SillyAuntDi

Right now I'm jumping on the scale once a week. I think as I progress that may get spaced out to every two weeks. In the past, I've always been discouraged by the numbers on the scale and given up when I get frustrated. I want to avoid that this time around So, my focus is good food choices, a better exercise routine and how my clothes fit on me!

So, I've been on a low dose of b/p meds for several years. Last year, I change some of the other meds I was taking and my pressure was coming under control. Just before my surgery in September, my primary care provider (Jan) and I discussed my b/p meds. She said "come see me after your surgery." Well...about two weeks ago I started feeling more tired and weak than usual. I was on a strong uptick from the surgery and really having a great time recovering. Then...BAM...my world was spinning, my hands were shaking and I was COLD all the time. Something clicked in my brain and I went to the healthcare center here at work. My b/p was 88/60. I've never seen it that low. NEVER. It was a bit scary. But, Jan was on vacation and no other provider in the place wanted to take me off of the meds w/o consulting her first. So, they told me to cut my pills in half and monitor. I've been doing that. And, I've seen my b/p reach 107/60 at it's best. I'm seeing Jan tomorrow. I'm really hoping she finally pulls the plug on the meds. It's a victory of course, but man....it's been a tough battle. I'm not used to being so helpless, dizzy or tired. So...if the b/p meds go away, I'm only left with one that I take on a daily basis! I see improvements daily...but coming off the b/p meds is a BIG goal for me. Have a great day!

Officially off the blood pressure meds!!!!!! Major goal achieved!

My boss is very tight-lipped when it comes to my co-workers issues. So, I told her when my surgery date was set and explained that I didn't want to make it very public. She totally understood and encouraged me to take as much time as needed to recover. She didn't want me to rush back. She's been very supportive and excited with me since the surgery.

I want friends!!!! LOL sillyauntdi

So, let me start with this. I love where I work. It's fantastic. My company is regularly voted as one of the top places to work in the US according to Forbes Magazine. In fact, we were ranked #1 a couple of years ago...twice. Perks here are outstanding: Free onsite healthcare, free gym access with a great cardio/weight room and a pool. You can take yoga and pilates classes on site. We have a hair salon on site (it's not free, but extremely convenient). There are 4 full service cafes on site, including one in the basement of my building. I can go downstairs and get a salad (when I'm back at that stage), a hot meal, deli sandwich or a hot sandwich. Some days we get fresh sushi. We have nice breakrooms on each floor that have various snacks and drinks. My employer is generous with time off and has been great to work with during my recovery period. My HR person even called to make sure I was back at work and doing OK after my scheduled time off. It's a great place to work. Most importantly, though I love my job. I don't take any of it forgranted either. It's special. I've been working here almost 15 years now. And, there is one thing that still makes me laugh. One of the "treats" we have in each break room is a weekly supply of M&Ms. Peanut and plain. There is a great person who comes weekly to refill the candy jars. It's like Pavlov's Dogs...we hear the M&Ms hit the jar and people start making their way to the breakroom. Yesterday I was in the breakroom heating up my mushy lunch and the candy lady was there filling up the jars. The first bag poured in and I said "OH, we know that noise. Watch how quickly people show up." She barely finished pouring the second bag and three people came in to dig out what they wanted. They all looked at me with my little lunch. I didn't even flinch. I'm just glad I'm not one of those people anymore I walked back to my desk and chuckled. And I savored my ability to break that habit and stick with it. Now, I just need to get back to the pool. I miss it. But, I can't go until I've seen the surgeon and he's OK with it. I see him on October 16. Fingers crossed!

I almost called and cancelled the night before my surgery. I looked for escape routes as I was walked back to the prep area. As each person came to visit me, they put me at so much ease. Then it was over and I was back home in a flash. Take a few breaks today to take very deep breaths to calm your nerves. Try to get to sleep at your normal time tonight. Read a book or listen to calming music. Tomorrow, remember to ask questions if you have them. They are ready for anything. I asked a couple that made us all laugh. You'll do great!

