Restricted, at last!

Hello everyone,

Due to our recent flat move, we are now without the Internet, hence a distinct lacking of updates!

Last week I had my second band fill, I went from 5.25mls to 6.75mls, a total of 1.5mls added to my band, I was told to sit in the waiting area, drink one hot and one cold drink... I got to the end of my coffee and something was not at all right... Hello heart  burn with vengeance! I told the receptionist and I was whizzed back in to have some removed (sorry to everyone who was waiting!)... classic case of overfilling apparently! A bit scary, but it soon eased when she took 0.5mls out. So now I stand with 6.25mls in my band and at the moment the restriction is just right for me. The nurse was explaining how normally you get a good restriction for the first couple of weeks and then it starts to slacken off a bit. So I am currently booked in for monthly band fills, so glad I went for a package that included all my aftercare.

Before I saw the nurse I had my first face to face with a dietitian who gave me a good telling off about not drinking enough fluid... as a nurse I hang my head! I am going to try and buy a fun bottle to take to work, hopefully it will encourage me a bit more! But generally all is well, I am allowed to start eating rice now, which I have missed a little but not as much as I thought, mainly I guess because I hate cooking it! It seems to take for ever! The nurse also told me as a treat every now-and-then I can have a fizzy drink, I haven't tried it yet, but may have a sip when I build up the courage!

Since my last band fill aside from noticing a restriction...FINALLY! I have also noticed eating to soon after you get up is a no no, apparently because your body relaxes overnight, and then when you wake everything contracts so the band gets even tighter for a while, I brake my self in with some fluid and leave food for a good few hours at the moment. I have also noticed dry foods, i.e pasta without a sauce, tuna etc are also a no go, it gets stuck, totally stuck, I get terrible heart burn and subsequently it makes me sick, not great when your on a night shift! I have also finally laid peace to my left shoulder tip pain that I have been getting, the nurse explained to me that I should be eating every 4 hours, if I don't the stomach acids start to ferment and release gas which builds up and results in the referred shoulder tip pain, so eat regularly is my answer!

Thats all for now folks! Will try and add some photos on the next blog, lets see if theres any change from my photos pre banding, hopefully will have lost 2 stone by then!

Much love xxx

The Big Band Fill!

Better late than never, apologies for not having written in such a long time, madness continues to ensue in my life!

Last week I had my first band fill done under x-ray, up near Kent. Aside from the waiting room having three huge fans rotating round making me feel like I was in a wind tunnel at the North Pole, it was quite a nice little trip!

When I went in I had a long discussion with the Consultant and Radiologist who thought I may have been.. er... with child..... Having finally convinced them otherwise, signed a disclaimer and had a lead skirt put round my abdomen I was good to go!

I had to stand against a vertical table with a little lip at the bottom which I stood on, they x-rayed to check where everything was and then they told me to hold on as the table tipped backwards and into a horizontal position! The scariest thing ever and shameful though it is to admit, I did have a little scream lol! They then aspirated the fluid out of the band  only a couple of mls, despite being told I had about 4mls in it, they topped it up to just over 5mls and then was tipped up again, given some Barium to swallow and x-rayed for a final time to check my restriction, was fascinating watching it on a screen they had positioned so I could watch too! I left with 5.25mls in my band and excited about my new portion sizes!

Post band fill I had to return to a liquid diet for 3 days, soft diet for a further 3 days and then as of yesterday back to a normal diet! Were going on holiday tomorrow so I am planning on having a little treat to get us in the mood and make fajitas, I can not remember the last time we had that but I cant wait!

All the problems I had been experiencing seem to have settle down this week, the shoulder tip pain has gone off a lot and some days I don't get it at all but sometimes I still need to take pain killers, very variable but I find I find I run into problems with the pain if I let myself get to hungry, missing breakfast is a big no no, I suppose its just trial and error, but am just delighted with the results so far! And here's why...



So the current statistics:  
Jan 2011 (starting weight) - 16 stone 12 lbs
Pre gastric band  -  15 stone
Today! - 13 stone 9 lbs!


