Breakthrough with Pain and my New BFF...the Belly Bandit!

I woke up this morning very nervous.  I rented a Zip Car for me to drive to Long Island for my doctor's appointment.  I'm still in quite a bit a pain and didn't know how driving was going to be.  I knew I probably shouldn't be driving (btw...haven't been on pain pills for quite a few days so it's not like I was all drugged up and loopy!), but I didn't want to have to pay for car service to and from the doctor.  I didn't tell people until after i had done it, was home safe & sound, and no one was hurt!  My mother was NOT happy!  And very glad I hadn't told her until I was home.  I basically had to drive with one hand and hold one hand on my stomach to brace it from the pain.

My doctor was very happy with my progress.  I'm down 8lbs from when I saw him a little less than 2 weeks ago.  And down 15 from my highest!  I guess the numbers make the pain a little more bearable!  My incision has been leaking, but they said it wasn't infected so I was happy about that news.

I think the doctor appointment was the best thing that could have happened.  It forced me to get out of my bed and/or chair, and be on my feet for a good part of the day.  I have been doing my walking like I'm suppose to, but this really pushed me today.  When I got home I felt sooo much better.

And even though I was feeling better, I still had pain in my stomach...especially from the car ride.  But when I got home I had a package in the mail.  My sister had recommended a belly wrap of some sort a few days ago...shes a physical therapist and was trying to help me with my pain.  I didn't go to my drug store like she recommended....instead I immediately thought of Kourtney Kardashian endorsing the BELLY BANDIT after she had her son!  (it's messed up how obsessed I am with the Kardashians...but it is what it is...I love them!!!)  Anyways, so I ordered one and it arrived today.  I immediately put it on and it HELPED IMMENSELY!!!  Rather than holding my hand over my stomach all day, this did it for me!  I took it off to change the gauze over my incision, and I can't tell you how bad my stomach hurt.  I changed my bandage and put it right back on.  It gives me the support I need.  I was able to clean my apartment (very lightly & gently)!!!! 

Between the lessening of the pain, the weight loss and my Belly Bandit...this has been the best day since surgery!!!  I'm so happy I'm over the hump and can stop complaining and get on with this journey!  Thank you all for your nice comments that help me get through this last week! 

1 week anniversary!

Well, it's been one week, and things aren't too much better.  I'm still in quite a bit of pain in my stomach area.  I feel lucky that I didn't have terrible gas pains, like some of you had in the beginning.  I have been keeping up with Gas-X...they've been my best friend.  But the pain is definitely still here.  It hurts to get up and down from my chair, in and out of bed, can only sleep on my back (ANY moving kills my stomach), etc.  It's gradually getting better, but at a MUCH slower pace than I had expected. 

I had to take this whole week off, so another week of NO PAY.  Between pain and no $$$, this is becoming frustrating. 

On Sunday night I started freaking out when I got out of my chair...and noticed a huge "wet" ring on my shirt.  Come to find out that my incision was leaking liquid/blood.  That's been fun.  It's been near constant since Sunday night. 

I'm very excited to see my doctor tomorrow to make sure this is all normal. 

Clearly I look like hell.  I know I'm moving at a slower pace then normal and don't look completely put together, but I thought I could make it from my apartment building to the drug store.  This is approximately 20 steps from my building.  I even put my big sunglasses on to hide from people!  Now remember...I live in New York City.  People can be bleeding from the head and strangers look the other way and say nothing.  So I knew things weren't too good when THREE people stopped me to ask if I was ok.  This little walking excursion took about 10 minutes and THREE people stopped me.  I knew to just go back upstairs and recover some more!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and safe travels!  I'm looking forward to my pureed turkey & mashed potatoes!  And my friend, Melissa, is coming in from Seattle.  Can't wait for a girls weekend, the parade, football, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes)!!!!  Hopefully the pain will subside a little to venture to mid-town.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Officially Banded....and in Tons of pain

Hi Everyone,
So I was banded on Tuesday, Nov 16. I stayed in the hospital Tuesday night and came home yesterday.  I have to say, I never anticipated this much pain.  It hurts to do anything.  Moving in and out of bed or my chair, just about knocks me out.  I get very nauseous and light headed.  I'm staying on top of my pain meds, but they don't seem to do much for the pain.  Did anyone else experience this type of pain?  Like your stomach is being ripped to shreds every time you move?  I just spoke to my doctor (through tears...which there have been A LOT of) and he said some people can leave the hospital with NO pain, and some people have pain for a week.  I'm really nervous I'm in the last category. 

I'm sure once the pain is gone, I'll be happy with my decision.  But right now I'm in the mind set of "what the hell did I just do to myself???????" 

I've been walking around, using a heating pad, my breathing apparatus they gave me, my paid meds...everything they told me to do.  But if anyone has any other suggestions to get through this stage of horrible pain, please let me know.    Thanks!

My LAST night unbanded!!!

I'm sitting here with my mom, who flew in from South Dakota to be with me through my surgery.  I've been pretty nervous all day.  I'm a nanny for 3 amazing girls (ages 2, 4 & 6)....I stayed away from the 2 year old all day today as she had a fever.  Luckily there is another nanny who was able to have her for the day.  I have come this far and couldn't chance getting a fever on my last day!  As I left tonight, the mom & I both cried.  They have been very supportive and understanding through all my doctor's appointments, days off, etc.  I couldn't have asked for a nicer family!

I'm just rambling now....nervous about going to sleep, because when I wake up that's it.  Aaaaaahhhhhhh....  I know it will all be fine.  And down the road I'm sure I will look back at this post & say how ridiculous it was to be nervous.

Ok....this is it.  Can't wait to join you all in BANDLAND tomorrow!!!! 

