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trinitys_mom's Journal

A blog by trinitys_mom

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Surgery check list...

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. Here is a list of items to take with you and to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. My friend sent me this list and I think it will be invaluable!!!! Medicinal: Liquid Tylenol (they make adult strength) Chewable or liquid gas-x Gauze Pads 4x4 Paper tape Stool Softener Pill cutter Chewable vitamins Benedryl cream (suggested for those who have a slight allergy to gauze tape) Clothing: Loose waisted shorts or sweats For the ladies, a sports bra, no under wires Slip-on shoes Comfort items: Heating pad Flexible ice pack A few books or movies Pillow for car rides to guard against seatbelt irritation Wet Wipes Food/Kitchen items: Protein shakes Flavored water A good blender and/or a drink mixer Broth Sugar free popsicles/jello Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals) Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottled water mix Gatorade Bouillon Cream of Wheat Creamy soups Applesauce Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Ensure, Boost, Glucerna etc Frozen fruits for protein shakes Small pudding cups Suggested list of things to have done before you leave: All laundry finished to ensure lots of clean clothes for a while. Having someone who is able to be there for a few days to handle meal prep. Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home. Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital . Make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work. Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Check if your medications are “crushable”.

March 29, 2007

6

My first group meeting...

02/20/07 Today I went to my first group meeting. It was at Mercy Hospital at 5:00pm. I guess it was alright I don't know how helpful these meetings are going to be. We went around the room and talked about basic nutrition and what it meant to me. It was kind of silly everyone of course said almost the same thing and there isn't too many different answers. I just think the closer I get the meetings will be more for support than really teaching any of us anything we don't already know. But, it's what the doctor wants and what he wants he will get. I got a big surprise when I got weighed!!! Since seeing Dr. Bonomo I have lost 5 lbs. I told the nurse can we do this again I think your scale is broken!! She laughed and asked why? I told her I had lost five pounds in the last 2 weeks without any real effort and I was just surprised. The only thing I have changed is I switched from sugar to splenda in my coffee and I am using lite creamer instead of regular. I drank a couple bottles of water with crystal light. So I was shocked and of course Happy!!! I go to the nutritionist on Friday and hopefully all goes well there!!

February 22, 2007

3

APPROVAL LETTER....

I received my approval letter from the insurance co today!!! I am so excited... 19 days until I am a bandster!!!

April 14, 2007

3

PRE-OP DIET....

OK OK I CHEATED!!!! I feel so guilty, I have been on this diet now for 10 days and I have been doing everything I am suppose to be doing and then I got really nervous and started talking about all the stuff I am not going to eat anymore then it happened we went out for dinner and I ordered steak fajitas I didn't eat the beans, rice, sour cream, or guac. but I did eat some steak, green peppers, tomatoes, and of course tortillas!!! I only ate about 1/4 of the meal but I felt so guilty afterwards. I am starting to doubt myself.... Can I really do this?! Am I cursed to being FAT forever?! I am praying for strength!!! 4 days until surgery!!!!

April 28, 2007

3

Weekly Meeting....

Went to another weekly meeting, my nutritionist said that since I have been on the liquid diet for 2 weeks now and have to continue with the liquids for 2-3 more weeks that I can incorporate some vegetables since my liver is prob. shrunk already and to go back to liquids about 1 week before surgery and everything should be fine!!! I am loving this liquid diet I am so moody and I am pretty crabby but I think it's getting better!!!

May 2, 2007

2

My Fourth Meeting....

We learned about managing our food cravings and how to control what we eat. Instead of eating just because you're bored go out and find something else to do... call a friend, play with the kids, take a bath anything just don't eat to eat only eat when you are hungry!!! It was sooo funny because this girl in the class said she always carries something in her purse so when she feels hungry she's got something to snack on. The Dr. was really impressed until she pulled out a Snickers bar... It was classic!!!! Then afterwards, she was talking to another woman who was working on her 2 weeks of full liquids and she pulled out the snickers and started eating it while she was talking, the other woman said you know I think I just have to walk away from you right now... She just couldn't understand why!!! Well, another woman told me about getting optifast at the hospital so I need to check into all of that. I am sooo happy I lost 1 more pound at weigh in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I even got my 2 friends to start exercising with me and go on a 1200 calorie diet. I hope that will help me after the surgery!!! all for now,

March 14, 2007

2

My first appointment is finally made....

