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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 06:58 pm |
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Date Posted: 12-26-2006 at 02:19 PM -
Well, I'm gearing up for the fight of my life. I'm 36, will be 37 Jan 31st. for the past 15 years I've been over 200. The past 10 years I've been over 250 and the past 5 over 300. I think I need to get of this ride.
I love food. I love to eat. I don't eat as much junk as one would assume a person of my size would eat, but what I do eat.. I eat a lot of. I consider myself a quantity eater... even if it's salad. I've been following this procedure for about 4 years now but my insurance at work excluded anything to do with weight loss specifically. Last year they added another company as an option. 7 other woman in the company went with the new one offered (BCBS of TN) and even thought the procedure is still excluded by the company, they went in, were denied once, fought it and won.
I'm scared and nervous all at once. Of course going through my head is, what if they decide that they aren't going to accept any in '07? I am prepared to fight them tooth and nail this time. I went in for it 3 yrs ago, was denied and just cried for 3 weeks instead of fighting.
In preperation for it, I have gone to a therapist and gotten a recommendation from them, I am requesting my maternal and paternal medical history, going to my doctor to get my past 5 year medical history and I've been food journaling for the 1st 9 months of 2006. My numbers are great when I have a physical ever year which means I'm going to have to fight extra hard.
I have an appointment with my regular Dr. to start the process on Jan 3rd. She will have to refer me to the Lap Band Doctor I will be using.
wish me luck
Tracy
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:00 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-03-2007 at 08:54 PM -
 Holy freakin #%@&!. Had my consultation today. My BMI is......54 how the geebbies am I even walking around??? ANYwho... I'm hitting them with TONS of paper. I have been food journaling on thelegacywebsite.com since jan of 06/ I have printed up every freakin' page and put it in a note book, have the three pages from my therapist recommending the procedure, a typed up page of my family Medical history ( THAT my friends.. was a HUGE Eye opener ) My company considers any and everything to do with Weight loss to be.... are you ready... COSMETIC That's right folks... the fact that I'm 329 isn't a health matter... gosh no.. it's a matter of just wanting to look spankin hot in a tootoo I guess.
this site is, to put it mildly.. FANTASTIC (referring to a lapbandtalk site I also journal on)I have learned more in the past two nights sitting in front of my computer  reading post for about four hours a night Than I have in the four years I have been wanting to have this procedure done.
Please, if there is anyone out there that is about my height and that started about my weight and you are almost at goal.... What happens to your skin. I feel kind of vain asking.. but I am really SCARED of the floppy skin thing. I'm going to be 37 at the end of the month so I am no spring chicken here. em em.. cough... yes folks.. I do realize that this is a flying horse and NOT in fact... a spring chicken.. but well, i didn't feel like searching for one. Synicalchick(Tracy)
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:01 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-04-2007 at 06:05 PM -
Man.. worn out today. Went to work then left to go to my general dr. to get her letter of recommendation. Dr. Morton is v. convienantly across the hall from my general Dr. so i stopped by there to give them my food/exercise journal for 2006 and my personal letter to the insurance company. She gave me the  phone number to the RN that I will be dealing with the most. I gave her a call and she went over the stuff I provided. She said that BCBS is VERY persnickety and she wants me to have every single little thing before we turn anything in. She likes the letter I got from my therapist but knows that they will want an actual Psych test done and gave me a couple of numbers. I called one, drove down town, and took the test. Two different paper test at least 20 pages each. True/False, then False SomewhatTrue, Mostly True and Very true. HOLY MOLY FOLKS. the questions on there. do you hear voices.. do you see people no one else sees, headaches? is the world against you? have you ever dreamed of writing a good bye letter to your friends if you were going to die, do you feel as though you are more than one person? WOW ANYwho.... I finished turned them in, then scheduled an appointment for 1/15 to see if I'm crazy  or not so everything is on hold until then. I was just really glad to be out of there
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:02 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-15-2007 at 03:51 PM -
   I'm feeling pretty good right now. My session down town went REALLY well(psyche eval). He was very impressed with my research and in fact said that I was by far one of the most educated about the lap band procedure before and post surgery that he had tested and talked to. He feels that I am an extremely good candidate. the tests summary was basically "Tracy is a very warm and friendly person who tends to bend over backwards for others and likes for everyone to get along. She also has a good head on her shoulders. Im' pegged as suffering with very mild depression brought on strictly by my weight and not feeling well.
So.. NOW, he writes up a report and a letter of recommendation, faxes that in to Dr. Morton, then assuming they have all the paper they need, they will fax to BCBS of TN then we sit and wait, then wait some more.. then.. well, wait some more.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:03 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-19-2007 at 08:09 AM -
My old doctor FINALLY found all of my past paperwork and faxed it in. I went there 3 weeks ago to sign a release form and finally go them yetserday. I'm going to call Dr. Morton on Monday or later this afternoon to see if they have everything now. My current dr is supposed to send in a 4 page form for BCBS and she is fixing to go on maternity leave so I'm hoping she got it done before she left.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:03 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-19-2007 at 01:13 PM -
I'm a nervous wreck .. Dr. Morton's office just called and they faxed all of my paperwork (over 400 pages) to BCBS. They said it would be 2-4 weeks before we know something. They also said with the food journal included (which accounts for the bulk of the pages) I would be hard to turn down, however, I'm trying REAL hard not to get my hopes up. If I can just mentally count on being denied then I'll be pleasantly surprised right? Ugh.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:04 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-28-2007 at 09:14 PM -
 First Consult: 1/3, 2007
 Viewed online 'seminar' 1/3
psych eval test 1/3
 Appt to discuss Psych eval results 1/15
Dr. Morton's office called to tell me they faxed my 300+ pages to BCBS
waiting.. waiting and well.. waiting some more
  Insurance approval__2/13____? 
first meeting with internist at surgeons office _2/20_?
