THE EXPERIENCE

Well, I fooled all of ya...I'm baaaaack! Interesting? Yes? Cakewalk? No. Pain involved? Tremendous. Did I shed some tears? LOTS! Am I on the road now? Betcha!

Surgery was at 7 a.m., took an hour. Recovery was long and I didn't get back to the room until 2:30. Not sure what antics I pulled in recovery, but I sure was glad to get outta there! I didn't like the nurse who worked with me! Am I sipping liquids throughout the day? Absolutely.
We got back home around 5 that afternoon and the serious began.

All of the trapped air in my body sent riveting pain right across the middle of my back from left to right. It started and worked on me relentlessly for four of the longest days of my life. It was bring ya to your knees pain, cause ya to cry pain, come to Jesus meetin' pain...I've never experienced anything like that before and do not wish to ever, again. Poor Michael...he got very little sleep through it all. You see, until Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., I had not been able to lay in the bed and sleep. I roamed the house, walked the house, leaned on everything around, sat at the kitchen table and finally, would fall asleep in the recliner from exhaustion.

When I fell asleep in the chair, my chin rested on my chest and therefore, a tremendously sore neck and upper back. I WAS A MESS! I asked Michael in the middle of night two as I sat on the edge of the bed (after waking him to rub my back)...What have I done to myself? Yes, it was that tense.

Finally, Monday, mid-day, the pain subsided and it was just the old me. Peaceful body, blissful feeling. I was elated to think the worst was over. Only one other major problem surfaced -- bronchitis. On Monday, we went to see the pulmonologist...fearful of pneumonia or worse, I held my breath, literally. Thank goodness it was only bronchitis. Good drugs are taking care of that now!

This all began two weeks pre-op liquid diet and to date now, -21 pounds. I guess there will be a new me emerging over the coming months. I've been learning how to effectively initiate necessary meds, get all the vitamins in and concentrate on the necessary protein amounts. It's a learning curve, but then, I'm going to be seeing some curves.

Monday evening was so nice. The family was in town and Michael invited them to dinner. They came, feasted and I sat and burped for them! lolol Well, at that time, that's what I could do best. Family and friends were all so important through this episode of life. Strong prayers and goodwill were on my side. I so appreciate everyone for their thoughts!

So, the journey begins, I'll try to get a new pic in the next couple of days. Who knows what I'll be wearing. I have a couple of 'old' wardrobes rarely touched. They've been hanging in silence for the past many, many months cause I got TOO FAT to wear them. I'm going to have fun with this and it is truly exciting!

My blood sugar this morning was 98. Prior to surgery, the morning fasting sugar would still be around 130 and that was on Metformin, 850 mg. twice a day. I haven't even crushed a Metformin pill...that's right, no med since before surgery. I'll tell my surgeon Friday and see if I can be officially done with that pill for good! My blood pressure is 118/62. I've been taking my diuretics, but I haven't been taking the pill. Everything is falling into place!

And, so, we move ahead, one sip at a time!

Here She Comes Just A Walkin' Down the Street...

Singing doowahdiddy diddydumdiddydoo!!! Yeppers! That's me today...in the morning it's camera, action and rollin', rollin', rollin' -- keep them knives a rollin'! Yeehaw!

Here we go folks! I saw my pulmonologist this afternoon and

I thought he was going to dance a 'jig'! He's excited for me!!

He actually released me now until someday in the future when I might NEED him. I've see that doc every 3 months or so for the past five years!! Wow! STEP 1.

I got his blessing, they took blood for the final round of stuff this morning and now, all I gotta do is do it! Caught off guard around 3 p.m. with a phone call, I was somewhat overwhelmed. A cousin who's out in the middle of the Gulf made an International phone call to wish me well and say "I love you!"

It's just really nice to have someone/anyone remember the date and take a moment to share the love! Thus, I'm set. I've heard from several friends and I know there are many prayer warriors 'at work' today and tonight. I'll be dancin' in the street by next week!

I am looking forward to the next few weeks. Reading through a couple of fat chick sites where folks post their ups and downs and their before and after pictures has a way of enlightening me. The excitement in their face and eyes tells the whole story. Soon, that will be this face and these eyes!

For years I taught middle school kiddos. Yep, I enjoyed it because I felt so many of those students could be impacted even with a single smile on a given day. That was back in the 80's when things were nicer than these days. There were still kiddos who respected you because their parents had taught them the value of that trait.

In 1989, I began Weight Watchers with a dear 'best friend' from campus. It's better when ya have a fat sista to go through stuff with ya! Anyhow, we went religiously, ate our pretzels, jello and weighed our portions. It was fun and it was always great to step on the scale and see it register a loss!

