MelC4489

I have been an emotional overeater for my entire adult life. After more than a decade of yo-yo dieting I was exhausted. Eating had become more than a necessity, it had become a social event, it had become the one thing my friends and I would do when there was nothing else. Weekend brunch and weeknight Girls dinners became the norm.

But in November of 2013, I decided I couldn't do this anymore. Every year was the same - multiple fad diets, success, then regain - sometimes up to 2x what I had lost. I started to research WLS and decided I was most interested in the sleeve and the band. I started to read research, studies, video blogs, anything I could get my hands on. I was a sponge for information on WLS. I finally got the courage to meet with a few specialists in the area and ask my full legal pad sheet of questions. In December I decided my surgeon would be Paul Wizman. He was a ball of positive energy that was direct and honest. After reviewing all the risks, I decided the lap band was the best tool for me. My date was set 1/17/14!

The day of my surgery I was super anxious. My boyfriend and I arrived at Northwest Medical Center in Margate, Fl at 9am. I was admitted by 9:30 and had my IV and procedure clothes on by 10am. I was 5th in line on the schedule and they were on #2, so we had a nice wait ahead. Which when you are a ball of nerves, seems like forever! But went surprisingly quick. I met with the Anesthesiologist, Dr. Wizman and several nurses. Everyone was very nice, answered all my questions and seemed genuinely excited for me. I went in for surgery around 130pm and the procedure took all of 20 minutes or so.
This was my first surgery and I am such a baby when it comes to pain, so as soon as I came too I was begging for some pain meds. I felt like a mac truck had rolled over me 100 times and stopped on my abdomen. I was in recovery for about 5 hours. Long I know, but as I mentioned before I am a baby :)

After being wheeled into my room, I was happy to see my boyfriend. At this time all I wanted was my bed. And I was told until I moved around and went to the restroom I would not be able to leave. So I moved and went as quickly as I could. Walking felt great but bending - oh boy did that hurt! :o

The first night was painful, but thank goodness for pain meds! Laying down was difficult so I propped myself up on 5 pillows and slept. Saturday I was up an moving around, even went for a walk with a friend, we walked about 1/3 mile. Probably at 0.5 miles an hour, but hey I was moving! Which helps the gas move around and keeps the pain to a minimum. For the next 3 days I relaxed, slept, drank liquids and walked.

I returned to work on Wednesday. The hardest part was bending to get in and out of my desk chair. Otherwise I felt great!

Now my focus is on the diet and the road to come. I am super bored with the protein shakes and found myself dreaming about chewing the other night! :D But I still have 2 more weeks of mush and pureed foods.

I am hoping to get some great support, words of encouragement and tips for success from the website. Since I do not know anyone who has had the procedure, this will be my main outlet and resource.

Woooooooo Weight Loss Journey 2014!