Surgery date__2/27_?
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:05 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-29-2007 at 02:00 PM -
URGH.. all this waiting and not knowing if I'll be approved. sigh
My DH and I have planned my 'last steak dinner' trip for the weend following V.day in Gatlinburg, TN. One of our favorite spots. it's only about a 3 hour drive from here. Is it sad that we have planned a trip based on me eating one last large steak dinner... hmmmm
ANYwho. tick tick tick tick tick
T
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:05 pm |
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Date Posted: 01-30-2007 at 06:27 PM -
Well, I got my friggin insurance letter today from BCBS of TN saying that .. and I quote " Based on the information received and teh terms of your health benefit plan, we determined that the requested service is not medically necessary." Even though I had prepared myself for this.. it's still irritating. Let's review.."not medically neccessary" shall we.
- I'll be 37 tomorrow
- I weigh 334
- BMI 54
- I walk down the hallway and I'm out of breath and exhausted
- Family medical history.. diabetes both sides. HIGH LDL both sides. Father/grandfather quadruple bypass surgeries at 51 & 58. High blood pressure both sides, gall bladder problems, cancer & obesity.
- chiropracter visits every two weeks for lower back pain
- carpal tunnel aggravated by weight.
- been over 200 for 15 years
- been over 250 for 10 years
- been over 300 for 5 years...Hmmm I see a pattern here folks.
Gee.. I'm starting to see what they mean.. medically necessary.. PSHHH I'm healthy as a HORSE...and the size of one two... IDIOTS.
Anywho. going to talk to my surgeon tomorrow about my options, see if they'll contact the lawyers that represent the lap band people and take it from there.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:07 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-04-2007 at 11:45 AM -
I got my 1st denial and we are now in the 1st appeal process. My DH is telling me that if in a week or two that haven't approved it he wants us to go ahead and self pay... keep fighting the insurance and get reimbursed. Self pay for me would be $16K. That's like a car payment.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:11 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-05-2007 at 06:45 PM -
Such big ideas I can have on the weekends... all it takes is a trip to Sam's and a  debit card... ooooooo a WHOLE CASE of Slim Fast *improved* chocolate drink. WOW.. like.. I can start doing slim fast and just eat supper. ROCK! Well.. Monday a.m. rolls around.. so far so good.. drank a bottle of water on the way to work. Got to work and drank my breakfast @ 7. 8:20 rolls around and I'm hungry so, I grab another slim fast. 10:30 rolls around and I'm hungry again so this time I eat a pack of oatmeal. Noon/lunch time rolls around and I"m like.. Ok.. if I do another freaking slim fast I won't have anything to fall back on this afternoon.. I'll get a salad out of the vend... well... they didn't HAVE any salad in the vend so Naturally a good replacement is a roast beef sandwhich and a bag of chips ... what? Oh.. it wasn't? Hmmm I stood there in front of the vend forever deciding.. . so after that I was ok the rest of the afternoon except about 2ish I go REALLY  REALLY sleepy. Drank some coffee  and I'll just tell ya now.. it didn't help. 4 is time to go home so on the way I stop at the tanning place (In my opinion my fat looks better the darker it is...) Anywho.. I get home thinking.. I'll do another slim fast and be good... again I say PSSHHH I ate the rest of my venison stew. now it's after 6 and i can't have ANYTHING else. Just knowing I can't have anything else.. makes me want to eat everything in the house ... but I digress....
sigh
I am hopeless.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:12 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-06-2007 at 07:20 AM -
Today I came armed with slim fast to use in between meals and tons of Spring greens/lean ham/one slice provolone/ and other of my fav salad fixins... cranberries, flax seed, blueberries and some sunflower seeds. I will be chowing down for lunch.. I brought so much of the spring greens that I may even eat some for breakfast.. hard to beat a really good salad.
I'm trying to get a handle on myself again, mentally something happened when I finally made the decision to get the procedure... I'll call it 'emergency eating'. OMG.. I may never get to eat this again.. OR this.. or this .. or this .. or that over there ... And OMG I won't be able to eat this quantity ever again so I must eat the 12 oz  steak.. not just 7 oz.. I mean....
So basically, this thinking has found me at :arrow_up:. Now I must take control again and behave and eat good things like I KNOW I should. Food is my addiction and I've let it  rage out of control. sigh.. baby steps.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:15 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-13-2007 at 05:15 PM -
I WAS APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they will call me tomorrow to schedule a date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turns out they didn't receive all fo the 1st fax.
