Question and Answer from the patient!

My brother and his wife stopped by last night and stayed over. My family is heading to the beach.  They played with Lauren this morning on the trampoline. I probably won't do that for a

while.. 

Lots of folks have been asking questions about the procedure. Here is my point of view. This is not from my doctor and it's not medical approved. It's my opinion. Every patient is very different and ALL the doctors have a different methods.

Are you hungry? No. Not one bit. They say during the first seven days after surgery your goal is to consume 64 ounces of fluids per day. Hahaha. That is not happening. You are also suppose to have 75(+/-) grams of protein. Not happening either. I hope to make improvement over the weekend. Monday I move to a pureed soft diet (that includes eggs and soft fruits!!!!) Stoked about that!

What can you eat?
Once I finish the 8 week recovery process I can eat whatever my heart desires; just not in big proportions. Unlike the Lap Band the stomach isn't restricted so there’s nothing for food to get caught on. But, right now I can't eat anything solid- I will spend six weeks developing new habits.  They say I will make changes to the food I want- There is a chance I will not enjoy what I used too. 

Do you get sick?Not yet. However, I am getting about 2-3 ounces per meal. I also feel like Thanksgiving over and over. You know where you eat too much and lay around moaning...  Dumping/vomiting doesn't always happen with the sleeve. My stomach muscles would cry if I vomited. 

How fast have you lost the weight? 
From my highest weight I have lost 33 pounds. I am averaging about a pound a day. This will slow down.. 


What do you find most different since the surgery?
My bloated belly.. I dread to eat. I want to eat ice chips and be done. 

I have been overweight all my life and am seriously considering having a gastric sleeve. Any advice?
Today: Contact your insurance and see what they can pay. (this could change as time goes on)
This weekend: Look online at the doctors who do the surgery. If they are local- go to every doctor's seminar and learn their method. They are not the same!!!  I only went to one seminar- a big regret of mine. I like my doctor but, each doctor has a very different method. Several folks I know used doctors in Mexico or Canada.. There are several in the state. My insurance led me to my doctor.  

What is your biggest fear? 
Other than it not working??  My skin being in bad shape. Though that fear has left. I have Rodan and Field products that will help me out. I will share more soon. 

How did you feel immediately after surgery?
Dry mouth, regretful, groggy, tired, excited

How long did you stay in the hospital? 
Surgery was Monday. Recovery took almost 8 hours (very rough). Tuesday= Ice chips were my new love. Wednesday jello and chicken broth  was the most delish thing ever!

How long until you feel fine? (everyone has a different answer). I hope soon! 

Does it feel tight or like anything is left in your stomach??
I feel like I had major tummy surgery. No desire to eat.  I also think gas is making me feel bloated/full. 

Cheers to each day improving! 

The Post Op Review-unedited

I am not going to sugar coat this experience. Because I want people to know the real deal.

Communication about the exact time of surgery was not very clear. (I plan to report this through evalution). We were told Surgery was scheduled for 1pm and found out it was in fact scheduled for 3:55 and started at 5:45.  For several reasons you can imagine- it was not a fun day.. My momma and John stuck by with me! I had a bad headache all day(Monday).. So bad the bright lights and coolness in pre opt- made the headache worse and I was given Valium (twice) and finally post surgery it was gone. The anesthetic drug cocktail they gave me was super strong due to my family history of MH.. That made recover much rougher!! It was after 9 (I think) when I got to my room.. My mom is a caregiver by profession and as you can imagine she was not going  to let me stay alone. I was having some buyers remorse at that moment. I was so thirsty and my mouth was so dry-I was not prepared for that feeling. Morphine doesn't help the thirsty feeling. 

Lessons Learned:

• CALL the business day morning before surgery and confirm time. (I never got a confirmation call).
• Prepare for someone to stay with you the first night. If you don't need it then you can send them home. 
• Ask people to text before visiting. (That was so helpful for me!)
• Bring chapstick! (Thankfully, I was warned)

I woke up feel very un-rested today but, I feel so much better than last night except I was so thirsty. I finally received 1 oz out ice chips every 30 minutes at around 10am.  I also walked around the floor 6+ times. The doctor says I am doing great.  My night nurse says I get clear liquid sat 6 am tomorrow. I am super pumped about that! 

Mama Rho and Lauren

Pretty excited about the new life! No pain- no gain!

Tomorrow we should head home! Super big hugs to all texted, facebook, call or stop by. YOU made the day fly by. Mama Rho is very tired and I will blame the mistakes on the morphine. 

Crock pot Chicken Stock / Broth Recipe!

As you know - I am preparing for weight loss surgery and I am on a two week liquid diet. My hubby, John, is on weight watchers and so we are learning to find meals we both can enjoy. Here is a crucial ingredient to lots of soups!

Chicken Stock/Broth. I was told broth traditionally doesn't include salt but it does include meat.. ANYWAYS.. It's is so easy to make! Homemade is so much better and yet we settle for the can!!!  NO MORE! We even make ours in a crock pot!

John found this recipe at Everyday Maven and we tweak it.. I am making several batches to have in the freezer- and it's so tasty it's no surprise they are the base to several more recipes I plan to post this week/weekend! 

• One 3½ to 5 lb chicken (with meat, bones & skin), cut up

• 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• water to cover plus about 1″

• 8 to 10″ lemongrass, sliced in half (I use the freeze dried)

• 3 to 4 shallots, cut in half lengthwise (skin on)

• 1 head garlic, cut in half across the middle (skin on)

• 3 to 4″ ginger root, peeled and sliced lengthwise

• 1 bunch scallions, white and darks separated, whites cut lengthwise (greens reserved for soup)

2 to 3 tablespoons Kosher Salt

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  Of course you can also add carrots, celery, green onions and more! Put in the crock pot on low and walk away for 8-10 hours!  
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• After the stock is done cooking turn off the heat and, we pick out the big stuff and used a strainer to remove all herbs/bones/etc. (We actually used the cooked chicken for something else.)
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• Either refrigerate or freeze the stock for future use. I plan to freeze some in both 1 and 2-cup portions, and I also plan to freeze stock in ice cube trays just in case I just “need a little” for making sauce or rice. 

So, that's all folks. You can do it! 

Original Recipe Inspiration came from Everyday Maven