Lite'N'Sweet

I was in a stall. It was making me a little crazy too. Worse than a stall - it seems that I had put back on 5 lbs. But i never admitted to it, because adding it back on to my trackers and tickers made it feel like failure. And I know I was doing everything the way I should. Eating smaller portions, less calories, slower and more deliberate choices of food. Working out as much as i can increasing the amount of calories I would burn. But... there the scale stayed stuck. I could have done a number of things for those 3 weeks. Blamed the lapband for not working. Blamed my body composition for sabotaging me. Cursed the Gods for making me have to be fat.
 
But I remembered something I read from a friend of mine on Facebook who is a Yoga Instructor and really has embraced the lifestyle that goes with studying and practicing yoga. "Anything will work if you stick to it long enough." Pointing out the issue that once we don't see something working in a day or a week or a month we abandon it and try something else... always looking for the quick fix and trying to see results tomorrow. But the fact of the matter is... we didn't get fat over night. It took years of hard work and diligent, consistent, persistent bad habits to get us to this place where we'd want to consider surgery. So it would take equal and opposing diligence, consistence and persistence of positive, good, healing habits to get us where we longed to be. So I looked at the scale and said "f you" and kept on doing what I was told to do. Kept eating right. Doubled up my gym activity and vowed to stick to it. Just keep doing it, because it makes you feel better, your endurance is through the roof and it's a great outlet for frustration. Don't give up.
 
Then suddenly - all the comments - you know the ones I said I wasn't hearing? - started to pour in. "Hey, wow, you're really losing weight..." "you're just melting away" "look at you skinny girl" "don't lose too much weight now..." (that's my favorite one - because I've only just hit the 1/3 mark on what I want to lose. And it's every day. And it 's from everyone. Even the haters that didn't want to admit to me that they saw it like I knew they did. It's a little overwhelming and I try to be gracious with my response but also not let it swell my head. "Thank you - I've been working really hard at it" is my typical reply - and it's true.
 
I'm so excited about my evolving body. I have to shop for some clothes that fit this weekend. And I'm really jazzed about it.
 
And just like that - once I stopped focusing on it... the scale just started moving in the right direction. Those 5 lbs are all but gone now. Hoping that it continues past the lowest point I reached and that I can pack my bags up and put my home in Two-Dorville on the market and move back in to my cute little condo in One-derland. Here I come. And nothing will stop me.

What I've been reading on most of these boards is that Day 3 after the surgery is usually the worst. The swelling begins to subside and your stomach starts to function as it did in terms of hunger. But all you're shoveling into it is clear liquid. Well... Day 3 managed to get by me. I discovered clear SOUP broth (see my previous post about the distinction between that and "clear broth") and that helped me by greatly.
 
Until today.
 
I was due to go see my Godmother because she had cooked up a huge vat of Haitian Soup (Bouillon) for me to freeze and use during my puree stage. I was excited to see her because she had her grand daughter who is 1 year older than my daughter with her and I knew they could play together and my husband loves her too. I call her Nininne. So we get to Nininne's sister's house and everyone is pretty silent. Just on their respective pieces of technology ( laptops, tablets, cellphones ) and making idle chatter. I'm sure everyone in there knew that I'd just had the surgery and had little to say. Bigger things were afoot - my Nininne's niece is pregnant so that makes for better conversation. But she chatted with me about it and what it took and people she knew who had the surgery, etc. It was nice... I was drinking my water... and then it happened.
 
They started cooking.
 
First they pulled out the Haitian Patties which are these beautiful puff pastry creations that cradle ground chicken, beef or saltfish in it's center. EVERYONE had one in the room (except for me). Then they started serving up the hot link sausages to the kids with glorious white bread... then... they started cooking vegetable rice to go with their fried pork tenderloins (Griot).
 
I? was going to lose my mind. EVERYTHING IN ME... it took EVERYTHING in me not to shove a patty in my mouth or a handful of rice or swipe the hotlink from my daughter's plate. I WAS SO HUNGRY. I'd not been that hungry in a very long time. I drank my water for a while longer, announced that it was time to go after my daughter was done with her hot link and made our way out of there. (Don't worry - we'd been there for about 2 hours so it wasn't like we'd just gotten there). I felt like I wanted to cry. It was too much. All the comforts of the foods from my childhood coupled with the presence of family ( my parents have gone from this worldly existence ) which I seldom get anymore... there were so many strings being pulled to get me to fall. I had to remove myself from the situation. And good that I did. I'm sure they would have had to wrestle me down to unhinge my hands open from clutching whatever food I snagged.
 
