Just an Update

Still no new pix, so here's Bob and Sydney instead

This is just an update on how I'm doing; nothing earth-shattering today.

Tomorrow will mark two weeks since I had surgery.  I anticipate being off work this week, returning April 8th.  I've lost 16 pounds since surgery, which makes 34 pounds total this year.   I do find it amazing that I can lose more than a pound a day!  It certainly does jump start the weight loss.  

Of course, it's not really surprising when you look at the numbers.  During this full liquids phase I am taking in only 400 - 500 calories per day and lately I've been burning 2,000 - 2,500 calories per day.  I will be able to move to the soft foods phase next week, during which time I'll eat about 600 calories per day.  This should increase slowly over the next several weeks and months until I reach what should be my normal daily allotment of 1,000 - 1,200 calories per day.

I'm getting stronger every day and healing very well.  Dan and I walk around the block twice each day.  I'm slow, but not too slow, I think.  I am tired after these walks, but they feel so good!

I've also finally figured out the protein problem.  GNC makes a protein powder that has 60 grams of protein in per 3 scoop serving.  I mix this with 12 ounces of nonfat milk and the combination equals 73 grams of protein!  I divide the 12 ounce serving into three smaller servings, and I replace four of my meals with two of the smaller servings.  The best part is that the vanilla flavor is quite good.  It's not too sweet or thick, so the end result is like drinking slightly sweetened milk.

The rest of my daily protein I get through yogurt, sugar free pudding, and by drinking Miso paste mixed into hot beef broth (my new "cup of hot brown," replacing coffee).

I'd say that the hardest part of my new eating regimen for me is not being able to drink for a half an hour before and after eating.  Most people get a large share of their liquids in the foods they eat, but my small meals don't do that, so I am always thirsty.  If I don't put my glass out of reach while I'm waiting for my 30 minutes to pass, I often forget and start drinking.  It's just habit now to constantly sip on my water throughout the day.

I think that's all the news for now.  Everything is moving along beautifully and I'm healing quickly.  I have no regrets about this surgery; I am confident now that with the help of this needed tool I will be able to lose my excess weight and be the active and energetic person I used to be.  Yay!

Hugs,
Sandra

Feeling Good!

I don't have a picture for today, so here's Bob instead.

So it has been a week and a day since my surgery and I feel surprisingly good!  I’ve also lost 10 pounds since surgery, which is pretty darn cool!

I walk six times a day for about five minutes at a time, so I’m getting in about a half an hour a day total.  I tolerate my food well and haven’t eaten anything yet that causes pain or nausea, so that’s a big plus.  I also have started sitting up at my desk a couple of time a day, although I do find that I still get pretty tired after just a short amount of that.  I also don’t feel as sharp mentally and I do when I’m well, so it’s a good thing that no one is really counting on me for anything important, like writing reports to send to the CEO.  :)  I’ve noticed that it takes me longer than usual to work a puzzle or solve problems and I make a lot of typos.  I suspect this mental dullness has several contributing factors:  residual anesthesia, mental distraction, bodily resources going towards the healing (instead of thinking) process, and fewer calories than I’m accustomed to.

I am struggling to get enough protein.  I eat six ¼-cup meals a day and I am supposed to fit around 75 grams of protein into those six meals.  So, I’m getting as much protein as I can creatively fit into these meals, but it isn’t 75 grams.  I’m hoping that this becomes easier when I start eating more solid foods.

I’m also struggling to get enough water.  I am not supposed to drink any water during a meal or for 30 minutes before and after.  So that’s about 1hr 20min for each meal during which I can’t drink.  Multiply that by my six meals and that makes eight hours of water-free time during my day.  I’m supposed to carefully sip 64 ounces of water during the rest of the time that I’m awake.  Hmmmm.

I’ve found a great blog written by a woman who had gastric bypass surgery in 2006 and has kept the weight off.  She has developed dozens of delicious looking dishes over the years that are low fat, low carb, and geared toward health.   They are also usually pretty simple, and use ordinary ingredients that most of us have in our kitchens already.  I highly recommend these to anyone who is trying to eat more healthfully – you don’t have to have had surgery to enjoy these recipes.  Here is a link to her site:  http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

My first post-surgery doctor’s appointment is Thursday, at which time he’ll remove my drainage tube, something that I am REALLY looking forward to!  And on that note, I think I’m out of news for today.

