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Blog 59020

A blog by mscarly

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Heck of a Month -

Two things have about trashed my month of July - as well as my fragile lap-band routine. At the risk of sounding like making excuses, we've hosted three teenage grandsons for the last three weeks - nice kids, but very hard to manage everything with house guests. Eating out a lot, no down time, no organization time. This was not a good event, starting just days after my first fill. Also, have been working early and late on a big project (many 12-14 hour days). In combination with above, did not do a good job of bringing healthy lunches / dinners. That being said, have managed to manage my weight - about 235 (down 32 total since starting program in Nov 08). But so disappointed, wanted to have made more progress by now, almost 2 months post-surgery. Also, am just plain overwhelmed. Made a list of all the things I'm stress over, and it is very long. DH isn't a worrier, and can't figure out why I worry about things I can't control. We have a strict policy: I worry about everything, he worries about nothing. No wonder I tend to overeat. Visited the "Struggling" section tonight. I'm not feeling like a failure, but I can see one could fall off the grid very quickly - especially after the tremendously long build-up to surgery. I think my other problem is I need a fill. I have 3 ccs in a 10 cc band. Virtually no restriction. Was going to wait until Sep, but will call and go asap in Aug - why wait. Got to jump restart. Hope FitDay is fixed by now on this site, need to drink the water religiously, get back to walking more. Well, signing off for now. Be back tomorrow, I know that helps a lot, too.

July 29, 2009

4

First fill -

Got my first fill on Jul-1. No problem, didn't hurt a bit. Dr. Galvani uses some sort of pneumatic anesthetic pen, then inserts the needle. 3ccs in a 10cc band. Down 31 lbs since the beginning of my journey. Started size 24 jackets and pants - now 20. I still have a lot of aches and pains with the hip and arthritis, but people are telling me that I'm getting around better - so that's good.

July 4, 2009

2

Road trip victory -

I was on a road trip from Tue-Sat. Before I left, I was struggling - weight loss was flat for many days. So naturally I was concerned about taking a road trip - where would I eat? when? what could I eat? dinner at conference? etc To my surprise and delight - I came back and had lost 4 pounds! I found that Cracker Barrel was actually a pretty good place to eat for someone 3-4 weeks out. I could choose the vegetable platter and had some good choices: applesauce, cottage cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes. Also, Ruby Tuesday's salad bar had good choices - cottage cheese, edamame, garbanzo beans, parmesan cheese, diced ham, beets, etc. Kept the water consumption up - and avoided all the bad stuff - worked out pretty good! My big emotional victory - went from 267 (highest weight) - thru the 260s, 250s, 240s, and now am in the 230s ... finally. The farther I get from that top weight the happier I am. Also, have gone from size 24 jackets and slacks to 18-20 jackets and 22 slacks. It makes a big difference already.:cool:

June 28, 2009

4

Got the blues -

I'm a little down in the dumps ... Haven't lost much post Jun-3 surgery. Logged into my lap-band (Allergen) site today and realize I'm only consuming about 900 calories a day. I am following my program quite well - mostly protein shakes, soft foods - think I'm in plateau of sorts - have lost 23 lbs since pre-surgery diet. Kind of hungry, but not bad. Gotta do better with the water, though. Am hanging in there - I'm sure the scale is going to change in a couple of days. :confused:

June 17, 2009

3

Post-op visit -

Went back for my 1-week post-op visit today. Dr. Galvani says I'm doing great. Just have one little incision that's healing up nicely. First fill will be Jul-1. He estimates I'll be down 50-60 lbs by the time the weather turns cold again, if I stick to it, so that'll be good for my bad old hip. It's hard to imagine being that much lighter - but I know it'll happen! Went back to work today to lots of hugs and nice comments. Had my first mushy food today, a scrambled egg with a little shredded parmesan and a little cottage cheese - about 1/2 cup in total. Tasted good :crying:

June 11, 2009

2

Things I won't miss -

One of my big treats was to get a new hair cut and color this past Mon, to get ready to go back to work on Wed. Went to the beauty parlor, and sure enough a skinny minnie hair dresser worked on me. (Like a dummy) I blabbed about my surgery. She regarded me with a thin veil of contempt. When I got out to the car, to my horror, my hair was a completely different color than I had requested (it must be most dimly lit beauty salon in Chicagoland), and I had a blotch of mismatched color by my left temple. I went back in to complain, the manager was in a meeting offsite, so the receptionist begrudgingly took a message Hours and several phone calls later, the manager *still* hadn't gotten back to me, so I went back to the salon in person. I raised particular hell about the lousy hair color, and the poor customer service on top of it. I demanded my money back, and got it - but the rub was the snotty receptionist acting contemptuous of me, too. At the risk of sounding paranoid, I can't help but think if I was a skinny minnie like them, they would have been a lot more apologetic about my hair. When you're overweight, you're a throw-away person in society. You can just read their thoughts. Chalk up another reason to do the Lap-Band. Still smarting, gotta get over it ... :crying:

June 10, 2009

6

Back to work tomorrow -

Tomorrow will be 1 week since my surgery. I'm glad I didn't push it. The extra two days this week really helped. Really got spoiled on taking it easy, tough - no more naps!

