Grammo
A Goddess Restates an Important Message
Jul 12, 2010
Clearing some old e-mails and a link took me back to his post I made a couple months ago. The message is so relevant I decided to put it here on my profile page. Heck, I may repost on the main board!
Post Date: 4/20/10 9:12 am
Why do DSers persist in posting on other message boards? Why the Surgery Wars?
I agree with Jilly that DSers don't usually start the fight, just intend to finish it! But as to why do we bother to comment in other forums to start with? Because we know how hard it was for us to initially find the information on this glorious surgical option and we want our fellow sufferers of MO to be informed of ALL the options not just the ones that some profit driven corporations are touting.
I attended a WLS seminar at the very "prestigious" Vanderbilt Hospital Nashville, TN last summer. I chose this seminar specifically because they advertised that the DS was included in their bariatric program. NOT!! Big ol' bait and don't switch. DS was completely passed over in their discussion program and when I specifically asked about it in the question and answer session at the end of their presentation, they were suddenly "out of time" and the seminar was abruptly concluded. I subsequently learned that the surgeons who had previously done DS there had since moved on to greener pastures and they no longer had a qualified surgeon in their program, but that did not stop them from advertising it and then trying to sell something else.
But at least they "advertised" it, which is so not the case in the majority of programs across this country and you read here on OH every day of potential WLS patients who never even heard of the DS before.
Personally, I have known of it, and looked into it, off and on, for almost 20 years. (But, even if you know it exists, you still have to really work at ferreting out the pertinent info.)
All I can say now is WHY did I WEIGHT so long? I had some issues inside my own head related to the notion that having WLS would mean I was of weak character or something because I was a failure at doing it "on my own." It took science a while to catch up and prove that it is not all my own darn fault that I ended up SMO. And I was finally in the care of a compassionate PCP who recognized my metabolic malfunction and finally nudged me toward WLS. But even he was totally unaware of DS and he is excited now (and totally impressed) to follow my progress.
I have been given a magnificent gift and I want to share. Sometimes it is all I can do to keep from approaching total strangers that I can see are suffering because they are SMO. But here, on these forums, I know the sufferers are actively seeking a solution and I just want to know that they have been presented with ALL the options. I do not think the DS is the be-all end-all holy grail for everyone. (There are a few exceptions, hah!) But I think everyone seeking WLS deserves to be informed of all procedures before making such a huge life altering decision.
Obviously, I LOVE my DS. My PCP's goal was for me to lose 100 pounds - DONE! My surgeon's goal for me did not involve numbers - he just wanted me to have improved health and improved quality of life - DONE! My personal goal is to have a "normal" BMI and I am still working on that but I am only 8 months into my journey. I believe I will make it to goal. I want that for all of you, too, no matter which procedure you ultimately choose.
Love y'all! Regards,
Grammo!
0 comments
Post Date: 4/20/10 9:12 am
Why do DSers persist in posting on other message boards? Why the Surgery Wars?
I agree with Jilly that DSers don't usually start the fight, just intend to finish it! But as to why do we bother to comment in other forums to start with? Because we know how hard it was for us to initially find the information on this glorious surgical option and we want our fellow sufferers of MO to be informed of ALL the options not just the ones that some profit driven corporations are touting.
I attended a WLS seminar at the very "prestigious" Vanderbilt Hospital Nashville, TN last summer. I chose this seminar specifically because they advertised that the DS was included in their bariatric program. NOT!! Big ol' bait and don't switch. DS was completely passed over in their discussion program and when I specifically asked about it in the question and answer session at the end of their presentation, they were suddenly "out of time" and the seminar was abruptly concluded. I subsequently learned that the surgeons who had previously done DS there had since moved on to greener pastures and they no longer had a qualified surgeon in their program, but that did not stop them from advertising it and then trying to sell something else.
But at least they "advertised" it, which is so not the case in the majority of programs across this country and you read here on OH every day of potential WLS patients who never even heard of the DS before.
Personally, I have known of it, and looked into it, off and on, for almost 20 years. (But, even if you know it exists, you still have to really work at ferreting out the pertinent info.)
All I can say now is WHY did I WEIGHT so long? I had some issues inside my own head related to the notion that having WLS would mean I was of weak character or something because I was a failure at doing it "on my own." It took science a while to catch up and prove that it is not all my own darn fault that I ended up SMO. And I was finally in the care of a compassionate PCP who recognized my metabolic malfunction and finally nudged me toward WLS. But even he was totally unaware of DS and he is excited now (and totally impressed) to follow my progress.
I have been given a magnificent gift and I want to share. Sometimes it is all I can do to keep from approaching total strangers that I can see are suffering because they are SMO. But here, on these forums, I know the sufferers are actively seeking a solution and I just want to know that they have been presented with ALL the options. I do not think the DS is the be-all end-all holy grail for everyone. (There are a few exceptions, hah!) But I think everyone seeking WLS deserves to be informed of all procedures before making such a huge life altering decision.
Obviously, I LOVE my DS. My PCP's goal was for me to lose 100 pounds - DONE! My surgeon's goal for me did not involve numbers - he just wanted me to have improved health and improved quality of life - DONE! My personal goal is to have a "normal" BMI and I am still working on that but I am only 8 months into my journey. I believe I will make it to goal. I want that for all of you, too, no matter which procedure you ultimately choose.
Love y'all! Regards,
Grammo!
An Orphaned Goddess
May 15, 2010
I have not posted much, though I try to stay caught up on the reading, as much as possible. I get so much information, hope and inspiration from this web site. I have been unable to do any reading for the last couple weeks. Trying to catch up now. I have loved the coverage of the Caro and Anne wedding. I needed the glimpse of such joy and great friendships. I am saddened to read of the loss of Sharyn's mother and Rhonda's mother, a pain I'm sharing now.
We were scheduled to make our spring time return to our Nashville home when the great flood hit Music City. Our return was delayed while we waited for interstates into town to reopen and to have access to where we live once we could get into town. During that time I learned my mother had been moved into hospice care up north where I grew up.
Our home was spared but our income producing properties (our ONLY income) took a huge hit. We just learned today that we may not be allowed to repair two of the houses. There is a possibility the area will become a greenway.
When we were finally able to be on the road home to Nashville I received a phone call that I immediately needed to go "home" to my childhood home if I ever wanted to talk to Mom again. I tried to catch a flight along our route, but I was always just behind the last flight out, so we drove on in to Nashville and the horrendous sight of so much devastation. We got in at 2:30 A.M a week ago on Wednesday and I was on a plane North at 6:30 a.m.
Mom left us on Mother's Day. That's my glamma, dramma, mamma! She made sure we would never forget her on Mother's Day! She was not sick, per se, she just decided she was tired of living and I swear to goodness, she had a timetable for her exit. Hospice is incredible and I thank God for them. I remained with my family for the next several days, just taking care of the business of dying, and being together and processing the event. I returned home to Nashville last night.
