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Sarah8807's Blog
 

Lapband failure/erosion/removal...etc...

Ok so I was on the Obesity Help website earlier just reading through different blogs and it seems like there are A LOT of blogs on people having to get their lapbands removed because of erosion, slippage, etc...This really scared me...Some of these people were only two years out of surgery and their bands had already eroded (sp?)....One person on there (who has the sleeve) kept talking about what a lousy product lap band and realize band's are....I am not yet banded (surg date oct 5) and I know that these things do happen...but does anyone know of the rate at which this happens? When I asked my surgeon how long lapband will last he said it would outlast me! If that's the case why are so many people having to get their lapbands removed?...    
Sarah8807

Sarah8807

3
ab76307's Blog
 

Pre-Op Date!

They called thursday afternoon and said that my pre-op date has been moved from Oct. 11 to Sept. 27th! That is next Tuesday and that is the day that I will get my actual surgery date! I am getting a little excited!
ab76307

ab76307

2
Journeyseeker's Blog
 

Background on the Journeyseeker

I started looking in to having the lap band about 10 years ago but it was not in Gods plan for me to have it then. I first had an insurance that only paid about 2k towards it. I then had great insurance with another company even had gotten approved. Then due to cut backs I lost my job before I could have it done. A few years later I was contacted by my surgeons office to see if I was still interested in having the lapband done well DUH of course but i let the nurse know that my insurance didnt cover it. well they wanted to talk to me about participating in a clinical trial and they didnt want just me but also my twin sister. Well that fell through when the economy took a nose dive and they canceled it. Well I changed jobs just over a year ago God has blessed me with a wonderful company to work for that has great insurance. well April 15th 2011 I started my 6 month supervised diet and just finished it on the 15th on september. O 9/20/2011 I also completed my nutrition and psyche eval. i faxed the rest of my paper work over to the dr office on 9/21/2011 and was called on the 22nd was told that they have eveything they need for my insurance and that she had already gotten everything together and already submitted it over to my insurance. i am so excited nervous and happy and scared and everything. I cant wait to have this done and start to have a new life. I have a lot of support from my family and actually my twin sister is also in the process of having the lap band she has already gotten her approval call but due to her teaching she is going to have to wait just a little while. I may still have surgery before her.       I am glad you took the time to read this look for more at a later date.
Journeyseeker

Journeyseeker

3
LovetheNewMe's Blog
 

Small Accolades

Today is around 5 weeks since I hurt my knee and had to stop exercising. I must say it has been a very frustrating month. I have been doing therapy 3 times a week, now for 3 weeks and seriously there is little improvement. Not sure what I expected, "I think miracles". I guess my saving grace is that at least this did not happen at the beginning of my journey and I had already made progress. I have managed to maintain my weight loss and have even lost a few pounds. But I so much miss exercising, every time I see someone jogging or walking it makes me sad and makes me realize how much we all take for granted. Lap band surgery has given me back my life, I have so much more energy and has helped me re-build confidence in myself. I never realized how much being overweight had effected all aspects of my life. I wonder sometimes why I needed the lap band and why I could not have wrapped my brain around learning to control my portions myself. It took potential life altering health problems to shake me to reality and do something about my weight gain. The band truly is my friend and makes staying on track so much easier. I have thought many times over the past few months about getting a fill in my band so I would be able to lose weight faster. Patience has never been one of my attributes. I have always wanted instant gratification in what ever I did. I am glad I made the decision to work with the band instead of letting the band do all the work. I still have those days when I get stuck and PB, but they are usually because I fail to follow the rules and that is when I reflect back and realize if the band was not there to stop me I would easily revert back to bad behaviors. I honestly think I have found my "sweet spot" I can eat what I am suppose to eat, I rarely feel hunger, and food is not my main thoughts. I do occasionally splurge and allow myself a treat of a miniature chocolate or 100 calorie snack. The difference is I count these in my total daily calorie count. Yes guys I am one of those OCD people that has to count calories, I realize some think we should not have to do this but, I still do not trust myself, or maybe it is not trust but the fact I know myself and I know how easy it is to say: oh, that little bite won't matter, and a couple of desserts later your pants are too tight. I know a lot of you are still struggling to get to the place where I am. Don't give up on your self, each and everyone of us is work the trials and tribulations that we are going through. Believe in your self, because if you don't believe in yourself you can not expect others to. Don't let small roadblocks or set backs take away your focus. We all have common ground, this is a life journey and not a vacation from food. This is us building confidence in ourselves and learning to trust our selves alone in a room with the "evil" that lives inside. We all have our own demons to fight and all of our journeys are individual, we can't compare ourselves to one another and we all have to hold each other accountable. I am approaching my 1 year anniversary next month and I so wanted to be at goal but I know that I will not be there. But you know what? That's OK. Seriously, it is! I am pleased with my progress and realize that I will get there. So, I guess what I have learned most of late, is I have changed. I have moved from Diane the closet eater to Diane the obsessive calorie counter. I have always read that when you give up one addiction you usually develop a new one, well thank you God my obsession is managing my weight loss. So for all of you out there that are still struggling to reach that place where you are happiest, remember the happiness may not always be found in a number you reach on the scale but a happiness from within yourselves.
♥LovetheNewMe♥

