mommy2xp
1/31/06
Well, today I am on my second day of my liquid diet. This first week the nurse wants me to be on 2 liquid and 1 light meal.
It's not easy, but I don't feel AS hungry as I thought I would be. However, by the time the next meal comes, I am hurting.
I am trying to chug the water.
I have finished all my pre-op classes and meetings. Thursday is my final meeting with the surgeon. Then it's just the countdown.
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2/4/06
I have officially completed everything that is pre-op. It's 9 days until I am banded.
Emotionally, I am feeling excitement, anxiety, and surprise. It feels like I have been on auto-pilot. Like some other girl has done all this for me. I am actually going ahead with this. I think the thin girl wants out. *laugh*
Physically, I am hungry and tired. I am trying so hard to make this liquid diet work. I have cleaned the basement, bleached my teeth, de-cluttered throughout the house, and have started a home improvement project. - All to keep out of the kitchen. I feel like a drug addict trying to stay out of the crack-house.
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2/10/06
Well, I thought I had completed everything pre-op, but I was wrong. I had to to an upper GI yesterday. I really hope I don't have to do that again in my life *we*
This week I have moved beyond the hunger, and am more fatigued than ever. It's more mental right now too. I doubt something bad will happen to me, but I have tied up all my loose ends. Taxes, living will, cleaning, my kids Valentine project...
I also have agreed to let the local news follow me on my journey. I don't know what I was thinking. However, if this works as well as I think it will, I could be a great thing for others here in Springfield curious about the procedure.
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2/12/06
I have spent the last few days cleaning the house and getting things ready for surgery.
I have my protein puddings, jellos, and shakes. My soups. Pureed foods in the freezer. I've also been to the grocery for my family.
My kids will be spending the night with two of my girlfriends tonight. I don't think they will EVER know how grateful I am to them for that.
I am not REALLY nervous. I think I am more anxious than anything. I don't look forward to the IV or the pain, but I think I can take it like a man. *laugh*
I feel so proud of myself for doing this. I can't wait to be a "loser".
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2/14/06
Happy Valentines day! I am home and banded. What a gift to myself. My surgery was perfect, my IV was perfect, overall I am very happy to be on the losing side.
Any-who, I am going to rest while my kids are gone. I have such great friends-!!
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2/17/06
The last few days have been good. My friends have helped with my kids, and my husband is helping with the house. I am still using my pain medicine every 4 hours or so. I am taking about 15-ml with each dose. It doesn't take the pain away, but I can tolerate it. However, I think if I felt too good, that I would do things that I shouldn't.
This has been a great week to think about this opportunity that I have to be healthy. I am so lucky to have this tool!
The message boards have been a godsend. The recommendations for gas x, protein shakes, "is this normal" questions, have really helped.
I have resisted to weigh in. I am still swollen, but I feel really good.
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2/23/06
The tenderness of my port is starting to fade. However, in its place I have what feels like heartburn/chest pain in my chest/back. It is the hardest at night when I am trying to sleep, and I just can't get comfortable.
My followup appointment was Tues. I am down 2 pounds since surgery. I was also cleared to exercise again. I have been to the YMCA two days in a row! (Thanks to my workout buddy JJ)
I have been very pleased with this band so far. I don't know how to describe it, but food is losing it's appeal. I can't eat the portions I thought I wanted. It is so weird to throw food away! It is so weird to not be able to eat such a large portion!
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3/1/06
Here is my story on Springfield KY3:
http://www.ky3.com/news/2390996.html?autovid=Y
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3/8/06
I have been exercising around 3 days per week. I have no restriction, however, I am unable to eat like I did before. I can feel the band working. My first fill is scheduled for the 28th. Only 20 days away. I can't believe how fast it's going. I am so excited.
I have been moody and melancholy. I'm sure it is from the surgery. This is an emotional ride, but I have no regrets.
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3/15/06
There are only 13 days until my first fill. I am still in my 6 weeks healing period. I am onto normal foods again. I haven't gained any weight, however, I haven't lost either. It's very frustrating. I am working out 4 times per week. My goal will each workout is around 700 calories. I am logging my food again, this has been very hard for me to keep up with. Maybe, I don't want to know.
I attended a support group for the first time this week. It's still overwhelming that I have had WLS. I have met some wonderful people on my journey too. I have made friends with another bandster from the area, she was the third on my day of surgery. Our emails have really helped support each other.
