Well, as of 10:23 this morning, I weighed in at 185 lbs.  I couldn't believe it. 

In addition, I think I had my first dumping episode, at least that's what I think it was, on Thursday.  It was terrible.  All I was doing was drinking a coffee.  I have the distinct suspicion that I didn't get the splenda I asked for.  At any rate, I went through this excrutiating pain for about 1/2 an hour (didn't want to go to hospital) and I finally got desperate and swallowed the pellets from the antiacid med the Dr. had given me and this made the pain subside.  I do not want a repeat of this.  No more trusting Dunkin!  lol

My clothes are finally fitting better.  As for size, most of my clothes are stretchy so I don't think I'll need new ones for a while.  Oh well, I'll concentrate on the undies, lol. 

Well, one month out and feeling much better.  Still feeling tired at times, however, its not like it was.  I can sleep on my stomach now with no problem.  Have not gotten sick from anything I've eaten.  Not sure if this is good or not.  Nothing has gotten stuck either, thank GOD!!!!  Have not lost weight like other people say they have, but as long as I'm losing, I'm good.

Have an appointment for the 22nd.   Want to see what the Dr. says. 

Hi!

Its been a week since the surgery(Jan 19).  Still sore and definitely swollen.  The expectations I have in my head definitely do not match reality.  Patience and being realistic is a must for anyone considering any kind of WLS.  Let me give a little more detail:

Its been relatively quick since I first went to see Dr. Pohl on June 11 2009.  I did everything he told me to do to get this done and here I am.  I had revision surgery which was more complicated, but Dr. Pohl did it.  I am so happy I was referred to him.  Dr. Sax (Miriam Hospital in Providence) the dr. who performed the lapband (with Dr. Vithianathan's assistance) did not want to do the revision, he vehmently proclaimed, "You can die" and I vehemently stated, I can die due to the weight anyway.  Well, after an approximate 5 month battle, he gave in and referred me to Dr. Pohl.  I'm glad Dr. Sax decided to give me this second chance. 

Before this surgery, I was careful to maintain the pre-op liquid diet, mostly due to fear.  A lady I met had had this surgery and did not follow the Dr.'s advice and had major complications.  She leaked, had to go back to surgery the next day, and had a rough time after that.  I didn't want to go through that, especially after being forewarned.  Also, for the lapband operation I wasn't as careful as with this one.  This one was harder to be okayed for and I was under stricker guide lines.  My nutritionist really made me work for it.  She didn't even okay the operation until I lost 5 pounds.  Which I did.  Then on the pre-op liquid which I kept for approximately a week, (although I cheated one day, three days before the surgery) I lost another 8 pounds.  This put me at 200 the day of the surgery.  I was really hungry at this point. 

The afternoon after the surgery, Dr. Pohl said everything went well, no complications.  Since I knew he would be removing the lapband, wasn't sure if he did the bypass.  I had to ask if he really did the bypass; simply because I thought I would feel horrible afterwards; of course I'm sure that sticking to my preop diet and the meds helped with that outcome.  He kept me in the hospital (Roger Williams in Providence) for three days, which I thought was great.  Had time to heal a little, be monitored and weened off medication. By the third day, I was more than ready to go.  The only thing I hadn't done was #2 before I left.  I did though; it took 5 days and three days of laxatives. 

I can't say I don't feel hungry because I'm not sure what it is I feel.  It might be a I want thing.  Since the not sure was one of the reasons I gained to begin with.  I am doing the protein shakes, 25gms of protein per scoop, 1 gm of carbo.  I am mixing 2 scoops with 8oz of water in order to get in the required protein.  I bought some 10 cal sugar free jello, sugar free puddings, .  I need something that feels like a solid.  I also drink consume and this helps a little with the feelings of hunger since it feels like I'm eating regular foods.  I sooooooooooo want to eat a hotdog or slice of pizza, but I know that's impossible right now.  I wasn't eating a lot of this before the surgery, but I did at least once a week.  Lean cuisines are good.  Anyway, today I plan to go to the gym and try the treadmill and some weights.  I'm hope this helps with the swelling.    I'll let you know! 

One thing this operation does is it makes you do things for yourself that are beneficial.  Like really thinking of heathly alternatives and not wanting quick fixes to hunger.  Since you can only eat a little at a time, you want to make sure whatever you eat/drink is tasty and nutricious. (I read on someones blog that if you eat too much your stomach can blow up and you can die.  That's a big reason to be careful.)   Hopefully, by the time I go back to work, I'll have a healthy no hunger routine going for myself. 

Anyway, my beautiful 4 yr old grand is watching SpongeBob and my other 4 month old grand is sitting on my lap watching me write this.   I cannot really pick her up from my sitting position, but I can spend time with her, which is one of pluses of being on medical leave.  I weighed in this morning at 195.8 lbs.  Which is fantastic considering that the day I came home from the hospital, I weighed 206; more than what I went in. I had trouble with doing #2, maybe that's why.  I didn't go till Sunday, two days after I got home.  So don't panic if it happens to you.   Well, I have other things to tend to.  thanks for checking in.  Does anyone know when its safe to drink coffee?

MUAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday's coming up.  I feel like I'm in a dream.  I am going in at 202lbs. 
My children have mixed feelings, as well as some of my friends, about my surgery.  However, I know I WANT TO LOOK AND FEEL BETTER.    Thanks to all who have said a little prayer for me.

Well, didn't go to the Grand Canyon, knew that I was going to have a hard time since I really didn't lose much.  Maverick and Shirley our Grand Canyon guides committed suicide and it was really a shocker.  Another reason I am glad I didn't go.  Maybe if I reach my goal after the revision, I'll rethink the trip. 

As of Tuesday, I am scheduled for pre-op Jan 5 and revision surgery Jan 19.  They plan on taking out the band and performing a full blown gastric bypass.  I am concerned and a little scared.  However, I'll leave myself in God's hands and hope this will work for me.  I am not going into this surgery with the same enthusiasm as the previous, however, am still hopeful. Pray for me you guys, I know I'll need it.