carriesn

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5 months out and 85 pounds down.  5 lbs off track since I would like to hit 100 lbs lost by June 13th.  If I do, great.  If I don't, fine.  I will get there this summer!  Only 15 to go :)  Will put up pictures soon!

Been training for my triathlon (Aug 3rd) in Denver.  Training motivates me so much-- so much that I'm willing to get up at 530, 6 am to exercise!  I just bought a new road bike and I'm itching to ride it but as luck would have it, it's raining all week!  Ironic since its Bike to Work week heh.

I'm posting the EWL formula here for easy reference (I keep forgetting it and I want somewhere I can just go to find it!)

Note:  to calculate your Excess Weight use this equation

Starting Weight - Goal Weight = Excess Weight

(current loss) divided by (excess weight)  X  100 = Excess Weight Loss %


Happy May to all!

Im posting a few hours shy of four months but what the heck. :)

Time has gone by so fast!  Im definitely living life as normal as possible now... off all meds (except Nexium and I aint going off that til 6 months out) and chowing down on pretty much anything. I usually go for protein first, of course.  Weight loss has slowed a bit if you call 2 pounds a week slow.  I do, since I'm still in the 'golden 6 month' period!  I dont know if thats because that's my natural losing rate or whether I should tweak my food.  I really subscribe to the concept that I will never diet again, so I've been eating normal food.  Yes, I eat pizza, pasta, or other carby food once in a while (not everyday) and that sometimes pushes up my carb grams way up there.  I should try a week of protein-only and see what that gets me.

ANyway... not that I'm complaining about my 74 pound loss grins!  Only 1 more pound and I'll finally see the 230's!  I'm very excited about that.  I was last in the 230's say, around 6 years ago.  However, my body has definitely changed.  I look different now at 240 than how I looked at 240 5 years ago.  I'm afraid I've missed the train and I'll be stuck with sagging skin etc.  Oh well.  Time will tell!

Ive been exercising for the past month and steadily improving.  Next week, I'm going to follow the Couch to 5k program-- my goal is to be able to jog (run? what does that mean?) 5k by the fall!  I'm following the Conservative program, not the Aggressive program-- I used to have foot problems and don't want to aggravate that-- maybe I'll take more risks once I near the bottom of the 200's.

Anyway... I'm glad to say that I can finally say I LOVE MY VSG!  Despite the mind/stomach dis-connection, Ive been adjusting fairly well to the small portions.  I like being full.  I do get paranoid when I let myself indugle in a small bite of something that should be a 'no-no', but hey, THIN people can, so can I! 

Im enjoying cooking so far- its fun to find recipes that are high protein and whip them up in the kitchen.  I especially like Eggface's blog.  So many things to try!

Anyhooo... rambling on.  See ya soon!

This recent Thursday marked eight weeks since the surgery.  Ive had a difficult time of it but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  The dr is trying to wean me off the anti-nausea meds slowly because last time we cut it off (cold turkey), I ended up in the ER the next day.  Im down to two a day and tomorrow we start one a day.  This is a scary process because I really dont want to go through the reflux, nausea, and vomiting ever again.  It was a horrible experience.

Ive been able to eat pretty much anything this week but interestingly enough Ive been testing the limits.  I tried pasta (Barilla Plus) yesterday and today and it sat in my tummy like a rock.  Only a couple of bites filled me right up but I didnt enjoy the taste of pasta like I thought I would.  Pizza went down fine (small portions, of course), as did eggs.  My partner is out of town for the weekend and I think thats why Ive been sort of nonchalant about what goes into my tummy... a part of emotional eating, no?  Tomorrow its back to basics- protein shake and simple food.  Oh... am going to try chicken tomorrow since I need more protein!

64 lbs down is a major accomplishment.  I dont really notice the loss, though, but the pictures tell a different story.  Take a look at my photo album and you'll see for yourself-- especially in my face.  Nice to see progress.  100 lbs to go before I reach 150-- but frankly, Ill be happy with anything under 200.  I've not seen onderland since my early high school years... it'll be amazing. 

