Week 2 Weigh In and Regrets

First off, let's look at the positive...

	Starting Wt	Week 1 Preop	Week 2 Preop Surg Day	Week 1 (7/23/13)	Week 2	Total
	318.2	316.2	306.0	303.2	291.2
Wt Loss	0.0	-2.0	-10.2	-2.8	-12.0	-27.0

So, the weight is falling off but if you asked me RIGHT THIS MOMENT if I'd do it again...I'd tell you no.   I suspect in a few months you'll hear me singing a different song.  But this first couple weeks have been really rough. 

This week I have been experiencing extreme dizziness and nauseousness.  Because I used a surgeon in MX it isn't like I can just go for a check up.  And because my insurance will exclude anything they deem related to weight loss surgery...I'd rather no one in the states even know that I had the surgery.  This morning I thought about Urgent Care or calling my primary doctor.  I finally emailed the surgeon who told me to get in more protein.  So I am trying that.

I suspect part of it is the body adjusting to all the changes.  It is also really difficult to get all your fluids in and all your protein in.   But I am trying my best.  And I'm hoping this will only last a few days.  Cause it really sucks to feel this way.  It's hard to be a single Mom working two jobs when your world is spinning.  And it is really scary when you wake up and can't even reach for your phone. 

Also, as you lose weight the fat cells release hormones...so your emotions are everywhere.  (And the anesthesia can cause depression that takes a month or so to wear off).  So I find myself just sitting and crying.

Ugh.  It will be worth it long term.  I have faith.

Recovery

First off...I did my one week weigh in on Tuesday.  At one week I'd lost 15 pounds total including preop loss.   I am currently seeing a 1 to 2 pound loss a day...so will be interesting to see what the two week loss looks like.

	Starting Wt	Week 1 Preop	Week 2 Preop Surg Day	Week 1 (7/23/13)
	318.2	316.2	306.0	303.2
Wt Loss	0.0	-2.0	-10.2	-2.8

I'm sorry I haven't been posting often.  This week was mostly about surviving and getting back into the swing of things.  I started back to work on Monday and by 3pm was falling asleep in my chair.  LOL. 

It's been a week of trying to get used to the new stomach.  It's really frustrating to not be able to eat whatever I want to eat.  Most liquids now go down without pain.  But the last couple days I've introduced protein drinks, a few bites of chicken and some greek yogurt as well.  There have been a couple other items that didn't go down well and came back up quickly.  Anything that is too thick seems to block gas from coming up and that seems to force it all back up.

Last night I went for my first true walk (have been walking in stores and such).  I drank water on the walk and then when I came home I tried a few sips of soup.  I experienced HORRIBLE pain but it didn't feel like my tummy.  It felt like my chest.  I was scared maybe it was a bloodclot.  Not knowing when something is serious or not is scary.  I took some gas x and put on a heating pad and it passed after a while.  So I am assuming it was some of the trapped gas from surgery.  I've heard it can be quite painful but so far I haven't experienced it.   Taking it very slow this morning.  Back to sipping Gatorade (only thing I've had today and its noon).  

I worry about my nutritional status.  I know I'm not getting hardly ANY calories/protein/etc.  I am doing my best.  And I'm having faith that in another week or two hopefully I'll be able to make up for lost time.

I did buy a few things this week to help with my weight loss.   I found a new peanut butter cookie flavored protein drink at the Vitamin Shoppe.  It's quite yummy...especially mixed with chocolate protein. 

I also went online and ordered a FitBit (to track walking),  a fancy tape measure, and a Omron fat measurer.   Coming soon to a mailbox near me...

 

Will try to check in more often!

 



 

 

5 days post op

Wow, so much has happened and I've been too busy to update.   I AM still alive and kicking.  :)

Let's see.  We left Hospital Nova on Thursday around 11am and went to Hospital Angeles for our leak test.  This hospital is where my surgeon's office is - but it is much more expensive so he uses it only to check for leaks.  We were taken directly back and swallowed our nasty stuff one by one.  We were able to see each others insides working (kinda cool) and we were given a copy of our results to bring home.  Everyone passed and we were taken to the Hotel Lucerna to check in.  Unfortunately it was early and our rooms weren't ready.  So we went across the street to a restaurant that we were told had good broth.  We had broth and then walked next door for Gatorade and then back to the hotel and checked in.  I was lucky enough to have a gorgeous pool view.  The others in the group weren't as lucky (parking lot view and way back view of the loud nightclub behind the hotel.)    We rested for a bit and then we were off again to go to the mall.  Took a taxi there but walked around at the mall and then took a taxi back.    I was done in and took a pain pill and was out by 10:00.