Got home - and had some vegetable soup broth. And all was right with the world again. I've told myself that if i was in the mushy stage or even just the liquid protein stage... I might have been able to do better than I did today (which wasn't bad, considering i didn't cave at all)... but I could have had some great tasting alternative to everything they were eating.
 
It's a process... I'm going through it...
 
I just can't wait for the next phase that will hold me over a little better than clear liquid.

I was in a stall. It was making me a little crazy too. Worse than a stall - it seems that I had put back on 5 lbs. But i never admitted to it, because adding it back on to my trackers and tickers made it feel like failure. And I know I was doing everything the way I should. Eating smaller portions, less calories, slower and more deliberate choices of food. Working out as much as i can increasing the amount of calories I would burn. But... there the scale stayed stuck. I could have done a number of things for those 3 weeks. Blamed the lapband for not working. Blamed my body composition for sabotaging me. Cursed the Gods for making me have to be fat.
 
But I remembered something I read from a friend of mine on Facebook who is a Yoga Instructor and really has embraced the lifestyle that goes with studying and practicing yoga. "Anything will work if you stick to it long enough." Pointing out the issue that once we don't see something working in a day or a week or a month we abandon it and try something else... always looking for the quick fix and trying to see results tomorrow. But the fact of the matter is... we didn't get fat over night. It took years of hard work and diligent, consistent, persistent bad habits to get us to this place where we'd want to consider surgery. So it would take equal and opposing diligence, consistence and persistence of positive, good, healing habits to get us where we longed to be. So I looked at the scale and said "f you" and kept on doing what I was told to do. Kept eating right. Doubled up my gym activity and vowed to stick to it. Just keep doing it, because it makes you feel better, your endurance is through the roof and it's a great outlet for frustration. Don't give up.
 
Then suddenly - all the comments - you know the ones I said I wasn't hearing? - started to pour in. "Hey, wow, you're really losing weight..." "you're just melting away" "look at you skinny girl" "don't lose too much weight now..." (that's my favorite one - because I've only just hit the 1/3 mark on what I want to lose. And it's every day. And it 's from everyone. Even the haters that didn't want to admit to me that they saw it like I knew they did. It's a little overwhelming and I try to be gracious with my response but also not let it swell my head. "Thank you - I've been working really hard at it" is my typical reply - and it's true.
 
I'm so excited about my evolving body. I have to shop for some clothes that fit this weekend. And I'm really jazzed about it.
 
And just like that - once I stopped focusing on it... the scale just started moving in the right direction. Those 5 lbs are all but gone now. Hoping that it continues past the lowest point I reached and that I can pack my bags up and put my home in Two-Dorville on the market and move back in to my cute little condo in One-derland. Here I come. And nothing will stop me.

So my 2 month lapbandiversary is upon me and it's been an interesting ride thus far. A great one - but interesting. The first month was all about the weight just sloughing off of me and I was like WHOA. But as I started to pickup solids, that slowed down considerably. So I did the next logical thing I could think of -- work out harder. I do about an hour of exercise a day, between running 5K and doing some BeachBody home program, i'm always moving around and pushing myself. Which I know has created more muscle mass for my body to deal with. But the stamina I feel is UNREAL. Never before would I think that i could run 5K (i used the Couch 2 5K program by the way) that coached me along and a kick ass playlist that would kick in JUST when I thought I'd quit. It's almost like it knew I needed that little extra bit. I still marvel at the fact that I can go at a jogging pace for 28 minutes. When I first started... I couldn't get through the warm out without being out of breath. And that is real.
 
What i hate to reveal is that somewhere in there there are 5 lbs that have resurfaced on my body. I want to believe it's muscle weight. Cause that just makes me feel better. And I'm sure that it is, because all my clothes fit differently. i'm wearing stuff I haven't touched since before (or right after) my daughter was born. We're talking -- she just turned 3 years old. And I couldn't wear that stuff for all this time. So I won't kill myself over the lbs.... but in the same instance, I won't go changing all of my tickers to reflect the "weight gain".
 
