My WLS Page

Tomorrow is the big day!

2011-03-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 years since I have had a gastric bypass and I have not felt better physically, mentally or emotionally than I do right now! I have maintained my current weight/weightloss within 1-3 lbs for a whole year, and continue with healthy eating, staying hydrated, exercising daily, monitoring my portions, taking my vitamins...and keeping up on bloodwork. Anyone who says Weightloss surgery is the EASY way out has NO idea!

It helps that I belong to Barix Connections, a bulletin board community of support from others that have had their surgery at a Barix Clinic. We all share our struggles and triumphs and are a tight knit group of friends, getting together when we can online and in person.

I still struggle with my food addictions and am NOT perfect, but most of the time I win over my temptations and THAT is what counts!

I know I will ALWAYS be a post op patient, and that keeps me in line with my eating and exercise, remembering where I have been, what I have gone through physically to be where I am today, and never wanting to go back.

I am still a work in progress, wanting to lose another 10-15 lbs, but I am healthy, and totally over acid reflux disease, in control of my asthma, and totally off of the c-pap machine for sleep apnea.

Thank you to my surgeon, Dr. Schram for the tool you have given me to dig my way back to health. I have lost 75 lbs since surgery, and 98 total (having lost 22 lbs before consultation.) I have gone from a size 22 to a size 6 and lost a total of 62 inches from my entire body...that is 2" more than I am tall!
I can't thank you enough. A big thank you to my family and that includes my online Barix Family. I could not be where I am today without your support and encouragement. Thank you!

Losing again!

2010-12-24T06:47:00.000-08:00

After what seemed a 6 month hiatus from losing, I am back on track. I struggled with the same 1 or 2 pounds up and down for far too long. The hint to doing better? LOTS more fluids...I was getting dehydrated and my body was holding on to the water. I also cut out more carbs...It is so easy once you can have things like crackers and toast to gradually sneak more of them into your diet. I have learned to keep them to a bare minimum...one meal a day. Protein FIRST!

I also got away from the scale for a week, and found I am down 2.5 lbs this week, proving that even at 21 months out, I can still lose. I have had GBP friends tell me that the honeymoon period of weightloss is over at 18 months. Well, it may be true that 18 months is the period where one is most likely to lose most of his or her weight, it doesn't mean one cannot still lose AFTER that period.

I get people tell me that I am so tiny and I look great and should not lose anymore weight, but I am only 5' tall and I weigh 138 but am still in the BMI scale's overweight range. I will continue to lose another 18-20 lbs...till I hit my 90 lb loss. That is my goal for 2011 and I will reach it.

I am currently helping a member who is fresh out of WLS and am following the liquid portion with that member for a week. It has renewed my committment to myself to reach goal weight to help this person. In helping the person, I am helping myself.

Size 6!

2010-09-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable! I am in a zize 6 jean, comfortably, too! Without having to lay down to zip it up! I can wear a size 6 dress, too. Here I am at the Soaring Eagle Casino, rockin' a size 6 jean with 2 members of Billy Idol's band. His drummer, Jeremy Colson on the left and one of his guitarists, Billy Morrison, on the right.

The scale is FINALLY moving!

2010-08-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

After a 6 month stall I am finally losing weight again...3 lbs per week. I have gone from 210 to 138 in 17 months. Not record breaking speedy loss, but a healthy one. I have lost 62" from my body and I am only 60" tall. I have gone down in size from a size 22P to a size 8P. My hips were the largest loss...from 56" to 38". I would still like to lose another 2-4 inches off my hips and perhaps another 18-20 lbs. Everything about me went down in size...I went down in bra size too...from a 42DD to a 34D. Previous measurements were 42-36-56 and now they are 34-29-38! Even my shoe size dropped by a half. My rings had to be resized, and even some of my bracelets as my wrists have gotten smaller. I can actually see my collar bones and I have a neck now!

Ok...are you ready?

2010-08-24T14:59:00.001-07:00

A size 6 sundress and small to xsmall shirts! I am still struggling with the lower half...I can wear anywhere between size 8-12 pants depending on the designer and how full cut they are through the thighs and rear. I am wishing I could afford plastic surgery for the lower half...still have those darned saddlebags that interfere with how my pants and skirts fit...just a lower body lift and I would be HAPPY! It is probably the cost of a new car! UGH!

