks post op which is not exactly the same as one month to the day but for now I am counting the weeks. I am 18 pounds lighter today than I was four weeks ago.
Pre-op
When I think about the day of surgery, it feels surreal to me. I was so overwhelmed and afraid that I was making the wrong decision (I have had a few bouts of that post op). I went through the motions the days before, liquid diet for 2 days, bowel prep 24 hours before, packed my bag the night before. In spite of reading and researching, I did not know what the reality of surgery and post op would be like. It's an experience that really must be lived to truly understand it (for me at least). I was sick for a week and a half before surgery. I had a bad cold and sinus infection. I couldn't really eat anything and I kept thinking, this is it, I will never be able to eat blah, blah, blah again and I can't now because I am sick. I never had a last meal. I didn't want anything extravagant or decadent, just my own cooking, but I was too sick. I rationalize this to myself that eventually I will be able to eat my own cooking, the extreme part is just a short period of time.
Post-op in hospital
When I was in the hospital my family visited a couple of times but of course there were major periods of time where I was alone. I did everything they said to do and more. I drank more, I walked more, I went to the restroom more. I tried so hard to do what I could to help myself heal. I was so proud of myself for bearing it out despite the pain. I wasn't afraid anymore. I was concentrating so much on getting better and just being in the moment that fear did not occur to me. But I did keep thinking when I was drinking out of the medicine cup how weird it was that I could only drink drops of water over an hour.
I had post op problems. I developed a pneumothorax. I developed thrush. Half of my tongue was numb from either some surgical positioning or maybe I bit down on it really hard when I was in recovery. These were all things I believed would clear up eventually without further problems and they did. It was just an additional load to carry for a while.
I was kept an extra day because my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were low and they wanted to monitor me to see if they were just low or dropping. They decided they were just low and sent me home after 3 days and 2 nights. That was fine with me. I was not ready to go home any sooner.
Post-op at home, weeks 1 and 2
When I got home I was still a patient in my mind and didn't do much for myself except get through the day drinking water and protein. I was on protein liquids for the first two weeks. I struggled with remembering not to drink before and after "meals". I have always been a big water drinker. I love water and easily drink 100 oz per day, so not drinking before and after "meals" has been my biggest mental challenge. Most days I simply forgot not to. Plus I was drinking protein so it was all just drinking drinking drinking without much distinction.
Another challenge was just being around food. I couldn't do it. I wanted to eat. I have an internal clock that tells me it's time to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner for my family, but I couldn't do it. I was weak and tired and didn't want to smell what they were eating. So not only was I not eating, my role in the family was displaced, which was hard. With three kids, one of them only 16 months old it has been a challenge to not pick them up, change diapers, let them climb on me, etc. and it has been hard on them, especially the baby. I have been sad about it. It's a very long time for them to deal with me not being myself.
Post-op home, weeks 2 and 3
Week two I started eating pureed foods. My diet was very limited and I moved to new foods very slowly. I tolerated all of the foods I tried very well. The only problem I had/have is taking the Actigall capsule. That hurts and causes a lot of gas. The only nausea I have ever had was after an Actigall. I also take the bariatric eating chewable vitamins, but the calcium cherry lozenge causes gas and upset too. So I have had to put the Actigall powder from the capsule in a shot glass with crystal light and drink it in one shot. For the calcium I will just have to try something else.
I have had some serious back pain, mostly from sleeping on my back and I do get a sharp pain in my left side daily. When I wake up in the morning and there is no pain meds in my system at all, I feel like someone has stabbed me and re-arranged my insides. It is very clear to me that I am still recovering.
I get strange pains and I don't know exactly how concerned to be about them. I don't know if it is just typical or if it is something more. Last night I had blood in my stool so I will call my NP today and tell her. That concerns me. There are days when I have just done way too much and by the end of the day I am wasted and afraid that I have hurt myself. I wish I didn't feel this way. Fearful about it all the time.
Tomorrow I start my next food phase, soft chopped. I started a couple of days early eating ground turkey. Technically that is my soft chopped phase, but I really needed to eat a meat that was easy to make and available. I do mush it up with refried beans or avocado. I have had no problems with it. I eat about 1/2 cup over 1 hour. This may be too much but it seems right for me. I also eat two meals a day typically. One day I did get in 3 meals but that is hard to do with protein and water drinking.
My blood levels are still low hemoglobin around 11 and hematocrit around 34. Below normal. They are going to start me on another type of iron, but I feel like I need to talk to the nutritionist again to be sure I am getting my vitamins right for my particular needs.
Tomorrow I will start soft chopped and I am hoping it goes as well as all the other phases have.
