Karende2003
6/10/10: WOW it's been SEVEN years since my lap band! and THREE years since I've visited this web site. How things have changed on both!!! I am amazed at what I wrote previously from 2002 to 2006. I'd actually forgotten some of it. My lap band experience has been a roller coaster ride to say the very least. I've had one helluva journey so far. Met some wonderful people along the way, had successes and failures, tons of plastic surgery and plenty of guilt feelings about all of it!! (I was a cash pay - insurance wasn't hearing it back then) I am now going to Weight Watchers to lose the 30 lbs I gained after my father died almost 2 yrs ago. I thought I would NEVER have to diet again! If I can share one thing I've learned, it's this: The Band is just a tool. It only works if YOU work with it! If you don't get your head straight and address the reasons you are struggling with weight in the first place, I promise you your weight loss roller coaster ride will continue. I say this from personal experience and from meeting alot of people recently who have regained a significant amount of weight after Banding or Bypass and usually after a trauma such as job loss, divorce, or death of a family member. I was on automatic pilot in 2008, excercizing 5-6 days per week and even during vacations, eating right...and it was easy...it just clicked...and then on July 25, 2008 my world was literally shattered. I started smoking again and around Christmas of that year I realized smoking had to go. You probably know what I'm going to say next.......smoking got replaced with old habits ~ the night eating was gradual at first, the missed excercize in the a.m. was sporadic at first and then I just spiraled out of control. I finally leveled off in February of this year and have since taken control, gone back to Dr. Wynn, gotten a regular physical, etc., joined Weight Watchers w/ a buddy, and started excercizing again, and I'm letting go of the guilt and being kinder to me! I am starting feel healthy and happy again and for that I am very thankful.......
2/27/06: I am very happy with my results from the plastics. My tummy is still numb on the lower half and still a bit swollen inside, if that makes any sense. But to look at my tummy straight on ........it's FLAT!! My daughter commented that my arms are as small as hers now.........We're going to Disney Easter week and I can't wait to shop because right now none of my clothes fit properly..........
12/17/05: THE NEXT CHAPTER: TUMMY TUCK/LIPO/BILATERAL BRACHIOTOMY (both arms)
Mentally I'm back and quite bored but physically I need a few more days I think. The surgery went well, a little over 6 hours. St. Francis Hospital has really improved since the last time I was there!! Everyone was so nice....went in on Mon 12/5, came home the next afternoon.
My husband is the most wonderful human being on this earth.......he has been doing everything for me, giving me shots in my thigh, keeping my medication schedule straight, sleeping downstairs on the couch so I could stay on the recliner, etc. My best friend Cindy helped me with my first shower and I almost passed out on her.....she's a trooper (and a former nurse-thank God!) Mark's been helping me shower every day, but today I told him I felt strong enough to do it myself-another little milestone.
It's harder with this surgery because I can' t use my arms for leverage. The compression garment on my waist is starting to get annoying and Mark has to wrap my arms every day but I can't complaint because I knew what I was getting into.
I went to get the stitches out last weds but only about half were ready so I have to go back this weds to get out the rest and then hopefully I'll be able to drive.
All I can say is I cannot believe how different my body looks and it's still bruised and very swollen but I can see that my arms are so much smaller and my waist...the curves are back, my stomach is flat and I can see that Dr. Malek really sculpted my hip area.
I LOVE DR. MALEK!!! so does my husband. I've seen Malek three times in the last two weeks and he always has a friendly nature and never rushes us out the door! His staff has been with him for a very long time and you can tell they all enjoy working there...a very positive experience so far. I do notice that my right side, where my port is located, might not be as narrow as the left, but Malek told me he had to be really careful and not able to lipo much in that area because of the port. I knew it going in so I am totally o.k. with it.
I highly recommend that anyone with the band who is getting a tummy tuck, definitely get your fill taken out temporarily........I am so glad I did. I can't imagine adding the constant worry of getting sick to the already painful first two weeks of this healing process.
I almost forgot.....Dr. Malek told me he took off SEVEN POUNDS OF FAT from my abdomen and another FIVE POUNDS from lipo of the different areas.....AMAZING!!
Each day is better than the one before and as Dr. Malek says...
"IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER FROM HERE!"
