Four weeks and counting...

So it has been over four weeks since my surgery - April 29th.  Yesterday was my one month follow up with the Bariatric Team - RN & Dietitian/Class.  I was able to meet with a number of fantastic women who had the surgery around the same dates (one of them I had originally met a day after surgery during one of my walking laps).  (I am losing 4.5 lbs a week which the dietitian says is very good.)  It was like attending a support group:  we were able to ask questions as there were also some ladies who were 1 year - 8 months - 3 months post-op. I still struggle with taking all my supplements...but have to work at that and getting in a sufficient amount of protein per day.
Step by step...little by little...
  

May 2nd - my first full day at home - post bariatric

Well I did it...well the surgeons did really...but I'm here...post bariatric surgery...

The staff at Humber River Regional Hospital were fantastic.  I thank them from the bottom of my tummy.   Dr. Starr (surgeon) and the cute assistant whose name I cant remember.  I thank Dr. Glazier the Internist and I truly thank the nurses:  Ingrid, Glyann and Jennifer...who all made me have to grab my stomach when they made me laugh and took the best care I have ever had.  I thank the dietician who came in and explained and quizzed me as well as the physio therapist.  The food people, the cleaning ladies...they were all kind and even the pre-op staff...you are amazing.  I especially want to thank my sister Maria Idilia who has been my right arm - and also another one who had me laughing, picking up all the stuff I had to come home with - meds, supplements etc....checking up on me etc...and all my friends and coworkers who have been doing likewise...me thinks I'm missed at work...heehee.

Dr.Starr said that of all the surgeries he had on Monday I was the best...he did say it wasn't a competition and he probably said that to everyone...but I will believe him.  I did get up and walk several laps, sat up, did my breathing exercises etc...I wanted to get better and come home...after all, this surgery is so that I can  have a better, healthier and more active life than I have had.  

I don't over do it...I do rest when I need to.  I am having clear discharge from one of the wounds...and I still haven't had a bowel movement (I know more info than you needed or ever wanted)....but believe me...it will be a celebration...as much as when I first passed gas after the surgery....CELEBRATION....gas be gone!!  

Yesterday I was feeling wiped and a bit overwhelmed...how am I going to remember everything I have to take and when (yes the dietitian went through it with me but my brain is still fuzzy)...so this morning I sat down  and reviewed it all and wrote out a schedule.  

I am also doing a food log... haven't been able to get all my food in...appetite is definitely nonexistent plus I get a bit of pain in my chest from gas when I eat...but its necessary and I will do it...slowly.  

This is my journey to the lighter side of life...

Last day of my old life

Tomorrow I am scheduled for my Bariatric Surgery.  So today is my last day of my old life.  I have managed, since meeting with my surgeon at the end of January, and mostly in the last three weeks of doing the Optifast diet, to lose 20 lbs.  I am 1.5 away from 300 lbs.  Yes I was at least 321 lbs.  I'm not sure but I think that was my highest weight ever...but who knows.  I was a 26/24 in clothing.  Yesterday I wore a top and skirt that were no longer tight, and high heels that no longer hurt my feet...and I have energy...and that is only 20 lb loss....

I am scared about the surgery tomorrow - scared about the pain, the unknown, and most of all scared I'll fail at this too...I'm not a complete failure in my life...but enough to be afraid...but I still take risks...life is all about risks right...

I'm anxious...about the unknown...pain...LOL...I am after all a control freak...anxious about what, how to eat afterwards...even though I've read and reread...anxious in case I don't have enough and end up back in hospital....

I'm excited...about the energy, being able to wear some of my clothes that I haven't ..buying new clothing...being able to walk without pain, paint my own toenails, ride a bicycle, not having to worry about seats being too small for my big butt...etc etc....

In the meantime, today is a beautiful warm spring day.  So I'm going to clean my apartment, do my laundry, make my bed up nicely with fresh sheets, pack up my bag for the hospital and enjoy my last day of my old life.