Big smiles all round! Am off to pack for holiday, and pack the flat up for our move the day after we get back from holiday! Can not wait, happy times ahead! Much Love xxx

A bit de-flated!

Week Three = Texture and Joy, supposedly!

Feeling, well a little bit rubbish, having moved on to food seems to have shown that actually I have no real restriction to portion size, clearly a band fill is needed... easier said than done!

Last weekend I went out for my family meal and managed not one but three shameful courses, and to be honest I was full but by no means bursting! It has felt this week like there is no band there at all, aside from one little reminder.

Having not had a visit from 'Aunt Flow' in over a year and a half due to a rather genius invention that is Cerazzet (POP contraceptive pill) I have been, well, visited! Having spent 3 hours at the walk in GP waiting to see someone I was told that my pill 'was probably working' I left even more mystified, thought the GP seemed pleased with his diagnosis, clearly all those years of medical training have paid off! The Hospital Group re-assured me it was not a malabsorbtion problem as it is absorbed in the gut rather than stomach. I suppose it is just one of those things, but my god does it suck! So I guess this is my body saying, enough already, just work out what you want woman! (Sounds familiar!).

So on to getting my band filled, having been given a number to arrange my band fill, (which I started trying to do three weeks ago with the said person), I find out she left, just no one felt the need to tell me that! Finally I get the name of the guy who has taken her role over! Yesterday he was away, today having lunch , but he will call me back! Does he? Does he boll**ks! So I am still no further in my desperate band filling mission.

Life would be so much easier if there after care actually existed! I have to have a check x-ray which my local clinic doesn't do, so that means a trek to London for me, not the biggest deal in the world, I would just like some peace of mind, so I at least know its booked and things will look a bit better. I can't call them now till next week as I am working the next two days. I am also waiting for my dietitian call or any contact at all, which was supposed to happen last week... would be nice really seeing as I just paid £6k for these supposed privileges!



Chin up though eh! (Which chin, when you have more than one?!)
Rant over, I will go to bed, psych myself up for my second day of my new job, de-grump and de-hormonafie!

Peace! xxx

Week Two: Looking Forward to Texture!

Week two (post op) has so far been pretty good...

We have found a new flat :D Big Grin! Free, I am hoping, from bread knife wielding, drug taking neighbours! It has an outdoor space, so were going to buy a picnic bench for some summer BBQ's... which left me to wonder will I ever be able to eat a BBQ? I'm sure I will, will just avoid the bread!

So like I said physically feeling alot better this week, still the occasional shoulder tip pain which is far from pleasant, I may just forget myself at times and drink a bit too quickly, but it reminds me its still there.

As the swelling has started to go down, especially the last couple of days I have been able to feel some lumps and bumps below my skin which I am guessing is the port, annoyingly its almost pretty much on my bra line which does make certain bras, well, a no-goer!

 

So that's bras and BBQ's put on the back burner, worth it??
Oh Yes! Well, you can judge...

In total since the start of my pre-op diet I have lost 1 stone!

So, this is what 14 stone looks like! I am getting there!

Despite the pain, the scars (which are really minimal), the ups and downs and upsets, I feel like I am making my peace with my little band 

(which I am yet to name.. any suggestions?!)

But I must say, I have never regretted getting it done!

So the next few weeks are looking significantly more textured, I have been super busy this week and made loads of food (with texture!) and frozen it in little boxes. I also have the ultimate big test coming up, of eating out, sensibly I checked out their menu online, which was filled with so many lovely things, but none were band friendly, so I have just given them a quick call, explained and apparently I will have a few options on the night, more band friendly, fingers crossed! I am also starting my new job next week after having had two weeks of sick thanks to my medical note!

Will keep you all posted,

Lots of love xxx

No Pain, No Gain!

Well hello!

The Fella, keeping everyone informed on my bed!

