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thinathart's Blog
 

99.8

This morning I weigh 99.8 pounds less than I did before I started my journey (roughly 1 year ago, with surgery in October 2012). I wasnt' going to post until it was an even 100. But I thought, .2 lbs...really? You're going to let that stop you from celebrating this milestone? No way!   I wish I had this surgery 10 years ago. I feel fabulous, both physically and mentally. I still make mistakes and continue to learn. I'm able to stick to plan 95% of the time.   For those who are riding the fence, I can tell you that this is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I know it will be a lifelong journey battling my issues with weight, but I finally feel like it's a fair fight.
thinathart

thinathart

0
meemee's Blog
 

ON my way to personal freedom

I'm starting this blog for myself, and If anyone wants to reply, give me some advise, or just say hello I can use the encouragement. I'm off to Mexico soon (I hope) I was thinking first week of October, then said if I don't do it sooner I will chicken out. I've read the horror stories, and I've read the success stories, and I'm praying to be a success story. I've battled my weight most of my adult life and I'm done being stuck in this body that doesn't allow me freedom. I've been think, I've been fat, and I've been obese.... I think I've heard about a million diets, and I know for a fact I've tried them all.... people will always offer advise on how to lose the weight, my answer to them is simple I know how to lose the weight,, I've done it one thousand times, it's keeping it off that I have trouble with. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I say to myself "you don't look over 220 lbs (I'm 221 as of this morning) however, yesterday I went to get a temporary pass to get on the air base, and when she took my pictures I didn't know who was staring back at me... It was at that moment when I walked to my car, crying, I was going through with the surgery. I have saved, sold things, and am getting an extra job for three weeks to pay for the rest. Anything has to be better than living in this hell, and never going out, doing anything and avoiding as many people as possible.... I'm done,,,, I am going to be happy and live life again........ (I will post the pic that was taken of me on base yesterday) even if no one reads this blog, I will keep it for me, as i'm going to Mexico alone (I hope to meet some new friends when I arrive in San diego airport) So, one day, I'll sit my adult girls down and let them read this blog....... because come one.... if I told my girls, mother, or sisters and friends. HEY, I've decided to fly into san diego, drive across the boarder with a stranger, who will take me to a hotel in a country I've never been to, and lets face it has not got a good rep. here in the USA... and then I'll meet with my Doctor the day before, do some pre-op, and yes, I shall have surgery the next day,,,,, THEY"D lock me up~~~
meemee

meemee

1
Terry Poperszky's Blog
 

Just got tweaked...

I just got back from vacation at Yellowstone and like many banders I was tighter while at the higher altitude, and discovered that I felt better. So since I had a LB fill appointment this morning, I had them tweak my band with a .25 cc fill. But back to liquids for today and soft for tomorrow.
Terry Poperszky

Terry Poperszky

2
smjuroska's Blog
 

16 days post-op and back at work....Guess hubby didn't win the lotto last night! Dang it!

So today is 16 days post-op. I am back at work and seem to be fairing well. I had to stay an hour and then some over yesterday and was running all day. I was completely wiped when I got home. I was a little sore too. But I am still healing so that is to be expected. Talk about a welcome back! Anyway today is a new day. My weight is now down to 240.4 offically this AM. I was going to weigh every Friday but I felt lighter this morning so I hopped on. So now I am down 25 pounds since the 2 week diet and 18 since surgery. CRAZY! I am so not even going to complain or compare my weight loss with others (which I thought I would be obsessed with this, its a control thing). I am not a slow or fast loser in my book. I am just losing! I remember being so happy on WW and hitting the 25 pound mark! It took me about 2 months and I thought that was quick! I lost that in little less than a month with my new tummy! I am still worried about a leak or something going wrong. This while not easy has been a prettty uneventful and my tummy has responed well to everything I have put in it. I guess I am waiting for the bottom to fall. Don't know what that is about. Some of the issues I am dealing with... Fatigue. I feel normal but then BAM it hits me and I am down for the count. This happens when I am busy and not taking steady sips of water. (like yesterday afternoon at work hauling a portable x-ray unit around and having to walk up and down 2 flight of stairs about 6 times in an hour) Bathroom issues. I have always been regular, now I go days and NOTHING. I am taking extra fiber and milk or mag (twice now). I don't feel bloated but I guess I am not taking in much so much doesnt need to come out. I know gross but true. The damn main insicion. I am ready for it to heal and the internal stitch to pop disslove whatever it does. Heat I am ready for fall so I can get out and excercise. I am not a treadmill kinda girl. Even listening to music or watching a show I get ansty and bored after 15 mintues. Thinking about joining a gym so I can switch it up when I get bored. But I am not walking/jogging in 105 heat! My period I have not had a period since end of May beginning of June. NOT NORMAL for me. You can set your clock by my cycle. First I thought nerves and stress now I don't know. I know I am not pregnant. My surgeon know about this and my PCP told me to let my body heal before getting concerned. But it worries me. H.Pylorus My surgeon got the report back from pathology and my stomach was very inflammed and tested postive for this. So now I have to have a strong 2 week dose of antibiotics to resolve this. Have to wait unitl I am eating regular because they will wreck havoc if I am not eating. Apparently lots of people have this but never know unless it causes problems. Which I was having prior to surgery. So those are my issues which are all minor! I thank the Lord for watching over me and hope I continue this journey with only positive results. I want to post pics but I am waiting for the 1 month mark! My face is where I see it the most. No more chin(S)! I now have ONE just ONE chin! My nose is smaller too! Not so WIDE. Weird never thought noses got fat until I compared it with my "skinny" pics back in the day. Now it getting back to "normal" lol. Well that is all folks until next time!
smjuroska

