Moving after surgery has NOT been easy. I thought the packing and loading would be bad, but with all the help we had it actually wasn't that bad. The plan was to move two weeks after surgery but when #1 fractured his foot we had to move up our moving plans. I was having very little to no pain by the time we left on Thursday, exactly one week to the hour after surgery. Today, however, I am having horrible side pain and it is to the point that I can't bend twist or walk without being in pain.
As far as food is concerned I am able to eat more and more all the time. I tried mashed potatoes and clam chowder yesterday and the both went down well. Granted I added a little bit of milk to the potatoes because they were a bit thick and I chewed the soup a lot. Then for breakfast I had grits. Most of my food, however, is still protein shakes and baby food simply because it is easy to travel with.
Because of the hurricane coming in we have held up in a hotel for the next 24 hours so I am going to be taking the time to sit and lay and not move much. Hoping my pain subsides soon!
Weight Loss Journey
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Pictures of surgery
Surgery
Well, I did it!! I had my surgery on 8/18/11! It was interesting, painful and a long day. I had a hiatal hernia that had to be repair and this has caused some extra pain, atleast that is what the doctors and nurses keep saying. I am not good when it comes to narcartics either, I get a little loopy and tend to freak out a little, it's my issue with the out of control feeling; I like to feel in control and I don't with those meds. So, when I came to I did a little freaking out. It didn't help that I had completely forgot where I was or that I had been in surgery. I didn't remember being taken back to the surgery room or anything so when I came to and I was in so much pain and completely confused it was a bit of a shocker. I immediately started asking for DH, though I was still freaking out when he came back in the room lol. It took awhile for me to calm down. I was released to go home 4 hours after surgery started which was a good thing because as nice and calming the place was, I wasn't able to relax and rest at all until I was home in my own bed.
I was able to sleep a couple hours after I got home but then I was up for the whole night and all day friday because I am unable to sleep with Hydrocodon in my system. So, Friday afternoon I had to switch to tylenol which has been VERY difficult since it doesn't help a lot with the pain.
In addition to recovering we are moving. DH's job has moved him out to Maine and after a lot of back and forth and debating the benefits and downfalls we have decided to join him. So, this week we are packing and moving and I am unable to help near as much as I would like. I am confident that we will make it but It would be nice if I could do more.
Lastly, we orginally decided to move 2 weeks from now but the reason we moved it up was because we found out the day before my surgery that #1 probably fractured his foot when he slipped on a stool. We had to have a boot put on him on Friday and thus the move up in the move. There was no way I could care for #2 and #1 the way he would need so my husband had to stay home.
To say the least, we have had a crazy few days. And it looks like another crazy week or two!
(pictures to come)
I was able to sleep a couple hours after I got home but then I was up for the whole night and all day friday because I am unable to sleep with Hydrocodon in my system. So, Friday afternoon I had to switch to tylenol which has been VERY difficult since it doesn't help a lot with the pain.
In addition to recovering we are moving. DH's job has moved him out to Maine and after a lot of back and forth and debating the benefits and downfalls we have decided to join him. So, this week we are packing and moving and I am unable to help near as much as I would like. I am confident that we will make it but It would be nice if I could do more.
Lastly, we orginally decided to move 2 weeks from now but the reason we moved it up was because we found out the day before my surgery that #1 probably fractured his foot when he slipped on a stool. We had to have a boot put on him on Friday and thus the move up in the move. There was no way I could care for #2 and #1 the way he would need so my husband had to stay home.
To say the least, we have had a crazy few days. And it looks like another crazy week or two!
(pictures to come)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Pre-Op Diet Update
So, I will admit, I haven't been following the diet to the T for the whole 2 weeks. It has been extremely difficult especially in the beginning. I have the last couple days though and it is getting easier and easier everyday, especially since I found out there were a couple things that I didn't know I could eat in the beginning that I found out about after reading some other blogs.
