Cravings

The cravings are getting harder to ignore. I think if I could eat something besides liquids It would be easier to feel satisfied. After Tuesday I can have mushy things. I saw the doctor on Thursday for my first pre-op. While I was waiting for them to call me back, there were a few people that came in to the waiting room and were also waiting for appointments. One of the gals was sitting in front of me with her back to me. She was very loud and started talking to the lady on the far side of the room. The lady on the far side of the room was very slim and it was obvious that she was post op by quite a ways. The first lady asked the second lady about how long it had been since her surgery. She said it had been 13 months. She then asked her how much she had lost. She had lost 120lbs. with the Lap Band and was now a size 8. she said she hadn't been a size 8 since junior high. The first lady was then going off about how she didn't know if she could do it, that she didn't know if she was going to be able to lose her 80lbs. I thought to myself, "At least you only have 80lbs to lose". At that split moment I decided I was going to say that, so I did. The girl turned around and looked at me. She then asked me if she if I was post op and how far out I was. When I told her I was a week out, she says "Wow and you're up and about, that's AMAZING!" I wanted to say to her that I had been back at work since Monday, but I didn't. It made me realize that everyone thinks they have it harder than everyone else. I should be grateful that I only have 130lbs to lose and not 200lbs to lose. It's difficult to look at it like that because I have a long and hard road ahead of me, but I'm going to try.

First week post op

Well, I've made it to one week post op. I'm feeling pretty well. I only have pain when I move certain ways like when I sit down, or stand from a sitting position, bend over to the front or the left side, cough, sneeze, or stretch back. That sounds like a lot, but it isn't that bad. I'm getting better every day. I'm on what they call a "Full Liquid Diet". I can have cream soups that have been pureed if they have any chunks, yogurt, cream of wheat, grits, and things of the like. If it is semi-liquid at room temperature I can have it. That phase lasts for two weeks. I'm already looking forward to the next phase. This experience (the clear liquid diet the week before surgery, and the current phase) has really made me realize how much our lives revolve around food. It's everywhere. There are countless T.V. commercials about buying, cooking, storing, disposing of, and avoiding food. I am very thankful that they have not invented "smell-o-vision". Food rules our world. It is readily available in almost every setting. We surround ourselves with it on a daily basis. It's no wonder why 34 percent of americans are obese, and 32 percent are overweight. I think I am coming to realize that I have an addiction to food. Just like my addiction to nicotine, and just as deadly. They only problem is that I need food to survive. I need to take my time "without food" to figure out how to live my life controlling the addiction and not letting in control me. I already find myself wishing I could exercise so that I could eat more of what I want. Let's hope that dream comes true, and I learn how to do that.

Welcome!

People keep saying they want to keep up with my progress after this Lap Band Surgery, and I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to post on Facebook, so I decided to start a Blog. Now most of you know, and if you didn't before, you do now, that I am not the most "tech" savvy, nor am I the best at keeping up on these types of things, so bear with me. In this Blog you may hear and be privy to some of my deepest thoughts and feelings. Some of these thoughts and feelings may not be pleasant as this process is so far, and from what I've heard, not a pleasant one. I'll do my best to keep in mind that not everyone works in the medical field and is as "jaded" as I am. I am planning on posting pictures of my progress, so please be kind, and remember that my appearance and my health are the reason's I am doing this. While these pictures may not be pleasant to the eye, they are meant for educational purposes only. As things progress, I may feel more comfortable with sharing these pictures with more people, but for now, only those that have been invited to view my blog will see them. Feel free to post comments, insights and suggestions. Remember, I am still very uncomfortable with myself, so if my reply or comment seems "off" it's me, not you, and it wasn't meant to be rude. In closing, I'd like to say THANKS for visiting.
-Annette "Nettie"