My journey!

[Tanglesia 15]

I started the whole process in Jan 2013. Finished all requirements that insurance and dr wanted so he turned the paper work in on July 3 on July 11 my insurance denied me because of weight gain during the 6 months of pcp diet. On wed July 16 Dr. Eibes of Iowa speciality Hospital called and did a peer to peer with the medical director of Aetna and convinced them that the sleeve is what I needed. Dr eibes said it was a long call and pretty tough but finally they approved my surgery. Got home and got a call from Medical coordinator and dietician and got my date. Went on my 1200 calorie diet on Thursday the 17th and dropped 11 pounds. Had to do liquid diet sat and sun and surgery was on Monday August the 4th.

My surgery was done in Belmond, Iowa an amazing hospital with a staff that did everything to make you comfortable. I felt like every person working was part of my team. They encouraged me with every step I took. We live 4 hours away from Belmond so they let us come to the hospital and stay Sunday night. We walked into our room and it was a hospital suite, we had a kitchen with table and chairs. In the main room was a sofa bed and and recliner that turned into a bed and the hospital bed which was extremely comfortable. They showed use where everything was refreshments for my husband, Snacks and food vouchers so he could go done and eat for free in the cafeteria.

We slept good and were up and ready by 6 and the nurse came in at 7 and took us down to the surgical unit. Once we were settled I got undressed (everything) and into my gown. Two nurses were in my room prepping me Iv, blood work, questions, anesthesia Dr came in asked questions and told me what he was going to do told me that at times he can give a fat lip ( he did but went away quickly). I asked him to just take care of me and make sure I wake up and he said he would. The or nurse came in and explained more the dr eibes came in and asked if I was ready I said yes gave brad a hug and walked into the surgical room. I said hi to everyone and then told me to lay on the bed they unsnapped my gown I layed down, they put 2 warmed blankets on me and strapped my arms down and they gave me the oxygen and something good cause the next thing I remember was being taken to my room. Surgery was at 9 and I was back in my room at 10:30.

The have this hover blow up bed that transfers you from bed to bed got me into bed and vitals and all were taken then I just slept. I had a pain pump so I pressed the button whenever I needed it and just went back to sleep. My mouth was so dry they gave me ice chips to moisten my mouth. They were good but made my stomach seize a little. My new stomach was not crazy about cold. Likes room temp the best. I wanted to go to the bathroom at 12 got up it felt like I had done 100s of sit-ups but was fine. So decided to go for a walk so off we went and we went every hour. First time 4 laps 2nd time 10 then they told me 20 laps was a mile so I started to do a mile every time. I had no GAS PAIN AT ALL! And I give walking the credit. I could have stayed in bed and milked it but I wanted to be up and going.

Night was not a sleeping night bp cuff kept going off it was no longer on my arm they kept forgetting to shut the machine off. Then my fluids ran out, then my pain meds ran out, then had to have vitals taken so was a short night. At 8 they came and got me for the leak test. Ok this was the most disgusting tasting stuff! They make you stand up and step up on this platform it was quite a step and drink this yellow stuff as the dr took photos. They lay you down and almost invert you to get all angles. I could have gagged but knew I had to do it so I got thru it. Back to my room and they brought me Isopure, beef broth, Jello, lemonade Needed to drink the isopure and could go home if I did. So I did. Brad took my prescriptions to the pharmacy to get filled lots of them. Pain, nausea, spasm, gallstone, acid, happy pill, and blood thinner I have to give myself two shots a day for two weeks.

We took off on our 4 hour drive home. I had taken a pain pill just to take the edge off I held a pillow and slept for two hours stopped so brad could get supper. I just drank my Water. Then homeward. We got home and went thru everything and took a shower and went to bed. Woke up feeling like I could throw up but it passed in less than a min. So on wed brad went back to work and I just focused on drinking. Didn't quite get it all in 40 oz water and 60 gr of Protein. Thurs dr Jon called to check on me and said make your water a priority we will worry about protein later. Did better Thursday got 64 oz of water in and my 60 gr of protein also. Had 5 bites of cream of chicken Soup and 5 bites of applesauce. With a baby spoon. And I was done. Tummy told me enough.

Friday has been good have been off all pain meds for 24 hours had been passing gas and had 2 bms. Walked outside and have this great app called waterlogged it rings every 15 minutes so that I drink I have consumed 60 oz so far and it's only 3:30. Will have another Protein shake tonight and more water. Stepped on the scale and in 2 weeks have lost 17.7 pounds. Love my sleeve so far.

[mommy mira 4]

Congrats my surgery was aug.4 too and so far so good I can't get a lot of Water in that's my problem I hardly take down anything forcing myself