the7thdean

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Things are going very well --except its so cold out and am not able to enjoy my walks as I'd like too.  I had my post-op exam a week ago today and Nicole removed the drain -- thank God a painless experience.  I'd have to say the entire process has not been as painful as I'd thought so there must be something to this laproscopic style of surgery.  My stomach felt like someone who had just started doing situps.  There is still some stomach swelling and I don't know how long that is going to last.

I've had the opportunity to work out two days in a row and of course it snows today.  In my first couple days of exercise I realize that I'll have to perform some of those exercises which require a person to sit on the floor.  I HATE getting down on the floor because its so hard to get back up.  However, as I lose the weight it might not be so bad.  We shall see.  

I've begin driving the day after I was discharged from the hospital -- mostly taking my significant other back and forth to work and running errands not far from the house -- so I do get some movement in during the day.  Taking her to and from work gets me out of the house, otherwise I'd probably wouldn't go any place because its so cold outside.  

The liquid diet has gotten easier.  I was drinking at least a liter of water a day prior to surgery and now having to back off a bit is a change.  I haven't had any chocolate cravings -- the carnation instant breakfast and slim fasts are taking care of those.  Plus I found this protein drink at the Vitamin Shoppe that comes in chocolate and vanilla and its pretty good.  I tried the Strawberry Extreme Smoothie -- must be an acquired taste is all I can say -- but I have a friend who swears by them -- different smoothies for different folks.  I'm hoping to get to the point to make my own smoothies instead of purchasing them.  I like strawberry or combo of strawberry and banana mix.

Well that's about all for today -- it's going to be interesting as to how my jeans are going to fit.

Well I have to Praise God because the surgery went well and the nurses and nurses assistants at GBMC were AWESOME!

I went in Tuesday morning -- the first one on the table so Dr. VR was fresh and ready to go.  I have had very little pain and the only night I used the pain pump was the night after surgery.  The next day I wasn't sure if it was pain or gas so I didn't use the pump.  Of course you have to pass gas in order to be discharged -- and was I glad that happened.

I'm home now and trying to move around as best I can without being sedentary too long.  Its a too breezy to be going outside to walk about so its up and down the hall in the apartment.  We'll see what type of weather Friday brings.

Not disappointed, it works out best that way.  We have fathers' off work on maternity leave and another employee is leaving for China in a couple of weeks which leaves us shorthanded.

The surgeons office discovered I'd not been to the mandatory support group meetings (which I don't think I need to attend because I've been through this with two people already -- jeez) -- rules.  So I have to attend at least one of these before Feb. 20th; plus the change provides me with accumulating more sick leave time from work.  A sister gotta get paid while she is off work.

Oh well, we shall move forward and start practicing on just 3 meals a day with no snacks in between.

Jan. 2nd I have my pre-op meeting for about 4 hours at the surgeons office.  I believe my stomach has caught up with my brain.  I've been mentally preparing myself for this change for 12 months and my stomach is starting to respond by not wanting everything it sees or some things just don't taste good and we don't eat them.

I consider myself an expert on hamburgers and french fries.  The hamburgers I'll miss the french fries I will not.  Although my favorite is 5 Guys, I haven't been there in months and my other favorite hamburger joint is Fuddruckers. 

Oh well, they too will be a thing of the past in the future.  

This year is really ending and starting off blessed for me.  I got a raise and for once a company that I work for didn't make any changes in insurance that would cost us more so that is a blessing.

My work schedule is changing on Jan. 2nd so I will be going in early and getting off 1.5 hours earlier --YAHOOEY.  This will certainly help after the surgery because I can get on a regular eating schedule and not have lunch at 3 in the afternoon.  

This year we are going out to a New Year's Eve party and I'm excited --dang I'm just excited about everything.  God is Good All the Time and All the Time God is Good.

I will probably have my last good meal at the Olive Garden -- I love their salad and of course the breadsticks.  I'm most definitely looking forward to making this life change.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Well, my surgery date was set today.  I will be having surgery January 2007.  Now I must really start adjusting my eating habits (something I'd started doing until I had surgery eariler this year).  So no now I must seriously concentrate on looking at what protein drinks to purchase and all those other things that go along with having this surgery.  I'm excited.

I received a copy of the letter my insurance company sent to the clinic advising that they couldn't render a decision until medical necessity information had been received.  I contacted my surgeons office to see what was going on and the representative advised me that she had faxed it to Cigna again.  The next day she contacted me to obtain a Medical Confirmation Letter from my physician.  This letter is to let the insurance company know that your family physician is aware of your having the surgery and they feel you are a good candidate for the surgery.  I called my PCPs office and advised them of what was needed and provided them with the fax number for the bariatric clinic.  About 20 minutes later,  the representative from the clinic calling me for my PCP phone number because CIGNA would take a verbal.  My PCP faxed over the letter the next day and I was approved on Thursday, October 26th.  Rose called and notified me at work. 

I didn't realize how excited I'd be.  I'll be contacted by someone from the clinic to schedule a surgery date.  I'm going to schedule it after the first of the year.  The holidays are around the corner and we are usually invited to various places or to participate in church holiday services.

I was so excited I had to force myself to be calm because people at work are not aware that I'm planning on having the surgery.  I called my partner and told her the good news.  We are both excited.  So now I can relax abit since I have received the approval.