MaggieMoo2

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It has been a tough road. I did a lot of research before my band, but I wasn't prepared for the up and down of fill, restriction, fill, restriction. Here has been my past 4 months.
I got my first fill at 6 weeks, my weight was 212, up 2 lbs from my post op appt. Of course I was up, I had almost NO restriction. I lost 4 lbs right away and then stopped - I was at the same weight to the ounce! The fill did give me some restriction, but not a lot I could eat chicken, bread, steak and about 3/4 of a regular dinner.
2nd fill at 10 weeks - My weight was down 4 lbs - 208, Again I had a great couple of days, where I lost 5 lbs over 2 weeks and then NOTHING. I got to a point where I was eating small amounts but it was too much to lose weight.
3rd fill at 15 weeks - Mty weight was down to 203, Finally felt solid restriction. My food amount was limited to a few bites. Couldn't eat bread, haven't tried steak, chicken has to be juicy. But then last week all of a sudden my appetite came back. I can eat more and again I am not losting. I have lost 9lbs on this 3rd fill, but I have stopped dead, in fact the scale was up over the last two days.
Do I need another fill? I am scheduled for one in two weeks. I need to add excercise, but this is crazy. I am just frustrated and worn out.  
On a positive note, I am down 33 lbs in total over 4 months. Way better than Weight Watchers. I try to keep my mind on the positive, but some days it gets tough.

My surgery was Monday, June 4th. Here is a detailed report of what I remember from my surgery and hospital stay. 
I got to the hospital at 5:30am for my 7am surgery. About 4pm on Sunday I got super nervous and anxious. I also had horrible diarrhea all night due to the antibiotics, it kept waking me up almost every hour. No food or drink after midnight so I was already hungry and thirsty when I got to the hospital. I waited for 25 minutes by myself to be checked in and then I was ushered into another waiting room for 10 minutes. Finally I went into pre-op and was given my hospital gown and bed. My nurse was new to pre-op and didn’t alleviate any of my anxieties. I am normally a hard stick to get blood and have to be very hydrated for success. Unfortunately the lack of fluids and diarrhea made my veins dry. After the nurse painfully attempted to get a vein 4 times the anesthesiologist came over and gave me numbing medication and finally got a vein under my wrist. At this point I was in tears. My husband had my 2 year old and couldn’t be with me. The doctors finally showed up around 7:20 and I went into surgery around 7:35 AM.

 I woke up somewhat in recovery and was told the surgery was a success. I couldn’t feel anything. I then was wheeled upstairs and into my room where my husband and son were waiting. I started to wake up and realized that I was in pain and dying of thirst. The nurse quickly medicated me via IV and told me I had several hours until I could drink. I slept off and on for about 3 hours. Finally I was begging for a drink and the nurse brought me sponge like swabs for my mouth. It felt like heaven. Before they could give me anything to eat or drink I needed to get a barium test to ensure flow through the lap band and make sure there was no leakage. I was put into a wheelchair and taken down to X-ray. They give this horrible tasting drink that made me very nauseous and then got me onto this metal table and moved me up down back and forth. I was in hell. I guess my drink sat in the upper pouch and wouldn’t go through. They would be back in five minutes and repeat. Finally after 30 minutes I was told to think of food and that would help my stomach digest. So I am nauseous, cold, tired, sore, lonely laying on a metal table and you want me to think of food. Ok... don’t puke, hamburger… French fries… don’t throw up…. Nachos….  Finally I start crying and ask one of the techs to sit and talk with me. After talking with her and 50 minutes after drinking the slime, it finally goes down and I am allowed to return to my room. I get ice chips and they tasted great!!! It is 4pm and I have been up and walking, I have used the bathroom and cleared the barium test. I am wondering when I will be discharged. My husband had gone home and is waiting for me to call to pick me up. On my next walk I asked the CNA about what time I will get discharged. She looks shocked and says…”No one ever goes home the first night!” This was news to me because my doctor stated that the first surgery would allow me to be able to go home in the evening. I wasn’t prepared to stay, but I was in a large amount of pain and felt overall pretty crappy. I never saw the doctor that night. No one ever gave me the option of leaving, so I stayed and I am glad I did in the end. I got saline and pain meds in my IV and I had a private room. The nurses did wake you up at night to get your vitals, but I quickly fell back asleep thanks to the morphine. On Tuesday morning I was ready to go home. The nurse told me that most people get discharged around noon. My husband and son showed up at 10 am ready to take me home. I was getting up and walking well on my own. Around 2:30 I met the Respiratory Therapist who asked why I was still there because everyone else who had surgery yesterday was gone. I waddled down to the nurse’s station in a frenzy and was told that the doctor didn’t get to me yet and was in another surgery. I finally got discharged about 3:30pm.

