It has been 15 days since my Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery and I am still excited I had this done in Mexico with Dr. Almanza!
Since I wrote last a week and a half ago I have struggled with swelling and aches in my abdomen, desire to eat more or different foods than I am able to, the ability to consume enough protein and water, heartburn, less than regular BM's, and a general sense of being tired.
With that being said, I am coming out on the other side!!!
I still have a sense of pulling and swelling in my abdomen, but it is less and less each day and I am now only taking pain medicine at night. I read somewhere that the hungry feeling could be heartburn and when I controlled the heartburn the hunger feeling seemed to dissipate and let me prepare the food I needed to. I still struggle with consuming enough protein, I have what I need to be successful, it is just remembering to make my shakes at the right time so I can get all three in during the day. I switched from the Premier Protein shakes that I bought at Costco to Syntrax Nectar (Fuzzy Navel flavor) that I can mix with water, so each "shake" gets me 23g of protein and 8-12 ounces of water!! A two for one deal!!! The steps I took to alleviate the heartburn were to get a prescription for Omeprazol from my doctor, and take the Milk of Magnesia that I was given upon leaving Mexico three times daily. If I still wake up with heartburn in the middle of the night, I try a Gas-X and go from there. My BM's were also resolved when I started taking the Milk of Magnesia regularly.
Regarding my sense of being tired, I needed to give myself time to heal! CRAZY that I even thought I would be back to 100% immediately. I have given in my tiredness and go home after work, take a short nap, and rest for the evening - or take a short walk if I can. I also started taking some vitamins, I add a B12 liquid to my morning protein shake, I take a spoonful of Calcium/Magnesium/Vitamin D (wild blueberry flavor) in the morning, and I eat four gummy vites for adults (2 in the AM and 2 when I get home from work). This has all helped; I think the resting has helped the most!
This week I am starting on pureed foods!!! I am soooo excited and feel like I have just a tiny bit more energy that I did the day before.
I wish everyone well who had surgery the same day I did, I think of each of you often!
Erin
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
My Mexican Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Journey - Still Excited!!!
My journey began ages ago, I was slightly overweight as a teen, then put
on weight with my pregnancies. I found some success about ten years ago
with weight watchers, losing over thirty pounds...then gained it all
back plus another 25! UGH! I considered surgery a few times, but knew
people who had done bypass and almost died from the nutrient
deficiencies. I knew people who had done Lap Band
and cheated all the time, I know me, I would totally cheat if given the
opportunity. I'm unhappy being overweight but not desolate, and love
food! Then I went through my online weight log for MyFitnessPal for the
past three January's. 2012 I weighed 225, 2013 I weighed 224, and this
January I weighed 228! I had lost and gained back ~25 pounds multiple
times since 2011, never being quite able to hit that 199 mark that I
somehow surpassed unknowingly in the last five years. With recent
health issues hitting close to me in both friends and family, and a
close friend having an amazing sleeve success story, I made a decision
and moved quickly (hah....20 years was a quick move for me).
I have heard that some people say surgery is cheating, but for me, not having surgery was cheating me out of a healthy life!
I made my decision, calculated my funds, received help from my family, and scheduled my surgery in Mexico with Dr Almanza!
I took my friend with me, we flew to San Diego on a Sunday, stayed in a hotel and shuttled back to the airport in the morning. A van picked the two of us, and six others, up a bit after 9 am. We went straight to the clinic, which I already knew was in a strip mall. It was also clean and the staff were friendly. We chatted nervously amongst the group, but having a successful sleever with me was great for everyone to ask questions!
We were one by one checked in and taken upstairs for an EKG and blood draw, Lupita is hands down amazing! I am a phlebotomist's nightmare, but she got my blood draw on the first time and later the IV on the first try! Made me feel encouraged!
Then I waited, I needed antibiotics in my IV, I knew I wasn't feeling great before I left home but wasn't sure what it was. The staff didn't tell us much, but would call us back one by one as it was our turn, I did notice that all of us who had antibiotics in our IV went last. I was the second to the last surgery for the day.
