journeyofkeisha

My surgery is scheduled for August 1st. At first I was excited and thrilled to finally have my date. But as the date gets closer, I'm having 2nd thoughts. I had to go through 6 months of nutritional counseling, I had to see a nutritionist, I had to see a psychiatrist, and I had an EGD done. All of that time, I was committed to having this surgery. And now, I'm having second thoughts. It's the preop diet that has me thinking. The first 2 days of my 2 week liquid diet, I was fine.....and then I don't know what happened. All kinds of thoughts appeared from out of no where. Like, How did I let myself get like this? What happened to me? When did I stop caring? I was almost in tears thinking about my life. Really, what the hell happened and why am I the size that I am now. Now I'm thinking I don't know if I can do this.........DAMN. Did anyone else have these thoughts? If so, how did you overcome them?

I was banded on August 1st. At first, I was in a lot of pain...as expected. It's been 12 days and I feel fine. I'm still taking everything slow because I don't want to rush anything. I've lost 20 pounds so far. My clothes are really loose. And other people can see that I am losing. I can't tell yet, but I can tell in the way that my clothes fit.

Congrats, you look great!!!!

I had my first follow-up Wednesday and I couldn't wait to get on the schedule. My weight was 277.4, that's 13.6 pounds gone since surgery. The morning of my surgery, which was August 1st, I weighed 291 lbs. When I started this journey, I was 299 lbs. The nurse said she could see loss in my face. I can't tell yet. Although I can feel the difference in the way that my clothes fit. I'm still on liquids. The doctor said (and I expect) that weight loss will slow down once I begin to eat. But since being on the liquid diet, I have taken some time to do menu planning. I think that will be important for me to succeed.

Thanks BandedMi, I have been researching menu plans with healthy options. I didn't go through all of this to go back to my unhealthy ways. And you did a great job!!! 80 lbs in 10 months, YOU GO GIRL!!!!

I was banded on the 1st of August. I follow the doctor's orders strictly. I walk around. I've read where people eat directly after surgery. I'm too afraid to eat. I was afraid to move from clear liquids to full liquids. I'm terrified. I don't want to experience any unnecessary pains that I would cause by not listening to my surgeon. I have a followup Wednesday and I have plenty of questions. I'm actually looking forward to the soft food stage. I'm looking forward to my new self.

You look fabulous!!!! Awesome job.

I was banded on Aug. 1st and I was,well prepared....at least I thought so. I never researched the pain. I don't tolerate pain very well. This is day 4 of postop and I'm starting to feel better. Just do what your doctor told you to do.

My band was placed yesterday at noon. I woke up in pain. Oh my, the quickly gave me something for the pain. I had to urinate before I could be discharged. I had to sip water before I had that urge. So upon being discharged they gave my mom my prescription. We went to Walgreens to get it filled, just to find out the med has been discontinued. I had to call the on call doctor to get him to call in something else. Last night all I wanted to do was to sleep. I had and still have no desire to eat. I walked around a little. I have to remind myself to sip water throughout the day. I do deep breathing exercises. To be honest, I only want to sleep.

This is night one ads it's 3:53 am. How do I sleep? I'm in pain. My original pain medication has been discontinued. The substitute is not getting the job done. What an experience.

Thanks everyone, I find that sitting up really helps. So i've been dozing off on the coach.

I had my surgery yesterday around noon. All I want to do today is sleep. I'm still hurting. I've had three kids and this pain is worse than labor. When will it end?

Thanks. I eventually fell asleep and woke up to a little less pain. I still hurt.

Thank you Donna, I feel so much better. I think I will journal, I started a blog but I need to get back into it.

Beth Boynton, thanks for telling me what to expect. Besides having kids and an EGD, I've never had any type of surgery neither have I been admitted to a hospital. So that alone has me kind of shakey and nervous. I think once I get my thoughts together, I'll be ok. Thanks for sharing the story about the medication. You must have been reading my mind. I literally thought that I would not be taking pain pills. But if I need to, and it sounds like I will, I'll take them as needed. Again, thank you for encouraging me and letting me in on your story.

Bandista, thank you. I think...I know that I'll be alright once I get over this hump. Thanks for encouraging me. It really means a lot to me. I'll keep you posted.

Tigers1998, thank you. You hit it right on. I felt like no one knew what I was going through. But here is an entire community that's been there and you guys know exactly how I feel. And that means so much to me. I feel ok knowing that others felt the same way. Even Beth said right before her surgery, she felt that way that I am feeling now. I do feel encouraged. And I thank you for your encouraging words.

Feb27bandwoman, thanks for the encouragement. Although I'm overweight and morbidly obese, I've been fortunate enough to not have the complications of obesity. As my doctor would also say, "YET". But I have noticed that I don't do the things that I use to enjoy and I think my weight has a great deal to do with that. I know things will change after the surgery. But thanks so much for encouraging me. It really means a lot.

Mis73, thank you. I think I'll redirect my thoughts. I'm usually positive and upbeat, I don't know where this comes from. I did a ton of research and I honestly believe that the lapband is the best option for me. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

I am one month into my 6 month physician supervised weight loss plan. I know that I didn't do all that I should have done this month. So for the next month, I decided to set small goals like eat fruit everyday, exercise for 20 minutes for 3 days, and drink more Water. This first month has made me question everything that I thought I knew about nutrition, about myself, about how in the world did I let myself get to this point. Did anyone else go through this? What are some of the things and emotions that you experienced during this phase? What can I do to make the time pass quicker. My second doctor's appointment is Thursday, I'll give you an update then.

@Honk, thanks for the advise. And you hit it right on....my issue is portion control. I'm trying to eat more vegetables and Protein. I think I'd be ok, if I can get this under control. Thanks for the advise. I'll keep you posted.

@Fabric Wife, thank you. I've heard of people not being able to eat Pasta or shrimp with the LapBand. Those are my favorites. But trying to eat a hamburger with a fork, I might laugh at myself. I am taking this time to learn all that I can about what I'll be going through. It's been very interesting thus far. Thanks for all of the advise.

@NISI, everyone that I have talked to that has had the surgery, all say the same thing. Take this 6 months and learn all that you can about the surgery, preop, and post op. Just in my first month, I've learned alot. I'm sure there is much more that I can learn. Although I gave a half hearted effort this first month, I seriously want to see how much I can lose in the remaining months. Hang in there. And Keep me updated.

@TXFLEA, hang in there. I haven't started eating and waiting 30 minutes before I drink anything. I think that will probably be the hardest thing for me. As far as eating out, I eat out alot too. When you order, ask the waitress to put half of your order in a to go box. That way you won't see it and you won't be tempted to eat it all. Keep me posted.

I started about a month ago. I'm scheduled to go back to the doctor this Thursday. I've learned alot from the nutritionist, the biggest being that portion size really matters. I'm anxious to know how much I've lost since last month. I haven't given it my all. I'm the only person holding me back. I also learned that planning a menu plays a vital part in it. I notice when I plan, I do great. But it's the weeks and days that I don't plan that I really mess up. So I'm really looking forward to this whole process.