Robin L.
NSV
Mar 08, 2007
Okay ... for two days I've been able to eat without getting stuck. Here are some rules I'm trying and it's WORKING!
First, when I eat, I pay very close attention to what's going on inside. If I think I'm about to be stuck, or even a tinge of hurt when I first start eating, I stop eating IMMEDIATELY! I wait until it passes, and when I'm pretty sure everything is going okay, I start eating. I just keep a check on what's going on inside. Trust me, I've been stuck enough to recognize signs. If you feel like something is getting stuck, 99.9% of the time it probably is. Stop eating immediately and wait for the feeling to pass.
Second, I make every effort to SLOWLY chew and eat. When I notice I am starting to go fast again, I stop, mentally talk to myself about slowing down, and then I start again.
I am chewing, chewing, chewing, chewing.
The other thing I'm doing is I'm trying something soft with meat. For example for dinner last night and lunch today, I had turkey burgers (just the meat). I put some fat free country gravy (made with water) on the meat. I was able to eat the meat without getting stuck!
Tonight, I had crockpot sour cream salsa chicken. I basically had a bit of fried rice (made with the salsa stuff from the chicken). I ate chicken and the rice with some reduced fat sour cream, no food got stuck!
So, this is what I had for today:
Protein drink (breakfast - 8oz)
2 (10oz/cup) cups of decaf coffee with fat free creamer and Splenda
2 turkery burger with fat free country gravy
3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes
3 tablespoons of spinach
1 oz of brownie
20 oz of water
20 oz of decaf tea (sweetened with Splenda)
6 oz of salsa chicken
2 tablespoons of reduced fat sour cream
4 tablespoons of fried rice
1/2 cup of Carb Freedom Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
I am not sure if that's alot or not ... I'm going to put it into a food calculator and see. It's the best I've eaten all week, without snacking on string cheese or be starving to death!
I think I'll weigh tomorrow and see how I'm doing weight wise. I may still be eating too much, but I'm just thanking God I'm not getting stuck. This is the longest I've went in the past month without something getting stuck.
First, when I eat, I pay very close attention to what's going on inside. If I think I'm about to be stuck, or even a tinge of hurt when I first start eating, I stop eating IMMEDIATELY! I wait until it passes, and when I'm pretty sure everything is going okay, I start eating. I just keep a check on what's going on inside. Trust me, I've been stuck enough to recognize signs. If you feel like something is getting stuck, 99.9% of the time it probably is. Stop eating immediately and wait for the feeling to pass.
Second, I make every effort to SLOWLY chew and eat. When I notice I am starting to go fast again, I stop, mentally talk to myself about slowing down, and then I start again.
I am chewing, chewing, chewing, chewing.
The other thing I'm doing is I'm trying something soft with meat. For example for dinner last night and lunch today, I had turkey burgers (just the meat). I put some fat free country gravy (made with water) on the meat. I was able to eat the meat without getting stuck!
Tonight, I had crockpot sour cream salsa chicken. I basically had a bit of fried rice (made with the salsa stuff from the chicken). I ate chicken and the rice with some reduced fat sour cream, no food got stuck!
So, this is what I had for today:
Protein drink (breakfast - 8oz)
2 (10oz/cup) cups of decaf coffee with fat free creamer and Splenda
2 turkery burger with fat free country gravy
3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes
3 tablespoons of spinach
1 oz of brownie
20 oz of water
20 oz of decaf tea (sweetened with Splenda)
6 oz of salsa chicken
2 tablespoons of reduced fat sour cream
4 tablespoons of fried rice
1/2 cup of Carb Freedom Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
I am not sure if that's alot or not ... I'm going to put it into a food calculator and see. It's the best I've eaten all week, without snacking on string cheese or be starving to death!
I think I'll weigh tomorrow and see how I'm doing weight wise. I may still be eating too much, but I'm just thanking God I'm not getting stuck. This is the longest I've went in the past month without something getting stuck.
Where to start
Mar 04, 2007
This journey has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I have to say I thought it would be easy, but it's not.
I lost 2 pounds in three weeks, and I'm essentially back to where I started before my fill. (I gained two pounds before the fill). I've lost approximately 22 pounds since starting this journey. I'm happy with the weight loss (because I wasn't losing any on my own), but always figured it would be a bit easier than this.
