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jennilamb007's Blog
 

Suddenly Nervous

Well, after months of feeling confident and brave as can be, today the nerves hit like mad. I am happy and I am looking forward to the changes ahead but I got really nervous about the fact that the day after tomorrow I will be in surgery having a procedure I have dreamed about done. I feel like crying. In fact, it is right there on the cusp of happening. Maybe I am nervous that it won't work for me like it has for others, maybe I am scared to finally be the size I was in my 20's, maybe I am just a typical person who should be a bit nervous and I daresay scared of going into surgery. I am usually calm as can be about these things, but this is a life changer. I will be fine. I am just getting the pre-banding jitters I guess. I need to breathe and clear my head of negativity and know that I will be fine. My boss came by the office to tell me that if it was okay with me that he and a few others would like to pray with me for a great outcome and success. I was touched by the gesture. He told me that he felt that this surgery was going to be a major blessing that should be embraced and he never talks much. I think maybe that was just something I really needed to hear. I hope that it helps anyone who reads it here too. This is a blessing to be embraced. I wish everyone great success in getting healthy. I will check back in tomorrow and right before surgery. I will keep you posted.   Take care, Jen
jennilamb007

jennilamb007

5
Journey2Health
 

1 Week Out

Hello all, Its officially been 1 week today since my surgery...and I went back to work today. I am a Kindergarten teacher, so I'm definitely taking it easy but these are the fun days before break when you do holdiay activities! Couldn't miss that. Though I'm glad to see my students, I am extremely exhausted. I'm finding that just raising my voice is wearing me out. The port site pain has defintiely subsided and my incisions aren't even bothering me. The only thing I still feel is a tighness at the top of my stomach, I guess where the band is. I haven't felt this before. I thought I just might be bloated but that usually passes within an hour or two. I haven't had any pain around where I would suspect the actual band is, but its actually a little sore to touch today. Not sure what this is about. Any insights? I go back for my post-op appointment in 2 days so hopefully by then it won't be an issue any more.   After surgery I had the surgical strips covering the actual incisions and then basically big band-aids covering the strips. I took the band-aids off after 48 hours but the strips are still on. They are starting to peel a little bit and I'm wondering when I can take them off? As I'm getting lazier in the shower and just wanting to get in and out as opposed to "bird bathing" they are getting more wet.   P.S. After I was out all last week, first thing this morning one of my co-workers commented saying it looked like I had lost weight. What a good feeling to already know its working and my decision was worth it Hope others are seeing results already too!
journeytohealth

journeytohealth

2
Lisa Marie Humberson's Blog
 

Post-op Day 6 And 7

Well yesterday was a world a difference from days 1-5. I didn't have to take pain medication all day. I felt INCREDIBLE! i did my hair and makeup and went shopping at the mall for a few hours. I still havent felt hungry so this whole liquid diet is not a problem. I am realizing how much I enjoy food though. We have beautiful desserts in the kitchen and im not hungry but i want to eat them. That is probably one of the hardest parts. But at least I get to eat ice cream... but that doesnt compare to a homemade stickybun. One of my closest friends got home from school in cali and my other friend came home as well so of course we were laughing all night. Needless to say, I had to go to sleep at 11pm because i was so incredibly sore. I rather be sore from laughing all night though than be sore from surgery. I slept till 7 and I feel great today!   Today... i woke up a little sore from last night but took a very small dosage of meds and I am good again. My swelling is finally going down. Today is ONE WEEK since surgery and I havent weighed myself today.. but as of yesterday i was 11 pounds down!!!! It is unreal... i feel like i am lying to everyone when i tell them i have lost that much weight but i really have. ITS JUST UNBELIEVABLE TO ME!!!
Lisa Marie Humberson

