Three Week Bandiversary!

Yippee... hard to believe that it was 3 weeks ago today that I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting for them to call my name!  But, here I am 3 weeks later and doing great.  I feel really, really good - I am down 20 pounds (19.5 by my doctor's scale and 20.5 by mine so I'll average it).

 

I saw Dr. C yesterday, and was cleared to move back on to "real" food.  The challenge now, will be (his words) not gaining weight over the next 2 to 3 weeks until I get my first fill.  Although I am not eating NEARLY as much as I did pre-surgery, he did tell me that it isn't uncommon to gain 3 or so pounds during this time, because as the healing continues, I will get hungrier.  And since there is minimal restriction right now, I can basically eat like I used too.  I am going to make a concerted effort though, to stick to the smaller sizes and wait that 20 minutes after a helping to make sure if I'm really hungry or end up feeling full.

  

I am experiencing a couple of odd things - nothing to worry about according to Dr. C. at this point.  The first is that my esophagus is tight.  It feels (especially in the AM) like there is a pill stuck in it.  You know when you swallow something that is dry, and it kind of sits in your throat?  That is the feeling.  He said that 1 out of 5 people experience that, and often have to drink their breakfast (like a Slimfast or protein drink) to loosen it up.  Apparently that is a side-effect of the band.  They will check it out when I get my first fill which will be under floroscopy (sp?) - then they can see the pouch, and if it is placed correctly.   The other thing is that I have a fair amount of discomfort with (not really pain) is in my port area.  Mostly at the end of the day, although this AM it is there.  He wants to watch that.  If it is still there in 3 weeks, they may need to go back in and move the port - it might be hitting a nerve.  But that is small, outpatient stuff - no general anesthesia apparently (phew!).  Hopefully it is just healing and won't be any issue at all.  But, I'll definitely pay attention to it and keep him posted.

   

On a completely unrelated note, this is my 2nd week on my new work schedule of having Fridays off.  I have to say - I love it already!  Not sure I'm going to want to go back to a full 40 hour week if the opportunity presents itself!!!  I woke up this morning to snow - not much, just a coating, but it was beautiful (especially since there is no chance of us losing power).  And what was even better to know, was that I didn't have to rush Lu out the door, but could let her linger over her OJ and Curious George while I had a cup of coffee.  The little things are heavenly!

  

I'm going to try to get some pictures later today, and start posting pre-op and post-op.  I am not seeing a difference, but I am feeling one - and people have definitely said that they see a difference.  Even those folks who I know and trust will be brutally honest with me, so that must mean that there is a small one!   Happy Friday!