tamiesue
5 year post op anniversary!!!!!!
Apr 16, 2011
I can't believe it has been over 5 years since my lapband. I am now between 185 and 190 and have been there for about 2 years now. I would still like to lose about 20# more but I would need to lay off the sweets. LOL i can eat about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food at a time. Some days more than others. I am very happy with my weight loss journey and still might look into some plastic surgery to help with midriff and abdomen area.
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1 year anniversary
Apr 12, 2007
4/12/07 Went to the doctor on 4/9 for my 1 year checkup and another fill. My weight was 233.4 for a total of 58# since surgery and 90# total!!!! I had lost another 5# but gained back some before Easter. I told the doctor I should have come in a week earlier but wanted to be able to enjoy BBQ for Easter this year since last year I was only on jello. He totally understood. Today I am at 228#!! I am feeling so good and I hope (no, I know) I'll lose another 50# this year. My personal goal is to be at 175# even though I know that is considered still obese, I haven't been that weight since I was a teenager. My doctor said that I would probably have about 20# of excess skin, so if I do consider plastic surgery, I could be close to 150#.
My Weightloss Journel
Oct 26, 2006
I am a 46 year old mother of 2 boys, age 19 and 9. I have been overweight all of my adult life and have tried every diet that has been out for the last 25 years. I have been researching this surgery for about 3 years now. I have just completed the 6 month diet plan(again!!) that my insurance carrier asked for. I will be sending the info in to my insurance and hope to have a date for the beginning of 2006.
1/13/06 My insurance received my updated records on 11/28/05 but did not start the review until 12/22/05. They are still wanting updated records so I am starting again. I have a new pysch evaluation on 1/25/06 and have started at CURVES. I am still attending WEIGHT WATCHERS. I have not given up!!! Still waiting!!!
2/13/06 Insurance says it needs a nutritionist assessment before final decision can be made. Dr's office thought I already had the assessment but it was overlooked. I have an appointment on 2/22 with the nutritionist. Case manager of insurance said decision will be given as soon as she receives assessment. I hope and pray this means approval. I have a tentative surgery date of 3/13/06 because my husband is only home for 2 weeks out of the month and I don't want to wait till April if I am approved. Liquid diet to start on 3/04. I have decided if I am denied, God is shutting this door and He has other plans for me. I do feel this is what I am to do, but I want what God has planned.
3/1/06 APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!
Received a call yesterday, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) that I was approved! I told the insurance lady that I thought it was ironic that on Fat Tuesday I would get approval for weight loss surgery. Soon I will no longer have any fat Tuesdays. I have an appointment on Monday with the surgeon and to get pre-op orders. Surgery scheduled for 3/13/06!! Now this waiting game is ending fast. Soon I will be on the loser (WINNER) side. I'm feeling excited, nervous, scared, etc., but I KNOW GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!I start a liquid diet this Saturday until surgery day. This will be a challenge as I have gained 8# since stopping Weight Watchers about 6 weeks ago. I'm sure I will lose this while on the liquid diet.
I'll update after surgery.
3/7/06 Yesterday was my pre-op day. First, surgery was changed to 3/14. Next, I went to the hospital for pre-op labs,
x-ray and EKG. I then met with the coordinator that has been handling my insurance matters. This was the first time I actually met her face to face. It was good to put a face to the voice. She then told me my doctor would rather do lapband than a rny because of less complications after surgery. I had considered this but my insurance has a stipulation of less than 50 BMI to have lapband. I am at 52 as of today. I will need to lose about 15# to reach their recommendations. Next I met with the surgeon. I have not seen him for about 2 years since my last preop consultation. Since then he has primarily been doing lapbands since he has found it to be less invasive and with less postop complications with about the same results as bypass. He highly recommends lapband and will check with the insurance this week. He feels I will lose the 15# this week while on the liquid diet. (I've already lost about 5# by my scale). He has kept the 3/14 surgery schedule but says if I don't lose the weight he wants me to wait until okayed by insurance. I do feel more at peace about the lapband but I would have to wait until next month for my husbands schedule if it is not done next week. The liquid diet is very hard, especially the first two days, and today is my first day at work on the liquids. I don't know if I could keep this up for longer than 10 days if my surgery is postponed. I'm still hoping and praying my surgery is next week. GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!!!!!