They called me, helped me get my IV off the pole and we walked to the surgery room, I stepped up on a stool and laid down on the table. The anesthesiologist asked me a few questions, my name, was I taking specific medications, then the surgery assistant gently took my arms and wrapped them with an ace bandage to the table. The next thing I remember is walking up the stairs and giving my friend a hug, she was headed back to the hotel and I was headed into a recovery room.
The recovery rooms have two beds and there are four in each of the two clinics in the mall. Some folks who had earlier surgeries were moved to the other building, but the last four surgeries of the day stayed in the same building.
That night was not fun, but it was less painful than other surgeries I have had. I was not able to burp to alleviate the gas, so ended up doing more dry heaving than I would have liked. Surprisingly it didn't hurt....but I had IV fluids so of course I had to pee, so when I heaved I had to pee.
A cold rag and multiple trips to the bathroom later, it was morning and the staff gave us the best otter pop I have ever eaten! We were all gathered and shuttled to the beautiful Hotel Ticuan.
Now, here is where my story and my friends story differ, she paid full price, I paid about $1000 less, so let's keep that in mind.
Since I had gone straight from the airport to the surgery center I had not checked in, so that was required when I arrived at the hotel. However, they were nice enough to come to my room and didn't make me go to the desk, they also brought up a Popsicle when I asked for it. When the nurse checked on me, he said that I would be shuttled back to the clinic in a few hours for my IV, or...I could pay $30 and they would give me my IV in my room. I opted for the $30 as I just wanted to sleep since I hadn't done much of that the night before. I had maybe three Popsicles that day and my IV with pain, anti nausea, and antibiotic. Slept like a baby, took a shower, and asked the nurse to come change my bandage as I forgot to bring my gauze supply and wound wash.
The next morning I felt ok, but had to drink the purple stuff and get my leak test done. Got to the neighborhood clinic for the X-ray and waited, stepped up onto the machine when it was my turn, drank the nasty clear liquid as directed, then got to see my new stomach! Felt like I wanted to throw up when done, but couldn't. This was my worst day, went back to the hotel and slept, had no energy, drinking even one sip of water made me throw up later. My friend was in the hall and someone mentioned I needed to call the nurse to get a shot of anti nausea medicine. So, we did, within 10 minutes I was up, walking, feeling great, and able to consume broth, Popsicles, and a bit of jello. We then headed out and wandered Tijuana shopping for about two hours. I still had my IV port in so they administered the medicine there. I had another shot of the pain and anti nausea meds before bed and slept great.
In came the drug rep, trying to sell B12 shots for $45, Prilosec for $20 (regret not getting these), and a medical fast pass for $20/person. They also offered Vicodin at 2/$10, I had brought my own from a recent neck injury, but never felt in enough pain to use them.
Took another shower in the morning and asked the nurse to change my bandage. He did, gave me one last shot of pain and anti nausea and we headed down to the shuttle back to the states.
We ended up leaving TJ about 10:30 arriving at the San Diego airport about 11:20, border traffic seemed excessively light. Our flight didn't depart until 2:45 so had a bit of an airport wait. Pain meds worked until about 4pm, then I asked the flight attendant if she had any Tylenol. I had my pain meds from the clinic, but wasn't sure if they would make me nauseous and I didn't have any anti nausea meds with me. I took the two non aspirin pain reliever and felt better in about a half hour. Got up about three times to use the restroom and walk on our 2.5 hour flight home.
Arrived at the airport, drove the 1.5 hours home, took another shower, changed my bandages, and headed to bed. Missed the pillows from the hotel in Mexico...they were awesome!
It's now been four days since I arrived home, and 7 days since surgery. I have not had a moments regret, just continued excitement.
I have learned to set a timer on my phone and sip once every 5 minutes if needed, to read and re-read the directions, to go to the forums for advice, or text my friend. Heartburn has been my worst enemy, but not too bad, this morning it woke me up at four, but allowed me to write this!
