It's really early to be reaching a milestone and this one was particularly important to me.
A little background....I started the Couch to 5K running program the day Jacob started kindergarten. About 5 years ago! I was consistent & (I felt) successful. I enjoy running. I got my BFF into it and we did several 5K's together and about 2 years into it, I started to have calf trouble.
At first, I just pushed though the pain. But it gradually go so bad that my legs were going numb and in extreme cases, it practically paralyzed my legs. It made my calves engorge with blood, they got like blocks of steel.
I asked my doc and he didn't know, I asked another and they didn't have an answer for me. I finally did my own research and decided that I had Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) with Intermittent Claudication. Not a good diagnosis! And the treatment is 1) frequent exercise to make it better (obviously not working in my case) 2) medication and 3) surgery.
So I pretty much gave up for awhile. It go so that just walking across campus at anything more than a leisurely pace was practically impossible. My calves would almost instantly engorge so bad that I could barely walk.
It's one of the main factors that pushed me to surgery NOW.
So fast forward to yesterday, 9 days post-op. I'm noticing how skinny & floppy my calves are. My legs were skinny anyway, but now they are so....soft & supple haha.
I start to suspect that maybe my calves were just swollen before and that was contributing to the Intermittent Claudication.
So I decided that on my next walk, I would up my pace enough to test my theory. When I went put for my walk, I didn't hold back any, I took off on a brisk pace and kept it up for the most part for 30 minutes. Prior to surgery, I would only have lasted a couple of minutes at that pace before the IC would get so bad that I couldn't walk anymore.
I'm so excited, I'm planning a 5K in September!!!!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Home Sweet Home
We spent the night last night in San Diego and the front desk manager recommended that I eat the broth at the Indigo Grill on India & Cedar streets. We walked around and found it, but they didn't open until 5pm. So my mom had lunch at The Hamburger Lounge which she said was really good.
We walked around for awhile, but it was pretty cold outside so we eventually went back to the room to rest for awhile. Around 5, we went back to the Indigo Grill & got me a bowl of broth to go. I took it back to the room to eat & my mom wasn't hungry. My mom said that it was delicious (cooked by a world-renowned chef apparently) and it did have good flavor, but I thought it was quite salty. It took me less than an hour to drink 6 ounces or so. I didn't eat it all - it was about half full of chicken.
Anyway, our night was uneventful, we slept really well - the hotel provides earplugs because the train is next door.
We got on the shuttle this morning and headed to the airport. It's wonderful o be back in Kansas City.
We're going to stop by Walmart on the way home to look at protein powders and in going to get a couple of cans of soup I can eat next week in the full liquids stage, blended of course.
We walked around for awhile, but it was pretty cold outside so we eventually went back to the room to rest for awhile. Around 5, we went back to the Indigo Grill & got me a bowl of broth to go. I took it back to the room to eat & my mom wasn't hungry. My mom said that it was delicious (cooked by a world-renowned chef apparently) and it did have good flavor, but I thought it was quite salty. It took me less than an hour to drink 6 ounces or so. I didn't eat it all - it was about half full of chicken.
Anyway, our night was uneventful, we slept really well - the hotel provides earplugs because the train is next door.
We got on the shuttle this morning and headed to the airport. It's wonderful o be back in Kansas City.
We're going to stop by Walmart on the way home to look at protein powders and in going to get a couple of cans of soup I can eat next week in the full liquids stage, blended of course.
10 Days Post-Op
I think I'm over-due for an update!
Let's see, since I've been home I've discovered that I wasn't drinking enough while I was traveling home & I got dehydrated. I may have had a slight electrolyte imbalance & as a result had a low heart beat (40's-50's).
So after seeing the nurse practitioner at the student health center (for free!), I started super hydrating at 100 oz per day. It is a water drinking marathon all day long.
Other than that, I checked out fine but they wanted me to come back Thursday to see the internal medicine doctor (also for free!) just to reevaluate my heart rate & get her opinion.
As of that day, I was still up 8 lb over surgery day, still retaining a lot of water due to the IV fluids then subsequent dehydration. 8 lb isn't so bad though - because the day I came home, I was back up to my pre-pre-op diet weight, my starting weight, which was up 12 lb over surgery day.
I've been very anxious about every stray twinge I'm having. I was thinking mainly about pneumonia and blood clots for the most part. I'm a worry wart.
I went to the doc Thursday and after super hydrating for 3 days, my heart rate was back to normal or close, so that was good news. I also was afraid one of my incisions was infected but she said it looked normal to her.
So, excellent news all the way around! She's willing to do all my post-op check-ups so I'm grateful for that.
Last night I slept like a baby for the first time in days since I've been worried about so many misc things.
