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Blog 87296
 

a little about me...

Hi Guys... So I'm totally new at this blogging thing.. so I apologize if it reads funny. I'll get the hang of it one day. So just to give you a little background. I am 32, mother of two. I have been battleing my weight since I was about 10, with lots of losses and more gains. I finally decided to do the Lap Band, because I am at a witts end with this battle. Originally I was scheduled for my surgery on April 20th, however I started to feel a little sick a few days before, lots of trembling and super super cold.. but no fever. I thought as long as I didn't have a fever, I was safe for my surgery. Well to my luck the night before, after going to bed with 5 blankets and still cold, I woke up at 1am and had 102.7 fever. At that time I called the doctor and he postponed my surgery, he said most likely I had an infection, Oh boy did I... I had the worst bladder / UTI infection I have ever had, and to top it off I had diverticulitis, which is also an infection but in the intestins :w00t:. I had both things going on at once... thank God my surgery was postponed, I can't imagine feeling as sick as I did on top of a surgery. Well now I am scheduled for May 11th.. cross my fingers it will happen this time :biggrin:. Feel free to contact me any time or to add me on as friends. I am looking foward to new friendships that will develop along with support for a mutual surgery that will tie us together. I wish everyone the best of luck!! Take care Chrissy:wub:
venegirl1

venegirl1

5
Blog 90848
 

Offically first day of 6 month diet

Well today I had my first visit with my pcp for my six month diet. Went better than expected. My goal is to lose 2 pounds a week. Hopefully this will prepare me for my life changing experience. Did anyone have to lose wieght before insurnace approved you? I am a little worried if I lose to much weight my insurance will deny me. Please if anyone has already gone through this process I would love for you to share your story. Thanks
dld

dld

5
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

15 weeks

Tomorrow will be 13 weeks post surgery. Wow...time certainly does fly. Yet, in some ways it feels that it was much longer ago. 15 weeks ago I started my pre op diet. For 15 weeks I have been making more healthy choices than unhealthy choices. I honestly can't remember a time when I was that dedicated to anything non-work related for that long.   Today the anticipation of weighing actually got me out of bed. It is kind of funny, but true. I lost 3.2 lbs. last week which is good, but being that it was a fill week, it wasn't outstanding. Plus, Saturday morning I was down a pound from that and subsequently gained it back over the weekend. Yesterday, I did eat 1800 calories which is high for me. My metobolic test showed that I should be able to eat 2200 calories per day with no exercise and maintain. So, although I ate 1800 calories, I worked out for 65 minutes (25 elliptical & 40 Jazzercise). SO...I just knew that pound was going to be gone. I kind of hoped that there would be more, but I'm not greedy, that one pound would be sufficient.   You all know what is coming here...a great big fat ZERO. That's right, nothing. Nada. Zip. ::deep breath:: My body does this and I know better. But darn it if it doesn't get me riled up. I know it's okay though. I know that I need to continue to follow the rules and it will work out.   All of this got me thinking...15 weeks. I've been doing this for 15 weeks. Yes, I have frustrating mornings like I had this morning, but I also know that it will work itself out. I am working hard by working out. I am working hard (for me) by not eating heavy foods and sweets ALL THE TIME. But I'm not working so hard that I can't continue. That's why I have been able to do this for 15 weeks.   Another reason I have been able to do this is that I can't not. There have been a few days in there where I just wanted a big fat cheeseburger...but I can't eat a big fat cheeseburger. It is just not possible. Flat out...my tastes are changing. I have found that I don't even like French fries anymore because I have to chew them so much they don't taste good anymore. It's been 15 weeks and I'm doing well. The band isn't making me exercise, but I am. The band isn't making me order the grilled chicken instead of the fried, but I am (most of the time.) And most importantly, the band doesn't comfort me in the way that food used to, but I'm not letting it get me down.   This is MY journey. MY life. MY band. I can't live exactly as anyone else and they can't live exactly like me. I'm owning this 15 weeks of positive life change. It is MINE!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

4
Blog 90972
 

Help me understand

I have been having a problem swallowing even before getting fills. I was wondering if this is normal. I can understand if the food does not go through the small hole in the stomach, but the food seems to get stuck at the top of my throat and I have to drink water to get it down and it hurts like hell. Is this normal? Does anyone else have this problem. I have had my band for a year.:biggrin:
Phyllis Herron

Phyllis Herron

2
Blog 88031
 

My morning text from the wife.....

