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..."
Friday, July 12, 2013
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.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Pre-Op and a Hospital Change
Received an email message letting me know that my surgeon has changed to using a different hospital. I've heard reviews from people who have been to the hospital and I'm not concerned at all about the change.
For those who want to know more about my surgeon, here is his website: http://www.wlsclinic.com/surgical-team/surgeons/ricardo-ramos-kelly/
And here is a youtube video showing a tour of the hospital...Hospital Nova:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_Jrcv4pVYQ
For those that have asked I do have to do a 2 week preop diet in order to shrink the liver and make the surgery safer. This is what my pre-op diet looks like:
Days 1-7
Choose low fat foods/avoid fried foods.
Stop using all sugar (can use substitutes).
Stop drinking sugar sweetened beverages.
Start weaning off caffeine and carbonated beverages.
Eat 3 meals a day. Do not skip any.
Decease portion sizes. Eat more fruits and vegs.
Practice drinking water between meals, not with meals.
Drink 64 oz water a day.
Avoid alcohol.
Begin some form of exercise.
Practice chewing foods 20-40 times to paste consistency.
Avoid salt intake to reduce swelling after surgery.
Days 8-14 Full Liquid Diet
Diet will consist of high protein supplements that are low carb.
(I assume they are talking protein drinks here.)
Low fat fruit juice, chicken broth, cream soups, skim milk and yogurt are allowed.
Calorie intake limited to 1000-1200 a day.
Drink 48-64 oz of water each day.
Solid foods are NOT allowed.
Don't have that much longer before I start the preop diet. Getting in those last lunches and happy hours. :) Also need to go finalize my Will...just in case. Time is flying by.
For those who want to know more about my surgeon, here is his website: http://www.wlsclinic.com/surgical-team/surgeons/ricardo-ramos-kelly/
And here is a youtube video showing a tour of the hospital...Hospital Nova:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_Jrcv4pVYQ
For those that have asked I do have to do a 2 week preop diet in order to shrink the liver and make the surgery safer. This is what my pre-op diet looks like:
Days 1-7
Choose low fat foods/avoid fried foods.
Stop using all sugar (can use substitutes).
Stop drinking sugar sweetened beverages.
Start weaning off caffeine and carbonated beverages.
Eat 3 meals a day. Do not skip any.
Decease portion sizes. Eat more fruits and vegs.
Practice drinking water between meals, not with meals.
Drink 64 oz water a day.
Avoid alcohol.
Begin some form of exercise.
Practice chewing foods 20-40 times to paste consistency.
Avoid salt intake to reduce swelling after surgery.
Days 8-14 Full Liquid Diet
Diet will consist of high protein supplements that are low carb.
(I assume they are talking protein drinks here.)
Low fat fruit juice, chicken broth, cream soups, skim milk and yogurt are allowed.
Calorie intake limited to 1000-1200 a day.
Drink 48-64 oz of water each day.
Solid foods are NOT allowed.
Don't have that much longer before I start the preop diet. Getting in those last lunches and happy hours. :) Also need to go finalize my Will...just in case. Time is flying by.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Traveling as a Fat Person Sucks
Sorry I've been MIA but I went out of town to a family reunion. Thus my subject for today.
We are waiting to board the plane and my son (12) asks if we are sitting together. We fly Southwest where there are no assigned seats. So I told him I didn't know for sure and asked him why. He said he didn't want to sit next to me. I asked why and he said, "because you take up all of your seat and half of mine". OUCH. Ok, I really do NOT take up half of his...but I do like to lift up the armrest between us so I'm not painfully squished and then I probably take up an inch or so of his space.
But the plane was full and I had to sit in a row with two strangers. No lifting of the arm. Uncomfortably squished. Leaning away from the guy in the middle as much as possible so I wasn't in his space (especially after son's comment). By the time I got off the plane my back was killing me.
