Steph O.
July 15th,2005~
I am on day 4 of liquids and eagerly awaiting surgery on the 19th. My friend Jen and I leave for Monterrey on Sunday the 17th. I am without a doubt more afraid of flying at this point than anything! I keep thinking "what if they ask me to buy a 2nd seat", "what if I am too fat to buckle the seatbelt", "what happens if I have a claustraphobia (sp?) attack"....I am SUCH a worry wort! On the positive side, I am down 9 pounds in 4 days **Yay water weight!**
I will update again when I am on "the other side". Blessings~
July 25, 2005~
I am officially a bandster! It is hard to believe...I am going to recount my whole long tale here for Pre-Op bandsters. When I was learning about this process all I wanted was Details and more Details!! lol So here they are...
Mexico was great, Dr. Rumbaut is amazing. He is very caring, funny and cute!! (Ahhh did I just write that?!?!?) Seriously though, the plane rides were fine. I did ask the flight attendents when I got on for a seatbelt extender and they were very gracious every time.
Our hotel was nice, the people did their best to communicate with us and there's a shuttle van that takes you to and from the Dr. offices, malls etc. so that was nice. The taxi's do drive like maniacs though so beware!! :o)
I had pre-op testing on Monday. They took blood, did a chest x-ray (no barium for me, just a standard x-ray), did an abdominal ultrasound and a cardiogram (?). It all only took about 30 minutes.
Later Monday I had a consult with the nutritionist and then with Dr. R. He showed me a quick video on banding and really just talked with me for awhile. He didn't rush me and was really upfront about his experience with the band. His before and after pics were amazing!
Tuesday the 19th I went to the hospital, they admitted me. Then gave me a pill for anxiety (darn thing never worked for me) they tried to get an IV in me but my veins were stubborn and it was quite painful. Finally they gave up and the anesthesiologist came in and numbed the upper inside of my arm and put it right in. Then they wheeled me to the OR. I remember looking at all the equipment and the next thing I know I was waking up in recovery!!
I was in quite alot of pain. My whole back ached really bad and I just felt yucky. I have 5 incisions. 1 right between and below my breasts 3 across the mid stomach and my port on my lower abdomen below the waistline (so I can wear a bikini someday they say HA HA HA!!) Never.
So I just took the meds the nurses gave and moaned alot the first 24hrs. I later found out that Dr. R did the posterior stitching on my band (which is very rare for patients my size) and that causes more pain especially in the back.
I was released Wed. and slept on and off at the hotel all day/night while we watched hurricane Emily make her way past us. The people there were great!
Thurs. Dr. R came and checked up on us before we left for the airport. My one and only complaint was that the pain meds he gave weren't strong enough. I had brought my own vicodin but was too scared to swallow until that day. I asked him about taking it and he said "oh yeah take it, it's alot stronger than anything I gave you" So I had to think what the heck!?! We're in the land of cheap drugs and the guy can't give me anything stronger than tylenol 3??!! Anyhoo...after that, blessedly we were on our way home.
I am now 6 days post op. I am down 16 pounds from when I started the liquids. I am battling "Head" hunger in a big way. My mind wants to eat but my body says no! I have some pain around the incisions when bending etc. but am on motrin ib and that helps with the achiness. All in all, I am doing well.
I can't wait until I can eat solids again. Cottage Cheese is calling my name :o) Feel Free to Email me any time with ??'s.