I need to make use of my remaining 4 months out of the "critical 6 month period"-- this damn illness messed up my plans.  However, if the weaning off of the meds is successful, Im gonna start swimming in addition to walking.  My  muscles need a gentle way of getting in shape and swimming is it.  My only concern- I can only drink COLD crystal light and I'm wondering how I'll manage that at the pool.  Guess my tummy will have to take what it can get!  LOL

I seem to be rambling on... theres so much to add.  So little time! 

-carrie

I got an email from someone asking how I was feeling one week out.  My reply was sort of lengthy so I thought Id use it as my next blog post! :)  The person's name has been deleted for privacy.

Hi!

I know, I know... just take a deep breath every time you start to feel freaked out!  YES you will be able to eat/drink again!  Yesterday was the first day I was able to drink almost normally.  It's still "sip, sip" but I felt the amount of water that I could swallow was pretty good.  I attacked around 45 oz of water yesterday (plus some SF jello but didnt measure it out)-- major improvement over the barely 30 oz I was able to drink beforehand.  Im positive I will be able to get up to 50-65 oz eventually. 

Im one week out and let me tell you how I feel.  I feel good. Im able to do most everyday stuff and the 5 lb. weight limit is annoying me.  I can't help my family load/unload food bags, put a casserole in the oven, or move the sofa around.  I went to WM and the mall yesterday and walked a lot.  Granted, I started to lose energy after the mall, but a nice 15 minute nap remedied that. 

Pain... not really there anymore.  The meds do help.  Theres only one annoying "pinch" near where they took my stomach out.  I dont feel it unless Im getting up from a chair or from bed.  And I FINALLY have been able to sleep on my side.  I slept 9 hours last night! 

Food- my family has been cooking wonderful-smelling things all week.  Let me tell you, it smelled so good but I wasn't upset or anything that I couldn't eat with my family.  I KNOW my tummy needs healing and my mantra was "There'll be a next time, there'll be a next time".  It works for me.  Now, if I were at the mushies stage at this point, things might be different and I might have been tempted.  Right now I know I would just hurt myself if I even tried touching the food.  Im just getting excited about finally arriving at the full liquids stage this Saturday.  Dr A doesnt count the week from the surgery date, he counts the week from the day we're discharged... GRR.  :)  And while my head hunger is still around, physically Im not hungry.  Thank my lucky stars.... that wouldnt have been pleasant!

So, as a one week post op, the worst part was waking up from surgery and the day after (bored in the hospital).  Dr A's right, you truly do get better every day.  Once you're home, you'll feel a ton better from being in a familiar environment and then start adjusting to life with a tiny tummy. 

OH... and the antibiotic meds are the worst.  YUCK.  Dont even bother using the syringe thing (you'll understand when you see it).  Just squirt out the correct measure of the antibiotics in a small glass and drink from that.  The syringe thing made me gag.

... GO for it.  You'll have to face it eventually... and the sooner you do, the faster you'll be able to say "WOW, I'm a month out!"

:)

HUGSSSS

We're back in San Antonio!  The surgery went well as could be expected, only we aren't quite as energetic as the two ladies we met when coming in for surgery.  Those ladies are to be commended!

Well... what do I say?  Its been so fast yet so long.  A word to the wise: TAKE THINGS WITH YOU TO THE HOSPITAL to keep you busy!  I practically drove myself nuts trying to find something to do to distract myself from the gas pains (other than walking).  I tried to read, but couldn't keep myself focused (normally Im an avid reader), the TV was all in spanish, and you DO run out of conversations with your dear one who accompany you!  Cards helped a bit but we both aren't big card players so...  my gosh.  I was readdddyy to get out of there this morning!

Anyway... back to the surgery.  All of a sudden, it was my turn and the gurney arrived.  I hadn't been nervous but when I saw that gurney, let's just say it hit me!  I got on it, said goodbye to DP, and was rolled out into the hallway.  I very well remember the lights on the ceiling going by like road stripes.  I had to transfer to another gurney TWICE before finally settling in in the operating room.  Everybody came by and said hi to me including Dr A.  FINALLY they put the sleepy meds in my IV and after a couple of rounds with the oxygen, I was home free.  Upon awakening, the pain does hit you hard.  Its more 'all over' than acute but the meds did help pretty fast.  What others have said about being sore is true but let me emphasize-- YOU GET REALLY SORE.  Its not "sore"... it's EXTREMELY sore. 

