It's been a while Since I wrote to you! Update of WLS Journey

Well, it's been a while since I wrote to you. I really wanted to write to you at least once a week. But I fell off and got busy with my life. So let's talk about what's going on with my journey. Well, number one on June 6, 2018, I GOT the DS Loop Surgery and it was successful. I am now in stage 3 of the recovery processing and learning how to manage my new small stomach.  Now that I have done my spoiler alert let's go back and see what has happened up to this point.

The last time I wrote anything to you I was dealing with the Hyplori scare, well not really a scare. But doing the process I found out that I had developed hemorrhoids. Glad to say that I have not had many problems with this since that scare. I am glad to say that it is handled for the most part.

Once I got the Hyplori cured, I was able to take my two mandatory classes. One was nutrition and how to manage my eating before and after the surgery. I learned a lot of good tips and habits. I started taking my vitamins as you know early on I found out that I needed to take Vitamins A, D and Calcium Caltrate. I added B12, Vitamin K, and a few that were referred by the nutritionist who taught the class. Like Collagen, COQ10, Collidial Silver. The last two help with healing.

Now what I can say about the COQ10, really works because on May 25th I had to have three wisdom teeth pulled and I have only heard about the pain of this occurring. So I was not looking forward to it happening. However, I had been taking the COQ10 vitamins and I kid you not, I healed quickly and the pain was not that bad. I did not have to take all the painkillers prescribed. By the time I was prepping for my surgery I was all healed up from my oral surgery.  I did think that it might postpone my surgery but it did not. and They gave me Tylenol instead of ibuprofen. So I did not have to worry about there being any complications.

I also had my mandatory class for WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) what to expect and how to prepare for it. To what to expect on the day of the surgery and how to understand my body and why it is necessary to walk and exercise after the surgery and how to ensure that I understand why I eat the way I do for the best results.

After I took my last two classes, I was able to call in and set the appointment for my surgery. I had to postpone until after the Tax season because I am a tax preparer and work for HRB (H & R Block) and last season I was not only a Tax preparer but also an Office Manager. So needless to say it was a bit hectic from Jan - April. So when they asked me I told them the beginning of June. Thus June 6 was set. they got the confirmation from my Insurance that I was approved but they had got the approval for the Sleeve, which I had already told them I decided to have the DS loop because of the amount of weight I would need to lose. So They had to get me approved for the DS Loop. And they did.  This was another reason I thought my surgery may have been postponed but once again, it turned out to be of null effect.

So, I went to my Pre Op appointment, got my last approval for surgery and just had to wait until my surgery date. I also had to do a pre-surgical appointment. I went to Doctor's Hospital in Manteca to have the surgery and fill out all the paperwork and get some last instructions and blood work done.

At 5AM on June 6, I left my house headed for Manteca to get there by 5:30 AM for surgery prep. They were supposed to call me and tell me when I was supposed to arrive at the surgery center the day before. I must have missed the call because when I got there at 5:30 AM they said I was late. I was supposed to have arrived at 5AM.  So they rushed me in because I needed to be hydrated. Which means that I needed to drink two apple juice boxes no more than two hours before my actual surgery. So I drank the apple juice quickly. they told me it helped with nausea after surgery or something like that. I was kind of out of it. I was beginning to realize that I was actually going to have surgery. This was going to be my FIRST time in a hospital for anything!!!!!!!! So I was feeling a bit scared but everything was flowing together I can't remember everything that happened. I know that I was told to undress, I spoke with Dr. Matthew Coates (my Surgeon) and he wrote on my belly what surgery I was going to have. I thought good I would hate to have the wrong surgery. LOL. I remember some funny guy coming to talk to me about how he was going to put me to sleep. Then someone came to ask if  I had to everyone and then he wheeled me to my OR room. Then I woke up in my Hospital room.

Update to HEMORRHOIDS nightmare LOL

So I finally went to pick up my prescription. I have not been bleeding as much as I had been. but still bleeding.

So let me catch you up on this nightmare of finding out that I have hemorrhoids and trying to rid myself of this issue.  So I went to Urgent care about two weeks ago. I went because my stools were bloody. I mean like BLOODY. I don't scare easily but I was a bit frightened I have to admit. I put it off for several days because I really thought something was wrong with me.