Hugs,

Sandra

Surgery!

I'm home from the hospital, safe and sound (I came home Wednesday afternoon).  I'm healing well and I have almost no pain.  So, I thought I'd catch everyone up on what all happened this last week.

 

My surgery was scheduled for 8:00AM on Monday and I was told to be at the hospital at 6:00AM.  So on Sunday night, I got everything all ready to go, laid out my clothes, and set the alarm clock for 4:00PM.  Yes, PM.  (Any reference to "the best laid plans of mice and men" would be appropriate here.)

 

A hospital rep called on Monday morning at 6:15, asking where I was.  The correct answer here would be "in a panic."

 

Dan and I threw on clothes, grabbed the bags, and ran out the door.  We had to stop running at the door though, because there was freezing rain and we had to move carefully to get to the car safely on the layer of ice that had accumulated.  Yay!  We're two hours late, in rush hour traffic, AND it's pouring down freezing rain.  Awesome.  Dan drove while I cried and beat myself up and we arrived safely at the hospital at 7:40. 

 

Those wonderful, dear people at Mt. Carmel hospital calmly checked me in, prepped me for surgery, and moved ahead without recriminations.  The surgery started at about 8:30.   I'm not sure what time they finished, but sometime later I woke up in recovery, feeling very little pain, but weak as a kitten.  I never have had much pain, but that first day I was so weak that I found it difficult to do anything for myself.  I even had to ask others to feed me ice chips, since I found it hard to hold the cup and spoon by myself.

 

Speaking of ice chips, I never realized before Monday that they are actually ambrosia from the gods and that they would become the most wonderful things I've ever eaten!  I was so dry and so thirsty, but all that I could have on Monday were ice chips.  They tasted sweet and refreshing, and they made me feel more alive every time I ate a few.

 

My hospital room was very nice.  The nurses told me that it was the biggest one on the floor, and that become obvious as I walked the hallways later.  From the glimpses that I got of the other rooms, it appeared that my bathroom alone (which was ginormeous!) was bigger than most of the other rooms. 

 

I was supposed to walk on Monday evening, but I immediately became very nauseated when I stood up, so after that passed, they put me in a chair for a while.  When I stood up again, the dry heaves started again, only more violently, and it became clear that I wasn't going to do any walking that day.  I actually vomited on Tuesday when they helped me stand up, so then I got smart and started asking for nausea medicine shortly before each walking session.  That made all the difference and I was able to start walking later on Tuesday without being sick.  I have to say that the dry heaves and vomiting were far worse than any other pain that I've experienced from the surgery.  Walking was (and is) wonderful though!  I feel so much better after every walk; it's amazing!  I feel more energized and clear headed after each walk and actually feel pretty normal then.  I am highly incented to keep up the walking!

 

Speaking of feeling normal, I keep thinking that I should feel different somehow, now that my insides have been rearranged, but I don't.  I feel just the same as I did before, except for the fact that I don't get hungry. Now I have to watch the clock to know when to eat, since my stomach doesn't remind me.  I do feel light headed if I forget to eat though, so I guess that is my new way of experiencing hunger.

 

I had nothing but clear liquids on Tuesday, then they moved me to "full liquids" on Wednesday.  Full liquids are thick like protein shakes, pudding, Cream of Wheat cereal and cream soups.  I'll be on these for about three weeks, then I'll move to slightly more substantial foods.  Right now I'm supposed to eat 6 meals a day, each about 1/4 cup in size.  Yesterday I managed to have 5 meals, so I did pretty good.  I've got to work harder on my water consumption though.  I'm supposed to have 64 ounces a day and I only had about half of that.  I have a 64 ounce container of water by my chair that I use to fill my glass, so I'll know when I've had my daily amount.

 

Well, Dan just got home with groceries for me, so I'm going to go make some cream of chicken soup for lunch.  BTW - Dan has been so wonderful!  I don't know how I'd do this without him.  He is taking such good care of me. 

