Bored, hungry & other stuff...

Hello there. It's been since Saturday and I've written like 30 blog posts in my head, but between the little man and being tired I haven't posted them. Well it's Thursday of week one, hubby is at work, son is at school and I have the radio blaring and it's me time.

Let's see...where to start. I must say that I had the best possible hospital experience and have nothing negative to say about it except the damn hospital needs more than just lime jello. I mean really? Who likes that shit other than my husband?
The first 3 days I was home all I did was cough (hurt like a motha) up little black phlegm balls that apparently are good to get out so I didn't get pnemonia. My body felt like I had been beaten with a baseball bat by Pujols (GO CARDS!), my throat burned and my appetite was for nothing but water. The thought of putting any more broth in my mouth makes it water a little in anticipation of the dreaded vomit.
I have been sleeping in our oh-so-comfy recliner in the living room and not doing so bad there. I can finally get up and down by myself without crying out and my belly button stitches are drying out and itching like all hell. Healing is good right? :)

This morning when I woke up my band felt tight and I had trouble taking deep breaths. Now I've read more about post op than any other human so I knew this was normal and I got some hot tea to try and help the feeling pass. Bad idea, at least for today. I spent a good 20 minutes over the bathroom sink, gagging on my own saliva and having this awful tightness in my chest. I could feel my stomach contracting and hated every second of it. For anyone that knows me, my least favorite thing to do EVER is throw up. So this little moment in time has given me a first hand look at how things will be for me if I eat too fast, don't chew good, or eat something not good for me or the band. That being said, you can all know now that I will always try to be the best bandster to avoid this awful situation.

My post op appt will be this coming monday. I was a little pissy with the nurse when she told me he couldn't see my until then because damnit, I don't want to be on just fluids thru the damn weekend. I want scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, ricotta cheese. I want some TEXTURE and Monday is just too far away. Ugh! I was released to drive now though since I'm done taking the nastiness that was Loritab. I would rather suffer thru the pain than take that nasty crap ever again.

Ok, enough bitching. Now for some good stuff. My hair is shiny and has been drying not frizzy for the first time in like...I don't know..forever! My skin on my face is soft without using lotion and my nails feel strong. It must be all the water I'm sucking down like a camel, because I haven't began my vitamins yet. I saw my ankle bones the other day for the first time in God knows when and got so excited that I called my mom and husband in to show them. They were like...um,oooookay Ramona, you have lost it. Well duh, we all knew that. LOL

I'm going out today for the first time alone, I have to pic my son up from school since DH (dear husband, for those who don't know the lingo) has to work late. I'm nervous but know it will be all good. Tomorrow guess what I get to do? Stand at the DMV all day for my tag renewal. Yup, I am one of those last minute people who wait till the last day to get them and them bitch when it takes 3 hours to do so. LOL
Then I'm going to my sisters for a WalMart run. Maybe I will find some super cute summer stuff on sale in smaller sizes so I can save it for next summer. My goal is to be in a L/XL by next 4th of July and out of the plus size section. :)

How did I forget till this late to tell you all? I weighed myself Monday, 3 days after surgery and have lost 10 lbs!!!!! I started crying and hootin and hollerin. Mom was so excited for me and DH was grinning really big. I *know* it's water weight, but you know what? I will NEVER be that weight again and THAT is what had me dancing like a fool. I added a ticker at the top and will update it every Monday when i weigh in.


Alright, posting now so I don't just ramble on forever. Love ya's!

I am officially banded!

Well, I lived and all is well. Now Im sore enough to feel like dying and having a cough sure isn't helping but hey, I'm on my way to a better me. Im not doing a full recap of my hospital stay today, im still too sore and tired for that. Im sick of broth and water already and the mushie stage can't come fast enough because I seriously could live on mashed potatoes and soft cheese.

Ok, TTFN for now. Tomorrow I will have a full recap.

xoxoxo

Last day of work

Today is my last day of work before surgery. Am I getting anything done? Nope. Did I eat something bad for lunch? Yep. Have I stopped drinking soda like I'm supposed to? Nope. Will I before Thursday? Yep. Ok, enough of that crap.

I haven't been sleeping well because my anxiety has been getting the best of me and I'm having dreams of dying, having complications and not coming out of surgery with my band for some reason. All of these reasons are unwarranted and silly, but sometimes our minds run away and we are left standing in the dusty lane coughing and shaking our heads like, WTF?!

