ER

So it’s been a while…I know. It has been a very eventful week or two.

Last week started out well. I went and did some strength training with Dad on Monday. He knows his stuff and really helped me out. Tuesday I was feeling ok. I had some soreness was just chalking it up to my workout from the day before. Wednesday comes around and I am extremely sore. Sore and having other problems. I was a little concerned. It wasn’t the normal muscle sore it was a pain in my lower back. I decided not to wait to long, because with surgery only have been 3 weeks prior I didn’t want to mess around. So into the dr. I went. He tells me I am constipated. I think to myself are you sure, heck I even ask him if he thinks I might have a kidney infection because of my symptoms. He said no, and sent me off with a RX in hand. Went to the pharmacy filled the RX and started on it ASAP. Hoping to help alleviate the pain. No such luck. Later that evening in order to sleep I decided to take things into my own hand and use some of my left over Loritab to help me sleep. I was miserable, and I knew this would do the trick, and it did. Woke up in the morning feeling pretty good still a little sore, but nothing I couldn’t bare. Started on our way to work while the pain started getting worse and worse. Dropped the hubby off at work and headed into work. Still not feeling so great. Decided to just take it easy and then when the Dr’s office opened at 8am I would call them and give them an update of the pain and the RX not helping. Mind you it is 6am and I am trying to deal for 2hours. Call at 8am and the Dr. is unavailable, of course. Relay the message and question and say I need to know what to do ASAP, because I am in a lot of pain now. Wait around till 8:30 and still no call back as to what to do, decide to take things into my own hand and head into the ER. Now I am not a huge ER fan. I mean seriously I can count on one hand and probably 3 fingers how many times I myself have had to go to the ER. So when I decided to go I was in pain believe me. Well was admitted fairly quickly and the nurse came in to ask a few questions. The doctor soon came in after. Ordered a CT scan and started running tests. Two attempts by the “crappy” nurse I received an IV for some pain killers. ( I have a bruise to justify the “crappy” part) I was starting to feel better. We waited for a few hours when the test results came back the doctor comes in and says…well…” your pain is definitely justified, you are trying to pass a kidney stone”…ugh. I must admit I was happy to hear that it was justified, but seriously this is all new territory to me. I had never felt such pain in my life so I was still a little nervous. However I did get to receive some wonderful narcotics to help with the pain. Anyway long story short…focusing on eating well and exercising was out staged by the kidney stone. NOW its time to get back into action. I will post pics of my bruise later.

Hope..

From: Heather:
HELP!!
Lesley HELP!!! So I am into week 2 of eating, the 29th of April was my surgery came in and weighed in for 1st breakfast on the 6th with a weight loss of 19lbs...Which I was ecstatic about. Now a week later and following the guidelines on food I have actually gained a pound. I am so full of emotions I don't know what to do. Is this normal? I know I need to work on getting my 64oz of water each day, and I am really working hard on this, but this pound thing is really killing me. I have started working out since last week and been doing really good at getting 30+ minutes in a day, but this is discouraging. Any words of wisdom will help. Thanks Heather

From: Sandi.Birch
RE: HELP!!

Hi Heather,
Don’t worry about the scale going up slightly during the full liquid diet; that almost always happens. Before surgery (very low calorie diet) and after surgery (clear liquid diet) you depleted all of your glycogen (the carbohydrate stored in your liver and muscles). Now as you begin to consume some carbohydrates again you will rebuild some of that (and that is a good thing). That carbohydrate is linked together with water so you weight will go up slightly, but the increase on your scale is not fat gain. Don’t worry – just follow the diet recommendations – you will continue to lose weight over time (even if the scale fluctuates some day to day.) Thanks for your good questions, always feel free to contact us for answers, support, and whatever else we can do to help.
Best of luck,
Sandi

Really??

Today is a difficult day. Today marks 2 weeks from surgery, and well my scale is killing me. So we all know that my first week had some remarkable results of a total of 19lbs lost. I was amazed and excited to say the least. Now after following the rules I get on the scale and I have actually gained a pound. It doesn’t make sense. During the week I was down 2 or 3 more pounds and now I get on the scale this morning and up 1…WHAT?? I am embarrassed. I am sick to my stomach. I mean I understand that my first week was a huge loss, but seriously is this normal?? I mean I have started working out and eating the foods I should, and this is what I get back. I want to cry, I want to lie in bed and not get out. It seriously just sickens me. I know that I just need to realize that its ok and my body is just adjusting to all the changes, but seriously that is just easier said then done. I have sent an S.O.S to some of those in the clinic, hoping they can offer up some words of advice, maybe even letting me know that it is somewhat normal. I did not realize exactly how much mental plays a part in this life change until yesterday and today. I am holding my head up, although it is heavy and seems to fall here and there. Lets hope for the best for next week.

