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My steps to success...and the experiences I face on the ride.

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Day 9....

Today starts my 'pureed' diet. I can start to eat blended foods or things that are a bit more substance. However, the gas that I still experience with even water makes me think I won't be eating that much differently yet!   I am trying some sugar free pudding right now, two tiny bites so far...and still doing ok! I have never been someone who can eat 'just a little taste' so this is shocking to me to eat such a small amount and be ok with putting the remains away for the next snack!   My wounds are healing everyday. I'm sleeping better and can roll over a lot easier each day. I'm finally seeing a difference or feeling a difference in my clothes too, which is just so encouraging! How can I not keep going when I feel so much better already!   I have to be honest, I can barely fathom me in the size that I will be when I get to my goal. I haven't been that size in over 15 yrs. Which seems like yesterday many days but not that I'm down 20 or so lbs and I feel lighter, I can just barely imagine how good it will feel when I'm down another 70!!!   What an amazing journey....so much to look forward to!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

2
 

Day 2 - Liquid Diet

I made it through day one of my meal replacements. It was hard simply from a mind perspective. I was not really 'hungry' until late in the day, but my mind wanted to eat. I just wanted to munch on things. That is going to be my biggest obstacle.   Today is day two. I have been experimenting with different flavors or recipes! hahaha sounds funny to say but I had to shake it up a bit! Breakfast today was vanilla protein powder (from my Dr - Bariatric Advantage brand), 20 raspberries, 6 ice cubes and 6oz of skim milk. It was fantastic! It has to be one of my favorites so far! Then for my early lunch/snack I had chocolate powder, 1T peanut butter, a banana, 6oz milk and 3 ice cubes. It was also delicious!   One thing I am learning is how to 'feel' when I am full. I have to be honest and say I am not sure that I know what that is. I just eat. I don't realize it unless I am stuffed, you know that feeling you have after a big christmas dinner, when you can't breathe! That is the only 'full' I know. I just don't pay attention I guess. So this is a good learning. I can feel my tummy being 'filled up' with these shakes. I miss chewing though.   I have a great support team though. Last night we went to my parents house for a BBQ and I even sat at the table while everyone had steak, potatoes, corn on the cob, bread, salad....it was hard! But I had my bowl of chicken broth which I brought with. I cooked it on the stove, even though there was no real need, it made it feel like a meal. I sat and ate it and although I was wanting what everyone had, I got through it. And my husband said he was so proud of me. As did my mom.   I have a countdown ticker on my phone and everyday it tells me how many days are left, which is a huge lifesaver for this time period! i can do anything when I know i have a deadline! I don't know how many of you are like that, but when I see the days going by, it makes it easier to get through!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

6
 

7 Days to go....

I've made it through an entire weekend on liquid only! This is an accomplishment that I must celebrate, as it struck during a very busy time. Yesterday, being that it was the 10th anniversary of 9-11, I had been booked to sing at 3 different events throughout the day. The first one was not as hard because there was not a meal or food involved. But the second event was a Banquet WITH LUNCH!!! The biggest issue I had was that I didn't want to draw attention to what I was doing. Not only that, the meal was served FAMILY STYLE. So for those that might not know what that is, they put enough food on the table for everyone and then we have to pass the plates. So every item had to be passed in front of me, through me, and across me! I had to explain why I couldn't even eat green beans, which of course are healthy in most aspects! BUT....I planned ahead. I stopped and bought a can of chicken broth and brought it with me. Then, very quietly, I asked the server if she wouldn't mind warming it up, to which they were so accommodating to do and thankfully it was rather satisfying! The hardest part of the meal for me was when they served cake and ice cream. Homemade cake, with buttercream frosting! I LOVE that kind! But....I made it through. I didn't even have one bite!   Then the last event was for an Honor Flight celebration and they had alcohol! My mom had a wine cooler and she knew I couldn't have one. I ended up leaving rather quickly after I sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. There were thousands of Harley riders there celebrating our great nation. The main event was the Grand Funk Band, so I stayed just long enough to mingle and then went home to relax.   I am half way there, but I feel as though it is an eternity today for some reason? My surgery is Wednesday next week and Tuesday is an all-day fast/cleanse. But maybe at this half way mark is when it gets tough!   I have learned some things though that I would like to share. I've learned to listen to my tummy. It growled today. That was in a way a good sign, because I knew it was time to get my broth for lunch. I've also been paying attention to the 'full' feeling in my tummy, which I have to admit I am not good at noticing. I know I will need to understand that for after surgery.   Thank you for your comments on my last post, please keep sending them, it is encouraging to know that what I write or feel is seen by someone else. Hope your days are going well and you are pressing through whatever phase you are in! Let me know if anyone is out there who has surgery next week as well? It might be fun for us to keep each other up to date on our healing and growth!   Weight: 206 (down 7 lbs!)
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