In the meantime my poor husband was left in Nashville to deal with all the mess. On better note, the volunteer presence in this town has been awesome! My husband was helped by Titan's quarterback Vince Young and three other Titans who worked their nice tight butts off helping him gut a house. There are thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and parts of the country who have really turned it out for Nashville. The Red Cross drives through the damaged areas every day with hot meals for the folks who are trying to work on the mess. Others come through handing out snacks, fruit, bottled water. A local bread company here is bringing fresh, artisan breads every day. FEMA seems to be doing a great job. Dear young friends of ours who lost everything have already had their FEMA inspections and got their permits and aid approved and construction will begin this coming week. And through the generosity of their co-workers and many friends, everything going back in their house will be upgrades from what they had before. FEMA workers canvas the damaged neighborhoods daily making sure people are filing their claim forms as needed.
While away from home, my "routine" has been off. I have not eaten well and I was slipping a bit in my supplementing of vits and calcium. My loss has been super slow of late. I know my body has to eat MORE to lose, but I have not had much appetite. I have been really pushing my protein today, even did a couple shakes and a bar, not my usual routine. But I feel weak and drained.
I have not had a big melt down yet, but I know it is coming. I have just sort of been on auto pilot in the emotional department. There were others around, more fragile than me, and I guess I have felt a need to "stay strong."
I am comforted to know my mother is with my father and sister who left us so long ago.
0 comments
We were scheduled to make our spring time return to our Nashville home when the great flood hit Music City. Our return was delayed while we waited for interstates into town to reopen and to have access to where we live once we could get into town. During that time I learned my mother had been moved into hospice care up north where I grew up.
Our home was spared but our income producing properties (our ONLY income) took a huge hit. We just learned today that we may not be allowed to repair two of the houses. There is a possibility the area will become a greenway.
When we were finally able to be on the road home to Nashville I received a phone call that I immediately needed to go "home" to my childhood home if I ever wanted to talk to Mom again. I tried to catch a flight along our route, but I was always just behind the last flight out, so we drove on in to Nashville and the horrendous sight of so much devastation. We got in at 2:30 A.M a week ago on Wednesday and I was on a plane North at 6:30 a.m.
Mom left us on Mother's Day. That's my glamma, dramma, mamma! She made sure we would never forget her on Mother's Day! She was not sick, per se, she just decided she was tired of living and I swear to goodness, she had a timetable for her exit. Hospice is incredible and I thank God for them. I remained with my family for the next several days, just taking care of the business of dying, and being together and processing the event. I returned home to Nashville last night.
In the meantime my poor husband was left in Nashville to deal with all the mess. On better note, the volunteer presence in this town has been awesome! My husband was helped by Titan's quarterback Vince Young and three other Titans who worked their nice tight butts off helping him gut a house. There are thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and parts of the country who have really turned it out for Nashville. The Red Cross drives through the damaged areas every day with hot meals for the folks who are trying to work on the mess. Others come through handing out snacks, fruit, bottled water. A local bread company here is bringing fresh, artisan breads every day. FEMA seems to be doing a great job. Dear young friends of ours who lost everything have already had their FEMA inspections and got their permits and aid approved and construction will begin this coming week. And through the generosity of their co-workers and many friends, everything going back in their house will be upgrades from what they had before. FEMA workers canvas the damaged neighborhoods daily making sure people are filing their claim forms as needed.
While away from home, my "routine" has been off. I have not eaten well and I was slipping a bit in my supplementing of vits and calcium. My loss has been super slow of late. I know my body has to eat MORE to lose, but I have not had much appetite. I have been really pushing my protein today, even did a couple shakes and a bar, not my usual routine. But I feel weak and drained.
I have not had a big melt down yet, but I know it is coming. I have just sort of been on auto pilot in the emotional department. There were others around, more fragile than me, and I guess I have felt a need to "stay strong."
I am comforted to know my mother is with my father and sister who left us so long ago.
Goddess was MIA! Months 5, 6 7
Mar 19, 2010
3-17-10
Okay, I have been lax. Not IRL, just in posting! I recently passed seven months out. I will copy this post as an update to my profile and I will put up some more pics. I did (and will post) my five month routine set of pics but I will just have to use representative snap shots for six months and seven months as I did not do those picture sets. The dramatic appearance change really happened in the first four months, since then it has been much more subtle. I am very happy with my progress. I hit a second plateau almost to the day at six months out. It lasted almost a month. Weight loss has resumed but it is definitely slower now. I don’t mind if it goes slow, just so it goes! I am experiencing hair loss, but I don’t look like I am. But the Swiffer (and the shower drain) tells all. Loss began slowly right at 3 months out and has escalated ever since. I feel the difference, but others don’t see it. I hope it abates before it becomes noticeable. The weight loss pattern is different than any time before in my life. I am losing my butt! And I have a thick little alien baby growing right above my navel. PCP does not think it is a hernia. It is right in the area of my surgery incisions. Perhaps this area just takes some time to settle on down, or maybe I have some scar tissue. I am taking a wait and see stance for now. I am also “waiting to see” what will eventually happen with my fluctuating vision. My vitamin A is in normal range so I suspect this is more about changes in the shape of my eye and in the muscles around my eyes. As stated, so many miracles, so little time! I have been so busy, living my life, not just existing, and somewhere along the way, just about five months out, I breezed on into Onederland. At six months out I qualified for the Century Club. At seven months out I have shaved a full 20 points off my BMI. I started out as Super Morbidly Obese, progressed to Morbidly Obese, celebrated when I was able to drop the “Morbidly” and became Severely Obese and now I am Merely Obese! My BMI might declare me obese, but my friends and family are calling me Skinny Minny. Because I have been a major pack rat, I have not done much shopping. I just pull old boxes out of the barn and look a little dated. But I am reaching a point where I no longer have any “smaller” clothes. I broke down last week and bought new bras and underpants. I have bought several new pairs of walking shoes, including some Shape Ups. I am thrilled to be able to walk again. Today, I am mere ounces away from a major breakthrough for me. Over ten years ago, I Adkins dieted off over 100 pounds and hovered around 180 pounds for a good while. I came close a time or two, but I just never was able to break on through to below 175. I am almost there! I hope to make it there by the end of the week (a good present to me for my 56th birthday) if I don’t eat too much of my yummy corned beef and cabbage (I smell it simmering in the crock pot now) and Green Fluff. This report sounds so rosy, and mostly everything is rosy, now. To be completely fair and unbiased in my reporting I must confess that I mostly felt like crap for the first three months post op. My antidepressant meds required a big adjustment and once done, that made all the difference. No big physical issues, other than fatigue which was somewhat alleviated by the change in meds. As my diet and capacity to eat have progressed, I go potty a little more often, but rarely with “urgency” except for first thing in the morning. I have experienced a little more gas as I have added things to my diet, but it is always controllable. I have never embarrassed myself in public. Sorry for this TMI discussion but I want the “lookers” that are learning about DS to know that it does not sentence you to a life of flatulence and diarrhea. I know some who post here have been troubled by these things, but, for the most part, the causes are treatable medical conditions. I have one acquaintance that will, on the rare occasions we see one another, always ask if I am still bothered by that “dia-rear.” (That is a TN pronunciation, LOL!) I must gently reiterate that I NEVER had it. NEVER as in NOT EVER, NOT EVEN ONCE. I have sometimes been bothered by nausea. I have learned that it is very important to eat and drink plenty. Not eating and drinking leads to not wanting to eat and drink. I have occasionally suffered “productive burps.” (Lookers and newbies, this is not the same as vomiting. What comes out with a productive burp is undigested food that never even made it all the way to your stomach It does not feel the same way as vomiting at all, but it’s hard to explain to someone until they experience it for themselves.) More so early out, not so much now but it did happen to me just the other day when the waist band of my pants was too snug over my alien baby. I get a “forewarning” feeling and have always managed to excuse myself before it happens. I should add that usually I am eating too much too fast when this happens. The other day I was at a popular local restaurant and we had waited over an hour for a table, so I was really hungry and I had ordered the chef’s special, which was a divine pork osso buco with mashed rutabega, so I was kind of wolfing it down. The BP’s are a good reminder to slow it down and take smaller bites. Other than that, I NEVER feel like I am on a diet. Close your eyes now carb watchers – I do eat occasional treats. Some days have several “occasions” LOL. Mostly I make good choices and find I crave better foods. I am aware that a possibility exists that my reworked innards will eventually somehow manage more absorption, and I may find it necessary to watch this more closely somewhere down the line. For now, everything’s working pretty well just the way I am going at it. My six month labs were very good. Okay, I’m done crowing now. Regards from a very happy DS er,
