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the mental game

I went to the fill appointment today. My regular Dr was out so I saw the PA. Wow what a difference. I always had a problem with my Dr telling me he was ok with my progress and not really giving me motivation to keep going. Well the PA didn't pull any punches. She quizzed me on my food choices and made suggestions on alternatives. She said she could give me a fill but didn't think it would help with the things or the way I am eating. It would probably just make me get stuck and have a unfill. I am just choosing foods too soft and not substantial enough to stick with me. And of course not making the best choice with high calorie stuff. She explained how having a glass of wine before a meal just relaxes the pouch enough that you don't feel the full signal and over eat. Duh? I always knew I eat more when I drink. Now I know why.   So it's back to the mental game. Remembering the why of doing this and figuring out the how.
ajoneen

ajoneen

2
 

Im Back In The Saddle Again

Im coming to a place I've seen before- I am within view of 200(currently 212). This seems to be one of my biggest hurdles. I've been working really hard at the gym since last Feb, when I started a 3 day a week "Team WeightlossTraining" which includes a half hour of nutrition a week. Last week I completed another Triathlon. Right now activity isn't a problem. I sucked it up, made an appoingment and dragged a very supportive friend to the band Dr. in Feburary and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. I've been back twice since(2 fills) and have had a barium swallow to make sure the band/pouch was in good shape. The band is holding up its end of the bargin.   Im scared shitless that something will come along and derail me again.   Im glad I had the courage to write this blog in the first place, rereading some of the old entries was hard but I've also learned alot about myself.   Peace A
ajoneen

ajoneen

2
 

How you doin'? Me, not so good.

The same three pounds are on and off. I'm essentially the same weight I was this time last year. I know if I worked harder at it I would have more success. My food choices are for the most part good. Im sure there could be more tweaking but realistically I can't do any better. Exercise is the hard part. If I could do 3-5 days a week I know I would be a success. I responded well to coaching but I've hit my $$ limit. Personal trainers work but are expensive!! I can not afford to invest any more. I had reduced the sessions to once a week thinking that would stretch out the time I had and hold me accountable. Ha! Even with me paying for him to care I could tell he was losing interest. Today it really hit me because I went to my trainers only to find he is out of business. I had prepaid for my sessions and am now out that $$. I wish I had someone in my life that cared more about my health then I do.   My job is sucky. I do the financial side of the business and can see that the company is sinking. We are downsizing like crazy and moving the office to a smaller location but I think I will need to be looking for another job soon. Which sucks because Im socially close to my boss & his family and that friendship will suffer. Ya more stress.   I gotta say Im feeling like a failure. I used to look in the mirror and think I looked good. Big yes, but good. Now I just see hanging, flabby, rolls of skin.   I am the stereotypical fat person. I complain about the situation but am not willing to actually do the hard work that is necessary.   Not sure why I felt the need to come over here and darken your day. Guess I just needed to unburden. Feeling guilty.
ajoneen

ajoneen

4
 

Holy Crap #251 I hoped I'd never see that number again.

HI folks It's hard to put this in writing but it has to happen if I am going to do anything about it. I was 254 when I was banded March of 08. I hit my lowest of 206 late last summer. I am as of a few minutes ago 251. My downhill slide started Nov 08. The scale got stuck or bounced up and down. I continued to work with my trainer but my food choices were not good. At my one year (3/09)with the Dr he said he was very impressed (Ha?) and to keep up the good work. Well sadly that did not happen. I had highs- going on a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska June 09 (and lows)only to have my Mom pass away the night before I left. Early summer I went to the Drs office for a fill and was told by the PA "No, go home and work on the diet, the band is working fine". Mid summer my gym closed unexpectedly because of bankruptcy and my prepaid training sessions went with it. Fall 09 saw great stress when my office downsized- BIG time. (my job is still on life support). It doesn't help to have a husband(in great shape) who "loves me no matter what size" and doesn't give me the tough love I've asked for in regards to food choices(junk food in the house, eating out most meals) and exercise habits. I've had to buy new larger size clothes after tossing all the old ones thinking I would never need them again. I received a letter from my Drs office last week addressed "To Whom It May Concern" that they haven't seen me (ya sure you don't even know my name) in a while and should make a appointment. Now that's cold. I really want to call and make that appointment but am very afraid. This band is a blessing and a curse. I've never felt like such a failure before. But without it I probably never would have done 2 triathlons. I came back here hoping to find some of the support that was so, well, supportive 2 years ago. I have to remember why I got banded in the first place.
ajoneen

