A Marathon to Lose

It’s been a while, but so much has happened!

Not only am I half way done with my 6 dietician visits, but I’ve been chipping away at the pre-OP checklist. One of the most important aspects of my checklist is discovering something additionally wrong with me in order to have the surgery  be covered. This month it’s been officially reported – I have acid reflux! I knew this already, but coming from a doctor is essential to have record of it, so this is good news. I have never been so happy to be so uncomfortable! Nevertheless, I still need to keep going with the rest of my checklist. I feel myself getting a little ahead here so let me go through the last few weeks…

Early December I had another one of my visits with the surgeon designated dietician and lost 5 pounds since the first visit – nice, right? Then, I had an upper endoscopy – and let me tell you…it wasn’t at all what I expected. The procedure was done at Norwalk Hospital, where I met the nicest nursing staff. They were so pleasant and made the whole experience excellent. I may have entered in a good mood, knowing that this was one additional thing I could check off my list, but still. They made it extra nice.

What I didn’t expect was to go-under for the procedure. I was pleasantly surprised, but at the same time it was still a little unnerving. I had to dress down into a hospital gown and lay on my side while they sprayed a throat number down my throat, which made me just about gag, and then put me under for the worst part. Apparently, they shove a big tube with a camera down your throat to take pictures of your esophagus and stomach (gross, right?). I woke up very chatty and then very sleepy. I didn’t understand until I got to the parking lot why they require you to come with a friend/relative to drive you home after. I felt fine, but just kind of out of it. I didn’t have a sore throat until later. It was weird – it actually kind of felt like somebody punched  me in throat on the outside more than hurting on the inside, oddly enough. The more time that went on the more my throat felt like it had a bruise that you just couldn’t see. It was very minor though, it just felt strange. The doctor was very nice and talked to me about the surgery I was going to have and they whole staff was very nice and encouraging.

Later in the month I went in for my third dietician appointment and I gained 4 of the 5 pounds I lost – total bummer.However, I got the flu a few days later and since have lost a total of 11 pounds! Got to love a good old fashion flu-diet.

Next on my list is an EKG test, which is scheduled for this coming Friday and other things I need to have done in the coming week is a sleep study, a pulmonary function test, a stress test and some blood work. Easy-peasy!

After meeting with my surgeon today and discussing where I’m at with this process and the results of my upper endoscopy, I feel even more encouraged. He set my mind at ease and answered my lingering questions and we hope to have a date for the actual operation set for late March/early April.

Today was a good day. More work to do, but it’s all in motion. It’s happening and it’s a great start to a brand new year. Goodbye 2012, hello 2013!

Love in finding your happy in a brand new year,

Merptown