julieplunk

I am currently on medicaid awaiting an answer as to whether or not I am going to get disability. I am 27 yrs old. I am married and I have a 10 yr old daughter. I currently weigh 379 lbs and I am 5"0" . I have been diagnosed with morbid obesity, CHF , sleep apnea , gall bladder disease, and I am on 3 liters of oxygen. I am currently under the care of the care of my primary care physician and he suggested the lap band precedure for long term weight loss... I feel that without this surgery I will be cheated out of a normal life .. I am desperate .. please help....

As I have reached yet another milestone , I have discovered a whole new life and a new person. It has been almost a year and half since I began this journey and I have been able to accept change as a part of my daily life. I have accepted the fact that I have an addiction to food and this is something that I am going to have to work on for the rest of my life . I feel like I have taken this time and I have grown within myself. With all the sucess from my weight loss , I have gained a certain amount of respect for life in general as it has shown me that you shouldn't take it for granted as you never know what tomorrow will bring . One week ago , I went in to have my EGD done and to my amazement , I had a dilation. For the first time since I was banded , I had a complication. For the moment , I saw myself as that 476 lb person again , and I knew then that I had to regain control of myself . I had become comfortable with the person that I had become and almost forgot where I had been before . After removing half of the fluid in my band , I was back on liquids and told that it was up to me to correct this problem .. How unfair is that I thought . For so o long I have been dependent on the "band" to control my addiction and this is not the right way to think or to even live .. Even as a banded person , we still have to control ourselves. We are in control of our destiny and we are in control of the ending result .. With that being said , I have regained control , and reached another milestone . This week I stepped into 100 nder land at 197lbs in which I haven't been there since I was a kid , which gives me yet another insight to what the future holds for me .. today , tomorrow and always .. For all of you that have taken the first steps towards the rest of your lives , I wish you all the best .. and for those of you who are where I am today .. I want to say that I have very proud of all that you have accompished and I encourage you to keep up the good work !! ~~MUAHZ ~~ Julie

As I have reached yet another milestone , I have discovered a whole new life and a new person. It has been almost a year and half since I began this journey and I have been able to accept change as a part of my daily life. I have accepted the fact that I have an addiction to food and this is something that I am going to have to work on for the rest of my life . I feel like I have taken this time and I have grown within myself. With all the sucess from my weight loss , I have gained a certain amount of respect for life in general as it has shown me that you shouldn't take it for granted as you never know what tomorrow will bring . One week ago , I went in to have my EGD done and to my amazement , I had a dilation. For the first time since I was banded , I had a complication. For the moment , I saw myself as that 476 lb person again , and I knew then that I had to regain control of myself . I had become comfortable with the person that I had become and almost forgot where I had been before . After removing half of the fluid in my band , I was back on liquids and told that it was up to me to correct this problem .. How unfair is that I thought . For so o long I have been dependent on the "band" to control my addiction and this is not the right way to think or to even live .. Even as a banded person , we still have to control ourselves. We are in control of our destiny and we are in control of the ending result .. With that being said , I have regained control , and reached another milestone . This week I stepped into 100 nder land at 197lbs in which I haven't been there since I was a kid , which gives me yet another insight to what the future holds for me .. today , tomorrow and always .. For all of you that have taken the first steps towards the rest of your lives , I wish you all the best .. and for those of you who are where I am today .. I want to say that I have very proud of all that you have accompished and I encourage you to keep up the good work !! ~~MUAHZ ~~ Julie

Thanks for all the info.. I think I will try to make the next meeting on the 25th of Jan. I will call the office and get more info. I know I am kinda at a stand still as well .. or should I say I don't feel like I am not losing fast enough.. I am having a real hard time physcologically at this point. I have lost 186 lbs to date and I am only 100 pounds away from my target weight .. this is where things get difficult I am learning .. time for some outside help for me I think .. tell your wife I will be a good support person . if she needs it .. I know it gets frustrating at times but you just have to keep your mind focused and you will succeed.. I hope to meet some of you there .. keep me posted on any new info and I will do the same .. Have a very Merry Christmas !!

