Hello HollEwud Bootycampers,
Let me tell you. Yours truly Stephanie HollEwud, tried something new out. Lapband! For those of you who do not know what that is, its when they take a silicone tube and tie it around the upper half of your stomach to shrink your belly so you do not consume large amount of foods. I am now allowed to eat 1oz of food or liquid every 20 minutes for the next 2 weeks, with pureed proteins included, greek yogurt, low-fat ricotta cheese, and clear liquids. In two weeks I will be able to add solid foods, which is extremely exciting. So, thats just a little bit about that. Let me tell you about the whole process.
Starting on May 22nd, I had to be on a shake diet. The first 7 days entailed me drinking 4 shakes called optifast, and one small meal a day. That small meal was to include 4oz of protein, a mixed green salad with fat free dressing, and a side of vegetables. Starting May 29th, I had to be on a full shake diet. 5 optifast shakes a day..NO FOOD...until surgery which was June 5th. Let me tell you, it was hell. I shook, cried, cursed and occasionally cheated with a handful of walnuts, because there were times I would get headaches and just couldn't take it anymore! Within those 2 weeks of formula diet and going to the gym I lost 22lbs! In two weeks! I know its craziness!
These shakes lead up to weight loss surgery lapband day! Going into the Operating Room, I was nervous as all hell. Let me tell you I was just about crapping my pants. I am not even exaggerating. All I remember, is climbing on top of that cold operating table, them hooking an IV into me and saying "Okay Steph! The anesthesia is coming through, count to 10 and you'll be out." Let me tell you I sped count to 10 and kept saying, "I AM NOT OUT YET, IM NOT OUT YET, IM NOT OUT YET..." After surgery, my surgeon told me I apparently said in a delusional manner..."HOLY SHIT THIS SHIT IS CRAZY...ZZZZZZZ" and knocked right out after I said those words. Which, I promise you, I do not remember. Haha. The surgery consisted of 5 small incisions around my belly, including one inside my belly button :)
I think its beautiful artwork :) I earned my tiger stripes and 5 incisions :)
SO! COMPLICATIONS: during the surgery, the surgeons fell upon some complications. I had a hiatal hernia during the operation. This means, my stomach slid up into a hole in my esophagus and they had to shove my stomach back into its position, stitch up the whole, mesh it shut then continue with my banding. In which they inflate my stomach with carbon dioxide so that they can move around, lift my liver, wrap the band on, and then seuter it to my muscles...than they add the port which is burried in muscle under my belly button. The port allows the doctor to add or take out fluids to increase or decrease the tightness of the band, controlling my intake of food. Which, is an amazing and brilliant invention. So, since my surgery a week ago, I have lost a total of 27.4lbs which is REALLY EXCITING! and obviously extremely encouraging about how this is going to go.
Unfortunately, after the surgery, they only kept me in the hospital overnight. Which, wasn't long enough for me. After I left, I was struggling severely with pain, nausea, constipation (sorry) and dehydration. I was in the hospital tuesday and wednesday for the surgery and overnight, and wound up back in the ER of Danbury Hospital for almost 8 hours on Saturday leading into Sunday. Saturday night came, I was unresponsive, couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, and was convulsing & shaking uncontrollably. I begged my mom to take me to the ER by hand gesturing, crying and moaning. We got to Danbury ER, and they took me in immediately. My heart rate had dropped to 40, I was freezing, shaking and just a mess. I was so scared. I couldn't speak. Approximately a half hour later I was under control with some Atavan, IV fluids and Dilaudid pain medication. They did a CT Scan, Xray etc. Everything came back fine. They did not admit me there, because my surgery was not done there. So they did a direct admission to Stamford Hospital on Sunday.
When I got to Stamford Hospital (where I work), I just felt so relaxed. My surgeon knew of my troubles and was going to come in Monday to see me because he knew I was going to be Admitted, however, he came in on his day off to check on me for 5 minutes and talk to me. I love and applaud Doctor Daniel Davis. He is an extremely intelligent, trust worthy and just over all great guy. He made me completely comfortable, happy and at ease about this whole process. If anyone ever considered weight loss surgery, I URGE you to meet with him. He makes the whole process like a piece of cake ;) NOT LITERALLY BECAUSE YOU CANT HAVE CARBS! :)
ANYWAYS, I ended up staying in the hospital til Tuesday afternoon and got discharged today. Thank God, those beds hurt your back and I was going completely stir crazy and bored as all hell doing nothing all day. But, they drugged me frequently and I slept 90% of my day away.
On a serious note, let me tell you. I have no regrets. The pain and suffering I went through was worth it. I have already made encouraging process, and I am excited about what my future holds. My father would be very proud of me.
