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Domika03

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Blog Entries posted by Domika03

  1. Domika03

    Band to Sleeve

    By Domika03,

    5 days & and counting...
     
    I started this journey at my highest weight of 245 pounds. I got my lap band in Aug of 2012 & have lost about 90-95 pounds since then. My current weight is about 155-156. It's gone up since my band only has 1cc in it right now.
     
    I started experiencing discomfort with my band in April of last year. They took fluid out, then put it back in a month later. Then in August & October, same thing. The last straw was when I was on a mini vacation in NYC in Dec. I wound up in the ER for 15 hours. I'll spare you the details but it was confirmed that my band had a partial slip. They gave me morphine 3 times then dilaudid (something like that) for the pain. It finally worked many hours into my stay there.
     
    I had my band placed by a reputable surgeon in Aug of 2012, but am now under a different insurance, Kaiser Permanente of CO, and will have my revision done through them. As it stands right now, since the sleeve is being considered "elective" I will be paying about $12K - $15K out of pocket. Don't get me started because my husband is unemployed & no longer receiving unemployment benefits. Not sure how we'll handle this, but we will.
    No point in getting upset, though it does rather suck. Have to keep our head up & move forward staying positive.
     
    So, after my appointment last week, I found out on Friday that my revision date will be Thursday, the 16th, done as a rush surgery because of the pain that I have with the slipped band. It's not severe but constant. Dr gave me liquid vicodin, which I take once or twice a day, only as needed.
     
    My band will be removed at the same time as the sleeve is done. While I was anxious about getting the band back in 2012, I'm even more nervous about getting the revision to the sleeve.
     
    Would appreciate any feedback from previous banders to sleevers. I'm trying to read up as much as possible on what to expect so I'm ready. I hope to post on here the day of surgery then a few days later. My goal is to document this journey & potentially help any way headed on the same path.
     
    Talk to me people. How did your revision go? What did you drink the first few weeks? Sounds like I"ll be on liquids longer than I was with the band. Oh, I'm definitely anxious. Could use your support.
     
    Thanks!
    Fran
  2. Domika03

    Life...

    By Domika03,

    I'm finding it harder & harder to stay 100% focused these days. I don't have that same "gusto" I used to have. I used to log on almost every day, and track my food daily. I logged my food for almost 105 days in a row... and no, nothing in the last week or so. I feel disappointed in myself, and out of sorts.
     
    I go to my parents house almost every single day, check their mail, make sure Dad has his meds filled, do their grocery shopping, then take mom to get her hair done every Saturday. That part makes me smile. I don't mean to complain at all as I"m thankful to have them around. They will be 87 & 85 in a week. I have to admit it's a bit exhausting, and I don't have much in the way of energy left to focus where I need to : ME!
     
    I know I talked about this during my last post & I thought I could re-focus, but I'm almost at a lost. It's not that I'm over-eating, but I may as well be because I'm not eating as healthy & therefore just maintaining. I'm not even 'regular' (TMI, sorry). I I know it's my own doing, but I'm having a hard time with things.
     
    My dad's health affects my own mood. If he's doing well, I'm doing OK. If he's doing poorly, I get a little sad & don't focus. Why is it so stinkin; easy to go back to old habits? He has so many ups & downs. How do you deal with a parent dying of cancer? My dad's so strong too. The last few days he's been feeling better due to steroids he's on, in addition to all the other meds he's on. He still has energy so he's not bed-ridden. But my God, how do you stay focused with this **** going on?
     
    I have my 6 month follow up apt on March 11th (a month late), so I think I will ask for a small fill. Again, I'm not over-eating, and I may have lost 3 or 4 ponds in the last 4-6 weeks, but I'm not eating healthy or even working out. I want my focus back.

  3. Domika03
    Does anyone else find they can no longer eat / digest bread, or that you just don't enjoy it anymore?
     
    I bought a package of Jimmy Dean's Delight Honey wheat english muffin with canadian bacon, egg whites & cheese . Sounds kinda yummy, no? It had everything I like & what I perceived would be a tasty muffin. Well, while I managed to eat it, but I think it was more because I was challenging myself to see if I could eat the whole thing or not. Hey, I never said I was a genius.
     
