Surgery...again???

My progress report!!

Lap Band was the very first surgery of my life. Now, it looks like I'll be having ANOTHER surgery.



I will begin at the beginning....in 2000 I got hurt on a jet ski. It was back pain like I had never felt in my life. I was diagnosed with pulled muscles, given some meds and sent on my way. Over the years this pain has reoccurred and in 2005 it sent me to the Emergency Room. Again, same pulled muscles...more meds...yadda yadda yadda.

Well, last Sunday I was feeling bad because I had come down with the "crud" that had been going around. I had already called in sick to work so I could go to my family doctor on Monday and get a shot to take care of it.

About 6:30 that old familiar back pain resurfaced. There was no way of easing the pain. I even took some prescription strength pain meds. By 10 o'clock the pain had moved to my abdomen and I started throwing up. This is the first time I've actually thrown up - retching and all - since my surgery. This scared me because I was afraid it was my appendix. (I do watch Grey's Anatomy, ya know!!) So my DH loaded me up and took me the the local ER - or the band-aide station.

It didn't take long for them to see me.  I guess a grown woman slumped over and puking in a bowl will get them moving a little faster. Once the doctor saw me he decided that blood work and a CT Scan would help diagnose my issues. He then gave me a shot of Demerol. (Which didn't even touch the pain.) After finally drinking the "Scan juice" and 2 more shots of Demerol I was scanned. While waiting for the scan to be read I was still in extreme pain. The doctor finally came in and told me all my blood work was normal but there was an abnormality on my scan. He very nonchalantly told me that I had a cyst on my right ovary and I needed to follow up with my OB/GYN. I was given another shot of Demerol, a prescription for Lorcets and sent on my way.

Well...about my OB/GYN...I had been to two in the past because we have never used birth control and have never been successful at getting pregnant. I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome in 2006 after a very painful test - I can't remember the name. But I was told that people have babies all the time with only one working ovary/fallopian tube. I was always told that if I lose weight we should be able to conceive. After numerous doctor visits we got disgruntled and stopped going to the OB/GYN. My doctor has been gone for over a year, so now I had to find a new OB/GYN.
After calling all over our area the nearest appointment we could find was in the middle of December so I decided to go my family doctor on Wednesday. The pain had subsided some but I was unable to lay down, stretch out, stand up straight, or even sleep in the bed. My family doctor was able to get me in to a OB/GYN the very next day.

On Thursday my mom took me to the doctor...it was excruciatingly painful. The car ride, walking to the office, sitting in the waiting room. Once the doctor looked at my scan results the very first thing he did was reassure us that in no way was this cyst CANCER. That was such a relief. He then told me something that completely shocked both of us. The cyst is the size of a BASKETBALL. A basketball??? In my abdomen??? How could the doc in the ER NOT tell me how big it is???

Well, because of it's size he can not operate laproscopically (sp??). He's going to have to CUT ME OPEN. But he is going to try to save as much of the right ovary as possible.

As of right now, the pain is bearable. He said I would get some relief after my "cycle" was over and it would be possible that I could function and hold off on having the surgery until Christmas break - that way I don't have to miss as much work. Of course, with it being real, live surgery there will be a six week recovery period.

I don't care about the recovery I just want this THING out of my BELLY!!! He also said that I shouldn't expect to lose any weight between now and then because of the amount of fluid in there. And buh-leev me....I am so bloated I think I'm going to have to break out my fat pants - which is depressing. I should be losing because I haven't had much of an appetite since last weekend!!!

SO, there's my story. Don't let anyone tell you that ovarian cysts aren't painful. It's the WORST pain I've ever felt!!

After all this is over I am anxious to get back to my surgeon because I am worried all of my heaving and hurling might have hurt my band....not to mention all the swelling going on inside of me....

The last football game I was able to attend this year.

I love football. Period. AND I love taking football pictures. I just thought I'd share some.

This is me, 62 pounds gone forver, and my "little sister" Ellie the Eagle.

This is our late Coach. It's strange how many pictures we snapped of him this year.