smjuroska

0
Roo101769's Blog
 

Happiness and a sinus infection

Tuesday was a big day for me. In fact, it could be life changing. I met with the surgeon. It was great. He said I am a great candidate for the sleeve and that I should do awesome with it. Our consultation went as smoothly as can be. The few areas of concern I had were quickly put to rest. I was worried about having the DVT/PE this year and being on warfarin. But that will be handled and they aren't very worried about it. My other concern was time off work. I have already missed the better part of two 1/2 months work this year due to my DVT/PE. Even though my boss is on board with me for the WLS and believes this is best for me, I do not want to be off for weeks on end. That might be pushing it. The surgeon said that as long as I am healing well, there are no complications, and I am tolerating any pain or discomfort without being a zombie on pain meds he will release me to come back to work after a week. While I intend to take it easy at home and rest as much as possible, my job is really no physical stress. I sit on my butt at a computer all day. I don't want to make the work Gods mad, so I will be a good little loyal employee and do what I can to be here. So resolving those two issues was about all I had worried about. It sounded to me that the process will go fairly quickly from here. ( from what the surgeon said) My psych evaluation is next Tuesday. I am waiting to hear from the hospital to schedule my nutritional counseling. And he said I "might" need a pulmonary test to check out my lungs since I had the two PEs, but he isn't really worried that there is a problem. ( he will consult with the anesthesiologist to see what the say) Other than that he said everything was in order, so my footwork before hand has paid off! LOL The only bad news of the day was from my hematologist. Seems that he wants my INR level higher, so he is going to request they increase my warfarin dosage. I already have some undesirable side effects from the medicine, so I can only imagine those will get worse. Of course there is the easy bruising/ easy bleeding aspect. I also have been having weird skin issues. Random bumps and spots appearing, then disappearing. Some are boil like and get sore and end up draining. But the thing that is most disturbing to me has been increased hair loss. When I was in my mid 20s I lost a good deal of my head hair due to PCOS. Then after my pregnancy, when my hair had actually thickened in due to hormones, the eventual fall out made things worse than they had been before. I have been using Toppix hair fibers for a few years now to help hide the extreme thinning. Without it I look very much like someone who has been on chemo. Since I have been using the warfarin again the thinning has increased. It is getting harder and harder to cover the bald areas. I can only assume when my dosage of warfarin is increased the thinning will increase too. And of course I already have read all about hair loss after WLS. So....I made another pretty big decision. To be honest it was fairly easy to make, given what I have to work with. I purchased a wig. I did it over the internet (not a lot of wig shops around to go into) so I am praying it looks realistic. I know what is coming and I might as well be ready for it. I am not someone who will be able to embrace the whole "bald is beautiful" thing, even though I do applaud those who pull it off with style and grace. Nope, I'm a hair girl. So I am just hoping I can find something that will help me feel confident in the next phase of my life... And now to the sinus infection. After all my great news Tuesday I started to feel puney. By the time the work day was over I knew I was a sick chick. That night was miserable, congestion and a runny nose. When I woke up yesterday I had the WORST facial pain from a sinus infection I have ever had. Finally got to see a doctor in the evening. Finding a medicine I can take that won't interact with the warfarin and that I am not allergic to was tricky. In fact, I actually threw up this morning after taking it. ( of course I might not have ate enough beforehand and caused that) So all my elation over Tuesday was tempered by feeling crappy. Amazing how fast it came on too. Zero to crap-tastic in no time at all!
Roo101769