♥LovetheNewMe♥

2
putasleeveonit's Blog
 

My resolve strengthened overnight

For a couple weeks after deciding that I wanted to get the sleeve, I couldn't control my eating. I ate so much! It was ridiculous! I think a lot of it was "last supper syndrome," and also doubt. In the back of my mind, I was hoping for an effortless quick fix. When I read more and learned that I would still have to put in hard work, I think that bothered me also.   I'm finally at peace with the fact that the surgery won't solve all of my problems without effort. I'm now ready and willing to do everything I have to, especially in the first 6 months, to ensure success. I'm also going to meet with a counselor to help me work through the problems that cause me to overeat. I'm not sure which route will be best-- a hypnotherapist or a traditional psychologist?   Now that I'm 2 weeks pre-op, I suddenly am a lot more focused, calm, and able to control my eating. Don't get me wrong. I didn't do it on my own. Yesterday, which was my first day of change, I literally had to pray every few hours just to keep my mind in check. When the "food addiction" thing takes over, no amount of pills or anything can stop me. Prayer is the only thing that works when I'm that out of control. And even then, it's a huge struggle. I can't say with 100% certainty that I'll make it through today without indulging in junk. In the past I've been so sure and then failed. But I will do the best that I can.   Last night I thought about my goals as far as weight loss, and I feel so much better now that my path has been set. Yesterday, I weighed in at 188 pounds. My first mini goal is to get to 145 pounds. That would but me at a BMI of 27.3-- still overweight, but I look good at that weight. Everything I lose after that will be like a bonus. My ultimate goal, however, is 125 pounds.
putasleeveonit

putasleeveonit

1
NikiJ's Blog
 

So far...

so good. Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 8 AM I had my surgery. Before hand, like many of you, I had second thoughts: am I doing the right thing, did I really try hard enough to lose the weight, am I taking the easy way out, am I really ready to give up the food and change my eating lifestyle, etc. Because I had been praying about it for what seems like forever, and my family had been praying I had peace and comfort and forged ahead.   After the procedure naturally I slept like I hadn't slept in years. I mean the good, undisturbed, morphine enduced sleep that I so needed - LOL. Later on that evening, around 11 PM, I was awaken and told "come on, time to walk." I didn't think I would be up to it but it really wasn't that bad. With the next day came another challenge -- liquids. I wasn't given anything to drink in the morning but at 3 PM I was given 6 oz of chicken broth. The first 3 oz went down with ease and suprisingly I didn't feel full but I knew I needed to stop sipping. I had the last of it around 5 PM.   Home a day after surgery - yeah, I though it was a bit early too - it was time to operate in the real world. Time to apply all of the things my doctor had told me, the nutritionist shared with me, and all of the super helpful things I've read from all of your experiences.   Today, I'm sitting here 4 days post-op, getting in roughly 48 oz of liquids a day, in mininal pain and taking it easy. Initially, I said I was going to go back to work after a week but I've decided to go back Oct. 3.   Oh, and as if things couldn't get any better pre-liquid diet I weighed 323.6 pounds. The day of surgery I weighed 311. And as of yesterday when my home health aide/nurse came, I weighed 295!!! Oh happy day!!!
NikiS