3/10/06 I'M SO FRUSTRATED!!!!!! Yesterday I spoke with the surgery coordinator. She said she had spoke with the insurance people and they would get back with her about changing the surgery from RNY to lapband. Today, since I had not heard from her, I tried to call but could only get her answering machine. I finally called the insurance myself. They said someone had called TODAY requesting the change in surgery and they would need a letter from the Dr. (I thought all this was done on Tuesday like I was told.) The doctor was out today so nothing could be done until Monday (surgery scheduled for Tuesday). I called the nurse at the hospital and she told me she thought the surgery had been cancelled. This is not what I was told by the doctor on Monday!!! I now have been on liquids for 7 days and still don't know if I'm having surgery or what. She told me I could eat a small meal of grilled chicken and steamed vegs. for supper if I need to. (I NEED TO!) She would get back to me on Monday to straighten out the problems. So here I am on the waiting game again. I can't wait till this is over. Oh by the way, I've lost 15# since Saturday.
3/15/06 Well, surgery has been postponed until I don't know when. My insurance insists that I need a BMI of 50 for the lapband and my doctor will not do the RNY. He says he will speak with the medical director at the insurance to try to change their minds but I have not heard anything different since Monday night. I've been told I will hear something today because if surgery is not done tomorrow I will have to repeat preop labs and also my husband goes back to work next week for 2 weeks. I'm still on the liquid diet and feeling very weak today. I finally am at a BMI of 51 but will have to lose another 6# to satisfy the insurance company. I'm still not sure about the lapband because of some of the comments from other people on this site. I don't want to take 2-3 years to lose the weight and don't see where the difference is than just going on a diet. Most people seem to lose very slowly! I wonder if it is worth having surgery to just lose 5# a month. There is nothing to see what the projected weight loss is to be like with the RNY. I still feel God is in control and I can only put my trust in Him. He sees the future and what is best for me.
UPDATE Surgery has been rescheduled for April 10th. I still need to lose about 6-7# to satisfy my insurance for the lapband and will do that in the next 2 weeks. I then will have about 10 days to make sure everything is in order before surgery. I did eat tonight but will start back on liquids tomorrow. I was told I could eat lightly as long as I was losing but I want to get to a 50 BMI ASAP so that nothing stops the April surgery date. I'll update my progress. Anyone with GreatWest Healthcare, remember they are a stickler for their guidelines and you must follow them exactly!!!!
3/29/06 FINALLY my BMI is below 50!!!!! Lapband surgery is scheduled for 4/10. New papers are being sent to insurance today so I should get the final approval by Monday. I have been following the liquid diet for about 4 weeks (I went on Adkins for 1 week to jumpstart my weightloss), and will have to begin again on Monday of next week. I am so tired of Slimfast and jello and I know I'll only have jello and broth for 2 weeks after the surgery. BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!! I can't wait till I can say I am on the losing (winning) side.
4/4/06 IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!
Surgery is April 10th!!!!!!!!! I received the approval today for the Lapband. I started back on the liquid diet yesterday and will be on it until and then after surgery. The waiting is almost over. See ya on the losing (winning) side.
4/11/06 Surgery was yesterday and I am doing very well. I was able to be discharged at 5:30 the day of surgery. Just having some slight discomfort but nothing I can't handle. I didn't have the severe gas pains I heard others had. Thanks for all the emails and prayers. Will update later.
4/14/15 I'm 4 days post-op and I've lost 8#!!!!!! Starting to feel hunger pains, especially when my mom is here fixing food for my family. The smells really get to you but I'm sticking to my little
4 oz of broth or jello three times a day. I am drinking my water in between but it seems my hunger pains are worse after the water. I am going to get out of the house today. Going to visit relatives AFTER lunch and then go to a wedding of some friends. I have had some pain and discomfort from the incision near my navel (I think this is where the port is). It is very bruised and slightly swollen, although it is better this morning. This is the only area that really hurts when I get up. I will mention this to the nurse when I call her on Monday. Bye for now. Have a great Easter holiday. Remember the One who died but can now live in each of us. Thank you, Jesus!!!
