Bruce Schirmer, MD

Today starts my clear liquid to prep for tomorrow. I'm beyond excited there aren't any words... I have a moment last Saturday while reading labels. I wasn't prepared for that I thought the first few weeks would be easy. I love yogurt and didn't realize how few there are with less than 10grams of sugar. But I got myself together and moved on to another store. I chose this surgery because I'm tired, I'm tired of being fat, I'm tired of not being able to keep up with my kids, i'm tired of my feet hurting at the end of the day so bad that I can't walk, I'm tired of not being able to bend over and tie my shoes. This is it this is my chance to live again this is my due over I'll plan to do everything that it takes to get this weight off. Like many other people I have tried everything under the sun to get my weight under control my number,my number is 40, 40 pounds no matter what I do no matter how much I do how long I do it I will lose 40 pounds and not 1 pound more. Several people have asked what my goal weight is and the truth is I don't have a goal weight I never cared what the number said on the scale it's all about how I feel and right now I feel fat I can't do things every day that I should be able to do that makes me sad. Updated on 29 Sep 2016: So today I drink a bottle of magnesium citrate at 2 pm and still have yet to go to the bathroom.... Is this normal? I did puke my guts out for hours and now my belly is just rumbling and rumbling Updated on 30 Sep 2016: So today's the day we are all in the lobby waiting for my buzzer go off- can I just say IM STARVING count down to the loser bench Updated on 30 Sep 2016: Updated on 30 Sep 2016: So its 2 am and I'm sleeved and sore lol. I'm sure that's to be expected. I was not prepared for how much it was going to hurt to move, sit up and wipe when I pee(I know TMI) all and all I think I'm ok and I'm ready to start this new life!! Looking forward to tomorrow Updated on 2 Oct 2016: So the nutritionist said I could use the protein powder I had a home with some fat free milk but I think during my surgery I've became lactose intolerant the gas was a Horrible today!! But I'm doing ok up and moving as much as I can. I slept in my bed last night woke up at 4 am and it took forever to get outta bed I was so stiff I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight... any advice on how long the stiffness will last? HW 275 SW 253 CW 253.2 Updated on 3 Oct 2016: Today I get to shower I'm so excited about this! Each day gets easier (once I'm up) I find myself standing in the scale several times a day I knows that's totally crazy but I just keep thinking the fat will just fall off. I'm 3 days post-op now still have yet to use the bathroom but my stomach is very grumbly today so maybe ;) I did sleep in the bed again last night and again this morning I wished I hadn't :( I'm so stiff and sore when I wake up I feel like my stomach is going to fall out!! I'm doing ok drinking I know I need to drink more water than I am but I'm getting both protein shakes in and I'm happy about that. The gas pain might be the worse but I have these gas strips that help pretty quickly. HW 275 SW 253 CW 252

I begin my journey 9/4/2014. Prior to my first appointment, I researched the locations that perform the Gastric bypass surgery. I decided on University of Virginia Health Center located in Charlottesville, VA. I see Rheumatologist and Digestive Health Specialist Physicians. I need to start Journaling. Updated on 5 Oct 2014: I called the surgeon's office last Friday for an update. I need my heart clearance for surgery. I see my heart doctor on Friday, 10/10/2014. I hope he does letter quickly. Once the surgeon's office receives clearance, they will schedule me for EGD on a Tuesday and surgeon doctor visit on that Thursday. Don't have the Tueday/Thursday dates yet. I don't know about the liquid diet. I guess I will find out. I can't complain, I began my journey on 9/4/2014. That's all for now. Wanda VA Updated on 23 Oct 2014: Wednesday 10/22, I received a call from Jeff, the scheduler, in the surgeon's office. November 18 scheduled for EGD November 20 scheduled for Work up appointment with the surgeon. Jeff told me to be thinking of a surgery date. I asked if we can schedule now. We started looking at 21, 24, 26 or 28 November. I told him I had to discuss with my husband the best date because he will need to be my driver. I called Jeff back and he said the surgeon will set the date on the work up appointment on 20 November. Venting........ I asked him if we can schedule a date now because my appointment 20 November would probably put surgery around Christmas or January. He hasn't called me back. I don't know if anyone else has medical insurance that towards the end of the year you have reached your out of pocket co-pays and my portion of the bill is around $200. All my prescriptions are free. If the surgery is in January, my co-pay would be around $1000. Big difference. Prescriptions will be about half cost. I have one that I have to pay $280 a month. well that is enough venting. Wanda from Fredericksburg ,VA Updated on 31 Oct 2014: I found out today my date for the Sleeve Gastrectomy. Yeah. Now I need to start getting things ready. :) Updated on 10 Nov 2014: To all.... My surgeon does not require the liquid diet before surgery. That seems strange because almost everyone having the surgery is doing the liquid diet, before surgery. One week from tomorrow I have the EGD. Endoscopy. 