Recuperating

Well, It is Saturday night, and I am sitting in my own bed recuperating from my surgery. Let's go back. I had to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM on Wednesday. Did not get much time to relax. Checked in at information, then registered in the admission area. From there we (Mom and I) were sent to the second floor where the operating rooms were. We got comfortable in selected chairs, I emptied my bladder, and the next thing I know they are calling me to Pre-Op.

Got into Pre-Op, weight taken, vitals taken, and the questions started. When was the last time I ate or drank anything, what is my name, what is my birthday, what procedure am I having. Over and over and over again. I kind of got tired of answering the what is your birthday question. That one stayed with me through my surgery and after.

I got changed out of my clothes into a hospital gown, my vitals taken again. They put pressure wraps on my feet to keep my blood flowing there, and finally put in my first of several IVs. (yes I said several, [4 in all]). The pre-op nurse asked many questions. Most of them I could answer, but the "have you ever had a problem with anesthesia?" was a question I couldn't answer. She, along with everyone in earshot, found it amazing that I had never has surgery.

The anesthesiology assistant then came in to explain what was going to happen once I got in the OR. I met my anesthesiologist, and the OR nurse, and Dr. Arreola made a visit. Promised everything would go well.

It was time to wheel me into OR. I got in, and immediately there were like 20 people all around me. They started working on my Arterial line (my worst bruise). The last thing I remember hearing was the anesthesiologist tell me to take deeper breaths. The next thing I heard, was it all over and everything went well. I was in recover. I spend maybe 15 minutes (that I remember) in recovery, saw my mom, and was wheeled to my room.

My fan club was already there waiting for me. Shelly, Emily, Kelly, Mickey, and Mom. That was a room full. After a few minutes, they unpacked my luggage, and I shocked Shelly, because as out of it as I was, I still called off everything that was in my suitcase. Hahaha, drugged up to the gourd, I am still good.

Well I promise to finish this story later, but I need some sleep.

Until then, stay safe.

The Big Day

So tomorrow is the big day. I have lost approximately 12 lbs on the liquid diet. I must say I am a little nervous. Packing the suitcase, washing the clothes, and getting the final errands run. I have managed to drink 38 shakes with just water and coffee as the other things to pass my lips. I still have 4 shakes to go, but this was a challenge.

I never cheated though, and that is a miracle. I even had a dream where I was a giant burger (like those Whopper Jr commercials), and I was eating myself. But no food. That was the toughest thing I have had to do mentally. I am ready for this surgery. I am ready to be able to drink or eat more that just shakes.

After surgery, I am still on liquid for two weeks, but a little more options. Broth, jello, cream soups (strained), milk, water, protein drinks, and yes, coffee. More than just shakes. I am going to patiently wait for Sept. 10. That is the day that I can start eating. Pureed foods, but I can still eat.

Well, I promise that as soon as I am home from the hospital, I will let you all know what happened. So until then, stay safe.

Day 5 Liquid Diet

Day 5 liquid diet. I had a small headache yesterday after I got home from a birthday party for my great niece Maddie. I think the headache came more from looking at all the good food and knowing that I could not have a bite. It was fun though, she was so cute when she opened her gifts and got her own personal cake.

Well I am on day 5 of the liquid diet. two more days to go. This means I am only three days away from my surgery. I have lost approx. 5 lbs since starting. 5 pounds in 5 days. wow. I do recommend this for the quick lost to get into that tight dress, but not for a permanent diet. I miss food terribly. I have chewed a lot of gum (sugar free of course).

Approximately 72 hours until my surgery. I don't have a time yet, I will get that Tuesday afternoon. I promise to let you all know what time they are cutting me open.

Until then,
Stay safe.

Liquid Diet Day 1

Today is the first day of my liquid diet. So far so good. I have found that chewing sugar free gum between my 6 shakes has helped curb my need for food.

So the liquid diet is 6 carnation instant breakfast sugar free shakes. They come in three flavors chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. So this is my schedule, shake at 6:30 AM, one cup of coffee at work, shake at 9:00 AM, water, shake at 11:30 AM, water, shake at 2:00 PM, water, shake at 5:00 PM, water, shake at 7:30 PM, water, and sugar free fruit pop at 8:30. I am mixing my water with crystal light sometime. It is a good mix up.

Last night my two best friends (Emily and Shelly) took pictures of me for my before picks, then we highlighted (frosted) Emily's hair, and went to dinner. They would not allow me to have my last meal before my surgery without them. I was planning on McDonald's, Wendy's or Arby's and we had Applebee's. It was wonderful. Not the food, but the company.