It is just about 10 days since the seminar and I have just made my first appointment to see Dr. Bonomo for January 30th. I was waiting for the office to call me and my fiance reminded me that they wanted me to call them if I hadn't changed my mind about the lapband after hearing the seminar and going over all the other "options" there are out there. Well, I called and left a message, they called back I was not home. I called back again, the next day, they called back I was not home. I called back again, finally got a live person and left a message to to given to Florence the doctors RN and she called me and I was actually home!!! We finally touched base with each other and made the appointment!!! I am a little nervous about the first meeting with the doctor I just don't know what to expect!!! But I do know I want this bad it is time for a change a big change!!! I know they want medical records for the last year-- problem is I really don't have any-- well I have gyne records from giving birth in '05 and I only seen my family doctor twice in 2006, once for valium for the airplane ride to California and once because my feet swelled. The nurse said they are going to put me on a weight management program so the records are not that necessary but I know that it help with the insurance company to make up it's mind. I pray everything goes well. :nervous

January 25, 2007

2

12 days post op

Well, the liquid diet was going fine for the first week. I went out and actually ate dinner and had a few drinks, and all went well. I am not pigging out or anything but I have been eating normal foods with no problems. I am still eating my jello, pudding, and applesauce, but I am having a normal meal a day. I know I was suppose to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks but I was extremely hungry and I am not in any pain so all must be well. My port site still hurts and wearing a bra is unbearrable!!! I have my first meeting for my post op class tomorrow. I will write more then.

June 5, 2007

2

Seminar....

I am going to my first seminar on January 16th at Mercy Hospital. It is scheduled for 7:00pm and I am very excited to find out all the information on the lapband procedure. I have been doing research online but to hear all about the procedure should be very interesting. My BMI is 43 and Dr. Bonomo is going to be my doctor if I decide to go ahead with the procedure. I will write more after the meeting and hopefullly know more about what the future will hold. Hopefully, a skinny future!!!!!:clap2:

January 14, 2007

2

Surgery Rescheduled....

Well, the nurse called today and asked if they could up my surgery date from May 3rd to May 2nd. Of course, I said yes one less day of this diet!!! lol The only problem is that my husband took the 3rd through the 6th off to be with me during and after surgery! Now he doesn't know if he will be able to get the 2nd off. He is going to try and switch the day but my friend will probably take me and he will come up after work!!! I am a little more nervous now and I was really never a big eater mainly pop and coffee was the problem, but now that i know I can't eat I want too. I am so confused it's all in my mind and I have to conquear this.

April 25, 2007

2

THE SEMINAR....

All went well Dr. Bonomo and his RN conducted the seminar and they were very very friendly. The Dr. went over all the weight loss procedures with the pros and cons of each. He told us this is a slow process and only works if you want to change your eating behaviors. He seems to have a very nice program that is run out of Mercy Hospital in Chicago. They do a 12 week pre-op plan which includes all of the tests that you will need also it includes the psyc. and weight loss program needed by so many insurance companies. Then they also make you attend 12 more weeks of therapy, counseling, etc of post-op treatment. Some people were talking and thought that was a bit much, but I think that is great, the more and more I think about the lapband procedure I think my god will I be able to change the way I eat!?! So, I think post-op counseling would be a terrific thing. Well, now I'm just waiting for the nurse to call me and make an actual appointment with the doctor and hopefully start this crazy process!!!! Dr. Bonomo said he was leaving for vacation late Feb. so I hope they can see me before he leaves and I can start this 12 week program while he is gone!!! I think I've made the right decision to have this surgery!! I just want to be able to play with the kids without running out of breath, and not be afraid I won't fit in the seatbelts at the theme parks (rollercoasters) I just want my life back. I know it will be tough but I think I can do it!!!:nervous

January 17, 2007

2

SURGERY CANCELLED!!!!!

My surgery was scheduled for May 3rd then rescheduled for May 2nd, now I have to wait again!! I am so upset about this but happy to know that my doctor does care about his patients!! I have a sore on my stomach, I cut myself and it got infected!!!! I went to see the doctor yesterday and he cleaned out the cut and packed it with Iodoform and prescribed an antibiotic for 14 days!! I had to cancel my surgery and continue with the liquid diet for another 2 weeks!! He said he just wants to make sure no infection is present when we do the surgery. I have to pack this wound with Iodoform packing strips for a week and take my antibiotics for 2 weeks then see him on May 14th and if there is no infection we will reschedule the surgery then!!! He says he should be able to get me in right away after seeing me on the 14th (fingers crossed)! I am glad that we post poned this surgery because if the infection were to get to the band I would need another surgery to remove the band and possibily get all kinds of infections in my stomach and around the band!! I am glad to know the surgeon does care! He said we could probably get around the infection and do the surgery with no complications but why take the chance. I figure I have waited this long what's 2-3 weeks more!!! :think:( :sick

May 1, 2007

2

ANOTHER TEST...