Last edited on 3 Feb 2008 02:57 am by
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:16 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-14-2007 at 04:15 PM -
holy moly!! My surgery date is February 27th!!!!!!!!!! That's less than two weeks! Now All I have to do is survive the pre op. liquid breakfast, liquid lunch and small protein supper. (I may switch the supper with the lunch for the sanity of my co=workers... )
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:17 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-19-2007 at 08:26 AM -
Got up @ 6. about 6:20 prepared my 'green vibrance' water (16.9 ounces) and added some liquid vitamin stuff.. made the mistake of tasting it before I added it to my water... OH MY.. I do NOT have the words for how horrid it was. On the way to work, choked down my disgusting concoction of water. Started a Raspberry Fruit20 to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. I feel like I've been licking a possum's butt.
set on desk my 50 ounce bottle of Smart Water and my partially drunk Fruit20. For a week I get to Drink a atkins for breakfast, drink an atkins for lunch and have a small diet frozen dinner for supper. In between the bountiful amounts of lip smackin' stuff I just listed, I have to cram in about 70 ounces of water. Nothing else can touch my lips. It is 8:13 now, I though I would wait until I was STARVING before drinking my breakfast. I'm sipping on it now and wondering how on earth this is supposed to last me until lunch. I had frosted flakes last night for supper and I think I may have gotten a little weepy . I definately got weepy at Sams yesterday while buying all my water and Atkins stuff. I just have to pull this off until next Monday. SURELY I can handle that right?:question.gif
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:19 pm |
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Date Posted: 02-19-2007 at 08:20 PM -
I have a raging freaking headache. I Guess it's from no caffiene . I almost made it the whole day then I got home and ate a HUGE bowl of coco pebbles. Well that temptation is gone now cause I ATE THEM ALL>
sigh tomorrow is my pre-op testing.. not sure what all is involved there... I'm assuming an EKG. I'm paranoid and I just know they'll know I screwed up and ate today . If I could just make it through the next 6 days.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:22 pm |
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I went in for my pre-op testing yesterday (Ekg, blood work & x-rays) passed all of these with flying colors, again much to their surprise considering I now weigh 331. Then I got to sit down with the surgeon Dr. Morton and talk one on one and ask questions. I really like him. Very personable. He was impressed with my pre-op test results and wanted to know how old I was. He thought I was in my late 20's. He said that I am really fortunate to be my age and numbers wise be this healthy. He had a couple of band samples there and he demonstrated filling one up through the port. That was pretty cool. he's done over a 1,000 of them now. His stats are better than the us average. He has only had 12 bands slip, all of which he was able to fix. he hasn't had any erosions and he's only had four that leaked and zero deaths, blood clots or any other serious issues related to surgery. Todd has taken three days off next week so I'll be well taken care of. As soon as I'm able to walk and swallow a small sip of water without it coming up I'll be able to come home. It's considered outpatient. He said within 2-3 weeks my appetite will start to go back to normal, and that is when I go in to get my 1st 'fill' to restrict the opening in my stomach. he said sometimes it takes 2 or 3 fills to get the restriction just right. He thinks within 4 or 5 years that I will end up around 150 or 160. I was quite shocked. I have a hard time seeing myself below 200, but I guess that's because I haven't been below 200 in 16 years. He also said I would lose the fastest in the 1st year then it would taper off and how well I did was up to me and how I 'worked the band' and exercised.
My surgery is next Tuesday Feb. 27 around 9 or 10 a.m.
I'm kind of in the surreal part of this experience so far. I feel fortunate that my family and friends are so supportive.
Thanks guys,
Tracy
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 Feb 2007 07:25 pm |
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I'm not going to have as much trouble getting through these days of pre-op diet as I thought. After all of my testing and stuff yesterday, he said my stats were so good that instead of only one atkins drink for Breakfast one for lunch and one frozen ww meal I could during the day have one atkins every two hours and then a frozen for supper and that I could have sugar free jello inbetween. My headache has finally gone away and I'm not so grumpy. YAY
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 22 Feb 2007 03:01 pm |
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Well... still going...It's 10 a.m. and I've had three Atkins drinks so far. Some  EEVILLL person has made toast and it's permeated my senses and I WANT SOME TOAST! But I shall prevail. mmmmmm
15 g's of protein and 1 g of sugar... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
sigh
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 Feb 2007 01:29 pm |
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wow... the time is drawing near....I'm 5 days away. I'm going shopping today for my post op list. For the 1st two days after surgery I can have liquids only:
- water, propel or Fruit 2 0
- coffe/tea
- broth
- sugar free jello
- diet v8 splash or v8
- sugar free posicles & fudgesicles
- minute maid light
- lowfat milk or soy milk
- drinkable yogurt
- low carb protein shakes
I have to avoid
- juice (high sugar)
- soda
- diet soda or anything carbonated. it's really not good for your body.
Day 3 after surgery and after fill adjustments I can have soft foods in 1/2 cup meals
- Low fat yogurt
- cottage cheese (yuck
 )
- applesauce
- oatmeal
- sugar free pudding
- soups
- scrambled eggs
- beans
- chicken salad
- egg salad
- tuna salad
- pimento cheese
- cooked vegetables
- low fat casseroles
- ground meats with gravy or broth
- flaky fish
I go back three week from surgery to get my 1st fill/adjustment and he said leading right up to that my appetite will return to almost normal.. this is where the greatness of the adjustable band comes in. If I get flu tummy sick and start throwing up they will get me in to take all fo the fluid out of the band. When I'm better, they put it back in. Same thing if you get pregnant. There is no malapsorption with this procedure. I am very excited. I'm sure I'll be a wreck monday night and tuesday a.m.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 Feb 2007 01:36 pm |
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One of my co-workers up here hasn't been feeling to good for about three weeks now. Gave birth two months ago and her symptoms have been very gall bladder like. ANYwho, yesterday it was bad and by 3:30 she was on the floor expelling into her trash can. I'm so convinced it's gall bladder related that it didn't occur to me that it might be viral. Her mom just called and said her gall bladder is acting up, however, she also has a stomach virus. #%@&!. I'm supposed to have surgery on Tuesday. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let me get this #%@&!. ugh! What should I do? Is there any think preventative I can do?
