New Life Starts Today 3/13/12

[PaulsJourney 11]

Today I start my new life as smaller person. I have roller coasted my entire adult life. Today at 3 pm I have my lap band surgery. I very nervous for several reasons. The unknown after surgery problems. My ability to deal with not being able to eat some of my favorite foods. Etc Etc. The list goes on. I'm doing this for my family. I want to see my kids grow up. I want my wife to see me in a different light. I want to see myself different on the outside. The inside is fine. I would never dream of having a picture of me taken with my shirt off, but I'm doing it on here as a reminder of where I am and where I'm going. Out with the old and in with the new. Here we go. Highest weight 298. 1 week preop 294. Not sure this morning.

  

[Allison0927 329]

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU TODAY - YOU WILL BE JUST FINE!!! There was little pain for me after surgery and it all went away within a few days. I'd do it a thousand times over!

[yvonne74 73]

Good Luck! You seem to have a good mind set and will do great! My Dr says you will be able to eat whatever you want, just limited amounts. Everything you lose is up to you. You and your body will decide your future.

Good Luck!!

[Alerker 10]

Good luck to you, I am having my surgery next Tues. Let us know how you make you.

[GLove 44]

Good luck to you! You have a great attitude. PLEASE post soon and let us know how it went...

[pen527 6]

Congratulations on the new you! You're going to do terrific!

[PaulsJourney 11]

Well I made it throught it fine. Not nearly as bad as a lot of people have made it out to be. Sore, but manageable. Blood pressure running a little high, but overall pretty good. I weighed in yesterday and I was at 284.9. I'm down from highest of 298 two weeks ago. Tons of IV Fluids, so I put some back one yesterday and today. Ready to heal and get this party started.

[PaulsJourney 11]

T Minus 2 days and counting since the surgery. I feel much better this morning. Mainly because I was able to sleep last night. Not too much discomfort. Nothing the pain meds can't handle. Blood pressure is running high, but that will go away with the loss of weight.

What I have experienced:

Doctors and Hospital -- All were great. No problems. Walked me through each step and made me feel very comfortable. Once I got there the nervousness went away.

Pain and Discomfort -- 1 to 10 -- My pain hasnt gotten much over a 5. I have had things that were much worse. Port area hurts a little bit this morning. Acutally slept on my side for a while last night and didn't exptect to be able to do that. A little true indigestion, but no gas pain from the surgery.

Hunger -- I have not been hungry at all. Started out on protien shakes yesterday morning. 2 ozs at time over an hour. I know it seem crazy to take 2 oz over an hour, but it worked. Same with H20. I got three down yesterday and they want me to get to 5. I did get a sugar free popsicle down last night two.

Weight -- When I went in for the surgery, I was down to 284. That was down from 298 two weeks pre op. I weighed yesterday at the drug store and it showed 290. Not sure if the extra came from all the fulids they put in me at the hospital.

Overall this has been pretty good so far. Not of the things I worried the most about have given me problems so far. I will keep you up-to-date for changes.... good or bad.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

hi paul, i was banded 3 months ago, down 22 lbs and i can eat everything ! steak , broccoli, pineapple etc. no probs as long as i eat slow and chew well. hopefully you will be able to do the same. good luck on your journey, its been a great ride so far. wait until your pants start falling off ! what fun ! good luck !

[PaulsJourney 11]

It will be a week tomorrow. I'm going back to work today. Last I checked, I'm down almost 20 lbs. I can tell in the way my clothes fit. I'm having some issues with hunger, but not terrible. Almost no pain. A little discomfort when I roll over at night. Hard to smell things cooking or see things I like to eat and know I can't have them. One more week before I get to see my Dieticain (Sp). No gas pain at all for me. More to follow

[fransalaz 0]

Wow! How r u feeling & how did u do with ur liquid diet...

[PaulsJourney 11]

Sticking strickly to liquids had been very hard. I have mixed in some mushy foods. I'm really pleased so far. Thanks for asking

[PaulsJourney 11]

278 this morning. 20# down 80# to go. Very happy so far.

[PaulsJourney 11]

276 this morning. Went to Dr for the first time. He is very happy with my progress. He stepped up my first fill. I got 2.5 cc tbis morning. Said I had hardly any restriction and lost over 20#. Liquids for a cple of days then back to regular meals. Here we go!

[Jay McNeil 0]

Way to go! I was banded April 4th and had. Similar reaction to the surgery....it wasn't half of what I though it was going o be. Congrats on all your changes!