A little good news

I had my pre-op physical today. The good news: I am down 12 lbs since I was last there 3 months ago. The bad news: I am hoping the lab tech didn't blow the veins in my hands so they have a hard time getting an IV in on Monday. Like most MO people, I am a challenge to get blood from. They always end up with a butterfly in my hand. When the tech was doing the first one in my right hand, she actually got the vein on the first try! BUT when she went to put the vacuum tube on the other end, she dropped the end piece and it ripped the needle out. With the turniquet (spelling, sorry) still on the upper wrist, it made a nice big blood bubble under ths skin. Next, she tries the inside left elbow. Needle in, nothing, pull back, advance, nothing, pull back, turn, advance, nothing. Over and over and deeper and deeper. I bet she advanced at least a dozen times before giving up. Last she did the left hand. Finally got the blood after fishing in there for a bit too. I am not a bruiser, but I have HUGE bruises on the right and left hands, a pretty starbursst looking one on the left arm, AND bruises on both upper wrist and upper arms from the turniquet. BOth hands and arms are sore, even with ice, then ice and heat alternating. Glad I am not on blood thinners yet. I need to call tomorrow and make sure they have my request for the actual numbers for the lab work. I hate when I get that folded post card saying, everything was fine. OH, well. Thanks for letting me vent. I figured you all would understand. I am VERY excited about the 12 lbs though. I am just 3 lbs from my all time lowest post RNY weight. Meaning I have almost lost all the regain I had. Elizabeth

I forgot to add that all this was after a 15 hour fast. Last ate at about 7 last night, had a sip of water to take Oxycontin this AM, and appt was at 9:30 with labs after exam. So you can imagine how light headed I was and how sluggish without protein (and caffeine! LOL)for that long. It will be good to know if my cholesterol has gone down and what my fasting glucose level is with a family history of Diabetes and heart disease. Elizabeth

12lbs is great Especially this far out!! I too am a tough stick...my veins look so big and juicy but they are rollers. Sometimes I warn them, sometimes I don't......but I always expect bad outcomes.....used to it now tho! You know I have the family diabetes history too.....plus I had gestational diabetes, after surgery (earlier out) my sugars were GREAT....but they have been getting high again. I need to exercise more and eat better. You got me to thinking and I think it is time for me to have a yearly physical too.....I better look into that. Take Care and have a great day jesi P.S. congrats again on the weightloss

Hi Jesi! I know what you mean about being used to it now. I think a lot of times they think they feel a vein, but in my arm, it is a stretch mark or scar tissue. I will have to wait and see what my labs show. Glad you are going to get a physical too. It is important, and more so post-op I think. Now if I can trick myself into doing the "female" physical. I think it has to be one of the most embarassing and stressful things for MO people. Well, probably for anyone, but I only know it as MO. Thanks for the congrats, hopefully it will continue. I will be 3 years in October. I think I had about an 18 month plateau and regain in there though. Now I have to make up for that lost time. (((HUGS))) Elizabeth