12/4/05: Tomorrow at this time I will be in the O.R. ...I am excited and nervous and scared and excited. I'm making sure all is in order ...cleaning the house, doing the laundry..decorated the tree, finished all my Christmas shopping, and picked up the pain meds for this week SOOOOOOOOO I guess I'm ready!!! Pray for me....
12/1/05: had my fill removed for surgery (my choice) and found out my port has moved and tilted a little...took a little while to manipulate it but DR. IRGAU IS THE MAN!! He took care of it. Scheduled for a refill 12/30.....I just don't want to worry about getting sick or not being able to take the pain pills after my plastics on Monday.
11/18/05: Just had my last therapy session. Hypnosis can do wonders! I feel more positive. I haven't eaten "soft foods" in about 3 wks. Worked through a lot of stuff. Feel very clear in my head & now have the confidence to move forward w/out guilt. On DEC 5 (3 days after my 41st birthday) I AM HAVING SURGERY!!tummy tuck, lipo, and both arms. SO EXCITED! I feel like my therapist gave me back my spirit.....I have absolutely no guilt feelings about the $10k it's going to cost. That is a BIG step for me...guilt about the $ for the lap band really dragged me down. She helped me understand that what I've done and what I'm going to do are part of what I need to do for ME! It is NOT taking anything away from my family. We can afford it, so why not complete what I started?! My husband is very supportive either way. He said if I do it, fine, if not, that's fine too. Most people have been very excited because they know how much I've struggled emotionally with this band. I don't need opinions or approval....I just need support from those I care about. I refuse to let anyone negative around me right now! My plastic surgeon is Dr. Malek. I can't say enough about how comfortable he and his staff made me feel during the consult. I had a list of questions which he answered before I ever got to ask. He was so thorough during the consult. He even talked about the emotional aspects post-surgery. He put my pictures (taken by his nurse) on a clip board so I could see what he was talking about and he also drew with colored pencils on sheets of paper with outlines of the front and back of the body, explaining exactly what he will do during surgery and why he does certain things a little different than other surgeons. He's been around for a long time. I felt an immediate trust with him just like I did with Dr. Wynn when I first met her!! 17 DAYS TO GO..........
10/21/05: And now for the truth......if I knew then what I know now, I would have had the bypass!! There I've said it out loud! I am now seeing a therapist to deal with the terrible feelings of guilt for spending almost $20,000 to lose 40 lbs +/-.......and the guilt that I lied to Dr. Wynn about my sweet tooth during one of our initial consults. I was so worried about the $$ and the fact that bypass patients have more instances of complications than band patients that I manipulated my own situation to get the surgery that I thought would ultimately cost me the least amount of $$. Well it has cost me sleepless nights, enormous guilt, and feelings of frustration, disappointment, and self-loathing that you can't possibly imagine. While I do appreciate what I've lost and managed to keep off, I feel in my heart that I personally would have done better with the bypass. I'm not saying that the band is wrong for everyone, just for myself!! I told Nikki how I feel and that I feel like a hypocrite at the support meetings because if I say what I really feel people might think I'm judging their decision. I'm NOT!! However, from now on I will tell the absolute truth and caution anyone with a sweet tooth to discuss it at length with their surgeon before making their final decision as to which surgery to have. This band does NOT work like the bypass. I still have my entire stomach. When the food in the pouch passes through to the bottom of my stomach I can absolutely eat more. Basically when I eat what I should I feel very full very quick or I feel very tight in my chest or I just throw up. It's easier to eat the soft stuff. A) it doesn't make you feel sick or tight or uncomfortable; and B) it passes through to your lower stomach very easily allowing for the old habits to come back and most soft things are higher in calories. I'll be in a hurry to get to an appt w/a client and be AFRAID to eat so I'll go through a drive-thru and order a shake....easy, convenient...not good! This is called soft food syndrome and is very common among banded people. Since I know alot of people have been reading my profile I'm going to give a little advice here: Check out Strugglingbandsters at Yahoo.com and you'll see just how many people from all over the country are going through exactly what I am. Unfortunately when I was doing my research I was only going to Smartbandsters and they are all the highly successful banded people. After 2.5 years of reading all the different sites that I could find, I realize the people at Smartbandsters are the exception rather than the rule and like I said at the beginning of this post, "IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A BYPASS PATIENT"!!! I wish I was still heavy enough to have this band taken out and to have the bypass, but I'm not so I will work on whatever I need to with my therapist to accept the things I cannot change, and to be grateful for all that I have in my life because, honestly I have a very nice life other than my poor self image/weight problem! What else can I possibly say?