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4/4/06
I had my first fill on March 30th. It was done under fluoroscopy. I had a local before the procedure, and I had to drink the yummy barium. His fill was aggressive. He added saline in the band until the barium wouldn't go through, and then took some out until the barium trickled through again. I am at 3-cc's in my 4-cc band. My post fill diet is 5 to 7 days of thick liquids. No meat, crackers, or dry foods until 3 to 4 weeks. I have lost since my fill, but I am hungry. Only because fluids go through the band quicker than solids. I am unsure of what solid food will be like. I am extremely hopeful that I have good restriction.
I am starting to get compliments, and it's very inspiring.
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4/16/06
Happy Easter!
I was refilled on 4/13 because I felt no restriction, and I was right. Apparently, some of my fill came out when my surgeon released the syringe set up he was using. I am now filled to 2.5 cc's. I am very aware of restriction, and am pretty sure I was swollen for a couple of days. I have PB'd one time with this fill, and hope to God I don't do it again. Yes, it's as bad as they say. I was miserable for a few hours. I think it was the pretzel sticks I had to keep my blood sugar up. I guess they became doughy and clogged my stoma. I didn't have any sugary juice to drink.
I have not attempted to eat ANY bread items. I am able to eat protein bars though. I am just going to take it slow! I am so happy!
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6/2/06
It's been a while. I've been up and down. However, I feel more optimistic today. I have been exercising regularly and am feeling better about myself. I wonder where this journey will take me? I wonder what I will look like with 92 more pounds gone?! The last 34 have made a real difference!
I had another fill yesterday. I am now at 3 cc's in my 4 cc band. I am almost afraid to eat anything. I have just done smoothie's and protein shakes so far.
Still have no regrets.
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6/21/06
Summer is moving right along. I have lost over 40 pounds. I am still very tight, but seem to be loosening up a bit. I can tolerate more food at a time. However, some things really gag me. I consider myself a slow loser, but I am hopeful. I have been spending lots of time at the pool with my kids. I don't feel as self-conscience this year. My clothes size has gone down, and I am hoping to be even slimmer by summers end. I have calculated my goal weight to be sometime in April of 07.
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7/14/06
I am now 5 months post op. I can't believe how time flies. I am down about 46 pounds. I am getting the hang of the band. I have found, for me, that two weeks before my period that I stop losing weight. I hold onto about 4 pounds of water weight. After my period stops, I usually lose 2 to 4 of it. So, I am still averaging about 2 pounds per week.
I have met some great people along the way. I have even inspired some people to take on their own health issues. I have been asked to be on a panel for post op. Also, possibly lead a lap band group when I am a year out. Both are something to think about.
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9/21/06
I am now over 7 months post op. I am a very slow loser. I will say though, that at least it's coming off. I had another fill today, however, I don't believe I am much tighter than I was coming in. I am around 3 cc's. I didn't get how much the put in. Taking it out the check was 2.8 cc's.
Onward and upward.
291/241/165
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1/9/07
It's almost my one year bandiversary! I can't believe how fast it's gone. I believe my fill level is at 3.2 cc's. My restriction comes and goes with my period. Some days are very, very tight, others not so much.
I am starting to really show a different body. I've lost 66 pounds. I've now lost more than I need to lose. There are 60 pounds left!
I am having some friends act differently around me, but I guess it comes with it. It's very sad, but I have to look at what I am gaining. A new life!!
I get lots of "my God, you've lost a TON of weight" remarks. The attention is bittersweet. I watched my surgery again yesterday. I'm still amazed at my size. How could I have been so big?!
I've joined a group called TOPS. I weigh-in each week. I think it helps to be accountable each week. I've picked up some new friends and support too.
291/225/165
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2/13/07
Today is my Bandiversary. I can't believe how fast the year has gone! I feel great. I feel normal. I feel sexy. I feel hopeful. I have officially lost more than I have to lose. I also no longer qualify for lapband surgery! I'm too thin!
I am now at a 3.8 cc fill level. I am very restricted. I have noticed about one week before my period, I am VERY tight. I don't get hungry until around noon. I can eat very, very little.
I am so happy, thrilled, and proud of myself!
291/224/165
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4/12/07
Where does the time go!? I think I am in a "zone". I've lost a little bit each week for over 4 weeks. *crossing fingers* Everyday I'm a little closer to goal. However, I'm not sure where I should be on the scale anywhere from 144 to 165 seems to be the range.
I haven't been under 200 pounds since college! I can't believe how close I am.
I still have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat!
291/213/165
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