Roo101769

0
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Post-Op 14 Days - Puree Diet

Just got back from my 2 week checkup. Down 21 lbs from my pre-surgery start weight. Doc put me on the puree diet and told me to walk at least 1 hr a day 4 - 5 times a week. That's going to be difficult because of all the rain coming up for the next week.   I'm doing pretty well with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup and peanut butter. But I've tested a tiny bite of chicken, hamburger and Vienna sausages, seems like anything along those lines is still too tough for my stomach. Almost immediately I can feel rolling gas bubbles in my stomach and I have to burp.   Found some great food storage containers at Wal-Mart. They seem to be the perfect size for how much I can eat at one sitting.
joatsaint

joatsaint

5
6 Months, this isn't good.
 

Sprung a leak at 6 months out, no more sleeve or tummy

Well this will be my last VST entry. My sleeve blew out just below my esophagus, food was leaking into my body and caused a major abcess. Sooo, my entire stomach had to be removed, they did a bypass, so I'm back to square one. Unfortunately, I'm on a temporary feeding tube which is no fun. Also, I went through oxycodone withdrawal, if it weren't for my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ I would have lost it.   I guess I'm one of the one percent
MrsGina

MrsGina

13
SolracSpree's Blog
 

A little bit of guilt

Doc appointment today. I went in for a checkup on my stitches and good news is that it is healing great! not great enough to get a fill though. - Sooo close but no dice. I scheduled an appointment for next week in hope that my issue will be resolved.   While I was there I was praised by my Doc. Two weeks ago I went in about my stitches and weighed in at 236 pds and today weighed in at 232. So an average of 2 pounds per week. She told me she was very impressed with my weight loss thus far. She told me most people do not lose during this stage because they do not feel restriction and constantly eat and some even gain weight. She also went on to say it shows that I have real dedication and making the choices that I should be making. The last part made me feel guilty but I didnt say anything.   I am far from a poster child. For example I had a Reese cup just yesterday. I eat 1400-1600 calories a day. Where some people are eating 800. My only exercise is playing with my dog and walking up my horrendous 3 flight of stairs to my apartment 3 times a day (and the occasional Zumba song ). But really, am I putting in my all. Nope. And I think it is unfair that someone like me who isnt trying all that hard can lose weight faster than someone that is.   I do stick to my 1 cup of food at every meal - I do not want to cause any damage to my band and think it is irresponsible to eat more. But I have cut out a BUNCH of crap used to eat on a daily basis (try 4 packs a Reeses, Taco Bell for Lunch, Golden Corral for dinner) but compared to some of the hard work and efforts of people on here. I am not doing much.   Will this catch up to me? Probably. And when it does it will kick my ass into gear! But as silly as it sounds I feel like why should I try harder if what i'm doing is already working. Whats the saying....dont fix what aint broken?   Maybe things will change once I am back working. I feel like I have no routine in my schedule and its throwing me off. Once I get back to school and have a assigned slot for Breakfast/Lunch/Snack/Dinner I wont be grazing or doing other guilty food actions. I know my exercise will increase once I get the ok from my Doc because I actually like lifting weights. But these are all in the future and havent been done. And like my status says ..... When it is all said and done, Will I have SAID more than Ive DONE?"   Lets hope not.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

0
hockeyMa's Blog
 

Class Reunion :)