6/28/05: I just read my profile and am amazed that it's been almost three years since I started researching on this site and two years since my lap band surgery. I am definitely in a different place than I was 2 yrs ago or even 6 mos ago. I'm comfortable in my new bathing suit and confident when I walk into a room. However,I continue to struggle every day with my eating....sometimes I plain don't feel like it and other days I throw up too much and other days I want to eat everything in sight! When I started I thought I would lose ALL of my excess weight within a certain time frame.....NOT. I thought the band would change me....DEFINITELY. Would I do this again? Some days yes and some days I wish I had the bypass and then I get REAL with myself and know that this is what it is.....an every day learning experience! I never could have lost the weight that I have and KEPT IT OFF without this tool. However,two years later it's still one day at a time. Sometimes I compare myself to others and feel like a failure. But that's crap. Failure is not trying at all. Success is appreciating the progress you have made and continuing to move forward on your journey!
I've finally met other lap band patients through Dr. Wynn's office. I've been to two seminars to answer questions and talk about my experiences. It was very helpful to ME (I felt blessed) and hopefully to the people who attended and are looking into the lap band.
I just talked to Nicki tonight from Dr. Wynn's office about doing a joint support meeting for both lap band and bypass. I look forward to it and should have done it a LONG time ago. Better late than never, right!!!
6/9/05: Had my first removal of fill today by Dr. Peters. He's a great guy. He takes my wisecracks with a grain of salt as his skill with the fill needle is improving.........Last month I decided to try a fill to see if I could start losing again. All that fill did was make me sick every time I ate. So today I said take it out. I think the only way I'm going to lose any more weight is to diet and exercise religously. My body likes where it is. That is the cold hard fact of my life right now. On the one hand it makes me feel like I've wasted a lot of money and on the other hand I HAVE NEVER LOST 40 POUNDS AND KEPT IT OFF FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME let alone for a full year!!!!! and I still wear a size 14 which is much better than the size 20s I was wearing two years ago.....it's all perspective.
2/3/05: Life is good in general. Working out 5x/wk now. Inches continue going down, scale is following SLOWLY but surely!! Lost my sister-in-law in December at the very young age of 48......kind of put my thoughts in a new perspective.....No one is going to remember how much weight I lost or gained once I'm gone........they will only remember what kind of person I was! Having said that, I was thinking about looking into plastic surgery soon because everything is tightening up, but my arms have "bat wings" and my stomach feels hard to the touch, but lots of skin..........we'll see...I have to think if it's really worth it because I will have to pay for that just like I had to pay for the lap band and I kind of feel guilty about this kind of stuff!!
6/14/04: I cannot believe it's been a year already! To say that it has been a roller coaster ride would be an UNDERSTATEMENT... emotionally, physically, you name it, feeling like everyone is watching your progress...like your under constant surveillance...BUT it has all been worth it because I feel better than I have in years. The scale isn't moving as quickly as I would like it to, but in all honesty, that is my own doing!! I have really struggled since my last post (Dec. 2003). NUMBERS MEANT SO MUCH, WORRYING ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE'S EXPECTATIONS, COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS WAS A CONSTANT! IT WAS SO COUNTERPRODUCTIVE! I actually gained six pounds (Christmas cookies) at my January visit to Dr. Wynn's. It took me 2 months to lose that and then I hit a plateau. The old head games came back...eating out of boredom, or not eating at all, putting off exercise. My biggest challenge to date is finding a CONSISTENT rythm. I'm either exercising religously but not eating all that well or I'm eating really well without the exercise. The blessing of this band is that it has prevented me from going crazy with food and gaining everything back, which I'm sure would have happened by now without it!! Another blessing is that I know I can have an adjustment at any time if I feel I need one whether it's next month or 3 years from now!! When I follow the "rules" of this band (eating 5 times a day, no drinking with the meal, exercising 3 times/week) the scale moves!! and when I don't (which is about 50% of the time)it doesn't....it's that simple!!! However, it really is totally o.k.... I didn't lose my 75lbs within the first year like I originally planned, HOWEVER I