I'm still having problems with getting stuck (got so stuck the other day, I couldn't do anything but throw it up). I dread even eating and the mental head hunger is driving me insane. The lapband works folks, but I'm not sure I am doing the right things or where I should be at this point.
I have no problem eating foods I shouldn't (such as potatoes and no I don't eat alot of them), but chicken and other meats get stuck. Of the morning, I can only handle protein shakes. I want to be able to eat veggies again as snacks (such as cucumbers, etc) but I'm literally afraid of things getting stuck.
I won't be getting any fills anytime soon until I get the hang of chewing. I'm almost to the point of grinding up all my meat before eating it. I just don't know what else to do.
I know I'm not at my sweet spot either. But unless I get through the head hunger issues and the chewing issues, I don't believe getting fills is going to be what I need to be doing.
For those of you out there who are looking at the lapband, please do not let my journey scare you. This does work. I know of about 4 to 5 people who don't have half the issues I do. They've lost weight with the lapband and kept it off. Don't be discouraged. I'm not ... I know this will work, but everyone's journey is totally different.
I lost 2 pounds in three weeks, and I'm essentially back to where I started before my fill. (I gained two pounds before the fill). I've lost approximately 22 pounds since starting this journey. I'm happy with the weight loss (because I wasn't losing any on my own), but always figured it would be a bit easier than this.
I'm still having problems with getting stuck (got so stuck the other day, I couldn't do anything but throw it up). I dread even eating and the mental head hunger is driving me insane. The lapband works folks, but I'm not sure I am doing the right things or where I should be at this point.
I have no problem eating foods I shouldn't (such as potatoes and no I don't eat alot of them), but chicken and other meats get stuck. Of the morning, I can only handle protein shakes. I want to be able to eat veggies again as snacks (such as cucumbers, etc) but I'm literally afraid of things getting stuck.
I won't be getting any fills anytime soon until I get the hang of chewing. I'm almost to the point of grinding up all my meat before eating it. I just don't know what else to do.
I know I'm not at my sweet spot either. But unless I get through the head hunger issues and the chewing issues, I don't believe getting fills is going to be what I need to be doing.
For those of you out there who are looking at the lapband, please do not let my journey scare you. This does work. I know of about 4 to 5 people who don't have half the issues I do. They've lost weight with the lapband and kept it off. Don't be discouraged. I'm not ... I know this will work, but everyone's journey is totally different.
Learning as I go
Feb 11, 2007
It's been almost one month since I last posted. My band is a fickle thing. I know most people name their bands, and I'm real close to naming mine ... Sybil is a good name ... if I could think of a character from a TV show or movie where the character changed from one minute to the next, my band would have a name.
I went to the Doctor Thursday (Feb 8th). I had gained a few pounds (didn't surprise me). I have had a very hard time with my little fickle friend. I have been exercising 3 days a week (go me!).
The Doctor was very nice, but I must say, no matter how much research you do, you will not be prepared. I've read these boards, and I had researched a lot about the band. I've talked to many, many individuals (both LapBand and RNY). SO, here are a few lessons I wished I had learned BEFORE being banded:
1) What works for some, doesn't work for everyone. Don't think because the majority of banded individuals lost weight and didn't gain any while waiting for their first fill that you will be so lucky.
2) THIS IS NOT EASY! It is no way, no time, and no how an easy thing. Anyone ANYWHERE who says this is the easy way out has lost their cotton pickin' mind! TRUST me on that one.
3) You will fight head hunger. That's what got you into this in the first place. I think I'm going to fight head hunger until the day I die.
4) Chew, chew, chew and chew and chew and chew and chew until your mouth holds nothing but liquid (especially after you get a fill). And before ya'll say anything to that, I went 2 days on liquids like the Doctor told me too, and was progressing to mushies.
I was very nervous about the fill. He was going to put more in than he did, but because of the month between my last appointment and this one, I didn't want a huge fill. Now some of you all will wonder ... why? My reasoning was this: I was already having chicken and tuna getting stuck, so why would I want a HUGE restriction until I could deal with my head hunger AND my chewing issues???
