Post-op check

I know, a very boring title! Sorry, it's all I could think of!

Today was my post-op follow up visit with my surgeon. I am feeling almost entirely normal, with the exception of some mild discomfort where my largest (about 4cm) incision is. Only one of my steri-strips has come off so far (my post-op instruction sheet said to let them fall off on their own), all the others are holding tight. All in all, I am very glad that I had both the accumulated sick leave, and the medical certificate to have two weeks off work. I would have been no use to anyone if I had to go back at the beginning of this week! I am still finding myself to get tired quite easily, but this is getting better.

So, back to the surgeon visit! It honestly was a bit of a non-event! Roxy (the nurse) recorded my weight (officially down 2.9kg - that's 6.4lbs - on their scales), then asked me to get up on the bed so the surgeon could check my tummy. I lay on the bed, the surgeon came in, checked my incisions were healing, asked how I was doing (was I having trouble drinking etc), then said he would see me in 6 weeks as he is going on leave! Approximately 4.5 minutes of my time. Luckily I don't feel ripped off, as my aftercare is included in the surgery fee. He said that I may or may not get a fill at the next visit, depending on how much I am eating and how much weight I have lost.

Oh, Sweet asked about protein - both my surgeon and my dietitian made a point of saying that I should be sure to get a sufficient amount of protein, hair loss was mentioned, as was protein being more filling. I think the main worry in the first few weeks with fluid diet and mushies is that we eat enough protein to minimise both muscle and hair loss. Personally, I have quick thick hair, and I like it so I'd like to avoid losing too much of it! That said, tomorrow I'm off to get a hair cut!

That's about all from me really, I hope everyone has had, or is at the beginning of a fabulous day!

Feeling Human Again!

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments on my last post! I have managed to get through the better part of 2 days without a headache or pain meds. Yay! I find it interesting that a couple of people said it was their meds that caused their headache, I am wondering if it was the same for me. To cover all the bases, I hydrated like there was no tomorrow and also avoided the meds. Success! I am actually starting to feel almost normal! I still have some discomfort where my incisions are, but it passes quickly and I just need to figure out which way to sit up etc to minimise it.

So this time last week I was sitting in the surgical waiting room, all dressed in my spectacular gear waiting for surgery! One week later, I saw 84.6kg (186.5lb) on the scales this morning. Woohoo! I'm not entirely sure what my surgery day weight was, the scales at the surgeon had me at 87.8kg (193.6lb) last Monday, but it was in the afternoon, fully clothed. I guess though as this will be my "official" weight for the surgeon, I should go with it. That means a loss of 3.2kg (7lbs) in the first week since surgery.

I am fully aware that this is an unusual loss, and it is only because I am on a fluid diet. I know it will slow down (and is safer for me if it does), but I was still over the moon to see the number today.

Speaking of the fluid diet, I am very much looking forward to mushies! I have been having trouble getting enough protein, as the protein powder I bought to mix into things, well, doesn't mix all that well! I bought some different soups yesterday, with actual meat in them, and I pulled my bamix mixer out of the cupboard to blend them. We got it as a wedding present, and yesterday was the first time I have used it. Now I am wondering why! It is so easy to use, and did a great job of smoothing out the chicken in my soup last night. Yay for new flavours! I also realised my dietitians handout says I can have runny custard and yoghurt, so that went in the shopping basket yesterday too.

Which brings me to another milestone - getting out of the house! I have been out two days in a row now! Sunday we went for a walk around the markets held not far from here. We weren't out long and I was exhausted by the time we got home. Yesterday, my hubby took me to see the 3D Glee Concert Movie (yes, I am a Gleek, yes I don't care, and yes my Husband loves me enough to be seen in public seeing the movie!), then we did some grocery shopping. I was still tired when we got home, but much better than Sunday.

So this has turned into an epic blog entry, but I wanted to update you all on how I'm doing one week out. Those playing along at home may also remember I set my first goal at 85kg, which means a new blog design from Jen at Just Fooling Blog Designs!! Stay tuned for my new look!

My Head Hurts

Did anyone else have a fairly persistent headache the week after surgery? Today marks day 4 post op and I have had this annoying headache for the last 3 days. I thought it might be dehydration, but today I have been extra careful with keeping up the fluids and it is still sticking around. I was trying to avoid painkillers today, but I think I've reached the end of my tether.

Time for drugs and a nap. Sigh.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Parole for good behaviour

Aka, post op day 2! Coming to you live from the couch at my house. Stay tuned for a recap of the last few days.

Surgery Day!
I woke up early ( 630am) to squeeze in breakfast before my official fasting began at 7am. I was required to check in at 1030am, however I knew my surgery wasn't until the afternoon. If I had realised just how late in the afternoon my surgery would be, I would have eaten a bigger breakfast! When I had my pre-op meeting with the anesthetist, she warned me that the case before mine might take a while, so although I was second on the list, I may not get in until 3pm. 3pm came and went, and I was getting hungrier by the minute! I eventually was called in at 4, and wheeled into the theatre at 430pm. Hooray!

