ghay
2 Weeks Post-Op
Apr 16, 2009
Two weeks ago, I had my VERGITO. I seem to be doing wonderfully well for the most part. YAY! I feel so much better and wish I had WLS years ago.
First of all, the good stuff:
1. I was discharged from the hospital without two of my meds: Lasix and Lipitor.
2. I saw my PCP this week and was able to discontinue one of my BP meds.
3. I have lost 23 lbs and 9.5 inches. (This includes my 2 week pre-op diet.)
4. My clothes are baggy!
5. I was able to start soft foods this week, meaning anything I can mash with a fork.
6. I have had very little pain or nausea.
7. I am able to meet my fluid requirements.
8. My intestines are working properly. 
Next, the not-so-good stuff:
1. My BP is so low, I feel like crap.
2. I have thrush in my mouth! (Nasty!)
3. I am having some issues with my soft foods. Just not going down well.
4. I am not meeting my protein requirements.
5. I am very sensitive to tastes. If my taste buds rebel, it's not going down.
Overall, I am very pleased and will be glad to get over this BP hump. I am supposed to go back to work on Monday, so I am getting concerned. Hopefully, this time next week, the issue will be resolved.
Honey, I'm home ..............
Apr 06, 2009
I am home-sweet- home after a 3 day hospitalization following VERGITO. I feel better than I expected. Just sore, of course and tired. But overall, I am doing well. Just resting, reading, sipping, and walking. Just taking it easy and learning how to eat and drink with my new tummy.
I am having a hard time getting enough fluids in. I know how important it is, so I have come up with a plan. I am using 30 and 60 cc med cups to sip on and it seems to be helping me keep pace. For lunch and dinner today, I had 1/4 cup of blended cream of chicken soup. It filled me up totally. I know when I've had too much, because I immediately start burping. Also, if I drink too fast, I get hiccups and they are uncomfortable. It's all just a learning process.
Dr. Husted was Mr. Wonderful and I will be glad to answer any questions related to my surgical experience.
Also any post-op advice is appreciated.
Gina
2 Day Countdown ..........
Apr 01, 2009
Friends,
I posted a long blog last night, but it disappeared into Cyberspace. How frustrating! So I will try to recap some of my pre-op thoughts.
First of all, today was my pre-admission testing at the hospital. You would think I would have had enough tests since I just had some LAST WEEK. But I was told anesthesia guidelines require testing within so many hours of surgery. So that answers that question.
Secondly, today was the last day of my pre-op shakes and bars. WOO HOO! I am soooooo looking forward to something besides protein. My mouth wants to chew something. My husband suggested a rawhide bone. (He thought he was funny.) My luck it would taste like protein too. Anyway, tomorrow is a clear liquid day followed by a bowel prep. Oh joy .................
Yesterday I had to start my two-a-day showers for 3 days using antibacterial soap. Today the pre-admissions nurse gave me some Hibiclenz for tomorrow night and Friday morning. Guess there is no such thing as too
clean.
I was reading my procedure guidebook last night and found out my hospital has remote controlled gowns! I'm serious! I have been a nurse for 21 years, but I have never seen a remote controlled gown. I will have to take a picture of it. How funny!
This week I have been unusually emotional. I had to wean off of my antidepressant last week and it's taking it's toll on me. One minute I'm mean and the next I'm tearful; from one extreme to the other. I will be sooooooooo glad to get it back. I wonder how long before I can process a pill.
And last of all, I am having a little of the 2 week freak one week late. I am starting to get anxious about my surgery. I ask myself "Do I really want to do this?'' then I find myself all gung-ho just wanting to get this show on the road!
Sometimes I feel like I'm on the high dive of a very deep, but dark pool and I can't see the sides. I know I have to jump. I can swim a little, but can I swim well enough to save myself? Who knows, but I will have to try. OK ................. ready .............. set ................ jump!
Pre-op Stuff
Mar 28, 2009
It's time I began this blog. I should have started it months ago when I actually started my WLS journey. Finally, after 4 months of doctor's visits and many months of research, my surgery date is upon me. On this coming Friday, April 3, 2009 I will have the VERGITO. Woo Hoo! I can't believe it's time already.
It seems like time was just dragging along as I jumped through the hoops and made sure I had all of the required classes, doctor's visits, labs, tests, etc. Even though I am self-pay, I still had to do all of the usual preop stuff. But now that it's almost time, I am getting a little anxious.
I am in the second week of my pre-op diet, which consists of 4-5 protein shakes a day and up to 2 bars for breakthrough hunger. Do I like the shakes? No. Can I tolerate them? Yes. I don't feel so much hungry, but I still feel the urge to eat. The weekends are the hardest for me, as I have more free time to fill. Plus I usually cook on the weekend, so I have to find something else to do. Needless to say, my family is on their own at this time. I guess the best part of the pre-op diet is that I have lost 11 lbs.
The worst thing thus far, is weaning off of my anti-depressant. I take Cymbalta and have been completely off it since last Wednesday. Not only am I cranky and irritable, but I cry at the drop of a hat! I was watching the Chicken Little movie with my grand-daughter last night and cried, not once, but twice. Crazy! I will be glad to start taking it again.
In order to get ready for my post-op diet, I went to Wal-Mart yesterday and got stocked up on everything from sugarfree jello to chicken broth. (Yummy!) For the first two weeks, I will be on a liquid diet. Dr. Husted says I can have anything I want, as long as it passes the "straw test." Not that I can use a straw, I can't. But I have to be sure that whatever I consume is thin enough to go through a straw. He said I could have a burrito if I got it thin enough to drink. (No thank you.)
One thing I am worried about is not being able to pick up my grand-daughter. She is only two, so she won't understand. Today I told her the doctor was going to cut my belly and make me better. She thought for a minute and asked if I would have band-aids on my belly. I hope this doesn't make her afraid of the doctor. She might think her doctor will cut her belly too!