0
 

6 Days to go....

My daily check-in: I weighed in at the Dr yesterday and was down 7 lbs!!! And that was with my clothes on!   I'm now sitting down with a cup of my chicken broth, and let me tell you, it has never tasted so good! I never thought sipping broth would be such a treat. But it truly is. I have been learning so much about myself during this time period. It is great to learn!   Well I don't have much time to give an update for now as I'm at work. But I had a moment and wanted to rejoice that there are only 6 days left...then the complete cleanse and then surgery! I have a friend who works with me considering the lapband surgery. It would be great to have a friend go through this at the same time! Do any of you have friends that are also going through this? I imagine it would be easier to have someone to talk to as you process things.   Hope everyone is doing well and that your day goes great!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

1
 

6 days Post...

I think I overdid it yesterday. I felt ok while out at work, and luckily my job is rather easy at a desk. But I was up in the night not well. I was very cold...and shivery. I never got sick, but did just now. I felt ok when I woke up today but I feel weak now. It might just be because of the 'trauma' that the body is going through. I can't imagine this is 'easy' on our bodies! I decided to stay home today and work and maybe for a few more days. The Dr that saw me in the hospital thought I would take at least 2 weeks off of work! I was surprised by that, but now I understand. I think it is a daily thing and one should be prepared to have certain days that you just need to stay home and rest.   My food intake is so small! For instance, this morning all I had was 1/2 c of Boost protein drink. I measure everything out because I am not fully aware of how much is 'too much' yet in my body. I then had my daily vitamin and calcium, which is what put me over the edge. I am not 100% sure when we are to start taking those, but I'm pretty sure I'm not ready yet. I also seem to have a lot of air in my stomach still. When I do get sick, it is more of air pockets that seem to come out.   I just got a small glass of ice water and I'm hoping to sip on that for a while, so far 2 small sips and it is staying down. Yeah!   Well, it is a rainy day here so a good one to hang out in the house...I have decided what food I will eat though when I can be back on solids! 1 crabmeat sushi roll! My husband had some last night and I just craved them! They are my favorite and I told him although I will probably only handle one, that is what I want for my treat!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

6
 

5 days Post Banding

I am 5 days post surgery....and back at work! I am still sore and if I move in certain ways, I have a sharp pain where my port is most likely attached, but all in all I feel great! At last weigh in I was down about 17 lbs. I can't really eat much yet. If I drink too much, I do end up with a weird reflex/gas type effect. Anyone else had that post banding?   Surgery was last Wednesday, the 21st. I was released on Thursday to go home.   My surgery stay was easy, one night over due to CPAP. The first night is always the hardest in any surgery and in this case I had a bad set of nurses which was disappointing. The tech was a male and was not very good at bedside manner and the nurse was pregnant, due in 2 weeks. I felt for her but she was so non attentive. And they literally came in to my room and she complained about a patient in the room next to me! I was shocked! Owell...they were only shift for 6 hrs and the next turn over was a great duo. I was good from then on. I was up and walking almost immediately. I was taken off my IV pain meds before the morning which was nice, as it made me completely zonk out. I was at the hospital until about 3:30 the next day and then got to go home. My little 5 yr old came with my mom to pick me up and she had fun sitting in bed with me watching TV.   I slept SO good that first night home. I fell asleep quickly and although I woke up in the night for meds, I basically slept through. I got up the next morning and got out of bed to spend the day on the couch. I even logged on to get some work done! Friday I enjoyed my day as I was home alone all day and got to relax all day. I was still sore moving around and had a lot of gas in my tummy from surgery. That was the worst part really! Also my throat. I thought I was getting sick but luckily it was simply from the tubing for surgery that is in the throat. My uvula was very swollen and my throat was red. By Saturday night that wasn't as bad.   I had to sing at church on Sunday morning and I was able to do fairly well singing. I was not as tired as I expected. Every day I have gotten better and I keep reminding myself how fast the body heals and how fast we get back to normal. The days seem to be longer sometimes when we are in pain.   I'm bruised on my tummy where my small incisions are. I have about 6 small sites although only one really hurts. It seems to be where my port is and I was told it was where the majority of the work was done there.   I even showered on Saturday morning and that felt so wonderful! I'm a little dizzy still but not terrible. I'm only on my pain meds 2-3x a day now. Today I put a pair of pants on that were loose! I can't wait to watch how clothes fit me different. Then to go shopping for new clothes!   This is long but I wanted to give an update. Hope that all who read this will be blessed and encouraged! We are in this together! Best wishes to our new healthy life!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