As of this morning I'm down a total Of 18 lb, 12 lb pre-op and 6 lb post-op. glad the water weight is finally gone!
I'm finally feeling well enough & relaxed enough to start reading again (my favorite past time!) and just in time too. I just picked up the new True Blood book at the library!!!
Let's see, since I've been home I've discovered that I wasn't drinking enough while I was traveling home & I got dehydrated. I may have had a slight electrolyte imbalance & as a result had a low heart beat (40's-50's).
So after seeing the nurse practitioner at the student health center (for free!), I started super hydrating at 100 oz per day. It is a water drinking marathon all day long.
Other than that, I checked out fine but they wanted me to come back Thursday to see the internal medicine doctor (also for free!) just to reevaluate my heart rate & get her opinion.
As of that day, I was still up 8 lb over surgery day, still retaining a lot of water due to the IV fluids then subsequent dehydration. 8 lb isn't so bad though - because the day I came home, I was back up to my pre-pre-op diet weight, my starting weight, which was up 12 lb over surgery day.
I've been very anxious about every stray twinge I'm having. I was thinking mainly about pneumonia and blood clots for the most part. I'm a worry wart.
I went to the doc Thursday and after super hydrating for 3 days, my heart rate was back to normal or close, so that was good news. I also was afraid one of my incisions was infected but she said it looked normal to her.
So, excellent news all the way around! She's willing to do all my post-op check-ups so I'm grateful for that.
Last night I slept like a baby for the first time in days since I've been worried about so many misc things.
As of this morning I'm down a total Of 18 lb, 12 lb pre-op and 6 lb post-op. glad the water weight is finally gone!
I'm finally feeling well enough & relaxed enough to start reading again (my favorite past time!) and just in time too. I just picked up the new True Blood book at the library!!!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Heading back to San Diego
Right now, we're sitting in our hotel room at the Marriott in Tijuana. We are getting picked up in an hour to cross the border and to stay the night at The Hampton Inn in San Diego. Can't wait!
I was discharged from the hospital yesterday, right after they removed my drain. The anticipation was the worst, it really wasn't as bad as it sounded. I felt so much better after getting the drain and my IV out.
After getting settled into the hotel, we took a $5 cab to Walmart, looking for souvenirs. Oddly enough, they didn't have any. So we took another $5 cab to La Revolucion which is Tijuana's downtown marketplace. Very interesting. We bought the boys soccer jerseys while we were there.
Our journey back to the hotel was an adventure, to say the least. We got a cab & he said it would be $5 to go to the Marriott. So he takes us to this back alley somewhere & says this is it. He points to some people walking & says "Americans". I don't know if he misunderstood "Marriott" for "American" but I really think they were just trying to swindle money out of tourists. Someone else came up to us and said $20 for a taxi to the Marriott. We didn't really know what to do. We knew we were stuck and pretty much at their mercy. Anyway, another taxi driver came up and he said $10 to go to the Marriott, so we went ahead & did it. He was very nice & took us up to the door. He thought maybe the previous driver just misunderstood us. I don't know, but it was definitely an adventure lol!
We got back to the hotel and just rested for awhile. I had a slight fever overnight, which they said was normal. By morning, it had broke and I was feeling good.
I took off my bandages this morning and my incisions look good. I took a shower & put Band-Aids back over the incisions. Very bruises up, and somewhat sore. Not too bad overall!
I was discharged from the hospital yesterday, right after they removed my drain. The anticipation was the worst, it really wasn't as bad as it sounded. I felt so much better after getting the drain and my IV out.
After getting settled into the hotel, we took a $5 cab to Walmart, looking for souvenirs. Oddly enough, they didn't have any. So we took another $5 cab to La Revolucion which is Tijuana's downtown marketplace. Very interesting. We bought the boys soccer jerseys while we were there.
Our journey back to the hotel was an adventure, to say the least. We got a cab & he said it would be $5 to go to the Marriott. So he takes us to this back alley somewhere & says this is it. He points to some people walking & says "Americans". I don't know if he misunderstood "Marriott" for "American" but I really think they were just trying to swindle money out of tourists. Someone else came up to us and said $20 for a taxi to the Marriott. We didn't really know what to do. We knew we were stuck and pretty much at their mercy. Anyway, another taxi driver came up and he said $10 to go to the Marriott, so we went ahead & did it. He was very nice & took us up to the door. He thought maybe the previous driver just misunderstood us. I don't know, but it was definitely an adventure lol!
We got back to the hotel and just rested for awhile. I had a slight fever overnight, which they said was normal. By morning, it had broke and I was feeling good.
