SillyAuntDi

I want friends!!!! LOL sillyauntdi

Come closer, I want to tell you something. It's kinda cool...but I don't want to jinx it either. I've lost almost 30lbs since my pre-op appt. on September 4. That's way cool...and very exciting! I don't want to tell just anybody, so it's just between you and me right now, OK? Thanks

So, let me start with this. I love where I work. It's fantastic. My company is regularly voted as one of the top places to work in the US according to Forbes Magazine. In fact, we were ranked #1 a couple of years ago...twice. Perks here are outstanding: Free onsite healthcare, free gym access with a great cardio/weight room and a pool. You can take yoga and pilates classes on site. We have a hair salon on site (it's not free, but extremely convenient). There are 4 full service cafes on site, including one in the basement of my building. I can go downstairs and get a salad (when I'm back at that stage), a hot meal, deli sandwich or a hot sandwich. Some days we get fresh sushi. We have nice breakrooms on each floor that have various snacks and drinks. My employer is generous with time off and has been great to work with during my recovery period. My HR person even called to make sure I was back at work and doing OK after my scheduled time off. It's a great place to work. Most importantly, though I love my job. I don't take any of it forgranted either. It's special. I've been working here almost 15 years now. And, there is one thing that still makes me laugh. One of the "treats" we have in each break room is a weekly supply of M&Ms. Peanut and plain. There is a great person who comes weekly to refill the candy jars. It's like Pavlov's Dogs...we hear the M&Ms hit the jar and people start making their way to the breakroom. Yesterday I was in the breakroom heating up my mushy lunch and the candy lady was there filling up the jars. The first bag poured in and I said "OH, we know that noise. Watch how quickly people show up." She barely finished pouring the second bag and three people came in to dig out what they wanted. They all looked at me with my little lunch. I didn't even flinch. I'm just glad I'm not one of those people anymore I walked back to my desk and chuckled. And I savored my ability to break that habit and stick with it. Now, I just need to get back to the pool. I miss it. But, I can't go until I've seen the surgeon and he's OK with it. I see him on October 16. Fingers crossed!

I almost called and cancelled the night before my surgery. I looked for escape routes as I was walked back to the prep area. As each person came to visit me, they put me at so much ease. Then it was over and I was back home in a flash. Take a few breaks today to take very deep breaths to calm your nerves. Try to get to sleep at your normal time tonight. Read a book or listen to calming music. Tomorrow, remember to ask questions if you have them. They are ready for anything. I asked a couple that made us all laugh. You'll do great!

I've been extremely careful the past three weeks of my newly banded life. I've been very strict with the list of foods I'm allowed to eat. I'm meticulous in getting in my water. And, I've tried to not get overly excited by the pounds dripping off my very happy body. But... Today I had to check to be sure my pants weren't too saggy in the butt. Yep. And, my underwear is creeping up my...well...you know where it creeps My shirts are looking a little sloppy. I'm WAY FAR AWAY from any major goal or milestone...but the morning check for saggy butt has begun. I've already got a stack of "pants I can't wear anymore because they will fall down in public." There is currently one pair in the stack...but I've started a stack The little things are what keep me focused and smiling... Have a great day!

Smooshed cauliflower made me giggle like a little girl when I ate it last week. I'm going to smoosh some more this week.

Lentils are in the legume family...so it's a type of bean.

I have been surprised by how much I've liked the Progresso 99% Fat Free Lentil Soup. I use my immersion blender to smoosh it up (technical term..smoosh). I've really enjoyed it. In fact, I need to go smoosh up the new can I bought yesterday...

Hang in there...it gets better. Day 5 was the turning point for me. Make sure you get your water in. I was told not to worry about constipation for the first 5-6 days. You just have to give yourself time to heal. My "systems" are still trying to get back to some sense of normal and I'm two weeks post-op. I hope you feel better soon.

