lovely creation

It is so good to know that your fill went well, i keep thinking what if they fill my band and i still have no restriction, i do not want to go back twenty times to find my sweet spot.

General: WOW, I can not believe that it has been 5 weeks since I had my lap band surgery. Where has the time gone? I can really say this has been an unique experience and a challenge. Those people that say that bariatric surgery is the easy way out, they are clueless. I think it is more challenging because it forces you into accountability. RECOVERY:Well, as far as my recovery goes, my incisions have completely closed and healed. The incision where my port is, is healed but there is a stitch about an inch long that is sticking out of my skin, my incision healed around it and there are no signs of infection so I decided to address this at my 6 week appointment next week. Has any one ever experience this? DIET: The first two weeks after surgery was very awkward It was a time of "finding myself" or "feeling things out" I think I pretty much know how to listen to my body when it comes to eating. Head hunger -vs- the real thing. I currently feel no restriction at all and I am hungry often (thank God for the protein shakes they help a lot with this problem) but the sweet cravings are still there and stronger than ever. FIRST FILL: Unfortunately I have to be 6 weeks post-op before I can get my first fill. I wonder why some people can get their fills as soon as 2 weeks after and I have to wait 6 weeks? I don't know. I am excited and nervous about my fill but I guess I will be OK after I experience the first fill. I hope I get a lot more restriction than I have now. WEIGHT LOSS: So far I have lost 43 pounds about 24 of those I lost after surgery and about 19 before surgery. I also go to the gym at least 4 times a week. Friday I am going to try a new workout class, belly dancing (picture that) I will let you know how that goes) Well that is all for now, I will post more pictures next week on Thursday or Friday of me slowly deflating LOL, until then GOOD LOOSING!!!

THANK YOU, AND i CAN'T WAIT FOR MY FILL i AM MORE THAN READY..

Does any one know why you have to advance from a 2 week liquid diet to puree,to soft, to normal? What happens if you go from a 2 week liquid diet straight to a regular diet? will it stretch the pouch and if so how would you know?

General: WOW, I can not believe that it has been 5 weeks since I had my lap band surgery. Where has the time gone? I can really say this has been an unique experience and a challenge. Those people that say that bariatric surgery is the easy way out, they are clueless. I think it is more challenging because it forces you into accountability. RECOVERY: Well, as far as my recovery goes, my incisions have completely closed and healed. The incision where my port is, is healed but there is a stitch about an inch long that is sticking out of my skin, my incision healed around it and there are no signs of infection so I decided to address this at my 6 week appointment next week. DIET: The first two weeks after surgery was very awkward It was a time of "finding myself" or "feeling things out" I think I pretty much know how to listen to my body when it comes to eating. Head hunger -vs- the real thing. I currently feel no restriction at all and I am hungry often (thank God for the protein shakes they help a lot with this problem) but the sweet cravings are still there and stronger than ever. FIRST FILL: Unfortunately I have to be 6 weeks post-op before I can get my first fill. I wonder why some people can get their fills as soon as 2 weeks after and I have to wait 6 weeks? I don't know. I am excited and nervous about my fill but I guess I will be OK after I experience the first fill. I hope I get a lot more restriction than I have now. WEIGHT LOSS: So far I have lost 43 pounds about 24 of those I lost after surgery and about 19 before surgery. I also go to the gym at least 4 times a week. Friday I am going to try a new workout class, belly dancing (picture that) I will let you know how that goes) Well that is all for now, I will post more pictures next week on Thursday or Friday of me slowly deflating LOL, until then GOOD LOOSING!!!

General: WOW, I can not believe that it has been 5 weeks since I had my lap band surgery. Where has the time gone? I can really say this has been an unique experience and a challenge. Those people that say that bariatric surgery is the easy way out, they are clueless. I think it is more challenging because it forces you into accountability. RECOVERY: Well, as far as my recovery goes, my incisions have completely closed and healed. The incision where my port is, is healed but there is a stitch about an inch long that is sticking out of my skin, my incision healed around it and there are no signs of infection so I decided to address this at my 6 week appointment next week. DIET: The first two weeks after surgery was very awkward It was a time of "finding myself" or "feeling things out" I think I pretty much know how to listen to my body when it comes to eating. Head hunger -vs- the real thing. I currently feel no restriction at all and I am hungry often (thank God for the protein shakes they help a lot with this problem) but the sweet cravings are still there and stronger than ever. FIRST FILL: Unfortunately I have to be 6 weeks post-op before I can get my first fill. I wonder why some people can get their fills as soon as 2 weeks after and I have to wait 6 weeks? I don't know. I am excited and nervous about my fill but I guess I will be OK after I experience the first fill. I hope I get a lot more restriction than I have now. WEIGHT LOSS: So far I have lost 43 pounds about 24 of those I lost after surgery and about 19 before surgery. I also go to the gym at least 4 times a week. Friday I am going to try a new workout class, belly dancing (picture that) I will let you know how that goes) Well that is all for now, I will post more pictures next week on Thursday or Friday of me slowly deflating LOL, until then GOOD LOOSING!!!