Friday I slept till 10:00.  Woke up and looked out my curtain and realized the rest of the group was sitting by the pool.  Got dressed with the intention of going down.  Dr. Kelly knocked on my door and said he just wanted to see how I was doing.  I wasn't doing well.  Every sip HURT (and I've had 5 surgeries and 2 kids and I am NOT a wuss).  I was in tears and couldn't stop crying.  I was freaking out that I would go home to the high heat and end up dehydrated because I couldn't drink.  He thought I was homesick at first.  I told him I was hurting.  He said he'd stop by later that evening with an anti-inflammatory shot to take down some of the swelling in the stomach and it'd make swallowing easier.  He gave me a hug and left.   I went down and joined the others who informed me they wanted to go to Revolution Row.  Daytime it is a tourist shop spot with vendors, zebra painted donkeys, etc.  Nighttime it turns into a party zone we were told.   We were warned by our driver not to go past a certain area (known as the 'red light district').  I think we all had a good time.  Bought a few things.  After a couple hours we headed back to the hotel.  I sat poolside with a book for awhile and then got some broth and went upstairs to wait for the Dr.  He had said between 6 and 8.  Turned out to be closer to 8:30.  There is no time in Tijuana I've learned.   He had his wife and son with him.  They gave me the shot and removed the drain from the hernia incision.  We talked a bit more at this visit.

This morning I got up at 7 and was ready by 8:00.  We had to build in 1 hour for border crossing and 1 hour for airport.  We finished a little early so we swung by the water and took some pics.  The surgeon's wife was our driver.  The others weren't flying out till later so she was going to drive them around and do some sightseeing once they dropped me off.  Their flights didn't leave for several more hours and apparently they only get 1 medical pass for the border per day.   Today the pain is significantly less.  Was able to drink a whole glass of water on the plane...felt like I'd accomplished a major feat.  :)

All in all, I felt the service was amazing in Tijuana.  I felt like the surgeon was quite competent and the nursing staff attentive.  Sometimes language was a barrier.  I am glad I happened to schedule on a day where there were others for company.  Sad I was put on a different floor and we weren't allowed off our perspective floors.  Their spouses did come check on me which was very nice.  I also felt like maybe the surgeon didn't have good bedside manner...but after the last visit where he was more social...I wonder if it was more him being respectful that I was a female traveling alone.  I know there was another surgeon in Tijuana which had some complaints of being less than a gentleman.  So maybe that is all it was...because he did spend more time visiting with the couples.  We were given meds for home, instructions for home, a work release letter, a copy of our surgical report, preop xray and post op leak test picture.   I didn't feel like anything was done "under the table" so to speak.   Overall, as positive as a 'surgical' experience can be.  :)

Here are a few pics from the trip if you are so inclined.

 

Wounds day after surgery.  1 up top, 4 in a row, then 2 more down low for the hernia repair.

Hotel Lucerna Pool Area:   There is one pool with the bridge going over center.

Close up of bridge.

Turtle earrings bought on Revolution Row.

Back view of Lucerna Hotel.
 
 

 

San Diego water view near airport.

 Tree roots.  Thought these were so cool I had to take a close up.

 

Same trees further away. 

 

And thus concludes my Tijuana journey...let the weight loss journey begin!

Day 1 Post Op

This morning I felt really good.  I walked the halls.  Took a shower.  Got some ice chips. 

Fast forward a bit, realized I wasn't feeling quite as good as I thought originally.  The gas began hurting.  Drinking ANY water hurts. 

But it is ok.  I will take it one day at a time and soon will feel better. 

Tomorrow we check out of the hospital and go to a different hospital for a 'leak test'.   After that we will go to the Hotel Lucerna for another two days to heal. 

