ObesityHelp

Okay- well, the other night, I experience the worst night I have ever had since being banded. On Thursday night, we had cream can for supper....sausages, potatoes, onions, corn...I decided to try some corn on the cob. Hadn't had corn at all since before being banded. Was always too scared because I know it isn't a food that breaks down. But I thought, "I bet I could eat corn on the cob, though." What was I thinking? LOL I have no idea...but the weird thing is that I DIDN'T have any issues. I felt fine after eating it. But then Friday morning, I felt a little more tightness than usual. My husband and I went to the coffee shop and I got my sugar-free chai with skim. This was about 7:30 in the morning. At 11am, I was finishing it up. At noon, I went and met my husband and father-in-law at a restaurant. I ordered the special which was a turkey bacon wrap thing. I was only able to eat about three bites and couldn't eat anymore. So I got a box to take home. But I wasn't feeling miserable. Just satisfied with a little bit of tightness. But when I got to work, as the afternoon went on, I felt more and more tightness in my chest. I tried drinking water but could only take little sips at a time. And felt heartburn which I haven't felt in a very very long time. But I just figured that it would end up passing and then I'd be fine.

We had to go to my oldest son's first football game that evening. It was against the school that I graduated from so I was actually looking forward to it. But soon after we got there, I was feeling more tightness and pain in my chest. At one point, I walked my youngest son to the concession stands and got food. Maybe it was the smell of the food, I don't know. But when we got back, I had to walk to our van because my saliva was on overdrive and I wasn't able to swallow it. So I was spitting it up and ultimately, ended up throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up. When we got home, I decided to try and take one of those anti-nausea pills to stop the vomiting. But it worked in almost reverse. I immediately started throwing up VIOLENTLY. It was horrible! I took a hot bath and that seemed to help. I wasn't throwing up anymore, at least. And I was so tired. I went to bed and soon after falling asleep, I was awoken suddenly by choking and coughing. Since I wasn't able to swallow, my saliva was causing me to choke in my sleep. It was NOT a fun experience and happened constantly through the night. I finally got some sleep probably about 5am-10am. But when I woke up, I decided that I better call my doctor to get some help.

Dr. Forney had me come in to the ER in Scottsbluff where he took out 2 cc's. I was sad that he had to take out that much (but thankful that he didn't take it all out) but I instantly felt the difference and was able to easily drink a cup of water. He gave me instructions to stick with liquids for the rest of the day and soft foods for today and wait until Monday to really go back to solids. That way, I give my stomach and throat time to heal. And since my next appointment is in just a little under two weeks, he said that it would be enough time to heal so I should be able to get another fill at that time, since he took so much out.

Yes, it was a horrible horrible ordeal. And I don't know what I can say for sure caused it...if it was the corn on the cob or the wrap or ? But in any case, I did learn a huge lesson from it all. I really did. And despite this ordeal and the pain that went with it and praying to God all night to please give me relief, I have no regrets having the band. I knew of the risks involved before getting the band and should have been a little more careful, I realize. And compared to all the good stuff that I have gained from having the band done, I have no regrets. One little setback like this won't change my mind.

Tomorrow is a new day in which I will work harder at being a better bander. :)

I have to make this short because I literally have but only a few minutes before I need to race out the door to work.

Anyhow- I got past the whole sliming, foaming, throwing up stuff. It was a very miserable night and something I had NEVER experienced before and hopefully won't again. It was horrible. I was asked if, after going through that, would I still have gone and had the lap band done. My answer was..."I absolutely would get it done." It really has been one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Yes, there are setbacks to it. But really, look at the alternatives: Before, I was eating with no self-control. I was constantly hungry. I had ballooned up to 268 lbs. at one point. I had a hard time climbing a set of stairs, bending over to tie my shoes, even walking short distances winded me. I was miserable. I felt horrible all the time. I was getting joint pains, especially in my hip. If I had stayed on that path and NOT had the lap band, who knows...maybe I'd be on pre-diabetic meds right now on top of all that. Do I live as healthy right now as I should? No. I make mistakes. I indulge when I shouldn't. But it isn't anything in comparison to what I used to do. But do I beat myself up over it? Nope...I just get back on track and try to be more conscientious. I know I need to get back on track with my walking. It's been spontaneous and not consistent. I haven't even been on wii fit for quite a while. Need to get back to doing more physical activity and then maybe I'd see the scale move more in the direction I want it to go. But even then, I have to say that I know that the band is working the way it is supposed to. I have dropped 7 lbs. since my last fill a little over a week ago. Talk about putting a skip back into your step! LOL I just need to keep at it.

Anyhow...I wanted to post this because those that might have read my last post might have been horrified...especially if you haven't had it done yet and are looking to get it done. I don't want to be the deciding factor in a choice like that based off my last post. It was a horrible experience. But weighing it to all the great things that has happened with the band, it's nothing. Live and learn.

So now I am taking off to work....wearing new jeans (14's!!!) and a new shirt (Large!!) that I got this last weekend. Life is good. It really is!!! :)

It's been awhile since I wrote anything on here. I decided tonight would be a good night and I'll fill you in on that in a minute.

Since my last post, I went to Austin, had an awesome time...so many people noticed my weight loss. I also walked over 55 miles in that week...lots of walking in the heat! GAG....that part, the heat....I could have lived without! Went to Taylor Swift concert a few weeks ago and got to meet her. That was a pretty awesome experience, especially for my daughter who idolizes her!  Really, it's been a crazy couple of months!

Okay that is the good stuff...in short. Here's the bad and the ugly: Since June, I only lost 1 lb. Granted, I didn't gain it, but still....that was pretty depressing to see. One stinkin' pound. Yesterday was my 6 month bandiversary. And today I went in for my 5th visit/fill since being banded. I got a .25 cc fill again. I didn't feel it right away. I felt pretty much the same as I did the rest of the day and didn't notice any change. But I learned a HUGE HUGE lesson tonight. UGH. One of my co-workers had a bbq tonite and invited us over. I didn't even think much about my fill because I felt no difference. It proved to be a big mistake. :( I took about 2 bites of beans, a bite of macaroni salad and 3 bites of hamburger and was feeling it. But then I took about 2 bites of watermelon and found myself in big trouble! It hurt so very very bad. There I was, sitting around with a bunch of co-workers (who don't know that I have a band or know anything about it....) feeling pain in my chest, feeling like I was going to choke. It was horrible. I pretended like I got a phone call and walked to my van which was away from the party. I found a cup and was spitting saliva in it. But then it finally came up....foamy, slimy....liquid. And yep....watermelon. I felt better and went back to the party. But then was getting that feeling again and had to excuse myself to the bathroom. I threw up more foam, more slime. I did this one more time and knew it was time for us to go home. On the way home, I had more foaming, sliming. Got home and threw up. I still don't feel great. I never understood what foaming/sliming was about. I had never experienced it before. And I had hoped I could have kept that status. I don't feel 100% still. But I do know this much....I don't think I am going to be eating anything tomorrow....going to take it easy and do liquid/softies. This sucks. But I did it to myself. I knew better and wasn't careful. UGH.