did lose more than 50% of my excess weight, it all depends on your perspective. There's no deadline..it took me ten years to gain that 75 pounds so if it takes 18 mos or even two years to lose it then so be it!! AT LEAST THIS TIME I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO GAIN BACK EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME!! It took me all of this year to realize that!!! I have 30 more pounds to lose to get to my personal goal and I hope to do that by December 2, which is my 40th birthday!!! If it doesn't happen, the world as we know it, will NOT come to an end!! The scale was such a focus these past 12 months, but now I am focusing on my attitude toward myself and how much healthier I feel, how much more energetic I feel, how much closer I am to my friends, family, and my husband because I'm not miserable or self conscious any more. I like to shop now. I'm happy to be in regular sizes!! This past year has taught me that "LIFE'S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION"
12/18/03: I can't believe it's been six months already since my lap band surgery and what a ride it's been!! As of this morning I am down 42 lbs (33 more to go) and just got back into size 14 (regular not "W") jeans that I haven't had on in about 5 years!! I had size 14 through 20 in my closet when I started this. Now just 14's and after this I will have to break down and go shopping......darn!! LOL Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. I ate off of a small salad plate and did not feel deprived at all. I've been to Christmas parties,etc, celebrated my 39th birthday, went to New York for the day and had lunch at the Plaza Hotel, got a makeover at Saks, walked around the city for four hours and had a blast w/my sister-in-law. I've been mall walking 3 or 4 mornings a week. The older people there at 7 a.m. are such an incentive, especially when they pass you~~ it makes me walk even faster~~ Saw Dr. Wynn last Friday and all is well. I seem to be dropping inches even though the scale has slowed.....actually the scale has been consistent in that I drop about 4 or 5 lbs and then hold steady for about 3 weeks and then drop another 4 lbs or so and then hold steady for another 3 or 4 weeks. That was irking me at first but I realize that this will just be my pattern and I feel WONDERFUL right now which is all that really matters. My husband can't keep his hands off of me...which is flattering, but the jealousy thing (which is brand new) is not something that I'm going to put up with... My daughter Britt has all her wisdom teeth out today and my daughter Kate has ankle surgery on Tuesday. Christmas day will be at my house this year for my husband's LARGE family....kill me now LOL.... HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.........
10/12/03: Things are going well so far. down 33 lbs.....going slowly but surely. I feel great!!
9/2/03: The fill on Friday didn't hurt at all and was, in fact, a god send....the scale is moving again, FINALLY!!! Also pulled out my jeans (sz 20) today, as the weather turned a little chilly....they were sOOOO BIG...I pulled out the 18's and they were big....then I pulled out the 16's and they FIT!!!! Can't wait to get to the 14's that are in the back of my closet.......also just did my bmi and I am no longer "morbidly obese" just "severely" obese and 10 pounds from now will be just plain "obese"......how cool is that? -29 and finally over that 5-week plateau :)
8/22/03: Can't wait to see Dr. Wynn today....I think I need a fill. All of a sudden I can eat a lot more, though not as much as pre-op and my weight has stayed the same since July 25th...my issue with the hospital bill is now settled finally and the revised bill is what I originally expected it to be. Now they have packages for self-pay so you know up front exactly what you will pay!
8/2/03: 7 1/2 weeks post-op, down 26 pounds...and at my first plateau....actually lost the 26 in 5 weeks...I started walking and am now eating regular foods, although not much, maybe 1 cup of regular type foods like chicken, salad, etc and maybe 1.5 cups of soft foods like cottage cheese. That just blows my mind! I have not touched bread or chocolate because I am afraid of returning to the carbohydrate-chocoholic that I was pre-band....June 10 seems like a long time ago.....I can't wait til this time next year...hopefully at goal 135 or 140 and preparing to go to an island to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary (9/15/04)....Mark and the kids are well...today is Katie's 14th b-day and Britt turned 17 a few weeks ago...now to get my mother well....she starts chemo on Monday.......regarding my dispute with the hospital and "THE BILL"~~my account is suspended while they continue to investigate, but they called last week and said they have already found several errors and the bill has been reduced accordingly.....can't wait to see where we end up since it's coming out of our pocket!!
