Victories beyond the scale

Hey everyone!

So now I am 2 months post op, and I have to say I feel amazing.  I've lost a total of 55 pounds so far, and it shows.  I'm not sure what shows it more though: my figure, or my favorite jeans falling down to my ankles.

I've noticed something else about myself that isn't 100% scale related, however.  I've noticed that as I've lost weight, I've gained more confidence in myself.  I find myself pursuing passions that I have stopped pursuing ages ago.

Recently, I've found myself auditioning for theater again.

Now, if you know me from days gone by, I use to be a MAJOR theater nut.  However, as I gained the weight, I noticed my confidence on stage waned away.  With each pound came another measure of self-doubt and withdrawal.  Even though theater was my passion when I was younger, I haven't been in a show since 2008: six whole years.

This past month alone though, I have already attended one audition for a local community theater production.  If I don't get the first role, I have another audition in a couple of weeks.  I also have a third audition in mind for the holiday season.  I'm starting to rediscover my passion for theater, and that is something for which I am extremely grateful.  This rekindled passion also keeps me motivated.  It helps me push myself to workout when I'm not feeling keen on the idea.  It helps me break out of my comfort zone and meet new people.

It helps the old Lyn re-emerge from the ashes.  I'm welcoming her back with open arms.

Saving Graces the First Week Post-Op

So, I'm almost 1 week post op.  A lot of people ask what you need for surgery.  The big thing is, this will vary on a case-to-case basis.  So I thought I would put a list of stuff I having been using religiously for comfort and benefit.

Please note, most of this stuff is NOT required to have surgery, at least by my doctor.  But if you have them around the house, or have the means to get them, I 100% recommend it!  I also would recommend checking with your doctor for certain items.  Please remember I am not a medical professional :).

1. GasX strips














These little things have been a God-send!  DO NOT use them in the hospital, because a lot of times you're required to...ahem....give a little flatulence, in order to leave.  However, at home, these things have been an amazing tool to help with discomfort after surgery.

While on the table, they pump a lot of air and gas into your abdominal region to make it easier on them to do the surgery.  This, of course gets stuck.  It'll dissipate with time, but these little strips make that time a lot less.

The box recommends 2-4 strips, but I have only been doing 1 at a time, and they work perfectly.

2. 5 Ounces Cups

Post op, you need to SIP SIP SIP.  But you also need to track your protein and water intake.  I have found these little cups to be perfect.  There are lines on the cups, and the top line is approximately 4 ounces.  This helps me get my liquids in without a bunch of fuss.

My husband bought me these on Amazon, and it was a great find!

3. SMALL Sip-Stirrer Straws














On days where I am having trouble getting everything in, these help IMMENSELY!  Especially in the first couple of days, where I was still learning HOW MUCH a little sip should feel like in my mouth.

PLEASE NOTE: Different doctors have different rules for straws.  Some allow them, some do not.  My doctor allows these little straws, yours might not.  Please consult YOUR doctor!


4. Cough Pillow














The hospital made me this out of a blanket and medical tape.  I was brave enough to ask if I could keep it, and I'm glad I was.  This little pillow has helped so much.  It hurts to cough, laugh, and even take a deep breath sometimes right after surgery.  Holding this pillow to the stomach during those times makes it bearable.  I even use it in the car, to deal with bumps in the road.

If, for some reason, your hospital either doesn't make you a cough pillow, or let you keep yours, a regular small pillow (think throw pillow) works just as well.

5. Body Pillows

These I had around the house, and I am so glad I did.  I don't have a recliner, so these help me get comfortable to sleep at night.  I put one on each side: one to sort of "prop" up my back a little, the other to hold on to.  I've never been a back sleeper, so having these to allow me to get comfortable in bed have definitely been worth it.  I don't sleep fully on my side, but it allows me to at least get in a comfortable position so that sleep isn't totally amiss.  Especially since sleep is so important to allow your body to heal!

6.  Slippers

Before surgery, I didn't own a pair of slippers.  I don't have little dainty fairy-feet, so buying shoes for myself is always a chore.  However, someone suggested to me pre-op that slippers would help me be more comfortable.  They were 100% right.  I still have trouble bending down long enough to put sneakers on; and wearing flip-flops right now doesn't feel secure enough.  So these little slippers has helped me have something on my feet around the house, without a lot of trouble or pain.

7.  Fitbit Flex

This is DEFINITELY a luxury item.  My surgeon suggested it to me pre-op, and I love mine.  I use it to track my sleep and steps every day.  Walking is a HUGE part of recovery, so this gives me a solid number how well I am doing in that department.  I've used multiple pedometers in the past, and I never cared for them because they were finicky and tracked car and subway trips as "steps".  I definitely prefer my fitbit.

Like I said, this is a luxury item though.  They run for about $100.  If you decide you want one, you can go to Best Buy or www.fitbit.com.



8. (FEMALES ONLY) Midol Complete

Obviously, any guys reading this will not have a need for Midol, so you can disregard this item.

NSAIDs post-op are a BIG No-No.  However, this Midol is Tylenol based!  I would definitely read the ingredients each time, in case they change the formula; if it says Acetaminophen (the scientific name for Tylenol) and doesn't list any NSAIDs, you're good to go.

I got my period 4 days post op.  From what I have read, that is fairly common.  Your hormones will be a bit haywire after surgery, which is bound to mess up your cycle a tad.

If you want to consider this option, PLEASE talk to YOUR doctor first!  Remember, every doctor is different; what your doctor is okay with will be completely different than what my doctor is okay with.

When I took this, I took 1 pill, and broke it in half.  I only took 1 half at a time, since taking the whole pill might get stuck.  Please keep this in mind too.



