First Lap Band Fill

Just finished my first lap band fill with Dr. T. It was amazingly painless and simple.
The doctor used the flouroscope to locate the fill port and then inserted the needle. Did I say needle? This thing was at least 4 inches long. Truthfully, I didn't anything since he numbed up the area.
After locating the fill port with the needle, I stood up infront of the flouroscope so that I could drink some barrium and watch it enter the stomach. It was pretty cool to see. The doctor removed a little of the saline that he had put in, and I had to drink another sip of the barium and got to watch it flow through. It was really cool to see.
Anyway, the first fill is done.

Today my lovely bride also had the Lap Band placed in her. We are doing this as a team. I love her.

First follow up appointment done!

Just got home from the surgeons office. You know, my Lap Band surgeon of course.

Everything is looking good. My wieght is down a bunch in just 3 weeks. My incisions have healed almost completely now. I don't need to food processor everything.

Scheduled my first fill appointment for next Monday. Looking forward to see how things change with a band fill.

Anyway, it has been a very interesting 3 weeks. I never imagined that only eating between 800 and 1500 calories a day would be satisfying. I never would have believed that my weight would slide off as easily as it has. Pretty soon I will need to buy new uniform pants and belt. Good thing it is getting to be shorts season, so I won't need to buy new jeans for a little while.

Feeling better and finally something with real texture.

I decided to try some blenderized chicken breast yesterday. So when I was grocery shopping I picked up some skinless, boneless chicken breasts.

So yesterday afternoon I put them in a pot with some chicken broth and boiled away. Threw them into the food processor and ground away. I know too many details.

So at supper time, I had about 1/3 of a cup of delicious chicken and 1/2 cup of baked mashed yam. It was delicious. I ate all of the chicken and only half of the yam, and I couldn't have eaten any more. All I can say is it sure fell good to actually chew some food and it took me about a half hour to eat.

I forgot to weigh myself this morning so I don't know how much if any I lost.

Don't break the rules!!!!!!!

Well today I did it. I broke one the important rules of the Lap Band. As soon as I did it, I knew it, but it was too late.

Our oldest daughter made some Amish cinnamon bread last night. It was sitting on the counter calling my name. Anyone who as ever had a weight issue knows that food will call your name. It had been doing it all morning, and I had been doing a pretty good job of ignoring it. Well, I got busy and let myself get hungry, so I took a very small bite (and I mean like a 1/4 teaspoon size). It went down well do I thought I would do it again with a slightly larger size. Stuck it in, didn't chew enough and wham pain in the stomach. I was afraid I would throw up, which is one of the worst things a band patient can do, especially in the beginning.

So much for Amish cinnamon bread. None of that for a very, very long time.

The good news is that my wife told me that I need to start wearing my suspenders because she is tired of seeing me "hitch" my pants all the time.

First day back to work.

It has been a crazy few days since my Lap Band surgery. I hope to have the picture of “Al” scanned in the next few days so I can post it on the blog.

Today is my first day back to work. It is nice to get back to work. Trying not to put myself in a position that I will strain myself. Straining could cause the Lap Band to slip, and nothing good comes from band slippage.

I am learning a lot about my new life every day. “Al” lets me know when I am not doing things right. I have learned what it really means to sip water. Al has taught me that it is OK not to eat the entire individual serving of Jello.

Easter dinner over at Mom’s was really difficult. It was nauseating sitting at the table smelling the food. It got worse after the meal.

Ever since the surgery, I have taken a lot of naps. I have never taken so many naps. I think I really like naps.

All in know right now is the pounds are melting away. I know that at some point the weight loss will slow down, but right now I am enjoying the loss. Goodbye weight. I bought a scale that measures body fat, water hydration along with weight. My hydration is staying high while the weight and body fat is dropping.

72 Hour update

It has been 72 hours since the Lap Band surgery. I feel real strong part of the time and not so strong others.
My wife and I split the troops and tackled different tasks today. She took care of the laundry up in Wahoo, because our fancy front loading washer went "tango uniform" last Monday. I took the oldest son and went to Lincoln for groceries.

You know it really sucks doing grocery shopping with 99% of the items in the basket will not be feeding you. I know that I am doing what is right for my family, but I really didn't enjoy shopping. Especially for those that know how much I love to cook.

Anyway, Jake and I got started on the garden transplanting some of the cabbage and broccoli. Also planted some of the seeds that need planting this time of year. I was really aware that my abdomen is sore when doing some of the light work I was doing.

Well it is time for me to take a little nap.

24 hours Post Op

I am 24 hours post operative. Pretty sore on the abdomen, which is expected considering. Couldn't urinate last night and the bladder was very, very full. So, long story short, a catheter was used to drain over 900 cc's from the bladder. Thank goodness, I was able to go on my own overnight and this morning. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

This morning I went down to radiology for a swallow study, to make sure that the stoma is open and there are no problems. it is very important that the lap band is allowing food and drink to flow. Everything went well. Had about a cup of chicken broth, 1/2 cup apple juice and a little jello. Then a nice shower.

Still waiting for the doctor to come in to visit. We will be meeting with a dietitan again, and then with the bariatric coordinator. should be able to leave the hospital around 1:30 or 2.

I am looking forward to getting home this afternoon.

Thanks for all the support.