Here I am post banding, day 4 post op! I am finally beginning to feel human again...ish! I know my Fella has kept you all well informed..... but I felt I ought to get back to blogging and update everyone!

So, I had my op on Friday, it was without doubt the most terrifying thing I have ever done! The journey up there was fine, we stopped in some services on our way up and that was when the nerves really set in, by the time we pulled up I was in all honesty a total nervous wreck!

Finally,  I am now sat in my posh room, and in for a long wait! Que self entertainment with posing for silly photos in TED stockings and my gown! Watching Jezza and reading Take a Break, all my guilty pleasures!

About the same sort of time though I started to cry, and started begging the fella to take me home... alas he talked me round (thankfully!) and before I knew it, I was being taken to theatre. Having worked in theatre I had certain expectations which was stupid and actually, knowledge on this afternoon was not helpful! So as I was being put to sleep instead of trying to relax I was wondering what drugs he was using and what size cannula he had used, I could have looked to see but, I fell asleep, as is the intention with an anesthetic! Next thing I know, I'm back in my room shaking and the nurse is saying I'm tachy... I somehow in my sleep induced state start trying to explain to my fella who was worrying that this was only normal... how typical of me!

The night went past drifting in and out of sleep, in pain, taking pain killers, drinking peppermint tea and walking about to trying to release the pain of the trapped gas under my ribs and in my shoulder, not the best of nights in all honesty.

You can never have enough PILLOWS

The following morning I was taken home and since then have ensued with a regular regime of pain killers... only liquid paracetamol??!! If you are reading this and are thinking of having this op done, fight to get sent home with something a little stronger!
Unfortunately before the op I had a horrible cold and the day before had a temp of 38! Thankfully I was better on the day but post op, I had a post cold cough... which really, really hurts post banding!
Each day has got better and better, sleeping has been difficult because you physically cant sleep on your side which I'm used to so lots of pillows are needed behind you and under legs, have lots of pillows in stock! They will be needed!

So for the next two weeks I am on a liquid diet, which is fine because having had 4mls put into my band I am not that hungry,  I am taking vitamin supplements and trying to remember to drink!

I have to have an x-ray in a few weeks along with my first band fill and a new job to start!

Will keep you all posted!

Much Love xxx

P.s- I now weigh 14 stone 5lbs (-9lbs) :D

Notes from the Fella - The Big Day!

Today is the big day.  Well, today was the big day.  Sorry to spoil the ending, but everything is fine and our little Bandit is lying asleep next to me.

Done.  The end!

...no?  Okay, I’ll fill you in on what happened today then you nosey so-n-so!

A semi-sleepless night didn’t aid the 5am wake up alarms.  With the car turning up at anytime between 6 and 6.30am, it was essential we get cracking.  I finished off what packing was needed whilst the heroin of this story decided it was the best time to shave her legs, do her hair and put on some make-up.  She was in no doubt that the make-up was coming straight back off at the hospital, but one has to look good for the car journey!

Our driver, Paul, arrived just before 6, but luckily we were ready to “rock ‘nd roll” by then.  Bags packed, phones charged, we jumped in the car and enjoyed a traffic-free, sleepy Brighton town.  The journey was smooth and speedy, reaching the hospital just south of Birmingham in less than 3 hours.  With our Bandit ordered to be “nil by mouth” (bar water) since midnight, the soup at 10pm the night before would be her only energy for the operation day.  When the clock struck 7am, the last gulp of water was ceremoniously taken and our little Bandit would not see anything grace her mouth until the anaesthetic tubing.

The private hospital, being the first private hospital I’ve ever been inside, seemed very much like a Spa are first; people walking around in dressing gowns, nurses in red uniforms and lots of pictures of body parts.  Signed and checked in with our bags, the first hurdle approached: the pre-op check.

