COOKINGKING
4/23/2007 I'M A BANDSTER!
Apr 22, 2007
I can't believe that I finally got it done - I'm a bandster!! It is really starting to feel real now - especially with the pain. Here is the story of my trip to Mexico:
Our driver was waiting for us when we got off of the plan and he took us to the hotel when my confirmation showed that he was actually supposed to take us directly to the place to get my labs. He didn't speak English so it was a bit hard to correct. The front desk spoke enough english to read my confirmation email and tell him what to do. Then we got to the correct place and they said I didn't have an appointment there. I was starting to think maybe I was here on the wrong day or something. It is a bit unnerving not know what they are saying. Apparently plans had changed and I didn't know it and I was supposed to go to Rumbaut's office. Poor driver. He was nice though. So we were off to the Dr. Rumbaut's office and I spent several hours getting the preop tests. Then I went to check into the hotel and was supposed to come back at 4:00 for an appointment with Dr. Rumbaut.
When we got checked in to the hotel (the rooms are very nice), we went on a quest to find some clear soup somewhere. Applebees is right next door and we spent most of our meals there. Before surgery I had chicken tortilla soup with just the broth part (they apparently have that request a lot) and after surgery I had brocolli cheese soup because it is all pureed and smooth.
At 4:00 the hotel van took us back to the Dr's office. The nutritionist lady was nice and explained all the things to avoid and why. The assistant doc was nice and went through the procedure and showed us the pictures on a computer presentation. And the doc was friendly, but a typical surgeon it seemed like to me that his time was precious. Of course he was running late and had a lot of patients to still see at 6:00 nearly. We did a lot of waiting today!!!!
We went to Applebees again for supper and just walked around the shops next door. There is also a movie theatre. We asked and most of the movie were in English and the price is cheaper that the US.
We went in bright and early. The hospital looked very nice indeed. They took the info all over again and made us sign some stuff in spanish so who knows what we signed away at that time. That was a little uncomfortable not knowing what I am signing. Then they took us to a little room and I changed into a gown and I went into the preop area and my husband was able to come with me to that part, which was good! There was a really nice resident that spoke good English that really put me at ease. Also a nurse that spoke good english that started my IV very good and she was very friendly. I got my happy pill, which took a while to kick in but right about the time I was starting to get sleepy they had me walk into another room and lay down on the table and I think I remember them putting a mask on me and that is all I remember. No count down. I love that count down where you pass out after about 6. Oh well.
I had a great bowl of Broccoli cheese soup and it was wonderful. I haven't been really hungry at all, but I know I need to eat a little something and I try to continually drink, but I'm still sure I don't get enough liquid. We walked around the shops a little again, but I wouldn't say it was the funnest shopping I have ever done and I didn't last too long.
I was definitely an adjustment figuring out how to sleep and get out of the hotel bed after being in the very helpful hospital bed. But I managed pretty good with the help of my husband and we were off the next morning to the airport. We flew out a day earlier than most and it wasn't too bad. I did get a little worn out with the various walks at the airports. The walk at Houston had to be a mile and a half and I was about to give out by then, but I didn't and I'm sure it was good for me anyway.
So we are home and doing well. I still have pain when I get up and move around, but sitting still it doesn't hurt. I haven't had any problem with any of the liquids I have tried to drink. Everything goes through fine. I haven't felt hungry one time yet, but I try to get a little stuff down and drink water or something like that all the time. I do have a "pressure" in my chest sometimes, which I assume is the gas they talked about. It will hurt for a second pretty bad and then go away.
So that is my story, I am on the losing road now!!
Then I remember waking up all alone in pain in the postop room and I didn't feel like I could breath (I think they stitched the band to the diaphram so that was probably the issue). Their were several nurses, but none came to check on me very soon it didn't seem (of course I had been asleep in there for 3 hours, so they probably didn't know I was awake). I didn't really feel up to yelling. I was freezing too. Finally after about 15 minutes one of them came over and I got across the point that I was in pain. They gave me something that helped and got me another blanket. None of them spoke any English at this point and my husband wasn't around to help. It sucked!!! This certainly wasn't my favorite time. That medicine seemed to wear off and the nurses didn't respond too quick again either. They finally took me up to my room and my husband showed up about a minute later. He was a little upset too because the doctor had come out to talk with him after the sugery and then said he would take him back after 45 minutes. Three hours later he was about to go searching for me when they finally came to take him to my room. Poor guy! The room was a wonderful hospital room that rivals any I have stayed in here in the USA.
I hurt a bit more than I expected and the pain meds didn't seem that great. They finally gave me a shot of Demeral in my butt and the day was wearing on and I finally started feeling a little better. I got up to go to the bathroom and walk. It wasn't too aweful except the getting up part. Where they put in the port and stitched to my stomach muscle is the most painful. When you are getting up from laying down, you do use those stomach muscles and that hurts!!!! The nurses were all kind, but most didn't understand any English. The doctor's office had given us a cheat sheet for some of the most common phrases that I would need and that took care of all of them, so it wasnt' too bad.
