Amanda S.

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Here it is 1:45 am and I can't sleep due to diarrhea which I've had all day.  I also have nausea.  I almost feel like I have a flu bug.  I have to call the office to set up my follow up appt so I will ask if this is all normal.  Currently I feel like utter crap!!!

It's only been a couple days but today I think there is something living in my belly - I have never heard so many different noises in my life. Gurgling, bubbling, grumbling I wish I knew what it was saying. I also have this feeling of being full like after Thanksgiving Day dinner but I have a very empty hollow hungry feeling at the same time. I have the sensation of heartburn pressure even thou I know its not heartburn.  I also feel like I need to let out a hardy burp.  I have many different sensations to report of.

Surgery went very well. I do have more pain than I expected but lots of rest and taking my pain meds on time helps with that.  

Here's my story from what I can remember:

Arrived at hospital at 6:15am checked in and started the paperwork and got into my very large hospital gown.  My first stepping-stone of the day was they wanted me to pee for the pg test.  Well I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since 10pm.  So we waited a little while and they started my IV well they tried my left hand the nurse got to a fork in the vain and was unable to navigate the IV they way she wanted – I normally won’t look when they are doing these types of things but I looked and saw this bump on my hand the next thing I know the room was gone.  I passed out!  Strangest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.  One minute I’m awake and talking the next I had no idea where I was – when I came too it felt like I was waking up from a dream.  Once I came to she told me what happened and she started apologizing to me because it did hurt when she was doing the IV – I told her it was ok things happen.  So another nurse came in and put the IV in my right hand no problem.  So they think because my anxiety level was so high to begin with and then to see the bump and having pain just caused my brain to shut off.  At this point I still had not had to pee so they started my IV fluid full force trying to get the fluids going and hopefully get me going.  The girl next to be arrived went pee and then off to surgery I was very frustrated at that point.  I finally went and then about ½ hour later I was wheeled off to surgery.  The last things I remembered was entering a room with big lights – changing to another table, they put something on my feet then the mask on my face and after that I woke up in the recovery room.  I had a lot of pain in the incisions on my left side.  The nurse in recovery was super nice and kept talking with me.  Once I moved to my room I don’t remember a lot – I would go in and out of sleep.  I had much more pain that I expected.  Then the upper left shoulder started to hurt but I knew from everything that I read that this was normal so I wasn’t worried about it.  At one point I did wake up crying from the pain but it was too soon for more pain meds – I don’t remember what they said they gave me but it put me right to sleep which once very good.  I couldn’t sleep for more that 3 hours at a time so I would get up and take a walk, go to the bathroom, chat with hubby or call folks on the phone to let them know how things went.  I was too out of it to read anything so I just listened to music.  As per the new hospital policy I did have to stay they night – but with the amount of pain I experienced I was happy I had to stay.  He picked me up at 9am this morning and I’ve been home sleeping watched a movie and now I’m going to see how long I can stay at the computer before I get uncomfortable so I wanted to get my story typed in while it was still fresh.

 I did ask about how many surgeries Dr. C was doing that day he had 7 lap bands and 1 gallbladder - busy man.  He did stop in to see me before surgery with Lisa to see if I had any questions, which I didn’t. 

 I will say that all the way up to the moment they put me out I had this feeling inside that I shouldn’t go through with it.  I know it was just nerves – I’m very happy to be on the other side and know that I have made a major step in my journey to a healthier me

Well in less than 24 hours I'll be banded. I'm freakin out: nervous, happy, exicted, scared, worried but mostly exicted.

Things I'm taking with me to the hospital:
Insurance Card
ID
Chap Stick
Toothbrush
Pillow
Ipod
book
loose clothes
slip on shoes
hard candy (SF of course)
Camera
Cell phone
PJs
and all the happy thoughts and wishes from the folks on this site.

I'll post again when I'm on the other side.

