One month down!!

So, on September 8, 2010, I underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. For those of you who don't know Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, aka "the sleeve", creates a banana shaped stomach by resecting the lateral aspect of the stomach. This reduces the stomach capacity from about 16 ounces to less than 4 ounces in size. The pylorus, vagus nerves and antral pump are all intact preserving the functional integrity of the stomach. I have battled with my weight what seems like my whole life. I remember my mom bringing me to the mall as a teenager and sitting in the dressing room crying because nothing fit or nothing looked right. All of my friends were small and I just didn't understand WHY!! My parents, at my request, sent me to weight loss doctors, Weight Watchers, aerobics, and anything you can think of. My mom, dad, and brother are all in very good shape, so, at times, while I feel overly loved, I feel out of place. But, all these years and two babies later my weight and health has gotten completely out of control. I have wanted to have weight loss surgery for years but the dream was just too far out of reach. At the early part of this year I started really looking into this procedure and how it could change my life. I sat at my computer in my office contemplating if this was something that I could do, would I be able to face the challenge. At 30 years old I have high blood pressure, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome and depression. I want to be there for my boys, to see them grow up, and be healthy enough to enjoy life with them. I thought about Doug and how withdrawn and antisocial I had become and decided it was time for a change. I prayed that the opportunity would present itself and that I would be strong enough to handle it.  The door was opened to me and I scheduled my appointment.  I had to do so many tests and meet the dreaded dietician.  She was wonderful and assured me that I could do this and how great everything was going to be.  I left there a little overwhelmed and wondering if I had made the right decision.   I guess in my mind I thought that I could eat what I wanted but less and I would lose weight.   I was under the misconception that surgery was the easy way.  That day I learned that I was going to have to eat right, drink lots of water, lots of protein, exercise and supplements.  Being the head strong, determined person that I am I kept moving forward.  My surgery was one week away at this point and in my head I was having that “last supper” syndrome.  I was completely out of control, so , if there was a doubt about whether I made the right decision, I had just confirmed it.  My last meal two days before my surgery was Sammy’s Grill.  I had fried catfish with this wonderful white seafood sauce on top, baked potato, cheese sticks, and cheese fries.  Yes…I had lost my mind at that point.  The next day was basically HELL.  All liquids and jello.  Those of you that really know me, know that I hate jello.  But, I managed and the next day checked in my for my surgery at 7:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Gonzales.   I was really scared but I did put up this front to my husband and mom that I was completely cool and not at the least bit scared.  Dr. Hargroder, his staff, and the staff at the hospital were wonderful.  My surgery was great but I did experience more pain than I thought.  Doug and my mom were with me the whole way so I was taken care of completely.  The first two weeks were absolutely miserable.  The question of “why did I do this” did pop through my head a few times.  I was in pain, I had to drink all this nasty protein, and I was missing food.  My husband turned into mister mom and really was AWESOME.  He ran the kids everywhere, changed every diaper, and waited on me hand and foot.  My two week check up went great, I lost 25lbs and was very happy.  Since then I have started introducing new foods into my diet, vomiting on occasion, exercising, and have lost another 10lbs.  This blog will serve as a journey in my life as I turn over a new leaf.