C. Cook

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I am now three months post-op and, although I haven't weighed in two weeks, I was at 41 pounds weight loss at my last weighing.  I have gone down three sizes in my clothes AND in my wedding band size.  I am going to have to buy new clothes as the ones I am currently wearing are all getting too big. 

For the last two weeks, I have been on vacation in Central Europe.  We were on a Danube River cruise and, even if I wasn't perfect about eating, I was extremely good!  I had a great time with my family.  I stopped in my store this evening and all the staff says I look like I have lost more weight (in addition to my clothes indicating the same thing). 

One good thing:  Last summer when we were in France, I had no energy.  This year, I actually climbed a mountain in Austria!!!  Another good thing:  the seat belts on the planes weren't straining around me!

I go in on Thursday for my second adjustment.  I am about two weeks behind because of my vacation.  I am anxious to see what the official scales say.

On Saturday, I lost another pound so it's now 17 pounds weight loss!

Today, I worked from 10 to 10 -- back to my old routine.  I actually ate one of my meals from my business after it was processed in the blender -- it had the consistency of baby food but tasted better.  The texture wasn't wonderful, but I was starting to get tired of chicken, egg or tuna salad and macaroni and cheese!

Although some days are harder than others, I really don't feel like eating between meals.  By the time I finish eating, I am uncomfortable but not stuffed.  So I have been waiting up to 2 hours to even drink anything.

My clothes are really getting loose - one pair of jeans are about to fall off, but some of the others are just not feeling so tight. 

For the last several days, I was at 14 pounds gone but couldn't seem to make the scale go lower.  I guess I finally have broken my stall.  According to my scales today, I have lost 16 pounds!  Hallelujah!  

The pain from my unfortunate happening on Sunday is also gone.  I am doing better about drinking and taking my vitamins and things.  In fact, I am about to go make me some breakfast.  Today, I'll proably have low fat ricotta cheese with a bit of almond flavoring, some Splenda and cinnamon.  It really tastes pretty good. I have a long day ahead of me so I need to get going.  I'm excited about the loss -- now, I need to try on some clothes to see which ones fit better!

On Sunday, I went to the store and while loading some groceries, instead of turning to face the car while pulling down the door, I did it from the right side.  Oh, my God!  The pain was tremendous!  It got worse during the night and yesterday, I was miserable.  I should have taken Lortab to sleep last night but just didn't want to (now I wish I had)!  I slept about 4 hours then was up for 3 before going back to sleep for another 2.

I called Dr. Merriman's office and they said to take the Lortab because when we start doing better, we over do!  (No kidding!)  They also said under no circumstances am I to keep going to Fit After Fifty (Not happy about that)!  

I went to work today but was very careful about not lifting anything heavy -- I had to keep my jeans unzipped most of the day (thank goodness, we wear aprons over our clothes) because it hurt so bad!  Tonight, I am much better and I am barely hurting!

The soft food diet is going pretty good.  I am eating chicken, tuna and salmon, macroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, applesauce, baby food fruits, pudding, etc.  I have now lost 14-1/2 pounds as of today.  People who haven't seen me in a while including one of my former staff members, are noticing the change.  My pants are too big in the legs!  Hooray!!!!

Now that I am busier, I have to remind myself to drink and take vitamins and drink my protein.  I am trying so hard to do what I am supposed to!

I went in to see Dr. Merriman's nurse, Donna, today.  I have lost 13 pounds!!!!  My scars are healing nicely -- the only one giving me any discomfort is the one over the port. Donna also said that it is where most of the action took place!

I get to start taking in soft foods:  mashed potatoes, tuna or chicken salad, eggs, macaroni & cheese, etc.  Next week, I can add saltines.  I also get to start back to Fit After Fifty although I won't be able to do any crunches, squats, or any machines requiring abdominal muscle use.  I will be able to do most of the leg and arm machines, walking and stair-stepping. 

I go back for my first adjustment in 4 weeks (March 15).  

I have been going into my store about 4 hours daily, but I am still working from home a lot, too.  Next week, I'll start working 8 hour days.  I am still interviewing for new employees!

Today I got on the scales and I was down 11 pounds total.  Yeah!!!  I am really starting to feel it in my clothes.  

I had a big day:  I left my house at 9:15 to go to a church retreat and from there ran some errands, including the grocery store.  I also went into my store for about two hours then came home and chilled for about four hours before going back to the store for at 6:30.  I stayed until my husband got there to relieve me at 9 p.m. This is the longest day I have had out so far.

