What a week!!!!!!!!!

The week started out great. I went to the Y on Monday to see how I felt using the stationary bike. I did 2 miles on the bike and felt great. I know that's not much but I thought it was a good start. On Tuesday I went back and did a fitness assessment. I was psyched to learn how to use a variety of machines to start toning up.

My plan was to go again on Thursday, but Wednesday night I started having lots of pain. I guess I had been trying too many foods that it was too soon to eat. The final straw was a piece of meatloaf on Wed. for dinner. Within an hour I was in severe pain. I didn't sleep much that night or the next.

I finally saw the doctor on Friday. It may be gallstones (30% of people who have gastric bypass end up with gallstones). They also thought I had an UTI (urinary track infection - not the auto tech school).

I feel so stupid - I rushed the process. It was too soon to eat something like meatloaf. It will be a long, long time before I try it again.

It is now Sunday, and I am still not 100%. I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow, but, I am putting it off for a couple more days.

I have learned my lesson. The guidelines provided by the WLS team at Stanford work - if you follow them. I will not stray again.

Although it wasn't a Happy Easter for me, I hope it was for all of you.

Minor Setback

Well, this has been a tough week. I was all set to start an exercise regime. I went to the Y in Cupertino took tour and got a 7 day visitor pass so I could check it out.

But on Monday night as I was getting out of the deep corner of my couch (for those who have never seen it we have a monster sectional sometimes referred to as "the couch that ate the living room") I twisted and strained the muscles on my left side. It hurt to move or bend, even a little, on that side - which it where most of the surgery took place. I spoke with Michael, my surgeon's nurse coordinator, about it and was told to apply heat. This helped, but it is now Friday and its still sensitive.

Needless to say I did not begin exercising this week and I am disappointed. On the other hand, my weight is now 204 - down 15 lbs.!

I will hit the gym this week but not too hard.

Post Op Dr Visit

On Friday I went to see Dr Lau for my 2 week post-op followup. He removed the bandages - thank God, they were starting to itch - now there are just 5 small, about 1 inch wide, incision marks. Since I have been tolerating all foods on the liquid diet he said I could go on to try other foods. Yahoooo! Soup was getting boring.

Now, for the numbers: My pre-surgery weight was 221 and my weight on Friday was 211. So 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Not bad.

Once I start a real exercise program things will really start to move. I plan on starting to do more than just walking next week. Dr Lau said I can do anything that doesn't hurt short of skydiving and scuba diving. My plan is to join the Y.

The week after surgery I felt lost - a case of "buyers remorse". I was thinking, "What have I done? How will I ever live like this?". But as the days have passed I have become positive that I can be successful in this new life.

Thanks to those who have left comments. I love it, please leave more.

Out to Lunch

Big day today - I went out to lunch with my sister, Angela. It was great to find I could go out to a restaurant, even on the liquid diet. I had a lovely bowl of cream of potato soup - carefully avoiding the bits of potato and ham in it. I brought a protein powder packet with me so I could mixed it in. I did make a mess of my water by trying to mix in a single serving packet of Crystal Light drink mix. The cup was too full and I had to ask for an extra cup with ice to mix it in.

It was such a beautiful day; I took the dogs for a long walk on their new leash (one leash with 2 ends). I am not sure if they like it but it sure makes it easy for me to walk them both at the same time.

Mary, my oldest, dearest and tallest friend, texted me from Florida where she is attending a conference - she has given up soda in solidarity with me.

More Energy

My energy is really picking up. Yesterday I took a short walk with Jena - my first excursion outside since coming home from the hospital.

Today I took a longer walk, all by myself. Later, Dave and I went to the grocery store for a few things. It felt weird to be in Safeway - all the foods and smells. But we just got the things we went for and got out.

I am ready for more substantial food. This liquid diet is so limiting. Hopefully I can move on to the next stage - pureed food - soon. Yummmmmmm.

Post Surgery - Day 4

I came home from the hospital on Wednesday and went straight to bed. My sister, Angela, came over and made my first meal - vanilla yogurt with extra protein powder. Yummy, but kind of sweet. Why are all foods that have artificial sugar too sweet?

Yesterday, I was determined to have a normal day. Dave stayed home to help me. It was funny trying to get him to understand the "recipe" for enriched milk (1/4 cup of dry milk added to 1 cup of skim milk). He needed to make 2 cups of e-milk to make a package of instant pudding. Chocolate pudding, mmmm...

My goal was to take a shower on Thursday but that didn't happen until today. Ahh, so nice to feel clean, but the yellowish antiseptic wash they put on you doesn't wash off. I guess it stains the skin.

Whew - not sure I was prepared for how lousy I would feel. I will take a walk today -if I can squeeze it into my busy nap schedule.

Thanks to everyone for your continued well wishes and prayers. I still need you all.

Love, MaryAnn

The day after surgery

Mostly i sleep

This morning i had a barium test to check
for links. I passed and my reward was lunch.

Cherry jello - too sweet
Bullioun - too salty
Lemonade - too sweet until i added the protien powder

I took a walk around the nurses desk. It made me a bit nauseus (sp?) no spell check on this blog lite software
On my iphone

Waiting for dave and jena to visit

At the hospital

Im at the hospital going through preop stuff.

George Shultz is here. Looks like his wife is having a procedure today.

They have taken my vitals and made me sign some forms. Im just waiting for my drugs.

They will take my phone soon. I will post again when i awaken.

3 days to go

My surgery is scheduled for 10:26 am on Monday. What a weird time - not 10:25 but 10:26 - I doubt they run the ORs that precisely, but ... So I have to arrive at the hospital by 8:26 am. This works out well. We can drop Jena off at school then head up to Stanford.

I made a list of foods I need to buy for my liquid diet - non-fat milk, non-fat dry milk (to mix with the skim milk to create "enriched" milk - more protein), non-fat sugar free yogurt, sugar free pudding mix (I will make the pudding with the enriched milk) and a few other allowable foods.

I think I will get a pedicure tomorrow - I'd hate to have the docs see ugly toes. What color is best for surgery - germicide orange, blood red, or scrubs green?

Thank God it will be a busy weekend cause I am counting the hours.