My one year follow up (This is really really long)
OK so I have been out ALL day - came home and crashed for about 2 hours - and I have 15 minutes before I need to leave for work. I at least wanted to update on my one year follow up.
I must say - I do not get emotional at Barix. At all the pre op stuff the only time I cried was when they cancelled my surgery. I did cry day of surgery - but that was fear. I have been nothing but smiles each and every post op visit. And I was today, as well.
Dr. Pupkova was notably estatic with my progress. You all know I love the woman to death - but facts are facts - and she is normally a factual person with good things to say and a warm smile...but not to much other emotion. Today was different.
When I walked in Irene didn't recognize me....then she said "if you get much skinnier we won't recognize you, don't you know?"
Then I got weighed and was at 129. "Goal" was 128 which of course I am chalking up to clothes and a bottle of water before hand :)
I had my v/s taken - 106/70 which is by far the lowest it has been :)
The nut came in. I'm sorry - I can't remember her name. The one who is with us at the Wed Post Op Meetings. She chit chatted with me - said "the girls said how good you look - and I told them I already knew from seeing you at the meeting" She was very pleased with my food logs and went over maintenance with me. My protein goal was originally 70. She has dropped me down 20% to 56gm but said if I go up to 70 that is fine. Whoo hoo :) Not that I mind getting in the protein...and do well with it almost every day - but it's just something nice. We went over exercise - I admitted my slacking off but have been taking walks and what not and mentioned the move. She said she understood - but to make sure I concentrate on myself, too.
Then Dr. Pupkova came in. Have I mentioned how wonderful that woman is? Yea probably once or twice. As stated - she was estatic. My labs were good. I had started encorporating more red meat like she told me to 3 mos ago and my iron levels did come up so no iron replacement for me. She said "Don't expect to lose any more weight because..." she paused her and looked real carefully at me and got this half smile and said "....because there's nothing more left for you to lose. You must be wearing a size 0!" When I said no - not a zero - before I could give her a number she said "Ok ok....a size one....big difference...." I told her I was a size 4 (although I do have a pair of size 2 jeans that fit, now....) and she just sat back and laughed.
She thanked me for all my hard work...for being exemplorary (sp?) and she's been keeping tabs on the board and said she should pay me and some others for "working for her on OH"
I thanked HER and told her none of this would be possible without her guidance and her skilled surgical performance. She looked at me and said point blank "I can re route your intestines every day - but if you don't follow the program it won't work. This is hard work and you are unstoppable. You have embraced this new life and I could not be happier. You look like a model AND are a model patient" We talked for quite some time.
Then they took my after picture - and gave me my before and after picture. Oh my God. That's all I can say. I will scan and post them sometime friday or saturday.
She does want me back in 6 mos - I did not have the updated blood level script so my vit d was not checked....so she wants that checked in 6 mos and to come back.
And then I asked her about birth control. She asked why I was asking. Now the truth of the matter is that I have wanted to start trying to get pregnant - but she told me at my initial consult no pregnancy for 2+ years. I told her that I wanted to know if by mouth birth control was effective for us - she said yes. I then decided to open up my mouth and say "good - because I know you said two years to have a child...and I am thinking of going on birth control because the truth is I would like to become pregnant and am afraid of doing so before that two year mark" This to me is the best thing of the whole day.
She stood up, hugged me, and said "I said two years because that's normally how long it takes for you to stabilize. You, my dear, have stabilized. You have told me you have been fluctuating 3-5 pounds for 6 weeks (which is true) your labs are perfect, you are wonderful and you can have a child any time you want. To bad your husband isn't here for me to tell him to have fun. You will be safe, your baby will be safe - and go have kids! Enjoy your new life!"
I could have kissed the woman. I'm not saying I'm going to go out and get pregnant tomorrow - I'd like to be settled in work...but it's so nice to hear I can.
By the time I got to my car....everything had kind of sunk in....and I cried and cried and cried....and called Brian and told him everything. He's thrilled about everything (ok - scared about the kid thing...he was kind of comfy knowing we couldn't do anything for another year...ya know..another reason not to grow up)
This year has been amazing.
Sorry for rambling - as I'm sure there will be more to come.
Pam
I must say - I do not get emotional at Barix. At all the pre op stuff the only time I cried was when they cancelled my surgery. I did cry day of surgery - but that was fear. I have been nothing but smiles each and every post op visit. And I was today, as well.
Dr. Pupkova was notably estatic with my progress. You all know I love the woman to death - but facts are facts - and she is normally a factual person with good things to say and a warm smile...but not to much other emotion. Today was different.
When I walked in Irene didn't recognize me....then she said "if you get much skinnier we won't recognize you, don't you know?"