For me, I couldn't get ahold of myself until well into the late night-- the anthesisa made me sleep on and off.  I'm usually a side sleeper and that was the main reason I didnt sleep until morning- sleeping on my back was horrible.  PLEASE bring your own pillow. It helped me so much!!

I woke up early in the morning- around 4 am- and turned on the lights and TV-- deathly boring.  Once I started walking, however, that took up some of my day-- you should walk every 15 to 30 minutes.  Like I said, bring something to occupy your time!

For those of you bringing someone with you- neither one of our companions liked the La Casita restuarant- best to eat at either restaurant near the OX XO convenience store (names, I dunno, as this is all secondhand info!). 

The second night was a bit better- the heating pad I brought along HELPED SO MUCH.  6 hours straight sleep!!  It was like a miracle!  FYI the nurses bother you all night long but its for your own good (checking your IV, giving you meds etc).  The second night I was so zonked out I didnt notice the nurses working with my IV most of the time.  Heating pad, one of the top things on your packing list!

Dr Alvarez is wonderful and very caring, let me repeat that.  He will answer any emails you send him (I used email to communicate with him) in a timely manner.  He took the time this morning to explain about wound care, meds, etc etc.  A great guy!  Background info: He is 32, about to celebrate his one year wedding anniversary, and if you want a glimpse of his wife, look at the pictures in his bookshelf behind his desk!

So.. I better shut my trap and get back to walking, sipping, and resting here at the La Quinta!  Watching TV in English is sooo wonderful :)

I'm unfortunately the lady with the higher BMI so I'm stuck waiting for my turn to get on the operating room table!

I know that as a pre-op (funny to say that now since Ive been one for so long!), I was always looking for details, details, DETAILS about the surgery itself.  I appreciated the posts from those that were full of details, especially about their experience here in Mexico with Dr Alvarez. 

So... quid pro quo.  Here we go.

We arrived at the San Antonio airport yesterday and had to wait four hours (the other woman having surgery didn't schedule her arrival time for the morning, ack).  For you future Dr. Alvarezites in the same boat, take a taxi to the North Star Mall. It's a couple of miles away and only about $8.  The ride back is even cheaper (no airport fees).

Rosy arrived and found us very easily with her sign with our names on it!  No problem!  The ride out to Eagle Pass was uneventful-- just going through Texas hill country.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express- excellent room!  Pillows and bed were very nice and the room had a microwave and refrigerator.  I'd stay there again anytime.

This morning, Rosy picked us all up at 830 am and the crossing of the border was really uneventful.  We just breezed through.  I doubt the return trip will be the same though.  We'll see on Saturday!

It was great to finally meet Dr Alvarez.  As everybody said, he was super nice and very willing to answer any questions/concerns etc.  I could see that he wasn't really doing this for the money, although Im sure it doesn't hurt!  The nurse, Priscilla, is fantastic too.

As expected, the hospital is definitely past its prime.  However, I don't feel it's unclean here.  I've been here a couple of hours and I've already seen so many  mops around here!  The room is small but efficient.  Private bathroom also.  The wireless works to an extent-- currently Im sitting outside in the hallway with the husband of the other lady who is currently in surgery, typing away on our laptops!  It doesnt work in the rooms so be prepared for that if you come with a laptop!

We had our blood taken and chest xrays done.  I was very surprised- for years, the lab tech hasn't been able to take blood from the vein in my arm-- its always been from my hand (ugh).  This particular lab tech just slid the needle in and presto... blood.  That's something to be said, eh?

So...  in about a hour I think I'm gonna ask for a relaxant.  I'm that type who doesn't get nervous until the very last minute.  I just know that seeing the gurney is gonna do me in.  Yikes.  Oh... one other thing. When we arrived, we met two ladies (Barb D was one of them) and they were positively jumping up and down!  I could see that reassured my DP a little bit! 

Now, I'll shut up and try to think of stuff other than my upcoming surgery.  Yikes.

See ya on the other side!