On the band front...I'm holding steady. I had a good run of loss so I guess I've leveled out a bit. I've been having some sinus issues and this is causing my to have "episodes." My kids are grossed out when I gag and spit and what not in class. They just make sure the trash can is handy. It's so funny. Whenever I get a strange look on my face someone always grabs the trash can. And they keep me in check. I suddenly crave Monsters. I can take a couple of sips, then the bubbles get to me. They remind me that I can't have carbonation and they don't want to see anything come out of my nose!!!

8th grade

I broke down and went shopping for new pants this weekend. I had bought several 20s before school started in August. (I was in a snug 26 before school let out in May.) After several of my kiddos told me my pants were sagging - and not in a "good" way - I decided it was time for a couple of new pairs. To my delight I was able to shop in the REGULAR section!!! SIZE 16!!! I haven't been in a 16 since the 8th grade!!!!

NSV - my new pants are getting a lot of attention!! I love the compliments but sometimes they are hard to take coming from teenagers. The attention I am receiving is weird. I don't know how to explain it. I don't think I even have the energy. My DH seems to think some of my male students are "crushing" on me. I can't even begin to wrap my head around that.

But anywhoooo...

Almost HALFWAY

When I updated my ticker this morning I realized, I am almost halfway to my GOAL. It's been almost 4 months since my surgery and I am LOVING my band. I don't think about food 24 hours a day.

As far as life goes, after everything blowing up at work this week it all finally calmed down on Thursday afternoon. Yesterday was work as normal. I really needed that. Although, with all this stress I've been under lately, my band has been working overtime...and I kinda like the results.

I'm excited to spend the day with my mom today. I haven't seen her in a while and I can't wait to see her reaction!!!

AND our boys WON last night!! It was a stressful game. One new NSV...one of my kiddos grabbed me and picked me up....pretty sure he wouldn't have been able to do that 62 pounds ago!!!

I didn't sign up for this.

For the second time this school year I have found myself in the middle of high school drama. The first incident passed without much altercation, but this second incident has me going out of my mind.

So, long story short, I'm currently the "I'd hit that" teacher of the week apparently. It was said in front of the football team and went something like this, "Dude, if you think you can, hit it." Well, this really upsets me. I don't want to be that person. I am the TEACHER and old enough to be their MOTHER. (If I would have gotten pregnant at 12, and in this day and age that is a possibility.) Of course, MY student stood up for me and told his "buddy" that he was being inappropriate, but I still don't like it at all.

I don't know what I am going to do about it. I mean, I'm sure boys talk like that in the locker room all the time...but NOT about me. As a teacher, all I have is my reputation. Of course, all I have done is be the BUTT of this joke. But it is really bothering me.

And to think I'm going to "be in high school" for the rest of my career. *Sigh*

Good news...59 pounds down today!!! WOOT.

Life Happens

I haven't blogged in forever. Life has been beyond crazy. Work consumes my life. If I'm not grading papers or creating lesson plans, I'm working on football highlight videos.

The school year started out wonderfully. My classes are amazing. I have a great group of kids. I have even "adopted" a new little brother.

Then tragedy struck. Last Friday night our coach, a legend, passed out on the sidelines. He had coached at our school for 42 years and won 317 games, including 2 state titles. He had been in bad health for a while and actually had an appointment with his cardiologist this past Tuesday. They took him to the hospital by ambulance after half time. We had gotten reports Saturday that he was doing well and was going to be in the hospital until they ran all of their tests on him. He died from a massive heart attack Saturday night.

Needless to say this past week has probably been the most stressful and exhausting week of my entire life. Seeing all of my students mourn the loss of a man most of them saw as a father-figure has been life altering. I have spent most of the week at the school and I am completely drained. I was in charge of making the video for his memorial. I had a few complete - crying, screaming, cursing like a sailor, hitting -meltdowns while working on that.

Football is life in the town where I work. You can't say Newton, Texas without thinking football and Coach Barbay. I was privileged to work beside this legend. My husband and I are honored that we got to share the sidelines with this great man this football season. There will never be another man like Curtis Barbay.