Edit on 3-19-2010 Obviously I wrote the above two days ago and never got it posted. Got busy with celebrating! I’m a good little Irish girl and after my husband and I enjoyed a yummy dinner at home we ventured out to join some other revelers. St. Patrick’s celebrations are a big deal in our charming gulf coast town of winter residence. In the “it’s a small world” category: I saw my former high school science teacher from the little Michigan town where I grew up (he was fresh out of college then, so not much older than me) singing Karaoke at the pub down the street! I sang a song, too. It felt great to sing a really fast song and be dancing around up there and not get the least bit winded! What a change. It made me so happy. We went out again last night for my birthday. My husband loves taking me out now. And in spite of all my celebrating, um yes, don’t flame me, but alcohol was involved, along with lots of good food, I MADE IT!!! I broke through the 175! I cannot even remember when was the last time I weighed this little. Certainly more than 20 years, maybe more. I’ve got to get Jack Spratt (my husband) on the scale because my next major goal will be to have him outweigh me. OK, NOW I’m done crowing! Regards,
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Okay, I have been lax. Not IRL, just in posting! I recently passed seven months out. I will copy this post as an update to my profile and I will put up some more pics. I did (and will post) my five month routine set of pics but I will just have to use representative snap shots for six months and seven months as I did not do those picture sets. The dramatic appearance change really happened in the first four months, since then it has been much more subtle. I am very happy with my progress. I hit a second plateau almost to the day at six months out. It lasted almost a month. Weight loss has resumed but it is definitely slower now. I don’t mind if it goes slow, just so it goes! I am experiencing hair loss, but I don’t look like I am. But the Swiffer (and the shower drain) tells all. Loss began slowly right at 3 months out and has escalated ever since. I feel the difference, but others don’t see it. I hope it abates before it becomes noticeable. The weight loss pattern is different than any time before in my life. I am losing my butt! And I have a thick little alien baby growing right above my navel. PCP does not think it is a hernia. It is right in the area of my surgery incisions. Perhaps this area just takes some time to settle on down, or maybe I have some scar tissue. I am taking a wait and see stance for now. I am also “waiting to see” what will eventually happen with my fluctuating vision. My vitamin A is in normal range so I suspect this is more about changes in the shape of my eye and in the muscles around my eyes. As stated, so many miracles, so little time! I have been so busy, living my life, not just existing, and somewhere along the way, just about five months out, I breezed on into Onederland. At six months out I qualified for the Century Club. At seven months out I have shaved a full 20 points off my BMI. I started out as Super Morbidly Obese, progressed to Morbidly Obese, celebrated when I was able to drop the “Morbidly” and became Severely Obese and now I am Merely Obese! My BMI might declare me obese, but my friends and family are calling me Skinny Minny. Because I have been a major pack rat, I have not done much shopping. I just pull old boxes out of the barn and look a little dated. But I am reaching a point where I no longer have any “smaller” clothes. I broke down last week and bought new bras and underpants. I have bought several new pairs of walking shoes, including some Shape Ups. I am thrilled to be able to walk again. Today, I am mere ounces away from a major breakthrough for me. Over ten years ago, I Adkins dieted off over 100 pounds and hovered around 180 pounds for a good while. I came close a time or two, but I just never was able to break on through to below 175. I am almost there! I hope to make it there by the end of the week (a good present to me for my 56th birthday) if I don’t eat too much of my yummy corned beef and cabbage (I smell it simmering in the crock pot now) and Green Fluff. This report sounds so rosy, and mostly everything is rosy, now. To be completely fair and unbiased in my reporting I must confess that I mostly felt like crap for the first three months post op. My antidepressant meds required a big adjustment and once done, that made all the difference. No big physical issues, other than fatigue which was somewhat alleviated by the change in meds. As my diet and capacity to eat have progressed, I go potty a little more often, but rarely with “urgency” except for first thing in the morning. I have experienced a little more gas as I have added things to my diet, but it is always controllable. I have never embarrassed myself in public. Sorry for this TMI discussion but I want the “lookers” that are learning about DS to know that it does not sentence you to a life of flatulence and diarrhea. I know some who post here have been troubled by these things, but, for the most part, the causes are treatable medical conditions. I have one acquaintance that will, on the rare occasions we see one another, always ask if I am still bothered by that “dia-rear.” (That is a TN pronunciation, LOL!) I must gently reiterate that I NEVER had it. NEVER as in NOT EVER, NOT EVEN ONCE. I have sometimes been bothered by nausea. I have learned that it is very important to eat and drink plenty. Not eating and drinking leads to not wanting to eat and drink. I have occasionally suffered “productive burps.” (Lookers and newbies, this is not the same as vomiting. What comes out with a productive burp is undigested food that never even made it all the way to your stomach It does not feel the same way as vomiting at all, but it’s hard to explain to someone until they experience it for themselves.) More so early out, not so much now but it did happen to me just the other day when the waist band of my pants was too snug over my alien baby. I get a “forewarning” feeling and have always managed to excuse myself before it happens. I should add that usually I am eating too much too fast when this happens. The other day I was at a popular local restaurant and we had waited over an hour for a table, so I was really hungry and I had ordered the chef’s special, which was a divine pork osso buco with mashed rutabega, so I was kind of wolfing it down. The BP’s are a good reminder to slow it down and take smaller bites. Other than that, I NEVER feel like I am on a diet. Close your eyes now carb watchers – I do eat occasional treats. Some days have several “occasions” LOL. Mostly I make good choices and find I crave better foods. I am aware that a possibility exists that my reworked innards will eventually somehow manage more absorption, and I may find it necessary to watch this more closely somewhere down the line. For now, everything’s working pretty well just the way I am going at it. My six month labs were very good. Okay, I’m done crowing now. Regards from a very happy DS er,
Edit on 3-19-2010 Obviously I wrote the above two days ago and never got it posted. Got busy with celebrating! I’m a good little Irish girl and after my husband and I enjoyed a yummy dinner at home we ventured out to join some other revelers. St. Patrick’s celebrations are a big deal in our charming gulf coast town of winter residence. In the “it’s a small world” category: I saw my former high school science teacher from the little Michigan town where I grew up (he was fresh out of college then, so not much older than me) singing Karaoke at the pub down the street! I sang a song, too. It felt great to sing a really fast song and be dancing around up there and not get the least bit winded! What a change. It made me so happy. We went out again last night for my birthday. My husband loves taking me out now. And in spite of all my celebrating, um yes, don’t flame me, but alcohol was involved, along with lots of good food, I MADE IT!!! I broke through the 175! I cannot even remember when was the last time I weighed this little. Certainly more than 20 years, maybe more. I’ve got to get Jack Spratt (my husband) on the scale because my next major goal will be to have him outweigh me. OK, NOW I’m done crowing! Regards,
Addendum to 4 month update
Dec 21, 2009
I forgot to tell y'all that my hair has started falling out. Not too bad so far. I have had it fall out much worse during times of stress or when my thyroid gets off kilter. I'll let you know if it gets worse!
