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Check out my "graduate profile" on the DHMC-Manchester newsletter! I am so excited to have been asked to be their first patient featured!!!

http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/manchester/webpage.cfm?site_id=12&org_id=688&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=51299&item_id=51301

199.2 on the scale this morning!  WOW my first BIG goal is finally achieved!  This feels great!

I can't believe it.... being under 200 lbs is within sight!!!  I am so excited!  I was heavier than I am now back in high school!!!

I got my third fill on Tuesday and I'm feeling really good restriction.  I have 2cc in my band.....  My band and I have been together now for 5 months, and things with are great... we are still getting to know each other...and sometimes that is an adventure.  My  band does NOT like chicken, of any type!  No matter how moist it is or how it is prepared... So I find myself eating a lot of turkey.  I have not had problems with any meat other than chicken.  

Well folks, I've had my lap band for a week now.  This has definatley been the best thing I have ever done for myself.  I already feel healthier, thinner, happier!

Many of you might not understand how the band works, so I'll give you a short overview...  Unlike Gastric Bypass, there is no cutting or the stomach or intestines, rather, a band, much like a wrist watch, was placed around my stomach to create a smaller pouch.  The band is currently unfilled, but can be adjusted through a port in my abdomen by injecting (or taking out) saline.  By injecting saline, the band gets bigger, and my stomach pouch gets smaller... by making this smaller stomach pouch, solid foods are held there for digestion, so the idea is you feel full much sooner than without the band.  Ideally, my pouch will only hold 1/2 cup of solid food.... equalling weight loss!  The really nice thing is that they can adjust the band if you're eating too much, not eating enough, or for illness or pregnancy.

This is not an easy process... you can't just go to a surgeon and say, "schedule me for tomorrow!"  Rather, this has been almost a year in the making.  Of course, I've been contemplating it for several years, but was unable to do it until I got a decent health insurance that would cover it (THANK YOU NORTHSHORE!). 

To start, I had to attend a minimum of 3 classes, held by my surgeon and his "team" of nurses, dietician, PA's.  They discuss the reasons why to have surgery, why not to have surgery, but most of all they discuss the lifestyle changes that everyone has to make after doing this... after all, surgery is not a cure... it's a tool.  You have to have the right attitude, and not think everything is automatically fixed once the band is in place.  I still have to eat right, I still have to excercise, but my band will help me by not being able to eat much.  The theory is, I learn what the good things are to eat, I eat those first, then I'm not hungry anymore !  YAY! 

That's not all... there's also a battery of medical tests to make sure you're healthy enough.... A gallbladder ultrasound, pulmonary function test, psyciatrist evaluation, physical, tons of lab work, EKG.  Then when all that is done, I got to meet with the nutritionist and the nurse from my surgeon's team.  Then finally, May 18 came and I had my visit with my surgeon.  Craig came with me, and we both were immediately comfortable with Dr. Gould, he answered all of our questions, and never made us feel rushed... we both felt I was in good hands.  A week later, I got the call I had been wanting for a year... my surgery was a go for July 9th!

On June 25 I started my pre op diet... which consisted of full liquids only... you know, jello, water, yogurt.  The first few days were the hardest, but then I didn't even feel hungry anymore so I didn't even care. 

I couldn't believe how nervous I was in the week before my surgery.  I noticed that I started grinding my teeth in my sleep, and then the day before my surgery I felt like a complete wreck.  The day seemed to drag on and on and on.  By 3pm, I had packed for the hospital, and I had done everything around the house I needed to do.  I looked at Craig and said, "What do I do now????"  He said, "Relax"  but I couldn't!!!!  I was fortunate enough to be able to kill about 2 hours because Deering had an ambulance call... boy was I happy about that timing!

My hospital experience was nothing short of outstanding.  The entire staff I came in contact with at the Elliot Hospital were phenominal.  My pre op nurse made me feel relaxed, then my nurse anesthestist came out and started my IV.  Dr. Gould stopped by to see if Craig or I had any last minute questions.  Of course, being 7 in the morning my only question for him was, "How much sleep did you get last night?  Are you good to go?"  He smiled and answered that he was just fine.  Pretty soon the OR nurses came to get me, told Craig to give me a kiss goodbye, and then I went to the OR. 