Down in size again!

2010-04-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been putting off shopping for clothes as long as possible because:
A: it gets expensive if done too much
B. even though my size 10's were getting baggy, I didn't want the disappointment of finding out that I am still stuck at a size 10 and that somehow it was all a ruse, that the size 10's in my closet ran big and somehow were really 12's...

Funny how we do that to ourselves mentally...don't really believe we have lost that much weight when we have worked so hard, so long. It is like we don't accept or believe we have gotten smaller. Sometimes I will look at myself in the mirror and say, "Wow! WHO is that?" I am so used to seeing the old person with a DD bra, size 22pants and 56" hips! Even now, my brain still thinks I wear a size 12 or 14! I guess that is because I have never been smaller than that since high school when I wore a size 9/10. I haven't been below a 9/10 since I was 12!

Well, today I am happy to report I am comfortably in a size 8! Smaller than high school....go figure! I weigh more but am smaller! That blows my mind!!

Last night, I went shopping at JCPENNEY with my hubby and everything he pulled off the sales rack was a size 8 pant and FIT! They all looked so good that I had to make a decision which things I would buy and which I would put back!

This has energized me to do more to get to goal...only 15-20 lbs to go. Next goal is to be consistent with daily exercise. I am getting in my protein goals and water intake goals...consistency with exercise is the next logical step.

The first year in summary...

2010-04-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Ever heard the expression, "A Picture is worth a Thousand Words?" To me, no words can really express what this photo means to me...Not even one, let alone a thousand. It has been a wild journey with many highs and lows...

Progress at one year...

2010-04-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I am NOT where I want to be by any measure, but I had a GREAT checkup with my surgeon at my one year Surgiversary and am down 72% of my excess weight. As of today I weigh 143...big change from 210! Here is a photo of me with my surgeon. It was nice to hear him say that I look GREAT and that he is proud of my accomplishments. I asked him what I should aim for in a healthy and realistic weight, but he was reluctant to be tied down to a number and just said, "If you never lose another pound you look GREAT and could stop where you currently are.

At only 5 foot tall, 143 is not a number I am happy to stop at. While talking with his nurse practioner she said if I wanted to go lower I could aim for 117-125. 117? YIKES! I haven't weighed that since I was 12! I am still not sure of what my weight will be but I have set a few goals for myself.

Goal #1: Write down everything I eat and drink. I did it today and I found it helped me stay within my caloric goal of 1100 calories per day...I am also logging my cardio. I exercise 30 mins per day, 5X a week. I have exercised since my surgery in one form or another, whether it was just walking, swimming, weights, treadmill, etc. My cardio was 30 mins today walking 4mph and by logging it, learned that I burned 178calories. I will continue this habit. It should not be too hard, as I am weighing and measuring everything I eat anyway...including the 54 grams of protein my NUT (nutritionist) allotted me. I like to log things at the DAILY PLATE

Goal #2: Hit the 130's

Goal #3: Start a running program this summer.

Goal #4: Hit the 120's and assess if I am happy here or want to go lower.

As you can see, I have a lot of short term goals to reach my final goal...GOAL WEIGHT, but I am determined to keep at it and embrace my new lifestyle!

I cannot believe I wore this size pants!

2010-02-06T16:33:00.001-08:00

Well, I gave most of my old clothes that are too big away to charity, but I couldn't help but try on an old pair of 22's that I used to wear. Before surgery it was the only pair I had to wear, comfortably, that is..drawstring pants...UGH! Never again. I am debating giving it to good will or keeping it as a reminder, of just how far I have come and to NEVER go there again!

New Photos A work in Progress

2009-12-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

Getting Smaller Yet!

2009-11-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finally hit the 140's and am comfortably in a size 10 pant. I give it another few weeks though and I will be in an 8. I have gone from size 2XL in shirts to a small, and have lost a total of 60 inches all over my body. That is as many inches as I am TALL! I never could have done this on my own without WLS.

I made a vow to incorporate exercise into my life and have a membership to a local gym. I have not been going as much as I should have the last several weeks, as I have been very sick with sinus infections and asthma.

However, I have just started going back and getting in 35 - 60 minutes every day. If I am going to get to goal (20 more pounds) and look fit there, I need to keep toned.