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Goddess Lumpy Legs - 4 months out
Dec 16, 2009
12:27 Am December 17, 2009
Well, I let my surgiversary date slip by again! It was December 11, 2009 - 4 months out. I put new pics in My Photos. Staying busy, helping out with the grandchildren and trying to sort out the mess I have let everything get into over the last several months. Weight loss is great. I have actually pulled a tiny bit ahead of the "curve" on my EWL percentage. I use my surgery day weight when calculating this number. If I used my "consultation" weight (before liquid diet) I am already at the 50% a Dser should be at by 6 months out. Still fighting fatigue - but it's getting better. I need more sleep and need to spend less time on my transfer addiction: OH! I went back on my Wellbutrin just a few days ago, and I know it's supposed to take a couple of weeks to notice any real change, but I swear I feel better already, even if it's all in my head - well, that's where it needs to be! But I think it is totally killing my appetite. I am having to make myself eat these last few days. I'll be going into full Christmas meltdown at any moment. I did not even do any shopping yet except just started a tiny bit earlier tonight. I can't blame all of this on surgery, I am notorious for ignoring the whole thing until the last minute. I have had some Christmas Joy already, though. When I pump my 4 year old grandson about what he would like Grandma to get him for a Christmas present, he just says "You." So that's what he has been getting. We have enjoyed some quality memory making. If that leaves no time for shopping, oh well. I have cut and paste a reply here to a nice note that someone PMed to me, because when I finished writing I realized it kind of shows what my life is about right now.
"Hi Cindy,
It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry I am just now getting back to you, life has been a little hectic! My daughter just went back to work following maternity leave, and even though her office is in her home, her position is too demanding to combine parenting and job at the same time. The oldest, a boy, 4 now, goes to Pre-K and the new little girl will eventually go to day care, but she is holding her out as long as possible because of the H1N1 scare, and she is still nursing her as much as possible. The two grandmothers swap days going over there to stay with the little one. My drive is about 20 minutes, God bless the other Granny, she drives an hour! My daughter will always talk me into staying on after "work" hours, while she is running other errands, etc. I love those babies, and don't really mind, except my daughter has her Christmas stuff all done and I have not even started! (Well, I did get out to Stein Mart tonight and made the very first of this year's purchases!) I've been a little slow to get over the general post op fatigue and everything seems to take me longer than I expected it to, plus I can no longer pull the all nighters of my youth! My grandson spent last weekend with me, and every minute was truly a joy, but it leaves me a little whipped! But he did see to it that we got our Christmas tree put up on Friday night. We always wait for him to help; it is tradition since he was 1 year old. On Saturday morning we went roller skating (well, I just walked and helped him!) for about three hours (never would have lasted that long before my surgery!) and came home and watched a Christmas movie to get him settled down for a nap. He loves the movie "Home Alone" except he has retitled it: "The Boy Left Over From Christmas." While he slept, I left him with my husband in charge while I ran out to the store for necessary ingredients and a new cookie cutter because he had been asking me since before Thanksgiving to make gingerbread men cookies with him. (I later found out that his class will be "surprising" the visiting parents and grandparents at their holiday party with a "play" the children have come up with on their own about a gingerbread man!) We did that after nap and by the time the kitchen had a thorough dusting of flour, and the cookies were cooled and frosted, we called it a day! We were a bit lazier on Sunday, spent a large part of the day cleaning up all the messes we made Friday and Saturday, put up a few more decorations, and made Holiday Jello Jigglers! A couple cookies and jigglers were reserved for my husband, but all the rest were festively containered and sent home with grandson. Grandma doesn't need that stuff around here! My "Grammo" designation seems to be retired (but I will keep it as my OH identity) and I have now evolved into "Grammy." So they have a Grammy and a Granny. My husband is Papa and the other grandfather is Pop Pop. Well, my house is a tee-total wreck (I partially blame my OH transfer addiction) and I am the scheduled baby sitter for the next two days, I better sign off, give my dog and my house a little love and then hit the hay. I also need to go update My Profile, as I have let my 4 month surgiversary slip by! I hope you don't mind, but I think I will "cut and paste" this letter to My Profile! It is a little "snapshot" of my life at present.
Anywho, keep searching the DS forum and soaking up all the good info. You know I think you have chosen a wonderful surgeon. I wish you the very best of luck!
Regards,
Grammo"
Ok, that's it for now.
Love Y'all!
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Well, I let my surgiversary date slip by again! It was December 11, 2009 - 4 months out. I put new pics in My Photos. Staying busy, helping out with the grandchildren and trying to sort out the mess I have let everything get into over the last several months. Weight loss is great. I have actually pulled a tiny bit ahead of the "curve" on my EWL percentage. I use my surgery day weight when calculating this number. If I used my "consultation" weight (before liquid diet) I am already at the 50% a Dser should be at by 6 months out. Still fighting fatigue - but it's getting better. I need more sleep and need to spend less time on my transfer addiction: OH! I went back on my Wellbutrin just a few days ago, and I know it's supposed to take a couple of weeks to notice any real change, but I swear I feel better already, even if it's all in my head - well, that's where it needs to be! But I think it is totally killing my appetite. I am having to make myself eat these last few days. I'll be going into full Christmas meltdown at any moment. I did not even do any shopping yet except just started a tiny bit earlier tonight. I can't blame all of this on surgery, I am notorious for ignoring the whole thing until the last minute. I have had some Christmas Joy already, though. When I pump my 4 year old grandson about what he would like Grandma to get him for a Christmas present, he just says "You." So that's what he has been getting. We have enjoyed some quality memory making. If that leaves no time for shopping, oh well. I have cut and paste a reply here to a nice note that someone PMed to me, because when I finished writing I realized it kind of shows what my life is about right now.