7/1/03: 3 wks post-op today! Time is sure flying by. Everyday is better than the one before. My incisions are healing nicely and although I would love to eat real food right now, it's no longer killing me to be on full liquids. I keep telling myself "one more week" til soft foods. Dropped Katie and my mom off at the airport today with her friends. I hope mom enjoys herself to the fullest because when she comes back she has surgery next Tuesday for her breast cancer and then she is coming to stay at my house. God give me strength to be patient and understanding because my mom and I are good in short doses only. Coincidentally, my daughter Katie is going on the same flight as my mom to Las Vegas...Katie will be home in two weeks. She's staying with my friend and her family and they will definitely have a blast!! For this next week, at least, I can concentrate on getting myself better.......
6/27/03: 17 lbs in 17 days!!!! I never expected this...what a blessing! Dr. Wynn said all is well and I go back to see her at the end of July...right about the time I can finally eat real food.......full liquids aren't as bad as the clear...one more week til pureed and 3 wks til real food!! I'm not going anywhere this 4th of July...burgers on the grill would be a little tought to take at this point...but that's o.k. We can see the fireworks from our deck anyway.......Dr. Wynn and I talked at length about the hospital bill and her bill. She is so wonderful...she cut me a HUGE break on her bill! The band itself costs almost $4,000 from the manufacturer so how in the world did the hospital finance director quote me an estimate of $5,900 for my total bill? Dr. Wynn says that the hospital is now going to have a lap band "package" which should be $15,000. Add the surgeon's bill and the anesthesiologist's bill and the lap band will end up costing a self-pay around $27,000 total!!
6/21/03: I feel like I am turning into a raving bitch...this morning at the support meeting someone asked about the difference between band and bypass. Our wonderful dietician proceeded to give a one-sided opinion of the differences and implied that the band was the lesser choice. I spoke up and told her that according to Dr. Wynn and the most recent studies weight loss is comparable, etc. I have lost 15 lbs since the 10th and the woman next to me has lost 15 lbs since the 11th with RNY...no difference there! One of the other members (RNY) told me she felt the same way, that Ellen was more for RNY and not to worry about it. But that's easier said than done. It pissed me off and made me feel less than "supported". Why should I pay for this "follow up" to feel insulted for my choice? To make the day worse I got my bill from the hospital...$22,210! It was estimated by the finance director prior to surgery to be approx $5,900 w/a 20% discount if pd within 10 days....BIG FREAKING DIFFERENCE..needless to say I am hot!! I also got the anesthesiologist bill which was quoted to me prior to surgery to be $950.....it was $2,160!!! ANOTHER BIG FREAKING DIFFERENCE. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE DR WYNN ON FRIDAY. I told her what they both estimated for me. She discounted her fee and I hope she doesn't go back on that.....I don't think she will. I'll find out on Friday.....Maybe God put me here to be an advocate for the lap band so those who deal with us will be informed enough to do their jobs. I NEVER criticize someone chosing RNY....I don't think there is anything wrong with either surgery.....truly a matter of personal choice!! I just want the same courtesy from others!!
6/20/03: I feel human again and the pity party is over!!! I went to a settlement today and the walk across the parking lot seemed like a 5k but other than that I felt great. People in the attorney's office even commented on my face and my neck being smaller (I see them about once a month)....I thought it would be too soon to tell but I got on my scale today ~~ -13lbs ~~ UNBELIEVABLE!! Clear liquids are going to kill me before the 24th though....getting a little hungry...keep telling myself protein shakes are around the corner. This will be the first 4th of July that I won't be able to have a burger....I'll still be on full liquids at that point. Who cares right?....My friend Pam brought me a gift certificate to Victoria's Secret. I taped it to my mirror for added incentive to work with this band and get to my goal within the next 8-12 months!
6/17: Feeling a little guilty for having this surgery. My mother just found out today that she has breast cancer and it's also in her lymph nodes. My sister's best friend had a brain tumor removed yesterday and thought all was good but the preliminary tests came back today that there is more. Also one of her students was hit by a car and is in the ICU. As if that wasn't enough bad news in one day, my sister in law called to apologize for not calling me during my surgery..her father was diagnosed with cancer on Friday. and if it doesn't stop raining...........