My wife walks into work today and first thing she hears is a co-workers 28 yr old brother passed away last night. Cause was Obesity. His body gave up. First he couldnt breathe and then his liver stopped working. Had a job where he didnt have insurance to cover any type of procedure to help with his weight.   Its interesting that my Dr. told me yesterday that I am doing so well on my own, I may want to re-consider....not that he didnt want to do the surgery, just my focus and weight loss was going so well, I could think about this.....Well, I get this text and think back of dealing with my weight for last 15 years. Im sure I can do this on my own, but I know it wont last....So Im moving forward with this. No going back for me now. Tired of being heavy. Going to change my life now.
Dblex

Dblex

2
Blog 82799
 

Ugh. Her Again?! 4/26/10

Last Wednesday (the 21st) I called St. Francis & spoke with Karen. I asked her to cancel my endoscopy that was scheduled for 4/28 and the follow-up a week later.   She said she'd do that.   I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling that it would be taken care of though. That feeling kept nagging at me so by the time Sunday rolled around I decided to call & leave a message to confirm the cancellations.   I said "I'm calling to confirm that two of my appointments have been canceled. My name is... My phone number is... I spoke with Karen on April 21st about canceling my endoscopy on 4/28 and the follow-up on 5/5. I haven't had the best results when speaking with her so I wanted to double check to make sure the cancellation was made."   I'm passive-aggressive like that :w00t:   Bright & early at 9:30 this mornin' Karen called to say that she did cancel my appointments.   Hmmm...   So, as I was on my way to a consultation with my new surgeon today, I got a call. I normally don't talk while driving, but considering the phone prefix I thought it was probably something about one of my many appointments.   Sho'nuff. It was a lady from St. Francis Patient Registration who wanted to get me squared away for an endoscopy appt on Wednesday. Huh? I told her that I'd spoken with Karen at the weight loss center & she was supposed to have canceled the appts. The lady was nice, but I sure felt like a dummy. Thanks Karen!   I turned off my phone when I was at my consultation.   I checked my phone when I got home...someone from Patient Registration called & left a message while it was off! That was about two hours after the first call.   I had barely come inside the house & taken off my shoes when I got ANOTHER call from Patient Registration! I told this lady the same thing as I said before - that I spoke with Karen *twice* about canceling my appointments. She was really nice about it. She apologized & said she'd note it in the file so they don't keep calling.   Oy vey! :biggrin:
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 82799
 

I *puffy heart* Dr. Neal! 4/26/10

I had a consultation with Dr. Neal at Pacific Surgical today. Yay! He has a skeleton crew at the Bremerton office, so the lady with all the nitty gritty details will call me tomorrow to go over everything.   He answered all of my questions & looked over my new patient form as we talked. He was super nice!   After my brief experience with the way Dr. Oh does things, I was relieved to hear the amount of pre-op work that Dr. Neal wants.   He told me that most patients do a full liquid diet for the two weeks prior to surgery to shrink their liver.   After he examined my abs he said that I didn't need to do the liquid diet! Since my upper abs aren't as fatty & flabby as the lower ones, I can skip it. Yay!   Other than that, I'll need to see a nutritionist (I saw the names/locations on their site) and the typical bloodwork that everyone does right before any surgery.   The whole appointment was smooth & quick. The office is small, but clean and modern/new. I was there for maybe 40 minutes total (I arrived a little early). There was one patient with the doctor when I got there & two others came in for fills, but that was it. I like it when it's not crowded!   The receptionist took the forms I printed off their site & filled out. She also weighed me before the doctor saw me. Once I saw him we chatted for a few minutes then he had me go to another room where I could lay back on an exam table so he could check my abs. He also had me take deep breaths & listened w/ his scope.   We went back to the room we started in to wrap things up. He had the receptionist call the Olympia office to see what time Michelle would be able to call me tomorrow to go over the details.   That was it. Ahhhh. Yep, this feels right. I feel much more sure of my decision than I did when I visited Dr. Oh's office.   If I had to come up with a "con" or negative thing for today's visit, it would be that the available parking stunk. Next time I won't even pull into the driveway, I'll just park on the street.   If that's the worst part of the experience, sign me up! :biggrin:
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 62174
 