Lisa Marie Humberson

1
legnarevocrednu's Blog
 

Guilt :(

You know that miraculous restraint I mentioned in my previous blog?? Well, scratch that! I caved yesterday. In my defense, I was sick. I skipped breakfast (I know, BAD!), then had 4 or 5 tortellenies(sp) from the healthy choice soup and threw the rest away. About two hours later, I took some meds to help with my horrible cold and the headache that came with it. 45 minutes later, I was throwing up muccus (I apologize for the TMI). It was awful! It was the first time I had thrown up since surgery and I am so nervous that it hurt something. I was at my moms and had such a horrible taste in my mouth, that I grabbed the first thing I could find and ate it...which happened to be a chocolate rice krispy treat. That was the first thing I've had sweet since surgery. That wasn't the only thing I had either but I won't bore you with the details of the day's menu and my bad choices. I did still manage to stay under my calories, but they certainly weren't GOOD calories! Then this morning I get to work and the post man brings in a Harry & David treat basket! I feel like crying. I had one chocolate covered cherry (50 calories) and that's all I'm planning on having. I didn't have breakfast yet again (not on purpose, I thought I had something in the fridge, but I didn't). I feel like crying! It's funny because I helped throw a bridal shower on Sunday and there were sooo many yummy treats but I didn't cave then! I didn't even have the baked zitti (which I LOVE!). I had 4 meatballs. 2 for Lunch, 2 for dinner. I actually skipped breakfast that day too. Totally not like me. Also, another bad thing I've been doing, is taking a sip here and there either right before and/or right after eating. It's not a lot. Just sips. I feel like it's really unrealistic to not drink anything at all an hour before and an hour after eating. I'm trying my best and most of the time I succeed, but I just can't help myself. I know I just need to jump right back on the band wagon. I've proved to myself I can do this. I just hate this feeling of guilt!! I hate feeling like I'm on a diet. Oh and another interesting story! I went to pick up a friend from the airport and we stopped at Cheesecake Factory on the way back. The cool thing about that place is that they tell you how many calories is in EVERYTHING and they have a separate menu for people who are trying to eat better. Anyways, I ordered the crab bites (suuuuupppperrr yummy!!! and only 400 calories!) and a peach smoothie (300 calories). My friend that was with me told me I needed to eat more...that I was starving myself. I thought that was hilarious! Actually, that was the most calories I've had since surgery (counting my breakfast and lunch that day). Miraculously, I lost weight over the weekend. 1.2 pounds to be exact. Very odd. I have a feeling my bad behavior from yesterday will catch up to me though. I pray it doesn't, but these things have consequences! I also heard that we are having pizza delivered as a Christmas gift to us on Friday. I love pizza! I just want to cry :*( I'm afraid I'm starting to become obsessive and psychotic about food. I didn't want that. I don't want to be weird about this. I just want to be NORMAL!! Anyways, that's today's rant!!
legnarevocrednu

legnarevocrednu

7
zil's Blog
 

The Beast

THE BEAST HAS ARRIVED. With all the holiday hustle and bustle, I find myself having difficulties eating the proper foods and making it to the gym. I was only able to go one day last week because of dr appts and being sick. I never thought I would say I miss exercising.   Sunday I went to a Christmas party at my friend's house. She is a fabulous cook and there was food galore. I stuck to my convictions pretty well, but did find myself munching on the stuffed and bacon wrapped dates. They were so delicious. SHAME ON ME. Yester was not much better with eating because I had errands to do in town. And because I do not want my family to feel left out because I am dieting (or should I say finally living), I am still baking and preparing foods for my family beause I don't want them to feel deprived because of me...the good thing is that I am only making half as much of the goodies...no double batches this year. When it is gone, it is gone, and I will not be helping myself!   Today I am happy to say I am managing to get into the swing of things and get back on the wagon and am feeling pretty good about things. I am even going to make it to the gym this afternoon. NO EXCUSE NOT TO GO!   This is time of year is among my favorite. I love the festivities and the gathering of family and friends and good times. I have discovered that I am a social eater and therein lies the BEAST. So much of our lives (me and my family/friends) i surrounded by food and drink, and since my hubby is Italian, the theory is EAT, EAT, EAT, or in Italian, Mange, Mange, Mange. That is how I came to become almost 300 pounds...that and because they are easily insulted if you don't eat (is that because they are such wonderful cooks?)   Anyway, this is my way of venting and releasing my frustrations. I am going to need to stay focused, and remember my motto, "hunger is a figment of my imagination".
zil

zil

3
LilMissDiva's Corner
 

From: My Plastics Journey - My First One (of Several)

I wanted to throw in an update because just... WOW!!! For MONTHS I've been stressing due to all the swellings, weight gains and whatever else comes with plastic surgery... however - as always with time comes healing and RESULTS!!! Every single day now I'm seeing humungous differences!! I'm over the moon right now, and THANKING EVERYTHING GOOD that I chose the right surgeons. They performed literally miracles for me. I. AM. HAPPY.   In the last 4 weeks alone I've dropped NEARLY 15 INCHES off my whole body!!!! YAYAYEEESSSSS!!!!!   Picture Updates:   carweightintrunk.bmp     Source: My Plastics Journey - My first one (of several)
LilMissDiva Irene

LilMissDiva Irene

6
dsua's Blog
 

Hair Loss

So I am 4 1\2 months post op I have been dealing with hair loss and I have recently became very gassy I have been drinking carbonated water I drank it a few time now I'm scared I might have stretched my sleeve.
dsua

dsua

3
Jeo's Jiggle Journey
 

First Call, "hello, This Is Heaven."