NikiS

4
forensicmary's Blog
 

Second thoughts

I have been eating 800 calories and have only lost 5 lbs in 7 days. I started at 220. On Sept 20 I was 218. Preop diet started 2/21. My Sept 24 weight is 213. What if I dont loose 10 pounds before surgery? If my metabolism slows down this much at 800 calories am I really going to lose that much after surgery? I am tracking everything faithfully on Livestrong.com so I know I am not cheating. My protein is 70-120 gm per day. Everything is low carb that I eat.   I am wondering if I should do the vertical sleeve but my surgery is paid for and the date is looming ahead... September 28.   I am drinking the protein shakes without difficulty as they taste fine to me. Just really worried that I will not be successful after surgery or that I will be spending a significant amount of money with very little results.   I guess second thoughts are normal . I am not questioning my motivation to maintain the postop diet but I am wondering how my body is going to respond to it.
forensicmary

forensicmary

2
First Blog
 

Not for chumps...TOUGH but worth it!

Day 9 and counting.....During this preop diet I have realized how much I have relied on food. All week long my boyfriend and I have been going out and he gets to eat anything he wants oh and me I get to look at him enjoy the food. I am learning how to regulate my emotions because I can't eat what he eats. For instance his birthday was on thursday and he wants to go out to eat at lunch and dinner. My mouth starts watering when I look at him eat..ugh. Then today we just came from a wedding rehearsal and they had one of my favorite foods (chinese food). I was asked atleast 4 times would I like something to eat. Don't get me wrong it was very tempting but I did not give in. I know I have to learn now how not to rely on food but understand it will always be around as long as I live and its okay to WALK AWAY! I just wanted to express myself tonight. I hope everyone continuing to drop weight and becoming better people inside and out. Let me know how you are doing.    
DivaD50

DivaD50

6
agmg2011's Blog
 

3 1/2 months progress

I am about 3 1/2 months post-op. I guess I thought that I would have lost more weight by now, but I am happy with the progress I have made. I have lost about 25 pounds since my pre-op appointment with the surgeon. I have had two adjustments to my band which now has 5.5 cc in it. I have been struggling with the same 3-5 pounds for a few weeks now. I knew going into this that I lose weight very slowly. I think that I have just been on so many diets over the past 25 years that my body really resists losing the weight. I guess it's thinking "why bother, she's just going to gain it back anyway". But I am dedicated to this process. I still struggle with what I eat, especially on the weekends. It is definitely getting easier to make good choices though. I exercise 6-7 days per week and that is now a habit. I really feel great each morning after I exercise. I know I have more energy throughout the day and sleep better at night. It's still the food that is my problem. I am improving, like I said, but I often allow myself to eat things that are not that healthy on the weekends because I am feeling deprived. I have got to get over that and instead feel empowered by the process of saying "no" and developing discipline. I have got to stop looking at food as a reward or comfort. I go for my third fill Tuesday, and I really hope it helps me to feel saitsfied on less food. I am ready to start dropping 2 pounds per week. I do feel my clothes are bigger today, and some people are beginning to notice. At least they say they notice, but so far everyone who says that knew about my surgery, so they are really looking for it. I am co-facilitating a Celebrate Recovery step-study class on Sundays. I am hoping that I will really deal with my food issues while helpiing other women with their hurts, addictions, etc. If this process can help someone recover from addiction, divorce, grief, etc. then surely I can recover from my food issues. I have to keep fighting this battle until it is won. I have no other choice!
agmg2011

agmg2011

2
Journey Begins
 

Day 1

I am on day 1 of my pre-op diet. Shakes and bars, shakes and bars and more shakes and bars....I am actually doing ok, But its so amazeing how your mind works when you get something taken away from you, food is my life its my everything and it seems now like wow I will have a lot of time on my hands when you dont revolve your life around food. Its only about 2:30 in the afternoon so i have some time to go before I can say I comepleted day 1 but eh I made it this far I hope and pray the Lord gives me the will power to do this for the rest of my life, to make healthy choices and be the person I have always wanted to be, no more weight is going to hold me back now!!!
Wear your Passion