Later, I'm going to take my dog over to my sister's house, then come home, take a shower, take a sleeping pill and set the alarm for 6 am.

Tomorrow I will be picked up at 7 am by my sister and dropped off at the hospital for 8 am.  

At 10 am (approx) I will be operated on....and begin my journey to the lighter side of life...

I wish me all the best...I deserve it!!!

Love to me!  Yes...its about time I love myself...



Bernadette Mary Pereira DeFreitas

Update

I have now seen the Bariatric Team:  RN, SW, and Dietician and received a yes from all but the dietician (and she had some very valid points) and will have a follow up with the dietician next week.  I have also seen the surgeron (yes) and the internist (yes).  I have had a sleep study and met today with the sleep specialist.  I have "severe" sleep apena.  No surprise there.  I came home with a new boyfriend ...a CPAP machine...to try out...and will follow up with the respiration therapist and sleep specialist again and will also have another sleep study with the CPAP.  I have and continue to make changes in my diet...but that is not easy.  I hope to receive the yes next week and be able to book my surgery...and continue on making the changes to have a better way of life.

That's basically it for now...

Are there side effects to the surgery...yup!

No one (with half a brain) will even consider starting this process without looking at all the pros, cons and side effects.  Again...I am well aware this is NOT the super wonderful easy solution...this is major surgery and a huge change for the rest of my life.  So, I want to be as prepared as I can be and know all the risks I am taking by proceeding with this surgery.

So the recent admission by Al Roker of his pooping incident at the White House was no surprise...hey I'm pretty darn sure even Obama poops (maybe not in his pants...but he just has to go upstairs and change)...poor Al had to take off his soiled undies and go commando ...but this I believe is called "dumping syndrome".

There are also OTHER side effects which I have been reading...its here for your review should you wish to read it.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-15/gastric-bypass-surgery-death/54970528/1


http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/91/11/4223.long


http://www.flat-d.com/gastric-bypass1.html


Lets face it...its different strokes for different folks.  Some say just stop eating so much and exercise...you will lose weight.  Wow...why didn't I think of that.  I did...I have...and it has not worked for me.  It continues to NOT work for me.  Just because I am planning on this surgery does not mean I'm sitting and eating buckets of ice cream, candy etc.  I continue to try to control my eating and get exercise daily.  This isnt something that has developed (my weight gain) in the last year and its not a "new year resolution".  This is something I have dealt with most of my life.  I was on my first diet at age of 10...TEN years of age...sick!  No child should be on a diet at that age.  I was an active child always playing outside running around like any other 10 year old.

Anyways, I will end this blog entry just encouraging you (every individual) to examine yourself and your needs and do your research and whatever you decided, God Bless and I hope the best for you!

The Beginning

December 21, 2012

I have decided to finally do something about my weight after more than 40 years of struggling.  So after more than three years of researching and thinking about it, and with the support of my doctor, I have decided to pursue Bariatric Surgery.  

I was scared at first; honestly I still am, but I am more afraid of not doing something.  Not being able to dance at my niece's wedding this past year due to pain in the knees and just feeling so heavy and tired, has made me decide it is time to do something more drastic.  

I am aware of the pros and cons; 1 in 200 die.  Having the stomach size decreased to the size of an egg from the size of a football.  Cutting out soda, caffeine, alcohol.  Fortunately I do not have to worry about stopping smoking...never smoked in my life.  

The pros:  being able to do the things I love=loved - dance, bike ride, chase my dog (or have him chase me)...did I say dance...and so much more.  

Will it be easy?  Definitely not! This is not an 'easy' fix...this is the last resort!  

I am excited, anxious and ready to go.  

I have attended the information session earlier this week and today have already received four appointments to meet with the surgeon, dietician, social worker, and nurse.  

I know that 2013 will be a new year for me.  

I am thankful for the supportive people behind me - my sister, my aunt and uncle, my closest friends, my work mates and my awesome family doctor!  

Thank you for supporting me on this journey to the lighter side of life!