What are some items you had post-op that you felt were saving graces?  Let us know in the comments below!

Keep getting healthy!

2 Days Post-Op

So I am home from the hospital!

Now, I could sit here and say I'm perfectly fine, and make everyone feel fuzzy. However, I don't like being deceitful.

The first thought going through your head is probably that I am regretting this surgery ALREADY. I'm not. I knew going in that the first couple of weeks were going to hurt, and was mentally prepared for that aspect of it. I just want my readers to have the same level of being mentally prepared as I did, because I truly believe that is essential to success.

The first night and day, it was awful. My pain hit 7 and 8 a couple of times (on a scale of 1-10). I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't get comfortable. But that should be expected! I just had invasive surgery! OF COURSE I was in pain.  If you think invasive surgery isn't going to be painful, I'm sorry, but at this point I need to burst that bubble.  Being mentally prepared is SO much more important than coddling with this procedure.

The 2nd night going into the 2nd day was MUCH better. I'm not going to tell you that I had no pain today, that would be a lie. However, the pain has been a bit more bearable, only hitting a 5-6 on that scale once. I did get to go home today (yay!) and that made me pretty excited! I will tell you that first shower at home made me feel AMAZING! I definitely felt human again. I'm now sitting in my desk chair, because it's the most comfortable chair for me right now. I am also sipping my 4 ounces of protein shake...I have an hour to get it down. Surprisingly, that's a lot harder than I expected it to be.

There have been a couple of times that I had to remind myself that YES, I did just have gastric bypass surgery.  I guess that's mainly because it took so long for this day to come for me, it's still s surreal reality.

I'm happy that so far, some realities others have mentioned aren't an issue for me.  Premier Protein doesn't make me gag.  Neither does water.  It's hard, but I can get 4 ounces down in the course of an hour.  The first day post-op I was TERRIFIED of drinking anything.  When the nurses came in, I was in tears over it.  I did NOT want to feel more pain.  Luckily, I had great nurses that taught me how to drink again.  So I'm slowly (and constantly) sipping down what I need to get down.

So, to sum it up, I'm in pain.  But I still would do it over again.  I'm excited that I got this opportunity to change my life, and I am determined not to blow it!

Day 5 of pre-op liquid diet.

Hello there!

So I am now in day 5 of the liquid diet.  I have to say it has gotten easier, but not by much.  But on the good side, I have lost 7 pounds so far.  So that's a victory.

We pick up the kids tonight for the weekend.  That will be another interesting measure, because my husband has been being a saint and not eating around me.  I do know, however, that I have worked too hard to sabotage myself.  I know how important it is for this 2 week liquid diet to succeed.

So I am still choking down my shakes, and working hard.  10 days until surgery!

Hey guys,

So I know I've been MIA!  I have had so much going on, that I've been going absolutely nuts!  So let me update you all:

I am now 10 months into the process, but still pre-op.

I am now married

I started liquid diet TODAY.

My surgery is in 2 weeks (on June 30th 2014).

Needless to say, I am a little frazzled but that's ok!

I ended up going with Lawrence Memorial by me.  There program just was a perfect fit for me, and the staff there made me feel absolutely comfortable.  They also have a great support group.

I have told my folks, sister, and bonus-kids about the surgery.  DSS13 has been very receptive, which was definitely a pleasant surprise!  This past weekend, he has been asking both my husband and I different questions.  Some so detailed (e.g. about hair loss post op) that we have a suspicions that he actually researched the surgery himself this past week.  I'm really proud of him for not only keeping an open mind, but actually RESEARCHING the procedure before commenting on it, so that he at least knew what he was talking about.  A lot of adults today don't even seem to have the foresight to do that.  I'm really lucky that he's such a great kid.

So now that a lot of people in my life know (and that surgery is so close), I'm not so worried about people 'finding out'.  When I first made the pages for this surgery and tracking it, I was informed that it came up on my feed.  So that meant my FB page was 'unpublished' for quite some time, simply because I wasn't ready to be public yet.

I also got nervous about actually UPDATING everything.  I was so afraid about being 'found out'.

But now?  I don't really care about other's opinions on what I do with my body.  I have had some people not be overly excited, but still be supported.  These people gave me a lot of strength, simply because even though they weren't real hot on the whole deal, they at least had the decency to understand they truly didn't have a say in what I did, and be supportive.

But I guess that's all for now!  See you soon :)

Making first appointments

Hello there,

First off, let me say welcome to my blog.  I hope you enjoy following along!

As I was writing this post I did two things (Yes, I multi-task a lot).

First, I called Brigham and Women's to make an appointment for after my seminar. I was told this was an option, but the lady on the phone (quite rudely, might I add) informed me that no, I must attend the seminar first.  I understand if I made a simple mistake, that's fine.  However, the rudeness was uncalled for.  After the call, she promptly hung up on me.

Needless to say, that experience sort of lowered my trust in them for this life changing surgery.

A mere 5 minutes later, I received a call from Tufts.  I had submitted their application on Sunday night (it's now Tuesday afternoon). Not only were they much kinder towards me, answering whatever questions I had, there program fee is $300 less than Brigham and Women's!  (For those of you that don't know, some programs require a "program fee" that is not billed to the insurance.  Be sure to check the locations you are looking at to see if this is the case, and if so, what the policies surrounding said fee are!)

So, naturally, I made the first appointment for Tufts to speak with the behaviorist.  That appointment is tomorrow afternoon!  I also have an appointment tomorrow morning with my primary for a fasting-diabetes test.  Add on the fact that I have a cold, and I'm sure we can all see how busy I will be and how tired I'll probably be tomorrow night!

But ah well, I'm looking forward to becoming a healthier me!

Until next time,