Hi again blog-followers! I was holding off writing until I had something to tell you, as this is still quite an interim stage in the lap band journey. Anyway, thought I'd best say something, or else you might think that I was sitting in a corner somewhere gobbling hot chips and cream cakes!

Today is exactly 4 weeks since surgery, and I am 10 kg. lighter. None of that weight loss can be attributed to the band as yet, and was mostly due to the fluid stage, and the mushy stage, and the fact that small portions are advised.

The lap band is on, but not as yet tightened. This means that at the moment, as long as I chew well, I can eat most anything (maybe not steak, bread, cake, etc.). Just little portions for now, and for ever. The band will be tightened 6 weeks after surgery, giving it a chance now to adhere to the stomach and settle into position.

Below I have added a drawing of where the band is in relation to my stomach, and it gives you an idea of what a small stomach I will have, and why small portions are imperative. It will take food a little while to get through to the big stomach, and I will feel full very quickly, as you can imagine. And chewing well is important so that nothing gets stuck.

When I get the band tightened, it will happen via a port under the skin of my stomach, attached to a tube running to the lapband. The surgeon injects a saline solution via the port, not too much at first, and there will be no doubt a few adjustments will be needed until it feels right for me. They can also take some saline out to open the band up a bit if required.

Anyway, that is enough technical information, and not much more to report, except that I am feeling really great, my left knee pain has completely disappeared, and I am actually picking stuff up off the floor myself! My bike riding has increased, and it's great to get out and about on the bike. I even cycle down for groceries now, instead of taking the car!

So, I'll be off now, and hope everyone is feeling well and not too grossed out by the pictures. At least I didn't photograph my scars and bruises for you!

Bye, until after the tightening!! Ruth

Whoopee! Sloppy food!

Hello again! Wow, how time does fly, and here it is now 10 days post op. I am going along pretty well now, having finished the liquids only stage, and onto the sloppy food thing. Yayyy! Never thought I would be so happy to have "anything that you would give a 6-month old baby!" Here I am with my first porridge this morning. It was so delicious I took my time eating it. A teaspoon has become my favourite food tool.

Now it's mashed and sloppy food, but at least it is food! I so longed for something to actually chew, that a couple of days ago I overdosed on some sugarless chewy mint lollies, which had quite an affect on the lower part of my innards! I won't go into that, but I won't do it again!

The scars are healing up quite well, and I can now feel the little button thing under the skin where the Dr. in a few weeks' time will insert a needle and inject saline into the band, making it smaller. This will be the stage where I will only be able to eat the equivalent of half a glass per meal, and I will have to chew it for the time it takes to sing one verse of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" for each mouthful, so that nothing gets stuck. What fun!!

So really, am now at a kind of levelling off stage, AFTER HAVING LOST 9 KG!! I probably won't lose any more weight until after the band is tightened, but I am still learning the skills I will need to deal with all that- don't drink with meals, in fact, never have liquids with food; don't have fizzy drinks; take at least 20 minutes to eat a meal; keep taking vitamins and fibre; and definitely DON'T overdo the sugarless sweets!!

Peter is going really well with the Tai Chi classes, and to his credit, he has prepared his own dinners for the last 3 weeks. His crowning glory was some lovely shepherd's pies which he made from scratch, and he reckoned they tasted good too!
You will have to turn sideways to see his delicious pies, as I can't figure out how to rotate the picture. If anyone knows, please tell me!!

ALL HIS OWN WORK!

Anyway, that's enough to bore you with for now. It is just wonderful to be having some food with a bit of chew to it, it really makes you appreciate being out of the liquid stage. Next Friday I will be able to go for our pub dinner and actually have a bit of fish. What a treat that will be. Oh yes, and I can have smoked salmon now, as it is pretty mushy. Having said that, I wouldn't waste it on a 6 month old child! No way!

So, I'll write again when there is more to tell. I hope you are keeping well and warm. xx