just checking in

Hi everyone,

Just checking in to say hi and let you know that I am still on the mend.  I have had a couple of issues that set me back a bit.  The most recent is that I think I am allergic to the staples and the one incision that got infected from not having enough staples in it is still not healing and so I am calling the clinic in the morning.  Are the nurses still set to strike?  If so I want to have this looked after before that happens.   The other 4  incisions look really good and have healed nicely, its just that where the staples are in my skin - its all red and inflamed and oozing.  and very very sore.  So I am going to see if I can get up there to have someone look at them and tell me what to do about the one that is not healing.

I am also not faring so well as I had hoped in that I feel light headed still.  I don't know that I will be able to return to work just yet.  I might need another week.   I am having my meals and snacks but I just feel weak and unsteady.  I have lost about 12 pounds since surgery day.  

Other than that though, I have not had too many problems with drinking my meals and making sure I get all my water in.  It took me a few days to get so I could manage all the water but once I got that figured out I was fine.  I am bascially bored with my food choices because I do not enjoy creamed soups and so haven't been eating them.  But the bordom is not so bad and by Wednesday I will be able to move on to puree.  Just to be able to have some yogurt will be thrilling.  I miss my yogurt.  Before Optifast I had yogurt every day. 

I still have some Christmas gifts to wrap but hubby is off for a few days next week and he is going to help me.  That will be fun.  We work well together so we will put on some Christmas tunes and make a big paper mess but when we are done all the gifts will be under the tree. 

Hope everyone is doing well as far as waiting is concerned.  I know its hard but hang in there.  Santa is coming and lots to do so keep focused on that and your families for the holidays and you will do just fine. 

Ann

Good to hear from you Ann.  Sucks to have those bumps in the healing process - hopefully the infection will clear up quickly with no further complications.  Few months down the road this time will be all a blur and you will just have the amazing weight loss succes - already at 12 pounds, woohoo!

Keep going steady and take care of yourself - takes a while for the body to heal so watch the dizzy spells.  When you are done wrapping and the misic is still going just do some "slow" dancing with hubby! 

Hi Ann,
Really good to hear from you. I would not wait another minute to have that incision looked at. I don't want to scare you but an infection is nothing to put off. An infection can go from red to really serious very quickly. You may be allergic to the staples, but it doesn`t matter why it is infected- go to the doctor.
WOW!  Twelve pounds, what`s the total?  Sounds like this is really working for you.
Speaking of wrapping, that's what I am doing right now. I finished most of the decorating today, so I am trying to get the wrapping finished , so I can relax a bit before Christmas.
We only have 2 of our 4 children home this year- the first time we have been apart for Christmas.  I am not looking forward to it. I've been battling depression for the last week or so, and I think that could be the reason.

Look after yourself & get that incision looked at ASAP
Charline

Hi Ann, nice to hear from you.  Wish you were feeling better though.  I hope that incision gets under control quickly.  I guess I was pretty luck with mine.  Never had any complications with the incisions.  Congrats on the weight loss.  Feels good, eh?  I can't wait to lose more.  It feels good.  Keep up the good work and keep an eye on those incisions.  call them today.  take care, Patsy

I called the clinic and I have an appointment with Caroline tomorrow afternoon to have it looked at.  She is also going to see if Dr. Beau will put me off for another couple of weeks because my job is telling me I will have to take up the slack for an injured co-worker whose job entails a lot of lifting.  I am refusing to do so and they are demanding a doctor's certification. 

I feel better already just knowing someone will see my incision and let me know if things are progressing normally or not.  I am fortunate in that I am only 35 minutes away from the hospital and the weather is saying rain so I think I am happy about that. 

Thanks about the weight loss.  I did a quick calculation and I have 2 totals.  The difference between my weight at consultation on June 30 and now is 29 pounds.  But I gained and lost 14 pounds over the summer waiting for the information session.  So the difference between today and my highest weight post consultation and pre surgery is 43 pounds.  I expect the clinic will only go by the weights they have registered but for me but I feel that I can't discount that 14 pounds.  I gained it and lost it and another 3 pounds before I went back to the clinic for the info session and I worked hard to get it back off.  So their official number will be 29, my official number is 43.  Either way I am doing pretty good.  I realize I will probably start gaining a bit once I start puree but that is okay.  I haven't felt much like exercising lately but that will change I hope once these darned staples are gone.  Caroline said staples are only usually left in for 7 days and with Dr. Beau wanting them there for 3 weeks sometimes they get a bit inflamed.  But once they are gone I am hoping to feel more like moving.  Right now they just pull so much and every step is very "ouchy". And going downstairs is agony.  My belly moves with a mind of its own and it really hurts.  I end up holding the railing with one hand and my belly with the other Ha ha.  I am fortunate to have a nice treadmill so once things stop hurting so much I will be using that.  I used it a lot prior to surgery.  I want to get in good walking shape for our cruise in February.

I will let you know what Caroline has to say tomorrow. 
Ann