6/15/03: Today is the first day that I feel somewhat human enough to sit here and actually read and type...... I'm officially banded and a LOSER!! June 10 was a hell of a day at the Christiana Hospital....myself, CJ and Sheila D got the undivided, wonderful attention of the PACU staff for more than 24 hrs as there were NO beds in the entire hospital (25 emergency admits that day per my aunt who works in admitting). My day started in pre-admission being weighed, giving bloodwork to some male nurse who should never be allowed to use a needle again in his lifetime!! They took me to the OR waiting area at 11:30. I met a nice nurse in there who is having her band done on July 29th. She was sooo excited. Then the dreaded IV needle...I asked the anesthesiologist to numb my hand first and then he didn't wait for it to take effect before plunging that %$#@ thing into my hand. I was scheduled for 12:30 but didn't go in until 1:15 or so. Surgery was to be approx 1 hr but I had scar tissue from a prior surgery and Dr. Wynn had to take another 45 mins to deal with that. I love her!! My family was freaking in the waiting room because the place was crazy and no one knew why I was taking so long....short on staff, etc. I had to stay in PACU (post surg ICU) initially because my blood pressure was really low and then really high and then because there were no beds available. The staff in PACU was WONDERFUL!!! I was right next to Chanelle Jamison and her aunt Sheila D who are on this web site. They are soooo nice. They were cheering for me when I was finally able to get up and walk without nearly passing out from the blood pressure issue. I don't know about everyone else, but I did not feel up to having visitors or phone calls the entire time and even now that I'm home I don't feel up to seeing people just yet. My friends were all calling the hospital and didn't know why I was still in PACU so they all called in as "her sister".....the girl answering the phone in PACU was cracking up!! I have not eaten real food since Sat, June 7.....I am on clear liquids until the 24th and then full liquids for two weeks and then soft/pureed, and so on. Apparently the band diet is a little different than the bypass intially.... Although it's been more difficult than I anticipated, I am glad I read everything about this and researched the surgery here and on other web sites because otherwise I would be a little lost!!! I met Dr. Irgau finally and he was so very nice....but on another note, the hospital needs to educate their staff ASAP. I had a surgical resident come into my room to "check my drainage tube"....HELLO I don't have one, I did not have RNY...she was somewhat embarrassed...another surgical resident came into my room quite early and wanted to check my iliostomy (sp?)..WHAT?? WRONG PATIENT!! some of the nurses were clueless about it and my favorite story was day 2 when they took me for a swallow test....I had to answer questions to the imaging staff about the band..I felt like the walking Inamed Handbook (band manufacturer)....I found that unacceptable...when they were returning me to PACU from this test ( I was in the special bariatric bed that they now have) the people pushing my bed didn't know that they were supposed to adjust it all the way down because it has a top to it.....WELL they hit an "exit sign" that fell onto my face, but luckily I was awake enough to put my hand up and catch it. These people were apologizing all over the place. They parked in front of "escort" (because they were not from escort, they were from the imaging dept). two guys from escort take over and they take me down a hall that was under construction looking for a place to plug in the bed to lower it....needless to say they hit every bump and door way...at that point I went into bitch mode and told them exactly what I thought........when I finally got back to PACU there was a nurse manager, and the escort manager and a patient relations person all waiting to talk to me. I was too tired to deal with them and just said it was an accident and they all need to be educated about this procedure and the equipment. I am going to take this issue up the administrative chain of that hospital. I don't mean to sound so negative but I was the 7th lap band patient and there are many more to come. I have been scheduled for approx 3 mos. They should make it a priority to be prepared as a hospital and educate everyone involved. It's even more frustrating because I am paying for all of it out of my own pocket....I ended up having to stay one extra day to make sure the blood pressure/heart rate were stabilized. One night on the regular floor and I was more than ready to go home...I haven't been able to sleep more than 4 hrs at night, but it's good to be home in my own surroundings. Every day gets better and I'm trying to stay positive and not allow the pity party that is trying to makes its way into my head....what's the saying? This too shall pass!! Last night I was laying in my bed thinking about what it will be like this time next year....hopefully playing for the softball team that I've been sponsoring, shopping at Victoria's Secret, scheduling an island vacation for my 20th wedding anniversary since I won't be embarrassed by my size....then I feel excited and happy!!