Something great that did happen... the other day I was walking with a few friends after a memorial service for a dear departed friend gone too soon (he was only 43... and consequently is the new motivation in my head when I think I want to give up on getting better / healthier / slimmer). On our way from the church to the car in upper Harlem, there's a gang of people out out in the streets... it was hot and folks were on the street to get cool before they went to bed. The friends who accompanied me were slender and trim and always have been since I knew them in college. And I walked between them. So the men outside were catcalling "Ohhh... look at them... 1, 2 and 3...." "mm mmm mm... i wouldn't mind being warm next to them tonight..." and then finally, "Which one would I like.. the one in the middle... mmmmm hmmmm!" Now... under normal circumstances, I wouldn't give that man the time of day... but something weird happens when you're out of shape - no one notices you. You literally disappear although you're getting bigger and harder to miss. I'm aware there are a gang of feminist movements out there about women being catcalled and objectified in a society that belittles our worth and intrinsic value. But for just this moment... I reappeared on the map as a viable wantable thing... and I? LOVED IT. I smiled to myself and kept it moving. And will use it as fire in my little furnace of needing to be better.
 
Some visuals attached of my progress. I have to keep remember it's only been 2 months. 30 lbs is A LOT. And I shouldn't poopoo it. But I do... because I want more. But I'm also willing to work for it.
 
On to 40... October 1st, here I come!

I have been really open to everyone about my upcoming VSG. I have been considering surgery for about 3 years, and at first I didn't even want to tell my parents..only my husband. As time has passed, and I am actually going to do it, I have changed my mind. I don't want to live a secret. It is just a personal prefrence. I knew/know that people will be judgemental for whatever reason, and I was expecting negative vibs from some. I have mentally prepared myself, and it helps to have thick skin.
 
So, yesterday I took my 6 year old to a small pool party. Many of my friends were there, some I am close to, some--not so much. Ironically, one of the people I am closer too threw some negative vibs. She isn't small but is currently trying to loose weight. In a general conversation between us and one other friend, I told her I was having VSG. One friend was excited for me, and I appreciated her kind words. The other said that she had asked her husband about it, and he said that he supported her if that was the choice she made.. She went on to tell me that it was cheating and that she hadn't cheated on anything in her life, and she wasn't going to start with weight loss. I simply told her, "To each their own". She further told me that it was the easy way out and that she liked working for her's. After telling her it was still WORK, she laughed. I left shortly thereafter, but continued other convos with a smile on my face.
 
I felt like, in the long run, I had the upper hand, strangely. I was able to face the first negative vibs with a smile on my face, without feeling defeated, and without having any second thoughts. That, my friends, let me know that I am absolutely comfortable with my choices, and I won't let anyone take it away from me. SELF-FREAKING-HIGH-FIVE!!

When i made the call to the bariatric clinic in February I wasn't sure how this journey would turn out. I wasn't sure if my insurance would cover it, I wasn't sure if my family was going to accept it, I wasn't sure how long it was going to take. As the days progressed to weeks and then to months, I'm finally at the tail of the process and the beginning of the real adventure but it seems things have s l o w e d down considerably.
 
I flew through the initial part of the process and everything went swimmingly until the sleep study which was a bit of a delay. Then my pre-op appointment was still several weeks from then (and still several weeks from now). So now I wait. And as they say: And idle mind is the devil's playground! I find myself going a little wild in my waiting time. I was so focused at the beginning of the process but now that i have a few weeks to go I'm eating things just because i know I can't eat them for a while. I think I've gained some weight and that can't be good since in my pre-op they may require me to lose more weight before surgery.
 
I've decided that today is the day. Not tomorrow, not Monday, but TODAY I'm going to start making sure I have my water in, eating things that will help along this road, and really re-focus because I don't want to go this far and then discover that my surgery will be delayed because I wanted to indulge myself.
 
I've spent the last 30 years indulging myself and it's time for a change.
 
I'm going to weigh myself today and set a 10 pound goal for my pre-op appoitnment on August 18th. I'm going to accomplish this by drinking water, walking, and planning my meals and sticking to the plan!
 
Did anyone else go completely off the rails during this time frame?

Today is my surgery day, July 22, in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Elias Ortiz. I am very looking forward to an new beginning at 57 years old. My current weight is about 320 pounds. I will post my actual pre-operation weight after my surgery and pe-op weigh in. I am a bit anxious but very excited for my new life to come.

2 Months Post OP



Weight: 266.4



Total Weight Lost: -38.5



BMI: 42.5


 
So it has been too long since I have written anything. All in all everything is great! I’m down almost 40bs in 2 months and I am feeling awesome. So what have I been up to this last month?
 
My trip to Denver was awesome! Spending time with my family was simply amazing. Although the actual travel was frustrating (both my plane there and train back were delayed), it was a great trip. I had a hard time getting all my protein and liquid in because I was not in my own environment with complete control, but I never felt hungry or weak from lack of. It was weird being on vacation and not eating out, but it didn’t take away from anything.
 
