tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2479709029590575952024-03-05T16:18:36.573-08:00Phat-Grl-FitMy personal journey through VSG.Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-32316259901907389882015-07-30T23:03:00.001-07:002015-07-30T23:03:18.677-07:008 months post op!Wow! Has it really been 2 months since my last post?! I have been so incredibly busy that I haven't had a moment to myself! My business is going great but more relevant to my blog-my weight loss is going phenomenal. Let me back track a bit. Since my last post I have started a 12 week fitness challenge, which ends this week, I went to Vegas (lost 3 pounds while I was there!), and I made it through July 4th! As far as my weight goes I am 5 pounds away from my goal weight of 159. I weighed 164 a few days ago and I am feeling so amazing! I actually sent my surgeon a before and after picture the other day thanking him for saving my life. Before having VSG surgery I had 3 phases of my transformation in mind. The first of course was having the weight loss surgery. The second was getting into shape and I can honestly say during the last 12 weeks I have gotten into the best shape of my life! My arms are toned and my leg muscles are crazay! Phase 3 is skin removal surgery, which I knew I would need to have. So, next month I am going to start searching for surgeons. I will need breast implants because I have empty socks right now and I need my excess skin removed. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't know who that thin person is. After being overweight for so long its hard to change your way of thinking and the way you see yourself. I am in a size Large, some mediums. and a size 12 pant. I do have days when I still feel 252 pounds. Carrying around this extra skin makes me feel like I did as an overweight person. And that sucks. But I know its just a matter of time before those feelings are long gone. I can't wait! Maintenance is just around the corner...and that scares me a bit. After being on a lifelong journey to lose weight, I wont have any weight left to lose. That's just strange to me.Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-1565928800576226082015-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:002015-05-18T07:24:08.627-07:006 month Surgiversary!Well, I celebrated my 6 month surgiversary last week. Actually, I completely forgot about it until the day had passed, but life is good. Stressful, but good. I bought a business and quit my job, which scares me. A LOT!! But I am confident in my decision. I also started a 12 week weight loss challenge that involves a personal trainer that feels the need to KILL ME everyday. But I guess that's what I pay him for. Today I weighed in at 174.2. We leave for Las Vegas on the 29th and I was hoping to me 169 by then but not sure that's going to happen-so close though. My trainer gave me a calorie range of 1450-1650 calories a day which I struggle with. Its very hard for me to reach 1200! I have my 6 month appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. My insurance has changed so I'm not sure how that's going to work. Not much other news.....basically just focusing on my new business. That's all for now!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-67522294220619879302015-03-26T13:46:00.002-07:002015-03-26T13:49:55.082-07:0019 weeks post op- Life is AMAZING!3 weeks since my last post! Geez! So much has been happening in life, weight loss, work and travel! Weight loss has slowed but it's still coming down, so I'm good with it. Monday I weighed 181. Only 5 pounds in 3 weeks but that's still something and something is much better than nothing! Life is great. I feel amazing. I am making plans to do things I never thought I would do. I was just looking at pictures from last summer and I don't even recognize the girl I used to be. It's actually kind of difficult to look at those pictures and not get emotional because I instantly start feeling the pain and misery I was once feeling. If I could tell my old self in those pictures one thing it would be that you are so much more than the number on the scale. You are stronger than you think and keep pushing forward! I stopped believing in myself and that damaged me more than anything. Once you stop believing in yourself you stop fighting. And I stopped fighting. In fact, I had no fight left in me. So many diets. So many efforts. So many dead ends. I felt hopeless and desperately needed something drastic. VSG was my answer and it was exactly what I needed to help me live longer for my kids and live happier for myself. I had everything to live for but I wasn't living I was just existing. Now, every morning I wake up and I'm excited to get dressed, I'm excited to go places and see people. Before it was a struggle to find something to wear and convince myself I had to go do something. I had to find motivation to see friends and make plans. Miserable doesn't even come close to describing it. I always looked at myself as being healthy, other than my weight. Little did I know, that weight was slowly killing me. I often experienced heart palpitations, shortness of breath and pain in my stomach, which now that I look back at how large my midsection was, I think all that belly fat was literally squishing my insides. I couldn't sleep on my stomach because it was hard to breath. I couldn't sleep comfortably on my back because the weight of my belly compressed my lungs. My PCOS was at its worst!! I just cannot express enough how much this surgery has made such a difference in my life! We leave for Disneyland in 5 days and I am SO excited to actually be able to fit in rides with my kids and join in on the fun and not watch from the sides like I used to. Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-31843940004675644772015-03-02T11:35:00.002-08:002015-03-02T11:35:18.518-08:0016 weeks post op!I weighed in this morning at 186.4!! I had a mini goal to be 185 by the time we leave for Disneyland, which is on the 31st and I should definitely make it! I may even be in the 170's. Eating is great! Nothing disagrees with me. I definitely can't eat much but I do occasionally splurge and eat a bite of my husbands desert or a bite of a piece of chocolate. And I am fine with that. I am completely satisfied with having an occasional treat, just not all the time. I would much rather fil up on protein and veggies than a piece of bread or pasta. Come to think of it, I don't even miss those things anymore! I am feeling so wonderful and am so thankful for this surgery! We will be leaving for Disney in 4 weeks and I am just as excited as the kids. I cannot wait to experience things I would have not otherwise done 66 pounds ago! I wont have to be afraid I wont fit in the rides or on the plane. We will be walking so much I am not concerned about nibbling on things throughout the day. I ordered a fitbit on Amazon and cannot wait to try it out. I wanted it for when we go on our trip and track my steps. After the trip with the kids, my husband and I are taking an extended weekend away to Las Vegas with some friends. I also cannot wait for that! I've been searching for a swim suit but so far I haven't found one I love....the struggle. To think my biggest issue right now is finding a swim suit is crazy to me! Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-55223680259938823882015-02-10T10:25:00.002-08:002015-02-10T10:25:21.480-08:0013 weeks post op-I am feeling AMAZING! I am finally able to gauge how much I can eat. For once in my life I am in tine with my body and can control my cravings, control how much I eat and most importantly I feel comfortable in my own skin. This surgery has truly changed my life. It saved my life. My blood pressure is a constant normal- which it has never been before. I am so very grateful for my surgeon and his team who helped me re-discover life.<br />
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I had my 3 month check up today. My body fat percentage went from 56% down to 47%, which still baffles me. I'm a little disappointed in that number, but what can I do but keep plugging along. I lowered my goal weight from 170 down to 160. My BMI is 30. When I started it was 39.9. I weighed in at 190.4. I'm so close to the 180's! I have to start weight training because I have lost almost 9 pounds of muscle which is alarming. So, I go back in 3 months and how amazing would it be to be at my goal or close to it!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-45645451707317440992015-01-26T14:03:00.000-08:002015-01-26T14:03:26.878-08:00Week 11 Post opHow can 11 weeks be gone already? Either way I will take it! The scale was down another 1.4 from last week, so I am 198. I spent the morning shopping at one of my favorite stores that is closing :( I found 3 dresses for our trip to Mexico this August. I cannot wait! One of them is a size medium and two are larges. I figure I am only 28 pounds from my original goal of 170, and our trip is 6 months away, so that's losing less than 5 pounds a month! I got this! My friend invited us to join them at a Valentines day ball. It's fancy and you have to dress elegantly. I did try on a few dresses but I'm still not comfortable trying them on. I still feel like my midsection takes over. So, I'm not sure we will go. We'll see. Next week I can start eating lettuce, YAY!! I really hope it agrees with me. So far I can eat everything, which is both a blessing and a curse. I'm finally able to gauge how many bites before I'm uncomfortable. We went out to eat last week which was only the 3rd time since surgery that I went out. I over ate. Some of it came up. Not to the point where I was throwing up, its just a "productive burp". Gross, I know. So I spit it out and it seemed to be just enough not to happen again. I feel like I am finally able to drink liquids better. meaning I can drink about 3 medium sized gulps and it have to let that go down before I drink more. Spicy things make me have instant and PAINFUL heartburn, but I can live with that I guess. I've made a few new things this week that were amazing! I'm actually moving my blog soon, so I can add recipes, pictures and a few other useful pages. I'm getting close to 60 pounds gone and I cannot wait to be there!