Last night was our first football game since losing Coach. We lost. We don't lose. It was so hard being on the sidelines and not hearing that voice. I'm glad, however, we now have that game behind us.

On the band front...I learned that stress causes serious tightness and I really haven't eaten much all week. We did stop at a little burger dive on our way to the game last night. I ate about three or four bites of my patty. We stopped by the store for some batteries and I PB'ed for the FIRST TIME in the parking lot. How attractive!!! Then, at the game I gulped some water too fast and BAM I was spewing on the sidelines in front of the entire stadium. DOUBLE ATTRACTIVE. I think this last fill I got (about 3 weeks ago) is the bomb.com

Now I'm off to stress about whether or not I left all of my ungraded papers at school or in my truck - which my hubby has this morning. AND grades are due Monday. F my life.

35 weeks...

The first week of school is officially under my belt. I have great students, so far. Of course, we are still in the "honeymoon" period. I am crossing my fingers that this year will be a great year.
On the weight loss front, the scale has been wobbling around a little the past few days. It probably doesn't help that I have to hop on it every time I walk by. I have some sort of obsession with it. I have been up a pound and down a pound....I blame it on water retention. Although my legs and ankles aren't swelling like they did last year they are swelling a little bit.
One nice NSV to report - I can now comfortably fit in a student desk!!!! This really freaks my students out. I like to sneak up behind the daydreamers and sleepers during lecture and sit by them until they are paying close attention!!!!!
I am going to spend the rest of my weekend doing some housework and laundry and working on this week's lesson plans. I can't wait until Friday - our first football game!!!!

I survived!!

I survived the first week back at work!!! I actually had a great time - after 5 days of intensive labor my classroom actually looks like a classroom and not a landfill. AND I managed to lose some weight in the process - score!!

Tomorrow should be interesting. The kiddos return and they are not going to like the new rules!!! For example, cell phones can not even be brought on campus!!!! I think we will be spending most of our time patrolling for cell phones...

I am also super excited because there are less than two weeks until our first football game!!! Our school is a football powerhouse and I LOVE watching my students play ball. It's amazing to see them all week in a classroom setting and then see their amazing talents on the field. I'm one of those crazed fans....AND I get to resume making my football highlight videos. Last year our principal snubbed my videos halfway through the season because they were "not part of the curriculum." Our new principal is all about promoting school spirit so the videos are a GO!!!

Now to spend the rest of my evening relaxing, walking, shopping for band friendly lunch items and hoping I can sleep!!!

Toodles =)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!!

I went back to work today. I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep. Our new principal gets more and more amazing every time we have a meeting. For one, his meetings are super short. Secondly, he actually gave us time to work in our classrooms. I am going to post some pictures to let you know what I am dealing with. It's a disaster area. You can probably tell that I spent most of the morning socializing. It was a wonderful day.

For lunch some friends and I went to a local BBQ shack. It smelled amazing!! BUT it was fill day so I sat at the table, drooled and sipped my protein shake!!

I was having so much fun at work that I didn't even want to leave early to go for my fill....but I did. According to the doctor's scales I've lost 37 pound - 14 pounds in the past 4 weeks!!! He said I was doing "excellent!" He gave me a 1 cc fill which brings me up to 5 1/4 ccs. I go back for my third fill on September 13th. I get free fills for the first 3 months and I am taking advantage of them!!

I will definitely be heading to bed early tonight...It was a long day AND I still managed to get my 3 miles in this evening.

OH!!! AND we have decided to start an exercise group at work. We are going to LINE DANCE!!! And do hip hop abs and all other kinds of fun stuff. I am super excited about that too!!

My husband told me it is not natural for anyone to be so excited about their job....yeah well =)

Last Weekend of Freedom!!

Summer is over. Back to school on Monday. As usual, I am ready!!! I have missed all of my work frans and am ready to get back into my routine!

