1st day back at work 6 days post-op!

Well tonight I feel like I have been hit by a truck...a slow moving and smalish truck, but a truck none the less!

I am just really tired...I did not sleep well last night and then went back to work today and worked 10 hours...UGH!! I got up and walked as much as possible and felt pretty good until about 5:00 then I could feel my incisions starting to sting a little and tiredness creep over me!

I am 6 days post op and eating a mushy diet....at least that is what I think it is called....oatmeal, cream of wheat, yogurt, soups etc....
I had egg drop soup for dinner, but could only eat about 1/2 cup.

I get really full on small amounts of food, but I do feel hunger pretty quickly after...at least I think it's hunger!
My tummy growls, rumbles, grumbles and acts hungry....I feel hungry, but I am not sure that I really am or if it is part of the healing?? Anyone??

I have 0 pain and feel wonderful except for being run over by the truck tonight!! Can't wait to get a few weeks out...eat normal food and get my 1st fill!!

Only down a few pounds, but I am not really tracking as I am still bloated from surgery I think.

Just wanted to say HI to all of my new followers i ♥ you!!!

Signs Signs Everywhere Signs...

I went with my hubby tonight to pick up some Chinese soup for dinner and as we were driving down US1 I began to notice all of the fast food restaurants with at least 4-5 cars at each window. This should not be surprising to me at all because a few months/weeks ago that was me sitting in the drive through. What it made me think about (surprisingly was not food or hunger), but I actually felt sorry for those people sitting in the drive throughs.

Am I trying to say I will never eat fast food again....NO, but will I ever be a junkie like I was before....HELL NO!!

I felt sorry for the fat person ordering a double cheeseburger or a large milkshake (not realizing what it is doing to their health or realizing and not having the courage or means to get help). I felt bad for the kids that are only used to eating fast food....I just felt bad. So Sad!

This feeling surprised me....I thought I would be salivating....maybe because I am still sore, full from drinking even a sip of water, or scared, but I really had no desire for any of that food!! Let's hope that feeling lasts!

Now Post op- day 4 update!!

I am doing really well. I think I am back down to my pre surgery weight or close! Remember...I gained 10lbs during surgery (water and swellling I'm sure)!

I am still extremely bloated, but not in pain at all. I am not even taking pain meds anymore. I am going to get some tylenol to bring to work with me on Tuesday....just in case!!

I am hoping this bloating is going to go away soon because it is making it really hard to eat/drink my meals. I don't think I'm getting in enough nourishment....

6oz protein shake

1 popsicle

1/2 cup liquified cream of wheat

1 cup of tea

1 cup of juice

1/2 cup broth

2 teaspoons yogurt

Off to watch Amazing Race!!

3 Days Post-op!

Well, I am 3 days out from surgery now! I am feeling pretty good and definitely on the mend!
I am tolertating all liguids really well, but get super full after a few sips. I am only at about 200-400 calories a day (from protein shakes mostly).

I was not expecting a weight gain of 10 lbs after surgery....just an FYI for anyone getting banded!! I am now down 6 from there but still 4 above my pre surgery weight. I am completely bloated and swollen and I think this is making up the water weight gain! I am not stressing about it at all....just wanted to give everyone a heads up!

I am feeling hunger...alot, but a few sips of broth or a popsicle takes care of that right away! And then I feel SUPER full!!

I have been trying to walk, walk, walk....and I have gone out to a couple of stores. I stopped taking my pain meds last night and seem to be doing great without them. Today I am going to see my one of my best firends (Sharon) and hang out with her and the kids for a couple of hours! FUN!!

Today, I spent a couple of hours cleaning out my dressers and closet and said goodbye to lots of clothes!! YAY!! NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!!

Well, I hope this bloating and swollen feeling goes away soon....anyone have any info on how long this feeling lasts???

1 day POST-OP!!

Hi everyone!! I am home from the hospital!

Let me tell you the story of the last 36 hours!!

