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Pre Op Testing and Surgery Date!!

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Surgery Was 5/21/12. Now 8 Days Post Op

I have intended to blog about my surgery experience before now but haven't felt up to it until today. I am now 8 days post op and things are getting better. I have been having pain in my chest and upper stomach which has been pretty unbearable since surgery. It is getting less day by day, thank the good Lord above. I guess I didn't really know to expect the pain as it has been for me since I hadn't heard most people describe this sort of thing before I had surgery. I will keep praying it will get better each day and I'm sure it will!! As of today I am down a total 27 pounds which includes pre op and post op. I lost 15 preop and 12 the first week post op. I am so grateful to be losing this weight. It is unbelievable to me. I'm still trying to get enough fluids in and it has been hard but like I said everything gets better each day that passes.   Well, I didnt really get to write about my experience with surgery. So I will just elaborate on it a little. I wasn't really scared at all when I arrived at the hospital at 8:30 am on the 21st. I had to go through admissions then back to surgery prep one. Once there, they took vitals and gave me a gown and told me to get undressed. The nurse came by and took an assesment then it was back to surgery prep two. There I was talked to by the anesthesiologist and asked the same questions over again. I was so ready for the "feel good" shot. I kept asking for it. The nurse finally gave it to me and I didn't care what happened at that point. LOL I remember being wheeled back into surgery and them strapping me down. The next thing I knew I was waking up with the very terrible pain in the top of my stomach.(exactly where the pain comes and goes now. It was like huge painful contractions) I realize not all patients feel this, but to me it was very painful! I was moaning and I remember the nurse there wasn't very nice and kept telling me to stop. I was thinking she better be glad I can't say much. At that point I remember regretting what I had done and questioning myself. The next thing I remember was being hooked up to my pain pump and realizing I had a pain pump inside the top of my stomach as well as the morphine pump in my IV. The pump in my chest was where all the terrible pain was coming from. The pain catheter was threaded directly into my stomach. I was then taken to my room and for the next few hours I slept. I began walking about 5 hours after surgery. I walked every chance I got. I knew I wanted to come home the next day and not stay two nights. I absolutely hate the hospital. The next day we were asked to WALK down to xray and get the leak test. I thought that was horrible asking everyone to walk down there with there IV pole and all. Anyway, I made it and it showed that I had ALOT of swelling and it was very hard for the liquid they gave me to go down. It finally did and didn't show any leaks at that point. When I got back to the room, we were given trays of broth, jello, and popsicles. I ate what I could and kept it down. I asked the Dr. if I could go home and he released me. I had a two hour drive home and by the time I got here I was in so much pain I could hardly bare it. It was really hard for me for the first few days but I'm feeling better now and looking forward to my new life. I do pray every day that when the swelling goes down, I don't have a leak. I just know that I have to keep trusting GOD and let him guide me through this.   I go for my one week post op appointment tomorrow. Which actually will be 9 days. I'm looking forward to getting my staples out and continuing to heal.   Still amazes me about the weight loss. NO WAY would I have been able to lose 27 pounds in three weeks any other way. I plan to rock this sleeve and for the first time in a very long time, learn to love me again. :wub:   I love you guys. Thanks for all the support!
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

6
 

Pre Op Testing Finished :)

So, I spent ALL day at the hospital doing pre op tesing which consisted of the normal, EKG, LABS, Chest Xray, and PFT. Also, had my meeting with the nutritionist about pre op and post op diet. After nutrition class, went to visit my surgeon for the first time. He is such a busy man!! I couldn't believe how many people that were in the office that had surgery already and/or about to have surgery. I really like Dr. Follwell and feel I made the right decision in choosing him. My surgery date is set for May 21st as I first thought. I'm a little worried though because since I've seen a cardiologist before for PVC's they may want clearance with him before I have surgery. I explained to them that I've had evey test under the sun for my heart and I'm fine!!!! I don't want to have to go through any more testing. I've even had a heart cath. There were no blockages at all! My PVC's are considered to be benign. So, I'm just hoping that doesn't delay my surgery. I paid surgery fees today so I think everything will go according to plan. I still don't know a time as of yet.   Of course, I'm still nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time.   I was noticing people that came in for their one week post op appointments today. Most didn't even look as if they had surgery. I was so surprised. I was expecting them to be more in pain or sore or something! LOL But they seemed great and happy. I pray that is how I feel one week after.   Well, I start my pre op diet next monday. Still trying to figure out which protein powder to go with. My diet consist of 5 shakes a day and of course popsicles, sugar free jello, and clear broths. I can also have 4 oz of 100 percent fruit juice mixed with water, 3 times a day. I sure hope I do well. I know it will be hard but I'm going to do the very best I can.   I'm just so excited. This is the real beginning of my journey. Can't wait to be on the other side.
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

0
 

Last Night Of My Old Life

Well it is my last night of my old life. Surgery at 11:30 in the morning. I can't seem to get things ready. I still haven't even packed my bag yet. I am terrified but know what ever happens is God's will and it is out of my hands at this point.   It is hard to describe how I feel today. I;m apprehensive but so ready to be on the other side. I pray that the pain isn't too bad and my surgery is uneventful. Sometimes I feel like I'm being selfish when I pray for myself. I have a strong Christian faith and I know that HE is in control not me. I'm keep holding on to that.   Thanks everyone for listening to me whine about everything since my journey began. You guys rock! I'm not really one of those people that says "the glass is half full".... I'm sure you've caught on to that reading my post. I will, however, go into this surgery with a positive attitude.   Thanks to this forum for helping me to this point. Tomorrow is the beginning to my my new life.   Next blog will be on the other side!
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

3
 

Ct Scan Normal! Yay! Pre Op Diet.