Blessings~Steph
July 30, 2005~
I am now almost 12 days post op. I have been "bad" and started mushy foods on day 10. I was just too sick of protein drinks and was feeling really awful. I am down 21 pounds in 20 days (includes pre-op liquid week). Too bad it couldn't all go away this fast!! I am still battling some of the head hunger but it's not nearly as bad now that I am allowing myself some food (refried beans w/cheese today was AWESOME!). I still can only eat about 1/2-3/4 of a cup of food and feel really full. I'm sure this is due to swelling still. My incisions are ITCHY and I have been putting neosporen and bandaids over them. They just Gross me out to have them touching my clothes...I am such a weiner! lol
Anyhow, that's my quick update. Blessings to all~Steph
August 16, 2005~
Well, I am 4 weeks out today and I am feeling pretty darn Good! My incisions are all but healed. I get some soreness at my port site on occasion but overall I am doing well. I am very hungry alot of the time. I have really been dieting to keep the 20lbs off that I had lost in the first 2 weeks. I am SO excited, I have a fill date in 9 days. I can't wait to get some restriction!!! Blessings to you~Steph
August 25, 2005~
What a day! Went to Dr. Fitzpatrick for my first fill today. My port is Deeep and tilted (She thought it was flipped....tried about 20 minutes of "digging" around before getting it). But I did get a 1.5cc fill (I have the 5cc band..some call it 4cc I am confused on this...anyhow) which is somewhat "agressive" IMO so I am glad for that. She said I probably could have had a bit more, but when I sat up to do the drink test the needle popped out and she didn't want to dig around in me again.She said she expects to see me back in 4-6 weeks. We'll see....
The good news is, that I have no leaks and I am on my way!!! My weight was 309 this morning so I was down 21 pounds including my 5 day pre-op liquid diet. I am SO hoping to get under the 3's soon! Blessings~Steph
Sept. 7, 2005~ Well, as of last week I have been not feeling so well. I had a gallstone "attack". I didn't know what the heck was wrong, just that I was throwing up and scared to death that my band was going to slip! I went to the ER and was sent home the next day. Dr's weren't eager to operate on me since I was just 6 weeks out so I went home with percaset. The pain really has been on and off for the last week so I went to the surgeon and they scheduled me for surgery next weds. the 14th. I am scared and a bit depressed. I felt sick to my stomach last night and the presc. they gave me for nasea worked!! (compazine). I was glad and now I am just trying not to stress out and be happy that I am still losing. I am down 30 pounds today and it has been almost 8 weeks since I started this whole journey. Blessings to all~ Steph
September 21, 2005~ Well, I wanted to update even though I am feeling really poor. I had gallbladder surgery last week on the 14th. It was awful. I had to be hospitalized for 5 days and on morphine. It's a looong boring story I won't go "into" here but know that I am not the norm. I am feeling flu like symptoms now, I have the shakes, diarrhea, nausea, INSOMNIA etc. I half-way wonder if it's drug withdrawal from all the meds I was on in the hosp.?? In any case. I am not even worried about my band right now, just healing. I am down 33 pounds but have had little but water for the last week so it isn't even a satisfying weight loss if you know what I mean? I will go now, blessings to all and prayer requests for my recovery please. ~Steph
October 18,2005~ Well, I am human again! That is the good news, the bad news is that my band is awol!?! Ha Ha. I went 1 1/s weeks ago for a fill and Dr. K decided my system has a problem. (she thought a leak, she wasn't taking back out as much fluid as she thought she was putting in). I went to a local hosp. for a flouro and dye test but they said my port was flipped upside down and backwards!! Needless to say, I was flabbergasted!?! Well I called and spoke to Dr. Rumbaut that very day and he laughed. He said it is supposed to look that way and that his ports don't flip! (Gotta love him). So after crying and laughing about the whole situation, now I play the waiting game. Looks like back to Mehico I go. I am a bit scared to go by myself, but I know God is my silent partner and I will make it through. I am now just awaiting a call from Doralisa to confirm when I go. **Seeking all positive thoughts and prayers still please** Blessings~Steph
November 11, 2005~Well I have gone to MX by myself! (yay me!!) and I am back. I did have a leak (pinpoint at the port) and now have a new port and tubing. I was very afraid of the surgery since I knew I'd be awake, but didn't hurt during it at all. Dr. R and his team really are The Best! I have the usual after surgery aches etc. but nothing un-managable. I have good restriction as of now. 1.5 in the 4cc band (had my first pb yest...that was NASTY!!) and I am *hoping* to lose 10 more pounds by Christmas (my goal when I was banded in July was to lose 50 pounds by then). I just have to keep fighting off the head hunger!! Anyhoo...I just made a post about this and am going to stress it here as well, that I believe if you have a BMI of 50 or more that you MUST have flouroscopy when you have a fill! My Dr. was/is VERY experienced and she still made a leak. I was one of the very few that this happened to, but please unless you like spending money and having surgeries please get the flouro. and be safe rather than sorry like me. Blessings to all~Steph
December 17,2005~ Well, I have lost 9 of the 10 lbs. I was hoping to lose by Christmas. I am 1 pound away from 50 lost! I am then going to concentrate on "maintaining" that through the beginning of Jan. I found a new Dr. to give me fills (pacific bariatrics in Tacoma,WA). I am so glad for this and they were really nice on the phone. So I will try to schedule a small fill during Jan.