So I find out that it is curable and an easy remedy. I was embarrassed because Mr. Doctor had to put his finger in my butt to apply some ointment. On the other hand, I was happy that it was just hemorrhoids and not cancer. I don't know why it did not occur to me that it was hemorrhoids. I guess other than the fact that I had never had them before. It just never came to my mind until he said it.  Here's what I found on google to give you a visual. As I try to post pictures on every blog :)

Okay, enough of the gross stuff. I have external hemorrhoids which you can see in the picture above. So the prescription that I would not go get because I was being silly and a bit childish to say the least, was an ointment. However, My health insurance would not cover the ointment. So the urgent care doctor had to prescribe something they would cover. THIS went on for days. I don't understand why but I was finally able to get my prescription that my insurance would cover and it was a suppository. OH, MY GOD, that is even worse than a cream you rub on. I have to now stick this little pill shaped cream in my butt. If you have not guessed by now I am like totally OVER this whole situation.

Well Like I said in my other post I got the prescription because I want to be healthy. More than that I want this bleedy to stop and I hope once they are gone they NEVER come back. Well, that is all the story for now.

By the way, while I was in the pharmacy I also got my vitamins so I can start taking them and build up my deficiency. So I am taking Vitamins A, B12, Calcium and D3. One pill a day. I added the B12's myself. I figure I have always wanted to start taking the B12 vitamins. I have heard good things so I figured it can't hurt.

UH Oh, Something Went Wrong!!!!!

Well, if it's not one thing it's another. I am on my journey to Weight Loss Surgery. I really did not make this decision lightly. I have played with this idea for almost five or six years. After one failed Diet plan after another. I went to a seminar and decided. WHY NOT! it's my body and I need to be healthy.

Okay, so I started the process as you know. I had my physical, no problem. I went to do my labs, a small problem but fixable. Remember I found out I had H. pylori. So I started my two-week regiment to take antibiotics to rid me of the bacteria in my stomach. Which if not detected could cause other major problems like cancer in the stomach or ulcers. So YAY! I dodged a bullet. Thanks to the test they wanted me to take.

So I'm in the last week of the medications. And about Wednesday I notice blood in my stools. Not just a trace of blood but like ministration from my back-end. I get a bit worried but figure I will monitor it. Thursday it is the same. So Friday I stop taking the medication. But nothing changes. I decide I will go to ER but talked myself out of it. I get up Saturday still bloody stools. So I decide to go to urgent care.

I explained to them what is going on. The doctor comes in and says he needs to do a rectal exam. A what exam? OH HECK no. I'm embarrassed, but now I am thinking I hope this isn't something that will hinder my journey to have this surgery or worst cancer. He steps out to get the nurse and I prepare to have the rectal exam.

Sure enough, I have hemorrhoids. Not going to delay the surgery and NOT CANCER! however, do black people get hemorrhoids, How did this happen to me. I have NEVER had hemorrhoids before. He explains that if I hold my bowel movements for long periods of time it can cause irritation and that could lead to hemorrhoids. I see, so now, how do I get rid of them. You got it! An ointment I have to apply to my hemorrhoids in the exterior part of my butt hole. YUCK!

So I still have not picked up the prescription. Don't worry I will. Back to the Urgent Care visit. He also had to check my hemoglobin because I do have a history with Anemia. But all is well in that area. thank God for small favors.

Here's My Official Before Pictures

I started this journey on September 27, 2017. This was the first day I went to the Central California Surgery to meet with Dr. Patrick Coates. Well, I meet with a PA who gave me some pointers about each of the four surgeries available to me and asked which one I was leaning towards. I said at the time I wanted the Gastric Sleeve or also know as the sleeve gastrectomy. 

She then told me that because of my weight and BMI I might want to research and consider the Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch also known as the DS Loop. I told her I would look into it and she assured me I would have enough time to decide.

I must admit the results of both surgeries are very satisfying. I am now leaning more towards the DS Loop surgery over the sleeve because it seems to yield faster results. But again, who knows. I am not totally decided as of yet. I mean, I don't even have a surgery date nor have I seen the nutritionist yet. So I will keep researching both to make the best decision for me.

But as promised, Here is my official BEFORE picture:

 

At the time of taking this picture: I weighed lbs, I am 5'4' or 64 inches tall and my BMI is 59.5%. So, yes I am morbidly obese. I am 49 years old and have been overweight for about 41 years of my life. I think it's time I see what I will look like as a thinner and healthier me!

