mrs.katie

My doctor told me I should be fine with Tylenol elixir. No joke. I am hesitant to take stronger stuff because it stops the intestines. I was on the dilaudid and now I have a stash of Vicodin that I can crush if I need to but I just hate to have to worry about my intestines stopping completely. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Home is quieter, but there are definitely downsides since I am alone. I am having a hard time getting up from bed or the sofa. It takes me around 5 minutes and it feels like my stomach may actually explode. My back muscles are also super sore from being in the hospital bed. I am passing gas and my intestines sound like a thunderstorm is brewing. I am struggling, but I am making it. I haven't weighed myself yet. I will do that this Thursday. Is anyone else having a hard time standing up straight? Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I am finally going home today! My surgeon came in and said how proud he is of me and that I am clear to leave. I can't wait to get home and actually sleep! My surgeon has me on a dilaudid pain pump so I have to keep waking up every 20-25 minutes to dose myself. The nurses here have no clue what it means to heal and how every noise is amplified when you are in pain. I have been having water, half apple juice/ half water, sugar free jello and up to 2 oz. of protein pudding. I hope I can leave in the next little bit.

I am currently in the hospital and I had my RNY the 22nd. I used Dr. Echevarria at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, FL. I had my first visit with him June 9. I have Tricare Prime. Tricare required nothing. My doctor required me to visit an EGD, a nutritionist, a psychologist, and a fitness expert. They submitted approval on August 7th and it was approved on the 9th. I have no co-morbidities, but I was 33 with a BMI of 60. My total out-of-pocket was $360. That was for the nutritionist, psychologist and fitness expert. They didn't accept insurance. Tricare probably would have reimbursed me but, let's be honest, I was too lazy to submit the paperwork. By the way, Tricare covers skin removal and breast augmentations too.

I am still in the hospital. I was having a hard time getting liquids, but I think I am slowly building up the amount. I am able to drink 2 ounces every 30 minutes. I am sticking to things like Water, sugarfree decaf tea, and yes, I am eating Jell-O. I am exhausted. Having this other surgery four weeks after my hysterectomy is very difficult. I find myself nodding off to sleep while I'm talking to people. Little things like going to the bathroom make me so sleepy. I am very excited, and anxious to see how fast I'm able to lose this weight. Even sitting here saying this is difficult. My eyes keep closing. I hope I can go home tomorrow, but if the doctor says that I'm not ready I will not push. I know that once I get home I will be alone, and on my own. That makes me nervous, but I know that I will be able to handle it. I have done this before, and I will do it again. I do not know if I have lost any weight, but I do see that my stomach is very swollen. I have seven incision sites. They are all covered with gauze and a Tagamet. They are also numbered. Today they brought me a tray for my lunch that had full liquids. It included sugar-free Jello, no-sugar-added pudding, fat-free milk, low-sodium chicken broth, bottled water and grape juice of all the stupid things. I had the pudding, tea, jello and water over a 6 hour period, at 3 oz per hour or 1 oz every 20 minutes. Keep your heads up ladies! These aches will pass!

I had my contrast test this morning and as of 1:15 pm I am on clear liquids! I have had 0.5 oz of sugar-free jello and I am constantly sipping water. I am so tired, which I expected. Two major surgeries in one month is hard. I am actually fighting sleep as I write this. Sleep obviously wins so I will talk with you gals later!

I'm in my room. My belly is swollen and very painful, plus the leftover gas hurts. I am on a morphine pump and I have slept most of the day. I have a catheter, which is good because walking to the bathroom is exhausting. I'm also not allowed to eat or drink anything until tomorrow. Lord, Water never looked so tempting in all my life! How are y'all doing? Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I'm in my room. My belly is swollen and very painful, plus the leftover gas hurts. I am on a morphine pump and I have slept most of the day. I have a catheter, which is good because walking to the bathroom is exhausting. I'm also not allowed to eat or drink anything until tomorrow. Lord, Water never looked so tempting in all my life! How are y'all doing? Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I'm in pre-op! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Amen and good night ladies.

