I need a fill....

It has been a few weeks since I had my band emptied and I'm beginning to struggle. I have been doing well as far as food choices for the most part but I have been very tempted to eat things that I shouldn't. Last night I made Mac & Cheese for my son and his friend. With fluid in my band I can't eat it because it will get stuck but without it I could eat it. I ate a spoonful and it was soooo good. I found myself reaching for a second spoonful and then I stopped. I certainly could have a small bowl and be okay. My problem is that I don't know if I would stop after one bowl. I think I would have enough control to stop but I don't know for sure.

I am hoping to get a fill in the next week or so. I didn't want to rush it because I was having such a hard time before being emptied. I figured I was inflamed so I needed time to let things settle. I am ready now though and can't wait. I find myself getting hungrier much more often and eating larger portions. It reminds me of how much my band really helps when there's fluid.

Well, I'm getting hungry again so I'm going to take my dog for a walk.

Stay healthy!
Jenn

Feeling Better....

I am feeling so much better since my last post. Dr. K completely emptied my band and I felt instant relief. The night before I fantasied about all of the places I was going to go to get drinks after my unfill because I was so thirsty. Larry and Corey couldn't stop laughing at me. My first stop was going to be Wendy's for a strawberry shake, then Dunkin's for a hot chocolate, possibly home for a large glass of O.J and so on. In reality, I drank water and boy did it taste good.

Not to get off topic but a strange thing happened today with my mother. I see her a few times a week in the nursing home. Today she said how beautiful I looked. Now, you might think this is not a big deal but you don't know my mother. She is not one who throws around compliments. I was wearing jeans and my husband's gap sweatshirt, nothing special. She just kept telling me how beautiful I was and then said I lost so much weight. My mother doesn't know that I had weightloss surgery. I didn't tell her because I didn't think she would completely understand especially with her mental illness. I was so surprised by her reaction to me. Lately, people have been complimenty me on my weight. I don't think I have a significant change but because my weightloss has been so gradual I think it's really starting to show. I hate to admit it but I kind of like the compliments. I hope that doesn't make me shallow. It's just nice to hear after the challenges I have faced with my band.

Enough of that... Today is my baby's (he would kill me if he knew I called him that) 14th birthday. I simply cannot believe that Corey is 14, it really seems like yesterday that he was just a little guy happy to hang out with mom. We are going out for his traditional birthday dinner. He gets to chose where we're going. I'm a little nervous because my band is empty. As a result, I can eat a lot more. I'm going to chose my dinner well and plan to start with a nice salad.

Time to go, I hope you all have a healthy and happy night!
Jenn

Did I make a mistake????

I have been having a really hard time with my band over the past few weeks and I'm feeling frustrated to say the least. I seem to have months with little to no problems and then I'm slammed. I have an appointment today to get completely unfilled and I can't wait. I did go into the office last week for an unfill but by the time I saw Dr. K I felt so much better. He called me the night before and told me to take Pepcid. The Pepcid made me feel so much better that we both agreed to leave the fluid in to see what happens. That was on Wednesday. I felt great all that day and stayed on liquids for 24hrs. On Thursday afternoon I transitioned onto soft foods like yogurt. Thursday night was okay but Friday morning I started feeling stuck again. I went right back to liquids and continued to take Pepcid. The weekend seemed to get worse and by last night I was vomitting fluids 1/2 hour after I drank. I called the Dr's office even though it was Sunday because I knew I needed to be unfilled. I think the section above my band is so inflammed and irritated from all of the vomitting that the only way for me to feel any relief is to be empty.

Deep down I know I didn't make a mistake by having this surgery it's just that I'm so tired and incredibly thirsty. Lapband surgery really did save my life. I mean I wasn't at death's door (thank goodness) before surgery but I was heading down a road of distruction that ultimately would've shaved years off of my life. I really am glad that I made the choice to have the surgery in the first place.

I have never been the type of person who preaches but I really have to say something before I go. If you are considering this surgery please be prepared for all aspects, emotionally and physically. There are many people who have surgery and never have a problem and then there are those who face many obstacles. You know yourselves and your bodies better than anyone else. If you have complications, don't wait. Pat says this all the time at the meetings. She knows what she's talking about.

Well, I'm off to my appointment. Wish me luck!!!
Jenn