Almost a week later, here is my surgery day story!!! Sorry for the long post!
Each day gets better as far as pain and what I can do. I've been walking daily, got a pedometer and trying to make sure I increase each day. I don't walk to increase my heart rate or do real exercise, just to get moving. . Not ready for real exercise!!
Surgery day, June 20, 2011....
Had to be there at 7:00, was first in line. By 8:00 I was in the gown, had the iv, and met the anesthesiologist. At 8:10 Dr. Reilly came in and then it was about time to go. At 8:30 they were wheeling me into the OR and that's all I remember!! I was wheeled into the OR, looked up for a second, and didn't get the chance to say or do anything else!! They blindsided me!!!
Woke up at 10:30 in recovery to the leg things squeezing my legs. Throat was sore due to being intubated but pain wasn't too bad. After a little bit they helped me dress and go to the restroom. Was nauseous but the nurse held a peppermint-smelling stick under my nose and that took care of it. I had to sit in a recliner in recovery for a bit, took some liquid pain medicine (NASTY!!) and then went home. We were home before 12:30. Then I rested on the recliner and walked every hour, first along the downstairs of my house, working my way up to puttering outside. Walking really helped.
sleeping was pretty much non-existent, but I wonder if that was due to post op nerves. I was like that after my last c-section, didn't sleep for about 24 hours after, too wired, too much adrenaline. Now I sleep a little at a time and rest when I can. Only had the main gas pain that first day, and after that just abdomen pain...it took a few nights of sleeping on the recliner couch or the rocker with the ottoman before I could actually sleep in my own bed, but getting up and down was the worst...once I was walking for a few minutes I could handle it.
Since I could not stand the liquid pain meds (did I mention it was NASTY, even with cherry flavoring added???) I took childrens' dissolvable tylenol and then liquid childrens tylenol once and those were blah too, so after trying both of those, I stopped taking pain medicine and was ok without it....each day gets better and the pain goes away....now just mild itchiness at my steri-strips.
Thursday I was able to drive so I treated myself to a pedicure. Friday was somewhat normal and yesterday my 8-year-old had 2 flag football games that I went to...my dad nicknamed me Ginger, since he said I was walking gingerly...I tend to walk these last few days with my shoulders hunched up so I am trying NOT to keep doing that.
Started full liquids today after almost a week of Clear Liquids, and it is so much better to have a little more variety!! I am so sick of drinking fruity-type drinks!! But I bet it will be just a few more days and I will be sick of drinking my Protein shakes again!! Bring on the mushies!! LOL
The hardest part is making sure I drink enough liquids right now. My NUT said to drink 1oz. Fluid every 15 minutes, and that makes my Soup get cold!! So i eat a few spoonfuls, then wait a few minutes and eat a few more...Am I supposed to be taking my time already when I eat and following the no drinking during a meal now, even though I'm not on solids??
I go back for post-op on July 18 and fill status will be decided then.
My stats so far...
Consultation weight, 223.4
Pre-op meeting weight 217
Surgery day weight, 209 (was worried I hadnt lost any!!)
Today's weight, 202.8!!!!!!
Wearing the pedometer to log my walking and keeping a food diary is helping...at first I wasn't going to do the diary, seemed like a huge pain, but my NUT needs that once I see her on the 18th, so I've been faithful at that. I understand that once I start "real food" again that it will help me get not only the correct nutrients, but also allow me to monitor my intake to control weight.
thanks for reading!!!
I'd just like to know how miss high and mighty Petunia knows just what to say to lose friends and make enemies! Does she practice? Is she searching these boards just so she can fire off cruel responses? Oh, and the next time you do let loose Petunia check your grammar so as to not underscore your lack of knowledge in all areas!!!
Wow, Petunia, that was a little harsh. The reason we get the surgery is because we did put our big girl panties on and worked hard at losing weight for years and years. It's after losing the weight and regaining it over and over again that we resort to surgery. After I was banded, I lost 50 lbs without trying. Now to keep it off and lose the last 50 I have to work at it. Hopefully it will go better this time. I understand feeling like a failure. I understand trying to work up the strength to start another weight loss campaign, and "which way am I going to try this time". I'm reading a book by Dr. Terry Simpson that may help. It's written specifically for lap band patients. For me I think if I could just cut back or cut out the sugar it would make a big difference. I know I don't eat enough to keep me from losing weight, it's just that good ol' chocolate and ice cream go down easily.
Hi ! I am Timothy Greenwood. I was banded March of 2011 and have lost over 70 pounds. I am so happy I stuck to my guns and got this procedure done. I cannot recommend it highly enough to EVERYONE! Dr. DiCicco was my surgeon. He has been so supportive and helpful in all ways. I struggled with the Chiake (SP?) at the beginning and just went hungry but since I've been rolling along. I just had my band tightened a month and a half ago and the doctor is right. That's when the game changes. I thank GOD every day for the courage and support I received to go through with this. And for regaining my life. And control of my life. It's my race to win or lose now. If I can support anyone please let me know. I'm just so excited it's been nothing but a positive experience for me and I pray will continue to be so as I progress. I know I have a long way to go yet, but I WILL MAKE IT!
Timothy Greenwood
