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Comin Round

I'm officially 6 weeks out today, and down to 200! That's 35 pounds off, yay! Also, I'm feeling alive again! I still have my wound packet (grrrrrrr) but its healing and I'm finding my energy slowly but surley. My diet is progressing too. I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm sleeved! I made a yummy Jambalaya with Brussel Sprouts last night...it was delicious!! I'm looking forward to walking as soon as this wound heals. So glad to get to feeling normal again! Yay!
Shontel

Shontel

1
 

What is that? a TAPEWORM?

So today was the big day to have my packing removed & changed. The first time since it was drained last tuesday. OK, can I just say that when she begins to remove this ribbon type of packing, I thought it would NEVER end...a Tapeworm comes to mind!! Needless to say I was amazed. It hurt a little...pressure, stinging, very uncomfortable...ewwwww....so then, the nurse shows me and my fiance' how to do it ourselves...by this time, I'm just feeling faint. But she showed us and said that when it got to the point that it wouldn't 'pack' anymore its healed. Next week we have to go in so she can check it again. I'm not squeamish at all, I worked in surgery before, but I don't know what it is, its like, I just want this to be OVER!! I'm tired of hurting, tired of being weak, tired of being tired, tired of not feeling good...(big sigh) Well, ok, I'm done whining I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow...
Shontel

Shontel

2
 

Chicken & Dumplings, Rest & Recovery

Tomorrow I will finally get my packing changed/removed (probably just changed...grrrr) So in an effort to make myself feel better, of course I decided to cook something (some old habits ya just can't break) I wanted something comforting, something creamy and warm. Chicken & Dumplings!! I love this dish, but don't love the time it takes, so I used Sandra Lee's recipe that I make my own...its YUMMY!! and EASY! So I made a big pot, rented some movies & fluffed up my couch pillows...what more could I ask for? Oh yeah, that pain pill I needed, but hey other than that, I'm making the best of this situation. I am still getting tired after little effort, don't want to do much of anything, and have residual pain.   Last night while changing my 4 x4 gauze I think I accidentally pulled a little of the packing, and before I knew it, it was like a horror movie! Blood everywhere! I went through 3 4x4's before it got it to stop! The insanity of it all!! Can't wait till 1:30 tomorrow to get an update of all this...Its funny how we take our health and everyday wellbeing for granted. I have always been super healthy (even though I was overweight but this weakness and no energy thing has gotta go, I feel so frail! grrrrrrr.....stay tuned, hopefully tomorrow will be better! :thumbup:
Shontel

Shontel

1
 

New Year, New Attitude

I've been coming along since my 'drainage incident' lol. I still have the packing which will be changed on Monday. In the meantime, the common cold has made a home in my nasal passages. Oh, its just lovely. I'm on these mega antibiotics, but of course the viral cold just laughs at this. (sigh) So aside from hacking and sniffling, I'm beginning to feel better. On a high note, got on the scale this a.m. and I'm at 204...kewl..31 pounds in 35 days, not too shabby. I'm seriously needing to get back on track with my protien & vitamin schedules. It's been hit & miss through all this. I'm praying for a new attitude with this new year. Slight changes, that will add up to a new me. Can't wait to see where I am at this time next year! YaY Me!!
Shontel

Shontel

2
 

Relief!

Went to the doc today. He took one look at it. Scheduled me as an add on today to have it drained. RELIEF...he said that when he cut it, it just gushed. The CT report said it was 3.5 inches deep. So now its packed and left open to heal from the inside. Still hurts but not NEARLY as it did before. I'm home now and feeling much better. Another step! Will update again in a few days! :thumbup:
Shontel

Shontel

2
 

waiting...

OK, I have an appointment tomorrow at 10:00am. Found a surgeon that consulted with my ER doc...he even does VSG's...yay...oh, but cash only of course (big surprise there) Meanwhile, the pain is horrible. I wish I knew how to post a pic here..but the incision site is cherry red and protruding. I just pray for relief...just want this pain to go away! I'm scared of what they are going to have to do, what I'm going to have to go through, but anything has to be better than this. I remember reading a post by someone recently that said they just drained in office, didn't have time to freeze or numb it, people had to hold her down...I'm no woos...but I'm praying that's not the scenerio for me.
Shontel

Shontel

3
 

Setback

Well, since my New Orleans trip, I have been having pain in my left side by my big incision. Pretty much worse than post op. I just kept dealing with it, can't bend over without being in pain...so Christmas eve night, I noticed above my large incision, a ball formed about the size of an orange...and it was warm & red. My fiance' & I decided we'd go to the ER Christmas morning in the hopes it wouldn't be busy. (my kiddo's are all older so no worries there) So, long drawn out story short, I had a contrast CT scan done...which shows a large accumulation of fluid? Blood? abcess? They put me on mega antibiotics and said that I have to contact this surgeon on Monday. Apparently, if it doesn't go down on its own, it will have to be DRAINED...ok...now, look, my thresh hold for pain is HIGH....but this is some serious pain. Well a real tenderness....so the thought of an elephant syringe/needle or even worse...another cut...with a tube drain...the thought just makes me want to cry...in fact that's pretty much what I have been doing since Christmas Eve. On a high note, the CT image w/contrast showed absolutely no leak in my sleeve...and believe me, drinking 3 glasses of that Metalic Crystal Light was NO FUN!!! (Can you say nausea?) Well, I guess I just had to vent...I know that if this doesn't go down, draining it will probably provide immediate relief. I mean I'm a month out so I guess I just figured if this was going to happen it already would have. If anyone is reading this and have had a similar situation feel free to comment...I'm scared to have the draining process, but look forward to some relief.
Shontel

Shontel

4
 

New Orleans Weekend...