hello everyone

hello everyone:smile: well i was banded in january 29 2009 in june 25 i found out i was 3 months pregnant :w00t: i was surprised cuz i wasnt planning on having a baby that soon i had only lost 35 lbs evrything went fine with the baby he was born jan 22 2010 had to have a c section cuz he was a big baby 10lbs8oz. 2 weeks later i went in to get a fill and a week later got another but im feeling fustruated cuz im not loosing weight i i have some restriction but im still hungry i can still eat a full meal if i eat slowly and i hate that. i dont know what to do i been thinking about gastric bypass but im not sure if its to soon. or should i just give the band a few more months to see if i can get back to loosing im just so fustruated and a little down on my self i dont know what to do.please help by the way while pregnant i gain 45 lbs but lost it all 3 weeks after having the baby.but know im stuck im not loosing weight um up 2 lbs one week then down 2 the next and thats it but other than that im still stuck:frown::biggrin:
Ale

Ale

1
Blog 85162
 

I REALLY Can't Believe this.....

I really can not believe this.....Things have been gong ok and I've been getting some swimming in...but I woke up. went to bathroom and weighed....I'm at 310!!! 40 POUNDS GONE!!!! I haven't even had a fill yet....Wonder what it will be like with restriction???/ I am so very excited and proud of myself. This has not been easy at all....but it has been so worth it. To think I have lost 40 pounds since March 20th 2010 is amazing. I think someone in Heaven is rooting for me....( my dad ) I feel very fortunate to be able to have this band and the willingness to be patient with myself....I used to lose patience and just give up. Now, I am enjoying the journey....the good, bad, and ugly...Weight loss, no matter how you achieve it, is a journey. I am getting some sense of self confidence, I think. Even though I am still in the 300's, I don't think I will be there too much longer.... Loving Me,:biggrin:
Megg40

Megg40

3
Blog 89674
 

Need help making the decision

Hi my name is Andrea. I am considering having the Lap- Band surgery through BeLite in TJ Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez. I have not been able to speak with any of the refferals I was given. I really want to get this surgery. Mexico is a good choice for me, for many reasons.However I really need to hear from someone who has been to INT Hospital or know of Dr. Rodriguez. I would really appreciate any kind of feed back.   Thank you
AndreaKoontz

AndreaKoontz

3
Blog 75574
 

Misery comes in THREES!

We are sad this evening as we lost my husbands father at 4:40 PM. He was 88 years old and had a long and very interesting life, lots of children and grandchildren and we feel he is in a better place. As we struggle with this tonight, I realized that when I stress, I can NOT swallow food very well so it is harder for me to get any nutrients in. So tomorrow I will go to liquids until I calm down and relax. The LapBand life if one we learn and live on a day to day basis. May not get to be on here for a few days, so please send up a prayer or two for our family! Thanks to my Lapband friends!:biggrin:
janetsjourneytoslim

janetsjourneytoslim

8
Blog 75113
 

Day one liquids

So here it is...the moment of truth!! I am officially on the liquid diet. I have had one chocolate shake(optifast)and 8oz of water. I am working an overnight shift tonight 7p-7a...so this shall be interesting. In the past I would have just ate everything in site in order to stay awake and happy! Now, i will sip my water and quietly contemplate going for a walk away from my desk every now and again. I am excited to start the process. I have been meeting with nutrionist, and dr's, and having a bunch of testing done to get to this point. So it actually has been a 4 month long process of getting to the point of cracking open my first yummy liquid diet drink. Went through my closet today after watching an episode of hoarders. That show just motivates me to clean!! Anyway, I found so many clothes that I use to wear and it was encouraging. You forget how small you use to be once you have been overweight for awhile! I found a size 12 pants. I can't even begin to believe I was once a size 12.I guess those will be my goal jeans. I am a size 22 now. I also planned a cruise for my mothers 50th birthday. That will be the end of november. I am excitd to think of what I may be wearing on that cruise!! Maybe a pair of shorts...or dare I say it...a BATHING SUIT!!!!!:biggrin:
izaiahsmommy

