What a tuff week! Introducing new foods into a very restricted diet is a real challenge. I’ve been trying new things and having some luck, but mostly bad, so I’m pretty much back on chicken with spaghetti sauce and grated parmesan cheese. It seems to be the “good Old Standby” that tastes good and doesn’t bother my pouch. It also doesn’t interfere with my weight loss. This week I’ve not lost anything. My scales say I weight 192 this morning. Up one pound from last week. I credit that to all the new foods I’ve been trying this week.
Speaking of new foods, I’ve discovered that some cheeses do very well, and some don’t. The softer cheeses don’t seem to sit while the harder cheeses do. I think it has something to do with the fat content. My pouch really doesn’t like high fat content anything. That’s why avocados are verboten right now, and celery isn’t. You would think that the celery would be hard to digest with all that fiber, but the fat seems to be harder still. I’ll be very happy when I reach the point where I can enjoy a salad again. My pouch is still so small that I don’t want to waste room on non-protein, but I know that someday I’ll be able to enjoy a salad again, even if it’s a small one.
I did have one “treat” yesterday. I had some Jarlsberg cheese sliced thinly on roasted garlic Triscuits. It was a wonderful treat, and didn’t mess up my pouch at all. I’m hoping the fiber in the Triscuits helps get my elimination moving again. I don’t feel comfortable going a couple days between bowel movements, but that seems to be what’s happening. Yuckky!
At least the roasted garlic flavor was wonderful. I didn’t realize how much I would miss flavors. His diet has been on the very bland side, and that garlic really woke my taste buds up.
Been working hard on the back bedroom of my house. Now that JW has moved out, I’m trying to get things cleaned up and organized because I’m having a house guest for about 10 days. A couple of friends of mine and AVs have come from Germany to spend a month. They have been here since the beginning of Fiesta. (You remember Fiesta, don’t you?) Well, it seems that the lady who rented our friends a room has given them notice that her next renters are coming early and she wants to have the room 10 days sooner than she expected. AV asked if they could stay with me for the last days, and of course I told him yes. So I’ve been making the room that was supposed to be my library into a guest room. One of them is going back to Germany on the 1st, but the other is staying until the 12th or 13th. It will be nice to get to spend some real quality time with him. The room is almost ready for them to move in tomorrow. I can put the finishing touches on it today, and it will be ready.
The remainder of my time off will be spent on my bedroom. I need to go through my closets and clear out the clothing that is already too big for me. I plan to either take them to Goodwill or call Salvation Army to come get the boxes. I have three boxes filled already, and that is with my winter things. I have a metal storage closet in the garage where I store coats, sweaters, and clothing that is too warm for summer. Now I have to go through all my cooler clothing. That will be a bigger challenge, but once I try on an outfit, it will either be OK or too big!. I am looking forward to moving out those things in the later category.
Speaking of clearing out closets, I found some clothing that KJ had given me when she lost so much weight just prior to getting married. I thought I had given away most of those things as they were just too small when she gave them to me. I tried on a shirt that I had liked a lot and low and behold, it fit! I took a picture of it and sent it to KJ asking, do you remember this shirt? Her answer ”I wondered what happened to it.” Seems strange to be wearing hand-me-downs from my daughter.
Another interesting thing along those lines, CH (my next to the youngest sister) came by last week, and we decided to go out for a while. I was going stir crazy. She didn’t have anything to wear with her, except her scrubs, so we went through my new clothes and found her a dress and shoes. Now I gotta tell you it was really strange to see my sister, who has always been much smaller than me wearing a dress that I had worn a couple of days before. First I thought it must have shrunk in the laundry, but then I realized that it was washed in cold water so shrinking wasn’t an issue. Anyway, we had a great time, and I finally got used to seeing her in my clothing. Next time she’s in town she is bringing the dress back, the shoes she keeps as they are now too large for me.
Now for this week, I’m sorry I’m a day late posting this, but I’ve been fighting off what I hope is NOT Swine Flu. So far I have a persistent cough, a sore throat, and no energy. No fever, and no muscle aches, so I’m hopeful it’s only a bad cold.
Next week I go back to work. I have very mixed feelings about that. A part of me really likes staying home (that’s the lazy part). I can stay in bed until I feel like getting up, which is usually around 7:30 a.m. I can take a nap when I want, usually around noon, and I can do housework, or not as I feel like it. Going back to work puts me on someone elses schedule, and that I’m not so crazy about. However, I do love the steady income, and don’t think I could make it without that bi-weekly paycheck. Disability has informed me that my time is up on 5/4 and I must return to work 5/5. Oh well, the days of relaxation are over, or soon will be. I can’t say that I have missed the job, but I do enjoy it when I’m there so returning will be OK I guess. I know I’ve missed the people at work. Last Friday I went down to the office to pick up my paycheck. I saw a couple of the folks I work with and both of them made a big deal out of saying how much weight I’d lost and how much better I look. While that was nice to hear, I realized that I’ve missed those folks a lot more than I had thought.
No pictures this week, and no crowing about pounds gone. But I’m recovering my strength, and that is a plus. Next Thursday 5/8 I have an appointment with the surgeon. My second one post Operative. I’m hoping he has good things to say, but I suspect he won’t. I’m not loosing right now, and that isn’t good. I’ve cut the carbs out again, and we’ll see what kind of change that makes. It is, after all, 9 days away.
Until I have something new to report. Take Care and God Bless.
Kate
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
4 weeks – 40 + pounds
Now that’s a nice way to start a post to my blog. Yep, I’m 4 weeks post surgery and I’ve lost more than 40 pounds to date. I went to see my Primary Care Physician yesterday. She was thrilled at my progress. But not so thrilled that she just sent me home. Nope, she sent me to the lab for some blood tests.
She’s checking on my blood chemistry, and wants to know what my 3-month average blood sugars are. I don’t know how they can take blood from me today and look backwards 3 months, but she’s been getting these tests for a lot of years, and they seem to satisfy her. She also wants my cholesterol count, and I’m sort of excited to have that done. I’d like to know what it is now as well.
It’s strange that I’ve lost close to 50 pounds, and I’m still wearing most the same clothes, my bras still fit, and although they are a bit loose, so do my panties. I keep thinking that 40 pounds should make a big difference. I guess this is why people never guessed my weight to be as high as it was. I can see my weight loss is small ways though, so I keep being encouraged. Stepping on the scale every day also helps. Even on those days when I don’t show a loss, or much of one, I’m encouraged. Only once have I stepped on the scale and weighed more than the day before, and that was only 2 pounds. I didn’t let that bother me because my weight has always fluctuated like that. There was a time when I could gain 10 pounds in a day and loose it all over night. Of course, I was drinking almost 2 gallons of water every day, and working out a lot, so the scales were not my friend back then.
Last Friday I got a call from my surgeon’s office. Seems my disability people had contacted his office to see if I could be released back to work this coming Friday. The surgeons office called me to see how I was feeling. After talking to me for about 15 minutes I was told that they were not going to release me for another couple of weeks. I’m not really ready to return, but it seems that the disability department tries to get folks back at work as quickly as possible. Can’t really blame them for that, but I’m mot ready for work yet. I’m still not able to sit for any long time, and my work is very sedentary. The surgeon is going to call disability back and try to get a couple more weeks for me. I’m hoping to hear from them today.
