jbbemom

After living with Fibromyalgia on an over 200 lb body for more than 15 years, I decided it was time to do something!  I felt like my FMS was getting worse and to add insult to injury, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in all of my weight bearing joints...poor joints lugging me around!!  The pain was worse in my lower back and hips...the main joints used for almost anything!  My weight just kept climbing until I reached over 260 for the 2nd time in my life.  I had been successful in losing down to the 230s at one point in my life, but that required the use of extreme pain meds, which had it's own issues.  So about four weeks ago I was in for a check up with my primary care doctor and asked him about lapband.  He said he thought it would be a great idea.  A week or so later my husband and I met with Dr. Cribbins who deemed us definite candidates for the surgery.  Once the insurance approved the surgery (about a week later), we were on the calendar for August 2nd as a surgery date.  My sweet husband and I decided to go down this road together, because who better to understand than someone going through it with you.  He is my best friend and we've been married 26 years.  We don't have little ones to chase around anymore, so we decided that this was the best time to take the plunge, so to speak.  We are both pleased with the care we received before during and after our surgeries.  The worse part was not being able to room together at the hospital...but our time walking the hall was spent going to each other's rooms.  They separated us by 10 rooms so we were connected to two different nurse stations so as not to confuse us with the same last name. My husband was released the day after surgery (our insurance requires an overnight stay) and I was released the day after that...my pain was not quite as controlled as his by the first day.  I probably could have used a third day because of the FMS, but it was good to get home.  We are 5 days post surgery and doing well.  When does the swelling go down and the incisions heal?  We look and feel like we were on the losing side of a knife fight! LOL  Humor has been important because I am also going through menopause at 45 because of a hysterectomy in '09.  I kept one ovary, but I think it's about done!  I have meds I take daily for control of the FMS symptoms, but I was taking Estroven, an herbal supplement for the menopause symptoms...unfortunately it is too large, even split, for my band.  I'm looking for chewable or liquid herbal supplements now as I am crying for no apparant reason and the hot flashes are intense!!  Keeping it all in perspective, I feel this was a great health choice for both of us.  Thanks for reading my story!!