Let there be poop! (Sorry, couldn't resist! I've been wanting to say that all day, and didn't think anyone other than my bandster buddies would appreciate it) So yes, after my little TMI outburst, I did actually poop today. Kind of surprising, as nothing solid has passed through my lips since Wednesday afternoon, but it did make me feel (briefly) better.
I have been feeling pretty crappy the last few days. My stomach keeps feeling better, I can actually get in and out of bed/chairs now...but my back is still killing me. I don't know if I am standing/sitting funny to compensate for the incisions, but it's just getting worse. I can't tell if I am hungry or nauseous half the time, but I likened it to how you feel after puking out a hangover. You're not sick anymore, and you know your system is empty and needs something to be put into it, but you're afraid to. Combine that with the fact that I am so so so sick of soup and protein shakes...I've barely been having anything. I feel like if I could just have some scrambled eggs, I would feel so much better. But I am being good, and not advancing myself to mushies.
I also think I am having an allergic reaction to the steri-strips. The skin around the incisions has been red, swollen and irritated for the last day or 2, and all of a sudden tonight, a blister about the size of a dime came up at the end of one of the strips. Of course I hopped on Google, and see that it's most likely an allergic reaction, and a common one. I am going to try to get in to see the surgeon tomorrow if possible...we'll see, since I haven't been successful in scheduling my follow up yet and I've been trying since Friday.
I am due to go back to work on Wednesday - but I don't think that's going to happen. I worked from home today, and got tired after 3 hours and had to go take a nap. All from answering a bunch of emails! I can' even imagine what an hour and a half commute each way, and having to actually talk to people will do to me.
On the weight loss front, I am continuing to lose every day (even though I am only counting WI's from Thursdays). This morning I was down to 262, which is 13 since the start of pre-op and 6 since surgery. I know this is only because I am barely consuming any calories (typical day so far has been 2 CIB, maybe a cup of broth or 5-6 bites of soup), but at least while I am feeling crappy it's nice to see.
Sorry to be so whiny - but it's just how I'm feeling today. Hopefully I'll get out of my funk soon!
Looks like all of the BOOBS had a fantastic weekend! Wish I could have been there but that would have been awkward 1 day post op :) I will definitely be joining the next time!
My Progress So Far!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
A Few More Things from Surgery...
that I forgot to mention.
*I did have a hiatal hernia, so Dr. K put 3 sutures in to repair it. She said I may have a little extra discomfort than I would from the band alone, but it shouldn't be too bad.
*She gave me the Lap Band APS band, and she said it's usually primed with about 3cc to start.
*So far today, I have had a CIB, and a few spoonfuls of tomato soup. I have been sipping on water all day, but have only gotten down about 8oz so far.
I emailed my boss this morning, to let her know that the surgery went well, and she wrote back and asked for my address. I can only assume to send me flowers, which lemme tell ya, is a shock and a half. She hasn't gotten me a single thing for any holiday since I started working for her (a year and a half ago!), and didn't even acknowledge Admin Professional's day! This is definitely not the culture of my company, so I will be very (pleasantly) surprised if flowers do indeed show up.
I'm off to go sip some more water!
*I did have a hiatal hernia, so Dr. K put 3 sutures in to repair it. She said I may have a little extra discomfort than I would from the band alone, but it shouldn't be too bad.
*She gave me the Lap Band APS band, and she said it's usually primed with about 3cc to start.
*So far today, I have had a CIB, and a few spoonfuls of tomato soup. I have been sipping on water all day, but have only gotten down about 8oz so far.
I emailed my boss this morning, to let her know that the surgery went well, and she wrote back and asked for my address. I can only assume to send me flowers, which lemme tell ya, is a shock and a half. She hasn't gotten me a single thing for any holiday since I started working for her (a year and a half ago!), and didn't even acknowledge Admin Professional's day! This is definitely not the culture of my company, so I will be very (pleasantly) surprised if flowers do indeed show up.
I'm off to go sip some more water!
Surgery Day!
The day I thought would never get here.....finally got here yesterday! I have to say, even up until the very end, I wasn't nervous at all. Questioning my sanity, yes...but nervous no.
The hospital called on Wednesday night to let me know what time my arrival was, and they said 10am. OK cool...hopefully that means an earlier surgery, and I can get the hell home! (I was all paranoid that since Nicole had to stay overnight, there was a chance I'd have to as well). I packed a bag with some pj's and toiletries just in case.
My mom and I left the house at 8:30 (without traffic, it's a 25 minute or so drive to the hospital - but as I mentioned we were afraid of UN General Assembly traffic along the way). We ended up......hitting no traffic. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Pulled into the garage at 9:00am. An hour early. Ugh.