Then we drive to the motel...and find out they assigned us a 2nd floor room. This is an old motel so it meant stairs. And steep stairs. I had to take the steps one at a time and felt like an old lady with my painful knees. By the second night I couldn't sleep because my knees and hips were hurting so bad. Even enough Bengay to make the room smell like a geriatric ward didn't ease the pain. So I stayed up all night and finally passed out the next day...and slept through the whole days activities.
Then we visited an old friend whom I hadn't seen in over 20 years. We all took a tour of a WWII submarine. I almost didn't go down at all because I was afraid I wouldn't fit. I've been on an aircraft carrier as a child and remember how tight it was. My friend assured me I would be fine and I wanted pics of my kids so I went. There were a couple tight areas...and lifting my legs high enough to get through the "doors" was a chore. I opted not to go into the tightest areas but was able to do most of the sub and get some good pics of my boys. Am happy I went.
The trip home was better as we all were able to sit together. Lifted the armrest and used sons tray table for my drink.
All through the trip I kept telling myself that this will be the LAST time I will EVER travel and be this uncomfortable. I don't care how scared I may be in regards to surgery...the way I'm living right now isn't quality of life. I can't just go on a simple trip (let alone an adventure trip) without pain and discomfort. These are the reasons I need to do this surgery. I wish I didn't need to. I still sometimes think, "maybe I should just do Weight Watchers again" - but then I remind myself if I COULD have done it in the past I WOULD have done it in the past. It didn't work for me. Even if I could lose the weight...I couldn't maintain the weight and every time I ended up heavier and heavier.
Less than 2 weeks still I start my pre-op diet. I am trying to squeeze in all those happy hour and dinner's with friends that I can. Won't be able to do them again for awhile. Eventually I will be able to...just much less food. Stay tuned for more updates!
We are waiting to board the plane and my son (12) asks if we are sitting together. We fly Southwest where there are no assigned seats. So I told him I didn't know for sure and asked him why. He said he didn't want to sit next to me. I asked why and he said, "because you take up all of your seat and half of mine". OUCH. Ok, I really do NOT take up half of his...but I do like to lift up the armrest between us so I'm not painfully squished and then I probably take up an inch or so of his space.
But the plane was full and I had to sit in a row with two strangers. No lifting of the arm. Uncomfortably squished. Leaning away from the guy in the middle as much as possible so I wasn't in his space (especially after son's comment). By the time I got off the plane my back was killing me.
Then we drive to the motel...and find out they assigned us a 2nd floor room. This is an old motel so it meant stairs. And steep stairs. I had to take the steps one at a time and felt like an old lady with my painful knees. By the second night I couldn't sleep because my knees and hips were hurting so bad. Even enough Bengay to make the room smell like a geriatric ward didn't ease the pain. So I stayed up all night and finally passed out the next day...and slept through the whole days activities.
Then we visited an old friend whom I hadn't seen in over 20 years. We all took a tour of a WWII submarine. I almost didn't go down at all because I was afraid I wouldn't fit. I've been on an aircraft carrier as a child and remember how tight it was. My friend assured me I would be fine and I wanted pics of my kids so I went. There were a couple tight areas...and lifting my legs high enough to get through the "doors" was a chore. I opted not to go into the tightest areas but was able to do most of the sub and get some good pics of my boys. Am happy I went.
The trip home was better as we all were able to sit together. Lifted the armrest and used sons tray table for my drink.
All through the trip I kept telling myself that this will be the LAST time I will EVER travel and be this uncomfortable. I don't care how scared I may be in regards to surgery...the way I'm living right now isn't quality of life. I can't just go on a simple trip (let alone an adventure trip) without pain and discomfort. These are the reasons I need to do this surgery. I wish I didn't need to. I still sometimes think, "maybe I should just do Weight Watchers again" - but then I remind myself if I COULD have done it in the past I WOULD have done it in the past. It didn't work for me. Even if I could lose the weight...I couldn't maintain the weight and every time I ended up heavier and heavier.
Less than 2 weeks still I start my pre-op diet. I am trying to squeeze in all those happy hour and dinner's with friends that I can. Won't be able to do them again for awhile. Eventually I will be able to...just much less food. Stay tuned for more updates!
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