noweighting

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It's been a week now since my surgery and I actually feel great.  Not ready to run laps yet but better than I thought I would. The surgery itself came and went so fast I can't believe it's over with.  I went in at 10:30, the last thing I remember is the anesthetist putting something in my IV and the next thing I was back in my room waking up to see 3 of my kids with me!  What a great way to wake up and know you made it.
I was on a Morphine pump which helped alot.  I was up at least 8 times that first night for the bathroom and after the first time with help from my nurse I was getting up and down by myself.  Being a nurse myself I know how important it is to MOVE after surgery, so I did.  And I have a pretty high pain tolerance so that helped.  The only thing that really bothered me was having the JP drain in.  I felt like I couldn't take a deep breath.  The surgery was on a Monday and I elected to stay till Wed morning.  The JP Drain came out and I was so relieved!! I went home and have not taken any pain meds since I left there. The other incisions do not bother me at all.
Since I've been home I feel like I'm getting stronger every day.  The full liquids are getting boring but they keep me satisfied.  It is so weird to see food commercials now.  The foods look so good but I really don't want them.  I would just like to taste them or chew them or something-like I said weird.
I'm schduled to go back to work tomorrow night.  I know they are not happy with me since I only had a 3 day notice between meeting my surgeon and scheduling the surgery, so I messed up the entire schedule.  Oh well, if I lose my job I can easily find another.  The most important thing here is my life.  I do have my military retirement so It's not that big of a deal anyway. I just fel bad that I put the other staff in such a bad position.
So, thats where I am now.  I'm glad I did this for myself and my kids, and even though I'm not yet back to normal, I know I made the right choice for me. And I am so happy to have this website and supporters out there.

My surgery is only two days away and I'm petrified and confident at the same time.  Petrified about the what ifs but confident that I'm doing the right thing for me.I know that all things happen for a reason, thats why the opportunity came so suddenly for the surgery date. I understand that without the surgery my liver condition can progress to cirrhosis and my "good" hip will need replacing sooner than later.But still in the back of my mind are the fears and what Ifs.  I will just keep praying for peace of mind and turn it over to God because I know that through Him all  things are possible.I am so grateful this site is here for support and I so appreciate all the support and information I have gained from it.

I've been cleared with all the preliminaries and finally have my appt with the surgeon next week March 24th.  Yeah!! It seems like this has taken so long to happen.  I started the "pathway" in May last year and waited until November for the initial screening appt.  The military has a lot of people waiting for this surgery!  Anyway, I'm almost there now and can hardly believe it. 

As many others, I have struggled with the extra poundage for most of my life.  My first diet was as a sophomore in high school.  I have been fairly successful on the many diets, but like everyone else, cannot keep the weight off for any real length of time.  Spent many years in the military and lots of time on remedial physical fitness programs, which required getting up very early in the morning for mandatory exercise.  Some how made it through all that only to retire and really start packing on the pounds because I've been pretty much a couch potato.  I do have an active job as a nurse, but other than that, nothing in the way of regular exercise.  Two years ago I started having hip pain and found out I had osteoarthritis in both hips.  The first was replaced in December 2008, and the other is starting to go now too.  Last summer I found out I have NASH, a more severe form of fatty liver disease.  My Dr. says the lap band may or may not help reverse that.  So although my BMI isn't that bad,  I'm pretty much desperate to have this done to save me from a potential liver transplant, or worse, down the road.  When I joined the military  I weighed 135, and at my highest I was 235 which I cannot believe.  How did that happen?  I am the single mom to 4 kids.  My oldest is grown and out the door, but still have 3 at home 18,16 and 13.  My youngest has special needs, Down Syndrome and type 1 diabetes, so I need to be here for her especially.  All my kids are very supportive of my decision to do this, but I am very grateful this web site and support system are here to help me too.