ajoneen

4
 

Hard work pays off.

Ok I seem to bitch alot in the Blog about stalling so I guess I should be fair and post about when it is working.   Hard work pays off. I've started the downward trend again. Finally. But in retrospect I have to say I wasn't really consistent with my efforts.   Since my level of activity has always been pretty active, for my body to lose weight, I really have to kick it up a few notches. So daily runs/jogs/walks and multiple weight training days are needed to boost my metabolism. Upping my water/fluid consumption has seemed to be something that helps too.   This is also a more active time of year for me with the addition of water sports and more sunshine.   So to those of you struggling- Just keep at it.   TTFN, Amanda
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

Yes, life is good.

I have recommitted myself. I have an exercise focus. I found a Duathlon (Duathlon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) in my area on Oct 19th. I'm journaling my food . Got to keep a handle on intake. I'm seeing the Dr. on the 9/19, possibly for another fill.   Im taking an opportunity to do some volunteer work. Horse therapy. Once a week.   I've stated to donate platelets again.   Yes life is good.
ajoneen

ajoneen

3
 

Making changes- Wise words.

I haven't allowed myself to dwell on why I might fail, or why I have periods where I am not succeeding as well as I may have been in a prior week or month. Why? Because good or bad, success or failure, what happens to me is based on the *choices* that I make on any given day. And because I didn't get banded so that its presence around my stomach would rule my life or make me obsess about how anything I do relates to the band. I was banded because I needed a tool, unlike any of the other tools I've used/tried in the past, that would help me a) get to a healthy state-of-being and :thumbup: remain in that healthy state. By *my* definition of healthy (again, see disclaimer), *obsessing* about the band and all the *guidelines* associated with it -successful as it (the band) and many of them (guidelines) are for me - is not healthy.   Early on in this journey, as pounds were melting away from me and I was developing my own, personalized, lifestyle of "what works for *me*", I adopted two key quotations here that became my mantra: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" and "Live life well." What struck me fairly recently is that neither has anything to do explicitly with weight-loss or dieting or the band or eating habits. The first is strictly about making choices. And it is suggestive in nature, not a directive. Otherwise it would have read, "You can, but don't." The latter is, semantically, a directive - but the meaning of "well" is not defined and subject to individual interpretation. And I'd worry about the mental stability of anyone who chooses to *not* live life well - as per their own definition. So if someone tells/suggest to me to live life well, I'd be foolish not to heed it. So I made choices, everyday, that weighed upon the outcome of my success/failure. Most were choices to follow most of the guidelines most of the time. But sometimes I chose not to follow the guidelines. The reasons don't matter. Either way, they were *my choices*. Sometimes I did give up what I really want for what I want now. I agree with that quote and we all do it from time to time. Why has that not lead to failure for me? Because I think the statement should read that we fail when we *continually* (or *consistently*, take your pick) give up what we really want for what we want now. No one is ever going to fail by living for the moment - now and then - as long as we don't lose sight of the goals for more than a moment (or two). Again, if I'm living every day, every moment wondering if every single thing I do runs counter to the long-term goals, I'm not living life well; I will have trapped myself into a mindset that may lead to a very healthy life, but that's not necessarily living life well. We all make choices. They may seem contrary or counter-intuitive but in the end, if we're happy with our choices and lead to our individual success, then we've done what we should.   These wise words came from a post by Alan of LI, NY on the SmartBandsters group on YahooGroups. I thought it would be useful to pass them along.
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

Giving myself some tough love.

