KennaMc
Bright and Shiny Todays and Tomorrows
Oct 27, 2007
I'm here. After all the ups and downs of the past few months, I'm finally banded and working towards a bright and shiny future. Scratch that, my "future" is now! And it already feels bright and shiny!
I was banded five days ago on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. I don't know if it was naivete or misinformation or what, but I certainly didn't expect the pain associated with surgery. Of course, I've never had surgery before (not even my wisdom teeth pulled!) so I have nothing against which to compare it. I stayed overnight in the hospital, which I'm extremely glad I did; not only did it give my husband and extra day without having to take care of me, it made me feel more comfortable with the entire process. It felt like the "event" it is, rather than "something I did one afternoon".
I'm sticking with protein shakes once or twice a day, and soup two or three times a day. I've had yogurt (liquid) a couple of times, and last night I had a popsicle; I know I've been taking in a very small amont of calories, and yet the scale hasn't moved in the right direction. I keep reading success stories to keep myself psyched. The weight gain has to be water retention; it's the only thing that makes sense.
There are so many things I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to sitting comfortably in theater and airplane chairs. I'm looking forward to fitting into those idiotic plastic lawn chairs. I'm looking forward to skiing again, and walking down my stairs without pain every single day. I'm looking forward to backpacking with my dad this coming summer, and taking kayaking lessons. I am bound and determined to wear a bikini for the first time in my life, preferably on a beach somewhere ... New Zealand? Mexico? Spain? I'm looking forward to feeling less visible yet invisible. I'm looking forward to occupying less volume on this spinning sphere we call home. I'm looking forward to my husband finally, after eight years together, being able to carry me over the threshold of our home. Small things that together add up to a lot; that's what I'm looking forward to.
I've been walking 30 minutes a day. I may be a little short on my water intake, but the further I progress post-op, the more I'm able to swallow. The gas pain is uncomfortable, but I'm learning to adapt. Walking helps. The incisions are healing nicely and already starting to itch; the bruises are still a nice bright blue, however. My post-op appointment is October 31. I should know more then about how to progress and when I should get my first fill. I expect that I won't have that first fill until after my liquid and mushie stage.
I keep thinking about what my goals are and it's hard for me to set definite dates to things. I see how fast some people lose, and as much as I'd like to set a goal of, say, losing 40 pounds in ten weeks, I'm not sure that's realistic for me. I don't want to set myself up for failure. I did set the goal of backpacking to and climbing Cloud Peak next summer. I should probably make some smaller goals pertaining to that to reach along the way, i.e., walk/hike three miles with a 40 pound pack in X amount of time; walk/hike six miles with a 40 pound pack in X amount of time. I know I'd definitely lke to be down 40 pounds by the time we go, preferably more, but I do have to work within the realm of what is realistic. I figure I have seven more months to prepare. What can I get accomplished in seven months?
I was banded five days ago on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. I don't know if it was naivete or misinformation or what, but I certainly didn't expect the pain associated with surgery. Of course, I've never had surgery before (not even my wisdom teeth pulled!) so I have nothing against which to compare it. I stayed overnight in the hospital, which I'm extremely glad I did; not only did it give my husband and extra day without having to take care of me, it made me feel more comfortable with the entire process. It felt like the "event" it is, rather than "something I did one afternoon".
I'm sticking with protein shakes once or twice a day, and soup two or three times a day. I've had yogurt (liquid) a couple of times, and last night I had a popsicle; I know I've been taking in a very small amont of calories, and yet the scale hasn't moved in the right direction. I keep reading success stories to keep myself psyched. The weight gain has to be water retention; it's the only thing that makes sense.
There are so many things I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to sitting comfortably in theater and airplane chairs. I'm looking forward to fitting into those idiotic plastic lawn chairs. I'm looking forward to skiing again, and walking down my stairs without pain every single day. I'm looking forward to backpacking with my dad this coming summer, and taking kayaking lessons. I am bound and determined to wear a bikini for the first time in my life, preferably on a beach somewhere ... New Zealand? Mexico? Spain? I'm looking forward to feeling less visible yet invisible. I'm looking forward to occupying less volume on this spinning sphere we call home. I'm looking forward to my husband finally, after eight years together, being able to carry me over the threshold of our home. Small things that together add up to a lot; that's what I'm looking forward to.
I've been walking 30 minutes a day. I may be a little short on my water intake, but the further I progress post-op, the more I'm able to swallow. The gas pain is uncomfortable, but I'm learning to adapt. Walking helps. The incisions are healing nicely and already starting to itch; the bruises are still a nice bright blue, however. My post-op appointment is October 31. I should know more then about how to progress and when I should get my first fill. I expect that I won't have that first fill until after my liquid and mushie stage.
I keep thinking about what my goals are and it's hard for me to set definite dates to things. I see how fast some people lose, and as much as I'd like to set a goal of, say, losing 40 pounds in ten weeks, I'm not sure that's realistic for me. I don't want to set myself up for failure. I did set the goal of backpacking to and climbing Cloud Peak next summer. I should probably make some smaller goals pertaining to that to reach along the way, i.e., walk/hike three miles with a 40 pound pack in X amount of time; walk/hike six miles with a 40 pound pack in X amount of time. I know I'd definitely lke to be down 40 pounds by the time we go, preferably more, but I do have to work within the realm of what is realistic. I figure I have seven more months to prepare. What can I get accomplished in seven months?