GOD BLESS DR. WYNN AND DR. IRGAU and all the PACU STAFF AT CHRISTIANA HOSPITAL............
5/28/03: Wow...I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted. Anyway, had my final pre-op testing done yesterday. I have been so busy w/work and kids and everyone else's schedules that time has just flown by and the wait hasn't been bad at all. Two weeks from today I will be in the capable hands of Drs. Wynn and Irgau. Everyone is asking if I'm nervous or scared. I honestly haven't had time to think about it and I'm so booked between now and June 8 that I won't have much time to think about it until it's almost time to go in. I made my first call to Dr. Wynn's office on July 15, 2002 and have since done my homework, done the research, watched the operation on tv about 5 times, spoken with and met so many wonderful people from this and other web sites who have been through the process of either lap band or RNY....I am ready for my lap band!
JUNE 10, 2003 @ 12:30 will be the beginning of a new chapter in my life...I'm going to be taking care of ME for a change!
2/25/03: Called Dr. Wynn's office to reschedule...I cannot do this in May...too many things going on including Britt's prom, Katie's volley ball tournaments in Virginia Beach and Penn State, Katie's 8th grade trip to New York, her sports banquet, and graduation! Anyway, Christiana Hospital called me this afternoon to confirm my date ~ JUNE 10, 2003 @ 12:30 ~ This is it....the real date.....no more changing or rescheduling!! And I joined Curves today at the suggestion of my neighbor who loves it and Annee Pullin, my wls friend at the beach. I feel really great today about all of this and have so much to look forward to.....Gotta share this~~today at Curves they weighed me and I was still what I weighed the first time I saw Dr. Wynn last Sept...that was good....BUT when they took the measurements I almost had a heart attack!!! I had no idea...the last time I got measured (years ago) my arms were 11" and now they are the size of a man's neck @ 17", my thighs are the size of my teenage daughter's waist.....talk about a reality check...what a motivational tool...I thought twice today about eating those darn girl scout cookies that keep popping up at my house...my husband doesn't know how to say NO to anybody!! LOL
Anyway, with my real estate business crazy busy and all of the sporting and school events for my girls, the next few months are going to blow right by and I will be on the losing side once and for all! Thank God I found this web site!!!!
2/19/03: It's taken me a week, but I've gotten over the initial disappointment of having to put off my lap band surgery until May 7!! There are worse things in life........miraculously I have been maintainig my weight since my first consult back in Sept. I pray I can lose a few pounds or at least maintain until May 7.....my aunt had her RNY on Feb 3 and is down almost 30 lbs and very happy!! Sometimes I think maybe I should just "go for it" and have the RNY...so many of you have been so successful in such a short amount of time...but then I remember that we are all individuals and the reasons why the Dr and I decided on the band and I get back to my reality....May 7, 2003...........
12/29/02: It's been awhile since I've been to this site...told the in-laws and just about everyone else...shocking to me....everyone is being very supportive and positive. Had my appts w/PMRI...a little frustrating as they were not prepared for lap band patients and I had to share MY research with THEM!! Anyway, Dr. Wynn's office called 12/23 and said I may have a surgery date of Feb 26....they will confirm after New Year's....I hope that's the date...I am sooooo ready for this and not one bit afraid. The band is so different from the RNY but thank God I have Becca K to talk to since she's been through it already!
11/22/02: Last weekend I went to Atlantic City with some girls that I went to high school with...lots of fun. Anyway, also had my tarot cards read for fun and I have to share this....the lady started telling me that I had been struggling with a decision for months and that I had just come to a decision which she saw as positive, that it would be resolved in January, and that I would be celebrating it's success by end of Feb/beginning of March. She said it is necessary for me and my family and that it is positive. She then asked if I was having surgery? Can you believe that????? I am so ready now. I have actually started to tell some people! My dad is cool with it....he just said he trusts my judgment. I expected a different reaction. I hope he doesn't worry. He told his girlfriend Fay and she called to ask me all about it. I hope I answered all her questions so she can relay it to my dad. I really don't want him to worry! My mom said go for it. My husband is being so supportive. My kids are excited. My best friend Cindy is all for it and said she wants to be there with me for the surgery. My other best friend Pam is reluctant, but supportive. I am so blessed to have all these people in my life!! The few people I told in my office had mixed reactions. The women were positive. One of the men, who just happened to lose 50 lbs on his own, started with "you can do this yourself, why do you need surgery, etc." I nipped him in the bud!! I told him that I am not stupid, that I have spent 6 mos researching, questioning others, and visiting this site for info. I said all of this very nicely and he got the point! I feel so good about this that I don't feel like I have to hide it anymore. I guess I'll be telling the in-laws over the holidays. That should be interesting to say the least!!
