lizzygirl
July 14/09
I was still quite uncertain when I decided to have WLS if I truly wished to go through with it. I had lost weight successfully in the past. Unfortunately since hurting my back at work any exercise I tried seemed to hurt. Even walking. Eventually I even left a job I loved because of my back pain. When going to see specialists for treatment I was always told to lose weight, however I had been trying for a year and a half without success. I finally decided to take the plunge have have WLS. I went for the seminar in Nov 2008. Surgery was June 16/09.
After several visits with the NUT and following the diet plan they suggested. (which was what I was already doing except for a few small changes). I was cleared for surgery.
I had the surgery June 17/09. RNY with Dr. O'Malley in Rochester. Post op was quite painful. I was well looked after in the hospital and my pain was beginning to come under control within about 24 hours. Although I was still in pain I no longer needed to curl up in a ball and shut out the world. I started walking in the hospital for short distances and have continued to do so at home.
I am a Canadian but was sent by my PCP to Rochester to have the surgery. As a nurse I was very pleased with the care I rec'd at Highland Hospital. I had to remain in Rochester for about a week before being cleared to go home. My sister and Mom stayed with me for the first few days but my sister had to return to work so I ended up being on my own for 4 days. Those 4 days turned out to be wonderful weather wise as there was a heat wave and I was able to enjoy some time sitting outside in the sun.
To this point. I have struggled with the post op diet. I just can't seem to get enough in. I am now 4 weeks out. I am on a puree diet until I go for my next appointment in a couple of weeks. I struggle to have two protein shakes and two meals a day. My weight loss seems to be slower than others as well. This has been very disappointing to me. I feel like I'm the one of the few who will be unsuccessful with this surgery .
I do wonder if my low caloric intake is probably contributing to slowing down my metabolism, making weight loss harder. Also, I felt so dizzy and out of sorts the first few weeks I probably did not get the exercise I required. I do feel better now and am walking a minimum of twice a day for about 25 mins. My back and legs are aching but I don't want to have gone through all this and not achieve the full benefits.
My next worry is returning to work in a few days and being able to keep up this activity level and and eating schedule. I am trying to eat about every two hours to get in the the 3 meals and 3 shakes I am supposed to. I have only managed that on a few days.
I am still working at it and and trying to remain optimistic but I'm finding difficult.
July 25/09
Well the return to work went reasonably well. I am tired but have managed to get through the day. I haven't really been able to up my food intake. Still average 2 shakes and 2 meals per day.
As I was worried about, I have not been able to keep up the same activity level. I am managing to get in a 30-50 min walk about 5 days per week. I did feel I was doing better when I was walking twice per day. There are only so many hours in a day. I wonder how people with children do this.
I took my measurements a couple of weeks ago and was pleased to see I was losing inches in one week alone. I am looking forward to monday when I weigh myself and take my measurements. Hoping for more success.
30/07/09
Went for my first post op visit with the dietican today. She says I'm doing well. I've lost a total of 28lbs since my last weigh in with her. I'm pretty sure I lost a few pounds before surgery. She feels that 1 or 2 lbs of wt loss a week is okay. I guess I haven't been able to break my mind from compairing my wt loss to others.
I have been progressed to the soft diet. Strangely I am not looking forward to it. I think because I have to make more food choices and be more prepared with meals. I can start weaning off protein shakes if I can get in enough protein a day. Not quite sure how I will do that as I'm not even up to goal yet. I guess I have never been fond of cooking and this will take more prep work than I'm used to. I can only try and see how it goes. This is the life I've chosen.
