Meet "Lulu" the Lapband

I felt naming my band is a good idea. I was going to name it Claire after the nurse I had while in the hospital but then it didn't fit. So with some research on names I shall name my band.... Lulu!

- The meaning of the name Lulu is: Pearl(Tanzanian)
- Lulu is also derived from the name 'Luyando'(Zambian) which means love
- Origin of name: African

So in a lump sum: She may be pearly white, shinny bright and new, but her love will keep me strong and dedicated, as well as her sassy attitude.

Week One

So it is now officially over one week after my surgery. I am officially banded! I wish I could be really excited about the whole process until this point but it has been really hard this past week. From having the surgery, to the flu, to the pneumonia, to the allergic reaction of and my skin burning and itching... it has been hell.

Last week it was very easy for me to not really think about food because I was sick and isolated at home. But now I am now back at work. Shouldn't be that hard for someone who just sits at their desk all day, but I work for a company that owns some hotels and restaurants. I am working on designing new fall menus and even offered taste tests of the new food items. I am surrounded by food. I see and smell all of this yummy food but I can't even have a bite. The Chef was so excited to share his new creations too. I had to tell him I can't keep anything down. (liar) But then he stated he would be back next week with something else. Crap, what do I tell him then?

I am still on my clear liquid diet and feeling down about it. I need a change. I am feeling light headed and need something else in my tummy. I only eat per day 3-4 chocolate protein shakes, protein water, regular water, hot teas, 1 cup jell-o. Occasionally I will have broth but it just makes me sad to even look at it.

My boyfriend has decided that he isn't shaving until I am better. Boy, he is sure gonna be harry by the end of this all. Pneumonia isn't an overnight recovery. The funniest thing is he doesn't grow hair continuously all over his face, it is patchy. Adorably cute. But I would rather have a smooth surface to kiss. So I guess I better get well soon... I think that is his goal in all of this. Gotta Love the guy :-)

Weight for today: 221.5 lbs.

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After posting this, I got a call from my clinic and they stated I could eat soup or something as long as it had no more than the consistency of split pea soup. After work I stopped at the store and purchased some home made soups. Went home and pureed them. I swear it felt so good to get something in my stomach. I ate 1 cup of tomato bisque and I was full the whole night. No rumbling of my stomach. It was great!

Photos of first week

Here are the oh so sexy socks that they give you to wear while you are in the hospital. I hate socks too. I like to be barefoot but they came in handy since my feet were cold the whole time in hospital. I ended up wearing them out of the hospital. So I kinda stole them.

This is my first meal. Chicken broth, Hot tea, Orange Jell-o, Apple juice. You can't have juice at this stage so why did I get it?

Some items that got me thru the week: A bear with exercise band tied like a bow - given to me by Doctor and staff, A cool water bottle my dear friend gave me, Kleenex, my sexy socks, a heating pad, the bariatric binder with all that I needed to know this week and forever, pink nail polish, my incentive spirometer and a M-S pill traveler to put my vitamins in.

Then my tummy shot. Looks gross and bloody but not painful. The spot that is bloody is the port. The largest cut. Notice my skin is really red - that is the allergic rash I got. Compare it to my hand's skin color. Big difference. It is strange they went thru my belly button. But now I can't put my belly ring back in until that sticker comes off around the area. Hope it doesn't close. Fingers crossed.

My First Week

Tuesday: First part of morning was woken up by nurses to get vitals, go pee for the first time, and to eat something. Broth, jello and hot tea. Not that bad but I really only ate the broth. Laid around all day with my mom until I was released at 3pm Tuesday. I was told to use my incentive spirometer every hour as I had the following day. I did it while I was in the hospital but once going home I wasn't as disciplined. By the time I got home the meds where wearing off and I was in the most pain ever. And was getting a temp. I tried to sleep but kept waking up to pee. I am no longer on high blood pressure medicines. This whole time my blood pressure has been low which is a shock t me because it has been so high the past few months.

Wednesday: I was starting to cough a lot and had shortness of breath. This made it hard to blow into the spirometer. My temp was 102* and called my surgeon to ask what to do. He stated I should drink plenty of liquids. I napped and walked a few times to the corner and back. But never felt any better this day. It felt like I had the flu. Ding Ding! I had a flu shot while in the hospital! I think that was a big mistake.