Surgery Day:

Woke up 6:00am to scrub with antibacterial scrub and then get dressed and off to the hospital. Had to be there by 8:30 and it was an hour away! We got there and then had to wait for an hour (yes, Dr. was angry about this....I'll explain later)

I was taken back to pre-op and there is where the fun began! They started the IV (ouch), gave me a shot of Heparin(this did not hurt or sting) and then I met with Dr., anestheologist, OR nurses and Pre-op nurses. They let my mom, hubby and BF come back into the pre-op area. I was only in pre-op for about an hour. Dr. Larson was running ahead of schedule and wanted to get going!

At this point I had a mini breakdown when one of the nurses was talking to me....they were all really great though! I had never had any kind of surgery before and it just really hit me at that point.

They give me some happy meds (they called it a cocktail). I was wheeled to the OR and asked to scoot onto the operating table. I hear Dr. Larson ask me what time I got there...."8:30"...he then was angry that it was now 11 and they made we wait so long before pre-op. I was asked to take a deep breath and then another .......next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery!!

Recovery room was quick. I was only in there for what seemed like a short period of time and then they wheeled me off to my room! It was a private room. The bariatric unit was being remodeled so I was on a different floor. The room was great (huge)!! My mom, 2 best friends and hubby were all there!!

Pretty much as soon as I got to my room I wanted to get up and walk...I just remembered...walk, walk, walk and that is what I did!!

Susan, ME, my mom and Kristin!!Below: Me and hubby!!



My mom and best friend Kristin came back with this super cute frog balloon that we named Rudy!!



Kristin stayed with me at the hospital....she was the biggest help ever! The nursing team was amazing at JFK!! Aji was our night time nurse (he was a male nurse) I was freaked out about this at first, but ended up loving him!!
We did not sleep at all during the night....lots of interruptions and we walked alot.

Day 2:

Today I felt worse than day 1. I feel like I have been beat up from the inside out. I went for the barium swallow and all went ok! I was then given a liquid diet and after eating a few bites. The Dr. showed up along with the nutritionist. He cleared me for discharge!! They actually let me walk out of the hospital!!



Now that I am home I am in alot of pain. I am having severe gas pain after eating (well, drinking). I am trying to walk alot, but I am also so tired from not sleeping last night! I am going to take it easy for the next day or so. I am also having alot of incision pain at the port site....

WARNING: PICTURE OF MY INCISIONS -

Lots of swelling too:



That about sums up my experience!! I am having a hard time having a productive cough. I am in pain....gas I think...going to take some gas-x strips and maybe a hot tea.

Overall, at this point I am still really happy about this decision!! YAY!!

I'm Off!!

So I'm off to the hospital!! I'm bringing my laptop, but may not have the energy to post! I am a little nervous, but had a great night with my mom and Kristin!! So...here goes nothing....or everything!!
Just wanted to thank all of you guys for the well wishes! You guys are GREAT!!

Tomorrow is the last day of the old me!

Whewwwww! 1 more day left. Tonight I was having some major anxiety over surgery on Wednesday! I am (for some reason) freaking out about the incisions....wondering if they are going to be along my waist line?

So, I was thinking about all of the changes that my body is going to go through....all the curves that are going to appear that I have never seen, all of the clothes that I am going to be able to buy, all the sexy shoes, all of the GREAT things that are going to happen and it really put my mind back into perspective!!

I am a total girly girl at heart! I love shopping, makeup, hair, the color pink, flowers, perfume, sexy clothes and sexy shoes.....out of that list I have never been able to buy the cute/sexy clothes!! Here's to the day I will slip on that sexy dress with a pair of stilettos and paint the town!!

(Random)I am so happy that tomorrow I get to see my bestie and my mom!! YAY!!

Tody was pretty interesting at work....I told my boss about the surgery on Wednesday! He told me that one of our board members has had it and is doing great! He also emailed me a few hours later and said good luck, he'd be thinking about me, and that I have all of his support!

I ♥ him!! (not in a lovey lusty way...just in a nice boss kinda way...LOL)

Other than a few comments from two of my best friends at work that know about my surgery...It was a pretty quiet day in gossip land!!

Well, I have a super busy day at work tomorrow....it is budget season so I will be busy writing the 2010 budgets...YAY what fun for me!! At least it will keep me busy and my mind off Wednesday!

If I don't post before my surgery I will post right after!

