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.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
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:
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
Friday, July 12, 2013
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..."
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..."
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, July 8, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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.
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.
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