jadarr2

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Well it feels like I have not been on here in forever.  I have not posted a blog in a very long time.  I hit the 100 lbs. lost goal the other day which is great, that also put me below what the doctors office said my weight loss range would be.  They said I would be in the 160 range but I weighed in at 157 the other morning.  I am now officially overweight instead of obese, but would like to be in the normal catagory eventually.  The weight loss has slowed quite a bit, but I think with a little more effort and exercise, I can lose the next 20 lbs I want to lose.  I can wear a size small-medium shirt/top depending on the make, but because most of my weight was in my hips, thighs and butt I am still in a size 10-12 pants.  My co-workers tell me I don't look that big, but my head still sees a very large person in this skin.  I have days when I look in the mirror and say to myself "damn girl you look good" and there are more days than not that I see the same body as what I started out with. 

I am truly happy I had this surgery though.  I have more energy and feel so much better.  I have been able to run with my three year old and he wants to stop running before I do, which is so the opposite from before.  I have had a couple of instances that my blood sugar has dropped I think though.  I get real light headed/dizzy and start shaking.  I drink some orange juice and eat some peanut butter crackers and within a short time it is like nothing ever happened.  This usually occurs when I have had too much time in between my meals or have made a poor choice in eating, so I am very conscious about making sure I eat regularly as much as I can or carry a snack with me just in case.

Am glad to see everyone who are my friends on here are still doing well and will try to check in a little more often since the weather is starting to change here in NY and that means I will probably spend a little more time inside where it is warmer.

I am so excited.  The scale may not be moving very fast but this morning I was going through clothes that I have in my closet weeding out the ones that have become too big and ran across a couple of items I have had for a very long time that were size 16.  I thought lets see if I can get my big butt into these.  Put my first leg in, put my second leg in, started pulling them up over my rather large thighs, it was a little snug but they kept going, pulled them up over my big hips, and finally, zipped them with ease.  I can't believe it they fit!!!!!    I ran into the bedroom where my DH was playing on his computer and said look at these.  He was like what are you talking about, and I said these pants are a size 16 and I started out in a size 24 tight 22's.  He said, "Wow they look nice on you!"  I am just sooooo happy.  My sister dropped off a shirt and pair of pants that she can't wear anymore as she has gained weight and the pants I can't wear yet, they are a size 14 but the shirt is a size large and it fit.

I love that I had this surgery every day.  It is making me feel better about myself and my health.  It is making me realize that I have a better chance of being around to see my son who is 3 grow up and have a family of his own.  I would not trade my decision to have this surgery for anything in the world other than my son. 

I am just so giddy and skipping around the house now!  Hope everyone else has a great day too!!!!! 

Hope that everyone had a great Easter Holiday.  Mine was not very eventful but I did get a nice surprise when I stepped on the scale read 198.2.  That puts me in Onederland.  I am so greatful for this surgery and for this day.  I can honestly say this was an exciting WOW moment for me.  Just need to keep it moving to get the rest that I want to lose off.  I have the rest of my life to work hard and get there.

Well after remaining at 217 lbs. for about the last two weeks, I stepped on the scale this morning, after I ate breakfast, and it was finally down 2 pounds.  I just kept doing as I should and let it do its thing. 

I had a problem with some pork roast that I tried.  This was the first thing I had any reaction too as far as it feeling stuck or dumping I think.  It was the worst feeling I ever had.  Very painful and scary.  I thought it was very moist and that I had chewed it well enough, but it came back up.  Bread and crackers to me taste very sweet, so I have been staying away from them as they really didn't taste good being so sweet.  I tried a very small sliver of thin crust pizza tonight and it was wonderful.  It was just enought to satisfy my craving for it and I was full with just that little piece. It was about 1/16 wedge of a 16 inch pizza. 

This morning I made a 1 egg omlet with 2 slices of very thin sliced ham and cheese with Pam cooking spray.  I ate a couple of thin 1/4 slices of fresh pineapple also.  This was very good and I was stuffed.  What I have been craving a lot is salad though.  I have been making a chicken ceasar salad, light on the dressing, for lunch and get very full with it.  The things that I choose to eat have been a lot more healthier than before and I don't seem to miss any of that old stuff that I don't eat anymore. 

I can't wait for this weather to clear up so I can get out and do more.  I have been working out with the Wii fit and Wii Active sports but it is not the same as being out in that freash air and sunshine.  I have also been sick with a nasty cold the past couple of weeks so exercise was put to the back burner temporarily.  I think today is the best I have felt in the past 2 weeks.  I walked around our Sam's club for an hour last night waiting to get new tires on my SUV and today I did more walking around the stores. 

