1 week!

Yesterday was one week since I have been banded!  Things are getting better everyday.  I am still a little tender and yesterday I did WAY to much, like gave my big beast of a dog a bath and I payed for it last night and today.  I took it WAY easier today.  I had my post-op appt this morning and all is good.  I am now on full liquids and tolerating that great!  I met with the nutritionist today and I still can't figure out how they expect a person to get 60gms protein a day when the only want you to eat 1/2 cup three times a day.  Even if you eat really high protein foods, with only half a cup it seems nearly impossible without adding in a protein shake here and there.  They said I could have protein shakes now, but as I progress I need to phase them out.  I still say if I need the protein I will have one.  The protein powder I use is only 100 calories per scoop and no carbs or sugars.  What do you all do?  Well, that's about it, pretty uneventful around here.   Well one more thing....I am down 10 pounds since surgery so that is 20 pounds total!!  The doc did warn me that I may gain some back as I add more food, but thats okay.  They told me my first fill in 6 weeks will be 6cc!!  So exciting! Toodles

SO much better.

Thank you all so much for your kind and supportive comments the last couple days.  I am feeling LOADS better today and even got out of the house for a bit.  My good friend April came to  pick me up and took me to Target, it was great!!  Target is one of my favorite places.  April had gastric bypass about 3 years ago and she has been great suppport.  I called her this morning and told her I woke up starving, she said I needed Jello.  I didn't have any sugar free Jello so I got some while we were there.  The Hubby just made it for me and I can't wait to eat it! I didn't think I would feel hungry today, but I do.  I could eat a horse.  Well.....not really my band would definetly stop that at this point.  I am actually feeling my band, its awesome and weird all in one.  If I take to big of sip I feel it, if I drink to fast, I feel it.  There is lots of gurgling going on in there.  I bought a whole bunch of stuff for next week as well.  Buttery grits, creamy soup,  pudding, and lots of yummy teas and juices that I can even have now.  The next few days will be difficult as I can feel the swelling going down and the hunger start, but I know I can do this.  I just have to make it to Tuesday and then I am on full liquids and can add in my protein shakes as well and I do love those.  Well...off to nap, I took some pain meds when I got home from Target because my tummy was killing me and they are kicking in.  Thanks again for your comments, keep em comin!!

*edited to add the following*
As soon as I woke from surgery I had a lot of pain in my left shoulder and it has continued for that last several days. They said it was from the gas they pump into you. Today it was better until about an hour ago and it got bad, really bad.  I took a hot shower, put the heating pad on and hubby ran to Walgreens and got me some Gas-X.  It has subsided, but is still there.  I have researched it a little and it seems a lot of banded people had this shoulder pain post-op and some continue to have it and get it as a warning they are heading toward eating to much. Some also said it is due to a nerve on or around your diaphragm that gets pressure put on it from the band caused by swelling or overeating.  I will talk with the surgeon at my post-op on Wednesday.  Have any of you experienced this and what did/do you do to relieve the pain?

Gas, pooping, and chest pain.

Well, I am still FULL of gas.  I have been walking as much as I can, but it wipes me out.  I keep feeling like I need to burp and then get this terrible chest pain and pain in my left arm and don't burp.  It hurts and I can't figure out if it's my band or what it is.  I am suppose to drink at LEAST 48oz of fluid a day, but with all this gas a few sips and I am uncomfortable.  Any suggestions?  Also I had surgery Tuesday and still haven't pooped yet...is this okay?  They gave me stool softeners to take, but said only to take them if I was constipated.  I don't feel constipated, so I haven't taken them.  Should I be pooping by now?  Thanks for all your supportive comments.  I am trying to hang in there, but am a little discouraged today.  This gas is killing me.

BYOC

1. Let’s brag a little….what’s the best perk you’ve ever had in your job (current or past)? Any employment counts - even if you’re a stay at home mom – you have perks (and the hardest job ever in my opinion).

The best perks I had at a job was working at a medical clinic.  We had lots of  "free" drug rep lunches and dinners.  They were always at fun, swanky, expensive places that I could never afford.  