Little did I know that following Fall how my new changes would impact kids lives. I had dropped 45 pounds by August and it was a new me. I had my big 'ol smile back in place, energy to let (heaven help them all) and nothin' but trouble a brewin'! School started, kids showed up and not a word was said. Ok, I thought. I guess it doesn't show as much as I thought it did!

A couple of months passed and I stepped out of my room late one day to see a mom sitting in a chair, quietly waiting for her 8th grade daughter to show up. We spoke and she complimented me and said, "Ms. Freedman, do you know what an impact you've had on your students with this change?" I smiled and shrugged my shoulders, answering, "what are you talking about?"

"Your weight loss! It has excited all of these 8th graders and helped them understand that they can make change and do whatever they make up their minds to do!" I was in shock! My reply was, "but not one student has said a word to me about it!" The reason? The mom shared it was all the talk of the entire 8th grade, but they weren't sure they should say anything.

They noticed the body change, the smile back in place, my demeanor and my sense of ME...I CAN..and I DID! When I assured that mom I'd welcome the kids comments, whilickers -- the next day and week were fun and shocking. Those students fed their thoughts and impressions to me non-stop until it was all out on the table! My only thought was...and all of this because I made a change in my life that showed on the outside? By the end of the school year, I was -117 pounds!

Bottom line, I was not blessed with children of my own. That was okay, I had about 8,000 of them by the time my career ended. Being a part time mom, counselor, aunt, friend, teacher and more certainly fulfilled many cracks in my armour. Those students enriched my life on many days and today it's so neat to hear someone say, "hello, Ms. Freedman, I know you don't know my name, but I was in your class!!!" What a nice feeling to know that students from years past will take time to acknowledge you, tell you what you meant in their lives and share a few moments of reflections and 'catch up.'

I left the classroom. I left the profession, via retirement. However, I still work with educators and find that many of my Interns become somewhat attached to me through our visits and my comments shared over the course of a semester. Having an Intern send an email thanking me for strong words of encouragement and for recognizing their skill and strong suites is just as good as those 8th graders back at Humble Middle School.

In the coming months, I'm going to watch and listen to see how my new change effects any of them. I'll share their thoughts...I know it will be fun!

Preparing for this surgery has brought many new professionals into my life lately. And me? Well, I always do or say something that puts a smile on their face! That's just Pat...always has been, always will be. But, guess tomorrow morning, I can't make them smile...I'LL BE ASLEEP!

Nite, nite ya'll!!

Two Days from Lift Off!!

Greetings from the tx chick about to do the wild thang!! Well, as wild as surgery can be! I decided it was time to unveil the star of the show! Yep, I don't show my pictures often, and it's taken me a long time to post one here!

So, let's do it. The blouse you're looking at used to be stretched to the 'nine's' when I wore it. Tight, uncomfortable and really tacky. But, I'd wear it ever so, cause everything in the closet was about the same way!

Yesterday, I put that blouse on and smiled big smiles. Roomy and hangy. For months I've looked like I was ready to drop a bundle of joy. The only difference was it was located in my upper tummy/abdomen! lololol I've been tired of shoving that tummy around for the past couple of years -- let's git it on...or, off!!

I finally discovered a great protein milkshake last night and went to bed a happy camper! I've been experimenting with various protein powders in the past many days. Some are yuck, some are yuckier and some are, well, I can do this. None of them get rave reviews at this point. It's a gotta have the protein in order to make the body function! And, so, function, it is!

My apologies for no smile, but it's challenging to aim a camera at the mirror and get yourself looking the right way. Could Michael have taken the pic, yep, but I just did it myself. I will be sharing shots in the future. We'll watch the helium balloon deflate over the coming months! I'm excited to know I'll have a neck again!! lololol I keep a pic of me from seventh grade...I was thin, had a long neck and smilin' like a crazy girl. It reminds me I DO HAVE A NECK!

One other good discovery last night...Blue Bell sugar free popsicles. I know, that's crazy, a popsicle is a popsicle. NOT! They have done something to it to enhance the fruit flavors...zowee! Loved it! Had one for breakfast to begin the day today. Then? Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup. Now? In about another hour...MILKSHAKE!! I know, your jealous. That's okay, be so!

For your gray matter (if it matters) --

THURSDAY ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL DOWN IN THE MED CENTER

Check in 6 a.m. SURGERY 7:30 A.M. I am the first outta the chute!! Yeeeehawwww!!