Thursday: I ended up going to urgent care today since my temp had not changed. It was now 103*. While I was there they had me to a chest cat scan to rule our blood clots and see in detail what was going on in my lungs. I had to do the test twice b/c the first time i guess I moved. They inject you with a fluid called Contrast Dye. So since I had to do the test twice - i got twice the dye. I didn't think much of this at this time. After the tests came back and a lot of waiting I was told I have phenomena. I was then reminded that I probably got his sick b/c I didn't use my spirometer like I should of.

Friday: On meds now and blowing every half an hour on my spirometer... I was itching and my skin started to burn. Now what it is!?! One thing after another. The rash didn't go away at all today. So in the evening I went back to the urgent care b/c I thought I might be allergic to the meds they gave me. Come to find out the dye they injected me with I am allergic to that. And I have twice the amount in my body. It is suppose to fade away with in a few days. I was told if it gets to bad to take benadryl for the itchy burning in all my hot spots. So when I gt hot - it burns. The good thing was I didn't have a temp at all and was feeling better aside from the skin burning. I weighted myself today: 224lbs. Only -3 pounds. I would of thought it would of been more.

Saturday and Sunday: I felt depressed by this time of the week. I was bored of being in the house and being sick. Sick of being sick! I have had very little pain from my surgery and now was able to sleep on my sides. I kept up with the blowing part to bring my lungs back to life. Just overall down on myself. Plus I then started my period! After 6 months of not having it. Wholly cow another thing to deal with.

God is totally testing me this week. Bright side of things: I think my face and ankles look thinner.

Day of Surgery

I was up at 4am to shower with the anti bacterial soap and then off to the hospital to be there at 5am. My mom drove me but my boyfriend met us there. No one was around and the main lobby entrance was just opening up. I checked myself in and then was lead to the pre surgery waiting area. I was to be the first operation of the day so i didn't wait long in that lobby. I was called to the back to put on my gown, get an IV going and get one last scrub of my surgery area. It was kinda weird being in there. I had not known what to expect. So I kept asking a lot of questions. Me and my IV was lead back into the lobby to sit and wait for a nurse to take me to my next destination.

We were escorted towards the recovery area, only one person is allowed to go into this area with you. So I briefly kissed my boyfriend goodbye and said I loved him. I knew he couldn't handle going into this next room. There were people preparing and recovering from surgery in here. It was kinda scary. As soon as I walked in, I knew i could barely handle it. I laid in my gerny that would soon take me to the surgery room. This is when i started to cry. I got really nervous and my mom just held my hand as she stood over me. Soon the anesthesiologist came and gave me some calming drugs and then everything got really fuzzy. I remember being wheeled into the room, moving to the op table, and telling them if i could go anywhere in the world I would go to the movies. That was it! Next thing I knew I was walking up back in the first room. The nurses were really nice and comforting too. Once more alert I was able to go to my room. The rolled me down the hall to get my mom and boyfriend. I was taken to my own mini private room.

My dad and brother came to visit later. I felt totally fine. No pain really. I was also told to blow into my incentive spirometer. Later I would find out how important this little plastic thing would be. I started walked around in the later part of the day. Only with assistance.

My day went by quick with a couple of naps. They stayed as long as they could but they both needed sleep as well. At midnight the nurse took out the catheter. So i didn't sleep until that was done. Plus it was kinda scary laying there solo with all the lights off.

Weight for today: 230lbs (water/fluids increased my weight today)

Days up till Surgery

Saturday we ended up in Carlsbad going for a long walk along the lagoon. It was a great opportunity to get outside and have some solo time with the boyfriend. We talked a lot about the surgery that day. For dinner, since I could still eat, we went to one of our favorite spots... The Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant. I had a wedge salad and some beef skewers from the appetizer menu. It has a wonderful view of Japanese gardens with a koi pond. It is so relaxing and romantic. This weekend has been a great one aside from constantly thinking of my surgery.

Batiquitos Lagoon
http://www.batiquitosfoundation.org/newsite/index.php

Karl Strauss Brewery
http://www.karlstrauss.com/PAGES/Eats/SorrentoMesa.html

Sunday is the day before my big day. I ended up cleaning my room and preparing myself for my recovery period. I also drank the magnesium citrate carbonated drink. This is an oh so innocent looking bottle but dang it packs a punch on your intestines making you flush out anything you have ate all week. I couldn't really sleep that night mainly because I was getting scared. I had to be up and at the hospital at 5am. I think i stayed awake until 1am.