2. Do you ever lie in your blog?

No.  If I can't be honest here, why blog?

3. What do you wear to bed?

My bedtime outfit of choice is nude.  However, with 2 kiddos now it is panties and a t-shirt.  You just never know when you will need to hop out of bed and clean up puke or calm a screaming baby.

4. Where do you go for advice?

I am blessed to have many great friends and family that are always willing to lend an ear and give advice.  My husband is great at it as well, but sometimes he just wants to fix things and I don't always need a fixer.  Also when it comes to this lapband journey, here in blogland I have gotten amazing, honest advice that has been incredibly helpful.

5. Repeat question. Make someone a superstar without using a blog award. What comment or blog stuck with you the most this week and why?
 

Honestly, I have been so doped up on pain meds that I don't really remember the blogs I have read.  LOL.  I  do remember seeing a picture of Drazil all sassied up in her biker gear and thought....."she looks hot!"  Also, some pics of Amy with her girlfriend and they are SO very cute.  

I am alive!!!

Well ladies! I did it, I am now on the other side.  I am a banded woman.  Before I talk about my experience, I have say I am a person who lets it all out there.  I don't  hide facts, I really like to tell it how it is, because I hate experiencing things and thinking...why didn't anyone tell me about THIS.  Like having a baby...no one tells you all the nity grity, nasty details. I remember thinking when I was in labor and leaking fluids everywhere, why didn't any one tell me? SO here it goes.....

I not only was banded, but also had a hiatal hernia repaired.  I went in the morning of surgery and went through all the normal procedures, blood, urine, iv, etc.  They wheeled me back to surgery around 11am and and the last thing I remember was a mask on my face and them telling me to take deep breaths.  The next thing I remember is waking up to them taking the intubation tube out of my throat and it was scary.  I couldn't breath and my stomach hurt SO bad.  I was quite teary and the nurse kept rudely telling me to calm down and that she would get me some pain meds.  It kept hurting.  Finally after a half hour (I know this because she kept telling me what time it was) I was finally comfortable.  It was a little scary for me, but I got over it.  I then went to my room and stayed one night in the hospital.  The hospital stay was interesting, I won't go into detail about because it's not really important.  I will say this......I was in a lot of pain.  I kept thinking, what is wrong with you Sumer?  Everyone said it was way better than they thought it would be, but this was way worse.  I had a c-section with my last baby and this experience was FAR more painful.  My doctor then told me that it was because of the hernia repair that I was in so much pain.  I don't know why, I just know it hurt, and it took a while to find meds that would control it.  I came home the next day and honestly that night I thought I might have to go back to the hospital.  I was SO full of gas.  My stomach was so hard I felt like my incisions might burst open at any minute.  I am now on day 4 and I STILL have a lot of gas in there.  I am walking as much as I can and using heating pads, but am still really gassy. My lungs continue to hurt from the intubation, but are getting better.  How do you people do it?  I read on one blog that she went back to work 4 days post-op, going downstairs to get some broth poops me out.  I am holding on to the fact that each day is getting better.  Its hard to say if I "feel" my band yet as I still am so full of gas.  I will say that one Popsicle fills me up and I have to wait awhile to drink anything else.  I am trying to get the 48-64oz of fluids in, but it's hard, there just isn't a lot of room in there.
The experience was quite painful and continues to be somewhat painful, but I am excited to feel my band more and see what time brings me.  My BFF said I already look skinnier! LOL.  It was sweet.  Well ladies, just wanted to let you know I did it and am now one of you.  I am not trying to scare any of you out there that haven't been banded yet, just want to be honest,  MY experience was not like most I guess.  I didn't feel this way a couple days ago, but it WAS worth it and I know I will see that even more as I heal more and more.
Now I need to catch up on my blog reading.  Toodles!

Tell me it will get better after tomorrow...PLEASE!