They had to put a drain in my wound where the hernia was.  Said there was a lot of tissue and if a drain isn't put in then it fills with liquid and can get infected.  So that will need to be removed tomorrow before we check out as well.

Ready to get out of here.  Extremely bored. 

And thus begins the rest of my life...

Officially sleeved!

Bear with my typing.  Hard to do with the IV and meds are also on board.  But I wanted to try and chronicle my experience thus far.

Showed up at airport and 8:30az time for my 9:30 flight to San Diego.  Arrived in San Diego and waited for van to pick me up.  I was the last patient arriving.  The surgeon's wife picked up 2 other patients and their support person and then me last.  Everyone was SO nice and we chatting as we were driven down.  It was a wild drive here....felt like a rollercoaster ride.  Crossed over the border and saw the guards with their guns.  Our car was pulled over for a quick search.  And then were were on our way.

Arrived at Nova.  We were taken to registration where we signed our release forms.  Then we were weighed and measured and taken to a holding room.  There we received our IV and did our preop tests (xray, bloodwork, ekg, visit from pulmonologist.   This was scary to me because my nurse didn't speak English and I wasn't sure where/why I was being taken.  I think they put something in the IV to help with nerves because I felt better after the IV was in.  The pulmonologist came in and listened to my heart and lungs.  Said I was healthy. 

Spent several hours waiting and then suddenly it was time.  They wheeled me down to the OR in a wheelchair - I walked into the OR and laid on the table.  And within seconds they had ne knocked out.

Don't remember recovery at all...assume I went to one.  Woke up slowly in a room by myself with oxygen on.  It was difficult...like coming through a fog.  I eventually came to enough to roll onto back.  About that time the wife of one of the other patients came in to see how I was doing.  It was SO nice to have someone checking in.  She called down and got my purse and laptop out of storage so I could update FB and let everyone know I was alive. 

A couple more hours and she visited again.  Helped me up to the bathroom and walked with me in the hall  Came back and went back to sleep. 

Just woke up and am feeling pretty darn normal...not like a person who just had major surgery.  Hope it still feels this good tomorrow.  :)

Ok, struggling to stay awake.  Think I'll take quick walk and get some sleep.

2 sleeps and Post Op Diet

I can't believe it is getting SOOOOO close!  I even started packing my bag today.

I did get my post-op diet plan from my doctor today and can I just say, "OMG, kill me NOW?"   Every surgeon's diet plans are different.  Usually there is a full liquid stage, followed by a pureed stage, followed by a soft food stage (scrambled eggs for example), and the full food.  At full food we need to eat protein first and it should be half of our meal, then vegetables/fruits, and if there is room left carbs.   Mostly I've seen a week to two weeks at each stage. 

I can't believe my surgeon doesn't have us eating anything until 3 weeks out!  Holy cow...two weeks preop and three weeks post op...I damn well better be MELTING after that long on liquids!

This is my surgeon's plan:

Day 2 thru Day 7

Clear broth or bouillon

100% no sugar added apple/cranberry/juice diluted 50% with water (max 8 oz day)

Tea/Coffee (I don't drink either)

Sugar free jello

Sugar free popscicles

Flavored water of choice

1 1/2 cups Gatorade

64oz water

Chewable multi and D3 vitamin

 

Day 8

Add 1/2 c skim milk

 

Day 10

Add liquid protein drinks

 

Days 22-28 (soft foods)

Pureed oatmeal

Cream of wheat thinned

Cottage cheese (low fat or fat free)

Egg whites

Yogurt

Pureed beans

Ricotta cheese

Sugar free pudding

Pureed soups

Potatoes (mashed/boiled/baked)

Pureed cooked vegetables

Pureed fruit

 

Day 29+ (Full Food)

Deli shaved meats

Fish

Shellfish

Tofu

Beans and lentils

Yogurt

Cheese (less than 5 g fat per serv)

Crackers (less than 3 g fat per serv)

Toast

Cream cheese (reduced fat)

Nut butters

Soups

Oatmeal

Vegetables/Fruits

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

4 more sleeps...

Wow...it is fast approaching.   Today I went to the bank and got the certified check for my surgeon...suddenly I felt scared.  Haven't really been scared up to now.  But now it suddenly seems real.  YIKES.  Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.

