Surgery & Day 1 Highlights

Banded as of 1/30/2009!!!

Pre-op Day (Thursday)
The day before surgery I did all the "girly" things, like shaving (or defuring as I like to call it) from the neck down. Treated my self to a pampering spa afternoon for a manicure, pedicure & eyebrow waxing. No nail polish of course due to the surgery. Packed an overnight bag just in case, and a few books on Paris to keep me distracted !

Surgery Day (Friday)
The procedure itself went very well. Arrived at the hospital at 8 am, was in the OR by 11, and home by 4 pm. Dr Tull & the Abington Lansdale Hospital Same Day surgical team were absolutely wonderful. I remember almost nothing about the procedure, except when I first woke up there was a familiar song playing. I swore I would remember it, however thanks to the OR drug haze it unfortunately has slipped from my mind forever.

During the surgery my Mom & fiance ran out to the local jewelers and picked me up a few gifts.....a silver baby spoon for the lap-band way of eating, and roses!

Happy to say the the hospital scale confirmed that I lost 15 pounds on the pre-op liquid protein diet :-) My blood sugars were up because I was not permitted to take any meds the day of surgery, but they have already started to come back down the following day.

Knock on wood, I have no real pain post-op, just moderate tenderness at the incision sites. Standing up and rolling over are the most difficult. Thankfully, I have absolutely no nausea or gas pains, and I am able to tolerate clear liquids without any problems. Keep your fingers crossed, I know these can suddenly sneak up on you anytime during the first few days.

First Night
First night post-op was difficult but not really because of the surgery. Since arriving home, I had been dozing off and on, so wasn't tired at bedtime. However, I ended up with 2 bad sneezing episodes, followed by a bad stuffy/runny nose, and coughing. This was very hard on the incisions.

Day After (Saturday)
Feel absolutely terrific !!!. Only mild incisional discomfort. Tolerating the clear liquid diet very well, remembering to take small sips. Still no nausea or gas pains. Have been up and walking around the house frequently....unable to walk outside because it is a very cold day. Can't even tell the band is there, and I am not hungry in the least, although I am soooooo looking forward to soft foods in 2 weeks. The hardest part for me right now is boredom. Snuggled up on the sofa by the fireplace reading, watching TV, learning French using Rosetta Stone, and gathering high protein low carb "band friendly" recipes off the internet in anticipation of my new way of eating :-)

Below is a post-op pic, 5 incisions in all. Belly is still a bit distended, and yellowed from the surgical betadine.


This journey has been nothing but positive, and I look forward to using the band as a tool to get healthy in 2009 !!!!!

Pre-op Visit

After thoroughly savoring every morsel of my "last supper" at the Olive Garden last night, this morning began the full liquid diet to shrink the liver prior to surgery...the next 11 days will be limited to protein drinks & broth.

Driving through one of the prettiest snow storms of the season so far (winter has just begun here in PA), I met with my surgeon, Dr Tull, this afternoon for the Pre-op visit...EKG, blood work, chest x-ray & consent forms. Everything is ready for next Friday; now it is just a matter of patience...never was my strongest virtue :-)

Also took the obligatory "before" pics & measurements. UGH...but it helps knowing that this will soon be the "old" me.

STARTING STATS 1/19/2009:
Height 5'5"
Weight 230 lbs
BMI 38.3
Bust 52"
Waist 43"
Hip 52"
Thigh 23"
Calf 16 1/2"
Upper Arm 17"

PARIS here I come !!!

It's official...we'll be in Paris for my 50th birthday!

The City of Lights took my breath away and captured my heart during a brief stay as part of a France/Italy whirlwind tour several years ago. I promised to return someday to immerse myself in the city at a much slower pace.

A romantic evening at Le Jules Verne restaurant located high within the Eiffel Tower on the night of my birthday, followed by a slow cruise on the Seine river. Chic shopping on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a fashion show at the Galeries Lafayette, resting my feet at sidewalk cafes. Strolling through quiet museums and glorious cathedrals...and even a fun-filled day at Disneyland Paris. What more could a girl dream of !!!

To be THIN of course :-)   Not model thin, just normal weighted...
- to fit comfortably in the plane seat for the 7 hour flight
- to hold my head up high walking into the Paris fashion boutiques
- to willingly jump in front of the camera for vacation pictures
- to be fit enough to climb the 387 steps up the north tower of Notre Dame to sit with the famous gargoyles in the picture above for magnificent views of Paris!

Louis Vuitton...Christian Louboutin...HERE I COME!

www.lejulesverne-paris.com
www.galeries-lafayette-paris.com
www.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.xhtml

2 Weeks to Go !

My journey, almost 50 years in the making, is about to take a turn. 2 weeks from today I will begin my life as a "bandster", the recipient of a gastric lap band. I am grateful that this surgery is available as a tool to assist me in my journey to health. Come friends.....you are welcome to tag along with me on this adventure, the more the merrier !