Went to see Dr Clements at UAB on the problem with gagging, etc from my last post. He said that I could do a scope of the stomach or I could just take a wait and see. I told him that I would rather take a wait and see, hoping that it will go away. Dr Clements did mention that I was about 10 lbs behind on the weight loss and then read off the list of things that I should not be doing. I weigh 228 lbs and he mentioned that I should lose 50 more lbs. I don't see how that is possible, but he is the doc.
I then went off to a conference in Chicago for a week. It was a very long week and lots of hours. I held up ok but did have one bad night with no energy, etc. One story, I had dinner with a client at a really nice Italian spot in chicago. I had 2 pieces of bread and 1/2 bowl of Italian wedding soup. I ordered the lasagna and had 2 bites. It was the best I have ever had but could only eat 2 bites. I spent 45 minutes watching others eat and pushing food around on my plate. It was awkward, to say the least.
Sleep apnea continues to be a struggle.
People are really starting to notice the weight loss since the gastric bypass.
Lastly, I have noticed some traffic on the website and it looks like some people are actually starting to read the blog! Good news on that front. I hope that this can benefit someone.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Sleep Apnea and Sick
Since my gastric bypass, I have been sleep apnea clear. But, it has come back and then some. In addition, I have been really sick lately and feel like I have the flu. Gagging all the time. I am not feeling well. Going to see Dr Clements at UAB on Friday. After the way his nurse treated me last time, I am hesitant to go back.
Trip to California went fine, no major issues. Well, there is one. Diarrhea. Really, really bad. Not sure why, it just started and would not let up. Got back home and it continued. Took a dose of questran and some pepto and cleared it up. Hasn't bothered me since.
Curious to see how much weight I have lost. But, the sleep apnea issue is not good, not good at all. I am low, really really low.
This is an exceptionally difficult journey, don't let anyone tell you it is the easy way out. It is like taking the Kansas Turnpike, once your on that's it. You are there and not getting off. Doesn't make the trip any less easy but you just have no exits when you need a break.
Trip to California went fine, no major issues. Well, there is one. Diarrhea. Really, really bad. Not sure why, it just started and would not let up. Got back home and it continued. Took a dose of questran and some pepto and cleared it up. Hasn't bothered me since.
Curious to see how much weight I have lost. But, the sleep apnea issue is not good, not good at all. I am low, really really low.
This is an exceptionally difficult journey, don't let anyone tell you it is the easy way out. It is like taking the Kansas Turnpike, once your on that's it. You are there and not getting off. Doesn't make the trip any less easy but you just have no exits when you need a break.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
More Energy and Out of Town
Spent the weekend building a deck in my back yard and just found that I have tons of energy. Picked up lots of heavy lumber and concrete, no back pain.
I am due to go to California next week and am anxious about the travel. I just do not know what to expect. I am working at our corporate offices, so it should not be too bad. We will see.
Still irritated by the way I was treated last week in Dr. Clements. The gastric bypass seems to be working and as the days pass I am increasingly glad that I did it. but, it does not seem real.
Got sick last night from eating dinner, not sure why.
I am due to go to California next week and am anxious about the travel. I just do not know what to expect. I am working at our corporate offices, so it should not be too bad. We will see.
Still irritated by the way I was treated last week in Dr. Clements. The gastric bypass seems to be working and as the days pass I am increasingly glad that I did it. but, it does not seem real.
Got sick last night from eating dinner, not sure why.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Traffic to this Website
Well, I put a counter on my blog and found that no one is reading it.
Hmmm...
My intention in writing to this is to provide good information to others thinking of having gastric bypass. But, no one is reading and so it is making less sense to keep writing.
Hmmm...
My intention in writing to this is to provide good information to others thinking of having gastric bypass. But, no one is reading and so it is making less sense to keep writing.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Latest on the Visit Today
I kept looking at the numbers today and they just did not make sense. Everything that I was reading seemed to indicate that I was tracking normally. So, I called the office and got the battle axe on the phone Joann. I basically told her that I had issues with her raking me over the coals today and sending me into a panic over this gastric bypass weight loss rate. After everything that I have been through, the last thing that I want to hear is that it is not working.
Anyways, she fesses up and tells me that there has been a mistake and that she was going to call me. Well, it is the end of the day. Monday would have rolled around and she would have forgot. then, I would have started altering my eating habits and even further restricting my eating. This could have had a very strong adverse outcome for me.
Go back and look over my blog and see how many errors that I have talked about this office making. This is just not acceptable. Especially after she slammed me for 15 minutes in that office today.
A good example of what is wrong with our healthcare system today. By the way, all of these calculations were done on paper and not by a computer.
Anyways, she fesses up and tells me that there has been a mistake and that she was going to call me. Well, it is the end of the day. Monday would have rolled around and she would have forgot. then, I would have started altering my eating habits and even further restricting my eating. This could have had a very strong adverse outcome for me.
