SteffiLee's Road of Hope

[SteffiLee]

My official surgery date is June 23, 08 at St. Lukes-Presbyterian Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Since I am a teacher, I am fortunate that I am finished with work and can complete tasks around the house before surgery, like painting, decluttering, etc. Now that I am on this "Road of Hope," I went back to Curves and was weighed and measured. It has been nearly three months since I had last stepped foot in there because...life happens and, like most parents (particularly single parents), I put other things before myself. Anyway, the obivious happened. I had gained weight and nearly two inches everywhere they measured. Not a good pick me up but I had done it to myself and now that I am on my "Road of Hope," it is time to get a jump start on regaining my sense of self. Not only am I back in the swing of Curves, but I also joined the YMCA yesterday. Today I took my daughters swimming and I was able to spend the entire hour and a half swimming laps. Ah, the peace and serenity I felt was just amazing. I always feel great after exercising. I hate the way "the Enemy" creeps in and convinces me I will feel better if I do something sedentary. I am learning that if I hear that voice in my head, I am going to do my best to ignore it because it is Satan with his tale of lies. My biggest worries right now:
the clear liquid diet. Am I allowed to add protein powder to the liquids? On the third and final day of clear liquids, I will be driving two of my children to residential camp for the week. At one of the camps, you have to climb up "Cardiac Hill" to get to the main check-in lodge. I am going to beg and plead that they let me drive up or they put me in a golf cart and drive me up. I could barely survive the altitude and the climb on a full tummy. I am sure I would keel over with only liquids swishing in my belly.
Also, I have hypoglycemia. Has anyone had trouble with low blood sugar and the clear liquid diet part?
Well, I am off to make dinner and eat it while I still can. LOL :hismiley:SteffiLee
Thanks for joining me on my "Road of Hope!"

[BrendaC]

SteffiLee, I'm so glad you are on the Road to Hope and June 23 is just around the corner. I'm impressed with the exercise too. I hope my doc's office turns me loose tomorrow @ 2 week check up to exercise. I have thought about joining curves also but am pulled between them and a fitness center. I hate the 'enemy' too but you already have a foot hold knowing he wants us fat and miserable. I only had the clear liquid diet for one day and could add nothing to it. Your best bet is ask your doc. Look forward to hearing about your progress down the Road of Hope.

[MarkB]

Welcome aboard, SteffiLee.

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

You got a lot of us fellow travelers on your road of hope. Which makes it nice for all as we keep one another on the right course and pull, push, nudge, nag, and otherwise encourage each other along. It's great to have you here !!!

Judy

[SteffiLee]

An update: The NP at the surgery center said I could add Beneprotein or Isopro to my water which should stave off the hypoglycemia. If I have a bad bought of low blood sugar I can drink a small bit of sugar water.

[JDru]

Hi SteffiLee! Congrats on getting your band date, June 23 will be here before you know it! :)

[Patrick]

Congratulations Steffilee on getting your band date. We will be here for you up to and through surgery and waiting to help you on the other side.

[stac1982]

Congrats Steffilee. I love the name of your journey. The band truly gives you hope!

[Diana57]

Welcome! I'm a teacher and tried to get my surgery last summer but it took until Dec. to finally get a date. By then, I was willing to miss school to do it and finished recovering over Christmas vacation.
By the Way, today was my last day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schools out for the Summer!
:yay2:
:party0018::chain::cheer3:

di

[SteffiLee]

Summers are a highlight of a teacher's life, aren't they? However, I feel just as busy now as during the school year. Schleping one daughter to day camp, listening to daughters argue and bicker, sleepovers (you know, I didn't like sleepovers as a kid and I don't like them anymore as a mom), cleaning out closets, researching lap band stuff, shlep daughter to swim lessons, mow the lawn, etc. I love making the time to swim laps, though! I will miss that while I recover from surgery. Well, I really should get the closet contents back into the closet before someone trips and sues me. LOL

[Tricia K.]

Hola, SteffiLee! Congrats on your upcoming surgery date. June 23rd will be here in no time!

[Shellster]

Good luck tomorrow! It's a whole new ballgame as of tomorrow and you're going to do great! I'll be thinking of you and saying a prayer for a quick recovery!

[stac1982]

Best wishes tomorrow! You're road begins. It will be bumpy and winding but the journey is so worth it!

