lessofm3

All my life I was overweight. As a child I was plump, as a teen I was chubby, and as an adult I was morbidly obese. Each year that passed I gained more and more weight. I have tried every diet under the sun. Weight watchers (several times), Atkins (lost 60 pounds) as soon as I stopped Atkins I gained 60+ back, Cabbage soup diet (can no longer stand the smell of cabbage), South Beach diet (became expensive), Fat busters diet with Ian Smith (almost killed me due to starvation), and amphetimenes (prescribed by a doctor) fainted constantly with them and the final straw was when I passed out and suffered a concusion. I know of many people who have had bariatric surgery and have seen their success. Finally after not being able to take the excessive weight and the co-morbidities that came along with it ie. high blood pressure, osteoarthritis in my knees, and border line diabetes I decided I needed to do something about my obesity. I talked to my PCP to ask what she thought about bariatric surgery, more specifically the lapband. My PCP supported my decision 100% and gave me the name of two different clinics that specialized in weight loss surgery. I contacted both of them one I was VERY impressed with the other left litte to be desired. I say that because in my experience the receptionist is the first person one comes in contact with and if that is not a good experience it bases my decision on whether I will continue business with them or not. Picture a gum snapping woman taking your information, and continually saying "yeah", "yeah", "yeah" after each bit of information I gave her. Not very professional. Ok enough about that, the clinic I chose I set up my information seminar. My DH and I went to the first available seminar and was given a folder with forms and information booklets. The coordinator of the program was there to explain what both the band and bypass involved and was there to answer any questions we had. After that the dietician talked to us to give us and example of what a typical diet would consist of with either surgery. One of the three surgeons available spoke to us and explained how the procedure is performed. After leaving the seminar I felt very well informed and felt very confident in my choice. The day after attending the seminar I got right on the ball and contacted my insurance company to see if this surgery would be covered. Turns out it was as long as I was 100+ overweight, and had a BMI of at least 40. I would be responsible for what was left of my deductable and once that was met, I would have to pay 10% of what the procedure is not to exceed $1,000 out of pocket. I contaced my doctors to obtain my medical records which would document that I have been overweight for 5 or more years. I needed to have documentation of any weight loss programs I have tried. I set up my psych eval and got right in. I also needed a letter from my PCP. Upon completion of all that, the coordinator of the program contacted my insurance company with all my documentation now it was a waiting game. The insurance company came back with an approval. I needed to meet with the surgeon to go over any other questions I had, I had to have a test done that involved me blowing into a bag to measure something from my stomach (I can't remember what it was now). The nurse came in to talk to me and set up my surgery date. My original surgery date was for May 29, 2009. I had to turn that down due to being on vacation at that time. The next date I was given was August 10, 2009. I took that one since that would work perfectly with vacations at work. So here I am all set and ready to go........Once I let my boss know when my surgery would be it turned out August 10th wouldn't work out. I was so disappointed thinking I would have to wait beyond August 10th. I called my surgeons nurse to tell her I could not have surgery on the 10th of August. She told me there is an opening on June 15th. I asked my boss, and was able to get that time off!!!!!!! So here I am with a little less than a month before surgery. On June 9th I had to go back to the clinic to have more tests run. My upper GI (have never had one before and hopes to never have one again). Chest X-rays, and to talk to the dietician and coordinator one last time before surgery. One June 5th I had to start my liquid diet to shrink my liver. I thought it would be difficult to go on just liquids but it really wasn't. I think it was because I was so looking forward to having the surgery that I didn't want to do anything that would thwart me getting it done. Before I knew it June 15th was here! I had to wake up EXTREMELY early to make it to the hospital for my surgery (I live over an hour from the hospital). The surgery went off without a hitch, and I was released that same day. I could have stayed if I wanted to but the surgeon checked me out and told me everything looked good and I could either stay over night or go on home. Before I left the diectician came to talk to me to give me the run down on what I am to eat once I am home. I chose home, however, my DH and I stayed in a hotel near the hospital just in case there were any complications. I went back to my surgeon on July 16th for my first fill. I didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous, however everything went just fine except they gave me ANOTHER upper GI. I had to drink that nasty barium once again to make see how things were after the fill. So far no problems! I guess the fill was perfect as I have not yet thrown up or felt uncomfortable after eating. One thing I didn't do was ask how much was put into my band, but I have made a note to myself to ask when I go back August 21st. I have been banded now for 2 1/2 months and have lost a total now of 42 pounds! I have dropped 4 pant sizes and couldn't be happier that I made this life altering decisions. I would highly recommend this procedure to anyone who is thinking about having weight loss surgery. I think for me what is MOST amazing is that I can survive on the amount of food I am eating now, I DON'T need HUGE portions to live. And that I am making much healthier food choces, something I have never done (obviously) before. So there you have it; my story.....I am sure I rambled on more than I should have but I'm just so excited with my new life!