I'll be writing you folks on the 'other side'. Take care and do something good for yourself!!!

A Curious Day in the Life of Pat

Wednesday, March 4...the day! I had to report to St. Luke's Towers and do all of the paperwork for the surgery. Fine. I had received notification with an 11:30 appointment time followed by this statement - get there early because this can take hours. Appointments by walk-ins. What? I was confused.

9:20 - I phoned my doctor's office to question. "Oh, no, you don't have an appointment so the earlier you can arrive the better your chances of being done in time for your appointment with Dr. Sherman!" Was she kidding me? Zoom...into the shower, wash the head, curl the curls, put on make-up and out the door by 10 a.m. Yep, right into the Houston traffic.

Finally, I walked in the office around 10:40...and finally, was out of there by 12:45 I was weighed, measured, questioned, blood pressured (128/65), questioned more, explained to and finally, done. I had a sweet nurse and she thanked me for being a good patient. I said well, it's not like I'm going to fuss at you. She said, 'are you kidding? I've been spit on, cursed out and more.' Unbelievable. I didn't like the fact that they had to TELL me my weight, but no reason to work up a juicy blob over that. I've only weighed 1000 times at home.

AFter all, once you've had ultrasounds, EKG's, x-rays, upper GI's and more, how do you have any shame left anyway? You've been seen inside, outside and perhaps upside down when you weren't paying attention. Those folks could draw pencil sketches and sell 'em at the fair!

I finally traversed the long walkway over to the Baylor College of Med place. Went to the 14th floor, nearer my Heaven to thee, and walked in the surgeon's outter office. I announced, "sorry I'm late, it took forever". The time was 12:50...the receptionist replied, not a problem, you're early, your appointment isn't until 1:30! OUCH AND OUCH AGAIN. There I had hustled over the walkway, sucking air in the entire way and thinking, I shoulda got up at 8 and been here early.

And, so, I sat down, looked around and there they were. Sitting as the bald eagles do, perched, watching for food! Not! Just sitting waiting to see the surgeon...a room full of fat chicks waiting to become thin! lolol The conversation began. It ran from what kind of surgery? Have you had it yet? When do you have it? Are you starving on liquids only? I can't wait til I can have mushed food. What whey products have you found? BINGO! The excitement of the day.

We began to comment on products, tastes and no so good tastes and soon, the entire waiting room was tuned in and rolling in laughter! It became the entertainment hour on the 14th floor. Hey, some of us had some storie to share and thennnnnn...we discussed the dreaded u p p e r G I !!! AAAAAgggggghhhhhhh. Too funny.

Finally, the doc returned and they swept me straight back knowing I needed to get BACK ACROSS THE WALKWAY to St. Luke's to see another doc. I hustled...got there...surveyed the room, smelled the fragrances in the air and wished I hadn't got there! Some were sleeping (sleep ap I guess), some were huffing and puffing and some were discussing the big chick to my left who had a cough bigger than her! Bless her heart and her lungs!

I waited. And waited. And waited. I walked up to the window and asked how much longer? Oh, about another 45 minutes to an hour. I said uh huh...not gonna happen. I'm tired. I'm empty. I wanna go home! So, we re-scheduled for Wednesday. Frustration and more frustration, but harketh...I was headed home to my L I Q U I D array of exquisit choices!! Yeah.

Once home I sampled everything! Soup, jello, protein shake, soup, jello, etc. lolol Finally, I felt full and could sit and breathe.

It's game on...Beard in the lead. Score 17 for me...them? I shall not be defeated. I will be the best I can be. I'm going for first down and yardage without looking over my shoulder! If I can't maintain straight up the middle, I'll take the 'end around!' Wait a minute. I've never had a 'round end' in my whole life! GOTCHA!!

Banding...a new adventure!

The Learning Curve

After six days of liquid diet only for pre-op preparation, I've learned so many things. It is possible to set my determination and 'stick' with it for the run. Sunday was my challenging day. I hit a brick wall that allowed touches of anger, wonder and deep soul searching to surface within.

I conquered it. The first several weeks of this entire event are highly challenging and certainly doth test one's self responsibility. But, it's far more than losing however many pounds I might in these days. It has been prepping me for the post-op surgery days. Learning that I can survive on liquids...soups, sugar free jello, sugar free puddings, clear juices and frozen popsicles...and, I truly have barely any 'hunger' fighting me.

Yes, I do keep track of protein intake and I am drinking a liquid called Isopure...grape flavored...really cold, it's an okay drink! It provides 40 grams of protein in one bottle and I follow throughout the day with a slimfast shake and various other protein items. It's new to me to have to keep track, but for the health of it, I do.