June 10, 2009

2

Hint re shoulder pain post surgery -

Just like others have said, I got a case of left shoulder and neck pain with post surgery gas. My wonderful husband went out and bought me a "husk bag" - one of those buckwheat / lavender bags you warm in the microwave for a couple minutes - shaped like a neck pillow you'd have on an airplane. The warm, moist heat chased the pain away in minutes - amazing! Thanks, DH!

June 7, 2009

1

Hint re shoulder pain post surgery -

Just like others have said, I got a case of left shoulder and neck pain with post surgery gas. My wonderful husband went out and bought me a "husk bag" - one of those buckwheat / lavender bags you warm in the microwave for a couple minutes - shaped like a neck pillow you'd have on an airplane. The warm, moist heat chased the pain away in minutes - amazing! Thanks, DH!

June 7, 2009

1

Done and done

Got banded on Wed Jun-3. It was a great experience. Went to Day One surgery in the Bloomingdale's building downtown Chicago. Surgeon was Carlos Galvani. Everybody was top-notch, the surgery center was excellent. Galvani fixed a Hiatal Hernia I didn't know I had, also. After surgery, we went to the Whitehall, a charming European style hotel right across the street from the surgery center. We had a really nice room (much nicer than a hospital - fluffy white pillows and bedding). The nurse that was on my surgical team also stayed overnight to watch me - take blood pressure, pulse, blood gasses, etc. She was WONDERFUL - I would have never received that kind of 1:1 treatment in a hospital. BTW, while I was getting ready for surgery, the nurse told me about one of their patients who got up at 3a on the MORNING of her surgery and had a HAM SANDWICH! Good grief. Obviously she didn't get a band. The sweetest words I heard the second I woke up from anesthesia - "You have a lap-band!" the anesthesiologist told me in a loud voice so I'd understand (still woozy). All the pre-op dieting was worthwhile. I am doing great, except for the left shoulder pain everybody here talks about. But that'll pass soon - nobody said it was going to be easy! Thanks to all my great bandster buddies on this site for all your support. Pretty tired, gotta get to bed. -mscarly

June 6, 2009

4

Lap-Band Eve!

6a Wed surgery. All set - see you on the other side:thumbup: - MsCarly

June 3, 2009

3

Quotable quote -

I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience. - Shelley Winters

June 1, 2009

2

Almost done with pre-op diet -

I have to say, this has been the easiest thing to do. When your mind's made up, when you're committed, when you've visited this tremendous supportive site about a million times in 6 months, you're ready. My surgery is Wed Jun-3. Got a pretty French pedicure today as a treat. Got all my chewable vitamins ready and waiting, C-PAP machine ready to take with me. Nurse and hotel are arranged. All that's left to do is pack my bag and show up. Made a cut and color appt for next Mon, so the hair will look nice when I go back to work on the 10th. My plan is to grow out a great mane of hair in the year+ it takes to lose the weight. Whole new look for a whole new me! :biggrin:

June 1, 2009

3

A quotable quote ...

What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease. - George Dennison Prentice

May 29, 2009

2

Lap-Band vs Realize Band?

Went to my final appt today before surgery. Met with anesthesiologist and surgeon. I asked the surgeon the merits between Lap-Band and Realize. He said, "You're the first person who's ever asked me that." He said they do both. That I should research and decide which one I want. Most of it seems to be about web-based after care. Any thoughts / experience? Surgery is Jun-3.

May 28, 2009

3

Something else I won't miss ...

The skin on my upper arms isn't very pretty - little pink bumps. Some years ago, when I asked my (rather insensitive) dermatologist, he responded to his medical intern (like I wasn't even sitting there), "We see that a lot in overweight people." I hope as the weight comes off, and with some TLC skin care, I'll have decent upper arms ... even if they'll be a little flabby.

May 23, 2009

3

So far, so good -

This morning, after the first 2 full days of my pre-op liquid diet, I'm down 6.6 pounds already. I am very much at peace with this decision. Not eating isn't bothering me in the least. I'm not hungry. It's very easy. Of course, after my cancer scare earlier this week ... liquid diet? No problem!

May 23, 2009

1

Scared out of my mind -

Last week I had my pre-op testing, which included a chest xray. The results came back that I had a "nodule" in my lung. (What the sam heck is a nodule?!) My doctor said it had to be tested further before she could sign off on my surgery. So, for SEVEN DAYS I've been waiting to get in for a CT scan and get the results back - sweating out a cancer scare, on TOP of all the emotions of this surgery. :smile2: I was out of my mind, worried not only would I not get a "second chance" at life with this surgery, but I'd be facing a serious illness that would have made the last 6 months useless - that I'd be getting chemo instead of fills ... On the eve of starting my pre-op diet, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I got the call from my doctor tonight the tests came back COMPLETELY NEGATIVE - no sign of cancer whatsoever - just an old scar from a childhood respiratory illness. :tt2: I swear, Bandster Hell will be a cake walk after this harrowing experience. Whew!