Hello, bloggers!   I'm a happy, energetic and fluffy college student!   I've always been big, like... big as in... I was around 192 lbs in sixth grade. I mean, I guess I looked decent since I was 5'6. I still am 5'6. I'm a tree! I just need to slim up that way.   I've been researching about lapband surgery since I was about seventeen years old and I immediantly became interested in it.
Jeongbu

Jeongbu

2
Maddy's Blog
 

How Was Your Experience With You Sleeve Md?

I had my sleeve surg done way back in july of this year. I had the two most awesome surgeons. Dr Misra and Dr Feiz from Beverly Hills, Ca. Both were amazing with me. My surgery last just about an hour and half with no complications. As of today I just 3pds shy of my 3rd goal weight.   How did your doctor do for you?
Maddy

Maddy

3
Karrie88's Blog
 

Food Mourning

I was doing some Xmas shopping today and I realized how addicted I was to fast-food. I never thought twice grabbing a couple tacos or cheeseburgers and down it with a big gulp of mt.dew while I did errands in town. Some days I would have fast-food twice in one day! So today I was in mourning, just the thought of not having fast food saddens me. But fast food is how I got to be so overweight. Each bite I took added numbers to the scale, inches on my hips, and more chins then I can count. This is a whole new world for me. I need to accept the fact that I'm not the person that I once was. This will be a long road for me and it's not going to be easy. BUT, it will allllll be worth it when I'm able to love myself again and embrace life. And besides, I might be able to buy myself a new car with all the money I will be saving from not buying tacos, cheeseburgers, and big gulp mt.dew's!!
Karrie88

Karrie88

5
Fabulous Sasha's Blog
 

17 Days Post Op

I am 17 days post op. I have a 10cc band. Dr. Fox put 1cc in my band at the time of surgery. I am feeling some restrictions (tighting of my chest after small meals (less than 3/4 of cup) that last 3-4 hours). It appears my band is open a little during the day but after 8:00 pm is really opens as I can eat a lot more at night. I was told I still may have some swelling that is causing the restrictions. My first fill appointment is scheduled for January 4, 2012. I have not decided if I am going to get a fill or not. I have views many of what I feel are horror stories resulting from fills. I have lost 13 pounds since my initial appointment with True Results on November 18, 2011 (surgery date 12/2/2011). I am at 181 pounds and my goal weight is 145 pounds. My incisions are healing very well. I have learned soo much from reading this forum. This site has definitely been my support through this process.
Fabulous Sasha

Fabulous Sasha

0
Fabulous Sasha's Blog
 

My Lb Journey

Hello, this is my first entry. I am 39 years old and was banded on 12/2/2011. I have been struggling with my weight for the last 8 years with a steady BMI of 34. I could no longer control my eatting habits and the weight was just not leaving the way it used to. I am married; however, I only told one person I was being banded; and she did not understand why. I didn't want to hear the criticism from anyone. I prayed about my decision and this was a personal choice. My husband of 14 years does not understand - he does not feel anyone should have surgery to loose weight. He believes you should be able to do it with mere will power. Needless to say, the first couple of days was challenging but I am now 17 days post op and no one have a clue that I have had the surgery. I was sore for the first 2 days (the pain medicine was awesome) and I told my family I was on a liquid diet thus is the reason why I was not eating.
Fabulous Sasha