Once I was on the operating table, they gave me the anesthesia, and I was out.  The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery.  They gave me lots of pain medicine until I was comfortable, and awake, and then I went to the floor.  Craig met me in the hallway, and put my wedding ring back on my finger... since I couldn't have it on during surgery, he held onto it. 

I stayed in the hospital overnight, enjoying multiple doses of Morphine, Toradol and Roxicet...  I was able to get out of bed within a couple hours of my surgery, and started walking.  They even made me eat lunch... of course lunch was just jello and broth, but I couldn't even finish that!

The next morning I had to do a swallow test where I swallowed barium and they watched to make sure the band was still in proper position.  That was good, and I was released after proving that my stomach could tolerate pudding.

Craig has been a tremendous help to me while I've been recovering.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful loving husband!  When I got home I was greeted by a big flower boquet and a get well balloon... not to mention the couch made up with a comforter and pillows... what a guy!

So now I'm a week out, and yes my diet is still pudding, protein shakes, jello, broth.  It is interesting trying to get in everything that I have to get in... 48 ounces of fluid each day, 60 grams of protein.  It's getting easier, but I am never hungry..... what a great feeling.  I've lost 5 pounds since the band has been in... but I've lost 30 since November, when I started the program.  Life is great!!!!!!!!!

I've had a few people wonder why did I take such a dramatic step.  People have told me they didn't think I was "that bad."  Well, the thing is, I'm only 28, and I've seen the health problems that being obese causes.... I don't want to wait until I'm diabetic, or have a massive MI to do something about my obesity... I want to PREVENT those things.  Of course, self image is a part too.  I have learned to live with myself and be happy with who I am, however, I know that as I get thinner I am going to be so much happier! 

Thank you for reading..... and if I can answer any questions for you please ask!!  I am not ashamed of my band... I'm banded for life and proud of it!!!

These are some comments from friends and co-workers that were left on my myspace page:

	Jena	YOU GO GIRRRRRRRL! AS YOU KNOW I DID THE FULL GASTRIC BYPASS, I HAD MY PROBLEMS BUT TO DATE IM 218LBS THINNER. IT TRUELY WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!!! IM NOW 34YRS OLD AND HAVE A FULL PRODUCTIVE FUTURE AHEAD OF ME.......SOMETHING THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SURGERY!! THOSE WHO HAVEN'T FACED THE ISSUES THAT WE DID OR DO BECAUSE OF OBESITY WILL NEVER TRUELY UNDERSTAND........SO TAKE THE COMMENTS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT! ONLY YOU KNOW WHY AND WHAT WILL WORK FOR YOU!! CONGRATS~JENA Posted by Jena on July 17, 2007 - Tuesday at 9:15 AM [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Crystal	I am very proud of you Cindy for all the effort and determination you have put in, I look forward to seeing you when you come back to work!!!! Posted by Crystal on July 17, 2007 - Tuesday at 9:15 AM [Remove] [Reply to this]

	~Kassie~	Cindy this is great! I'm so proud of you! I miss you at work though....so hurry up and heal so you can come back! Take care!!!! Posted by ~Kassie~ on July 17, 2007 - Tuesday at 10:22 AM [Remove] [Reply to this]

	*Kat*	Hey Lady, So glad you did this for yourself, get better quick so you can come back! <3 Kat Posted by *Kat* on July 17, 2007 - Tuesday at 12:41 PM [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Rob	Cindy, Haven't talked with ya in awhile, but wanted to let you know that i am proud of you and hope to get together soon. One thing i hope nevers changes with you is your outgoing personality and great smile. You have a way about you that brightens up the room when your around friends and co-workers. I hope you will keep us updated on your progress. Best wishes .Rob Posted by Rob on July 17, 2007 - Tuesday at 9:40 PM [Remove] [Reply to this]

Craig

I could'nt be any prouder of you baby. You are om of the strongest people I have ever met. You really inspire me to make healthy changes in my life so we can be around for our children for a very long time. I LOVE YOU with all my heart baby!!!!!!!!! Posted by Craig on July 18, 2007 - Wednesday at 7:04 AM [Remove] [Reply to this]