So, my 10 year class reunion was last weekend...I was excited to go- but still very nervous. As I've said a hundred times before- I've been overweight most of my life- and while I was excited to show off the new me...many people from high school hadn't seen me at my heaviest point, which came a few years after my son was born- so I wasn't sure they'd notice any major change- like those that really know me did. Boy, was I wrong. EVERYONE had nice things to say about how great I looked, and it was nice to go and enjoy the evening and NOT feel like everyon had something rude to say- or was watching me. It was nice to just be one of the crowd, and not feel like I stood out. Hubby looked awesome as usual, and we made a cute couple that I was proud to show off It was great catching up with some long-lost friends and reconnecting with some folks I hadn't talked to in the last 10 years as well.   I felt like getting to go and ending the night not being totally panicked about what everyone else was thinking was my biggest accomplishment thus far.   Me and my best bud from high school before the reunion   5 month photo change!!
nygurl

nygurl

4
adargie's Blog
 

2nd day post op

Well I made it to the sleeve side. Had my sleeve early monday morning. Everyone at the hospital was super nice, I was taken in on time. Dont remember much after they gave me something to "calm my nerves". Next thing I remember was waking up in my room. My throat was sore and my belly was a bit sore. That was it. I told them ahead of time that I was sensitive to pain meds and anesthesia. I got up from bed and walked around my room, spit up some blood which was nasty. My nurse said it was from the breathing tube. I was only allowed ice chips for the rest of the day. I became really nauseous after some ice one time and the saliva came pouring out! I am assuming this is the slimies. I was given Levasin drops for nausea which worked. They had me up and walking every couple hours which was no problem. I had a pain pump with IV dilaudid(I can't take vicodin) I think I only hit the button a couple of times. But I am sure the anesthesia was still in my system too. The surgeon said he had to fix a hiatal hernia as well. monday night they came and drew blood from me, said they would only have to do a leak test if my white count was up and my pain was bad. tues morn I was up early, walking and walking. I never really had any gas pain. Except when I would swallow my ice chips I could feel the air bubble trying to work itself out which hurt like crazy. But a small belch would happen and it would go away right then. My lower belly was pretty sore but totally tolerable. they had me on a version of iv tylenol which helped with that. Both the pa and the surgeon came in and said I was ready to start drinking my protein. So they made up my shake and some crystal lite to work on. I did pretty well. I think I was more scared to put anything in my new tummy. It never hurt. But some air bubbles would try to work their way out and that was painful. they told me that since I had done so well they would let me go home tues afternoon. My mom picked me up around 530 and brought me home. At home I drank some g2 which was good. I am not getting alot down but I am slowly working at it. I am using the pain meds for night time only right now. And I am using an ice pack for my stomach at times. Its wed morning now and am feeling better trying to get more down for protein and liquids. The gas is starting up today more, I find myself burping and passing gas a little more than before. I do not have a scale at home. I have one right outside my office door at work(doctors office) so I am going to wait to weigh at all till monday. that is when I go back to work. I have no urges for regular food at all. Even though its plastered all over the tv! Till next time
adargie

adargie

3
vsginkc's Blog
 

All that has to change is EVERYTHING

Today is my last day of smoking. It is a nasty, smelly, expensive, unhealthy habit that I will be so glad to be rid of! I feel the same way about this food addiction. I'm so ready to make this change. In many ways I wish I could hibernate for these next two weeks and wake up with surgery behind me. But I need to remember that this part of the process is really important too. It is allowing me to really be aware of how big a role food (and cigarettes) play in my life. This sounds horrible to admit, but I can't imagine a life without smokes and platefuls of food (and raw cookie dough, etc). That's when I remind myself about the magic of this process - I absolutely believe that there is a happier, healthier life after food and cigarette addiction -- there has to be! And I trust that there will be! I am confident I will look back on this and smile (with lots of compassion) at this person who has allowed food to rule her life. I am not a holy roller at all, but I really believe that there is a power greater than me that is guiding me through this process. Today I am going to trust the process that thousands of others have walked before me.
vsginkc

