So I just had my first week long business trip with my new band.
I was in meetings all day long, so lunch was catered. I was a bit worried about what was going to be available, so I carried a Muscle Milk Light in my bag just-in-case. The meals were not bad at all. Each day, chicken in some form was offered, and not breaded or fried, and a salad was available and I was able to put on my dressing.
I had my little eating computer with me, so I could sneak off after my meal and compute how well I did, and I believe that I did rather well. I was quite proud of myself. Although all week long I drank with my meal (and I'm trying to get myself out of that habit, but that one is difficult). Also, at this point in time, I'm going through the dreaded "Bander's Hell" where I can eat just about anything, and it'll go right down. So I'm not too concerned about the drinking with the meals.
The weekend of the Fourth posed its own difficulties, as I'm sure everyone else had to deal with, but I kept things together. I even tried my wife's low-carb pasta salad, albeit just a small portion. Again, finally performing my computations, I kept things in line.
Only once did I go above my carb limit during the past week, and that's when I treated myself to a Long Island Iced tea. It surprised me because it was very carbonated. When I made my own, I only put a splash of Coke in mine...and only for color. But, I sipped it slowly and enjoyed it. I didn't have any issues with the carbonation, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and enjoy a cold Coke, because I've worked very hard to get myself off of sodas.
So...anyone try Pork Rinds as a low-carb snack?
Throughout this "Bander's Hell", I've been able to eat everything I've had in my diet without any issues. I've not even thrown up or regurgitated anything (not even had the 'slimes' which I've read about). But I ate a few pork rinds and had a total blockage! It was very panic-inducing the first time it happened. I thought I swallowed a bolus that was just too large, but I was careful. I tried it again the day after, and the same thing happened. Very odd...but I'm going to keep away from pork rinds from now on.
This Friday is my first fill. I'm quite anxious for this visit for a few reasons: 1) I'd like to get out of this "Bander's Hell", 2) I'd like to see if I lost any weight since my last weigh-in on June 10, and 3) I really would like a little restriction in my band, as I think it would be too easy to eat too much in my current state...at least until I can get my mind wrapped around just how to eat well, and how much is good for me to maintain my weight loss.
IMHO, this is an excellent and informative read about the lapband. It goes into a great many detail about the surgery, the procedure, pre and post-op expectations, the psych exam, and what to expect and what do to following the surgery.
"Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfully", by Dr. Swell. I got it for my Kindle from Amazon.
Has anyone read it? Thoughts?
http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Loss-Surgery-Adjustable-Gastric/dp/1600940021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308620739&sr=8-1
Wow...I made it to week two. Not that I didn't think I'd make it, but it just seemed to have taken a while.
Some observations of the surgery:
Scars - I have five small 1.5cm cuts which were sealed with the glue. They are healing well. I wash them daily with the surgical scrub I used before the surgery. They no longer hurt when rubbed up against anything. A few are almost totally closed, and a couple are almost there. I think that surgical glue will be there long after I'm totally healed.
Mobility - I've been very mobile and active since the fourth day after surgery. I walk daily, and pretty much do everything I can except for picking up anything more than about ten pounds, as per my doctor's instructions. I know I'm a bit more cautious when bending over, because there are some things that area a wee bit sensitive when I do. No real pain, but more of a discomfort in certain spots in my chest.
Eating - I seem to fall into that group of "I believe that I can eat anything I want and it won't get stuck", although I don't push that. I make a conscious effort to chew everything completely, and I try to eat everything without fluids, but sometimes I just have to have some water with my meal. Just habit, but I think I'm slowly breaking myself of that habit. I know I'll have to get used to that when they tighten up the band on my first fill.
Discomfort - Okay. Here it is. A whole new sensation - I am totally aware of where my port is. I read before that many never know where their port is, or that they cannot feel it. I can. I know exactly where it is, and I know that it is the focus of some of the discomfort when I bend over, and move about too much in the abdominal area. From what others have said, and what I read, that is about normal, and that it will go away. I guess I can comfort myself in the fact that it's easy to find, and there won't be much sticking around with the fill needle when it comes to the fill.
