Well, its been some time since I last updated this, and a few changes have occured! Having lost 7 stone with my band I developed terrible acid reflux, I had the band deflated, and OGD performed and all was fine, so I had it re-inflated and continued with the diet, then I fell pregnant and had the band deflated ( again) in January this year I had a son by C section. I once more developed this acid reflux and have been having to carefully watch my diet ever since. I am waiting for an appointment with an upper GI specialist in order to see what is going on...I am praying that the band is still in the right place and has not slipped or migrated.
If I am not very careful with my food and portion size etc I reflux badly and have spent the first 4 months or so of this year, sitting upright in bed because of choking on bile. Nice.
I have read this can be a side effect of the band, I can often feel 'clogged' and certain foods trigger it more than others.
I would never say having the band was a bad move, despite having associated problems from it, because I believe it saved my life and helped create another in my son, but it is a huge undertaking that doesn't always work well forever and needs a lot of thought.
Statistics wise here are my figures:
weighed about 94kg when I fell pregnant, suffered horrible low blood sugar issues in pregnancy which meant craving food ALL the time, ended up at 123kg when I had the section and due to reflux and diet changes am now at 111kg and trying very hard to lose more, through diet and activity as my band has little restrictive ability right now.
So here we are, I am once again 'Eating from a teacup' and will see how things progress.

A week and a bit...

Well its 12 days since my op and I'm progressing well. My wounds are nearly healed up, though still a bit bruised, my terrible post op wind has dissipated and for that alone I am eternally grateful! and I'm going back to see the surgeon later today.
I've only been eating a liquid diet since the op and have lost a stone and a half since I started the pre op diet, so I'm feeling very pleased and even got into some clothes previously too tight!

I should try not to underestimate how tierd I get doing almost nothing though. I cleared out my airing cupboard this morning to find a pair of jeans I wanted, I was knackered!! and later I'm venturing to the shops to meet my friends and their babies...I think I'll sleep tonight!

Though its still a bit sore and I cant yet sleep on my side, I have to say I'm feeling very positive and in a good mood, after all it only really hurts when I laugh, cough and sneeze, so all colds aside, I will have to keep the jokes to a minimum!

Home

Well I'm home!!
I came home Friday about lunch time and am feeling tired, sore but all in all not too bad at the moment!
The staff at Benenden Hospital were fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone having an op. They were professional and kind and looked after me very well, along with the other ladies in my bay.
I met another lady who had this procedure an hour after mine and it was nice to share the journey with her. We are keeping in touch to compare notes.
The incision pain is bearable with the pain relief they give you to take home. but the wind pain is very painful at times!
This is most defiantly NOT an easy option, so for anyone out there who thinks it is, forget it.
However, its my answer and I'm now on my road to a new me, so right now I'm off for a little and very slow stroll around the garden and half a tea cup of yop! mmmmmm

D Day

Well its D Day and I'm waiting to go to hospital for the op. I've had nothing to eat since dinner last night and have had sips of water which I can have until a couple of hours before the event!
I'm all packed and just want it over with, I'm feeling a bit in limbo and treading water. There's nothing for me to keep busy doing and I am hoping not to be far down the list today as sitting about twiddling my thumbs is not a happy prospect.
Fingers crossed all goes well and I'll be back blogging ASAP. x

Nearly here

Well it's the night before and all my housework is done, my over night bag is packed and I feel a bit like I do before going on Holiday!
I'm full of anticipation, not excitement but trepidation and nerves. Even working in the business I still get the same nerves and anxieties that everyone gets and am worried about the anaesthetic, post op pain, sickness etc etc.
Right now though, I just want it over, so I can get along and deal with it. I feel I have waited enough and just want to get the operation done and dusted so I can focus on the next stage.
I'm due in hospital at midday and the operating list runs between 2 and 8 pm, I have everything crossed that its not an 8 o'clock op...
Family and friends have been lovely and strange in equal measure! I have had some lovely good luck cards and messages and others don't seem to be bothered at all! I suppose its such a big event in my life, but not in other peoples life and I should accept that not everyone thinks about people and their feelings the way I do. Still it hurts a bit.
So here I sit, waiting to have my last supper, mind whirling with thoughts about tonight, tomorrow and forever.
I so want this to be the answer I've been looking for, I need this to be the key to a fitter healthier me, I desperately want children and a healthy future with my family.
So keep your fingers, toes and if necessary eyes crossed that it all goes well and I'll be back with an update soon. xx

Pre assessment

I had my pre-assessment yesterday, it went very well I think! I had blood tests, ECG, height, weight, chat with a pharmacist and the anaesthetist.

The anaesthetist thought as I have no health problems ( other than obesity) he didn't need to do an echocardiogram, so I took that as a sign that I am fit enough to face surgery.
I am getting apprehensive about the op next week and going to pre-assessment answered questions but also revealed more of what I must face after the op.

The pharmacist went through the list of medication I will come home with: 3 types of pain relief, 2 laxatives, 2 indigestion remedies and a host of protein drinks!!
This op is in NO way an easy option and it will be at least 2 months until I'm eating anything like 'normal' textured foods. So at this point I am holding on to the bigger picture, looking past the immediate future of the operation, post op discomfort, potential problems and eating baby food! I'm holding on to loosing this weight, feeling better, having more energy, less joint aching and perhaps, just perhaps the chance to improve my PCOS and become a mother...now that's a future to look forward to!!

Feeling pleased

128.8kg! its still A LOT, but its less than I have weighed in at least a year....so the ole pre op diet is working.
I've been following the dietitians menu for 2 weeks, at times its been tough but I have a week and 3 days to go until the big day, so I'm sticking firm.

I had my MRSA swabs taken before my pre-op assessment and felt great relief that they came back negative. Working in health care I am at a greater risk of carrying this bug and it would be one of the only things to stop me getting my surgery, but it's clear. One less hurdle to cross.

I have pre-op assessment this week and am on annual leave from work as of next week, the op is the 11th, so not long to go now, the real count down has begun!