4/17/06 I'm one week post-op and doing great!! I'm down 14.5# since surgery but 64# from highest in May of 2005. I'm getting very tired of chicken broth and jello. Called the nurse today and asked if I could add something. She told me I could have egg drop soup or make my own soup and strain the broth. My mom came today and made the most awesome smelling vegetable beef soup so I had my 4oz of broth. It was great!!!! I kept some for tonight. Tomorrow I'll get some egg drop soup at the chinese restaraunt. I removed the steri strips today from my incisions. I was starting to blister where the tape was. Everything looks okay although the place where the port is had a small amount of bleeding. It is still swollen and red but the nurse said this was normal. I did have my doctor (BIL) look at it yesterday and he said it was fine. It seems to swell more during the day when I'm on my feet more (it goes down during the night). All in all I've done great. I haven't taken pain meds since Wed. I just can't wait till I can have real food to see how this thing will work. Will update later.
4/24/06 I'm now 2 weeks post-op and doing great. I am down 15# which I lost in the first week. I have progressed to mushies and am doing well. Went for my first postop appt. today, the doctor is pleased with my progress. My port incision is still red and swollen but he wasn't very worried, said to continue antibiotics. I don't return for 4 weeks and then will receive my first fill if needed. He said I had the 11cc VGB but does not tell his patients how much fill he adds at each appt. Will update later.
5/8/06 I'm 4 weeks post-op and still doing great. I finally lost a little more weight. I had gained back about 7# in the 2nd and 3rd week, but finally lost that plus 1.5# for a total of 16.5 since surgery and 41.5 since 3/06. I've also lost 40 inches since 3/06. I seem to be doing well on mushies, I start getting hunger pangs about 3-4 hours after I eat. I will call at the end of next week to see about scheduling my first fill. The area of my port is still swollen and opened about an inch last week. I've been on antibiotics for a week and the drainage has almost stopped. I hope the infection is completely gone in the next two weeks so I will be able to get a fill.
I am in a 22/24 from a 30/32 in clothing. Since last year at this time, I have lost (drum roll) 66.5#!!!!!!!!!!! Will update after my next dr's visit.
5/21/06 I am now 6 weeks post-op and had my first fill today. I now have 3cc in my 11cc band. I did feel some discomfort during the procedure because it seemed the port was not in the place the doctor thought. Official weight on the doctor's scale is 261.6. Started on liquids for the next 48 hours and I AM HUNGRY!!!! I hope this fill will give me some restriction as I was able to eat anything. If I limited what I ate, I would start getting hungry within 3 hours. I have not lost anymore weight since the first post-op week, actually gained about 3 pounds. Will update soon with hopefully some weightloss.
6/9/06 Tomorrow will be my 2 month bandiversery. I am now at 252# (loss of 21.5# since surgery and 42# since pre-op diet). I have had one fill but my doctor said because I've lost more than 2# per week he would wait before the next fill. Yesterday I went shopping with my mom for my birthday. I was able to buy a zippered jeans in a 20!! I've never worn zippered pants and my pull-on pants are a 26/28!!!!!! I am now in a 22/24 blouse from a 30/32. I'm hoping to get a second fill next week because I would like to lose at least 10# before vacation at the end of July.
5/05 Started Weight Watchers 323.4
3/09/06 Started Pre - op diet 294
4/10/06 Surgery date 273.5
6/09/06 2 month 252
6/20/06 Went yesterday for my 2nd fill. No problems this time and only felt a small pinch when inserting the needle. I had gained 3 lbs. since I called about getting a fill last week. My doctor's scale is 2 lbs more than mine so I asked for a starting weight with them. This will be the official weigh-in chart:
3/27/06 Pre-op weight 291.2
4/10/06 Surgery
5/21/06 1st fill 261.6 Total 29.6
6/19/06 2nd fill 255.4 Total 35.8
7/10/06 3rd fill 252.4 Total 38.8
8/21/06 4th fill 249.6 Total 41.6
10/23/06 5th fill 243.4 Total 47.6
11/13/06 6th fill 241.6 Total 49.6
02/12/07 7th fill 239.6 Total 51.6
6/26/06 Happy Birthday to Me!!!! Today I am 47 but I have not felt this well in 15 years. My weight today is 250.4 which is a 5# loss since my second fill. Went to IHOP for breakfast with my husband and youngest son and was only able to eat 1/2 of an omelet. I did not get hungry again until about 5pm. We ate chinese but I was only able to eat a few shrimp and vegetables. I did have a WW dessert late this evening as my "birthday cake". All in all I feel very proud of myself. This last fill is doing great. I eat about 1/4 of what I use to eat and can go 4 - 6 hours without hunger pains. I'm hoping to lose another 10# before July 17th when we leave for vacation. Tomorrow I get back on a routine of Tai-bo once a week and water aerobics twice a week. I had to postpone this for a week because of VBS at church last week. Hopefully this will help with the weight loss.