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-72119758661831398732015-01-23T12:26:00.003-08:002015-01-23T12:26:57.169-08:00199.4!!!!! I made it!I woke up to the best surprise! I'm finally under 200! I haven't been here since before having kids, and that was a long time ago. I am finally in sync with my body and how to read my hunger, which was a challenge in the beginning. I am thinking about moving my blog because I haven't been able to post any pictures, it keeps giving me an error. So, my next goal is 185 by March 31st, which is the day we leave for Disneyland. I had a few things happen over the last week that were firsts for me. I went into Maurices, one of my favorite stores when I was plus size. And what did I do? I walked right over to the plus size section and started shopping. I found 22's, 20's and 18'and then it occurred to me. WHAT am I doing? None of these fit me! My mind hasn't yet caught up to my weight loss. I still catch myself thinking and LIVING like someone that is still 252 pounds. If you've never been overweight then you wouldn't understand the constant whirlwind your mind goes through as an over weight person; will I fit in the seat when I go to a movie or out to dinner, will I run into someone I know and what will they think of me? It's a constant battle trying to talk yourself into actually living your life. For the first time in a very long time I feel like I am finally living again and not just existing. Having this surgery has been the best decision I've ever made for myself! I was looking through old pictures the other day and immediately got emotional because when I see myself as that overweight person I can still feel all the pain and worthlessness I felt. It's really hard to look back on. I am so grateful to be filling this year with new experiences and actually living my life again.Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-39548045453688153582015-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:002015-01-20T10:53:28.064-08:00A new low!I am finally back down to 201.4 since the dreaded holiday gain! I'm actually .2 less than I was at Christmas! I am feeling great! I just looked at my first video and was shocked at how puffy I was. It's actually kin of hard to see. But I am so thankful I am not there anymore and I will never be back there again!! I am hoping tomorrow I will hit 199. I will cry. I haven't been there in 17 or 18 years! Other than that I don't have too much to add but I will definitely post if I hit onederland!!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-39582434458076610342015-01-14T23:08:00.000-08:002015-01-14T23:08:51.585-08:009 weeks and 2 days post-op- The scale FINALLY went downI have been concentrating on protein and veggies for the last week and it obviously helped. I had a 2# loss. I am still up 4.6 from before Christmas so I am hoping I can drop that soon. I am the closest I have been to onederland in over 4 years! Things have been hectic at home- both kids have been sick, my husbands been really sick and my son has pneumonia! Other than that I am feeling really good. I went out to eat for the first time since October- it wasn't like I remember. I had beef tenderloin medallion's with bleu cheese and a wine sauce that had mushrooms, broccoli and mashed potatoes. I at one beef medallion most of the mushrooms and couple bites of broccoli and potatoes. I was stuffed! My husband ordered Reese's peanut butter pie, I did have a bite and it was amazing but I was so full I had to stop. This is why I love my sleeve. Pre-surgery I would have polished off my entire dinner AND finished the pie. It killed me that my husband didn't eat it all and left it to be thrown out but, this is why I chose to have this surgery. These are the reasons I was overweight. <br />
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We have several trips planned this year and I am beyond excited! Before, I would have dreaded everything about traveling; would I fit in the seats on the plane? Would I need a belt extension? What about the restaurants? would I fit in the booths? And all the walking!!<br />
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We are taking the kids to Disneyland in April. Then in May my husband and I are going on a quick weekend trip to Vegas. In July I am surprising my daughter with a trip to L.A. for her 16th birthday, that will also be a quick 3 day excursion. And in August my husband and I will be going on a long awaited and much deserved week long stay in an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Our new years resolution was to invest in memories- not "things" this year so that is what we are doing! That leaves Sept-December for more memory making. <br />