vsginkc

1
Johnny99's Blog
 

Halfway to Thindom

It is said that a journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step. I began my journey on April 9, 2013. That's the day it finally hit me. I was sitting on a plane. I was an Oreo away from the ultra-embarrassing plea for the belt extender. I could barely fit in the last of my emergency wardrobe. I was tired. Tired of trying to accommodate my fat life style. Because that's what you do. You accommodate your fatness. I just couldn't go on like this. I was ready for a change. I was already through all my hoops for the Lap Band surgery. I was in limbo waiting for my insurance company to green light me. But I couldn’t wait any longer. I decided .. that minute.. that tomorrow I would start my quest for Thindom. Thindom is a mystical place. It’s the fat ass version of Vallhalla, Atlantis and the Lost City of Gold all rolled up in to one. For a fat person, Thindom is a legend. It is a utopian place that the over -girthed can only dream about. No fat ass has ever been to Thindom and come back to talk about it. Many expanded explorers have tried, but all have failed. It is said that those that enter Thindom, are blessed with a new life filled with hope and joy. Everyone smiles and beams with optimism. It is a place where one size really does fit all. It’s heaven for the hefty. But beware you of fatness! The trail to Thindom is wrought with danger. There are obstacles at every turn. Unknown creatures and mythical beings lurk in the shadows; their only goal is your defeat. To get to Thindom, you must soldier through these adversities. You must plan your adventure carefully. And you can NEVER look back. You can NEVER give up. There is no yellow brick road. There is only nachos and cheese. I have made it half way to Thindom. I’m currently navigating my way through the evil forest of fat. I can see the magical mountains of Munchies in the distance. Once I cross their jagged peaks, I hope to spy the valley of Thindom. I know it is there. I can feel it. Alas, my journey has had its ups and downs. I have danced with the Devil. I have succumbed to the liquid offerings of Al C. Hall. I have fought the beautiful temptress and her sultry offers of cheeseburger and fries. I have dueled with the Duke of Doughnuts. Yes friends, there have been pitfalls. But every time I fell, I got up. The demons in my mind have not deterred me from goal. I have managed to shed 45 pounds of unsightly blubber. I have 41 to go to hit my goal. If my present pace continues, I will have a 1 in the front of my weight in a few weeks for the first time since Reagan was president. Yes, I know. The road to Thindom gets harder as you get closer to the gate. I hope it’s not just fat ass folklore. When I get there, I will try to contact you from the other side. I wonder if Thindom has wi-fi? Until we meet again…. Johnny T Please visit my blog: TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com
Johnny99

Johnny99

0
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Post-Op 21 Days - Sick and Tired

Well, it's been 21 days since my surgery. I'm having trouble getting in enough walking. My feet and hips get seriously sore after 20 minutes of walking. I'm not sure that I've fully gotten over my cold because I feel very weak and tired every day. I've noticed that I don't sleep as much anymore. Previously, I'd sleep between 8 and 10 hours but now I sleep about 7 and wake up and can't get back to sleep.   I've been stuck at the same weight for the past 5 days. I've been watching my calorie intake pretty closely and know that I'm taking in between 700 - 1000 calories a day. I figure that plus the walking should be making an impact. It could just be a plateau, so I'll just keep on keeping on.   One bit of good news, I had to punch a new hole in my belt. So now I'm one notch smaller.   The 2nd bit of good news is that I haven't felt hungry since the surgery. Hunger has always plagued me - as far back as I can remember. It was like a little nagging kid pulling at my sleeve. And I couldn't get rid of him. I knew that 2 hours after eating a meal of almost any size, that I'd be digging in the fridge for the next thing to eat. I knew that I was not physically hungry, but the constant need to eat drove me to put something in my stomach as soon as there was room. I believe it was the over production of ghrelin (wiki link) in my stomach that caused me to be hungry all the time. I am sure that I was a food addict.   I've been testing different foods. So far I've found that my stomach can handle fat free re-fried beans with salsa and a little hamburger, peanut butter, fat free yogurt, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup and hard boiled eggs.   I still can't handle chicken, sugar free popsicles or sugar free jell-o. One tsp and I almost immediately feel gas bubbles rolling through my stomach.   In case you're interested in how I test new foods, I normally eat 1/2 tsp of the new food. Wait 5 minutes. If everything feels okay, I eat a full tsp. My stomach will usually let me know how it feels about a food after the 1st or 2nd bite.   I haven't tried any other drinks besides Crystal Light lemonade and water. I've been drinking Crystal Light for over 10 years and never gotten tired of it. I wish it was out there back when I was a kid. But the only diet drinks back then were horrible! Tab and Fresca - MAN, those were some awful flavors.   Anyone else remember Tab and Fresca? Anyone drink more than 1 can before throwing it away?
joatsaint

joatsaint

14
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

Post Surgery: Things That Make You Go HMMM!