The fill I must say was so easy. I basically didn't watch him do any of it. He had me lay back with a pillow under my back. He couldn't find the port, so he had me lift my ankles and then found my port (I asked why lifting of the ankles, and he stated it contracts the stomach muscles, making the port move further upward). He swabbed the area and I told him I didn't want to know or see what he was doing, to just do it. He put the needle in, filled it with 1 cc (I only have a 4cc band) and I felt it being popped out of the port. He had me sit up, chug a glass of water, and since I had no pressure in my chest, that was it.
He was going to put the needle in and have me sit up and drink, but I said "Let's talk about this first." I asked if we could not put too much in at first, because I'm in this process for the long haul. He said, "I can put 1 cc in. That surprises me, most people want the opposite".
I get asked two questions A LOT at work and by people who want to know more about the lapband. Question 1 - how much weight have you lost. Right now about 20lbs. I hate this question because with the lap band, you don't lose as fast, and two ... I'm obsessing over every little pound already, and I try not to weigh myself at all because of the fact I know my body will go up and down in this weight loss cycle by the fact it did when I was on Weight Watchers. Question 2 - are you glad you did it/would you do it again? This one is a bit harder for me because I've not done as well as I wanted to do with this surgery. I had in my mind that my eating problems would go away (and for the first 3 weeks after surgery, they did), and that the weight would melt off a pound a week (or at least 1/2 per week). It's not happening. Would I do it again? Yes, but I would have worked A LOT harder at being prepared (chewing chewing chewing -- and on the head hunger issues).
By no means those of you who work with me does that mean that I mind you asking me questions ... please do and continue to do so. I think my disappointment in myself is what makes me dread the questions and the disappointment in my 'fantasy' of what this journey would be like and reality of what it is like ... makes it hard to talk about the surgery. But I feel better, I have lost weight, and I am exercising, something I've not done in ages.
I went to the Doctor Thursday (Feb 8th). I had gained a few pounds (didn't surprise me). I have had a very hard time with my little fickle friend. I have been exercising 3 days a week (go me!).
The Doctor was very nice, but I must say, no matter how much research you do, you will not be prepared. I've read these boards, and I had researched a lot about the band. I've talked to many, many individuals (both LapBand and RNY). SO, here are a few lessons I wished I had learned BEFORE being banded:
1) What works for some, doesn't work for everyone. Don't think because the majority of banded individuals lost weight and didn't gain any while waiting for their first fill that you will be so lucky.
2) THIS IS NOT EASY! It is no way, no time, and no how an easy thing. Anyone ANYWHERE who says this is the easy way out has lost their cotton pickin' mind! TRUST me on that one.
3) You will fight head hunger. That's what got you into this in the first place. I think I'm going to fight head hunger until the day I die.
4) Chew, chew, chew and chew and chew and chew and chew until your mouth holds nothing but liquid (especially after you get a fill). And before ya'll say anything to that, I went 2 days on liquids like the Doctor told me too, and was progressing to mushies.
I was very nervous about the fill. He was going to put more in than he did, but because of the month between my last appointment and this one, I didn't want a huge fill. Now some of you all will wonder ... why? My reasoning was this: I was already having chicken and tuna getting stuck, so why would I want a HUGE restriction until I could deal with my head hunger AND my chewing issues???
The fill I must say was so easy. I basically didn't watch him do any of it. He had me lay back with a pillow under my back. He couldn't find the port, so he had me lift my ankles and then found my port (I asked why lifting of the ankles, and he stated it contracts the stomach muscles, making the port move further upward). He swabbed the area and I told him I didn't want to know or see what he was doing, to just do it. He put the needle in, filled it with 1 cc (I only have a 4cc band) and I felt it being popped out of the port. He had me sit up, chug a glass of water, and since I had no pressure in my chest, that was it.
He was going to put the needle in and have me sit up and drink, but I said "Let's talk about this first." I asked if we could not put too much in at first, because I'm in this process for the long haul. He said, "I can put 1 cc in. That surprises me, most people want the opposite".