I've ordered 2 books to help get the eating back on track and 1 to help with exercise: 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual, by Kaye Bailey
Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test, By Kaye Bailey
A Walking guide & Daily log.
So this week I have become more aware of what I am eating and how much. I haven't started the journal yet, but soon. I noticed that I've been skipping breakfast and snacking for no good reason.   Next week will be getting breakfast on a daily basis, and cutting out mindless snacking. I did better losing when I started the home fires of my metabolism when I first got up. I hope I also work up the courage to call my Dr. about a fill.
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

Stress. Yay

Hi all. I 've been having a bit of stress here. My mom(77yrs) broke her leg, compound fractures of the tibia and fibula. She has had one surgery and is expected to have a few more. Problem is she is not healing. Dr's say that if healing doesn't start or if an infection sets in they will have to amputate. Oh ya my parents live in California. Long distance stress.   Seems petty to also bitch about work stress. I was out all last week- yes I know it was a vacation but no one does my job when Im out. I can only imagine what it will be like the week before the cruise, in June and the weeks after.   Im visiting my sister this weekend (was planned before the vacation). She is in Kansas City, so more time on planes- probably in thunderstorms-yay.   Saw the eye Dr yesterday- I need glasses. yay.   Not losing weight. Actually really struggling to keep stable. I never knew stress to cause me to eat but now with food such an ever present focus it is the first place to take the stress hit. Well that and exercising- no energy- but I drag my A*s to the trainer because I pre-paid for that.   Im a little low right now. I need to count my blessings; husband, family, friends, home, employed, 80lbs down form my high.   Just breathe. Thanks for listening.
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

Bitch and moan.

I've been indulging in treats of the sweets & booze variety. Plus I've not worked with my trainer for 2 weeks. I had a stupidly huge meal the day after Christmas. The only saving grace was that it was pretty much the only thing I eat that day.   Im actually a bit depressed how easily I have slipped back to my former self. It has been almost a year of changing food habits and trying to create exercise habits and nothing stuck. It is so not true about doing something for a certain amount of time (3 weeks, 3 months ???) and it becomes a (new) habit. I am very fearful that this will be like other attempts. It is only a matter of time before the weight comes back, plus more. Maybe I should have had my damn stomach stapled.     PS I have also developed a F*%&ing hemorrhoid!!! WONDERFUL
ajoneen

ajoneen

6
 

Just a little update.

Hi all. I had a tiny fill today, but I know something is different. Maybe this will be the sweet spot. :wink2:   On the hunger front I'm actually fine. I make it between meals without getting unusually hungry. My problem is portion. I eat out a lot (work + it's just DH & I for dinner) EVERYTHING looks so good on the menu. I try to keep it to appetizer portion but even those can be large. Plus I'm talking while Im eating and before I know it everything on the plate is gone. Booze is also an issue. When I socialize I like to have my glass(es!) of wine. That calorie count can add up. Then a little nibble here or there and BANG!! the pounds come on. :tongue2:   I've been keeping up with the trainer 3 times a week with cardio after each session. I swim 45min once a week. I didn't make my goal of being my wedding weight on my anniversary. I'm 15lbs off. :mad2:   How about 0nerLand for the New Year. That would be 18lbs for me, which sounds like a lot cause I've only lost 9lbs this last 3 months. Hmmm I'lll give it a shot. :smile2:   Man Im sitting here drinking water and it really is going down slow. I will be so bummed if Im too tight and have problems. :sad:   On the port discomfort front. I still feel it quite a bit. I asked my Dr and he said that it's normal & the padding over the port is "melting away" (his words).   I broke down and bought a bunch of supportive underwear. Wow it really makes a difference in how my clothes fit, very smooth. It just feels weird having a waistband almost at my bra line.   Ok enough said. Bye:wink2:
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