I've been home for a little over 24 hours now. I freaked out when I realized I gained 15 pounds in the hospital on the clear post op diet
my feel and ankles look like those of an elephant.
Then I remembered what Tony said, "As long as you sip and pee all day long, you're doing fine". Ok really, my son remembered. I called Tony at LCMH and he said this is normal because I was being pumped full of fluids and will eventually urinate out all the excess fluids and swelling.
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

5
Rainicornicopia: An Unabridged History of the Rainicorns
 

This protein is horrible

So..a woman at my mother's job had samples for me to try months ago. They were fine with milk...   But with water and food? Disgusting.   I have a tub of vanilla & cinnamon bun.(Mixed together because it looked like i have less to take this way, lol) I put it in a small glass now and hold my nose, trying to choke it down. If i don't take it, i'm out $30.   I'm waiting on unflavored UNJURY to come in, for my clear liquid stage next week.   5 more days until surgery.
A_New_Lily

A_New_Lily

2
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

My Special Surgical Experience

Ok, don't think I'm silly but I'm ready to share my s urgery experience. Let me preface by saying I have a twin brother named Bev. Bev is 3 minutes older.   Wonder Twin Powers . . .   So the only thing I remember about surgery is “Ninja woo ha”. I thought I kept seeing a puff of black smoke and hearing a faint whispered “ninja woo ha”. I would then see my twin brother Bev appear out of nowhere intently looking over the surgeon’s shoulder.   At one point I thought I was standing next to my twin looking at the operation and taking to him . . .   Me: “look you can’t keep Ninjaing in and out of the OR.”   Bev: “I’m just making sure the doctor doesn’t make any mistakes”.   Me: “ahhh, you really do love me better than Greg and Bea”.   Bev: looking all pouty faced, “Na uh”   Me: “so how are you able to “ninja” in and out if we don’t do the Wonder Twins Power Activate” thingy?   Bev: “I’m the oldest, smartest, and I am a 7th degree black belt in taekwondo! Duh.”   Me: “well you know this is awwwkward, I am naked down there.”   Then I hear, “Ninja woo ha”, see a puff of black smoke, and with that my twin is gone and I’m waking up in recovery with my twin brother Bev and son, Phil staring at me like I’m some kind of alien survivor of a crashed UFO.
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

2
lentz1bj's Blog
 

My First VS Blog!

My very first blog on the Vertical Sleeve forum.   My surgery is approaching. I'm scheduled for Sept. 3, 2013. 28 days away and I'm getting more anxious by the minute. I've been super lucky to have so many friends and family who are supportive of this decision, but ultimately I'm here because I'd like to communicate more with people who are actually experiencing these things.   As I told my surgeon, this is the single most important decision I've ever made, and will ever make, regarding my health. The hardest part of it all so far has been explaining myself to the people who say "you've lost 30 lbs on your own, you don't need the surgery." I struggle with finding a response for these statements. I'd been considering this surgery for a year before I talked to my PCP, and have been meeting with my surgeon since February. I've never been more certain about anything.   This week I'd like to start working on my profile. I'd really like to start connecting with people! Pictures and bio: coming soon
lentz1bj

