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.

I got back my Labs today - Good and Bad news

I will always try to post the most current picture of me as I blog so you can see my progression. I will also try to make them a full body shot but I took this pic today after I found out I got my labs back. I wanted to have something that reminded of this day.

It was good news that I was not anemic as I had thought they would say and I would have to take iron pills and stool softeners and the whole nine yards. However, I was tagged with the H Pylori Bacteria. :( which means I have to take 3 prescriptions for two weeks and then have another test taken of my stool.

Okay, can I just say, who wants to do a stool collection for a sample? NOT THIS CHICK! I guess I will have to though. So After two weeks of the medication, which I start tomorrow, they will wait a month and test me again. YIPPEE... stool sample coming right up.

For the vitamin A, D and Calcium Caltrate that I need to start taking I can just buy those over the counter.

So, I am one step closer to my surgery, with a minor setback. I had said that I would start taking vitamin B12 to get me in the habit of taking vitamins daily for the rest of my life anyhow. So I am not too upset that I have to start early but I was really hoping I would not have to do the H pylori regimens.

I may do a post about my research on the bacteria and its affects. They say I should not worry about it but I like to know what things are and how to avoid them in the future. I guess it comes from foods I eat and the water I drink. From what my doctor's office said it some kind of acid in my stomach. So, I may have to switch up my bottled water.

My "WHY" for Weight Loss Surgey

I saw a youtube video about understanding why you want to have the surgery and talking about the real reasons and not just the surface ones.

So I thought, if I am going to blog about this process then I should really talk about the WHY. I mean we do things because we all have a motive or reason for it, right? Well, I do have a reason and it may seem shallow at first but hopefully, as you get to know me you will understand how REAL this is for me.

Well, If asked why I want to have this surgery, my first response is I want to live. I want to live a full and satisfying life. I hate when I am limited by what I can do because I am too big, weigh too much, or simply just doesn't fit.

I mean really I am a clothing fanatic but I hate going into a store and I cant get the cute dress I want because it does not come in my size. I HATE THAT!

However, when I really think about why I want this surgery, it causes me to pull back layers. Really when I just sit with my thoughts, I gained this weight to protect me from hurt. I was abused as a child sexually, mentally, verbally, and emotionally. My childhood was not the worst but it was not great either.

I was about 8 when I came home from visiting my biological dad and my mom did not recognize me because I had put on a few pounds. that is not what scared me. It was a few years prior to that I was introduced to sex. No he did not penetrate and it was only fondling but that was enough to cause this little girl to want to go and hide. thus I started eating. as a teenager, I would learn the skill of binge eating and starvation. When I felt bad about something or was scared, nervous or stressed, I would not eat thus causing myself to later binge eat and YES I would eat until I threw up.

So, saying that I had a love/hate relationship with food would be an understatement. I have always thought I was cute, and still, do. So my self-image was not the problem. For years I would psych myself to think that I was okay. Even though I would cry myself to sleep at night. I was an emotional wreck and cookies, candy, soda, and any other great tasting food would become my best friends.

I can remember not eating all day so I could eat later when I was alone.  I went on diets some worked and some didn't. My results were never permanent. The last diet I did was in 2008 and I lost 45 pounds and kept most off but have slowly started creeping back up to the 387 lbs I was when I first did the diet. In 2006, I knew a few ladies that had a gastric bypass surgery and I considered them to be weak and needed to just stop eating. Yep, most of the people judging me for doing the surgery, I was like you.

Now I understand that this is more than a weak persons tap out. It's actually fighting for your right to live healthily and gain some control. It takes a strong-minded person to say I am going to be successful with the tool that best gets the results that I want to see.

As of today, I weigh 343 and my BMI 59.4%. I stand 5'4. So you can just imagine how sluggish I can get at times carrying two other people with me everywhere I go. Well not, in reality, I am speaking metaphorically.

So that is my "why". I don't have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and I have not suffered any heart attacks, strokes or anything else that goes with being morbidly obese. I plan on keeping it that way. So I am taking matters into my own hand and doing what I believe will be the best plan of action for me. I have chosen to live life to the fullest.

Til we meet again,

Linda H.

My New Youtube Channel

So I started a youtube channel to also document my journey.

