My First Fill

I had my first fill today!  One step closer to getting out of Bandster He!! and to good restriction.  Dr. Williams says it usually takes his patients 3-4 fills to get to the best restriction for them.  One down, how many to go?

Amy--NEXT TIME I GET TO DO THE FLUOROSCOPE!!!  I have my iFlip ready to go, though it'll be a month before I go back.  If I am able to film it I will post the video here (if possible) or on my blog.  Heh heh.  I can't wait!!!

The whole process was just fine.  The needle was huge and once he got it in, I had to sit up and drink.  They take off the syringe of saline, but they leave the needle in place.  The doctor and med student had to think I was crazy!  I said, "As long as my boobs stay big enough so I can't see the needle, I'll be okay!"  I could see the end of it, but thankfully not where it went IN.  Eeew!

He put in about 1.5 ml (my band holds 10 and he says there were probably about 2 ml in it initially).  It was pretty funny because right after, I felt full. Like I had just eaten.  Freaky!  Right now I'm starving because I'm back on liquids for ~24 hours.  But right after the fill, not so much.

I get to go back on soft foods tomorrow, so we'll see if the band is any tighter than it was before.  Do I have restriction?  It's really tough having to go on pure will power for nearly 7 weeks.  I'm looking forward to having a little band help!

For those considering the band, it has its pros and cons like the other surgeries.  But the needles thing is no big whoop.  It stings like a blood draw going in, but once in, you can't feel it.  You can feel when he hits the port because it pops.  It's tough to explain, but you can feel it pop.  Doesn't hurt, just a funny pressure.  

Oh, the doc was very happy with my progress.  Though I'm only down about 14 pounds since surgery, my systolic blood pressure has dropped from the 130s to the 110s, diastolic from 80s to 60s, my HbA1c has gone from 8.7 to 7.8 and my reflux is gone.  My clothes are getting sloppy big and I actually have some energy.  My butt used to be fused to my comfy chair in front of the TV, but I haven't sat in it since SATURDAY!  And my DVR is nearly full from all the recorded shows I haven't had time to watch because I've been out living life!

FREAKY!  

I am SO happy I did this to myself!!!  And I'm so glad I have the likes of the TN board crew by my side on this journey!

Thanks and HUGS!!!
Denise

Way to go Denise! 
I like it..."Out of Bandster HE!!"  Keep it up and watch tehem DVR'ed shpows!  I've got a ton to watch myself. 

To top it off, LOST is having it's season finale tonight, so I've got to remember to set the DVR!

Have fun!

 tee hee!  I used to spend my evenings in the big purple chair watching my DVR while eating and eating and eating.  Now I spend my evenings half heartedly paying attention to the DVR while having a healthy dinner and reading WLS stuff online.  When I'm not out in the yard with the dogs, that is!

Enjoy LOST tonight!  I fell out of watching it after The Others showed up and Walt was kidnapped.  Keeping track of everything was too hard.  I do love JJ Abrahms shows, though!  Alias was my favorite back in its heyday.

I'm gonna have to start moving stuff to an external HD.  I have 200 hours on my DVR but only have about 40 left.  I should catch up on all those old shows, but ehhhh.  Maybe someday.  

Way to go Denise, it is a little freaky when they stick you and then you have to set up and drink, but like you said overall it's no biggie. Keep up the good work.

Cheryl

 It was totally freaky, especially when I felt the pop!  But I didn't want to start laughing and throw him off while he was trying to get in there.

I don't enjoy being sticked, but between allergy shots, steroid shots for my carpal tunnel and my diabetes shots, I'm not afraid of needles.  It definitely left a hole, though!  I can see where the needle went in!  

I'm excited to see what impact the fill has on my hunger and stuff.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that nothing gets stuck!   

HUGS!!!
Denise

Way to go Denise, I am glad you got a fill. and good
job staying out of that comfy chair. I'm just glad its
spring so we can all stay outside. CONGRATS!!!

 It's great timing to have surgery because the weather just draws you outside . . . well, when it's not a torrential downpour!   

Tick tock--your surgery date will be here in no time Ronda, so rest up while ya can before the ENERGY hits!!!

HUGS!!!
Denise

Congrats, Denise. I can only imagine how excited you are. I had a similar experience once I recovered from surgery and was back to myself. I was so pleased with myself for having gone through with it. I felt so much like I had taken a big step to getting myself healthy. Every day since then is amazing. I wish you the best with your fill.
Karen

 Isn't that a great feeling, Karen?  It just clicks and you know beyond all reason this was the right choice.  Who knows what the future will bring (maintained weight loss?  complications?), but in this moment, I know it was the right choice and I feel so much better it isn't even funny!

I'll probably be one of those crazy people who never needs sleep if I ever get to goal!  

Here's to healthy futures!!!
HUGS!!!
Denise

OMgoodness...that whole description is like a scene from Lost (of course, I can understand your description & I am truly "lost" watching Lost these days.....hence the title, I am sure....).

That is so great....man...lots-o-willpower going that long w/out any restriction.  And laughing at the "pop"---good for you!!   You made such a good choice for you!  I can't wait for the updates about when you feel restriction (funny...growing up "restriction" was a bad thing...no TV, no phone, couldn't play outside......now it rocks!!)....

I am so happy for you.....better go shopping for that slinky bikini!!! xo, Micheala.