E-girl

Feeling really good today. No longer need to take my liquid pain killer during the day. And I was able to get in more protein today and more calories. Still can't get enough water in. Its very frustrating!!!! I sip and I get gas then I get pain. How long is this going to last??????!!!!!??? GRRRRR!!!!!!!! I was able to to do 30 min staight on the treadmill today. Did about 3/4 of a mile. Tomorrow's goal is 1.0 mile.

Feeling better than yesterday. Yesterday, I felt pretty good when I woke up but as soon as I started drinking the pain came back. I never thought I would say this but I have to force myself to eat. The thought of consuming something is giving me anxiety.Last night I took out the pain pump. It was not painful at all but the water proof tape tugged a bit on one of my incisions. After I got it out, I took an hour long shower. I hadn’t been able to take a full shower is 4 days!!!! My hair was so nasty, I washed it 3 times. I finally felt human again. This morning I woke up feeling great. I just feel a little sore. Still hurts to cough or sneeze. I am trying not to take the liquid pain meds as often because it’s running low. One note to people who have not had surgery yet, DO NOT WEIGHT YOURSELF WHEN YOU GET HOME!!!! You are pumped up with so much fluid when you are in the hospital that you can be up to 15 lbs heavier and you will look really puffy. My hands looked like ballons. I was 13lbs heavier 4 days ago but today I am only 0.4 lbs heavier from the day before surgery.

Wow what a difference a day makes. I suddenly feel soooooo much better. My belly still gurgles but I learned that this is total normal. Drinking water is easier. I have already had 8oz of water. Still burping a lot after I drink. I just can’t seem to sip without swallowing air. Most of my pain is internal. Of course, it hurts really bad when I sneeze or cough. Blood pressure is a lot better than when I was in the hospital. Two days ago is was 175/97. Today its 134/86. Still a little high but less concerning. Also walking a little faster. Yesterday I walk 3 x for 10 min at 1.0 miles per hour. Today I walked 1 x for 10 min at 1.5 miles per hour. My goal today is to walk 5 times. :Banane06:

I am 4 days out myself. I have the gas/growl/gurgling belly also. I was told this was normal and that you have to walk. It has helped. Yesterday I still felt really bad. But today, I felt pretty good. Did they give you any liquid pain meds. If not, ask if they could. It make a world of difference in recorvery. Walking will also help you heal a lot faster. Did they give you a breathing incentive spirometer? I was not breathing as well as I did before the surgery also. I had to be on oxygen and stay an extra day but I am ok now. The spirometer will help clear your lungs. I hope this helps.

Thanks. That's good to know. I was thinking that I was going to have to live with that for the rest of my life. That would be horrible.

It is the end of Day 3 since my surgery. Still pretty sore but I am been really good about taking the pain med. I was having problems drinking. When I drink, my I get a lot of gurgling in the belly. The only thing that has worked was sugar free popsicles but that taste really syrupy. Anyone else have this problem? And if so, how long does it last. I was able to get 10 oz. of water down today and 20 grams of protein. Tomorrow’s goal is 20 oz. water and 40 grams of protein.

Yesterday they prepared me for coming home. Which meant taking out the IV and the drainage tube and instruction on how to inject myself with the blood thinner and remove the pain pump that is still in me. Let me tell you that I have broken my ankle twice, had two c-section, one natural child birth and almost died from a cardiomyopathy 6 years ago and nothing, and I mean NOTHING compared to the pain of removing the drainage tube. I screamed at the top of my lungs and cursed. I even said the one thing I promised myself I would never say "this isn't worth it". I cried for a good 30 min after.

So my surgery was done on Feb 7, 2012 (2 days ago). Everything went smoothly. The pain was bad but with the pain meds a little better. What bothered me about the pain med is that they made me very sleepy which made it really hard for me to do my walks. So that switched it with liquid Vicodin.