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I was thinking about a weekend trip to Seattle maybe in October and there is an awesome Bavarian town a few hours away that do some amazing Christmas light shows, so that might be great for December!<br />
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I have reached some great milestones within my VSG journey; #1 I no longer crave pop (or soda), whatever you call it where you live! #2. I am officially wearing a size 16 down from a 22! <br />
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Yay me!<br />
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<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-3750017307415273072015-01-05T13:54:00.002-08:002015-01-05T13:54:48.170-08:002 Month surg-iversary!It's very hard to believe 2 months have gone by since I was sleeved. I had another gain on the scales for the second week in a row. The holidays destroyed me. I am upset and angry at myself because I found myself mindlessly snacking constantly. I have no one to blame but myself. I am angry because I didn't go through this hell and risk my life just to fall back into my old habits. It stops now! No more snacking between meals and I am going to focus on working out as much as I can manage. I work swing shift so I get off at 1:15am. Last night after work I went to the gym. Thankfully my work has an onsite gym for employees so I did 30 minutes of weights and a little cardio, not much. This morning I tried to do yoga but Its still very uncomfortable to get into some of the poses. I am considering starting insanity for the next 2 months. It's a commitment but I have 38 pounds to my goal and I'm not going to lose to the struggle. This means way too much to me. I've gained 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks! 7 freaking pounds!! Carbs are a killer and I have to limit them to 20 or less until I'm on maintenance. If I don't see a loss on the Scale next Monday I guess I will have to talk to my nutritionist...Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-39387636275212493712014-12-30T14:29:00.001-08:002014-12-30T14:29:11.339-08:007 weeks post op!I had my second follow up with my surgeon and nutritionist today- Everything went great. I have been really bad about taking my vitamins so that is one thing I have to start doing better. I had my first gain over Christmas. I'm not sure what it was but last week I was suddenly able to start eating more, which is great but at the same time, apparently its not LOL! <br />
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I was miserable from weeks 3-5. Now I am feeling normal again. I'm learning to eat a bite or two and let it settle and then another bite or two. 5 bites MAX and I stop because if I don't I get too full and it wants to come back up. I haven't thrown up yet but that's not something I am going for! I also need to start strength training. I got a yoga mat and a Jillian Michaels Yoga DVD so I am going to start doing that 3 days a week and strength training 3 days a week. I have one more month before I can have leafy lettuce. I cannot wait to have a salad!! Overall I am starting to feeling good about my appearance again. I feel comfortable and I haven't felt that way in a long time! <br />
<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-7665869743179174512014-12-14T12:38:00.002-08:002014-12-16T10:25:10.638-08:005 weeks Post opNot much to talk about other than the fact that none of my clothes fit me! I may have to find a couple pairs of pants for work this weekend. I'm finally used to drinking my liquids constantly, which is something I never did before surgery. I still have a very strong gag reflex with certain smells and tastes but it is getting better. I am eating most everything as long as I chew it really well. Yesterday was my sons 3rd birthday. We had it at chucky cheese. I ate about two bites of topping from a piece of pizza. It wasn't as good as I remember, in fact most food doesn't taste the same. That is probably a good thing, but as someone who has used food as a crutch it is very traumatic and emotional. It's like losing a part of you. Sometimes I think how I would love to go out and have chips and salsa at a Mexican food restaurant. Or grab a cheeseburger without thinking twice. But unfortunately its habits like that which have forced me to make the decision to have surgery. After my sons party we went to Costco. It was a Saturday during the holidays at Costco....need I say more? Samples of every chocolate you could imagine, along with many other things I would have loved to eat before surgery. The only thing I sampled was a piece of roast. It was the first time I had tried steak. It was a bit to chewy for me so I threw it away. I didn't have a cupcake at the party although they smelled amazing and chocolate cupcakes are my favorite! I have days where my stomach is just not happy with anything, water, food, nothing! Yesterday was one of those days. Today it seems happy. Thankfully, because I have to work. Other than that I am down 47 pounds! Crazy! I started the mini pill because my periods have been awful and heavy!! I'm hoping it lessens my flow. <br />