My mom and I went and checked in, and then...........sat. And waited. And paced. Finally at around noon (after THREE HOURS of no one telling us when I would be taken), Dr. Kurian came out to say hi, and said that she wasn't sure why on earth they told me to be there so early, because my actual surgery wasn't scheduled until 1:30!!! AND they were running behind after a surgery had gone long that morning, so we were now looking at 2:30. Kill me.
I finally got into a prep room at around 1 or so, and then things seemed to move a little more quickly. Lots of different doctors and nurses came to talk to me, I changed into my lovely gown and slipper socks. Then it was time. I walked myself into the OR (not a fan), and climbed onto the table. They started my IV, got me connected to all of the monitors, and then draped me with the warm blankets. Then the anesthesiologist told me they were going to give me something to relax me before they put me out. He also commented that I was one of the most relaxed people he'd seen in a while, but they'd give me the relaxer drug anyway. Then they put the mask over my face and I got sleepy so they said "Go ahead and close your eyes...", and I said "OK", and remember nothing else until waking in recovery.
Here's the not as fun part - my back hurt something TERRIBLE in recovery. The beds they give you are just awful, and I kept shifting, trying to find a comfy position, but I couldn't. My mom came in briefly, but they asked her to come back in an hour and let me rest. For some reason, I thought when I went up to my room, I'd have a different bed, so I was asking to go up there as soon as I could. In my fog, I was very irrationally upset with my nurse, who asked if I wanted her to rub my back, then she got called away to take over another patient, so I never got my back rub lol.
I finally got upstairs, and asked for my mom - turns out no one had told her I was going upstairs and she went back into recovery to try to find m but oops! I was gone. I also asked for some kind of painkiller, because I was in agony (all back still, not really incisions). I decided to get out of bed and try to walk, since laying down was clearly not going to work. They got those awful booties off of me (maybe mine were too big? I didn't feel any nice massaging sensations, they just made me hot). I shuffled with my IV pole a few steps into the hallways and realized I was not quite ready to walk, so I went and sat in some chairs near my room. My mom found me very shortly after that, and we sat for a while. I of course cried. I think she may have too, lol. After a little while of sucking on my ice chips, I decided to take a walk, so we did 2 laps around the floor then I got back into bed. The nurse FINALLY gave me some morphine about an hour after I asked, and it did nothing but take the edge off...I was still in quite a bit of pain.
I did a few more laps, taking breaks in between them sitting in the chairs (I was kind of done with my bed....I just wanted my own damn bed), when a doctor came to find me. He said the magic words "Wanna blow this popsicle stand?" and I said "YES!!!!!!" All I had to do was pee, which I happily did (I had been sneaking sips of the water that my ice chips were melting into). After about another hour, we FINALLY were able to leave. I took some Vicodin before we did, so it would kick in by the time we got home, and then had a bit of broth when I got home.
I chatted with my sister for a while, and decided to stay awake until my next dose of happy juice at 1:15. We decided to go for a walk, and actually walked pretty far (around the block once, then maybe about 6 blocks and back in a different direction). It felt good to not act like an invalid so I am trying really hard not to. She has a bad back, so she said the walked helped her too. We just kept it to a nice stroll, and got back right before I was due for more meds.
I went to bed after that, after arranging a fortress of pillows on my bed. Slept pretty well, and set my alarm for more drugs at 5. I've been up wandering around on and off...but think I am going to take a nap. So far, I've been siping on water, and had half of a protein shake (Carnation Instant Breakfast, powder not ready made). I could have had more, but I didn't really want it, so I put the rest in the fridge for later.
Hope this post is helpful to anyone going in soon! I tried to be as detailed as I could. Me sleepy now.
The hospital called on Wednesday night to let me know what time my arrival was, and they said 10am. OK cool...hopefully that means an earlier surgery, and I can get the hell home! (I was all paranoid that since Nicole had to stay overnight, there was a chance I'd have to as well). I packed a bag with some pj's and toiletries just in case.
My mom and I left the house at 8:30 (without traffic, it's a 25 minute or so drive to the hospital - but as I mentioned we were afraid of UN General Assembly traffic along the way). We ended up......hitting no traffic. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Pulled into the garage at 9:00am. An hour early. Ugh.
My mom and I went and checked in, and then...........sat. And waited. And paced. Finally at around noon (after THREE HOURS of no one telling us when I would be taken), Dr. Kurian came out to say hi, and said that she wasn't sure why on earth they told me to be there so early, because my actual surgery wasn't scheduled until 1:30!!! AND they were running behind after a surgery had gone long that morning, so we were now looking at 2:30. Kill me.
