Ghosting No More

[Sojourner 2,446]

I have been "ghosting" on this forum for over a year, and just recently became a member. I am finally scheduled to attend my pre-op appointment on 2/15, with banding date of 2/24!

My journey to this point was beset by unanticipated life events which created delays. If there had not been any serious medical issues, I would have been banded in April, 2011. In October 2010 I began the insurance required mandatory 6 month supervised diet with my primary care physician. On 12/31/2010 during a routine colonoscopy a benign (thank Heaven) tumor was discovered in my colon, which needed to be removed. I was advised that my banding might have to be delayed, as you have to recover for 3 months before any additional procedure will be approved. Within 2 weeks of the discovery of my tumor, my husband received a cancer diagnosis, requiring surgery. He required a 4 month healing post biopsy before his surgery, so my colon surgery had to be delayed to assist my husband with his recovery. My colon surgery was finally scheduled for the last week of April, 2011. On April 6, 2011 I was hit broadside by a drunk driver who ran a red light, and left seriously injured with multiple fractures, forcing the cancelation of the colon surgery. I was finally able to complete the colon surgery last July, and there were complications, and another delay in the banding. Finally, in November 2011, the colon surgeon released me to be able to move forward with the lap band. My pcp wrote his letter to the insurance company the same month, and surgery was approved with the first letter!

I began the Phase I diet later than I should have, but it was the holiday season, my son was moving to Germany as a medical officer for the military, and there was a family cruise scheduled for the first week in January. I was frantic when I was notified by the surgeon's office that I would need to weigh under 227 at the pre-op appointment; I had gained 5 lbs!

I have spent the last 3 weeks diligently following the Phase I diet. I am thankful that my fractures have healed to the point allowing me to walk for exercise again. Yesterday, I finally was 219, and hope that I will be down another pound by next week, giving me a few pounds leeway in the event that my scale differs from the one at the doctor's office.

During my unplanned 7 month long rehabilitation, one of the ways I stayed motivated to continue on the journey towards the lap band surgery was to read about all of the success stories posted on this forum...I am both happy and a bit aprehensive about the procedure. I view my banding as an opportunity to regain some of the health which has deteriorated with my excess weight. I hope that I will not become a Type II diabetic, as my A1C was eelevated to 6.8 at one time, and maybe my blood pressure and arthritis will be better controlled.

So, that is my journey to this point. I guess sheer will and determination, along with this forum have kept me focused on the "prize" of feeling and looking better. I hope that I will be able to assist others as you have assisted me!

I do have a QUESTION! How do you create your "time line" or progress ticker on your posts? I know that this tool will become a way for me to keep my focus as I make the needed adjustments to life post op!

Thank you all!

[elcee 3,340]

Whoa.

That is a lot of bad luck for 1 person. I hope that is the end of it.

Welcome and all the best on your lapband journey

[Short and Chunky 230]

jaccaro - wow, have you been through a lot. lband is going to be a cakewalk for you after all you have been through. Best wishes as you continue your journey. Hope you and your husband will once again enjoy good health. Keep us posted.....

Melinda in Florida

[CallMeStacy 7]

I am glad you are healing well and getting ready to be banded ... I want to offer up a little advise however: Order the book Bandwagon by Jean McMillan, it's $19.99on Amazon.com. It is helping me through my journey and I know it will help you as well. You can also look for Jean here on this site and friend her, she is very sweet and willing to answer any questions that may come up ... I have been telling everyone that will listen about this book lol

To get a weight ticker just click on the one below and follow the steps ... Add it by copy and paste it to your signature in your setup page. I know that sounds kind of confusing but it took me a few days to figure it out on my own LOL ... (do not use the html one though,it doesn't work on this forum)

Good luck to you in your journey =0)

[shy2012 43]

I too was what I call a creeper for a long time and finally set up an account....SO many great people on here that are awesome motivators and much needed through this journey. I think we both made the best decision to become a par tof the LBT community! Im excited and Im sure you will be fine. Stay positive and continue to push forward to your goals...Youve been thru a lot and let nothing stop you now! Congrats in advance to you success!

[Sojourner 2,446]

Thank you all for your good wishes, encouragement and advice! I found the "ticker, I just need to figure out how to get it on my posts...

Well, today, I attended an appointment with my PCP. My weight was 225, and the nurse congratulated me for loosing 7 pounds since January 17. I needed to ask for a different form of several of my meds, those which cannot be crushed. The weight and the new prescriptions were the easy parts. The difficult part is the asthma...

I have had a recurrence of my long dormant asthma, most likely due to excessive pollen everywhere. We have not had any significant rainfall here in weeks. Bottom line, though the PCP released me for the surgery, he feels that it would be too much risk for anesthesia now. He changed my meds to treat the asthma more aggressively, and I have to have pulmonary functioning tests done tomorrow to rule out any underlying conditions. I was nearly in tears...please not yet another delay. I hope and pray that this will clear up in time for the 24th.

Thanks also for the book suggestion...I will purchase it, another good tool to keep in the barn!

I know that you all know how important a support system is as we move through so many adjustments to life, both in pre and post op. I'm over 150 miles round trip from where the hospital support group meets, and I am unsure how often I will be able to attend. So happy that I discovered this community!

[livlivia 0]

I am very new to the site, but I have had my band for several years. I need to get back on track and hope to use this site to motivate me.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Today I begin the Phase II liquid diet. I have gradually been getting myself accostomed to the Protein shakes, and began having one for Breakfast every morning about 2 weeks ago.

No news from the PCP about the tests done yesterday, so that is good news. Just focused on meeting all of the diet requirements and exercise now.

My surgery is 2 weeks from today, and so far I am not feeling anxious about it at all. My pharmacist shared that she has heard only excellent feedback for the bariatric program I am scheduled with, so that made me feel less anxious.

I have never before had to be on a liquid diet for as long as this...I hope that it will not be too difficult to maintain and not be tempted to cheat. I have never been a big fan of artificial Fiber in a diet, so hope I will learn to tolerate this, too!

Has anyone heard of ways to avoid craving to "chew" something while on all liquids? That's really my main concern now...

Thanks again for so many words of encouragement and support!

[Sojourner 2,446]

Livivia...you have come so far already to meet your goals...regain your focus and you will be amazed what you will accomplish!

I have a friend from high school who had bariatric surgery more than 8 years ago, and she also feels that she needs to get back on track. While I am completing my liquid diet prior to surgery, she will be doing the same with Protein shakes for the same 2 weeks. Though miles seperate us, we will keep in communication with each other. I know her emotional support will help me alot!

Good luck with continuing on your journey...Please stay in touch so we can all share your progress and success with you!