Fabulous Sasha

2
sexymomma001's Blog
 

Weird Feeling In Chest

I had some grits for breakfast and a small cup of coffee that I did not even finish, and all day I have had this feeling of having to thow up...not gagging, not even nauseated...just a weird feeling like something is just sitting there and then at diffrent times it feel like it wants to come up ...but again im not gagging neither am I nauseated.   Whats going on? Im almost 4 weeks post op..Help please
sexymomma001

sexymomma001

4
jennilamb007's Blog
 

Surgery In Less Than 3 Days And I Am Down 11 Pounds

In less than 3 days I will be happy to add Portia to my family (that is going to be the name of my lap band/port system). Portia is Latin for gift and she will be a happy gift for yours truly. I have not felt scared or anxious, just excited. I am ready to get rid of all this excessive baggage that I have carried around like a badge of poor choices and regret. I just wish that I had been able to do this 15 years ago honestly. The pre-op liquid diet continues and with just two more days to go, I have lost 11 pounds. I am thrilled. More than that, I am thrilled that I wont be gaining it back. I understand that in the hospital you get loaded up on fluids from the IV and so forth, so I won't be upset if there is a gain because I know one good pee and it will be gone. LOL. I am not even anxious about the pain involved afterward either, because I know it is temporary and will pass with each day. I am happier than I have ever been about anything and I am ready to change my life and move forward. No more looking back and certainly no more wallowing in how bad I look and feel right now. Good things are ahead for me...and for you as well. Good luck to all of you having surgery this week and Congrats to those who have had it done.   Take care, Jen
jennilamb007

jennilamb007

5
zil's Blog
 

We Can Do This

The holiday parties may be torture for us bandsters...but we can and we will survive. Here's wishing you all the best.   MERRY CHRISTMAS
zil

zil

2
roeroe's Blog
 

Day 19 Post Op

what are the sounds coming from my stomach and when are they going to stop. my son won't even sit on my anymore, he says he can't stand all the grumbling sounds. is it gas, when does that go away? i feel like an alien.
roeroe

roeroe

3
Mirandita's Blog en espanol
 

Mi Lap Band Journey En Espanol... Ohh Yes :)

Hola mi nombre es Miranda y al igual que muchos de ustedes decidi hacer algo por mi sobrepeso. asi que en el mes de agosto decidi hacerme LAP BAND y todo habia sido fenomenal hasta el ultimo mes donde empezaron los holidays y los partys etc... estoy segura de haber tomado la mejor decision solo que he faltado a mi promesa de hacer todo lo que en mi cabia por cumplir con mi compromiso de un nuevo estilo de vida.... siento que necesito hablar de todos mis aciertos y de todos mis errores... yo se que no soy la unica que ha tenido este problema y aunque hablo bien ingles mi idioma es el espanol, asi que porque no hablar de esto en mi idioma. Espero que pronto podamos formar una comunidad donde compartamos ideas y tips para lograr nuestro objetivo. Sinceramente Miranda
Mirandita

