1 week 1 day post op

I posted a pic of America Ferrera..I've been told by a few people that I have a resemblence to her and I love her in this dress. I would love to see me like her one day.

It's been one week after surgery and I am feeling really good. I decided to go to the mall today with my mom and I think it was a little too much walking. I did have to take a break because I started getting some discomfort around my incisions, like tightness. I got home and took a nap because I was exhausted.

As we were at Mall it was hard for me to not feel tempted to shop, but I just don't want to buy any clothes if I am going to shrink out of it soon. So, I mainly window shopped. I did see that there where a lot of clothes that once I lose weight I would love to have. Before I wasn't even able to imagine myself in any of those clothes. Now I can dare dream of wearing skinny peoples clothes, because I know that with my new handy dandy tool it is definitely a possibility. I'm so excited to see the change.

I did stop by my Dr's office to have some paperwork filled out and they asked me if I wanted to be weighed there. I weighed 242.8 lbs. That is about 17 lbs down from my starting point!! It's exciting.

Last night, my husband had a friend come over for dinner and he wanted to make fish tacos...my favorite! So, I decided to help him make the food and it was hard. You don't know how many times I almost grabbed a piece of fish and bit it...I still have a week of liquids and I am dying. Not because I am hungry, but because I'm tired of drinking the shakes and the soups. I need some texture on my palate! I still have soreness where my port is at. But all seems to be healing nicely! I'm thinking of taking my kids to Disneyland as we have annual passes, just to get them out of the house and some more walking for me. I hope it's not too much or that it rains!

Day 5!

Today I am feeling much better. I have been able to intake more ounces. I have not gotten to where I need to be, but I have tried to sip, sip, sip all day long on both my shakes and water. My mom made me some more veggie soup and that has been wonderful! I had a really bad episode a couple days ago, where I drank about 2 ounces of shake like really quickly and ummm well that didn't go well. I felt like I was going to die!!! For about an hour I felt a big tight knot in my chest and I thought it was never going to go away....all I could do was walk around the house like crazy hoping it would go down. So now I have been more careful with the intake...I now know why it's a big deal to sip, sip, sip!!!!

I weighed my self today and I am down 14 lbs! Yay!! I am now officially 246 lbs. I do feel like The little engine that could as my recovery is coming in slowly and I can see progress. I just need to get myself to that hill so that I can then go on that exciting ride! I have been reading Laura Keys blog on Lapbandtalk.com and she has been a huge inspiration to me. I can see how this can be a great tool for you if you know how to use it appropriately. I identified myself with her because we are close in weight loss and in body shape as well. I can't wait to have my day where I too post I have reached 115 lbs lost. I don't know if I will go for that much, but pretty close. I'm pumped, motivated and ready...

Day 2

I was able to sleep a bit more last night. Gas has subsided a lot. I have kept walking around the house. I still have a hard time taking down all my fluids. I just am not hungry,but I keep trying to force myself to take some down. I finally was able to take a shower! It felt so refreshing and was aliviating. I have a slight of a headache wonder if it is because of the low calorie intake? I had this massive cough attack out of nowhere. It was so painful to my stomach. Ugh not a nice feeling. I miss sleeping on my side so bad! I hope I feel better soon! I hate being in bed and can't sit for so long! Ugh! I just think to myself this is temporary.

Surgery day

Surgery day was yesterday. I arrived at the Center at 12:30pm my husband drove me. Filled out some paperwork and then was sent in to change into my hospital gown, hat and socks. Placed all my belongings into a locker and went to my bed. Patty my nurse came in and prepped me up for the IV and then my anesthesiologist came in and talked over what was going to happen. Dr Pham came in an told me he would prescribe some Tylenol 3 for pain if I needed it, but didn't think I would need any. I was taken into the surgery room. I was tied down from both arms and my legs and then they placed the mask on my face and last thing I remember is telling my nurse Alma to make sure I got the Lap band and I hear the Dr say "Yes thank you for reminding me" and that was it..next I remember was me getting placed into the bed and feeling this massive pressure trying to breath and just discomfort in my stomach area. I never felt pain. Then I started to feel real nauseous and they gave me something for that and for pain, as later on I was feeling a little bit. Procedure took less than an hour and recovery was also about an hour. I was home by 5:30pm.

Once at home I was so uncomfortable with the gas pain. I would walk every hour around the house to hopefully get them out but they just would not budge. I was up all night until finally I fell asleep in the couch. Felt like sitting up would help me a bit more. I took Gas-x and even resorted to childrens Mylecon but nothing helped. Walking is the only thing that really helps.

Every time I pee I smell the anesthesia coming out and that smell makes me nauseous. I just try to drink as much fluids as possible to get it out of my system. Today has been harder to get out of bed due to the soreness, but I have managed with the help of my hubby to get up and walk around. The gas pains have subsided a bit, but I still feel a lot of pain in my left shoulder. Most of the soreness too is around the port area. Will keep you posted on the progress.

Day two pre-op.

