Moe128

Okay, as promised here is the story! This was such a life changing day-it was amazing. The scheduling of where my two boys would go and all of that was the most stressful part. I would highly recommend getting everything lined up, with family, your food/protein drinks etc before. It's so nice having no pressure to do that. Anyway, I had to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM. I arrived at about 5:50 AM in the parking lot to see my dear friend Fotofem standing there-only 3 days post op herself-with a sign wishing me luck. That made my morning-you are awsome girlfriend! My hubby and I went in and there was no one in the office/waiting rooms. The nurses took me right in and one of them asked what I was there for. I told her and she looked at the johnny and said "Let me get you a more comfortable Johnnie". I looked at my husband and said that they were going to get a bigger one. His response was "not for long". God love him. The preop nurse came in and she was just awesome. She had personality and actually talked to both of us, not just about medical stuff either. She shared how she has seen so many people have great success with this and she was excited for me. She got me hooked up to all the tubes and such. Everyone kept asking if I was nervous before surgery and if there was one thing that proved that I wasn't it was my blood pressure. She took it and my husband asked if I had a pulse, it was 109/46. I have never been that low. I think it was because I was half asleep:) I don't like IV's and that was about my biggest worry for the morning and they even took care of that. i don't mind needles at all, but I had an IV that was very painful and I've been skiddish since then. She used some numbing stuff and I didn't feel a thing. My sister and hubby were in the room with me and the surgeon came in. She was searching for something and said "uh oh". I told her that was not something I wanted coming out of my surgeons mouth:) She was just looking for her pen. She stayed in and answered questions, checked with my sister and DH to see if they had some and then left. The anethesia nurse came in and gave me some happy juice and they wheeled me out. We went around the corner which the staff called the "kissing corner" which is where the families have to say see you later to their loved ones. We rounded the corner and the aneth. nurse said I'm going to give you something to put you to sleep and two seconds later I was out. I have no idea where my surgery was. I was out cold as I was going down the hallway:) I came to listening to the nurses talk and they repeatedly asked if I was in pain. I was when I first woke up, but as soon as I nodded they gave me something and I was back out. I woke up next time and was fine. I was groggy, but as I came to they were talking about the 40lb cat that has been in the news. Not being able to resist, I said they should get it the lap band. THe nurses took my mask off and started monitoring me. I looked at the clock at that point and it was about 10:15. A few minutes later they let my DH and sister in. I was up and walking to the bathroom by 11:30 or so and out the door by 1. They gave me the option to stay overnight, but I wanted to head home. The tubes, machines and constant checking of vitals, I knew I would get a better nights sleep at home. The nurses said that she had never seen anyone bounce back from that surgery as fast. My husband said that she probably says that to everyone and she said that most people take much longer. I said the surgeon must have done a good job then. The surgeon and bariactric surgery coordinator came by to see me before I left and they were awesome. I got home and went inside for a little while and then got up and walked around my yard a little. I walked again when my youngest son came home. he went into the small pool we have and I stood and watched. It felt good to be up. I took in Clear liquids for the first 24 hours, sf ff pops, Water, and broth for the most part. I have been 100% faithful to the diet since and been okay with it. I am sipping on my first cup of decaf coffee as we speak. The pain was minimal on Friday. Saturday all of the other meds wore off and I was still a little more on the sore side, but still not that bad. I have had a little shoulder pain, but it's more annoying than anything else. Yesterday mid morning I had my first Protein shake and that went down fine. I had 1/2 cup of egg beaters last night that tasted great. I've been sleeping on my recliner love seat and it works out because I can get up easily to go to the bathroom. I've been taking my pain meds before bed and it helps to get some sleep. Well, we have a pretty good thunder storm coming through right now, so I'll post this before I lose it. If anyone has any questions let me know. Moe