[itsfinallytimeforme]

Good luck tomorrow! It's a whole new ballgame as of tomorrow and you're going to do great! I'll be thinking of you and saying a prayer for a quick recovery!


Welcome to Freedom, and a brand new life!!!!!

Take it easy and take good care of yourself, the ride might be bumpy but know that its worth it!!!

Come here daily and read everything new, and remember the banders dance

sip sip walk walk sip sip walk walk!!

pain goes away into a memory, your feelings might be all over the wall but this too passes, just do as your Dr tells you and dont push yourself too much in the beginning!!!!

your worth all of this, and dont you forget it!!!

Congrats on your new life ahead!!!

Jo Ann

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and Welcome to Bandland (when you get back) :)

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

Welcome to Bandland. Let us know how you're doing ,,,

[Patrick]

Welcome to bandland, hope you drop in soon and update us.

[kristina]

Hey there friend! i am so glad that your day has finally arrived. it has been so nice getting to know you, and your determination to get this band speaks volumns. you are going to be a great bandster! i cannot wait to watch you kick butt and take names!

Let us know how you are doing as soon as you can! my prayers are being lifted up now for a speedy and easy recovery! and since you are so close by me...i want you to call if you need anything..i will pm you my number.

may God Bless and Keep You on your ROAD TO HOPE!

[sharont81]

Hi There Steffi!!!

How is your recovery going?? I know that you when I see you at Vista Ridge in July and we discuss our lap band path. Your "Road to Hope" is here. Tell the girls I said hi!!! I can not wait to sit down and talk with you.

[kristina]

sharon/steffi...i wanna come?

[sharont81]

Hi Kristina -

We are meeting for annual kick-off of the school year. We both work in the same district and near schools. Steffi is the one who told me about this site. We will all have to get together since we all live in the area of CS. How is your process going?? Kelly did an excellent job on my fill.

[kristina]

where is Steffi?? sharon have you heard anything? is there another thread i dont know about? i sure was hoping she was on here by now, bless her heart. wish i could help her!

["Just Jess"]

congrats on your recent lapband surgery, steffi! :) how did everything go?

[kristina]

just checkin on u steffi!

["Just Jess"]

where oh where is she???

[kristina]

jess- i know..i am kinda getting worried..she is a single momma though so getting around and getting a laptop set up for her wont be an easy feat. still praying that your okay steffi!
sharon...have you heard anything?

[SteffiLee]

Hello All! I am quickly recovering from the surgery but when I picked up daughter #1 from camp on Saturday, June 28th, she had a cold. Guess who immediately caught her cold! I feel like crap but today I do seem to be feeling better. I am pumping myself with liquid vitamins and whatever homeopathic stuff I can get my hands on. My incision sites all look great. I am getting in about 24 oz of liquid food a day. I was able to get in one good long walk before really getting sick with this cold. Mentally, I am doing pretty good. I have occasional thoughts of the reality that I will not be able to enjoy food as a "normal" person again- like family get togethers where everyone just sits around and grazes. That kind of freaks me out - but then I try to reframe that thought and remember that that lifestyle was not healthy or productive for my body type. I took the kids to see "Wall-e" on Sunday (as I felt this cold creeping into my bones) and I was okay with just drinking the bottled water. To treat myself I squished a fresh lime into it with a packet of Splenda. I am also learning that you have to really decide what to drink (at this point) because since you fill up so quickly, if you want more than one flavor taste, you have to budget it out - like 4 oz soup and then 4 oz smoothie. You have to make your flavor count and count quickly before you are full. That, I think, will be a really hard thing to deal with over the long haul. Anyone out there have any suggestions on how they deal with that? Anyway, I am going to go sip my 2 tbsp of cold medicine and have some hot Cold Care tea. Take care, all! Steffilee

[kristina]

STEFFII!! you sound absolutely wonderful...even with a cold! i am so glad to know that you are okay! already at the movies, and you went for a walk..you make me proud to be a woman!
thanks so much for writing in, we all love ya! we were all waiting to hear from you...so glad you checked in with us sweetie...and i am going to pm u my number in case u need anything at all!

["Just Jess"]

so happy to hear surgery was successful and all is well! :) YEH!!! :) welcome to bandland, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JDru]

Glad to hear you're starting to feel better! Take care of yourself these next few days...you'll be kicking band butt soon. :)

[kristina]

hey Steffi- how are you feeling..hoping your 4th is SPECTACULAR!!

