Down - even if it was only a little

I got weighed in at TOPS last evening and I only lost 0.2lbs. I was told this could happen when I started to introduce real food instead of the just my protein shakes.  Although I was a little upset last evening when the number popped up on the screen I thought about it a little.  I have been trying to figure out how to eat, how to get in enough nutrients/protein/etc but I really haven't added in much exercise at all.  I was too sore if I twisted some ways and although I did get a few small walks in they were not nearly enough.  So 0.2lbs loss is good ... at least its not a gain :D

Today Colin did some research for me and we purchased a Treadmill.  I am very excited because I do really rather walk inside ... especially in the cold months of the year.  We won't be able to pick it up until November 9th but that is ok. The weather is still nice enough for me to walk outside so we are making it a point to do so!!

I start "soft" food today, which is basically overcooked vegetables, fish, and some other items. But at least it is a change again.

Annoyed With Local Doctors

I went to the doctors this morning to get my incision looked at and the stitch removed.  I was given a letter from Doctor Cobourn to give to my own doctor so that is what I did. The doctor I saw this morning, however, didn't even really read the letter.  He asked what it was so I told him it was from my surgeon and he looked at the signature and said "He's no surgeon" I said I apologize but he is a surgeon, but he is from Mississauga. He said "OH"

He then asked again what the letter was for and I told him I had Lap-Band surgery on Sept 26th and I needed the knot cut on my stitches.  He said "Well I don't do that. Around here they tie the knots on both ends and we just pull them and the stitches are all fixed up." I said I'm sorry but that is not what the letter says.  My stitches are all under the skin and there is on knot on the right that you must cut below in order for the rest to dissolve"

The doctor proceeded to argue with me, still without reading the letter, that it just wasn't done that way.  I was getting so frustrated with him.  I finally pulled on the stitch said "see there's the knot, can you just cut below it for me please?" He said, "oh wow ok that is what needs to be done" I was so absolutely flustered with him. He finally went and got the scissors and cut the stitch and I was done.

He continued to ask about surgery, how long I was in the hospital (one or 2 days) and so on.  If he had just read the letter I would have been out in 2 minutes instead of the 20 it took to explain everything.

That is my rant for today!

Hit Some Personal Goals This Week

WOW I can't believe I have hit not one but two personal goals this week!

Firstly when heading to work on Tuesday morning I had to pull my seat up closer to the wheel in the van.  I was noticing the past week or so that I was having a hard time reaching the pedals so I finally pulled it up. It felt AMAZING. 

Secondly, I lost 6.8lbs this week and that brings me down 32lbs total. I hit my 30lb goal :-D sadly I forgot to take a picture of it but that puts me down to 332lbs .. something I haven't seen in almost 2 years I would say.

Today starts puree diet but I'm taking it very very slowly. I don't want to damage anything.  Eating is a whole new experience for me. It is a huge learning curve figuring out what I can eat, how much of it I can eat, and still getting all my nutrients in to sustain me.

Today also starts my exercise routine to the best of my ability. I have to learn to make time for it!

Back in Cape Breton

Friday was the LONGEST day in history.  Colin and I had to check out of our hotel by 1pm and sadly our flight didn't leave till 9:20pm!!

We checked out of the hotel and the front desk clerk called us a taxi to take us to the airport.  We waited outside since I hadn't really been in fresh air since coming home from the clinic.  All of a sudden a gorgeous stretch limo shows up!! We looked at each other and said "that can't be for us" but sure enough the driver got out and said are you guys the couple heading to the airport. We laughed and said yes ... he said "well this was the closest vehicle so here you go!"

So off we went to the Airport in STYLE!

When we got to the airport we walked around a bit, went through security, Colin got some lunch and I had a fruit smoothie. We walked some more and looked at all the shops ... its like its own mall! We talked, read, watched some TV shows we had recorded. I read my new book that the Clinic gave me. Had some supper (Colin had Tim Horton's and I had a V8 Fusion & yogurt) All in all it was a REALLY long day.

We finally got the call to board around 9pm and I was so excited that we were going home, but I was NOT prepared for how the air pressure changes would make me feel. I had opted not to take the gravol because it was ORANGE flavored ... you can't get a more disgusting flavor in my opinion. I wasn't so much sick to my stomach as I had so many gas pains from the operation that it felt like my insides were going to explode on take off and landing. In between I tried to sleep as best I could but I was very uncomfortable.

We got into Sydney around 1am and were home and in bed by 2am and I have never been so happy in my life!! I slept GREAT considering the last two nights were very uncomfortable due to the large incision's stitches.

