PrincessDaffodil

[size=5][color=#ff6699]I am so ready to get rid of all of this excess weight!

Here's the story, essentially...

June 5th, went to my PCP for my yearly physical and talked about weight loss surgery. Then, I researched it online.

Monday, July 2nd, went to Duke Weight Loss Center for my first visit. Doctor told me to get a sleep study done and set up tests for me to have at Durham Regional Hospital. I also met with a psychologist and a dietician during this visit. That day, I got a call from the sleep study center and they were able to schedule me in for that very night. WOW! That was fast!

Thursday, July 5th, went to DRH to have a chest x-ray (everything was fine), an EKG (it looked normal), and a barium swallow (not fun, but it was normal too). Waited for the results to get to the doctor.
The doctor drew blood on Monday, so the results of that started to come in, then DRH released the results of my tests there, plus my sleep study results came in the following week as well.

That week, I called the office again and again, to be sure there wasn't anything else I had to do. And to be sure my results were coming in on time. Once they were finally there, they called to schedule my surgery. I said I wanted it ASAP so I could recover before school starts. I'm lucky to be a teacher in this instance, I have off during the summer and have time to focus on myself without taking off of work.

The surgery is scheduled for Thursday, July 19.

I had to go in on Monday, July 16th for a pre-op appointment with my weight loss doctor, then went to a discussion with the dietician about what to have the day before surgery and what a "liquid" diet would look like after surgery. I also had to go to DRH to have a pre-op appointment with the anesthesiologist, and more blood work.

Wednesday, July 18th, the day before surgery, I was on a clear liquid diet. It was only one day, so it wasn't too bad. You don't want to have to be at work this day because you have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate which completely clears out our digestive system (if you know what I mean).

Thursday, July 19th, day of surgery, I went in early, the surgery was scheduled for 7:00, I can't remember a thing! Doctor said it couldn't have gone any better. It was a smooth surgery. I have 6 small incisions (I put triple antibiotic or cocoa butter on them each day so they won't scar). I couldn't eat or drink anything that day, but I didn't miss it at all. I wasn't able to take my anxiety medicine, so the night time nurse was kind enough to give me a nausea medicine that helped me to fall asleep. I didn't have any nausea the entire time (lucky me). I was pressing my morphine button every 10 minutes because I didn't want to know if I had any pain or not. Although, as it came time for them to take me off the morphine, I started weening myself off and only pressing the button every 15 mins, then every 30.

I was on liquids and able to take my medicines the next morning. I will tell you this...it is a full time job being on this liquid diet. I have to drink 2 oz of protein shake, 2 oz of water, 2 oz of broth, and 2 oz of decaf tea/coffee or juice every hour. This has to be done in 15 minute intervals. MOST of the time, I am NOT thirsty. So getting in the recommended ounces of fluids each day has been a challenge. Although I can have sugar free ice pops, I do miss the actual chewing part sometimes.

However, this method obviously works, because I have lost 14 pounds so far. At my appointment Monday, July 16 I weighed 276 pounds, today, July 26 I weigh 262. Two more weeks of liquids, then I can be on soft foods.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it is helpful![/color][/size]