I get asked two questions A LOT at work and by people who want to know more about the lapband. Question 1 - how much weight have you lost. Right now about 20lbs. I hate this question because with the lap band, you don't lose as fast, and two ... I'm obsessing over every little pound already, and I try not to weigh myself at all because of the fact I know my body will go up and down in this weight loss cycle by the fact it did when I was on Weight Watchers. Question 2 - are you glad you did it/would you do it again? This one is a bit harder for me because I've not done as well as I wanted to do with this surgery. I had in my mind that my eating problems would go away (and for the first 3 weeks after surgery, they did), and that the weight would melt off a pound a week (or at least 1/2 per week). It's not happening. Would I do it again? Yes, but I would have worked A LOT harder at being prepared (chewing chewing chewing -- and on the head hunger issues).
By no means those of you who work with me does that mean that I mind you asking me questions ... please do and continue to do so. I think my disappointment in myself is what makes me dread the questions and the disappointment in my 'fantasy' of what this journey would be like and reality of what it is like ... makes it hard to talk about the surgery. But I feel better, I have lost weight, and I am exercising, something I've not done in ages.
Another Update
Jan 19, 2007
I had a doctor's visit on January 9th. I had lost another pound, and I'm scheduled to go back February 8th. He said if I hadn't lost at least 5 pounds by then, I'd be given a fill. Okay, I'm not ready for a fill to be honest ... it scares the heck out of me! Yes, I knew about fills BEFORE I did the surgery, but things are so different than what I expected.
I've asked myself and questioned if I've done the right thing. It bothers me that in the mornings I have restrictions, but in the evenings I can eat anything and everything! I've not tried bread, but I have had crackers. I've had homemade pizza with extremely thin crust - no issues, but yet I can eat tuna and get it stuck.
I've learned alot about eating fast. It is the worst habit I have ... and trust me ... YOU WILL KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS STUCK!!!
I don't eat as much, but the scale ain't moving. I expected not to lose fast, but I expected at least a pound a week. Right now I'd settle for a half a pound per week.
I've started exercising 3 days a week. For the past two weeks I've exercised on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I want to start doing something here at home as well. I walked a mile last week on Monday & Wednesday. Friday I walked a mile, did some weights, and walked another mile. This past Monday, I walked a mile and a quarter, did about 15 minutes of pilates (all I could do) and did a bit of weights. Wednesday and Friday I did the "Walk Away the Pounds" Video ... the two mile walk. She does both the walk and some weights ... got alot of cardio this week.
I'm proud of my exercise, but not happy with my eating and weight loss. *sighs* Rome wasn't built in a day but man I sure they could see a bit of progress along the way.
People constantly ask - how much weight you loss? Okay enough with the questions already ... I've lost 21 pounds and that's ALL ... give me a break already! I am not going to have rapid weight loss. IF you asked me last week how much I weight, pretty good chance that I'm not going to be down 20 more pounds already ... alright?
I'm a bit stressed ... and disappointed in me more than anything. My friend who has been very successful with Lapband has told me that it's a timely process and she went over 3 months with only 15 pounds of weight loss. It took her three fills before she got where she lost steadily. I'll just hope I'm not a failure.
I've asked myself and questioned if I've done the right thing. It bothers me that in the mornings I have restrictions, but in the evenings I can eat anything and everything! I've not tried bread, but I have had crackers. I've had homemade pizza with extremely thin crust - no issues, but yet I can eat tuna and get it stuck.
I've learned alot about eating fast. It is the worst habit I have ... and trust me ... YOU WILL KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS STUCK!!!
I don't eat as much, but the scale ain't moving. I expected not to lose fast, but I expected at least a pound a week. Right now I'd settle for a half a pound per week.
I've started exercising 3 days a week. For the past two weeks I've exercised on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I want to start doing something here at home as well. I walked a mile last week on Monday & Wednesday. Friday I walked a mile, did some weights, and walked another mile. This past Monday, I walked a mile and a quarter, did about 15 minutes of pilates (all I could do) and did a bit of weights. Wednesday and Friday I did the "Walk Away the Pounds" Video ... the two mile walk. She does both the walk and some weights ... got alot of cardio this week.
I'm proud of my exercise, but not happy with my eating and weight loss. *sighs* Rome wasn't built in a day but man I sure they could see a bit of progress along the way.