7/10/06 Today is my 3 month bandiversary. I'm feeling a bit discouraged today since I have not lost any weight for about 2 weeks. I start off losing very well (5 - 6 pounds) in the few days after my fill, since I am on liquids, and then fight with the same 2 - 3 pounds for the next 2 weeks. My doctor will not give a fill if I lose more than 1 - 2#s/ week on an average. This includes what I lose while on liquids. I feel this surgery is not helping since I only lose if I am only on liquids. I have an appointment today to talk with my surgeon and hopefully he will give me my third fill. We leave for vacation next Monday and I will have to wait until July 31st if I can't get a fill today. My weight today is 254 (I had gotten down to 249) which is a total loss of 1# in 3 weeks. I am trying to make good food choices but I seem to eat more but can go about 7-8 hours between meals. On a good note I have lost 37#s in 3.5 months and a total of 70#s since 5/05. My BMI has gone from 59.1 to 46.5.
LATER UPDATE: I was able to get my 3rd fill. Official weight at dr's office is 252.4, which he counted as a loss of 3#s. Hopefully this will start kicking in soon. I am going to try not to weigh every day but I seem to be in a routine of weighing first thing in the morning. I'll update after vacation, I hope to have good news.
7/26/06 My husband and I had a great time on our vacation. We went to Branson but because it was so hot (100 - 105 degrees) we were unable to do much walking. We did most of our walking at outlet stores, my husband is becoming a clothes horse junkie! I thought I had gained a couple of pounds because I ate what I wanted just smaller amounts but I actually stayed the same at 248. My husband likes to snack about every 2 - 3 hours but I brought nuts, trail mix, and granola bars to snack on in the car. I was able to keep up my water intake especially because it was so hot. All in all I think I did great. Now it's back to routine and hopefull I'll start losing again. I did feel restriction especially if I ate too fast, but I would just stop eating until I felt the food move down. I haven't experienced a PB with the sliming and stuff just pressure in the center of my chest if I eat too fast.
7/31/05 Weight today is 244.6. I've lost 3.6# this past week!!! I think this may be my "sweet spot' for now as I am not feeling hungry and eating only about 1 - 2 cups of food/meal.
8/17/06 Just a little update. I've been battling the same 5# for about 2 weeks now. I am now at 246 but have gotten as high as 249. I think I will go Monday for another fill as it has been over 5 weeks since my last. I do feel restriction and tightness in my chest sometimes while eating but I can eat more and my weight is not going down. I was just charting my weight loss, and in 4 months since surgery I have lost 45# but 77.4# since my journey began in May,05. My BMI has gone from 59.14 to 44.99. I'm feeling very proud of myself and can't wait to be in the 230's. It must be over 20 years since I have seen that number. I'll update next week after my fill.
8/21/06 I had my 4th fill today. Official weight at the dr's office is 249.6. A loss of 2.8# in 6 weeks. I need to get back on track! I think I will start measuring my food for a while and see what I am actually consuming. I may try to do weight watchers point system but I'm not sure how many points I should actually have since my surgery. I really want to lose another 20 - 30 pounds before Christmas but it seems impossible. Since my first fill 3 months ago I've only lost 12#. That's only 4# a month. This is too slow!!!! I want it off now!!!!!!!!!!
10/10/06 Today is my 6 month bandiversary. My weight today is 242.6 which is a loss of 48.4# and a total loss of 80.8#. Weight loss has been very slow for the last 2 months. It seems I have gained and lost the same 5-6 pounds over and over again. I have finally been under 243 for a week so I quess the weight loss has started up again. I have been doing water aerobics 3 times a week for about 6 weeks now. I was going to go for my 5th fill yesterday but since the scale moved I am going to hold off for a little while longer. I have felt that "stuck" feeling a few times but yesterday was the only time I actually had to throw up. All in all I am doing great. I wish the pounds would come off faster but I know this is the healthier way for me. My next goal is to get out of the 240's. My husband told me that was the last weight I told him and that was about 20 years ago. My next long term goal is 220. I hope I'll be close by the end of this year.
