snuglbuny

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Ok, it took only  five days for approval and I have a date of this coming monday, May 5th. I just got back from Disney World-which was wonderful-no kids. I had a great time with my husband, ate the things that I wanted but in moderation and mentally prepared myself for this surgery. I am also trying to decide if I want to change jobs. I have been offered a great opportunity but feel loyalty to my current employer. So today I make that decision. But, three days left. My parents are coming today to stay a while. My husband is hanging in there. I have my mother in law that lives near by. I have my vitamins and iron and meds. I have my protein and recipies from you all. I have my blender and my doctors handouts and books. I still need to get more pudding and jello. I am being sent home on mushies rather than liquids. Interesting. 

I have been doing the pre op liquid diet since monday even though my doctor said that I didn't need to do it. I have lost eight pounds so far. The first two days were the worst. I ended up with a withdrawl headache but it finally passed. My husband installed a tv and vcr in my bedroom for when I want to relax. 

I think that I am ready to go. I am ready to continue with my exercise program. Knowing that just a little at a time and work up. 

I have actually been surprised that my office mates and family have been supportive. There I have been blessed. But, I know things can change afterwards.

So, I am hoping to write in on Sunday night for one last thought.

Oh, I do need to take before pics. Put that on my to do list.

       "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life" 
                                                       -Muhammod Ali


I think this says it all. Granted I read it to my husband but got no reaction.

Well, I went to the the monthly support meeting for bypass patients. Dr Averbach spoke about what the "secret" to maintaining weight loss....exercise, portion control, support....basically doing what the doctor tells you to do. No surprise but it helps to hear it again. I also got to hear others stories of hard things to get through. I also got to ask my two main questions that have been burning inside.
1. what is the incidence of stricture   He said that it depends on the way that the doctor hooks up the pouch to the intestine. He said there are three ways one is to use hand stitches, Second to use both stitches and staples and third use staples. He said that the incidence goes up with using all staples to about 30%. He said that using both staples and stitches decreases that chance to less than 2%. He stated that in over 1500 bypass patients they have only had 5 strictures. Him and his partner use the staples/stiches method. Now granted there is a part of experience with this. I understand this.

This made me much more relieved

2. Gallbladder- what is the chance that someone will end up in the hospital to have their gallbladder out. He stated that if you don't have any problems prior to surgery then the chance is decreased. Also taking meds for the first 6 months after will drop that percent lower. So I asked if taking the meds longer than the required 6 months would help. Hs said the studies have shown that there is no increased benefit to using the meds longer than the 6 months. His reasoning was that during the first 6 months is when we lose at least 50 percent of our desired weight-on average so that is the prime time for your gallbladder to act up.

Again I am more relieved.

So....I came home and shared that info with my husband. He still thinks that the band is safer....I agree.... but I just know in my gut that the band will ultimately do nothing for me. I will have no consequences except feeling like vomiting. So...I still think bypass is the way to go.

I told my husband that I would still talk with Dr. Singh about my thoughts in a couple of weeks. 

So that is that.

Well I met with Dr. Singh. I went in thinking that gastric bypass would be my key and destany. But, Dr. Singh threw a curve ball. He recommended the band.  I was thrown but my husband was actually very thrilled. I didn't know what to say. I had written all these questions and didn't really ask a one. He gave me a few reasons for his suggestion

1. I am a young healthy woman. No comorbidities
2. I am a hourglass shape. No real tummy, just hips.
3. I have lost weight in the past but can't keep it off.

I then had my consult with the dietician. I had originally scheduled to talk about gastric bypass but since the doctor recommended the band I told her to go over the band diet. I wasn't quite happy about spontaneously changing the plan. 

It has now been about a month since I have seen the doctor and something inside me says to go with the bypass. Dr. Singh told me that he doesn't want me to regret my decision to go with the band because he persuaded me to. I understand the risks of both surgeries-every risk. But, because I know myself and my habits I just don't think the band is for me. I am not "that" self disiplined. I am more than ready to make the commitment but the possibility of more easily eatting around the band seems more likely.