People constantly ask - how much weight you loss? Okay enough with the questions already ... I've lost 21 pounds and that's ALL ... give me a break already! I am not going to have rapid weight loss. IF you asked me last week how much I weight, pretty good chance that I'm not going to be down 20 more pounds already ... alright?
I'm a bit stressed ... and disappointed in me more than anything. My friend who has been very successful with Lapband has told me that it's a timely process and she went over 3 months with only 15 pounds of weight loss. It took her three fills before she got where she lost steadily. I'll just hope I'm not a failure.
A New Year
Jan 01, 2007
Today is the beginning of the new year. I had a follow up last Thursday that I didn't post, but will now.
I have officially lost 20 pounds (as of Thursday, Dec 28th) and I'm down to 273. He seemed very happy with my progress, but I told him I was extremely exhausted. It's everything I can do to get out of bed in the morning. He told me that he felt that it was due to the fact I was not getting enough fluid intake. I have now increased my fluid intake, and I'm feeling much better. He also told me I needed to start exercising. That's one of my goals for the year.
I know alot of individuals on here do the Surgical Victories (SV) and Non-surgical Victories (NSV). I think I am going to start a list of those myself.
My goals regarding my WLS this year are as follows:
1. To lose one pound a week for 2007. That will mean I need to lose 52 pounds by December 31st, 2007.
2. To exercise 2-3 times a week for at least 30minutes to 1 hour.
3. To eat slowly. (One of my worst habits I eat VERY fast).
I guess it's one day at a time yes? That's my motto for the year. One day at a time.
I got to get up and get some things done here today as I'm going to Dallas (Lewisville) Texas tomorrow for training this week. Please pray for me. I am needing lots of prayers. My family has/is stressing me out.
I have officially lost 20 pounds (as of Thursday, Dec 28th) and I'm down to 273. He seemed very happy with my progress, but I told him I was extremely exhausted. It's everything I can do to get out of bed in the morning. He told me that he felt that it was due to the fact I was not getting enough fluid intake. I have now increased my fluid intake, and I'm feeling much better. He also told me I needed to start exercising. That's one of my goals for the year.
I know alot of individuals on here do the Surgical Victories (SV) and Non-surgical Victories (NSV). I think I am going to start a list of those myself.
My goals regarding my WLS this year are as follows:
1. To lose one pound a week for 2007. That will mean I need to lose 52 pounds by December 31st, 2007.
2. To exercise 2-3 times a week for at least 30minutes to 1 hour.
3. To eat slowly. (One of my worst habits I eat VERY fast).
I guess it's one day at a time yes? That's my motto for the year. One day at a time.
I got to get up and get some things done here today as I'm going to Dallas (Lewisville) Texas tomorrow for training this week. Please pray for me. I am needing lots of prayers. My family has/is stressing me out.
Update
Dec 26, 2006
I'm doing well, healing good. I didn't lose any weight last week. Still at the initial 14 pounds I lost the first week. A bit disappointed, but I'm not going to let this consume me or worry.
I got to start MUSHIES. I'm very excited about being able to finally eat something other than protein drinks, cottage cheese, and puddings.
Yesterday being Christmas, I did have some mashed potatoes and potatoe salad and a small bite of sugar free cheesecake. Bad child, I know. I started today off with a protein shake and for lunch I'm having a bit of ham salad (blenderized ham) and turkey salad (blenderized turkey) with fat free mayo added.
It's been a long tough year. I can say this, the hardest part of all of this is dealing with the mind hunger. The physical hunger is very much under control (thank God). The mental hunger I deal with on a daily basis (as we all do I'm sure).
Baby steps. I'm having a hard time remember this is a lifestyle change and it takes babysteps. One day at a time right?
My follow-up appointment is Thursday. I've got alot of questions I know will go out the door when I see the doctor. For some reason I can't remember anything when I get there. I am going to write down some of my questions for him before I go so that I don't forget. Husband is going with me, and that's a good thing. He's been VERY supportive. Don't know what I'd do without him ya know?
I got to start MUSHIES. I'm very excited about being able to finally eat something other than protein drinks, cottage cheese, and puddings.