Weight Loss - I'm not really sure about this. Although my clothes seem to fit a lot better , but I haven't been back to my doctor's office to weigh myself. I keep a record of everything I eat. I try to keep my calories below 1,400 a day, my carbs below 40, and my fat below 40 as well. My protein is always above 120. I've read that a very high protein diet, especially in men with the lapband significantly reduces the chances of excess skin because of the weight loss. But then again, I don't believe everything I read, so it's taken with a grain of salt. Also, my dietitian states that my protein intake is just fine for someone of my height. I'm quite anxious for my first fill, not just to experience 'the fill', but to find out my true weight loss (as I have used it from the start) has been.
Shakes - I'm really getting sick of the three flavors and variations on the themes of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. A the end of this week, I'm going to explore more flavors. Although I really enjoy the Isopure Fat-Free shakes, especially the Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Mint.
It's Friday, and the guys in the office want to order pizza.Wow, what a dilemma since I absolutely LOVE pizza, and haven't had it for abouttwo months. Nope, not even for my infamous 'last supper' before all the liquiddieting. I actually was jonesing for a bacon cheeseburger for my 'last supper'.Boy, did that hit the spot. I can fondly remember it now, and as I type this, I'maware of the creepy smile that is growing on my face. But I digress. Pizza forluch. I already packed my lunch for today. A Muslce Milk Lite (not a favoriteof mine, but I didn't want to bring in the shake mix, and then the CalorieCountdown Milk, and have to wash out my mixing cup and have to remember to takeit home (I'm a guy, I always forget my mixing cups at the office. It'll beSaturday morning, and I'm scouring the house for my mixing cups, when my wifewill remind me that I didn't bring them home so they weren't washed). So it's Muscle Milk, me and a reduced fatstring cheese. Or pizza.
Being my Aspie self, I start to methodicallyand logically scour the internet for caloric information on pizza – it's mymission today to make this pizza logically sound like a healthy decision. I'mfocused and decided now, so there's no stopping me. How many carbs, calories, etc.I'm trying to logically fit this piece of pizza into my routine, AND make it a 'healthy'decision. I could just eat the cheese and maybe a pepperoni or two. Maybe I'llbe totally satiated on just half of the cheese and a single pepperoni. Maybejust one bite. With the dough. After all, my port is wide open, and it almostfeels like I don't have a port at all. Sure, I can handle one bite of doughwith the cheese, and I'll have to make sure that my bite counts and get thatpepperoni in there with it.
Ah, new updated information from my colleague. It's going tobe a really good pizza from the gourmet place down the road (lots of those herein DC). I'm even more determined now to fit that in to my routine. AND keep ithealthy.
So I continue to search, and of course I keep going throughthese forums. I read of how many people have whatever they want, even pizza,within moderation, and making sure that they chew well and get it past theirband. I also read of the people dedicated to the new lifestyle that they havebecome a part of with the band. A turn of a new leaf in their lives. That'swhat it is to me too, I think as I read these. I remind myself that this is alife decision, that I know I took a lot of time, and did a lot of research tomake this decision. That I underwent surgery (and I loathe surgery…not thatanyone really loves it…but I am a firm believer that the body is like a car,once it's at the mechanics to tweak or adjust something, that something willforever squeek, squak , or just not work properly ever again). I know that I'vebeen doing really well, and that I need to reward myself from time to time, toremind me that I am keeping myself on track, not just for myself, but for my family,because that is why I'm doing this. That this is a new lifestyle, and I've gotthe best tools to accomplish this.
I'm going to stop at Trader Joe's on the way home and pickup some Veggie Pepperoni, and save enough fat/carbs to allow myself a 'nice'dinner. I'll get that pizza fix I was set on, but I'm going to do it the rightway, the way that I set out to do. I know the veggie pepperoni is pretty decent(at least that's what I believe), I just wonder if the low fat cheese sticksmelt?
Maybe even a little 'Skinny Girl Margarhita' and a stop at the bookstore on my way home to treat myself.
Well, I did a really disappointing thing today. I decided to jump on the scale at work. I asked a colleague of mine how accurate it was, and he says it was 'right on'. Okay. Good. I'll see how much I've lost since I last got on a scale, just before my surgery. Way wrong move. According to the work scale, I GAINED a few pounds! Ugh. I know that I really didn't. I've been keeping to my 1,200 calorie or less, high protein, low fat, low carb diet, and walking! I know I had some fluids built up from the surgery, but geesh...I didn't think I was continuing to build up fluids.