This past Wednesday I got my hair colored. As my stylist was blow-drying my hair she asked, "The school doesn't have a policy against having 'different' colored hair?" I almost died. I didn't have my glasses on so I hadn't seen the color yet. Fortunately, I don't think I look too strange!

I pampered myself today and got my nails done. After spending all summer taking care of my grandparents I had a serious case of dish-pan hands. I also bought some new make up since my days of freedom are over. Clothes. Hair. Makeup. After a little weight loss it's amazing how much more I care about my appearance. I have never been a sloppy person, but now I take pride in the way I look.

On the band front...I'm unofficially @ 39 pounds down - according to my scale. I go for my second fill on Monday so we will see if their scales agree with mine. I have had some serious restriction the past few days - I blame it on TOM - so I will go in Monday afternoon....I don't know what to expect with this second fill. The first time I got 4 cc's...I don't know how aggressive he will be this time.

I am currently in the middle of some serious house cleaning. Hopefully, if I start the school year with a clean house I can keep it up. I may have to go back to FLYLADY for some inspiration!!

Shrinking Shroomp

Yippeeee...the scale moved again this week. I was in a slump...but now I am PUMPED again!! I had a nightmare last night that when I went for my 2nd fill my surgeon told me that he accidentally gave me a 80cc band and that it would be at least 5 years before I felt restriction....I don't know what goes on in my crazy brain!!!
I had some retail therapy this weekend with my mom. I love buying clothes now that I am not searching for the largest size in my favorite stores. I've gotten some super cute tops for school. Hopefully I won't be wearing them long =)
I have my truck all packed up and I'm heading to school in the morning to work on my classroom. I had this great brainstorm last night. I was going to make 21 flags - one for every Spanish speaking country. After working for an hour on Argentina I quickly scrapped that plan!!! I am just going to save the money and buy them!!!!
Today is my 7th anniversary with my AMAZING hubby!!! Since my surgery he has lost about 15 pounds - and he's not even trying!!! Now, if I could only get him to start walking with me!!

Quickie

I thought I'd upload a quick photo before I went to walk tonight. The picture on the left was taken in May of this year. The picture on the right was taken today - after I chopped off all my hair!! (It was almost to the middle of my back!!!)

Totally bummed out...

I just found out that they moved my classroom today...I'm back in the tiny windowless dungeon. I am completely bummed. I want to cry. I know I am being a baby...but my "new" classroom had a window and three feet of extra space. Now, I'm stuck in Hades. Boo. Hiss.
Now, I'm not so excited about school starting. I don't even feel like spending the time and effort decorating. I had big plans for my new room. *sigh*

30's and 20's

So, Friday was my 30th birthday. We went out to eat with my parents - who love to watch me eat!!! It's pretty weird...but whatever!!! Afterwards, the DH and I went to Academy and I picked up two pair of school shoes. My 30th birthday turned out pretty nice!!!
Saturday, Mom and I went "school supply shopping" at Manning's. I love school supplies - I think that is main reason I became a teacher!!! Afterwards, we went to the mall in search of school pants. I ended up at JCPenney and picked up several pairs of 22's. I ended the school year wearing 24's and they were getting snug. Mom talked me into taking a few 20's in the dressing room just to "see how far you have to go" Well....the 20's fit PERFECTLY!!! Woot!!!
2 more weeks left of summer vacation....2 more weeks until my next fill...3 more weeks to lose 13 pounds to reach my 50 pound goal before the first day of school!!!!!

Let the nightmares begin!!

There are 3 weeks left of summer vacation left and the "first day of school nightmares" have begun!!! So far I have dreamt that I had to move my classroom on the first day and that all my pants were too big and I had to try to shrink them!!! Of course, I was successful and turned them all into shorts. The next 3 weeks are going to be loooong!!!
I got my new camera today!! I am super excited. It is by far the fanciest camera I have ever owned and I will be spending the next few weeks trying to figure it out!!
We are currently thinking about getting rid of our old couch and my DH's hideous old recliner...I want to get two recliners!! I laid claim to his right after my surgery and it was awesome!! I have since been kicked out of it and I want one for my own!! I may go tomorrow and browse some of the local stores...I think I want leather. Our couch is microfiber and it is NOT doggy friendly.
Well, I guess that is enough rambling for one post....oh, but I have a question...how do I get "notifications???" They aren't going to my e-mail and I never know when I get a new follower or comment or anything like that...

