end of the year

It's the end of the year and what a trip I have had for 2006. I am glad that I FINALLY have been able to have WLS after suffering for so long. I will be on January 2nd, 6 weeks out. Now, as it is known, after a certain number of weeks, a stall is expected and I have hit mine. I may not be losing pounds, but I am losing inches. The updated clothes I am wearing are falling off of me, meaning there are inches being lost. I don't freak out as many do. I have researched and studied about WLS for a few years now and know the deal. I may have not had the surgery prior to Nov 2006 and just had it recently, but been around here and friends with those that are post-op veterans as many as 5+ years out. I know what to expect and what will happen.

You can clearly see the weight loss on my face. Still got the chubby cheeks there, but the fullness of it, is slowing saying bye-bye. I do have high cheekbones, but won't see those features for awhile. I will be in 2 weeks, 2 months out. Energy level is still not up there for me. I know it will take about 6-9 weeks to obtain, even more. Overall, I am doing well with no complications and that is what counts. Can't wait to hit the 3rd month and 6th month level. My pace is steady for weight loss and hope it doesn't rampage too fast. As I said, I want to lose fat, not muscle mass.

quick note

Just dropping in to give a quick note. Was a bit skeptic eating
yesterday, but used a saucer plate for my food. I had rice with pigeon peas, roasted shoulder pork cooked in wine and a bit of mashed potaotes. All went down well with no bad reaction. Had to take a few breaks to burp along the way, but no complications. I even went about 1-2 hours later to get another serving since the portion I had was rather small. Shoulder pork, puerto rican criolle rice with pigeon peas (oh and the stuffed olives) and mashed potatoes are ok for me to have and digest. It was a nice time yesterday and glad the food sat well.

I had a wow moment. I wanted to dress up nice yesterday and decided to go to my storage and see if there might be something that fits me. Well, I had a silk suit and it fits. That made my day and feel great. I did look a bit tired and many were telling me I look very tired. I will be 5 weeks out tomorrow (Tuesday) and still need time to get my energy level that many notice that I look tired. I am just a bit weak. I am in compliance with intaking as much protein as I can.

Today, I had Alaskan crab legs and claws. Lots of protein there. Had some for late breakfast, had some more for lunch as well with a salad filled with lettuce, black olives, tomotatoes, feta cheese and some greek salad dressing. I am not checking myself on the scale, so not sure how much I have lost and if I have lost more. Here are 2 pics from yesterday event. The face is what I noticed the most regarding where do I see the weight loss at.

posting pics

As I said before, I have issues posting pics or even information about myself on such a public and open forum that anyone off the streets can stalk or prey upon. Reality is, there are a lot of perverts and mentally unstable people out there. They give a persona to others that they are nice, cool folks and all about support, but you don't know who is who behind the screen, that includes members of OH and some can be said are well known and even regulars that post to this site daily. Some members can be sincere. But, there are those, I don't know what to say about them and won't, except, anything you put on such an open forum can have you preyed or stalked by looking at your pics and what info you say about yourself.

I am very selective with whom I meet as friends IN PERSON for I am old fashion and poised with my ways. I will avoid those that are into drama or be involved with people who are instigators, shit stirrers, play mind games, have sexual innuendos, warped minds, those that I am doubtful about their actual state and frame of mind or act in such a way with what I consider inappropriate, lewd or uncomfortable behavior towards me. ONLINE is ok, since it is out in the open, anyone can join in and it is just joking around and NOT to be taken seriously. But, privately, off the board or in person, don't need that carried or placed upon me. If you do, I will shut you down FAST.

Frankly, I will not meet such person in person or be sucked into any games, especially those that I see have ulterior motives, are known to attack, flame or pick on anyone whether in person or online. i am not into drama and avoid it. I like to joke around online (depends who you are and if I know you to allow you into my circle of trust), but IN PERSON, I am very serious and don't frolic that it is sexual or goes beyond what you think. The way I joke online doesn't get further than that and will not allow to take it to the REAL world of my life or to communicate privately. I have on this site a few very close friends and the rest are just distance acquaintances. So, I am careful about who I associate with on here.