    I learned that I would have been just as satisfied with half, or better yet, without eating the bread all together & only eating the inside.
    I learned that it was basically a waste of money, for me.
    I learned that it would have been even more healthy without the muffin.
    I learned that my stomach doesn't have a great time processing bread, regardless the type. I had a stomach 'ache' the rest of the day.
    I learned that I should challenge myself with better challenges.. LOL ...
     
    And there you have it... yet another lesson learned..
  4. Domika03

    Merry Christmas to me

    By Domika03,

    I decided for the holidays I would buy myself a recumbent bike. I got it today off of Craigslist for $75. They usually go for $100 - $150, used. The guy didn't have the owners manual but I figure I can download it.
     
    Looking forward to using it because, other than walking around running "many" errands & going Christmas shopping, I haven't really done much in the way of exercise lately. I've been helping mom & dad run their errands since dad hasn't been feeling well with his sciatic nerve acting up, and mom can't really walk around a lot.
     
    Fortunately, I've been lucky enough that I keep losing weight, but I don't want to be saggy. I want to lose weight, feel & look healthy.
     
    Anyway, I'm hoping to put it in the LR once we get all our Christmas stuff up tomorrow.
     
    Merry Christmas to me. 42 pounds down & counting...
  5. Domika03

    Stress

    By Domika03,

    I'm starting to have to deal with unavoidable stress a little bit more each day. Some of you may know that my dad of 86 has Stage 4 cancer. He's still kicking a$$, but we now have Hospice coming to the house to check on him every so often.
     
    Nonethelss, my point is that I've not over-eaten to this point thanks to the band. I can only imagine what would have happened had I not been banded.
     
    However, since things will at some point reach a 'challenging / difficult" time, I wonder how everyone else now deals with stress.
     
    What do you do to unwind? For the record, aside from reading & writing on here (or FB), I don't really like to read a lot, so that's out. I find i'm too impatient to read. Go figure....
  6. Domika03

    Ya Know What?

    By Domika03,

    Ya know what? I think I'm starting to feel a little better about myself lately. While I'm very aware that at 5 '3, weighing almost 210 pds is overweight, I've managed to lose just shy of 35 pds in the last 3 months! I notice my clothes are loser, and that I've dropped 1 dress size. Techinically 1 1/2, but that doesn't quite exist, now does it?
     
    I actually felt good about myself when I got dressed for work today. I put on my size 20 pants, and they were loose. I tried my size 18, and I'm not quite there yet. Need to lose more stomach weight... LOL...
    My pants felt loose, and even my shirt was a little big.
     
    My co-workers haven't noticed the weight loss, or at least they haven't said anything. My guess is that they don't want to be rude wondering if I have lost any weight. But, I'm hopeful that come mid January, when we host our Dealer Meeting, people (co-workers) will have no choice but to notice that I've lost weight. Yes, I'm hoping for compliments.
     
    Looking forward to continuing this journey & looking and feeling better each day!
  7. Domika03

    2Nd Fill Today

    By Domika03,

    Had my 2nd fill today. My first fill was 2 weeks ago, and was 5 1/2 cc's. Mind you, my band is large, 14 cc's or something like that. Today, I was given an additional 2 1/2 cc's. I believe I was told not to take bites that are bigger than an M&M. Oh, how I would enjoy a peanut butter M&M... Im not a big chocolate fan, but chocolate & peanut butter. Sign me up LOL...
     
    I didn't really notice a decrease in appetite, or a more filling sensation with the 1st fill, and the NP told me I probably wouldn't notice anything yet. Somehow I managed to lose 6 pds in 2 weeks. Not bad I guess. Actually, I would LOVE to lose 6 pds every 2 weeks. Did you do the math yet? So, if I lose 6 pds in 2 weeks, that should come to 12 pds in 1 month, then 24 pds in 2 months, oh my gosh, 36 in 3, 48 in 4... eventually I'll disappear! OK, maybe not. Just trying to make a point at how quickly our mind starts calculating as we go through this weight loss journey. I had actually lost 2 more pounds, but found it again in the last week or so. Not sure how I did that, but I'm going to blame being constipated. What? I need an excuse. No wait, I'm doing this to avoid the excuses...
     
    I suppose if I worked out 5 times a week like I'm supposed to, the weight could come off alittle quicker. Damn, I have to make an effort.
     