Go back and look over my blog and see how many errors that I have talked about this office making. This is just not acceptable. Especially after she slammed me for 15 minutes in that office today.
A good example of what is wrong with our healthcare system today. By the way, all of these calculations were done on paper and not by a computer.
Disappointed with my Visit
I went to see Dr Clements at Kirklin Clinic - UAB on my gastric bypass today and got a Physician Assistant(Joann) instead. Frankly, she really irritated the crap out of me.
She started in with the exercise and I told her that I have been unable to exercise because of the gout. She stated emphatically, that I should be exerercising an hour a day for 7 days a week. (Is she on drugs?) Then, she started in on the water and not drinking enough. I told her that I had a hard time with keeping enough food and enough water down, then she wanted to know if I had gone to support group. Because, this was "covered" on the support group and I would know. That I should be drinking 64oz of water a day, etc, etc. Then, she wants a complete inventory of what I eat on a given day. I gave her that and was informed that I am eating too many carbs and I need to "completely" change my habits.
My initial weight was 268lbs and I know weigh 233lbs. I have lost 13.1% of my total weight and about 35% of my excess weight. She said that most patients have lost 25% at 8 weeks. I don't see how that is possible. I have seen studies that identify 38% of excess weight at one year. that is on track with the graph below and also on track with the "Swedish" study on this topic.
She started in with the exercise and I told her that I have been unable to exercise because of the gout. She stated emphatically, that I should be exerercising an hour a day for 7 days a week. (Is she on drugs?) Then, she started in on the water and not drinking enough. I told her that I had a hard time with keeping enough food and enough water down, then she wanted to know if I had gone to support group. Because, this was "covered" on the support group and I would know. That I should be drinking 64oz of water a day, etc, etc. Then, she wants a complete inventory of what I eat on a given day. I gave her that and was informed that I am eating too many carbs and I need to "completely" change my habits.
My initial weight was 268lbs and I know weigh 233lbs. I have lost 13.1% of my total weight and about 35% of my excess weight. She said that most patients have lost 25% at 8 weeks. I don't see how that is possible. I have seen studies that identify 38% of excess weight at one year. that is on track with the graph below and also on track with the "Swedish" study on this topic.
I am tracking exactly with the blue line and I was so totally put off by her inquisition that I was at a loss to ask questions.
As I am leaving, I see Dr Clements and he speaks. Why didn't I see him today and not this nazi PA? I drive over a 100 miles to see Dr Clements and my insurance will reimburse as if I saw him.
More importantly, I think that she was wrong. I think that she was thinking of the excess weight % and not total weight %. The nurse that ushered me in the room and weighed me has mis-calculated these figures before. I think that this was another example of that.
The numbers don't add up. Plus, if I make changes to my diet now and I am tracking normal, then I will go even further into starvation mode. I don't see them for another 3 months.
Honestly, I have been consistently disappointed by the guys since I started this. They have screwed up so many times. After everything that I have dealt with, the last thing that I want is some overpaid nurse raking me over the coals on what I am eating everyday.
I doubt that I will go back. This office, Kirklin Clinic, and UAB have all been consistent disappointments in the process. I wished that I had gone to St. Vincent's or to Baptist in Alabaster.
I would love to hear some feedback on this posting. Has anyone had similar encounters?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Appointment on Friday and the Latest
I have my rescheduled appointment with Dr. Clements at Kirklin Clinic on Friday. I am curious about my blood work and how that will turn out. I am also curious about the weight loss. People are really starting to notice that I am losing weight. I have a lot more energy and worked last night until late. I have not had this much energy in a long time.
I continue to struggle with meals and trying to get them down. I am an extremely fast eater and am having to readjust because of the gastric bypass. I throw up at least every other day but that is an improvement. I can eat almost anything now without a problem. Some things I have to just eat slower. Some days I can eat a lot and other days I can't. It just varies. I continue to take the multi but have stopped taking the calcium.
I have found a real treasure and that is Soy Milk. It requires an adjustment in taste but frees me up for one of life's true pleasures, the late night bowl of cereal. Of course, the term bowl is about a 1/4 cup and I used to eat a couple of cups. So, the snack is much smaller but is a treat and makes me feel like I am half way normal. The Soy has calcium and I buy orange juice with added calcium. So, it works for me.
I continue to struggle with meals and trying to get them down. I am an extremely fast eater and am having to readjust because of the gastric bypass. I throw up at least every other day but that is an improvement. I can eat almost anything now without a problem. Some things I have to just eat slower. Some days I can eat a lot and other days I can't. It just varies. I continue to take the multi but have stopped taking the calcium.
I have found a real treasure and that is Soy Milk. It requires an adjustment in taste but frees me up for one of life's true pleasures, the late night bowl of cereal. Of course, the term bowl is about a 1/4 cup and I used to eat a couple of cups. So, the snack is much smaller but is a treat and makes me feel like I am half way normal. The Soy has calcium and I buy orange juice with added calcium. So, it works for me.
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