TracyLynn2BThin

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I have not posted for some time because I have been in and out of the hospital since my surgery. All of us go through the same seminars that tell us about the risks that are involved but we rarely think it will happen to us. Heck especially when the percentages are given in such small numbers! We think as long as we follow all of the instructions we will be ok but this is simply not true. I prepared and did everything I was suppose to do but nothing prepared me really for what I have been through.  My surgery was completed in 90 mins. I stayed 2 nights and was home for less than a week when I got a fever. I was readmitted to the hospital because I had 2 abscesses - they treated it with antibiotics and putting a drain in my left side. After a week, I was sent home with the drain still in and on oral antibiotics. When I got up on the 5th night home, I felt the most intense pain from my drain site. I have had a child natural child birth and this hurt worse! We went to the ER to find that the drain had dislodged itself. They removed it and gave me pain medication...telling me to follow up with my doctor in 2 days. When I saw my doctor in 2 days...he sent me directly to get a CAT scan. My lung had collapsed and was filling with fluid and pneumonia. My kidney function went bad from Xrays and so many antibiotics.  Right back into the hospital I went for another week. All of this time I can not eat anything. EVERYTHING makes me nausea..the thought of food..the smell of it...they said the high Creatinine levels could be responsible as well of it being partly normal for the surgery. The only thing I loving is ice water. I finally got out of the hospital from that stay but due to my inability to eat anything which lead to my not even being able to walk from one room to another I was admitted yet again for 2 days for dehydration. They filled me with potassium and vitamins. Now I am scheduled on Zofran every 8 hours and Promethazine for break through nausea to try to keep anything down. I am SUPPOSE to be on Stage 3 now but I am only able to eat 2 oz of yogurt at a time and very thinned out oatmeal. Sure I have lost tons of weight so far but not the way it should be. I am looking forward to being able to be on course ...eating healthy foods and having the energy to do something..ANYTHING. It isn't a hump..it is a mountain..I hope I am on the other side. 

Hi Everyone  I had every intention of posting the day before my surgery  but I simply did not get to it. I was keeping myself as busy as possible to try to curb being nervous. I DID take "BEFORE" pics  that I will post when I get some decent "AFTER" Pics to post next to them  I did lose 10 lbs on my 1 week Pre- Op diet! They had us report for admission at 8am and we had a really long wait time to be taken back...until 12:30pm. We still have no idea what that was about. The surgery itself only took a little over 90 mins. I had the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (RNY). For the next week I am on a liquid diet- NOT like the Pre Op diet- no protein, no milk..just clear liquids...5 calories or less, sugar free popsicles. sugar free jello and clear brother. I made it a point to be up and walking early the first ..I have heard how important this is everyone. I have no had any gas pains because I have kept moving!

The one thing you should know...abdominal pain...the sharp pains from the operation site..oh boy...it is real...it is there...the worst part is trying to get up (I even bought a "wedge" for my bed" ...just be careful moving I guess. Once I get out of that position, I am fine...I do need my pain meds..that is for sure!  Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts...know that I am sending them your way!!!

 Hi Everyone that takes the time to read this. Today is the beginning of day 3 of my Pre-Op 800 calorie all liquid diet. We are suppose to have 4 protein shakes a day(50-70 grams of protein per day) and then we are allowed sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello and clear broth and any "calorie free" beverage which is considered 10 calories or less per 80z serving.  Plus 64 oz of water per day. I am proud to say that I have not had a single Coke Zero - this is a very big deal to me since I usually drink 6-8 cans a day!  Now I have been alternating "sparkling water" and regular water these first days to get me through. I have a terrible time getting my water in ...1st day was not so great but the 2nd day I came very close!! This morning I have an appointment with my surgeon- the only one I will have before my surgery. Then I have an appointment for my "Pre-Op". I guess this is when they do whatever things they need to do. I will let you know. I am going to pop my head in with my nutritionist to see what she says about the "sparkling water" ...I know we are not suppose to have the heavily carbonated sodas after surgery and with my luck she will say no to the sparkling water.  If she says no..I will not have it after surgery! I am also practicing this no water or anything to drink 30 mins before or after "a meal" (counting my protein shake as it) and I am surprised how much I really want to drink something after. But then again..I always drank something with my meals..so I shouldn't be surprised. Just something that will be a new normal to me.

As far as the samples of protein shakes..I am NOT a fan of strawberry  although Chike's tasted better to me than Unjury's. Chike's Chocolate was better than Unjury's. Chicken Soup was GREAT from Unjury(nice to have something savory)!!  I did not enjoy the taste of any of the "About Times"  What was interesting about "Chike" is that it is mixed with water for the higher protein content vs Unjury and is thicker like a milk shake. 

I have been keeping myself super busy...doing laundry and cleaning house. Doing everything I can think of to organize and prepare for my surgery. Oh and a wonderful thing...I got 2 new friends here since my last post 

Wishing everyone the best!!! Will keep you posted!

Today is the big start of my Pre-Op Diet.  For my doctor I have to be on it for 7 days. My surgery is 7/7.  I am not going to lie- it is something I have looked at with mixed emotions. I have had a very long love affair with soda ..particularly Coke Zero. In fact, I am certain their stock will take a nose dive now that I will no longer will be drinking it.  Seriously I drink about 6-8 cans a day (everyone knows this including everyone involved with my surgery). I have never been discouraged because I suffer from Narcolepsy and the increased caffeine intake is not seen as a bad thing. I do not drink water...I tell people I am allergic to it and it is foreign to my species . So eliminating the soda and drinking the water is a HUGE step for me. Being on all liquids is not such a horrible thing for me...sure I have to adjust...but I did Optifast for a almost a year and a couple times since then. It is just a matter of getting in that mind set again and getting use to these particular protein shakes. I have an appointment today for my required H&P- I would think they had everything they needed by now??  Weighed myself this morning and I am 318.2lbs. It seems so far away from my goal 125-150 (we will see).  The mixed emotion part is that I am excited that starting my Pre-Op diet means my surgery is soon around the corner!!! 

Well this has been a long time coming for me. I  know I am like so many people here and have tried EVERYTHING out there to lose weight. I am actually a professional at losing weight..I just can't keep it off. I have lost 100's of pounds and they come back every time with their friends, close and extended family along with it. Now that I am just over 40,  have tortured my metabolism with this yo-yo and now face serious health issues..it is time to finally do the surgery. I do not take it lightly at all. My surgery date for my RNY has been set for July 7th. One week from today 06/23 I start my 1 week Pre-Op diet. Yesterday we (my mother and I) ordered protein shakes for this stage. I figured now is a good time to try some to see what I might like later. We  have some samples from Unjury (I don't know if there are rules about mentioning these things) that were given at a seminar and ordered their "sample" package (plus a tub of their Chocolate Splendor). We also ordered the same packages from Chike and About Time. I ordered all the chewable vitamins that will be introduced later from Celebrate vitamins..they have a customer loyalty program and I liked that: 

Calcium PLUS 500 Package (3 flavor) - 90 Day

Multi-Complete (Forest Berry) - 90 Day

Iron+C 30 mg Chewable (Grape) - 90 Day

B-12 Sublingual Quick-melt (Cherry) - 90 Day

We also ordered this sample packet they offer and got Backmax wedge system for when I get home. We are just trying to be as prepared as possible. I usually take care of my two elderly parents. They are taking the time to help me get through this. I am not going to lie..I had some panic and anxiety set in Saturday 06/21 but I am sure that is normal. Just taking each day at a time.