    Lesson learned: You get out what you put into this. Some weeks you will lose 3 pds, another week (God help us when this happens), you won't lose anything. Stay focused Fran, stay focused! See the end result!
  8. Domika03
    On my way to my 1 week follow up, even though my surgery was actually last Friday. I have to say that I've got some seriously LOW energy. Since I sit on my booty all day at work, I'm glad I took most of this week off. I'm supposed to go back to work tomorrow, but think I will work from home. I just don't think I've got enough energy to get moving.
     
    I'm still not sleeping well because, wouldn't you know it, my siatic (sp?) nerve is starting to bug me when I go to sleep. Great timing for it to act up, huh? It makes for a heckuva sleepless night. I also don't think, never mind, I know I'm not getting enough protein in me. I've been feeling sooo full although I'm barely eating. I think I must be drinking too quickly. Trying to watch myself today because I start on soft foods.
     
    So far today, I've had 4 oz of a protein drink, and 1 oz of vanilla greek yogurt (with a dash of cinncamon for flavor). I'm waiting aobut 45 minutes before drinking anything again, but this schedule is tough. I planning ahead and bringing some of my snacks/meals with my 1st nutrition class & follow up apt so I don't miss out on anything (1oz of egg beaters & 1 oz of refried beans & something to drink).
     
    I know I've been losing weight because I've checked the scale. However, I try to be realistic because anyone would lose weight following a liquid diet. I don't expect miracles, but am thankful that I'm going in the right direction I still need to learn what my body is saying in the way of hunger vs the full feeling. The last few days it's always felt "full" which is insane beacuse I'm not eating much of anything. Nonetheless, today's nutrition class should be informative, and I look forward to it.
     
    Gonna go have my crystal light now. I'm thirsty.
  9. Domika03
    I'm 4 days post-op, and am happy to say, on my last day of the clear liquid diet. I'm supposed to start pre-selected soft foods tomorrow (1/2 oz -1 oz eggs, which BTW I can't believe that's all I can have), refried beans,,,etc,,,
     
    Anyway, I went to Wally World (WalMart) to pick up a few things. This might sound weird, but I felt so very aware of my surroundiings. I almost felt like it was the 1st time I was going grocery shopping. I mean, I had a list of specific things to buy, and I didn't go astray. Typically, I would have stopped by the munchie aisle & treated myself to a little "yummy snack." There was none of that. I'm not sure if it's because I know it wouldn't have been pleasant going down (chips or Reeces Pieces), or if I realize that's no longer a part of my new lifestyle. Maybe a combination of both.
     
    All I know is that it felt strange shopping. Maybe because it was more in a healthier way, something that I guess I'm not used to. Am I alone out here? Did anyone else experience this? Hum....
  10. Domika03

    Day 3 Post-Op

    By Domika03,

    I think my biggest issue, for lack of a better word, is that I've been quite tired these last few days; low energy. I'm drinking my protein drink, water, broth, SF popsicles and SF jello. I don't think I feel hungry so that's good, I guess. Wait.... I think my tummy is actually growling at me right now. Hum,,,, need to get more protein in me. I've also had pretty restless sleep, tossing & turning & tossing & turning. That's probably another reason why I'm tired.
     
    My tummy only felt "achy" the first 2 days. This may be TMI but I'm sure someone will appreciate my just saying it. I've been burping quite a bit when I get up & walk around. I'm told that's good because they pump air inside you during the surgery & it's good to get it out. I also had a little gas, but had not gone to the bathroom in 3 days. Thankfully, I was taking Miralax, drinking Smooth Move tea, and finally yesterday added Sedekot (I think that's what it's called). Um, things finally worked themselves out yesterday. Please make sure you take fiber so you don't run into issues.
     
    Another thing, I only used my pain meds twice. The night I got home & that next morning because of my crazy headache. I haven't touched the nausea meds I was prescribed (yet) so I'm thankful.
     
    This might sound crazy but I made sure to use a heating pad on myself Fay 0 and 1, while gently rubbing my belly. It seemed to help some how.
     
    I took today off from work, and am considering taking tomorrow & Wed off. This way I get some real time to get comfortable with everthing. My follow up is this Wed, so I was thinking of working from home Thurs & Fri. I'm lucky enough to have that option when in this type of situations.
     
    That's it for now, Please feel free to make comments or ask me questions. I'm learning as I go, and am worth than happy to share my journey.
     