It’s Fiesta week here in SA. I watched the River Parade last night on TV. There are three main parades during this 10 day Fiesta period. We have the kick off River Parade. Lovely floats that actually “float” down the river. Thousands of people come out to line the river banks, buy tickets to sit at the outdoor theatre and watch as they float by. The river runs between the stage and the audience in that theatre.
Then we have a day time parade this coming Friday. It winds it’s way through down town, and the city sets up bleachers along the route. There are plenty of areas where people can stand on the sidewalks and street corners and watch without paying as well. When I was a kid, my father was with the Red Cross, and these “land” parades were a reason to come and pass out glasses of water to the marchers as they passed. Kept them hydrated, and kept 4 little girls who were excited and very active, busy. Of course we worked out of an ambulance on loan from the Army, and Dad and Mom were there to help out if there was an emergency.
It was in the back of one of those Army Ambulances that I first witnessed the birth of a child. I was in my teens, and a lady came out to the parade who was very pregnant! (yeah, I’ve heard there are no degrees of pregnant, you either are or you aren’t). Anyway, about half way through the parade she goes into labor, and we were so blocked in that the ambulance could not get out. So Dad puts her into the back, closes the doors and pulls the shades, and gave the poor woman some privacy. I guess he thought it would be a while before she delivered, and so we waited, with her there. Pretty soon it was obvious that she was going to delivery very quickly, and so Dad decides to get her out to a hospital, no matter what. Mom had my three sisters and a couple of neighbor kids outside the ambulance. I volunteered to sit inside with the lady. Dad turned on lights and siren and slowly made his way through the crowd, promising to get back to Mom as soon as possible. Off we went toward the hospital.
Fortunately I had taken lots of training in Red Cross First Aid, and had sat through a couple of prepared child birth movies, so when that adorable little girl decided to make her entrance, I was there to “catch” her, and had the things necessary to help get her ready for the hospital. By the time we got there, she was happily wrapped in my sweater (army blankets are wool and too scratchy), and she and Mom were ready for the nurses. What an adventure!
The final parade of Fiesta is called the Flambeau. It’s a night parade, and all the floats are lighted. Many of those are lighted with torches, rather than electric lights. They follow the same route as the day parade, but it’s so much more magical. The bands march, and many have small lights on their uniforms, many of the twirlers who march with the bands twirl fire batons, the floats themselves have lights and even flairs. You watch the eyes of the children in the audience and you can truly believe in magic. It’s a beautiful parade, and a wonderful way to end 10 days of celebrating.
Now, to my vitals, I’m sleeping for longer periods of time. When I first came home from the hospital I slept for about 2 hours then was up for 2 and then back down for another 2. Try as I might I couldn’t get more than 2 hours at a time. I’ve gradually worked up to sleeping about 4.5 or 5 hours then up for 10 or so and back down for another 4 or 5. I must admit the extra hours sleeping have helped me feel better.
I got on the scale today and I’m down to 192! It’s so wonderful to see that. I’ve been so heavy for so long. Yes, I do know that 192 on a lady who is 5’4” is still heavy, but compare that to the 258 I was a couple of years ago, and it’s a miracle. Even compare it to just pre surgery of 236 and it’s wonderful. My blood pressure was 130/80 yesterday at the doctors office and that is with taking only 1 med twice daily. Doc says when I loose another 15 pounds I should try only taking the one med at bedtime and see how that works. My sugars are still hovering around 115 to 120. I’m eating! Real food! Still not a lot, but more than last week, and the weight continues to come off, so it must be enough! At least I’m not hungry.
Going to start walking in the mornings this week. Think I’ll get out around 7:30 and see how far I can get in half an hour. Then the next week up that, and perhaps by the time I’m back at work I can walk during my lunch hour and keep things up to snuff. I used to walk 20 or so blocks at a leisurely pace at lunchtime 3 times a week and that seemed to keep things in good order. Perhaps I can work back up to that.
Well, it’s time to go water my garden. You have a wonderful day.
Kate
She’s checking on my blood chemistry, and wants to know what my 3-month average blood sugars are. I don’t know how they can take blood from me today and look backwards 3 months, but she’s been getting these tests for a lot of years, and they seem to satisfy her. She also wants my cholesterol count, and I’m sort of excited to have that done. I’d like to know what it is now as well.
It’s strange that I’ve lost close to 50 pounds, and I’m still wearing most the same clothes, my bras still fit, and although they are a bit loose, so do my panties. I keep thinking that 40 pounds should make a big difference. I guess this is why people never guessed my weight to be as high as it was. I can see my weight loss is small ways though, so I keep being encouraged. Stepping on the scale every day also helps. Even on those days when I don’t show a loss, or much of one, I’m encouraged. Only once have I stepped on the scale and weighed more than the day before, and that was only 2 pounds. I didn’t let that bother me because my weight has always fluctuated like that. There was a time when I could gain 10 pounds in a day and loose it all over night. Of course, I was drinking almost 2 gallons of water every day, and working out a lot, so the scales were not my friend back then.
Last Friday I got a call from my surgeon’s office. Seems my disability people had contacted his office to see if I could be released back to work this coming Friday. The surgeons office called me to see how I was feeling. After talking to me for about 15 minutes I was told that they were not going to release me for another couple of weeks. I’m not really ready to return, but it seems that the disability department tries to get folks back at work as quickly as possible. Can’t really blame them for that, but I’m mot ready for work yet. I’m still not able to sit for any long time, and my work is very sedentary. The surgeon is going to call disability back and try to get a couple more weeks for me. I’m hoping to hear from them today.
It’s Fiesta week here in SA. I watched the River Parade last night on TV. There are three main parades during this 10 day Fiesta period. We have the kick off River Parade. Lovely floats that actually “float” down the river. Thousands of people come out to line the river banks, buy tickets to sit at the outdoor theatre and watch as they float by. The river runs between the stage and the audience in that theatre.
Then we have a day time parade this coming Friday. It winds it’s way through down town, and the city sets up bleachers along the route. There are plenty of areas where people can stand on the sidewalks and street corners and watch without paying as well. When I was a kid, my father was with the Red Cross, and these “land” parades were a reason to come and pass out glasses of water to the marchers as they passed. Kept them hydrated, and kept 4 little girls who were excited and very active, busy. Of course we worked out of an ambulance on loan from the Army, and Dad and Mom were there to help out if there was an emergency.
It was in the back of one of those Army Ambulances that I first witnessed the birth of a child. I was in my teens, and a lady came out to the parade who was very pregnant! (yeah, I’ve heard there are no degrees of pregnant, you either are or you aren’t). Anyway, about half way through the parade she goes into labor, and we were so blocked in that the ambulance could not get out. So Dad puts her into the back, closes the doors and pulls the shades, and gave the poor woman some privacy. I guess he thought it would be a while before she delivered, and so we waited, with her there. Pretty soon it was obvious that she was going to delivery very quickly, and so Dad decides to get her out to a hospital, no matter what. Mom had my three sisters and a couple of neighbor kids outside the ambulance. I volunteered to sit inside with the lady. Dad turned on lights and siren and slowly made his way through the crowd, promising to get back to Mom as soon as possible. Off we went toward the hospital.
