One Month (and some) Anniversary of Surgery. Where are we?

Photo on the Left was taken today. Photo on right was taken
on surgery day. (July 9th)

August is super busy for me. School begins.. I work longer hours.. And this month we several drs appointments happening right in the middle of everything. I realize it's been a week since I've blogged. Actually started this on Friday.. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to announce we have a breakthrough.. And some exciting results.. 

Victories:

Clothing.. down a complete size and then some.. I actually bought some clothes to wear for the fall when I get to that size.. 

I am off my acid reflux meds. 

I am suppose to be limiting my NSAIDs meds.. This is really hard.. I am cutting back but, it's rough.. Tylenol doesn't cut it! 

Starting Weight VS Today:  
350 (ish) and today 299.1 (this varies between morning and night +/- 3 pounds) 

Inches lost as of today:  (since 6/21)

Chest 7.5 inches

Bust 6 inches

Hips 5.5 inches

Belly button 7 inches

Where I feel the most difference? my hips

In this picture- you can hardly see my knees today! 

Goals for next month: To be never in the 300's when I weigh-in-- right now, it's on the border and I want them gone! More exercise!! More Protein! Get medications straightened out!! Continue therapy!  

Thanks for your love and support. 

love, RDB

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 Nesting...

So, I have been cleaning out closets, sorting through clothes and getting rid of junk. While I like to pretend this is me... I have never been on a roll like this.... My friends say I am nesting. Tonight, I finished with our closet and bathroom. It was awful- I have been moving baskets of lotions/makeup/hair stuff from one house to another for 10 years. Threw a whole bunch of stuff out. I am proud of myself. I am wondering is this a new part of my personality coming out??? Haha. 

Day 11. Not as easy as Day 1 but, it went pretty well. I am thankful! I also realized my husband has been so good at not eating in front of me. I went out and bought some of his favorite foods for next week while I am away. I finally made some crystal light and that was deli-sh. 

Tomorrow, we have an appointment for Maddie. Then I am going to get a pedicure with my free friend Sarah.. If I am going to be wearing hideous gowns - I should have pretty toes. 

I saw two articles in the USA Today. One was about Obamacare requires most insurers to tackle obesity. Americans have got to wake up. We need to start being more responsible for our bodies. I know lots of people are angry about Obamacare but, what it will do for specials needs kids (my family espeically) is life changing.  I know people don't want to hear about how the insurance we have doesn't believe in treating Autism. It comes from out our pockets or we have a secondary insurance called Tefra. Yes, our family is depending on medicaid for Maddie and Lauren.

I saw another article that was discussing how hard it is for Americans to keep weight off. It's a viscous circle!  It's not easy. I know- been on this journey of being overweight for 21 years. My life is about to change for the good. I hope I can share with others what I am learning. 

So thankful that I get to have this surgery. 

THREE DAYS LEFT!  And Happy Birthday, America!  

Personal Trainers

Time to get my friends together- I am going to need support! Any day now we get the plan for my upcoming weight loss surgery.. I am ready! 

I am currently looking for a personal trainer - hopefully someone between Cabot and North Little Rock. Part of being successful with weight loss surgery is working with the "window". When you get released to work out- you have six months to make the most of this surgery and weight loss. I need to find my person to help me- I will continue to lose weight after six months but, the most success happens then.

Friends, share your ideas.. 

Decision Day Drama

Mondays are my day to go escape to my office and get work done. I get a call at lunch from my PCP saying my weight loss surgery doctor was requesting records from 2011- I wasn't seeing her in 2011. So, I sit down and send my doctor's nurse an email stating what doctor's I had seen in the past 10 years. Ended the email with Let me know if you need anything.  On my way home- I call her- leave a message. (Yes, I am crazy).

At 4:31 she emails that insurance is needing my weight from a medical professional in 2011. Oh and they need it by 5pm to re-review. Panic sits in. Have you ever called a dr's office after 4pm? Well, in 2011 I saw my gyn and I went to a walk in clinic. So, I start working phone and email. Hoping to get release papers to these folks in time so they will fax documentation. I was totally worn out by 5pm. I email my Dr's nurse "Ok. Just frustrating. Had I known I could have helped you with this. I just spoke to Kathryn and she is sending records from Feb and Dec 2011.  The Sherwood walk in office will only take release of information if its on their paperwork. So, getting to Sherwood (from Cabot) and to you by 5 would be impossible. You should have it in a few minutes. I am happy to help anytime if I know you need something."  <meanwhile, I was near Sherwood (25 minutes from my house- 9 minutes from my office) all day!!!>

She emails me back at 5:14 "The insurance company just called me back…. APPROVED!!"

Finally. 10 months. We have made it through decision day. 

Paperwork, paperwork

The paperwork gathering is a beast. I hate it. Let's learn from my experience.. People don't do what they say. It's not any one person's fault. Paperwork gets lost. So, when you finish your 6th and final appointment with your PCP- call, fax, email your other doctors and ask them if have sent your paperwork. If they say yes then call your paper gathering person and if she has not received them- call the other doctor and tell them you will be hand delivering the paperwork. Ask them when will it be ready for pick up? Don't wait on them to fax, email or mail the paperwork. It's won't happen. I am three weeks behind- I should have already sent in my paperwork but, it's lost- so, don't depend on anyone!!!!!!!!!

UGGGGGGHHHHH

Insurance

Paperwork check. Signed up for a weight loss seminar check. Called Insurance and wow- it's like reading a foreign language. 

If you are so interested here is a sample where you can Click here to read it. 

This journey- quickly became a weight loss surgery marathon. I will spend months preparing for this surgery. I will have lots of doctor’s appointments. I feel over whelmed. What if all this work for nothing.