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Surgeon: Drs. Alfons Pomp & Michel Gagner, New York City by Athena: 7/1/05: Joined a gym about 3 weeks ago. Just cycling for 10 minutes a day (every couple of days) but am happy I've been able to get back. Also, began lifting weights last week at my apt. (I have my own weight bench) and have always loved that. And back to work a couple of times a week. That’s still the hardest due to the subways/train commute. In this weather, more just isn’t possible right now. Had some trouble with barfing but have gotten that better under control. I'd say it now only happens about once a week & that's generally when I drink (esp. the protein shake) within an hour after I've eaten. I now try to drink the protein shake in the mornings, between breakfast & lunch, and that's usually okay. Have had only 1 food, out of the many I've added in, not agree with me. It's turkey franks. Why? I have no idea. I followed the advice of my surgeon's nutritionist & had them and then when I barfed (like 4 times) I waited a week but the same thing happened & I was nauseous for days. I think I'll wait a month (at least) this time till I try them again. ;) Added meat this week and it's all good (as is everything but those darn turkey franks). I see the surgeon & nutritionist on the 15th & am looking forward to it. Have some questions re: food & about sleeping. Sleeping still hasn't gone back to pre-op conditions. It takes up to 90 minutes to fall asleep & then it's for 4-5 hours max. I then doze (get up to go to the bathroom -- as I'm sure all DSers know) & then, if I'm lucky, doze some more. Went to a support group at 5 weeks post op & it wasn't good. There were 2 women who had terrible health experiences & just went on & on. If I'd been smart, I'd have left. Unfortunately, the moderator was inexperienced & didn't know how to quiet them down. They really disrupted the entire group. However, I'm planning to try another post op support group on 7/6. I realize they're important & want to give it another try. One last thing, about 5 weeks post op, I woke up nauseated, with an incredibly aching lower back & feeling lethargic. I read the WLS materials, from my surgeon’s nutritionist, & realized I was dehydrated. I knew I wasn’t drinking enough but thought I could get away with it. I couldn’t! Now I drink 6 (8 oz.) glasses a day. It’s done the job & I haven’t had problems again. The trick, I’ve found, is 2 glasses between breakfast & lunch; 2 glasses between lunch & dinner; and 2 glasses between dinner & bedtime. Thankfully, it’s working for me. J 5/10/05: Exactly one month ago (April 11, 2005)I had the DS & today I had my first post-op visit with the surgeon & nutritionist. I was in the Weill Cornell Hospital for 5 days & while the nurses were excellent one of the nursing assistants was not. The care overall, though, was quite good. My biggest complaint (and, really the only one) was they seemed to do everything 1 day too quickly. For example, they took out the Foley after 1 day & then had to reinsert it that night (not something ANYONE would like to go through, believe me). They did the swallow test after 1 day & the pics weren't clear enough so they had to do the whole thing again with my surgeon there so he could make sure he saw what he wanted. I don't know if the push was for ins. reasons (after all they did keep me an extra day -- I'd expected to get out after 4 days, at first) but if they'd have waited 1 more day to do these things my stay would've been easier. I began walking a lot in the hosp. (I owe that to my mother who really pushed) & kept it up at home. I walk 4x/day & just added a very steep hill last week. I'm exhausted after I walk it but I know I have to mentally push myself & physically my body will follow. I'm still quite tired (and don't sleep well; 4 hours a night & then I doze the rest) but I've been assured that's normal & that I should consider a nap (which I abandoned the first week in an effort to sleep better & have a more normal lifestyle). I'm also told to try & drink more to help the tiredness & that my surgeon considers me in acute post-op for 2-3 months & I will prob. be tired for that long. Then things should ease up but I've also heard it can be 7-8 mos. till you really feel 'normal.' He & I also discussed what goes on each morning re: the bathroom. He said he'd warned me (and he did) but I asked if it got better. I told him I need, like, 3 hours to decide if I have to go; how many times, do I really have to or is it a false alarm? It completely sets back my day. He said it will get better. He also said that my body knew 1 way to operate my whole life. Now, it's had 1 month in a totally new way & again, I'm changing things (as of tomorrow) b/c I'm starting new & different pills and adding more foods. I have to give it months to settle down & understand what's going on. I guess this is really the worst part for me -- not knowing if I can leave home or will I have to go some more? Are those cramps or what? As it is, I'm not sure when I will go back to work. I've been recuperating (at home) for a bit over 3 weeks. I hope to get back (very part-time & very short days) before I hit 6 weeks at home but we'll just have to see how I feel. As for the malodorous gas, et al. -- I carry a pocket-size can of spray with me at all times. That seems to be working. All in all, though, it was a good visit with the dr. They're all quite pleased with my progress & how much walking I'm trying to do (even though my back is still aching). As soon as I feel up to it, I'll rejoin the gym so I can use its treadmill. The weights will have to wait for at least another 2 weeks (and till I feel strong enough). But the food was different tonight & that's the greatest feeling -- adding more & more foods. :D 4/4/05: One week to go (had several hours of tests at the hospital today) & I'm kind of uptight. Sleep has pretty much become a thing of the past (even with the help of Tylenol PM). It's funny b/c I've had several orthopedic operations over the last 10 years so it isn't so much the surgery itself -- it's the aftercare. I'm sure I'll get a handle on it, I guess it's just the waiting.... 3/05 Hobbies: Computers; sports; sci-fi; reading; politics; writing. Oh, my aching back (and I can't take muscle relaxers this close to surgery). And constantly having to buy larger & larger clothing because nothing fits. I thought long & hard about having the DS & while I still wish there were another way to go (as I'm going to have to mourn the loss of my best friend, BINGE EATING); I know WLS is the way to go for me. Send email to Athena
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