jiggle...slap

I knew losing weight would mean my skin would become loose. I was not prepared for the resulting sounds that came with it.   I am disgusted by what I hear when I'm working out. The skin of my stomach is slapping against itself. Today my trainer asked if the noise he was hearing was from my knee. Was it popping? I said yes, finished the session and almost ran out of the gym. I was so embarrassed.   I want to cry, but I know exercise is the only was to get rid of the weight.
ajoneen

ajoneen

3
 

Getting back in the groove.

I've been tracking my food & exercise for the last week on SparkPeople. Accountability and all that.   I'm holding off on the 5 day pouch test for now. Can't say why, it just doesn't seem the right time.   I'm getting out and playing golf twice a wk(I walk, not ride) and the driving range once a wk for at least 1 hr.   Mainly I'm being more responsible and conscious for food choices and making time to move my body.
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

This sucks with a turkey baster!!

Jury duty! I got placed on a jury. A BIG, ugly case. I am not a happy camper. Im told it will last at least 4 weeks. This will really put a crimp in my training schedule. I just ramped up to 3 times a week and I had a really good time slot. Now I will probably lose the time slot and I will have to train at night and on the weekend. Not to mention stress eating. This will be a good test of my new habits.   On the bright side I got a new wash machine and dryer. I love new toys and Im easily amused. I sat and watched the washer (front loader w/ glass door) swish the clothes for about 15 minutes.   Ok Im off to watch the dryer now.  
ajoneen

ajoneen

2
 

Another 2 bite the dust!

So for all my bitching lately I lost two pounds this week. It is about time!! I know it is not directly from the band because I've been struggling with portions. I called the Dr and pleaded my case, he moved up the fill by a week. I wish I could get in before 5-30. I don't want to piss him off.     Whatever right. Im rejoicing in the loss.
ajoneen

ajoneen

3
 

Wow- one year

So its been a year since I found this site and essentially started my journey.   I started at 284lbs. Im 210lbs today. I would love to have lost 100 lbs by my bandiversary March 4. Should be doable.   My eating habits have changed drastically, and yet I really don't feel deprived. I just don't need to eat what/the way I used to anymore.   I'm sleeping better then I have in years. I think it is a combination of less weight and more activity. A motivated day makes for blissful sleep.   I love being able to shop in the 'regular' sections. I think it is important to have a few good outfits that fit well. Seeing my body change toward what I dream is very exciting.   I never had an operation or was hospitalized before being banded. Now I'm seriously thinking about plastic surgery. I'll be trading a few scars for the body of my dreams. Doable.
ajoneen

ajoneen

7
 

No, Im not a failure. Thanks for asking.