I finally got into a prep room at around 1 or so, and then things seemed to move a little more quickly. Lots of different doctors and nurses came to talk to me, I changed into my lovely gown and slipper socks. Then it was time. I walked myself into the OR (not a fan), and climbed onto the table. They started my IV, got me connected to all of the monitors, and then draped me with the warm blankets. Then the anesthesiologist told me they were going to give me something to relax me before they put me out. He also commented that I was one of the most relaxed people he'd seen in a while, but they'd give me the relaxer drug anyway. Then they put the mask over my face and I got sleepy so they said "Go ahead and close your eyes...", and I said "OK", and remember nothing else until waking in recovery.
Here's the not as fun part - my back hurt something TERRIBLE in recovery. The beds they give you are just awful, and I kept shifting, trying to find a comfy position, but I couldn't. My mom came in briefly, but they asked her to come back in an hour and let me rest. For some reason, I thought when I went up to my room, I'd have a different bed, so I was asking to go up there as soon as I could. In my fog, I was very irrationally upset with my nurse, who asked if I wanted her to rub my back, then she got called away to take over another patient, so I never got my back rub lol.
I finally got upstairs, and asked for my mom - turns out no one had told her I was going upstairs and she went back into recovery to try to find m but oops! I was gone. I also asked for some kind of painkiller, because I was in agony (all back still, not really incisions). I decided to get out of bed and try to walk, since laying down was clearly not going to work. They got those awful booties off of me (maybe mine were too big? I didn't feel any nice massaging sensations, they just made me hot). I shuffled with my IV pole a few steps into the hallways and realized I was not quite ready to walk, so I went and sat in some chairs near my room. My mom found me very shortly after that, and we sat for a while. I of course cried. I think she may have too, lol. After a little while of sucking on my ice chips, I decided to take a walk, so we did 2 laps around the floor then I got back into bed. The nurse FINALLY gave me some morphine about an hour after I asked, and it did nothing but take the edge off...I was still in quite a bit of pain.
I did a few more laps, taking breaks in between them sitting in the chairs (I was kind of done with my bed....I just wanted my own damn bed), when a doctor came to find me. He said the magic words "Wanna blow this popsicle stand?" and I said "YES!!!!!!" All I had to do was pee, which I happily did (I had been sneaking sips of the water that my ice chips were melting into). After about another hour, we FINALLY were able to leave. I took some Vicodin before we did, so it would kick in by the time we got home, and then had a bit of broth when I got home.
I chatted with my sister for a while, and decided to stay awake until my next dose of happy juice at 1:15. We decided to go for a walk, and actually walked pretty far (around the block once, then maybe about 6 blocks and back in a different direction). It felt good to not act like an invalid so I am trying really hard not to. She has a bad back, so she said the walked helped her too. We just kept it to a nice stroll, and got back right before I was due for more meds.
I went to bed after that, after arranging a fortress of pillows on my bed. Slept pretty well, and set my alarm for more drugs at 5. I've been up wandering around on and off...but think I am going to take a nap. So far, I've been siping on water, and had half of a protein shake (Carnation Instant Breakfast, powder not ready made). I could have had more, but I didn't really want it, so I put the rest in the fridge for later.
Hope this post is helpful to anyone going in soon! I tried to be as detailed as I could. Me sleepy now.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
In approximately 12 hours...I'll be banded!
Got the call at around 6:30 or so from NYU - arrival time is 10am. Oh boy, right smack in the middle of the rush hour. My mom and I are leaving The Bronx at 7:30 (without traffic, it would normally take around 25 minutes) and hope that it isn't too too bad.
I've had my last protein shake, packed my bag (just in case I end up having to stay overnight, which I sincerely hope is not the case), and am already to go. Now where's Michael J Fox with that damn time machine???
I've had my last protein shake, packed my bag (just in case I end up having to stay overnight, which I sincerely hope is not the case), and am already to go. Now where's Michael J Fox with that damn time machine???
Tomorrow, Tomorrow...I love ya, Tomorrow!
I can't believe my surgery is finally tomorrow!!! I also can't believe I made it though the pre-op diet without one of the cats being eaten :)
I'm super excited and impatient, but strangely enough not nervous at all. Unfortunately, my hospital is pretty close to the UN, and for those of you not in NY, traffic is a disaster all over the city this week, as the UN is in session. I am used to dealing with this, as I only work a block from the UN, but it could be a pain in the ass tomorrow morning when my mom and I are trying to drive to the hospital. Hoping they schedule me for an early surgery so we can try to beat the traffic (and then I get to go home and get into my own bed that much earlier!)
