sclark75149's Blog

Pre and Post-Op Vertical Sleeve Surgery 3-19-13

My husband, Pat, and I have several friends who have had great success with the Gastric Sleeve surgery, so in December 2012, we both decided to go to the doctor to see if we qualify for our insurance to cover the procedure. Luckily, after several tests, we were approved. I had diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. My husband had high cholesterol, sleep apnea and heart disease runs in his family. We also both has joint issues so we were approved at the end of January 2013. We had our psychological evaluation, sleep study (where we found out about the sleep apnea), then we were on our way. Today, March 25, 2013, I am 6 days post op (March 19). We have a great surgeon, Dr. Nick Nicholson, in Dallas. I threw up for 3 days so my stomach is more sore than what it would normally be I believe. I've got the routine down now. I came back to work today and I'm really tired ... Tried to get in the 42 grams of protein in the first couple of hours to give me some energy. I go for my one week checkup today. My husband went in today for his pre-op testing. His surgery is scheduled for April 9. So, here are a few things you should know ... know going into the surgery that you will come out of the surgery weighing more than what you went in weighing. I had to lose 11 lbs. pre-surgery. I had lost 11.5. I had the surgery on Tuesday and discharged on Wednesday. I left the hospital weighing 11 lbs. more than when I went in so, basically, I lost nothing. Here it is not even one week later and I am down 17 lbs. I left the hospital not taking any diabetes, high cholesterol medicine (not that I took it anyway, LOL!) Helpful hints. When they say walk, then do it. The more you walk, the less sore you feel. 3/26/13 - I weighed this morning and even after gaining so much back right after surgery, I am down 19.5 lbs. (including the 2 week pre-diet. Woo hoo! My stomach is so much better today. Yesterday I went back to work and thought I was going to die. I had no energy at ALL. I left after 8 hours and went home and iced my stomach for about 2 hours. OMG, why didn't someone tell me I could this? It made all the difference in the world. Tomorrow I get to start cream based soups. I bought 2 strainers (1 to carry in my purse). I will thin out my cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of potato and tomato soups. Beef broth is terrible. Another helpful hint: Get up in the morning and first thing take your chewable vitamin and Pepsid AC. I then have an empty water bottle and pour in my bullet of liquid whey protein (grapes my favorite so far) and add a little water so it isn't so thick. If your physician didn't give you the little 1 oz. shot glasses, go get you some. I put out 4 and fill them each and drink those 4 per hour. In no time at all I have 42 grams of protein finished. I then start water, doing the same thing, then my SlimFast (but I've changed to Walmart brand because it's cheaper). I ordered six 4 oz. ramekins. When I can actually eat food in 2 weeks, I'm going to make up little meals so I don't overeat (and I can determine in my mind how much is enough). I'm going to do layers like mashed potatoes, then meat loaf (90/10) and brown gravy. Another one might be lean turkey (90/10) with spaghetti sauce and put either ricotta or cottage cheese on top, then pop in microwave when ready to eat. I'm 3 weeks ahead of my husband so I know all my helpful hints will work for him. Thanks for listening Week 2, day 1 (8 days post-op) March 27, 2013 - went to my 1 week visit - yep down 19.5 lbs. now I had lost 11 pre-surgery diet but gained all of that back after surgery - so I seriously did lost 19.5 lbs in one week - woo hoo! Found out some new things - I was using the bullet liquid whey protein and they were good mixing them with water and it was supposed to give me 42 gms of protein - WELL, didn't know it has collagen in it so you only get about 50% of the protein She had me change to a protein shake that's pretty good. It's called Premier Protein. In 11 oz. you get 30 true gms of protein and it's low in sugar. It's not as good as Slim Fast and a little more expensive BUT I can drink 2 of those and get 60 gms of protein a day I get to start eating any soup I want today (if it has chunks then I have to blend it) - this for 2 weeks. Then I get to start food like thin sliced deli meat, canned tuna or chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken or ground beef (sirloin) as long as its 90/10 lean, mashed potatoes, eggs (you know the softer stuff). Feeling pretty amazing! Going to Painting with a Twist tonight after work cannot wait - it's so much fun! And remember, I'm only one week and one day post-op 3/28/13 - Day 9 Post-Op Worked all day yesterday and went to a painting class for 2 hours - had a great time but was a little tired come 10 pm but I'm back and at it again today at work. I am feeling great. Still holding at 19 lbs. to 19.5 lbs. (fluctuates a little). Still swollen around my stomach area. Talked to dr.'s office and they said I could buy an abdomenal binder (going to see about that and see if the support makes it better, not that it's bad but instead of it bouncing around ... lol!) We have weekly family dinners so going to a hibachi grill tonight. I'll have their broth soup. Funny thing is, I never feel hungry but my stomach growls, which, in turn, tells my head - oh you're hungry, but it's a mind hunger thing - I don't feel hungry (does that make sense?) 4/1/13 - Day 13 Post-Op I cannot tell you how great I feel. I went and purchased an abdominal wrap and that has helped a lot. I wear it all day at work and then take if off when I get home. Just gives some support. I haven't had any additional weight loss - holding between 19 and 19.5 lbs. Yesterday was Easter and for the first time I purchased Easter (or any holiday) lunch. It not only cost me 1/2 of what I normally spend, I didn't have to do anything I blended some cream of potato soup (watered down a bit) and it was really good. So, I felt like I was getting my mashed potatoes at least

