4-21-13 Post-Surgery

It has been a long time since I've written.  So much has happened.

My surgery was on Friday, March 22 - exactly a month go!  It went well and I'm doing great!

But let me go back, I started the liquid diet 10 days before surgery.  It was tough but I made it through.  The liquid diet consists of protein shakes and water, Powerade or Crystal Light.  That is ALL I had for 10 days leading up to surgery.  During that time I lost 8 pounds.  A week before surgery, I got a call from the surgery scheduler.  She was calling to tell me that Dr. Jones, my surgeon, fell and broke both his wrists.  I was in shock.  What did this mean?  I mean I had already been on the liquid diet for 4 days.  I had to have it when scheduled because I needed Spring Break to recover...so as not to use any sick/personal days (the few I had left).  She asked me if I could do surgery on Wed of Spring Break.  The first thing that came to my mind was that I wouldn't have enough time to recover without taking time off.  The next thing I realized that was that I would simply have to continue the liquid diet since surgery would still be 10 days from that day....meaning I would have been on liquid diet for a total of 14 days!  That was overwhelming.  I asked her if there were any other times and she said no.  She said that Dr. Svendsen was taking almost all of Dr. Jones surgeries and had already even scheduled one for Saturday.  I asked her if I could do Saturday?  She said it was a possibility but she wouldn't be able to ask him until Monday, since it was already 5PM on Friday.  I begged her and begged her to do whatever she could to convince him to get me in....even telling her that if I couldn't go by that Sunday I would have to postpone until June.

Well, Bernadette called me back at 7AM on Monday to give me the good news!  Dr. Svendsen agreed to do my surgery on the original day but at 7AM instead of 1PM.  I was so grateful!  Chris and I had been praying all weekend that it would work out!

So, we were all set for Friday, March 22nd.  I was to arrive at Methodist Hospital at 5AM to check in.  It was easier than I thought to sleep that night since I took some sleeping meds.  Chris and Sarah (his daughter who didn't have school) arrived at 4:15AM to pick me up.  We got to the hospital right on time and checked in.  I didn't have to wait even a minute and a lovely volunteer took me up to the pre-op area.  Chris and Sarah would be allowed up to see me before surgery about an hour late.  Got upstairs and got comfy....the IV hook-up went so much better than I hoped.  I always seem to have trouble getting IV's put in.  Everything went smoothly, the only surprise was that I would be getting a heparin shot - not though the IV but in my stomach!  Ouch!  Probably more painful than a tetanus shot - and you automatically bruise at the site of the injection.  Oh well.

Chris and Sarah came up once everything was hooked up.  We only had about 20 minutes to sit together.  During that time Dr. Svendsen came in as well as the anesthesiologist.  Everything was on schedule.  I said goodbye to Chris and was off.  The last thing I remember was scooting on  to the operating table and my arms being strapped down.

I woke up in recovery feeling very thirsty...but of course was allowed nothing.  No pain at all.  I was transferred to my room - which was a blurry trip.  Chris, Sarah and "Mom" (Kathy) came in - they had been in the waiting room the whole time.  Chris asked me if anyone told me what happened.  I said no.  He proceeded to tell me that during surgery, one of the sets of staples/sutures had misfired.  The nurse said that the operating tool was removed and sent off to the company to see what happened.  Another one was used to finish.  Dr. Svendsen wanted to be sure that everything was closed so he went in and hand sutured that portion just to be safe.  Because of this, a drain had to be put in which might cause additional discomfort until removed.

I slept a lot the first day, on and off.  The worst part was that I was not allowed to have ANY liquids all day.  The only thing I had was the water swabs....which were essentially useless.  Saturday morning came soon enough and brought with it liquids.  I was allowed water and liquid meals.  Liquid diet meals at the hospital include soup (were weren't good), tea and jello.  Not much of any of that was eaten but it was better than nothing.  Visitors included Chris - of course, Tanja, Tammy & Tom and Joyce!  Just enough to make the day go quickly yet not too much to over do it.  I am grateful for their visits.

Late Saturday brought back pain (from laying only on my back) and some pain from the drain.  I had walked a lot during the day and that was the only thing that seemed to help, so I kept walking up and down the hall whenever I could.  It had been a long day so sleep came easily...I barely woke up each time the nurses came in and then fell back to sleep right away.