izaiahsmommy

1
Blog 90427
 

Journey Classes

I just got the prescription orders from my surgeon's office for my blood work on June 3rd and my PCP's release for my surgery on June 8th. I will have to take some classes called Journey 1 and 2. Has anyone taken these classes? Since I am self-pay, I do not need a psych eval, but will meet with a nutritionist. I am not a veggie person, so I am a little nervous about what they will say I have to eat post-surgery. Any suggestions from any of you who are veggie-phobes like me?
Bklynike

Bklynike

2
Blog 88031
 

Last Dr. Visit pre-op

So my Journey started in November of 09 and I really didnt try hard during the holidays....But alot has changed. Finding out the facts of surgery and the truth behind the pre-op really made me focus. It is now 8 days out from my surgery and Im down 23 lbs, and still going down. Dr. Griffin was really proud of me and told me if I was hungry and "needed" to eat, do so but healthy. I understood what he meant. So my registrastion is complete, blood work, EKG and X-rays done. Im ready. 8 more days to focus on my diet, then the life changing event. Anyone who says this is the easy way out is out of their mind! This is truely the hardest diciplined thing I have ever had to do. No food and liquids only! And I never cheated. Amazing what a little prayer will do! :biggrin:
Dblex

Dblex

3
Blog 91035
 

Discouraged...

I was banded on Feb 10, 2010. My weight loss has slowed way down. I have lost over 30 lbs. I am still not eating a whole lot, but no budge. Any suggestions? I have only had two fills.:biggrin:
CRISTYOWEN

CRISTYOWEN

2
Blog 88949
 

rant, scared, sad

So today was my first day setting up a date and possible flights to get surgery in mexico! I WAS excited.. My mom was all supportive, but maybe we are just uneducated about this sort of thing.. OR maybe my nurse is paranoid? HELP   I started to cry when i was talking to her, because all i want is to be skinny and wear what i want, when i want and of course go swimming!   She said WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER! mmmm yaaa i have a lot of people i could do it with, its the fact that its all going to come back and i have no faith anymore.. Weight watchers, jenny craig, curves, regualr gym, home gym, dog, energy pills, weight loss pills, protein shakes, protein bars, smaller portions, more fruit, bought bikes, lean cuisines... the list goes on... I have tried every last one of these...   It doesnt help that the bf wont try to eat healthier... he doesnt neeeed to.. lame   Hey! So I just talked to my nurse at work and she thinks im absolutely insane for even thinking about going to mexico... She asked if I ever thought about getting aids, hepatitis, not being able to get back to canada if they messed up and i became terribly ill.. She asked if the doctor was accredited and if i ever wondered why it was so much cheaper to do it there rather than canada..   I dont know, it seems like everyone I tell has a way to tell me its a horrible idea.. Help meee lol
pk3207

pk3207

3
Blog 90848
 

6 month diet

Starting 6 month diet tomorrow. I sure do hope it goes by fast. However, I am commited to doing whatever it takes to get approved by my insurance. If there is anyone who has b een through this process arleady I would appreicate any words of advice. WIsh me luck.:biggrin:
dld

dld

1
Blog 90232
 

Liquid Diet

Well on day three of the pre-op diet and I have to say it is not as bad as I thought it would be. Tomorrow, I go for CBC, BMP, CXR, UGI and EKG. Ready to get past the surgery and on to the weight loss! I can tell I have lost weight already but I am NOT going not going to weigh again until surgery day!:biggrin:
s.smith

s.smith

4
Joy Joy's Journal
 

Surgical and non-surgical treatment of morbid obesity is not a covered benefit?