WOW, THERE IS SO MUCH THAT HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. I GUESS THE BEGINNING WOULD BE GOOD. MY MOM AND I LEFT FOR GAINESVILLE AROUND 4:30 IN THE MORNING ARRIVED AT SHANDS HOSPITAL ABOUT 6:15 IN THE MORNING (GO FIGURE, i AM LATE TO EVERYTHING) THEY CALLED US BACK AS A GROUP AT ABOUT 6:30, THERE WAS ABOUT SEVEN OF US GETTING BANDED AT THE SAME TIME. ALL OF THE PREPARATION FOR SURGERY WENT GOOD, THE NURSE STARTED AN I.V. ON ME AND SHE GOT IT ON THE FIRST TRY (YEAH GRACE) I AM A VERY HARD STICK, AND MY VEINS ARE VERY HARD TO FIND SO GRACE DID A SUPER JOB. SO EVERYTHING IS DONE AND NOW i AM READY TO GO BACK TO HAVE THE SURGERY, THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET KINDA UGLY BECAUSE ME BEING THE DRAMA QUEEN THAT i AM FREAKED OUT WHEN THE ANESTHETIST WAS HOLDING THE MASK OVER MY FACE. I KEPT TURNING MY HEAD TRYING TO MAKE HIM MOVE IT BECAUSE I FELT AS IF I WAS SUFFOCATING. THE NEXT THINGI KNEW i WAS WAKING UP IN THE RECOVERY ROOM FEELING SOMEONE SNATCH A TUBE FROM OUT OF MY NOSE. SO FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS I WAS OFF TO MY ROOM, I WAS IN MINIMAL PAIN I DID HAVE A MORPHINE PUMP THAT I COULD USE EVERY 6 MINUTES AND IT KEPT ME QUITE COMFORTABLE. SO NOW IT IS TIME TO TRY SOME LIQUIDS, OUCH IT FELT LIKE EVERY TIME I TOOK A SIP WHAT EVER I SWALLOWED WAS SITTING ON TOP OF A GAS BUBBLE, OH BOY DID I FEEL EXTREMELY BLOATED. THE DR SAID THAT WAS FROM THE GAS THAT THEY USED TO PUT ME OUT AND MY BODY WILL EVENTUALLY ABSORB IT, WELL IT HAS BEE 5 HOURS SINCE I LEFT THE HOSPITAL AND I STILL FEEL BLOATED!!!!! I DO NOT FEEL HUNGRY AT ALL, THIS IS THE LONGEST I HAVE EVER GONE WITH OUT FEELING HUNGRY. WELL I AM NOT GOING TO BORE YOU ALL WITH ALL THE DETAILS, JUST KNOW ALL WENT WELL AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES CONCERNING MY LIVER, IN FACT DOC SAID THAT MY LIVER LOOKED VERY HEALTHY AND WAS NOT FATTY AT ALL. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MOTHER WHO WAS THERE WITH ME DURING THE ENTIRE TIME AND THANKS TO MY DAD AND MY SPECIAL FRIEND JUDY FOR KEEPING MY CHILDREN WHILE I WAS AWAY I AM ON THE LOOSERS BENCH NOW!!!

Thanks a million. You are right sip sip sip and walk walk is all that i have been doing