May 20, 2009

3

Kirstie Alley -

I read an article last night on Kirstie Alley in the recent issue of People magazine. I feel sorry for her. She may be rich and famous, but why-oh-why she just doesn't get a lap band and be done with the chronic yo-yo dieting thing is beyond me. :ohmy: Now she's creating her own diet and writing a book about it. It might make her some $$, but it doesn't take a crystal ball to see she'll be right back where she is a couple of years from now ... There is peace in knowing you're moving past "just one more diet" - "just one more book" - "just one more gym membership" and that you're getting a tool that can help you permanently.

May 14, 2009

4

#1 Thing I Won't Miss

I can't **count** how many people have come up to me and had the GALL to say, "You know who you look *exactly* like?!" [i grit my teeth, 'cause I know what's coming ... wait for it ...] "Kathy Bates!!!" I say tersley, "Well, she's a great American actress, so I'll take that as a compliment.":sneaky: If you can't say "You look just like Nicole Kidman" - then keep your thoughts to yourself!

April 6, 2009

5

More good news re surgeon ...

Cardiologist at Northwestern knows of Galvani, too - sounds like he has a great reputation in Chicago.

May 14, 2009

1

A few more things I learned today -

My internist strongly advised a couple other things today: 1) GET LOTS OF SLEEP in the next few weeks before band surgery [Jun-3]. It's one of the things that will boost your immune system and stave off getting sick so close to the date. Avoid people as much as you can (trains, etc); and wash your hands a lot / use hand sanitizer. 2) USE YOUR CPAP MACHINE and TAKE IT WITH YOU TO SURGERY OVERNIGHT. I quit using my cpap machine a few weeks ago, thinking tra-la-la it's just a little while before surgery and not having to use the darned thing at all anymore. But she said that's incorrect thinking. I'm staying at a hotel downtown Chicago after outpatient surgery, and engaging the services of a nurse to stay with me overnight. Again, my doctor said to BE SURE TO BRING THE CPAP along, because additional drugs in the body with surgery can really effect your sleep. 3) Check your meds. Some are crushable, some are not. Some have liquid forms, some not. If you have a lot of pain issues like me, you need to plan for your pain management ahead of time. Also, she advised to wean off of Lexapro (antidepressant) before the surgery. I really don't need it that much, just take it as a hormone therapy substitute instead of estrogen - but she looked it up and it's not the greatest thing to be on if you're having surgery. Also, Celebrex isn't that great to be on before surgery, either. Of course, consult your own physician - but these are a few things I learned today that are worth asking questions about. - mscarly

May 12, 2009

1

Lesson learned re cardiology clearance -

Went for my pre-op testing today with my internist (standard questions and tests such as blood pressure, blood work, EKG, chest xray, etc). She said typically an INTERNIST can give cardiac clearance before surgery; but she looked closely at the order and called to make sure - my surgery center requires a CARDIOLOGIST to give the clearance. This is usually even more the case when you're having ELECTIVE surgery, she commented. They are being very sure to have complete due diligence on you ... Word to the wise - it would be a heck of a note to not have that correct on surgery day. When in doubt - CALL! :ohmy:

May 12, 2009

1

Mothers Day Meditation -

I'm taking a few minutes to think about being a Mom and my dearly deceased Mom ... and food and Moms ... and work and exercise and Moms ... and getting older as a Mom ... and why the sam heck didn't I do this earlier as a Mom ... (because it wasn't there in the US 10 years ago, Mom!) ... and how lucky the younger people are on this site who are going to have many better years of feeling great as MOMs and WIVES and DAUGHTERS and SISTERS and the GUYS that will *be there* for their MOMs and WIVES because they got a Lap Band that saved their lives. [whew!] Next year, I know I'll feel lots better and will be able to go out and see the lilacs and tulips in bloom at Lilacia Park on foot, without a wheelchair or a cane. That's a good thought to hold on to.:biggrin: God bless all the wonderful nurturing energy in the people on this site who share and care and make a difference in each other's lives every day. - mscarly :crying:

May 10, 2009

2

Good news today re surgeon

I received a *glowing* reference today from one of my physicians regarding Dr. Carlos Galvani at Day One in Chicago, who is going to perform my lap band surgery. She was kind enough to ask around, so I take that as very comforting info as my Jun-3 2009 surgery date approaches. Also, one of my colleagues, who is very knowledgeable about the healthcare industry, reviewed his CV and was very impressed with his qualifications. :thumbup:

May 8, 2009

2

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