yminton

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Wow, sorry everybody. I've not been on since my surgery. I started nursing school 5 months after my surgery and it's been a whirl wind since then. :) 

I'm doing great. I've lost 200 pounds since March 7th and I'm still losing. I've only had 1 slight complication since surgery. It was about 2 weeks later. My stomach was spasming and I was dehydrated. They had me stay a couple days in the hospital on a banana bag iv. I've done great every since. :) 

Check out my new pics and feel free to ask me any questions. :)

~Destined

OMG! My surgery went awesomely smooth! My surgeon said he had no complications. He could tell I had followed the 1200 calorie diet and strictly liquid 2 days before surgery. He was able to get to the top of my stomach without any trouble!

They were able to do the vertical gastrectomy (sleeve) and duodenal switch. They also removed my gallbladder and repaired my hiatal hernia. However, they didn't have to remove my appendix, because....... I DIDN'T HAVE ONE!!! LMBO. Isn't that strange??

The first night was pretty rough, but the nurses took good care of me. My biggest complaint was the air just under the center of my breast bone and in my back. I never felt pain from my actual surgery. I'm claustrophobic so waking up with the cuffs on my legs, an IV in each hand, monitor on my finger, heart monitor and cords all over my chest, morphine pump in my belly and bag hanging from my neck, oxygen in my nose, and a catheter kind of made me feel like a semi was laying on me. Because I am such a strong willed person, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Of course the pad on my bed was a tattle tale and the alarm started blaring. The nurses came running in telling me to lay back down. I dozed back off for about an hour and jumped up again. Needless to say they decided to take out the catheter and let me take my first walk! J

They told me, “now, the goal is only to make one trip around the hall, do you think you can make it?” I said, “let’s go!” I made 8 laps before they made me go back to my room. At 3 o’clock that morning I snuck out of my room and started walking again. I made 30 laps per hour – about 3 every 5 minutes. The next morning I started walking again. A nurse stopped me and said…. “Um, did any of your nurses tell you that 23 laps is equal to one mile…?” I said, “nope, but if that’s the case I’m working on 4 miles.” All the nurses were amazed and would talk about me to the nurses at shift change. The nurses from other wings were coming in to meet me, because they have never had a patient recover this fast or walk this much. So after a 2 night stay, my surgeon came to see me. He said I am very proud of your success and you are the poster kid for bariatric surgery, I have never had a patient like you.” Eeeeek! I hear a song coming on… “go on brush your shoulders off!” LOL! I’m not the boastful type, but this is something to be proud of!!! He then asked if I was ready to go home! Heck yeah, I’m ready to go home!!! Are you kidding me?

My surgery was the 7^th and I came home on the 10^th. The pain pump came out early the morning of the 12^th and I’ve not even needed to take any of the liquid hydro condone that he prescribed me!!!! That is AWESOME! The incisions do not hurt, I’m keeping Neosporin on them, as they were at the hospital.

Now – The only trouble I’m having is finding the right time frame in which  to take my vitamins, water, protein shakes, and meds. You don’t want to take vitamins and start drinking water because you aren’t giving your body time to absorb any of the vitamins. You have to wait 30 minutes after drinking anything to eat (which is a protein shake – bc that is a meal replacement) and then wait 30 minutes after eating before drinking again. It’s currently taking me about 2 hours to get any entire protein shake down. The consistency is so think compared to the clear liquids my pouch is used to that I’m having trouble with the shakes. I tried the 100% Whey Protein – Cookies ‘n Crème from GNC and the Bariatric Advantage Orange Crème, both with Silk Vanilla Lactose Free milk. I did not like either shake, but forced myself to finish it because I need the protein. The problem was the shake was REALLY foamy. It’s a texture I just can’t stand. I’m thinking it’s the Silk milk. However, I did try the Bariatric Advantage banana with 2% milk and it wasn’t as foamy. I did like this flavor better. My dietitian said that using the Ninja blender may be the reason the shake is foamy. I’m going to try hand shaking it next and I will update you on that.

Well peeps, it's been almost a year since I was on here. I had my PACE appointment in May and all my levels were extremly low. I had to start a strenuous vitamin regimen and that didn't help. For the last 2 months I've been taking Iron Infussions at the Cancer Center and I'm finally boosted high enough to be considered "safe to be on the table". I will most likely have to continue the infusions post-op to be sure I don't become extremly anemic again. Hopefully my body will level out soon after and I won't have to worry about all that anymore.

OMGosh! I can't believe it's almost here! WOW! This has been a long 2 years, battleing with insurance and bloodwork. The nerves are settling in now... :(

All of my levels are extremely low. My surgery has been canceled until I am cleared by my family doctor. I am on a higher dose of iron, twice a day and have to take a stool softener with it, because of the higher dose. I'm eating as many high iron foods as possible.... peanut butter, refried beans, baked beans and cottage cheese.... you name it.

Family Dr. says it will be 4-6 weeks before my levels are where they should be. So, in four weeks I need to call for an appt to get blood drawn again. Hopefully I will be where I need to be. I have to have this surgery and time to recover before classes start up again in August. I took the summer off for this, so I would have time to relax and get used to my new lifestyle! AHHHH

Hey everybody! May 11th is almost here. I can't wait. I'm still REALLY nervous - but I have done my research and I think I have picked a great Doctor. I have friends who are his patients and they couldn't ask for anyone better.

OH! GUESS WHAT? I'm going to be the team mom for my son's Little League Rookie team and we drafted the team members last week. I actually drafted my Doctors son, not even knowing he had a wife and/or children. When I called the parents yesterday to rescheudle our first practice, it came up that her husband is a Doctor, then I realized DUH, his last name is COOPER! :) LOL I feel better knowing I have a personal connection with my surgeon and his family.

