Well I made it through my first week of work. I am almost 2 weeks post-op. There were times when I honestly thought that I wouldn't feel the same again or I wouldn't feel good again, but that has passed. Thank God. I'm feeling good now, hardly any pain unless I do a lot of bending or something that involves my stomach muscles. I have, surprisingly already, more energy. Not a whole lot more. I'm not running marathons, but I'm getting around and moving. Clear liquids are over, which was killing me. I'm now on full liquids and gradually movinig on to mushies and puree's. I'm kindof nervous doing that, afraid something will mess up the band. So I'm moving very slowly into those stages. I don't eat a lot. Usually a half a cup of soup and I'm full. I don't know if that's the band working or if I'm still swollen everywhere. Most people can eat more than that. I'll have to check in with the doctor on Wednesday so I'm going to bring that up. But all in all I'm good!! If you're reading this and you're going through post op, have faith that you'll feel better!
~Rachel~

last day of vacation

Today was my last day of vacation :-( I have to go back tomorrow. Part of me wants to go cause I'm kindof bored and miss people. The other part of me wants to stay home forever cause I really enjoy the boredom.

On the lap band front... I'm in a LOT less pain. Rare gas bubble that will come up that hurts every now and then, but even most of that is gone. The incisions itch more than anything but really not a lot of pain from them either. I might even wear pants instead of a dress tomorrow they feel so good. And the best part of all?? I can finally lay on my stomach! No more sleeping on my back or on my wrong side. I am so glad I might get a night of decent sleep tonight.

Tomorrow is my last day of clear liquids. Thank GOD!! Now that I just have one day left I know I can make it, but oh lord this week has been bad. Do you know how quickly broth starts to taste bad?? Let me tell you, very quickly. I had a solid week of clear liquids then a few days of full liquids then I can move on to mushies and stuff like that, something with a little more substance. I really thought I was going to die, but everytime I thought about not doing clears I would think... You just paid 15,500 bucks for this, you can NOT disobey the rules. The only time I think I messed up, it was un-intended. I mixed apple juice (which is clear) with protein powder, and when you do that, apparently it's not so clear and a little thick. I was paying for it later, felt like horrible horrible heartburn and like I was tight all over. Won't be doing that one again.

Well I'm off to bed, gonna try and get one last night of rest before work! Talk to you later.

~Rachel~

a couple days out...

So it's Thursday afternoon. A couple days after the surgery. I'm not going to lie and say I feel great. I never knew gas pains could feel so bad. And it's not just the gas pains, its the fact that my stomach muscles aren't really moving because they are swollen. So I can't get all that gas out! And now I'm starting to get hungry. I took off the bandages today and that feels better. I took a shower and washed my hair. That always makes me feel better. Just don't feel as "sick".

Mom left today, she stayed to help me and was a huge help. She did everything that I couldn't do and she got everything ready for the next week that I might possibly need so I don't have to do much. She rocks.

So anyway, recap, still feel pain, gas pain. The incisions not too bad, only when I try and get up and stuff. Getting hungry, gonna try some broth and protein powder and stuff. But all in all not THAT bad.

~Rachel~

I did it!!

I finally made it, I am on the couch and banded and drugged, so please forgive any misspellings. I had my surgery this morning and just checking in and reporting back

My surgery was scheduled for 8am. My mom is staying with me, so we got up at 4:30, did the getting ready and drove the (about 30 min) drive to be there for 6:30. I had a few last minute papers to sign and then I sat and waited. Can I even tell you how my nerves were going 100mph?? I was so nervous and scared. In fact I pretty much didn't sleep last night cause I was so nervous and excited. First piece of advice, GET SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE. So anyway, sitting in the waiting room for about 30 min. They call me back about 7:15, had to do a urine test and then they brought me to my bed and got my IV going. My surgeon (who I just love) came by to say hi and ask for final questions and stuff. I met the anthesiologist and he went over everything with me. Then my mom got to come back and sit with me for a few minutes.

About 15-20 min later, they were ready for me. As we were going back, the dr gave me some happy drugs to calm me down. Then we went into the OR. I had never been in an operating room before and it looked very different from the ones on Grey's Anatomy! They had me change beds to the one on the table type thing. Then they had me start breathing in oxygen. The nurse kindof strapped me down a little bit and stretched out my arms and strapped those down and that's pretty much the last thing I remember.

