MarshaBeeee

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Today makes 19 days post surgery!  I find myself with a lot of questions.  Am I eating too much?  So far everything I have tried to eat went down really well.  I keep having to make myself slow down and concentrate on taking smaller bites.  I have been eating mostly homemade soups, yogurt, jello, sf popsicles, and the dreaded meal replacement drinks.  I try not to use the word shakes because the only thing that would make them a shake is a scoop of ice cream!  I really am having a hard time with the meal replacements.  I am so sick of the "sweetness" of them.  I don't mind the New Directions Chocolate very much so that is what I have been doing mostly.  I do like the SmartForme peach mango and wildberry passion drinks.  I usually add some crystal light powder to them and they are actually good.  I have not been nauseated at all, I guess that is a good thing. 

The food guidelines that the dietician at Dr Nelson's office gave me is a little confusing.  For week 3-4 (pureed foods) it lists Homemade Chili.  I took this to mean I can start using lean ground beef, tomato products, beans.  I hope this is right because I have been using these and mashing them up real well. 

I have been walking as much as possible, gaining distance and speed each day.  I don't feel like I have had anything done at all now, except for getting full very fast when eating.  My incisions are all healed over and the itching has quit.  I am sleeping in my bed again after sleeping in the recliner in our bedroom for a week or so. 

I went to Sam's last night after work.  Everywhere I turned they were giving out samples, and the bakery smelled heavenly.  That was the hardest thing I have encountered so far.  But, I made it thru it. 

My weight loss has not been to great so far.  I am hoping it is because I am still so close to surgery.  I am down 11 lbs since the 24 of Feb.  That is 19 days. 

I go Monday for my 2wk check up with the Dr.  It was supposed to be last week, but my appointment card had the wrong date on it.  It was supposed to have been Monday, but the card said Tuesday.  I am anxious to have my blood drawn to see what my protein levels are. 

Till next time loosers!

THE day finally arrived, and things went really well.  The surgery went as expected.  The hospital stay was superb.  Everyone from the nurses to the housekeeping staff were top notch.  I ended up staying 4 nights/5 days.  The day after surgery I developed an irregular heartbeat.  They did an untrasound and another EKG.  According to those results everyting was ok.  Except every so often my HB would go up to the 170's and then go back to normal after a while.  Most of the time it did this, I was either up walking or sleeping.  The nurse came in my room in the middle of the night and said telemetry guy said to go into my room and see if I was hiding a Bow Flex in there.  I was sound asleep.  The cardiologist put me on a beta blocker and said it didn't look like anything to worry about, that is should go away as I loose the weight.  That's not exactly how I see it, but I will follow up to be sure.

My friend Debbie had her surgery the same day right before me.  We were across the hall from each other on the metabolic unit.  It has been nice having a surgery buddy.  We are both VERY tired of the protein meal replacements.  I am so sick of the sweet drinks all the time.  But I am managing to choke most of it down.  Debbie is in the same place.  But we only have 5 more days till we can add to our diet.  Neither one of us is going to rush things.  We know how important allowing our insides to heal.  Both of us have been itching like crazy on our tummy's.  I have lot of skin irritation from the tape and am using Cortaid on it.  It helps the itching too.  We are changing our bandages 2x daily and giving ourselves Lovenox shots once daily.  It is easier than I thought it would be.  My tummy looks really funny.  Everywhere I have had the shot has turned yellow. 

My daughter Brooke came from Florida to help me when I came home, and it was really nice having her here.  Her husband Scott had the sleeve last March, so she had some experience and was a big help.  She was here a week, and went home Monday. 

Debbie went to work for a few hours today, and I plan to go tomorrow for as long as I can take it.  I feel pretty good.  I have been walking everyday and not sleeping too much during the day.  If being at work is too much for me, I can always go home.  I have a SUV and I plan to make me a little bed in the back so I can take a little snooze if I need to.  I don't expect to get too much done tomorrow.

I had quite a bit of advice before my surgery.  One bit of advice was NEVER NEVER assume it's just gas.  Good advice, but some things you just have to find out for yourself!  Not saying I did, not saying I didn't, I'm just sayin.  Good advice. 

I know I have lost weight, but right now it is up and down so I am trying not to get on the scales too often.  I was 232 when I went to the seminar in December,  217 the morning of surgery (after the 10 day diet)  When I came home from the hospital Saturday I was at 218 (this was expected, actually I expected more since I had 4 bags of IV fluids)  This morning I was at 210.  But for my official weight, I will use the Dr scales.  I go back Tuesday March 10th. 

I have not slept in my bed yet, have been sleeping in the recliner in our bedroom.  It is so comfortable.  I tried laying in bed yesterday, but my body said "no no no no no".  Guess I will wait a little longer.  My best friends have been my SF popcicles and my grabber claw.  I'm taking my claw to work with me tomorrow. 

Well friends, it's been nice chatting with you.  Thanks for all of your good wishes and support.  Oh, I am posting a picture of Debbie and I (with her permission).  This was taken the Sunday before surgery (10/22/09). 

Marsha

Found out today that BCBS Federal does not cover the VSG.  I know they have paid for it to be done in the past, but evidently the ones who got it approved were lucky.  Someone evidently was not looking at the claim closely enough.  Dr. Nelson was told today where to find the policy they were quoting her in the denials, and she printed them out.  She showed me a copy from the BCBS Federal website.  The policy is dated 11/08 and says that the VSG is still considered investigational/experimental, and is not a covered procedure.  She said when they first started doing the VSG's they were given a code to file it under, and evidently that code is not the correct one for the VSG, so some slipped by BCBS Fed.  So, I have to make a decision between the Lap Band and the RNY.  I did a lot of research prior to deciding on the sleeve, so at least I am not starting from square one.  I have asked in a couple of posts for peoples experiences regarding what procedure they chose and why.  I have an appointment with Dr Nelson in the morning, and will get her input also.  I will also get a copy of the policy.  Then after my appointment, I am off with my mom to San Antonio to visit my little brother and neice.  My neice Tia is expecting a baby boy in April.  It will be nice to get away for a few days.  Thanks for all who offered help/advice. 

Things are moving along.  Today was my Psyc, Dietician and PT visits.  I am so hopeful that the insurance situation is resolved soon.l  They (the Drs office) tells me not to worry, fat chance of that!  I will quit worrying when my belly looks like I have been in a knife fight!   I am still trying to wrap my mind around what is about to happen to me.  I feel like I am about to start a new chapter in my life.  I am so excited.l  I dream about something related to the surgery, loosing weight, being in the hospital, something different every night.  Hopefully soon I will be able to quit dreaming about this and get some good sleep.  I am looking forward to going to another support meeting next week.  I feel like I have a new religion and am about to be baptised into it.