Love to all my fellow Mexico, and elsewhere, sleevers; we are an awesome and amazing group who have completely committed to changing our lives without cheating!
Erin
I have heard that some people say surgery is cheating, but for me, not having surgery was cheating me out of a healthy life!
I made my decision, calculated my funds, received help from my family, and scheduled my surgery in Mexico with Dr Almanza!
I took my friend with me, we flew to San Diego on a Sunday, stayed in a hotel and shuttled back to the airport in the morning. A van picked the two of us, and six others, up a bit after 9 am. We went straight to the clinic, which I already knew was in a strip mall. It was also clean and the staff were friendly. We chatted nervously amongst the group, but having a successful sleever with me was great for everyone to ask questions!
We were one by one checked in and taken upstairs for an EKG and blood draw, Lupita is hands down amazing! I am a phlebotomist's nightmare, but she got my blood draw on the first time and later the IV on the first try! Made me feel encouraged!
Then I waited, I needed antibiotics in my IV, I knew I wasn't feeling great before I left home but wasn't sure what it was. The staff didn't tell us much, but would call us back one by one as it was our turn, I did notice that all of us who had antibiotics in our IV went last. I was the second to the last surgery for the day.
They called me, helped me get my IV off the pole and we walked to the surgery room, I stepped up on a stool and laid down on the table. The anesthesiologist asked me a few questions, my name, was I taking specific medications, then the surgery assistant gently took my arms and wrapped them with an ace bandage to the table. The next thing I remember is walking up the stairs and giving my friend a hug, she was headed back to the hotel and I was headed into a recovery room.
The recovery rooms have two beds and there are four in each of the two clinics in the mall. Some folks who had earlier surgeries were moved to the other building, but the last four surgeries of the day stayed in the same building.
That night was not fun, but it was less painful than other surgeries I have had. I was not able to burp to alleviate the gas, so ended up doing more dry heaving than I would have liked. Surprisingly it didn't hurt....but I had IV fluids so of course I had to pee, so when I heaved I had to pee.
A cold rag and multiple trips to the bathroom later, it was morning and the staff gave us the best otter pop I have ever eaten! We were all gathered and shuttled to the beautiful Hotel Ticuan.
Now, here is where my story and my friends story differ, she paid full price, I paid about $1000 less, so let's keep that in mind.
Since I had gone straight from the airport to the surgery center I had not checked in, so that was required when I arrived at the hotel. However, they were nice enough to come to my room and didn't make me go to the desk, they also brought up a Popsicle when I asked for it. When the nurse checked on me, he said that I would be shuttled back to the clinic in a few hours for my IV, or...I could pay $30 and they would give me my IV in my room. I opted for the $30 as I just wanted to sleep since I hadn't done much of that the night before. I had maybe three Popsicles that day and my IV with pain, anti nausea, and antibiotic. Slept like a baby, took a shower, and asked the nurse to come change my bandage as I forgot to bring my gauze supply and wound wash.
The next morning I felt ok, but had to drink the purple stuff and get my leak test done. Got to the neighborhood clinic for the X-ray and waited, stepped up onto the machine when it was my turn, drank the nasty clear liquid as directed, then got to see my new stomach! Felt like I wanted to throw up when done, but couldn't. This was my worst day, went back to the hotel and slept, had no energy, drinking even one sip of water made me throw up later. My friend was in the hall and someone mentioned I needed to call the nurse to get a shot of anti nausea medicine. So, we did, within 10 minutes I was up, walking, feeling great, and able to consume broth, Popsicles, and a bit of jello. We then headed out and wandered Tijuana shopping for about two hours. I still had my IV port in so they administered the medicine there. I had another shot of the pain and anti nausea meds before bed and slept great.