I took off my bandages this morning and my incisions look good. I took a shower & put Band-Aids back over the incisions. Very bruises up, and somewhat sore. Not too bad overall!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Leak test & ice chips!
Had my leak test today around 10:30 or so. They had me drink three large swallows of clear liquid and then I could see it going down on the screen. Very interesting. It was a little gross tasting but no big deal.
After the doctor was able to review the test, I finally got to eat some ice chips around 1:00. It was heavenly! Shortly after that, around 1:30, I got a small cup of Gatorade. It was also very good.
Just a few minutes ago, around 5:30, I had to drink a blue die, also to check for leaks.
I'm feeling really good so far. The only incision that hurts is where my stupid drain is hanging out of. But it comes out tomorrow. Not looking forward to that, but it will be nice to have it out.
After the doctor was able to review the test, I finally got to eat some ice chips around 1:00. It was heavenly! Shortly after that, around 1:30, I got a small cup of Gatorade. It was also very good.
Just a few minutes ago, around 5:30, I had to drink a blue die, also to check for leaks.
I'm feeling really good so far. The only incision that hurts is where my stupid drain is hanging out of. But it comes out tomorrow. Not looking forward to that, but it will be nice to have it out.
Vertical Sleeve Gastroplasty!
I'm am now officially sleeved! Had my surgery around 2pm yesterday and it took somewhere around an hour. I was very groggy when I woke up and just wanted to sleep, but of course I had to get up and walk, walk, walk.
My mom says that I looked really white & peaked there for awhile but after walking some, I both looked and felt better.
I've been having some fairly minor gas pains in my upper stomach & chest area but when I walk I can feel it starting to move around, then I start burping lol.
My blood sugar before surgery was around 100 than after it shot up to 300 and hovered there for awhile.
The hospital bed is fairly uncomfortable, but it doesn't help at all that I broke my tailbone a few months ago & and still having butt pain from that :)
Looking forward to taking a shower & drinking some water today!
My mom says that I looked really white & peaked there for awhile but after walking some, I both looked and felt better.
I've been having some fairly minor gas pains in my upper stomach & chest area but when I walk I can feel it starting to move around, then I start burping lol.
My blood sugar before surgery was around 100 than after it shot up to 300 and hovered there for awhile.
The hospital bed is fairly uncomfortable, but it doesn't help at all that I broke my tailbone a few months ago & and still having butt pain from that :)
Looking forward to taking a shower & drinking some water today!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
At Mi Doctor Hospital!
Left the hotel around 9:30 this morning and met Cassie and her family, who I "met" on www.verticalsleevetalk.com.
We got checked into the hospital, got bloodwork drawn, then got settled into my room. Karen came & did an EKG on me, then gave me an IV. She was super sweet, spoke some English, but it was "muy divertido" (very fun) trying to communicate with my limited Spanish and her limited English :)
I got anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anti-nausea & antacids in my IV and then I got really tired. I tried to nap a bit....wifi is currently down, so I feel very disconnected. Hopefully it will be back up soon.
We got checked into the hospital, got bloodwork drawn, then got settled into my room. Karen came & did an EKG on me, then gave me an IV. She was super sweet, spoke some English, but it was "muy divertido" (very fun) trying to communicate with my limited Spanish and her limited English :)
I got anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anti-nausea & antacids in my IV and then I got really tired. I tried to nap a bit....wifi is currently down, so I feel very disconnected. Hopefully it will be back up soon.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Caliente Dog Track and Casino
After eating, we tried to waste some time relaxing in the room. Then we decided that we needed to get out & explore a little.
After talking to the concierge, we decided to walk about 10 minutes or so down the road (very busy, crazy road) to the dog track & casino.
I've spent plenty of time in casinos, including casinos in Canada, The Bahamas and cruise ships. But never before a Mexican casino lol. Everything was in Spanish and my Spanish skills are very elementary. It was so confusing! Wasn't entirely sure how much I was spending or winning, but I had some fun on a $20 bill lol.
We waited around about 30 minutes for a dog race, but needed to go back to the hotel to FaceTime Louis & the boys.
The walk to and from the casino was interesting to say the least. Cars going very fast, very close by! And a very small sidewalk to walk on very close to the cars. A little scary to say the least lol. And we had to cross the road lol, that was especially stressful!
Overall though, had a pretty good evening.
After talking to the concierge, we decided to walk about 10 minutes or so down the road (very busy, crazy road) to the dog track & casino.
I've spent plenty of time in casinos, including casinos in Canada, The Bahamas and cruise ships. But never before a Mexican casino lol. Everything was in Spanish and my Spanish skills are very elementary. It was so confusing! Wasn't entirely sure how much I was spending or winning, but I had some fun on a $20 bill lol.