lentz1bj

2
Travelbug1955's Blog
 

Surgery in Mexico at Star Medica Hospital

Saturday, August 3, 2013 After traveling all day on Saturday, August 3, 2013, my driver had already called me and left a message on my cell phone and was waiting for me at the front of the ElPaso Airport baggage claim area. Wow! We drove across the border into Mexico with no problems; they didn’t even ask to see my passport. The driver dove up to the front doors of the hospital, unloaded my suitcase (be certain that you tip the driver especially if it’s a weekend) and took me into Star Medica Hospital in Juarez, Mexico where I was met by Dr. Calderon at the admissions office. He had all the Papers in order for my admission and consent to surgery. He personally assisted the admissions clerk with checking me in, the payment and took me to x-ray for my chest x-ray and then to my surprise upgraded me to a much better room on the 3rd floor. He also took me to the 3rd floor after x-ray, weighed me and measured my height, then took me and my luggage to my room! You can’t get this kind of service In the US! ( I have had 2 deliveries and surgery 2 times in the US and believe me, I was not treated this nice at all). After I got settled into the super nice room, two nurses came and performed an EKG, took blood and started an IV. It wasn’t long before a nice young man came to transport me to surgery. While in the pre op room there were about 5 nurses and an anesthesiologist waiting for me. They were all smiling and talking to me along with putting medicine into my IV. The next thing I remember was being wheeled into a surgery suite with nice Mexican music playing. At this point I have not met my surgeon Dr. Jose Rodriguez. He told me later, that the anesthesiologist put me under before he could talk to me, but he did talk to me anyway. I woke up in recovery with the very same smiling nurses. I will tell you something, the nurses at this hospital are some of the most beautiful young women I have ever seen in Mexico. The young man wheeled me back to my room where I slept for a couple of hours. I’m glad I got that couple of hours of sleep because the gas pain kept me up all Saturday night. It was horrible pain! I couldn’t lie down because that is when they would start. My mouth and lips was so dry, good thing I brought my Burt’s Bees along. The nurses had 2 bottles of water in my room for rinsing and spitting only. I was not allowed anything to drink, just swoosh and spit. I took the IV with me several times out into the hallway and walked around the floor to help relieve the gas. This does work and blowing on the little horn they give you to use. Sunday, August 4, 2013 It’s Sunday and I still have gas pains, but not as bad as last night. There is free wifi here in the hospital, but I can’t get my computer to go online. The nurses tried to help me, but they couldn’t get me online either. They told me that several of the patients can’t get on it either. My cable wasn’t working either, but the nurses called maintenance and a man came right up and got me another remote control. Now I am watching TV in Spanish. The nurse came to my room and told me I could take a shower. I took her up on that. She changed my bed and made it fresh again. The ladies come and clean my room every day. One of the doctors came to see me this morning and said that I could get some ice chips! Yeah! He also said I could take my prescription medications if I chew them up before swallowing with the ice chips. For the first time in several years, this morning, my blood pressure was 100/60! After the vitals were taken, she did a blood sugar on me. I told her that I am not diabetic, but I held out my finger anyway and the test showed I was 126, high for someone fasting for 2 days and not being diabetic. I think is from the IV solutions they are pumping into me. The nurse came into the room with clean bed sheets, towel and new pajamas and told me that I could take a shower. I didn’t have to worry about the drain and she unhooked my IV. I felt so much better after the shower. All 3 doctors came to see me this afternoon. Dr. Rod told me that he took 80% of my stomach, stapled it with 3 rows of titanium staples and also sutured it all together. I have stitches in the muscle of my stomach that will dissolve and the drain has no stitches. After having my first meal since Friday evening for dinner, I was given a nice lunch tray including chicken broth, pear juice, a bucket of chipped ice, tangerine flavored jello and hot tea. I could only eat a couple spoons of broth and some jello, and then I was full. Later this afternoon, the nurse came to walk me down to x-ray for the swallowing test. YUCH! That liquid was horrible; it tasted like liquid cough syrup from when I was a kid. I stood there and could watch the liquid go through my esophagus to my stomach and onto the small intestine. After the doctor escorted me back to my room, I had to brush my teeth to get that horrid taste out of my mouth. A few minutes later, the same doctor came back to take my drain out, didn’t feel a thing, and he put a band aid over the opening. He told me to take the band aid off when I take a shower (no baths) and put a new one on after. Next, a nurse came into my room and took the IV out. I’m glad because the IV was in my hand and it hurt every time they would flush it or add medication. The doctor brought me a DVD of my x-ray swallowing test to take home with me. (By the way, I am on 3 prescriptions and they have to be taken every day. I asked the doctor how I could take them my first post-op day and he said to smash them up to swallow them) I had to get up during the night because I had a headache and my mouth was very dry. I walked up to the nurses’ station with my empty ice bucket and asked for some ice and something for a headache. I was instructed to go back to my room and they would bring it to me. The nurse brought my pain pill and a new bucket of ice to me and told me to put the pill under my tongue. I went back to sleep after eating some ice and the pill had dissolved. Monday, August 5, 2013 It’s Monday morning and I think all the gas is gone. I was able to lie down and sleep last night without any pain except the headache, and there is none this morning. I feel like going back home today, but my flight can’t be changed from tomorrow morning. I plan on taking a shower this morning, getting dressed into my regular clothes and just hanging out here. The time zone here is mountain time so I am still getting used to everything being one hour behind. My stomach is growling a little this morning, and then it stops. I don’t know if that is hunger or just healing. My breakfast this morning consisted of Orange jello, hot tea, pear juice and crushed ice, yummy!   I asked one of the nurses if I could weigh myself this Monday afternoon and she agreed to help me. To my surprise, I am down 16 pounds! I have had a headache since last evening and I believe it is my system crying out for caffeine. The doctor said I could have caffeine so I was delivered a large cup of hot tea with splenda sweetener. I hope this takes care of the headache because the pain pills are not. One thing the doctor did tell me about eating is that you should eat the warm foods first to prime your stomach, then the cold. Always eat with protein first, then vegetables and add some fruit if you are still hungry. I haven’t eaten very much because I get full after a few bites of jello and a couple sips of their good chicken broth. Lunch today consisted of pear juice, lime jello, decaf hot tea and a bucket of yummy crushed ice. I never thought I would love eating crushed ice! Maybe when I get home, I will give the shaved ice people a visit and get a sugar free goody! I have been told that the man who will drive me back to the airport Tuesday morning will be here at 8 am. Since going back into the US is worse than coming into Mexico, it could take a couple of hours. There is high security alert at this time. My flight home is at 11:55 am to Dallas, then on to Gulfport, MS. I am worried about the prescriptions I had to buy ($50) to take home with me getting through the TSA people at the border. I have a written RX for them, so I hope that will be enough. A surprise, another belly shot for blood clots, man, those things sting bad! Tuesday, August 6, 2013 I got up early this morning, took a shower and dressed. I asked for breakfast and it was sent to me with pear juice, lime jello and hot tea. I took a few bites of the jello and that was all I could eat. Next thing I knew, the driver called my room 30 minutes early and said he was downstairs waiting for me in the lobby. I grabbed my bags and headed downstairs. He was right there and assisted me to his van. We drove to the border and it was our luck that the DEA was there today. We had to wait for 35 minutes for them to go through all of my prescriptions including the ones I brought with me! We were flagged to go through and on to the ElPaso Airport. I am here now waiting for my flight back to Gulfport, MS. I feel fine, just a little groggy. I am looking forward to being home in my own bed and with my husband and pets. If any of you ever need encouragement or advice, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I will keep posting my progress. Thanks for listening to me!
Travelbug1955