Fortunately I had taken lots of training in Red Cross First Aid, and had sat through a couple of prepared child birth movies, so when that adorable little girl decided to make her entrance, I was there to “catch” her, and had the things necessary to help get her ready for the hospital. By the time we got there, she was happily wrapped in my sweater (army blankets are wool and too scratchy), and she and Mom were ready for the nurses. What an adventure!
The final parade of Fiesta is called the Flambeau. It’s a night parade, and all the floats are lighted. Many of those are lighted with torches, rather than electric lights. They follow the same route as the day parade, but it’s so much more magical. The bands march, and many have small lights on their uniforms, many of the twirlers who march with the bands twirl fire batons, the floats themselves have lights and even flairs. You watch the eyes of the children in the audience and you can truly believe in magic. It’s a beautiful parade, and a wonderful way to end 10 days of celebrating.
Now, to my vitals, I’m sleeping for longer periods of time. When I first came home from the hospital I slept for about 2 hours then was up for 2 and then back down for another 2. Try as I might I couldn’t get more than 2 hours at a time. I’ve gradually worked up to sleeping about 4.5 or 5 hours then up for 10 or so and back down for another 4 or 5. I must admit the extra hours sleeping have helped me feel better.
I got on the scale today and I’m down to 192! It’s so wonderful to see that. I’ve been so heavy for so long. Yes, I do know that 192 on a lady who is 5’4” is still heavy, but compare that to the 258 I was a couple of years ago, and it’s a miracle. Even compare it to just pre surgery of 236 and it’s wonderful. My blood pressure was 130/80 yesterday at the doctors office and that is with taking only 1 med twice daily. Doc says when I loose another 15 pounds I should try only taking the one med at bedtime and see how that works. My sugars are still hovering around 115 to 120. I’m eating! Real food! Still not a lot, but more than last week, and the weight continues to come off, so it must be enough! At least I’m not hungry.
Going to start walking in the mornings this week. Think I’ll get out around 7:30 and see how far I can get in half an hour. Then the next week up that, and perhaps by the time I’m back at work I can walk during my lunch hour and keep things up to snuff. I used to walk 20 or so blocks at a leisurely pace at lunchtime 3 times a week and that seemed to keep things in good order. Perhaps I can work back up to that.
Well, it’s time to go water my garden. You have a wonderful day.
Kate
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Woo Hooo
Woo Hooo!
This morning I broke the dreaded 200 pound mark! Got up, weighed in and almost fainted. It’s been almost 12 years since I weighed less than 200 pounds. Congratulate me, I’m now 198!
Yes, it’s only 2 pounds below, but when you consider that I was 236 in 12/28/08 and on surgery day I was 226, that’s a lot to loose in 3 weeks.
I was talking to KJ the other day, and she said something that shocked me, and rang so true it gave me one of those Ah Ha moments. She’s over 30 (just a bit) and she said to me, “Ya know, Mom, I’ve never seen you skinny.” That got me to thinking, my children have always known me overweight, my nieces and nephews have too. Most of my friends have only known me as overweight as well. In fact, the only non-sibling/family member who has ever seen me weighing in below 150 is my best friend DS. She and I have been friends forever and she can remember when I was “small”. Even then I was overweight, but only about 30 pounds, so it was just a little “Pudgy”.
We’ve introduced “real” food into my diet and so far I’ve only had one episode of “dumping”. I’m now eating chicken, and fish, and I plan to introduce lean pork into the diet today. My old standbys of eggs and cottage cheese have been relegated to the back of the fridge for now. They have become my comfort food, if I still have such a thing. Now comfort food means food I know my pouch can handle, and I turn to them when I’ve stressed my pouch earlier in the day, I’m hungry and don’t want to eat, but know I need to.
The hardest part of this life change so far is learning to recognize when I’m really hungry. I want to eat often, especially when watching TV and every other commercial is something that looks scrumptious. I find my self getting what I call head hungry. My teeth want to chew, my mouth wants something sweet, or salty…and I think of all those old foods I would scarf down, just to solve those urges. Now I handle things a little differently. First, I watch less TV, and that cuts out the visual temptations…no more brownies, with running hot fudge sauce, no more Bar-B-Q with meat juices running from fatty meats, and especially no more contented cows producing ice cream with enough fat in it to cause me gastric distress.
Now, IF I have some head hunger, I do things like chew one of my multi-vitamins (I take them twice a day), or a calcium supplement (also chewable and sweet, three times daily), or take an iron pill, that just happens to be fruity and delicious. All these are really good, and good for me. If those don’t suffice, or it isn’t time for a supplement, I’ve always got my sugar free desserts, like jello, or a popsicle. All of these things are satisfying, and they take care of head hunger very nicely.
When I am truly hungry I have several meals made up ahead of time and stored in covered containers in the fridge. Take one out, pop it in the microwave, nuke for 3 minutes or less, and voila’ I have a delicious meal, hot and ready to eat. One of my favorites is my crustless pizza. I love pizza, always have, and probably always will. So in a couple of my little “quick meal” containers I have placed about half an ounce of cooked chicken, usually dark meat, but sometimes white, 2 tablespoons of my favorite spaghetti or pizza sauce, and an ounce of grated parmesan cheese. It’s easy to know how much of something I’m having because I went to my local restaurant a couple of times and ordered meals, then asked for small takeout containers. They serve grated cheese in 1 oz plastic containers, and several kinds of sauces and gravys in 2 oz plastic containers. The containers come with tight fitting lids, and they are microwaveable. I brought these home, and after eating the contents I wash them out, and reuse them for my quick at-home meals. Also found some small egg cups with lids. I measure with the restaurant containers, and store the meals in the egg cups. Everything is reusable, so I’m living green as well.
Two days ago I went shopping for the first time since surgery. That is I went clothing shopping. Now this was a real adventure. I started looking in the 22/24 size racks, and tried on a couple of outfits to find them hanging off me like a tent from a pole. So… I went down to the 20/22 rack. Those fit a little better, but were still too big. (Imagine my amazement at that, I’ve worn 22/24 for over 10 years) I settled on the 18/20 Women’s sizes, and low and behold I’ve found 3 new dresses, and 2 new around the house sun dresses. Then I decided to get some new panties….Went down a whole size and they are a bit loose. Imagine I’ll be down another size there as well by next month.
Weight loss is slowing a bit now that I’m putting solid nourishment into my body. There’s nothing like a clear liquid diet to take off pounds quickly. Problem is it’s not very nourishing, and if you’ve not had gastric bypass it’s not at all satisfying. I’ll settle for 5 to 10 pounds a week and eating small meals of real food, rather than 10-18 pounds and only clear liquids.