Much like the Aztecs and stories of wizards and dragons, a blood sacrifice was required by our heroin.  The doctor drawing blood took no notice of the advice blessed upon him by our heroin.  She kindly let him know that normal techniques weren’t going to cut the mustard, he however, was determined to have mustard with his sausages.  The first attempt did not work, and so he returned with a longer, thinner needle, which was re-entered into the same fresh wound.  For anyone that doesn’t like injections or needles, that last sentence can’t have been fun to read, so now imagine it happening to you.  Luckily, a switch of arm and bit of wiggling drew three little vials of blood for testing.  To keep you all interested, the blood type came back as A RhD positive.  So, if you live in the Brighton area and want to donate some A Rh D positive goodness, we’ll take it off your hands (£5 per pint, ONO).

With the hard part over, it was time to settle in to our suite. 

The room had a nice, big, flat-screen TV, an adjustable bed, wardrobe, wet room and a fan.  Not just any fan, this one wasn’t restricted to the ceiling, it was a fully adjustable, moveable fan!  But enough about the fan, we’re here for the juicy operation gossip! (For more information on fans, but see my fan blog, “Fan-tastic”).

After waiting around for a bit, our Bandit got into her costume.  Her ability to work a gown and paper undies is nothing short of exceptional, I think it gives inspiration for a new fashion line.  With us set up in the room at 10am and the operation set for 3pm, it looked like it was going to be a long wait.  Many games of Angry Birds were played, and I was forced (you read right, forced) to eat some food.  My attempt to go “nil by mouth” by accident was quickly abandoned when a Tesco sandwich and a pack of Snack-a-jacks disappeared into my mouth.

What seemed like a long wait quickly turned into a blip in time when two nurses entered the room at just before 2pm.  Our heroin was lead away, not to be seen again until she was wheeled back into the room.  I was left alone.

Feel no pity for me dear reader, I had a TV with Freeview at my disposal.  Jeremy Kyle was my company until the Bandit was wheel back in an hour and a half later.  Pretty damn speedy if you ask me!  Everything had gone well and sleep seemed the only objective for our heroin now.  Well, that and checking her obs.  I’m not sure if you’ve been through surgery before, I haven’t, but from the stories I’ve been told, people are unreasonable and unhelpful, not asking what their pulse rate and blood pressure is.  This, I remind you though, is not a normal person, but an incredible nurse, so I guess it should have been expected.

As I write this, it has just turned 6pm, and our brave heroin is sleeping peaceful with the sounds of Harry Potter audio books on in the background and me mashing the keyboard, trying to write something worthy of the ordeal our heroin as been through today.  But let us not forget, this is not the end of things, but the start, albeit the start of 2 weeks of soups and more until textured foods are flowing again, but still, the start of our heroin’s new journey...

Pre Op Diet: Total Naked Honesty!

Pre Op Diet: Day One!

Today is day one of the milk, slimfast and yohgurt pre op diet! Thankfully im only having to do it for five days and my fella is joining me in it! I was told to weigh myself today and this would be my starting weight.

Breakfast for two

This morning dusting off my Wii fit I stand on their for the first time in 52 days, it likes to remind you of these things and I have shamefully put on 4lbs, not as bad I was expecting and all things considered it could have been worse! At the start of this year I was 2 stone heaviver then I am now, and lost that through simple healthy eating and exercise.

Time for Total Naked Honesty! This morning I stood on our scales and

I weigh exactly 15 stone!

And to give you a visual this is what that looks like......

There we are, no more hiding, I have even told my fella just what a big weight his girlfriend is and used to be! It was with great debate I've put these pictures up, and sorry for those with weak stomaches or the easily offended, but I decided im not ashamed of my figure, I have alot of fun, I have never struggled in getting a boyfriend and generally have found some peace with being a fatty, and as the classic Mika song goes, Big Girls You Are Beautiful!!!

                                                                                         

                                                     ..... and plus it makes for good reading!

So there we are, total naked honesty from me today, we both have the day off so going out to buy in stocks of multi-vitamins, soup and yohgurt! Tomorrow im off for my pre op wax! and then its my last day at work which means the age old tradition of cake, cake and more cake! I will be strong, I will survive, I will resist!