Yesterday being Christmas, I did have some mashed potatoes and potatoe salad and a small bite of sugar free cheesecake. Bad child, I know. I started today off with a protein shake and for lunch I'm having a bit of ham salad (blenderized ham) and turkey salad (blenderized turkey) with fat free mayo added.
It's been a long tough year. I can say this, the hardest part of all of this is dealing with the mind hunger. The physical hunger is very much under control (thank God). The mental hunger I deal with on a daily basis (as we all do I'm sure).
Baby steps. I'm having a hard time remember this is a lifestyle change and it takes babysteps. One day at a time right?
My follow-up appointment is Thursday. I've got alot of questions I know will go out the door when I see the doctor. For some reason I can't remember anything when I get there. I am going to write down some of my questions for him before I go so that I don't forget. Husband is going with me, and that's a good thing. He's been VERY supportive. Don't know what I'd do without him ya know?
Past Two Days
Dec 15, 2006
The past two days have been filled with loads of gas pain ... from where they fill the abdominal cavity with air to do the surgery ... I guess when I was walking alot at the hospital, I didn't get it as much as I do now. Wednesday was the worse day for me so far. I felt like I had been hit by a mack truck. If you had asked me that day, I would have said I wouldn't have done the surgery again. I know as you go things get better, but the pain I experienced on Wednesday was just unreal. I think everything hit me Wednesday.
SO ... Lesson learned: WALK MORE. WALK WALK WALK ... it's the best thing to do ... or at least get up and move around. You don't have to run a marathon ... just moving helps get rid of the air ... and keeps it from settling in one place.
I feel that my body isn't ready and will not let me eat puddings. When I eat pudding (I've done it 3 times now), I get so much pressure in my stomach ... which didn't help me Wednesday. I'm doing nothing but liquids at this point, and I'm not having the pain in my stomach I've had before.
Lesson learned: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY ... yeah I know ... this will be the biggest lesson I have to learn. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks ... know what I mean?
Anyhoo, that's it for today. Onward as Frances on here says ... we must move forward.
SO ... Lesson learned: WALK MORE. WALK WALK WALK ... it's the best thing to do ... or at least get up and move around. You don't have to run a marathon ... just moving helps get rid of the air ... and keeps it from settling in one place.
I feel that my body isn't ready and will not let me eat puddings. When I eat pudding (I've done it 3 times now), I get so much pressure in my stomach ... which didn't help me Wednesday. I'm doing nothing but liquids at this point, and I'm not having the pain in my stomach I've had before.
Lesson learned: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY ... yeah I know ... this will be the biggest lesson I have to learn. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks ... know what I mean?
Anyhoo, that's it for today. Onward as Frances on here says ... we must move forward.
After Surgery
Dec 13, 2006
I am completely done and surgery is over. I'm so thankful that it is done and over.
I arrived at the hospital at 10:59 and went to pre-op teaching. We had problems with the computer. They had to do another blood test than what had been listed (standing orders) and an EKG. While going through pre-op, they were calling for me upstairs. They weighed me (with my shoes on, which I normally weight without my shoes), and I'm at 290lbs.
I went upstairs and got undressed and put on the Ted hose. I felt like I was wrestling a pig in a poke. One of the nurses asked what a poke was (which is a paper bag). My nurse came in and got my IV put in, and they started talking to me about various things that would happen. I guess I was in that room for about 30 minutes before Patrick came in. The Anesthesiologist came in to talk to me. He had had gastric bypass and lost 127lbs. He talked to me about the surgery and asked me why I chose lapband. He was very supported of my choice and explained that as long as I followed the rules, that I could lose the weight.
They gave me some good stuff to knock me out, and I slept off and on for a while. They were backed up in surgery, and now it was waiting time.
Of course I had to pee during this time and they wouldn't let me up :( so I used a bedpan (which I hate). I went back to sleep off and on and around 4pm I had to go to the bathroom again. I asked to go to the bathroom and explained I felt good enough to go to the restroom. They let me up and it felt good to walk around. After I came back from the bathroom, they were ready to take me into surgery. When they took me back, asked me who I was and strapped me down, I reminded them that I was a band patient. (Didn't want anyone gettin' mixed up ya know?).
