my first complication

Well I am down almost 25lbs but, i think a lot of it might just be fluid loss. I started seeping fluid about 4 days ago and it isn't showing any sign of slowing down. (if anything its getting worse) That is a bit alarming to me. The surgeon said she wasn't really concerned cuz the fluids were clear but, it's making it a bit hard to stay hydrated when I am literally changing bandages 4-5 times a day. (large, thick bandages) When you press lightly just above the incision line, the fluids start to pour out. I just don't see that as normal, sorry.

I am going to go back up to see her tomorrow. I want the fluids aspirated and a couple stitches put in where the fluids have been coming out. (the incision is open a bit on the edge) I also want her to look at another incision that I think is starting to become infected. She has already looked and said that she wanted me to watch for changes. It's turning red and a bit tender around the edges and its a bit swollen in the middle. (its also hard like something is underneath)

I'm sure this won't be the last of things to come up but, if they are all this minor, I'll be happy!

I am now eating soft food. So far I have an aversion to pureed chicken. I'm not sure if it's chicken or just a texture thing. I don't really like anything pureed! I have been doing okay with oatmeal and with cheesy scrambled eggs. I can also eat crackers and whole wheat English muffins. All I can say is wow, it's frigging hard to take in 80g of protein and 64 oz. of fluids each day. I hate the protein powder and don't like carnation instant breakfast shakes. I have been trying to suck back at least 1 a day though with a scoop of powder added cuz it gives me 34g of protein, plus I can use it as one of my fluids.

I am still having horrible wrist pain. It really seems to be getting worse. I need to have her check that too. I am waking up during the night from pains in my wrist and hand. That's not normal!

Till next time.....

my 1 week post-op appt.

Well the appt. went fine. Blood and urine looked good. I have 1 incision that is a bit red and swollen so she wants me to keep my eye on it to be sure its not an infection about to happen. I actually have another concern. One of the many spots they stuck me trying to get an artery line is getting sorer by the day. (its been 6 days since i got home) You would think the pain would all be going away by now. It's not swollen or red but, the pain gets worse everyday. They obviously hit something in there but it wasn't the artery. I might have to have it checked if the pain continues.

Other then that, I continue to feel really good. I am advanced to stage 3 in the diet and can advance to stage 4 by this weekend as long as my body is handling the foods. I can't wait till I can eat some scrambled egg and peanut butter to get my proteins. The powder is really thick and makes it hard for me to get stuff down. Does anyone have any brand names of thinner powders and where i can get them? The only place I was able to go so far was GNC. If someone can reccomend something better, I'll shop online. Thanks.

5 days post op (monday 4-18)

Just wanted to say how amazing I have been feeling. It's almost hard to believe that I feel like this so soon after such a major operation. Well I am now at day 5 and if my home scale is correct, I have already lost 18lbs. I will find out on thursday though if that number is right. Honestly, I don't care what the number is as long as I continue to feel this great and that it just gets better and better with each passing day. Till thursday.......

P.S. I just want to acknowledge one of my bloggie buddies.. Leslie is having gastric sleeve surgery tomorrow morning. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to hear from you about your own experience..

Just got home from the hospital yesterday. (saturday 4-16)

This post will be a brief one but, my surgery is done and, for the most part, i feel pretty good. I have had my moments though! Best things I have learned so far is to just walk around between sips to move fluids thru a bit faster and it helps to avoid very painful bloating. Also don't drink to fast!! Start off with your 1fl oz. every 15 even if you are feeling really good. If your mouth is dry, chew some sugarless gum or use a mouth sponge.. They saved my butt after 1 very painful night.. Also keep yourself as hydrated as you can to avoid really painful headaches. My hubby took some really pretty post-op pics of a very drugged up wife. I will be uploading those very soon and will add them for some comedy relief.

Well this is it..

I am going to make my final post as an unhealthy girl.

Tomorrow morning is my surgery and, I am scared and excited. This is the day I have been waiting for, for years and it's here now..

Starting tomorrow, my new, healthy life begins.

Pray for me.... Keri

I got a surgery date!

Well, I finally got a surgery date. I am having surgery on April 13th. I have a bunch of things to do to get ready for this. I am really excited but, so nervous. I mean come on, it's major surgery! So much to do, so little time... I am going to get started now on my errands and house work.

I am beginning this new blog today

I just wanted to set up my first post in this blog. A little about myself: I am 39, live in N.C., I am a military wife and have always struggled with my weight. I have contemplated weight loss surgery for many years but, hubby's deployments kept getting in the way. (or I'd just find another excuse to not actually do it) I have had a bad back for about 10 years and I live my life with constant pain that can only be controlled with painful spine injections every 3-4 months and daily narcotics. I have also fallen prey to that nasty disease PCOS. (this is something only you ladies will understand) It has kept my husband and I from starting a family. (which we both desperately want)

I will never forget the day I went to my doctor for my yearly checkup and lab work. I got the usual lecture about my horrible smoking habit and that my blood pressure was a little to high and how losing weight would help with the back pain.. blah blah blah It was 2 days later when that dreaded call came from his nurse telling me to hold for the doctor. His first words were, "are you sitting down?" I thought to myself, oh crap.. I am going to fall victim to my family curse of cancer and i;m going to die! He said no, it's not that. He said he got my labs back and he was horrified. I had a fatty liver, very high cholesterol and very high blood sugars and was now a type 2 diabetic. Now don't get me wrong, this was not as bad as being told I have cancer but, shit, I still was floored. How did I let myself get to this point? He said it wasn't to late to go back to the bariatric clinic and revisit having surgery. I said okay, put in the referral and, I'll go.

I went and was able to meet with the surgeon and the whole team. I got to see first hand some of their successful patients. (one of them being the head nurse in the department) She was actually heavier then I currently am and this woman can't weigh more then 120lbs now. Amazing! And so began my journey to be thin and healthy and possibly revisit having a child after I get there. It is not easy for me to be told to do something and they tell you to do many things to get ready for surgery.

1. quit smoking (which was hard as hell but, i did it)

2. exercise (also hard because of the back pain but, I'm slowly working on it)

3. diet (i miss carbs)

4. tons of labs

5. give up soda and ALL caffeine.. (OMG are you serious??) smoking and now this? shit!

6. meetings and so much more.

On a positive note, The surgeon told me that there is a very high probability of my PCOS going away with the weight loss and, that I might eventually be able to have a child as my hormones will completely change. We were told we have to wait 18 months to even begin trying though. I figure if I can hit my goal weight within a year, it should be safe to try then. My clock is ticking!! I will be getting my surgery date this Wednesday. My husband is leaving in a few weeks to go back to Iraq so, I have a very small window to get this surgery done.(told ya deployments get in the way) I am hoping it'll be next week. I will be posting some before pictures soon and, will be regularly posting with updates on my progress. Please join me on my journey.... Keri