6 Days Post Op.

It's been awhile since I have posted, and I apologize as life has been busy. To update since my last post, we did have an animal control company (ASAP Critter People) come out and look at the damage caused and found that we were dealing with raccoons instead of squirrels! Within a 10 day period the Critter people trapped a mother and four babies. The tech also suggested we contact our homeowner's insurance company, as raccoons can carry disease that could cause us to become ill. Our insurance did cover it, and we were able to get our gable vent fixed as well as the insulation in our attic removed and replaced. In using multiple contractors, we saved enough of the money sent to even install a new back door that had been rotting away.

In August I finished my last monthly visit for my 6 month diet plan. I made the goal set by Dr. Pitt, which was 500 lbs. I actually weighed 495. (I was told I would still need to lose 20 lbs more by my surgery date). I was so excited and asked when I would be having my surgery. The nutritionist took the wind right out of my sails when she stated that they would still have to submit the information to the insurance company and wait on their approval before a date could be set. The nutritionist could really tell I was disappointed and said she would check with the scheduler to see how early I could have it scheduled. When she came back she said worst case scenario would be the end of October. I looked at her and I said, "With my luck, you might as well just say it will be October 31."

In early September I received a letter from my health insurance saying I had indeed been approved for surgery. I was ecstatic. Within a few days I received a call from Dr. Pitt's scheduler saying they finally had a date set for me. It was...October 31! When she first told me, I started laughing, and said, "Very funny...you must have talked with the nutritionist." She assured me she was not joking and that she didn't understand my response. Once I explained our conversation in August, she apologized but said that was the first open date that worked with Dr. Pitt's schedule and The Jewish Hospital Surgical Unit's schedule.

On October 4, I started my pre-op diet, and for the next 4 weeks I was allowed to have 5 packets of high protein, low carb food products called Fast Track and one protein bar a day. I was hooked on some of their packets. My favorites were chocolate chip pancakes, southwest egg omelet, chicken broth with pasta, and their chocolate shakes that could also be made into a pudding with a little less water. I believe my calorie count a day was between 700 to 900 calories. Each week, I had to go in to be weighed to make sure that I would get down to the 475 lbs.

On October 31 I had to be at the hospital by 5:30 am, as my surgery was set for 7:30 am. Once I made it to the pre-surgical room to be prepped, I was told that Dr. Pitt was running late, and that surgery would take place closer to 8:00 am. Kimberly was at my side and we were blessed to also have Lisa, a friend of ours come from Columbus to stay with Kim while I was in surgery, along with our pastor, David Hennig, who prayed with me prior to surgery. Having Kim and the extra friends there made me much calmer as I was a little nervous about the procedure with not knowing what could possibly happen. My weight prior to surgery was 451 lbs. From the start of this journey to surgery day I lost 134 Lbs!!!

I was taken to the surgery room, given a shot of some happy juice, and the next thing I remember is waking up to people shouting at me to wake up, asking if I could move different parts of my body. I was told that Kimberly and Lisa came in to see me but that I kept drifting in and out. I was eventually taken to a room on the fifth floor and snoozed off and on between visits from the nurse, Mary, to check my vitals and make sure I was comfortable. Kim showed up and said that she had gone home to let our "kiddos" out and to feed them and let them know that Daddy was OK! Dr. Pitt also came in and said that he was very pleased with the surgery and that my liver had shrunk enough on the pre-op diet that it wasn't in the way of the stomach at all. He admitted that he was concerned that because of my size that I was going to have issues with scar tissue from a previous gall bladder surgery, and that he might have to repair a hiatal hernia. Neither issue was present, making it an easy surgery for him.

Today is November 6, 2016. I came home on Tuesday, November 1st and have been on a clear liquid diet. I have experienced soreness from the surgery, but with the help of Vicodin it is well managed. I have only had to take 2 anti-nausea pills since surgery, and Dr. Pitt also has me on a prescription of Prilosec to keep acid at a minimum. There are a lot of sleeved patients that have severe heartburn issues develop, so the doctor now prescribes the acid reducer to take care of the problem. I also have to give myself a shot in my belly twice a day to thin my blood.

I actually felt so good this morning I went to our church's early service. Near the end though, I could feel my energy levels dropping, and I had a real struggle to get back to the car. It was a good reminder that I'm still healing, and that it isn't an instant process. I'm also thankful that I will be able to work from home for the next month, so I can continue to heal and also build up my stamina levels.

Tomorrow, Kimberly will be taking me to see Dr. Pitt for my one week post op visit to check on my 5 small incision areas to see if they are healing. I will also be starting my three weeks on pureed foods, and will be getting recommendations from the nutritionist on what would be best for me to eat as I continue to heal. Oh...I also weighed myself this morning (sans clothes) and I'm at 447 lbs. It's hard to believe that I've lost 138 lbs so far, and that I'm just now using the tool of the gastric sleeve to bring off the rest. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without the help from friends, family and most of all, God. Thank you for all your encouraging emails, posts on Facebook, phone calls, and cards. It's your thoughts and prayers that have kept me going!