When I got back from Denver it was time to go back to work. I was looking forward to it. I was starting to get bored. As luck would have it, the night before I was supposed to go back I got the flu! So I had to call in on my first day back. And of course, being sick made my first week back kind of miserable. It was fun seeing the reactions of my co-workers. It is always nice when people notice how different you look, even though I myself do not notice a huge difference. But I am told it is there. Joe tells me all the time that he sees a difference.
 
My first week back to work was also my first week of eating solid food again. I was excited to have more of a variety of food. The transition was much like my transition from liquid to puree. I could not, and still really, determine when I was full. My first week I was only eating about 400 calories a day. My mind was blown. The second week of solid food I got up to about 600 calories. Now I am eating anywhere between 800-1000 calories a day. It is still weird that I can function on so little. I never feel weak or light headed. I am still hyper aware of the food in my stomach after I eat for about 30 minutes. I am still having trouble getting all the liquid in though. I think that is something that I will always struggle with. As far as protein, I am getting the lower side of the spectrum. Working on getting more protein as well.
 
I have also started a workout program. My first day back to the gym, a personal trainer approached me and talked to me about training. I decided that personal training is something that I needed. I notice that when I work out on my own I tend to not push myself at all. If I feel fatigue I stop. And that is not going to get me any closer to my goal. So I have Team Training once a week, which is something offered at my gym. It is a small class of no more than 8, and has 5 stations of 4 exercises each. It’s a circuit training atmosphere. Last week was my intro class and tonight is actually my first real class. I am really excited. I have had two personal training sessions so far. I am really enjoying it. My trainer is awesome! She pushes me in a motivating manner. I have an exercise routine that she has given me to do at home once a day. This past week and a half I feel more energized and am very proud of myself.
 
Unfortunately, Saturday night I started feeling a cold coming on again. But I am not going to let me slow down my work out routine. In the past I have let being sick become an excuse. Now I have so motivated I will not let anything stall my progress.

So I'm half way there...lol. I did call my folks last night...but my mom was already sleeping so I just talked to my dad. He was very supportive and told me he thought I was making a good decision and that I will be heading off lots of problems in 20 years. I felt so bad. Here I am doing something that if he had done 20 years ago would have made such a difference in his current state of health/happiness. I almost feel guilty....how messed up is that? I've now identified another "opportunity for growth". I'll call back to talk to mom tomorrow.

I am 12 days post op, but it feels like it was a month ago or more. I've been very tough on myself and my progress so far. The doc says I'm right on track, but I feel defeated and anxious about the future. The Duodenal Switch is hardcore, it requires lots of attention and diligence. Learn from my mistake and realize all these special substances you will need at first, the chewable vitamins to the protein shakes, add up quickly in the cost department.
 
I can only say I am totally looking forward to next Tuesday when I get to have pureed/soft foods. All liquids gets old and I feel for those who have to do that for long periods of time.
 
I've had some shortness of breath, but all tests came back normal, so most likely associated with anxiety. I'm so good at ignoring things that are really bothering me. This whole process is enough to make someone nervous, but I had a death on Monday of a dear friend and mentor that I can only deal with in small moments. Although she had battled Ovarian Cancer for many years, and had fought the good fight, it's still not an easy thing to accept.
 
I'm sure there will be many more things that I encounter along the way. The important thing is to remain moving forward, deal with what I can and take my time with the rest. I'm living my life, my life isn't living me.
 
It feels like ages ago, but just 12 days ago I woke up from major surgery. I wish I could give myself a cookie!

Good news! Today I finally braved the pool at the gym. It was fine. All my fears were assuaged. There were older ladies, younger swimmers, big people, little people. I ordered a new lap swimsuit, goggles and swim cap to use at the pool. Bad news! The lap suit was shipped separately and will not arrive until Monday. Good news! I have a Lands' End swimsuit that has been sitting in my closet since my honeymoon in 2011. Bad news! It is way too big now. It is a 26W It's baggy in the ass and way huge in the boobs. Every time I made it to the end of the pool I had to do a well being check on the girls to make sure they were not waving hi to the boys in the whirlpool. The new Speedo lap suit I ordered is a 22W (I'm an 18/20 up top and would say I'm between 22 and 24 on the bottom now, so I split the difference thinking that going a bit smaller than my hips - my biggest part - would last me a bit longer) Good news! The goggles and swim cap are great. The swim cap is lyrca instead of silicon, so it doesn't snag on my hair. Good news! This has reaffirmed that I love to be in the pool and love to swim. Bad news! I suck. All that cardio I do did not prepare me for how physically difficult swimming is. Good news! Every day I do it, I will get better.
 