11/18/2014 I am nervous that the surgeon might find something to cancel my surgery. Two days after the EGD is my appointment with the surgeon and surgical work-up. 11/20/2014 I am getting excited about the Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery. I still haven't started buying the special diet stuff. Protein drinks and meals. A couple of you have bought from COSTCO. Do you have to be a member to shop there? For those of you that have had the surgery, are you required to write alot in a journal or food log to keep organized? If you have any suggestions I would welcome anything that has worked for you. December 1st is my day:) Wanda Spotsylvania, VA Updated on 21 Nov 2014: This week has been busy for me. Tuesday 18 December I had the Endoscopy. It showed I have a small Hiatal hernia which the doctor said he will fix. Thursday 20 December was my workup. I met with the surgeon and another doctor in his team. They explained the surgery, discussed the risks and the expected recovery plan. I met with the Nutritionist again and we discussed the diet for 1 - 3 weeks. I met with the Nurse to summarize everything, then sent me over for Anesthesia evaluation, Chest Xray, EKG, blood drawn for tests and pre-registered at the hospital. The day before surgery, I will receive a phone call the day before telling me what time to report to the hospital. The day before surgery is all liquid diet. Around 2 PM I start a bowel prep by drinking that nasty tasting Citrate. I am starting to gather all the stuff I need. Today I bought the Ninja blender for making shakes. I will shop next week for my vitamins and protein shakes, etc. Can't wait:) Updated on 28 Nov 2014: Can't wait. I have so many things I need to do. I had most of the family here for Thanksgiving. I have bought the NINJA blender. I can't wait to try it out. I am being a couch potato today. I need to get motivated. Updated on 4 Dec 2014: A little disappointed this week. SURGERY DATE CHANGES!! December 1 then December 8th then December 5th then December 8th. If I receive my surgery nurse call tomorrow afternoon, surgery will happen Monday December 8th. I still need to go pick up my supplements. Multivitamin, 500 B12, Calcium 500mg. I need to pickup my protein items too. I worked on my day plan tonight. meals, supplements and drinks. I still need to plan in exercise. I am not sure how I will take all my medicines. I am on so many meds, some tablets, others capsules. I don't know whether to try swallowing them first before crushing them or dissolving the capsule content into applesauce. How did everyone else do with all their medications? I want to go get my hair dyed and fixed. I want to go get acrylic nails done. My Surgeon's nurse said I could do it. I will check with surgery nurse tomorrow. Gosh my mind is spinning. I need to post pre-op pictures. I am going to tattle on myself, I am drinking a glass of red wine. It will be my last for life. Taste good and cold. Good night SLEEVE friends. Updated on 5 Dec 2014: Today, Friday, I received the phone call from UVA surgical nurse. She told me to be at the hospital checkin at 8:30 AM. Surgery will be a couple hours later. Sunday is an all liquid diet. Also the awful bowel prep drinking that nasty liquid Citrate. I have been reading and following several of you all on your weight loss surgery. Unless I missed the posts, I don't remember any of you feeling like me today. I feel like tomorrow is my last day to eat. My husband and I are going to Friendly's for breakfast and Red Lobster for dinner. Is this being bad? Updated on 7 Dec 2014: Today has been my all liquid day. Doing OK. I have been watching Christmas movies all day. Our football team didn't show up to play. Lol Washington Redskins. We'll I will post tomorrow after surgery. Wanda Updated on 8 Dec 2014: Waiting to go back. I took pre-op pictures but I have to figure how to post it. Lol Updated on 8 Dec 2014: Waiting to go back to surgical area. Posted pictures. Updated on 10 Dec 2014: Had my surgery on Monday. Today is Wednesday. I had the Sleeve done. I thought the fluid intake would be higher than it is now. I haven't been able to convince myself the more I drink the better I feel. Pain management in this hospital is getting better. Yesterday, day 2, was my worse day. I have to request my pain meds. They must have been short staffed and I was an hour late on pain meds. I was in tears I had so much pain. I am not on IV meds. I have to take them by mouth. :( My pain is getting manageable. I get to go home today. I am a little nervous hoping I feel better at home not feeling worse. I didn't realize how little I can do for myself. My husband Richard will be my doctor. I have 6 holes around my belly. My belly is swollen. I feel like I am pregnant. Lol I am having trouble with swelling. I don't know if that is just me. I am being discharged today. Hubby will be here soon to pick me up. I think I will improve at home. I didn't get much sleep in here. Sorry if I am rambling on but I wanted to share my experience in case some of you out there have some suggestions on what works for you that will help me and others. Can't wait to go home. :) Updated on 11 Dec 2014: Today has been a 200% improvement since yesterday. Yesterday I was having my first day of nausea. It was because my sugar was love. The ride home was a 2 hour bumpy 2 hours ride. What was difficult for me is drink when your nausea. If you get dehydrated you will become