One more day to go…actually I have 19 hours 4 minutes and 29 seconds left. I am surprisingly not worried…probably the calm before the storm. I consider myself lucky. I didn’t have to go on the Optifast meal plan for two weeks like most of my doctor’s patients. I only had to do the liquid diet thing for two days. Yesterday was hard because it was the super bowl. My husband made pizza for himself and the kids while I had a delicious bowl of hot beef broth…yum…not! I am sooo hungry right now. The one thing I didn’t get a chance to eat was a doughnut…I really want a dozen hot krispy kreme doughnuts!!!!!!! SOOOOOO HUNGRY!!!!!! :banghead:

Next Tuesday is my surgery. I am no longer struggling with my decision to go forward with it despite that fact that two of my closest friends have been very negative lately. My one friend who has bariatric surgery, says things like, “You’re really going to miss eat…you’ll see” or “Well, you lost some weight on your own, do you really think you need to get the surgery?” Now, I know what the nutritionist meant when she said that your friends and/or family will try to sabotage your success. Even my husband has been a little discouraging, “You’re going to be in a lot of pain.” I know they mean well and they just trying to be helpful and they are worried but I believe that only you knows what best for you. The only person right now that I think is truly supportive is my dad because he has seen me struggle to get this weight off for so many years. I made up my mind 6 months ago that after years of trying so many difference diets that failed me, it was time to take extreme action. I really don’t have that many more years left. I almost died 6 years ago of a cardiomyopathy. I got a second chance and I am not going to waist another day not feeling good about myself, not being able to walk up one flight of stairs without gasping for air, not being able to shop in the regular petite section, not being able to sit on my floor with my kids, not being able to tie my own shoes without holding my breath. I am not doing this to look thin. I just want to be healthy. I want to want to take picture of myself. I want a body that matches my personality. I want my back, knees, and feet not to hurt when I walk. I have a great life, a great husband, and great kids. I want to be around for grandchildren.

Smiling:First, You need to go the this site of the HIPAA privacy law: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/. Second, you need to obtain your entire medical record including all paperwork that states you agreed to allow your parents to view your medical information. If no paperwork exists after you turned 18, you have a case. Then I would call around for a lawyer to take you case on "contingency", which means that the plaintiff agrees that the attorney's fee will be determined by the amount of the settlement awarded to the plaintiff, should the case be won in the plaintiff's favor. If the plaintiff does not win the case, the attorney will receive no fee. After you sue the pants off the PCP, you can pay for your surgery in cash! Also, you're 19, get job that offers insurance and get another PCP. My parents paid for nothing after I was 18. I worked full time and went to school full time and graduated with a 3.875 GPA. At one point, I had 3 jobs and when to school at night. If you want the surgery that bad, you'll do whatever it takes

I have 22 days to go and I am up and down on my decision. It seems crazy to think that I am not 100% sure. Today, I searched the internet for an alternative. One of the website said that calories don’t count!!!! Can you believe it!!!! Anyways, I started thinking yet another fad. Then I came across an article about the health benefits to WLS and Cardiomyopathy…and that changed my mind about the whole doubt thing. I know that once my day comes, I’ll be ok.

So I have a date. Very excited but I still can't believe it. It doesn't feel real. Even after I went to my first post approval appointment. And I have sooooo many appointments more to go to before my surgery. I think part of me believes that this isn't going to work. I know that doesn't make sense but I have been on soooooo many diet plans that have failed a part of me this will be the same. I feel like I don't want to get my hopes up to much just in case. I wish I wasn't so negative.

I have BCBS Federal Employee Program. I have the Standard Option (PPO). There is a $350 deductible for the hospital and they cover 85% of the surgeons charges (so I'll pay $1500). BCBS will also require that you go to a Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery. You need to ask for a participating anesthesiologist under the Standard program. If you get a non-participating, you pay a lot more!!!!. So far I have paid the following: Free - Seminar $30 copay - initial visit For insurance approval, BSBC Federal requires a 90 day Education/Diet/Exercise Program with Psych Eval and sleep study. 90 days means 90 days. IF YOU MISS ONE APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER!!!!! Cost so far... $180 - nutrionalist visit 1 and exercise consult (I did not use the hospital's program, which is covered by insurance and you pay $25) $50 - nutrionalist visit 2 (I did not use the hospital's program but its usually $25) $50 - nutrionalist visit 3 (I did not use the hospital's program but its usually $25) $30 copay - Psych eval $30 copay - Sleep study $30 copay - GMA consult $30 copay - Cardiac pre-authorization $20 copay - General PCP pre-authorization * I didn't use the hostipal program because of timing. The classes were all at night and I have little ones to pick up at daycare. After approval, $390 - pre and post surgerical nutrionalist classes $30 copay - Cardiac pre-surgical approval (EKG) $ ?? - labs $ ?? - Chest PA & Lateral / GB Sonogram $ 350 - hopital deductible 15% of surgeons charges By the way, insurance is allowed to take up to 30 day for approval but BCBS Federal only took 2 days for me.