HI all.   Im hearing alot of self bashing going on. Believe me I'm just as hard on myself. I think there is something happening that needs to be looked into. It is a vicious cycle.   Scale stops moving, "I must be a failure". Didn't exercise for a few days "I must be a failure". Shouldn't have eaten that cookie "I'm a failure". Im not at goal "I failed"   I'm a failure so I might as well; -eat all the other cookies - just lay in bed - sit and watch another mind numbing TV show -look back and beat myself up for all my short comings.   Yep the motivation isn't as strong as when we first started this journey. Im not sure I will ever be that motivated again. But to say I'm a failure is just not correct. These last few weeks I've been trying to find my MoJo again. When I have a particularity good day I try to see what made it so good. Why did I bounce out of bed, work so hard with my trainer, take the dog for a walk and go to yoga class? Plus I made good food choices. So what gives? Is there a way to bottle this and reproduce it on the days Im just not getting it in gear?   Because when Im at that place where I don't want to move my body or the peanut butter is looking really good willpower is out the door. It is really easy to say F it I'm just not meant to lose another 10lbs (or 1lb).   So Im left to try to acknowledge what works. Really mindfully acknowledge that something is going right. Maybe even write myself notes of encouragement to the sorry self I might be the next day. Focus on the good. We all know what we are bad at. What is hard. Directing your energy to trying to figure out a negative will just keep you in that negative place. So why not find what you're good at and build on that.   Do you work out more consistently with another person? Well make it your business to get a buddy or join a group. Do you need to make a commitment to something? Do a charity walk where they have training help. Like the Avon 3 Day Walk. Does telling your story about the band and your decision to get it remind you why you did this in the first place? Than offer to talk at your Drs support group or informational meeting. Be a mentor here on LBT. Do you do well with a list or goals? Than write a few and support them with an action plan of how you will succeed. Do you struggle with food choices? Start using The Daily Plate/Calorie King or whatever. Set yourself up with a menu for the next day or the whole week. Make a list before you go shopping, and stick to it.   You get the idea. Find what works. Baby steps. Stop beating yourself up about what you haven't done. Be kind to yourself. -Since I choose not to have another cookie I feel empowered. -That walk yesterday really energized me, how can I fit in another one tomorrow? -I have come so far on my journey and Im still committed to a more healthy lifestyle.   We all slip up. Sometimes for a day sometimes for a few weeks. Main thing is you have it within yourself to make the change. For Gods sake at some point you were motivated enough to get the band. Pat yourself on the back and shout "WooHoo!" Move forward. Tomorrow is a new day.   I think you're doing a great job!!
ajoneen

ajoneen

5
 

To fill or not to fill??

I haven't had a fill in over a year. I wanted one the last time I had an appointment (6/09) but my Dr was out (I've only been filled by my Dr) and I saw the PA. She said after a few questions NO FILL. Go home and work on the diet. It is now a year later, I've regained A LOT and am now afraid and embarrassed to go see my Dr.   I think I will cry went I see my Dr. I was doing well before the PA shut me down. He was proud of me. She made me feel like there wasn't anything the band could do for me now. It was all up to me. Now Im, well I don't want to say a failure, but gosh what else would I be??   So do I knuckle down and try to again lose by myself or suck it up and go to the DR??   Has anyone else had to suck it up? How did that go?
ajoneen

ajoneen

4
 

Sailing away. Bon Voyage.

I leave Saturday for my cruise to Bermuda.(this is the trip my wonder DH surprised me with for all my hard work with the band) I'm packed and ready. I absolutely LOVE cruises. Bonus it departs from a port only 40 minutes away, so no airport nightmares. I've packed work out clothes, running shoes, couch 2 5k podcasts and signed up for two rather active land excursions. A mountain biking tour of the island and a kayak tour of the sea coast. So I think I will be staying on track with exercise. I am worried about all the wonderful food. I will have to be at the top of my game when it comes to menu choice and not being tempted by the between meals snacking. Then there's the booze. I have a 1:2 plan, for every cocktail I drink I will have to drink 2 glasses of water. I think pre-planning will be the key to not gaining on vacation. Dare I dream to perhaps lose?
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

No such luck. Any suggestions?

I've been logging my food and that food has been healthy and in good proportions. Im measuring and weighting everything. If anything I am a bit low in calories. I cut out the social drinking, which in the past has resulted in at least a few lbs lost. No such luck this time. I've kicked up the work outs because my first Triathlon of the season is 15 days away. Plus I've added yoga. I was hoping there was an inches change but no such luck. I thought I had started losing again when 3 weeks ago I had a nice loss but some came back.   I had a fill 3/6. I'm not hungry between meals but I KNOW if I choose to have bigger portions it wouldn't be a problem. No sticking, PB's, sliming (which is wonderful).   My body doesn't seem ready to break this plateau.   Any suggestions?
ajoneen

ajoneen

1
 

Your proof or my proof?