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2 weeks til Christmas! How can that be!?Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-4028887086538901112014-12-03T13:09:00.002-08:002014-12-03T13:09:59.698-08:003 week post op appointment= DONE!I am feeling so much better after last weeks dehydration episode. No more nausea. No more waking up exhausted. I am finally feeling human again. I'm officially on pureed and soft foods and I have been cleared for exercise. I have no energy for activity but my surgeon said he wants me to push through it anyway and build it up. So, that is what I shall do. I really want to start yoga so I may look into that. I am officially down 40 pounds! It feels so great to have that weight off! By butt is beginning to ache when I sit for long periods of time at work ( which I do). I'm also trying to walk around the building on my breaks. I started out in a 22/24 and I am now in an 18. I just bought a 1x jacket, which I haven't worn for years. My first goal is to be under 200, so 13 pounds to go! It will be the first time in 16 years that I have been at that weight. Unbelievable. Now I am just trying to figure out what my stomach can tolerate and what it can't. That's a challenge. I can't wait to have peperoni sticks or nuts! <br />
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This has definitely been the most challenging thing I have ever gone through. It was necessary and it was definitely time!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-3871917522984063762014-11-29T22:33:00.001-08:002014-11-29T22:33:16.253-08:0019 days post op- Rough week!!! Well, my week started out on Monday waking up to intense nausea and fatigue. I started feeling better toward the end of the day so I went to work and powered through it. Tuesday wasn't much better. I almost went home early but I somehow managed to make it through my 10 hr. shift. I had the next 4 days off and Wednesday my husband wanted to go get a few things so we went to Target and within minutes I was trying everything I could not to pass out. I was lightheaded, nauseated, I was having heart palpitations and shortness of breath. It was awful. Thursday was thanks giving and I started feeling a little better but I was still sick to my stomach. I took my blood pressure a few times at home and it was REALLY low. Like, the lowest its ever been for me. I got up and tried making breakfast but I thought I was going to pass out again so I decided enough was enough and had my husband take me to the ER. <br />
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After blood tests, urine tests and an EKG they discovered I was really dehydrated. Everything else came back looking good, no anemia, which I had originally thought, So I was relieved to hear that. They pumped me full of fluids and within an hour I was up and walking around! I do feel better but my stomach has been all jacked since that episode. Nothing sounds good. Everything makes me gag-even popsicles. I was able to drink a tiny glass of milk this evening but I can't say that completely agreed with me. <br />
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My tastes are changing. I can tell. Things that I used to like before, I don't like anymore. I used to love the flavor of cherry and now I just can't stand it. Its both frustrating and weird. <br />
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Its days like these that I can't help but pray that this is all worth it and I made the right choice.Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-7804866115891716832014-11-20T09:21:00.000-08:002014-11-20T09:21:09.665-08:0010 days post-op- feeling great!!I cannot believe its been almost 2 weeks since my surgery! I have one week left until I can start pureed foods. I am really feeling great- I'm finally able to drink without getting crazy bubbles in my stomach. Now I am trying to push my protein shakes and water. Todays goal is to drink an entire Isopure drink, a vitamin water and a bottle of water. That would be huge for me. I have really struggled with getting in my protein and water. I just cant seem to do it. I have to take a sip every minute or so to get them in and before I realize it, it's been two hours since my last sip. I also can't believe how fast this weight is coming off. Last time I was on the scale I was down just under 30#'s since starting my pre op diet Oct. 23rd. So that's 4 weeks! I wont weight myself again until Monday. <br />