"Hi Cindy,
It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry I am just now getting back to you, life has been a little hectic! My daughter just went back to work following maternity leave, and even though her office is in her home, her position is too demanding to combine parenting and job at the same time. The oldest, a boy, 4 now, goes to Pre-K and the new little girl will eventually go to day care, but she is holding her out as long as possible because of the H1N1 scare, and she is still nursing her as much as possible. The two grandmothers swap days going over there to stay with the little one. My drive is about 20 minutes, God bless the other Granny, she drives an hour! My daughter will always talk me into staying on after "work" hours, while she is running other errands, etc. I love those babies, and don't really mind, except my daughter has her Christmas stuff all done and I have not even started! (Well, I did get out to Stein Mart tonight and made the very first of this year's purchases!) I've been a little slow to get over the general post op fatigue and everything seems to take me longer than I expected it to, plus I can no longer pull the all nighters of my youth! My grandson spent last weekend with me, and every minute was truly a joy, but it leaves me a little whipped! But he did see to it that we got our Christmas tree put up on Friday night. We always wait for him to help; it is tradition since he was 1 year old. On Saturday morning we went roller skating (well, I just walked and helped him!) for about three hours (never would have lasted that long before my surgery!) and came home and watched a Christmas movie to get him settled down for a nap. He loves the movie "Home Alone" except he has retitled it: "The Boy Left Over From Christmas." While he slept, I left him with my husband in charge while I ran out to the store for necessary ingredients and a new cookie cutter because he had been asking me since before Thanksgiving to make gingerbread men cookies with him. (I later found out that his class will be "surprising" the visiting parents and grandparents at their holiday party with a "play" the children have come up with on their own about a gingerbread man!) We did that after nap and by the time the kitchen had a thorough dusting of flour, and the cookies were cooled and frosted, we called it a day! We were a bit lazier on Sunday, spent a large part of the day cleaning up all the messes we made Friday and Saturday, put up a few more decorations, and made Holiday Jello Jigglers! A couple cookies and jigglers were reserved for my husband, but all the rest were festively containered and sent home with grandson. Grandma doesn't need that stuff around here! My "Grammo" designation seems to be retired (but I will keep it as my OH identity) and I have now evolved into "Grammy." So they have a Grammy and a Granny. My husband is Papa and the other grandfather is Pop Pop. Well, my house is a tee-total wreck (I partially blame my OH transfer addiction) and I am the scheduled baby sitter for the next two days, I better sign off, give my dog and my house a little love and then hit the hay. I also need to go update My Profile, as I have let my 4 month surgiversary slip by! I hope you don't mind, but I think I will "cut and paste" this letter to My Profile! It is a little "snapshot" of my life at present.
Anywho, keep searching the DS forum and soaking up all the good info. You know I think you have chosen a wonderful surgeon. I wish you the very best of luck!
Regards,
Grammo"
Ok, that's it for now.
Love Y'all!
The Goddess Eats! 3 month update
Nov 15, 2009
November 16, 2009
My 3 month surgiversary was November 11, 2009 so I am a few days late getting this up. New pics in new album in My Photos. My recovery is mostly unremarkable - energy still a little slow to return. I did have setback in that area with about a 10 day bout of something that I am still not quite over. Flu? I don't know. Some kind of resperatory yuck with a big wet cough, sore throat and some nausea. The cough lingers, but the nausea is gone and I have felt tons better the last few days. This past weekend was gorgeous, spent lots of time outside with my favorite little man. So great to walk to the park and not be worn out and have my feet killing me! Last night we took the almost four year old grandson out to the Chinese Buffet where he could enjoy his favorite combination dinner of red jello and crab "racoons." This was my first real attempt at dinner out and I thouroughly enjoyed and misbehaved. I can't believe how much I was able to eat. I had at least a taste of (and maybe more) of all of the following: hot and sour soup with chives and fried noodles, sweet and sour chicken with sauce, fried shrimp, crab rangoon, zuchini tempura, mussels with sweet red peppers and capers, crab legs with drawn butter, butter pecan ice cream and a cream puff! Please don't flame me! I DO NOT eat this way every day! I will say that some days I can eat all day and some other days I can barely get anything down. I don't know why. I do pay attention to my obligation to load the protein but I do eat carbs. I get terribly constipated if I don't eat carbs. I did my three month consult with Dr. Husted by telephone and I had already e-mailed him my progress report of percentage EWL and examples of my diet and my vitamin and supplement regime. We are both quite satisfied with how things are at the present. He does not require labs until 6 months out. My PCP did a few random labs on October 15 and my D and B-12 are excellent. My beverage of choice is home brewed, artificially sweetened (Splenda,) fully caffienated iced tea and I drink it all day long. Dr. Husted has no objection to caffiene and I frankly would be a complete zombie without it. I keep a little bit of an eye on my protein numbers, just to make sure I am getting it in, but I am not counting anything else at this time. Time will tell if carbs need a closer watch but right now I am staying right on target for the desired percantages of EWL, with a goal weight that will give me a high normal BMI. Even when the scale does not move, my size continues to change. An interesting thing is I am losing weight in a slightly different way than I ever have before. I have a pair of old jeans that I still can't quite zip up - getting closer every day - but I can already tell that these already hemmed up in a previous life jeans are now going to be too long! This tells me more weight is coming out of the overall volume of my butt and legs. This is a very good thing! 'Cept it sucks I will have to re-hem!
Anyway, here is a copy of the notes I sent Dr. Husted for the telephone consult (slightly edited for internet!)
Notes for Dr. Husted
(Per telephone appointment we will have later today.)
Grammo, female, age 55 years, height 5’ 1½”, goal weight of 130 pounds would give me a high end normal BMI of 24.2.
DS surgery date August 11, 2009, surgery day weight 271.5 pounds Weight this morning, November 11, 2009, is 221¾ pounds which represents loss of 49½ pounds since surgery exactly three months ago and also represents approx, 35% EWL which I hope is on track. I was almost exactly at 25% EWL at the two month mark and know I need to be at 50% EWL by the six month mark. I hit a “stall” in weight loss, as per the scale, at day 21 and this stall lasted about four weeks, though I could tell my actual size continued to change. I also had no bowel movement at all from day 21 through day 29. Oddly, once movement resumed, it did not seem impacted or hardened as one might expect from a case of constipation. I still occasionally skip a day, but mostly there is one movement a day in the morning. There have been a few rare occasions of more than one a day. I learned I must eat some carbs to promote movement.
Though I have pretty much felt steadily “better” day by day, I am still lacking energy. I had a bit of setback in that area all of last week (actually from evening of 10-30-09 through morning of 11-09-09) with a cold or flu or something. (I had the regular flu shot but have been unable so far to get the H1N1 shot.) Sinus drainage has always nauseated me a little, but I think my newly re-arranged guts must have been especially revolted. My chest is still rattling, but the drainage is much better now and the nausea is gone now.
I think I may be battling depression. I did go off my Wellbutrin prior to surgery and never resumed. I’m not sure if lack of energy equals depression or vice versa or if they are two separate entities all together.