sclark75149

March 26, 2013

Thursday, April 11, 2013 (My birthday)

Friday, April 26, 2013 I'm down 30-1/2 lbs at 5-1/2 weeks post-op. I bought size medium tops this week (from an XL originall). And I was wearing 14/16 pants, now I have on 12 skinny jeans. Pretty pumped. Not going to buy a lot of new clothes but it makes me feel better So, my husband found out something today from the nurse at his 3 week checkup that I hadn't thought about asking. He's been doing great, but having a burning sensation sometimes at the large incision. They said this is normal - in a week or so he will hear a "pop" and that will be the incision breaking away from the muscle. That's what all the tightness has been about - they sew your stomach muscle, stomach and skin (that's why it puckers) together so the stomach doesn't move around a lot. Good to know Posted a picture of me today. Compare it to the picture of me and my husband - big difference. Monday, April 15, 2013 Well, my husband is almost a week post-op and doing really well. He's down 27 lbs. (but that includes his 13 before surgery). I'm down 28 lbs.(I lost 11 pre-surgery but gained it all back post-surgery from the liquids, fluids). I will be 4 weeks post-op tomorrow. I feel better than I have in a lot of years. My husband and I walked around the block 3 times yesterday. We even went to dinner and to a movie last night. Neither of us are snoring anymore (woo hoo!) Thursday, April 11, 2013 (My birthday) My husband had his sleeve done on Tuesday. He is doing amazing! He didn't throw up like I did so he's way ahead of me already. It's easier sleeping on the recliner for the first week. I got up this morning and he was up, had let the dog out, already took a shot of Genesis Today Liquid Protein 100 for 15gms of protein in a 1 oz. shot. Already started heating up his broth and ready to take a shower. He thinks he's going to work today (day 2 after surgery). I told him to take it easy but you never know with him. I went for my 3 week checkup on Tuesday (day of husband's surgery) and I'm down 26 lbs now (it was 25 that day). Having the most horrible breath since surgery - said it was ketosis and will get better when I start eating food. If you live in the DFW area I would highly recommend Dr. Nick Nicholson and Forest Park Medical Center. Both are first rate. I had only a regular room to myself but my husband had a suite. It was huge. Even had a room that had a couch that made into a bed, with a TV and sink in it. He had a full restroom with a shower. His room had a recliner and 3 other chairs and a flat screen TV. The nurses, techs, etc. were so nice and helpful. Starting week 4, I've been cleaning the house, sweeping and even picking up with dust pan. I bought an abdominal wrap and it has helped tremendously.

sclark75149

April 11, 2013

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Pre and Post-Op Vertical Sleeve Surgery 3-19-13

Thursday, April 11, 2013 (My birthday)

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