WOW !! It has been a long time since I was here and soo much has happen in my ever changing life. It has been almost 1yr since I was banded and I have lost a whole person. I am not only 100 lbs away from my goal weight of 135 lbs and I am more excited now then I was when this journey began for me, I am starting to see a new person.. A thin person, a beautiful person ... someone that I knew existed somewhere beneath all the FAT !! I have since returned to the corp. world and I have started a new life .. I have eliminated the old me and started fresh in more ways then one. This journey has not been easy , and I still struggle with addiction but I am stronger now then I think I have ever been and it is a great feeling... Having the lapband surgery has given me a second chance at a great life .. What was only a dream has turned into reality and I love living everyday ... Good luck to all you newbies and to the ones who are just beginning there journey .. I wish you all the best !! Until we meet here again ! Take Care and God Bless ! Julie ..

I knew about the meetings at Medical City but I wasn't sure about the times and dates .. thanks for the info .. I think I will start trying to make the meetings .. I feel like it will be of great benefit to me at this point in my weight loss journey ..

Hi ! My name is Julie and I was also banded by Dr. Jay. I was banded 01/19/2006 . I have lost 186 lbs to date but I am starting to really struggle w/ food addiction.. I am finding myself eating things I know I shouldn't but I have started excerising .. I would like to start coming to the support groups but I don't know where they are and who meets where .. I live in Dallas not too far from Medical City .. Does anyone know where and when the support groups meet ??

I was also banded by Dr , Jay ! He is awesome and I would highly reccomend that you go to one of his seminars. They are very informational and informative. I was banded January 19, 2006 and I have lost 186 lbs to date.. It is by far the best decision that I have ever made. Dr. Jay takes the time to listen to your concerns and he makes sure that you are given the time you deserve when meeting with him before your surgery. I recently had to have my band unfilled and he came to the ER personally and saw me .. that says something about his bed side manner I think .. he takes good care of his patients.. I hope my input has helped .. Good Luck ! Julie

WOW !! It has been a long time since I was here and soo much has happen in my ever changing life. It has been almost 1yr since I was banded and I have lost a whole person. I am not only 100 lbs away from my goal weight of 135 lbs and I am more excited now then I was when this journey began for me, I am starting to see a new person.. A thin person, a beautiful person ... someone that I knew existed somewhere beneath all the FAT !! I have since returned to the corp. world and I have started a new life .. I have eliminated the old me and started fresh in more ways then one. This journey has not been easy , and I still struggle with addiction but I am stronger now then I think I have ever been and it is a great feeling... Having the lapband surgery has given me a second chance at a great life .. What was only a dream has turned into reality and I love living everyday ... Good luck to all you newbies and to the ones who are just beginning there journey .. I wish you all the best !! Until we meet here again ! Take Care and God Bless ! Julie ..

oops I spelled his name wrong it is Jayaseelan .. sorry

Dr . Jayasleen in Dallas takes medicaid .. his website is www.texaslapbandcenter.com I believe .. His phone number is 972-566-2263 ... He is awesome !

I was banded by Dr. Jay on January 19, 2006 and I must say that I would highly recommed him because he was very thorough and he answered all my questions. His office staff is wonderful and they have to been banded so they can relate to what we go through as we experience this ourselves.. I got right in and didn't have any problems with insurance as a matter of fact medicaid paid for my lapband and all I have to pay is the 2000.00 program fee and I am paying that out until I can get financing so Dr. Jay' s office is there for you and to help you start a new life ... I think he is the best and I would highly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about having this surgery ..

I got my first fill today and it was a piece of cake.. all I felt was a small stick and it was over.. the hard part is being on liquids for a week.. I am starving but I feel full .. How long does this last ...

Hello Everyone ! Just wanted tp check in and let everyone know that my surgery was a great success. Dr. Jay and his wonderful staff have been soo supportive and helpful. I am very sore and still adjusting to the band and eating very little but I think I am doing as well as to be expected. I have already lost 9 pounds and I am excited.. I am looking forward to a wonderful road to recovery and would highly recomend this surgery for anyone who is looking for a new way of life..

Hello Everyone ! Sounds like we are all on the same path to recovery here. I too am eating everything and it is scaring the crap out of me.. I am down 25 lbs and holding .. first fill on the 11th of March.. I can't wait.. How much difference is there after your first fill? Are you back to square 1 with your liquids ? I can't wait I am ready .. I am glad that everyone is doing well .. I now know that I am normal because I am experiencing all the same aches and pains and issues that everyone else here is.. It feels good to know that I am not alone.. thanks everyone ! Keep up the good work !