Physical - 3 days before Surgery

Weight for today: 227

Today I had to meet Dr. Wittgrove at his office to do paperwork, meet and greet with staff, weigh in, measurements, body photos, order my Vitamins & shakes. After completing my list at his clinic I have to walk to another doctor for an EKG with general practice doctor named Dr. Dominguez. He even suggested I should get tested for sleep aptnia because of the size and shape of my mouth. Totally strange… I have never had a problem sleeping. I then walked over to the main hospital and admitted myself to hospital for a series of tests: blood, urine, chest xray, pelvic camera, ultra sound. No one told me I would be getting a camera up my crotch so I wasn’t too happy with that one. I took the whole day off and it took all day being there with all of the tests. Now I have one step done and then onto surgery.

Fight Club: Support Group

I went to my first official Support Group meeting last night. I have been too meetings before but this one particular meeting was an actual support group meeting. You know, when you all sit in a circle and share your stories. (Why I am thinking of Fight Club?!?)

I sat there quietly to myself watching people come in and sit or be reunited with other fellow members. Gabbing and catching up. I felt out of place when I realized I am the youngest one there! I am not that young, but there was a noticeable difference in age between myself and those circled around. Most were my parents age or older. Where are the youngsters? Who am I going to relate to?

Totally to my surprise I was one of 3 people who were pre-surgery. Everyone else had bypass or banded. And all had the same doctor. Feeling a bit more comfortable at this time because a woman sat near me and asked me if I had the surgery done and how far out I was. When I told her I have mine scheduled for Monday (wholly cow) she seemed to lift her head a little bit more and stated that she had hers done 2 weeks ago. And this was her first meeting. Now I felt so much better knowing that I wasn't the only newbie in the group.

I sat thru the meeting, not really saying much just listening to testimonials and triumphs. Then it was over. So soon? I realized it went by so fast because I enjoyed myself and took mental notes of what the members were saying. Now I can truly see how Support Group meetings help people. Being able to relate to people going thru the same thing you are or can give advice to new comers is so worth going. I also think spouses or partners should go too. That way they can support you outside of these meetings day to day. Maybe even get a bit healthier on their own too.

So ultimately what I am trying to say is, if you have never gone to a Support Group meeting go at least once or a few times per year. I do agree that people who interact will be more successful. I mean, you have these people's brains to pick or use as cliff notes for your own life. I am for sure going next month when I am banded.

Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt in Fight Club 1999) "Welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club! Third rule of Fight Club: if someone yells "stop!", goes limp, or taps out, the fight is over. Fourth rule: only two guys to a fight. Fifth rule: one fight at a time, fellas. Sixth rule: the fights are bare knuckle. No shirt, no shoes, no weapons. Seventh rule: fights will go on as long as they have to. And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight. "

Saying GoodBye

With the date nearing... I feel it is time to start preparing my farewells. I have to truly say goodbye to all that I have known. The way I have lived my life has got me to this point. I can not blame another soul, except for myself. I don't like the person who I see staring back at me in the mirror. I have lost myself. And it is time to say good bye to the old me. I am not sad to say goodbye, I am just scared.

Since I need to say goodbye to my old-self... I also need to say good bye to wrong food choices. This was my farewell meal this past weekend. The ol' college stomping grounds of Woodstock's Pizza. The pizza that was shared on so many drunkin' nights or dorm gatherings... always Woodstock's Pizza was there. It reminds me of fun college days and the people i met along the way. ...ahhh, so many memories of college past. Good Times. Thanks Woodstocks Pizza for the memories. But so long.... adios my dear friend.

The countdown begins!

It is now officially October and so the countdown begins.
Oct 19th here I come!

How do I feel knowing my life is going to change? I just want it to be over with... to get the show on the road. I am nervous of what will happen on surgery day. I have never been in the hospital. The only time I have ever been "put out" was when I had my wisdom teeth removed. So I am hoping it will be like that... since I have nothing to reference too... you know, how you're alert for one second and then the next you're out cold... Waking up and not feeling a thing... I hope for that. I will call it "la la land". I am just puttin' along reading blogs, testimonial books, online sites and bariatric cook books. Also wondering if my band will be male or female... what I shall call him or her. mmm....

So if anyone reading so desires to give me some advice about what I should expect or what helped them - feel free to comment below.