Update - A lot has happend in a year! Includes videos

So.. The last time I wrote to you I was about to get my gallbladder out, well I did. That was hard, but I went through it. That was the first surgery I ever had and the recovery was a bit hard. Here's a video of it if you missed the last one -
July 14, 2009 — Hi there! Here's the blog I promised you last week. Yesterday I had to have surgery to get my gallbladder removed because I have what's called "bililary dyskenisa"(sp?). My surgeon was Dr. Peter Ng. He did a very good job. He told me that my gallbladder was chronically inflamed and it was good I got it out when I did. I have about 4 incisions on my stomach since it was done laprascopic.---Thanks god for that part!

Until then I'm off work till next Wednesday the 22nd of July.

Talk to you guys later when I find out the details on July 28th from the consultation with Dr. Enochs on the 28th for the lapband surgery.




Anyway, after I had my gallbladder out I finally decided to check out lapband surgery and I decided to choose Dr. Paul Enochs of Cary, North Carolina. I work at a hospital where I hear a lot about this surgeon and was recommended by many people to chose him as a surgeon. I did. I talked about getting all the testings done and whatnot.
August 05, 2009 — Hey guys. So I had my consultation with Dr. Paul Enochs last Tuesday, July 28th. I've done all the testing required, just waiting on getting my psych evaluation this Tuesday August 11th. After that, I guess when they get all the results, they are going to call me in to have a results appointment where they then schedule my surgery and submit it to the insurance.

I'll let you know Tuesday what happens.


Soon after I found out that my thyroid level was high when they drew my blood work so I was soo worried I wouldn't be able to do the surgery. Here's where I talk about it:
August 31, 2009 — Just updating you. Have to go to the doctor to get on Thyroid meds cause mine is high. Then we will move forward with the surgery.
LOL I put September 31st. It's really August 31st. LOL


So finally after a few months a finally getting retested and finding out that my thyroid level being high just that day and got all my paperwork in, I finally got approved for surgery on October 14, 2009. I was soo excited!! :
October 14, 2009 — OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I just found out I'm approved for the Lap Band surgery scheduled November 13th!!!!! Yay!!!

I'll keep you posted.


And as time went on I thought I could get motivated and star a preop diet
October 16, 2009 — This video just kind of shows my plans for my preop diet before my surgery. I'm scheduled for surgery November 13, 2009. I plan on starting the preop liquid diet 2 weeks prior to the surgery.
I just bought some whey protein supplements recently. I found some ideas for the protein drinks here on youtube.


Obviously I wasn't too sure about it...
October 29, 2009 — My surgery is coming up soon!! November 13!! I'm planning on doing a liquid protein diet starting November 1st, but I'm unsure if I'm going to stick to it. I'm not required to by my surgeon, but I feel that this would be a good idea. I hope I can follow it.


On November 1st, 2009 I tried my first day of the liquid only diet...
November 01, 2009 — So I just started my pre-op diet. I just woke up since I work nightshift at work and needed to get some sleep in. I just made my first Protein Shake --- Woooo hooo!!!
-16oz water
-2 cups of whey chocolate protein
-1 scoop low fat - low calorie peanut butter
- half a banana
- ice

It wasn't too bad, however I did need to add more ice to it, since I love my stuff cold!!
I'm going to to work in a few hours and I'm nervous about having temptations to other food since the night shift is mostly about fried foods from the grill. But I'm going to be strong!!! Yeah man!!

I'll keep you posted!


As you can see that diet only lasted about 24 hours.. lol
November 02, 2009 — So I just made a video yesterday before I went to work about starting my pre op liquid protein diet yesterday. I was pumped that I was going to do it. So I had my protein shake, it wasn't bad at all. I went to Whole Foods before I went to work and bought some premade protein drinks. I had one when I got to work along with some Jello and soup. I was absolutely starving by 1am.. I broke down and cried. I needed to eat something.

FYI --- I'm NOT REQUIRED to do this pre op diet. The only pre op diet I'm required to do is 24hours prior to surgery is do a clear liquid diet. I was doing this based on getting my mindset for surgery.
(surgery scheduled november 13th)

I DO NOT need to be on a specific diet because I know that my liver does not need be shrunk since recently I had my gallbladder taken out and my Doctor that did that told me that my liver looks fine.

I hope you guys are not mad at me!

I know I'm going to be ready for eating when I'm done with my surgery.

You have to understand with this diet that I was trying to be on, there was lack of motivation since I wasn't required to do it. I know that with the lap band, if I DON'T DO IT RIGHT then I will have major consequences such as weight gain, band slippage, etc.


OMG...the day before surgery -- boy do I look like crap ---
November 12, 2009 — So I'm getting so excited about the surgery tomorrow. I'm on the required 24 hour clear liquid diet right now which is kinda hard, but not that bad. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. I'll let you know how it goes sometime after my surgery.


Finally the day came that changed my life forever. This explains my day of surgery.
Surgery was at 7:15am at Rex Hospital. Here is a short video journal of my day. This is the Single Incision Gastric Lap band that was done.
So I had my surgery today at 7:15AM. I was out by 9:00 and in main PACU for a couple hours. We went home around 1PM.

