Vacation

Hello Everyone!

We've been on vacation for the last 2-1/2 weeks. Jeff has been on block leave before he deploys to Iraq. We've been here and there, everywhere and back again! We spent some time in Iowa visiting the in laws, we took a trip to KC and stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge and then "camped" in the RV at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun for a few days. (I walked around for 2 days in public in my bathing suit!) We stayed at the lake for a few days, we took a 2 day, 800+ mile geocaching trip, we set 26 new geocaches in Junction City and hosted a geocaching event. Whew...I need a vacation from my vacation! Check out my other blog to read about our adventures of geocaching: http://www.diecast64.blogspot.com/. And http://www.geocaching.com/ to learn more about the obsession called geocaching!

So, how did being on vacation go while having my lap band? It went pretty well. I'm down another 4 lbs! :) And I feel great! Since we stayed in the RV some of the time, I was able to cook food and watch protein, fat and calories in everything I prepared. There were a few times that I didn't chew my food enough, or that I ate a bit too much...(see the steak post!) but I'm still getting used to eating "just the right amount" with the band. And "just the right amount" varies day by day. On our 2 day geocaching trek, we ate mostly fast food (so we could get back on the road in a hurry!) And, I did OK...I ate mostly chicken, but I followed the pouch rules and listened to my body and stopped eating when I was getting full!

Now that we're back to "normal" life (if that's what you call it!) I need to get back into an exercising routine. My goal for this week is to exercise 3 times before Sunday. I know once I start exercising regularly I will feel even better and will lose more weight.

So, I'm raising my water mug (with Real Lime) to celebrate vacations, good times and exercising!

My First Fill at 6 Weeks

This morning I went in to see Dr. Hachem and I got my first fill! This means I had 2.5 cc's of saline injected into the port of the lap band. This tightens the band around my stomach, making the food slower to leave my stomach, which in turn will leave me feeling full longer.

Having the fill was the weirdest sensation...and it's not for the faint of heart! The needle that he used to inject the saline was about 5 inches long! Once it was in the port, he filled and deflated the band several times to make sure it didn't leak. I could feel a little tightness, then bubbles in my stomach when he did it! It was similar to feeling a baby kick. Anyways...while the needle was still sticking out of my abdomen, I had to sit up and drink some water. Once I felt the water "climbing up my throat," (and yeah, it really feels like that!) then Dr. Hachem let out some of the saline. I could feel the water move slowly down, like it was draining out. Again, it was so strange being able to feel this happen. None of it really hurt...just some pressure. The most uncomfortable part was having to lie down with a pillow under my back and my arms over my head.

I have to return in 6 weeks if all goes well, or 4 weeks if I haven't lost 3-6 pounds during the next 3 weeks.

Officially, I've lost 35 pounds and my BMI is down 5.3 points. (http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). My blood pressure was 110/68. So it was a great visit! :)

The Decision to Have Surgery

In February 2009, I had parent-teacher conferences. One of the parents told me that she was going to have a lap-band procedure done. I spent the next few weeks thinking about this. The parent was a similar size to me and she had yo-yo'd with her weight...just like me.

A few weeks later, I was at the doctor office for an ear infection and I decided to ask her about having a lap band done. I almost chickened out, but at end of the appointment, I blurted out, "I want a lap band done." She talked to me about the severity of it...it's surgery, it's not a quick fix, etc. And then she entered the information in the computer for a referral! After waiting for 10 days (or so,) I received the referral in the mail and my insurance approved it!

I spent the next few weeks gathering information for my file. I had to have my previous medical records, all of my surgical reports, a mental health exam, attend a support group and information meeting and have lab work sent to Innovative Weight Loss Solutions before I could even make an appointment with the doctor. Finally, I was able to make an appointment!

On 16 April, I went for my all day appointment at Geary County Hospital. I had to meet with Pam and Rhonda at the Innovative Weight Loss Solutions office. Then I met with Jennifer, the dietitian. I also had to do lab work, have an ultrasound of my gall bladder, and EKG, breathing tests, and an upper GI series with X-Ray (I hope I NEVER have to drink the chalky yuck again!) Finally, I met Dr. Hachem and then I made my appointment for my Lap Band surgery. It was scheduled for 19 May 2009!

After eating jello, broth and protein shakes for 2 weeks, I had my surgery! I arrived at the hospital at 10:00 am and left the next day around noon. The roughest part of the surgery was having the IV started! I have tough veins (they are deep and like to roll,) and it was even tougher since I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the day before! The other tough thing was I was so thirsty after the surgery. I was able to sip a Tablespoon of water in an hour time frame. After I was released from the hospital, I stayed home from work for the next few days and rested. And ate jello. I never want to eat jello again!

I am now one month out from the surgery. I feel great! I've lost 30 pounds so far! :) In 2 weeks, I'll get my first fill and I'm looking forward to it. While I am eating less (and exercising more,) I don't feel much restriction right now. My 5 incisions have healed well. I am very excited for this next chapter in my life!