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Okay. I guess I am just not one of the lucky ones who feel wonderful the day after the lap band.  Although I have a very high pain tollerance and felt great the evening after a c-section I have felt like crap since my surgery.

I had my surgery Tuesday (Sept 9)  and I spent the night in the hospital because the doctor didn't want me to travel back to my home 2 hours away. 

The hospital stay was awful.  I didn't feel great and the staff was a little less than helpful.  The couple of times I asked for broth and jello it took more than 2 hours to get it.  When I asked about getting up and walking they told me that they would get around to it.  I told them my doctor wanted me up walking at least 10 to 15 minutes every couple of hours and they said that it wasn't realistic because they were just too busy.

My first days home were fine.  I was a bit cloudy and my head hurt so I stopped taking my loritab.  I still was okay and switched to liquid tylenol.

Friday afternoon my shoulder and neck started killing me... I know the gas was causing it.  But, at the same time the gas in my stomach and digestive system started playing with me.  I had terrible gas in and out.  I was in so much pain I could hardly handle it last night.

I really feel like I have had the flu. Of course I couldn't take care of myself in the usual ways. Sprite is out.  Crackers, nope. Hot bath... I don't think so.

I called my surgeon this morning to just be assured that nothing it wrong and he told me that everyone suffers from gas differently. He also warned me against eating and solids yet. 

FYI - my doctor doesn't allow anything but clear liquids and protein shakes until at least a week after surgery.

Okay. I have vented.  Good luck to everyone.

Okay... I am two and a half days post-op and I am exhausted.  My doctor went ahead and kept me overnight at the hospital since he didn't want me to drive more than 2 hours to get home. 

I am not taking my pain meds anymore... except some of my sons liquid tylenol.  I feel incredibly droggy.  The people that say that they felt no pain must be extrememly lucky.  My incision sites ache and I have an quite a bit of gas discomfort in my digestive system.  I have only a bit of gas pain in my shoulder.

I am not hungry, but have been forcing myself to eat broth and jello to have a bit of energy.  Hopefully things will be better tomorrow when I can add protein shakes to the mix.

Tonight is my last night of solid food for a while. We are celebrating my birthday which is next week. 

I most definitly went well over my 30g of carbs today.  We went out to an Italian restaurant and I had spaghetti with alfredo sauce and some eggplant parm.  I am also going to have birthday cake. 

Starting tomorrow morning I can only have clear liquids until next Thursday. 

I went to my pre-op today at Memorial Hospital and Dr. Baptista's office.  At Memorial is was pretty much a waste of time... everything could have been taken care of over the phone.  They did give me a special soap to use the day before surgery. 

Then I went to Dr. Baptista's new office.  I love the new location.  It was a group appointment and we watched a video of the surgery and were reminded how important the pre-op diet was for our liver.

I have to start my offical pre-op diet on Sunday and continue it until the surgery.   Here are Dr. Baptista's rules"

Phase One - 2 days before surgery and Day 1 - Day 3 after surgery
1.  Water or any clear non-carbinated an no carb liquids - must drink at least 3/4 gallon a day
2. Sugar-free jello
3. Sugar-free popsicles (NOT FUDGE)
4. Coffee, unsweetened tea, hot tea (may use artificial sweetners)
5. Crystal Light
6. Propel Water NOT Gatorade
7. Bouillon cubes/granules of chicken or beef broth NO bits, low salt
8. No calorie liquids
10. Crush all meds

Phase Two - Day 4- Day 8 after surgery
1. Plan 3 meals a day. May skip meals but no snacking.
2. All of the items from the first 3 days to drink between meals.
3. High protein meal replacements up to 3 times per day.
4. You do not have to finish the whole can. Eat for only 10 to 15 minutes per meal.
5. AVOID soups, yogurts, oatmeal, grits, etc.