WLS is more than just a tool for me; through this journey I have developed a whole new lifestyle. No longer do I live to eat, but I eat to live..and healthily, too. Things I once was addicted to, like chocolate, pies and cookies are no longer a big deal for me. I no longer crave them, and if I do want them it is just a bite or small serving..no more meals on junk food. Oh, I still have my "RED LIGHT" foods that I cannot have in the house..things like chips and salsa, etc. I have found fat free substitutes, like pretzels and fruit.

One thing that I do now that I never did before WLS is that I eat Protein FIRST, fruits and vegetables next and carbs LAST. I also eat 6 small meals per day to keep my metabolism running, and I portion out all my foods to 1/2 cup.

I dare anyone who has never had WLS to tell me that I did NOT do it on my own. Every day I have to do it...weigh food, measure portions, exercise, get in my fluids, take my vitamins, and monitor my protein grams. Face it, no matter how you lose weight, you HAVE to do THE WORK! Until they develop a magic pill, there are NO shortcuts to losing weight and maintaining it. I am up for the challenge of taking care of myself daily. I have to take care of me before I can be of any use to anyone else!

A size SMALL?!

2009-10-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how many inches I have lost so far on this journey...In just a little over 6 months I have shed almost as many inches as I have lost pounds..
I have lost 56lbs and 51 inches!

Pant Size...from a 24P to a loose 12 (almost a 10...I give it another week)
Shirt Size...from 2x to a small...A SMALL! Can you believe that? I went shopping for some sweaters for winter at Bass Outlet and could not believe I was wearing a small!

Did It!

2009-09-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I hit my 50 lb goal going back to work...Just a little later than anticipated...It is 3 weeks into school already and I am down 53 lbs! I am losing rather slowly, these days...only 5-6 lbs per month and in September, I haven't lost anything. I guess this is what they call a stall...It is discouraging to lose more slowly now but I am not losing any sleep over it, just as long as I lose the other 37 lbs by March 30, 2010, the 1 yr anniversary of my surgery...That is my ultimate goal...and if I don't meet that, perhaps by my birthday in May or by the end of the school year in the first week of June. I just need to be patient with my body, I guess. I am doing all things according to plan, exercising, watching carbs, fat and sugar...so it will come off in time.

I WAS VERY PROUD of myself last week, when I had to sell a box of candy for the Sophomore Class and did not find myself in the box buying or eating any of it. I also resisted the temptation to eat any of the goodies brought in by students who did demonstration speeches this week. Some of them baked things and I just passed. I didn't have to think twice about it either. I wasn't tempted and know how to use those two letters, N-O! No one was offended I didn't eat their food. In the past, before WLS I would have mowed on everything brought in and put in front of me, and then eaten lunch on top of that!

Today, I did go shopping at Kasper's in the Birch Run Mall and picked up a really nice dressy pant suit for work in a size 12. This is a big deal for me since I have not been a size 12 in about 12 years! I am not at goal yet, but am currently half the woman I used to be since I started out in a size 24 and am now in a size 12!

Pruning off the old me

2009-07-25T09:16:00.001-07:00

I am as of now down 42.5 lbs and hoping to reach my goal of 50 lbs down by the start of the school year on Sept. 8th...so 8 lbs in 6 weeks. I think that is doable and realistic for me. I am not counting on any more than that...but if I lose more all the better. Here is a side by side look at how far I have come!

Well, Last Saturday was a day of taking care of old business...you know, things you know you should do but keep putting off? First, Jim and I went to tend to my parent's gravesites, cleaning, triming back grass and placing silk flowers. I was dismayed to see that some people actually stole flowers off of my father's grave from the last time it was visited...I had a shepherd's hook with silk flowers in it...Some people have no respect for the dead.

Secondly, I finally cleaned out my closets and my dresser. I swore I would only keep things that fit and that are still in style...All the old 22's, 20's 18's and 16's got boxed up. Unfortunately some of the clothes that now fit from my closet are way out of style by 10 or 20 yrs. I had clothes in there from the 80's and 90's! And you know, I can't believe some of the things I was wearing prior to surgery that I thought I looked good in...I guess I just mostly prayed when I went to my closet that there would be something that fit and put on whatever fit without thinking how it looked.