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 Feb 2007 02:06 am |
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Well... $200 later
I just got back from Kroger. Loaded up on more EAS low carb high protein shakes, no sugar granny smith applesauce, kefir probiotic yogurt smoothies, sugar free jello's and puddings, v-8 juice and v-8 fruit  splash, PRUNE YOGURT (whoever ever heard of such???) This awesome stuff in the produce section called Blue Goodness, chicken broth beef broth, soup, chewable rolaids+ gas, liquid ibuprophen, benedryll tabs, a copy of Spianal Tap..oh..wait.. that's a DVD.. like you care... sorry.. UH.. and more STUFF.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 Feb 2007 06:18 pm |
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Well, it's the day before my surgery and this is how it's gone so far.
6:00: UGH.. wanted to wake up early so I could pick some things up at the store before work. Oh well, I'll at least be on time any way.
6:15: mmmmm I'm so glad I did laundry yesterday so i can wear my most favorite soft cotton knit pale pink shirt to work.
6:37 while in truck: ACK! NO NO NO! chocolate protein drink ALL OVER MY PINK SHIRT. Can i cover with my badge... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Not even. Well, haven't passed Wal-mart yet.. I'll stop anyway and get new shirt.
6:50 in Wal-Mart OH MY GAH... I'm starting to cramp.. I can't BELIEVE I'm starting TODAY. Better get tampons and Tylenol, even though only ibuprophen works.. I can't take ibuprophen before surgery per Dr... Please let extra strength Tylenol work...
7:15 get to work... LATE wearing new scratchy, fit's a littl big, pink shirt that isn't NEAR as cute and comfy as the one laying crumpled in the bottom of the floorboard with massive chocolate stains on it shirt.
7:30 stuffed 4 chewable tylenol go tabs in mouth... cramping so bad I'm sweating and I want to punch something or tear all of my hair out... NOT exaggerating.
8:00 Cannot concentrate on ANYThing cramping is so bad. Tylenol SUCKS
8:30 ran into friend, Shannon in bathroom, she has a cherrypit heating pad that you heat in the microwave... temped to kiss friend
8:45 nuke pad for 3 minutes.. is so hot have to put thick papers on leg to protect but FEELS REALLY GOOD on left side that is somehow hurting worse than the rest of my uterus/right ovary. had two cups of BLACK coffee
9:00 Call surgeon to beg him to let me take my ibuprophen.. left message
9:10 they called back to tell me it was ok to take 
9:10 and 1/2 inhaled ibuprophen, reheated cherry pit thingy for the 3rd time and waited for some relief.
9:40 FINALLY getting some relief but feel loopy for taking ibuprophen on top of four tylenol.
11:00 life is back to normal except for incredibally annoying new pink shirt that rides up and makes my already huge rack look three times as big.... and the burn spot on the left side of tummy.
1:13.. time for more pills. I'm not eating at all today.. just doing my EAS shakes. Be glad when tomorrow's procedure is done and over so I can quit thinking about it.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 Feb 2007 03:11 am |
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Ok. I am sitting propped up in my bed at home several hours post op. Things went well, though he had to switch out all of the needles for the port site because my adominal wall was thick and the needles he had out to stitch it in place were to thin. *I* would like to think that this is because I am so MUSCULAR... R I G H T. I"ll have to ask him in three weeks when I go in for my fill. ANYwho... this is how my day went.
As you may already now, Auntie Flow decided to visit yesterday VEHEEERRRRy convineant . I slept pretty well last night suprisingly (thanks to the two tylenol p.m.) and woke up about 6. I got up and showered with the monkey blood soap stuff they gave me that kind of dried my skin out, got out of the shower and laid down with my heating pad until my sweetie got up and got ready. I put on my best/favorite pair of tie dyed socks and undies and threw my favorite denim dress over my head, grapped my little stuffed moose and away to Baptist we went.
Got there about 8:20 checked in and hung out in w. room. The called me back about 8:40 and got me changed. The anesethia guy came in and did my IV then two or three more anesthia people came in asking me the same quesitons over and over.. who are you,, what are you having done.. WHAT... is your favorite color... etc. I'm like.. hmmmm The do know what they are doing and where they are right??  They let my hubby back about 9:30. OH>>> and those of you who might be wondering, they let me wear a tampon.. it probably depends on the surgeon. Anywho.. 10:39 comes around and they wheel me back to the surgery room, scoot me on to a different table and put on this DREAMY warm blanket ... Next think I know, I'm awake and my 'port site' was hurting like a mo-fo . they give me something for pain in my IV...30 minutes later some more of that then 30 minutes later the finally gave up and gave me some morphine. After that they wheeled me back to xray, had me drink some barium... which folks.. I'll tell you here and now... WAS DELICIOUS . I was "lips sticking to my teeth" parched. And you know.. after not eating real food for awhile.. it's amazing what taste great. The table they had me scootch up on this time was a beeeeatch for me to scoot on because of the discomfort of the port site. Anywho... it was like a frigging 6 flags ride . My feet were against a metal thing at the foot of the bed and it was the only thing between me and me sliding off in the floor ... ALL 331 lbs of me. Wasn't a real comfortable experience and lasted a little long for my taste.. but.. the things we do for beauty . All that took what seemed to be about 40 minutes or so then they wheeled me into my room where I got to hang out and watch Oprah, the news, then Hank Hill. Had to wait around until someone looked at my rays to make sure things could go down. I had lots of ice in the meantime.