Next thing I know I'm in recovery and they are making me wake up. I was exhausted. I couldn't wake up. I think its cause I was so tired from no sleep last night on top of the drugs. I have no idea what time it was but I'm going to assume that was bout 9:30 that they started waking me up. They asked how I was feeling, sat me up and gave me some drugs for nausia. Time gets fuzzy cause I was in and out, but then I had to get up, walk to the bathroom and make sure I could use the restroom. Then I went by and did an x-ray/barium swallow. That was pretty interesting to watch. Then they sat me in a chair instead of the bed. The nurse went over a couple of things then my mom came back. The nurse went over the important stuff with my mom, showed her my incisions (5 of them) and then helped me get dressed. I brought a very loose fitting sundress which helped. Then as soon as I was dressed I was free to go. I believe that was around 11:15. Fast fast fast. Sitting there I felt rushed, but now I'm glad I got home early. The ride home wasn't bad. Had a pillow and that cushioned all the bumps.

Not a whole bunch of pain from the incisions. Just sore, like I did sit-ups. I live in a town home type place and so from my garage I have to walk up a flight of stairs to the living room and then another to the bedroom and bath. Did both no problem, slower than normal but not bad, no add'l pain. The pain I am feeling is gas pain. Don't brush it off, it hurts, but I feel like as soon as it passes I will feel 100% better, again only pain I'm feeling as of yet is the gas. When I got to my bedroom I was dizzy and nausious. I was still heavily doped up on anthestisia. I feel asleep for a couple of hours. Layed on my back and that was ok, then was able to lay on my side that didn't have my port and that was ok too.

When I woke up I felt a lot better, the anthesia finally was wearing off. I was then able to get up, walk around a bit, use the restroom, and go downstairs. I walked and paced a lot and was able to get a tiny bit of the gas out. I sat on the sofa no problem and was feeling better. I ate a few slurps of chicken broth and drank some water. Gas was hurting so I took some liquid vicadin that they gave me. Once that kicked in I started to feel week and dizzy and nausious. If that keeps up with that med, I might switch to liquid tylenol. We'll see how it goes. Taking the gas-ex strips hoping they are working, get that gas out and the pain will go away, that's what I keep telling myself.

So now I'm up, checking email and watching tv. I feel lucid, though just a tiny bit dopy.

~Rachel~

1 day to go!

Ok so I made it through the weekend. Finished almost all of the tasks I needed to in order to be ready, just a few more. About to drive half way home and meet my mom so she can stay with me for the week.

I am nervous, excited, scared, worried, nervous, anxious, trying to be calm, nervous, tired, thrilled, pettrified, worried. Did I say nervous and worried?? Never had surgery before, never had my mother stay for a week. Both should be intersting.

Whoohoo! 5 days!

I'm starting to get really excited. Like when you were little and you were waiting for summer vacation and it felt like it would never come. Two more days of work, then the weekend then one day off to prepare and then the surgery!! I had my pre-op appointment on Monday and Jenny, the nurse there, went over all of the information and stuff I would need to know. My time is scheduled for 8:30 and she antipicates me being home by noonish. How great is that?? Now I just have to patiently wait until then. Of course, patience hasn't always been a strength of mine.

So what can I talk about in the meantime? I've been working a lot lately. People at work don't know I'm having the surgery. Except for 2 of my friends, but they are close friends outside of work. Everyone at work thinks I'm going to Vegas. It's amazing how much work you have to do in order to go on vacation! I'm so busy these days wrapping stuff up so I don't have to worry about it while I'm gone. But I guess that keeps my mind busy so I don't think AS much about next week.

This coming week is the Estes Park wool festival. I went last year and stayed with a friend for the weekend. We laughed, we talked and most importantly we bought yarn! I wish I could go this year but the timing just sucks. Maybe I can convince Kristy to come down to Texas for our yarn festival in November. Hmmm, that might actually be a good idea! I'm working on a shawl for my mom right now. It was her mother's day gift. Of course it's already a month late and I'm nowhere near done. I gotta get on the ball with this one. Hopefully she'll be able to get it before Christmas!

Well I'm out for the evening. I'm tired and hopefully I can get some sleep tonight!
~rach~