Today is my 6th day since getting banded and I'm feeling amazingly great! No seriously, I have never been so well behaved about a healthy lifestyle, and even though the band is not yet adjusted (so technically it's not really going to work yet), I am not suffering from hunger pains or anything that makes me discouraged. I think part of it is because I've been on liquids for over a week and am somewhat over the hungry part, plus I've been good about staying hydrated. And I'm sure staying positive mentally is helping too! I started brisk walking 3 days post-op, just around my neighborhood and at the mall. But yesterday, I was able to hit the gym and do 1 mile on the treadmill (brisk walking w/ an incline) and 2 miles on the elliptical. I left feeling so good, it had been way too long since the last time I used my membership. I was kind of afraid that my incisions would feel like they were stretching, but everything was fine... just keep it at a moderate pace. Anyhow, I decided to wait until tomorrow to weigh myself because it'll be my 1 week post-op day and I'm assuming that it's best to record my progress 1 week apart on the same day and same time.
Oh and last thing, in case any of you are looking for a good protein shake, I have been using DESIGNER WHEY chocolate flavor (from Trader Joes) mixed w/ fat-free milk (instead of water) and it is sooooo good. Doesn't taste powdery if you use a chug/sports bottle to shake it well, then just add ice cubes so it's cold. It tastes like SILK chocolate soy milk... for those of you that have tried that, you know it's good! I bought the vanilla flavor too, but it left a somewhat bitter taste. I'll just use it to add to stuff like oatmeal later when I'm on pureed foods.
Ok, well that's enough talk for today. I hope you are all doing well and continue to motivate yourself and me! We can do this!!!
First off, I am so excited that there is a website dedicated to lapband patients.:biggrin: As odd as this may sound, no one, except for my boyfriend and of course the doctor and staff that banded me, knows that I received this procedure. Therefore, I am really hoping that all of you here can be my support group so that I feel like I am not alone on this journey. I have read many of your stories and am so grateful that everyone shares so openly and honestly.
After much research, I decided to be banded by Dr. Michael Feiz in Southern California. Dr. Feiz is not only Board Certified and a Fellowship trained Weight Loss Surgeon, but also an educator a USC. His current and extensive experience with overweight patients made me feel comfortable enough to go forward w/ a consultation on April 1, 2009 for the Lapband. That day, Dr. Feiz gave a very detailed comprehensive consultation and I left his office feeling educated and mindful of what to expect if I was to be banded. Knowing that this procedure wouldn't be covered by my insurance company, I spent a month trying to figure out my finances. During this time, I was able to do further research on Dr. Feiz and the lapband and it became apparent that I made the right decision.
My surgery day was this past Wednesday, May 6, 2009 @ 8:00 am. As far as the whole experience thus far, everything has gone smoother than expected.
I arrived at the surgery center at 7:00 am. I was pretty relaxed waiting for my name to be called and in no time, I was called in. After kissing my boyfriend good-bye, I was taken in, did my wardrobe change, pregnancy test, and then laid on my hospital bed. My nurse and I made small talk while she checked my vitals and went over my chart and medical history. Then, my anesthesiologist went over her questions and meticulously explained what my anesthesic involved and what to expect; she even told me about post-surgery pain from anesthesia which would be felt in the shoulders, chest, and sometimes a mild sore throat (I definitely felt pain in the shoulders the 1st and 2nd day, but because she explained it so well, I was not alarmed at all). After this step, my nurse came back and inserted my IV (she did it so very gently, I barely felt a pinch!). After a short wait, the doctor came in! We went over any questions I had and he thoroughly explained what I should expect during my recovery and how we are going to work together so that we can achieve results that I will be happy with. He examined my abdominal area, ask me if I preferred my port to be on the side or above my navel (we decided on the side) and I was off to the OR! In the OR, I remember telling my anesthesiologist that I was comfortable and then... good night!
I forgot to check the time when I finally woke up in the recovery room, but I remember feeling like I had an amazing nap. My nurse let me rest and after about 30-40 mins, I was alert and asked for a sip of water (the sip did wonders!). I clearly remember that I was surprise because I was not in pain. I only felt slight soreness, but not pain. By early afternoon, I was ready to go home and was wheeled out of the surgery center. The rest of the day, I still did not feel any pain; I was more or less just groggy and little short of breath from going under. As soon as I got home, I took my meds and alternated between resting and slow walking. When my mouth was dry, I sipped on water or sucked on ice. That night, I was able to sleep flat on my back, but shifted slightly to the sides when I felt the soreness in shoulders (I used a pillow to prop me up a bit).
The next day wasn't bad either. I thought I would feel some pain, but there was zero pain in my abdominal area, just slight tenderness around the incisions. The only thing I really felt yesterday was gas and chest pains. Walking definitely helped, but sitting in a slouchy position was a no no! That position would ignite heart burn sensations, which was something I never really felt before... it can be a bit uncomfortable. Again, I hydrated w/ little water and this time, some crystal light, but spent the rest of the day walking around the house and resting.
Today, I feel good. I still don't feel any pain so I stopped my pain meds. If anything, I just a little uncomfortable from gas and heart burn. I noticed that even sips of water or crystal light would start the chest pains again, so I finally called the doctors office and learned that sipping a little differently (without air) may stop that feeling, which it did. I guess my stomach pouch is so small that the slightest sips could bring in air, which creates that pressure in the chest. Right now, I'm having a little miso soup, but oddly enough, I haven't had any hunger pains since I've been on a liquid diet (which started on Monday - May 4, 2009). And althought I shouldn't be worried about losing weight so soon, I weighed myself just to start tracking myself... DRUM ROLL!!!! :crying: I've shed 12 pounds since I went on this liquid diet or 6 pounds since being banded on Wednesday!
In all, I can honestly say that I wasn't a bit nervous about getting the lapband - not even a little bit. And I truly believe that this was the result of everyone doing their part to inform me and help me be as comfortable as possible with getting banded. My nutritionist, psychologist, nurse, anesthesiologist, surgery coordinators, and Dr. Feiz took their time to fully explain every detail with me, which is imperative for any surgery, but especially when it has to do with something that will be a part of you for the rest of your life! Now, I look forward to making successful lifestyle changes so that I can be more than happy with myself! I wish you well on your journey and look forward to making friends here! Let's hope the next couple of days will go as smoothly as the start of this whole journey!!!