Crispy Critters

We spent yesterday at a local water park. I thought I would skip the sunscreen so I could get a good tan. Bad Idea!!!!! I am one crispy critter!!!! I don't think I've ever been this burnt in my whole life.

I think all of the swimming was great exercise though!! This is a good reason to go back every weekend!! It's only $7 to swim in a spring-fed lake. We had a great time...thankfully I didn't start feeling the burn until we got home!!!

Today I am going to buy a new camera - a Canon Rebel!! I am super excited!! I love taking pictures at football games but my little Nikon isn't fast enough. Last school year I made little video collages of the football games for my students...it was the highlight of the week - until the principal shut me down =( Apparently, because it was of no educational value it was a no go. I am hoping our new principal will have a different opinion!!!
On the band front....I've moved on to real food since my first fill. So far, so good. I'm super careful about everything I eat and I chew, chew, and chew some more. AND the scale is still moving in the right direction!!! I am currently loving my band....which is still nameless at this point.

To the left...to the left

That's right....my scale is moving again!!!! Thank you Dr. Speigel for my FILL!!!! I am supposed to be on liquids for 3 days....I'm not sure if "fill day" counts as day 1....so to be on the safe side I will keep drinking my shakes through Thursday.
It was very hot and humid when we walked this evening. I was sweating buckets....but it felt good. To me, walking is like crack. I couldn't walk last Friday and I was so jealous when I drove past the track and saw all of the regular walkers/runners.
I hope that pretty soon I will join the joggers - and maybe even the young gals who run bleachers. As graceful as I am I will probably break a leg....that's not in the near future!!
Next week I have to go to work to meet our new priniciPAL. I am excited about this!! I was on the interview committee and am looking forward to getting to know him. I even sent him a "welcome" card - cheesy I know!!! This is coming from a person who wrote, "howdy doody" on Facebook today. What can I say, I'm crazy!!!
On another, fill related note....I am not drinking coffee anymore. This is coming from a 2 -3 POT coffee habit. It makes my band feel funny. I don't know if it's going to last....we'll see!!
Toodles!!

I've Got a "filling"

Yesterday was FILL DAY!!!! It was completely painless....I actually felt the saline going in. It felt really weird!!! Then I had to do the oh - so - yummy barium swallow test!!! It was kind of cool seeing it go down on the x-ray. I drank my water and off I went. (I got 4cc's and found out I have a 10 cc band)
I got home and drank my evening coffee...then I started feeling crummy =( I had only had 1 protein shake all day so I think I was just "hungry." I sipped on some vegetable beef broth and went for a walk. I only walked 2 miles because I just wasn't feeling great. I came home, had a little bit of a protein shake and went to bed.
I woke up this morning - LATE - and didn't drink any coffee. I had a couple of protein shakes during the day and then tonight I made a smoothie with a Special K shake with ice and a tablespoon of peanut butter. It was delicious!!!! My walking partner was back today and we walked 3 miles. I love how I feel after I've walked!!!
I only have about 3 and a half weeks left until school starts. I think I am actually ready!!! I miss my kiddos and my co-workers. AND I miss having a routine. I am spending this summer taking care of my elderly grandparents...but it's a lot of sitting and I get bored!! On the upside, I do have all of my lesson plans done for the first six weeks!!!
My next fill is scheduled for August 16th. I am so glad I made the decision to have surgery. Everyday I get compliments from people - after only 25 (the official weight loss according to my surgeon's scale) pounds down!! I'm feeling better every day!!!!

Cankles??? Seriously????