Tonight, I am exhausted!  My incision just above my navel is aching probably because that is where my jeans hit it.  Tomorrow, I am going back to the retreat then to the store for a few hours then on to my first new patient seminar!  Hopefully, I won't be as tired.

I have weaned myself off of the pain medication three nights ago. and  I am using XS Tylenol at bedtime and every morning, and although I am hurting a little right now (it's late and I need to go to bed), it's not anything I can't live without.

I have only left the house on Sunday afternoon to go to our store with my husband for about an hour.  I am working from home, and my staff and husband are handling everything they can.  I do plan to drive myself to the bank tomorrow, stop by the store, and come straight home.  It will be my first time to drive myself since Tuesday, January 30.

If my scales are right, I have lost 9 pounds.  I am being very rigid about doing what I am supposed to when I am supposed.  The only problem I have now is still trying to sleep with the stupid CPAP machine.  I wake up and find the machine on, but the mask off almost every night!!!!  Hopefully, in a short while, I can forget about it because the sleep apnea will disappear with the weight.  

I am enjoying trying to make my liquid meals as varied as I can.  I try to use the lowfat cream soups and puddings at mealtimes and lighter liquids and jello at other times.  So far, so good.  If my husband just wouldn't make toast, I would be fine (it smelled so good!).  Next week, I get to add real food blended with milk at mealtimes. 

The one thing I haven't liked is the Butterscotch flavored protein powder I bought.  Yuch!!!  The unflavored and the liquid are much better.  I will use up the Butterscotch though if it takes me forever!

My first postop appointment is Feb. 15 although I am going to go to a support group for new patients on Feb. 12.  I will probably start back to the store part-time next week, perhaps 3 to 4 hours at first and build up until I can work the occasional 12+ hour days when needed!   I am really looking forward to seeing what Dr. Merriman's scales say!

My mom and sister arrived the day before the surgery to help take care of me.  We went out to dinner that night and I had my last meal of beef for a while.  

The next morning, my husband and I were at the hospital at 6 a.m.  I had already done everything I needed to do to be preadmitted.  My IV was started, etc.  They took me into surgery at about 7:15.  One of the last things I remember hearing was the CRNA asking me if I knew what I was going to look like at Christmas!  What a neat idea to go to sleep with!

I don't remember the surgery or recovery, but I got back to the room at 11.  They began giving me a few ice chips and I was released to go home at 3 p.m.  Because of my motion sickness, I had dry heaves when I got home but they only lasted about 5 minutes.  Thank God I only live 7 minutes from the hospital.

The last two days have not been bad.  I have been good about moving around and not staying too long in one place.,  I have been drinking on the hour (yesterday, I progressed to full liquids from clear).  And, I am starting to wean myself off the pain meds.  My major problem at the moment is constipation but that has been a life-long one.  I called the doctor's office, and his nurse advised either Milk of Magnesia or enema.  I'm going to try MOM first.

All in all, it isn't bad, and I am very glad I have done this for myself and my health!

On Friday, Jan. 26, I went first to be fitted for the CPAP.  Later that day, I went to Dr. Merriman's office and then to the hospital.  All my preop stuff is done!  I have even been measured for TED hose!

I am trying to finalize things at my business and making last minute arrangements (including buying appropriate fluids and supplements for when I get home).  My mom and sis arrive tomorrow to help.  My husband is being extremely supportive but I am very nervous and excited at the same time.

The CPAP is proving a little difficult to get used to.  The first night I was able to sleep with it on for 4 hours, took it off for 2, then reapplied it for another hour.  The second night I woke up about 5 a.m. to find the machine was still on but I wasn't wearing the mask.  I don't know when I took it off.  Last night, I slept with it for about 2 hours.  I will keep working with it as I have been told it takes 2 weeks to get used to it.

Just 2 more days.  I have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m on Wednesday, Jan. 31.  Since I am self-pay, it will be day surgery unless something unforeseen occurs (not going to happen)!  I am both extremely excited but also a little more anxious every day.  Fortunately, I know some of the nursing staff and one of the same day surgery nurses says she will ask the anesthesiologist to give me a valium as soon as possible upon arrival for surgery!  YEAH for drugs that relieve anxiety!

I am also trying to stay away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing, washing my hands frequently, taking vitamins, and trying to get enough sleep despite difficulty with CPAP and insomnia.  I don't want to get sick and have to postpone.