roni0907
2.5 Months
Dec 14, 2007
Two and a half month check up (thought I was having an issue so went in early) and am down 55lbs. since pre op appt. Right on track and they seem pleased with the progress. I almost cannot handle the loose skin on my arms and my stomach that looks like a science project gone wrong, but in due time I will more than likely get these taken care of.
In the meantime I will continue to follow the rules by eating my protein, getting in my water, taking my supplements and excercising. The food hasn't been that big of a temptation until last week when everyone started bringing in all the baked goods and snacks at the office. I admit I tried a bite of this and that, and this week it doesn't seem to be an issue. Hmm, maybe it was just hormonal cravings, because this week I haven't wanted any of that junk.
It has been an incredible transformation already, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take back the power in my life.
Oh, and I feel a career change coming on - something I feel makes a difference in someone elses' life. Not sure what that means, but I am trying to figure it out. It is scary, but so exciting at the same time.
Biggest thing I have noticed this week: My shoes are loose.....I never knew I had fat feet!
Current Weight: 258
Surgery Day: 308
Pre-op: 313
Highest weight: 334
2 Month Anniversary
Nov 27, 2007
Two days ago I returned from a cruise to Mexico - and had a great time. I struggled with the food, and what was perceived to be eating a lot more than I should be able to eat at a little less than 2 months out. Cruises are hard when there is food around 24/7. I can now see why most people manage to gain 5-10 lbs. in a week. Luckily for me, I still managed to lose 4.3 lbs. last week.
Tomorrow is my 2 month anniversary and I am down a total of 43lbs. since my pre-op appt. I have also gone from a 26/28 down to a 20/22/24 depending on the item of clothing. I cannot believe I have had to give away a couple of bags of clothing already. The changes in my body are amazing and I am starting to see a little bit of skin hanging around my middle and the tricep area on my arms. I have been walking 1-2.5 miles a day but think I am going to kick it up a notch to a minimum of 3 miles a day and see if that makes a difference.
Compliments
Nov 07, 2007
I am starting to get lots of compliments now, and honestly it is a bit uncomfortable. Never wanting to be in the spotlight for anything, I find I quickly try and change the subject when people say things like, "OMG - you look so fabulous!"I am not one of those people who still see the fat girl - when I look in the mirror I can definately see where the weight is coming off and I have probably went down 1-2 sizes so far, depending on the cut of the clothing. However, it would be nice just to accept compliments graciously - something that needs a little work.
Ch Ch Changes
Oct 25, 2007
I met up with a friend yesterday and the first words out of his mouth were, "Oh my goodness, you have lost so much weight!" But it goes to show that people ARE starting to notice. My friend thought he saw it most in my face and neck, as well as in the dreaded middle area. I guess 27 pounds since pre-op appt. really does make a difference. I am elated! The constipation is finally starting to go away and sitting on the toilet no longer is a 45 minute ordeal. The PA said that my body is learning to eat all over again and new foods may or may not have an adverse reaction. I tried the Milk of Magnesia once, and bought the one that said sugar-free but when I got home I realized it was original flavor (which really os no flavor), and just the thought of taking it makes me gag. If the issue arises again, note to self to buy a favored version to see if I can stomach it.Main difference I have seen this week: clothes are starting to get very baggy
One Month (Almost)
Oct 23, 2007
I am 3.5 weeks out and had my month post op appt. today. Since my pre op appt. I have lost a total of 27lbs. which is an average of a pound per day. Not too bad I guess.
I have not had any dumping since surgery, and so far the eating is going well. I did vomit once, but it was because I was trying to hurry and eat. I have now realized that I can no longer do that, and I need to chew, chew, chew.
All in all I am happy with my progress - I feel great, my clothes are starting to get baggy on me and I know I am making healthy choices with food, etc. so I am getting a lot of satisfaction from that.
Two Weeks
Oct 13, 2007
Ok, I am trying to not freak out but I actually GAINED 1 lb. this week. Who has gastric bypass surgery and gains weight? Is it my hormones? Is it something I did? I was very upset yesterday and thought the scale at home was wrong, so I marched down to the surgeon's office to weigh on his scale. Sure enough, I actually gained this week. The assistant said some people just go up and down on the scale. I didn't want to believe it.To make matters worse, yesterday was also my first day of eating food that didn't need to be pureed. When eating a piece of chicken, it got stuck and created the most god-awful pain between my breast bone that lasted a good half hour. Guess I need to pay more attention to what I am doing and remember to chew, chew, chew.
