Post by Girlrocker on Jan 5, 2012 12:29:27 GMT -5
Hi to all, new here but not to the WLS community, still friends with people I connected with in my early surgery days in 2002 on Spotlight Health. I was later getting here 'cuz the whole process was literally a whirlwind. Hopped onto OH, but noted the move from veterans to this board. Sorry this is so long, but trying to recap my history :-) especially since I'm a revision. I see veteran faces here who posted back to me when I first introduced myself on OH, and I so appreciate the support.
I feel like I start every sentence with "I can't believe" but I still can't, though the emotional rollercoaster finally seems to be on the wane. RNY 9 years ago, deciding to look into a revision summer 2011, first consult in October with Dr. Keshishian, and bam, surgery on Dec 15. I couldn't believe I was approved for the revision, I was preparing myself for heartache and disappointment. I think my head has finally caught up :-)
My surgery went super smoothly, took him an extra hour to undo some things. I was definitely nervous having such a tough time with my RNY, a complication, 2nd surgery 4 weeks later, horrible infection that put me out for 3 months. Hernia surgery a year later. I can't say enough about Dr. K and the efficiency of his office in processing all of this, the follow-up. All my post-op misery was the normal kind, I'm also a hard stick so had the expected bad time with IV, blood draws and heprin shots. I have a feeding tube, Dr. K took a lot of precautions with me due to my prior history. He saw me every day in the hospital over the weekend, woke me up with a gentle hand on my arm. Gave me the 'oh my god what did I do' pep talk on day 2 when I was a basket case. Hospital care at Verdugo Hills was really good, very supportive. Only a little bit of a wait for nursing assistance toward the end of my stay, which was a couple of days longer (total 5) so Dr. K could be sure.
I was on liquids the first two weeks, now cleared for soft foods. So far I can tolerate thin deli meat, soy-chicken patties, cottage cheese, scrambled egg, cheese; I puree tofu in my tomato soup, cook an egg into my oatmeal. I use my tube for liquid protein boosts. Right now shakes, but my delivery of protein bullets and Amino2222 should be here soon. I'm having no trouble with getting water in, sipping all day long, with the the 30 min before/after protein breaks.
I have the funny taste in my mouth, not much appetite, and there was some poop issues as my bowels started to wake up and I was integrating food; also because my gallbladder was removed (as was my appendix). That seems to be subsiding now. My drains and staples came out a week ago...drains...15 seconds of the worst kind of hell
Dr. K assures me the feeding tube removal is not like that, oy. But worth it to be drain free! I'll be glad when the feeding tube is out, but it's a help right now.
I've been reading up on Vitalady to get my supplements together. Right now I'm taking a multi, calcium with Vit D, B-12 sublingual, zinc and selenium (for hairloss). I plan to tweak this regimen, with the help of the expertise here.
I take daily walks with my little doggie Robbie, my rehab partner :-) I live in a very, very hilly neighborhood so my morning walk is a good one, the second one much shorter. I'm pretty tired, a combination of the scope of the surgery, the ketosis from lack of carbs, and the inability to sleep super well because of the incision, drains, feeding tube, haven't been able to sleep lying flat in the bed, but I think that's starting to change in the last day or so.
I was weighed last week and had dropped a total of 20 lbs; I lost 6 lbs on my own prior to surgery, 14 lbs 2 weeks post-op. I'm looking forward to my next weigh in. I know the revision loss pace will be slower than one of a virgin DSer. If I can have a great drop my first month as a kick start I'll be happy. I know these first 3 months are the maximum window and I plan to work hard. But I plan to work hard throughout this second chance I'm still amazed I've been given. I can't go back to the gym for another 3-4 wks, but I'll keep up the walks in the meantime. For the first time in my weight loss surgery odyssey, the 150-160 seems like a true reality.
I feel like I start every sentence with "I can't believe" but I still can't, though the emotional rollercoaster finally seems to be on the wane. RNY 9 years ago, deciding to look into a revision summer 2011, first consult in October with Dr. Keshishian, and bam, surgery on Dec 15. I couldn't believe I was approved for the revision, I was preparing myself for heartache and disappointment. I think my head has finally caught up :-)
My surgery went super smoothly, took him an extra hour to undo some things. I was definitely nervous having such a tough time with my RNY, a complication, 2nd surgery 4 weeks later, horrible infection that put me out for 3 months. Hernia surgery a year later. I can't say enough about Dr. K and the efficiency of his office in processing all of this, the follow-up. All my post-op misery was the normal kind, I'm also a hard stick so had the expected bad time with IV, blood draws and heprin shots. I have a feeding tube, Dr. K took a lot of precautions with me due to my prior history. He saw me every day in the hospital over the weekend, woke me up with a gentle hand on my arm. Gave me the 'oh my god what did I do' pep talk on day 2 when I was a basket case. Hospital care at Verdugo Hills was really good, very supportive. Only a little bit of a wait for nursing assistance toward the end of my stay, which was a couple of days longer (total 5) so Dr. K could be sure.
I was on liquids the first two weeks, now cleared for soft foods. So far I can tolerate thin deli meat, soy-chicken patties, cottage cheese, scrambled egg, cheese; I puree tofu in my tomato soup, cook an egg into my oatmeal. I use my tube for liquid protein boosts. Right now shakes, but my delivery of protein bullets and Amino2222 should be here soon. I'm having no trouble with getting water in, sipping all day long, with the the 30 min before/after protein breaks.
I have the funny taste in my mouth, not much appetite, and there was some poop issues as my bowels started to wake up and I was integrating food; also because my gallbladder was removed (as was my appendix). That seems to be subsiding now. My drains and staples came out a week ago...drains...15 seconds of the worst kind of hell
Dr. K assures me the feeding tube removal is not like that, oy. But worth it to be drain free! I'll be glad when the feeding tube is out, but it's a help right now. I've been reading up on Vitalady to get my supplements together. Right now I'm taking a multi, calcium with Vit D, B-12 sublingual, zinc and selenium (for hairloss). I plan to tweak this regimen, with the help of the expertise here.
I take daily walks with my little doggie Robbie, my rehab partner :-) I live in a very, very hilly neighborhood so my morning walk is a good one, the second one much shorter. I'm pretty tired, a combination of the scope of the surgery, the ketosis from lack of carbs, and the inability to sleep super well because of the incision, drains, feeding tube, haven't been able to sleep lying flat in the bed, but I think that's starting to change in the last day or so.
I was weighed last week and had dropped a total of 20 lbs; I lost 6 lbs on my own prior to surgery, 14 lbs 2 weeks post-op. I'm looking forward to my next weigh in. I know the revision loss pace will be slower than one of a virgin DSer. If I can have a great drop my first month as a kick start I'll be happy. I know these first 3 months are the maximum window and I plan to work hard. But I plan to work hard throughout this second chance I'm still amazed I've been given. I can't go back to the gym for another 3-4 wks, but I'll keep up the walks in the meantime. For the first time in my weight loss surgery odyssey, the 150-160 seems like a true reality.
Hi back, I remember! I haven't been throwing up, except for one time when I ate a couple bites too much of a soy chicken patty. But I'm having bowel movement issues, I'm sure it's due to the reintegration of food, and figuring out what I can and can't tolerate. Oy, I could hear one of those ladies just a little bit, all the nursing staff kept telling me I was lucky to be on that side of the hall :-) I'm glad you are doing well overall. These early post-op days are tough but well worth it. The strangest but best honeymoon :-) Yes, definitely stay in touch, and I'll PM you my email address too. 
Gotta love them bow ties too! 