I had an interesting talk with my trainer/nutritionist the other day. He wanted to measure me again to see my progress. I didn't want too. I tried to explain that I knew I was losing weight and inches because my clothes are fitting differently. He insisted that I needed to SEE the progress on paper. "Everyone wants to see their progress." So he measured away. For some reason I was disappointed in the results. My head thinks I should have lost more inches. I was really bummed. He was happy with the progress. I asked him if it was more important for him to be happy or me? Ya see I was happy with the progress as seen from the clothing standpoint. Like someone said here about wearing clothes that fit and seeing the proof that things are going well. Now I have these tape measure numbers in my head. They didn't mean anything to me until he made a big deal out of them. Yet I can't accept his judgment that the numbers are good. It really wrecked the workout that day. My head was somewhere else. He kept saying not to let it get to me. Ya easy for him. I'm finally in a good place with this journey. I'm accepting that it will take me a while to get to a healthy weight. I'm working with the band. I'm getting into a groove with exercising. I've set a goal with the Triathlon. I've set a weight goal to be 200 by my anniversary (10/12). I'm actually allowing myself to believe this is working. I think my judgment is the best. But now someone tossed a wrench in the works. Grrrr. It's so frustrating. :cool2:
ajoneen

ajoneen

2
 

Cleaning out the cabinets

All of my orders have arrived. Kind of like a late Christmas. Now what to do with it all. I started to poke around in the cabinets in the kitchen. I've got a lot of junk. Every flavor of pudding and Jello I like, boxed mac & cheese, six shapes of pasta, a bunch of sauces and marinades that looked good in the store , three boxes of swiss-miss cocoa, a few cans of nuts, and tons of other stuff I would really like to munch/snack on. Every door held another taboo food. This is not good. No matter where I put all my new food (protein drinks) next to it will be something more tasty. It's all got to go. My husband walked in on me tossing his chocolate covered cashews in the overflowing Hefty bag. Not good. Just because I have no willpower doesn't mean he can't pick a snack out of his kitchen. So I compromised and through out all my old bad stuff, put his stuff back and cleaned out one cabinet for all my new stuff . I've been working on not drinking with meals and eating at regular intervals (thanks to my nifty new watch). I've having a protein drink each morning for breakfast and sometimes lunch if I 'm really busy. The weather here is quite cold, I'm busy and I haven't been getting any exercise. It's just hard to move this big body around. Differently something I have to work on. TTFN Comments are always welcome.
ajoneen

ajoneen

4
 

My surgery/hospital stay.