Lack of energy affects my biggest area of non-compliance with the post DS program which is I am not getting enough exercise. I have new walking shoes and good intentions. I promise to do better.
My protein consumption is probably 60 to 80 grams a day at this point and is all real food. I hate the shakes and bullets now. I eat basically all day long to get that in. I did resort to a few bullets last week when I felt so bad I could not eat enough, but in truth, I fell a little short during the nausea. I’m back on top of it now. I know I need to steadily increase my protein consumption as I become able to eat more. I do eat some carbs. I CRAVE vegetables. I have had very little bread, rice, pasta or potatoes – but I have tasted and tolerated. I have indulged in small treats, but I was happy to discover that I really don’t crave much and when I do, a bite or two will do. Except for the Splenda I put in my iced tea, I don’t use sugar substitutes. They about killed my innards pre-op, I don’t even want to think about what they would do to me post-op! So, if I do indulge, it is the real thing. At this point, three months post op, I have tried about every kind of food and seem to tolerate about everything. The worst consequences I have had have been from whey powder! I am avoiding it. Example of how I eat: dinner last night was steak fajitas with extra pico, extra queso, extra sour cream and no tortilla and I also ate five large nacho chips with salsa and queso. My “Jack Sprat” husband and I shared one take out entrée (with a side of extra queso) and we still have enough left to both have another meal from it and we will end up throwing out most of the chips and tortillas. I put extra cheese on just about everything to up the protein count! I quit counting my fluids as I am certain I am getting enough in because I have settled back into my old habit of constantly drinking something all day long. The only change is what I drink. My beverage of choice these days is homebrewed, fully caffeinated, iced tea sweetened with Splenda. I need the caffeine or I would just be a total zombie.
As for vitamins and supplements, I have been on steady climb towards compliance. I found them impossible at first, but I’m doing much better now. I will include a list of all my meds for you. I did see Dr.******, my PCP in Nashville in mid October and for his own curiosity he ran a few extra labs and I am happy to report my D is good at 53 and my B-12 is great at 1721. I am his only “DS” patient.
his is the label from my multi –vitamin
One A Day Energy
Staying physically and mentally active is important, and having energy support can help. One A Day® Energy is a complete multivitamin with higher† levels of B-Vitamins plus a Guarana Blend to help your body and mind feel energetic.* A Complete Multivitamin Plus More† to Support:*
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My 3 month surgiversary was November 11, 2009 so I am a few days late getting this up. New pics in new album in My Photos. My recovery is mostly unremarkable - energy still a little slow to return. I did have setback in that area with about a 10 day bout of something that I am still not quite over. Flu? I don't know. Some kind of resperatory yuck with a big wet cough, sore throat and some nausea. The cough lingers, but the nausea is gone and I have felt tons better the last few days. This past weekend was gorgeous, spent lots of time outside with my favorite little man. So great to walk to the park and not be worn out and have my feet killing me! Last night we took the almost four year old grandson out to the Chinese Buffet where he could enjoy his favorite combination dinner of red jello and crab "racoons." This was my first real attempt at dinner out and I thouroughly enjoyed and misbehaved. I can't believe how much I was able to eat. I had at least a taste of (and maybe more) of all of the following: hot and sour soup with chives and fried noodles, sweet and sour chicken with sauce, fried shrimp, crab rangoon, zuchini tempura, mussels with sweet red peppers and capers, crab legs with drawn butter, butter pecan ice cream and a cream puff! Please don't flame me! I DO NOT eat this way every day! I will say that some days I can eat all day and some other days I can barely get anything down. I don't know why. I do pay attention to my obligation to load the protein but I do eat carbs. I get terribly constipated if I don't eat carbs. I did my three month consult with Dr. Husted by telephone and I had already e-mailed him my progress report of percentage EWL and examples of my diet and my vitamin and supplement regime. We are both quite satisfied with how things are at the present. He does not require labs until 6 months out. My PCP did a few random labs on October 15 and my D and B-12 are excellent. My beverage of choice is home brewed, artificially sweetened (Splenda,) fully caffienated iced tea and I drink it all day long. Dr. Husted has no objection to caffiene and I frankly would be a complete zombie without it. I keep a little bit of an eye on my protein numbers, just to make sure I am getting it in, but I am not counting anything else at this time. Time will tell if carbs need a closer watch but right now I am staying right on target for the desired percantages of EWL, with a goal weight that will give me a high normal BMI. Even when the scale does not move, my size continues to change. An interesting thing is I am losing weight in a slightly different way than I ever have before. I have a pair of old jeans that I still can't quite zip up - getting closer every day - but I can already tell that these already hemmed up in a previous life jeans are now going to be too long! This tells me more weight is coming out of the overall volume of my butt and legs. This is a very good thing! 'Cept it sucks I will have to re-hem!
Anyway, here is a copy of the notes I sent Dr. Husted for the telephone consult (slightly edited for internet!)
Notes for Dr. Husted
(Per telephone appointment we will have later today.)
Grammo, female, age 55 years, height 5’ 1½”, goal weight of 130 pounds would give me a high end normal BMI of 24.2.
DS surgery date August 11, 2009, surgery day weight 271.5 pounds Weight this morning, November 11, 2009, is 221¾ pounds which represents loss of 49½ pounds since surgery exactly three months ago and also represents approx, 35% EWL which I hope is on track. I was almost exactly at 25% EWL at the two month mark and know I need to be at 50% EWL by the six month mark. I hit a “stall” in weight loss, as per the scale, at day 21 and this stall lasted about four weeks, though I could tell my actual size continued to change. I also had no bowel movement at all from day 21 through day 29. Oddly, once movement resumed, it did not seem impacted or hardened as one might expect from a case of constipation. I still occasionally skip a day, but mostly there is one movement a day in the morning. There have been a few rare occasions of more than one a day. I learned I must eat some carbs to promote movement.
Though I have pretty much felt steadily “better” day by day, I am still lacking energy. I had a bit of setback in that area all of last week (actually from evening of 10-30-09 through morning of 11-09-09) with a cold or flu or something. (I had the regular flu shot but have been unable so far to get the H1N1 shot.) Sinus drainage has always nauseated me a little, but I think my newly re-arranged guts must have been especially revolted. My chest is still rattling, but the drainage is much better now and the nausea is gone now.
I think I may be battling depression. I did go off my Wellbutrin prior to surgery and never resumed. I’m not sure if lack of energy equals depression or vice versa or if they are two separate entities all together.
Lack of energy affects my biggest area of non-compliance with the post DS program which is I am not getting enough exercise. I have new walking shoes and good intentions. I promise to do better.