Now, no more good news bad news.. Just news. I've decided I am ready to bump it up to 5 days a week at the gym. Two of those days will be an hour in the pool. The other three will be my regular two hours of cardio/weights. So now, instead of Sunday Tuesday Thursday Saturday, I will add in Friday, since the gym is dead on Fridays. I do not need to watch Say Yes to the Dress (It's a guilty pleasure. I love weddings! LOL and wedding dresses and read bridal magazines even though I'm already married. Ha ha ha!). I'm thinking that Sunday and Friday will be swimming, Tuesday Thursday and Saturday will be cardio/weights. I will start this tomorrow. So even though I went swimming today, this was more of a test run than anything.
 
I've decided to work on some Labor Day goals. My current weight is 255. I want to be 235 by labor day. That's ambitious, I know. My fitness goal is to be able to swim an entire lap doing the freestyle without stopping in the middle of the pool. It might not be fast, but in high school I could swim a lap without stopping. And I was roughly the same size back then. Yes, it was almost 20 years ago though. LOL.

Day 6 was the return to work. Which was good and bad. Good because I have an office that I can't readily see everyone so when they're chowing down out there I'm oblivious. Bad because I work in entertainment and entertainment people are ALWAYS. EATING. So there's always yummy food just around the corner. Of course on the day I return there's a meet and greet with an artist and they catered it with the most delectable smelling soul food. But... I sipped my water. I went to Hale and Hearty to get soup for lunch because I figured if I try to incorporate normality in this not completely normal way of doing things it won't feel like so much of a restriction. So yes, go out at lunch and purchase a lunch (even if it IS broth) and then come back and eat it at lunch time just like it's an actual meal. I asked them to give me just the broth from the chicken noodle soup but I forget that their soups are mass made and stew for a while in those vats so the ingredients tend to melt and fall apart... making it very difficult to get a spoonful of just broth. But I worked at it long and hard and got my broth out. I was proud of myself.
 
Day 7 was my follow up at the doctor. Traffic made me late (I was pissed) but when I called and asked if I could still come in they assured me that they'd see me at whatever time I showed up. That put me at ease, so I enjoyed the rest of the ride there. I got there and they saw me almost immediately. Firstly for the weigh in. They have this huge plate that you step on and the read out for the scale is off to your left (you the weigh-ee are facing a wall)... so you kind of have an option of NOT looking at the number. Which I kind of didn't want to see. I stepped on and clinched my eyes closed ... What if I hadn't lost? What if it didn't budge? What if i GAINED...? *gasp* I mean... my TOM is looming... maybe I'm retaining water... all these thoughts poofed like a little cloud when I heard the nurse say, "Well, look at you?!?" I turned to my left and there it was.
 
226.
 
Quick calculations in my head (because I'm soooo bad at math). 14 lbs... in 7 days. Really? REALLY? Okay okay - don't get TOO excited... just calm down because ... cause .... WOW 14 LBS????? Man!
 
Then a chat with my surgeon who explained why I had 3 incisions instead of the afore promised 1. "Your liver was a little enlarged. So we needed an additional trocar to hold it up better so we could see." Sure didn't love hearing that. But hey... they made it happen. He took a quick look at my incisions, asked me if I'd had any vomiting or nausea, gave me the clean bill of health and then whisked me off to the nutritionist. She marveled at the number and kept stopping short of saying "you got through this all with flying colors!" She'd say "You got through this all with... you did really well." And I'm wondering if that's like a jinx thing for her... or maybe she forgot the phrase. Whatevvs. She went over what my next 3 weeks should look like. Talked about 2 protein shakes a day to supplement my 48 ounces of liquid. Just that for 1 week. Then in week two introduce thinned liquid foods - mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, lowfat yogurt, pureed vegetable only soups (with NO "beans" in them -- too fibrous she said). Then by week three, I can start to experiment with the same foods but thicker. She broke it down by saying "do you have kids?" I replied yes... and she said - so you would give a newborn an apple to eat. You'd graduate them to the apple. So you start with formula, then a little rice cereal in the formula, then a little rice cereal alone... etc... I nodded with understanding. She gave me some more accolades and pats on the back and then walked me out to the reception area where I waited to settle up my bill. Then she exclaimed... "WAIT... you had the lap band??" and I said kind of suspiciously, "Yeeeaaaah.....?" And she replied quickly, "Oh noo... come back in here... I gave you the wrong plan. I thought you were a Sleeve patient by the amount of weight you lost!" The little cheerleader inside of me did a backflip. She called me back in and quickened the plan. NOT over 3 weeks. Actually I can start experimenting with foods THIS week, etc... then the following week for pureed foods, then to solids adding one a day. I finished by asking her if I could stick to the Sleeve plan and before I could finish the question she said "Absolutely!!"
 