So today is day two of clear liquid diet and I am starving.  I did okay yesterday till about 5pm and then it kicked in, stomach growling (loud), feel sick, hunger.  I woke up like that as well.  I am drinking a TON, but that seems to almost make it worse.  This morning I am trying an isopure, we will see how that does.  Will I feel less like this post banding? The thought of two weeks of liquids is making me scared.
My hubby was so sweet last night, my family had pizza and I made some comment about how it looked SO good and he said..."Not as good as that Jello looks!"  Ha ha.  It was total bullshit, but very cute.
Well ladies and gentleman....I think this is my last post as an un-banded woman!  See you on the other side!

Day 1 of of clear liquid diet.

Today is Day one and let me tell you, I am SO glad I made homemade broth.  It taste SO much better.

On another quick note, I watched Super Size Me for the first time last night and let me tell you....GREAT movie to watch 2 days post-op.  I don't know that I will eat at Mcd's  for a long time.....or ever.  EWWWW!  I feel terrible I ever fed it to my children.  It was extremely eye opening not just about fast food, but about our gluttonous country.  It's sad and scary!  Thank God I have the opportunity to have lap band surgery and to change not only MY life, but my families life in a positive way.

P.S.
2 days, 2 days, 2 days, 2 days,2 days, 2 days,2 days, 2 days,2 days, 2 days,2 days, 2 days,2 days, 2 days!!!
Can you tell I am excited?

BYOC

1. Because I’m going hardcore on Monday to lose my last 15 before vacation I’m curious….what’s the oddest diet you have tried? Or which ones have you tried and were any successful?

• I haven't ever tried anything too crazy.  I have done Atkins, cabbage soup, metabolife (YUCK!) and various others.  The only one that really worked was weight watchers, but it still was hard to lose. I did lose 30 pounds and kept if off with WW, just never when any farther than that.  The band will fix that! :)

2. Do you prefer baths or showers?

• It depends.  I like a nice bath if I want to relax.  I am sure I will enjoy baths more as I lose weight right  now now matter how much water I put in half my body STILL sticks out.  LOL.  


As for Draz's  baths with her hubby.....I like  showers with my hubby and I LOVE it when he washes my hair. There is just something about someone washing my hair, especially my man. Sexy.

3. What is your favorite breakfast food?

• Ummmm, bacon, egg and cheese mcgriddle.  The healthy side of me would say scrambled eggs with LOTS of veggies and a little cheese. 

4. What’s your least favorite word?

• jesus christ.  I hate it.  I mean not when you are talking about the actual Jesus Christ, when you say it in "vain".  It makes me feel dirty.  I do however say god damn-it a whole lot. LOL


5. Repeat question…make someone a Superstar for a day! Whose blog or comment spoke to you or stuck with you the most this week and why?

* I have to say Grace as well, Stephanie too.  I love that a lot of you are so honest in your blogging and bare it all.  It gives me great inspiration to do the same.  I love the support around here....can't say that enough!

It's official!!

It's official! Tuesday is the BIG day!  I am SO excited!  I can't even begin to tell you how sad I was when they said we would have to cancel.  I spent two days eating and well....let just say the next couple days will be full liquids as I need to lose the 3 pounds I gained in the two days of eating.  Not healthy.  I can't wait to have my band to stop me from doing such stupid things.  The scale was back down this morning, but I will continue full liquids till Sunday when I then will switch to clear liquids.  I feel great and  can't wait for Tuesday to come. 

Again, Thank you all SO very much for your support.  I love that we all have eachother to vent to and to help pick us up when we fall.  I see it over and over and over again and ladies....I feel the love.

Off to take my son to physical therapy.  I will be back later to do the famous BYOC!

WOO WOO!!!

Just got of the phone with the scheduler and she thinks we will be able to make the 20th work!!! YAY YAY YAY!  She said she is not concerned and the MD wants to stick with this date!  She will let me know for sure Friday.  So those of you that pray....please pray, those of you that cross fingers....please cross some for me!  AGHHH! What a roller coaster!

AGGGHHHH!