Exercise

To do or not to do, that is the question. I mean I know I need to be doing it and I know I will feel better when I do it, but now to just make time to do it. I am setting a goal to work out a minimum of 4 times a week for 30 minutes each time. I have to get this butt into gear.

Tonight was "Hip Hop Abs" all I can say is that I sure don't hip and hop like I use to. Here's hoping that the hipping and hopping will get a little less easier as time goes by.

Ummm yeah!!!

So I made it! I am very happy to say I made it past the chicken and beef broth, along with sugar free jello. Now on to the good stuff. Oatmeal, yogurt, protein shakes, and V8...I know to some that does not sound so great, but to me it sounds amazing. I am thrilled to be moving on in this journey especially when it includes bringing better foods.

Today is a big day for me. Today marks one week from my surgery date. Today is my first official weigh-in....and the results please... well weighing in on 4/29/2010 with a total weight of 275 today I weighed in at 256. Yes that is a total of 19lbs. I am stoked! oh and motivated. I was hoping for a good number but seriously never dreamed of one that big. Its exciting and surreal all at the same time. It has been a while since I have seen the 250's, I am a little ashamed to admit, but I am proud to say that I am in the 250's. It was funny the other day my dear sweet friend and i were talking about what I weighed when starting out on this journey, and I stated the facts 275, she was shocked. Not a bad shock, but more of I did not even realize you were that big. She is to sweet. She has never seen me as large as I really am, and that truly means a lot to me. However, I do see myself for as large as I am as well as how thin I am to be.

I need to tell my mom thanks! Thanks for driving me to Idaho to meet with my new "gang". Thanks for letting me chat your ears off and get excited and share this moment with you. It was great I know she wants this for me as much as I do, and that makes it that much easier to accomplish it.

One more day, and one week down!

So tomorrow is the “big” day. Yep Thursday the 6th marks one week from surgery, and my follow up. I am excited to say the least. My mom has graciously agreed to go with me to my follow-up and what they call “First Breakfast”. I am excited to include her on this new life change.

My parents have always been so supportive of me trying to become healthier. Once upon a time I would do Tae-Bo in their living room and my dad use to say “So when you going to be an aerobics instructor?” They have always wanted me to be happy with my body as well as help me to become the healthy women that I wanted to be. I remember many talks with my dad, who just happens to be someone that I admire for his attention to fitness. He really cares about his health and works hard to improve it. He is a great role model to me. Honestly if I can just keep up with him on a bicycle one of these days, I would know that the healthy me has come full circle. My mom is one who has helped me countless times in starting new “diets” you know helping contribute to buying the right foods. Supporting me and accompanying me at WeightWatcher meetings, and in turn she herself has become so much healthier. She is looking GREAT! I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished over the last year or so. She is one busy lady who keeps herself going from early AM to late PM…I don’t see how she does it. However I am sure her being healthy has helped a lot.

Well anyway today is a pretty good day. Pretty good energy, and trying to keep it going. I am excited to be on this new journey and need to keep up this excitement. Bring on a 2nd week!!

Time to get out...

So we all know, well those of you who know me that is, that I love to shop. So what better thing to do but go and hit the mall. I mean I need to get walking so why not shop while walking...right??? It was great fun I walked in and out of stores, and tried not to stand still for to long. I picked up a pair of jeans and then told myself "NO" just wait. Yes I know I resisted the temptation, amazing. However this was just in the first store, my all time favorite store of LB (Lane Bryant for those who have never worn a size 14 or larger) Walked around a little looked at all the cute summer things and started getting excited, but realized I needed to just hold off. This is going to be tough. Believe me. I then made my way down to the other end of the mall and found another CUTE pair of jeans. Super CUTE jeans! I couldn't resist...So I tried them on. Grabbed 2 sizes my 22's (size I am in although not my largest that would be 24) and a size 20. I usually have the feeling try the big size on first so when the big size fits you aren't depressed as badly because the first pair did not fit. However this time around i decided what the hay. So I went for the 20 first, and guess what it fit. My butt looked good!! lol I was feeling like a hottie. No more saggy butt jeans and frumpy...although to be honest I did have a little muffin top, but it wasn't anything like before. I was so excited, this is the part where i say and well i couldn't part with them. So now I have a new pair of jeans. WAHOOO, but....I did good. I refrained! Yes they made my butt look cute and i definitely felt good in them, but I have decided to be patient and go through some of my old clothes first. I have to be good!! Needless to say by the end of the evening I did get in a pretty good walk for as much energy as I had.

However, I forgot to make it up to try on those new EasyTone Reebok Shoes, the ones that "make" your butt look good. You all know what I am talking about. Heck the commercial comes on and i know we all are thinking if they will really do that for me i am buying a pair. Fernando seems to think that if i just walk around barefoot it will do the same thing for me, but I am thinking not true. Hello don't we all want that butt?