nauseated. In past I didn't eat or drink. I slept once I was settled yesterday. I woke up to use the bathroom and take my meds. Went back to bed, bathroom and meds and slept again. Today I feel at 5 PM, I feel so much better. No nausea. Manageable pain. I probably will start weaning off narcotic pain meds tomorrow. I haven't had trouble keeping fluids, jello, puddings and pills. The vitamins takes good! I have had 3 protein shakes so far. Ensure plus chocolate on ice. It's OK. Ensure plus vanilla no ice was yucky. Muscle Milk Chocolate no ice was good. My husband picked up banana popsicles! So the doctor was right that 2nd day is the hardest day. Tomorrow, Day 5, I will try going upstairs and taking a shower and maybe sleep in the bed upstairs. Good days lead to great days.:) Spotsylvania, VA Updated on 14 Dec 2014: Hello I have questions for those who have had the WLS. Does the bruising, black and purple, go away soon? Does the stomach stop feeling swollen and hard? I am getting itchy around the stretch marks on my belly. Normal? I have been doing OK on keeping liquids down. I had the Sleeve and a liver biopsy. I needed Miralax to get things moving below. I was able to have a BM Yesterday and without problems. I have been sleeping alot. I haven't been walking around upstairs or outside. I will start tomorrow getting up the steps and get in the shower. Any advice from anyone? Updated on 22 Dec 2014: Doing so much better than a week ago. Stopped prescription pain meds on Day 8. I have been able to keep my fluids down. Still doing the protein shakes, broths, cream soups, cottage cheese, applesauce, jello and pudding. I have introduced a scrambled egg. That was OK. Weighed in today, I lost 17 lbs in 2 weeks, since surgery. I am gonna go out of the house today. First time, only because I haven't wanted to go out in the cold. That is a change for me since surgery, I stay cold. For all of you that celebrate, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR. Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia USA Updated on 26 Dec 2014: I haven't been nauseated since 1 day post op on 9 December 2014. I am so sick to my stomach today, I feel like I am going to throw up. I have never thrown up since surgery. My daughter was over yesterday and two of her kids were sick. One more sick today. They were just laying around she said. HELP How do I know what to do? Updated on 26 Dec 2014: Dr said he think I am experiencing the Dumping. This is so bad. Nauseated all day. Cold chills. I threw up an felt better. Dr said to go slow with liquid diet. I had a jello snack cup. I did OK. I waited and tried Greek yogurt. 3 bites and I am sick again. Just got sick. Dry heaves and foamy stuff. I hope this goes away soon. Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia Updated on 27 Dec 2014: Went to emergency room last night. They gave me IV fluids, Zofran 8 mg IV med and Pain medicine through IV. Dr's thought I had a Gastroparesis issue. The intestines were not emptying the food in my stomach. This is a medical condition I have prior to surgery. The emergency room was packed with people having the flu. I am so glad to be home. Updated on 29 Dec 2014: I am able to eat today. Feeling much better. I feel I lost 3 days from being sick in the bed. I started taking my medicines again today. I just want to get up and around the house. I want to THANK YOU to all of RealSelf forum for giving me advice while being sick. Wishing all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015:) Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia Updated on 31 Dec 2014: I am finishing 2014 sick. Still running a temperature. Slept all day today. I am drinking alot of diet gingerale. Tylenol for fever. Cough syrup for cough. A special kind of cough syrup for diabetics and people with high blood pressure. I am praying for a good start to 2015 by shaking this fever. Happy New Year everyone. Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia Updated on 8 Jan 2015: Today was my appointment with my surgeons and nutritionist. Had a good checkup. I have lost 20 lbs since surgery on 8 December 2014. He was sorry I had the flu so soon after surgery and it lasted so long. 12/26/2014 - 1/1/2015. My husband came down with the Flu 12/31/2014 through today. He was positive for Flu type A. I am able to go to Stage 3 diet. Yeah! Slowly transition to stage 4 full food. I will not see the doctor for 2 months. Besides when I had the flu, I never got sick on the liquid diet and stage 2 mushy food. (Knock on wood) I will update my pictures. Updated on 9 Jan 2015: Same outfit I wore before surgery. Updated on 9 Jan 2015: One month post op I didn't realize this outfit was too big until after I wore it awhile. Updated on 11 Jan 2015: I am going to try posting comparison pictures. 12/8/2014 01/8/2015 I purposely wore the same outfit in both sets of pictures. I could really tell the difference in my clothes. Pre surgery I wore a size 16 pants, 2X blouses or dresses. My size 16 pants are hanging down my hips. Funny I look like a sad sack because my crotch hangs down about 4 inches. Lol Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia Updated on 12 Jan 2015: Starting riding my stationary bike today. I rode for 5 minutes and a distance of 1.08 miles. Yeah. I haven't been on the incumbent bike for years. I plan to get on again today. My goal is 30 minutes a day. It is raining here so I didn't want to walk today. Wanda Spotsylvania, Virginia