Today I woke up feeling refreshed ... I made a meal plan for the next few days, made a grocery list, and then napped (only because Colin wasn't ready to go to the store and I figured I could use it LOL) We went for groceries and stocked up on some really good food to bring me through the next few weeks of transition.  Now I sit here typing this as I wait for my Tomato Basil soup to boil then simmer for 45 minutes so I can throw it in the food processor and make it edible by me :D

Surgery Was A Breeze

Well here is how surgery day went for me!

I slept horribly the night before because I was scared I would sleep too late and miss the surgery.  I finally gave up sleeping completely around 5:30.

 5:30 - Got up and showered.
 7:00 -  Went downstairs with Colin so he could have breakfast and I could take my pre-op meds (just some pain relievers to help after the surgery)
7:40 - Got a cab to the clinic because we were told to be there by 8:20 (1 hour before surgery)
8:20 - Checked in but they were running behind so I didn't go upstairs to the Or Prep room for almost an hour, however, we were brought to a room for about 15 minutes to get weighed (down to 336lbs ... that's a 28 lb loss before surgery)
9:20 or so - Upstairs and talked to a few nurses, changed into my johnny shirt (wow they really think of everything too) The Johnny Shirt could have fit me and about 5 other people. I wasn't expecting that.  I sat in a bit leather chair reading the new Lap-Band Solution book they gave me and waited.
10 or so - Dr Cobourn came in to see me and ask how I was feeling about the day.  Another nurse came in and took my blood pressure height etc Then the anesthesiologist came in and explained everything that would happen the minute I got on the operating table.
No Idea what the time is now - Walked to the OR, got on the table and everything starts to get blurry from here.  One nurse wrapped my legs in massage blankets, the anesthesiologist put my IV in (which was the one thing I was terrified about and I still don't like it no matter how good he was) Within seconds of the IV the lights started to get fuzzy around me, I remember answering just a few more questions and then NADDA.
Between 11:30 and Noon  - Woke up in recovery.  Still had everything hooked up to me but I am not a fan of laying on my back so I asked if I could sit up. I dozed off and on for about 30 minutes and then was ready to get out of there.  They gave me 2 glasses of water to make sure all was well and it was.  I had a sore throat from the tube down my throat so the water was VERY welcome.
1:15 - They unhooked me and brought me down to the same room I was in to check in and Colin was waiting for me.  They explained everything and then gave me a bag of medications to take with me.  Liquid Codeine for pain, GasX strips (like the breathmint strips) to help the gas they pumped into my abdomen go away, liquid tylenol and graval for my flight home.  I was told to only drink water all day and then Thursday I could add in see through liquids like apple juice, chicken broth etc.  Friday I could add in soups, liquid yogurt etc and next Wed I could start purees (YUM)
2:00pm - Back at the hotel I checked in with family and friends, took a does of codeine and attempted to nap which was EXTREMELY difficult trying to find a comfortable spot. Finally did and slept till 4
5:00pm - Colin's cousin Rhonda and her daughter came to visit for a bit.
6:00pm - Colin ordered a pizza for himself and we watched some Harry Potter Special Feature DVDs
8:30 - 9pm - Colin and I were both so tired from the day we fell asleep

1:30 am Thursday - WIDE AWAKE so I'm writing this :D

Today is the Day

Well its only 4:20am Toronto time and I'm wide awake. I think I went to bed a little too early last evening.  Surgery is at 9:20am but I have to be at the Medical Center at 8:20.  Previous to that I will have to take a few pain killers to help make the journey a little easier/safer.  They must be taken at 7:20am.  Not much else has to be done to prepare at this point except I haven't been able to have a drink since midnight and I feel parched in this hotel room.

The hotel is nice, but the "executive" room/floor was NOT worth the price.  The restaurant is really nice and one of the waitresses has been so kind getting me water the minute I sit down with Colin and talking to me while he eats to distract me. Even though that really isn't necessary I haven't had an issue watching someone eat or baking/cooking myself since about day 4 of the liquid diet.

I am still not what people would call nervous so much as excited to get this all over and done with.  I will be so happy to be back at the hotel later this afternoon relaxing with Colin, most likely sleeping a lot hehe.

Not much else to say at this time but will update again as soon as I am coherent enough to type lol  Thank you to EVERYONE who is praying for me today I appreciate all your kind words and thoughts!!

Flying Tomorrow

WOW ... 20 days down .. 1 more to go before Surgery!!

I leave Sydney at 6:10am tomorrow and land in Toronto at 7:54am their time.  I can't believe its here already.  I feel great! I am able to do some things I haven't been able to do in well over a year.  Simple things like walking up and down my back stairs without having to hold on to anything or take a break every step.  It seems like something so small to most people but for me I felt like a little child just learning to walk when ever I got to the stairs. That has finally stopped/gone away.

I find it absolutely unbelievable that I am going for surgery on Wednesday and I truthfully have no fears what-so-ever.  I don't know if that is normal or not but I am very thankful so far!