I was banded 9/11. I'm thrilled! My anxiety on the days leading into the surgery make me laugh now. The pain wasn't that bad, and the shakes didn't make me gag. Here are a few things I've figured out about me in the last two weeks: 1. I have no regrets. 2. I have TONS of will power that is just pouring out of my soul. And I don't resent what I can't have right now. 3. My sense of humor is still fully in place. 4. I actually no longer care who knows that I've had surgery. This is the biggest surprise of all. I was telling no one. I was nervous about coming back to work and having to answer questions about why I was out. Now, if they ask...I just start spilling it. It's funny. 5. I have the BEST friends and family. I already knew this, but just thought I'd say it anyway 6. I WANT this so badly. I think that's why it's not been as hard as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. I've had my moments. But, in all...I'm happy. I'm sure more things will come to me as the days progress. More little revelations about me. More little secrets coming to the surface. But, it's a journey that I'm so happy to be on. Have a great day!

I was banded on 9/11 and I'm feeling probably 95%. I'm tired and "zombie-like" by the end of the day, but otherwise I'm great. I'm eating very mushy foods this week and next, then move onto soft foods. I'm doing pretty well with it. I never would have thought hummus tasted so delicious without it spread on something crunchy...

I did avoid using the heating pad on the incision sites.. I used it more on the gas pains in my shoulder and back. I didn't have a great deal of pain with my actual incisions...just some minor soreness. Be careful with the heating pad, don't turn it up too high and put something between it and your skin. I promise it gets better. I think on my fourth day post-op I woke up feeling totally different and began the upswing.

It does get better! I'm two weeks out from my surgery. My first few days were miserable...but I kept with the pain meds, used my heating pad, and walked a lot around the house. I also had trouble sleeping. I had to prop myself up on several pillows to find that comfy spot so I could snooze for a couple of hours. But, every day got better. I'm still tender in a few places (where my pants come close to incision sites...especially now that I'm back at work and have to dress decently). So, my advice...find that heating pad. I hope you feel better soon!

This makes me feel much better. I'm at the two week mark today (yay!) and I'm struggling to hit 500 calories. I eat my little servings of mushy Proteins and I'm trying to add in fruits and veggies (even smaller portions of mushy) and I struggle. I'm not hungry really except in the morning when I first get up. I am working really hard to get my protein in before anything else and I'm hitting my goals there. I'm just tired. But, my strength is coming back everyday

I was really, really fortunate. I was banded on 9/11 and on liquids until 9/20. During that time, I never got hungry. I even rode with friends who went through the drive-thru at McDonalds and not a flinch. But, sitting with the nutritionist on 9/20 learning about mushy scrambled eggs, flaky fish, smooth soups...my tummy let out a rumble. She looked at me smiling. I told her that was the first real rumble of hunger I had felt since before the surgery. I hope you get to move to the next phase soon!

I was banded on 9/11. I'm feeling great, really. I'm back at work today for the first day since the surgery. I'm tired, but able to work. I have a desk job, so no heavy lifting required. I was so worried about what the days after my surgery would be like...pain, discomfort...but I feel like I came through it very well. I was off pain meds in a couple of days. I tolerated the Protein Shakes better than expected (I have a dairy allergy that started to rear its head at the end of last week, so I have switched now from whey proteins). I was allowed to move to mushy foods this weekend. That's been interesting! Who knew blended lentil Soup would be so yummy?!? So, all in all, I've had a very positive experience so far Have a great day, friends!

I was banded 9/11 and my stomach has been a loud commentator ever since! I'm not hungry and I have no urge to cheat on my liquid diet. It is rather funny. I hope it settles down some before I go back to work next week. That could prove interesting...LOL

I've been using Muscle Milk and Unjury protein drinks. And I have Gas X chewables that I totally dissolve in my mouth before I swallow...much like my multivitamin. The pain hasn't been scary bad and I am up and moving quite a bit during the day. I'm planning on getting out this weekend and go to the grocery store. But mostly I hope that tonight I can sleep laying down in the bed. Good luck!