Well went to my meeting on Tuesday and of course there was another test they forgot to have me get! I had to get 2 chest x-rays. Not a big deal but when you have other things to do, I had a meeting at 7:00pm and I didn't get out of the hospital until 6:30. I made the meeting 5 minutes late!! Oh well, I guess you take the good with the bad!! I seen the cardiologist the next day on the 4th of April, the nurse wanted to do an ekg, I told her I just had one done the week before. So, she had to check and that took about 30 minutes then finally I got my exam and the Doctor cleared me for surgery. She said the ekg came back great and her exam everything was normal, so as long as my echocardiogram comes back clean I am ready for surgery!!!! She said she doesn't think there should be anything wrong with the echo so she is sending her approval letter to Dr. Bonomo and will call me if anything comes up. She congratulated me and that was it. Only 28 days to go!!! Still down only the 8 pounds, but haven't started the liquid diet yet!!! enough venting!!lol

April 6, 2007

1

Weight Loss Ticker

:hungry: Starting my low calorie diet 02/01/07. So far just switched to Splenda and lite creamer for my coffee!!! Switched to Promise instead of margarine. and diet coke w/ lime instead of reg. coke!!! We'll see what happens!!

January 25, 2007

1

Surgery at last...

Well, I had my surgery on May 24th at Mercy Hospital by Dr. Bonomo. All went well until, recovery! I was in sooooo much pain and the nurses kept saying to breathe. Can you believe that! BREATHE and I'll fell better no more morphine and I'll feel better. The hospital experience was horrible! I got to my room at 12:30pm and I didn't get a work up from the nurses until 5:00pm no vitals, no bed pan, no nothing!! They didn't want to take the time to help me walk so they just wanted to leave the leg pumpies on so I wouldn't get blood clots. My husband was there thank the lord and we got up and walked a couple hours later and he changed my bed pans and had to page them for my pain meds. I will never go to that hospital again, for any operation. It was plain awful. I was very disappointed that the surgeon didn't make rounds the next day and his nurse did. I think that was kind of unprofessional. I mean you pay someone that amount of money you think they would make their own rounds! Anyway, the pain has been awful I am taking my vicodine and ibuprofen and tylenol and I am still in pain! The four small incisions do not hurt it is the big one under my left breast where the port is that is freaking killing me. Oh well, it's done and I have lost 25lbs before the surgery and I am hoping to see a lower number at my first weigh in. I am already soooo sick of this liquid diet. The gas pain has been a little intense, it seems to be settling under my collar bone. Well write more later...

May 29, 2007

1

still unfilled...

Seen the new doctor and he did not want to fill me. He told me losing a 1/2 pound a week was doing well. I don't see it that way!! I have another appt. on Feb 6th and he said if I still feel the same he will fill me. I think I need to be filled I am starting to get hungry all the time and can eat way more than I used to. crossing my fingers

January 5, 2008

1

Appointments....

I have to be at the hospital on the 20th at 2:00 to meet with the doctor. So I guess I will just stay for the workout class at 3:00 if I am done with the doctors appt. so I guess I will be going to the 4:00 class instead of the 5:00 class so I don't have to go home and come back. March 20th 2:00pm Doctor's Appt. 3:00pm Exercise Class 4:00pm Lap Band Meeting March 21st 1:00pm Dr. Gilliam Appt. Dr. Gilliam called he's the Pysch. Doc. we made my appt. for 1:00 to see if I qualify for the band. I guess to see if I am not crazy or some shit. Anyway, he seems very nice he is usually in the band meetings so I already know who he is. It just seems a little creepy that his office is in the basement. What the hell is that all about!!???!!! The shrink is kept in the basement lol Anyway, I am still a little nervous about the meeting. My weight so far has stayed the same, I did slip a little bit my daughter's b-day I had cake and ice cream but it was the memories of the day not the calories...:rolleyes

March 16, 2007

1

Getting filled again..

