I started my own self-imposed pre-op diet on Monday. This means I'm trying to eat less and incorporate a protein shake as at least one meal replacement. I'm attempting to lay low on the carbs and sugar, also.
So far so good, though I have had some rotten headaches. According to my calculations, I've lost 9 lbs since I started "caring" again and 6 of these pounds have been since my last doctor appointment 2 weeks ago.
On Tuesday, I had to have a gall bladder ultrasound in preparation for my upcoming surgery. Good news is that I did not have a gall bladder baby, Phew! lol. It was a fairly quick and totally painless procedure, but the really cool thing is that I met a woman in the waiting room (her daughter was having an ultra sound) who had the gastric bypass done 7 years ago by my surgeon and she sang his praises (and looked like she had never been overweight a day in her life). The ultra sound tech had the lap band done 3 years ago by my surgeon and also sung his praises. Even though I am quite confident in my decision to have this surgery and with the surgeon I selected, it still made me even feel better about that decision having met these two women.
Today, I had my EGD (upper GI endoscopy) which is the second procedure required pre-op. There is so much hoopla over a 10 minute procedure, sheesh!
I had to fast from 10pm last night until it was all said and done. My mom came and picked me up at 5:45 am as we had to be at the hospital by 6:15. I filled out some paperwork and then they took my mom and I back into a different waiting room. I had to pee in a cup to prove I wasn't pregnant and then they took me back.
They took my vitals and then had me change into a gown and lay down. Next came the IV and then my mom was brought back to hang out with me until I got whisked away into the operating room. I remember them helping me turn onto my side and then the next minute (it seemed) I was waking up in the recovery room. I had a pretty bad cough waking up from the anesthesia, so the nurse gave me ice chips and then raised the back of my bed and got me some water. That helped.
I had to chill out for 15 minutes or so and then they brought my mom back. The nurse gave my mom some instructions and then I found out I had a hiatal hernia. I actually suspected I did after reading so many posts on the forum I belong to. I also found out my stomach was a little inflamed, thought not sure why. The nurse explained neither one of these things would prevent me from getting my surgery and so all is well for moving forward.
I believe the hiatal hernia will be fixed during surgery as I've read that the surgeons usually do this during the VSG surgery. I will have to ask my doctor when I see him on 9/3.
I was discharged and then my mom and I went for breakfast. I am so happy my parents having finally accepted I'm doing this. It's a huge relief off my back! =)
I just woke up from a 2 1/2 hour nap a few minutes ago and I don't even feel guilty for taking the day off of work (well maybe a little bit).
Next step: Pre-op appointment at the hospital on 9/3 followed by my last appointment with my surgeon. Time is flying by and keep getting more and more excited with each passing day! =)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
I'm back....
Oh my, I sure have been gone a long time. Over a year, it appears, since my last post.
I've been thinking about returning to the blogging world. It's interesting, though. Last time I started blogging I was in the process of losing tons of weight and embarking upon a running adventure. This time, I shall return to blogging to hopefully capture another attempt at the same.
Let me explain.
By the end of May 2010, I had officially weighed in less than ever before as an adult....well to be fair...even as a teenager. Then I started putting it back on. At first it was just a little bit, but then it became a lot. It's easy for me to go back and see how and when and why it all happened. Hindsight is always 20/20, after all. I also have an extreme talent of self analyzing, for the record.
Injury launched my downhill spiral. For those of you who have read my blog before, you know I ended up with a pelvic stress fracture during a half marathon.
Reentering the dating world after a long, long, long hiatus continued the tumbling. Triggers, triggers everywhere I guess you could say.
Work stress became the icing on the cake. Literally, I guess. I mean what better way to solve problems than to stuff one's face with cake, right?! The sad thing is that I knew better. I know better. Why did I never have a shut-off valve?
I just let my weight become a reflection of my misery. I've let it define me.
Well...not any longer. I've decided after much thought and research to embark upon a new adventure. Some of you will cheer for me. Others will disapprove. The bottom line is that for the first time in a very long time, I've never been so sure about something in my life.