When I had my LB I was covered 100% medicaid. Since then I have went for over a year w/o any insurance. I currently have new insurance with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa. I have a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Period which ends 10/26/2010 . It also states that "Surgical and non-surgical treatment of morbid obesity is not a covered benefit." Do I have a chance of being covered? Im a little freaked out that I may never be able to have my band check or get filled/unfilled. I spoke with Heidi at Siver Cross Joliet. She is going to check for me to see if the insurance will pay. When I checked they told me no. But like I say "never take a no from someone that cant give you a yes". :biggrin:
Joy Joy

Joy Joy

4
Blog 65467
 

April 26, 2010

Today will be short blog. I keep thinking of what foods I really love....maybe have a couple of things since I have 20 days til sx and I can't think of a thing....If Iwas not trying, I'd be eating something..what is wrong with me????hahahaha:tongue_smilie:
Havens

Havens

1
Blog 85448
 

Yet Another Failure?

It's been over a month since I've seen any weight loss. I remain at 241 regardless of how much or how little I eat. I'm still hungry an hour or so after eating and can only hold out for so long. Prior to deciding to go with gastric banding, I reach a peak weight of 283. I was able to get down to 253 on my own, but the only time I was able to get lower was when I couldn't eat for several weeks due to a severe sinus/ear infection. It feels like it's happening again - I've reached a set point and my body is not going to let go. I guess this harkens back to the severely restricted momma mandated diets of my youth. I'm seeing my NUT today - hopefully she'll have some insight. Guess I should've gone for the GB after all.:biggrin:
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

3
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Final week of my self-imposed 8 week Jumpstart!

I have to say that the 8 week exercise program I committed to has been great. Althought, I hit a little snag last week. I had to cancel my Wednesday appointment with my trainer because I was feeling weak from my Tuesday fill. Then my trainer canceled our Friday appointment because of an issue on his side. Big bummer. The only organized exercise I got last week was 90 minues of walking. That doesn't come close to the 45 minutes per day I have been averaging. That's okay though. The way I see it, last week was a week that left me full of excuses and I still got in 3- 30 minute workouts. In the past, I would have done nothing AND I would have just stopped. Not this time!! Today I plan to Jazzzercise to start my week.   I had a couple of NSVs this weekend. First, a guy told me I was pretty. I'm not going to qualify that with anything. A guy told me I was pretty and I'm quite sure he meant it. Yay! Also, on the flight to our destination this weekend, I told my friend that the last time I was on a flight the seatbelt didn't fit. The belts on the plane we were on were kind of long so she was shocked, but I told her that not all seatbelts are the same. I had plenty of room. However, on the flight back, I quickly saw that this plane had short seatbelts like I had encountered before. This time it fit! There was a older gentleman across the aisle from me who was having touble. He and his wife couldn't figure out what was wrong with his seatbelt. I knew that they were short and probably just didn't fit. The flight attendant came by shortly with an extender. I heard him and his wife talking about how they couldn't believe it didn't fit and what they were going to do about it. I couldn't have been more sympathetic. It was nice to know that in the four months since my last plane ride, I had made a big (no pun intended) enough change to truly make a difference.   While I was writing this blog entry, something happened that makes me realize how much my life has changed. Today I was scheduled to meet a friend for lunch. She sent me an email and postponed. Shortly after, another friend that I work out with on Thursday's emailed me and told me that her boss had scheduled lunch with her during our next work out so she was planning to work out today. I brought work out clothes for Jazzercise after work, but usually if I work out at lunch & after work, I bring two sets of clothes (I sweat A LOT.) I decided that after last week, I need to make some extra effort. So, I'm going to work out at lunch AND Jazzercise today. I just have to find something to use for a towel. :biggrin: Don't get me wrong, I know this isn't anything earth shattering. But I'm just so proud of myself for being flexible instead of letting myself make excuses. That hasn't always been my M.O.   I have my eye on the prize. This weekend marks the end of the month and it would be SUPER if I could have a 10 pound loss this month. To do that, I need to lose 2 pounds this week. I will let you all know how it goes!!   I hope you all have a wonderful week!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

5
Blog 90512
 

Surgery date moved up!

Ok....being the Virgo that I am...I was too impatient and have moved up the surgery date to May14....woohoo! So no changes to my pre-op diet. I will have two weeks for that and then surgery time! I'm so excited and nervous.
Rubio5

Rubio5

3

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