Well, my closets look kinda bare naked now...but I have enough to get me through the summer. I am not shopping till I am ready to go back to work because my 14's are starting to get a little baggy.
Thank goodness my sister-in-law took me shopping last month or I would not have anything to wear...Not that I am complaining that I am blowing through clothes so fast...I am tickled I am losing again. I am just going to buy a few things here and there till I get to my goal...just enough to get by.

Rest in Peace Old Friend

2009-06-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

Last night my family and I had to do the hardest thing ever, euthanize our loving dog and friend, Gidget. We had Gidget for 13 years. She was by far the smartest, most loyal and loving furry 4 legged companion our family ever owned.

I knew it was the RIGHT thing to do, because she was struggling to breathe and her little body was shutting down. Although, it was hard for us, we all gathered around her to say our goodbyes and pet her one last time in the vet's office. We held her while she got her IV medicine, and watched her go. I thought the hardest thing would be to watch her pass, but I was wrong. The hardest part of it all was leaving her there in the vet's office after she had passed. I knew I would never look into her sad brown eyes, feel her lick my face, or pet her warm fur again. I cried all night and my heart was heavy with sorrow.

When we took Gidget to the vet's office it was about 6:45 pm and the sky was so pitch dark, and gloomy. It poured down rain while we were there, and immediately after she passed it stopped and the sun shone brightly. The magical thing was that after we read the poem our vet gave us called Rainbow's Bridge in our car, we spotted a brilliant full rainbow in the sky. I guess that was God's affirmation that we had done the right thing; she would no longer suffer, and things were going to be ok afterall.

A WOW moment for me!

2009-06-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

My wow moment came yesterday when my sister-in-law told me, you need some new clothes because what you have is falling off your butt! I kept going for 16's but actually wore a 14 and in some instances 12! So I am down 33.5 lbs, over 21" and down from a size 22 to a 14 in 11 weeks!

What should have been a trip to the store for a new pair of jeans and two shorts, turned into a summer wardrobe makeover! LOL! My sister-in-law and had a blast trying on new clothes. It was actually the first time in my entire life that I enjoyed trying on clothes!!

Oh, and I had to get new underwear, too...They kept bunching up my back! I went from a size 13 to a 9!

Oh, and btw, I didn't throw up all weekend. Came home and found I was down 2 lbs! Sometimes it pays to get away from the gym and scale for a few days!

6 week checkup at 10 weeks.

2009-06-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well, due to circumstances beyond my control I could not attend my original 6 week appointment, so I went today. I am down 33% of my excess weight(31 lbs) and doing well. I still have throw up fits 2- 3 days a week but the doctor thinks it is because I am not chewing my food well enough. Thank goodness it is not gall bladder or a stricture.

I have also been attending a gym with my family every day for the past week, and I am buying a family membership on Thursday. It feels so good to move...even if I am sore.

Slow down on the weightloss

2009-05-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

Well I only have 1 more week till the end of the month and the end of my 8 weeks post op period. I thought I would lose more than I have at this point.I only have lost 4 lbs this month compared to last. It is a bit discouraging...
But I have lost a total of 18" off my body and I can now get into a size 14...that is down from a 22!

Thank God for a tape measure, or I would be REALLY depressed with the number on the scale.

I think I will have them check my thyroid on my first bloodwork. Slow thyroid runs in my family, mom and sister both have it, plus I am feeling symptoms, tired, cold, depression. It may account for my slow weight loss.

I go in to Dr. Schram for a visit on June 8th. I will ask.

Happy Mother's Day WOW Moment for me!

2009-05-10T03:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast this surgery is working for me! Tomorrow will officially mark 6 weeks for me and I have accomplished the following:

1. Lost 25 lbs
2. Lost 12" from my body
3. Went from a size 22P to a 16P

My energy is coming back, as I was feeling a little "poopy" last month, and I am feeling really good about myself and the way I am looking. I still have 75 lbs to go, but I know I can get there if I just keep "keepin' on" one day at a time!

Still struggling...

2009-05-09T14:00:00.001-07:00

I ate Tilapia fish from Red Lobster yesterday; it was grilled, but moist, flaky and yummy! I ate about 3 oz. Kept it down, but had a lot left over...of course did not eat my salad..too rough and not enough nutrients. Turned my nose up at their cheddar biscuits, and pretty much took 90% of my meal home. But I learned to slow down and put my fork down between bites, talk for a few minutes and take another ridiculously small bite and chew it to oblivion...(Notice that my head has still NOT caught up with my pouch...) But I made significant strides last night as I was able to eat small bites, slowly and keep things down.