I would like to say a very special thank you to my gorgeous and wonderful mother and also my dear friend Rachel Sack who have both stood by me AT THE HOSPITAL the entire time. Everyday through all of this. Rachel slept over the night of my surgery at my house, and then she dedicated herself to taking care of me and slept at the hospital the night after my surgery and stayed with me the entire text day feeding me jello and chicken broth from 1 oz cups! haha. My mother, stood by my side the whole time, transported me, took care of me and really helped me at the hospital and at home. The two of them are wonderful women and I love them truly madly deeply :)
SPECIAL THANKS:
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO ALSO THANK MY GRANDPARENTS BUNNY AND STEPHEN KOZMA FOR VISITING SEVERAL TIMES AT THE HOSPITAL AND SUPPORTING ME THOROUGHLY THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS. THEY ARE MY ROCK WHEN I AM UNSTEADY AND I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR THEM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK GRACE CARPENTER (HUBINA) FOR SURPRISING ME AT THE HOSPITAL WITH A CUTE BALLOON, RACHEL WESELOWSKI AND CHARLIE BRYANT MY GOOD FRIENDS FOR VISITING WITH A HYSTERICAL CARD, MY SISTER JESSICA EWUD WITH GORGEOUS FLOWERS AND A BEAUTIFUL BALOON, MY BROTHER JORDAN EWUD, COUSIN CALEB CONNOR, AND MY DEAR FRIEND MEG BIELER WHO VISITED ME AND BROUGHT ME LEROY MY FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL PUPPY WHO I LOVE AND ADORE. HES SOOO CUTE!
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK BRIAN AND CHRIS EDGE FOR SENDING ME A GORGEOUS FLOWER ARRANGEMENT TO MY HOME, THEY MADE MY DAY AND PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE.
ALSO TO ELIZABETH SACK FOR DRIVING ME TO THE HOSPITAL FRIDAY WHEN I WAS IN SERIOUS PAIN AND NEEDED TO GO TO THE DOCTORS.
AMANDA JWEINAT AND AUNT ROBIN FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
MY SISTER RACHAEL AND FUTURE BROTHER IN LAW RICH MUNKWITZ FOR CHECKING IN ON ME AND SUPPORTING ME FROM FLORIDA.
ABBEY ZACHOS FOR COMING TO MY HOUSE THE DAY I GOT OUT OF SURGERY AND BRINGING ME AN AMAZING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT.
DANIELLE COLE FOR SITTING AND TALKING WITH ME ASSURING ME ALL MY SYMPTOMS WERE NORMAL AND CALMING ME DOWN.
and a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE 3 SOUTH NURSES WHO VISITED ME, MARYANN, THESSA, KIM, ERIN, AMY, KAITLIN, BRIONNA, AND MELISSA.
AND A THANK YOU THE 2 SOUTH NURSES AND CA'S WHO KICKED ASS AND GAVE ME EXCEPTIONAL CARE. DOCTOR BENDL WAS AN AMAZING SURGEON ALONG WITH DOCTOR DAVIS.
AND EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTED ME ON FACEBOOK, I THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU ALL MADE THIS POSSIBLE. IF I FORGOT TO MENTION ANYBODY PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN EDIT AND PUT YOU IN HERE :) I LOVE YOU ALL! MWAH!
A few more battle wounds from shots and IV'S
I think its beautiful artwork :) I earned my tiger stripes and 5 incisions :)
SO! COMPLICATIONS: during the surgery, the surgeons fell upon some complications. I had a hiatal hernia during the operation. This means, my stomach slid up into a hole in my esophagus and they had to shove my stomach back into its position, stitch up the whole, mesh it shut then continue with my banding. In which they inflate my stomach with carbon dioxide so that they can move around, lift my liver, wrap the band on, and then seuter it to my muscles...than they add the port which is burried in muscle under my belly button. The port allows the doctor to add or take out fluids to increase or decrease the tightness of the band, controlling my intake of food. Which, is an amazing and brilliant invention. So, since my surgery a week ago, I have lost a total of 27.4lbs which is REALLY EXCITING! and obviously extremely encouraging about how this is going to go.
Unfortunately, after the surgery, they only kept me in the hospital overnight. Which, wasn't long enough for me. After I left, I was struggling severely with pain, nausea, constipation (sorry) and dehydration. I was in the hospital tuesday and wednesday for the surgery and overnight, and wound up back in the ER of Danbury Hospital for almost 8 hours on Saturday leading into Sunday. Saturday night came, I was unresponsive, couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, and was convulsing & shaking uncontrollably. I begged my mom to take me to the ER by hand gesturing, crying and moaning. We got to Danbury ER, and they took me in immediately. My heart rate had dropped to 40, I was freezing, shaking and just a mess. I was so scared. I couldn't speak. Approximately a half hour later I was under control with some Atavan, IV fluids and Dilaudid pain medication. They did a CT Scan, Xray etc. Everything came back fine. They did not admit me there, because my surgery was not done there. So they did a direct admission to Stamford Hospital on Sunday.