    Good luck.
     
    PS - I've lost 7 1/2 pounds now,... and I need things will slow down soon, since right now I'm on the clear liquid diet. It's all good. DIdn't gain all this weight in a day so it won't come off in a day :)
  11. Domika03

    8/17 Day 1 - Post Op

    By Domika03,

    Hi everyone,
     
    So, let me back up 1 day to surgery yesterday.
     
    I woke up & really wasn't nervous like I was the day before. Some how my nerves were calmed. It's gonna happen so why get nervous about it. I went to the hopsital around 9:30am MST and had surgery at 12:30 or so. The worse part was just laying in the hospital bed, waiting for "my turn." I had my durgery done at Rose Medical. Great staff all over. The surgery itself, I'm told, took 19 minutes. While I was there they made me walk around, and can I say, I was burping left & right. Yes, that's what I said ... LOL... I'm told thats very good becuase you want to get the air out that thee pumped in there. It almost seemed to relieve me. so uh, if you can, burp away my friends... the other thing i did at the hospital was gentle massage my stomach. it seemed to gently soothe my achiness at times,
     
    I was definitely tired, and a little achy when I got home. My throat actually hurt from havng that tube down my throat. The best way to decribe the achniess is that I felt like a had a permanent stomach ache, an a sore throat with maybe swollen glands; no fever. I went home & napped on & off while making sure to drink / drink / drink. My husand took such good care of me, even my 10 yr old daughter I was thankful to be watched over & pampered.
     
    I didn't sleep very well last night, very restless, and therefore woke up with a bit of a headache. I'm not sure what to take, but was going to try my daughter liqud tylenol, if I could find it. I'm sure I'll nap again on & off today as well. Oh, I must have peed like 20 times since I got home (seriously). My goodness, I'm releasing all those liquids... HA HA .... . Thank God, my throat pain feels much better, My stomach is definitely less achy. May I repeat that getting up and, forgive me, but burping again (and any other relief from gas) is helpful. Just saying guys...
     
    So far, I'm only had 2 oz of a protein drink, but it looks like I will sipping liquids just about eery hour for the next 5 days. I don't think I actually feel hungry. Saw my daughter eat one of those breakfast sandwiches & I didn't crave it. I'm sooo hoping that stays with me.
     
    Well, that's about it really. I'm going to shower then go grocery shopping (yes, I know) for the family. They told me to walk around the first few days, but not to over do it. I'll keep you guys posted.
     
    Thaks for listening.
     
    PS,,, ive actually lost 4 pds in 1 day due to the liquid diet
  12. Domika03
    8/14/12
     
    Making the decision to have lapband surgery was a well thought out, and planned one. I did a lot of research, and perhaps like many, made myself a little crazy with "information overload." Then there's the "what if it doesn't work," "what if I have issues with the band like many people on other websites have so willingly pointed out," "do I have what it takes to see this through the right way?"
     
    I realized that I basically shoned myself from the World as much as possible the last 6 months. The biggest issue was that I didn't want to socialize anymore. I tried to limit going out for fear of being seen in public by someone I might know. I went as far as not trying to be seen at work by too many people. Oh my gosh, I sooo hated the way I looked. I would do anything to avoid social contact. I was even dreading my BF's visit to come out & see me back in May. I was so embarassed. Nothing I wore looked good, things wouldn't fit, shopping was pretty much impossible. You get the picture.
     
    I made the decision to do this for me, and noone else. I have an out-going personality, love to laugh, and "be social!" I felt that I was doing myself an injustice by not being that way anymore. Basically, my body didn't match my real personlity. Those closest to me will reap the rewards of my weight loss because I will get my confidence back, and start feeling good about myself again.
     
    It's hard to believe that I started this journey in Jan of this year, and now I'm only 3 days away from having surgery. I have many mixed emotions: anxiiety, nervousness, excitement, and even a little worried about the journey that lies ahead. I've reached out to people on this website, lapbandtalk.com, and am very thankful for the wonderful support I've received. People have emailed me sample menu's, talked about their own personal journies, given me advice, etc.... Exactly what I need, and what I'm looking for.
     
    So, thank you to everyone who has replied, and no doubt, will respond to my questions & concerns. I appreciate your support, and hope that my documented journey will help others!
     
    Warm Regards,
    Fran

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