Sunday, 27 June 2010

I'M BANDED!

I am back in the UK from Belgium, sporting a brand new band! The experience wasn't anything like I thought it would be, but my husband got off work Friday and was able to be there before I went into surgery, so that made things a LOT better. I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I feel like my stomach is gurgling and churning and burning like crazy. They discharged me from the hospital Saturday morning, but I ended up having to go back because I was throwing up my water and pain medicine. I'm still somewhat worried. Did anyone else experience this at first? The port area is a little sore, but it's nothing compared to what is happening inside my body.

Thursday, 24 June 2010

Overwhelmed

Thank you all SO much for all the comments and following my blog!! I just got to Belgium (by myself) and got online and was totally FLOORED by all the sweet, encouraging comments. I may or may not have cried a little. I didn't even think anyone was reading this. I'm definitely scared about tomorrow, but all of you reassuring me gives me the confidence that this will be okay. I am grateful.

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Hi!

Hi! I'm Christine. I'm 24. I live in the states, but I am currently in London, traveling to Brussels tomorrow and getting banded on Friday. Oh my god seriously just typing that make me want to throw up. I am crazy nervous.

I'm going abroad because I couldn't qualify for the surgery in the U.S.. I weigh around 200 lbs (I haven't been able to weigh myself in a few weeks due to traveling) and my BMI is 34 so I'm self pay. My wonderful, amazing, supportive husband is between his second and third year in law school and got an internship with a law firm for the summer that includes 3 weeks in their London office. I'd been researching weight loss surgery for a while and after reading some of your blogs and lap band talk I got the courage to book my surgery with Dr. Christian De Bruyne in Belgium during the time we would be in London. I'm going by myself tomorrow and he'll be there Friday evening after work. With my surgery less than two days away I'm scared to death and thinking, "What the hell did I do?" I know I can handle the post-op challenges and following the rules, but I am mostly just scared that I'm going to die. I've researched and read books and papers and statistics and I know that it is not likely, but my stomach is still in knots.

I'm not quite ready to post before pictures; just looking at them makes me cringe. I will after surgery. Wish me luck!