WHAT?!? Swollen Band!!!

Here's my update...

Haven't had a fill or unfill since Dec 2010....

Then this last month I have been struggling a bit at night. About once a week I would wake up with fluid in my throat. Which makes me cough and there was a slight stomach acid to it all. It was smaller then my past aspiration experience. (smaller amount of fluid almost burp like amount)

I wasn't sure what to do about it. I made sure to quit eating at dinner time (6pm-ish) and give myself a few hours before bed. And that seemed to help. But then it would happen again when the only thing I had put in my body was water and when I hadn't eaten food for over 4 hours. I know how dangerous aspiration is but I figured I could just avoid having an un fill by sleeping most nights propped up with pillows and cutting off all food and liquids at least 3 hours before bed.

That only worked about 90 percent of the time. It was just so dang unpredictable. UGH!

Well, this weekend we went camping and it was horrible. I wasn't eating poorly, so it wasn't because I was abusing my band... but for what ever reason I was aspirating multiple times at night. Last night I ate my last meal at 8pm and drank little to no water the rest of the evening. Went to bed at 1:30am and woke up at 4:18, 5:30, 6:00 and 7:15... 3 of those times I was propped up in a sitting position. So in a nutshell I was aspirating on my saliva. WHAT THE ****!

By morning I was scared and I called and made an appt for an unfill. I was prepared to take all the fluid out. I kept thinking of my sweet boys and how it would totally suck if I died because I was to stubborn/scared of weight gain to go get a unfill.

Sigh.

Luckily, I seem to not be any worse for the wear and I have had 1cc taken out. I asked "How come a band that is perfect for months can suddenly be so tight?" I was told that it just happens.... sigh. I guess when I got banded I thought once I was in the green zone it would just stay there. But I am learning that is not the case. I am  beginning to understand that in order to be a responsible band owner I will be maintaining "it" for the rest of my life.

But I am so grateful for the new life it has given me that it will be worth the cost of the multiple DR appts a year. I better just start adding in the cost of my band maintenance into the family budget. It is what it is.I think I was just in denial for the last month. (and I HATE spending money on things I "think" I can fix myself)

On a side note: I went blonde!!! I guess you can say that my weight loss has empowered me and I am doing things now that I would have never done before. I tried out for my 1st play and actually got a part. In August I will be performing as a vain stepsister in a production of INTO THE WOODS. How crazy is that!

 These are not the best photos but this is me in one of my on stage costumes. I seriously am only wearing this outfit in 2 of the scenes. How nuts is that!!!! I am a bit concerned about the skin under my arms waving to the audience but I guess I can just try to keep my upper arms close to my body. Well, wish my luck on that one... let's just hope you can't notice from the floor. I seriously would have never been brave enough to do this at 313 lbs.

And here I am with my blonde hair. My hubby likes it... so maybe it will stay around for a while. I dunno. Personally I am a brunette so I haven't completely takin to it.



Well... I'm off to bed.  I am WAY nervous that I will have another horrible night. Hoping that 1 cc was enough of a un fill. The DR made it sound like it would be. Last night really, really freaked me out.

Night.