As I started this blog saying, I’m in this for the health improvements rather than the weight loss. I have some good news on that front as well. My blood sugars are down below 120 consistently, and have gone almost to 110 on a couple of occasions. I haven’t had diabetes medicines since leaving the hospital. My blood pressure is holding at a “normal” level, and I’ve had no sign of acid reflux since the day before surgery. My gout is getting better every day, even though I’m eating basically only protein. Haven’t had my cholesterol tested since surgery, but I’m hoping it is much better as well.
I guess that I’m saying basically I’m getting healthier every day! That is such a blessing I just don’t really know how to wrap myself around it. I still think of myself as diabetic. I know I’m not, but I was for so long that it’s instinct to react as if I still am. Of course that’s not a bad thing since I shouldn’t have sugar, my pouch doesn’t know how to handle it, but I can if I want to. I just don’t want to. There are so many good things to eat out there that don’t contain sugar, why cause myself discomfort when I don’t need to?
Well, I’ve wandered around for long enough today. I’m going back to work in 7 days, and I’m eagerly awaiting my co-workers reactions to my changes. I’ll let you know how it goes.
This morning I broke the dreaded 200 pound mark! Got up, weighed in and almost fainted. It’s been almost 12 years since I weighed less than 200 pounds. Congratulate me, I’m now 198!
Yes, it’s only 2 pounds below, but when you consider that I was 236 in 12/28/08 and on surgery day I was 226, that’s a lot to loose in 3 weeks.
I was talking to KJ the other day, and she said something that shocked me, and rang so true it gave me one of those Ah Ha moments. She’s over 30 (just a bit) and she said to me, “Ya know, Mom, I’ve never seen you skinny.” That got me to thinking, my children have always known me overweight, my nieces and nephews have too. Most of my friends have only known me as overweight as well. In fact, the only non-sibling/family member who has ever seen me weighing in below 150 is my best friend DS. She and I have been friends forever and she can remember when I was “small”. Even then I was overweight, but only about 30 pounds, so it was just a little “Pudgy”.
We’ve introduced “real” food into my diet and so far I’ve only had one episode of “dumping”. I’m now eating chicken, and fish, and I plan to introduce lean pork into the diet today. My old standbys of eggs and cottage cheese have been relegated to the back of the fridge for now. They have become my comfort food, if I still have such a thing. Now comfort food means food I know my pouch can handle, and I turn to them when I’ve stressed my pouch earlier in the day, I’m hungry and don’t want to eat, but know I need to.
The hardest part of this life change so far is learning to recognize when I’m really hungry. I want to eat often, especially when watching TV and every other commercial is something that looks scrumptious. I find my self getting what I call head hungry. My teeth want to chew, my mouth wants something sweet, or salty…and I think of all those old foods I would scarf down, just to solve those urges. Now I handle things a little differently. First, I watch less TV, and that cuts out the visual temptations…no more brownies, with running hot fudge sauce, no more Bar-B-Q with meat juices running from fatty meats, and especially no more contented cows producing ice cream with enough fat in it to cause me gastric distress.
Now, IF I have some head hunger, I do things like chew one of my multi-vitamins (I take them twice a day), or a calcium supplement (also chewable and sweet, three times daily), or take an iron pill, that just happens to be fruity and delicious. All these are really good, and good for me. If those don’t suffice, or it isn’t time for a supplement, I’ve always got my sugar free desserts, like jello, or a popsicle. All of these things are satisfying, and they take care of head hunger very nicely.
When I am truly hungry I have several meals made up ahead of time and stored in covered containers in the fridge. Take one out, pop it in the microwave, nuke for 3 minutes or less, and voila’ I have a delicious meal, hot and ready to eat. One of my favorites is my crustless pizza. I love pizza, always have, and probably always will. So in a couple of my little “quick meal” containers I have placed about half an ounce of cooked chicken, usually dark meat, but sometimes white, 2 tablespoons of my favorite spaghetti or pizza sauce, and an ounce of grated parmesan cheese. It’s easy to know how much of something I’m having because I went to my local restaurant a couple of times and ordered meals, then asked for small takeout containers. They serve grated cheese in 1 oz plastic containers, and several kinds of sauces and gravys in 2 oz plastic containers. The containers come with tight fitting lids, and they are microwaveable. I brought these home, and after eating the contents I wash them out, and reuse them for my quick at-home meals. Also found some small egg cups with lids. I measure with the restaurant containers, and store the meals in the egg cups. Everything is reusable, so I’m living green as well.
Two days ago I went shopping for the first time since surgery. That is I went clothing shopping. Now this was a real adventure. I started looking in the 22/24 size racks, and tried on a couple of outfits to find them hanging off me like a tent from a pole. So… I went down to the 20/22 rack. Those fit a little better, but were still too big. (Imagine my amazement at that, I’ve worn 22/24 for over 10 years) I settled on the 18/20 Women’s sizes, and low and behold I’ve found 3 new dresses, and 2 new around the house sun dresses. Then I decided to get some new panties….Went down a whole size and they are a bit loose. Imagine I’ll be down another size there as well by next month.
Weight loss is slowing a bit now that I’m putting solid nourishment into my body. There’s nothing like a clear liquid diet to take off pounds quickly. Problem is it’s not very nourishing, and if you’ve not had gastric bypass it’s not at all satisfying. I’ll settle for 5 to 10 pounds a week and eating small meals of real food, rather than 10-18 pounds and only clear liquids.
As I started this blog saying, I’m in this for the health improvements rather than the weight loss. I have some good news on that front as well. My blood sugars are down below 120 consistently, and have gone almost to 110 on a couple of occasions. I haven’t had diabetes medicines since leaving the hospital. My blood pressure is holding at a “normal” level, and I’ve had no sign of acid reflux since the day before surgery. My gout is getting better every day, even though I’m eating basically only protein. Haven’t had my cholesterol tested since surgery, but I’m hoping it is much better as well.
I guess that I’m saying basically I’m getting healthier every day! That is such a blessing I just don’t really know how to wrap myself around it. I still think of myself as diabetic. I know I’m not, but I was for so long that it’s instinct to react as if I still am. Of course that’s not a bad thing since I shouldn’t have sugar, my pouch doesn’t know how to handle it, but I can if I want to. I just don’t want to. There are so many good things to eat out there that don’t contain sugar, why cause myself discomfort when I don’t need to?
Well, I’ve wandered around for long enough today. I’m going back to work in 7 days, and I’m eagerly awaiting my co-workers reactions to my changes. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Friday, April 10, 2009
First Post-Op Doctors Appoitment
Hi Everyone.
Today is a day for Celebration
Yesterday I had my first post-surgery appointment. Things went very well. He is pleased with my healing, all the incisions are closed, 5 of the 6 have lost scabs, and look as if they won’t even scar, or if there is a scar it will be very small and not really noticeable. With all my stretch marks I doubt they will make much of an impact. Somehow, most folks just don’t expect a 60 year old tummy to be flawless. I’ll settle for thin and healthy thank you.
Now the results of my Doctors visit. First, I've been released to drive. That's a huge relief, as I've been at AVs mercy to get anywhere. I'm sure he is glad to get his life back a little.