Hi Julie , How did your visit go ? I go back to see Dr, Jay on the 8th for my two week check up.. I had real food today for the first time and I did good but I ate too much to fast and felt miserable afterwards.. I am hungry all the time it seems and I am feeling less and less restriction.. I am wondering if he will do my first fill early .. my incisions are healing beautifully . I still have tenderness where my port is but I hear that is to be expected. I have resumed all activites and I have more energy now then I have had in a long time and it feels great.. I will have to try that chocolate pudding .... keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same .. Have a good day and keep in touch ..

Darlene, I know exactly what you are going through because I think we are in the same time frame... tomorrow I will be 14 days post op and I am having trouble maintaining my food consumption.. I too am still eating too much to fast and making myself miserable everytime.. I have graduated from solid liquids to mushy solids and I had real food today and did ok.. I just over did it.. I have lost 15 pounds and I am now at a stand still. I haven't been doing the protien drinks like I should.. I think I am going to try that this week and see if it helps to surpress my appetite. I am having trouble with dehydration also .. I have to remind myself to drink drink drink.. Where do you do the deep Water aqua classes and what exactly is that ? Well I need to jump off here and get to bed ... Have a good day tomorrow and keep in touch ..

I have graduated from liquids to mushy solids now and I am soo excited !! I can finially taste real food again. It has been almost two weeks now and I think I am ready for a fill. I am hungry and I can eat more then I feel like I should be able to now. The port is still sore but other then that I am pain free. I have lost 15 pounds since I was banded and I am soo excited to see what the future holds for me. I have more energy now then I have had in a long time and this is great. I cleaned my house and did laundry for the first time in a long time and it feels great to live again .. Dr. Jay is truly and Angel sent from Heaven and for him I will forever be grateful.. Good Day to all ...

I have graduated from liquids to mushy solids now and I am soo excited !! I can finially taste real food again. It has been almost two weeks now and I think I am ready for a fill. I am hungry and I can eat more then I feel like I should be able to now. The port is still sore but other then that I am pain free. I have lost 15 pounds since I was banded and I am soo excited to see what the future holds for me. I have more energy now then I have had in a long time and this is great. I cleaned my house and did laundry for the first time in a long time and it feels great to live again .. Dr. Jay is truly and Angel sent from Heaven and for him I will forever be grateful.. Good Day to all ...

I have updated my ticker and I am checking to see if it looks right .. lol

Darlene, I know exactly what you are going through because I am going through it also.. it is very scary for me as well but I just have to stay focused on what my ultimate goal is... sometimes it is ok to take short cuts but don't make it your way of life. you need to try to remember that since your stomach is smaller now that you need to eat more frequently so that your body is still getting nutrients just as it would if you were eating three regular meals a day. I am still having a hard time with this myself because I was just like you.. always on the go and fast food is my favorite .. not anymore.... lol About the ithcing... I talked to Brandi at Dr. Jay's office and she said to get some hydrocortizone cream or Benadryl become sometimes it could be a reaction to the steri strips.. I am itchin' too .. a hot shower seems to help me.. I think it is part of the healing process as well though because all my strips are off .. Well I need to run, I have to get my daughter ready for school.. Keep in touch . Have a great day !

DiDi, I am soo glad to hear that everything went well. I have kinda been out of the loop for a few days and I am just checking in. I am now 13 days post op and I have lost 15 pounds now but I think I have platoed.. I weighed this morning and I am still the same weight I was three days ago... I am on mushy solids now and it feels soo good to be able to eat again. I will go back and see Dr. Jay on the 8th and talk about my first fill. I think I am going to try to get it early so that I don't end up gaining any weight.. This has been harder physicoligically then anything but each day gets a little easier.. I am very determined and this is what keeps me going.. I hope all is well with you and I can't wait to hear from you.. Have a Great Day !

Diane , Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I know you will do great.. just remember that you on your way to a new life and the rewards are much greater then the regrets.. Go into it with a positive attitude and you will come out shining like a star .. Keep us posted on your progress .. we will be rooting for you ..

Shawn, thank you soo much .. I feel that I get the support I need from this website and I am thankful to be a part.. Each day gets a little better I think and as time goes by I hope this new way of life becomes second nature.. I have faith and I know I can do this .. I am determined ..