I woke up in recovery feeling quite groggy, and was in there for a while waking up properly. The recovery nurse said I had been a model patient and handed me over to the ward nurse who wheeled me off to my room. My Fabulous hubby was there waiting for me, sitting at the table in the corner studying (did I mention he had an exam the day after my surgery? Very bad timing). He stood next to my bed for a while, chatting away. I was still quite dopey, poor thing. Tuesday night was also census night for us here in Oz, so hubby filled out our household census form while I dozed. He eventually left about 930pm, as he needed to get some sleep before his exam.

My sleep was very interrupted, between my nurse checking my obs, giving me my antibiotics, and I also asked for painkillers a couple of times. The incisions were quite sore, and I also knew they would help me sleep. Around 6am I also asked for some anti-nausea meds, as I was really feeling unwell. Luckily they kicked in quickly.

Post op day 1

7am delivered me a new nurse (and a student nurse), more obs checking and a plan for the morning. My gastrograph and swallow was scheduled for approx 9am, and if that was ok then I was allowed to have something to drink. Yahoo! I actually needed some more anti-nausea meds about 830, as I think the lack of food was getting to me. My surgeon dropped by to check in me, and told me that the surgery went well. He said that I had a small hiatus hernia which he repaired while he was there! He asked if I had reflux, which I didn't think I did (but thinking back, I did have a bit if indigestion). He also said my stomach was tiny (!!), so he put a ml of extra fluid in my band as it seemed loose. Did anyone else have a hernia they didn't know about?

I was wheeled to xray for the gastrograph, and can I just say - BLECH!! It was disgusting. I hate everything aniseed, and this stuff was like industrial strength Sambuca (aniseed liqueur). Thank goodness I was allowed to rinse out my mouth afterwards!

When I was returned to the ward, I was happily allowed some water, and then a bit later -lunch!! Tomato soup, orange juice and a cup of tea. Heaven. Later in the afternoon, my nurse said she had been reading my notes, and the surgeon said I could go home if I tolerated my lunch! I rang my husband (he was in his way home again) and asked him to come back and get me. So long story short (too late, sorry!), my 2 night stay turned into a 1 night stay and I came home about 5pm yesterday.

Post-op Day 2
I slept much better last night than I did at the hospital, even after getting up to take painkillers (they sent me home with a liquid paracetamol/codeine concoction). This morning I am feeling ok, but still quite sore. At least today I can tell the difference between hunger pain and pain! I think though that all the codeine I have been having has blocked up the pipes (sorry Draz), so I'm trying to help out by adding some extra fibre to my shakes today. I'm also laying here with heat packs, as my TOM started last night, which has added a whole 'nother type of pain! I'm hoping that I will start to feel less pain from the incisions soon.

Can I just say, anyone who had this done as day surgery, I salute you!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sexy Booty

Well, here I am waiting to be taken into theatre. Looks to be a long wait, maybe another three hours. Until then, for your amusement, here are my sexy scrub booties and pressure stockings. The height of fashion I know ;)




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quick Check In!

Hello everyone! Just a quick check in to let you know I am still here, and still counting down. Only 4 days to go until my surgery! For me, that is one night shift, 2 nights away for our anniversary, and one nervous night at home the night before. Not long!

I went and paid my bill at the anaesthetist today (anaesthesiologist for those in the US), only the surgeon bill to go which will get paid at my pre-op appointment on Monday.

I weighed in today at 86.4 (again). I had been down to 86 even a couple of times, but rebounded to hover at 86.4. I highly doubt I will be any lower by Monday!

Anyhoo, I would love to stay and chat, but I just smashed a glass candle all over the lounge room floor and need to clean it up before I head to work.

Have a fantastic weekend! See you on the flip side!

T minus 7 days

One week to go! Weigh in this morning (and yesterday morning) at 86.4kg (190.4 lb). Getting closer to my pre surgery goal of 85kg (187.4 lb). Not sure if I will get there, as it is our first wedding anniversary this weekend and we are going away to have a hopefully romantic weekend. I will stick to shakes and bars as much as possible, and if we eat out will have vegies and protein only. No carbs (with maybe the exception of half a dessert for celebration purposes). Eyes on the prize!

Now, I am starting to plan (cos I'm a bit OCD that way) what to take to hospital with me. So far I have bought an underwire-free bra, and some gas-ex. What else should be on my list fellow bandsters?

I also have a to-do list, which will be interesting as I'm on night shift this whole week until we go away, so I'll be doing things either sleep deprived in the morning, or sleep deprived in the evening :) Should be good practice for when we eventually have kidlets. Top of my list is going to the anaesthetist and the surgeon to pay my bills. Eeek! Lucky for me I am getting a fairly hefty tax return this year (we went to the accountant yesterday), and it will pretty much cover the lot. I've been having extra tax taken out of my pay for a few years now, at first it was to cover my hecs (student loans), but when they were paid I didn't stop it. Must have known I would need it someday! kind of like a forced saving plan ;)

Anyhoo, speaking of night shift, better get moving and get ready for work. 

Cheerio!