Next, I've been told to "Eat More Meat". My doctor is well pleased with my progress and the healing of my pouch. He says to start eating more meat, as in, I can have protein other than dark meat chicken and some cottage cheese. But he did caution me to go slow, remember to chew my food completely, and to leave the drinking until an hour after eating.
He gave me a prescription for pain killers to relieve the gout pain. I'm so relieved for that. We went directly to the pharmacy and had that one filled. Took 2 when we got to the car (as instructed),and kept up with one every three hours after that. By evening's end I was walking almost normally. This morning I'm stiff as a board, but able to move around without gasping for breath each time I attempt to get my foot to the floor. What a Blessing.
I saw the dietitian, who echoed the doctor in all advice.
Next I took 30 minutes and saw the "specialist" there in the office, she measured me weighed me, and even took my B/P. I've lost 1 inch around my neck, 2 inches around my waist, and 1.5 inches from my hips. My Blood Sugars were 117, a recent low!
Finally she weighed me in. I topped the scale at 200.0! Yippee, that makes 36.5 pounds since Christmas, and 20 pounds since surgery. I'm still not hungry either, which is a real blessing.
I’ve been promising pictures, and last week I went to KJs office for a while. She took this picture. In it I had only lost about 10 pounds post surgery, but it’s a beginning. Hopefully I’ll be able to prevail on someone this weekend to take another picture so you can see the next 10+ pounds lost.
Till my next post, Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter.
Today is a day for Celebration
Yesterday I had my first post-surgery appointment. Things went very well. He is pleased with my healing, all the incisions are closed, 5 of the 6 have lost scabs, and look as if they won’t even scar, or if there is a scar it will be very small and not really noticeable. With all my stretch marks I doubt they will make much of an impact. Somehow, most folks just don’t expect a 60 year old tummy to be flawless. I’ll settle for thin and healthy thank you.
Now the results of my Doctors visit. First, I've been released to drive. That's a huge relief, as I've been at AVs mercy to get anywhere. I'm sure he is glad to get his life back a little.
Next, I've been told to "Eat More Meat". My doctor is well pleased with my progress and the healing of my pouch. He says to start eating more meat, as in, I can have protein other than dark meat chicken and some cottage cheese. But he did caution me to go slow, remember to chew my food completely, and to leave the drinking until an hour after eating.
He gave me a prescription for pain killers to relieve the gout pain. I'm so relieved for that. We went directly to the pharmacy and had that one filled. Took 2 when we got to the car (as instructed),and kept up with one every three hours after that. By evening's end I was walking almost normally. This morning I'm stiff as a board, but able to move around without gasping for breath each time I attempt to get my foot to the floor. What a Blessing.
I saw the dietitian, who echoed the doctor in all advice.
Next I took 30 minutes and saw the "specialist" there in the office, she measured me weighed me, and even took my B/P. I've lost 1 inch around my neck, 2 inches around my waist, and 1.5 inches from my hips. My Blood Sugars were 117, a recent low!
Finally she weighed me in. I topped the scale at 200.0! Yippee, that makes 36.5 pounds since Christmas, and 20 pounds since surgery. I'm still not hungry either, which is a real blessing.
I’ve been promising pictures, and last week I went to KJs office for a while. She took this picture. In it I had only lost about 10 pounds post surgery, but it’s a beginning. Hopefully I’ll be able to prevail on someone this weekend to take another picture so you can see the next 10+ pounds lost.
Till my next post, Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
First Big Step
Well, here it is, 2 weeks past surgery. I feel fine (except a bad case of gout), and things are progressing nicely.
I’m on “real” food already. My nutritionist graduated me from clear liquids to “mushy proteins” last week. Getting used to eating again has been a real experiment. First, Mushy Proteins are things like, broiled fish, baked or broiled dark meat chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, and some vegetables. My first meal was very successful in that I was able to eat it and keep it down. AV (my boyfriend) took me out to my favorite café, where he ordered grilled tilapia, steamed vegetables, black eyed peas and a salad. I ordered an extra plate, empty of course. Our waitress is a friend of mine, and she was excited to see me out an about only 1 week post surgery.
When the dinner came for AV and my plate came I took a small piece of the tilapia, about 1 inch long, ½ inch wide and ¼ inch thick. To that generous portion I added a sliver of tomato, no skin, 3 black-eyed peas that I mashed, a slice of yellow squash and one of zucchini. With all the careful chewing I did, and no drinking, it took me almost 45 minutes to eat that meal. Believe me, I savored each bite. I was so full when finished I had to go right home and lie down. I still can’t imagine that small amount filling me up so completely, but it did. I was full for almost 4 hours too, which was really pleasant. We are going to save a fortune when we go out. As long as the restaurant staff understands about the empty plate everything will be great.
That was last Tuesday. I’ve been out to eat at least once a day since. AV loves going out, and so do I so it’s been a real joy. We’ve eaten sea food (I had one small shrimp, some fresh spinach, (don’t recommend this to anyone in their first week of food) Scrambled egg with some grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top, and oatmeal, with Splenda and fat free milk, of course not all at the same time. Everything has been truly wonderful and I’ve discovered something very important over this week. That is “eating” isn’t just shoveling food down my throat, nor is it a race to see who can finish a huge plate of food the quickest. Eating, for me now, is a sensual experience of tastes, and textures, moving across my tongue, insinuating themselves into my senses, and finally filling my pouch (stomach). I’ve learned to take my time and enjoy every bite, no matter how small. Prawns in garlic butter sauce have a very different flavor from lobster tail in the same sauce.
I’ve also learned that pasta is not my friend, even when coated with cheese and used as a “protein”. I discovered this past week that dumping is not pleasant, and I’ll try very hard to not experience that again. Avocadoes, although Mushy, are still very high in fats and they don’t sit well, while tomatoes, melt in your mouth, quite literally, when cut into small pieces, and the skin is not eaten.
Statistics for my first week with food are:
Sugars – 136 and I have not taken diabetes medicines since leaving the hospital.
Blood pressure is running around 125 to 130 over 72 – I am taking BP meds, but only one versus the three I was taking pre surgery
Weight – Now I know that this is a clincher for some folks, but actually for me the last reason for the surgery…I weighed in at the hospital the day after surgery and that blasted scale told me I weighed 226 (of course I was down from 235 two weeks prior to surgery).
This morning I weighed 206! That’s 20 pounds in 2 weeks! I’ve never been able to do this before. I’m not hungry most of the time, and when I am hungry a very small meal fills me up, and I’ve learned the hard way to keep it very small. My best friend so far has been sugar free popsicles. I suck down a couple a day, and they count as fluids.
My doctor and the hospital nursing staff stressed over and over to keep hydrated. In fact they set me a goal of 52 ounces daily, just to keep my body hydrated. I discovered that those little ice pitchers they give you in the hospital hold about 32 ounces of water, and I’ve been putting away at least three of those daily, so hydration isn’t a problem. Add to that the hot caffeine free tee and coffee I’ve been drinking, and I go way over the 52 ounces.