Well, have to get going for now.  Will post again soon.

I seen Nicole the nutritionist today for my 2 week follow up to advance to the next food stage.  I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get home and try that cream of tomato soup.  I never thought tomato soup could ever taste so good.  Have to go to the store later to get some other things that are on my new list of can eats (drink pretty much due to consistancy).  I am down 20 lbs since surgery and 30 lbs total since starting this process.  I am happy with that.  Ate only about a 1/4 cup and felt so full.  Will try something different each day so if any reation to it I can eliminate it for now. 

On another note, 10 days after surgery I was able to put on my own shoes (could before, but not right after) and started sleeping on my sides.  Still don't dare sleep on my stomach.  Atleast I am out of the recliners in my couch and chair.  My back seems to bother me across my shoulder blade area, but I notice it after I have been doing stuff for a while.  It seems that since the surgery, I find myself keeping my posture straighter so I am using those muscles that I let go for so long.  I can only hope this will get better with time.  Other than that I feel wonderful.  No regrets.

Well, gotta get going for now.  Can't get any exercise setting in front of this computer.  Will post again later.

Well I finally have my own computer back and had to get everything back to where it was to begin with.  Took a whole day to find everything in hidden files and reinstall programs I could no longer access.  What a pain.  Darn motherboard, who does she think she is quitting on me like that?  Well anyway....

Had my surgery 1 week ago today.  Arrived at the hospital and weighed 244.  Day after surgery I weighed 255 and they said that was normal.  Came home weighing 253.  Today I went to my 1 week follow up to have drain tube removed, yay!!!!!!!   What a strange feeling that was, with only minimal discomfort.  Stepped on the scale at the doctors office and it read 237.  Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!! 

During my time at home discovered that I could no longer drink regular 1% or skim milk, it made me very bloated and cause pain and nausea.  No vomiting or diarrhea though.  So I changed to Lactaid 1% milk.  Much better.  Has a little sweeter taste to it though so I may try the Skim next time.  As I have read many comments on the boards that this is not an uncommon thing.  So next week I meet with the nutritionist to move onto the next phase.  Learning to take small sips of everything was/is hard.  Jello takes me forever to eat, who'd a thought that?  Water was hard to get in but now that I know why I  was having such a hard time with the milk it should get easier.

It has been hard though for my little guy because he just wants to love on me and I won't let him on me yet.  He can only hug and kiss me standing next to me or i his high chair where we are face to face.  My husband wanted to cater to my every whim initially but I had to remind him I needed to get up and move around to get the blood moving and joints loosened up to keep from getting stiff.  Finally can put my own socks on since surgery.  Shoes will be my next quest.  I just don't want to take a chance of developing a hernia or anything. 

Well I am going to get off here for now and will post again after I meet with the NUT.

Thanks to all that respond in advance.

Well I came home yesterday evening and am glad to be home.  Got better rest last night, no one coming in to check on me every hour.  Surgery went well.  Had some problems with nausea and vomiting on the second day but it finally went away after the Dr. told me how much I should be drinking and how often.  My monthly friend decided to visit this morning.  A little early, but I see a lot of women have experienced the same thing.  Having some pain here and there but I think it is mostly gas, as there is a lot of gurgling and bubbling going on.  My sister is bringing my little guy home later today, so that should make for some interesting times.  My husband has been like a mother hen.  He keeps asking if I need anything so I don't have to get up, but I keep reminding him that I need to get up and walk and move around in order to heal and not get so stiff.  Also helps with getting the gas out.  I think the hardest part for the next week is going to be giving myself the Heprin injections that my doctor sent me home with.  I watched the nurses do them enough to know how to but it is just that initial time of poking myself that is scary.  I gained 11 pounds from the fluids that they gave me through IV's but they said this is normal.  I think once I get moving a little better and get rid of all this gas it will go away quicker.

Gonna go for now.  I will post again at a later date.  Still do not have my computer back, am using my husband's for now but don't like to get on his like I do mine.  Good luck to all of you who are coming up on your surgery dates and hope everyone else on the losers bench already are doing well.

Julie

Today was my Pre-Admissions visit at the hospital and my final appointment before my surgery next week.  The test they conducted for the blood gases and nicotine hurt a little becuase I tensed up and the artery went in deeper, so the nurse had to fish to get to it.  The other blood work didn't hurt at all.  The nurse doing the regular blood work put the needle in without me even feeling it.  Everything is pending my lab work results.  My PCP cleared me but noted that it was dependant on my lab results.  My PCP was a little put out because he wanted to do the lab work and I explained that the Surgeon wanted to conduct the labs at the hospital so they were there and so the Anesthesiologist could see them as well.  A requirement they have at Arnot.  They should be fine, I went in fasting so they would have an accurate test and all my tests to date other than once have all been normal.