Well, today was another story..Weighed that fish I had yesterday, and it was 3 oz. I warmed it up for 30 seconds in the microwave and put some lemon juice on it. It was a bit drier than yesterday, but still yummy. After about 3 small bites, up it came...I just don't understand...

So, I slept it off and decided I am best sticking to things that are not so new to the pouch and so, aside from my chocolate banana protein shake, I had a slice of swiss cheese, a glass of milk and 1 oz of dry roasted peanuts. All of those stayed down, I met my protein goal, and am just sticking to sugar free fudgesickles and liquids. Not testing the waters with a punchy pouch!

I am down 23.5 lbs and feel ok, but vomiting is NOT the way I want to lose weight!

What I eat and what I vomit...

2009-05-02T14:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I am happy to report that I finally hit my 20 lb goal one day shy of when I was supposed to do it. In fact, I hit 21 lbs.

It has been a rough week learning what I can and cannot eat. Foods that are supposed to stay down at this point, well...just don't. I have to admit it has left me feeling a bit depressed...Not so much I don't want to get out of bed, but just depressed that there are not many things I can eat at a month out.

I know I am supposed to start solids today but I am going to stick to soft foods for another week, till my sensitive pouch and brain are in synch. It really blows to eat something that is good in protein, smells good and just sits on my sternum, making me salivate and burp until it comes to the back of my throat. Last night was so bad that I had to stick my finger at the back of my tongue to help it along. I know it sounds a bit Bulimic to do that, but I have never done that before, and knew it HAD to come up and I was miserable waiting for it to do so...Then I could NOT stop vomitting...wave after wave. I felt better though after about 3 trips to the bathroom...ground beef is a weird food. I can eat it just fine in Wendy's chili mixed with other things like beans, etc..It may be that chili is more liquid and easier to tolerate other than just plain ground beef which tends to be dry.

Today, I had a half of a baked potato with broccoli and cheese, chili and ff sour cream...I knew when to stop eating...ate and took a half an hour to eat it...and did NOT drink afterwards. That is the hardest thing for me, to wait 30 mins after I eat to drink anything. I know I must so I don't wash the food and nutrients out of my pouch. They need to sit and digest properly.

This is a steep learning curve for me.

Foamies vs Dumping...

2009-04-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been a rough week for me with getting sick. I knew it would happen eventually as it does to all WLS patients, but I dumped and had the foamies this week. Both in the same week.

On Monday, I was still on the pureed stage and had what was supposed to be "NO SUGAR ADDED" Icecream from Baskin Robbins...But it made me "DUMP!" I was sick like I had the flu, with chills and had runs from 8 pm till 3 am. Needless to say that sick feeling carried through to Tuesday morning and work. I felt crummy all day. When I called my Bariatric Surgeon, he told me to wait it out as it was a case of DUMPING. I have never felt so sick before in all my life. Well, after getting sick I decided to check out the nutritional information on the icecream I ate...Guess what? It had 7GRAMS of Sugar in it and 4 GRAMS of fat per half cup serving. Now, I had scooped a half cup but only ate 1/4 cup before it had gotten sickeningly sweet for me and I stopped.

As of Wednesday, I advanced to "SOFT FOODS." Which according to my diet plan could include toast. So, today, (Friday)I made me a slice of toast and only ate about half and then dug into my scrambled egg. I got about 4 bites of egg when I got this pain in my sternum like something didn't go down right or needed to come back up. I sat and tried to wait it out, but knew I could no longer eat anything, or keep it down, so I went to the bathroom and threw up. Didn't taste the toast, just the scrambled egg with salsa.
Now, on Wednesday, I scrambled up an egg, with Salsa and had sour cream, and it set on my stomach very well. The only thing I did differently this time was to include a half a slice of toast...So, I guess this is what they call the "Foamies." Where food goes down but doesn't want to stay down and you wind up throwing up.
Oh, well, no one said this was going to be easy. It is trial and error learning what I can and cannot eat and what will and won't stay down.