I know that all scales aren't accurate, and they vary from scale to scale. I'm sure that I did lose weight, but it was just a little disconcerting to see a little gain. I know it's ridiculous to lament on it, but it still annoys me. I can't wait to get on my doctor's scale. Whether or not his is accurate, at least I can judge my loss/gains according to that standard. Not the $10 scale-in-the-corner-of-our-work-kitchen scale. Lesson learned.
I'm going to the bookstore to get myself something, and my mind off that dang scale.
________
On a more positive health note, I'm feeling really great today. The only discomfort is a little poking pain when I bend certain ways. I don't know if it's the port, or part of the band, but I'm sure as time goes on that I'll figure it out. Still feeling hungry, but I'm spreading out my snacks and meals so that I don't go over my limits.
So I've been told that I have to be on this liquid diet for twoweeks after surgery. My post-op exam went well, and I was told that I couldslowly migrate from liquids, to soft foods, to regular foods before my firstfill. I have fallen into this ‘hungry’ stage, where it feels like I don’t evenhave a band. I wish my PA or doctor would have told me to expect this, becauseI feel that this could cause problems adjusting to ‘real’ food. If I don’t haveany restriction when I drink my liquids, and none when I eat my soft foods, Icould become complacent and not pay attention to me chewing my food. Just myworry, because I’ve read the articles and blogs of others who have experiencedthis, and who were reminded that they do indeed have the band, when they getfood stuck.
I've decided to accelerate and push myself early.
I decided to do this because I feel that I'm healing very well,and very quickly from the surgery. The surgery went well, and I'm back at worknow full time. Although I'm pushing it with the food, I’m still taking it veryeasy with the weight I lift, although I still walk about thirty to sixtyminutes each day.
The past few days I’ve been experimenting with the soft foods.Namely cheeses. Oh what a joy it was to eat cheese after all those shakes. Lastnight was my first night going out to a restaurant. I’ve tried to avoid thatuntil I was totally comfortable, and confident in my new eating abilities, butit came as a surprise. Up until then, I only had eaten cheeses and a few soycrisps. Always keeping within my protein, fat and carb intake. I was fortunateenough to go to a restaurant that had a ‘carb friendly’ selection! So, I ordereda bacon cheeseburger with salad. It came without the bun. I ate a couple leavesof lettuce from the salad, making sure I chewed very well. A couple times I gotengrossed in conversation, and swallowed a large bit of lettuce. I was panickythere for a moment, but all was well. I had to remind myself to chew chew chew.The burger came and it was wonderful. I didn’t eat the whole thing, although Ithink I could have. What I realized was that by chewing slowly, I took a longtime to eat. So I was only half way done with my meal when everyone was anxiousto get the check. I didn’t feel full. I also didn’t drink anything with dinner.My first time trying that. (I personally think that is going to be the hardestthing for me to get over, as I always have drinks with meals.) Once I got backinto my car, I did feel full. That lasted for a few hours. I just wondered whyit took about ten more minutes for me to feel that way. Again, the hardest partwas trying not to drink anything after the meal. I failed. I keep a full water bottlein my car, and I stopped myself from drinking from it twice, but the third timeI wasn’t even paying attention and had a few gulps. Oh well. I’ll keep ontraining myself.
Today/this morning. I feel great. What I noticed about the surgeryis that the scars/cuts were what hurt most during the past week. Either whenthey get rubbed up against something, or when they snag on a t-shirt. Today,nothing. I can feel them from outside my shirt, but no mild pain at all.
Instead of a shake today for lunch, I went out and bought some veggiebuffalo wings! A nice little treat to get away from the shakes. To top it off,one serving is a lot less than a shake in all regards (carbs, calories, fat,protein), that if they don’t fill me up, then I can have a half a shake andstill keep within my eating plan.
I’m definitely not a vegan in any sense, but I thought I’d pick up some veggiestuff for my ‘soft’ foods stage. I’ll let you know how they taste.
It’s been one week since my banding! The novelty has dieddown quite a bit for me. Here are my observations:
I don’t feel like I have a great deal of restriction-
I am able to drink relatively easy and without anydifficulty. I’ve taken a couple Tylenols caplets for headaches (which I figuredout was a caffeine withdraw – I don’t have much caffeine, but I guess enough tocause a withdraw headache. A Crystal Lite Tea alleviated that.) I was a littleconcerned about taking the caplets, as they would have been the biggestobstacles which my new pouch would have faced. I accidently took two at a time,habit, but they went down okay and I didn’t feel anything. I felt as if theywent straight through. When I drink my protein shakes, those do seem to fill meup a bit. I actually have had to reduce the amount of liquid that I mix myshakes with. I used to do about 20 ounces of milk-like-product (Hood CalorieCountdown), or just water. Now I’m down to about 10-14 ounces of liquid withthe mix. Those will satiate me for quitea while, enough that I’m able to just do three shakes a day, and then maybe acup of broth somewhere in the middle of the day.
