LapBandSoccerMom

After attending information seminars in June and July, for two different highly-rated doctors in the Seattle area, I chose Dr. McMahon hands-down.

My surgery was a self-pay low-BMI procedure. It cost $14,000 and I paid additional for insurance to cover any complications. Surgery is nerve-wracking. Mine took place on Oct 29th and I was the first patient that morning. What a streamlined process! More thankful I could not be, for the one pill they prescribed to me which I took before surgery: an anti-nausea medication. I didn't throw up after surgery and was AMAZED. Surgery took place around 8:30 and I was discharged around 3pm the same day. The day following the procedure was my worst as far as recovery goes, and I was terrified I didn't have enough pain pills to get me through the week. I followed the water and shake protocol and every day I began feeling better. By day 5 it was an amazing transformation and I was virtually pain-free.

Tomorrow will be two weeks post-op and I'm very active with housework, running kids around to games and activities, cooking dinner for the family and grocery shopping. I miss texture, miss food, and have had two days of significant cravings. Still, I knew that the 3 week post-op diet of liquid shakes would be brutal for me (I'm not a shake girl) so I've been able to make my way. My saving grace are the HealthWise Tomato Soup and Beef Bouillion. Knowing how the shakes supply my energy and give me the feeling of satiety, I will not deviate from them. The soups give me an opportunity to not have anything sweet. Thank goodness!

I'm down 14 pounds so far and look forward to what I see people refer to as "mushies". I also look forward to putting the holiday season behind me, and keep envisioning where I'll be come spring as my motivation.

One day at a time!