In came the drug rep, trying to sell B12 shots for $45, Prilosec for $20 (regret not getting these), and a medical fast pass for $20/person. They also offered Vicodin at 2/$10, I had brought my own from a recent neck injury, but never felt in enough pain to use them.
Took another shower in the morning and asked the nurse to change my bandage. He did, gave me one last shot of pain and anti nausea and we headed down to the shuttle back to the states.
We ended up leaving TJ about 10:30 arriving at the San Diego airport about 11:20, border traffic seemed excessively light. Our flight didn't depart until 2:45 so had a bit of an airport wait. Pain meds worked until about 4pm, then I asked the flight attendant if she had any Tylenol. I had my pain meds from the clinic, but wasn't sure if they would make me nauseous and I didn't have any anti nausea meds with me. I took the two non aspirin pain reliever and felt better in about a half hour. Got up about three times to use the restroom and walk on our 2.5 hour flight home.
Arrived at the airport, drove the 1.5 hours home, took another shower, changed my bandages, and headed to bed. Missed the pillows from the hotel in Mexico...they were awesome!
It's now been four days since I arrived home, and 7 days since surgery. I have not had a moments regret, just continued excitement.
I have learned to set a timer on my phone and sip once every 5 minutes if needed, to read and re-read the directions, to go to the forums for advice, or text my friend. Heartburn has been my worst enemy, but not too bad, this morning it woke me up at four, but allowed me to write this!
Love to all my fellow Mexico, and elsewhere, sleevers; we are an awesome and amazing group who have completely committed to changing our lives without cheating!
Erin
WOW - forgot I had this blog!
So....I have been less than diligent and forgot I had this blog! I plan to use this now for my personal weight loss journey!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Nickelback at the Gorge
Now to the concert info, due to the crazy ag sprinkler back up, we missed Saving Abel, a bit bummed, I was still excited to be at the Gorge in lovely 83 degree weather listening to Papa Roach. We wound our way throughout the grassy area, finally settling on something close the the fence towards one of the corners. Electing not to stand in line for either concert gear or beer, we ended up mostly doing some awesome people watching...and listening to good music. Papa Roach finished up and Hinder came on, they were great and definitely a highlight for a few adoring fans around us. As darkness settled in, and the moon and stars shone overhead (who said it was supposed to rain??) Sparks ignited and Nicelback came on stage, it was an awesome show! So glad we got to go, thanks honey for a great way to end the summer and start the schedule manic school year!
Nickelback at the Gorge
Michael, being the absolute wonderful man that he is, bought tickets for he and I to go see Nickelback at the Gorge. I had never been to the Gorge for a concert, but it was something I had wanted to do for some time. It was absolutely the best way to spend last Saturday night! We checked into our hotel in Moses Lake about 5pm, then headed to the Gorge. About 7 miles out traffic started to back up pretty badly, but we figured that 5 mph was better than 0. Three or so miles in, we found the reason for the back-up, one of those giant ag sprinklers on a corn field was spraying water over the roadway, apparently it takes several deputies to help people through this type of catastrophe. We finally made it to the Gorge, found parking, packed our unopened water bottles and headed towards the gate, only to find out that "the band" had requested no water bottles, period! Trudge back to the car, be grateful that Michael brought his Camelpack, and dump our new water bottles into that. Honestly though, I didn't drink much, not after my first visit to the port-o-pottees!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Teton's
My favorite mountains, the Grand Teton's in Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone, on the way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This year, there was more road construction, the road was torn up, literally, the asphalt was gone and in it's place was lovely DUSTY rut's of hard packed dirt for about 10 miles. The Teton's were beautiful though, wish we would have gone a bit earlier in the day.
This crazy yellow headed bird was following us around the parking lot, we were the only car in the lot....I think he wanted food, but the sign firmly said "DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE"...poor little guy.
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It was SO HOT in the park this year, one day it was 95 degrees as we entered the park. The animals were mostly in hiding during the day, too hot for them! The sky was really blue though, all of our pictures from Mammoth Hot Springs turned out really neat.
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