7
 

3.5 Weeks Post Banding

Well I will admit I hit the wall of discouragement this week. I was having trouble going to the bathroom and then when I checked the scale I gained 2 lbs! That is NOT a good feeling after going through all that we have gone through to get to this surgery and then since. I called my Dr and was only getting through to the nurse, which is just so aggravating at times. Now don't get me wrong, I understand and appreciate nurses and they are the backbone of any Dr.....however....I REALLY WANTED TO TALK TO MY DR!!! (i'm done yelling)   I know that persistance is what works with Dr's offices though so I called back yesterday telling them how I was feeling hungry all the time, able to eat a lot at one sitting. They moved my fill up a few weeks, thank goodness! I'm having my wedding reception on November 11 and was so hoping to lose more before then. I have my dress fitting tomorrow and was not excited at the thought of no fill for nearly another month!   Today I have felt a little bit more full after eating but still not like I was right after surgery.   My daily food intake is pretty good I think. I have either one egg with fat free cheese for breakfast or I juice a few pieces of fruit. I have a snack around 10a, either jello or yogurt or cheese stick. Today for lunch I had a cup of soup from the work cafe. Usually for dinner I make a salmon filet. I try to get my fish in everyday, such good stuff in those little guys! I've not eaten breads and hope to stay off of them. I should rephrase that, I had noodle one night. I became SOOO tired immediately afterwards that I was convinced, breads are just off limit. No need for them   People are really noticing that I have lost and that is an amazing feeling. It is also an odd one because I get the comments "Oh, don't lose too much, you don't want to lose your curves" I will NOT lose any curves, I am way too curvy to begin with They just might 'tame' down a little bit, which will be great for fitting into jeans   Have any of you gone through a mini makeover yet? I have already had my hair cut shorter and highlighted blonder. I lost about 20lbs and felt like I need to do something with my hair!? I guess that is normal for the body changing...other things feel like they need a change too.   I even did my first 'workout' this week! I have a dance video workout that teaches latin dancing, what fun it was! Now maybe I can learn to dance and get thin! I only got about 30 min of it done, was too tired after that, but it was a great feeling. I can't wait to do it again!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

0
 

3 days and counting...

I'm on the home stretch!!! Only 3 days before my all-day fast...then surgery! I am so excited, can you tell!?! Why would anyone be thrilled to NOT eat! I have lost over 10 lbs already and am sooo happy. I already have pants that are starting to get big, which is so encouraging when going through something like this.   I had my final clearance with my Dr yesterday and he said all looked well and it was a go! I felt like I was at a space shuttle launch, and just heard 'start the engines'!   I hope everyone out there makes it through the weekend, that is the hardest part. I so want to order a big pizza tonight! BUT, the weight reduction is soooo worth it!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

1
 

2.5 Mo Post Banding

I have not been good at staying on top of this blogging thing! I was hoping to document my every day but then life got busier and busier....so I will put an update out here.   It's been over 2 months since surgery, I feel great. I'm getting comments often now as people are really noticing a difference, which is so encouraging. I'm down 35 lbs and almost 2 sizes in pants. I'm wearing a pair of pants and sweater that I haven't fit into since 2004! Now that is an incredible boost!   I did 20 min on the treadmill the other night and it was like nothing, my knees didn't hurt, my legs felt great, I felt great!   I've learned that I have to take Milk of Magnesia still, for some reason I have trouble going to the bathroom since surgery. I'm thinking it is with things digesting so slowly? Not sure but the little elixir works great anyway!   I've also had 2 fills. I'm not at my sweet spot yet as I still feel I can eat more than I should be able to, or more than I expected I would be able to handle. I've had a few rough patches were I ate a sweet and my deisre for sugar was back! I've now gone back to fruits or natural sweets to fulfill that. Otherwise I will not see the results that I want.   I'm loving the new me though. It is a wonderful feeling....I've got a trip planned for the end of January to the Bahamas and then Florida, so I'm really looking forward to being in a swimsuit again! That will be when I hopefully REALLY tell a difference!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

0
 

2 weeks Post Banding

Well I'm just a little over 2 weeks since surgery. I have had my first follow up with my Dr and all looked good. Now I wait a month and then can start to receive fills. I was all of a sudden able to start eating soft foods and more of them this week. It is so nice! Although I have to be cautious what it is because my stomach is very sensitive.   I am able to eat more than I expected but my husband keep reassuring me that is only because of having no fills yet. I'm excited to get a fill actually because now I find that I am hungry more often. I don't have that 'full' feeling like I did when I was still swollen. But I am still only eating small amounts, about 1 C. per sitting.   People are starting to notice the weight loss which is fantastic! I have grown out or 'down' out of my pants but I don't want to get anything new yet! I'm doing what I can to use the clothes I have until I get down more. I hate the idea of buying clothes now and then more in a few months.   So far though...very satisfied and so happy that I had this done!
BandedAnnie

BandedAnnie

4
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