The 1st thing I remember when I woke up was... YES IT"s over Finanly it's over. To ,me it's the worst part.. all the waiting . waiting for all of the paper work to get filled in... waiting for Dr.'s appointments, waiting to hear all of your paper work was faxed in. getting denied and waiting for paper work to be faxed again. finding out your approved, then waiting to schedule, waiting for your preop testing, waiting for you surgery date, the THE WORST waiting of all for me, is waiting in your pre op room for the procedure.. then all of the sudden.. the waiting is over... well... unless you count waiting to go home.
I 1st tried to do this 4 yrs ago with diff. insurance and was crushed when I got denied, now, Im sitting here, typing up my experience.. and it's DONE! Now all the work begins, but that is ok... because now I have a Tool,,, finally a tool that will work for me and help me to become the healthy me that I was meant to be. I'll be healthier at 40 that I have ever been in my life. I just had my 37th bday and I can't wait to be 40! 
I didn't really have trouble with nausea  until the ride home and it wasn't overwhealming. Todd turned up the air and drove real slow. When I got home he got me set up in my bed with tons of pillows and stuff so i'm not laying down flat. I'm keeping my liquied antibiotic and liquid Loritab in a cooler filled with ice right here along with some sugar free popcicles.
My throat is fairly sore from the breathing tube stuff and my chest is kind of tight and breathing deep isn't the best experience. I kind of dread Thursday slighly 'cause for me, the 2nd or third day after something is usually pain wise the worst.. but maybe not this time. I'm on liquids until Friday then I start stuff like soft scrambled eggs and soups and oatmeal. Don't know that I'll be ready for that yet but we'll see. I would be nice if I could work a 1/2 day on FRiday even though I have it off. So far.. knock on wood, no gas pains however I did buy some rolaids gas chewables just in case. When I do get up and walk around some I burp a couple of times and i feel a little better. I have had to cough a few times and I've been holding a pillow on my tummy for that and it's not so bad.
It keeps going through my head over and over.. now I have a chance..... now I have a chance. I am so excited about this new opportunity I've been given and can't wait to become more active and do the outdoor things I love. Oh.. also.. if you haven't had it done yet.. I got a reach/grabber thing from bed bath and beyound called the gopher and IT"S GREAT. I can grap stuff with out bending over.
I can't wait to take a hot bath.  He did say that I chould shower tomorrow. YOu should see my insicion bandages.. they cut the gauze into heart shapes....
Well it's about time for pain med dose 2 so more later.  
__________________
Started Process 1/3/07
Insurance of BCBS if TN
Have exclusion policy for WLS
Date of approval 2/13
Date of surgery 2/27
BMI 54 Weight 336 Height 5'6 1/2" age 37
Surgeon Dr Charles Morton Baptist Hospital Nashville, TN
Goal: Not sure yet. Somewhere under 200
"Always leave get well cards on your mantel, that way when guests come over, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean."
 Blessings & Fae Kisses
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 Feb 2007 02:25 pm |
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Well I made it through my 1st night. got up about every 3 hours to take more med. I'm not used to sleeping on my back and that's all I can do right now. Now I'm sipping on a 1/2 c of Kefir lowfat probiotic smoothie. It's pretty good and high in protein.
What's bothering me the most right now is the port site. The port is the part of the band that allows the dr to insert saline soloution that controls the adjustablility of the band. WOW... not realy comfy. Gas pains are suposed to be a pretty big side effect and so far so good.. no gas.. though I do burp everytime I get up. My chest is really sore as well and I'm coughing up stuff. I guess that is from the breathing tubes.
For my outside excursion today i'll have todd take me to Target so I can pick out some cute small plates and untensils. I'll probably hit the baby ilse and get the classic pooh stuff. I bought some classic pooh dixie cups and that is waht I"m using now to drink from.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 Mar 2007 02:28 pm |
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I think today is going to be my worst day. What is it now.. technically my 2nd day post? surgery was Tuesday. ANywho.. I woke up feeling like a pack of wild drunk monkeys was partying in my abdomen all night.
The part up by my ribcage/diaphram where the ports located is hard and swollen and all my other places I didn't feel before are starting to protest. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better.. I'm having a few minor gas pains for the 1st time today too. It's v. uncomfy to breath deep at all and I lose my breath v. easily.
Also, it is v. uncomfortable when my stomach starts growling It almost hurts... and I'm just on liquids right now so that's a lot. I shall prevail though.... sniff
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squirrelygirl
New Member
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Posted: 1 Mar 2007 05:22 pm |
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I'm so proud of you!!!  For your courage and strength!!! You are a tough cookie, and I'm glad to know you!!!! Keep us updated on your progress!
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 Mar 2007 05:41 pm |
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For my outdoor excersion today, Dear hubby is taking me to Catherines to pick up a couple of slip over my head cotton dresses. I do not forsee anytime soon being about to wear anything that would come close to touching my incisions.
I am doing very well I believe. I'm on liquid antiobiotics and so far no fever or anything.. just stiff sore and gasey. It was really bad this a.m. but I had laid still on my back for 8+ hours so I guess that's to be expected. I am alternating my liquid loritab with liquid Ibuprophen.
T
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 Mar 2007 12:24 pm |
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Good a.m.
Feeling slightly better today. This a.m. instead of flailing wildly for 10 minutes trying to get out of bed it only took me 9 minutes of flailing wildly. I'm starting to suspect some of my innards were stolen during surgery and sold on the black market.