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

SteffieLee: I actually think it gets easier as you go along. As long as I get in my protein every day, I just go where my taste buds lead me. I have always been able to eat pretty much of everything, however my band sure didn't like the french fries I tried to give it yesterday, and I made a trip to the ladies room to give them up !!! I love my band so much !!! It is beyond a doubt the best health decision I ever made. I sure hope you have a relatively easy time too ,,,

[SteffiLee]

Thanks for all the supportive comments! I hope everyone had a pleasant 4th! My cold is over, except I feel kind of tired still, so I am not 100%. Fourth of July went great- I met the challenge of a family get together and adapted eating. I am learning that when I am full I do not much care that others are still eating. I know this will not be an easy road but this weekend helped boost my confidence in the fact that I will be able to overcome the bumps. My current goal is to get out and walk. I was able to get one day in before the cold laid me out. Hopefully, tomorrow. Talk to everyone later.

[bgrand]

Steffilee...sounds like you are doing great. I agree with Judy, everything from here on is moderation and healthy choices and learning how to live with a band...one day at a time. I'm more than a year out and I'm still learning!!! Your doing great!!

[kristina]

steffi..if ur in the springs area, i would love to be your exercise buddy..i go to the Y on jetwing everyday mon-fri....

[SteffiLee]

Kristina- I PMed you about the Y. We actually go to that Y. :)

Anyway, I now have two infected incisions and am on antibiotics. I was losing weight but now have gained some back since I am eating mushies. Mushies have more calories- dang it! I have been getting into Curves. I am scheduled for a fill July 24th. Since I have to drive to Denver (about 90 minutes north) for my appointments, the girls and I are going to make a day of it. We will hit the Museum of Nature and Science before my appointment. For my last appointment (July 9th), we went to Casa Bonita (a fun restaurant with cliff divers, waterfalls, and caves) for three hours of excitment after my appointment. I kinda like having an excuse to go to Denver and do fun stuff! Other than the infection, I am doing well. I am definitely eating less and get full much faster, which is nice. There is hope and a future!

[afisher4band]

I hate that you have an infection. That come a little late in the game (you are so far out from surgery). My incs. are almost healed up ...of well everybody IS different. I hope you soon get better and keep up the good work!!!!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Steffie.. you're doing a great job!! Hoping your infection is lots better at this point too.

Keep up your good work and your great attitude .. you're an amazing bandster :)

[sharont81]

Hi Steffi -

I hope your infection gets better. I did not get an infection but I did have one incusion that healed from the inside out. You sound wonderful!!! I am going to Pmeg you and Krisitina maybe we can get together on the 18th?? Take it easy!!!

[SteffiLee]

I hate that you have an infection. That come a little late in the game (you are so far out from surgery). My incs. are almost healed up ...of well everybody IS different. I hope you soon get better and keep up the good work!!!!

The infection did start a little late in the game- July 4th to be exact (surgery June 23). The incisions that are having issues are irritated by bra and the tissue within the bra. :ohwell: I think it is important to share this info so people will not let their guard down until they are 100% healed. Just the smallest bacteria can set you back.

[kristina]

Wow Steffi...just found this again...so sorry you are having troubles...and i am going to go read ur pm right now....smooches! let me know if theres anything i can do..and i need to get a list of denver hotspots! ed and i love the mall out there, but thats about it?

[SteffiLee]

I have been banded for just over a month and things are going well. I have had one fill of 4 ccs. The NP wanted to put in 6 but I was terrified of having too much- especially since I was going out of town for the weekend. I had no problems eating according to post-fill diet even at our family reunion in New Mexico. Once full, I just do not care what everyone is eating. I love it! So, the current total is 32 lbs and 22 inches. Yah!

[kristina]

Hooray Steffi!! you are rocking that band! :)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Steffie.. you're doing wonderful!! Keep up the good work :)

[sharont81]

WOW Steffi - you are doing WONDERFUL!!!! I will not be at the whole district function on Thursday morning, I have to have a swallow test done at the AFA. I am now having trouble eating everyday - so here I go. I would still not change having the lap band for anything in the world. I will bring up the Protein Bullets to you in the afternoon. What did your family think of your having the surgery?? Just wondering.