Pain-
The only pain associated with the band right now for me iswith the cuts healing on my chest. I seem to rub them against t-shirts, and bumpthem against everything whenever I move. The ‘gas’ pain that I had only lastedfor the first two days. After that, each time I hiccupped, I would feel somepain just under my ribs (the surgeon did repair a hiatial hernia), but that toohas subsided to just a discomforting twang of a reminder that it hurt much morelast week.
The Port-
When I went for my post-op check up last Friday (Day four),my PA asked me if I felt my port. I didn’t, because I really didn’t go lookingfor it. Why? Because I know that my stomach area is bloated and filled withliquid from the surgery. Also, because I have a lot of bruising from thoseanti-coagulating shots I had to give myself twice a day, so I just left thatalone to explore another day. She did point it out to me, and that answered aquestion I had in my head about some swelling where I would have guessed myliver was located. I thought, from what my research suggested, as well as whatmy doctor told me, that the port would be located to my left side of my navel somewhere.My port is actually located to my right of my navel (as I am looking down atit). There is a small swollen bump over it, and I do worry that it might bemore prominent or visible in the future as I lose more weight.
Weight Loss-
I started the shake/protein/liquid diet at the beginning ofMay. Just about three weeks before my surgery. I was 320 at that time, and myweight at my post-op check up was 292.
Diet-
Right now, my doctor has me on the liquid diet for two weeksfollowing the surgery, then on to soft foods, then on to more advanced foods.My next follow up appointment would be for my first fill, and my PA stated thatI might not need a fill if I’m losing weight as is. The PA stated that thedoctor put the smallest band on me, and it could be possible that I might notneed a fill. We shall see. Personally, I don’t know if that will work, asyesterday and today I find myself hungry between shakes. Not an uncontrollablehunger, but I know that if it keeps up, I will have to put another shake, orcup of soup in my diet to satiate me. I’m quite eager to start the soft foods,and feel that I could introduce something of more substance than ‘jello’ rightnow, but I might introduce that later this week, maybe a couple days earlierthan planned, depending on the hunger. Right now, I try to keep my calories as close to 1000 as possible, myfat below 30, and my carbs as close to 30 as possible. I used to worry about myprotein, as I use the Isopure shakes, and they have about 40-50 grams ofprotein a serving, but in talking with my dietician and PA, they told me that Idon’t need to worry about too much protein. I’m 6’2, so they said that tallerguys will need more protein in any case. So, I’m going to roll with that. Myaverage day is 900-1100 calories, 20 grams fat, 30-40 grams carbs, and about140-170 grams protein. I keep track of all my foods and exercise on my iPhonewith a free application/program from www.fatsecret.com.I’ve found that to be the easiest and best program for me to keep track ofeverything.
Work –
I’m back at work full time now. I knew it was a bit earlylast week, but I thought I’d try it in any case. My PA yelled at me (tongue incheek) saying that she usually tells her patients to take three weeks off. But,I work in a place where I can take it easy and type on the computer all day ifI need to.
I'm back at work, and now realize that this was not the best idea. While I'm not in any real pain, I'm still having internal issues from the anesthesia, some gas pains, and just a general malaise. I stopped taking any oxycodone and am not taking any Tylenol, but I feel that I should take something to get me through the next few hours before I head home. I’m definitely going to take tomorrow off and just relax. It’s more about being exhausted and overwhelmed about everything, then actually not feeling ready to work.
Tomorrow is my first follow-up appointment, and I’m looking forward to hearing what the doctor has to say about how the surgery went. I don’t know if this is common to a lot of people, but I thought it was rather odd that I didn’t see my doctor/surgeon after the surgery, just for a quick check from him, or some reassuring words that everything went well.
The day after surgery, and yesterday were okay. Just discomfort. I really should have read other’s blogs about their recovery, because even though we’re encouraged to walk, I think that I moved around way too much in the past couple of days. I can really feel some discomfort from all my movements.