I need to get ready for surgery and buy all the vitamins, protein powder, and chewies now. I haven't cleaned out my cabinets to make room for this stuff yet, and I still need to purchase things I will need to eat like chicken broth, jello, etc. Not to mention baby spoon and sippie cup!

This semester isn't over until May 6th, so I can't really take the time to do that right now. I have Friday, May 6th - May 10th to get ready, so pray for me. If you have any suggestions on drinks, foods, powder brands, etc that tend to go down easier and not bother your pouch - please let me know. I need as much advice as I can get! :)

<3 Destined

My insurance company approved my surgery very quickly. So quickly in fact, that my bariatric center ladies told me that they have never received an approval that quickly! Interestingly enough, my insurance company is trying to terminate my insurance coverage altogether. However, I am a very organized and determined girl - so I have all of the paper work they "say" they need and even proof of who I spoke to, what they said to me, and the time and date in which we spoke!!! HAH! Nice try medicaid! Not going to beat this girl!!!

My results of the H-pylori is that it is active. I am on a 14 day medication that is called "triple therapy PREVPAC" this medication was a whopping $400.00!!!!!!!!!! My insurance, of course, was not going to cover it, until the fantastic staff at Dr. Coopers office called and spoke with Medicaid. Needless to say they payed for it! Hehe! I will then be taking Omeprazole, to help control the H-pylori until my new surgery date.

Yes - I said "new" surgery date! :( I had to reschedule because of my insurance company.

Hmmmm... what else is new?? Can't think of anything else right now. I'll let you know "when" my insurance coverage goes from pending termination to ACTIVE! Positive thinking people! :)

<3 Destined

I had my blood test done, which showed I have H-pylori. So, I had to have an endoscopy done to perform a biopsy and test my stomach tissue, to see if it's active. While they were doing the endoscopy, they realized that I have GERD and a hiatal hernia!!!!! I didn't even have symptoms of these (as far as I know). If so, I never noticed.

I don't know what is to come, but any encouragement is much appreciated. I'm starting to get really worried about myself. I didn't know I had all these problems..... :(

<3 Destined

 

Oh my gosh!!!! I have completed all of my requirements for insurance to cover my surgery. My blood test have came back and I have H-pylori! Does anyone else have this and had surgery? Did it cause you any problems?

I'm getting brutally honest and I'm not holding anything back! Some of these items may be more than you want to read/know, but I'm letting it all out and I'm sure there are others out there like me! :)

1) To be healthy!

GET RID of or LESSON PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome)
Be able to have a baby
No more facial hair growth
No more male pattern baldness
Lighter/normal periods
Less chance of diabetes
Less chance of heart disease
Lower blood pressure
Less depression
Less headaches/migraines
Less joint (knee) pain

2) To be able to work as a nurse when I graduate and not have pain due to the weight I carry.

3) To spend more quality time with my son.

Play outside more
Ride a bike again!!! With my son for the 1st time!
Chase him!
Sit on the floor and play with him, and get up without much trouble or pain
Be able to hold him closer to me - before he gets too old to want me to!
For my son to be able to wrap his arms around me!

4) Go places as a family without worrying about seating.

Chairs with arms
Booths
Bar stools with sides
Spindle chairs attached to the floor
Movie theater seats
Amusement park rides

5) Drive/ride comfortably in vehicles

Seat belts
Not worry about narrow seats
Not worry about extra leg room
Fit behind steering wheel

6) Get dressed and put on shoes and socks without trouble

Not have to ask for help anymore
Be able to bend over and not be out of breath or feel a pounding sensation in my head
Wear shoes that have laces, because I CAN TIE THEM! :)

7) Bathe easier

Reach all of private areas
Stay cleaner longer
Sweat less
Shave easier

8) Put tampons in without trouble reaching. This is very serious as I have PCOS and can be on a single cycle for months at a time. For example: July 1st - December 28, 2010 was my last cycle!!!! NOT NORMAL

9) Wipe without feeling like I'm pulling my arms out of socket!

10) Sleep longer with more quality

Not get up to pee every 2 hours or less
Sleep comfortably
Not wake up sore and unrested!

SHEW that' s a loooong list! But I'm sure there is more and I will edit and update a new one when I come up with more! Feel free to add to this list by commenting! :)

xoxo,
Destined

I wanted to let everyone know that I ordered 6 books about wls and recipies that are great for eating well after wls. I recieved them yesterday and have finished one already. However, I have skimmed through all of them, and they seem like really great books.

My favorites so far are the 2 books by Margaret Futado M.S., R.D., L.D.N., R.Y.T, and I will list them with links later. She talks about all wls types and what is to be expected post-op. The recipies in these books list the protein, calories, carbs, sugars, fats, choloesterol, vitamins, potassium, and more!!!

I also ordered a book titled "The everything Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook - all you need to meet and maintain your weight loss goals By: Jennifer Whitlock Hisler, RN. I have not read this yet, but have looked through this as well and can't wait to read it. There is so much information in there, everything from smoking, to depression, to recipies, and more.

So anyway. I think these books are going to be very beneficial for me and wanted to share them with all of you! Even if you are a post-oper already, there's nothin like a good book or recipie! :)

1)  Recipies for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery By: Margaret M. Furtado, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., R.Y.T
2) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery  By Margaret FurtadoM.S., R.D., L.D.N., R.Y.T
3) The Everything Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook - All you need to meet and maintain your weight loss goals By: Jennifer Whitlock Heisler, RN
4) The High-Protein Cookbook: More than 150 healthy and irresistibly goo low-car dishes  By: Linda West Eckhardt
5) Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies By: Marina S. Kurian
6) Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies By: Brian K. Davidson