I fully understand that I can eat around the bypass and just as easily gain the weight back after losing it. My "gut" just says something else. I do have another meeting with Dr. Singh on Good Friday. 

I can say that Big Medicine has helped me. It has given me views of lives just like mine. I have been lurking on the OH board and reading all that I can.

I still have about 5 weeks left on my supervised diet. Of course I haven't lost anything but I am trying. Some days are better than others. 

Just have to wait and see.

Well, I have gone the rest of the week. I made it to my first support group meeting. I got to see some that have already had the surgery and heard some of the problems they are facing and how they are facing them. I was thinking while this was happing that this is too real now. But, I am more eager than ever to meet the doctor and get this show on the road. I just want to get it overwith. I have started watching Big Medicine and try and learn how the process goes and that there are a lot of people that are in the same boat. 

 I have, for some reason, started hating to eat. It just seems like a never ending battle. I am not sure what I am going to do.  Well, I am tired and really want to head to bed. Tuesday I have my physical and monthly followup with my PCP. Then thursday is the big day. 

Ok, so the superbowl is on and since I am not much of a football fan I thought that I would search the web for food recepies for post surgery. I have been able to find a wonderful sight from another gastric bypass patient  www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com  .  It has proven to be very useful in finding a bunch of foods to eat and make. I have never been one that likes to come up with combining foods to create a dish. In fact I have never been one to cook much except for boxed foods. I guess I learned that from my mother. So, from reading about WLS I have learned that meals have to be planned in advance. This will be new territory I am heading into. 

Anyway, it is about a week and a half until I meet with my surgeon and dietician. I am finding that I wish it would come sooner than later. I am anxious to get this show on the road. I know that I still have some time since I have to complete my three month supervised diet with my PCP, which will end April 15. 

As for this supervised diet....well it isn't going very well. I feel like I have to get in all the foods that I love because I will miss them once the surgery is done. I have not really tried all that hard to stick with a diet. I have really been thinking about it and I will try to start anew tomorrow. I am planning on starting back on the treadmill as well. Just 15 min to start.  But, I can't believe I am already starting to grieve for food that I can still certainly eat at this point in time. I never thought it would be this way. I guess this "goodbye" to food is going to be harder than I thought. I guess it all stems down to no more chocolate and no more cake/cupcakes-both my favorites. But, I know that I am hungier for new clothes and an increase in self esteem. It is just hard to picture myself in a size 10 pants and med shirt.

One other goal that has been met to get me one step closer to completing my check list for the doctor is meeting with a psychiatrist to have an evaluation. I did that this past tuesday and he let me know that the letter will be complete sometime this coming week. 

Anyway, my eyes are getting fuzzy and my typing is getting worse. Thank God for spellcheck.  

Well, I have started my journey into this unknown hoping to see a light at the end of the tunnel in the future, although I hope not too distant. I went to a seminar on Jan 9, 2008 to listen to one of the doctors give a lecture on weightloss surgery. I initially wanted to go with lap-band due to the limited complications compared to the gastric bypass. However, in listening to this doctor he has seen success with weight loss with lap band only in the 60 lb range. However, there is always those that lose more. But, since I need to lose over 100lbs, it would probably be in my best interest to go with RNY. So I have researched this until I am blue in the face. I saw my PCP to get started on a supervised weightloss diet for the next three months since I already have three months with weight watchers. I have called and made an appt with Dr. Singh and have started the process of checking off my check list sent to me to have done prior to the appointment. I have my dietary appt right after the apt with my doctor-all which occurs on Feb 14.  I have even bought weightloss surgery for dummies. 

I am in the mist of trying to reassure my husband that this is what needs to be done. He knows deep down that this is to be so, but he knows there are possible complications and even death with this type of surgery. I have offered to let him read the book, and he will be attending my doctors and dietary appts with me. I can not say that I am not afraid of postop complications and death but if I don't take the risk then death will be in my future sooner than I think. I am trying to read as much as I can on the web and find out what others have experienced. For now I will keep going.