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About this blog

My journey through lapband

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Pre-Surgery

What a week at work, lots of student issues to deal with and little time for actual work. I did speak with my patient advocate Debra, from the surgeon’s office for the first time on Tues (maybe Wednesday). She will follow me through the procedure. After making my pre-op appointment we had a 45 minute conversation. Wow, what an inspiration and a positive mind set. She has been banded for 12 years I think she said. She had so many positive suggestions and recommendations, protein drinks, ways to decrease my "soda" and still feel like I am getting the "fizz" and so much more. She also had a list of "dos and don'ts." I can't wait to meet her. Dr. Fox uses the South Beach diet phase 1 for his pre-op, according to Debra he feels a "liquid" only diet is too restrictive and has a greater chance for failure. A good thing for me, I need to "chew" at least something during the day. I am instructed to get a copy of the South Beach Diet Supercharged which according to Debra will be my "Bible", and a journal to help me keep track of why I am doing this. A picture of me now, for the first page and on the inside cover, my breaking point, what finally made me decide to take this step. She said when she gets discouraged or thinks she is being denied something, she opens hers and sees how she was compared to how she is.   OH, I forgot to tell you, my surgery date has been moved back a week because the surgeon will be at an advanced training seminar. So pre-op appointment is Feb. 21st, pre-op diet starts the 29th and surgery is on March 9th. Surgery is on Friday and I originally thought I would go back to work Monday. While I lecture M-T all day I figured I could come up with in class activities and maybe come up with something creative to decrease my need to stand and move about the room. However; I am having my hiatal hernia repaired at the same time and Debra doubts I will be up to moving about and lecturing by Monday. So I will find someone to cover my classes for those two days and take a little longer to recover. W-F will be in my office doing administrative things and advising so it should be ok.   Tootles   D
DeesDiary

DeesDiary

2
 

Pre-Op Journey

Hello to all I hope to use this blog as a way to journal my way through the lapband experience not only to give insight to those considering it but for myself as a reminder of what was and what will be.   As a RN I know full well the risks of being obese but it's much like the respiratory therapist who smokes, what we know and what we do sometimes conflict! I've been overweight for as long as I can remember. My mother says the Dr. had me on a diet at 2. My earliest memory of diet was as a sophomore in high school. I've tried slimfast, dexatrim, calorie counts, and weight watchers all without serious weight loss. At 54 I am at my heaviest weight ever, 235 I never imagined I would be this heavy, how does this happen, how could I let myself get this heavy? It's a lifetime of poor habits obviously and genetics play some role. I swear I have the metabolism of a slug.   We (my fiance and I) went to a seminar on Jan. 28th and had done a lot of research before hand. The staff at the seminar were great and answered everyone's questions without hesitation. From the moment we met Dr. Fox I knew he was the surgeon I wanted. I scheduled my consult a few days before the seminar, I knew this was the surgery I wanted, needed, to help me lose the weight and be healthier. I had my blood work, pulmonary function test, and my EKG the Thursday following the seminar. Yesterday, Feb 6th I had an EGD to see if I had a Hiatal Hernia. My INS. has a total ban on any bariatric surgery but will pay for hernia repair. No surprise, I have one , should I be happy. The good thing is that while fixing the hernia I get the lapband. Even if I hadn't had the EGD, Dr. Fox would have fixed the hernia during banding. So now I save 5k because the INS. pays for the hernia.   The only step left is to meet one on one with Dr. Fox for physical, and instructions on pre-op diet. He uses phase one of the South Beach diet preoperatively. My surgery is scheduled for March 2nd so I have a few weeks. The biggest thing I will have to give up is Diet Coke and carbs. I, like most overweight people am a carbaholic. I could eat pasta 7 nights week. I have tried to taper off the diet coke slowly but am not ready to say no more just yet. I have a few favorite foods I must eat before the pre-op diet begins simply because they will be off limits afterwards.   As the surgery gets closer I get more excited about what's to come. One day at a time, one pound at a time is my new motto.   D
DeesDiary

DeesDiary

2
 

Pre-Op Diet Day Two

Yesterday was weigh in for Day 1 of the Pre-op diet 235 Guess the week of "Final Meals" didn't hurt.   Today is day two of SouthBeach Phase 1..I was so busy yesterday that all I had was my protien shake (slim fast low carb) and 1/2 cups of mixed nuts...which lasted me all day. Not really how I thought it would go...Chicken fajita meat and 2 cups of greenbeans was supper but not untill 9:30. Hope I do better today. The one thing I did notice was that I wasn't hungry throughout the day. I expected to be starving by noon. I guess it's a mindset, I know I have to stay on this diet until next Friday when my surgery is scheduled. I cannot imagine going in and having Dr. Fox say "NOPE, your liver is in the way, try again!!" I am getting nervous, and anxious. I'm a nurse so I know it is the right thing to do but I also know the risks of surgery and general anesthesia. I have never had a major surgery before so to do an elective procedure is hard for me. Moving forward to a better, healthier life D
DeesDiary

DeesDiary

1
 

8 Hours And Counting

OK this is it.......really...........it's here already. Surgery in the morning at 0730 Does that sum up my emotions? I am nervous and excited. I've lost 8 lbs on the pre-op diet......1lb a day, not bad, if I can keep that up I will be happy!! Anticipating the pain, probably more than needed. I'm not questioning my decision though.......I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Time to make a change. I will keep you posted.   Tootles D
DeesDiary

DeesDiary

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