I took tomorrow and Thurs off so I can catch up on stuff at home like laundry and cleaning so my DH and Mom aren't overrun with chores while I am snoozing like a bear on the wonderful cushy blue recliner in my living room. They will be busy enough chasing around my rambuncious 3 year old, so go them!

We are due at the hospital at 7am Friday and surgery is at 9am. I'm supposed to wash my body with this nasty smelling sterilizing body wash and not put on any lotion or body spray, so I get to go in smelling like a hospital and being nauseated from fear at the same time. Good times.

Alright, I guess I should make even a small attempt to be productive at work today, even though my brain is already shut down for the day.
I can't help but keep thinking that a year from now how much different my life will be. We are taking measurements all over and some swimsuit pictures thursday night so I can record them (not on here for awhile, sorry) and see the progress, especially when I'm on a plateau and struggling.

TTFN!

Soda

I have 2 days left until I can no longer drink soda. I have been a Diet Pepsi addict since I was in high school and am not just going to miss the caffiene, because I can get that other places like tea or coffee. I'm going to miss the taste, the coldness, the bubbles, the big styrofoam cup of fuzzy fountain goodness I would stop and get on my way to work at the gas station. This I think is going to be the hardest part of the whole Band. However, I'm making life long changes and if that means no more soda to be healthy and hot then so be it! LOL

So until friday when I go to bed I'm drinking it at every opportunity and apologize in advance to my family and friends that will have to deal with bitchy Ramona for a few days when the crabbies get ahold of me.

I'm staying postive that the things I am giving up with be far outweighed by the benefits of the band, so saying goodbye will be hard, but sooo worth it.

I love you soda.....

Nerves

So as of today there are 10 days until surgery and my nerves are feeling it. I've been having bad dreams of death and complications, which I've read is completely normal before a life changing event but damn. I'm normally ok until I start thinking about my little boy and him not having a mommy. I can't let myself do that because this is going to help me be more healthy and be around longer for my little boy, but UGH! My surgeon has done over 1500 of these procedures and not had one person die, which makes me feel much better. Ok, enough about the anxiety.

I went with my family to my moms company picnic this past saturday and other than getting burned to a crisp (i didnt remember that you can burn in a overcast day, DUH!), I wasn't self conscious of being in my swimsuit. Now this is not a normal occurance because usually I'm the one with the shorts and t shirt on over the suit in the pool looking like a idiot. I think it was knowing that this time next year for her company picnic, I will be much smaller and happier with my body. That gave me the pep in my step I needed to enjoy the day with the family and not worry that people were looking at my thunder thighs or watching my belly roll jiggle. Besides, I have big boobs and they show very well in my swimsuit, so let em stare at the girls so the rest of me can relax. HAHAHA!

Bye for now...

Addiction

Ok, I am sitting here at work and have the afternoon munchies. Now at this stage of my preperation I am still able to eat regular foods and am not denying myself something I want. That being said I am a little saddened that my snack addiction of the following snack with be reduced to either licking them and spitting them out, blending them to crumbs, or sucking them until they are mush, none of which sounds appetizing. :::sigh::: RIP my favorite snack....

Welcome!

Hello there! Today is officially 2 weeks before my surgery for the Lap-Band. I'm excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. I'm going to try and keep this blog going as often as I can, but be patient with me if (or send me a email asking what the hell is up?) I slack. I work full time and have a sweet yet rambuncious 3 year old son who keeps me busy in my free time.


For those of you who don't know, I've been working with my Dr. for over 8 months now on getting me ready for this adventure. This is not something I have taken on lightly and I have done so much research on the pro's and con's that even my surgeon was impressed. :)


Some of you may not know what the Lap-Band really is. Well here is my short, SHORT version, along with a picture the Dr showed me.


Basically the Dr puts this band (medically approved!) around the top part of my stomach that makes the active part of my stomach the size of a egg, but leaves the rest attached (so way less dangerous than the bypass surgery where they cut it off). The dr attaches the "port" to the inside of my abdomen wall so they can put fluid in the band to make it tighter so I stay fuller longer. This will obviously cut my caloric intake by a LOT, and the dr thinks I can lose anywhere from 100-150 pounds in 2 years with this. YAY! Here is a picture......

Ok, here is something I HAVE to say right now before I post again. If you do not support me, if you plan to berate me or think bad of my choice then please DO NOT POST OR FOLLOW. This is not a place for me to be flamed for my choice, this is a place for reflection, recording my progress and thoughts, and for friends to follow my journey.

Alright, back to work for now. I will post again tonight I'm sure. Oh, and if you can't tell, I ramble alot. LOL