HannahD

I stayed out of work for two weeks. I was never a big fan of the Protein drinks and I don't do well on them. I haven't vomited or anything though. One thing that I've noticed is that I really don't like to eat and don't usually want to. I have to make myself eat. And I'm way more sensitive to anything sweet. I can't stand flavored yogurt anymore.

Yesterday was my first day back at work and everyone was like "OMG LOOK HOW MUCH YOU'VE LOST ALREADY!" It helps, I guess that I cut my hair short while I was out. I had a luscious mane of hair that was impossible to wash right after surgery when I couldn't really lift my arms without pain, so I cut it all off and donated it to Locks of Love. It's kind of nice because I haven't really seen any MAJOR changes in my body, but everyone else does. Oh, and did anyone else's skin get super clear and super nice after surgery? Maybe it's because I actually got adequate rest and a full load of Vitamins, but my Irish red cheeks are virtually gone and my face has a great tone and texture.

It was nice! Some craziness came up in my family life and I was like "NOPE I AM BASKING! Y'ALL WORK IT OUT AMONGST YOURSELVES!"

Surgeon said my procedure was almost boring it went so smoothly. Got out of the hospital on schedule on Friday. Got up before Mom this morning. Though walking feels like someone is jabbing a white hot poker in my side and I can't decide if the hunger is a psychological or physical. Or that fact that literally every other commercial is food-related.

I am such a nerd when it comes to my pain meds.They gave me codeine syrup, and Mom had to remind me to take it. I only hit the morphine button twice in the hospital because I am occasionally a dummy.

Nerves, I tell you! Nerves! Yesterday was last day at work and I got as many loose ends as possible worked out. I do pre-op, pre-admit stuff today with the surgeon and the hospital. EXCITE.

SO EXCITED.

TOTALLY! Imma need all the help I can get!!!

TWINS!

I've been doing pre-op for about a month, they didn't say when to do liquids, so I'm playing by ear and figuring that should at least start if not today then at least tomorrow.

I was happy to see some positive representation! And the comments were nice, a rarity on any weight-related article online.

This story ran in my local paper. This lady's awesome. http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/04/5233862/coast-character-weight-loss-surgery.html

I was vegan for a while a few years ago and my dietitian told me NO for at least the first couple of years out. Protein wise though, Beans are your friend. So is tofu. Silken tofu is also a good egg sub in baking. While I'm pre-op, I've been relying more on plant than animal Proteins because they come with less fat and other stuff. This site: http://vegweb.com/ is a lifesaver because it has TONS of really yum vegan recipes. Also hit up http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/ her stuff is awesome.

Thanks, y'all. I'm hopeful it's nothing major since they didn't immediately set me up for more tests.

Which is totally what you want to hear. So I go to my primary care provider Thursday to get a medical clearance. Stupid heart.

My psych eval was the most painless part. Answered some questions on a bubble sheet, discussed the results and she gave me some tips going forward. The dietician was great too because she gave me an outline for what to do. If you just tell me "eat health" I'll freak out because what the hell does that mean. But having it mapped out in black and white was super helpful.

They didn't say, but i have a really high resting heart rate, so I'm hoping that's what they're bugging out over. Thank you. Before Mom had her surgery, they found a mass on her lungs. Turned out to be a Calcium deposit folks born in the midwest get, but it was better safe than sorry.

LABS DONE! There were shenanigans with the Upper GI machine. I had to swallow pop rocks from Hell and chase it with Barium only to have the machine keel over before they could take pictures of my stomach. I got sent over to the main hospital where they just did barium and I got to see pictures of my tummy. Which was cool. Now I wait. I don't have a date yet, but I'm assuming it's soon!

I'm like Jessie Spano from Saved by the Bell. So excited but SO SCARED. I know I'll do fine. I'm in a good head space. I'm following my diet and exercise regime to the letter. Except for that one time because donuts are delicious and ones my employer pays for taste even better. Of course today I feel like I've got a cold coming on which is the last thing I need. But I have hot tea, hot Soup and some robutussin at the house. But I'm happy.

Mine actually went to school with my regular counselor and since my counselor and I have already developed a plan for my post-op mental health, she was pretty cool about it. She encouraged more exercise and I went on my merry way.

I couldn't use the cpap machine, so they put me on a bipap which changes the air flow you can breathe in and out comfortably. They're more expensive, but I love mine.

I've taken the thinking that this is one Christmas in a lifetime of Christmases and this surgery will help me have MANY more happy healthy holidays with my parents and family. And plus, last Christmas, my apartment flooded and I got the stomach flu. What's one more crazy Christmas in the grand scheme of things?

I had to tell one of my work committees about it yesterday because I'm chair and they'll have to handle stuff while I'm away and two of them were like "NO DON'T DO IT! WE CAN HELP YOU!" And I was like, "Babies, I've been fat since puberty. I've been on every doctor-supervised weight loss regimen out there. There's nothing you can do for me that science hasn't already tried." But they meant well and it was coming from a place of concern and love.

During my psych eval, the doc recommended strength training and I've had fitness oriented friends recommend it too, but I don't know where to begin. I go to the gym for my cardio and then go into the machine room and I feel like I've landed on Mars. What are these things? What do I do with them? Do you guys use any web sites or apps to help? Personal trainers (My gym offers them for what seems like a reasonable price)?

My go-to website in the beginning was bodybuilding.com. They even have fitness plans that tell you exactly what to do. An awesome beginner place is the Jamie Eason 12 week trainer. Tells you what day and what exercise. Don't know what that exercise is? Even better....they have 10-15 sec videos that show you. Few helpful hints: If it says to do a workout on Monday and you can't until Tuesday, it's ok. Just be flexible with yourself until you get in the groove. Schedule your workouts as you schedule anything else in your life that is important. Put it on the calendar, you are a priority and go. Don't want an audience? Then do not go at peak times. (Before work, lunch, and directly after work) Hope this helps. Totally helpful!!! Thank you! The way I want to schedule it is to be at the gym at least 4-5 days out of the week. They have a lap pool, yoga and zumba, which are already on my list, so I just need to put in some strength training days!