So, weird question re: full liquids vs mushies. My surgeon has us do 10 days full liquids, and then 10 days mushies. Their definition of "liquid" is, if it can be consumed thru a straw, it's a liquid. This isn't a problem with soups, etc...but wouldn't this count Jell-o out? Does this mean no yogurt for 10 days? No string cheese? Sigh.
I am going to hit up Cosi and buy some of their yummy nummy tomato soup to have for the weekend, when I will hopefully be up to eating again...and then hit GNC up for some Isopure. Any specific recommendations in that area? I've never bought any sort of protein before...we have a couple of kinds of whey at my house for my dad, but he doesn't exactly endorse them!
Also a quick shout out to Lynne (http://girlbanded.blogspot.com), who is having her surgery today! See you on the other side, lady!
I'm super excited and impatient, but strangely enough not nervous at all. Unfortunately, my hospital is pretty close to the UN, and for those of you not in NY, traffic is a disaster all over the city this week, as the UN is in session. I am used to dealing with this, as I only work a block from the UN, but it could be a pain in the ass tomorrow morning when my mom and I are trying to drive to the hospital. Hoping they schedule me for an early surgery so we can try to beat the traffic (and then I get to go home and get into my own bed that much earlier!)
So, weird question re: full liquids vs mushies. My surgeon has us do 10 days full liquids, and then 10 days mushies. Their definition of "liquid" is, if it can be consumed thru a straw, it's a liquid. This isn't a problem with soups, etc...but wouldn't this count Jell-o out? Does this mean no yogurt for 10 days? No string cheese? Sigh.
I am going to hit up Cosi and buy some of their yummy nummy tomato soup to have for the weekend, when I will hopefully be up to eating again...and then hit GNC up for some Isopure. Any specific recommendations in that area? I've never bought any sort of protein before...we have a couple of kinds of whey at my house for my dad, but he doesn't exactly endorse them!
Also a quick shout out to Lynne (http://girlbanded.blogspot.com), who is having her surgery today! See you on the other side, lady!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Made It thru Week 1, and my First BYOC!!!
Whew. Week one of pre-op diet was rough rough rough. A lot of people said by Day 3, they weren't as hungry....this was not the case for me. I thought it would never go away! But thankfully by Day 8 (yesterday), I found I actually wasn't that hungry and even ended up skipping a shake. Hard to believe I only have 6 days 'til the day of surgery! Everyone keeps asking me if I'm nervous, and I have to say - no!!!! Impatient and excited, but nervous, no. I did lose almost 5 lbs already on pre-op, even with TOM making an appearance today, and with my little cheats, so I am hoping to get down a few more before Thursday, which is the big day.
I am almost caught up on everyone's blogs, and do apologize for how long it's taken me to follow some of you back! If I am not following you back yet - please leave a comment with your blog link! I couldn't find some people's actual blogs. However, I did get a new toy this week, a brandy new MacBook Pro (I am a total Apple geek) which I want to spend lots of time playing with, so I will probably be online a lot more in the next few weeks! Plus I love typing on the keyboard (much bigger than my old Macbook) so you'll be getting lots of blogs from me, I am sure.
Onto my first BYOC! How exciting!
1. Last week we asked your favorite thing about being an adult. This week the question is: what is one thing you miss about being a child?
I am almost caught up on everyone's blogs, and do apologize for how long it's taken me to follow some of you back! If I am not following you back yet - please leave a comment with your blog link! I couldn't find some people's actual blogs. However, I did get a new toy this week, a brandy new MacBook Pro (I am a total Apple geek) which I want to spend lots of time playing with, so I will probably be online a lot more in the next few weeks! Plus I love typing on the keyboard (much bigger than my old Macbook) so you'll be getting lots of blogs from me, I am sure.
Onto my first BYOC! How exciting!
1. Last week we asked your favorite thing about being an adult. This week the question is: what is one thing you miss about being a child?
Definitely summers off! Even though things do slow down for me at work during the summer, what with people going on vacations, etc - I still have to wake up early, which is NOT something I am a fan of.
2. When you make a serious life decision – do you use your head or your heart?
Always my heart (which may or may not have the best results)...and then I use my head to figure out how the hell I am going to make it happen. I am known in my circle of friends for making insane decisions, and then somehow always pulling it off, so I guess I have a pretty good system going!
3. In relation to blogs….are you a never commenter, a sometimes commenter, an almost always commenter or a direct emailer kinda person?
Can I add a new category in between sometimes and almost always, called usually? I try to comment a decent amount of the time, but sometimes I don't have anything to really offer, and I don't want to be trite.