10/26/06 I went Monday for my 5th fill. (Official weight 243.4, loss of 6.2 # in 2 months). After the first sip of water I realized I felt different. I was unable to get past the heaviness in my chest. Dr. Rau decided to take out .5cc (I guess he put in 1cc). I was able to drink the required water although I did take it very slow. Since then eating is so different than before. Yesterday (first day on solids) I was only able to eat about 1/4 cup of chicken salad and a few crackers before I felt full. Today I had vegetable beef soup and crackers. After 2 hours I'm still very full. I think I must be at "THE SWEET SPOT"!!! This morning my weight was at 238.4, a loss of 3#s since Monday. (The doctor's scale is 2# more than mine.) I finally have a new number and it feels great. My husband will be at work for another week and I hope to be a few pounds less. I'm going to take it very slow on the food side, sticking with soups and very soft foods until I get used to this new feeling of fullness. Will update at the next fill or when I get to my next number, whatever comes first.
11/13/06 Went today for my 6th fill. I thought my last fill would be my "sweet spot" because of the problems, but it seems I needed more.
I only lost 1# (241.6). When I walked in, Dr. Rau said "wow, I can tell you've lost" but then I had to say what the scale showed. We were both disappointed. He told me the exercise could be slowing down the scale but inches are moving down. He tried an "aggresive" fill but after sipping water, I had problems. He had to take out about half the fill again. I know this happens but it was a disappointing visit. I hope this gets me closer to where I want to be.
2/12/07 Went today for my 7th fill. Weight 239.6, loss of 2# in 3 months. On the good side, I lost 2# during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Anniversary, and Child's Birthday. I have always gained about 10 - 15# during this time. I am ready to see some changes on the scale!! It has been 10 months since my surgery and I would like to lose 15# before my 1 year anniversery to put me at about 225#. I know if I get serious I can do this. I started a new excercise routine with weights and continuing my water aerobics. Hopefully this change will show up on the scale, not just in inches.
11/13/07 Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I posted! I am now at 211# as of last week. My scale broke down last week (It showed I lost 18# overnight, I wish!) so I will weigh today when I go to the YMCA. The weight is still coming off slow but consistent. I was scheduled for a fill tomorrow but I cancelled because I had PB"d a couple of times last week and I didn't want to take any chances. I have not had any backward steps and I don't won't to start now. I would like to lose about another
20 - 25 pounds.
01/07/08 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! My weight is now at 205# and I have not had a fill since Nov. I just got back from a weeks vacation at Disney World and had a great time.
I did not need a belt extension on the plane, in fact I could tighten the belt.
I fit in every ride without having to enter sideways.
My 11 year old son continued to tell me to slow down.
And best of all (drum roll please),
The security guard at the airport looked twice at my drivers license picture and commented on my weight loss!!!!!!
I can't wait to be under 200# but I don't feel I need another fill at this time. Most days I can only eat between 8 - 10 bites per meal. I still have a problem with wanting to eat between meals but I try to stay with the 100 calorie snack packs. All in all I think I am right on track. I have lost 86# since surgery but 118# since starting the 6 month diet prior to surgery. By my 2 year anniversary date in April I know I will be in the 190's maybe in the 180's.
Member Interests:
Adoption - My two boys are adopted but you wouldn't know it to look at them.
Singing - I love to sing. I am on the worship team at my church.
Christianity - I believe in the One True God and He has been my close Friend since I was 5.
Married - I have been married for 29 years.
LPN - I have worked with Pediatrics for 26 years.
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Eric Rau
Insurer Info:
Great-West Healthcare, PPO
1/13/06 My insurance received my updated records on 11/28/05 but did not start the review until 12/22/05. They are still wanting updated records so I am starting again. I have a new pysch evaluation on 1/25/06 and have started at CURVES. I am still attending WEIGHT WATCHERS. I have not given up!!! Still waiting!!!
2/13/06 Insurance says it needs a nutritionist assessment before final decision can be made. Dr's office thought I already had the assessment but it was overlooked. I have an appointment on 2/22 with the nutritionist. Case manager of insurance said decision will be given as soon as she receives assessment. I hope and pray this means approval. I have a tentative surgery date of 3/13/06 because my husband is only home for 2 weeks out of the month and I don't want to wait till April if I am approved. Liquid diet to start on 3/04. I have decided if I am denied, God is shutting this door and He has other plans for me. I do feel this is what I am to do, but I want what God has planned.