I keep counting down the days until I am done with this diet and on to surgery (2 days of protein diet + 1day of clear liquids +1/2 day of nothing!!). I am dreading the day before and the day of surgery though. The day before I am only allowed clear liquids ALL day; no protein shakes no applesauce. Then the day of surgery I have to stopping eating/drinking at midnight. normally that wouldn't be an issue for me but my surgery isn't scheduled until 1:30 in the afternoon, and I will have had nothing of any substance in a day and a half! I keep telling myself though that this feeling will be temporary and that I will be having a hard time getting anything down pretty soon.
The good news about my diet is that I am already down about 8lbs in a week and a half. I knew I would lose some weight but my gosh! I am predicting 10lbs gone BEFORE surgery!
I have had some concerns since seeing the nurse for my pre-op. I was originally told that I would need someone around for the kids for the first 48 hours after the surgery but then I should be okay with the boys, I just couldn't lift them over my head (this is what the doctor told me). Well at the pre-op the nurse said I can't lift more then 20lbs AT ALL for the first two weeks. This isn't normally an issue but there are the occasional times when #1 likes to not listen and I am forced to pick him up, and he weighs 35lbs. Not to mention he is still in a crib, though I am hoping we can get him switched over to a bed right after surgery before DH leaves. I just want to make sure that everything heals right so that I can have the best shot at this without complications.
Lastly, the cravings! I have been having some fierce cravings the last couple of days. I have never been one that was good at denying my cravings, I know this is going to be my biggest challenge of them all (even after surgery). I think the reason they have been so strong is because everything I have been consuming, outside of jello and applesauce, has been in liquid form and something crunchy just sounds good!
As usually I am also having my sweet attacks too. My favorite thing in the world to splurge on is a nice warm chocolate chip cookie with some milk! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I don't think I could ever eat them on a daily basis by any means but once a week--HECK YEA!!
I am trying really hard to remember my goals! The big picture! And all the $$ I spent as well lol!! To help me remember those I purchased a shirt in a smaller size and it is my GOAL shirt! Once I lose this weight I am so going to wear it everywhere lol!! It happens to be the same size I wore in highschool--before my stint in the army!
The good news about my diet is that I am already down about 8lbs in a week and a half. I knew I would lose some weight but my gosh! I am predicting 10lbs gone BEFORE surgery!
Lastly, the cravings! I have been having some fierce cravings the last couple of days. I have never been one that was good at denying my cravings, I know this is going to be my biggest challenge of them all (even after surgery). I think the reason they have been so strong is because everything I have been consuming, outside of jello and applesauce, has been in liquid form and something crunchy just sounds good!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What Will People Think
I went back and forth over whether or not to say anything to people about having the lap band. I think it's because I feel that there is a stigma attached to people that have the lap band and because I in some ways feel like people will think I'm "taking the easy way out." I am not the type of person that cares what people think most of the time but for some reason I cared about this. I think some of it stems from having several friends that have had kids and ended up over weight either before, during and/or after their pregnancy and were able to lose their weight almost seemlessly. Granted most of them had 10-30lbs not 100. And I couldn't tell you haw many times I would hear "when you have more to lose it is so much easier to lose the weight then when you only have 5lbs, those last 5 are the toughest." Though the last 5 are tough to lose when all you are looking at is the scale I would say from experience it is all hard and there is nothing easy about it.
So, after really thinking about it and talking to my husband and father I decided that I wouldn't hid this. It is a journey that I am taking and it is something that I wouldn't feel right hiding. Now, is that to say it will be the topic of every conversation that I have, probably not. I just hope I don't get labeled as Sami-the mom that has a lap band.
Now you're probably thinking, "if she doesn't want as the topic of conversation, or to labeled like this why start a blog?" and my answer to you would be, if I am going to be open about it I want to be as open as I can so that it doesn't have to be the topic, people who read this already know what is going on. Also, because I figure there probably aren't a lot of mom's of babies out there that have had the lap band and I might just inspired someone, or connect with others like myself.