Wish me luck!!

2 days to go, GOSSIPPPP and random thoughts!

OMG OMG OMG!!! Two days to go until my surgery!!! My mom and my best friend are coming in to town Tuesday and my surgery is the first case on Wednesday morning!! My other best friend will also be coming to the hospital. So I will have hubby, 2 besties and my mommy!! Lots of support for my one night stay!! Wow!!

Me and Mommy!

Me and Hubby!

Can't Wait To Make Those My Before Pics!!

GOSSIP:

So...I had a plan not to tell anyone at work....my plan did not work out so well. I am a Director of a large preschool at the local YMCA and in charge of membership. I have about 35 employees...well one of my lead teachers that regularly uses my computer for various things saw lap band talk on my screen and asked other employees if that is what I was doing. Well, the rumor mill spread from there. I called this employee in and told her that I knew that she knew, but it was a very private and personal thing and I wanted to be the one to tell others when I felt comfortable. Well, she was very happy for me and felt bad.

We shall see what the next two days hold at work for me. All I had told one of my bosses was that I was having a procedure done...no questions asked, but I think I am going to tell him the truth tomorrow before the rumors get back to him. I really like him and he is really supportive!!

Random thoughts:

It is going to be weird not to have to shop at Lane Bryant anymore....have shopped there as long as I can remember!!
I wonder if my feet will get smaller??
The fitness director at my Y wants me to join the running club in January....it is a 3 month club preparing you for a 5k (it is a run walk club)....seriously considering it!!

Well, that's about it or tonight! I am tired and my back hurts from cleaning all day...hey, I wonder if my back won't hurt as much?? Anyway, tomorrow should be interesting...

Sharing some inspirational songs!

My day is getting closer. Only three more days until I have my surgery on Wednesday. I am getting pretty nervous at this point. My pre-op diet is not a problem because I am so nervous I don't want to eat!!

I think this is the stage where you second guess yourself and your ability. So I spent some time today listening to some of my favorite inspirational music (at least it is to me).

Here are some of the songs that I find inspiring....I tried to add them as a playlist, but my little brain could not figure that out....maybe soon! I am still trying, but for now...here you go:

One Moment In Time --------------------Whitney Houston
The Climb -----------------------------Miley Cyrus
If Everyone Cared ---------------------Nickelback
You Can Get It If You Really Want -----Jimmy Cliff
It's My Life --------------------------Bon Jovi
I Hope You Dance ----------------------Lee Ann Womack
I Believe I Can Fly -------------------R. Kelly
Hero ----------------------------------Mariah Carey
Hold On -------------------------------Good Charlotte
Angels Among Us -----------------------Alabama
When You Believe ----------------------Mariah and Whitney
Beautiful Day -------------------------U2
Jesus Take The Wheel ------------------Carrie Underwood
What I've Done ------------------------Linkin Park
I Can See Clearly Now -----------------Jimmy Cliff
We're Not Gonna Take It ---------------Twisted Sister
Live Like You Were Dying --------------Tim McGraw
Life's A Dance ------------------------John Michael Montgomery
100 Years------------------------------Five For Fighting

Good Ridance (Time of Your Life)------Green Day

One of my favorite songs EVAH!! INDEPENDENCE DAY - MARTIMA MCBRIDE!!

I hope that one person can find a song that they relate to from my list!! It is eclectic and covers lots of genres!! Have fun and maybe one day I can figure out that playlist!!

Random happenings from my totally random day!!

Today at the preschool that I am the director of I start my morning off by loudly calling down the hall with parents in ear shot....."Dom did it with a HOE!!"


I am of course answering a question from a teacher about how the garden got tilled! Really? Really?? did I just yell that down the hallway?? Bursts of laughter and of course a bizarre look from Dom and my day was off to a rockin start!!