As part of my liquid diet, I am cleaning. It is a good way to keep my mind off the food. So, hopefully by the time my surgery rolls around next week, I will have the room completely cleaned.

7 days till surgery.

Till next time.

Preparations

So, I am sitting here at work at 7:00 AM thinking and make a list of things that I have to do before my surgery.  Things like clean my apartment, purchase supplies for after, gas the car, make sure all the tire are at full capacity.  Get before pics and measurements.  Wow, I cannot believe it is only 2 weeks away.  Next Wednesday I will start my liquid diet, so I have only 7 days to get in those favorites that I will never be allowed to eat again because the contain too much sugar.  Things like funnel cakes, Milk shakes, peeps, and even cotton candy.  I bought a bag of those mini donuts with powdered sugar on them for breakfast this morning.  It will take me several days to eat them, but I had to have them.

I have started stock piling supplies also.  Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar free) is my liquid diet, so I have 8 boxes of it (6 meal shakes a day), chewable vitamins, baby food (yes stage 2 baby food), pudding, jello, stock, and a couple ice cube trays (for freezing the stock).  The protein shakes have to wait until aftert the surgery.  I have been told by many people that my tastes will change drastically.

2 Weeks, 14 days, 336 hours, 20,160 minutes, 1,209,600 seconds until the day of my surgery.  WOW.

Pre-OP testing

Well talk about pain.  I have a usually high tolerance of pain, but I had to have some blood draw this morning.  I don't have strong enough veins or findable veins in my arms, so I usually have the blood drawn from my wrists or tops of my hands.  The phlebotonist this morning was really clueless.  After poking my arms for 10 minutes, she decided I was not joking about the wrist/hand thing.  So she started with my right hand.  Well after rooting around for the vein, she gave up.  Then she went to my left wrist.  Again, she could not find the vein.  Had to root around.  Finally she asked for help.  Another girl came over and bang, vein found, blood flowing.  WOW.  I am haveing a hard time trying to figure how that one kept her job.

I sat there very patiently, but with the second try, the needle was a little closer to some nerves and I kept flinching.  One thing good came out of the experience, I sat there long enough that I was able to give them a very good urine sample.

Know I am nervous about the IV that I will have.  Will they be able to put in the top of my hand, or are they going to try and root around for a good vein in my arm.  

20 days and counting.  The excitement and nerves are beginning to grow.

Some realizations

As I was walking around the Erie Zoo yesterday on my daily walk, I was thinking, wow this process actually went quicker than I thought.  It seems just yesterday I was calling my doctor and asking for a referral to the surgeons office.  My friend Emily was so excited for me that she even bought me a book to read on the subject just days after my decision.  And now I am only 3 weeks away from the reality of it.

21 days.  I wonder if the animals at the zoo that have come to recognize me, we know who I am when I have lost all my weight.  I hope so, I have come very used to the llama and swans coming to greet me.  And I love that the giraffe sticks his tongue out at me everytime I stop to say hi.  Even a couple of the big cats know who I am.  Yes I spend that much time at the zoo.  Memberships are wonderful for that.

I have started to think about how much I will change and the entire new closet I will have to buy.  That will be fun.  As you can tell I am excited.

Testing tomorrow, I will let you know how that goes.

TTFN

Consent signing

All the consent forms have been signed, and I am going to participate in a research program that they are doing. It is going to take 5 years of my progress, but I am really interested in how the post op progress goes.

I also have my pre-op instructions. Liquid diet starts on August 19. 6 carnation instant breakfasts a day (sugar free). Three for meals and three for snacks. The only thing I find wrong is that I have to use 1% milk. GROSS. I drink Skim. But with it being flavored, I can and will do it. No food can pass my lips during that time. WOW...writing that just hit me, no food. I will become very crafty during this time to keep my mind off food. I can also only drink one cup of coffee a day. Thank goodness I have cut out the caffeine.

Well I will let you know how the diet and pre-op stuff goes.

Till tomorrow, 23 days until my surgery

All messaging check

The countdown begins

24 Days till my surgery.

Tomorrow I have an appointment to sign all my forms and get the pre-op directions. I have already started to stock up on the carnation sugar-free mix for the liquid diet. I will also start to grind my meds into powder for after my surgery.

My friends took me out last night to help me celebrate the good news. We hit the horse races and casino here in Erie. I ate like a pig, and it felt good. I also drank a fishbowl margarita. That is a margarita in a gold fish bowl. It was awesome. I am looking forward to many fun nights like that in the next couple weeks.

I am so looking forward to many nights after the surgery (minus the alcohol), that will be just as fun.