Wear your Passion

4
Learning to Love me <3
 

Dear Friends

I started a blog here ---> http://learningtoloveme-funygurl.blogspot.com/ you can check up on me there and see how I am doing =) I will still be on here but you can customize that one and it's easier to work with as far as uploading pictures and such!!!!!
funygurl

funygurl

1
adrienneb86's Blog
 

Overwhelmed

So I have finally decided to get the WLS. It will be in January, I am just doing basic steps to get started. But as I started reading other ppls blogs and forums I get nervous and a bit overwhelmed did anyone else feel like this?    
adrienneb86

adrienneb86

3
zanabreana's Blog
 

had my pre-op appointment yesterday

So I go to my pre-op appointment yesterday and everything went well.. Dr. Casillas is Amazing and his staff as well. I was originally scheduled for surgery on the 29th of September and he bumped me up to the 27th of this month which is next Tuesday ..AWESOME!!! I Love it.. Excited now time to go stock up on ISOPURE and vitamins and await my New Journey.....
zanabreana

zanabreana

0
kab's Blog
 

6 days til banding

I am get scared again................ Have seen post of people going why did I do this and can't drink a teaspoon of water and so on. I can't wait for my doctors appt. on Mon to talk about these issues.
kab

kab

3
Yes!! Its alll about me for a change
 

Brused, But Not Broken

I had a very interesting week, my now ex reached out to me on Tuesday. I wasn't sure how I would respond once we did speak. I at first would only give him one word answers and I could tell that he was a little uncomfortable which was the reason why I did it. I am not sure what happened but in the mist of the conversation I had to change the direction. I felt like he may be thinking that I was heart broken and that I was so unhappy and the truth is that is far from the case. I am disappointed that we are no longer together, but not to the point that I need to sit and morn loss of a boyfriend. I am now starting to understand when people say that people enter you life for a season. I believe that he was there to be the support that I needed during my process with my surgery and he gave me great insight to things that I would have possibly took as a negative experience. I am not in the least mad at him and I made sure during the conversation that I let him know just that. I can hold my head up today and say I am proud of who I am becoming. everything is a working progress and I know God has got a blessing with my name on it. Paul told me that he didn't want to end things but he wanted to work out his issues and really be able to be the man that he knows I deserve. I took what he said and to be honest I respected that he was able to acknowledge his issues and not put me through unnecessary drama. I can also say that I will not be waiting around for him to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. I think we someone times put our lives on hold for others and we don't allow ourselves to live life the way we see fit. I truly believe that my life has changed for the better. I feel like I now want to take control over who I want to be and not what everyone else wants me to be.   until tomorrow Msoutlaw  
msoutlaw378

msoutlaw378

1
N2B8R's Blog
 

From: This is IT!!!!

In 3.5 hours the surgery begins. At 7:30 PST I undergo Laparascopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy to enhance, prolong, amplify and SAVE my life. Is there any wonder I have the song "Edge of Glory" by Lady GaGa in my head this morning?   I have my phone, so as soon as I can I'll let y'all know how I am. Wish me luck. See ya on the "Loser's Bench"....   Source: This is IT!!!!
Neoteric Verve

Neoteric Verve

5
Sarah8807's Blog
 

AAAAPPPPPPPRRRRROOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEDDDD!!!!!

I AM ON TOP OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW!!! I got a call from the lady at the weight loss surgical center saying that I am officially approved for surgery through my insurance!!!! SOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!!! I've waited 9 LONG months for this!!! I'm meeting with my surgeon Monday to start doing lab work for surgery!!! Possibly surgery date Oct 5th!
Sarah8807

Sarah8807

5
tlatimo4's Blog
 

Its hard for me to Eat 3 Meals a day!

I am starting to set back in my old ways and it’s only been 5 weeks since the surgery. I really thought I could eat three small meals a day and drink tons of water. I can’t I am trying so hard to force myself to eat a meal every 4 hours. All my adult life I have only cared to eat one large meal and it would mainly be at dinner time or a late lunch. I worked so hard keeping food diaries before the surgery that I knew it would be a piece of cake after the surgery. Well I think I need to start back writing in my food logs just to keep me on an eating schedule. I’m waiting patiently for my first fill. I hope I will become accustom to eating normal soon. I really want to do my best. Just never knew how hard it is to eat healthy. Question: Have you ever used a watch or cell phone as a timer when to eat. How do you remember to eat 3 meals a day with work, children and everything in between.    
tlatimo4

tlatimo4

5
NJGirl32's Blog
 

A bunch of ramblings...

