I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. It was late but I was glad my surgeon stopped by to see me one last time.
Each day gets a little better. Today I started my 5 days on "full liquids", although I haven't done too well getting them in because I've been sleeping all day. It feels so good to sleep more than an hour without someone coming in to take your B/P or do labs :o) I'm shooting for 30-48 oz of liquids today. Man, that honestly feels like I'm trying to eat an elephant- one sip at a time!
Rich is taking good care of me. He helps me sit up if I need him, he's on top of when I take my medicines, and he washed my "6 feet of hair" this morning for me. Apparently this put long hair in perspective for him ;o)
I've heard the week after surgery is often referred to as "heck week" (word changed for a family friendly blog). There is a good deal of pain but like I said earlier, it gets better with each passing day. During surgery, they pump your abdomen up with gas to have more space to operate. Well, this gas has to go somewhere. So as un-ladylike as it is-- it feels much better to burp and pass gas. Rich was even high-fiving me earlier! LOL! It's like the worst bloated feeling you could ever imagine... And it travels.
It's also a strange sensation to feel your bowels move. It doesn't hurt, but I can feel my new pouch digesting... and it's loud :o) think it's about time for another nap!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
01.12.11 Surgery Day
Well I'm laying here in my hospital bed, just took some pain medicine. Things went well during my gastric bypass surgery yesterday. I was first in line for surgery with Dr.McNatt yesterday. We had to be at the hospital at 6:30am. Early! I remember waking up in recovery with a bald head male nurse who reminded me of the actor in Julie & Julia who played Julia Childs husband :o) They rolled me down through a tunnel to the Sticht Center where I got to my room about 1:00pm.
I have about 5 small inch incisions around my belly. It's quite sore. What threw me for a loop has been my back pain. Apparently my body did not laying on a flat board for 4 hours without moving. My back pain has been MUCH more painful than my tummy.
I've had some wonderful nurses. They've kept me pretty well medicated to help with the pain. This morning I opened my eyes to find a very good looking doctor staring down at me ;o) ha! He had his entourage with him as well.... about 6 doctors and med students standing around my bed at 7am-- a little intimidating to say the least. You feel kinda vulnerable when they start pulling back the sheets to look at the incisions ;o)
I know that these first few days will be the worst. I still know that it will be worth it in the end. To have better health and a wonderful future ~~ that's the goal!
(my bp was already 115/67 this morning! that's what I'm talkin' about!)
I am requesting no visitors. Thank you for honoring my wishes.
I'll post pictures and a video soon! Thank you for the prayers!
PS: if this post makes no sense, forgive me... it's the pain meds ;o)
I have about 5 small inch incisions around my belly. It's quite sore. What threw me for a loop has been my back pain. Apparently my body did not laying on a flat board for 4 hours without moving. My back pain has been MUCH more painful than my tummy.
I've had some wonderful nurses. They've kept me pretty well medicated to help with the pain. This morning I opened my eyes to find a very good looking doctor staring down at me ;o) ha! He had his entourage with him as well.... about 6 doctors and med students standing around my bed at 7am-- a little intimidating to say the least. You feel kinda vulnerable when they start pulling back the sheets to look at the incisions ;o)
I know that these first few days will be the worst. I still know that it will be worth it in the end. To have better health and a wonderful future ~~ that's the goal!
(my bp was already 115/67 this morning! that's what I'm talkin' about!)
I am requesting no visitors. Thank you for honoring my wishes.
I'll post pictures and a video soon! Thank you for the prayers!
PS: if this post makes no sense, forgive me... it's the pain meds ;o)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
1 Month Away!!
I'm amazed that my surgery date is now just 1 month away! Although my original plan was to have it done in November- latest December-- that's not happening. BUT I'm ok with that :o)
I did wake up this morning with the thought - what if my insurance denies me?! Ugh. Terrible thought. I can't think that way.
In MY plans - I had hoped to have surgery this week (around Dec 14th) but God has other plans. About 3 weeks ago I got a cold- finally started to get over it and got another cold. Yuck. Then today (it's actually Monday the 13th) I woke up at 3am-- catapulted out of bed and have been sick all AM with a stomach bug that's not easing up. SO I have to believe that God's in control of this- every detail. If my surgery was scheduled for this week- it just would not be happening with his cold & bug to boot.
I did wake up this morning with the thought - what if my insurance denies me?! Ugh. Terrible thought. I can't think that way.