3/1/06 APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!
Received a call yesterday, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) that I was approved! I told the insurance lady that I thought it was ironic that on Fat Tuesday I would get approval for weight loss surgery. Soon I will no longer have any fat Tuesdays. I have an appointment on Monday with the surgeon and to get pre-op orders. Surgery scheduled for 3/13/06!! Now this waiting game is ending fast. Soon I will be on the loser (WINNER) side. I'm feeling excited, nervous, scared, etc., but I KNOW GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!I start a liquid diet this Saturday until surgery day. This will be a challenge as I have gained 8# since stopping Weight Watchers about 6 weeks ago. I'm sure I will lose this while on the liquid diet.
I'll update after surgery.
3/7/06 Yesterday was my pre-op day. First, surgery was changed to 3/14. Next, I went to the hospital for pre-op labs,
x-ray and EKG. I then met with the coordinator that has been handling my insurance matters. This was the first time I actually met her face to face. It was good to put a face to the voice. She then told me my doctor would rather do lapband than a rny because of less complications after surgery. I had considered this but my insurance has a stipulation of less than 50 BMI to have lapband. I am at 52 as of today. I will need to lose about 15# to reach their recommendations. Next I met with the surgeon. I have not seen him for about 2 years since my last preop consultation. Since then he has primarily been doing lapbands since he has found it to be less invasive and with less postop complications with about the same results as bypass. He highly recommends lapband and will check with the insurance this week. He feels I will lose the 15# this week while on the liquid diet. (I've already lost about 5# by my scale). He has kept the 3/14 surgery schedule but says if I don't lose the weight he wants me to wait until okayed by insurance. I do feel more at peace about the lapband but I would have to wait until next month for my husbands schedule if it is not done next week. The liquid diet is very hard, especially the first two days, and today is my first day at work on the liquids. I don't know if I could keep this up for longer than 10 days if my surgery is postponed. I'm still hoping and praying my surgery is next week. GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!!!!!
3/10/06 I'M SO FRUSTRATED!!!!!! Yesterday I spoke with the surgery coordinator. She said she had spoke with the insurance people and they would get back with her about changing the surgery from RNY to lapband. Today, since I had not heard from her, I tried to call but could only get her answering machine. I finally called the insurance myself. They said someone had called TODAY requesting the change in surgery and they would need a letter from the Dr. (I thought all this was done on Tuesday like I was told.) The doctor was out today so nothing could be done until Monday (surgery scheduled for Tuesday). I called the nurse at the hospital and she told me she thought the surgery had been cancelled. This is not what I was told by the doctor on Monday!!! I now have been on liquids for 7 days and still don't know if I'm having surgery or what. She told me I could eat a small meal of grilled chicken and steamed vegs. for supper if I need to. (I NEED TO!) She would get back to me on Monday to straighten out the problems. So here I am on the waiting game again. I can't wait till this is over. Oh by the way, I've lost 15# since Saturday.
3/15/06 Well, surgery has been postponed until I don't know when. My insurance insists that I need a BMI of 50 for the lapband and my doctor will not do the RNY. He says he will speak with the medical director at the insurance to try to change their minds but I have not heard anything different since Monday night. I've been told I will hear something today because if surgery is not done tomorrow I will have to repeat preop labs and also my husband goes back to work next week for 2 weeks. I'm still on the liquid diet and feeling very weak today. I finally am at a BMI of 51 but will have to lose another 6# to satisfy the insurance company. I'm still not sure about the lapband because of some of the comments from other people on this site. I don't want to take 2-3 years to lose the weight and don't see where the difference is than just going on a diet. Most people seem to lose very slowly! I wonder if it is worth having surgery to just lose 5# a month. There is nothing to see what the projected weight loss is to be like with the RNY. I still feel God is in control and I can only put my trust in Him. He sees the future and what is best for me.
UPDATE Surgery has been rescheduled for April 10th. I still need to lose about 6-7# to satisfy my insurance for the lapband and will do that in the next 2 weeks. I then will have about 10 days to make sure everything is in order before surgery. I did eat tonight but will start back on liquids tomorrow. I was told I could eat lightly as long as I was losing but I want to get to a 50 BMI ASAP so that nothing stops the April surgery date. I'll update my progress. Anyone with GreatWest Healthcare, remember they are a stickler for their guidelines and you must follow them exactly!!!!
