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pamela3782

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pamela3782    17

pamela3782
Posted

Hi all! My name is Pam and I am a 29 year old married woman. I don't have any children yet but eventually plan to.

So I just want to tell everyone a little bit about my story. I have always been on the heavier side. Even as a child I was the "chubby kid" . My mother passed away when I was 11 and my weight went up like crazy. I went on a diet when I was in 9th grade and lost a lot of weight. I was down to about 160 (from 230) and felt really good but as soon as I wasn't under the watchful eye of my family I ate what I want, when I wanted, and how much I wanted.

Over the course of the next 15 years or so my weight got completely out of control. Stress, depression, loss of family and friends, and a complicated marriage all took a toll on me. My weight got up to 393lbs. I am 5' 4" so you can imagine how it looks. Luckily I have had my wake up call.......

Back in January a very important person in my life had gotten sick. It turned out that due to his weight his body turned toxic on him and he was about 2 days away from dying. He is now getting the care that he needs and is on his way to recovery but it set off a spark in me. I decided that I am tired of the life I am living and the only person that can change it is me.

On March 2nd I went to my first appointment with a bariatric surgeon (Dr. Richard Pucci in Suffern/Goshen NY). He gave me a list of things that I need to do (blood work, see a nutritionist, get a psychological evaluation, and get cardiology clearance just to name a few). By March 9th I had everything done. They told me it would take a while for my insurance company to approve or deny me. On March 15th all of my records were submitted to the insurance company. I got a phone call on March 18th from my doctor saying that I was approved!

I went to the doctors today (March 22) and set my date to get the lap band. My surgery will take place on April 15, 2011.

I am so grateful for the way things have played out. Although I would never in a million years want this person to go through what he has again I can’t help but be thankful that he did. If not for him I would not be so quick to make this change in my life. I really hope that this will help me turn over a new leaf and make me the person that I want to be. I plan on becoming an inspirational person doing either motivational speaking or counseling of some sort. This may just be my niche.

I appreciate the support that I have gotten thus far and look forward to the support in the future because lord knows I’m going to need it. It is going to be a long journey but it is one that I can’t wait to take. I am really glad that I have found this web site as well. Hoping to make some great friends along the way. I'm an open book so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

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bellarn09    1

bellarn09
Posted

Hi Pam, my name is Christina. I am also 29 and having my lapband on April 15th. I am so excited and would love to keep in touch. Are you doing the preop diet now? I am surprised that it isn't as hard as I thought. I am new to the forum and no sure how to get around very well but you can email me at christinarussian09@gmail.com. congrats on making the steps to a healthier you!

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TKW    501

TKW
Posted

Hi Pam, here's wishing you a Wonderful Journey! Good Luck to you!

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pamela3782    17

pamela3782
Posted

Hi Pam, my name is Christina. I am also 29 and having my lapband on April 15th. I am so excited and would love to keep in touch. Are you doing the preop diet now? I am surprised that it isn't as hard as I thought. I am new to the forum and no sure how to get around very well but you can email me at christinarussian09@gmail.com. congrats on making the steps to a healthier you!

Congrats to you as well. I am not on a specified pre-op diet however they did ask me to lose between 10-25 lbs before my surgery date. I have lost 12 already so I am in the clear but I'm going to see if I can lose more before I go. I'm brand new to the site myself but feel free to email me as well. singsnaplove@gmail.com :D

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mybrownidgrl    0

mybrownidgrl
Posted

Pam and Christina i feel like i have so much in common with both of you ! I'm 28 so right around the same age and my surgery date is 4/13/2011 so same time as you both ! I hope everything works out for the best. Christina i was tempted to email you but i thought you would think who is this lady?:unsure: lol anyways good luck with everything !

Jennifer

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pamela3782    17

pamela3782
Posted

Pam and Christina i feel like i have so much in common with both of you ! I'm 28 so right around the same age and my surgery date is 4/13/2011 so same time as you both ! I hope everything works out for the best. Christina i was tempted to email you but i thought you would think who is this lady?:unsure: lol anyways good luck with everything !

Jennifer

Well welcome to the wagon Jennifer :) I wish you the best of luck with everything and please feel free to message me any time. Please keep me posted on your progress.

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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