Join me on my journey from a "Fat Farm Chick" into a "Healthy Hen" with the help of my new Lap-Band.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

My First Fill

Last week, the Man-of-My-Dreams and I made the long drive to see my new boyfriend Doctor and his staff.

It was finally time to get my first fill.

The Lap-Band has been empty since it was put in place and it was time to tighten it by filling it w/ some saline.

The thing is...
In order to reach the port that leads to my band, they needed to stuck a large needle into my tummy!

I was nervous not knowing what to expect.
Was it gonna be really painful?
Ugh! I almost canceled the appointment!

But it was a breeze!
Here is the run-down on how it's done.

They told me not to eat anything for 3 hours before my fill and not to drink anything 1 hour before.
We got to the office, and checked in.
They did the weight check etc...

Then it was time...
They took me back to a little room and had me lie down on a table.
The nurse (who I LOVE by the way) felt around for my port, then marked the area she felt it.
They turned on this x-ray machine thingie so they could see the port on a TV screen to be sure it was where she thought it was.
Then came the needle.....
She gave me a small shot of numbing medication, it stung like a bee sting for a second.. but not bad at all!

Then came the big needle, all the while, I was watching it on the TV screen.
She put the larger needle into my port. I was surprised at how hard she had to push to get the needle in! She was really straining! I felt the pressure of her pushing, but NO pain.

She withdrew any fluid that was in my band so she could measure it.
Then added more saline.

Then they had me drink a gulp of liquid, and we watched it go through my band...
She adjusted the amount of saline in my band so it didn't stop the liquid, but did slow it down.
Then we were done!

I had to drink a glass of water before I left just to be certain I wasn't too tight, and we left.
The whole process took less than ten minutes... NOTHING to worry about!

I had to do the liquid diet thing for 2 days, just in case I had some swelling. Then back to "normal".

I have great restriction!
I'm back to eating 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup of food at a time and already have dropped 2 more pounds!
Whoo Hoo!

So far so good!
I'll keep ya posted!

Oh! By the way....
this makes 70 pounds I've lost in 4 months!
I couldn't be more pleased!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

I Don't See It...

Well, here I am....
Three months out from surgery.
  • I've got a few new scars.
  • I have totally new eating habits.
  • I'm almost 70lbs lighter.
  • I'm wearing clothes in a smaller size.
  • Everybody says they see a big difference in my appearance.
Everyone except....
ME!

Logically, I know my body is changing, my old clothes are falling off of me!
I've lost almost 70lbs! Thats a LOT of weight!

But...
When I look in the mirror...
I don't see it.

I guess I feel like I went through and changed so many things...
There should be some dramatic, and visible-to-me, difference.

I'm just not seeing it!
I have kinda been on a quest for change.
I've gotten nails. (as my reward for losing 65lbs)
I changed the color of my hair.
I've gotten some new clothes.

But, it's just not working.
I'm still looking for that "WOW! I look different!!" feeling when I look in the mirror.

I hope it comes soon...