So here it is, I got there and they had me change in my nifty gown and compression socks. It really sucked that I have my period today. They didn't let me wear a tampon or pad! UGH... I know it may TMI but that made me mad.
Anywho, after the nurse started my IV in my hand instead of my forearm --- which HURT!!!, they took me soon to the OR.

I go there and I'm actually very familiar with their OR's cause I work in Labor and Delivery at that hospital and a lot of the time I have to take patients back to the OR for c/s's. My room was right next to the rooms they do those c/s in. Anywho, we got in the room and everyone was really nice and introduced themself. They made me comfortable and put my arms in those arm holder things. They kept putting the mask on me and I kept talking asking questions, next thing I knew I woke up a tremndous amount of pain in PACU -- it was hard for me to wake up since they had to give me benedryl with the anestheisa cause they used a "bear hugger" which is a device to keep you warm and it gave me a rash on my chest. Dont' knnow why... LOL
Anyway soon they wheeled me down to the step down area and I stayed there for a lil' bit. I was insistant I get up and walk around cause it felt worse to lay down. I went pee about 3 times. Since then I can't go #2 probably cause of the pain meds

So they discharged me and the tech brought me out to the car and then my husband just parked the car and went back in and got the perscription filled. We did this because they wouldn't allow me to just go wherever, they had to make sure I was gone OK but I didn't follow the rulses LOL . Anyway we dropped of my perscription for the Loratab liquid and then we walked down the hall to where I work just to walk of this gas and I saw all my coworkers and they were very happy that things went well. We walked back to the car after picking up the persciption and we headed home. So far I've been walking around the house just a lil' bit and resting as well. I feel pretty good otherwise.



3 days after surgery...
— November 16, 2009 — So I'm still in a lot of pain from the incision and the gas pain, which is to be expected :( I'm doing well overall though.
Since November 13th (day of surgery) I've lost...........
11 pounds!!!! Woooo hooo!!



Day 6 post lap band of what I'm eating -- November 19, 2009 — So I'm on day 6 of my post op WLS. I have been on clear liquids till yesterday when my surgeon gave me the go ahead to move to "mushies". In this video I show EXACTLY what foods I was eating and what foods I'm eating now. I also give a short video on how I'm doing.
So far.....
15 pounds lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


3 weeks post op -December 06, 2009 — So here's the deal. I've lost 15 pounds in the first week! But since then I have not lost ANYTHING! I know that's pretty normal considering I did lose a lot at first. So on the 2nd I saw the doctor for my 2 weeks post op. He said that I was doing very well. He wanted me to get more calories in -- I never thought I would hear those words spoken to me. I have an appointment for the 15th. I'm not sure if I'm going to get my first fill, I hope so!


Finally decided to join a better gym - January 01, 2010 — I've lost 20 pounds so far and went down from a 22 jean size to a 18! Yay!



My story of my weightloss - January 08, 2010 — So this is a video of me talking about my story. I have not always been overweight. I gained weight from emotional eating. I had a hard year last year. I'm healthier now. I'm going to the gym 5 times a week, and I've hired a personal trainer. So far I've lost 20 pounds.


Week 10 - Talking about getting a personal trainer - January 22, 2010 — Hey all. I've been gone for a while. I wish I could record videos more often, but it's hard to find the time. So far I've lost 26 pounds! I'm very happy but at the same time wish I could be down more. I've joined golds gym and I've hired a personal trainer. I'm actually on the way to the gym right now. I hope all you guys are doing well!


Week 11 - Minor setback -- January 22, 2010 — Hey all. I've been gone for a while. I wish I could record videos more often, but it's hard to find the time. So far I've lost 26 pounds! I'm very happy but at the same time wish I could be down more. I've joined golds gym and I've hired a personal trainer. I'm actually on the way to the gym right now. I hope all you guys are doing well!


Week 12 - Hurt my back - February 06, 2010 — So I'm doing better with my herniated disc. Going back to the gym next week. AT 216 now!


Week 30 - So it's been a while -- Husband decides to get lapband surgery as well - May 12, 2010 — A video into the life of me, Jessica and my husband Jason. I've been really busy lately with my mom dying and having to deal with other family issues. Last I talked to you I was 216. I'm now 203. I do wish it was more but with the issues in my family and the fact that I have not been able to keep up with my gym schedule it hasn't been as great. Not to mention my band wasn't as tight as I wanted it to be. I didn't have that much restriction. I do now. I have 6cc's. I'm pretty satisfied with it to the point where I feel that if I get more saline put in there I will not be able to tolerate liquids.

I wanted to also tell you that the journey between me and my husband as team losing weight starts today. He got the lapband surgery from my surgeon Dr. Paul Enochs. He had to stay overnight because of his sleep apnea. He's doing alright so far.

I can't wait to get rid of the breads, pastas, and all the other stuff us "bansters" can't have. I have to tell you grocery shopping and going out to eat is going to be A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER!!

I'll keep you updated on both our progress.. maybe next time we'll record a video together



So... I have yet to update you with a newer video.
It's June 14, 2010. A lot has happened in the past week. I got my appendix removed this weekend. I had appendecitis. NO fun. So far I have lost 55 pounds and I'm so proud of myself. I've been working hard with my trainer and I'm training for a half marathon for November 2011. I can't wait to lose this weight and be a much healthy and happier person.
Love you guys!