My favorite “eat at home” meal is two teaspoons of small curd fat free cottage cheese, mixed with a hard boiled egg that has been mushed very small, with ¼ tsp of Fat Free margarine. Sprinkle over that a small amount of salt and pepper (yes I did say pepper) and enjoy. Lots of protein, very satisfying flavors, and very easy on the pouch, especially when eaten very slowly.
I have my first “well Baby” check this week. I go in on Thursday to see what the doc has to say to me. I’m hopeful that he will be pleased with my progress. I’m remembering to take my supplements, stay hydrated, and eat lots of protein. Hopefully I will be given permission to start drinking some kind of protein supplement as well. I really don’t want to loose my hair, and from everything I’ve read and heard that is the symptom of not enough protein. My doc says that even if I do loose some of my hair (and I really don’t have any extra to loose) a year post surgery my body will have adjusted to the changes, and my hair will have come out again. I’m hoping that the hair won’t fall out at all and a year later I’ll have regained some of what I lost when too heavy.
I’ve had a few visitors this past week. KJ (My eldest daughter), my Mom and MH (my youngest sister. Of course AV has been here almost every day since surgery, and he practically moved in the first four days after surgery. Everyone says I look like I’ve dropped a lot of weight already, and MH says I’ve regained part of my figure. She also says I finally have boobs again, rather than just this huge tummy. I’ve received very nice news when preparing for Church yesterday. My clothing that is size 22/24 just hangs on me, and When I tried a dress that is a 20 it was slightly loose, but looked presentable.
So to sum things up for this week’s post, I’ve lost 20 pounds, 2 chins, 3 dress sizes, and learned to savor my food, all in 2 weeks. What a life change! See you after the doctors appointment.
Kate
I’m on “real” food already. My nutritionist graduated me from clear liquids to “mushy proteins” last week. Getting used to eating again has been a real experiment. First, Mushy Proteins are things like, broiled fish, baked or broiled dark meat chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, and some vegetables. My first meal was very successful in that I was able to eat it and keep it down. AV (my boyfriend) took me out to my favorite café, where he ordered grilled tilapia, steamed vegetables, black eyed peas and a salad. I ordered an extra plate, empty of course. Our waitress is a friend of mine, and she was excited to see me out an about only 1 week post surgery.
When the dinner came for AV and my plate came I took a small piece of the tilapia, about 1 inch long, ½ inch wide and ¼ inch thick. To that generous portion I added a sliver of tomato, no skin, 3 black-eyed peas that I mashed, a slice of yellow squash and one of zucchini. With all the careful chewing I did, and no drinking, it took me almost 45 minutes to eat that meal. Believe me, I savored each bite. I was so full when finished I had to go right home and lie down. I still can’t imagine that small amount filling me up so completely, but it did. I was full for almost 4 hours too, which was really pleasant. We are going to save a fortune when we go out. As long as the restaurant staff understands about the empty plate everything will be great.
That was last Tuesday. I’ve been out to eat at least once a day since. AV loves going out, and so do I so it’s been a real joy. We’ve eaten sea food (I had one small shrimp, some fresh spinach, (don’t recommend this to anyone in their first week of food) Scrambled egg with some grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top, and oatmeal, with Splenda and fat free milk, of course not all at the same time. Everything has been truly wonderful and I’ve discovered something very important over this week. That is “eating” isn’t just shoveling food down my throat, nor is it a race to see who can finish a huge plate of food the quickest. Eating, for me now, is a sensual experience of tastes, and textures, moving across my tongue, insinuating themselves into my senses, and finally filling my pouch (stomach). I’ve learned to take my time and enjoy every bite, no matter how small. Prawns in garlic butter sauce have a very different flavor from lobster tail in the same sauce.
I’ve also learned that pasta is not my friend, even when coated with cheese and used as a “protein”. I discovered this past week that dumping is not pleasant, and I’ll try very hard to not experience that again. Avocadoes, although Mushy, are still very high in fats and they don’t sit well, while tomatoes, melt in your mouth, quite literally, when cut into small pieces, and the skin is not eaten.
Statistics for my first week with food are:
Sugars – 136 and I have not taken diabetes medicines since leaving the hospital.
Blood pressure is running around 125 to 130 over 72 – I am taking BP meds, but only one versus the three I was taking pre surgery
Weight – Now I know that this is a clincher for some folks, but actually for me the last reason for the surgery…I weighed in at the hospital the day after surgery and that blasted scale told me I weighed 226 (of course I was down from 235 two weeks prior to surgery).
This morning I weighed 206! That’s 20 pounds in 2 weeks! I’ve never been able to do this before. I’m not hungry most of the time, and when I am hungry a very small meal fills me up, and I’ve learned the hard way to keep it very small. My best friend so far has been sugar free popsicles. I suck down a couple a day, and they count as fluids.
My doctor and the hospital nursing staff stressed over and over to keep hydrated. In fact they set me a goal of 52 ounces daily, just to keep my body hydrated. I discovered that those little ice pitchers they give you in the hospital hold about 32 ounces of water, and I’ve been putting away at least three of those daily, so hydration isn’t a problem. Add to that the hot caffeine free tee and coffee I’ve been drinking, and I go way over the 52 ounces.
My favorite “eat at home” meal is two teaspoons of small curd fat free cottage cheese, mixed with a hard boiled egg that has been mushed very small, with ¼ tsp of Fat Free margarine. Sprinkle over that a small amount of salt and pepper (yes I did say pepper) and enjoy. Lots of protein, very satisfying flavors, and very easy on the pouch, especially when eaten very slowly.
I have my first “well Baby” check this week. I go in on Thursday to see what the doc has to say to me. I’m hopeful that he will be pleased with my progress. I’m remembering to take my supplements, stay hydrated, and eat lots of protein. Hopefully I will be given permission to start drinking some kind of protein supplement as well. I really don’t want to loose my hair, and from everything I’ve read and heard that is the symptom of not enough protein. My doc says that even if I do loose some of my hair (and I really don’t have any extra to loose) a year post surgery my body will have adjusted to the changes, and my hair will have come out again. I’m hoping that the hair won’t fall out at all and a year later I’ll have regained some of what I lost when too heavy.
I’ve had a few visitors this past week. KJ (My eldest daughter), my Mom and MH (my youngest sister. Of course AV has been here almost every day since surgery, and he practically moved in the first four days after surgery. Everyone says I look like I’ve dropped a lot of weight already, and MH says I’ve regained part of my figure. She also says I finally have boobs again, rather than just this huge tummy. I’ve received very nice news when preparing for Church yesterday. My clothing that is size 22/24 just hangs on me, and When I tried a dress that is a 20 it was slightly loose, but looked presentable.
So to sum things up for this week’s post, I’ve lost 20 pounds, 2 chins, 3 dress sizes, and learned to savor my food, all in 2 weeks. What a life change! See you after the doctors appointment.
Kate
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Off We Go
The first post to this blog was written 7 days ago, just before my adventure began. I didn't get to post it until Friday (5 days after surgery). This is my first update.