Back to reality...

So today is my first day back to work after surgery and recovery, and what can I say, but it is bitter sweet. I like the idea of having something to do, but not being able to take a nap when I want is the bitter part. It is 9 am and I am longing to lay my head down. I have been up since 4:30am and time doesn’t seem to go buy quick enough. You can only chat with your friends for so long before you need to get busy and really accomplish something. My energy is a little drained, but I know that will change in time. I really am trying to be optimistic about this whole thing. Things are going good. People have been so sweet to me saying that I look good, and they can tell I have already lost weight. Who knows if they are really telling the truth, but it sure can make a girl feel good about her-self. I have 3 different types of beverages sitting on my desk. A 32 oz of crystal light, my coffee mug aka beef broth mug, and my bottle of propel. I look like a 7 eleven.

Liquid diet...

So we are on day 4 of liquid diet, and getting bored. Although the scale is looking nice. If I am to base my weight-loss off the scale here at home I would be down 10lbs already. Now don't get to excited. I mean don't get me wrong I am not selling myself short on this, it is definitely an accomplishment, but I am on a liquid diet. (Its amazing how excited I am to start eating oatmeal next week. Ahhh the small things we tend to appreciate once they are gone.) Plus my starting weight was as the hospital. So I figure my official weigh in will be this coming Thursday. Which will be exactly a week after surgery. Things are going pretty well. I am not as full of energy as I would like, but I know it will come. I am still enthusiastic about the journey to come. Anyway I will keep you updated on my thoughts and feelings and hope only to motivate as well as keep myself going on the path of HEALTHY-LIVING!!!

Day of and post op experiences...

Alright since I have some time here you go. Some updates on what is going on. So Wednesday night last week the 28th Fernando and I drove up to Idaho Falls. Pretty peaceful drive which was nice. I was a little concerned about the weather. You just never know. To be honest I think I was more nervous about the weather then my actual surgery. Anyway we got in probably around 7ish which was making really good time, and relaxed for a few minutes. Then decided it was time to go and get some grub. You know last super and all.

Now please keep in mind the last 2 weeks I have been on what they call a liver shrinking diet. The main reason is to help make things smaller inside to help the surgeon to move around a little easier. Well lets just say it was a difficult 2 weeks, and well being as it was my "last" super. I had to live it up. So Fernando and I headed over to TGI Friday's and enjoyed some wonderful appetizers and some wonderful food. Although I did feel a little guilty after, but hey i had to be a little bit of a rebel. i capped the night off with a Snickers bar and went fast to sleep. I needed chocolate so i figured a snickers would satisfy my hunger...lol

The next morning I showered and took my time getting ready and woke Fernando up around 5-5:15ish and feeling fairly calm drove to the hospital. We got in there right on time and had to wait a few minutes to do all the admitting stuff. You know as in if you die who gets your stuff and who will be paying for this. All the really important stuff.

Then I was taken off to be weighed in...ahhh lets see how good this is I think to myself. 275 is what i weighed in I guess I lost my 5lbs binging prior to my 2 weeks low cal and lost another 5. Oh and here is a weird thing, for the longest time i have been saying I am 5'4" but the nurse said i was 5'5"...I am not sure If I totally believe this, being as she was fairly short herself, but hey maybe so.

I was then bombarded by staff one drawing blood and putting in my IV the other asking me multiple questions, EKG, and all this fun stuff. Fernando was really good he just watched and kept me company as I was really starting to look silly in my whole hospital garb. A few more questions by the anesthesiologist and then off to the surgery waiting room. Said my goodbyes to Fernando and was on my way. The plan was the surgeon would start at 7:30 I would be out by 8:30 and in recovery till 9:30, and then moved to the room. Honestly it was like clock work it really was pretty close to that time line. All i remember is being told they were going to strap my arms down and i was out. The next thing I know is I hear someone saying "Heather, Heather" and I was in the recovery room. Joking around with my nurse and being sarcastic. Good times. Got up to my room and Fernando was waiting. What a man! He was right there for me. It was nice to see him after all of this.

Around 11ish i was changing and getting ready to walk around. The nurse had said the sooner you get walking around the better. so being the star student I am I told myself from the beginning I would be walking around in no time, and I was. Also the big motivation for walking and standing up was the gas. i know this is very personal and some may not want to read about this, but seriously this gas hurt. They have to fill the body cavity up with gas to help the surgeon to get around a lot better and the only way to get it out is to toot or burp. so there goes all lady like habits out the door. There was no way I was going to hold that in with the pain it was causing. So burping and farting I went. my mom would be so proud...lol