Hi All! Thanks so much for all the well wishes:) This are going amazing! I will post my surgery story in a different threat, hopefully setting peoples mind at ease. Having this forum has been so helpful and so supportive I can't thank you all enough and now I can support all of you. Let see if I can answer the posts. I have to update my ticker, as of the morning of the surgery I hit my 20 lb mark. It ended up being 19 at the surgeons office when I had clothes on:) :teeth_smile: Shamrockgirl-I think it was time for Manny to go. I will always be thankful for what he has done for this team, but I have to think that his little antics were distracting to the other team mates. I think that Jason Bay is a little cutie and you can see the desire to play in his offense and defense. He knows what big shoes he has to fill, but so far he is on fire. I hope Papi is okay with his buddy being traded though:) I'd be happy to talk to your friend-feel free to have her contact me. I can't say enough good about the team and the hospital. They were fabulous. jaydeesmjk-I usually can't spell when I'm "normal" so it must have been the meds that helped me to get it right:biggrin: vegasgirl-they are getting a letter and some type of gift. They were amazing. They were so calming and were so good about me being comfortable and not rushing me to leave. I'm big about writing letters for good jobs, none of us get enough of those:) David-keep the faith brother:) You'll do really great. None of us are ahead or behind-we are all together. The surgery dates may be different, but we will all be in the same boat in 6 months when we are all shadows of our previous selves. NaniRose-I missed seeing you Wednesday!! We have to set up a walking party for the ladies in our group:) I'll get on that ticker:) I'll start typing now to give you all the story-keep an eye out for a new thread. Thanks again everyone for your support-it really means a lot:smile: Moe

Hey Everyone! I am officially banded. Surgery went great this morning and I was home by 2PM EST and have felt great. I'm sure the meds have not worn off, but I'll take it:) Surgery was quick and easy and I was in recovery for about three hours. I came home, watched TV for a little while and just got back in from a little walk(doctor's orders) and am going to sip on some tea. For anyone going to Portsmouth hospital, they were AWESOME! My surgeon came into chat and didn't seem rushed, the other doctor's nurses and staff were fantastic-I'm going to write a letter to the hospital-I was that impressed. I'll write more when I can see straight and when I'm not as sleepy:) Thanks for the support and I look forward to our journey's together!!!Moe

I can't wait to hear how it went! Maybe I'll actually get to watch a Sox game this weekend!

Thanks everybody!!! T-10 hours!!!! I just wanted to post one more time before I try to sleep and say that I will keep Andrea20405, Cathrine Ray, Claudine1975, edel, fee, Keisha 85, lellow(who is long out of surgery by now:), southerngirl24, Traceyde730, Gilta and anyone else that is going tomorrow in my prayers and wish you all the best. I look forward to getting thin with all of your help!!! I'm off to sleep before I start chewing on my desk for something other than broth:biggrin: I'll post as soon as I can! Moe

thanks! I'll post as soon as I can:)

Gilta, hopefully we will have three things in common-the third is we will be heathy and thinner:) Good luck and you are in my prayers!!! Talk to you soon. Moe

Good luck Lello! I'll keep you in my prayers. T-10 hours for me! I'll see you in Band-Land!!!!

ME TOO!!!! I can't wait:) I'll say a prayer for you and look forward to hearing/reading all about it!!!!!Moe

New England clam chowda' is the best:) I ended up going to Olive Garden with my friends and had one last Corona Light. It's amazing how little I could eat, but I enjoyed it. I'm about ready to chew my own arm off at this point with clear liquids all day, but in less than 10 hours I'll be banded:) WOO HOO!!!

I'm headed out with my friends tonight to have a meal, I just got done a two mile run/walk on the treadmill and did liquids all day. We usually go for a walk after, maybe through the mall, but a walk none the less:) I am craving a burger(no bun) and fries with hot sauce, so that might be it...The good thing is that with my weight loss, 17lbs so far, I can't eat as much...I have to go on clear liquids at midnight and all day Thursday, so I thought this would be good timing. I'm going to splurge, but the splurging now compared to before is MUCH less. Tomorrow I'm going to keep doing what I have been doing to lose the 17 lbs and keep busy Thursday and Friday is the big day!!!!

Hey Lellow! A half a world apart, but I'll be thinking of you(and praying for you) as they roll us into the OR on Friday:) Good luck! Moe

I'm a little freaked out, but I just look at my boys and realize that I have to do this for myself, but for them too. If I don't try this then the other alternative is to keep getting bigger and unhealthier and who knows what. We can do this ladies and gents, we have to do this. The alternative is unthinkable. Just think in a few months we will be well on our way to making our outsides match our insides. Keept the faith, we will be ready for swimsuit season next year:) Keep coming to the site and let's get each other through this. Good luck everyone! Moe

Thanks! Anytime I get nervous and I look at my sons and get excited again:) Melisa, I'll keep you posted. I'm down 17lbs so far and I'm hoping to get to 20 before surgery, but we'll see. The surgeon told me that the more people lose before surgery, sets them up for success after surgery. I'm hoping she is right:rolleyes: mdargen, was I supposed to wait to annoy my boys until they were teenagers:lol: LOL, they are so worth it:biggrin: As soon as I'm able to type, I'll post how it goes. WHOO HOO!