Today has been a pretty easy day...I'm sure that it's just me and the fact that I can't eat solids, that watching TV has been pretty hard. I don't think I ever noticed how many delicious food commercials are out there! Every other dang commercial is FOOD! So I decided to get everything ready for the kids for the next couple days and I did some last loads of laundry just to leave everything neat and clean.

Once I got going I was ok, I had some broths and Jello and that is holding me up pretty well. I was able to make spaghetti for the kids and the hubby to eat when they got home.

I took out that blanket that I started about 2 years ago and knitted away. I also got a call from the surgery center that my surgery was moved up to 12pm and then about an hour later another call to advise, no it was moved to 2pm!!?? Apparently my surgeon has meetings to attend on surgery day. O well 1 hour is not going to kill me to wait. Until next post!

Day one pre-op!

So, Today I had to make sure I did some last minute errands. I went and got a Pedicure. I figured I am not going to be doing much in the next couple of days at least I can have nice feet to look at! I took the kids out to In N Out, so this actually was my official last, naughty meal.

I got home and made sure I chilled my Magnesium Citrate. At about 2pm pst, I took the bottle and chugged it all down. My friend and supporter Jasmin also took it at the same time. It is now 7:50pm and still nothing for me!!....I hope this works soon..otherwise, what do I do? I have been having liquids and I am home not going anywhere, because I know that when it comes...oh boy! Jasmine had her effect about 2hours later! I have been having broths and Poweraid Zero. Will update when the time comes....


UPDATE: Here's the scoop on the poop. 02/16/09
It finally came at about 8:30pm and it went on a couple times and this morning.

Official before pictures!!!

Here we go...these are the before pictures at 257lbs. Not comfortable displaying, but I'm sure this will be the last time I take pictures at this size...Let the journey begin!!!!

Prep up day!

So today is ♥♥♥Valentines Day!♥♥♥ Happy V-day to you all!

Spent the day with my Husband and Family. We went out for Sushi! It was delicious!!! I eat more of the rolls, not really into the raw stuff, but do enjoy the crunch rolls and T.N.T. rolls. I have been nibling on stuff left and right. Ok not nibbling eating everything in sight. LOL! This weekend has been a free for all. I have had Carne Asada, tamales, shrimp ceviche and pizza. I figure this is going to be the last time I will be able to eat like this for a very long time. I know that I should be prepping myself for more positive ways of eating, but I am actually ready to bring on the next couple of days. I did all my shopping and bought all the stuff I will need. I have bought broths, jello, sugar free kool aid, crystal lite, my vitamin chewables, calcium chewables and my protein shakes! I will be trying some out tonight to see how they taste. Tomorrow I start my cleansing process...oh boy! Then followed by only liquids for the rest of the evening and also on Tuesday. Surgery on Wednesday!

I want to really thank all my supporters, my family and friends that are really cheering me on!

To my husband Alex who is behind me 100% in all that I am doing. I love you babe!!!♥

Yasmin!!! Who is not getting lap band but she is going to be doing the cleansing and the protein shakes with me as a form of support! Gracias!!!!

Pre-op Appt - CHECK!

My pre-op appt went well overall. I was a little annoyed at the fact that they called me to move up my appt, but didn't take me in until my regular time??? Ugh and then I saw them scrambling in the office because my chart was MIA too!!!! AND of course the girl that always handles my stuff was out of the office. Once that was all straightened out it was fine.

My nutritionist went through what would happen before and after the surgery in regards to food or lack of I should say..haha. Protein shakes will be the only thing I will be able to have.

I also met with my surgery coordinator Gideon and he was explaining to me the reasons why only protein shakes and how it all works. Very interesting! Once I am able to eat more solids, he encourages to do a lot of weights so that my skin can retract much better and to eat a lot of fish. Omega 3 really helps the skin to get back to where it needs to go!

I need to do a cleanse on Monday the 15th as my preop preparation and liquids on Tuesday. My surgery will be Wednesday the 17 at 1pm. I need to be there by 11:30am to prep up before surgery.

I'm so excited. I am not nervous about the surgery. What I am really worried about is the fact that I have to be on shakes for 2 weeks..that is what I am having a problem with. I am one that gets tired of eating the same thing for too long. I'm willing and ready to do this, but I know it's going to be hell!!!

Pre Op appt tomorrow!

I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow at 5:30pm. I'm excited, to find out what I'm going to start doing in the next week. I am assuming I will begin some sort of liquid diet? Oh boy...will keep you posted.

Surgery Date is......

I just received a call from the Dr's office that my claim was APPROVED!!!!!! and I will have my pre-op appointment on Feb 11, 2010 and my surgery date is February 17th! OMG...I was in shock when I was told the date! So many things going through my head at this time! Excited, nervous, OMG, OMG, OMG!!!

EGD (Upper GI)

Upper GI was not fun, but I guess since I was asleep while it happened, it was not that bad. I was admitted to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and had the procedure yesterday morning. What they did is they went down my throat with a scope to look around and make sure I didn't have ulcers, Hiatel Hernias or anything that would cause issues when the Lap band is placed on my stomach. I have a soar throat, but it looks like all came out good. Nothing of major issue was found. Now just waiting for the insurance approval. I have this horrible cold to top it off, hopefully it goes away soon!