I've been extremely careful the past three weeks of my newly banded life. I've been very strict with the list of foods I'm allowed to eat. I'm meticulous in getting in my water. And, I've tried to not get overly excited by the pounds dripping off my very happy body. But... Today I had to check to be sure my pants weren't too saggy in the butt. Yep. And, my underwear is creeping up my...well...you know where it creeps My shirts are looking a little sloppy. I'm WAY FAR AWAY from any major goal or milestone...but the morning check for saggy butt has begun. I've already got a stack of "pants I can't wear anymore because they will fall down in public." There is currently one pair in the stack...but I've started a stack The little things are what keep me focused and smiling... Have a great day!

Smooshed cauliflower made me giggle like a little girl when I ate it last week. I'm going to smoosh some more this week.

Lentils are in the legume family...so it's a type of bean.

I have been surprised by how much I've liked the Progresso 99% Fat Free Lentil Soup. I use my immersion blender to smoosh it up (technical term..smoosh). I've really enjoyed it. In fact, I need to go smoosh up the new can I bought yesterday...

Hang in there...it gets better. Day 5 was the turning point for me. Make sure you get your water in. I was told not to worry about constipation for the first 5-6 days. You just have to give yourself time to heal. My "systems" are still trying to get back to some sense of normal and I'm two weeks post-op. I hope you feel better soon.

I was banded 9/11. I'm thrilled! My anxiety on the days leading into the surgery make me laugh now. The pain wasn't that bad, and the shakes didn't make me gag. Here are a few things I've figured out about me in the last two weeks: 1. I have no regrets. 2. I have TONS of will power that is just pouring out of my soul. And I don't resent what I can't have right now. 3. My sense of humor is still fully in place. 4. I actually no longer care who knows that I've had surgery. This is the biggest surprise of all. I was telling no one. I was nervous about coming back to work and having to answer questions about why I was out. Now, if they ask...I just start spilling it. It's funny. 5. I have the BEST friends and family. I already knew this, but just thought I'd say it anyway 6. I WANT this so badly. I think that's why it's not been as hard as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. I've had my moments. But, in all...I'm happy. I'm sure more things will come to me as the days progress. More little revelations about me. More little secrets coming to the surface. But, it's a journey that I'm so happy to be on. Have a great day!

I'm so glad I found this group. I'm excited and scared as hell about my upcoming surgery date (11SEP13). I've found comfort here...as well as uncomfortable truths. I am not very open with the people that know me. I have issues...I have a counselor who is helping me with those issues. Progress is being made So, you all have been my peeps...I've come to you (whether you know it or not) for answers, encouragement, and truth. I've posted a few times. I've shared some of my story. I want to share more. And I want you to respond...with truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. So, here is my promise. I promise not to be offended when you tell me the uncomfortable truth about my ramblings. I won't get all moody and start calling names. I will value your opinions and your experiences. I may pout in front of my computer screen...but not on here where you can see it. I also promise to share...the comfy and the uncomfy parts. I know it's not going to be a bed of roses, or an instant fix. It's going to be hard work and require a full committment on my part. There is no miracle weight loss. I know people have complications. I want to learn from them. I promise to take responsibility for my actions on here. If I screw up...I'm going to own it. And I ask you to remind me of that I know there are consequences for when I make mistakes. And I accept that you are going to let me know about them! I write this because I've seen a few posts lately where the initial poster gets offended when the comments aren't all "warm and fuzzy." Well...as some of you have pointed out...truth isn't always warm and fuzzy. So, thank you for letting me learn from you. Thank you for being that shoulder I may need to lean on. And thank you for keeping me in check.

I was banded on 9/11 and I'm feeling probably 95%. I'm tired and "zombie-like" by the end of the day, but otherwise I'm great. I'm eating very mushy foods this week and next, then move onto soft foods. I'm doing pretty well with it. I never would have thought hummus tasted so delicious without it spread on something crunchy...

I did avoid using the heating pad on the incision sites.. I used it more on the gas pains in my shoulder and back. I didn't have a great deal of pain with my actual incisions...just some minor soreness. Be careful with the heating pad, don't turn it up too high and put something between it and your skin. I promise it gets better. I think on my fourth day post-op I woke up feeling totally different and began the upswing.

