merrillee101

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so much fun.  Very low key and had to wander around 3rd st. McMinnville to find a location (the one we planned on using had an open mic night), ended up at McMenamins.  'Katari' arranged these beginning in December, I am so greatful and relieved to be with her and gather some information from her (4 months out) and to meet another woman in the process and her daughter (so sorry I forgot thier names, horrible).  It was so comforting to know she had some of the same questions and concerns that I had before surgery.  The first one was 'would you do it again?' Answer... 'ABSOLUTELY, ABSOUTELY, ABSOLUTELY!' I hope I wasn't too honest about some of the things that hurt, I just wanted to be honest. 

If anyone stumbles upon this that is in the McMinnville area and would like to join us for a low key, great time and to connect with people in your area that have had, are planning to or wanting to have RNY or lap band surgery JOIN US February 18th (thursday) 7pm @ McMenamins on 3rd St.  Again, I am so greatful to 'Katari' for starting this support group. I am looking forward to meeting people in the area that I can learn from.

Well, the pre-op appointment went well and now I am 2 weeks post-op TODAY!

Surgery was 'unremarkable' according to the surgeon.  After surgery was a little different.   I was supposed to go home the day after surgery so was up and walking in the morning.  After the first lap I wanted to go for one more and the therapist was like ok just let me take you pulse...  oops... 145! Back to bed I go and about 2 hours later a rather large hematoma appears on my lower right abdomen, internal bleeding.  We still aren't sure where it was from, surgeon speculates but not sure.  I am glad he did not rush me back to the O.R. i like my little poke holes.  My surgery was Tuesday and after many blood draws and a few bags of blood later, I got to go home Saturday.  I have to say, I think I got off alot easier than others that go home.  I got the benefit of a hospital bed for almost a week.  My hematocrit was down to 18 at one point.  I didn't really notice until after the blood transfusion and then I realized I had felt a bit weak.  Really and truly, I would do it again even with all that. 
My 2 week appointment was yesterday and I did request a blood draw and my hematocrit is back up to 32.  So happy to move to stage 3 soft foods and surgeon gave me the go ahead for stage 4 at the beginning of next week.  I can't wait to eat.  It's not that i'm hungry, it's just that when I do eat I want something that tastes good!
It is a chore getting all the fluids in but something I am paying attention to.  I still get tired quickly and know it's from the lack of protein and hydration.  I am down 28 pounds from the beginning of this journey, 12 since surgery.  I was hoping for a bit more but the surgeon pointed out the fact that I had full blown IV's for 4 days after surgery, so 12 was actually pretty good.  Ok. 
So, onward (with the journey) and downward (on the scales) I shall go. 

     I am 6 days from pre-ops and 43 days til surgery.  I am so excited.  I keep reading profiles and imagine where I will be in 6 months.  Will I be a super loser or slow and steady? Will I have any compications or will I sail right through?
     I am debating on removing the scale from the house and going strictly by how my clothes feel, I do not want to have numbers on a scale dictate how I feel about myself.  I have a very full life and am by no means a recluse.  My weight has not really held me back in the past, at least not as percieved by those on the outside.  I keep myself plenty busy doing, doing, doing.  The truth is doing for my kids and others makes me feel validated, kind of a restitution for my weight.  There is so much more out there I want to do, will do.  So I am on the brink of a new future that couldn't be brighter.  

My mother had gastric bypass 6 years ago this month.  She had told me for years it was the best thing she ever did for herself and her only regret was that she didn't do it sooner.  She began this journey with me March 2, 2009 as we attended the informational meeting at OHSU, it was my 19th wedding anniversary (my husband is deployed this year - ft mccoy, wi).  My original intent was to be banded, Tricare covers both, but then when I read the information decided with the amount of weight I wanted to lose I wanted to 'guarantee' the best possible outcome with the maximum weight loss.  My other thought on the band was the fills and adjustments, I plan on being far to busy to go in that often for 'maintenance'.  In the end, nothing against banding, just don't feel it would fit my lifestyle.  With decided the waiting began.  My first round of meeting with nutritionist, nurse practitioner and labs was the beginning of April with the last portion being the psych eval on May 19th, sadly my mother only made it to the first round with me.  She passed away in our home on April 29th, 2009.  She had been diagnosed with colon cancer just 9 months prior.  The gifts she has given me in my life are tremendous, the education priceless. 
My life has changed so much this past year, I have changed so much this past year.  Just deciding to pursue this surgery has put my mind on a different track.  I had actually begun losing weight before being told I would have to lose 14 pounds.  I have made a list of things I want to due post fatdom.  My husband has had a hard time only in reading a quiz about me that he did not score well on.  He was terribly hurt that he didn't know me better, the truth is - this is a new me and even I don't know her that well, but I think she is going to be kicka** fun!