My  furkids seem to think that the big a$$ pillow I keep on my tummy is JUST for their entertainment and like to take a running leap from the ground and land... RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE... which of course results in my jerking up and screaming bloody murder, spazzing the cats out which causes them to AGAIN run across said pillow that I'm using for 'protection'. hmmmm I may have just figured out the whole pack of wild drunk monkey feeling from yesterday.....
My tummy is still swollen larger than a baboons a$$ in heat but not as pretty. I know it's only friday, but I'm like.. how on EARTH am I going to drive my truck to work on Monday. I may end up bartering with DHubby to take me. I can't wait to get to work to show off my new Cave man posture and walk.
I also have this weird numb but itchy feeling on the surface of my tummy. Itching is a good sign I reckon but it's very surreal to be running my finger over the surface of my tummy and not really be able to feel it.
I am VERY happy to report that my auntie flow has packed her bags and left the building. I asked Dr. Morton if he could just to ahead and remove my uterus while he was in there and he just looked at me like I was a goof ball. Oh well.. never no unless you ask.
OK.. having major gas pain.. must go kick something.
later
T
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squirrelygirl
New Member
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Posted: 2 Mar 2007 02:43 pm |
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Glad you are feeling a little better... Try not to be mad @ the kitties... they are probably wondering what is up with you...lol. Hope you drastically improve over the weekend. Try not to do any keg stands or anything!
Hang in there.... you have lots of people who want you to succeed!
K
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 Mar 2007 06:24 pm |
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I just ate a small prune yogurt (sounds gross but is actually quite DEEELISH ) and a small sf pudding. I went to Target and bought these cute little plastic toddler spoons and forks plus some classic pooh plates and bowls and though I haven't been able to use the bowls and plates yet, the small spoons have been great. I feel at this point I am actualy taking a turn for the better. Basically I'm just sore, gasey, itchy and restless. Great combo huh?
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 Mar 2007 07:46 pm |
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OH
Mah
GAH
If you would have told me that a soft boiled egg smashed up w/ a small pat of magerine would make me moan and roll my eyes up in my head I would have LAUGHED MY A$$ off at you.
Well, I just ate one and that's what happened. DEEEEEEEEElish
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 3 Mar 2007 02:52 pm |
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Day four post op. Allive and kicking... and ITCHING.
Drank my watery oatmeal with protein powder mixed in. Was quite delicious actually.
Hubby will make me a soft scrambled egg for lunch and a 1/4 cup of 'wet' lean ground beef for supper to be chased with a v-8 juice.
Did I mention I was ITCHING?
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 Mar 2007 04:15 pm |
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Every day seems that I turn another corner for the best. I'm still itching like crazy, however, this a.m. I was able to, with the aid of several pillows.. lay on my side! HOORAH! it still slighly pulls on my port site which isn't v. comfy but it's a nice few minute change from laying on my back.
It doesn't take much to wear me out. I go back to work tomorrow and kind of dread it, I have a desk job though so the worst part will be going from truck to desk. after that I should be fine. I'm eating a soft scrambled egg right now that DH made for me.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 01:48 am |
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I thought I would return back to work tomorrow but now I'm not so sure. It's a good 30 minute drive to work and I drive a stick shift truck. Not to mention, I'm still so tired. I've been getting out and walking for at least 10 minutes since the day after and it knocks me out. I emailed my boss and let him know that I wasn't sure that I'd be in and that Tuesday would be a half day.
Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and feel 100% better.. which I am feeling better.. but there's big differnce in feeling better and being able to drive to work be there for 9 hours, then drive back home... If I do a 180 then I'll take a stab at it. I guess I could go in late then leave when I get tired.
T
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 03:48 pm |
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I actually drove myself to work this a.m. and survived the evil seat belt and steering wheel. I'll probably leave here around noonish.
I bent over a LITTLE to far this a.m. in the bathroom at work and nearly shreaked. OH MY GOSH.. The pain in my port.... I guess it pulled on my stitches holding the port in place. That was like an hour ago and I'm still feeling it a little.
My tongue is all messed up, gross and sore too. I"m going to call my dr. about it. I think I noticed it yesterday being sore and today when I got up and looked at it, it's all blotchy. white in spots and ANGRY red in others. Maybe it's the antibiotics or it could be the liquid ibuprophen I'm using. I sure hope it's not the ibuprophen. It's what keeps me going during the day.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 04:39 pm |
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update:
I have never before had this in my life and I'm still not sure how it happened, but it would appear after speaking with my dr, that I have Thrush. Isn't that what babies get? ANYwho, he is calling in a prescription that I will pick up on the way home.
T
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squirrelygirl
New Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 05:04 pm |
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That IS what babies get! .... Not sure what causes it.... but I dont think either one of my boys ever had it. It's probably from not being able to eat much... I dunno. You're such a trooper for going to work today, tho. I know your co-workers have probably missed you! Hang in there!
K
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collegestudent
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 05:20 pm |
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You probably got the thrush from the antibiotics you are on. Oral thrush is caused by a type of yeast infection. The antibiotics they put you on post surgery may have also killed off some of the "good" bacteria in your mouth which gave the naturally occuring yeast in your mouth the chance to overgrow. Wikipedia has a small amount of information on the subject:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_thrush
Just take the antifungal medicines your doctor prescribed and it should go away pretty quickly Good luck.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 05:23 pm |
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Kewl, thanks!
I'm waiting for them to call in my prescrip, then I will go home.
T
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 05:37 pm |
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ok.. I attmepted to attach an image of my heart shaped guaze covered incisions from a word document in my documents and this is what it said...Sorry, the attachment size is bigger than the maximum allowed (29K).