It has been a little over 3 months since I was unfilled a cc. I have an appt. on the 29th to have a fill. I have not lost any weight since the unfilling, I have stayed exactly the same weight! I no longer vomit or slime and can eat a variety of foods but not losing any weight! Hopefully this time around things will work out better! Crossing my fingers!

November 21, 2007

1

Echo...

Went and had an echocardiogram and the bitch pushed so hard she left a long bruise on my chest!!!! It was the longest test so far, either she didn't know what she was doing or she was just an idiot!! Then went to the pulmonologist and had those tests done in the little bubble machine!! Well, I think everything went alright at least no calls yet!

April 14, 2007

1

My first appointment...

I went to my first appointment with Dr. Bonomo today it was for 5:00pm and I didn't see him until 7:30pm!! First, they couldn't find my appointment that was made by Florence then the doctor had an emergency appendectomy so I waited until 7:30 before he came back to the office. I was a little nervous but he started asking straight forward questions and I answered truthfully and he said I could start my 12 weeks of pre-op counseling next Tuesday Feb. 6th @ 5:00pm!!! He also scheduled my surgery for May 3rd,07!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If everything goes well I will be banded a day before my birthday!!!!!:clap2: Also, they said everyone will start calling me to set up appointments for everything else like the pysch and pre op testing. I have to call and make the appt. with the cardiologist first thing in the morning so I can get an appt. before my surgery date. I am a little nervous about the sessions once a week I hope they will be insightful and not a waste of time!!! I can't wait to start this adventure!!!

January 31, 2007

1

My Meeting with the Nutrionist...

I had my first meeting with Erin she is the nutrionist at Mercy Hospital for the Lapband procedure. She is really a sweet person. We talked about choosing the right food and drinks, also about the portion size of these things. And of course, it's things you already know but don't really follow!! If you did you wouldn't be having this surgery!! It was insightful and I learned about what not to eat after the surgery and we went by date of what I will be able to eat and how much. We decided I should buy some of the shakes and things now and see which of these things I like and which I don't. I am a little more confident about making the right food choices now It's just doing it!!!

February 28, 2007

1

2nd Meeting...

I went to my second meeting it was all about label reading and watching what you buy. I rarely look at these things, I mean I know what to look for and what not to buy but I never really cared. I do realize that by reading the labels I will have a better chance of really losing the weight and keeping it off. I know that I have to change the way I think about food and how I eat it before this surgery!!! Just so I don't have a nervous break down when I can't eat all of those yummy things anymore!!! Lost 2 more pounds since last week!!! I am finally on my way!!!

February 28, 2007

1

Recipes...

Ok I am trying some new recipes and hopefully they will be tasty!! I know that are loaded with protein 1) 1¼ hours 5 min prep 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons onions, minced 3 tablespoons garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 1/2 teaspoons artificial sweetener, such as Splenda Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a 13x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken, lifting chicken to let liquid run underneath. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. 2) 1 beaten egg 1 (14 ounce) can salmon 10 crushed saltine crackers Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into patties, about 1 inch thick. Grill patties in skillet over medium high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cook on the George Foreman Grill 3) Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein)1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein) 1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder 8 ounces skim milk Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake. I hope these work!! lol

March 1, 2007

1

3 more lbs...

I HAVE LOST 3 MORE LBS!!! I start my liquid diet in 2 days and I hope I will lose at least another 4lbs by my surgery. A nice round number to start from! Went to class today and we learned about lapses and relapses with the lapband, I guess it makes sense just because you put this restraint on doesn't mean that you have dealt with the issues that have made you fat to begin with! I am starting a food journal so that after the banding I can write down everything I put in mouth and make it a little easier to see when I have certain cravings or what is happening in my life that makes me want to eat!

April 17, 2007

1

Exhausting....

Well, let me start by saying ugh... I went to my appt. at 2:00 pm which I didn't see the doctor until 3:00 then instead of making the 4:00 meeting I had to get a blood test and a EKG then go to the 5:00 meeting! I was at the hospital from 1:30 - 6:30 it was very exhausting, especially since I had to be back there the next day at 1:00 for the appt. with Gilliam. The appt. with Dr. Gilliam went well, the questions they ask are a little ridiculous! Even if I were crazy I would have more common sense then to answer them wrong. Anyway, he said congrats and good luck with the surgery. I said does that mean I passed, he laughed and said yes, good luck!! So now I have the cardiologist, stress test, sleep apnea test and I should be done and ready for surgery. My weight stayed the same~ still down 8 pounds!

March 27, 2007

1

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