Odee

I just posted an entry last night so I'll keep this short and sweet. I am just excited to finally have a date! I was lucky that I didn't have a program to go through first so it happened in a couple of months, but it still felt like forever to me. I have been out of work for some time (in school) and do not want to start back until this surgery is behind me, but I am ready to go back so a surgery date is awesome news!
 
Any other September surgeries should connect so we can share info throughout this process. :wub:
 

So I am 10 days post op and I've lost 9lbs since surgery, making it a total of 24.6 lbs total with pre-op. I am feeling great and have been following my diet. I can eat creamy soups, mashed potatoes, apple sauce and yogurt. I get full really fast and will stop as soon as I get that feeling, I don't want to overdue it.
 
My surgery and hospital experience went good. I had no complications and was up and walking that same night. Dr. Verboonen and his staff are great, specially my nurse Ana Maria. She is very knowledgeable and took care of me very well.

So I found out yesterday when I signed my consent that my co-payment for the hospital stay is $250.00. How sweet is it that the owner of my company said he is going to pay it for me because he is so proud of what I am doing to improve myself and my health. God is truly good, all the time.

Drum roll please.... I'm 6 days post op, weighed in for surgery on Friday at 216 lbs, and according to my brand new scale I purchased yesterday, I am 206 lbs! That's -10 lbs in 6 days. Holy smokes. Today is also my first day back at work and I'm feeling pretty good, I have a desk job which helps a lot, and I'm really trying to remind myself to sip every 2 or 3 minutes. I already made the mistake of trying to multitask and walk and drink at the same time in the hallways and I doubled over with chest pain because I took a huge gulp- I don't want to scare my coworkers thinking I'm having a heart attack. Lol. I'm definitly going to go home at lunch and lay down for an hour and just do nothing so that I pace myself and give my tummy some down time as well. Last night I helped coach a little for my club sport, then afterwards we all went to grab a bite to eat, I sat there with my Powerade as they all ate huge amounts of food, and I was almost perplexed- I had NO hunger what so over. It all smelled good, but I had ZERO temptation or desire to eat anything. They all kept saying they felt bad I wasn't eating, and I just chuckled and said don't worry about it because I DON'T WANT ANY! It was so AWESOME!
 
So over all I'm doing great. Incesions are bit sore, but compared to a week ago I feel like a rockstar. Dr. Alvarez cleared me to swim 15 days post op and the count down is on! Once I get to full liquids on Monday and get protein shakes in my diet I know I'm going to be ready to start working out (in moderation). No regrets. At all. While I know this will be a long journey, I feel like I'm finally taking steps forward NOT backwards. I look forward to weighing myself rather than dreading it! Yay!
 
I was sleeved Friday, August 17th, 2012 and I plan to do my weekly/monthly blog updates on Fridays to keep track a little bit more accurately. But 6 days post op this is what I got:
 
Stats:
 
Height: 5'9
HW: 216
CW: 206
1st GW: 169
2nd GW: 145
3rd GW: 135

Today's the day! Surgery in 4 hours!!! I decided to continue my journey with the sleeve.... Insurance is still giving me an issue but my doctor says don't worry about it! I love y surgeon!
 
wish me luck, say your prayers

Dear food,
 
You have been a source of refuge and comfort for a long time, something to warm me on cold winter nights and to celebrate life's milestones. But sadly, our relationship is no longer working for me.
 
You've become an obsession, an unhealthy and unproductive millstone. So I've decided that it's time to say goodbye. There are some special mentions I'd like to make...good bye massive bowls of spaghetti, blocks of chocolate, cheesy pizza and my old friend, coke. Though over the coming days our parting will be difficult, and I will no doubt long for the days when I would indulge in you with impunity, I am excited to let you go.
 
I will get an opportunity to explore life beyond this obsession. So with sadness but absolute determination, fare thee well, old friends.
 
With no regrets, Lila
 
(I start my pre-op diet in the morning And I am actually feeling excited about it! Wish me luck!!)

Reading these blogs and forums has been such a great help to me and I have started to realize that there is hope and better days to come.
 
Everyone's inspiring stories has really made me start to think about what I'm looking forward to after I have surgery. Here is a list I will share with all of you:
 
Going out - anywhere without feeling embarrassed
Fitting in an airplane seat
Going to the movies without feeling stuffed in the seats
Sitting on the floor to play with my nieces and nephews
Bending down to pick something up
Exercising without feeling embarrassed
Riding my bike
Buying cute clothes from "normal" stores
Dating
Going to the park
Going on walks
Camping
Traveling-anywhere-and not having my weight hold me back
Swimming without feeling embarrassed
Feeling like I'm worthy.....of anything
Being taken seriously
Not feeling shameful
 
I know there is a lot more, but that's all I can think of for now. For all of you who are in the pre-op stages....what are you looking forward to the most?
 
~Holly

Can not believe I am already 10 weeks out!! I really wish I lost more but at the same time I am pleased with what I see so far

So, I was sitting at work today and as my shift was winding down, found myself daydreaming about VSG again. I got to thinking (and worrying myself) about post-op living and long term care. Would I require b12 shots for the rest of my life? will I ever be able to eat sugar again? what about reflux? will I have unending reflux that requires lifelong treatment? Am I putting myself at risk for complications that far surpass the initial post-op recovery stage? what am I really thinking about doing to myself?!??!?!?!
 
As I'm thinking myself into a panic, my phone lights up for a new email and this distracts me from my thoughts. A UPS order that I placed wasn't delivered because UPS requires a signature. I have no idea why, but UPS pretty much refuses to leave packages on a first attempt. They require a signature even if the sender doesn't require a signature. It's so beyond frustrating, every time I deal with UPS, I have to call them and get into a huge argument about this. I hate it!
 
The package in question? My fat girl pants - for girls too fat to shop in normal stores.
 
So yeah. That pretty much cinched it for me - I need to get out of these BIG GIRL britches ASAP!! All this stress/phone calls/talking to supervisors/getting SERIOUSLY TICKED OFF is because I need my giant pants. So sad! So what if I need Nexium forever - better than needing MAIL ORDER CLOTHING!!
 
Anyway, thought this ironic tale might give someone a needed chuckle today.

Hey Guys and Dolls, I know I am not the most frequent blogger but I am working on it.



I am day 6 post op, and I am actually feeling much better.



My incisions are still a little puffy and bruised but the pain is managed.



When I walk my stomach is a little uncomfortable from the movement,



and when I sleep on my side it is really uncomfortable.



I am able to only take some ibuprofen during the day and be fine,



however I do take my lortab elixir at night, especially when I was particularly active.



My dog has been making the walking so much easier,



in fact today I noticed I was able to comfortably increase my speed.



I think I may be ready to hit the gym soon. Which is a good thing before I am worried about lose skin.



Everyone keeps telling me that my age is in my favor and the fact that I am on the smaller side of people who get barbaric surgery.



But, to be frank I am still worried. Mostly that I will be uglier with the lose skin then when I was overweight.



Skin is not quite like elastic, which by the way I have never understood.



But I did some counter push ups today and I have been googling some home remedies...



Nothing too promising.

It's amazing that what I've heard all along about not being hungry post-op is sooo true! I'm 3 days post-op and I could care less about food or eating right now. My hubby is sitting right here eating a bratwurst sandwhich, chips, and soda and it is not bothering me in the least. I looked at the sandwich and thought "Oh that looks good" but then moved on in my mind to something else with no real difficulty. Now there's a side affect of the surgery that I can live with! lol