Check it out:

My Vlog - Join me on my Weight Loss Transformation Journey

As I will use this space for my journaling and thoughts, my youtube channel with also be an expression of my journey and hopefully you will be able to see the weight loss "in Person" as it were. It is my hope that this will help others to make up their mind to have the surgery or not. It will be a support for those that need it. I am making myself vulnerable because I do try to live my life in private and don't really put myself out there but I need to do better.

What better way than to write my thoughts as I journey through weight loss and allow people to hold me accountable to be an example of success in this process.

After My Appointment For My Psychological Evaluation

So here are my first videos about the process. These videos were taken just after my psychological evaluation. I did pass according to my doctor. So I'm excited!!!

You can also find these on my Youtube channel!

Update: My Pre-op Physical

2014 Mexico - Birthday Cruise

So today I went to my pre-op physical where my PCP signed off for me to be considered for the surgery. Well, I knew he would. My blood pressure was GREAT. No risk of having high blood pressure, no diabetes or any other problems. I have never had a surgery before so this will be a NEW experience for me. I have watched videos and joined a few bariatric surgery support groups on Facebook and will join one that is local to me.

Tomorrow is my psych evaluation and I will hopefully set the appointment to speak to the nutritionist. So wish me luck! I am so ready to get on with this process and take the necessary steps to gain control of my life and feel healthy and free.

I will write a post about why I am having the surgery done but I feel that more will be revealed in my psychological evaluation. I know, just from listening to others stories that I have a minor food addition. I might even have a minor eating disorder. As a younger woman I used to binge eat but now it's more like a love-hate relationship with food. My hardest vices to let go of will be my love for Coca-Cola. God help me with that one.

Until next time,

Linda

Introduction

Hello, I am glad you stopped by to read my blog. I was going to just journal my progress about my weight loss and changing to be a healthier me but instead, I decided to also do a public blog/vlog! So this is my first post to introduce me and who I am.

My name is Linda. Hello!

As of 9/27/17, I weigh 343 lbs with 59% BMI. Yep, I am officially morbidly obese.

The sad thing is all my life I have been obese, well okay there were a few years before 10 that I might have been thin. It all started on a summer vacation to visit my dad (my biological dad that is). It might have been guilt on his part or just no real discipline on my part. The fact of the matter is when I came home from that 2-week stint with him, my own mother walked passed me in the airport. SMH. Needless to say, that was a bit hurtful. I had to call out to her and even then it took her a minute to recognize me.

Even now when she recalls that day, she calls me a rollie pollie. Not the most flattering thing to be called. So it begins my struggle with weight. Now there were other things in my life like sexual molestation, verbal abuse, mental abuse, and domestic violence in my childhood home that would come into play and keep me gaining more weight. But all that is for another blog.  This blog is just about the journey I'm about to take to take my health back and with it my life.

So, here's what I look like from 2008 - 2017.

I have decided to get the bariatric weight loss surgery. I am still trying to decide on if it will be the sleeve or the DS loop. I had my first appointment today. I meet with the NP and she explained the surgery and asked which one I was leaning toward. I explained to her that I thought the sleeve would be a better fit for me and she suggested I get the DS Loop due to my height and weight. BTW I'm 5'4. 

Don't worry my next post will be my official before post and I will take the normal front, back and side view in a very unflattering, show all the business detailed picture :). This is just me introducing myself and what this blog will catalog.

So after hearing her suggest and reading more about the DS Loop, I am now considering which one I will finally decide to do.  I also joined a few FB support groups for the Gastric Sleeve and could not find one that had been started for the DS Loop. So if you know of one let me know. Also if you know of any forum and communities I can join for moral and educational support let me know.

On this blog I will write my thoughts, my plans, my hopes, my failures (If any), but mainly my successes. You will find that I will pour it all out here. There may be a few moments that I don't share due to the personal nature of the moment in question, or it is shared with someone that will not want to have that experience shared on this blog. Otherwise, you will get the whole gambit of information and life experience.

So join me as I take this journey. I almost forgot, I also did my lab work today and tomorrow I will do my physical with my PCP. This is to get them to sign off on the surgery even though He already sent over a referral to my surgeon's office. Then on Friday, I will have my psych evaluation. So the ball is pretty much rolling. I'm excited and nervous. I don't want to make this lifestyle change and fail. In another blog, I will talk about my weight loss attempts in the past. My story is very similar to most overweight people who want to lose weight but it's unique to who I am and my insecurities.

Til next time,

Linda