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I need to start walking. But I wont start that until Sunday when I get back to work. I am counting down the days until I can start pureed foods. I simply cannot wait!!!!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-69567602129475502622014-11-17T13:05:00.000-08:002014-11-17T13:05:11.539-08:001 week post op!Hello world! I am feeling great and excited to say I am down a total of 27 pounds! 18 was lost during my 2.5 week pre-op liquid diet and 9 pounds in the first week post op. I am really feeling like a new person is beginning to emerge. I spent an hour this morning organizing my closet and going to through clothes that I am happy to say no longer fit me. And some of my clothes that were snug on me I can now wear. So YAY! I can't wait to go shopping although I am at least going to wait another month, if I can. My incisions are itchy and I must have had a reaction to the adhesive they used because my belly has a rash where they stuck the bandages during my surgery. I got out of the house most of the weekend and did some Christmas shopping with my husband and I think that has really helped me. I have one more week off work. I probably didn't need to take as much time off but I wanted to have it off just in case.<br />
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Life is good!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-19680775424838066382014-11-14T12:23:00.000-08:002014-11-14T12:23:03.156-08:004 days post opI'm starting to feel somewhat normal again. The pain is nothing like I had imagined. I've had zero nausea, and the only pain I've had is around my largest incision. Every time I drink anything I get trapped air and that hurts like a mother. Hiccups are very uncomfortable but manageable. I just cannot wait till I can move on to pureed food; applesauce, cottage cheese, eggs! My mouth waters just thinking about it. 2 weeks to go...the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. I cannot wait to be able to eat normal foods. Right now I can eat about 1/2 a jello cup and I'm stuffed. My sleeve holds about 2 oz right now. As the swelling goes down I'm sure it will hold a little more than that. I had a drain tube that left a gaping hole on the side of my stomach and that's gross to see. Its been covered with a bandage but I just changed it and it looks so gross. My muscles are very sore and it feels much like after I had my c-section. I remember everyday I felt better and better and just like this surgery every day I feel like I can do a little more than the day before. I weighed myself 2 days after surgery and I was up 4 pounds but I know that was from all the IV's. I weighed again this morning and I am back down 3. I wont weigh myself again until Monday which will be exactly one week post op. I can't believe a week has almost gone by. It's crazy! <br />
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It seems the weeks leading up to surgery went by at a snails pace and now the days fly by! My post op apt with my surgeon is in 2 weeks. so we'll see what the scale officially says.<br />
<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-14808805190408019452014-11-11T22:05:00.000-08:002014-11-13T08:51:41.876-08:00Surgery was a sucess!!Finally, my day came. Surgery day!! The one I've been waiting for, for 7 years. So yesterday I checked into the hospital at 10- filled out some paperwork and waited in the lobby until I was called back. I was nervous, I will admit it! I got on my gown and waited.....and waited. My husband needed to go get our son at daycare so he couldn't stay but my mom stayed with me. They tried to put an IV in my left hand and ended up blowing out 2 veins, bruised my hand and had to call someone else to do it. So they also couldn't get a good vein in my other hand so they had to use my fore arm. After I filled out a few more consent forms the nurse asked me if I was read for some "happy juice". I had no idea what she was referring to but I gladly accepted the invitation because my nerves were going crazy. <br />
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Within a couple minutes of adding the "happy juice" to my IV I felt like I had just drank 2 bottles of wine. After that I don't remember much....I remember my mom leaving the room and getting wheeled back into the OR with those huge and bright lights. They scooted me onto the operating table. The anesthesiologist asked me a few questions about my kids, I felt them strap my arms down and place a mask on my face...and thats IT! <br />
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I started to wake up in recovery and everyone saying my name out loud and it took me hours before I was no longer groggy. I did have some pain and my lungs felt like they were on fire but it subsided within a few hours. The most painful part was my throat from the breathing tube. The night of the surgery I didn't get any sleep. The nurses kept coming in every half hour giving me pain meds and suppositories (hated that so much). On top of that every time my heart rate would drop under 50 from being asleep the machine would start beeping, which was every time I dosed off. UGH! I just wanted to sleep!!! I discovered I had a drainage tube running from my stomach out of my skin with a bulb syringe. That was gross. <br />
