jennylew
Send Message
Block
Add Friend

Big! Non Surgery Victory!

Mar 19, 2011



Hi All!

Now don't laugh, but this is the first time I've been on a slide in many years! Thought you would enjoy! I did!

Jen-
0 comments

New NSV!

Dec 28, 2010

Hi All!

      Took the kids tubing yesterday in the mountains. I was able to fit into a pair of XL snow pants and I participated in the whole experience. If I had tried this a year ago I would have been miserable, uncomfortable, winded, and my whole body would have ached. I had such a good time and I even could fit my butt inside an intertube! Life is getting better. Most of all, I was able to enjoy the great outdoors with my family!

Jen-

0 comments

3 month bandiversary/update

Nov 16, 2010

Hi All!
      Well, it's hard to believe it's already been 3 months since I had my band placed. I am down 38 lbs. from my pre-op diet and down one dress size. A good friend of mine who also is a bandster sent me a box of her "hand me downs" that she can no longer wear, and the box weighed 39 lbs. (She brought that to my attention today.) Anyway, I was AMAZED at just how heavy it was. I can't believe that I was carrying that much extra weight on me. I had fill #6 today and can't tell what my band is doing because I am on liquids for the rest of the day, but hopefully tomorrow I will notice a difference. 
      Thanks for everyone's support here on OH. And a big thank you to Jean McMillan for writing such great book! I've been reading it since last week and just love it! I also am sending one to my friend who sent me the box of goodies today. I know she will just love it!

Jen-

0 comments

6 days post-op and feeling crappy

Aug 22, 2010

Hi all,
      Well it's been 6 days since I had my band put in. I am on a full liquid diet, but getting really bored with soups, cream of wheat, protein shakes, fruit smoothies, and SF Jell-o.  I decided to stop taking my pain meds because because they were making me real loopy and I just felt this "disconnection" with the world. I still have to sleep in the recliner because it is too painful for me to climb in and out of bed.  Between getting up to walk every few minutes and breathing into my little "do-hickey", I am very busy. I also keep getting these waves of nausea which I can't explain. I am getting in my 64oz of fluids or more a day so I don't think it's dehydration.  All in all, I feel like crap! I have my one week checkup with my surgeon tomorrow and I will address all of these things to him. I thought that it being 6 days out that I would be feeling better. Thanks for listening, hope I didn't bring anyone down, just not feeling well yet.

Jen-
0 comments

Yay! It's finally here!

Aug 15, 2010

Hi all! 
      Just wanted to let everyone know that today is the big day! I have to leave in 45 minutes and had some time to kill before we left, so I thought I'd hop on and say good morning. So far, I feel pretty good. Didn't sleep the best last night and boy did time fly, but all in all, I feel ready. I'm a littlte nervous about any pain I might have afterwards. Wish me luck! See you on the flip side!


Jen-

0 comments

Want the good news, or the good news?

Aug 15, 2010

Hi All!
      Wow! It's amazing how much weight you can lose on this clear liquid diet. I have lost 10 lbs. in 10 days. (It's a good thing to, because this isn't easy!) I don't feel like I've lost a pound, but the scale shows for sure a 10 lb. loss. The other good news is that tomorrow is my big day. For months I've seen people posting their big days, and now it's my turn. I am not nervous, but a little anxious about how much pain I'll be in. My surgeon is repairing a hiatal hernia while he's in there so I'm afraid I'll be in severe pain for a few days. I'm not sure what to expect really. Everyone has  a different experience. Hope everyone has  a great Sunday.

Jen-
0 comments

Getting ready for the big day!

Aug 13, 2010

Hi All!
      Well, I'm on day 7 of this crappy clear liquid /protein shake diet with 2 more days to go and then Monday the 16th is the big day! Yay! I am so excited to get this done, but a little nervous about the pain level and not feeling well after wards, but "that too shall pass" as they say. I would have to say that this diet is the hardest thing I've ever have to do- tougher than quitting smoking if you ask me. But I've been strong and have tried not to be to bitchy or grumpy :) I can't wait until I get to eat something! Of course, that will be a while. So, wish me luck on Monday, and I will keep y'all posted on my progress! Thanks for all of your support!

Jen-
0 comments

pre-op clear liquid diet

Aug 06, 2010

Hi all!

OMG... I started this pre-op diet a couple of days early and I feel like major crap! I think my blood sugar dropped too low this morning, and after a couple glasses of juice and another protein shake I was feeling a little better but not normal.  I have 9 more days to go...ugghhh... I'm also very irritable... ok, I'm down right bitchy! LOL! I was able to obtain a glucose monitor this afternoon to keep an eye on my blood sugars (requested by my surgeon's office.) By the time I took it, my levels were normal, so not sure what was going on this morning. Is this normal to feel so crappy the first day?

Jen-

1 comment

Camping before WLS

Aug 03, 2010

Decided to be "adventurous" and go "Primitive" camping with my family and some friends in the Utah mountains. One problem: I have severe sleep apnea and can't sleep without my Bi-Pap machine. Problem solved: my friend said he'd bring his generator so I could plug into it. Got the worst sleep of my life because the generator ran out of gas the first night and only got 3 hours of "not so good" sleep. The second night we filled it up all the way with gas and I think I got about 4 hours of "not so good sleep." In addition to the loud rumbling of the generator and the fact that I was embarrassed to even have to bring my stupid sleeping machine ; lack of sleep and very hot weather, I guess you could say that I am REALLY hoping that my WLS will alleviate my sleep apnea.  We had a great time, but I was so uncomfortable and it was very awkward. I felt "needy" and the whole weekend felt like it was all about "me." I will never do this again! When we go camping again, it will be in a cabin with full electricity! Just wanted to share with y'all.
1 comment

My EGD Today

Jul 06, 2010

Hi Everyone! Well, I had my EGD today. I was admitted as if I were having "same day surgery" which I wasn't expecting. First they made me comfortable in a hospital bed. Next they inserted an IV, after that there was just a lot of waiting. They soon rolled me into a room that looked like an operating room (kind of intimidating.) I heard a friendly voice and it was Dr. Cottam! He then made me comfortable and had his assistant administer an anesthesia which was similar to the goofy gas they give you in the dentist office only a little stronger. He then had me bite down on a little plastic piece to prevent me from biting down on the scope and it forced me to keep my mouth open. After that he had me lie on my left side and sprayed the back of my throat with a numbing agent. He then started feeding a tube down my throat and asked me to swallow. He had the scope down my throat for about 15 seconds and then he pulled it out. The great news is that the hernia is small enough for him to repair and he can do that before he puts on my lap band. It's official and I will be having my lap band surgery on Aug. 16th and everything is still a "go." I am so happy! A little groggy from the anesthesia and had to take a nap, but have had no nausea- soft foods and liquids for a couple of days. My EGD was a success and a piece of cake!

Jen-
0 comments
About Me
Hill AFB, UT
Location
43.5
BMI
LAP-BAND
Surgery
08/16/2010
Surgery Date
Mar 16, 2010
Member Since
Friends 31
Latest Blog 19
×