They gave me meds to knock me out, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in recovery. The lady said I did great. I asked her how long I was in surgery, she said for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. She gave me pain meds and I slept off and on. They were waiting for my room. She changed my pain med and gave me a pain pump. I gave myself one shot right before I went to my room. About ten minutes later I became extremely nauseated. I almost threw up. I made it to my room (a private room of which I was trilled about), and transferred to my bed. I gave myself another pain shot and started gagging within 10 minutes. It hurt so much. I finally told them to take the pain meds away I would do without and if they could get me Demrol, otherwise I wasn't taking anything. So they called the doctor and got the order changed.
I'd say round 9:30pm I told them I had to go pee and I wanted to get up. They let me go to the bathroom, and afterwards I took my first walk down the hallway. Every two hours after that, I got up to go to the bathroom and then I'd go walk. Each walk I took I went a bit further.
I did this all day long until the next day. I finally saw the PA assistant Shawna at around 3pm, and then around 4pm I saw the doctor. Apparently the nurses had been bragging on me how I was getting up, moving around and going to the bathroom on my own. He asked me if I wanted to go home I said yes. He filled out the paperwork, I got another shot of Levnox (blood thinner), and around 6:30pm I was on my way home.
Got home around 9:30pm/10:00pm. I drank a few fluids, went to the bathroom, got ready for bed. That's when I hurt the most. My bed was flat (hospital bed wasn't). The most pain is from drinking and where the port is. The pain where the port is ... oh my word ... tinges with breathing even.
But I made it through by the Grace of God and now I'm on the other side. I see myself looking at food and wanting it, but not being hungry. I have to work on my 'head' hunger.
I arrived at the hospital at 10:59 and went to pre-op teaching. We had problems with the computer. They had to do another blood test than what had been listed (standing orders) and an EKG. While going through pre-op, they were calling for me upstairs. They weighed me (with my shoes on, which I normally weight without my shoes), and I'm at 290lbs.
I went upstairs and got undressed and put on the Ted hose. I felt like I was wrestling a pig in a poke. One of the nurses asked what a poke was (which is a paper bag). My nurse came in and got my IV put in, and they started talking to me about various things that would happen. I guess I was in that room for about 30 minutes before Patrick came in. The Anesthesiologist came in to talk to me. He had had gastric bypass and lost 127lbs. He talked to me about the surgery and asked me why I chose lapband. He was very supported of my choice and explained that as long as I followed the rules, that I could lose the weight.
They gave me some good stuff to knock me out, and I slept off and on for a while. They were backed up in surgery, and now it was waiting time.
Of course I had to pee during this time and they wouldn't let me up :( so I used a bedpan (which I hate). I went back to sleep off and on and around 4pm I had to go to the bathroom again. I asked to go to the bathroom and explained I felt good enough to go to the restroom. They let me up and it felt good to walk around. After I came back from the bathroom, they were ready to take me into surgery. When they took me back, asked me who I was and strapped me down, I reminded them that I was a band patient. (Didn't want anyone gettin' mixed up ya know?).
They gave me meds to knock me out, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in recovery. The lady said I did great. I asked her how long I was in surgery, she said for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. She gave me pain meds and I slept off and on. They were waiting for my room. She changed my pain med and gave me a pain pump. I gave myself one shot right before I went to my room. About ten minutes later I became extremely nauseated. I almost threw up. I made it to my room (a private room of which I was trilled about), and transferred to my bed. I gave myself another pain shot and started gagging within 10 minutes. It hurt so much. I finally told them to take the pain meds away I would do without and if they could get me Demrol, otherwise I wasn't taking anything. So they called the doctor and got the order changed.
I'd say round 9:30pm I told them I had to go pee and I wanted to get up. They let me go to the bathroom, and afterwards I took my first walk down the hallway. Every two hours after that, I got up to go to the bathroom and then I'd go walk. Each walk I took I went a bit further.
I did this all day long until the next day. I finally saw the PA assistant Shawna at around 3pm, and then around 4pm I saw the doctor. Apparently the nurses had been bragging on me how I was getting up, moving around and going to the bathroom on my own. He asked me if I wanted to go home I said yes. He filled out the paperwork, I got another shot of Levnox (blood thinner), and around 6:30pm I was on my way home.