I'M APPROVED & CLEARED FOR SURGERY

First of all I want to say THANK YOU so much for all the well wishes from everyone!  It really helped me get through it and stay positive.

I found out yesterday I was approved by my insurance company!  I guess my doctor's office was right...I shouldn't panic....but it was already too late.  I apologized when I saw her today!

I had my pre-surgical testing (which included a urine sample to make sure I wasn't pregnant, an EKG, a load of paperwork & questions...I didn't need a chest x-ray because I had that done with my pulmonologist in October), then I met with a physician who medically cleared me for surgery!  I had a mandatory class with a Bariatric Nurse at the hospital.  She went over what happens before, during, & after surgery.  It was very helpful, but a little long (2 1/2 hrs long).

After that I went to my doctors office to have my final consult.  Again, lots of questions and paperwork.  My doctor said I'm an excellent candidate for Single Incision Laporoscopic Surgery....which means I will only have ONE incision in the upper part of my belly button.  Everyone keeps saying I'll be ready for bikini season with no scarring!  I can't imagine ever being in a bikini.....but I am looking forward to next summer!

4 more days of liquids....then surgery time!  Woohoo!  Was a little nervous & emotional the last few days, but now I'm getting really excited!  Thanks again for all my new followers & the supportive comments!  I'm starting to love the Blogworld!

Insurance Company + Hunger = Crying

Not having a great day.  I just called my insurance company to see how my approval is going.  My doctor's office said they would call right away when they heard anything, but I wanted to double check for myself.  My paperwork was completed by October 14 and I was told that it would be sent to the insurance company right away.  I just found out it wasn't called in until LAST FRIDAY, Nov 5.  She also mentioned that it takes 7-14 days to get approved.  Considering my surgery is scheduled for a week from today, things do not look good.

I'm trying to stay positive and not cry.  But I'm so hungry, all I can do is cry.  I can't emotionally eat like I normally would do (since I'm on my liquid, pre-op diet), which is good, but I have to find a new way to redirect my emotions.  And right now, I'm just at the crying phase.  I have taken off work for next week and my mom is scheduled to fly in to be with  me.  We had to reschedule once already, and change her ticket.  I better not have to reschedule again. 

Enough complaining....and by the way THANK YOU LIZ!!!!  You're my FIRST (& only) follower.  I'm going to have to figure out how to get more followers!

Before Pictures...this is not easy to do.

I feel a good, interesting blog is not only informational, but has good pictures to go with it!  So I just took some of the worst pictures of my life.  I have NEVER been this big.  I don't even recognize myself.  It is very hard and very emotional to post these pictures.  But it is what I look like....and hope to never look like again. 

This is a better face shot from last weekend at the NYC Halloween Parade with my friend Kristi.

This is me with my niece & nephew in August 2010

This is in Cabo, Mexico in May 2010.

And this is at my thinnest EVER (well, as far back as junior high that I can remember)...180lbs at my sister's wedding in March 2006.  Lost 30lbs on Weight Watchers.  Only to gain it back....PLUS MUCH MORE.

I can't wait to hit 180....and then just move right on pass that number for a new LOWEST weight ever.  See you in a few short months ONEDERLAND!!!!!  



Here We Go!

Happy NYC Marathon Sunday to all!  I know thousands of people are out running 26.2 miles today.  As I sit here eating my "FINAL REAL MEAL" fro quite awhile, all I can think about is "I wonder if I could ever run a marathon?"  Definitely not today, but I can't wait to see what the next year brings me after I am BANDED!!!!!

I started this journey accidentally back in July 2010.  My friend was in Italy all summer.  I got on someone else's Facebook page (because I refuse to join Facebook!) to look at her pictures and see where she had been so far.  A friend of her's posted something, but all I noticed was her friend's website address underneath her profile... www.stopobesityforlife.com .  I couldn't figure out why this friend would have that website on her profile, as she is not overweight at all, much less obese.  I never actually looked at the pictures of Italy, I immediately went to that website.  That friend is the office manager for this Bariatric doctor's office. 

I signed up for the free weight loss seminar on July 28, 2010.  I was so excited I couldn't wait to get home and weigh myself.  I have been heavy all my life, my highest had always been 222lbs at 5 ft 6 in.  At that weight I couldn't qualify for weight loss surgery.  I had looked into quite a few years ago.  I decided I was always going to be LARGE, but NOT QUITE LARGE ENOUGH.  I knew I had gained weight lately, but hadn't weighed myself for quite some time.  As I sat at that seminar and looked at the BMI chart, I thought I might get to "eat" my way to the qualifying weight.  I got home that night and weighed myself and was completely shocked when I saw that I weighed 250lbs.  I had a good cry that night, but then said, this is it.  I'm going to research this surgery, the doctor, everything, and change my life.  No more tears for me!

Since then, I have seen my cardiologist, endocrinologist, pulmonolgist, had an ultrasound of my gallbladder, an endoscopy, my nutritionist evaluation, my psychologist evaluation and my 1st consult with my doctor.  I start my one week liquid diet TOMORROW!!!!  I have been very excited up until this weekend.  This weekend has been very tough as I am so nervous for the unknown.  I'm excited to lose weight, but I have never been thin before.  And when I say "thin" I mean of NORMAL weight.

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16.  My insurance approval has NOT been approved yet.  I'm a little nervous about this, but the doctor's office assures me all should be fine.  My doctor is Dr. Spencer Holover from The New York Bariatric Group.  He will be performing a SINGLE INCISION LAPARSCOPIC GASTRIC BANDING with the LAPBAND.  

I have read quite a few other blogs that have helped me prepare for this journey.  I hope to be very honest and share my excitement, milestones & struggles with others going through the same thing. 

Happy Blogging & Happy Banding to all!