People Noticing the Weightloss

I was banded on March 23, 5 days ago. From about the 20th of Feb until March 19, I had lost 20 pounds! And in the last week, another 8.

I went back to work and people are already noticing in my face and upper body that I am loosing. I am feeling it some, but since I still have lots of swelling in my tummy, my clothes are a little tighter that I would like. I have been cooking for my hubby & son, and doing ok...but last night the hunger pangs started. Since I was making sketti, I took some of the meat chewed it up until I got all of the flavoring out, then spit it out. The sauce was so so good, it was garlic & onion I think!!! It was good, but just for the flavoring!!! That is what I miss is the different flavors. Although adding extracts to the protein drinks help, my pallet is not very forgiving of me keeping all those good flavors from it!

My 1st goal is 75 pounds by Christmas...I want to stay on that track. As soon as I am released to swim, we will be going to the Y Friday-Sunday so I can start that way, then back to walking and hopefully bike riding in the near future!

Surgery Day

Monday went good. We got to the hospital about 4:45 am, and waited. Got up to the day surgery waiting area, with signing in and my number. Lisa came up before she went to work, and mom and day were close behind. I went back to my curtain about 5:40 am, got changed in to the ICU gown, you know the one where people behind you can go "I C U"!!!Lisa, & mom cam back and visited then about 6:30 I wanted Ray back there since we were getting down to business. He came back and the parade started, the IV, Heparin Shot in the tummy, belly getting drawn on, twilight shot, and the OR Nurse taking me to the bathroom to potty so I would not have to have a cath! I was all for that!!!About 7 am we went to the OR....only after they let me get one last kiss from Ray! It was about an hour to get ready before they started on the procedure. He got called very often from the OR to let then know the progress. When it was done, Dr Scott came out and talked to Ray to tell it is all went well. As I have talked about before my doctor has been doing SIL - Single Incision Laporscopy for about a year now. He one incision went in thru my belly button, the port is attached right above my belly button. Hopefully the fills will be easy. I got out of recovery, and in to my room, about 11:00am. By that time, my parents & Ray's parents were there, when they wheeled me toward my room, I say the best image I could..Ray was sitting in my room.Every one came in I was doing well. we visited for a little bit, and once the moms saw I was good, they started to leave, Ray and I tried to nap. He had to leave about 1:45 to go get Logan. My sister came up about 2:00, we spent some time together, she was the only one of the other 3 kids, who came or even called. I decided to get out of bed about 3:20 to walk and potty, I did really good, I did not get back in bed until about 9:00pm. Lisa came about up about 4, and Pete left about that time since I was not alone, and so she cold miss some of the traffic going home. Ray & Logan got up there about 5:30ish, and ate dinner. It was so nice seeing Logan although I could not cuddle him as I would like to. Lisa headed home about 6:00, and Ray's Tina came in...I was being tag teamed on visitors and it was nice. I begged for a tray...the ice chips were not cutting it, so I was able to have broth, juice, tea, and some frozen Italian ice. They all hung out for about an hour & half, and 3 more laps around the floor. They started heading out about 7:45, and passed Holly in the parking lot...we had some time together, I was feeling tired, but just did not to be alone.About 9:00, Carlos came and tucked me in. He was my tech for the night. I can not tell you how nice my night guys were. David & Carlos, the guy I had earlier in the day Chris was good as well. I sang there praises to there boss. They kept me taken care of and comfy. I slept from about 2-4:30am, Lis came back up before she went to work.that was nice. I got up after she left since I did not have the leg things any more I had some more freedom, and was allowed to go down stairs. I was able to meet Ray at the door when he came that day. I felt so good. Now I just had to wait on the barium drink & x-ray. It was done about 11:30, I got to see it that was cool I saw the band and the port. So about 4 hrs later I got discharged I was pacing like a caged cat!!!We left the hospital at 4, got Logan from school, and then home for dinner, left to TKD, then to target to get my drugs. We got home about 8:30 and wound down about 9, I was able to sleep in the bed last night, and have slept alot today and showered so I feel a little more human! Now I am going to get ready to go to a Parent/Teacher conference in the stinking RAIN!!!!Would I do it again....Yes and once it all starts working in the way it should and the weight is going away it will really be worth it. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers. Just keep them coming. The Journey is just beginning!!!!

Surgery Day - 2 Day Post Op

Monday went good. We got to the hospital about 4:45 am, and waited. Got up to the day surgery waiting area, with signing in and my number. Lisa came up before she went to work, and mom and day were close behind. I went back to my curtain about 5:40 am, got changed in to the ICU gown, you know the one where people behind you can go "I C U"!!!