Got home around 9:30pm/10:00pm. I drank a few fluids, went to the bathroom, got ready for bed. That's when I hurt the most. My bed was flat (hospital bed wasn't). The most pain is from drinking and where the port is. The pain where the port is ... oh my word ... tinges with breathing even.
But I made it through by the Grace of God and now I'm on the other side. I see myself looking at food and wanting it, but not being hungry. I have to work on my 'head' hunger.
Surgery Day Tomorrow
Dec 10, 2006
Well, tomorrow is my big day ... I'm very nervous. I had a D&C done Friday (as well as a ton of blood work this past week). I will say that I'm probably going to end up having a hysterectomy before this next year is over. Yeah me.
I need to get up and start working on packing my bag and stuff ... I'm still doing laundry ... got so much to do ... but just have no energy. I've been on this diet for two weeks, and weighed myself Thursday before surgery (for the pre-op) and I didn't lose one single pound. I was so upset :( I worked had and stayed on this diet religiously and not even an ounce gone!!!
This will work for me ... I know it will. One thing I did different when I weighed this time was I left my shoes on ... I am hoping they weigh me tomorrow before surgery. That will be the real deal know what I mean?
Pray for me ... I need all I can get.
I need to get up and start working on packing my bag and stuff ... I'm still doing laundry ... got so much to do ... but just have no energy. I've been on this diet for two weeks, and weighed myself Thursday before surgery (for the pre-op) and I didn't lose one single pound. I was so upset :( I worked had and stayed on this diet religiously and not even an ounce gone!!!
This will work for me ... I know it will. One thing I did different when I weighed this time was I left my shoes on ... I am hoping they weigh me tomorrow before surgery. That will be the real deal know what I mean?
Pray for me ... I need all I can get.
Scheduled FINALLY
Nov 21, 2006
Today I went for the three hour educational seminar. They reviewed the diet information. I am to start the pre-op diet two weeks before my surgery (yes I'm going to enjoy Thanksgiving, then start my pre-op).
Also we discussed emotional eating and behaviors. Then Rayetta discussed what to expect from the surgery.
After each hour of information, you took a test. It was an open book, and it did alot to remind us of what we needed to keep in mind.
The educational seminar had only Lap-band patients in the room. They had us introduce ourselves and tell which doctor would be performing the surgery. One side had majority of Dr. Wheeler's patients, while the other side had Dr. Tompkins. We thought that was kinda of ironic. :D
I then went for my doctor's appointment at 1:30pm. Didn't have to wait long, and it seems several people had the same idea as I did. Several of the individuals from the seminar were waiting for their appointments.
When I was able to see Dr. Tompkins, he asked me if I had any questions (which I asked about the possibility of the band leaking ... that I read alot about it). He said it wasn't as common as it used to be, and that he was sure the band was tested by the manufactures for leaks. {Something I still worry about.}
He gave me another overview of what to expect, how much weight loss to expect and said, let's go schedule your surgery date. I had already picked a date due to the fact Patrick {hubby}'s finals are the week of Dec 4th and I teach two math classes and our finals are on 4th and 5th.
I picked December 11th as my surgery date.
Also we discussed emotional eating and behaviors. Then Rayetta discussed what to expect from the surgery.
After each hour of information, you took a test. It was an open book, and it did alot to remind us of what we needed to keep in mind.
The educational seminar had only Lap-band patients in the room. They had us introduce ourselves and tell which doctor would be performing the surgery. One side had majority of Dr. Wheeler's patients, while the other side had Dr. Tompkins. We thought that was kinda of ironic. :D
I then went for my doctor's appointment at 1:30pm. Didn't have to wait long, and it seems several people had the same idea as I did. Several of the individuals from the seminar were waiting for their appointments.
When I was able to see Dr. Tompkins, he asked me if I had any questions (which I asked about the possibility of the band leaking ... that I read alot about it). He said it wasn't as common as it used to be, and that he was sure the band was tested by the manufactures for leaks. {Something I still worry about.}
He gave me another overview of what to expect, how much weight loss to expect and said, let's go schedule your surgery date. I had already picked a date due to the fact Patrick {hubby}'s finals are the week of Dec 4th and I teach two math classes and our finals are on 4th and 5th.
I picked December 11th as my surgery date.
