I'M THE WORST BLOGGER IN THE WORLD!!!

I get caught up in every day life and forget to post... SO SORRY!  My second fill was last week, on June 8.  I have 5 cc's of saline in my band thus far.  My total weight loss is 32.8 pounds, even, and I weigh 300.4 pounds.  I came SO CLOSE to breaking the 300 pound barrier!  I was disappointed and excited all at the same time.  Ah, well, I am working hard to be under that 300 mark by my next appointment on July 13.

I haven't had problems eating, thus far, and I am really not feeling any blockage or pain from any foods, with the exception of bread, which I have mostly been avoiding.  I've been walking for exercise, and this weekend, I played kickball, Monkey in the Middle, and modified volleyball at the park with Abby.  I'm trying to add in more and more exercise, so I am hopeful that it will increase my weight loss totals as I go along. 

Until next time,
May God Bless and Keep You all,
Love,
Amy

One Week Post-Op

HEY!!! I'm back, lol. Today was my one-week checkup post-op.  Dr. Dalall said I am a bit dehydrated, and suggested drinking even more water.  He also took all of the dressings off of my incisions and told me that they look great.  I scheduled an appointment in 3 weeks for my first fill.

I also got clearance to begin my Phase II diet.  That diet includes the following items:

Nonfat Milk

Plain or Blended Yogurt

Blended Soup/Cream Soup

Sugar Free pudding

Fat Free Cottage Cheese

Oatmeal

Grits (KISS MY!)

Rice Cereal

2-3 Protein Shakes per day

Never in my life was I so excited to see a container of Chobani!  It was delicious!  

The doctor also told me that I should wait to travel by airplane.  This is really disappointing to me because one of my best friends is getting married in May.  I had planned to be there, but my six-weeks post-op fly date doesn't make the cut.  I considered flying anyway, but I know that it would be stupid to do so.  I am doing this for my health, so endangering my health first thing is kind of counter-productive.

Oh, the best part of today's trip to the doctor???  The weigh-in!  I weighed in at 305.6 pounds!!!  My first reaction was to ask if the scale was right.  I weighed myself at home just before we went, and I was 310.2.  The doctor told me that "this scale cost a lot of money and is calibrated every day.  Your scale is wrong."  YAY!  My scale is wrong!

Here is my most recent picture - 1 week post-op:

Total weight lost:  24.6 pounds from the start of my pre-op diet.  I am very happy with all of the progress, and I hope to continue on this path until I meet my goals.  More later!

May God bless and keep you,

Love,
Amy

Day One - Shakes and Veggies, Shakes and Veggies, How can I live on Shakes and Veggies???

OK, I am halfway through Day One of the pre-Op diet.  The shakes (MyopLex Lite Chocolate Fudge) are not bad, and pretty filling.  I have supplemented them with sugar-free popsicles and edamame, and I'm not feeling hungry (at least not yet).  800 calories a day is not going to be easy - I won't even TRY to fool myself. 

I had my pre-admission testing yesterday, and met with my surgeon and my anesthesiologist.  My anesthesiologist did not instill a great deal of confidence in me.  He told me that there was always a risk with anesthesia, and he would do his best to keep me safe.  That's it.  Nothing more.  Just that.  I was a bit surprised by his shortness.  He didn't tell me what to expect or anything else.

I also met two people who will be having surgery on the same day as me.  One is having a gastric bypass, the other I didn't find out about.  They were both nice, and I felt like I would have someone going through this at the same time as me.  At least I know that there are two other people who are trying to stick to 800 calories too.  LOL - Misery truly LOVES company.

I will admit, I am a bit frightened.  I am not a big fan of general anesthesia - I've had it twice before.  It just scares me that I will be under that far.  I am afraid of the whole concept of surgery, and maybe that's normal - I hope so - but it's not something I'm looking forward to.  I am, however, looking forward to the results once this is all said and done.  That's where I'm focusing my thoughts.  UGH...  Please, pray for me.

I cannot BELIEVE I am going to tell a bunch of people I don't know this personal information, but I have decided that full disclosure is important.  My starting weight is 330.2 pounds.  I will let you know my pre-surgery weight, and I will TRY to update that info on a regular basis. 

God bless and keep you all!
Love,
Amy

My Journey Begins Soon - From a Fat Mommy to a Healthy Mommy

Hello, all.  I am going to use this space to talk about my journey through bariatric weightloss surgery.  My surgery has been scheduled for April 7, 2011 and I am having a gastric band placed.  This decision came after a lot of soul searching and prayer, discussions with family and friends, and physician input.  My mother has severe heart disease, and my father is diabetic.  I have already been diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri and live with quite a lot of pain on a regular basis.  I want to be the best mom I can, and I want to be here for my daughter for as long as possible.

Tomorrow is 3/23.  I go in for my pre-admission testing tomorrow morning and one final meeting with the doctor before surgery.  I start my two week liquid/vegetable diet on Thursday, 3/24.  The diet will shrink my liver, making it easier for the surgeon to place the band.  I would be lying if I said I was excited about eating only vegetables and protein shakes for the next two weeks, but I also know that I will be glad when I am healthier and better able to keep up with my beautiful, active six year old.

I am posting my picture here - this is my beginning picture - my before, so to speak.  I will update with pictures and thoughts as time goes by.

God Bless and Keep You All,

Love,
Amy