WOW, THERE IS SO MUCH THAT HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. I GUESS THE BEGINNING WOULD BE GOOD. MY MOM AND I LEFT FOR GAINESVILLE AROUND 4:30 IN THE MORNING ARRIVED AT SHANDS HOSPITAL ABOUT 6:15 IN THE MORNING (GO FIGURE, i AM LATE TO EVERYTHING) THEY CALLED US BACK AS A GROUP AT ABOUT 6:30, THERE WAS ABOUT SEVEN OF US GETTING BANDED AT THE SAME TIME. ALL OF THE PREPARATION FOR SURGERY WENT GOOD, THE NURSE STARTED AN I.V. ON ME AND SHE GOT IT ON THE FIRST TRY (YEAH GRACE) I AM A VERY HARD STICK, AND MY VEINS ARE VERY HARD TO FIND SO GRACE DID A SUPER JOB. SO EVERYTHING IS DONE AND NOW i AM READY TO GO BACK TO HAVE THE SURGERY, THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET KINDA UGLY BECAUSE ME BEING THE DRAMA QUEEN THAT i AM FREAKED OUT WHEN THE ANESTHETIST WAS HOLDING THE MASK OVER MY FACE. I KEPT TURNING MY HEAD TRYING TO MAKE HIM MOVE IT BECAUSE I FELT AS IF I WAS SUFFOCATING. THE NEXT THINGI KNEW i WAS WAKING UP IN THE RECOVERY ROOM FEELING SOMEONE SNATCH A TUBE FROM OUT OF MY NOSE. SO FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS I WAS OFF TO MY ROOM, I WAS IN MINIMAL PAIN I DID HAVE A MORPHINE PUMP THAT I COULD USE EVERY 6 MINUTES AND IT KEPT ME QUITE COMFORTABLE. SO NOW IT IS TIME TO TRY SOME liquids, OUCH IT FELT LIKE EVERY TIME I TOOK A SIP WHAT EVER I SWALLOWED WAS SITTING ON TOP OF A GAS BUBBLE, OH BOY DID I FEEL EXTREMELY BLOATED. THE DR SAID THAT WAS FROM THE GAS THAT THEY USED TO PUT ME OUT AND MY BODY WILL EVENTUALLY ABSORB IT, WELL IT HAS BEE 5 HOURS SINCE I LEFT THE HOSPITAL AND I STILL FEEL BLOATED!!!!! I DO NOT FEEL HUNGRY AT ALL, THIS IS THE LONGEST I HAVE EVER GONE WITH OUT FEELING HUNGRY. WELL I AM NOT GOING TO BORE YOU ALL WITH ALL THE DETAILS, JUST KNOW ALL WENT WELL AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES CONCERNING MY LIVER, IN FACT DOC SAID THAT MY LIVER LOOKED VERY HEALTHY AND WAS NOT FATTY AT ALL. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MOTHER WHO WAS THERE WITH ME DURING THE ENTIRE TIME AND THANKS TO MY DAD AND MY SPECIAL FRIEND JUDY FOR KEEPING MY CHILDREN WHILE I WAS AWAY I AM ON THE LOOSERS BENCH NOW!!!

WOW, THERE IS SO MUCH THAT HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. I GUESS THE BEGINNING WOULD BE GOOD. MY MOM AND I LEFT FOR GAINESVILLE AROUND 4:30 IN THE MORNING ARRIVED AT SHANDS HOSPITAL ABOUT 6:15 IN THE MORNING (GO FIGURE, i AM LATE TO EVERYTHING) THEY CALLED US BACK AS A GROUP AT ABOUT 6:30, THERE WAS ABOUT SEVEN OF US GETTING BANDED AT THE SAME TIME. ALL OF THE PREPARATION FOR SURGERY WENT GOOD, THE NURSE STARTED AN I.V. ON ME AND SHE GOT IT ON THE FIRST TRY (YEAH GRACE) I AM A VERY HARD STICK, AND MY VEINS ARE VERY HARD TO FIND SO GRACE DID A SUPER JOB. SO EVERYTHING IS DONE AND NOW i AM READY TO GO BACK TO HAVE THE SURGERY, THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET KINDA UGLY BECAUSE ME BEING THE DRAMA QUEEN THAT i AM FREAKED OUT WHEN THE ANESTHETIST WAS HOLDING THE MASK OVER MY FACE. I KEPT TURNING MY HEAD TRYING TO MAKE HIM MOVE IT BECAUSE I FELT AS IF I WAS SUFFOCATING. THE NEXT THINGI KNEW i WAS WAKING UP IN THE RECOVERY ROOM FEELING SOMEONE SNATCH A TUBE FROM OUT OF MY NOSE. SO FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS I WAS OFF TO MY ROOM, I WAS IN MINIMAL PAIN I DID HAVE A MORPHINE PUMP THAT I COULD USE EVERY 6 MINUTES AND IT KEPT ME QUITE COMFORTABLE. SO NOW IT IS TIME TO TRY SOME LIQUIDS, OUCH IT FELT LIKE EVERY TIME I TOOK A SIP WHAT EVER I SWALLOWED WAS SITTING ON TOP OF A GAS BUBBLE, OH BOY DID I FEEL EXTREMELY BLOATED. THE DR SAID THAT WAS FROM THE GAS THAT THEY USED TO PUT ME OUT AND MY BODY WILL EVENTUALLY ABSORB IT, WELL IT HAS BEE 5 HOURS SINCE I LEFT THE HOSPITAL AND I STILL FEEL BLOATED!!!!! I DO NOT FEEL HUNGRY AT ALL, THIS IS THE LONGEST I HAVE EVER GONE WITH OUT FEELING HUNGRY. WELL I AM NOT GOING TO BORE YOU ALL WITH ALL THE DETAILS, JUST KNOW ALL WENT WELL AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES CONCERNING MY LIVER, IN FACT DOC SAID THAT MY LIVER LOOKED VERY HEALTHY AND WAS NOT FATTY AT ALL. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MOTHER WHO WAS THERE WITH ME DURING THE ENTIRE TIME AND THANKS TO MY DAD AND MY SPECIAL FRIEND JUDY FOR KEEPING MY CHILDREN WHILE I WAS AWAY I AM ON THE LOOSERS BENCH NOW!!!