My computer at home quit working on Christmas night, so it is at the local repair place being worked on.  Hopefully I will have it back soon.  I don't get much time at work to get on here and my husband is always on his at home so if anyone tries to contact me I will respond as soon as I can.

I have to be at the hospital on January 6, 2010 at 5:30 am and my surgery is scheduled for approximately 7:30 am.  I am the first person on the list that morning the nurse said.  I can't believe that next week at this time my surgery will be over and the nurses will probably have me up walking the halls.  I am so excited, but scared at the same time.  I know I am going to miss my little guy so much  It will be rough when I get home though because he will want to climb all over me.  I have been trying to teach him to not climb on me and that I can't pick him up but he still is so active and doesn't understand.

Well it is time to go home from work, so I will post again another time.

Hugs to all, Julie

Well I received a call from the scheduler this morning wanting to make sure the I knew I had to have medical clearance with my PCP because she has been so busy she couldn't remember if she told me this or not.  I let her know that I was aware that I needed the medical clearance and it was set for December 21.  She said she hadn't faxed him the letter of needs that they wanted from him for my clearance so she was faxing it today. 

While I had her on the phone I asked if she would be mailing my pre-op diet and final appointment information with the surgeon and she said she was mailing it today.  I asked if she would rather have me just pick up the info at the office as I am only 5 minutes from work or home to there and she said that would be fine she would leave it at the front desk.  She said the packet would include my appointments and my 1 week pro-op diet.  I was shocked to hear that it was only for one week and questioned it and she said my surgeon only requires a one week pre-op diet, however some of the other surgeons in the group require 2 weeks.  I WAS SO EXCITED, I CAN HAVE CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH MY FAMILY  an then start my diet.  I just want a piece of that spiral ham, could really care less about anything else! To top it all off, when I opened my packet after picking it up, my diet is not a liquid one either.  It is more like a diabetic, well balanced diet.  How cool is that?  I started reading through my booklet that we get in our initial group meeting as well, marking things that I will need to pick up within the next couple of weeks to be fully prepared.  I have some of the items but am still lacking of others. 

I am so excited now that when I think about this I start to shake and what to jump around the room bouncing off walls with joy.  I can't believe that this is so close I can almost touch it. 

Well enough for now, my little guy just woke up from his nap and I want to love and hug him all up.  I so miss him when I am at work and look forward to coming home to see him.  We might go out and do some sled riding in our front yard, we have a small hill, which gets me some good exercise when I have to treck back up it, I get winded, but it is getting a little easier each time I walk it.  Great cardio work out.

 

Ok, as of tomorrow I have exactly 3 weeks until surgery.  I am beginning to wonder what I still need to do.  I have my medical clearance with my PCP on December 21st  but still have not received my packet for my pre-op diet or any follow up appointments with the surgeon before my surgery. 

The scheduler called me last week to tell me again that my surgery date had been moved from January 4th to the 6th due to changes in the OR scheduling because she forgot that we had already talked about the date when I called her with questions about what my PCP had ordered for lab work.  I asked her about my packet and she stated that she needed to get everyone that is scheduled for the first week of January finished by the end of last week because the Dr.s are taking vacation days around the holidays and she wasn't sure how they were going to get everything worked out.  I told her that I was afraid that this was going to happen, only because I worked in the medical field for almost eight years and know what the Dr.s do around the holidays, that is why I called her 2 weeks ago to try to get the ball rolling. 

If I need to do a 2 week pre-op diet, I need to get it started on December 23rd, but don't know what the doctor requires.  My boss keeps asking me about the last two weeks of the year also because we only work 5 days out of the last two weeks and normally someone is off in the office due to it being slow.  I can't tell her anything that I don't know.  I was hoping to know by now for planning but no such luck.

I am going to wait one more day and see if anything comes in the mail, I am only around the corner from the office for both work and home so if I have to I will go pick the info up if it speeds it up any.  If I don't receive anything by tomorrow, I am calling them on Thursday. 

I think my nerves are just getting the best of me right now and the not knowing just makes it worse.  Well I guess I have rambled enough and am sorry if I bored any readers, but I needed to vent.  Will update when I know more.

Thanks to all.....Julie