I'm sure a lot of this is not new to people who've read a lot of this board, and who are already banded, but I know that it's been reallyhelpful to me to read other's experiences in getting the. I hope my experiencecan be helpful to at least one person who's still curious and anxious what thisexperience is like. I was banded and had a hiatal hernia repair on June 6, 2011and here's how my surgery went:
Three hours before my surgery time, I took my anti-nauseaand anti-fungal medications. I arrived at the hospital two hours early. Checkedin and was brought back to prep. I changed into my hospital wardrobe and sataround for about forty-five minutes before I got my IV of fluids. Every fewminutes, someone came by to ask if the doctor had shown up yet. Was gettingpretty funny, I think they were getting a bit nervous. The anesthesiologiststopped by and went over my stats, asked a few questions, and explained to methat I would have a tube down my throat etc. My dietician showed up and wentover everything with both me and my wife. Up until about this point, my wifewasn't really involved directly in my lap-band adventure. I told her about allmy appointments, gave her the brochures, and explained everything to her, but Inever took her to meetings etc. I just prefer to do that on my own.
I got up to urinate twice before the doctor showed up. Aboutfifteen minutes after the surgery was to start (and boy I wish they would havegiven me something for anxiety at that point), my doctor finally showed up. Mydoctor actually asked me what band I was getting! I thought that was veryinteresting. Actually, I was asked twice about which band I was getting, fromhim and from a nurse recording all my information.
I was wheeled into the operating room, asked to movemyself over to the operating table, then was told that I would be givenmedication to relax. The next thing I remember was being awakened from a dreamwith the nurse calling my name.
My belly was tender, my throat was killing me. I use aCPAP, and was asked to put that on. I did, but it was removed early since I wasso alert and didn't really feel like sleeping/napping. I just wanted to get outof there and relax at home. I waited there for about forty-five minutes. Whilethere, I could slowly start to become aware of the incisions in my belly. I hadfive. I tried to remember if that was normal, higher than normal, or lower thannormal – from what I've read in this forum. I know my wife was waiting for mewhen I got out, and I was quite anxious to see her. While waiting in recovery,I did not see my doctor at all. I was kind of hoping to hear from him thateverything went well, and that my liver looked good (I was worried about thatsince I was told I had a fatty liver. I did the pre-op liquid diet, lost 30pounds, but nevertheless, I was a little nervous since I snuck in a few piecesof cheese into the liquid diet.) I inhaled into Airlife measuring thingy, tomake sure that I was taking deep breaths, and had no problems with that. Thebiggest thing on my mind now, other than getting the heck out of the hospital,was making sure I urinated before I left (I have a death's fear of catheters)and that I could swallow liquids.
I was finally taken into a semi-private room, where mywife was brought to meet me. My pain wasn't too bad. I was offered some meds,and I pre-emptively took them. I also was given a few little 'shots' of water.I had no problems swallowing those. I thought that I would be able to feel thenew 'pouch' given to me in the band. Nada. I kept slowly drinking the water. Itactually wasn't very easy to swallow the whole ounce of water, but I wasn'treally concerned, because I read that I might have difficulty in that early on.I was just glad to get it down, and to keep it down. Then the milkshake testcame. I nursed that ounce without any problems. Now all I had to do was walkdown the hallway, and urinate. I accomplished that, and was promptlydischarged. My dietician stopped by again giving me full dischargeinstructions, and explained to my wife what I was able to do, should do, andwhat I shouldn't do.
I was able to get up and walk around on my own. No issueswhatsoever. I felt awful that my wife was carrying my bag, and her stuff, whileI walked empty handed, but she assured me that I need to just take it easy, andlift nothing.
The ride home was okay. I felt a couple of the pot holes,and had some burping which was slightly painful. Got home, and immediately tooka Percocet. For the rest of the day I wasn't really in pain, just discomfort.What really hurt the most was my throat. I also discovered that my nostrilswere lined with dried blood, and that I would cough up a little blood, but Iattribute that to the tube in my throat. Oh yes, coughing, hiccupping and gaspains were the most painful. I was aware of the incisions, and upon examination,they seemed to look good, were tender, and covered with the superglue.
On my first day, I managed to get down 2/3 of a normal proteinshake I would drink for dinner. I also managed about 16 oz of water. I tried toget more down, but that's all I could really do. I filled up really fast withwater and shake. I used minimal amounts of Percocet, but used a lot of sorethroat spray.