HOW DO I SHOW PICTURES!
T
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 07:17 pm |
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I'm at home now and have my prescrip for Thrush. She said that some of the patients get it from the antibiotics. My resistance was low because of the surgery so it didn't take much.
I get to gargle this lovely tasting stuff 4 times a day...
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 5 Mar 2007 07:41 pm |
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Synicalchick wrote: HOW DO I SHOW PICTURES!
How to Put an Image in Your Post
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 Mar 2007 03:19 pm |
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ACK... my mouth is still on fire. I've had four doses of the prescrip stuff so hopefully it will be better by this afternoon.
Back at work today and will probably leave this afternoon when I start to get tired.
I can tell the swelling is starting to go down now cause I'm hungry more often. I had 3 ounces of chicken breast this a.m. then a 15 g protein shake around 9 and then a sf jello a few minutes ago. I forgot to bring my chicken to work so I'll do another drink I guess for lunch plus I brought some kefir probiotic yogurt smoothie stuff too. My mouth is so friggin' tender that just about anything I eat or drink hurts... i think I'm ssssin' my words too. Tongue feel swollen.
Soreness is SLOWLY but surely diminishing each day. I feel like I've been in a wreck every a.m. when I wake up and try to get out of bed. I haven't had any ibuprophen yet today but may break down and take some here in a few minutes.
Surgeon and other fellow bansdters say I should start feeling about normal around Friday. Considering I am one week to the day today from the operation I'm doing GREAT. Driving myself to work and everything.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 Mar 2007 11:33 pm |
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Please ignore this post
I'm going to start this by saying.. *Please* don't bother to read this. It's a bitching/grumpy whiny pity party pants session and I needed to sit down and type out my grumblings so I can grab my britches and trek on...
I KNOW I am SO lucky.. for real, to have been given this opportunity, this gift, if you will, of the band and I have been wanting this for FOUR years.. and here I am one week to the day post op, and I'm going to bitch. So, please.. especially for those of you who are not banded yet.. IGNORE MY PITY PARTY.
I am freakin miserable. I flippin mouth feels like a firely dragon took a piss in it because of this hateful thrush #%@&! (which is a yeast overload by the way generaly caused by antibiotics and a low imune system) AND....
IT
HAS
MOVED
DOWN
FREAKING
SOUTH
ARGH. WHY WHY WHY?!?!?!? ARGH I STILL can't sleep on my side which means I'm stuck sleeping on my back, which causes me to snore, which irritates my already on fire, dry mouth and I don't sleep as well, and I can't take my pain meds because it sets my mouth on fire even worse so when I wake up in the a.m. I feel like a heard of elephants has been tap dancing on my freaking large #%@&! stomach, which by the way, is so freaking large, that I can't really reach my now on fire itchy nether regions for fear of ripping a port stich or opening up an incision. I am also, starting today.... H U N G R Y. so.. what's going through my mind today? I'm HUNGRY.. #$%* one fricking week post op and I want to EAT EAT EAT EAT. I've had
3 oz chicken breast 120c 20prtn 6:30
1 can atkins 160c 15 prtn 9:36
SF Jello 10c 10:30
1 cup Probiotic Kifir smoothie yogurt thingy 174 c 14Prtn 12:30
Fruit fusion Peach smoothie drink 250 c prtn7 3:30
Sfree pudding 60c 2prtn 4:00
Chicken of the Sea Roasted Garlic Salmon Steak 150c prtn 25
with one slice provolone cheese melted on top 70c 5prtn 5:00
another slice 'o provolone.. well.. I had to read the package so.. I ate a slice 70c 5prtn
Let's add this up shall we..
Well.. uh. according to my calculations.. that's only 1064cs with 93 prtn. Ok... I feel as though I pigged out today and now I'm seeing that I've only had 1064 c's. Ok.. so it's not that bad. I felt like I really screwed up when I bought and drank the 250 c smoothie. and I'm really full right now so I reckon I haven't blown it food wise.
hmmm ANYwho, I was feeling like, oh my god.. maybe I can't do this, I'm never going to even get below 300 little long lose around 170 lbs... and part of me still feels this way. I've been reading post on here (lap band forum) since jan and I have seen some discouragement.. I just wasn't expecting to be one of the discouraged.. especially one week out. This can work. I just have to make good food choices. I need to bring more stuff to work with me tomorrow.
Part of my issues I think are as far as feeling physically like #%@&!, is that I have Fibromyalgia ( can't spell) and that's really dealing me a hand right now. I can't take my liquid kids ibuprophen because my mouth is so
$%(*ed up and that really keeps my fibro in check
whine whine whine. sorry guys. I really think I would feel a little better if I could just freaking sleep on my side again. It will get better I know.
Thanks for not reading my bull$%^(
SYNICALchick aka Tracy
__________________
Started Process 1/3/07
Insurance of BCBS if TN
Have exclusion policy for WLS
Date of approval 2/13
Date of surgery 2/27
BMI 54 Weight 336 Height 5'6 1/2" age 37
Surgeon Dr Charles Morton Baptist Hospital Nashville, TN
Goal: Not sure yet. Somewhere under 200
"Always leave get well cards on your mantel, that way when guests come over, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean."
Blessings & Fae Kisses
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 Mar 2007 12:53 am |
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I tan and found this to be helpful.
Sunning, Tanning Booths, & Surgery
While having a golden tan is lovely to look at - it damages the skin. Tanning is a personal choice, but it's important to know the results of doing so in conjunction with your surgery.
