It's been one week since the surgery, and I couldn't ask for a faster recovery. I feel great, with minimal pain. I go to the doctor for my post-op appointment on Thursday to have the staples out, and I'm pretty sure he'll advance me to the next phase of my diet - real food!
I cannot wait to eat something solid. I've been on my full liquid diet since Saturday now, and it's getting old very fast. Since I am having trouble tolerating artificial sweetener, I'm basically living on coffee (decaf), skim plus milk, farina, and Jell-O sugar-free fat-free pudding. I'm getting sick of my protein shake already, but I guess I can deal with drinking it once a day.
On the plus side, I've lost 16 pounds already! I can't believe how quickly it's coming off. Of course, I can't notice it yet, and I probably won't until it's a lot more. It's still exciting though. I try not to weight myself more than once a day but.... well, sometimes I get a little crazy.
I'll try to behave.
Have a good one!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
There's No Place Like Home
There is no worse place to be, when you are in need of rest, than a hospital. No matter what I did, I couldn't sleep through the night, nor could I get any rest during the day. While the nurses were lovely and very helpful, I had two inappropriate roomates. When I arrived at the room from recovery, the first thing I noticed about the woman I'd be sharing the room with was that she was confused. Not even an hour later, she was getting a blood transfusion and was scheduled for surgery the next day (yesterday). I had some quiet time yesterday after she was taken to the OR, but it was taken away by an admission from the emergency room. This woman wasn't confused, but she came from a nursing home, which can mean a whole array of things might be crawling on her body. I'm not joking.
Unfortunately, she needed a lot of attention, which meant NO rest for me. First of all, I wasn't even in the Center for Bariatric Surgery's wing. Secondly, when you have a patient that's a "walkie talkie" as we used to call them, don't stick them in the corner of the same room where a much sicker patient lies. Obviously, this isn't always avoidable, but come on. Telling me to rest and relax when I can't even sleep for two hours without interruption is BULLSHIT.
Yes, I'm that angry.
Anyway, I'm home now, where I belong, and on the way to recovery. My body's sore, and I'm very tired, but the worst is over and it just gets better from here.
I hope. ;)
Unfortunately, she needed a lot of attention, which meant NO rest for me. First of all, I wasn't even in the Center for Bariatric Surgery's wing. Secondly, when you have a patient that's a "walkie talkie" as we used to call them, don't stick them in the corner of the same room where a much sicker patient lies. Obviously, this isn't always avoidable, but come on. Telling me to rest and relax when I can't even sleep for two hours without interruption is BULLSHIT.
Yes, I'm that angry.
Anyway, I'm home now, where I belong, and on the way to recovery. My body's sore, and I'm very tired, but the worst is over and it just gets better from here.
I hope. ;)
Monday, January 14, 2008
It's Only A Day Away
My surgery is tomorrow. TOMORROW! I just called the doctor's office and asked for the time (the hospital wants me to wait until 2:00 to find out - really!). I have to be there at 7:00 a.m. for my 9:00 a.m. surgery. This means waking up around 5 to shower and get ready, so that we can leave by 6:15. I think I'll be going to bed by 10 tonight.
My surgery "prep" began today. If you've ever had a colonoscopy or a G.I. series, then you know what I mean by "prep". I've never had either, but I knew what it involved from working in the hospital. If you had the surgery, or will have the surgery, here's my advice. Drink the Fleets soda AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I swear, it's the nastiest thing I've ever tasted.
When I went for the pre-op class, the nurse said that upon arrival at the hospital, they'll give us something to take the edge off. I think I'll take them up on that offer. I just want to get through the surgery already. By this time tomorrow, it will be all over. I'll be recovering (hopefully!), and going through the necessary steps to go home, which will be Thursday. I won't promise anything, but I will do my best to blog then.
See you soon!
My surgery "prep" began today. If you've ever had a colonoscopy or a G.I. series, then you know what I mean by "prep". I've never had either, but I knew what it involved from working in the hospital. If you had the surgery, or will have the surgery, here's my advice. Drink the Fleets soda AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I swear, it's the nastiest thing I've ever tasted.