I'm going on Friday 8-1 and I'm starting to get a little freaked out, but everytime I think about it, I just think of how great I will feel and how my kids will be able to do so much more with me. Take care and keep the faith! Moe

WOW! Tissues please:) What a sweetie:)

Welcome Rhondalou! I know what you mean, I want my insides to match my outsides...Good luck to you! Moe

Lanakila-I think this is a great idea! Some of the "little things" can really add up and once you start doing them and feeling better about your choices it makes it better. Shamrockgirl, I'm with you. I am at 1 week on Friday and I'm really resisting cheating. I'm down about 15 lbs, according to my scale, although we'll see what the doctors scale says:rolleyes:, but I don't want to lose my momentum. I am going to allow myself a "last breakfast" this weekend and one "last supper", but even then, it won't be like before...coffee is gone, creamer is gone etc, so even my spluges are not nearly as bad as they used to be, not to mention that I can't finish it all now and I actually stop eating when I'm full...there's a novel idea:) I finished my "behavior modification" classes tonight and just have the pre-op stuff Friday and then it's all over but the surgery:w00t:

As I sit here eating a FF/SF fudge pop, I feel your pain:) Moe

That's awesome! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Hey Charity! Keep the Faith girlfriend! This process is NOT an easy one. I have broken down several times, because it was not moving along and I could feel my excitement/will power slowly ebbing. It will pass. Keep on her to do the paperwork and explain that you are getting frustrated and she is doing you more harm than good. Just the fact that it sounds like you are working on yourself means that you are already winning:thumbup: The great thing about this site is that there are a lot of people here that have been there too. I posted a lot and got a lot of support when I felt frustrated and sad. Keep posting and keep your chin up. It will happen. I'm just down the road at Portsmouth Hospital and I'm starting my Masters program in Portland next month, so we are neighbors. Feel free to send me a message when you need to vent. Moe

Wow! Great article, anything to get the word out is helpful...although, I love the way they say "refill" like the fluid leaks out. The comments in the blog after were typical of what people think of overweight people everyday, it really irritates me that people think they can make a snap judgement based on what you look like and that goes for more than just weight...Moe

Congrats on the dates everyone! Prayershawl, it will be great being in the same month! What a big difference it makes having all this support:) Moe

Welcome! What part of Maine? You can go to the USA section and click on Maine and they will give you a good idea of what hospitals cover it and you can get some info on where the seminars are. I know that Portsmouth, Maine Med, and a hospital in Bangor do them, but the folks that have already been through it in your area are the real experts:smile: My numbers (Except the age you are 10 years younger:wink_smile:), but my BMI was just 40, I weighed in at 256 and I'm 5'7" too, with no major issues, the same things like joint/ back pain, but nothing that would be considered a co-morbidity. I just got approved and my surgery is August 1st. My only advise is to go to the seminar and then weigh in ASAP. If you lose too much weight prior to the first official weigh-in, than it might bump you below 40 and you might have an issue with the insurance. Good luck and let me know if I can help you in any way. Moe

I have done it finally...I have been putting off my "before" bathing suit pictures, so I went and put my bathing suit on and took the side, front and rear photos. UGGGHHH! Great motivation... We also did my measurements, which was funny. My DH has a small engine repair business and I am NOT a seamstress so we had to use a tape measure from the shop:laugh: They don't bend really well, but it worked. Someday prior to surgery I'll pick up the right kind! I'm glad to have it done. i did up a chart that has the 21st of each month for a year and I'm going to try to do my measurements each month on the same day as well as take photo's each month. We'll see how it goes! One week from Friday! All my friends are calling me for "one last dinner or one last lunch" I've been pretty good though. I will do a couple of dinners of my chosing before surgery, but I'm on a mission now, so I will hopefully be good.