So, after really thinking about it and talking to my husband and father I decided that I wouldn't hid this. It is a journey that I am taking and it is something that I wouldn't feel right hiding. Now, is that to say it will be the topic of every conversation that I have, probably not. I just hope I don't get labeled as Sami-the mom that has a lap band.
Now you're probably thinking, "if she doesn't want as the topic of conversation, or to labeled like this why start a blog?" and my answer to you would be, if I am going to be open about it I want to be as open as I can so that it doesn't have to be the topic, people who read this already know what is going on. Also, because I figure there probably aren't a lot of mom's of babies out there that have had the lap band and I might just inspired someone, or connect with others like myself.
The Decision and Process to Get There
Three years ago I went to a seminar to checkout the lap band procedure and see if it was was something that I wanted to do and something that we could even afford. after sitting through the lecture and hearing all the questions and answers I decided that I wanted to pursue it. I had finally come to a point in my life where I was tired of the dieting and exercising with no to little results and the constant feeling of hunger when I was dieting and the shame I had when I would finally give in and eat something I wanted.
I did a lot of searching inside myself to find out why I was over weight, what was my trigger and how I could overcome it. I came to the conclusion that I was addicted to the feeling of being full, it didn't matter if I was eating french fries and shakes or salad and carrots, I wanted that full feeling. I don't mean the "oh I'm satisfied I could stop here and be good" feeling; I mean the "oh I need to unbuckle my pants because I think I may explode" feeling. Granted I had my loves, chocolate, key lime pie and just about any cheesecake (okay so I'm a little bit of a sugar junky)! My dad (who has had the lap band of three years now) told me in a recent conversation that my relationship with food will change FOREVER. I really thought about that statement and I came to the conclusion that my relationship with food obviously isn't working for me now so it needs to change, whether I like it or not.
So, After all this I spoke with my husband, and though he was reluctant, he supported my decision. Now to get the insurance to help----WRONG! They had a part in our insurance that refused ANY payment for ANY weight loss treatment, even a nutritionist. I was shocked being that my husbands company was so pro-healthy living. So the idea was scratched for the time being and I went back to trying to lose my weight.
Then during my last pregnancy my husband and I were looking over our upcoming finances for the year and I told him that I thought that we had the money to have the surgery and I wanted to look into it after I had baby #2. About a week after delivering my precious bundle of joy I started looking into, I took the steps needed and Had my first consultation with the doctor the end of July. I then had x-rays done and was told when to start my pre-op diet (which is so wrong lol) to shrink the liver and I started that the end of last week, though it has been VERY VERY difficult. I had my pre-op appointment today and I have surgery the end of next week!
I did a lot of searching inside myself to find out why I was over weight, what was my trigger and how I could overcome it. I came to the conclusion that I was addicted to the feeling of being full, it didn't matter if I was eating french fries and shakes or salad and carrots, I wanted that full feeling. I don't mean the "oh I'm satisfied I could stop here and be good" feeling; I mean the "oh I need to unbuckle my pants because I think I may explode" feeling. Granted I had my loves, chocolate, key lime pie and just about any cheesecake (okay so I'm a little bit of a sugar junky)! My dad (who has had the lap band of three years now) told me in a recent conversation that my relationship with food will change FOREVER. I really thought about that statement and I came to the conclusion that my relationship with food obviously isn't working for me now so it needs to change, whether I like it or not.
So, After all this I spoke with my husband, and though he was reluctant, he supported my decision. Now to get the insurance to help----WRONG! They had a part in our insurance that refused ANY payment for ANY weight loss treatment, even a nutritionist. I was shocked being that my husbands company was so pro-healthy living. So the idea was scratched for the time being and I went back to trying to lose my weight.
