Community Health Network Bariatric Services

3/11/09

Today was my first day back to work. I lasted about 5 hours and am wiped out. I am getting in more and more fluids each day. Today was the first day that I might have eaten too much. I went to a Thai restaurant with my co-workers and was just eating some of Missy’s soup. It is my favorite soup and is so good. All of a sudden, I got that feeling that it was just sitting on my chest and the back of my throat. I got up and went to the bathroom and by the time I walked back there  it had passed. I think I may have eaten too fast. Wow, was that uncomfortable!

3/9/09

I woke up today and was feeling so much better. I set a goal for two 16 ounce bottles of water plus my meals. Total fluid intake today including meals was 36 ounces. Yeah, I don’t have to get fluid out of the band. I might have overdone a little bit today as I went out with my mom and aunt this afternoon for a couple of hours.

I think I felt hungry for the first time but I am not sure. Was I just wanting something because I smelled all the food, the food I like, like fast food? I could not have eaten more than a bite. I believe it was what we call “head hunger”. This is something I need to work on and figure out the difference and how to recognize it.

3/8/09

Today is better. I am able to get some stuff down. I am nowhere close to where I should be, but slow steady progress is what I am after. I don’t want Lori to take fluid out of the band because I don’t want to be hungry in one week. Today I got in a total of 25 ounces which included some protein. Still some moderate discomfort. It is like a pressure in your chest and you feel like you have a terrible gas bubble that you can’t get up. I almost asked my mom to revert back 47 years and burp me.

I am exhausted! I may have overdone today, but I have to get moving so I can get back to work by Wednesday. Here is my schedule: get up and shower. Move to the couch. Eat 1 ounce of something. Go to treadmill for 5-7 minutes. Back to couch. Consider a nap. Try to drink some water or part of a protein supplement. Give my mom direction on something she is doing for me. Start the whole process over minus the shower for lunch. Well, I will just keep plugging along.

3/7/09

Dr. Ditslear called today to check in on me. I also had a hiatal hernia that he needed to repair. He said my band was pretty tight because of all the swelling. He stated I should work on clear liquids only and should be a little better each day. Lori, Dr. Ditslear’s PA, also called to check on me. She said if the band was too tight, and I could not keep/get clear liquids down, to call and she could try and take some fluid out.

The band is really tight. I am not vomiting, but I am not taking in very much liquid. I am a little nervous and so is my mom who is with me. For those of you that know me, I am a real proponent of getting in plenty of fluids. I only got in about 20 ounces today, including meals, because of the discomfort. I am not having pain from my surgery, it is more soreness.

Today was rough. This is harder than I thought and a little scary with the swallowing problem. I really don’t feel good. I am so glad my mom is here.

3/6/2009

Well, I know what the reality TV people feel like. After about an hour, I was used to the camera and was not so self conscious about it recording almost everything. I am not quite sure how we are going to use it, but am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Overall this day was amazing. You don’t know how blessed you are by family and friends until you go through a life changing event. I felt so supported and my care was excellent from start to finish. It was good to realize that what I was telling my patient to expect was accurate.

Even knowing what I know, I was amazed that when they brought me my 2 ounces of full liquids, I could not even eat half! I was, however, surprised by the fatigue. I don’t think I have ever felt this tired. It is also really cool that I am not the slightest bit hungry.