Just ramblings

I am definitely not regretting having this surgery at all.  It is changing my life and the way I look at different things.  I am totally loving the changes in my body.  I am a month out and have lost 42 pounds.  I have not taken my measurements, but I know that i have lost inches because my once too tight clothes are now fitting me  better and some are even getting a little baggy.

It is a constant learning process with my new stomach though.  Some days I can eat something and then the next it upsets things.  I have not felt hunger at all.  I have had the queasy feeling where u know that you need to eat.  I have had some issues with recognizing when I am full.  I have overeaten twice already and the aftermath was not fun.  But this is a learning process.  Today I was able to recognize that full feeling "sort of a gasy feeling like when u know u have to burp" and I stopped eating. 

Saw the cardiologist and he was pleased.  Said my BP (134/80) was still borderline, but he agreed with my Surgeon that I didn't need to take anything.  He gave me a clean bill of health and said that I could get everything monitored at my PCP's.  I do have to get my cholesterol checked and the results faxed to him.  But I have an appt with PCP tomorrow and I know he will want labs drawn so I will get it all done at one time.

3 consecutive days of getting in all my protein.  2 consecutive days of going to the gym and exercising.  Napping a little less.  Sleeping a little longer at night time.

All in all. I feel GOOD.  I am giving my best effort here.  I know that I did the right thing by having RNY surgery.  I cannot wait til spring/summer.  What a difference my life is gonna be compared to last year.

I'm glad you are doing so well, your post was very encouraging to me. I am going to have my surgery in 4 weeks. I have been practicing by giving up sugar and anything high in fat and have been eating small meals and waiting 30 mins until drinking. I have been excersing several times a week and have been tasting different protein shakes to see which ones I'll like. Any helpful hints that you might have for me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Michelle

Hi.  Thank you for your words of encouragement.  It has not been easy easy, but it hasn't been too difficult either. 

Going in to surgery, all i worried about was the pain.  Well the pain was not that bad.  I had to have my pain meds in the IV, but I remember that when I had went for the leak test I had gone 4 hours without pain medications.  The walking and moving around helped more with the pain for me.  But this is definitely a discussion that you should have with your surgeon. Ask if he could give you scheduled doses of a medication called Toradol for the 1st 24 hours.  It helped alot.

Also i would recommend 3 proteins. (1) body fortress (26g/serving) (from Walmart for $13-15), (2) Get you some samples of Nectar protein (23g/serving) (you can call 866-333-7403 x 801 and get samples of all 13 flavors for $13).  This is new for me, I am loving it. (3) Proti juice concentrate (15g/serving).  You mix this in water and it sorta tastes like diluted coolaid. No aftertaste, no grit.  Its a liquid so it dissolves easily. www.dietdirect.com/proamino-protidiet-drink-concentrates.html

Also start exercising now before u go into surgery.  It will help alot.  Try to lose a little weight before going in as well.  This will make the surgery a little easier on you and also easier for the surgeon to perform. 

Buy you some liquid tylenol (for breakthrough pain), gas-X, protein, SF popsicles, small rubbermaid containers- 4 oz (this will help when u get to eat mush food and you have to measure), extra pillows (take one to the hospital for the ride home), cotonelle wet wipes (for feminine hygiene since you wont be able to shower for a *****apstick,  ...  etc.

Hope this helps.  Feel free to message me any time if you have any questions.  I am still considered a newbie as well, so I am still learning.  If you find something that you think may help me... share it with me as well.

Thank you so much for all of the helpful hints. I am definately going to try the proteins you suggested. I have been swimming a couple of nights a week and last week I started doing an excercise game on the WII, it's called Dance on Broadway. It's not a pretty sight but I have worked up to 30 mins. My mom who is 70 and in great shape does it with me so we laugh a lot which helps.

Jillian Michaeals has a good game called 2009 Ultimate challenge  or something close to that.  It will get you sweating.. LOL..   I just bought the rumba for the Wii.  I wanted to do it tonight, but I have had an off day today and my head is killing me.  I didn't sleep well last night and had been running around and making errands all day.  So when I got home around 5p I had to take a nap.  Well the nap was 4 hours long...  Md gave me sleeping pill, so I am gonna take one tonight and get a good nights sleep as well.  Then hopefully tomorrow I will get to the gym, get some cleaning done around the house, pack up the Christmas decorations, and even try the RUMBA.

Thanx for reminding me that I gotta order my Nectars as well :)

Great to hear that you are practicing new behaviors Michelle.  This will help you in the long run.  I had the hardest time with separating food and fluids before surgery.  Much easier now.  I get an overly full feeling if I take more than a sip or two.  Good to know that my tool is working.

Your surgery day will be here before you know.  Which surgery are you getting?

Start walking, or any kind of exercise now too, helps to prevent blood clots and another habit that will be part of your new lifestyle.  Hugs

Hi Kathy,
I am scheduled to have the RNY. I have all of my pre-op testing on 2/11, as long as everything is ok I'm good to go. Good to know that you get used to separating the food and fluids. I think it has finally clicked with my family, they have quit asking me if I want  something to drink with my meals!
Michelle

Great to hear that things are going well Fran.  I enjoyed chatting with you last evening.  I too, anticipate warmer weather.  I miss getting out for long walks with the dogs.  Right now, they are lifting, their paws trying to be above the snow.  Funny to see them trying to keep all 4 paws off the ground.

Keep up the great work Fran.  Hugs

I got a new puppy the week that I had surgery.  Hes about 12 weeks old now.  He is actually loving the snow, well the fresh snow.  He runs around playing and hopping in it.  Its hillarious.  He also eats the snow.  Buries his nose in it and comes up with tons of snow on it.. HEHE.  Now if its the hards snow, he whines cause he doesnt want to go in it.  LOL..

got my appt with my PCP today.  Cant wait to see what he says about my weight loss so far.

have a good day

I tried to take pics of my dogs in the snow yesterday.  Gretta decided to roll about and 'make the snow smell right', so cool.  The snow drifts are at least 3 times the height of the dogs.  When I download the pics, I will share. 

Best of luck with pcp today, your MD will be amazed.  You have a gread day too.  Hugs