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In my early adult years I was thin, fit, healthy...
In my early adult years I was thin, fit, healthy and happy. Life happens and all that disappeared. Now at 47 I am finally taking control and becoming what and who I was at 27. The past 20 years have been up and down on the scale, each attempt at losing weight lasted only short periods of time. January 2014, at 246 pounds I had enough and web searched for a local bariatric center. I went to the seminar, listened, learned, and requested insurance approval. 2 days later I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found out my surgery would be covered by my insurance following all of the requirements. 6 months of individual and group nutritional meetings, endoscope, psych exam, mandatory weight loss, pedometer tracking, family doctor records, EKG, bloodwork, Xrays, support group attendance, blah, blah, blah. Fast forward to December 2014, at 206 pounds I had my sleeve. I lost 30 pounds before surgery with good nutritional guidelines, the foundation for my future. Today, February 27, I am 180 pounds...for a total of 66 pounds lost. I still have a ways to go, but I feel good and that's what is important. I would never have been able to get this far without the sleeve.
Surgery Experience
Surgery day arrived 11 months after I started the long process, and it was so worth it. I remember waking up in the recovery room in pain thinking "What have I done?! I chose to have this surgery, I chose this pain!" The pain wasn't severe, I was just feeling sorry for myself. General anesthesia doesn't agree with me, I spent 3 days in the hospital with the barf bowl under my chin. I never threw up, I just had dry heaves and lots of drool...like a baby. That sensation came every time the morphine was put through my I.V. I am not always the smartest, it took until my last morning to figure it out and ask for pain pills instead (no nausea for the drive home...yay).
My first evening in the hospital was just plain uncomfortable, I had a catheter, couldn't possibly pull myself out of bed, nothing to drink, and of course the nausea. Oh, and the gas pain! My left shoulder felt like an elephant was sitting on it, that was where the gas settled, did I mention the pain.
The next morning I had to do a leak test, my first bit of liquids came in the form of barium...yum. The X-ray watching me drink went well, I didn't leak. Or should I say, the doctor did a fabulous job.
Back in the room I was permitted water, 48 ounces in a 24 hour period was my requirement. I could do that, and I did with no difficulty. Lunch arrived with a tray full of dietary approved clear liquids and a small protein syrup (yuck, but I sipped on it). Hot broth and tea didn't feel good going down, but small bites of jello and italian ice were better.
Here comes the morphine again, and the baby drool.
I was able to sit in the chair for some time, boy did that feel like a huge accomplishment.
Back into bed with my puke bucket. Dinner went well, hots were bad, colds were good.
Finally some time in the middle of the night I was able to get out of bed, kinda. I had a major foot surgery 4 weeks prior and had a leg cast on this entire time (bad timing), and was mobile only with the help of a knee walker/scooter since I was non-weight baring for 7 weeks. Hey, it was the end of the year, my deductible was met, and both surgeries were 100% paid for by my insurance. Financially planned out well, but not the easiest on my recovery.
I was sent home on day 3 after they pulled the drain out. I had 5 small incisions that were stitched internally and glued on the surface. Thank goodness for a well prepared bed with lots and lots of pillows to prop myself up on, laying down was uncomfortable, trying to get back up would have been impossible. I never took many pain pills once I was home, mainly tylenol.
Now the hard work begins...trying to get in all my liquids and protein. That was a full time job. Every day I was able to get more and more in. Keeping a small tablet near me to write down times, ounces, and the running total was helpful. I felt like I had homework. My well stocked kitchen of approved clear liquids was almost heaven, a sugar-free popsickle was my favorite. Powerade Zero was my hero, kept any possibility of dehydration away and tasted better than plain water. I loved my protein shakes, no problem with that.
My nutritionist called to check up on my liquids and protein. I was cleared for the puree stage and also to start taking my supplements. One at a time for a few days, then add the next, repeat, continue with the next one. Now I really had a journal going...liquids, protein, vitamins, etc. Timing is everything, it was a struggle to get my schedule but I did it. Pureeing food went well, my kitchen was stocked and I was well prepared to whip up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vitamix and Ninja are strong enough to do everything. Measuring food was interesting, 2 tablespoons here, 2 tablespoons there. I enjoyed this stage, everything tasted so good and I never had a problem. I advanced to the soft food stage.
Week 2, doctor visit went well. She was pleased. I hobbled back home. Thank goodness I was already off from work, there was no way I could have gone back to work at this point. Maybe after week 4, but definitely not after week 2.