Lisa, & mom cam back and visited then about 6:30 I wanted Ray back there since we were getting down to business. He came back and the parade started, the IV, Heparin Shot in the tummy, belly getting drawn on, twilight shot, and the OR Nurse taking me to the bathroom to potty so I would not have to have a cath! I was all for that!!!

About 7 am we went to the OR....only after they let me get one last kiss from Ray! It was about an hour to get ready before they started on the procedure. He got called very often from the OR to let then know the progress. When it was done, Dr Scott came out and talked to Ray to tell it is all went well. As I have talked about before my doctor has been doing SIL - Single Incision Laporscopy for about a year now. He one incision went in thru my belly button, the port is attached right above my belly button. Hopefully the fills will be easy. I got out of recovery, and in to my room, about 11:00am. By that time, my parents & Ray's parents were there, when they wheeled me toward my room, I say the best image I could..Ray was sitting in my room.

Every one came in I was doing well. we visited for a little bit, and once the moms saw I was good, they started to leave, Ray and I tried to nap. He had to leave about 1:45 to go get Logan. My sister came up about 2:00, we spent some time together, she was the only one of the other 3 kids, who came or even called. I decided to get out of bed about 3:20 to walk and potty, I did really good, I did not get back in bed until about 9:00pm. Lisa came about up about 4, and Pete left about that time since I was not alone, and so she cold miss some of the traffic going home. Ray & Logan got up there about 5:30ish, and ate dinner. It was so nice seeing Logan although I could not cuddle him as I would like to. Lisa headed home about 6:00, and Ray's Tina came in...I was being tag teamed on visitors and it was nice. I begged for a tray...the ice chips were not cutting it, so I was able to have broth, juice, tea, and some frozen Italian ice. They all hung out for about an hour & half, and 3 more laps around the floor. They started heading out about 7:45, and passed Holly in the parking lot...we had some time together, I was feeling tired, but just did not to be alone.

About 9:00, Carlos came and tucked me in. He was my tech for the night. I can not tell you how nice my night guys were. David & Carlos, the guy I had earlier in the day Chris was good as well. I sang there praises to there boss. They kept me taken care of and comfy. I slept from about 2-4:30am, Lis came back up before she went to work.that was nice. I got up after she left since I did not have the leg things any more I had some more freedom, and was allowed to go down stairs. I was able to meet Ray at the door when he came that day. I felt so good. Now I just had to wait on the barium drink & x-ray. It was done about 11:30, I got to see it that was cool I saw the band and the port. So about 4 hrs later I got discharged I was pacing like a caged cat!!!

We left the hospital at 4, got Logan from school, and then home for dinner, left to TKD, then to target to get my drugs. We got home about 8:30 and wound down about 9, I was able to sleep in the bed last night, and have slept alot today and showered so I feel a little more human! Now I am going to get ready to go to a Parent/Teacher conference in the stinking RAIN!!!!

Would I do it again....Yes and once it all starts working in the way it should and the weight is going away it will really be worth it. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers. Just keep them coming. The Journey is just beginning!!!!

Last One for a Few Days

This is will be my last blog until Tuesday when I get out off the hospital.

I have had protein shakes and some broth today...AUGH!!! I know this is going to be worth it...

Counting the Hours

In 36 hrs I will be on the way to the hospital for a life changed surgery....you will now be able to call me Mitchell...WAIT WRONG BLOG!!!!!

I am 36 hrs away from starting life over! Starting a journey, to a new me. Is there really a skinny person inside who wants to be seen? I have wondered this for a while. I have lost 22 pounds already. My personal goal....75 by Christmas...53 to go.

I know that this changes a lot of people, not for the better, maybe physically, but just the person. I HOPE that does not happen to me. I have enough people around me to keep me grounded and on track to make sure I do not become some monster.

I am so grateful to have the supportive husband and son that I have. Ray is looking forward to the new meals and things I will be trying, Logan is looking forward to me being able to jump on the trampoline with him. And I am too. Looking forward to being able to run around crazy with him, and be a more involved mom. In May I am hoping to be able to start taking martial arts with him!

If I don't post tomorrow, I will post something as soon as I get home on Tuesday!

AUGH

I am really nervous...and this day is extremely LONG!!!!

Hoping to be over soon! It is 3:40pm. I am fixing to start counting down the HOURS!!!!

