joatsaint

I have done the steps, accepted that I am over weight, took the steps to see the doctor, asked some questions, had the blood test and went to the seminar. I am now in the process of seeing the cardiologist, pulmonologist, dietician, and therapist. I have to wait a month to see them, but I am willing to wait and do what I need to personally to get myself prepared for what is to come. I was also given a tentative month for surgery and it looks like April it is. So many emotions each day seem to catch me by surprise.
 
Today I felt blue because I don't have many to turn to about my process. My husband is hard to talk to about it because he likes me just the way I am. He knows that I am depressed about it, and agrees with me to do something to make myself feel better, but sometimes I feel that is not enough. We have kept the news of my decision to go through this on the down low becuase I am still embarresed for the things I have to do to get what I want. The hospital that I am going through has a group that meets this Monday and I think I am going to check it out. I hope this helps with the blues that I get from time to time. Maybe even connect with someone and build friendships. I do know that God is on my side and going to take it one day at a time!

Just got back from my 2 week checkup. Down 21 lbs from my pre-surgery start weight. Doc put me on the puree diet and told me to walk at least 1 hr a day 4 - 5 times a week. That's going to be difficult because of all the rain coming up for the next week.
 
I'm doing pretty well with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup and peanut butter. But I've tested a tiny bite of chicken, hamburger and Vienna sausages, seems like anything along those lines is still too tough for my stomach. Almost immediately I can feel rolling gas bubbles in my stomach and I have to burp.
 
Found some great food storage containers at Wal-Mart. They seem to be the perfect size for how much I can eat at one sitting.

Actually, I think this is just an old wives tale! Your sleeve is constructed from the non-stretchiest part of the stomach, with the fundus (the stretchy part) being discarded.
 
Read some of this researches I made about it and few things I found out. Yes, you can gain weight by over eating etc. but even if the pouch stretch it won't be a lot.
 
 
http://www.provostbariatrics.com/can-you-really-stretch-your-pouch/
 
This one Is from another forum. And this person had three pregnancy after her surgery.
http://m.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4145194/It-is-VERY-VERY-VERY-hard-to-stretch-out-your-pouch/
 
http://www.carolinasurgical.com/life-after-bariatric-surgery/i-am-afraid-of-my-pouch-stretching-after-bariatric-surgery/
 
 
 
 

Just got back from my 2 week checkup. Down 21 lbs from my pre-surgery start weight. Doc put me on the puree diet and told me to walk at least 1 hr a day 4 - 5 times a week. That's going to be difficult because of all the rain coming up for the next week.
 
I'm doing pretty well with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup and peanut butter. But I've tested a tiny bite of chicken, hamburger and Vienna sausages, seems like anything along those lines is still too tough for my stomach. Almost immediately I can feel rolling gas bubbles in my stomach and I have to burp.
 
Found some great food storage containers at Wal-Mart. They seem to be the perfect size for how much I can eat at one sitting.

Just got back from my 2 week checkup. Down 21 lbs from my pre-surgery start weight. Doc put me on the puree diet and told me to walk at least 1 hr a day 4 - 5 times a week. That's going to be difficult because of all the rain coming up for the next week.
 
I'm doing pretty well with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup and peanut butter. But I've tested a tiny bite of chicken, hamburger and Vienna sausages, seems like anything along those lines is still too tough for my stomach. Almost immediately I can feel rolling gas bubbles in my stomach and I have to burp.
 
Found some great food storage containers at Wal-Mart. They seem to be the perfect size for how much I can eat at one sitting.

Well, it's the end of another year and to be honest, I still have to remind myself to write 2012 on my checks (when I actually have to use one). Therefore, writing 2013 is going to be a huge pain in the rear for me. Now, I am not one to make resolutions. To be honest, i don't think I've ever kept one I've made so I finally realized that there was no reason to make any. If someone wants to change, they will...it won't just magically happen becasue it's January 1st. Trust me, I wish that was a case. If it was, we wouldn't all be constantly working to get/remain healthy and thin. Also, there would be a lot of surgeons out there who wouldn't be as wealthy as they are right now...thanks to us. You are welcome surgeons...from all of us. Sorry, i digress. Now, I thought I wold take the time to look back on my year and share my wisdom with you all....or at least what I think is wisdom. It could be a big ole pile of steaming crap, but I'm going to share it anyway. Lucky for you all, if it is crap, you don't have to smell it since you're reading it. So, here is what I've learned...or at least began to learn in 2012.
 
1. It's true, you do feel much better when you stop smoking. But, it's also true that even after a year, there are times you still want one....even if it's only for a second or two
 
2. Weight loss surgery is NOT an easy fix. It's hard work and I battle every day with changing my negative food thoughts and behaviors. But, it does get easier.
 
3. Getting frustrated becasue you can't eat what others are having is normal. Crying and yelling at your husband for eating pizza in front of you is PMS.
 
4. Fiber is CRITICAL after WLS
 
5. Stalls are normal...even if they last for a while
 
6. Getting down for being in a stall is just as normal....but remember number 5!
 
7. My weight loss is not like anyone else's. There are people who have lost more or not as much in the same amount of time.
 