Sooooo....I've lost 26 pounds - scale hasn't moved YET - and now I have cankles??? I am retaining water like my body thinks I'm a camel!!! Does anyone else have this problem?? How do I fix it?? I drink 3-5 bottles of high quality h2o a day. Argh!!! Of course, Aunty Flo is currently visiting...which is another NSV....one of my problems with being overweight has been PCOS....we are hoping weight loss will help us get pregnant. But I'd rather not have cankles!!!

This week started out rough. My wisdom teeth decided to rear their ugly heads and become infected so I had to go to the dentist Tuesday. They prescribed me some NASTY liquid antibiotics....they are helping though. The wisdom teeth MUST come out....but I think I will wait until Christmas vacation. If I can handle it that long!!!!

My first fill is Monday. I'm super excited!!!! I can't wait until the scale starts moving again!!! We upped our walking to 3 miles this week!! AND I haven't died - yet!!!! One more week of 3 miles and then I may try 4....maybe!!!! I even jogged a little bit on Thursday...that was a bit painful, but I did it!!!!!

I need to get my booty off the computer and do laundry....my DH is out of underwear =)

Toodles!!

My first NSV(s)

Ok, the scale is still stuck. BUT I am sticking to my guns....walking 2 miles every evening. Waiting patiently for my first fill on the 19TH!!! I dreamt today that I had to go to Houston for my first fill and on the way we stopped at Olive Garden to eat. I completely forgot about the "liquids only" diet on fill day and when we got there I couldn't get a fill!!!! I guess I am pretty excited for that first fill!!!
But anywho....yesterday I spent the day at the creek with my mom. It was so nice to relax with my toes in the cool water. My parents really enjoyed watching me eat....so weird!!! They just watched me chew, chew, chew!!! We were sitting on the front porch and Mom said, "I think your boobs are getting smaller!" I had noticed it myself but wasn't sure....so when I got home I tried on a bra that I have had for a while that was waaaaaaay too small!! I have been wearing a 42DD and this bra is a 40D....so I tried it on and it was just a smidge too small...I think I may be a D and half....but I was super excited!!!!!
Today was house cleaning day. I've really let the housework go since my surgery. I've been telling myself that I couldn't sweep because I might rip a stitch...LOL!!! But I cleaned like a mad woman and actually had ENERGY!!! It was wonderful!!!!
YAY FOR NSVs!!!!!!

My progression

I thought I would post a few pics from this past school year....I can look back now and see me packing the weight on!!! I blame it on a great front office that was ALWAYS feeding us...and my close proximity to a COKE machine!!! Three years ago I quit cokes - COLD TURKEY!!! But, this year I fell off the wagon!!! I am now 3 weeks sober!!!

This pic is from 2008. I was probably the smallest I've been since high school here. I had been going to a "fat doctor" at the time....of course, once I stopped going...BAM..gained almost all of my weight back!!!


This is me with some of my students...September 09




I vow to be able to wear a jersey COMFORTABLY this year!!!


This last photo is a real eye opener!!! This was taken at Prom - May 2010. Can we say BEACHED WHALE??? It that's not motivation, I don't know what is!!!!

Ok, I get it now!!

I felt like I was very well prepared for life as a bandster. I've searched and researched and thought, "this is going to be a piece of cake!"
OOOOO CAKE!!!
Yeah, so a little over 2 weeks out and the scale is stuck!!!! I'm following all of the rules...why isn't the stupid scale MOVING???????
I read about "bandster hell" and thought....nah that won't happen to me!!! I will just truck along and lose lose lose.....HAHAHAHA!!!!! I'm still 2 weeks out from my first fill...I want restriction!! I want to PB....I want all of the experiences that let me know my band is actually there!!!!
I guess I'm being a whiny baby....but by golly, I went through this surgery...I took the step to be successful at weight loss...and now I'm feeling like a failure!!!
*sigh*
I have a goal to lose 40-50 pounds by August 23....after losing 26 pounds in 2 weeks I thought I was cruising along....maybe afer July 19th the scale will smile at me once again...

