how did i even survive this!?

Sunday morning during church service i started experiencing this horrid pain in my back on the right side only. I leaned toward my mom and told her. She said to go to the restroom maybe i needed to stand up cuz i pulled a muscle or something. It didnt help at all. By the time church was half way over i was hunched over in the chair about to cry, i told my mom i needed to leave.

She made me call the surgeon on call which was dr. Swartz. He said it could be my gallbladder and i should go to the ER. By now i was doubled over in pain that was constant and i was crying all the way to the hospital. ER was empty in the waiting room so i got called back quickly.

Unfortunately i have small veins so after 10 tries to find a vein for my IV and a bunch of "sorry's" i was in the ER for 3 hours in excruiciating pain, so bad i was dry heaving every few seconds, not to mention moaning, crying and could not sit still with no pain meds. Finally they found a vein i pointed out to them and gave me some dilouted medication which was my miracle drug. Instant pain relief. Believe me though that when it wore off i was begging for more. I was laying in the ER for 9 hours until they finally moved me to a room at around 9pm.

I spent the night. The pain subsided at about 12am. At 7am Dr. Swartz came to see me and to find out more about my symptoms. I explained that it started with a warm burst throughout my stomach and then went away. Then i had a terrible back pain on the middle of just the right side of my back. The Dr in the ER said they tested my blood and my liver count should have been 10 to be normal mine was 230!! No gallstones though said the lady who did my ultrasound. Dr. Swatrz said he isnt for sure whats going on but is about 90% sure its my gallbladder. He would do surgery that day, Monday at 4:30pm and he would check my gallbladder, remove it if its not functioning properly, check all of my intestines for a hernia and do yet a fourth endoscopy all while i am under since i am having problems keeping solids down.

Turns out my gallbladder had stopped functioning causing me extreme pain, he removed my gallbladder. I had no hernia, but i did have an ulcer so he prescribed me nexium for that. I was sent home tuesday morning at around 10am with vicodin. Which, does NOT work! It only makes me tired but doesnt get rid of my pain. Anyways....

I went home and was sooo constipated. I wont lie, i wanted to die. Felt like i had been run over by a BIG truck and left for dead. Couldnt take pain meds because it causes constipation. The constipation was killer!!! I was soo backed up and blocked that all the gas pumped into me from surgery was stuck and just moving around, and i was in so much pain. I tried a laxative, milk of magnesia, stool softener, two supositories and still, nothing. So embarassed and desparate for help my mom had to give me an enema. Yes, how embarassing. It was painful cuz i was so tore up inside. Well, sad to admit my shame but its got to be said you must know not to ever let it get this bad. I had a big accident after that and had to wash clothes and take a good shower, i am sure u can imagine my humiliation. My poor mom was gagging! I dont blame her. I laugh now but it was soo sad when it happened. Worst of all, it didnt work. I called Dr. Swartz who gave me a concoction for yet another enema that is homemade and a sure fix. 1 part molasses and 1 part whole milk slightly warmed and mixed well put into an empty enema bottle. Omg! He wasnt kidding. It worked!!!

Not to be gross or give TMI but after passing the "trouble" i realize why i was in so much pain when i saw the size of it. My poor colon!! I felt sooo much better afterwords! Lol!

Although i still have awful pain from the surgery and still cant take pain meds, i am just thankful the worst is over and on the good side i no longer have to take that stupid gigantic horse pill for my gallbladder. Yay!

Lets just say its safe to admit i have a high tolerance to pain. God has really been taking care of me i dont know how one person could go through so much pain and surgeries and still be alive.

Feeling better now,
Steph

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Syntrax Matrix Perfect Chocolate Protein Powder

Okay, THANK Goodness for the makers of this stuff.  Totally not disgusting protein powder!  I HAD to give a BIG mention about this.  Only because after searching through countless products and trying many of them, not to mention, spending money on them after they are now sitting unopened in my closet or opened and sealed because they are nasty, this is one product i swear by!  It's so tasty.  I also bought the cookies n' cream (which is personally not my favorite flavor), they also have vanilla, chocolate as you see (this is my favorite so far), orange cream, strawberry and banana's n' cream.  I plan on getting the banana's n' cream one soon because I know i love banana's so that might be a tasty treat.