Well, I blogged last week about my chest x ray showing something abnormal. Had a CT scan on Friday and results came in this morning, NORMAL! I'm so happy. Thanks to everyone that sent prayers and encouragment. I really appreciate you guys so much!   I started my pre-op diet today. It hasn't been easy so far. I have fourteen days of 4 shakes a day which are chalky and I don't like them very much, SF jello, SF popsicles, broth, and diluted fruit juice for blood sugar levels. I have a slight headache from caffein and sugar withdrawals.   I'm really scared still and I can't believe that I actually am going through with this!! I've read some terrible horror stories about people with leaks and strictures. I read a story yesterday about a lady who has a leak that was in the hospital 5 times for a total of 65 days in the hospital. Oh my goodness!! I'm trying to have faith and rely on GOD like I should. I'm just so concerned because I'm self pay and if I have complications, how in the world would I pay for it?? I have insurance but since the surgery is excluded, I'm sure the complications are. I would be bankrupt if something happened.   I need to just think positive and have faith. I'm looking forward to my new life which began today!! YAY!
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

8
 

Bump In The Road And I'm Worried.... :(

Well, I had a call today from my primary care doctor's office and was told that the bariatric hospital said that something showed on my chest xray. I haven't been feeling well lately and think that I may be coming down with bronchitis or something. I passed the PFT with flying colors. My 02 sats are 98 percent. I'm not sure what could have shown up. I'm really scared. One lung is fine but there is a small something on the other. "SIGH"... I have to have a CT scan on Friday. My surgery is supposed to be on the 21st. I'm just so sad and worried now. I try not to put the cart before the horse, so to speak, but oh good Lord above what if its .. well..... cancer???? Well, nothing I can do but wait and see. I hope it is just the start of pnemonia maybe. Lord knows I don't want that either but its better than the alternative. At least I can get antibiotics and be well before surgery.   Please pray for me. I really need it. I know you guys don't really know me but anyway it doesn't matter. Prayer is prayer. Thank you! I will blog again when I find out the results.
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

10
 

Breaking Down Day 10 Pre Op

Not a good day for me. I actually cheated on my preop diet with two boiled eggs and lettus and this is the second time. Once last week as well. I am so worried that my liver will NOT shrink enough for surgery. That may sound rediculous but I have fatty liver disease and am just so scared that I'm going to be put under and wake up with no sleeve due to not keeping to the pre op diet exactly. I am so tired of these protein shakes, SF popsicles, SF jello, and broth! With that being said the up side is I've lost 11 pounds. I'd hope to lose more and still hoping for at least 15 before surgery.   I'm anxious about the surgery more than usual today. I woke up this morning finding myself thinking about complications again. My father passed away of a pulmonary embolism brought on by surgery. I'm just scared. Nothing else to say. I know I have to do this and just wish these last few days would hurry and get over with.   I have to be at the hospital at 6:30 am on Monday. My surgery is at 8:30 am. I worry about everything! Uggghhhh...   Thanks for letting me vent. I'm grouchy, hungry and emotional!!! Can't stop the tears today.
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

14
 

70 Pounds Down 4/12 Months Out.

Hi Everyone,   It has been a very long time since I posted. The last time was 8 days post op. I have been following a sleevers page on facebook but I miss this forum so I'm back to stay.   It has been 4 1/2 months since my surgery. I have lost 70 pounds. It seems the weight loss is slowing down a LOT! It gets frustrating but I realize that I wouldn't have able to lose 70 pounds without this surgery. I'm so glad I did it even though I questioned myself right after.   I am almost off all of my hypertensive medication which is so awesome because I was on two different ones and have had HBP since I was in my early 20's. I was also a borderline diabetic before the surgery and now my numbers are great! I can't thank God enough for this opportunity and blessing to have this surgery. I did have to pay for it because my insurance sucks and won't pay for hardly anything but I know it was so worth it.   I'm a little concerned that my weight loss has slowed. I had hoped that the honeymoon phase would last at least 6 months but it seems for me it hasn't. It is really hard for me to lose 2 pounds a week now. I am eating well and getting in all of my protein first. I do have hypothyroidism due to ablation of my thyroid so that may have something to do with it. I do know that there is no way I would have been able to lose 70 pounds in 4 1/2 months without this surgery. I'm so thankful!!   In the last two weeks I was able to walk 2 5k's! Before, that would have never been possible. I was close to 300 pounds. My pre op weight was 297 and now I'm 222! Can't wait to be in onederland! I hope to be there by Christmas! What a wonderful gift that would be.   Ok... so everyone have a great day and I definitely am staying on this forum! God bless! Most recent pic with my daughter attached!
Lisa's Hope

Lisa's Hope

4
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