When I got to Stamford Hospital (where I work), I just felt so relaxed. My surgeon knew of my troubles and was going to come in Monday to see me because he knew I was going to be Admitted, however, he came in on his day off to check on me for 5 minutes and talk to me. I love and applaud Doctor Daniel Davis. He is an extremely intelligent, trust worthy and just over all great guy. He made me completely comfortable, happy and at ease about this whole process. If anyone ever considered weight loss surgery, I URGE you to meet with him. He makes the whole process like a piece of cake ;) NOT LITERALLY BECAUSE YOU CANT HAVE CARBS! :)
ANYWAYS, I ended up staying in the hospital til Tuesday afternoon and got discharged today. Thank God, those beds hurt your back and I was going completely stir crazy and bored as all hell doing nothing all day. But, they drugged me frequently and I slept 90% of my day away.
On a serious note, let me tell you. I have no regrets. The pain and suffering I went through was worth it. I have already made encouraging process, and I am excited about what my future holds. My father would be very proud of me.
I would like to say a very special thank you to my gorgeous and wonderful mother and also my dear friend Rachel Sack who have both stood by me AT THE HOSPITAL the entire time. Everyday through all of this. Rachel slept over the night of my surgery at my house, and then she dedicated herself to taking care of me and slept at the hospital the night after my surgery and stayed with me the entire text day feeding me jello and chicken broth from 1 oz cups! haha. My mother, stood by my side the whole time, transported me, took care of me and really helped me at the hospital and at home. The two of them are wonderful women and I love them truly madly deeply :)
SPECIAL THANKS:
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO ALSO THANK MY GRANDPARENTS BUNNY AND STEPHEN KOZMA FOR VISITING SEVERAL TIMES AT THE HOSPITAL AND SUPPORTING ME THOROUGHLY THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS. THEY ARE MY ROCK WHEN I AM UNSTEADY AND I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR THEM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK GRACE CARPENTER (HUBINA) FOR SURPRISING ME AT THE HOSPITAL WITH A CUTE BALLOON, RACHEL WESELOWSKI AND CHARLIE BRYANT MY GOOD FRIENDS FOR VISITING WITH A HYSTERICAL CARD, MY SISTER JESSICA EWUD WITH GORGEOUS FLOWERS AND A BEAUTIFUL BALOON, MY BROTHER JORDAN EWUD, COUSIN CALEB CONNOR, AND MY DEAR FRIEND MEG BIELER WHO VISITED ME AND BROUGHT ME LEROY MY FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL PUPPY WHO I LOVE AND ADORE. HES SOOO CUTE!
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK BRIAN AND CHRIS EDGE FOR SENDING ME A GORGEOUS FLOWER ARRANGEMENT TO MY HOME, THEY MADE MY DAY AND PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE.
ALSO TO ELIZABETH SACK FOR DRIVING ME TO THE HOSPITAL FRIDAY WHEN I WAS IN SERIOUS PAIN AND NEEDED TO GO TO THE DOCTORS.
AMANDA JWEINAT AND AUNT ROBIN FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
MY SISTER RACHAEL AND FUTURE BROTHER IN LAW RICH MUNKWITZ FOR CHECKING IN ON ME AND SUPPORTING ME FROM FLORIDA.
ABBEY ZACHOS FOR COMING TO MY HOUSE THE DAY I GOT OUT OF SURGERY AND BRINGING ME AN AMAZING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT.
DANIELLE COLE FOR SITTING AND TALKING WITH ME ASSURING ME ALL MY SYMPTOMS WERE NORMAL AND CALMING ME DOWN.
and a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE 3 SOUTH NURSES WHO VISITED ME, MARYANN, THESSA, KIM, ERIN, AMY, KAITLIN, BRIONNA, AND MELISSA.
AND A THANK YOU THE 2 SOUTH NURSES AND CA'S WHO KICKED ASS AND GAVE ME EXCEPTIONAL CARE. DOCTOR BENDL WAS AN AMAZING SURGEON ALONG WITH DOCTOR DAVIS.
AND EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTED ME ON FACEBOOK, I THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU ALL MADE THIS POSSIBLE. IF I FORGOT TO MENTION ANYBODY PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN EDIT AND PUT YOU IN HERE :) I LOVE YOU ALL! MWAH!
A few more battle wounds from shots and IV'S
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