2 weeks post-op and back to work

Today I am officially two weeks post-op.  It is also my first day back to work.  This week I lost a whopping 1.2 lbs.  My body must be hanging on for dear life considering I am eating no more that 800 calories a day.  I am feeling pretty good, almost back to normal.  I start pureed foods today so that is a step in the right direction. 

Happy Monday to all!

Post-op Day 8

Today is a very nice quiet relaxing day for me.  I am just sitting around at home and enjoying what is left of my time off from work (I got back next Wednesday).  I am still a little sore... but it is all extremely manageable.  No more movement on the scale but I am not at all surprised by that.  I am still on my full liquid diet for another week and I am already getting sick of my choices.  My favorite thing seems to be cottage cheese.  Somehow, it feels like real food.

I am learning what it feels like to have a sleeve and honestly, it some ways it is similar to my Lap Band.  I get that same squeeze feeling I would get when I ate too fast or ate too big of a bite.  However, I do not get the slimy pukey feeling that would often follow.  I do get a little miserable if I eat one too many bites but I think that is hard to do at this stage.

My biggest obsession has become worrying about a leak.  I can't imagine anything worse, short of dying, that could happen.  I knew the statistics before surgery, and still know now that it is relatively rare.  However, I recently started researching how they fix the leak and that is terrifying.  I pray everyday that I continue on a healing path with no complications.  I also take my temperature twice a day to make sure I don't have any early leak symptoms.

I have my first follow up with my doctor tomorrow to have all my staples taken out and talk about my progress/issues.  I did get a call from the office yesterday and I have a vitamin D issue so I have to go on a prescription for 12 weeks.  Living in the Midwest where the temps have been in the single digits isn't helping!  I have only been outside for a few brief moments this past week.

Anyway, I am leaving you with a picture of my incisions because I have SO MANY scars.  Some from my original Lap Band, then my port revision, then my Lap Band out, and now my sleeve.  My stomach is a map of my weight loss history!

Day 6 VSG post-op

It is day six and I feel like I finally turned a corner yesterday.  I went shopping with my mom a couple hours, and though I was tired, all the walking really made a difference.  This surgery recovery has been different in so many ways, and has also been tougher.  I started my phase 2 full liquid diet yesterday and I am very happy to be introducing new things into my diet like strained cream soups, cottage cheese (squashed), runny mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, and a few other things.  So far it has been a learning process.

I am still struggling to get in enough.  I fill up really quick and liquids are slow to go down.  Each day it seems to get better, I imagine this is due to the swelling going down.  So far today I have had 1 protein drink, 1 pudding cup, a couple spoonfuls of yogurt and a couple spoonfuls of soup.  I am going to try to get in one more protein drink.  I am also really working on the water.  I am entirely off the vicodin and solely taking Tylenol.  I am slowly getting used to my new stomach and the way it feels when it is giving off signals. 

On the plus side, I have lost about 10 lbs since surgery last Wednesday and 16 since my post op.  I am now exactly 30 lbs from my highest pre-op Lap Band weight.  Even though I gained a lot back, it was still nice to have a little jump start on last time.  I am impressed how quickly the weight is coming off this time around.  I know I should be hitting a stall any day now but I will take it while I can.

My first follow-up with the surgeon is Friday and I will have my staples taken out.  I can't wait for that.  They are itchy and pinchy!  Take care all!

Day 4 post-op

Wow, this time around has been so different than any of my band related surgeries!  I am finding it way more difficult this time.  I ended up spending two nights in the hospital because I was struggling with bad nausea.  Once I got past that hurdle I was able to have my upper GI to check for leaks.  All came out clear and I was able to go home yesterday around noon.  I have never been so happy to be home and in my own bed.  I slept from 8 pm-7:30 am this morning without even much moving the entire night.  I was exhausted. 

I am starting to feel better but I still very sore and getting used to my new tiny stomach.  I can only take small sips and have been living off sugar free popsicles and water.  I have two more days until I can move on to full liquids and start working on the protein.  I have a lot of staples in my incisions that I will have out some time next week.  When I feel better I will post some pictures.  Anyway, I hope all is well or everyone in blog land.  I am heading back to bed for a nap.

Sleeved

I have made it to the other side. I ended up rolling into the OR at about 11:50 am and was in my room by 3. I am not going to lie, I feel worse than I expected. I am pretty sore and am really struggling with a general "I may barf at any moment feeling". I have only had ice chips so far and even they can be tricky going down. I have no regrets, just feeling a little sorry for myself. In the end I know it will be great.

Surgery tomorrow

I will be having my surgery at roughly 11:15 tomorrow morning.  I have to be at the hospital at 9:15.  I am on Gatorade and juice today and so far it is going okay.  I have my fingers crossed  that everything goes smoothly and I wake up feeling (reasonably) good.

Liquid Diet Day 4

Day  4 of the liquid diet and only 4 more days until my surgery.  The liquids are going along okay.  I am feeling like I just don't have a lot of energy.  Of course, that could be in part to my cold.  I am still sick, but much much better.  I am working today and am trying to get as much done as possible.  I only work 2 more days before my medical leave.  I will barely be at work at all this month.  I had a 16 day vacation for the holidays and now medical leave.  I feel bad but know how important this surgery is. 

I had all my labs done yesterday at the hospital and everyone was so kind and encouraging.  I really do love all the hospital staff there.  Counting down... until sleeve day.

Day 2 liquid diet

Liquids are rough today. I am really hungry today... and just having cravings. Less than one week until my surgery and I am (crossing my fingers) feeling a little better on the cold front.

Pre-op Liquid Diet- Day 1

Today I had to attend my pre-op orientation with the nurse and dietitian.  They made me go through it again because some things have changed from when I had my Lap Band placed in 2009.  Frankly, I don't really think much changed, but I guess it was a good reminder.  I also started my first day of my all liquid all the time diet.  I am sure I will hate it soon.  O wait, I already do.  But, I am a trooper and it will be worth it when next Wednesday rolls around and my liver isn't too big for surgery.

Friday I have my pre admission testing which is always fun.  I am a pro, I have been through pre admission testing 3 times for my Lap Band related surgery, so this will be the 4th!  I am also suffering with the terrible miserable cold that seems to be going around the state of MI.  I am pretty miserable but don't want to miss any work because I am going to be off for my surgery.  I have the biggest red nose and some delightful zits from all the nose blowing/rubbing.  I am hoping I feel much better soon.  Also, the Puffs with Vicks and lotion is the most amazing invention ever.

Surgery Date!!

I got my surgery date.  It will be January 16th, one week from Wednesday.  I have to go next Wednesday for the post-op care class and diet info.  So far, the new year is looking up.

Preapproval Diet... Officially Done.

I went in to my surgeons office to have my last weigh-in this morning.  I am officially done.  I am just waiting for a surgery date now.  I talked to the girl who does the scheduling and she said I should hear from her mid next week.  So, by the end of this month I will finally have my sleeve.  I can't wait.  Let's just say I gained some weight this month... all the weight I had lost the month before Christmas...

I need to get myself back up on the horse and try to drop that weight again before my surgery.  The more I lose now, the better I will off post-op.

Stay tuned for my surgery date announcement, coming soon.

Take care all!