My protein consumption is probably 60 to 80 grams a day at this point and is all real food. I hate the shakes and bullets now. I eat basically all day long to get that in. I did resort to a few bullets last week when I felt so bad I could not eat enough, but in truth, I fell a little short during the nausea. I’m back on top of it now. I know I need to steadily increase my protein consumption as I become able to eat more. I do eat some carbs. I CRAVE vegetables. I have had very little bread, rice, pasta or potatoes – but I have tasted and tolerated. I have indulged in small treats, but I was happy to discover that I really don’t crave much and when I do, a bite or two will do. Except for the Splenda I put in my iced tea, I don’t use sugar substitutes. They about killed my innards pre-op, I don’t even want to think about what they would do to me post-op! So, if I do indulge, it is the real thing. At this point, three months post op, I have tried about every kind of food and seem to tolerate about everything. The worst consequences I have had have been from whey powder! I am avoiding it. Example of how I eat: dinner last night was steak fajitas with extra pico, extra queso, extra sour cream and no tortilla and I also ate five large nacho chips with salsa and queso. My “Jack Sprat” husband and I shared one take out entrée (with a side of extra queso) and we still have enough left to both have another meal from it and we will end up throwing out most of the chips and tortillas. I put extra cheese on just about everything to up the protein count! I quit counting my fluids as I am certain I am getting enough in because I have settled back into my old habit of constantly drinking something all day long. The only change is what I drink. My beverage of choice these days is homebrewed, fully caffeinated, iced tea sweetened with Splenda. I need the caffeine or I would just be a total zombie.
As for vitamins and supplements, I have been on steady climb towards compliance. I found them impossible at first, but I’m doing much better now. I will include a list of all my meds for you. I did see Dr.******, my PCP in Nashville in mid October and for his own curiosity he ran a few extra labs and I am happy to report my D is good at 53 and my B-12 is great at 1721. I am his only “DS” patient.
his is the label from my multi –vitamin
One A Day Energy
Staying physically and mentally active is important, and having energy support can help. One A Day® Energy is a complete multivitamin with higher† levels of B-Vitamins plus a Guarana Blend to help your body and mind feel energetic.* A Complete Multivitamin Plus More† to Support:*
- Mental alertness and an energetic feeling with a Guarana Blend
- Physical energy by converting food to energy with higher†† levels of B-Vitamins
- Helps maintain a healthy immune system with Vitamins C, A, Selenium and Zinc
- Supports a healthy heart with Vitamins B6, B12, C, E, and Folic Acid
| Supplement Facts | ||
| Serving Size: One tablet | ||
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
| Vitamin A (40% as beta-carotene) |
3500 IU | 70% |
| Vitamin C | 60 mg | 100% |
| Vitamin D | 400 IU | 100% |
| Vitamin E | 30 IU | 100% |
| Vitamin K | 25 mcg | 31% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 3 mg | 200% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 3.4 mg | 200% |
| Niacin | 40 mg | 200% |
| Vitamin B6 | 4 mg | 200% |
| Folic Acid | 400 mcg | 100% |
| Vitamin B12 | 12 mcg | 200% |
| Biotin | 300 mcg | 100% |
| Pantothenic Acid | 10 mg | 100% |
| Calcium (elemental) | 250 mg | 25% |
| Iron | 9 mg | 50% |
| Iodine | 150 mcg | 100% |
| Magnesium | 40 mg | 10% |
| Zinc | 15 mg | 100% |
| Selenium | 45 mcg | 64% |
| Copper | 2 mg | 100% |
| Manganese | 2 mg | 100% |
| Chromium | 100 mcg | 83% |
| Molybdenum | 25 mcg | 33% |
| Chloride | 90 mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 99 mg | 3% |
| Nickel | 5 mcg | * |
| Tin | 10 mcg | * |
| Silicon | 5 mg | * |
| Vanadium | 10 mcg | * |
| Boron | 150 mcg | * |
| Guarana Blend: Guarana Powder (seed), Caffeine |
200 mg | * |
| *Daily Value not established. | ||
INGREDIENTS: Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Cellulose, Guarana Seed Powder, Caffeine, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Niacinamide, Corn Starch, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Fumarate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Maltodextrin, Silicon Dioxide, Acacia, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylcellulose, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Crospovidone, Titanium Dioxide (color), Gelatin, Polyethylene Glycol, Talc, Manganese Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cupric Sulfate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Glucose, Hypromellose, Castor Oil, Sodium Borate, FD&C Yellow #5 (tartrazine) Lake, Vitamin A Acetate, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Chromium Chloride, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, FD&C Blue #1 Lake, Sodium Selenate, Sodium Molybdate, Phytonadione, Nickelous Sulfate, Sodium Metavanadate, Stannous Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Cyanocobalamin, Cholecalciferol. Contains: Soy.
I take one of these a day as well as
one Tender D 50,000 iu
one Tender A 25,000 iu
one sub-lingual B-12 2500mcg
six Citracal Petites (just started taking six - worked my way up from two) each has 200mg Calcium Citrate and 250 iu of D – I take these separate from the multi vite because it has iron
other OTC meds:
one daily Zyrtec 10 mg
occasional use of Aleve
lately have been using Tylenol Cold “daytime” and “night time” meds
RX meds:
one a day Prevacid 30 mg
one a day synthroid 0.112 mg
as needed use of Furosemide (like Lasix) 20mg
occasional use of ½ tablet of Aprazolam (like Xanax) 0.5 mg
occasional use of hydrocodone/apap 5/500
lately I have been using my Flonase nasal spray
My edema stayed gone for several weeks post –op but then it came back. Now it comes and goes and dictates how I use the water pill – my prescription allows for two a day. I have made occasional use of the probiotic capsule “Gut Buddies.” Would I benefit from taking this every day? Are there any other changes or recommendations you would make about my meds, vitamins and supplements at this time? Do you have any idea or opinion of how I should handle my general lethargy and/or depression?
I look forward to speaking with you this afternoon.
Really Wrinkly Goddess!
Oct 11, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009 11:30 PM
It's my two month surgiversary and I am right on track. I'd be lieing if I did not say I wish I was way ahead of the curve, but all things considered - such as the freakin' 4 week stall_ I am happy to be on track. This morning's weigh in actually reflected one of those pesky one pound gains that I am accustomed to, bouncing around the scale as I do, but that puts me at just about exactly 25% EWL. I am not so thrilled with all the wrinkles I have now and knowing that it is only going to get worse. MaybeI will win a lottery and be able to get plastics. I'm a dreamer!
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It's my two month surgiversary and I am right on track. I'd be lieing if I did not say I wish I was way ahead of the curve, but all things considered - such as the freakin' 4 week stall_ I am happy to be on track. This morning's weigh in actually reflected one of those pesky one pound gains that I am accustomed to, bouncing around the scale as I do, but that puts me at just about exactly 25% EWL. I am not so thrilled with all the wrinkles I have now and knowing that it is only going to get worse. MaybeI will win a lottery and be able to get plastics. I'm a dreamer!