Why do I say all this? Because a long time ago, a certain not so nice event happened without me even knowing. Now, I am guarded with things I post about myself, about my life and who I interact with. On my profile, I will keep it focus to weight loss surgery, the experience from it and nothing else. NOT about my life, friends, loved ones, significant other or family. I removed my surgeon's name to respect my privacy. But, those that are my friends here and interact with me regarding my surgery know who my surgeon is and he is a wonderful, highly respected, one of the top notch surgeons with great knowledge in the bariatric field.

I am 1 month out of surgery and 32 lbs is gone from me. I am just happy I am able to move on and have my health back after suffering for so long. For those denied surgery for whatever reasons, don't lose hope. It just means your time isn't right now and meant for a later date, even if you have been waiting for years. Time will come, just have faith and never give up. PROTEIN, LIQUIDS & SUPPLEMENTS FOR LIFE!!!!!!!

surgical incisions

Although I am a very private and discreet person about showing pics of myself. I decided to show 2 pics of my surgical incisions. I have 7 in total. The surgery itself was textbook perfect. But, my pain as I keep writing since the beginning was extremely painful and horrible to deal with. It is as I repeatedly written, lasted 27 long days. I am glad I am over that. My tummy was very swollen from the 3 liters of carbon dioxide they pumped into me. I looked 9 months pregnant. All that swelling has gone down significantly. I am doing much better now. I ordered Calcium Citrate in wafer forms that will help me since the pills to me is what i call horse pills. just can't take swallowing it and the taste is so bitter makes me throw up. the wafers have orange flavor added to them. Since, I am so scare of ingesting pills, I am doing it slowly starting with my iron pills without crushing it and it went down very well.

Not much to say, except, I don't really feel the weight loss, although
my clothes are very baggy. The pic is pretty graphic to see, but this is reality and you can see the one incision that is bruised, that is the one that hurt the most, basically that was the only site that hurt within. The other sections or site around my tummy was pain free. I am glad i have no negative or serious side effects from this surgery. I do not have any medical complications due to surgery.

- 32 lbs lost

Although, I am considered lightweight (I was day of surgery 238 lbs, but surgeons counts weight I started at and before my pre-op diet which was 247 exactly), I have lost a total of 32 lbs since having my surgery on Nov 14th.

The post-op surgical pain was living hell for me and lasted 27 days. Any movement or trying to get off a seat or bed was a killer. I didn't know about the post-op surgical pain which are localized to one section mid right center area of abdomen where my longest incision is located. Most likely, where all the connections was made. All I know on day 27 post-op, the pain stopped suddenly while I was awake and went OMG, RELIEF!!!!! I will admit, the pain had me weak, tired and unmotivated. I don't tolerate pain well and this was the worst I ever felt from any surgery I ever had. Glad that part is over with and I can move on with life.

I have had no negtive side effect since being discharged from surgery and being home. I am happy with that. But, there is something I would like to disclose that I find odd, I CAN'T eat any type of chicken, it makes me throw up. No matter how its cooked or what part of the chicken is it, I throw it up. I can eat ribeye, tbone, salmon (I eat a lot of grilled salmon lately), pork, beef, everything else but chicken. Also, the sight and smell of canned tuna gross me out now. I live all my life on canned tuna (LOVED it with passion), now I don't want it near me. I ate it while in the beginning stages of my post-op diet. But now, keep canned tuna away from me, can't even stand the flavor. I find that so odd. I am able to tolerate milk and all. But, I CAN'T eat any type of breading, just doesn't sit well with me whether dry toast or an english
muffin, etc. I can eat the topping to a papa john's superman pizza which is mushroom, green peppers, black olives, sausage, pepperoni, onion and cheese, but CAN'T eat the crust, made me feel blah. Eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc is ok with me. Haven't had diarrhea and my unpleasant flatuence hasn't been an issue at all. I do burp alot, that i will say.

Now, let get to what is troubling me. I have most of my supplements that are sublingual, liquid and chewable, some are capsule or pill form. I need to find a chewable based calcium ciltrate since I have the tablet form and crush it. Calcium ciltrate is very sour and terrible tasting to me . When I crush it and place it in my mouth, it makes me throw it all up every single time. The other vitamins are ok. Even my iron pill that I crush causes no problem, ONLY the calcium ciltrate. Hate that. Also, all these pills I have a slight difficulty trying to intake daily. I have a schedule when to take them, but for some reason I get overwhelm with it. I am doing my best. This is what I am intaking daily:

* ADEK - 3x a day

* Centrum liquid - 2x a day (planning of changing to Flinestone's)

* Calcium Citrate Plus- supposed to be 4x but haven't been doing well with this

* Iron pills (Ferro-Sequels) - 2x a day - now have a prescription for
stronger value

* Vitamin D med (Drisdol) - 1x a week

* Prevacid - as needed

* B-12 2500mcg - 1-2x a day


I need to find chewable calcium citrate, since this is an essential and even vital supplement for me. I have no hairloss yet but will be
intaking Biotin in a few weeks.