Thanks again for all the well wishes and prayers

Pre-Op & Final Countdown

Had my pre-op appt on Thursday, it was a long day. Logs went with us, he did really good. Several of the staff commented on how well behaved he was. :-)

So the nerves had set in. That happened when the doctor left the room. I asked all my questions and he answered them very thoroughly. Met with the nutritionist, and the nurse again. So off to the hospital. EKG, more blood work, and lots of instructions. The admit lady gave me a orange 'ticket' to check in to the surgery area on Monday....I told her it should be a golden ticket.

Be at the hospital at 5:30am, go to day surgery, this is where everyone starts. So Ray will get to go back with me, then he will have to wait. It can take up to 2 hrs, then the dr will talk to Ray and from recovery I will go to my room. They will have me up in a chair by the afternoon and walking in the halls that evening. Tuesday I will go to x-ray and get some pics taken, see the dr and be released about noon.

This weekend is going to he hectic, I am hoping to get everything done I want to before Sunday night.

I will try to post again Sunday!

FASTING -Day 3

Sunday I had another salad....See with my Pre-op diet to 'shrink' my liver, it does not shrink it, it just dries it out, so it is not so slimy....

Friday - Muscle Milk (Banana Flavored) - baby carrots - side salad - Muscle Milk (Chocolate) - Chicken Taco Salad with no cheese & no shell...

Saturday - Muscle Milk (Chocolate) - Chicken Fajita meat & veggies - RTD 51 - BIG SALAD

Sunday - Muscle Milk (Chocolate) - Salad with Salmon & tailapia

So the theme is Protein Shakes and Salads...It will be worth it...

I have done good loosing weight, but I am still doing this!!!!

Long Week

It started out Monday with some testing, Glucose test & MRI. It was not that bad, the MRI was really tight, but as I loose weight I know it will be better. That is what my really cool doctor is telling me too!

Then Tuesday as TKD, it was good, he is preparing for his test this weekend! Wednesday we had to pick up the Tux, he is going to be a ring-bearer Ray's cousins weeding. The tux is brown and Logan wears it great. Although it was an absolute issue getting the legs right and I WILL NOT ever recommend Mens Warehouse!!! The people in there SUCKED!!! And they just could not get it right, so as we go into the wedding the legs may still be off! It was after 9:00 until we got home, so not much sleep for him. Thursday was TKD & Open House. I had my nutritionist appt so I was able to pick Logan up earlier than usual so that helped. We got to watch the pre-test at TKD, he did good, some small things to work on..and HOPEFULLY it will not keep him from passing the test. Then we went to Open House, it was nice to see his work, and some of the other parents. Once again a late night. He made it through Friday so now he is on Spring Break and very happy about that. We went to the Wedding Rehearsal. He did so good. If I am able to have more time soon I will try to get some pictures posted.

I started my fasting on Friday, day one...better that I thought! I had 2 Muscle Milks and also 2 salads. We were given a menu, with what we can eat, and there are lots of veggies that I can eat all of any of it I want. So I am going to check at the store and get some of the fresh stuff and make me a snack medley to have when I have the munchies. I also learned that it is about Texture after the band. For the first 2 weeks of 'liquids' is anything that does not need chewed! so that is great! It really opens up some doors.

Oh yeah....since my 1st appt in Jan...lost 16 pounds!

Something I Have Been Pondering

Have you ever thought about this? If not...put your mind to work and post a comment if you want.

If you were to write a book, what would the book be about and most most importantly....Who would you dedicate the book too...and WHY?

Where Has This Week Gone?

I am back. It has been a hectic week. The layoffs and job cuts are hitting closer to home, at work. Not me, but some other higher up the ladder employees, and officers. So it is a little scary.

We Thursday I went to the hospital for the 1st of many appointments, this was for the research study, once I got there, I was thinking I was going to have to set in the stupid lab office for 3 hours. Nope I was wrong. I was put in a room, with a bed and TV. they said have a seat...get comfy! So this was nice. AND they were doing another study so I signed up for it too. So after i drank that LOVELY sugar drink, she started taking the blood, it was nice, we talked and I got to kick back and relax!!! After the test was done, they brought some hospital food, NOT THAT great. But I ate and went back to work!

Then it hit me, ANXIETY!!!! Just a little over 2 weeks. I go on the 12th to meet with the nutritionist and start my pre-op fasting. I am ready to get it over with!!

Monday I go in for another glucose test and this time they inject 50% dextrose directly into my IV set up, and my first MRI!! Never had one before and it is going to be about 2 hrs. They are going to measure the fat content in my body, and how is changes over the the course of 12 months.

I will try to get better and post more, but with EVERYTHING going on...I do not even get on the net everyday!!!!