Now...waking in the morning and being able to set both feet on the floor to rise without feeling like a Mac truck ran over me in the night and parked on top of me...is such a joy. What's this telling me? My entire body is going through a detoxification process. My body is thriving without sugar, fast foods, heavy fats and more. I think it's saying thank you at the beginning of each new day!

I've discovered on one of my fat sites...in order to learn the appropriate size of a sip, one individual went and purchased herself a SIPPY CUP!!! It worked! After she got it, no more throw up due to gulping like the old days. And, so, you say? Yep, I'm gonna git me one 'o them thar cups! And, I'm going to use the small fork in the drawer that's for appetizers...a tiny fork!!

You see, the mind and body are beginning to think and work together. It's interesting as I discover new things about me. Am I thrilled at all of this...NOT! But, it's a necessary thing at this time in my life. I got me here, I have to get me outta here! And, my hubby has to keep cooking and eating!! It's rough on him these days...he has to clean his own dishes up as well. I will do lots of things, but washing a pan that has the remainder of breakfast sausage in it...I WILL NOT TOUCH IT!!

I've discovered I hate orange and strawberry jello. I've found I can tolerate the French Vanilla Slimfast shake very well. I keep the powder in the freezer (it's cold) and when I mix it with cold milk, I do it in a small tupperware that holds 8 ounces. You can put the lid on and shake the daylights out of it and tadaaaa...shake!

As for the soup? I prefer the cans rather than the Soup at Hand. Why, you say? Because, silly, you empty the can and add a can of water...MORE TO SLIP through the lips, over the gums and look out tummy! Propel water is very good...no aftertaste.
And, jello or pudding anytime my tummy thinks it wants something helps a lot. I was already a Yoplait Light yogurt girl, so I still indulge in those...yes, it's permitted!

And, so...tomorrow is day seven -- ONE WEEK BEHIND ME! Tomorrow is the surgeon's visit. I go and see him, ask questions and smile. Then, I go tomorrow afternoon to see my pulmonologist, Dr. Manion. A busy day, getting it all together. One week from Thursday, it's target practice on my stomach!! Can't help but think of the words to some song..."Let's, get it on!!!" Just do it!

I've heard from family and friends. Many are cheering, lots are praying and some are going, you're doing what? It's a good thang to know folks are thinkin' boutcha when you're going 'lights out' for a while. But, it won't be like my knee surgery a couple of years ago. As soon as I woke up, the handsome male nurse said, 'can I get you something to drink?' Not only did I have one icy Diet Dr. Pepper, I gulped two of those puppies down!!

Maybe they'll say a while after this surgery..."can I get your sippy cup for you??" lololololol
This SIPS on me!!

The Day After

Welcome to a brighter day with new insights included! I did have difficulty going to sleep last night due to a very empty tummy. However, I conquered it and slept well til daylight...to step on the scale and discover another pound gone!

Thus far since Thursday morning, -9 and it's a curious thing. In the past twelve months, I guess I've lost this same 8 or 9 pounds. Up. Down. Up. Down. It's different this time though. Knowing that there is a game plan and that the game's on! Not easy, but it's teaching me more and helping me understand the 'hurdles' I must cross.

I read on a couple of .com's and gather information from bandsters across the nation. Some of the comments are so helpful..but, the before and after pictures are astonishing and the knowledge that I will be pounds lighter in the coming months is simply refreshing.

If you wish to visit a site, try www.lapbandtalk.com
You might find it interesting or, you might think it's disgusting. Either/or...it's there and for folks going through the phases, it is helpful and nice to have ideas from others who've been there tried that and give me a head's up.

Not all of it's good. I mixed a bariatric pudding mix yesterday afternoon. Put the first spoonful in my mouth and could NOT SPIT IT out fast enough! I looked around to see if there was an x-ray machine and a technician ready to do an Upper GI!!! Yes, it was that bad. On the other hand, a couple of things are very tolerable and taste kinda like the real deal.

That's all a part of this program. Hide and seek. Seek and find. Find and keep! Also in the past three days the true understanding of 'life changing' has taken hold. I will never eat as I did before, but, I will eat. And, with the band I can still have tastes of all foods. The first six months are the testing grounds and the learning curve!

Those of us who are focused and ready for change will be successful. Others, well.
And, so...a brighter day and it's day #4. I go and see the anesthesiologist and my surgeon this Wednesday. Afterwards, I see my pulmonologist...I will have all the ducks in a row with lead duck quacking the loudest!

As Nike says...JUST DO IT!!!