In MY plans - I had hoped to have surgery this week (around Dec 14th) but God has other plans. About 3 weeks ago I got a cold- finally started to get over it and got another cold. Yuck. Then today (it's actually Monday the 13th) I woke up at 3am-- catapulted out of bed and have been sick all AM with a stomach bug that's not easing up. SO I have to believe that God's in control of this- every detail. If my surgery was scheduled for this week- it just would not be happening with his cold & bug to boot.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
7 weeks from today......
I will have gastric bypass surgery!!
Thats's right!! I have a surgery date!!!
January 12th, 2011
Woot! Woot!!
Thats's right!! I have a surgery date!!!
January 12th, 2011
Woot! Woot!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
3 week Pre-Surgery Diet
Why a diet before Gastric Bypass Surgery? To help reduce the size of you (fatty) liver and improve other conditions that may make surgery
more difficult.
My nutritionist said I should expect to lost another 3% on this diet.
Requirements:
1. Drink 2 protein shakes (women and 3 for men) each day.
Mixed with 8oz skim milk or water.
Must be in these guidelines:
80-100 calories
0-4g fat
1-7g carbs
17-15g protein
2. No caffeine
3. One serving of each of these per day. ( don't have to eat it but no substitutions.)
- 1/2 cup dry oatmeal with water
- 4oz sugar free jello
- 6oz light nonfat yogurt
- 3oz fresh fruit OR 4oz unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cup raw OR 1 cup cooked non-starchy vegetable
- 3 oz very lean protein (chicken, turkey, or white fish)
- 1 tbsp light salad dressing.
more difficult.
My nutritionist said I should expect to lost another 3% on this diet.
Requirements:
1. Drink 2 protein shakes (women and 3 for men) each day.
Mixed with 8oz skim milk or water.
Must be in these guidelines:
80-100 calories
0-4g fat
1-7g carbs
17-15g protein
2. No caffeine
3. One serving of each of these per day. ( don't have to eat it but no substitutions.)
- 1/2 cup dry oatmeal with water
- 4oz sugar free jello
- 6oz light nonfat yogurt
- 3oz fresh fruit OR 4oz unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cup raw OR 1 cup cooked non-starchy vegetable
- 3 oz very lean protein (chicken, turkey, or white fish)
- 1 tbsp light salad dressing.
All Systems Go!
Everything is set to go. I have done everything I need to do to get GBP. Last Tuesday, Rich and I had our appt with Amber - our nutritionist. We passed :o) actually we both did well on the 1st 3 week diet. Rich lost 17 pounds!!! I lost 6.
TODAY is the day I call and schedule a surgery date. Well-- of course it's 9:30a and I've already called Mrs. Johnson and left a message. If she doesn't call me by 2p, I will call again.
I did find out that they have no openings in Dec- unless someone cancels. So the "plan" is to have surgery in January.
I'm not looking forward to the 3 week pre-surgery diet. I'll have to post details about that later.
Saying a prayer that my surgery date is scheduled today.
TODAY is the day I call and schedule a surgery date. Well-- of course it's 9:30a and I've already called Mrs. Johnson and left a message. If she doesn't call me by 2p, I will call again.
I did find out that they have no openings in Dec- unless someone cancels. So the "plan" is to have surgery in January.
I'm not looking forward to the 3 week pre-surgery diet. I'll have to post details about that later.
Saying a prayer that my surgery date is scheduled today.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
1 on 1 Nutritionist Appointment
Today we ended our 3 week diet, and went to our 1 on 1 appointment with Amber, our nutritionist.
My husband... RICHARD... lost 17 pounds!!! Holy Cow! That was 17 pounds in 3 weeks!!
I lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. I'm pretty stoked too!
Amber approved both of us, and was very pleased with our success. Richard now has 6 months with a regular doctor before our insurance will pay for his surgery.
I should get a call next week to schedule my SURGERY DATE! WOOT!
That seems like a random picture of a chair... but I was amazed at how big these things were! Then I realized how good I fit in them --- stink. Oh well, one day this chair will be able to fit ME & RICHARD in it at one time :o)
(This is me waiting)
My husband... RICHARD... lost 17 pounds!!! Holy Cow! That was 17 pounds in 3 weeks!!
I lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. I'm pretty stoked too!
Amber approved both of us, and was very pleased with our success. Richard now has 6 months with a regular doctor before our insurance will pay for his surgery.
I should get a call next week to schedule my SURGERY DATE! WOOT!
That seems like a random picture of a chair... but I was amazed at how big these things were! Then I realized how good I fit in them --- stink. Oh well, one day this chair will be able to fit ME & RICHARD in it at one time :o)
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