8. Going from a tight size 26-28 to a good fitting 16 feels better than any food can taste
 
9. Taste buds change....which can be good and bad.
 
10. Pulling out my clothes from the dryer and having to double check to make sure they are mine due to how small they look is the coolest thing about doing laundry
 
11. Sex is better....and it was really good before hand
 
12. Raging hormones can make you a b***h to live with so make sure you live with someone who truly loves you.....I'm lucky because I would have divorced me if I were my husband
 
13. Make up sex while having raging hormones is even better than better
 
14. My boobs hang low....(cue my "hang low song"....for all those who have read my prior blogs)
 
15. I miss my boobs...and my butt.
 
16. Surgery can give me my boobs back and I'll still be thin....sounds better than having perky, big boobs right now.
 
17. Onions don't sit well with me anymore
 
18. I fart....a lot since surgery.
 
19. I really hope that stops soon....but not as much as my husband does
 
20. I have a rabbit living in my colon....and we've learned to live together
 
21. Pain after surgery isn't as bad as I thought it would be...and they didn't give me the right meds to deal with the pain
 
22. Walking is the best thing to do to get gas out
 
23. I am not perfect and sometimes I eat things that I shouldn't...but I don't eat much
 
24. Alcohol has a WHOLE different affect on me now.....that can be good or bad...good for me, bad for hubby who doesn't like me tipsy. LOL
 
and last but not least
 
25. Laughing through all the ups and downs is the only thing that can keep you sane
 
So, with all these little tid bits learned, I plan to go into the new year with an open mind and a willingness to continue to make positive changes, the knowledge to know I'm not perfect, and strength to say no to the bad food (most of the time). I hope you all are able to do the same.
 
Happy New Year everyone.....here's to a safe, happy, and healthy year ahead.
 
 
Now for some funny stuff.....LOL
 
Have to remember to eat so that I don't look like this in the New Year!!!
 

 
 
Have to remember not to eat too much so this doesn't happen....again....LOL
 

 
 
Most importantly, I have to remember to be happy with who I am...on the inside and out.
 

I had planned on documenting my gastric sleeve surgery experience in the order it occurred, but I forgot about the psych evaluation. Once again luck was on my side as I knew what to expect before arriving. I had a chance to talk with a post-op gastric sleeve patient during my 1st appointment with my doctor.
 
The test itself was about 451 questions. Really though, you could say it was about 150 questions asked 3 different ways. My best guess is it is done in that format to measure how consistent and true you are answering. I guess that they believe that if you are trying to manipulate the test for whatever reason, by asking the same question 3 different ways mixed in with 450 questions, you won't be able to remember how you answered previously and your true feelings will be revealed.
 
I can't remember the exact answer selections, but I think there were 6 choices - ranging from Always True to Never True. So they might ask, "Have you consistently missed work because of drinking?" and you choose among the 6 answers as to how true the question applies to your situation. 50 or so questions later, it is asked again differently, "I never drink so much alcohol that I have called in sick at work." And they mix in questions about how alcohol has played a part in your family and social life. Your feelings about stealing, is it better to be a child or an adult, how you behave in social situations, how you bad/good feel most people behave, which is the better part of life - being a child or being an adult. I think you get the general idea.
 
The psych interview was pretty brief - about 15 minutes. The questions mainly center around my eating habits and what I knew about diet and nutrition. That I realized that surgery was only a tool and not the solution. That I needed to exercise before and after surgery. And what I thought my ideal body weight should be. I told him that I didn't want to fixate on a specific number and just wanted to look "normal", whatever that weight turned out to be. I had been following a guy on youtube who started out at my weight 350 and was down to 235 and I thought I'd be very happy to look like him. I haven't been down below 270 since 1997! My doctor later told me that my ideal weight is 200 and seem to take it in stride that I'd have no problem getting to that weight. So we'll see. My plan is to set small goals and not get too hung up on reaching a specific weight.
 
Expenses so far:
 
My copay for the doctor has been about $2000 so far ($500 office visits, nutritionist counseling / $1500 surgery cost)
My hospital costs so far, $3000 ($1000 blood, ultra sound, chest xrays and EDG / $2000 surgery cost)
 
I had a bit of a panic yesterday. The hospital called to confirm my surgery date and collect payment. They told me the surgery cost was $19,000 and in my mind I'm thinking "NINETEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!" I wasn't expecting to have to pay out of pocket that much! And then they said,"Your copay is $2000." Fortunately, I hadn't completely stroked out after hearing the first part and was able to get my heart out of my mouth after I realized I wasn't responsible for the full 19k. :-) I fumbled my Discover card out and gave them the digits.
 
Still to be paid (and as far as I know, the last):
 
Pre-op blood typing/urine testing (must be done within 72 hours of surgery)
 
- I'm scheduled to be tested on 12/26 / surgery 12/27 / expected to return home 12/28.

I was really happily surprised to find out that my gastric sleeve surgery is expected to last less than an hour. Apparently my doc has done A LOT of theses and can pretty much knock them out like an assembly line.
 
I'm to check in at 7am, surgery is at 9:30am, expected to be back in my room by 10:30am. Spend the day recovering and walking. Next day drink the barium for the leak test and be released late in the afternoon.
 
He said not to expect any internal pain, the only pain should be at the incision points and very little gas discomfort. So we'll see.
 
Some of the unexpected things that I didn't find out until the last minute:
 
Had to go to the hospital for several tests - blood, ultra sound, chest xrays and EDG (camera down the throat to check out the stomach).
 
Have to go to the hospital with 72 hours of the surgery to get blood typed (in case of the need for a transfusion) and urine test.
 
So the only things I have left is the per surgery blood/urine test and then the surgery. Very excited.
 
My copay for the doctor has been about $2000 so far (office visits/surgery cost)
My hospital costs so far, $1000 (blood, ultra sound, chest xrays and EDG)
 
Costs still to be determined: pre-op blood/urine test and hospital costs for the 2 days pre and post surgery.