 

Hugs,

Sandra

Celebrating My Family and Friends

Dad and I - 1992

I have read a lot about weight loss surgery (WLS) over the last year, both online and in books, and I am saddened to read how unsupportive many patient’s friends and family can be. 

Many people don’t understand how WLS works and view it as the “easy” way out, sort of a cop out for people who are don’t want to work at losing weight.  Of course, WLS is not a magic bullet, it is simply a tool.  I will still need to restrict my calories, eat the right foods, and work out regularly to get to my goal weight.  I will need to continue these habits for the rest of my life if I am to keep the weight off.  WLS will be a great help at first with restricting calories, but the rest is up to me (especially long term).

But people can be so cruel.  I’ve read quite a few stories from obese people about how perfect strangers would lecture them in supermarkets or shout insults at them.  Quite often their families treated them even worse.  I’m happy to say that I have not experienced this kind of treatment.  While I’m sure that plenty of folks had things to say about my weight behind my back, no one has ever been rude (or brave) enough to insult me to my face.  So I’ve been very fortunate in that area.

However, when I decided to have WLS, I admit that I wondered how people would react.  I debated whether or not I wanted to tell folks outside of my little circle that this was happening.  It didn’t take long for me to decide (obviously) that I was not going to hide what I’m doing.  I’m not proud of the fact that I’ve made it to the ranks of the morbidly obese, but I am proud that I’m ready and willing to do what it takes to regain my health.

I’m also pleased and so very proud to say that my friends, family, and coworkers have all been extremely supportive!  The most common response I’ve received when I say that I’m having WLS is “Good for you!”  I truly feel like the most fortunate of women to be surrounded by such loving and supportive people.  Thank you all for making this step so much easier for me.

I received a card yesterday from a friend and coworker who is VERY fit and who works out many hours a week.  Of all people, I would have thought that she would see WLS as a cop out, not because of anything she’s said but rather because she is so fit and dedicated to her health and well-being.   I was so wrong.  This is what the card said:

“What you are doing is very brave and shows your determination.  I have no doubt you will be successful…A favorite quote is: ‘Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.'  I will be thinking of you.”

Mom and I - 1992

Yup, this brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you, all of you lovely people who are sending encouragement and help my way!  I truly am blessed and it is because of you.

Four days to go!

Hugs,

Sandra

Random Thoughts

9th grade me - groovy shag haircut!

My surgery is only nine days away, and all kinds of random thoughts are running through my mind.

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My surgery is at 8AM.  I have to be at the hospital at 6AM.  It takes about an hour to drive there, so that means we leave the house at 5AM.  I need to take a shower before we leave, so I have to get up at 4AM.  Daylight savings time starts tomorrow, which means that my body clock will probably still be messed up on the day of surgery, so it will feel like I’m getting up closer to 3AM.

Of course, as I told my family, I have the advantage over them in that I will get to sleep most of the day. 

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I have had a couple of minor panic attacks during the last few days that I think are just due to feeling overwhelmed.  I need to make lists of things that I can’t forget so that I’ll feel better about all of this new information.  Below is just a sample of the things that I need to remember.

• Things that need to be done (and purchased) before I come home from the hospital
• Rearrange furniture so the dogs can’t jump on my lap
• Buy all of my post-surgery meds
• Buy the foods that I will be able to eat when I come home
• Put my shop on vacation by March 14th
• Items that I need to take to the hospital
• My spirometer (for my breathing exercises)
• The correct clothes (including slip-on shoes so that I won’t have to bend over and tie laces)
• Personal items
• My tablet and charger
• Things that I need to remember after my surgery
• Drink 64 ounces of water every day
• No water for 1 hour before and 2 hours after meals
• No NSAIDs
• Walk every four hours
• Do my breathing exercises every two hours

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I will be on a lot of medication for the first few months ater surgery:

• Pain medication – as needed (I shouldn’t have to take this for more than a week)
• Anti-nausea medicine – as needed
• Coumadin (a blood thinner) for one month to prevent blood clots
•  Actigall for three months to prevent gallstones
• Nexium for three months to keep stomach acid low so it won’t irritate the internal incision

I shouldn’t have to take special medicines after the first three months, but I will need to take nutritional supplements for the rest of my life:

• Daily vitamin (prenatal vitamins are recommended)
• Calcium with vitamin D
• Vitamin B-12

I also will need to avoid all NSAID pain relievers for the rest of my life as they will cause ulcers to form very quickly.