Today is a better day!
One Week Post Op Appt.
Oct 05, 2007
Went to my one week post op appt. today and lost 13 pounds since surgery! Wow, I couldn't believe it was so much! I am, of course, elated. Surgical area is healing well and I was released to pureed foods for the next week. I have been craving an egg and decided it was the first thing I was going to eat. Doc said I didn't have to puree the egg - only to make sure it was scrambled on the runny side. Oh, and chew, chew, chew. Let me tell you - it was the best egg I have ever eaten, but perhaps it was because it was like the first time I've ever had one. However, it took me 35 minutes to eat it, and by the end it was cold - but still, I was happy to be able to eat it!
Home & Feeling Great
Oct 04, 2007
I am home from the hospital now - everything went very smooth and the surgeon was pleased. Turns out my liver wasn't enlarged, but I was diabetic. I never even knew. Turns out, what my PCP referred to as Pre-diabetic (or perhaps borderline diabetic) was not looked at the same way by the hospital staff. Their philosophy is you either are or aren't diabetic!Anyway, my surgery was Friday morning at 8:30am. I remember crying when talking to my family, and crying again when they wheeled me into the OR. I had the nicest little Canadian nurse who saw my tears and asked me, "Where do you want to go on vacation?" All I could think of was anywhere but where I was at that moment, but I blurted out, "anywhere where it is warm and there is a sandy beach." She replied, "Well, think of the bikini you are going to be wearing." .....and that was it, that is all I remember.
I woke up in recovery with a couple of nurses over me asking me if I wanted to see my family. I didn't because I was so out of it. I just wanted to sleep. Well it turns out the hospital ran out of beds so it looked like I was going to be in recovery for quite some time - it ended up being about 6 hours. They were so nice though because they turned off the lights above my bed and let me sleep for 4 hours. Then my family came in to visit. I felt good....I thought. But I pressed my morphine drip 96 times and it only gave me 17 doses of medication! HAHA.
When I got to my room, I was immedatialy up and walking the halls, although my sisters said I was walking with my eyes closed while pushing my IV caddy. I remember being so tired but good enough to walk several times that night! Love the morphine! I wasn't in pain, but I had that uncomfortable feeling in my tummy from all the gas built up in there. They told me to walk often and that would help relieve the gas.
Went home from the hospital Sunday late morning and spent time walking around the pool since it was a nice afternoon. Monday, I felt so good I took a one mile walk through the orchards, then went to a support group meeting that night. Everyone told me how amazed they were I was there 3 days post op - but I felt so good! Only pain was from the gas.
Since I have been home I have been consuming nothing but clear liquids: broth, jello, hot tea, water with crystal light and sugar free popsicles. It was ok until today when I felt I can't do the clear liquid thing much longer. Good news is that I should be released to pureed foods tomorrow when I go for my post op appt. Baby food aisle, here I come! I have been walking daily, up to 2.5 miles as of yesterday. All in all, just so relieved that everything appears to be going great!
Red Tape
Sep 25, 2007
Want to know how to get a girl to freak out? Call her up 3 days before her surgery to tell her that while the hospital is in the BCBS network, this is an "elective" surgery and therefore it must be done at a "Blue Distinction Facility" to be considered as in-network. Yep, I got the call today from the admissions dept. letting me know this little detail, and that my surgery would only be covered at 70% instead of 90%. I immediately started to cry - I made sure I played by the insurance company's rules every step of the way. How did this happen?I called the insurance carrier and spoke with the service rep. who was so nice. He investigated the matter and informed me that the hospital was given mis-information and that BCBS would call them back to clarify. This made me feel soooooo much better - like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
Sure enough, the hospital called back to let me know that it is all in-network and all is good! Feeling so much better!
Yikes
Sep 24, 2007
You know how they always say that you always want the things you cannot have? I am really feeling that pain today as I sit here sipping a cup of chicken broth. All I really want is some honey walnut prawns and some chow fun - don't ask me why, because I wouldn't know the answer....it just sounds soooo good. However, I am strong and I will overcome this craving. I CAN DO THIS!