Things are going well. NOW... i gotta manage my expectations and reactions for the slow down which may or may not happen... so I don't get discouraged. But for now? I'm walkin' on sunshine! #lovethelapband

So since my last update I've survived my 1 week of high protein, low carb eating. It wasn't too bad, especially since I followed a lot of my Whole30 strategies. I also managed to drop around 8lbs which isn't to bad. This week I've started my 2 weeks of clear liquids and it's definitely tough. I'm home with the kids all day and between prepping their food and having to feed the youngest, it's kind of torture. On the upside, I did discover that adding a scoop of unsweetened cocoa powder to the shake helps the taste tremendously. I definitely need to find at least one other shake option, because chocolate is going to get really old really fast. I wish there was an option that didn't use sucralose, because I have a hard time with that flavor.
 
I'm really hoping for some big losses with this stage because I'll be done with almost all of my requirements in about two weeks. Assuming insurance cooperates, that means I should be able to hit my goal of surgery by the first week of September. That is, of course, if I can lose the 35lbs my surgeon is requiring. It normally takes a few months for me to lose that much, so I'm really expecting a lot and I know it. I also have doubts about being able to survive the full two weeks without cracking.
 
Blah! Got to stay positive!
 
In less stressful news, I did my psych consult today. As long as I don't come back as a raving lunatic, that should be all they need to submit my paperwork for approval.
 
So fingers crossed and lots of losing weight vibes going on over here!

Even though lap-band surgery is the least invasive of all weight loss procedures, it still requires of up to four weeks for full recovery. While patients go back to work 4-7 days after surgery, it takes some time to adjust back to a regular diet and to be able to perform more strenuous activities. Because your post-lap-band recovery will involve different stages, we figured it would be helpful to give you some more detailed insight into what it will look like and how it will feel.
 
LAP-BAND procedure
 
The lap-band procedure takes about 45-60 minutes and involves placing the lap-band device around the stomach and connecting it to the port that is attached to your abdominal muscle. Because the surgery is performed laparoscopically, in order to place the band, the bariatric surgeon makes a total of five small incisions in the abdomen. The first four are an inch long and the fifth is about two inches. The longest incision is then used to insert the lap-band and the port. Once the lap-band is inside, the surgeon wraps it around the upper part of the stomach and secures it in place with stitches. After the lap-band placement, the bariatric surgeon attaches the port to the abdominal muscle and closes the incision.
 
The nature of how the Lap Band procedure is performed dictates the recovery process. This involves healing of the incisions, the port site, and the stomach.
RECOVERY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAP-BAND PROCEDURE
 
Following the surgery, the nursing staff will help you recover from anesthesia and get you moving so you can go home as soon as you feel well enough. Within about an hour after the procedure you will be able to get up and walk around. The nurse will encourage you to walk as much as possible to relieve the post-surgical gas pressure and to help you feel more energized. In general, most of our lap-band patients are on their way home within three hours of the weight loss procedure.
 
While feeling slightly sore on the right side (where the port is placed), most of the discomfort patients experience comes from the gas introduced into your abdomen during the surgery. Feeling the gas pressure after any abdominal surgery is normal, and will subside with time. Most patients note progressive improvement within the next few days. In order to relieve the pressure, we recommend patients to stay mildly active and walk a lot to help the gas dissipate. We also advise patients to take Gassex® strips to relieve some pressure coming from the gas inside your digestive tract.
 
The discomfort caused by gas can sometimes cause a shoulder pain, but don’t be alarmed. The feeling will go away as the gas leaves your body. Most symptoms of gas pain go away in about five days after the procedure.
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY RECOVERY – THE INCISIONS
 
Incisions made during the surgery will fully heal in about four weeks time provided you don’t disturb the stitches. The four smaller incisions will fully close the fastest, in about two to three weeks, while the one on the port side will take about four weeks. During the first week you should not take baths, only showers and pat the stitches dry after washing. The incisions are closed with stitches and surgical glue, so you don’t have to specially care for them once you’re home. Just leave them be and let your body do the work. Outside of the mentioned discomfort, a large majority patients are not in pain following the surgery. Nevertheless, in order to minimize any soreness, the bariatric surgeon does prescribe a mild pain killer for the first one to two days after the procedure. Outside of that, you will not have to take any other medication.
 
