I’m due for a poking

No, not that!

My insurance situation has been cleared up and I’m seeing my doctor to adjust my band. I won’t be cut open. After the area is numbed, my abdomen will be pierced by a needle into the titanium and silicone port that lies beneath the skin and saline will be added. This causes the band to swell and tighten under the pouch above my stomach. This makes the opening between the pouch and stomach smaller and will slow the rate of food passing through it. I’ll be satisfied with less food—at least that’s the plan. For the first few days, I’ll be on clear liquids, then mushy food a couple of days, then the real thing. Wish someone made protein pinot noir.

I don’t mind the needle, because the lidocaine means I don’t feel anything. Plus, I had three amniocentesis procedures during my pregnancy, one without any anesthetic, which felt like the Alaska pipeline going through me, so this doesn’t scare me. The only discomfort comes during the actual adjustment. The band is tightened until I can’t swallow water, and then loosened until the water goes down.

My challenge will be going without coffee first thing in the morning, then making the 30-mile drive to the doctor’s office. Nothing by mouth after 5 a.m., and I’m not getting up that early. If only someone made caffeine patches.

My immediate goal is to lose the 11 or so pounds to make my total loss 100 pounds. The band-tightening will help, and if I’d ever get my life in gear enough to get to the gym, that goal will be easier to reach.

See you next time.