DESharon

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It's been a while since I wrote anything on my blog.  All together, including the 20 lbs. pre-surgical loss, I am maintaining at a 65 lb weightloss.  I do look different!  I'll have to upload a photo of myself sometime so you can see!  I have been having some problems with the tweaking process...you know, fill or unfill...too loose, too hungry; too tight, nothing goes down.  I have had lots of adjustments to my lapband & may need to settle on it being a little tight.  I have another appt on New Year's Eve & will talk to the doc then to see what to do, if anything. 

So I'm going for my 1st fill on Tuesday morning.  I'm ready!  I thought I would've done a little better in tracking my foods, etc.  I'm eating the right foods, just not measuring them.  I'm still in the pureed stage & although I'm not gaining weight, I'm not losing either.  The hardest time of the day is at dinner.  1/2 c fat-free refried beans w/ 1/4 c. fat-free cheese & 1/4 c. mashed carrots is just not doing it for me.  Hopefully this fill will help me. 

Monday, April 28th will be exactly 4 wks past my lapband surgery.  I've been doing ok, but my blood sugars are not happy right now.  Once I get on "real" food & start keeping track of carbohydrates again, I should be able to iron out the kinks.  I'm feeling well otherwise & my scars from the surgery are almost all healed!  The 4 little ones have almost disappeared & I'll live with the bigger one.  I'm just wondering when, if ever, they'll take me off of my blood pressure & cholesterol meds.  I'll be patient.  I've lost 14 lbs. since my surgery.  So, that's what's new here.  

I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be here for you like you were for me.  This message is especially for those of you who are pre-surgery & have worries.  I can't tell you how helpful this OH blog has been to me!!  I had my surgery on Monday & I was out of the hospital by Tuesday!  Remarkable for someone like me with Type I diabetes!  Each day is getting a little easier.  My husband & I will be going to my post-operative appt. on Tuesday afternoon.  I'm sure the surgeon will have great news for me.  I think the hardest part is trying to drink enough liquids.  I'm not even sore at the surgery sites.  I do have some discomfort still with bloating & due to the fact that I'm not going to the bathroom enough.  This goes back to trying to drink enough liquids.  Please keep in touch! 

I wanted to write this blog in sunshine yellow, 'cause that's how I feel today.  I hope everyone will be able to read this.  Please take a look at my most recent self-portrait.  Even without makeup, I think I'm looking well!  Today is only 2 days after banding!  I'm going to start on full liquids tomorrow.

I just wanted everyone to know how greatful I am to my friends here at OH & from my support groups to have been here for me through all of my phases of questionning pre-surgery.  I know I can count on you during my recovery too & afterwards as I continue my journey to a healthier life.  They say, the pregnancy is not the hardest part...raising the child is where all the work begins.  I am as prepared as I can be.  The classes, the individual nutritional counseling sessions, & hours & hours of studying others' experiences here on OH have given me the courage to do this & to do it well!!  

Thank you!

Today's my last day of pre-surgery clear liquids.  I've done well despite having a few low blood sugars.  I treated them by suspending (turning off) my insulin pump for an hour at a time.  Believe it or not, many of the S/F drinks do raise my blood sugar some, so I was able to drink to get my sugars to come up some.  Other than that, I feel strong.  I am so incredibly thankful to those of you who have responded to my blogs & postings!  I have met some really good people who I now consider friends!  I have to be at the hospital by 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, so wish me luck!!

I had my pre-op today & I qualify!!!  I was so worried this week up until today's appointment.  My hands & feet were ice cold this morning...I guess 'cause my heart was beating so fast that all the blood had to be right there!!!  Even though I still have 1 more appt. on Friday, all that'll need to happen is insurance approval.  I don't foresee any problems since I did EVERYTHING I was told to do to meet the surgeon's criteria & the insurance criteria.  So, now I can start packing my hospital bag, I guess.  Any encouragement would be most welcome at this time!!!  I'm really, really happy!

I was expecting the worst, but I had no problems speaking to my doctors' offices & getting everything I needed.  I was somewhat concerned about the nightmare stories I've heard & read about people only getting approved for the surgery a few hours before the operation!  So far, so good for me.  I still have the endocrinologist clearance hurdle, but I've been treated very well by the doctors' offices.  The last week in March will be the busiest.  Once I'm through, I just have to sit & relax until the surgery day.  In the meantime, I'll take all the support I can get!!!

I'm happy to report that I no longer have to wait until Tax Day for my last clearance.  I've had it rescheduled for the end of March instead.  I don't much care for the State of Limbo!!  I've been to another support group meeting & again, I can only say wonderful things about the people that come and the stories that you'll hear!!  In this last leg of my pre-op journey, I'll need all the support I can get.  So keep responding!!