I had surgery on 3/4 at 10am. Great time cause I got to sleep in a bit. Arrived at the hospital with my sister and husband and was directed to the surgical waiting area. They called my name, I was taken to pre op and given a gown , slippers and a hat, pointed to a tiny restroom. I changed, put my clothes in the bag with my name on it and came out into the pre op area with the beds separated by curtians. I was weighted (255) and assigned a bed. Note on the gown- nice and big made of soft paper and had velcro at the shoulders for-I found out later- ease of removal in surgery. The nurse asked me a million questions-allergies, what I was there for, name, is the ID band correct, medication Im taking. She started the IV, gave me a shot of Lovenox(hurt,stings) and my family was brought in. Anesthesiologist came looked at chart and left. Sidebar- I contacted the complementary medicine department at the hospital about relaxation therapy before surgery and was told to purchase a cd in the gift shop and listen to it before surgery. Than this lady, Irene would come up to pre op to help me with the stress of the surgery. Ok Im game. I buy& listen. In comes Irene all cheery, did I listen to the cd? yes. Am I still nervous? yes. How about listening to the cd again? screw the cd, I need more then the cd. She rubs my forehead and ears kind of like a massage, but not. She has stinky perfume. Ok I smiled said she could stop. Now she just hovered next to the bed talking about grace and mercy. I tuned her out. My Dr comes in & starts talking about the procedure and how everything will be fine. OK here it comes- I say It will be fine as long as I don't have a catheter. Dr says well thats not how they do it here. Wait for it..... Amanda FREAKS!!!!! I banged both hands on the rails of the bed and started in on how I was the patient and what I said goes. I gotta give the Dr credit he didn't freak (Irene jumped and disappeared) He just continued talking like I never popped a fuse and said maybe I wasn't ready for the band. My sister gives me the look and said I needed to explain why I wasn't going to have the cath. Now Im a little embarrassed about popping off and pissed that the cath has anything to do with getting banded. Staring off into the ceiling I explain why- infection, pain, and (the kicker) if no cath I will get up and walk more in recovery as with the cath I will remain glued to the bed. I will be a happier more willing patient. The Dr stops, blinks, says OK, and walks away. I am so pleased with myself. The Anesthesia nurse comes in with the good drugs, asks me who I am then pumps them in the IV. They start pushing the bed out of pre op. Sister squeezes my hand and husband gives me a kiss. I totally freak-again. Am I doing the right thing? Did I think this through? Someone is going to be CUTTING ME! This all passes though my head in about 5 seconds. Deep breath. The drugs must be kicking in. I don't care any more. Im just enjoying the view. Rolled into the surgery suite, asked to slide to other table, centered myself and told them I was "equadistance from both sides of the table". Ha ha. Next thing Im waking up in recovery. Im asked if Im in pain, rate it 1-10, I said 3 or 4. nurse said you mean more like 7 right? Nope , then I remember about how if you say you're nauseated they give you something that has a side effect of making you really sleepy and Im thinking sleepy would be really good now. So I say Im nauseous. In go the drugs out goes Amanda. I woke up about 2 hours later with the nurse saying that I needed to be moved to the bed I would be in overnight. HA? Bed? You mean moved to room, right. Nope. No room at the hospital, Im going to be staying at the back end of the recovery with 3 other Lap banders. Great. So they tell my family to leave and get me out of bed. Here is where I found out about the velcro on the gown. noone redid it after putting it back on after surgery and as I go to sit up I flashed the recovery room and my fellow patients all my new incisions and my boobs. Great. I get wrapped up, moved, pit stop at the john where I have to pee in a container they called the hat and connected to monitors and compression bootys. So starts my first overnight stay in the hospital. I could keep going about all that happened. The bed didn't work, the compression booties stopped working about midnight, pain shot (that I took only to get some sleep) gave me a headache, I used the sore throat spray on the scrape the Anesthesiologist made on the top of my mouth, ate alot of ice, tried to sleep, 3am ripped out of sleep by the fire alarm clanger next to my bed, the people running through the fire door also next to me,(the false alarm was never explained but since my hospital was in the fire district my husband volunteers in I knew I was in good hands), 8pm 12am,5am 8am temp and blood pressure, 2 more Lovenox shots(ouch), multiple trips to the john (about 500cc each for those that were counting) 8am trip to radiology for the barium and x ray. They messed up the first picture and had to do a total of three which meant that I drank 16oz of barium. Then Im sent home with instructions to drink 1 ounce every hour. (I asked about the 16 0z of barium, no one had an answer or comment) a pain scrip (later at the pharmacy I found out it was one that Im allergic to) and the instructions printed out from the nutritionist for my meals for the next 5 weeks. I dont think I want to go to the hospital again.   At home all things are better. Heating pad for the shoulder, liquid Tylenol(good stuff!) for pain, lots of juice and broth with unjury added.   Im a happy camper now. Very minimal discomfort. I don't think I will ever stop passing barium. (ya-TMI)   Before surgery I drew a smiley face (my signature as I have one as a tattoo somewhere) and a green shamrock on my belly for the Dr to find. It was the first thing he mentioned to my family after surgery. Said everyone got a good laugh and he put the port right under the shamrock. Im thinking of getting a shamrock tattoo there later. So I guess Im really committed to this shrinking shamrock thing. TTFN
ajoneen

ajoneen

6

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Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

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