3/29/06 FINALLY my BMI is below 50!!!!! Lapband surgery is scheduled for 4/10. New papers are being sent to insurance today so I should get the final approval by Monday. I have been following the liquid diet for about 4 weeks (I went on Adkins for 1 week to jumpstart my weightloss), and will have to begin again on Monday of next week. I am so tired of Slimfast and jello and I know I'll only have jello and broth for 2 weeks after the surgery. BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!! I can't wait till I can say I am on the losing (winning) side.
4/4/06 IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!
Surgery is April 10th!!!!!!!!! I received the approval today for the Lapband. I started back on the liquid diet yesterday and will be on it until and then after surgery. The waiting is almost over. See ya on the losing (winning) side.
4/11/06 Surgery was yesterday and I am doing very well. I was able to be discharged at 5:30 the day of surgery. Just having some slight discomfort but nothing I can't handle. I didn't have the severe gas pains I heard others had. Thanks for all the emails and prayers. Will update later.
4/14/15 I'm 4 days post-op and I've lost 8#!!!!!! Starting to feel hunger pains, especially when my mom is here fixing food for my family. The smells really get to you but I'm sticking to my little
4 oz of broth or jello three times a day. I am drinking my water in between but it seems my hunger pains are worse after the water. I am going to get out of the house today. Going to visit relatives AFTER lunch and then go to a wedding of some friends. I have had some pain and discomfort from the incision near my navel (I think this is where the port is). It is very bruised and slightly swollen, although it is better this morning. This is the only area that really hurts when I get up. I will mention this to the nurse when I call her on Monday. Bye for now. Have a great Easter holiday. Remember the One who died but can now live in each of us. Thank you, Jesus!!!
4/17/06 I'm one week post-op and doing great!! I'm down 14.5# since surgery but 64# from highest in May of 2005. I'm getting very tired of chicken broth and jello. Called the nurse today and asked if I could add something. She told me I could have egg drop soup or make my own soup and strain the broth. My mom came today and made the most awesome smelling vegetable beef soup so I had my 4oz of broth. It was great!!!! I kept some for tonight. Tomorrow I'll get some egg drop soup at the chinese restaraunt. I removed the steri strips today from my incisions. I was starting to blister where the tape was. Everything looks okay although the place where the port is had a small amount of bleeding. It is still swollen and red but the nurse said this was normal. I did have my doctor (BIL) look at it yesterday and he said it was fine. It seems to swell more during the day when I'm on my feet more (it goes down during the night). All in all I've done great. I haven't taken pain meds since Wed. I just can't wait till I can have real food to see how this thing will work. Will update later.
4/24/06 I'm now 2 weeks post-op and doing great. I am down 15# which I lost in the first week. I have progressed to mushies and am doing well. Went for my first postop appt. today, the doctor is pleased with my progress. My port incision is still red and swollen but he wasn't very worried, said to continue antibiotics. I don't return for 4 weeks and then will receive my first fill if needed. He said I had the 11cc VGB but does not tell his patients how much fill he adds at each appt. Will update later.
5/8/06 I'm 4 weeks post-op and still doing great. I finally lost a little more weight. I had gained back about 7# in the 2nd and 3rd week, but finally lost that plus 1.5# for a total of 16.5 since surgery and 41.5 since 3/06. I've also lost 40 inches since 3/06. I seem to be doing well on mushies, I start getting hunger pangs about 3-4 hours after I eat. I will call at the end of next week to see about scheduling my first fill. The area of my port is still swollen and opened about an inch last week. I've been on antibiotics for a week and the drainage has almost stopped. I hope the infection is completely gone in the next two weeks so I will be able to get a fill.
I am in a 22/24 from a 30/32 in clothing. Since last year at this time, I have lost (drum roll) 66.5#!!!!!!!!!!! Will update after my next dr's visit.