Regarding breakfast, I am doing well, either scramble or eggs over easy with cheese, even add alittle unflavor protein powder to it with some cooked thinly sliced salami or ham. If I feel very weak, I will make an egg with a very small piece of ribeye steak and that will keep me going till lunch. For lunch, I grill fresh alaskan wild salmon with some grilled medley of eggplant, green and yellow zucchini, to help me out. Salmon has a lot of protein and the omega 3 fatty acid. Other things for lunch is taking a thin slice of ham grill it with some cheddar cheese in it till it melts, roll it up and that is a protein based lunch for me. For dinner, I might have grilled salmon again or some sort of protein based meals. I do observe fat and base my food according to protein, fat and calories. Also, I struggle with food intake and don't want to eat. Have to force myself, hence the steak and salmon that has high protein. The steak and salmon do help alot. Other times, I just have some milk with protein powder or whatever else. I need to start taking my 25 and 42 gms of protein liquid, since I know I am not fulfilling my quota for daily protein intake and these first 6 months are crucial to me. Fluid intake has been soup, water, popsicles, mik, etc. Do I get in 64 oz worth? I am hoping I am.

I am losing weight, but working to not wanting to lose my muscles, just the fat. But, we know this is a grey issue since the lost will happen regardless. I am thinking as such as I exercise and want to tone as I lose weight. I want to lose weight at a gradual speed and am not one to be obssess over that I want to lose fast, just safely. I know I lost 32 lbs in 30 days. To reach my goal to 140, I have to lose 75 pounds, but want it not to be fast. I don't want to be a twig or looking like I came out of a concentration camp either, just look healthy and be healthy. I am tiny only 5'2" and my days of weighing 100 lbs doesn't do it for me now. 130-140 is just fine and acceptable for me. So speed here is not what I gearing at, I want to be healthy within my body mechanism, system, health and feel great.

Overall, too bad chicken and tuna (2 high protein sources) are not
within my means right now, but will taste test again every 3 months to see if I can tolerate to digest it. If not well, c'est la vie. Haven't
tried eating pasta and right now bread or dough based food is out as well. I have been able to tolerate rice but small teaspoons worth. I do eat my steamed or grilled veggies.

This is my update 1 month out of DS surgery. Hope my input can helps others along the way from my personal experience.

- 29 lbs lost

Been almost a month and today is the day those surgical incisions
within finally stop hurting. I will admit that pain was the pain from
HELL!!! Everytime I moved or tried to get up I felt that horrendous pain like I was a stabbed victim. But, it is over and feel some relief now. To me, that was the worst part of the surgery since I am one that does not tolerate pain well. I was given Vicodin, but decided to stop taking them after about 2 1/2 weeks since they are known to be very addictive similair to morphine. I didn't want to depend on that and if I took one it was due to the pain that I could not bare anymore. But, good thing is I didn't have to take the pill and dealt with the horrible pain that I somehow managed although, very painful. Also, the taste of crushed pill is so YUCK!!!!

I am quite weak and haven't been able to exercise but now that the pain is gone, I will try to hit the Gazelle. I was told not to place
strength or emphasis on the arms since that will cause abdominal hernia. So, I will hop on the Gazelle and work my legs, thighs, back, butt and other part as I swing on it. I have lost since surgery a total of 27 lbs in total. Not bad at all, although I personally don't see it. I was swollen prior to surgery and can see my face has slim down some and my belly that was pump to the wazoo with CO2 is down alot. Believe me, when I tell you I looked like I was 9 months pregnant with all that CO2 they injected in me. But, my tummy has gone down ALOT and look more human like instead of having what looks like like an alien pod brewing in my tummy.

I am ok healthwise, just tired and feeling like blah. I am just glad
the freaking surgical pain is GONE GONE GONE.....