I am so sad, mad, furious, depressed and most of all disappointed.  I called the surgery scheduler this am to see if she had received my psych eval.  I was told that NO, she had not received it and that since it was so close to surgery we are going to have to reschedule.  NO SHIT.... I have been calling you weekly since my psych eval because you told me it was quicker to have it done at your facility that to have it done at the clinic I already had it scheduled at an earlier date. Every week you tell me you haven't gotten it and that I just have to wait or that I should call the psych office and remind them.  I did all of the above.  You knew last week when I talked with you that you still didn't have it in your hot little hands yet you let me go another week thinking I would have my scheduled surgery.  THEN when I call to check with you today you don't even show an ounce of empathy when you tell me we will have to reschedule a few weeks from now.  WTF?  I feel like I have been left at the alter.  I know I WILL have the surgery, but I wanted it to be July 20th.  I have worked my ass off for JULY 20TH!!  I know I will be able to see all the positives tomorrow and be able to look at the big picture, but today I am mad. I am sad, and I wish the scheduler could at least take some accountability for leading me on.  Till tomorrow, and hopefully I will have another surgery date.

Cutting it a little close for MY comfort.

Well, as I have said here before my surgery is scheduled for July 20th.  I talked with the scheduler last week and she still hadn't received my psychiatric evaluation and said we just needed to wait to send everything in for insurance approval.  I got antsy and called the psych office to remind him that the surgery is scheduled for the 20th, he is not in until Tuesday this next week and that will be one week till surgery.  WTF?  Seems like we are cutting it really close and  now I am terrified that I won't get to be banded that day.  I hate it that I have to depend on someone else to get shit done for me to have this surgery.  I have done every last thing they have asked of me.  The scheduler didn't seem really concerned, so that is a plus.  I also have a friend that used to work at my surgeons office and she said not to worry.

I guess I am just worrying about everything.  Again, same things as I listed before, pain, can I REALLY do this, am I strong enough, ect.  I know I can, I know I will,  so it's crazy that I am doubting myself so much.  I guess it is part of the process for me and I KNOW I will overcome it. I am a strong woman and this is nothing compared to my the crazy life I have been living the last several years.  I will talk about this sometime, but for now I will just say this....my husband was diagnose with MS 2 years ago and 6 months later came a bi-polar diagnosis and a lay off from his job.  He has yet to be back to work.  It's been tough, but through this I have learned just how very strong I am, my husband is, and my children are.  This lapband should be a piece of cake right?

I am sorry I haven't commented a lot lately, I have to read blogs for the most part from my phone and it's just hard to type on that damn thing.  I am hoping to get a laptop before my surgery so that I can lay in bed and read and type away!

Well....time to finish my cleaning...again I feel like I am nesting, in a major way.  At least my house will be all cleaned and organize!

It's happening so fast!

It is finally hitting me.  In two weeks I will be banded!  AHHHHHH!  I am getting nervous.  I am nervous for the pain after surgery (I am a HUGE baby).  I am scared to want to eat and not be able to.  I can't imagine eating a half a cup of food and feeling satisfied.  How do you deal with the hunger till you get your first fill? Will I be able to feel the band after surgery?  How do you get all the protein in that you need, with only 1 1/2 cups of food a day?  Is it okay to sip on protein shakes?  These are just a few of my worries/questions.  I kind of ate whatever I wanted over the weekend thinking....this is the last chance I will be able to and today I am paying.  I want to eat MORE crap.  Time to get back on the wagon....like NOW.  I want to spend the next two weeks cleaning and getting organized, making some meals to put in the freezer for my family, and also to get my serger up and running so that I can sew a bunch of clothes for the kids as I am recovering.  I also think it is time to reveal the scariness of my body pre-op....This is a month ago with some friends at a parade.  That is my daughter hiding on the left.  I am on the far left in the purple shirt.  

I had my hubby take some of me...like full body shots, arms, face, ect. Well....let just say this....the man could use a photography class.  LOL.  Half of them are blurry and the head cut off, so I will have my girlfriend take some after we have coffee on Wed.  Well....that's it for now, I am off to clean and worry some more.  :)