By all mean, BUY this protein powder before you try anything else.  The best part is they sell it here in town and not only that but they sell it for a low price of only $19.99 for a 2lb jug!  Woo hoo!!!

A BIG thumbs up to Syntrax Matrix Perfect Chocolate Protein Powder!

-Stephanie

Citracal Calcium Citrate w/Vitamin D - PETITES

I will say this quickly.  I was highly disappointed when i opened up this bottle and realized that it was not in any way petite at all!  I laughed and said "goodness, if this is petite then what the heck does the regular pill look like?" ha! What a joke. 

Anyways, these are sitting in my cupboard for a time when I'm able to swallow large pills.  So for now they will wait until a later date to be taken. 

Although I'd like to give this a thumbs up for being an "option" at least, and for FUTURE endeavors I cannot at the moment give this a thumbs up because I'm only a little over 8 weeks out and the feelings of "doom" after taking a pill this big with my itty bitty pouch is not quite the best comfort for a gastric bypass person.  So for now, a thumbs down.  :(

-Stephanie

Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenges w/Vitamin D

Since Dr. Felix's office was out of the liquid calcium that I was used to, I decided to try a little something else, i needed my calcium so I asked and they had these lozenges.  I guess on the way out the door I read the bottle wrong because I could have sworn it said "chewables" but i quickly found out I was wrong when i turn it around and the directions noted that you put it in your mouth and let it dissolve. WHOOPS!  Yeah, rude awakening.  It wasn't horrible chewed up, but it did get kind of stuck in my teeth, and the chalkiness of it was a bit unnerving.  I won't do that the next time.  All in all, these don't have the BEST flavor, I haven't tried the other flavors which are; wild cherry, mint and cinnamon.  I can tell you though that chocolate isn't HORRIBLE, but it will get me by.  It will help me get my calcium in.

The reason I'm going to post so many calcium things on here (3 to be exact) is because I have tried all three.  The reason I absolutely cannot do the "pill" form is because at this point in my a little over 8 weeks post-op I have found that I'm still not cool with swallowing those bigger than normal pills.  I just hate swallowing pills in general.  Before surgery though it was never a problem you could have given me a horse pill and I could have swallowed it with no issues at all, now, not-so much!

Another big thumbs up to: Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenges w/Vitamin D.

-Stephanie

Wellesse Liquid Calcium Citrate & Vitamin D

This is an item that came in my $950 kit from Dr. Felix's office the day before my surgery.  This was a lifesaver after surgery and after trying to deal with so many pills and chewable vitamins.  I most definitely recommend this for those of you who are less than six weeks post op.

As you know, i had a few complications, nothing TOO major, and i'm still alive and i wouldn't change a thing I am happy with my decision.  Life is MUCH BETTER!  YAY!  Anyways, with my complications getting even liquid down, you can imagine my struggle to choke down pills both for acid prevention and for my still existing gallbladder.  Then the chewable vitamins and iron pill as well.  This was a breath of fresh air. 

WORD OF ADVICE:  Please always remember, NEVER take this with your iron pill.  It will not absorb.  Nor will your iron.  That's what i was told from my surgeon's office.  They know best!  You may take this with your regular multivitamin though.  Remember to only take 1 tbsp. at a time.  Although it says you take 2, your body can only absorb 500mg at a time so just take 1 tbps. at a time and then wait at least 1 hour before taking another.  :)

A big thumbs up to the Wellesse Liquid Calcium Citrate (never use carbonate, it doesn't absorb in our pouches!) & Vitamin D.

-Stephanie

Product Reviews

So I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be spending a lot of time on product reviews for those of us bariatric and soon-to-be bariatric people.  I have been through so many different kinds of protein shakes, the powder AND the liquid that I NEED to notify you all about what is "tasty" and what is just down-right NASTY!

I have also been testing out different pills, some of the time though I go back to dr. felix's office to purchase their very reasonably priced products.  I will also share my thoughts on the products I received in the $950 kit I was given the day before my surgery. 

Join me, and leave your feedback.  If you have any ideas on great products for all of us, please leave me comments.  I'll be happy to post a product review on that product as well for us all. 

Thanks and happy weight loss to everyone!