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It appears that this surgery will turn me into a very cheap date.  Not only will I not be able to each much, but the smallest amount of alcohol will get me good and drunk!  

There are enzymes in the stomach that break down alcohol and release it slowly into the bloodstream that will not be in my tiny new stomach.  That means that any alcohol that I consume will rush straight into my bloodstream.   

Our nutritionist told us about one patient who was unable to stand by herself after taking a dose of Nyquil.  Another patient was passed out for three hours after drinking part of a bottle of beer.  

                  
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So, these are just a few of the things running through my mind this week.  I’ll try to write a more cohesive post next time.

Hugs,

Sandra

Care and Feeding

Dan and I on our wedding day, 20 years ago

I haven’t written in over a week, so it’s time to catch up with the latest. 

At 10:00AM last Monday I told Dan (DH), “Exactly one week from now I should be waking up from surgery!”  At 10:30AM, the scheduling rep from the hospital called and told me that my surgery had been rescheduled for March 18^th, two weeks after the original date.   *sigh*

So the countdown was reset and I am now 13 days away from surgery.

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I promised that I would list the types of foods I’ve been eating as part of my pre-surgery diet.  I was told to eat lean protein at every meal.  I should avoid the high-carb “white” foods such as potatoes, white rice, white bread, pasta, and sugar.  I should have dairy twice a day and several servings of vegetables and fruits each day. 

So here’s what I’ve been mostly eating:

• Scrambled egg whites
• Beef jerky 
• Costco sells their own Kirkland brand that has 0.5 grams of fat, 4 grams of sugar, 60 calories, and 9 grams of protein in a 1 ounce serving and it is delicious!
• Broiled or microwaved chicken breasts
• Canned salmon 
• Again, Costco sells wild Alaskan salmon in cans that is very good.
• Lots of vegetables, both cooked and raw
• Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts
• Salads with mixed greens and a variety of vegetables, seasoned with nothing but plain, but very good quality balsamic vinegar.
• Fresh and frozen fruit 
• Pears, oranges, grapes, mango, berries, and bananas
• Unflavored, unsweetened Greek yogurt mixed with berries and/or banana and chopped raw almonds.
• Skim milk
• Once in a while I will have a whole wheat sandwich round with peanut butter for breakfast.
• Whole grain flat bread (occasionally)
• Protein shakes made with whey protein isolate

I sometimes have a glass of caffeine-free iced tea, but my usual drink is plain water.   Our water goes through a water softener, then through a whole house filter, and finally through a Britta filter.  The result is water that is clean and tastes wonderful.

I love my morning cup of hot brown though, so I have several cups of decaffeinated coffee each day, with some milk and about half a packet of Sweet n Low.  I tried to drink my coffee without any sugar or sweetener, but I finally gave in and started using that little bit of sweetener to make it taste like the coffee that I love so much.

So, there you go. That’s what I eat 90% of the time.  Tonight I had an incredible craving for pizza, so we ordered one with fresh tomatoes, onions, and green peppers.  It tasted wonderful, but I won’t do that very often and certainly not again before the surgery.

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At the introductory seminar that DH and I attended, the surgeon presented a lot of charts and graphs and statistics related to this surgery (which I loved).  One of the things he told us was that someone with my BMI had a 2,000% greater chance of dying early than someone with a healthy BMI.  2,000%!!!! 

Then last week when I went for my final pre-surgery doctor’s appointment, my surgeon told Dan that if he could find four more women with the same BMI, health, age, etc. as me, and then track the five of us for five years, that one of us would be dead from an obesity-related illness at the end of that five year period.    

Those are sobering statistics.  So you see, I’m not just doing this to wear cute clothes again, I’m doing this to save my life.

As for the risks of surgery itself, Mt. Carmel is a nationally-recognized Center of Excellence for bariatric surgery.  My surgeon has performed over 1,000 weight loss surgeries and has lost only one patient, who died about two months after her surgery.  I am in very capable hands.

Hugs,

Sandra