Post-Op Two weeks out -Goddess of LETHARGY
Aug 28, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009 3:33PM Central Time
I was actually two weeks out last Tuesday. Yes, LETHARGY is the evil culprit keeping me from blogging before today. Hope that evil demon leaves soon. I saw Dr. Husted last Tuesday for my two week checkup and he says I'm doing fine. He is not overly concerned with my total lack of appetite - says a little starvation is part of the plan and also not too concerned with lethargy - says could very well still have anesthesia in my system. My incisions look great and he has cleared me to drive, swim in the lake and ride my Sea Doo if I don't "hot dog." Not going to the lake this weekend, though. My favorite lake buddy (grandson) has a commitment to spend this weekend with his other grandparents and it is just not the same when he's not there! Plus husband has been super busy trying to get all the rentals in good shape before winter and when he's on a roll he hates to pause in the middle. And truth be told, it's probably for the best for me anyway until I get a little more energy. I went last weekend and it did take a small toll. A happy surprise in KY at Dr. Husted's office - I met the lovely TracieJo. Her surgery was the day before mine, but we somehow never crossed paths in hospital. She looks wonderful and seems to be doing great. I had a real happy little WOW moment this morning! I started my journey in "Twoterville" but definitely in HIGH Twoterville. I moved into a new neighborhood this morning! The small bar at the top of my scale moved ALMOST all the way to the right and the BIG BAR at the bottom of my scale moved a notch to the left! Now I am officially in LOW Twoterville! Yeah me!
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I was actually two weeks out last Tuesday. Yes, LETHARGY is the evil culprit keeping me from blogging before today. Hope that evil demon leaves soon. I saw Dr. Husted last Tuesday for my two week checkup and he says I'm doing fine. He is not overly concerned with my total lack of appetite - says a little starvation is part of the plan and also not too concerned with lethargy - says could very well still have anesthesia in my system. My incisions look great and he has cleared me to drive, swim in the lake and ride my Sea Doo if I don't "hot dog." Not going to the lake this weekend, though. My favorite lake buddy (grandson) has a commitment to spend this weekend with his other grandparents and it is just not the same when he's not there! Plus husband has been super busy trying to get all the rentals in good shape before winter and when he's on a roll he hates to pause in the middle. And truth be told, it's probably for the best for me anyway until I get a little more energy. I went last weekend and it did take a small toll. A happy surprise in KY at Dr. Husted's office - I met the lovely TracieJo. Her surgery was the day before mine, but we somehow never crossed paths in hospital. She looks wonderful and seems to be doing great. I had a real happy little WOW moment this morning! I started my journey in "Twoterville" but definitely in HIGH Twoterville. I moved into a new neighborhood this morning! The small bar at the top of my scale moved ALMOST all the way to the right and the BIG BAR at the bottom of my scale moved a notch to the left! Now I am officially in LOW Twoterville! Yeah me!
Goddess Post Op One Week Out
Aug 18, 2009
Wednesday August 19, 2009 - in the very wee hours of the Central Time Zone AM
Bad Grammo, long time no post or blog! Can you really be "too busy" to post while you are recuperating from a major surgery? Well, yes, sort of. You sleep a lot. A LOT! And I have been fortunate to be surrounded by so much love that when awake most of my attention has been diverted from time to type. Plus, when still in the cabin at Villager Resort in Burnside, KY, my internet connection was spotty and often failed to correspond to a few quiet alone times when I would actually go on line. My daughter posted for me from the hospital lobby when I failed to get a connection from my room. I will admit that the failure could be user error ad I have so little experience with wireless and also have a fairly new and unfamiliar laptop.
OK, enough about that.
Surgery was Tuesday, August 11, no problems at all, took about 2 hours and 15 minutes. (Virgin belly.) Worst part of hospital recovery was a monster headache. I suspect a sinus infection had jumped on board for the ride. I had no nausea and pain (except for the headache) was well controlled. Once I got on top of the headache I was sailing right along. I was discharged from the hospital late Friday morning and continued to recuperate nearby for a few days and then came home to Nashville on Sunday night. My sister Susie from Michigan had been with me the whole time and she flew home on Monday night. Susie and my husband took turns spending the night at the hospital, where they had their own bed in the room. My daughter was also with us part of the time. We also had a recliner chair in the room and one day we three girls were quite a sight, sleeping side by side across the room. I wish someone had taken a picture! I am doing great at home except still have to force myself to eat and drink enough. Mostly I'm just sleepy. Nothing at all scary has happened and nothing I did not know how to deal with (thrush, for instance) thanks to all great posters here. I have a slight case of "super nose" but it's not too intense and tastes of things have been normal to me. One piece of advice for new post-ops: don't laugh too hard! Monday evening had a visit from my beloved grandson who always has me laughing, and late that night I watched Craig Ferguson. I know he's just plain silly but he makes me laugh and laugh and, Oh boy, I was HURTING. I stock to more somber viewing this past evening.
I cannot say enough good things about Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and my level of care and of course I cannot say enough about the wonderful Dr. Husted.
I hope to be a LOSER by this coming morning (I'm still talking about this day.)
At pre -op I weighed 271.5. Post op high was 289. As of yesterday (Tuesday) morning I was back to 271.5. I'm ready to be a LOSER!
Promise more details soon, but right now I'm sleepy again!
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Bad Grammo, long time no post or blog! Can you really be "too busy" to post while you are recuperating from a major surgery? Well, yes, sort of. You sleep a lot. A LOT! And I have been fortunate to be surrounded by so much love that when awake most of my attention has been diverted from time to type. Plus, when still in the cabin at Villager Resort in Burnside, KY, my internet connection was spotty and often failed to correspond to a few quiet alone times when I would actually go on line. My daughter posted for me from the hospital lobby when I failed to get a connection from my room. I will admit that the failure could be user error ad I have so little experience with wireless and also have a fairly new and unfamiliar laptop.
OK, enough about that.
Surgery was Tuesday, August 11, no problems at all, took about 2 hours and 15 minutes. (Virgin belly.) Worst part of hospital recovery was a monster headache. I suspect a sinus infection had jumped on board for the ride. I had no nausea and pain (except for the headache) was well controlled. Once I got on top of the headache I was sailing right along. I was discharged from the hospital late Friday morning and continued to recuperate nearby for a few days and then came home to Nashville on Sunday night. My sister Susie from Michigan had been with me the whole time and she flew home on Monday night. Susie and my husband took turns spending the night at the hospital, where they had their own bed in the room. My daughter was also with us part of the time. We also had a recliner chair in the room and one day we three girls were quite a sight, sleeping side by side across the room. I wish someone had taken a picture! I am doing great at home except still have to force myself to eat and drink enough. Mostly I'm just sleepy. Nothing at all scary has happened and nothing I did not know how to deal with (thrush, for instance) thanks to all great posters here. I have a slight case of "super nose" but it's not too intense and tastes of things have been normal to me. One piece of advice for new post-ops: don't laugh too hard! Monday evening had a visit from my beloved grandson who always has me laughing, and late that night I watched Craig Ferguson. I know he's just plain silly but he makes me laugh and laugh and, Oh boy, I was HURTING. I stock to more somber viewing this past evening.
I cannot say enough good things about Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and my level of care and of course I cannot say enough about the wonderful Dr. Husted.
I hope to be a LOSER by this coming morning (I'm still talking about this day.)
At pre -op I weighed 271.5. Post op high was 289. As of yesterday (Tuesday) morning I was back to 271.5. I'm ready to be a LOSER!
Promise more details soon, but right now I'm sleepy again!
About Me
Nashville, TN
Location
18.4
BMI
Surgery
08/11/2009
Surgery Date
May 17, 2009
Member Since