I got a happy pill that helped me sleep that night and then this morning woke up feeling a bit better. Mostly it just hurts when I move. I don't really feel anything differnet in my stomach right now. Water went through just fine. There isn't any fill in it yet, so it will be the same for the next 6 weeks until my first fill. I'm not starving or anything, so my body has adjusted to no food already with the 4 day pre-op liquid diet. They took the IV out around 11:00 and I showered and then we packed up with our bag of meds and off we went. The taxi ride was pure torture I must say. Bumps did not feel good at all, but I must say the driver was doing his best to make it soft for me which I very much appreciated!
We made it back to the hotel and decided to go see if we could find some liquid food for me----and it doesn't have to be clear any moreYEAH. Applebees next door made a killing the day before surgery selling me a bowl of Chicken Tortilla soup -broth only for $5.00 per bowl. Now I should be able to have anything that would be able to go through a straw, so I am on a mission!!!! Though given the pain it will probably be a short mission.
I had a great bowl of Broccoli cheese soup and it was wonderful. I haven't been really hungry at all, but I know I need to eat a little something and I try to continually drink, but I'm still sure I don't get enough liquid. We walked around the shops a little again, but I wouldn't say it was the funnest shopping I have ever done and I didn't last too long.
I was definitely an adjustment figuring out how to sleep and get out of the hotel bed after being in the very helpful hospital bed. But I managed pretty good with the help of my husband and we were off the next morning to the airport. We flew out a day earlier than most and it wasn't too bad. I did get a little worn out with the various walks at the airports. The walk at Houston had to be a mile and a half and I was about to give out by then, but I didn't and I'm sure it was good for me anyway.
So we are home and doing well. I still have pain when I get up and move around, but sitting still it doesn't hurt. I haven't had any problem with any of the liquids I have tried to drink. Everything goes through fine. I haven't felt hungry one time yet, but I try to get a little stuff down and drink water or something like that all the time. I do have a "pressure" in my chest sometimes, which I assume is the gas they talked about. It will hurt for a second pretty bad and then go away.
So that is my story, I am on the losing road now!!
4/17/2007 Here we go!
Apr 17, 2007
I started the clear liquid diet yesterday to get my body prepared for the surgery. My surgeon's information says that it will help shrink the liver so that it will be easier to retract when they do the surgery and this will make my recouperation easier. This was my first time to have protein drinks and the first one I tried was premade and aweful! I almost threw up trying to get it down. I tried two flavors and both of them were gross. Later in the day I tried the Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar) and it was much better. It has a little less protein and a few more carbs, so it isn't as good for me as the other one. I did order a few more types online to have when I got back from the surgery, so I hope they are much better!! I didn't realize how hard this phase would be. It isn't that I am that hungry, but I feel tired and weak. I guess my body isn't used to surviving on 400ish calories. My head hurt too and I don't know what that was about because I don't normally have headaches. I had some chicken broth in the evening and started feeling a little better, so I am pretty sure it was just lack of calories that was making me feel off.
Just a few more days!! I am so glad I was able to schedule my surgery so quickly. The anticipation is killing me, so I can only imagine what it would have been like if I had had to wait for months and months. Though the short notice is also a little nerve racking. I don't want to tell anyone that I am having the lapband, so it is a little tricky planning a trip to Mexico on short notice without raising some suspicion amongst my friends. I think I have it all worked out though. Even my mom who is coming to stay with my kids doesn't know that I am having a lapband. I was afraid she would constantly worry and might not even come keep the kids for me. I haven't decided if or when I will start telling people. I think part of me is worried about failing this diet like most other diets and I would prefer to deal with that failure privately. I guess when I start losing significant amounts of weight, I might let people know. However, after reading a few of the message boards where members have had bad experiences with their friends, I am not so sure now!
I was excited to find the ticker website and make my ticker - here it is:
Just a few more days!! I am so glad I was able to schedule my surgery so quickly. The anticipation is killing me, so I can only imagine what it would have been like if I had had to wait for months and months. Though the short notice is also a little nerve racking. I don't want to tell anyone that I am having the lapband, so it is a little tricky planning a trip to Mexico on short notice without raising some suspicion amongst my friends. I think I have it all worked out though. Even my mom who is coming to stay with my kids doesn't know that I am having a lapband. I was afraid she would constantly worry and might not even come keep the kids for me. I haven't decided if or when I will start telling people. I think part of me is worried about failing this diet like most other diets and I would prefer to deal with that failure privately. I guess when I start losing significant amounts of weight, I might let people know. However, after reading a few of the message boards where members have had bad experiences with their friends, I am not so sure now!
I was excited to find the ticker website and make my ticker - here it is:
About Me
AR
Location
36.1
BMI
Surgery
04/20/2007
Surgery Date
Apr 06, 2007
Member Since