Then I got weighed and was at 129. "Goal" was 128 which of course I am chalking up to clothes and a bottle of water before hand :)
I had my v/s taken - 106/70 which is by far the lowest it has been :)
The nut came in. I'm sorry - I can't remember her name. The one who is with us at the Wed Post Op Meetings. She chit chatted with me - said "the girls said how good you look - and I told them I already knew from seeing you at the meeting" She was very pleased with my food logs and went over maintenance with me. My protein goal was originally 70. She has dropped me down 20% to 56gm but said if I go up to 70 that is fine. Whoo hoo :) Not that I mind getting in the protein...and do well with it almost every day - but it's just something nice. We went over exercise - I admitted my slacking off but have been taking walks and what not and mentioned the move. She said she understood - but to make sure I concentrate on myself, too.
Then Dr. Pupkova came in. Have I mentioned how wonderful that woman is? Yea probably once or twice. As stated - she was estatic. My labs were good. I had started encorporating more red meat like she told me to 3 mos ago and my iron levels did come up so no iron replacement for me. She said "Don't expect to lose any more weight because..." she paused her and looked real carefully at me and got this half smile and said "....because there's nothing more left for you to lose. You must be wearing a size 0!" When I said no - not a zero - before I could give her a number she said "Ok ok....a size one....big difference...." I told her I was a size 4 (although I do have a pair of size 2 jeans that fit, now....) and she just sat back and laughed.
She thanked me for all my hard work...for being exemplorary (sp?) and she's been keeping tabs on the board and said she should pay me and some others for "working for her on OH"
I thanked HER and told her none of this would be possible without her guidance and her skilled surgical performance. She looked at me and said point blank "I can re route your intestines every day - but if you don't follow the program it won't work. This is hard work and you are unstoppable. You have embraced this new life and I could not be happier. You look like a model AND are a model patient" We talked for quite some time.
Then they took my after picture - and gave me my before and after picture. Oh my God. That's all I can say. I will scan and post them sometime friday or saturday.
She does want me back in 6 mos - I did not have the updated blood level script so my vit d was not checked....so she wants that checked in 6 mos and to come back.
And then I asked her about birth control. She asked why I was asking. Now the truth of the matter is that I have wanted to start trying to get pregnant - but she told me at my initial consult no pregnancy for 2+ years. I told her that I wanted to know if by mouth birth control was effective for us - she said yes. I then decided to open up my mouth and say "good - because I know you said two years to have a child...and I am thinking of going on birth control because the truth is I would like to become pregnant and am afraid of doing so before that two year mark" This to me is the best thing of the whole day.
She stood up, hugged me, and said "I said two years because that's normally how long it takes for you to stabilize. You, my dear, have stabilized. You have told me you have been fluctuating 3-5 pounds for 6 weeks (which is true) your labs are perfect, you are wonderful and you can have a child any time you want. To bad your husband isn't here for me to tell him to have fun. You will be safe, your baby will be safe - and go have kids! Enjoy your new life!"
I could have kissed the woman. I'm not saying I'm going to go out and get pregnant tomorrow - I'd like to be settled in work...but it's so nice to hear I can.
By the time I got to my car....everything had kind of sunk in....and I cried and cried and cried....and called Brian and told him everything. He's thrilled about everything (ok - scared about the kid thing...he was kind of comfy knowing we couldn't do anything for another year...ya know..another reason not to grow up)
This year has been amazing.
Sorry for rambling - as I'm sure there will be more to come.
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Thanks Mary!
You guys have made me so comfortable here and have taught me so much!! I appreciate all the support and definately would not be this far along without all of you!!
I'm very excited at least for the "practicing" part of our next journey!
Pam
You guys have made me so comfortable here and have taught me so much!! I appreciate all the support and definately would not be this far along without all of you!!
I'm very excited at least for the "practicing" part of our next journey!
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.
Congrats Pam!!!
I have only had the pleaseure of meeting Dr P once and she was a doll. I see why you love her so much! You have done a fantastic job with all of this!
You had me crying like a baby sitting here at my desk! lol Congrats on teh baby front too! We might just get to be preggers together! Chris and I are looking to start trying next year - god willing. My Grandmother doesn't seem to think that it is going to take much "trying" though lol.
Congrats again! You deserve it!!!
Liz
I have only had the pleaseure of meeting Dr P once and she was a doll. I see why you love her so much! You have done a fantastic job with all of this!
You had me crying like a baby sitting here at my desk! lol Congrats on teh baby front too! We might just get to be preggers together! Chris and I are looking to start trying next year - god willing. My Grandmother doesn't seem to think that it is going to take much "trying" though lol.
Congrats again! You deserve it!!!
Liz
She IS a doll!! A wonderful wonderful woman!
Hey - being preggers together could be fun! And then our "boys" could hide out together, too, when the hormones are to much for them to take!!
The support you give to all - and in every shape including my move - is incredible. Thank you so much!
Pam
Hey - being preggers together could be fun! And then our "boys" could hide out together, too, when the hormones are to much for them to take!!
The support you give to all - and in every shape including my move - is incredible. Thank you so much!
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.
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