I made it through my surgery on Wednesday! I'm so happy to be part of the banded family It's going better than I thought it would. I'm sore and incredibly gassy (which makes my 9-year-old niece laugh hysterically). I'm making great progress on getting my fluids and protein in. I'm trying to start weaning myself off the pain meds. I don't like them. My first shower this morning was the most amazing thing I've ever done...LOL. I'm walking the carpet to death. When the family comes home today, I'll move my walks back outside. I'm off work all next week, which is good and bad. I see myself getting bored. But, I do have appts. outside the house beginning Tuesday night, so I'll be able to make a slow transition back to the work week. Thank you so much for all the supportive words and posts that I've read here. It has made this experience so much easier. If I hadn't already heard on here how bad the gas pains could be, I would have been in the ER last night for sure. But instead, I took Gas X and walked...a lot. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I had my surgery on Wednesday. I feel like it went well. I had some more intense discomfort last night when the gassy feeling decided to make itself the center of my attention. So, GasX and a heating pad became my best friends. I've about worn out the carpet in my house! I did make it outside today to walk a little. Good luck in your recovery!

I had my surgery and feel like a complete success, honestly. I didn't run screaming from the pre-op area. I didn't work myself into a panic attack in the morning before the surgery. Apparently during the procedure, my BP bottomed out, but it was because I was a bit dehydrated. Nothing lingered. I had a rough day yesterday, late in the day. All the gas decided it needed to push its way out at 7pm. It was the most painful thing I've experienced in a long time. But, this morning, I'm still a little gassy and a little sore, but I'm up and around. I've been walking around the house. I made it outside for the first time since Wednesday. I'm waiting for my family to come home and then I'll walk further outside. I'm very happy I've done this. I feel silly for being panicky about it in the days leading up to it. But, it's who I am. I'm grateful that I have all of next week off from work. A slow re-entry to the real world will be nice. Thanks for all the supportive comments!

I had all my panic moments over the weekend. Today, as I sip my clear liquids, I'm pretty calm about what is going to happen tomorrow. So, take a deep breath with me and let all the nerves go with the exhale. It's going to be great!

Wednesday it all changes. I had a couple mini panic attacks over the weekend. I just burst into tears in the shower. I had to do deep breathing exercises a few times to settle down my nerves. I'm not second-guessing my decision. I stand firm behind it. I'm ready and excited. The unknown is what is grating at me...how much pain, how long will it last, what happens if I...all those crazy little thoughts that just won't quick knocking on my brain. Add to the crazy the fact that I've been off the NSAIDs I take for the arthritis in my feet and knees for almost a week now. I hurt everywhere. There is no relief. Tylenol is a joke. I tried to rest this weekend, but just moving up the stairs to my bedroom was a chore. I know this will get better, but wow...I didn't realize how much the meds helped until I couldn't take them anymore. Then, I decided this weekend to begin the process of kicking the caffeine out of my system. I didn't figure that would be so hard since I don't take in that much each day. I was wrong. My head hurts. At least I kicked the soda habit over a year ago. That helps. Tomorrow is a full day of clear liquids. I giggle when I think about the instructions to take a shower and use a q-tip to clean out my belly button. Then, at 5:45 am Wednesday, I report for Band duty! So, now I'm putting one foot in front of the other, taking deep breaths, and repeating to myself "I CAN."

I'm also scheduled for September 11! I'm past any fears I may have had and just excited! Good luck to you!

I spent the day yesterday watching (more) videos, signing consent forms, asking lots of questions, talking to my nutritionist, and having some final pre-op testing done. I now have a nice bruise where they stuck me with a needle...I'm a "challenge" when it comes to drawing blood. I have my marching orders. Surprisingly, no official pre-op diet until the day before surgery. Then, it's Clear liquids. But, the surgeon knows I'm already trying Protein shakes, cutting out carbs, and trying to lose some pounds before the surgery and it made him smile. He calmed any last nerves I had about my decision. And, he acknowledged that I'm ready. So, I'm just counting down days to September 11. Then, my new life begins!