Travelbug1955

2
abbygirl's Blog
 

Owwww.....that hurts ....kinda.

So five days later and I am doing ..good. I'm shocked. I expected to be flat on my back and forcing liquid down in between gasps of pain. But no. I keep waiting for things to take a turn to bad but they don't - it keeps getting better every day. I was on pain meds the first few days but after day two I was taking less and less. Now it's just me and the occassional twinge. I still have a drainage tube in - the pulling on the stitches hurts more than anything else. I am getting at least 30 minutes a day light light exercise, all my liquid and all my protein. By about 4 pm I need a nap but only for an hour. I am also getting 8 hours a night good sleep - even with a drainage tube.   I haven't weighed myself because they asked me not to (based upon my swollen tummy the first few days I would say that was smart).   So what can I tell you that made it easier......listen to the professionals and follow their instructions. I started a pre op excercize that got me as fit as possible, preop diet to the letter. Getting up and walking after the operation (pushing past the initial pain of getting up and then walking - only the initial pain of getting up - it does not continue!), and breathing! Take deep breaths and slow exhale...think yoga. It not only gently stretches the stomach muscles and lung muscles it also gets oxygen into the system. And finally to combat sore throat Chloraseptic spray. It makes drinking easier, breathing easier, and getting those pain meds down.   And remember each day is better than the one before !
abbygirl

abbygirl

4
vsginkc's Blog
 

Sanity today - thank you liquid diet!

Hello friends! What a WONDERFUL support group I have found online. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate the encouraging comments. Today's update: Went to bed last night after reading on here about 2 people dying after surgery. Not sure if it's true but leave it to me to find something to be scared about and obsess on. Went to bed nervous, questioning, and resolving to update my will before surgery. This morning.... sanity has returned. Here's today's gift: I am GRATEFUL to be on a liquid diet today. For those of you who haven't read the earlier posts, I was talking about how the food insanity of "preparing to prepare" for surgery was making me crazy. I was eating everything I could get my hands on and then sleeping it off almost like after a few drinks. It was scary how crazy I felt. Started liquids yesterday and woke up today SO glad to be free from the food insanity. The structure of liquid diet and not thinking about what "fun" thing I could eat today feels sooooo good. I am even more convinced that this surgery is the right thing for me. I have realistic expectations -- I don't expect it to be a breeze, but if better health and increased sanity are on the other side, count me in. It's a risk I'm willing to take.
vsginkc

vsginkc

0

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