Sunday, Chris arrived early and it was wonderful to have him sit with me.  Surprisingly the nurse came in and said that a doctor would be in soon to assess if I could go home.  The doctor came in and she said that it looked like I was good to go.  My nurse came in to remove the drain - which had been giving me cramping feelings the whole time.  The second she removed it, it was like I had my left lung back and could finally really breathe.  The pain and discomfort was gone!  Chris and I took a walk in the hall, packed up my stuff and I got ready to go.

3.16.13

On Tuesday, I started the 10 day liquid diet - consisting of 5-6 high protein shakes each day.  Day 1 was fine...it's novel, right?  Day 2 was HELL.  I felt crappy and was already sick of the shakes.  But, surprisingly, ever since then it's been totally fine.  I discovered that after drinking fruit and vanilla flavored shakes each day (which are very sweet), that when I get home, I crave the chicken brother or chicken soup flavored protein mix.  That salt is a welcome change at the end of the day.  I also supplement with sugar-free jello, sugar-free tropical Popsicles in the evening.  After 4 full days, I have lost 8 pounds.  Mostly water I am sure...but I feel better overall.
Yesterday, however I got some bad news.....the hospital called and my surgeon broke his wrist - he fell on the stupid MN ice!!!!!  So...the plan is still up in the air.  They already rescheduled me but on for the middle of spring break - which doesn't leave much time for recovery before I have to go back to school.  So, I begged and pleaded my case to the surgery scheduler and she is going to try to move it up on Monday.  Dr. Svenson is the other surgeon...and he is already taking most of Dr. Jones surgeries....but since I am a teacher with limited time off here at the end of the school year....and I already am on Day 5 of the liquid diet...she's hoping he will take me on an earlier day!  Please pray this happens!
So, I will update later this week....praying all works out otherwise I will have to reschedule for June....
As always, thank you all for your support and prayers!

2-4-13

Today was my last set of doctors appointments before surgery with the exception of the pre-op.  I had an ultrasound today at 8:30 and the purpose was to look at my pancreas, liver, kidneys and gallbladder.  The most important was the gallbladder.  Many people have gall stones and never know it.  But when you have WL surgery, the risk of gall stones is high.  So if you already have some they like to take out the gallbladder when you are in for surgery.  Luckily I don't have ANY!  All my other organs looked great!  After the ultrasound, I met with Terry (nurse clinician) to go over paperwork, watch a video on preparing for and recovering from surgery.  We talked about medications and what to expect.  Then I got to meet with my surgeon - Dr. Thomas Jones.  He is AMAZING...what a wonderful man.  Is is so personable, at ease and really down to earth.  He lives in Chanhassen - just one town away from Shakopee.  His wife is also a teacher and he, luckily, could get me in the Friday before Spring Break before he and his family go on vacation.  My only disappointment was that he won't be there the next couple days after surgery when I am in the hospital.  But at least I got him as my surgeon.  We discussed my medications and how the procedure works.  He stressed that getting active quickly after surgery gets you out of the hospital faster and helps with recovery!  One thing he said that made me cry was when he labeled me as a "young mom"...meaning that I am a mom with young children.  He said there is this problem where we don't take care of ourselves because we always put our family/children before our own personal needs....how true!  I am so excited to do this so that I can be a better mom and set a good example for my wonderful boys!  It was so wonderful to meet him and I know that God has me in good hands!  SIDE NOTE:  After my morning appointments I was then so blessed to have lunch with a special man....yummy salad at Panera and - again - great conversation!  END SIDE NOTE  Lastly, I met with Jodi, a dietitian.  We reviewed the the timeline for before and after surgery.  I will begin a 10-day liquid diet on March 12th leading up to surgery on March 22nd!  After surgery, there will be 5-7 days of clear liquids during which time it will be important to drink lots - especially apple and cranberry juice since those will be the only liquids with calories.  Following that there will be a 2 week pureed diet - heavy in protein.  Then slowly add soft foods and at 2 months can eat normally as tolerated.  At the start of this process the clinic gave me a binder and it has become known among patients as "The Binder"....everything you need to know is in "The Binder"...and if you forget something you are supposed to look in "The Binder" because it's probably in there.  There are lists, checklists, anecdotal excerpts from other patients and all the references and reference numbers you would possibly need.  I feel very confident in my ability to follow through with this lifelong journey!  As always, thank you for all your prayers and support!