2 week check up!

2009-04-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Got a good report from my surgeon, Dr. Schram. He lifted all exercise restrictions and moved me to pureed food. He also told me I can now drive...Yay! I have my freedom back.

Talked with NUT, Dena and she said I am doing really well. They don't expect people to lose anything at the 2 week checkup, but I am down 15% of my excess weight already. So, she gave me 2 thumbs up!

I have gone from 207.5 to 192 in 2 weeks! I still have over 87 lbs to lose, but know that I will do it, one day at a time, by measuring my portions, listening to my new body and pouch, and following rules such as no drinking of beverages at least 5 minutes before or 30 minutes after a meal.

Another restriction is no drinking from a straw for at least 6 months. I cannot now nor ever chew gum, nor take any capsule type of pills..no ibuprofen...only Tylenol for pain, and I should always carry a card with me that lets any medical personnel know that I am a bariatric patient.

Today, I walked outside for 30 minutes. The fresh air felt good...Took the dogs, too. They are my exercise buddies, until my hubby joins me. I am easing into exercise, because up till now, I have led a pretty sedentary lifestyle.

Day of Surgery...and first week post

2009-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well, this post is in reflection but kind of gives you an idea what to expect when you go to the hospital for Bariatric Surgery.

I had my surgery on March 30, 2009.

If you are scheduled to be at Barix in Ypsilanti at a certain time, expect your surgery to be 2-3 hours later.

Prior to surgery you will take off all clothes and put on a lovely gown and cap to cover your hair.

You will be weighed prior to surgery.

You will get on a bed and be prepped for surgery, IV, asked lots of questions, be given meds...for me I had a breathing treatment and an inhaled steroid treatment because of my asthma

You will wait...while you wait, you will meet your anesthesiologist...s/he is going to be your best friend...trust me.

You wait....and wait....and wait...

Finally you are given some "happy juice" to relax you.

You meet your surgeon. I prayed with mine, and then don't remember even being wheeled away...just waking up in your room...at least that is how it was for me.

Some of this advice came to me from Obesityhelp.com..the rest I learned as I went through it.

You may be a little scared, but that is normal. There will be such a flurry of activity around you that you won't have time to be scared.

You might wake up feeling cold but they will put warm blankets on you.

Expect to feel some pain upon waking...it is only brief..You will be given pain meds...at Barix you get a morphine pump and you hit it according to your pain level..They have it spaced out so you cannot overdose, don't worry. Unfortunately, for me, I got nauseatingly sick on morphine...so I had to have anti-nausea shots. Then they put me on liquid Vicodin...again, nausea...

Once awake you are transported to your room where your family can be waiting to visit you.

Expect them to get you out of bed a few hours after you are awake to walk. This is important so you don't get blood clots. If no one comes, you need to ring for the nurse...you have a bedside buzzer to get her there. Because of my extreme nausea, I did not get to walk the halls till 2:30 am. Mind you, my surgery was 3pm, the previous day.

Expect to take deep breaths in a respirex and another gadget as soon as you are able and they will wake you every few hours to do it...face it, you are going to sleep most of the time on the day you have your surgery. They will send you home with these to continue the practice...this breathing is important so you don't develop pneumonia. I use mine 6 times a day and I have found an improvement in my asthma...not having to use my emergency inhaler as much.

Expect to feel thirsty even though you have an IV. You will be given swabs and water...but you are not to sip water till they tell you...later you will be given ice chips and finally water...Hopefully, your IV will not go beserk on you like mine did. They had to remove mine early as it made my hand all the way to my elbow about 3 times its normal size.

Expect to gain around 10 lbs while in the hospital...IV fluids are retained for several days after you leave...It took about 5 days for me to flush the IV weight off.

Expect to be waken several times during the day and night for vital signs while you are in the hospital..it is important.

Expect to get shots in your stomach to ward off blood clots.

Expect good round the clock treatment: If you are having complications or troubles you need to tell them. That is what you have a buzzer for to buzz the nurse... I had a lot of nausea from Morphine, so they gave me an injection to stop the dry heaves and nausea.

My IV went haywire, but I was keeping fluids down well, so they took it out early.

They will work with you to find the right pain meds for you. If liquid vicodin makes you nauseated, like it did me, tell them.