Since I am 4 weeks out, I will take some pictures of myself today.
Peace, Daisy
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Pre-op
When I think about the day of surgery, it feels surreal to me. I was so overwhelmed and afraid that I was making the wrong decision (I have had a few bouts of that post op). I went through the motions the days before, liquid diet for 2 days, bowel prep 24 hours before, packed my bag the night before. In spite of reading and researching, I did not know what the reality of surgery and post op would be like. It's an experience that really must be lived to truly understand it (for me at least). I was sick for a week and a half before surgery. I had a bad cold and sinus infection. I couldn't really eat anything and I kept thinking, this is it, I will never be able to eat blah, blah, blah again and I can't now because I am sick. I never had a last meal. I didn't want anything extravagant or decadent, just my own cooking, but I was too sick. I rationalize this to myself that eventually I will be able to eat my own cooking, the extreme part is just a short period of time.
Post-op in hospital
When I was in the hospital my family visited a couple of times but of course there were major periods of time where I was alone. I did everything they said to do and more. I drank more, I walked more, I went to the restroom more. I tried so hard to do what I could to help myself heal. I was so proud of myself for bearing it out despite the pain. I wasn't afraid anymore. I was concentrating so much on getting better and just being in the moment that fear did not occur to me. But I did keep thinking when I was drinking out of the medicine cup how weird it was that I could only drink drops of water over an hour.
I had post op problems. I developed a pneumothorax. I developed thrush. Half of my tongue was numb from either some surgical positioning or maybe I bit down on it really hard when I was in recovery. These were all things I believed would clear up eventually without further problems and they did. It was just an additional load to carry for a while.
I was kept an extra day because my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were low and they wanted to monitor me to see if they were just low or dropping. They decided they were just low and sent me home after 3 days and 2 nights. That was fine with me. I was not ready to go home any sooner.
Post-op at home, weeks 1 and 2
When I got home I was still a patient in my mind and didn't do much for myself except get through the day drinking water and protein. I was on protein liquids for the first two weeks. I struggled with remembering not to drink before and after "meals". I have always been a big water drinker. I love water and easily drink 100 oz per day, so not drinking before and after "meals" has been my biggest mental challenge. Most days I simply forgot not to. Plus I was drinking protein so it was all just drinking drinking drinking without much distinction.
Another challenge was just being around food. I couldn't do it. I wanted to eat. I have an internal clock that tells me it's time to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner for my family, but I couldn't do it. I was weak and tired and didn't want to smell what they were eating. So not only was I not eating, my role in the family was displaced, which was hard. With three kids, one of them only 16 months old it has been a challenge to not pick them up, change diapers, let them climb on me, etc. and it has been hard on them, especially the baby. I have been sad about it. It's a very long time for them to deal with me not being myself.
Post-op home, weeks 2 and 3
Week two I started eating pureed foods. My diet was very limited and I moved to new foods very slowly. I tolerated all of the foods I tried very well. The only problem I had/have is taking the Actigall capsule. That hurts and causes a lot of gas. The only nausea I have ever had was after an Actigall. I also take the bariatric eating chewable vitamins, but the calcium cherry lozenge causes gas and upset too. So I have had to put the Actigall powder from the capsule in a shot glass with crystal light and drink it in one shot. For the calcium I will just have to try something else.
I have had some serious back pain, mostly from sleeping on my back and I do get a sharp pain in my left side daily. When I wake up in the morning and there is no pain meds in my system at all, I feel like someone has stabbed me and re-arranged my insides. It is very clear to me that I am still recovering.
I get strange pains and I don't know exactly how concerned to be about them. I don't know if it is just typical or if it is something more. Last night I had blood in my stool so I will call my NP today and tell her. That concerns me. There are days when I have just done way too much and by the end of the day I am wasted and afraid that I have hurt myself. I wish I didn't feel this way. Fearful about it all the time.
Tomorrow I start my next food phase, soft chopped. I started a couple of days early eating ground turkey. Technically that is my soft chopped phase, but I really needed to eat a meat that was easy to make and available. I do mush it up with refried beans or avocado. I have had no problems with it. I eat about 1/2 cup over 1 hour. This may be too much but it seems right for me. I also eat two meals a day typically. One day I did get in 3 meals but that is hard to do with protein and water drinking.
My blood levels are still low hemoglobin around 11 and hematocrit around 34. Below normal. They are going to start me on another type of iron, but I feel like I need to talk to the nutritionist again to be sure I am getting my vitamins right for my particular needs.
Tomorrow I will start soft chopped and I am hoping it goes as well as all the other phases have.
Since I am 4 weeks out, I will take some pictures of myself today.
Peace, Daisy