And, as long as I am freaking myself out...I also finalized my Will today.  I wanted to make sure everything was legally taken care of in case something happens.  It isn't like I have a ton of money or anything...just a simple will (kids go to ex or in his absence my brother, I want my organs to be donated and my body cremated, and I don't want to be kept alive artificially).  That simple will was over 50 pages in length, required 5 signatures and notarization and witnesses.  Good grief.  But it is done.

Still on liquid diet.  Want to gnaw my arm off.  I wonder if this is how cannibalism started?

Tried several more protein sources.  Haven't found any more that I really like.  I found a chocolate and vanilla that were tolerable but had an aftertaste.   Will keep trying more.   Would like to have a few choices so I don't get sick of one protein after surgery.  

Funny story...was at the coffee shop doing my will and the lady who worked there asked what we were working on.  I told her it was my will and that I was having surgery Tuesday in Tijuana.  She asked what kind of surgery and I told her.  She said she had a friend who did it 8 months ago in Tijuana and he looks great.  Turns out it was the same surgeon as well.  "It's a small world after all..."

6 sleeps and counting...

First off, I am going to pat myself on the back.  It is day two of liquid diet and so far I've been perfect on it.  And probably even more monumental for me?  I've been trying lots of new foods/proteins.  I am a creature of habit and hate trying new foods.   So this is huge for me.

So what have I found?

Foods I've liked:
Sobe Lifewater
ONE protein source that I actually liked (Syntrax Strawberry Mousse)

  
ONE flavor of Yoplait Greek Yogurt (Tropical Fruit)

Foods I've disliked:
EAS Advantage RTD (literally couldn't finish half of one and won't drink the others)
all other flavors of Yoplait Greek yogurt (peach I took one taste of and pitched it)
Unjury's chicken broth protein (drank about half and had to throw rest away)

Foods that are adequate:
Vitamin Zero Waters
Premier Protein RTD Chocolate flavor

I am still working my way through my samples of protein powders.  I was thrilled to find one I actually liked today.   Still have probably 20 more to try so I'm nowhere near finished yet.

Almost ten years ago I was planning on having gastric bypass surgery and chickened out.  Here I find myself ten years later and think of all the time I've lost and opportunities I have had to pass up.  No matter how scary this gets...I need to be brave and not chicken out this time.  If it's my time, it's my time.  The chances of dying are small but after losing my Mom to surgical error I am a little nervous.  I will keep reminding myself of this quote.

7 more sleeps!

It's getting SO close! 

I finished my first week of preop diet and lost 2 pounds.  My starting weight (according to my scale) was 318.2...now down to 316.2.  

Started week two of preop diet today.  Only fluids this week.  It's day one and I am STARVING.  Not sure how I'm going to make it for a whole week.

I was sitting watching TV last night when my phone rang.  I was surprised to hear it was my surgeon!  It was nice putting a voice to a name.  I asked about procedures for blood clots and also about my hernia possibly getting in the way.  He assured me he had it under control.  I felt better after I got off the phone. 

Stopped by GNC today and picked up a couple ISOPURE's to try.  I'm hoping maybe they will be better than some of the other protein options.  I tried a RTD chocolate flavor today and mixed in a couple teaspoons of PB2 powder in it.  I was able to drink about half before I couldn't drink any more.  This afternoon I tried Unjury's Chicken Broth protein.  At first I thought it tasted ok but I could only finish about half before I was gagging on it.  I think it's mostly in my brain at this point.  Ugh...going to be a long few weeks trying to get back to solid foods so I can get most my protein from food and not these nasty drinks.   Will continue trying out different samples in hopes I'll find one I at least like.

On a totally different note - we had water damage to our house on Friday evening.  They will be tearing out carpeting in 3 rooms as well as cutting up drywall in those three rooms.  This is going to be one LONG week and it'll be chaos to come home to after surgery.  But I'm not changing my plans at this point.  Full speed ahead.

Yay for Sobe!

In my quest for new products I have found one that I really, really like.  It is a flavored water by SoBe.  The flavor is Fuji apple pear.  And it really tastes like watered down apple juice.  It is nummy!  It has 0 calories and a few vitamins...but it isn't a vitamin water per se.