I found out today that I have two torn tendons in my right ankle/foot.  Since my surgery is Friday the foot doc said that he doesn't want to do surgery on my foot so right now I have one of those walking boots - oh so fashionalbe.  So I asked what caused it and he said my weight and the way I walk - I didn't know there was a right way to walk.  Anyway after my lap band surgery and I start to heal and go back to the foot doc - I have to be fitted for inserts for my shoes to help correct the way I walk.  I guess with this boot I'll have to find other exercise than walking right now.  I can walk around but it's not very comfortable with this thing on.  When I drive I have to take it off because it just doesn't work out well while trying to drive.  So I get to take it off at night while I sleep, during my shower and while I drive other than that it stays on.  Now all I need to do is find a shoe store that will only sell one shoe since that's all I'll need for a while.

Less than 48 hours to surgery. I'm still scared and worried but its passing. One minute I'm excited the next I'm so scared I want to call the whole thing off. I'm not going to but I just keep going back and forth between emotions. 

I cheated today - I had one of those Reese Peanut Butter Big Cups.  I had to go pick up my meds at the store and there it was just calling to me so I did it I bought it and ate it and now its over.  I enjoyed it very very much.  I have done so well on this pre op diet, hopefully it won't cause too much damage.  I plan to cut back a little on my calories today to make up for it.  I'm just so frantic - I can't stand it - I want my husband home and I want my surgery over so I have less to worry about.  I needed to confess so that's it.

Well I just found out that I'm going to have to stay the night at the hospital.  I thought that this was outpatient in early am out in the evening.  Not so - I guess they are requiring all patients to stay overnight now.  I was really looking forward to being in the comfort of my own home for the night not a hospital room.  Oh- well

I think the nerves are finally starting to set in. Here it is 3:30 in the morning and I just can't sleep 5 days to surgery.  I tried going to sleep and layed there for a couple hours and finally decided to just get up and crash when I couldn't stay awake any longer. 

I'm also nervous because my hubby is in London on a business trip and returns the day before my surgery. Perfect timing right?  of all of the weeks in the year they had to choose a time when my stress level would be high and needing him at home. We plan to IM over the next few days just so we can stay in touch.

I guess I'll go watch a movie and maybe fall asleep while watching it.

Yesterday was day 9 of the pre op diet and I was really struggling.  I want meat fish, beef, chicken something.  I keep reminding myself just why I'm doing this and that is exactly why I have not reached for any "real" food yet.  I have never longed for meat like this before.  I always wanted to reach for chocolate, ice cream or chips when ever I did any type of diet in the past but all I want is a nice piece of fish or a big steak.  Which in a way I think is good because it tells me my mind is already starting to think in healthy ways.

My sence of smell has increased the neighbors cook and I can smell it and man does it ever smell good. I can't wait to eat "real" food again.  The first time I'll get to eat meat is easter day: the plan pureed ham and smooth mashed taters.  I never thought that would sound good to me but I can't wait.  Also the town we will be visiting has my favorite restaurant I love their veggie beef soup so I plan to buy some and put it in my magic bullet and enjoy it.

The pre op diet is not easy but in the end it will be worth it. I am so ready to turn over this new leaf in life - so I will stick it out and make it through - If I could stick to most of my diets in the past for a month to three months then I can do this for a few weeks.  I can do this because I am worth it.

Had my pre-op testing today. EKG, blood work, urine sample and lots and lots of questions.  I really wish they had told me I had to give an urine sample - I'm one of those people who can't just pee on command.  I kept drinking water and drinking water and about 45 mins later we had lift off and I could head over to the docs office.  Had they just told me ahead of time I would have made sure I had lots of water before I arrived.

Once I got over to Dr. C's office I thought I was going to be meeting with Lisa but to my surprise I actually got to meet with Dr. C himself to go over the consent information, get the Rx needed and answer any last minute questions.  Dr. C is just one of the best doctors every - I have never met a doctor who makes himself so available to his patients. I feel very lucky to have him as my surgeon - I know I'm in great hands which really puts me at ease.

Oh and for the record I don't like the scale at Dr. C's office, when I got weighed at the hospital I was 290 when I walked across the street to Dr. C's office I weighed 294 what gives did I really gain 4 lbs walking across the street or maybe I drank 4 lbs of water very strange.

I also made a new band friend today.  After my appointment I met up with another Dr. C patient - she will be banded one week before me.  I just love meeting all these new people who you instantly have so much in common with.

So the count down continues - 10 days till banded.