Been eating grilled fresh Alaskan wild salmon with grilled eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash every day. I alternate the veggies to sauted snow peas or other veggies. I LOVE veggies as you can see. For breakfast, I have either a protein powder with some milk for 30 gms of protein or settle making a jumbo egg over easy with 3 thin salami (heated on the griddle) and some of that Kraft cheese in a jar that gives me 31 gms of protein as my portion of real food. Salmon and my tummy have become good friends. Too bad tuna and my tummy has become arched enemies against my will. Gotta give it time to see how all this will shape up in my lifestyle.

8 days postop

as for me, let me give you some update, since i was very much in pain to post and what not.

i was told to be at the 3rd floor OR waiting room at 5:30, sat at that desk, update whatever and was on the phone with my 3yr post-op best friend from Tx when at 6:45a was called to go to that holding area. from there went with Dr. Inabnet and the anesthesologist to the OR room. every one there was great with me. my surgery lasted 5 hours and have 7 incisional holes. the liver biospy was done and was at the recovery room at 1:30.

man, did i have pain like hell and was also on cpap machine. they got me up 4 1/2 hours later at 6pm to walk around. i was then sent to the 7th floor icu step down. still pain within was HORRIBLE and was on morphine pump every 6 mins. they also kept giving me heparin to prevent blood clots. i was also on potassium choride. my heart rate alarm was going off constantly but controllable, my respiration kept falling below 9, but that was also controllable. I was taken off the morphine on wednesday and taking lortab. that meds made me very sick, actually gave me fevers and felt like throwing up. in the morning, i was changed to Vicodin, had to crush it and it is very chalk and terrible tasting. on thursday i was transferred to a regular room. i walked at all hours that i can with the pain in my abdomen. on friday, my vitals were good and able to go home and left at 5pm.

regarding food, can't handle jello, puree chicken or turkey. i was able to drink aliitle bit of milk, puree sweet potato, applesauce and cream of wheat went done very well. mashed potato found to be alittle too harsh for me. at home, taking it slowly, soups, puree salmon and axelrod strawberry banana yogurt has been my best friend so far. it takes me a full day to eat 8oz of it, but it is good for me. drink as much water as i can. i am now off the vicodin since my pain is bearable and taking it one day at a time. hope you are doing well.

i have since surgery 11/14 lost a total as this date 11/22 9 lbs.

-19 lbs lost

Surgery was Nov 14th at 7:30am. The entire surgical and medical staff was great with me. Surgery lasted 5 hours and have 7 incisional holes. A liver biospy was done and was at the recovery room at 1:30pm.

Did I have pain like hell and was also on cpap machine. They got me up and walking around 4 1/2 hours later at 6pm. I was then sent to the 7th fl ICU step down. Pain experienced within was HORRIBLE and was on morphine pump every 6 mins. They also kept giving me heparin to prevent blood clots and after surgery a shot injected in me to prevent throwing up from intaking the morphine at every 6 minutes. I was also on potassium choride that was more for the heart and keep an eye on me to make sure I didn't go and prevent going into cardiac arrest. My heart rate alarm was going off constantly since I was in tachycardia but it was under control and my respiration kept falling below 9, but that was also controllable. I had a RN at my bedside 24/7 during my stay there. I was very well taken care of.

I was taken off the morphine on Wednesday night and placed on Lortab. That med made me very ill, actually gave me fever and felt like throwing up. In the morning, it was changed to Vicodin, had to crush it and it is very chalky and terrible tasting. On Thursday afteroon, they felt I was doing well and transferred to a regular room. I walked at all hours that I can with the pain in my abdomen. On Friday, my vitals were good and able to go home and left at 5pm.

Regarding food, can't handle jello, puree chicken or turkey. I was able to drink aliitle bit of milk, puree sweet potato, applesauce and cream of wheat went down very well. The puree potatoe was alittle too harsh for me. At home, taking it slowly, soups, puree salmon and tuna with some mayo. Axelrod strawberry banana yogurt has become my best friend so far. It takes me a full day to eat 8oz of it, but it is good for me. Drink as much water as I can. I am now on and off the vicodin since my pain is bearable at times and usually take it at night when the pain is most highest. I am taking it one day at a time.