You will be able to return to work as soon as four to seven days following the surgery – the length of your home stay will depend on the nature of your work.. If your work is mostly sedentary and doesn’t involve heavy lifting, you can be back in only four days. For more physically demanding tasks and lifting above 15lbs, we advise our patients to wait until the fourth week after surgery to engage in these activities. The lap-band clinic staff can provide patients with documentation for their employer specifying that the patient is required to do light duty until they have healed from surgery.
LAP-BAND RECOVERY DIET
 
Following the lap-band surgery you will also have dietary restrictions to ease your stomach into working with the band. For three weeks following the surgery, you will slowly progress your diet from liquid toward regular solid meals. The introduction of different food textures at different stages of your post-operative diet is aimed at assisting in your stomach’s healing process (stitching around the band) and helping you to get used to having the band.
The general dietary outline involves:
clear liquid fluids – 1-2 days after surgery
full liquids – 3-7 days after surgery
pureed foods – 2nd week after surgery
soft foods - 3rd week after surgery
solid foods – 4th week after surgery and beyond

Prior to the surgery you will be introduced to the details of what you can and should notin the first three-four weeks by a bariatric dietitian in your weight loss program. You will most likely receive a special dietary packet listing foods and recommendations concerning your diet. If the bariatric program has a full time bariatric dietitian on staff, so at any time during your recovery you can call us with any questions. Because dietary restrictions can make your eating monotonous we also advise you searching for lap-bander friendly recipes. By just Googling the topic or searching on Pinterest, you will find many tasty options that you can prepare at home.

I went to see my hematologist last week, and did her tests. The tests came back and based on my understanding of the results, I only need a low dose of Coumadin post-op. yay! I've submitted my update to the dietitian, showing that I'm closer to meeting the guideline. I had a fun moment over the weekend. My nephew and I were sitting on opposite ends of the sofa on Saturday night. There were tons of bonfires and gatherings around the neighborhood. We were sitting there quietly, me playing on my iPhone and he was on his computer. Being funny I sent him a text challenging him to a dance-off on Just Dance. Without speaking, we got up, moved the furniture, and started up the Xbox. I love that game. We played for over an hour. I came close to beating him on one song... however, he stomped me on the rest of the songs. I still need to work up the courage to do the zumba games.
 
As of today, I've been off soda, carbonation, and caffeine a week.
 
In other news, I've lost enough weight to get back into some of my summer work blouses. They are a little snug, but they fit. I was so excited that I wore a blouse and slacks to the office today, however, the blouse is worn under a sweater, to help mask the bulging buttons at the belly. I was informed that I was looking pretty spiffed up and asked what the special occasion was. I was tempted to say something to the effect that I could fit back into the clothes. Instead, it was 'no reason, just felt like it'. I don't discuss my personal stuff at work.
 
I can't wait until I hear back from the doc's office about setting an appointment with the surgeon.

So the one thing I've had to learn as I recover from surgery is that even though they tell you that you have to take it easy and not do A LOT of the things that you're used to doing, there are some things you kind of have to figure out for yourself. Like if you drop the soap in the shower, you certainly (well... i certainly) can't ask someone to come in from wherever they are in the house and pick up the soap for me. So I've been revisiting a lot of knee bends that don't require bending at the waist at all. Deep modified plies have been helping me a lot with mobility. I still can't wait till I can just move freely. I'm getting that slight "tearing" sensation when I do something too suddenly or move in a direction that my body's not ready for. But it's familiar from when I was recovering from my lateral myomectomy and my c-section. It's about the same but I don't want to exasperate anything. The glue hasn't fallen off of the incision spots yet, so that's good that they're holding on.
 
I'm noticing a more pronounced "sensation" we'll call it, when I swallow. Like a lump in my throat but further down. And a tightness in my chest a little to the left. I'm assuming that's the band. I'm sure all my questions will be answered at my follow up. I've been really thinking about foods I enjoyed, the textures and the tastes and how i was comforted by eating them. But going through this surgery and the presence of the band puts such a hard "stop" on these thoughts. Like I start to reminisce and when it begins to head down the road of "would be nice to have it again" - a new voice in my head kicks in and says rather forcefully, "Well you CAN'T. And stop that. It's physically impossible and get used to this now." Might sound harsh, but it's good to know that this battle is being won on a mental front. It's what I need.
 