HOME RECOVERY
Overall my surgery/recovery was more involved and intense that I had expected. The next few days at home were mostly sleep mixed with slow walks around my house to get rid of the gas (lots and lots of burps). My abdomen was very sore and swollen and I really looked 8 months pregnant. I wore the same loose elastic shorts for 5 days. I couldn’t drink much and definitely wasn’t hungry. The pain was lessened by the liquid codeine but it made me very sleepy. I started to feel better on Friday and was able to go out in public on Saturday for a short outing. On Sunday I pushed myself a bit too far and was really sore Sunday night. But it was Monday that was the worst day for me. 1 week out and I finally got the horrible gas pains in the diaphragm and left shoulder. I felt like someone was stabbing me. The sharp pain under my left breast (diaphragm) had me very scared so I called the doctors office to find out. The doctor called me back and asked if I had been using my spirometer (a device to gauge your air inhaled). I hadn’t. He told me that the deep breaths and stopping the narcotic will help alleviate the gas pain. I had the sharp pain for about 36 hours. I also had horrible hiccups about 8 times a day. The doctor said that was from drinking fluids to fast and to take tiny sips. By Wednesday the tide had turned and I really started to feel better. I have 5 incisions, the largest about 2 inches where the port was inserted, the others relatively tiny. I am still sore at the port site and my abdomen still aches but I am so much better. I can walk a bit slower than my usual pace and bending over is still a bit uncomfortable but everyday I can do more than the last. I stay at home with my son, but I don’t think I would have been able to go back to work after a week. I am still recovering and I think it will be 2 weeks at least until I am fully functional.

I have had the flu and a sinus infection all week. I was absolutely petrified I was going to have to postpone my surgery, but alas my symptoms have finally cleared. I spoke with my surgeons office and I can continue to take my antibiotic and as long as my breathing is clear and no stomach issues I am good to go!!!! I wasn't great on the protein diet during my illness - lots of broth but not much of the protein shakes. I also had oatmeal twice because I couldn't tolerate anything else. As of today I am down 11lbs since I started this round of the pre-op. Of course this is the same weight I put on during my mad pre-diet food blowout. I hope the next post I will be banded. Wish me luck!!!!

I have been on the protien shakes for 1 week and have lost 9 lbs. Granted I gained 12 lbs since I started the WLS journey. I am struggling to follow the protien shakes. Yesterday I nibbled on bits of my son's food and found myself justifying to my husband when I got caught.  I am committed to sticking to a strict diet this week. I can't believe in 1 week I will be banded!! I think I might be over-researching, because I am now so paranoid about gaining weight between surgery and my first fill and the so called "Bandster Hell".  I am also scared of the Heparin shots I am required to give myself for 2 weeks, 3x a day.

I postponed my surgery date to June 4th due to my husbands work schedule. I actually started my protien shake diet for the second time and then on Thursday of this week, we decided to move the date. My in-laws are also coming in to help with my son for a few weeks. I am concered about my recovery and being able to care for my toddler. I am so anxious to get surgery. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the last postponement.

I went for my EGD and my pre-op appoitment on Thursday. Unfortunately after two days on the protein diet I was told that the week of the 21st was already was booked with surgeries so I am now having surgery on May 29th. I got one more weekend of food, but was disappointed at having to wait. I am so ready to start this new portion of my life that 7 days seems so long.

I met with the dietician who detailed the post op diet. It is so hard to envision getting full after just a half cup of food and having to really fight to get in all your protein. I also found out that they require 2 weeks of Heprin shots you give yourself after surgery!!! I was shocked and I can't believe I hadn't read anyone discussing this. 

I am trying to plan my summer and it was nice to think that in two months when we do our family vacation I could be substantially lighter!

Tomorrow I go to the doctor for my EGD and pre-op appointment. I combined them both to get in for surgery as soon as possible. My tentative date is 5/21 or 5/22.  I am relieved to be on the protein shake two week diet. I was feeling totally addicted to food and constantly thought about what my next meal would be. I wanted to get in all the food I could before surgery. I am feeling more in control again with the protein shakes. They aren't that bad and with the SF jello and broth I can make it through the day.

I went through the misses section in Dillards this weekend and thought that pretty soon I will be able to wear these clothes. A size 14 looks so small.  I am almost out of my clothes now (size 20) and almost went to Lane Bryant to buy pants in size 22 but realized I won't need to be in this size for much longer.

I got on the scale yesterday and said to myself this is the heaviest I will ever be again. I meant it and believed it. What an amazing feeling. In fact I was 228 yesterday and today I was down to 225 after 1 day on the protein shakes..

I have been to my first appointment, talked to the dietician, psychologist, got blood work and x-rays. I also visited my PCP and received his clearance. Right now I am waiting for my Pre-Op appointment. I am dealing with insatiable hunger and almost food addiction. I feel like I will never eat again so I have to eat everything I like right now. I am desperate to get my surgery date so I can have light at the end of the tunnel.

I just set up my first appointment for lap band surgery. I went to a seminar and it really relieved most of my fears. I guess this first appointment will include talking to the doctor, the insurance person and nutritionist. My insurance company told me that they don’t cover bariatric surgery even if medically necessary. At the seminar they estimated $15,700 for the procedure. It is a lot of money, but if it gives me a better healthier life it is worth every penny.