Phase Three - Day 9 - Day 15 after surgery
1. Avoid full fluids except MEAL REPLACEMENTS (unjury, diet low carb slim fast, etc.)
2. Baked NOT fried fish, pork, chicken, or turkey (no skin) and in small pieces
3. Lean ground beef finely crushed
4. Dried beans, peas and lentils - well cooked
5. Canned or well-cooked veges
6. Low carb (no more than 30 carbs a day) NO bread, pastas, potatoes or rice.
7. Cottage chesse and non-processed cheese.
8. Scrambled/Boiled eggs, NOT fried
9. Salad, egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad or turkey salad (mixed well) Low calorie mixes.
10. Separate solids from liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime

Phase 4 (Day 16 onward) Time for real food!
1. You may try any solid foods - protein (fish, meat, poultry), veges/salads
2. Eat protein first, then veges/salads, then other (e.g. Fruit)
3. Stay low carb, no more than 30 carbs a day
4. Avoid full fluids except MEAL REPLACEMENTS
5. Plan 3 meals a day. NO SNACKING!
6. Cut food up fine and chew well. Eat slowly. Avoid what doesn't agree with you.
7. No liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime. May have DIET carbonated drinks.
8. Drink at least 3/4 to 1 gallon of sugar free clear fluids each day.
9. AVOID potatoes, rice, pasta, bread products, popcorn, fried foods, processed meats, sweets, chips. When in doubt, leave it out!
10. Exercise at least 10 to 15 minutes EVERY DAY!


Well those are my new rules! 

Okay, so it has been a while since I posted. I will try to update on the past few months now.

First, the place I had my original referral through didn't work out.  I had surgery scheduled for June 9, but when I went in for the pre-op they decided to not take my insurance (Tricare) for the procedure. I was extremely upset. I had been working with them from April to June and lost all that time and I had to start over completely with a new surgeon.

Starting over...
After talking to a few lapband friends I made the decision to go with Drs. Cywess and Baptista in Jacksonville, FL.  I was not excited about having to drive 2.5 hours, but it is something that I am going to live with.  My first appointment with them was June 9 (the same day as my surgery was scheduled for).   I am probably better off with them because they do at least 12 lap bands a week and the doctor in Valdosta is just starting off. 

The bad part about the new doctors is that their offices are extremely busy and I had to go to 3 appointments spaced a month apart.  The good news is that I finally jumped through all their hoops and I am scheduled for surgery on September 9.

So, now I lost three month... but I have been working on my 30 carb a day diet and I am looking forward to getting banded.  The good news is that I have lost about 12 pounds since May.  So, now I weigh in at 260.

Okay, I think that is all I have to update right now.

On Friday, my referral to see the surgeon went through.  

Although I am excited there are a lot of things I am worried about. Hopefully I will get the surgery and all these worries will never be realized.  My main worry is leaving my three-year-old son behind.  My husband is great and I know he would do a good job raising my son if I wasn't around, but I hate to think of him not having his mother and me not being able to watch him grow... especially the idea of having his mom die form having surgery for being fat.  An elective procedure... I can't imagine how he would feel growing up knowing I choose to have surgery.  Like I said, I am hoping these will all be unrealized issues.  There have not been many deaths related to the lap-band.  I will be gaining several years with Tommy and maybe someday grandchildren. :)  I will be more active.  He will not be teased about having a fat mom.  I am doing this for me.  I am doing this for him.  

Now that I have put down the worries... now I will move on to my goals.

I am starting this process weighing 275 pounds. (down from 293 in October 2007)

Major Goals
First Goal - 249
Second Goal - 224
Third Goal - 199 (Major, major Goal!!!)

I know I should really break this down more... but I plan to celebrate every pound gone for good.  I really hope to be under 200 within a year though. 
This Wednesday I am going for my first visit to the obesity center.

On Thursday I go to my appointment with the nutritionist.

Last week I went to my psychologist appointment.

I need to call my PCM Monday morning to see if my records have been faxed to the obesity clinic.  I also need to see if my lab results have been sent.