Week 6 was another visit to the doctor and nutritionist, all good. I was advancing to another food stage, stewed meats, tender meats, crockpot meats, etc. Meat, meat, meat. Of course I also had my share dairy, fruits and veggies. I was now allowed toast! Oh the simple joys in life.
I am waiting for week 12 to arrive. Raw veggies and fruit will be allowed. Nuts too. Salad sounds so good, it is almost in reach and I know exactly where I am going to get a grilled chicken salad.
To be continued...
My first evening in the hospital was just plain uncomfortable, I had a catheter, couldn't possibly pull myself out of bed, nothing to drink, and of course the nausea. Oh, and the gas pain! My left shoulder felt like an elephant was sitting on it, that was where the gas settled, did I mention the pain.
The next morning I had to do a leak test, my first bit of liquids came in the form of barium...yum. The X-ray watching me drink went well, I didn't leak. Or should I say, the doctor did a fabulous job.
Back in the room I was permitted water, 48 ounces in a 24 hour period was my requirement. I could do that, and I did with no difficulty. Lunch arrived with a tray full of dietary approved clear liquids and a small protein syrup (yuck, but I sipped on it). Hot broth and tea didn't feel good going down, but small bites of jello and italian ice were better.
Here comes the morphine again, and the baby drool.
I was able to sit in the chair for some time, boy did that feel like a huge accomplishment.
Back into bed with my puke bucket. Dinner went well, hots were bad, colds were good.
Finally some time in the middle of the night I was able to get out of bed, kinda. I had a major foot surgery 4 weeks prior and had a leg cast on this entire time (bad timing), and was mobile only with the help of a knee walker/scooter since I was non-weight baring for 7 weeks. Hey, it was the end of the year, my deductible was met, and both surgeries were 100% paid for by my insurance. Financially planned out well, but not the easiest on my recovery.
I was sent home on day 3 after they pulled the drain out. I had 5 small incisions that were stitched internally and glued on the surface. Thank goodness for a well prepared bed with lots and lots of pillows to prop myself up on, laying down was uncomfortable, trying to get back up would have been impossible. I never took many pain pills once I was home, mainly tylenol.
Now the hard work begins...trying to get in all my liquids and protein. That was a full time job. Every day I was able to get more and more in. Keeping a small tablet near me to write down times, ounces, and the running total was helpful. I felt like I had homework. My well stocked kitchen of approved clear liquids was almost heaven, a sugar-free popsickle was my favorite. Powerade Zero was my hero, kept any possibility of dehydration away and tasted better than plain water. I loved my protein shakes, no problem with that.
My nutritionist called to check up on my liquids and protein. I was cleared for the puree stage and also to start taking my supplements. One at a time for a few days, then add the next, repeat, continue with the next one. Now I really had a journal going...liquids, protein, vitamins, etc. Timing is everything, it was a struggle to get my schedule but I did it. Pureeing food went well, my kitchen was stocked and I was well prepared to whip up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vitamix and Ninja are strong enough to do everything. Measuring food was interesting, 2 tablespoons here, 2 tablespoons there. I enjoyed this stage, everything tasted so good and I never had a problem. I advanced to the soft food stage.
Week 2, doctor visit went well. She was pleased. I hobbled back home. Thank goodness I was already off from work, there was no way I could have gone back to work at this point. Maybe after week 4, but definitely not after week 2.
Week 6 was another visit to the doctor and nutritionist, all good. I was advancing to another food stage, stewed meats, tender meats, crockpot meats, etc. Meat, meat, meat. Of course I also had my share dairy, fruits and veggies. I was now allowed toast! Oh the simple joys in life.
I am waiting for week 12 to arrive. Raw veggies and fruit will be allowed. Nuts too. Salad sounds so good, it is almost in reach and I know exactly where I am going to get a grilled chicken salad.
To be continued...
SALAD
Went to a baby shower yesterday, they served salad and I couldn't resist eating some. My official day to eat salad is wednesday, so a few days before wasn't too far ahead of schedule. I had a few bites with my chicken and it was so good...life has now begun! I didn't get to have that special salad that I have been waiting for, but it was a start. Life is all about compromise, and those few bites of lettuce at that baby shower was a small step towards enjoying that grilled chicken salad I have been wanting. My next treat will be nuts...
Provider Review
Dr. Ivanesa Pardo Lameda