We waited around about 30 minutes for a dog race, but needed to go back to the hotel to FaceTime Louis & the boys.
The walk to and from the casino was interesting to say the least. Cars going very fast, very close by! And a very small sidewalk to walk on very close to the cars. A little scary to say the least lol. And we had to cross the road lol, that was especially stressful!
Overall though, had a pretty good evening.
Dinner at the Marriott
My mom ordered red chicken enchiladas which tasted okay. I'm on clear liquids only, but since I'm in Mexico, I decided to take a bite, chew it up & spit it out. Gross, I know, but I wanted to taste it!
She also ordered cheese casserole which was just a bowl of grease & melted cheese. Blech lol. The salsa was kind of bland but pretty spicy. The bill came to $16 including tip and she didn't eat most of it. The prices on the menu are in Mexican pesos, so in pesos the total was around $189.
My chicken broth was okay, it tasted like chicken broth. HOWEVER the mango popsicle was GROSS. It tasted furry and icky. My mom concurred lol.
I was a little miffed that I was coming all the way to Mexico & couldn't try the food (I like to try new things), but really not impressed with any of the food yet! I'm glad I'm not missing anything.
She also ordered cheese casserole which was just a bowl of grease & melted cheese. Blech lol. The salsa was kind of bland but pretty spicy. The bill came to $16 including tip and she didn't eat most of it. The prices on the menu are in Mexican pesos, so in pesos the total was around $189.
My chicken broth was okay, it tasted like chicken broth. HOWEVER the mango popsicle was GROSS. It tasted furry and icky. My mom concurred lol.
I was a little miffed that I was coming all the way to Mexico & couldn't try the food (I like to try new things), but really not impressed with any of the food yet! I'm glad I'm not missing anything.
In Tijuana!
Our flight got in a little early and I called Samuel, the driver. He just pulled up right as we walked outside. We hopped in and sped off to Tijuana!
Samuel was very nice and crossing over into Mexico was super easy, you just drive right through. Check in at the hotel was also quick and easy.
Everything has been great so far, no problems and no concerns... Looking forward to surgery tomorrow.
Samuel was very nice and crossing over into Mexico was super easy, you just drive right through. Check in at the hotel was also quick and easy.
Everything has been great so far, no problems and no concerns... Looking forward to surgery tomorrow.
My Background
I started looking into weight loss surgery just over ten years ago. Just after our oldest, Jacob was born in 2001. I've been somewhat over weight my whole life & it was very hard to control during/after pregnancy. Having diabetes since I was 13 definitely didn't help.
Anyway, insurance denied me so I temporarily moved on and eventually had another baby despite severe PCOS) via injectables and intrauterine insemination in 2005. Had the same weight problem and again, applied for the surgery and got denied.
At this point, I started reading a lot about surgery in Mexico on obesity help.com. I was a little leery. Eventually though, I read enough first-hand accounts to set my mind at ease.
Last year, I made a plan to have the surgery spring of 2012 and I made it happen, one way or another. I chose Dr. Garcia and he is currently charging $5,000 for everything including ground transportation, 3 nights at the Marriott Tijuana, and 2 nights at Mi Doctor Hospital.
So here I am! Surgery is tomorrow and I'm hoping for a great result. My mom is with me since my husband Louis doesn't have any more vacation (we're taking the boys to New York this summer).
I've been garage saling some and have picked up a whole wardrobe in sizes 6-16 so I don't have to spend a bunch of money on clothes I won't wear long.
Anyway, insurance denied me so I temporarily moved on and eventually had another baby despite severe PCOS) via injectables and intrauterine insemination in 2005. Had the same weight problem and again, applied for the surgery and got denied.
At this point, I started reading a lot about surgery in Mexico on obesity help.com. I was a little leery. Eventually though, I read enough first-hand accounts to set my mind at ease.
Last year, I made a plan to have the surgery spring of 2012 and I made it happen, one way or another. I chose Dr. Garcia and he is currently charging $5,000 for everything including ground transportation, 3 nights at the Marriott Tijuana, and 2 nights at Mi Doctor Hospital.
So here I am! Surgery is tomorrow and I'm hoping for a great result. My mom is with me since my husband Louis doesn't have any more vacation (we're taking the boys to New York this summer).
I've been garage saling some and have picked up a whole wardrobe in sizes 6-16 so I don't have to spend a bunch of money on clothes I won't wear long.
On the way to Mexico!
Got up around 2:30am this morning to head to the airport. Parked with a Groupon at Holiday Inn, then got shuttled to the airport. Flight to Salt Lake City was uneventful and now just waiting for flight to San Diego, a 3 hour layover. Yuck. Anxious to get this show on the road.
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