Well yesterday was extremely busy, I had to drive :car:all the way to Gainesville from orlando, well it was not really all that bad. I had my pre-op visit today . I met with the dietitian, surgeon, anesthesiologist and the admissions people so it is really official because I have all of my admissions paperwork done for Monday. The surgeon is really nice and confident :thumbup:, he really made me feel at ease. I expressed concerns about me not loosing the entire 30 pounds that they had initially requested but he did not seem to mind he said I lost 20# and he was fine with that but at my consult they made it seem like , don't loose thirty and no surgery :nono: so I was relieved and mad at the same time cause I kinda felt tricked. Is thirty pounds the magic number that they tell every one? Well at least I am down about 20# pre op so I guess that's good and then I told him that I was concerned that my liver may be toooo fat and I might wake up not banded and he said that he has done numerous of bands and he has never met a liver that was to fat for him. :eek6: WHAT?!!! WHATS REALLY GOING ON? So all of this time I have been stressing over nonthing. Well, I did say that I work best under pressure. So after seeing the surgeon I was fine until I talked to the man who is gonna put me to sleep. Why did he have to tell me the risk associated with anesthesia and everything (step by step )what they were gonna have to do to put me to sleep? YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT AFTER I AM SLEEP?!!!) :bored: WOW!!! What you do not know wont hurt ya. So now I am back to square one I am a worry wart. But the other side of me says girl stop trippin you know you are going to do just fine, so I think I will listen to the other side. :frown:

Thanks BG, 10# is that all, lucky you. The anesthesiologist told me the normal risks , he said that he has to tell that to every one. I was really better off not knowing and I really do not like the part about a machine having to breathe for me while I am under. But I am sooo looking forward to doing this and getting it over.

Well yesterday was extremely busy, I had to drive :car:all the way to Gainesville from orlando, well it was not really all that bad. I had my pre-op visit today . I met with the dietitian, surgeon, anesthesiologist and the admissions people so it is really official because I have all of my admissions paperwork done for Monday. The surgeon is really nice and confident :scared2:, he really made me feel at ease. I expressed concerns about me not loosing the entire 30 pounds that they had initially requested but he did not seem to mind he said I lost 20# and he was fine with that but at my consult they made it seem like , don't loose thirty and no surgery :w00t: so I was relieved and mad at the same time cause I kinda felt tricked. Is thirty pounds the magic number that they tell every one? Well at least I am down about 20# pre op so I guess that's good and then I told him that I was concerned that my liver may be toooo fat and I might wake up not banded and he said that he has done numerous of bands and he has never met a liver that was to fat for him. :eek6: WHAT?!!! WHATS REALLY GOING ON? So all of this time I have been stressing over nonthing. Well, I did say that I work best under pressure. So after seeing the surgeon I was fine until I talked to the man who is gonna put me to sleep. Why did he have to tell me the risk associated with anesthesia and everything (step by step )what they were gonna have to do to put me to sleep? YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT AFTER I AM SLEEP?!!!) :crying: WOW!!! What you do not know wont hurt ya. So now I am back to square one I am a worry wart. But the other side of me says girl stop trippin you know you are going to do just fine, so I think I will listen to the other side. :sleep:

ok guys I am 6 days pre -op and I feel like I am loosing it ( And I aint talking about weight loss ) Lately when I go to sleep I have all of these weird crazy dreams. One night I had a dream that an alligator was trying to eat me, then I dreamed that I was in a flying elevator that was about to be set on fire, then I dreamed that I was in a plane crash. What's really going on. Maybe it is the fact that I am only consuming protein drinks during the day and a small meal without carbs at night or may be I am stressed out about the surgery. All my life I have been big on encouraging other people, telling them that they can make it and everything will be alright , but when it comes to myself OH BOY I loose it some times. I keep telling myself, "Girl this is gonna be a breeze , You have been exercising every day and you have had 3 c-sections so this should be a piece of cake." But for some reason that pep talk is not working at all. At one time I told my 12 yr old that maybe I should not do this but she said mommy you have no choice (from the mouth of a babe) and she is soooo very right.

Hi yellowtopaz, my surgery is scheduled for Monday Feb. 9th Yhanks for the encouraging words. Lovely Creation