When I went for the pre-op class, the nurse said that upon arrival at the hospital, they'll give us something to take the edge off. I think I'll take them up on that offer. I just want to get through the surgery already. By this time tomorrow, it will be all over. I'll be recovering (hopefully!), and going through the necessary steps to go home, which will be Thursday. I won't promise anything, but I will do my best to blog then.
See you soon!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
One Week, Baby!
In exactly one week from today I am having my surgery. I cannot wait! I'm going grocery shopping on Friday to ensure I have all I need in the house for when I come home. The protein shake I got isn't the best (I tried it today), but I'll get used to it.
I'll be on clear liquids for the first two days after coming home. Sugar-free Jell-o, chicken broth, decaf tea, water and my clear protein drinks. I have to drink every hour and try to work it up to about 4oz at a time. I need to be drinking 64oz a day. After that, I can progress to a full liquid diet which is all of that but also skim milk, yogurt, pudding (sugar free and fat free) and coffee. Yes, I get to have coffee!!
About a week after surgery the diet progresses to a soft/bland diet. I need to take in 80g of protein a day, while still taking in all of my fluids. It doesn't seem so bad, except for the fact that there are only a few meats we can have and they have to be moist. I guess I need to brush up on my baked chicken recipes.
As for tonight, I'm getting drunk. I turned 30 yesterday and tonight I need to get it all out of my system. Apparently, I'll be a pretty cheap date post-surgery, as one sip of alcohol will have me on my ass.
Let the seven day count down begin!
I'll be on clear liquids for the first two days after coming home. Sugar-free Jell-o, chicken broth, decaf tea, water and my clear protein drinks. I have to drink every hour and try to work it up to about 4oz at a time. I need to be drinking 64oz a day. After that, I can progress to a full liquid diet which is all of that but also skim milk, yogurt, pudding (sugar free and fat free) and coffee. Yes, I get to have coffee!!
About a week after surgery the diet progresses to a soft/bland diet. I need to take in 80g of protein a day, while still taking in all of my fluids. It doesn't seem so bad, except for the fact that there are only a few meats we can have and they have to be moist. I guess I need to brush up on my baked chicken recipes.
As for tonight, I'm getting drunk. I turned 30 yesterday and tonight I need to get it all out of my system. Apparently, I'll be a pretty cheap date post-surgery, as one sip of alcohol will have me on my ass.
Let the seven day count down begin!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Pre-op Class (a.k.a. The Three Hour Tour)
Yesterday Mike and I went to my three hour pre-op class. It wasn't as bad as I had thought - I did end up having questions that were answered along the way. However, as with any group/class/meeting, there was this one lady who... well, let's just say I wanted to sew her mouth shut. She kept complaining about how she had to have one of her labs redrawn, and seemed to think the class was for her and only her. Then when the nurse practitioner, Linda, mentioned that the surgeons had a resident they were training and he might be in the operating room, the woman quickly asked if he was a good doctor and "knew what he was doing". No, lady. They're playing sick games with their patients.
Anyway, enough about her.
Before the class I was having a bit of nerves. After all, I had made out my Last Will and Testament just hours before, along with a living will that tells Mike to let me die. Not something you do everyday, or something that you do at this young an age (I'm not 30 for another three days). After the class though, I felt a lot better about it all. So long as I wake up, I'll be happy.
The surgery is officially eleven days from today, a week from Tuesday. Now I'm just getting excited. I decided to make a 2008 scrapbook, and I'll start it off with pictures from my birthday party tomorrow night, then do a nice page of before shots. Three weddings and a trip to Australia later, the scrapbook should be very coffee table worthy.
That's all I got for now folks.
Anyway, enough about her.
Before the class I was having a bit of nerves. After all, I had made out my Last Will and Testament just hours before, along with a living will that tells Mike to let me die. Not something you do everyday, or something that you do at this young an age (I'm not 30 for another three days). After the class though, I felt a lot better about it all. So long as I wake up, I'll be happy.
The surgery is officially eleven days from today, a week from Tuesday. Now I'm just getting excited. I decided to make a 2008 scrapbook, and I'll start it off with pictures from my birthday party tomorrow night, then do a nice page of before shots. Three weddings and a trip to Australia later, the scrapbook should be very coffee table worthy.
That's all I got for now folks.
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