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So this morning was more meds and more walking around. My parents came to visit and I ended up being discharged while they were there. They brought me a shake for breakfast and another for lunch. They were disgusting! So I hardly drank any of them. My Dr. said everything went great, no complications. My starting weight after surgery is 237. Now, that is according to the hospitals scale which I have never weighed on before. My scale at home said 235.4. So I am going to use that one since that's the one I will use for my pre-op loss. It was 17.4 lbs total. <br />
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I am so ready to start this journey, FINALLY! Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-23735807313213737722014-11-06T14:29:00.001-08:002014-11-06T14:29:59.267-08:00Pre-op diet day 15- Is it EVER going to get here??Seriously, the last month has been the longest month of my life. I am convinced Monday is never going to come. It's all I can think about. I just want to do this already! I only have 3 more days of work and surgery day will be here. Until then I'll keep chugging along. My mom wants to be there, which makes me feel good. It will be nice to have her there. I took 13 days off work to recover, my husband will be home with me the first 3 days and after that I am hoping to feel somewhat human. Hunger makes me so frustrated. I've always been able to give in to my hunger and cravings and now all the sudden I am not able to do that and its so irritating. Finding ways to tell myself I can't eat is difficult to say the least but it's temporary....3 days to go!!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-73441068737172457732014-11-04T12:58:00.001-08:002014-11-04T12:58:35.338-08:00Pre-op diet day 13I'm officially down 13 pounds! I couldn't be happier with that number. A pound a day! I'll take it! The countdown has officially begun till surgery-a week from today. Wow, I cannot believe the day is finally approaching. I am excited, nervous, a bit scared but mostly anxious to get it done and out of the way. My mom gave me an Origami Owl charm necklace for starting my journey. I love it!! If you haven't seen them they are basically a clear locket that you put tiny charms in. She got me a birth stone for each of my kids, the year 2014 for the year of my surgery, the word "strength", an hourglass because time will pass, sooner or later, and the last charm says "follow your dreams". It really signifies my journey through this entire process and I hope to add a charm every year on my "surg-iversary" date.<br />
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Now I need to figure out what to pack for the hospital...Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-69373311304647272482014-11-04T12:53:00.001-08:002014-11-04T12:53:46.126-08:00Pre-op Appointment with surgeon=DONE!I met with my surgeon this morning. We went over my Biopsy results from my endoscopy. I do have a stomach infection so he is putting me on antibiotics but he said the infection wont hinder my surgery. So that was a relief. I'm starting to feel excited and upbeat- I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I was telling him how much the pre-op diet really shows you how much we depend on food for everything; emotions, functionality, feelings, socialization. Its all connected and somehow we have to re-direct all of those things away from food and channel it into something different. It's hard. Especially when food is what you've relied on for so long. <br />
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6 days to go! I don't have to do clear liquids 2 days before, so yay, I guess....<br />
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<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-81506422970325207102014-11-02T10:58:00.000-08:002014-11-02T10:58:01.395-08:00Pre-op Diet Day 11The days are going by, but very slowly. I am so over this liquid diet but I know I still have a very long way to go since for 2 weeks after surgery I will be on all liquids again. UGH! I am just so ready to get this over with. I meet with my surgeon in 2 days for my final pre-op appt. I weighed myself and I am down 9 pounds since starting. I would be lying if I said I haven't cheated, because I have. I am a hypocrite, I know, but I feel if I can't come clean on my own blog, then why have it? This has been the hardest thing I have ever done-mentally and emotionally.<br />
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I started thinking the other day that I really think there is more to this pre-op diet than just dropping weight and shrinking your liver. I think the main purpose of this diet is to identify your triggers and recognize your weak moments before you go through the surgery. Its an opportunity to give you a taste of what it will be like after surgery and give an opportunity to change your mind. Otherwise you wouldn't know how hard it really is until after your surgery and then its too late.<br />