Ok, so I'm a big Saints fan, and my fiance and I decided to go to New Orleans this weekend for the Dallas-New Orleans game (big bummer Saints lost!) Anyhow, it was my fist time back to New Orleans since VSG. We travel to New Orleans a lot. Its one of my very favorite places to go and since its only about a 3 hour drive its a great weekend trip. So, I'm not 100% but I was glad to get away. I just had a flood of feelings...first the food. New Orleans is known for its top notch food and dining. I thought, no problem...bought some protien shakes in a cooler...but I wanted to just be normal...everywhere we went I was like, no way can I eat this, no way can I drink these collosal drinks...and the waitresses...can I just say....please don't comment on what I do or don't eat...if I clean my plate, I never remember them saying...wow you sure do have a healthy appetite...but they sure don't mind saying...is the food alright? no one ever leaves any of the crab cake...I felt embarrassed! I think my fiance was too, the second time we went out to eat, he ate some of my leftovers so it wouldn't look like I had so much left...I also found myself looking at everyone doubting myself. Feeling like a freak almost...like I didn't belong in the restaurant....and I always liked to drink. I admit it. I'm a full blooded cajun and drinking goes along with our love of food. I drank a bloody mary (delicious) but took an hour to finish it, and I was good, but then my fiance' was like bring her another one...I wanted to tell him, I'm not the old Shontel, I'm a new one, heck, in the 'old' days I could finish 2 or 3 in no time...(sigh) I know this will get better, I mean I'm 23 days post op...but I don't want to have to explain myself, I'm paying for my meal no matter how much I eat! OK, off my soapbox...the other thing I noticed is my stamina...I really thought I had more than what I did. Couldn't walk or stand for long periods. Burbon St...are you kidding me? Soooooo many people. I just wanted to veg out in the room. I felt like I was disappointing my fiance' even though he was very understanding and took good care of me..then, my left side where they removed the port and pulled my stomach out is really hurting...to the point of all I can do is sit or lie on my couch, maybe I just wasn't ready for such a trip. My head can't keep up with my mending body. I hope and pray I get my strength back! I'm tired of being tired!!
Shontel

Shontel

3
 

egg & ricotta yay

ok, so today I was feeling much better, and maybe a little froggy. On a whim, I met my fiance' at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. I'd been contemplating trying more than soup and yoghurt on my mushies but up to now had been too chicken. Well, I just did it...I ordered an over easy egg with some grits, and ya know what? I ate about half of the egg and a few bites of grits...no problemo!! I was SO EXCITED. I did chew it till it was a pulp, but it tasted so good! Later I felt even more froggy and made a recipe I think I found here...maybe eggface...ricotta, marinaria & parmesan baked....yuuuummmmyyy....got about 1/4 c down and it was devine!! I never knew simple foods could taste so darn good!! Oh, I also received my can of Unjury Chicken Soup, and it is YUMMY! I was so tired of sweet shakes...so savory and warm for this cold weather! Has tons of ideas for recipes also. So, all in all...I think today was a resounding success for me...I'm progressing, slowly but surley, to normal foods. Yee ha! Stay Tuned.
Shontel

Shontel

3
 

Post Op 18 days

My first entry here. No special story to speak of, My start weight is 235 at the hospital, which I went to Monterrey Mexico. Today, Dec 15th I'm down 21 pounds. I am on mushy foods, but I have to admit the only real mushies I've had is ground down tuna salad and Popeyes mashed potatoes with extra gravy. (yum by the way) I tried a mashed sweet potato with butter, sugar & cinnamon but it just wasn't happening, 2 bites was all I could manage. Did I mention I'm a revision from Lap-Band? Had it for 3 years, lost 60 pounds, gained 30 back...I'm going to try an egg tomorrow for breakfast...will keep my fingers crossed on that. I've not been having any problems getting in my fluids, and have been getting my 60 g of protien, but not without dread. Still looking for drinks that I can tolerate. Isopure is ok..tolerable. Also, I'm on GNC Wheybolic? something...ok I guess...I've just ordered some Unjury Chicken Soup, so really hope this is as good as the reviews are...Also trying the Calcet chews, and Biariatric Advantage chewables...I'm on Tums & Flinstones (can we say G R I T??) So here's to the future...stay tuned :001_tongue:
Shontel

Shontel

5
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