2 Week Bandiversary

It's been 2 weeks since the glorious day I was BANDED!!!! So far - knock on wood - it has been smooth sailing!!! I've followed the doctor's orders and am now up to mushy food and soft fish. Tonight for supper I had 2 small fish filets and a spoon of mashed potatoes. It was wonderful to be able to chew!!!! I've also had some watermelon. It was delicious.
I go for my first fill on July 19th. I'm excited to move on to the next step of my Lap Band journey.
I had to go back to work for 2 days this week and my coworkers could already see a difference in me!! It was so exciting!!
I am so glad I made the decision to make this change in my life!!!

Banded @ last!!

Thursday was the big day. I didn't get nervous until I got to the hospital and walked up to the nurse's station to sign in. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a room. Once I walked into the room and had to put on the stylish gown the tears started to fall. The nurse had to wait a while to check my blood pressure!!!! I calmed down and was actually able to nap off and on.

I had to be at the hospital at 7AM!!! I wasn't taken back for surgery until after 2!!!!!! Needless to say it was a loooooong and stressful day for me, mom and Chris.

Finally, they wheeled me away to the holding area. When the anaesthesiologist came to introduce himself the waterworks began again!! All of the staff were super friendly and made me feel comfortable!! I want to say a special thank you to "Lady Gaga" for making me smile right before I went night night!! Before I knew it I was waking up in recovery.

I had a problem with my heart rate while in recovery but after what felt like forever I returned to my room. Once I got in my room all I had to do was pee, walk and eat a popsicle and I was on my way home!!!!

The ride home was a kind of a fog...but I made it =)

I am now on Day 4 of being banded and feeling much better. I have a little bit of discomfort but nothing that I can't handle. I have been sleeping in the recliner but I think I am ready for the bed tonight!!!

I am glad to have the hard part behind me and am ready to get on with the rest of this journey!!!!

The Final Countdown!!!

Well, last Monday I went for all of my pre-op stuff. It was a long day but nothing too terrible. The worst part was the super long line at the lab to get my blood drawn. During my doctor's appointment, my case worker was surprised that I didn't have many questions. I feel that I have done so much research on Lap-Band that I could teach her a thing or two!!!
I still have 24 hours to gorge myself - I do not start my liquid diet until Wednesday. I know a lot people have to go on liquids up to two weeks before surgery. I guess it just depends on the surgeon and the patient. I only have to do 24 hours of liquids =) I plan on going out to eat Mexican food tomorrow night as a "last meal."
I am not dreading anything about my surgery - except the moments before I go into the OR. I've never had surgery before so this is going to be a new experience for me. I was hoping that I would not have to stay overnight, but it looks as though my insurance is requiring me to!!! This poses two dilemmas: having to be away from my babies for a night AND the question: do I bring Snott - my dilapidated baby doll that I have slept with since I was a baby. Chris thinks it would be super embarrassing for a nearly 30 year old woman to bring a baby to the hospital...I think she may stow away in my suitcase - Just in Case!!!!
72 hours from now I will officially begin my new life!!! I can't wait!!!!

A New Start

I have been on a rollercoaster ride all my life with my weight. I am now staring down the barrel at the big 3-0 and have made the decision to do something!!! Back in January I had my first appointment with Dr. Felix Speigel and began the process to change my life. After jumping through all the of hoops required by my insurance company I was finally approved for the Gastric Lap Band.
I am scheduled for my pre-op appointment on June 7th to be followed by my surgery on the 17th. I am getting more and more excited each day. I know as the time for surgery grows near I will be nervous - I have never had surgery before - but I am confident that this procedure will be worth it in the end.
I have done a lot of research on the Lap Band and the aftermath. I have read numerous success stories as well as some stories that are not so successful. I know that the banding is only the beginning and a lot of the work will be up to me. I am optimistic that I will be able to follow the guidelines set out by my surgeon and dietician. I also vow to do the exercise necessary to prevent muscle loss and as one my students call it, "the flabby patty syndrome."
I vow to make my 30th summer, followed by my 30th year a more healthy one!!!!!