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I only have 5 more days of work until surgery day....someone find the fast forward button!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-41626891855890638782014-10-28T14:04:00.002-07:002014-10-28T14:04:46.697-07:00Pre-op diet: Day 6It feels like this pre-op diet will never end. I am so over it and ready to get the surgery over with. I dread the shakes, I don't even want to drink them, I would rather just skip them but I know I can't do that.<br />
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Yesterday I was feeling very emotional again. I spent 10 minutes crying in the shower and then I was fine. A few minutes later I was crying again. My emotions are all over the place and its frustrating. I called my nutritionist today because I am starting to gag on the shakes. She suggested Kefir as an alternative. I will have to go look for those on payday. I also might just try the pre-mad shakes as the clumps of mix are what make me gag.<br />
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I left work early last night to catch up on my sleep. I feel better. I have just been so exhausted lately which is weird. I just have no energy. I slept for 10 1/2 hours last night so I am feeling much more refreshed. I will be glad when I am done with this phase! It's AWEFUL!!!<br />
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I meet with my surgeon in 1 week for my last pre-op appointment. So thankful its almost here!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-56802658459977070712014-10-26T16:42:00.002-07:002014-10-26T16:42:54.117-07:00Pre-op diet day 4Well, things are chugging along as far as my liquid diet goes. I have found ways to make the shakes a little more tolerable, but they still don't hit the spot. I usually exceed my daily calories by around 56, but the scale is going down. I typically have a shake for breakfast, some broth or tomato soup for lunch another before I go to work and my last shake around 10pm. I am getting about 90 grams of protein in a day so that's definitely good.<br />
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I hit an emotional period at the end of day two and part of day 3 where I just felt like I will never be able to have food again, which is not true. Since I am getting the sleeve surgery, not the gastric bypass I will still be able to eat any foods I want eventually but just in much smaller quantities, which is what I need. I just needed to do a quick update. I feel very tired and don't have much energy-just blah really, but I did notice today I don't feel as bloated. I cannot wait to be done with the pre-op diet- IT SUCKS!! But its necessary and this too shall pass.<br />
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<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247970902959057595.post-26251978818205200342014-10-24T10:02:00.002-07:002014-10-24T10:05:30.413-07:00Day 2 of 19 of Liquid diet.... and a rantWell, I made it past my 1st day on all liquids. Not a morsel of food! I did have a s/f 12oz single latte- but I just counted that as my milk for the day. My goal is 800-1000 calories per day- I exceeded that by 52. Not a huge deal! Not like I indulged in Chinese food or a cheeseburger. Which brings me to my rant...<br />
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I am just floored at the lack of commitment from some people who will be having surgery! I mean seriously! You made the decision to take this extra step in an effort to be healthy and lose weight- TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. It's just amazing to me that people think its okay to go off their recommended diets for even a day when they know they aren't supposed to and then they post something on facebook asking for approval from others about how they cheated. NO, its not okay that you had a momentary lapse of judgment and ate solid food when you are on a liquids only diet! Get a freakin' grip! If you cant handle the pre-op diet, you probably aren't going to do very good after surgery either....Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box. It just makes me so dang irritated that people take advantage of this opportunity. I have waited 7 long years for this chance and you better believe I am not going to put this opportunity in jeopardy for just another bite of cheesecake!<br />
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I have 18 more days of liquids. It is not going to be easy but I am going to do this. I lived through 17 hours of child birth, an emergency C-section, I have a teenager and a toddler, I can live through this too! I am strong and I am capable.<br />
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<em>**Disclaimer** Do not come on MY blog and leave a comment about how I shouldn't care what other people do. This is MY blog, MY Thoughts, MY opinions. Don't like it. Don't read :)</em>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10326221579139163354noreply@blogger.com0