I am scheduled to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on Monday, September 19, 2013. This means that 85% of my stomach will be removed endoscopically through 5-6 incisions during an approximate one hour surgery. I will have to spend one night in the hospital and take one week off of work to recover. My new stomach will allow me to eat no more than 4 oz at a time and I will have to learn how to listen to my body to know when I am full.
I began the process of seeking out a surgeon in March. By early April, I had my first appointment. At that time I was opting for gastric bypass. I received approval from my insurance company (BCBS) in late May, but too late for me to go ahead and follow-through with the surgery until the end of the summer. Summer, as many of you know, is my busy season at work and it just wouldn't be right to remove myself from the game for a week or more essentially for elective surgery.
My parents are very leery of this whole thing. They feel surgery is too extreme a measure. I understand their thoughts. I get that I have proven I am capable of losing 100 lbs on my own. I have not been able to keep it off, however. I feel like this surgery will give me the tool to lose the weight and manage the maintenance process. If I could, I would have the surgery tomorrow.
In these next 5 weeks, I will continue my research as to the best protein shakes and vitamins for post-op, as well as seeking out helpful hints to deal with all the curve balls that may be thrown my way. I will pursue camaraderie and fellowship from the different on-line forums for my specific surgery and I will make an effort to lose as much weight as possible pre-surgery.
I shall keep you posted!!!
I've been thinking about returning to the blogging world. It's interesting, though. Last time I started blogging I was in the process of losing tons of weight and embarking upon a running adventure. This time, I shall return to blogging to hopefully capture another attempt at the same.
Let me explain.
By the end of May 2010, I had officially weighed in less than ever before as an adult....well to be fair...even as a teenager. Then I started putting it back on. At first it was just a little bit, but then it became a lot. It's easy for me to go back and see how and when and why it all happened. Hindsight is always 20/20, after all. I also have an extreme talent of self analyzing, for the record.
Injury launched my downhill spiral. For those of you who have read my blog before, you know I ended up with a pelvic stress fracture during a half marathon.
Reentering the dating world after a long, long, long hiatus continued the tumbling. Triggers, triggers everywhere I guess you could say.
Work stress became the icing on the cake. Literally, I guess. I mean what better way to solve problems than to stuff one's face with cake, right?! The sad thing is that I knew better. I know better. Why did I never have a shut-off valve?
I just let my weight become a reflection of my misery. I've let it define me.
Well...not any longer. I've decided after much thought and research to embark upon a new adventure. Some of you will cheer for me. Others will disapprove. The bottom line is that for the first time in a very long time, I've never been so sure about something in my life.
I am scheduled to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on Monday, September 19, 2013. This means that 85% of my stomach will be removed endoscopically through 5-6 incisions during an approximate one hour surgery. I will have to spend one night in the hospital and take one week off of work to recover. My new stomach will allow me to eat no more than 4 oz at a time and I will have to learn how to listen to my body to know when I am full.
I began the process of seeking out a surgeon in March. By early April, I had my first appointment. At that time I was opting for gastric bypass. I received approval from my insurance company (BCBS) in late May, but too late for me to go ahead and follow-through with the surgery until the end of the summer. Summer, as many of you know, is my busy season at work and it just wouldn't be right to remove myself from the game for a week or more essentially for elective surgery.
My parents are very leery of this whole thing. They feel surgery is too extreme a measure. I understand their thoughts. I get that I have proven I am capable of losing 100 lbs on my own. I have not been able to keep it off, however. I feel like this surgery will give me the tool to lose the weight and manage the maintenance process. If I could, I would have the surgery tomorrow.
In these next 5 weeks, I will continue my research as to the best protein shakes and vitamins for post-op, as well as seeking out helpful hints to deal with all the curve balls that may be thrown my way. I will pursue camaraderie and fellowship from the different on-line forums for my specific surgery and I will make an effort to lose as much weight as possible pre-surgery.
I shall keep you posted!!!
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