It's Been A Long Time

I haven't posted in a while.  All is well.  Well...it is better than well.  I am now 3 months post op.  I have lost 91 pounds since September (50 since my surgery).  I have been out of town several times and have not had any trouble with my food choices.  In fact, I tried a new protein while in Houston, a bison burger, and I loved it.  I would like to find some around here.  I finally bought some new clothes since the old ones were looking pretty silly.  I wore them as long as I could, but in the end they were probably comical.  I have flown and I didn't need a seat belt extender and I could put the tray table all of the way down with room to spare.  It was  exciting to get those NSVs.  Clothes wise, I am between the girls, but closer to Cara's size.  I can wear her jeans, but I don't like them as tight as they do.  I have bought a couple of XL shirts, but it really matters on the make because one of my 3Xs fits the same as another's XL.  I like to try on clothes now just to see if it fits.  Weird.  I have started exercising in our neighborhood pool and love that.  I walk back and forth as well as do other exercises.  I think some of the neighbors think I am crazy, but I am not sweating that that was my deterrent in the past.  At my 3 month checkup, my surgeon and dietitian were pleased with my progress.  You can tell I am too.

One Month Check Up and Easter Candy

This week I had my one month check up (I was a day from 5 weeks post op).  The doctor and dietitian were both happy with my progress.  I have no pain.   My incisions are looking good and I still have little hunger.  This week I was craving Mandarin Chicken.  I remember the days of when I didn't like Chinese food.  What I dummy I was.  We went out to get some on Friday.  It was so good.  I had a hard time restraining myself, but I did so.  The more I take home, the more I have for later!

Today is Easter.  I bought the girls a little candy and Robyn and I made our favorite mashed potatoes.  Again, I was good and weighed out my food.  I did go a half oz over my usual 3 oz., but it was good and I was content.  We had a lot of left overs, but I had my taters at lunch and will wait until the next holiday to have some more.  I am OK with that.  I got the girls some Reese's Eggs and I was hoping it would not cause a problem for me.  They didn't in the least bit.  I still am not feeling hunger so to speak.  I have cravings every once in a while, but that is about it.  I am able to say no prettily easily.  I hope this continues for a long, long time.

Who Is This Person And What Did She Do With My Appetite?

I am just not hungry.  Food holds no appeal for me.  I look at most food and say "Meh."  I eat because I have to not because I want to.  I was telling Phillip tonight that if I had my way I would just drink water all day.  Cold water is wonderful.  I have always loved it and still do.  I am wondering if my food indifference has to do with the fact that I am still in purees.  Most of the stuff I eat looks like cat food.  That is what Robyn told me today when I was blending up my turkey and Laughing Cow Swiss   It tastes ok, but definitely not visually appealing.  The surgery takes away a lot of our feelings of hunger.  It comes back, they say, only not as strongly as before.  Some WLS patients say they never lost their feelings of hunger.  I definitely have and it is strange that this is me.  On Friday, I get to move up to soft foods (food you can cut with a fork) and this will open up a wider range of foods.  I am curious how that will affect how much I eat.  I still have not felt nauseated since leaving the hospital nor have I thrown up.  Many on my February FB group have and I suspect that one reason is that I have a larger stomach.  My Dr. used a 42 bougie and many of them have a 32-36.  For now, I am ok with having a larger stomach.  I hope I continue to feel that way down the road.

My energy has slowly come back since the hospital stay.  I still get winded, but it is less and less so.  Today, I went to the grocery store for the first time and picked up a couple of things.  I was not speedy, but I got it done.  I am happy to get back to my normal duties.  I don't like having my family and friends pick up my slack.  I know they do it out of love and I love them even more for it.  But...I still don't like it.

How Am I Doing

I am so much better than I was when I came home from the hospital.  I did have a couple of freak outs that I would have to go back because it came on without any warning and the blood techs were showing up in my nightmares.  I am back to getting most of my liquids and all of my protein.  I have not been so good at the vitamins though.  I ordered some different calcium to try.  The Citrical was like taking a ton of chalk.  I am sure it is not so bad if it didn't have to be crushed.  No excuse for not taking my multi- vit.  That one tastes good and goes down easily.  I need to stop with the dumb moves.  This does not benefit me one little bit.

I am enjoying the group of February WLS people on Facebook.  We have had different surgeries and are at different points in our food progression, but we are supportive of each other.  I am grateful for a group like that.  Thanks guys!

Back to the Hospital

I came home today from a lovely 5 day stay in the hospital. Not fun at all. On Thursday, I started to get lightheaded whenever I stood up. We thought it was low blood pressure. I went to my appointment at the Coumadin Clinic and my INR was 3.8. Too thin. I was to stop the Lovenox shots and hold the Coumadin for that night. Cindy drove me to the appointment and I was in a wheelchair the whole time.  I didn't feel quite right, but I was not really feeling lightheaded.  At 3:30, I went to the bathroom, passed out and fell into the tub. Wow. I continued to pass each time I got up scaring Phillip into thinking I was dead the first time he saw it happen. Thankfully he was right there each time it happened.  He took me to the ER on Friday afternoon.  They admitted me and transferred me to Ochsner. It was determined after a CT scan that I had blood leaking into my belly. Once I received 2 units of blood and 2 of fresh frozen plasma, I started to feel much better and the passing out was gone. All of the blood work I had was a nightmare!!!!! My left arm started to retain fluid and they had trouble finding veins. Some of the blood techs were horrendous and stuck me multiple times. One lady stuck me three times, got nothing, and stormed out like it was something I was trying to do. I hope karma takes a huge chomp out of her fat butt.  My blood clotted twice before it reached the lab, so they had to come back. The doctors ordered more labs within and hour or two of previous labs. I had a breakdown this morning and started crying. I was so miserable and ready to tell them no more labs. I told the doctors about how miserable I was and a little after noon they sent in the orders to release me. I had been on Lovenox for a day and was to start adding in the Coumadin. Sweet relief! Robyn picked me up on the way home from school. Like Dorothy said, "There is no place like home."

On the Other Side

It is done and it wasn't that bad.  I really expected to have more pain considering what was done.  I stopped using the pain pump in the hospital and have not taken any meds for pain at home.  I have not had gas pains either.  I do pass a lot of gas and burp like a fiend, but I'll take that over pain any day.  I was released from the hospital on Saturday and spent the day and Sunday sleeping.  I am very fatigued.  Today I had more energy and had a wonderful visit from two of my angels, Angie and Cindy.  They came to check on me and to bring some beautiful flowers.  I am blessed to have them as friends.  They seemed to think I looked ok considering my surgery, so we were all in agreement.  I was able to get in more fluids today.  I had been taking it slow because I had problems with nausea in the hospital when I started to drink.  Not fun.  It was taking forever to finish 8 oz  of water taking the tiny kitten drinks I was taking.  Today I started taking a little bit bigger sips and it made the difference.  It also helped that I did not sleep as much today, so I was awake to sip, sip, sip.  I will probably finish the day with about 56 oz of water.  I started my protein today mixed with the water.  I got in 75 grams.  Tomorrow's plan is to continue to increase my fluids and keep up the protein.  I got in all of my vitamins, calcium  and B-12.  The only true negative at this point is crushing my medications.  Most are downright nasty.

Filter Placement

Today was the IVC filter placement.  Poor Cindy drove me across the lake and got me there for 5:30.  It went well and so far no problems.  I was given an anesthesia that relaxed me but I was aware of what was happening.  Afterward I had to lie flat for 2 hours.  Those hours slowly passed.  All of the nurses were great.  I look forward to what is next.