It does get better! I'm two weeks out from my surgery. My first few days were miserable...but I kept with the pain meds, used my heating pad, and walked a lot around the house. I also had trouble sleeping. I had to prop myself up on several pillows to find that comfy spot so I could snooze for a couple of hours. But, every day got better. I'm still tender in a few places (where my pants come close to incision sites...especially now that I'm back at work and have to dress decently). So, my advice...find that heating pad. I hope you feel better soon!

This makes me feel much better. I'm at the two week mark today (yay!) and I'm struggling to hit 500 calories. I eat my little servings of mushy Proteins and I'm trying to add in fruits and veggies (even smaller portions of mushy) and I struggle. I'm not hungry really except in the morning when I first get up. I am working really hard to get my protein in before anything else and I'm hitting my goals there. I'm just tired. But, my strength is coming back everyday

I was really, really fortunate. I was banded on 9/11 and on liquids until 9/20. During that time, I never got hungry. I even rode with friends who went through the drive-thru at McDonalds and not a flinch. But, sitting with the nutritionist on 9/20 learning about mushy scrambled eggs, flaky fish, smooth soups...my tummy let out a rumble. She looked at me smiling. I told her that was the first real rumble of hunger I had felt since before the surgery. I hope you get to move to the next phase soon!

I was banded on 9/11. I'm feeling great, really. I'm back at work today for the first day since the surgery. I'm tired, but able to work. I have a desk job, so no heavy lifting required. I was so worried about what the days after my surgery would be like...pain, discomfort...but I feel like I came through it very well. I was off pain meds in a couple of days. I tolerated the Protein Shakes better than expected (I have a dairy allergy that started to rear its head at the end of last week, so I have switched now from whey proteins). I was allowed to move to mushy foods this weekend. That's been interesting! Who knew blended lentil Soup would be so yummy?!? So, all in all, I've had a very positive experience so far Have a great day, friends!

I was banded 9/11 and my stomach has been a loud commentator ever since! I'm not hungry and I have no urge to cheat on my liquid diet. It is rather funny. I hope it settles down some before I go back to work next week. That could prove interesting...LOL

I made it through my surgery on Wednesday! I'm so happy to be part of the banded family It's going better than I thought it would. I'm sore and incredibly gassy (which makes my 9-year-old niece laugh hysterically). I'm making great progress on getting my fluids and protein in. I'm trying to start weaning myself off the pain meds. I don't like them. My first shower this morning was the most amazing thing I've ever done...LOL. I'm walking the carpet to death. When the family comes home today, I'll move my walks back outside. I'm off work all next week, which is good and bad. I see myself getting bored. But, I do have appts. outside the house beginning Tuesday night, so I'll be able to make a slow transition back to the work week. Thank you so much for all the supportive words and posts that I've read here. It has made this experience so much easier. If I hadn't already heard on here how bad the gas pains could be, I would have been in the ER last night for sure. But instead, I took Gas X and walked...a lot. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I've been using Muscle Milk and Unjury protein drinks. And I have Gas X chewables that I totally dissolve in my mouth before I swallow...much like my multivitamin. The pain hasn't been scary bad and I am up and moving quite a bit during the day. I'm planning on getting out this weekend and go to the grocery store. But mostly I hope that tonight I can sleep laying down in the bed. Good luck!

I had my surgery on Wednesday. I feel like it went well. I had some more intense discomfort last night when the gassy feeling decided to make itself the center of my attention. So, GasX and a heating pad became my best friends. I've about worn out the carpet in my house! I did make it outside today to walk a little. Good luck in your recovery!

I had my surgery and feel like a complete success, honestly. I didn't run screaming from the pre-op area. I didn't work myself into a panic attack in the morning before the surgery. Apparently during the procedure, my BP bottomed out, but it was because I was a bit dehydrated. Nothing lingered. I had a rough day yesterday, late in the day. All the gas decided it needed to push its way out at 7pm. It was the most painful thing I've experienced in a long time. But, this morning, I'm still a little gassy and a little sore, but I'm up and around. I've been walking around the house. I made it outside for the first time since Wednesday. I'm waiting for my family to come home and then I'll walk further outside. I'm very happy I've done this. I feel silly for being panicky about it in the days leading up to it. But, it's who I am. I'm grateful that I have all of next week off from work. A slow re-entry to the real world will be nice. Thanks for all the supportive comments!