Due to experiencing tachycardia and respiration ceasing, I had to have a RN at my bedside 24/7 during my stay at the ICU stepdown. I was given Potassium Chloride to help regulate my heart as well as Heparin injections at certain intervals to prevent blood clots and a heart attack. My respiration was kept under close observation since I was averaging about 9 and had to alternate using the oxygen mask and cpap machine. My surgical post-op intestines were under extremely severe pain, beyond what can be imagined. This is not usual occurrence to postops after surgery. Depends on your situation. But, the pain I had was one hellraising experience. My nurse was a great caring person that helped me during my most critical moments during those first few days. I did experience a few rough moments after surgery. But, am ok now.

5 days postop

if my grammar or spelling is off you understand. had the lap bpd/ds. surgery lasted 5 hrs for me. all went well, also had a liver and fat biopsy done. surgery was from 7:30am till 1:30pm. had me walking around the RR at 6pm. was sent to step down surgical ICU at 8pm. eating is an issue, can't tolerate jello or much of anything except cream of wheat, puree sweet potatoes and applesauce for now.

regarding pain killer was on morphine pump every 6 mins. Lortab gave me a bad side effect, made me very sick. was given tenotrol (sp?) shot, now i am on vicotin. slow progress for me. scared to death to eat. chicken and turkey puree didn't go well. mashed potatoes is so-so. been drinking water when i can, but not in the mood to eat.

my legs are swollen but going down slowly, stomach pain mostly in one section upper mid-right section. surgeon has been wonderful and caring. been resting, taking crushed vicotin pain meds (yuck) and walking when i can. been burping lots. all that really hurts is the incisional area that i said. i know with time it heals, but feel ughhhh right now. just taking small sips of water and applesauce what i can tolerate now. stomach is very swollen looks like i am 9 months pregnant.

Pre-admission

Pre-admission testing done. Had to go over my insurance, contact information in case of anything, hand in my living will, update my health proxy since the last one was from 2004 and also update anything else. Had my EKG done and another bloodwork. No xray needed since I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or do any type of drugs. Regarding that, I avoided all my life.

Now, to wait for the phonecall as to what time my surgery will be and at what time to be at the hospital. I am going through the phase what if I die and at the same time thinking this is a life saving surgery and if I don't have it done, I will die sooner than expected. I am staying focus and postive and know these are just jitters as the day approaches. I have faith all will be uneventful.

5 weeks away

I am 5 weeks away and all that I need now is the psyche evaluation to be done and hopefully just wait to bide my time till I have my surgical date here already. I have an extremely low vitamin D deficicency level and have been prescribed Drisdol which is some sort of heavy dosage of vitamin D medication. I take this 50,000 unit capsule once a week until day of surgery. This will not halt me from having surgery as per surgeon's words. I can still have surgery as set.

Pysche evaluation

Pysche evaluation done. Took about 90 mins. Basically oral questions about:

* what caused me to gain weight

* how long have I been overweight

* lost any weight on my own

* what diets I have been on

* explain the procedure

* the risk and complications

* what do I expect

* why do I want this surgery


After the pyschological evaluation, she said I am a perfect candidate for WLS. That is all I wanted to hear and have done all my pre-op testings. She will fax the paperwork to the bariatric center and now to wait for my surgery.

BTW, my surgical date was moved from Nov 7th to a week later Nov 14th. Its ok, as long as there is no word that I can't have it. I have order my Medifast for my 14 days liquid only diet prior to surgery as well as my Protein drink. I chosen Profect since it is only 3oz and hopefully if I can consume 4 of those per day that is 100 gm in addition to my food intake. I do have a Vitamin D deficiency that was noticed from my blood result and on Drisdol that is prescribed vitamin d 50,000 unit. I take 1, once a week. I have to take this till the week of surgery.

So far this is what is needed for my pre-op testing and what I have done:

* sleep study - done

* colonoscopy - done

* upper endoscopy - done

* medical clearance from my PCP - done

* bloodwork - done

* psychological evaluation - done

Went to see the surgeon

He reviewed my medical results, etc and I have a surgical date Nov 7th. That is 8 weeks away. I am still shocked and stunned. 8 weeks will be here before I know it, just right around the corner.

testing for Duodenal Switch bariatric surgery

get the results, since I already had these test done:

* sleep study

* colonoscopy

* upper endoscopy

appt with nurse practioner and the beginning steps again, but this time it is pre-op testing for Duodenal Switch bariatric surgery