I have pb'd 3-4 times in the last month. The other day I tried to have toast with peanutbutter...bad bad bad idea! lol
I have a long road ahead of me still but right now I am feeling positive. I just ordered a bunch of herbalife shake mix....that mixed with the espresso is what keeps me going :o)
Blessings to all this Christmas Season. What a joy that God sent his only son to save us!~Steph
Feb. 27, 2006~Boy I haven't updated here in a long time!! I just came back from MX 2 days ago. I didn't lose any weight for 2 months!! (Jan & Feb) Just fluctuated up 3 down 3...So in the mean time my Dad decided to go to Dr. Rumbaut and have surgery too! So I agreed to go with him and get my fill then. Well I am happy to say his surgery went well (he was in alot of pain like me...but I told him it will get better every day!) I really think the heavier you are, the more painful it is. Anyhoo~I now have 2.5 in my 4cc capacity band. I cannot eat much...it is really weird! I am down 3 1/2 lbs. in 5 days though so I am stoked!! Dr. "R" was fabulous as usual. His team is top notch! I just cannot say enough good about them all. I am almost to my lowest weight in 7 years (271)...I am 277 today. I am joining curves on Friday so I am looking forward to getting in better shape. I had to run for my plane in Houston (and still missed it!! dag nab it!) and oh how my body aches from the running.
Okay, I will go now. Blessings to all~Steph
April 5th, 2006. Today I am officially the lowest weight I've been in 7 years!! Yay me!! I had my 1 month weigh in and measure check at curves. I lost 4.5 pounds and 5.5 inches in a month. Not too shabby...It seems s..l..o..w.. but I am told slow and steady wins the race so I will keep on keepin' on! lol
I can eat alot more than after the fill but still not anywhere near what I used to. I know what people mean when they talk about the milkshake blues now...they go down sooo easy it is scary. Anyhow, I am going with my sister in June (she is having a band done by Dr. Joya) and he is going to give me a hair of a fill then so that will be good. It is a beautiful Spring day here today and I am felling good. Hope everyone is feeling blessed. ~Take Care~Steph
JULY 5th, 2006~
Hello Hello, I am back from MX....Puerto Vallarta sure is different from Monterrey! Anyhoo, I had a fill last Thurs. I went from 2.8 to 3.8!! I was shocked that I took that much, but they did it under flouro and I trust them. Liquids and I are friends for now :o)
I weighed in at 259 this morning. That puts me at 71 pounds lost. I was hoping to be at 100 in a year (that is in 2 weeks....obviously SO not happening) but I am still pretty happy with 70 considering the port replacement and everything. I hope to lose 4 more in 2 weeks so I am at 75 lost in a year. Anyhoo, my sis came through surgery with flying colors. Summer is here and life is good, blessings to all.
I'll post again in a few weeks.
JULY 29, 2006~
I'm back to report 8 pounds gone in the last 3 weeks *yay*
I am now at 79 pounds lost....can't wait to be at 85! Well, I really can't wait to be at 100 but baby steps right?! My dad is 6 months out and down 70 pounds now!! (Gotta love those men, huh?!) He will be here in Sept. for a fill. He says he doesn't have too much restriction. He is at 2.3? in a 5cc band. I will go now, it's late. Blessings~Steph
AUGUST 21, 2006
I am down to 246.5 today. I was weighed and measured at Curves this morning. I have lost about 20 inches since I started in March (and that was taking about 7 weeks off). So I am very happy with that. I bought pants yest. in a size 20 with no stretch. I was a 24/26 with stretch pre-surgery. I CAN'T wait to be an 18. That is what I was when I was in highschool!! I had a long time, but not really "close" friend tell me in a card the other day that she is so proud of what I've accomplished in the last year and that I "have my sparkle" back. I thought I'd cry! I am at 83.5 pounds gone in 13 months, and the best part is that it's gone forever! May I please say that complications and all, I LOVE THIS BAND!!! Okay, I will go now.