4. If life was a flavor – would it be savory, sweet or sour?
Savory. Served with grilled onions, lol.
5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in life or in blogland.
My week - well, as I said above, just been trying to get through pre-op. Working my last shifts at the night job for a few weeks, and trying to get everything done at day job. I also applied for a new position at day job, which is a level up in both title and salary, so I am crossing my fingers that something happens there!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My First Blog Award and Day 7
I was nominated for my first blog award! I am all veklempt :)
1. Answer the question: If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?
I don't think I would change anything. Even the mistakes I've made have either led to learning experiences, or led me towards things in my life that I now hold precious. Oh, I know what I would change - I would change not winning the MegaMillions the last time I played (sucker was at like $220 million!!!)
2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have been selected for the award.
Stephanie (http://dreamsofskinnyhighheels.blogspot.com) for welcoming me so warmly into this little blogging community.
Nicole (http://bigfatbandjourney.blogspot.com) for being my NYU bandster buddy - she had her surgery on Monday, and I am hoping it all went well!
Sarah (http://losingweightgainingtons.blogspot.com) for being a HUGE inspiration (shhh, don't tell anyone, but I want to run too!!!)
Amy (http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com) for being the bandster that everyone wants to be!
Colls (http://colls-thistimeimeanit.blogspot.com) for being a fellow NYC area bandster and having kick ass red hair!
Yana (http://girlmeetsband.blogspot.com) for being the first bandster blog I found, which led me to all of you!
3. You have to thank the person (people) who gave you the award.
Thanks so much to The Banded Lady (http://thebandedlady.blogspot.com)! I am a newbie around here, and am just beginning to get involved in this wonderful "family". I never imagined how much support I'd receive from this group. Woo!
I have made it to Day 7 of pre-op. It's getting slightly better, after the modifications I made. Last night, I went shopping to buy some things for my new apartment that I'll be moving into in November. After finishing off the bathroom shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond (easily my fave store), and I headed down to Target to return some stuff and pick up a few other things. I was starving, and made the decision to cheat. The "cafe" was closed by the time I checked out, which I decided to take as a sign. Driving home (about 10 minutes or so) I waged a war with my own brain on whether or not I was going to stop somewhere and get something. I admitted to myself that I wasn't actually hungry, just tired, cranky and way over this diet. Somehow, rational brain won over cranky emotion, and I went home, had a jello and my final shake of the night, then went to bed.
I had my first esophagram this morning - wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be. Over pretty quickly too. I think I am all set for surgery, just need the day to actually get here now!!!
1. Answer the question: If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?
I don't think I would change anything. Even the mistakes I've made have either led to learning experiences, or led me towards things in my life that I now hold precious. Oh, I know what I would change - I would change not winning the MegaMillions the last time I played (sucker was at like $220 million!!!)
2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have been selected for the award.
Stephanie (http://dreamsofskinnyhighheels.blogspot.com) for welcoming me so warmly into this little blogging community.
Nicole (http://bigfatbandjourney.blogspot.com) for being my NYU bandster buddy - she had her surgery on Monday, and I am hoping it all went well!
Sarah (http://losingweightgainingtons.blogspot.com) for being a HUGE inspiration (shhh, don't tell anyone, but I want to run too!!!)
Amy (http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com) for being the bandster that everyone wants to be!
Colls (http://colls-thistimeimeanit.blogspot.com) for being a fellow NYC area bandster and having kick ass red hair!
Yana (http://girlmeetsband.blogspot.com) for being the first bandster blog I found, which led me to all of you!
3. You have to thank the person (people) who gave you the award.
Thanks so much to The Banded Lady (http://thebandedlady.blogspot.com)! I am a newbie around here, and am just beginning to get involved in this wonderful "family". I never imagined how much support I'd receive from this group. Woo!
I have made it to Day 7 of pre-op. It's getting slightly better, after the modifications I made. Last night, I went shopping to buy some things for my new apartment that I'll be moving into in November. After finishing off the bathroom shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond (easily my fave store), and I headed down to Target to return some stuff and pick up a few other things. I was starving, and made the decision to cheat. The "cafe" was closed by the time I checked out, which I decided to take as a sign. Driving home (about 10 minutes or so) I waged a war with my own brain on whether or not I was going to stop somewhere and get something. I admitted to myself that I wasn't actually hungry, just tired, cranky and way over this diet. Somehow, rational brain won over cranky emotion, and I went home, had a jello and my final shake of the night, then went to bed.
I had my first esophagram this morning - wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be. Over pretty quickly too. I think I am all set for surgery, just need the day to actually get here now!!!
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