1/22/13

Well, it's official!  I have received word from the clinic that my insurance has approved me for surgery!  Yea!  It's becoming more real everyday!  A couple weeks ago I went to a Support Group - there were people there at all stages:  considering surgery, had surgery two weeks prior and some who had had their surgery 10 years ago.  They offered so much helpful information!  I am going again tonight and then in two weeks again - which will hopefully be just before my own surgery!  I'm hoping to have my surgery before the end of February....if that can't happen, I'll wait until Spring Break....using that time to recover!  I have appointments that day of February 4th to meet with the surgeon (to discuss the surgery), ultrasound tech (to get an ultrasound of my gallbladder) and the dietitian (to prepare for surgery).  I have been working on not eating 30 minutes before or after meals.  That has to become habit as to not fill the stomach with liquid when eating!    This has definitely been a struggle...but I know I have to do it!  I want to thank my friends - again - for all your support!  Especially Joyce, Michelle C., Yolanda and Tanja & Chad who have volunteered to help me take care of the boys during/after surgery!  You have no idea how much that helps and how much I appreciate it!  More to come......

1/11/13

The results of my sleep study indicated only mild sleep disturbance.  The doctor said that it should mostly get better with weight loss.  Just another thing to look forward to when losing weight - better sleep! 
I found out that a few people I work with at school have had WLS so I decided to share my upcoming adventure with them.  It was a good thing!  I now have a few other people who are supporting my journey!  They have shared with me their experience and some tips for before and after surgery.  It's all becoming more real now.
On Wednesday, a friend Denise and I went to the bi-monthly support group held at the hospital.  There were people there of all ages and at all stages of their WL journey.  Some were still deciding if they were going to do it, others - like me - are waiting to have surgery scheduled and others were anywhere from 2 weeks post-op to 10 years post-op.  The topic was "self-monitoring".  Members of the group shared their advice and there was so much information offered.  About half way through the meeting, the floor was opened up to any topics.  It was nice to ask questions and hear what other people had to say.  They talked alot about the protein supplementing that you have to do.  People shared what products, websites and apps have helped them stay on track!
Again, I continue to encounter people who are negative about all of it.  It's starting to get on my nerves.  It just seems that there is no reason to be so negative other than because you feel bad about yourself.  So I just ignore them for now and move on.
I have my last phone appointment with the insurance health program on Tuesday.  After that appointment the clinic can schedule surgery.  I'm hoping for it to be scheduled for February 15th.  That is a Friday and we don't have school that Monday so I will take off Tuesday - Friday.  It will be total of 10 days. 
After surgery, I will probably be in the hospital for 2 nights.  Many people have commented that the more you move after surgery and get your digestive system moving, then you can go home sooner.  So I'll be a great patient and do whatever it takes to get moving!

12/16/12

Well I've been thinking a lot about surgery.  I haven't changed my mind at all, but it seems to always be on my mind now.  Meeting with the hospital staff, talking to the HealthPartners nurses for my phone appointments and just talking with friends....well...it just keeps me thinking.  I am very glad I made this decision.  It seems to be coming up so fast now....I mean this week will be busy at school, then a week of winter break, then New Years...then it will only be a month till surgery.  I am excited, anxious, happy, nervous...so many emotions.  I am trying to incorporate new habits into my daily routine so that they will already be habit after surgery.  I feel this need to share my good news with others but don't because I'm nervous....and as has always happened, I fear that I will fail at yet another attempt to lose weight.  But it's starting to become real...there is no "cheating" on this "plan".  There is no putting myself last.  It is important to me to set a good example to my boys and it's important to me to be able to be active with them.  That can only happen if I make it happen.  I feel blessed that this decision and the support of my friends and family has made the process so easy.  I have had and continue to have a peace about it all.....even in light of all the emotions.   Thank you to God for his blessings and to all my friends and family for their support!

12/8/12

I received the results of the take-home sleep data monitor.  I guess that during the four hours that they monitored, on average I had 11 "events"....an event is when you stop breathing, hold your breath, etc.  To "pass" you can't have more than 5 "events".  In addition, in order to "pass" you have to maintain 95% oxygen....and my level was 82%.  So....on Tuesday, December 18th I will spend the night at the sleep study center in Shakopee - at least it's close - for the overnight sleep study.  The doctor will read the study again and we'll discuss the results.  What I have been told is that perhaps this is one reason that I am always tired, can easily take a nap and it doesn't affect my sleep that night....it sure sounds like if I were sleeping better I'd be feeling much different!