For the record, I do not have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol nor do I have sleep apnea. For all intents and purposes, I am a healthy obese individual. My goal now is to stay healthy and live a life that will afford me to stay alive as long as possible.  My goal weight is 125 lbs and my BMI at 21.5% which is normal for that height and weight. Wish me luck!


Til Next Time


Linda H.

Set the date with my Nutritionist

EXCITED!!!!! today I was able to set the date to meet with the nutritionist. I will see him/her in Mid November. So I am truly excited about it. This will be the appt where I find out how to start eating right and making my self more healthy. I am already weening my self off coca cola. :). If you only knew how hard this is for me. I am determined to win this battle. I am determined to be healthy for me and my life.

I had a few days of minor depression but I think it's because I feel nothing is happening but I perked right up when I heard the message from my doctor's office that I could set up the appt with the Nutritionist. I also have a follow up appt with he surgeon's office on 10/30.

Now here's another thing that I am having trouble with. They gave me this cup to start training myself to sip. Yes I said Sip. but I am struggling with using it. IT'S HUGE! Just take a look.

So you tell me, How am I going to be able to drink from this cup when I have my surgery? I have started drinking more water due to my hemorrhoids condition. Actually even before that I started drinking more water because I want to stay hydrated. Also, if I drink more water, I am not drinking Coke as much. My thoughts anyway.

Just not sure I can take sips on this HUGE sippy cup LOL

Taking My Medicines for H.Pylori

So this week, I have been faithfully taking my meds for this H. Pylori bacteria that came back positive in my blood work. For those reading this and like me have never heard of H-Pylori, it is called Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori). 

Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection occurs when a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infects your stomach. This usually happens during childhood. A common cause of peptic ulcers, H. pylori infection may be present in more than half the people in the world.

When signs or symptoms do occur with H. Pylori infection, they may include:

• An ache or burning pain in your abdomen
• Abdominal pain that's worse when your stomach is empty
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent burping
• Bloating
• Unintentional weight loss

Complications associated with H. pylori infection include:

• Ulcers. H. pylori can damage the protective lining of your stomach and small intestine. This can allow stomach acid to create an open sore (ulcer). About 10 percent of people with H. pylori will develop an ulcer.
• Inflammation of the stomach lining. H. pylori infection can irritate your stomach, causing inflammation (gastritis).
• Stomach cancer. H. pylori infection is a strong risk factor for certain types of stomach cancer.

Now we know what I have right? right. So my doctor prescribed antibiotics to help me fight this bacteria. I take one tablet of Omeprazole 20 mg by mouth twice a day. Once in the AM before breakfast and once in the evening before dinner. After I have eaten I take one tablet of Clarithromycin 500 mg and two tablets of Amoxicillin 500mg twice a day by mouth.  All the websites that I researched these medications say that they are commonly prescribed for this condition. 

On October 7th, I began my two-week regiment. I cant say that I like taking these meds. I have been good at remembering to take them I think I forgot once to take the Omeprazole before I ate a couple times but I will take all the medicine until gone. So I will have a few meals where I will not have the other two but will take the Omeprazole. there's only been once that I forgot to take the other two after I ate. So I think I am doing pretty good. 

Til next time

Linda H. 

So, I am taking some Antibotics For H- Pylori

Well, you remember I said my labs came back. They showed that I was deficient in vitamins A & D and calcium. Then they hit me with the big one. I came back positive for H-pylori. What in the Name of God is that? The PA said that it was not a big deal and I just need to pick up some antibiotics and follow the directions on how to take them for the next two weeks.

I did not know what H-pylori was, so I was a bit concerned about this bacteria that was found in my stomach. So I went to Google and YouTube. I found one guy on YouTube that was very clear on describing what h-Pylori is and how to best get rid of it with medication and/or natural remedies to ensure it does not come back.

Check out his video here:

So yeah, there's that. But I am taking my medications. They prescribed me three antibiotics. I take Omeprazole 20mg. 1 capsule 30 minutes before I eat. I take it twice a day. ten after I eat, I take one capsule of Clarithromycin 500mg and two capsules of Amoxicillin 500mg twice a day. 

I decided even though I have a Vitamin A, D, and Calcium deficiency, I will not start taking those vitamin supplements until this H-pylori regiment is complete. However, I will talk to a pharmacist tomorrow to see which Vitamin A, D, and calcium would be good to take as I prepare for the weight loss surgery. 

So, there you have it. 

Til Next Time,

Linda H.