Mirandita

1
Caribear's Blog
 

Dr. Oz Show Turned My Mom Off To Wls

OK, this entry is a little long-winded, but bear with me. I will get there eventually.   The day my rheumatologist first brought up the idea of bariatric surgery was a hard day for me. Not so much because of that particular appointment, but because of the one after it. I had to drive to Dayton, see my rheumatologist, waste several hours, then go to my first appointment with a pain management doctor. Dayton is quite a drive, and for me to come all the way home only to turn around and come back right after would have been ridiculous. So I spent some time eating lunch, playing on my cell phone, and looking at the clock every two minutes until it was time to see the PM doc. In the meantime it had started to rain. Anyone who has fibromyalgia will tell you that the rain usually makes you hurt worse, and I'm no exception. Plus all the time spent sitting in seats of varying softness and comfort levels had really put my back in severe pain. When it was finally time for my appointment, I was ready. Really, really ready.   The nurse spent about an hour taking a full medical history and asking all kinds of questions about my pain. My fibromyalgia is fairly well controlled, but the sciatica from my slipped discs is not, and that was the reason for the visit. My rheumatologist suggested injections to help make me functional again. Anyway, I had included information about my fibromyalgia in my history because I felt it was only right. Fibro has its own set of complications, and if they didn't know about it, that could alter my course of treatment. But I did make sure to tell the nurse that I was there for the sciatica, not the fibro.   I waited another 45 minutes for the doctor to see me. When he finally came in, he flipped open my chart, scanned through it, and started talking about my fibromyalgia. He suggested I start taking Lyrica for the pain. I had already discussed this with my rheumatologist, and she had decided against it because it has a high tendency to cause people to gain weight, and I told him that. The next drug he mentioned was Savella. This is the only drug I am allergic to. I had tried it and was hospitalized twice because of rapid heart rate, sky-high blood pressure, and uncontrollable vomiting. It stated this clearly in my chart. It was then that I realized that this guy really didn't give a crap about helping me. Somehow we came around to discussing the fact that my rheumy had suggested WLS, and he gave me a long lecture about how it "wasn't an easy way out" etc. etc. and how I should just basically buckle down and try Weight Watchers. Then he told me that he thought I would be better suited for a different pain management program and that he would refer me, and left the room.   Immediately I started to cry. I couldn't help myself. I had spent all day in pain, waiting for this man to help give me some relief, and all he did was lecture me and walk away. I tried to hide my tears from the nurse who came to give me my paperwork, but she could tell I was very upset. I made it out of the office, out the door and to my car before I broke down in uncontrollable sobbing. I texted my boyfriend about what had happened. He texted back some expletives about the doctor, but didn't call me. I was glad he didn't because I was crying too hard to talk anyway. I literally cried the whole 60+ miles home.   When I got home, I called my mom right away. She could hear the hurt in my voice and started asking me all kinds of questions. I told her all about the PM doc and my awful experience while she aww-ed and poor baby-ed me until I felt a little better. Then I briefly mentioned the rheumy bringing up bariatric surgery. That set her off. "No. No. No. I'm sorry, the answer is no. You are not doing that." I was a little bit shocked by her reaction. I couldn't handle any more emotional upset, so I quickly got off the phone and went to bed.   The next day, I called her again. I gingerly brought up the WLS again, and she explained that she had seen an episode of Dr. Oz about it and that she wouldn't have me doing that. I didn't see the show, but she told me about it. Apparently there were several women on the program who described "the horrors" of surgery. One woman showed a day's worth of food, which I guess was about 3 tablespoons of mushy stuff. There were mentions of huge amounts of excess skin and serious malnutrition. The woman's digestion was so disrupted my the operation that she had to take enzymes for the rest of her life just to digest her food. My mom had been so appalled by the show that she said she would not let me have surgery. I explained to her that I was actually considering it, and that the lap-band did not have all of those issues associated with it; some, but not all. She seemed surprised that I would even think about doing such a thing. "I would think that surgery would be your last option." Well, mom, what do you think it is? Have you not seen me struggle with my weight for all these years? Have you not heard me cry about how uncomfortable I am with my body? Have you not thought about how much pain I am causing myself by basically carrying around another full-grown person with me at all times? And did you not also watch my dad die a slow and miserable death brought about by the same thing?   I have since given her a lot of information about the lap-band procedure vs. the other surgical options available. I have shown her how it is safer and equally as effective if used properly. We talked about how, since my stomach will remain intact, my digestion will not be altered nearly as much. She has begun to come around to the idea, but she still has huge reservations. I will be bringing her to my informational seminar in January so she can hear exactly what the surgeon has to say. She was relieved that I will have to do 9 months supervised diet per my insurance company. I think she feels like she has at least that much time to change my mind.   In the end, it really is my decision. I am a grown woman and do not need my mom's permission to have the surgery. But it would comfort me greatly to have her blessing. I know she would support me no matter what, but the idea of making such a life-altering decision without her full backing is scary to me. I guess I have nine months or so to change her mind.   Thanks, Dr. Oz.
Caribear

Caribear

6
cori jo's Blog
 

2 Days Into 2 Week Pre-op....

The countdown is on....11 days to surgery! I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow~it can't come soon enough! I am so excited! I was instructed to do the "slim fast" shake diet or drink two shakes a day and eat one meal. I have found a chocolate shake that I actually like. I mix it with skim milk and ice. Tomorrow I have decided to add a little bit of vanilla yogurt. We will see how that goes. I have been a little emotional today. I am not quite sure why. I think I spent tooooo much time worrying and thinking about the surgery. I have my fears but its a very important step that I have to take. I am so sick of being unhappy with my weight. This is a step in the right direction. Thank you for all the blogs. I really enjoy reading everyone's views and everyone's experiences. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your support and positive words!
cori jo

cori jo

1
Lisa Marie Humberson's Blog
 

Helping With The Gas Pains

I have been dealing with these gas pains since surgery and even gas-x doesnt seem to be helping so i began to search online.   What i found that seems to be helping me: 1. make sure to drink some "hot" beverages (preferably tea or coffee) 2. rocking back and forth while sitting stirs up the bubbles which makes them move. 3. use a heating pad to transfer heat to the areas that are irritated.   It is ridiculous how well these are working and they are all natural ways! YAY! hope this works for some of you!
Lisa Marie Humberson

Lisa Marie Humberson

4

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