Since my last fill I have been tight. I would say I can manage 1 meal per day (like a lean cuisene or a light lunch). Forget mornings-oatmeal or a protein shake is the only thing I can manage. Also, bread is a big no-no. I can see how people can gain weight being tight because you get really hungry and junk seems to go down just fine (soft serve ice cream, candy, etc.).   I tried sharing a lunch with my one friend who knows about the band. We ate lunch twice and shared the plate-it was AWESOME! It was more than enough-actually both times it almost looked like a full plate. I went out with my hubby and the same thing, we ordered 1 meal and shared it. I had 1/4 of it and he ate the rest. From now on that's what I plan on doing even if I have to pay a sharing the plate fee!   People at work are starting to notice the weight loss. My daughter told me I looked skinny in my yoga pants and my hubby even called me skinny mini! At 212 I am not skinny, but it sure beats this time last year when I was 258! My next goal is Onederland-I just can't wait!! I have been a slow loser with the band, but as long as I am losing I am not complaining!   I haven't exercised in a month-very bad and I plan to get back to it ASAP. I have pain in my left side under my ribcage and I am starting to think it may be something other than a pulled muscle (maybe a hernia?). The doc told me to come back tomorrow if it didn't get better-well it's not better so I will be seeing her.   No fills for me this month-never thought I would ever get to a point that I would skip a fill opportunity!!
NJGirl32

NJGirl32

0
Dr. Georgescu's Blog
 

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Us?     At the Center of Surgical Specialists, P.C., every person is treated as a unique individual. In collaboration with North Suburban Medical Center, our Denver Obesity Surgery program started in 2006. Since the inception of our program, we strive for continued excellence and pride ourselves in the uniqueness of our obesity surgery program.     Dr. Georgescu has over 20 years experience in abdominal surgeries and unlike many bariatric programs, Dr. Georgescu continues to perform complex surgeries throughout the Denver Metro area. This brings an exclusive perspective to the program because he is able to help patients if they encounter other problems both during and after surgery. This is just one of the many reasons that make our program unique.     Many patients are surprised to learn that as a patient, you will receive one on one care with Dr. Georgescu. He is involved in all aspects of your journey from pre-op to post-op visits, pre-op to post-op education and is the only one who performs Lap-Band fills. Since we do not use physician assistants or nurses in our practice, this means that we do not see as many patients as most doctors but you will receive Dr. Georgescu’s full attention.     Denver Obesity Surgery works with North Suburban Medical Center which is a community based hospital. They have a skilled team of physicians, nurses, therapists, technologists, pharmacists, residents, dieticians and support staff to ensure that you receive the highest standard of care and comfort during your stay.     Along with a dedicated surgeon and staff, we have a dietician that sees patients in our office. Having this available to our patients provides good and close communication with Dr. Georgescu in the event that there is an issue that needs to be dealt with quickly and efficiently with any concerns before and after surgery.     As a result of our individualized care, we have great patient outcomes in our program. We provide a more efficient system, extensive pre-op and education so that we select the best patients for surgery. Our goal is to help you succeed with your new tool for weight loss.   Visit our website to learn more about bariatric surgery and LapBand: http://www.denverobesitysurgery.com    
Dr.Georgescu

Dr.Georgescu

0
icuingme2's blog
 

my dream was so close and now looks as though

it may have been just that.....a dream.   I am 8 days with no food only liquid for what was supposed to be my pre op diet. I had my appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning for all my test at the hospital for surgery for next Friday.   Then I received a phone call from Robin this morning at the hospital. (well let me take a step back) I was told a few weeks ago that I needed to pay 20% of the cost per my insurance. I asked, "okay, so do I need the full amount by the time of surgery?" (which I figured to be about $2000.00) I was told your surgeon is covered 100% and the hospital will bill you. Well..I still figured I would need to have something so just in case I had about $600. THIS IS NOT THE CASE....which takes us back to the current problem. Robin called to tell me this morning that I need to have $2189.63 BY TOMORROW. :eek: :angry_smile:   HOW CAN THIS BE? I can't even begin to tell you where my frame of mind is right now. I am on the biggest emotional roller coaster I have ever been on. One second I have fighting tears, the next I am fine, then I am so mad I want to punch someone, then it's full on tears...How could I be so close to my life long dream and have it in my hands and then snatched away so quickly. If they had told me this when I asked maybe I would have been able to do something....but telling me the day before leaves me with no options....leaves me with nothing and heartbroken.   My mind is spinning with trying to figure something out.........after not eating for 8 days I have the urge to go and splurge but I am fighting it   PLEASE GOD.....HELP me figure something out. :crying:
arnetta

arnetta

16

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