May Gods blessings abound~XOXOXO Steph
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
Hi All!
Just thought I'd do a quick update. Not much has changed here, I am down a few more pounds. I am at 87 pounds gone now...it will be 14 months next week. Still lovin' my band! It has loosened up a bit since the last time I updated, so I am glad for that. I can eat salad now, so that's a good thing :o) My wightloss seems so strange, I plateau for weeks and then Bam! Down 3 pounds in two days. Can U say Frustrating??!!?? lol
I better go, I'm off to Curves!! ~XXOOXX~Steph
SEPTEMBER 24, 2006
WOOHOO!! I *officially* weigh 2 pounds less than my husband for the first time in 13 years!! ONLY 10 POUNDS TO GO UNTIL 100!!!
I am @ 240 even and holding for the last few days. My goal is to be 230 by December 1st and hold that through the holidays. **Fingers Crossed everyone** Please :o)
Hope all is well for my bandster friends. TTYS
~Steph
OCTOBER 8, 2006
The countdown has begun, I am 6 pounds away from 100!! I put a down payment down on the tatoo I am getting (my 100 lb. gift to myself!). I am so excited and feel like 100 is really alot. I weigh 236 today on my scale. I was 237 on the Curves scale last Fri. (with workout clothes on). I worked out 4 days last week and am shooting for that again this week. Dh and I went out with some friends last night (w/o Kids) it was fun! I actually had *2* drinks (mango tango's...yum!) and a some gelato for dessert. It was a good time. Anyhoo....just wanted to check in. Hope all is well. TTYS~Steph
October 31, 2006
I DID IT!!!!!! I am at -100 this morning!! I had a fill (.02....I had lost that and went from 3.4 back to 3.6) yesterday and am on liquids for 2-3 days so I'm sure that helped, but I'll take it!!! WOOHOO!!
I have gone from a BMI of 56.6 to 39.5 and have lost 56% of my excess weight (based on a "normal" weight of 150). I'm not stoppin' here though :o)
Thanks for reading, I am off to do Halloween stuff with the kiddos. (Boy was making cupcakes and caramel apples hard while on liquids!). Take Care~Steph
JANUARY 1, 2007!!! **~**Happy New Year**~**
Wow, here it comes....2007! Seems hard to believe. The holidays are over. I managed to reach my "goal" of maintaining my -100 throughout them. I actually have lost 3 more pounds throughout Nov. and Dec. so that is good.
Today I re-comitted myself to exercise and little to no sugar. Today has pretty much been Hell. I feel so down. I posted on 12/27, but didn't write here...I had to send my best friend of 12.5 yrs to Heaven. She was a 7lb silver dapple weiner dog that was my heart and soul. When I couldn't get pregnant and then mis-carried babies, she was my confidant...when my babies were born, she laid by their bassinettes "guarding" them. She wiggled her way into many hearts and had countless tears cried on her in 12 1/2 years and I miss her SO much. I am struggling not to eat my way through sorrow. I have always dealt with my emotions by eating. Happy=food, Sad=food, Bored=food, Angry=food....you get the idea huh?!
Anyhow, I am determined to lose 28 pounds by May 1st and am hoping to have surgery (lower body lift) around the middle of May. That is 2lbs a week though, and at this point in the game I just don't know if that is realistic or not...
I know God in ultimately in control, and am seeking his will throughout the next 6 months. I need to surrender to this process completely and I am finding it very difficult right now. I think I am in need of a fill. I really wasn't very satisfied with the fill from Dr. Neils office though and am a bit hesitant to go back....but Mexico is not an option right now either...so...Hmmmm. That's what I say! Thanks for letting me ramble, not sure if anyone is out there listening, but it feels good to write! Blessings~Steph