This week has been interesting.  For the most part...I've followed the preop diet.  I was able to give up my Mt Dew cold turkey.  However I slipped and bought a coke one day just out of habit (and yes I did drink it).  Had a VERY stressful weekend and would have loved an alcoholic drink but I passed on it.  I suspect I'll see a couple pound loss this week but we'll see.

I did go shopping this week.  Found liquid calcium citrate.  Tried another protein drink (this one is green and a little more like a drink than a shake...still not sure I'm sold on it).  Bought some EAS Advantage to try.  Bought some slipper socks, a new nightshirt, a short extension cord (for computer/phone at the hospital because my cord won't be long enough), and some smell good goodies from Bath and Body works.  Also bought juices and waters for the upcoming liquid diet.  (NOT looking forward to this phase.)

On a different note, met with my counselor this week.  She told me that anesthesia has been shown to cause depression in those people already prone to depression.  And that it is temporary.  She said it'll last 3-4 weeks or however long it takes for the anesthesia to completely leave my body.  She just wanted me to be aware and to be thinking ahead of time about what things replenish me...so I could be ready.  Oh joy. 

That's it for today.  Will check in Tuesday with a 1 week preop weigh in.  Hard to believe only about a week to go!

2 Weeks To Surgery...Preop Diet Started

Last night...I had a food funeral.  I didn't pig out...but I did choose my favorite Mexican food place for dinner and I did have a 32 oz Mt Dew.    I thought about chocolate/candy/ice cream/alcohol - but ultimately decided I really didn't want any of them that much.  Yay me!  So I settled on a chimi and a soda.

Woke up today ready to start.  This means I am getting closer to surgery.  Closer to my new life.  I am excited and ready to begin.  Less scared...more excited.

Only problem...Ummm...I haven't gone grocery shopping yet.   So my choices of 'healthy' foods are minimal.   Will fix that problem this afternoon.

I have started experimenting with a few different things.  I've tried several protein drinks thus far...'Oh Yeah' chocolate, strawberry, and cookies and cream.   (Of those my 'favorite was cookies and cream, followed by the strawberry...but both still had that protein smell/flavor pretty strongly.)  I tried Premier Protein chocolate (RTD).  I liked it better than the Oh Yeah's.   Will continue to experiment.  Since next week is full liquids...I will have lots of opportunity to try more.

I also bought some vitamin waters.  I bought one of the store brands and then several of the 'Vitamin Water Zero's'.  Most were 'ok'....but my favorite was the Strawberry Guanana (or however they spelled it).  I barely got a chance to try the lemonade (kids ran off with it) and I didn't get to try the fruit punch (once again...dang kids).

Lastly, I bought some greek yogurts.  I know plain would be lower in sugars...and can add my own fruit.  But I now I bought some of the Yoplait Greek Yogurts.  Let me preface this by saying I do NOT like yogurt...never really have.  I did find ONE flavor of regular yogurt that I would eat...but usually I won't eat yogurt.  It is a combination of texture and sourness.  But I know after this surgery I'll need good protein sources.  So I sucked it up and bought one of each flavor to try.   Today I had the Tropical Fruit flavor...and oh MY....I actually LIKED it.  Like licked the bowl liked it!  Texture was thicker than regular yogurt (which was a plus for me) and it didn't have that tang or aftertaste.  Yay!  

1 container (5.3oz) has 100 calories, 0 g of fat, 14g of total carbs, 9 g of sugar, 10g of protein (and is 2 weight watchers points if you're using that program).  I do think the carbs/sugars might be a bit high for after surgery...but sometimes you pick your battles.  And getting in protein is the most important thing.  As long as I can tolerate it post surgery I would have these once in awhile.  It is the lowest of all the ones they had on the shelves that were premade.  A lot of people brag on the plain Fage brand and they mix in their own fruit.  May have to try that eventually (can also use it as a dip and such).

Anyways...that's where I'm at today.  Still want to find some gripper socks for walking the hospital halls.  Still need to buy some vitamins (did buy some Centrum Silver Chewables and they taste nasty) but still need Calcium Citrate and possibly a couple others.  Looks like I will be traveling alone.  :(  So am going to try and find some cheap $5 movies at Walmart and take my computer with me.  Maybe set up Skype since WiFi is available but using cell phone costs money.