If you have such painful bloating or gas that standing up straight to walk is hard, tell them...that is what suppositories and enemas are for...they will treat you and no matter how much you dread the treatment, you WILL feel better, I promise.

Expect to take your own temp at home for a few days after release...anything over 100 should be reported to the clinic.
Stay ahead of your pain so you can move more freely. I spaced my pain meds out to once every 5 hours...follow the directions on your pain med bottle.
It was hard so soon after surgery to swallow a Darvacet pill...I had to use a pill crusher and crush it into at least 8 pieces.

The first week, I was NOT hungry at all...more or less spaced on pain meds. I drank a lot of fluids though, as I knew it was important to maintain at least 64 oz per day. I had to push myself to eat.

The second week, I was ravenous...started making more creamed soups, using milk. I could not wait until I saw the doctor for my 2 week checkup...hopefully he would move me onto the next phase, pureed food.

Once home, it is up to you and whoever is taking care of you that you breathe several times a day in the gadgets they send home with you. you should also cough after these to clear your lungs..Use a pillow on your belly and try to imagine coughing into that. It helps relieve any pain coughing may aggravate.

It is important that you walk and sip yourself out of gas pockets. Trust me you are going to burp, toot, and use the bathroom a LOT in the next few days...and your stool will probably not be solid...more like black liquid. This is normal.

Anyway, I know I rambled on a bit, but I hope you found this information helpful as it tells you pretty much what to expect at surgery and soon after surgery.

What led me to Weight Loss Surgery?

2009-04-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a long journey getting to this point, but about two weeks ago, I had Weight Loss Surgery. In particular, I had a Roux-N-Y or Gastric Bypass. About 6 months ago, I found out I had severe sleep apnea, so went for some sleep tests. Being about 100 lbs overweight on a little 4'11" frame, I knew I could stand to lose some weight and it would help the situation. The doctor suggested a sleep apnea machine so I didn't stop breathing at night, and I COULD try a surgery to fix it but it only had about a 50/50 chance of working. He said the best way to fix the situation was to lose some weight. Now, I have been on every diet known to man and a ton of weight loss centers, Atkins, Weight Watchers (3 times), Deal-A-Meal, Diet Center, LA Weightloss,Doctor's Medical Weight Loss, Optifast, etc. I have never been one to stick to a diet...got too hungry and then would deny myself and binge...

My husband had been through WLS last July and did splendidly. In fact, he has lost 85lbs so far and only has about 20 more to go. He too, prior to surgery had been a weight loss failure but this worked for him by restricting the types and amounts of food he could eat. I knew this would be my ticket to better health so decided I wanted to get this too. Now, when the doctors give a bypass, it means that they re-route your digestive track..how you process and digest everything. I know it sounds severe to go through this, and I am not going to lie to you, it is a BIG adjustment, but I knew what I was getting into by doing this and was ready.

January 9th was the day I got a call from the Barix Clinics, with my Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) dates and surgery dates. I chose to have the same surgeon as my husband, Dr. Jon Schram. He is both friendly and caring, and will pray with patients prior to surgery should they request it.

On January 12th my health took a turn for the worse. I contracted a cold that would set off my asthma and my acid reflux would keep the asthma going for nearly 2 months. I was MISERABLE...and VERY ill. I spent my time between doctors offices, medical clinics, drug stores, and the emergency room and hospital. I would wheeze and not be able to breathe. I could not walk a flight of stairs or talk without wheezing more. I had to get my asthma under control. My husband patiently took care of me and the household for those two months. I wound up on a long lasting inhaler, 2x per day, a nebulizer 4x per day, steroids, and an emergency inhaler about 4 times per day...

To make matters worse, my acid reflux was kicking in. So, I also had to take prilosec 2x per day for my acid reflux, which was no longer just GERD, it was LPR, acid that came up my throat at night and gave me laryngitis, which lasted for about a month. Aside from the prilosec, I had to take 3 Tums with Calcium after every meal, Pepcid Complete at bedtime. I had to watch my diet very carefully to not eat anything which interfered with it (which turned out to be just about everything). I also had to prop my headboard up 6-8 inches, and sleep with an incline pillow. Nothing helped. In fact, I still had next to no voice going into my WLS surgery on March 30, 2009, and having no voice is a terrible thing for a high school speech teacher.
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