The surgery itself wasn't a problem at all. My surgeon had said from the outset that he did not even want me uncomfortable during this process, and he was good to his word. The only discomfort I had to deal with was the binder around my middle, which was to support things internally while I recovered. It was too tight, and cut off my urine flow. After 12 hours I was really "full of Piss and Vinegar" and very uncomfortable. My RN suggested a catheter, which I gladly agreed to, and once it was in place, I filled one bag and half of a second in less than 10 minutes....Talk about needing to Pee!
The remainder of my hospital stay was wonderful. I slept, and was wakened for food, breathing treatments, and walking around the floor. No stress, no responsibilities, and as much sleep as I could endure. Since I was on a morphine pump, every time I woke up, I hit the button, and pretty soon I was snoring again....I tell ya it was great!
Finally reality had to set in, and on Thursday morning the doctor said "It's time to head home"... You have never seen a more disappointed woman than I was.
After removing all the tubes and wires from my body, I was headed home. My boyfriend picked me up, and got me safely home and tucked into my own little bed. I went back to sleep. (Hey, even after they take away the morphine pump there's a whole lot left in your system.) I stayed crashed for most of that first day.
Second day home (that's last Friday) I was up and at 'em early. 6:30 a.m. does qualify for early doesn't it? Spend most of the day trying to remember to drink. Water is ordinarily my favorite drink, and putting away 2 gallons in a day is no trouble. When your stomach suddenly goes to the size of your thumb, you discover quickly that you can't handle more than a swallow or two at a time, and at that rate, 56 ounces takes a while. Fifty-Six ounces is the goal for someone with gastric bypass surgery because you have to stay hydrated, and sipping is the only way to accomplish this amount.
Watched a lot more TV than I normally do, and spent a long time in my recliner, but my BF was there with me, and he took good care of me, so I had nothing to complain about.
Spent about an hour on-line checking e-mails, and setting up this blog.
Now for the statistics....
First week.... Total Pounds Lost are eight - yep that's right a little over a pound a day.
I've completely stopped my diabetes meds, and my blood sugars are staying between 130 and 160. Sounds high until you discover that my usual counts before surgery were 225-245, and that was taking 3 meds a day. So I'm thrilled.
Blood Pressure is staying down with only 1 med twice daily, instead of 2 meds twice daily, so that's cut in half.
All in all, not bad. I'm off for my shower, and perhaps a short trip to the local flea market for an outing, to reassure me that there really are people out there. Take care and I'll see you again soon.
Kate
The surgery itself wasn't a problem at all. My surgeon had said from the outset that he did not even want me uncomfortable during this process, and he was good to his word. The only discomfort I had to deal with was the binder around my middle, which was to support things internally while I recovered. It was too tight, and cut off my urine flow. After 12 hours I was really "full of Piss and Vinegar" and very uncomfortable. My RN suggested a catheter, which I gladly agreed to, and once it was in place, I filled one bag and half of a second in less than 10 minutes....Talk about needing to Pee!
The remainder of my hospital stay was wonderful. I slept, and was wakened for food, breathing treatments, and walking around the floor. No stress, no responsibilities, and as much sleep as I could endure. Since I was on a morphine pump, every time I woke up, I hit the button, and pretty soon I was snoring again....I tell ya it was great!
Finally reality had to set in, and on Thursday morning the doctor said "It's time to head home"... You have never seen a more disappointed woman than I was.
After removing all the tubes and wires from my body, I was headed home. My boyfriend picked me up, and got me safely home and tucked into my own little bed. I went back to sleep. (Hey, even after they take away the morphine pump there's a whole lot left in your system.) I stayed crashed for most of that first day.
Second day home (that's last Friday) I was up and at 'em early. 6:30 a.m. does qualify for early doesn't it? Spend most of the day trying to remember to drink. Water is ordinarily my favorite drink, and putting away 2 gallons in a day is no trouble. When your stomach suddenly goes to the size of your thumb, you discover quickly that you can't handle more than a swallow or two at a time, and at that rate, 56 ounces takes a while. Fifty-Six ounces is the goal for someone with gastric bypass surgery because you have to stay hydrated, and sipping is the only way to accomplish this amount.
Watched a lot more TV than I normally do, and spent a long time in my recliner, but my BF was there with me, and he took good care of me, so I had nothing to complain about.
Spent about an hour on-line checking e-mails, and setting up this blog.
Now for the statistics....
First week.... Total Pounds Lost are eight - yep that's right a little over a pound a day.
I've completely stopped my diabetes meds, and my blood sugars are staying between 130 and 160. Sounds high until you discover that my usual counts before surgery were 225-245, and that was taking 3 meds a day. So I'm thrilled.
Blood Pressure is staying down with only 1 med twice daily, instead of 2 meds twice daily, so that's cut in half.
All in all, not bad. I'm off for my shower, and perhaps a short trip to the local flea market for an outing, to reassure me that there really are people out there. Take care and I'll see you again soon.
Kate
Friday, March 27, 2009
The Adventure Begins
Tomorrow is the Big Day. I’ve been working for almost a year for this and now that the clock is ticking down I’m surprised that I’m still not frightened, or nervous, or anything but peaceful.
My name is Kate and I’m heading for a Gastric Bypass Operation tomorrow. Gastric Bypass, commonly called stomach stapling, will be, hopefully, my step towards health. I have diabetes, Type II, High Blood Pressure, high Cholesterol, a stomach disorder called Gerd, and gouty arthritis. Some folks would say that’s not all surprising since I am almost 60. In fact I will be 60 in a matter of months. 5 to be exact.
I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember. Well, that’s not technically true, I was underweight in the second grade
I became obese when I was 24 and in a very unhappy marriage. I had no physical relationship with my husband. We shared the home and business we started. We even joined a church, raised our daughters in that church, and to the world looked like a happy couple. Through those years I was miserably unhappy, but didn’t know what to do about it. Hubby became more and more remote, both in our personal relationship and in our business relationship. With each of those years I gained weight until when I finally left home, sometime in year 23, I weighted in at approximately 135 pounds overweight. On a frame that was 5’5” that is way too much weight. My friends and family had asked me over and over why I was so heavy, and all I would say is Hubby likes me this way.
That story was easier than telling them that I was alone, raising out daughters, and had been celibate for 14 of those 23 years. Yes, we lived in the same home, shared the same bedroom and bed, but we were celibate, and it wasn’t my idea. I ate for comfort, and I ate because I was a good cook and it validated me I my own eyes. Good food deserved to be eaten, not wasted, so I cooked, and ate, and cooked, and ate.
Now, here I am, almost 60 years old and still overweight by almost 100 pounds, and looking forward to having my stomach stapled. I’ve tried almost every diet that’s come down the pipe. Some of them I actually lost a little weight, but go off the diet and the weight comes back, along with more. I’ve reached the point in my life that I have to limit my caloric intake to 400 calories or less a day to make the weight come off. I have an extremely sedentary life style, not because I really want that, but more because I broke my back about 8 years ago, and I just can’t do the walking and exercise I should without experiencing great pain.