Next stop on my crazy train...I went to call my Dr. to see if all of my information had been faxed to the hospital for pre-op clearance and registration...here's how this went:


Me:Hello this is Robyn .... I am calling to see if everything got faxed to JFK for my surgery next week??
Nurse: Robyn ..... We don't have any records for you here...
Me: are you serious I was in last week and the week before...all bloodwork was done there, EKG...Dr. sent me for chest x-ray
Nurse: NO, I don't see anything...I am looking in the computer
Me: let me spell my name for you
Nurse: no, sorry don't see it
Me: Are you kidding me???...YOU did my EKG last week...remember me...the fat girl..getting lap band in 7 days??
Nurse: Oh, I do kinda remember you
Me: Do you think now you can find my file?
Nurse: Let me get to a computer that's working....
Me: working? the one you were on wasn't working?
Nurse: No, sometimes it gets stuck and can't find people's names...
Me to myself....WTF...if you knew this why the HELL didn't you look in the other computer in the first place!!
Nurse: Oh there it issssss!!!!
Me: SIGH!

Ok now that my BP is high and I was getting ready to loose my mind...I think I need another EKG...LOL!!

All necessary info to hospital and Dr. clearnace sent!! YAY!! Last step is tomorrow for the pysch eval (my hubby says I have no hope there) and then to hospital for pre-registration and payment!

Wish me luck!!

Some quotes that define ME!!

Rough Weekend!

Wow...this has been a rough weekend emotionally for me.

It is getting so close to the surgery and that has me so nervous. I am super excited, but super nervous at the same time.

This weekend was a bad food weekend for me. I was doing so well on low carb and this weekend I blew that...hope I don't gain the 5lbs that I lost back!!!
I could gain 5 lbs by looking at a Snickers Bar!!

My gorgeous puppy has been sick all weekend. She is 4 years old and has severe bladder stones. She is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, but I am going to try to get her in for emergency surgery tomorrow!!


This is my baby:



This has made for a very trying weekend for my husband and I! We will get through!

I did get to go shopping and get all of the post surgery foods:
(Clear Liquids for 1 week)

jello
broth and bullion
popsicles
Protein Powder and Muscle Milk
Teas

Side note:
I love, love, love Jay Robb Whey Protein Powder!!
I also love Muscle milk light in Cookies and Creme and Chocolate!!

Big News: found out today that one of my bestest best friends is coming the day before my surgery and staying for a couple of days!! YAY!!! This is a picture of my three besties at my wedding!! My friens are my life....I love them soooo much!!
















That's it for now...Let's see what tomorrow brings in my random life!!

I CAN'T WAIT TO:

1. Not be diabetic anymore!
2. Fit in an airple seat and TRAVEL!!
3. Wear "normal" clothes!
4. Run!!
5. Fit in a booth and not feel like I can't breathe!
6. Walk without getting winded!
7. Not sweat!
8. Have my thighs NOT rub together!
9. Buy cute necklaces in a normal length without an extender!
10. Wear sexy HIGH heels!
11. Wear a bathingsuit.....not a Swimdress!
12. Have my husband be able to wrap his arms around me!
13. Wear my seatbelt!
14. Be able to walk into any room with confidence!!
15. Fit into rides at amusement parks!
16. Eat in front of people without feeling like I should be hiding!
17. Have a baby!!
18. Not be the "fat chick"
19. Never be embarased at the GYM again!!
20. Never let my weight hold me back!
21. Not have to shop at the "fat chick" stores!
22. Not feel my stomach on the tops of my thighs!
23. Feel proud of myself AND how I look!!
24. Be an AVERAGE size!
25. Wear cute, sexy, feminine clothes!!

Well, if that laundry list above isn't enough reason to have this surgery...then, I don't know what is!! I am ready and the count down is on!! YAY!!

The Day is almost here!

Well I have decided to have Lap Band surgery. I am almost finished with all of my pre-op testing and my surgery date is quickly approaching. It is September 23rd, 2009...that's right just 10 days away.

My pre-op diet has consisted of low-carb and I LOST 5 POUNDS!!!

Sometimes I wonder what the hell I m doing and then I realize what the hell I am doing and know that I have made the right decision.

Am I scared? YES

Am I excited? YES

Am I nervous? YES

Am I questioning? YES

Do I know I am making the right decision? YES

I have amazing family and friends that are by my side every step of the way. I have chosen not to tell most people in my life and that is a very personal for me. I do not want to hear any negative comments. I am doing this for my health and it is my decision! Go ME!!