The hospital called me with my check-in time. 5:15! I live an hour away and will be dropping off my dog at the kennel so I have to leave at 4. Yay! Also, I called the hospital and spoke with a nurse who let me know that the TWO bariatric rooms in the hospital don't have private showers. I have to go down the hall like in college. I don't think so. I did more calling and was told by the nurse manager for the hospital that all I have to do is ask for a non-bariatric room. I don't even need a bariatric room so that's FINE BY ME. I just can't believe that St. Joseph's, after MILLIONS in renovations, still has rooms without a private shower in them. ALSO, I am taking my shower chair from home because they DON'T HAVE THEM! Let me tell you, I was not able to hold my arms up and stand long enough for a shower two days after surgery. I am packing my backpack now and cleaning like a crazy person. I've made enough Jello for a couple of days and I have tons of pudding, Protein, Water flavors and baby food. I'm so excited! This is freaking awesome!

Last night I dreamt I had chocolate with hazelnuts at church in the town we are moving to. I'm not worried about this because the church I have chosen is an hour drive from the town we are moving to, so I know it is impossible. Furthermore, I made a Formula 1 race happen in town, with non-race car drivers driving alongside the race cars. I am chocking it up to nerves. I woke up at 6:30 and have been finishing my preparations. I am making Jello, frozen pops, and getting the house ready and clean top to bottom. I have finished my packing list (my surgeon requires a three-night hospital stay) and am gathering everything I will need post-surgery. Here's my packing list: - Baby Wipes - Face Cloths - Lip Balm - Shampoo - Soap - Lotion - BB Cream - Wedding Ring - Flip Flops - Dress - Binder - Bra - Towel - Toothbrush & Toothpaste - Electronics And Chargers - Afghan Or Shawl - Ear Plugs - Journal And Pen - Medical Records

The dreams are normal. I did a Water fast once for 27 days and had those same dreams. I would have to ask my husband if what I dreamt happened several times. It was crazy. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Y'all have inspired me. Tomorrow I am getting mani/pedi and waxing the brows! I also need to mail two packages I have. Honestly I am writing it here so I don't forget. Wednesday I will be finishing up the house-cleaning and laundry. I'm so excited! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Mine is Miralax and Gatorade the day before. It's MUCH better than the moviprep I had before my hysterectomy last month. That crap smelled like lemon pledge and tasted like hot seawater mixed with mucus. I gagged on every sip. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

3 days left! I'm trying to get everything done before surgery. Today I am mailing stuff, getting an oil change, taking lunch to the recruiters, getting my dog taken care of, getting my car washed and the windows tinted, and picking up pain meds so I don't have to get them filled post-op. I have all the food I will need and tomorrow my day will be as busy as today. I will be unable to drive for two weeks after surgery so it's important I get stuff done now. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

5 more days!!! I'm doing good with food but I'm so excited I can't sleep. It's like Chanukah. It keeps going for 8 crazy nights then BOOM! I'm honestly just so excited. I can't wait to see my husband! He will be home three weeks after surgery and he left almost 20 lbs ago. I hope he can see a difference. If not, it won't dampen my excitement. He hasn't been home since April and I miss him tons.

Be careful with the gum. My surgeon told me no gum at all because you naturally produce saliva while chewing. Swallowing this spit can make it hard to get your liquids, plus if you accidentally swallow it you could end up back in the OR.

I am so sorry to see this happening to you. It's completely ridiculous that they failed to mention this until now. I hope you can find a surgeon who is more ethical.

I live in Florida for another month but then the Army is moving us. I'm not sure where yet. I want to lose 200 lbs. My highest weight was 385, my goal weight is around 160. I would love to keep in contact with you ladies so we can hold each other's hand through this. I think having someone who's going through the exact same thing you're going through, as you're going through it, really helps.

You were approved for the procedure, it should carry to another surgeon. You have established need and they have acknowledged it.

I use Garden of Life Raw Protein and Raw Meal normally. I have been experimenting with other brands but none of them stack up to the quality or price.