The decision to do bariatric surgery has been a long time coming. I started looking into the lap band process, and thought it was a good idea for me. I talked to my doctor and was surprised when she said flat out NO. She is a very open minded doctor, and has been extremely aggressive in trying to help me get my diabetes and other medical problems under control, so when she said NO I was amazed. So I asked her why, and rather than talking to me about it, she gave me medicines that were supposed to block my appetite. Turns out they were anti-depressants. Sure they killed my appetite, but they also put me into a semi-stupor.
After a couple of months on the anti-depressants, I decided to do some more research into gastric solutions. I did more research on the bypass, and even asked my current boy friend (aged 61) to go with me to a seminar on the gastric lap band. (I had been widowed a couple years earlier). He said yes to my request and I scheduled an appointment for both of us. We went that night not really expecting much. The surgeon who held the seminar was young, and seemed well informed as he presented so many statistics on how gastric procedures were helping thousands of people get different medical problems under control. I was also impressed with the success rates he quoted.
A couple of weeks later I spoke to my doctor again, and to my pleasure she said…”Do some more research, and come back. We’ll talk, and then make a decision.” I headed for my computer at home, and Google. I searched for lap band and bariatric surgeries and found literally thousands of web sites dealing with the Lap Band procedure.
While doing my research I came upon the Gastric Bypass. The more I read about the procedures, the better I liked what I found. Safety was an important issue, and the safety statistics were so good I could hardly believe it. Success rates in helping to get various co-morbidities (that’s what they are technically called) under control was absolutely astounding. Most statistics showed upwards of 60% improved for everything I had, and some showed even better.
While I was doing my research, I had chest pains and what I immediately thought was a heart attack. I spent a week in the hospital, having all kinds of tests run. At the end of the week I was pronounced healthy, with no signs of heart attack. My Cardiologist warned me that this could be merely a warning of what was going to be a massive heart attack if I didn’t do something about my weight and the associated problems. I spoke to him about the lap band and the bypass procedures. He was pleased that I knew about them and told me he encouraged me to pursue it. He said he would do what he could to help me through the hurdles I would jump to make the surgery possible.
I went back to my Primary Care doctor and told her about what I had learned in research, what my cardiologist had told me, and that I wanted to apply for coverage through my health care program at work. She agreed to help where she could, and then came the year of jumping the hoops.
The insurance company turned me down because they decided, in their infinite wisdom that was not sick enough or over weight enough to qualify for either process. I was taking 14 meds daily, and my co-pay for each med was $6 per month. You can do the math. When I pointed this out to them the reminded me that surgery was a very expensive proposition and since I had just had an emergency appendectomy, they didn’t want to approve a second surgery.
I went to several more seminars, and was told that since my body mass index was not forty I would not qualify. It seems that my HMO still did not think I was sick enough or fat enough to have the surgery. Finally I found a champion in an insurance specialist in a bariatric clinic who helped me to word things, and give information that finally convinced my HMO that I did need the surgery. She was wonderful and gave me the right wording to satisfy the HMO. Now I had a year of doing this and that to complete my qualification.
I spent a lot more of the HMO’s money during that year. I visited a dietitian and tried using a 1200 calorie diet to loose the weight. After 3 months I had gained almost 20 pounds. We then went to a medical weight loss clinic, and took shots and appetite suppressants. After 3 months there I had lost a total of 3 pounds. I was spending $20 a week on the meds, another $20 co-pay for the clinic, and who knows how much the clinic billed the HMO. Then started all the other doctor visits. I had to see a sleep doctor and take a sleep test. We had to document my Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Then we had to use a CPAP machine which forces air into your nasal passages to help you breathe and not wake up to breathe. I had been sleeping for a documented 52 seconds between wakings. That was a total of 52 seconds each minute I was “sleeping” the other 8 seconds I woke up, took a breath, changed positions and went back to sleep. That’s No Rest.
After that I had to go to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, where a camera was put through my nose and down into my stomach to be sure that the passage ways weren’t blocked by anything. Next came a CAT scan to be sure that there were no obstructions or other things wrong. That’s when they discovered the cysts on both my kidneys.
Off to a Renal specialist I went. I was poked, prodded, X-rayed and a lot of other embarrassing things, but finally was pronounced well. It seems that there is something called Polycystic Kidney Disease. Evidently this causes cysts to grow on the kidneys that turn cancerous. I didn’t have that, I just had some water filled cysts on my kidneys. The Renal specialist said as long as they were not uncomfortable I didn’t need to do anything about them. They weren’t, and still aren’t so I’m letting “sleeping dogs” lie.
Next on the list was another trip to the cardiologist to document that my heart would stand the strain of surgery. I got a clean slate there very quickly. My cardiologist was thrilled I was going to pursue this further, and wrote my insurance company a nice letter, recommending I be allowed to have the surgery.
Then I was told that the insurance required an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy. This was both to document my health and because at this age I hadn’t had either before. The endoscopy procedure introduces a small camera on the end of a long tube into my throat and down into my stomach, looking for signs of deterioration due to the GERD (a funny name for acid reflux). Seems that acid reflux can cause cancer…(what doesn’t any more?) No sign of bad wearing, and I am as healthy as an overweight woman of almost 60 can be.
Colonoscopies are sorta the same as endoscopies, except they look at your intestines and bowels. A similar type of camera is introduced into your rectum and bowel and up into some of your intestinal track. The doctor looks for things called Polyps. From what I learned I picture them as kinda like moles on the inside of your intestinal system. The doctor says I’m clean as a whistle, no polyps.
A couple days later I got a call from that same insurance specialist who told me that I had finally qualified and she was now setting up the schedule for my surgery and support groups. She handled everything from a meeting with another dietitian, to scheduling the actual surgery.
Well, that catches you up to where I am tonight, and how I got here. Tomorrow is the big day. I’m having the gastric by pass at 2 p.m. tomorrow. My life will change dramatically after that. Instead of a “stomach” I will have a pouch that is about as big as my thumb, Instead of sitting down to a nice Sunday Dinner, I will be drinking clear liquids next weekend, and I’ll never eat like I am now.
I’ve deliberately given up all solid food for at least 2 weeks, and maybe more like 4. I’ll never again enjoy popcorn, or ice cream, or sodas. I’ll eat mostly protein, and soft vegetables like squash, but not like potatoes (baked, mashed, or otherwise). Two slices of pizza with everything on it is a thing of the past, and I’m going to learn to love soups.
The good thing about all of this is I’m hoping the surgery and resulting lifestyle changes will also allow my diabetes of go into remission (is that the right word?), my high blood pressure to go back to normal (something that hasn’t been for almost 25 years), my cholesterol to approach normal again, and my GERD to disappear. The way I think about it, I plan to make the changes that will allow me to live 20 or more years longer and be in good health while doing it.
I know there are no guarantees, but I’m hopeful, and statistics are on my side, so who knows, it might work.
This blog will be my way of sharing this journey with you. I plan to put down here my feelings, my struggles, my baby steps, and my victories. I hope you will come along for the ride, and maybe, if you are what the doctors call Morbidly Obese you will be encouraged to start a journey of your own.
Tomorrow, 2 p.m. the biggest adventure in my life starts. Come along and lets see where it takes us
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