I'm realizing one of the things taking a serious hit is my bonding time with the hubby. A typical day would consist of us getting up, playing with our daughter, getting ready for work, bringing her to school, getting to work, reclaiming her from school, playing with her a little more, putting her to bed and then we'd reconvene as a couple over a meal. Catch up on the stuff that happened in the day, discuss what's going on during the week... comment on the TV show that we're watching. The band has really changed that dynamic. I know that it's really early still but he feels guilty having food around me since I'm in this clear liquid phase still. And honestly I remove myself sometimes whey they're having popcorn or fruits because I feel my will waning. I know it will get better soon, but it's hard now as we adjust.
 
He did say that he noticed the top of my tummy is starting to flatten down which gave me chills for 2 reasons. 1) because it's true and maybe something is working - i'm not gonna look at the scale though; and 2) because he's looking. And that always gives me good chills.
 
Bring it on Day #3... They said you were the worst one... But I'm ready.

What a ride I have been on for the past 5 days. I flew from Lubbock to Dallas on Monday afternoon. I met up with my parents there and we stayed the night in a hotel. I checked in the next morning at 6:45am, and it took til nearly 11:30am for them to get me into surgery.
 
Let me tell you the staff at Doctor's Hospital in Dallas Texas is world class. They were very attentive and encouraging. They were friendly but stern when I needed it.
 
From the ready room to my final hospital room I remember nothing. Nothing of the surgery at all. My anesthesiologist is a miracle worker. I had told him before the surgery of my last experience where I had woken up still intubated, and he did better than that. He made is so I wouldn't remember any of that or anything following that either. I woke up in my room where I spent the next few days recovering. With as much pain as I was in when I first woke up, I can honestly say the whole experience was wonderful. I felt constantly supported, I never felt alone. Of course my parents where there who were amazing cheerleaders as well. My dad had the sleeve last year so he had all kinds of helpful advise and tips. My mom was there to help me when I walked, and just to walk with me which was nice.
 
I'm 3 days post op and feeling great. My incisions are really the only pain, occasionally I feel a gas bubble that's stuck but walking helps alleviate that.
 
I managed to get about half a cup of strained french onion soup in without any nausea. My system is still ridding itself of gas, and I seem to be manufacturing gas a little more than I recall. the empty digestive tract is helping that I'm sure.
 
I know not everyone has this experience but I sure wish they could.
 
If you go into this adventure focused on when you'll get to eat real food then you should rethink your decision. This is a lifestyle change, not a get out of jail free card. If your liquid diet is oh so tough on you now and you keep cheating cause you just can't stand it, then you should rethink your decision. This is no easy task. A good majority of the people I encountered along this journey has had WLS in one way or another, and none of them deserve selfish, self serving people coming across their paths.
 
I look forward to the future. This will be fun!

So I have an active husband. He used to be a runner but now he is a cyclist. He goes on these really long Saturday morning rides, sometimes he can be gone 5+ hours. I'd gotten into a bad habit of having a big unhealthy breakfast on my own, playing on the computer, snacking all morning and then fixing another big unhealthy breakfast when he got home and of course sharing it with him.
 
What a difference 1 week makes.
 
As I said last time, I had my first NUT appointment on last Monday. 1500 calories, watch the carbs, move 30 minutes every day. I'd totally forgotten how much I actually LIKE being outside early in the morning...here in AZ in the summer that is the only time to exercise! Yesterday morning, after a couple of nights of really hard rains I thought I heard a flock of ducks...seriously...in the southwest desert. So I start walking and I'm thinking that when I get to the really big wash (a wide area that collects rainwater for all you non desert folks ) along my way, I would see the ducks. Imagine my surprise when I got there and I couldn't SEE anything...but the noise was definitely coming from the wash. A little internet investigation after I got home taught me that there is a species of frog here that only mates one time a year...usually after the first few monsoons. I never would have heard that sound were it not for my decision to pursue WLS.
 
Which brings me to the title of this blog entry...THIS Saturday morning I got up when hubby left (before 0600), did my 30 minutes had a healthy breakfast, cleaned the dining room, packaged some pre cut veggies.....all before 0830...LOL.
 
Hang in there if you are struggling...keep pushing forward and you too might "hear the frogs". It's never too late to make a new habit. Next time I'll have my craft table all set up and I'll share a picture. It is my "keep Beth distracted when head hunger strikes" plan. Beth