Then during my last pregnancy my husband and I were looking over our upcoming finances for the year and I told him that I thought that we had the money to have the surgery and I wanted to look into it after I had baby #2. About a week after delivering my precious bundle of joy I started looking into, I took the steps needed and Had my first consultation with the doctor the end of July. I then had x-rays done and was told when to start my pre-op diet (which is so wrong lol) to shrink the liver and I started that the end of last week, though it has been VERY VERY difficult. I had my pre-op appointment today and I have surgery the end of next week!
The Battle of the Bulge--Literally
This may be a bit long as it has been a long battle!
You know how kids can be cruel in school, well with me that was putting it lightly. I was always teased and made fun of in school, it was bad enough that I actually went to live with a family member one year until my parents could find a job in another town just so I wouldn't get death threats and my freshman year I snuck my lunch into the the girls bathroom every day for half the year and ate in a stall because no one would let me sit at a table in the lunch room. Enough about that though, the point of it was that one of the main things I was teased about was that I was F-A-T! And when you hear something enough you begin to believe it. Looking back now I was never fat in school, out of shape YES, fat no! So my battle started when I was in high school. My junior year I joined the army and they told me I needed to lose about 5 lbs to make weight, so I went on a protein diet (which I found out later in life was the Adkins diet) lost the weight and went to basic training the summer in between my junior and senior year. Funny thing is I went from a size 14 to a size 7, but I weighed exactly the same as when I went in. The next summer I was suppose to go back and do my advanced training but when I went in to do the PT test I failed and was told I had to lose some weight. My senior year had been very stressful and I was, at that point, on my own with no money and eating what I could afford; which was never the right kind of foods and the little bit of exercising I did didn't help. I was kicked out of the army and thus started my adult journey to lose the weight. 10 years later and I am STILL trying to lose that weight, along with 80 more lbs!
I found out when I was 22 that I have PCOS which, to put it as bluntly and easily as possible, is a condition that makes it SUPER easy put weight on, and EXTREMELY difficult to get it off. There hasn't been a year that has gone by that I haven't tried to diet and exercise. In fact I have had times where I was doing everything right for weeks and even months at a time and not losing a pound. I have tried the adkins, south beach, weight watchers (3 times), HCG and calorie restriction (atleast 3 times). I would lose weight on them but it was infrequent and usually painful. So, three years ago I looked into the lap band and I have wanted to do it ever since.
You know how kids can be cruel in school, well with me that was putting it lightly. I was always teased and made fun of in school, it was bad enough that I actually went to live with a family member one year until my parents could find a job in another town just so I wouldn't get death threats and my freshman year I snuck my lunch into the the girls bathroom every day for half the year and ate in a stall because no one would let me sit at a table in the lunch room. Enough about that though, the point of it was that one of the main things I was teased about was that I was F-A-T! And when you hear something enough you begin to believe it. Looking back now I was never fat in school, out of shape YES, fat no! So my battle started when I was in high school. My junior year I joined the army and they told me I needed to lose about 5 lbs to make weight, so I went on a protein diet (which I found out later in life was the Adkins diet) lost the weight and went to basic training the summer in between my junior and senior year. Funny thing is I went from a size 14 to a size 7, but I weighed exactly the same as when I went in. The next summer I was suppose to go back and do my advanced training but when I went in to do the PT test I failed and was told I had to lose some weight. My senior year had been very stressful and I was, at that point, on my own with no money and eating what I could afford; which was never the right kind of foods and the little bit of exercising I did didn't help. I was kicked out of the army and thus started my adult journey to lose the weight. 10 years later and I am STILL trying to lose that weight, along with 80 more lbs!
I found out when I was 22 that I have PCOS which, to put it as bluntly and easily as possible, is a condition that makes it SUPER easy put weight on, and EXTREMELY difficult to get it off. There hasn't been a year that has gone by that I haven't tried to diet and exercise. In fact I have had times where I was doing everything right for weeks and even months at a time and not losing a pound. I have tried the adkins, south beach, weight watchers (3 times), HCG and calorie restriction (atleast 3 times). I would lose weight on them but it was infrequent and usually painful. So, three years ago I looked into the lap band and I have wanted to do it ever since.
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