healthierhappierme

I am doing fine, just sore (like expected). I fly out tomorrow and can't wait to be home. I do tire out pretty easily still so I try not to do too much.
Revgirl. I haven't had any throat issues. I couldn't even tell it happened.

Heading home today!! Soooooo excited to see my littles. But I am definitely going to miss this sunshine and 70 degrees...

@@Revgirl - glad you finally surfaced and that you are doing well! :-) What is the spray bottle for?

@@wantingabetterlife - you made me feel so much better! I think it is just those last week jitters. I am excited about this new chance but those little doubts manage to creep their way in somehow. So so glad to hear you are doing so good!

@@wantingabetterlife - you made me feel so much better! I think it is just those last week jitters. I am excited about this new chance but those little doubts manage to creep their way in somehow. So so glad to hear you are doing so good!

Revgirl checking in! Didn't mean to worry anyone. Just concentrating on laying low! One week and 3 days after surgery with Garcia at florence. The best surgery experience I've ever had. Professional, efficient, caring staff and very organized. Things that I found very valuable was bring my own fan, gas x, spray bottle and wash clothes. Have to tell the funny story of how I made my husband order certain foods to eat so I could smell it! Yes, smell it before he could eat it! Aroma therapy was my saving grace! Week two into the diet, I find myself always eating or drinking so I'm very rarely hungry. I feel best on days I walk. Soon I'll post some fantastic sites, products and recipes I've found on line. Glad to hear everyone's experiences and for anyone anticipating, peace in the thought that their are alot of great people there to go through the process with you!

@@Becca R. I was number three. I went back at noon and was up walking around at 3:00. I am trying not to feel the guilty feelings. It does feel so good to be on the other side of this though. I haven't heard from Revgirl at all. I am worried too.
@ Don't be scared at all. This place is great and the staff will do everything in their power for you to be happy and pain free. They come by and give you anti-nausea meds and pain meds every few hours. They also will give you sleeping meds if you want them.
I just passed my leak test and apple juice never tasted so good!!! And I haven't even felt the slightest bit hungry yet. That's awesome considering I was on the clear diet before surgery. So it's been like a week now!

Hey all! I am doing well here. Some pain on my left side and the incisions are a little sore but can't complain. They are taking such good care of us at Mi Doctor Hospital. I got to meet with Dr Ortiz and Dr Morales, the internal medicine doctor and the anesthesiologist. They all are so nice and reassuring. One of the girls in our group had some problems and Dr Ortiz came back here at 12:30am and stayed with her until 4am. He really cares about his patients. I'm going for my leak test in a few. Thank you for all the encouragement and prayers!!!

Leak test passed and checked into our hotel. Kind of sore, but mostly I feel really good!! Sipping my first food: freesia flavored Gatorade. Only in Mexico.

I am on my last leg into San Diego. So excited!!! Glad all of you guys are doing well. Speedy recovery

I'm packing up my stuff and flying in tomorrow. Best of luck and hope you have a speedy recovery!!!

@@Revgirl -- I get a wide range of responses from people about Mexico. Mostly negative. Then I explain about my surgeon--that he was born in Michigan, was a member of the US armed forces, etc. and they tend to chill out about that. Some people do tend to say things like "Couldn't you just do this without surgery?" But here's my story. I was overweight in high school (about 220 pounds as a Junior in high school). One day, I realized that I was the biggest girl in my high school choir and that if I gained any more weight, I wouldn't be able to wear the choir dresses. That shook me. So I started walking a mile a day and eating low-fat/high-carb (it was the 90s, after all). It took me three years, but I got down to 125 pounds. I maintained that weight loss for years, until I got pregnant with my first baby. I have 5 kids, and I gain 50 pounds each time. I fight like a devil to get the weight off, and each time--my body adapts. So the way that I lost weight the first time absolutely would not work the second time, etc. After my 4th baby, I hired a personal trainer, a nutritionist, and got my GYN and an endocrinologist on my team as well. I worked out for 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 10 months and ate a diet of 1500-1700 calories/day. At the end of that time, I sat down with my entire team. I had lost 0 pounds, 0 inches anywhere on my body, and my body fat percentage had increased. It was at that point that we all conferenced and decided that I was an ideal candidate for this surgery. So I had my last little baby in April, and I'm moving forward, no matter what anyone else says.
SO MANY PEOPLE seem to think that people who are overweight sit around eating bags of doritos all day. I have complete strangers who make comments at the gym when they see me running and lifting weights. I have people walk up to me at costco and tell me that I should just give up fast food... which I don't eat. I'm *amazed* at the discrimination I've faced. But I know that I have tried my very hardest to avoid surgery. At this point, it's like chemo for cancer. Being obese will kill me, and this is my treatment.
How about you, Revgirl?

@@wantingabetterlife - thinking about you! Will be waiting for updates knowing you are doing okay.

@@Becca R. - you are almost there!!

Hi everyone! Just a quick update. Had my surgery by Dr Fernando Garcia yesterday morning. Everything is going good so far. Pain is tolerable. Should be getting my 3rd leak test soon. All of my nurses have spoken pretty good English. The Marriott is really nice.

I'm doing great here! Getting out of the hospital today. Just waiting on the hotel shuttle to come pick us up. Got my drain tube and iv removed a little bit ago. Just getting used to drinking more. I get lots of gurgling in my stomach but it's not painful or anything just annoying.

Uh...Day 7 Post Op Update:
I still have diarrhea. ????
Also, I still have bouts of extreme exhaustion. BUT, I can now do pretty much anything myself. I can dry myself after a shower. I shaved my legs yesterday (carefully)!!
I'm allowed to start full fluids which means I can finally have something besides clear broth and Protein. I'm really looking forward to a Protein Shake, maybe some creamy Soup and a sugar free pudding.

@ - how are you feeling?

I used my HSA - just had to let the account know ahead of time that I was going to debit my account for a "non-typical" amount for me.

I got my drain out early! Yay!! It wasn't the worst pain but it only lasted about 20 seconds so I handled it. I'm sooooo glad to be rid of it.

@ You ready, friend??? Thinking about you!

Waiting here in your virtual "recovery room." Good luck, dear!!!!

Finally got my IV! I was getting a bad headache from dehydration.

EKG and blood pressure were great. Now I'm waiting to go back and meet the anesthesiologist and surgeon.

Ahhhh, an air gap. Can't imagine getting there but would love to dream that I could. Right now my thighs rub together and wear out the inside seams of my jeans! Note the air gap in this picture! Hehee.

@@shizwiz - I have tried a few but found I like the pre-made Premier shakes the best.