11/15/02: Went to see Dr. Wynn again....great appt! We reviewed the pros and cons of the RNY vs the lap band specific to me....Happy to say that I now feel 100% confident that I have made the right decision...ironically it is my original choice ~~THE LAP BAND! I am so comfortable with this decision that I would do it tomorrow if I could!!
10/24/02: Talked to Jacki from Dr. Wynn's office...what an excellent people person! She is new to Dr. Wynn's office and called to check on my status as far as when my PMRI appts were, etc. Gave me her cell phone # in case I have any questions whatsoever!! I asked her so many questions about my concerns about the complications I've heard about recently w/Dr. Wynn's RNY patients. She assured me that percentage wise the stats are not bad at all and to remember that what gets posted on this site is only a small percent of Dr. Wynn's patients. I truly feel much better after talking to her. Now I just have to wait until Dec. 18 to see the psych, dietician, and endocrinologist. It seems far away but with the holidays and basketball season (Go Sixers!!) upon us I am sure it will fly.
10/13/02: Really confused today about all of this. Realized that I am not presently comfortable with the stats of my surgeon's office. I need to find out all that I can and posted on the board about it. Hopefully, I'll find some answers soon!
9/27/02: Saw Dr. Wynn for my consult yesterday. She did not tell me one thing that I didn't already know from this web site other than procedures specific to her own requirements. I will go to PMRI to see a dietician,psychologist, and endocrinologist for clearance and then we can schedule if i decide to do this. I am not 100% sure yet. She will be doing the lap band procedure beginning in Jan which is what I wanted, but she said if I love sugar the RNY would work better for me! Decisions, decisions...
9/15/02: Happy Anniversary to us....today is our 18th wedding anniversary and I realize just how blessed I have been. I am so thankful for my husband, two daughters, my family, friends, my job, my clients. The last 18 years of my life have been very good with the exception of a 90 lb weight gain...but that will be dealt with very soon!!
9/10/02: My friend Ginger Barkley is having her surgery tomorrow and has been on my mind all week....I know she will be fine! She took me w/her to her pre-op appt w/Dr. Wynn and we ran into Melissa and Greg who are members from this web site..it was sooo nice to talk with people who have already been through this. I felt very comfortable in the Dr.'s office..everyone seemed so friendly. The Dr. was extremely nice and even asked me if I had any questions for her. I will be seeing her on 9/26 for my own consult. My husband "thinks" he is o.k. with this now. I think he will feel better after Ginger comes out of her surgery tomorrow and can see for himself what this is all about. I told my oldest daughter (16) and she said "go for it-just don't die on us". How direct was that?! I'm not ready to tell my younger (13) one yet since she is the worrier. My thoughts are also with the survivors of 9/11....tomorrow my younger daughter's school is having a mass that I will be attending. I intend to pray for all involved in 9/11 as well as all members of this site and especially those having surgery!! GOD BLESS US ALL.....
8/10/02: Went to a support meeting at the suggestion of one the other members on this site...it was very informative and wonderful to actually see/meet people whose profiles I've read about on this site.
7/15/02: Called the surgeon's office to schedule a consult...have to wait until September 26!!
7/12/02: Tired of being tired and feeling like a failure every time I regain whatever weight I've lost on whatever diet I happen to be on....this site is so full of info...it is almost overwhelming....but at the same time fascinating....So far, so many of my questions have been answered just by viewing other members profile pages...told my husband tonite about what I was considering and his initial reaction was "get on the treadmill" ...I love him dearly(we've been together 20yrs and I was thin for the first ten) but he has no clue sometimes.....