No one ever healed skin cancer by getting a tan. If tanning improved our skin there would be no need for sunscreens and all the media messages about skin cancer we hear daily.
Stay out of the sun before your surgery
You want your skin to be in good shape so that you can have the best chances for healing. Suntanned skin does not promote well-healed incisions.
Stay out of the sun after your surgery
Sun on your new incisions will turn them permanently red. This is not our opinion - it's a fact. Incisions need to stay out of the sun for about a year, and longer if they have not turned white. Once you sun them and turn them red, there is no going back. Only excising them and starting over will get rid of the red, sun damaged incision lines.
If you will be in the sun post-operatively (we realize we all have lives and vacations happen), please make sure your suit covers your incisions completely. Depending on how far post-op you are, you should ask your plastic surgeon if you can put sunscreen on your incisions. Sunscreens are chemicals, and it may not be a good idea to put this on your incisions if you are newly post-op, so ask your plastic surgeon. Of course, exposing them to sun would be worse, so do ask your plastic surgeon as he or she might also be able recommend the brand they'd like you to use. Some people have even put surgical adhesive tape over their incisions. This might be a good alternative to the chemical aspects of sunscreen - provided the tape stays on. Again, ask your plastic surgeon.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 Mar 2007 03:19 am |
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ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING IS GRAPHIC AND ABOUT YEAST INFECTIONS SO MALE READERS/ EASILY OFFENDED/GROSSED OUT JUST MOVE ON PAST THIS POST PLEASE.
The antibiotic they gave me to take every 8 hours has absolutely REAKED HAVOC on my body. I don't normally get yeast infections. I'm 37 and have had about 8 in my life and have NEVER had thrush. I SHOULD have known, that if my mouth was overloaded as bad as it was with the thrush that I needed to go ahead and treat my other end for a yeast infection. I'm telling you what, I have NEVER had one EVER that was this bad. I had to leave early from work today and by the time I got home I was boohooing like a big baby. I'm like raw shredded meat down there and am even a little bloody. I took a prescription oral pill for this on Tuesday and it doesn't seem to be helping. My DH, thank god, came home this afternoon (he travels) and got me some maximum strenth itch/burn stuff then went back later after I boo hoo'd and cussed when I had to tinkle, to buy the 3 day treatment stuff. I have been using ice packs on it as well and that seems to help. It seems the worst around my ureathra and clit. It was murder when he was putting on the topical stuff. I'm calling the doc tomorrow, though, I don't think there is anything else we can do since I'm already using the prescrip stuff. I am going to make note of the name of this antibiotic that I was given so I don't ever take it again.
Am I the ONLY one this has happened too? I haven't read about anyone else going through this on my feb & march post. For those of you not yet banded... please speak with your doc about the possibility of getting a yeast infection and see if there are any preventative measures you can take or maybe you can at least get some supplies to prepare for the possibility. After you are banded, if you find that your mouth/tongue starts getting sore and discolored.. PLEASE call your doc and don't wait like I did. I'm really paying for it now.
Tracy
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 Mar 2007 07:05 pm |
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Fell asleep last night about 10:30, woke up today around 1 p.m. I Really needed it to. Last night for the 1st time I could actually sleep on my side.
My YInf is at a manageable phase right now, more like the ones I'm used to. I'm drinking my kefir yogurt and sitting on an ice pack. As I look over the past two weeks, I'm a little amused if not slightly irritated, that a lot of people consider WLS as the 'easy way out'. None of this has been easy and I know it will get better but no regrets.
Oprah had a program on yesterday not about the Band like I have, but Gastric Bypass and I was thinking the whole time.. GREAT, now people are going to be judging me based on this program and I started to regret that I have been so open about this procedure, but then decided, you know what. I don't care. If I can help one person it's worth it. Most people who know me at all, wouldn't judge me anyway so worries for nothing.
I was amazed to learn, that people that have had the gastric bypass where prone to alcoholism because the alcohol hit their system so quick. That's scary stuff. I really admire Carnie Wilson who has been such a poster child for things and has made her life an open book so others may not have to suffer.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 Mar 2007 09:15 pm |
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I feel great today. Finally turned that corner.
Yinfec is under control & I can totally sleep on my side now!
Thursday I went to bed (the 1st night I was able to sleep on my side) and I woke up 14 hours later! I needed it.
We have been blessed with BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS weather today. I'm sitting here at my computer, ate my prune yogurt, drinking my coffee, have the patio door open, birds are chirping, my windchimes are chiming, the smell of burning sage is in the air and all is right with the world. I may even be able to talk DH into walking at the zoo today. Nasvhille has a really beautiful zoo and I have a membership.
I hope no one has been discouraged by my whiny post, I just wanted to be as honest as factual as possible because I like to know what's up before hand.
Now that I'm on the other side of things, I know I've done the right thing and I'm really excited about my future. I have a normal to small sized husband, he married me at almost my top weight, so I'm excited to see where this takes our relationship as we are able to do more outdoor activites together.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 12 Mar 2007 05:35 pm |
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Having another great day today... This week starts my working full days.. FINALLY. didn't quite make it last week. Been sipping on vanilla chai protein all a.m. and it's a little after noon and I was hungry so I'm eating my tuna and multigrain crackers. HOLY JEEZ. I'm not restricted really but big bites of tuna are a NO NO . I took two large/normal bites with a normal size fork (left kiddie spoons at home) and WHAM ... kind of very uncomfy. so... must stick with little bites. I have got to get myself trained before the 1st restriction, because as you can see from my previous post.. I REALLY don't care for pain.
T
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