5/21/06 I am now 6 weeks post-op and had my first fill today. I now have 3cc in my 11cc band. I did feel some discomfort during the procedure because it seemed the port was not in the place the doctor thought. Official weight on the doctor's scale is 261.6. Started on liquids for the next 48 hours and I AM HUNGRY!!!! I hope this fill will give me some restriction as I was able to eat anything. If I limited what I ate, I would start getting hungry within 3 hours. I have not lost anymore weight since the first post-op week, actually gained about 3 pounds. Will update soon with hopefully some weightloss.
6/9/06 Tomorrow will be my 2 month bandiversery. I am now at 252# (loss of 21.5# since surgery and 42# since pre-op diet). I have had one fill but my doctor said because I've lost more than 2# per week he would wait before the next fill. Yesterday I went shopping with my mom for my birthday. I was able to buy a zippered jeans in a 20!! I've never worn zippered pants and my pull-on pants are a 26/28!!!!!! I am now in a 22/24 blouse from a 30/32. I'm hoping to get a second fill next week because I would like to lose at least 10# before vacation at the end of July.
5/05 Started Weight Watchers 323.4
3/09/06 Started Pre - op diet 294
4/10/06 Surgery date 273.5
6/09/06 2 month 252
6/20/06 Went yesterday for my 2nd fill. No problems this time and only felt a small pinch when inserting the needle. I had gained 3 lbs. since I called about getting a fill last week. My doctor's scale is 2 lbs more than mine so I asked for a starting weight with them. This will be the official weigh-in chart:
3/27/06 Pre-op weight 291.2
4/10/06 Surgery
5/21/06 1st fill 261.6 Total 29.6
6/19/06 2nd fill 255.4 Total 35.8
7/10/06 3rd fill 252.4 Total 38.8
8/21/06 4th fill 249.6 Total 41.6
10/23/06 5th fill 243.4 Total 47.6
11/13/06 6th fill 241.6 Total 49.6
02/12/07 7th fill 239.6 Total 51.6
6/26/06 Happy Birthday to Me!!!! Today I am 47 but I have not felt this well in 15 years. My weight today is 250.4 which is a 5# loss since my second fill. Went to IHOP for breakfast with my husband and youngest son and was only able to eat 1/2 of an omelet. I did not get hungry again until about 5pm. We ate chinese but I was only able to eat a few shrimp and vegetables. I did have a WW dessert late this evening as my "birthday cake". All in all I feel very proud of myself. This last fill is doing great. I eat about 1/4 of what I use to eat and can go 4 - 6 hours without hunger pains. I'm hoping to lose another 10# before July 17th when we leave for vacation. Tomorrow I get back on a routine of Tai-bo once a week and water aerobics twice a week. I had to postpone this for a week because of VBS at church last week. Hopefully this will help with the weight loss.
7/10/06 Today is my 3 month bandiversary. I'm feeling a bit discouraged today since I have not lost any weight for about 2 weeks. I start off losing very well (5 - 6 pounds) in the few days after my fill, since I am on liquids, and then fight with the same 2 - 3 pounds for the next 2 weeks. My doctor will not give a fill if I lose more than 1 - 2#s/ week on an average. This includes what I lose while on liquids. I feel this surgery is not helping since I only lose if I am only on liquids. I have an appointment today to talk with my surgeon and hopefully he will give me my third fill. We leave for vacation next Monday and I will have to wait until July 31st if I can't get a fill today. My weight today is 254 (I had gotten down to 249) which is a total loss of 1# in 3 weeks. I am trying to make good food choices but I seem to eat more but can go about 7-8 hours between meals. On a good note I have lost 37#s in 3.5 months and a total of 70#s since 5/05. My BMI has gone from 59.1 to 46.5.
LATER UPDATE: I was able to get my 3rd fill. Official weight at dr's office is 252.4, which he counted as a loss of 3#s. Hopefully this will start kicking in soon. I am going to try not to weigh every day but I seem to be in a routine of weighing first thing in the morning. I'll update after vacation, I hope to have good news.
7/26/06 My husband and I had a great time on our vacation. We went to Branson but because it was so hot (100 - 105 degrees) we were unable to do much walking. We did most of our walking at outlet stores, my husband is becoming a clothes horse junkie! I thought I had gained a couple of pounds because I ate what I wanted just smaller amounts but I actually stayed the same at 248. My husband likes to snack about every 2 - 3 hours but I brought nuts, trail mix, and granola bars to snack on in the car. I was able to keep up my water intake especially because it was so hot. All in all I think I did great. Now it's back to routine and hopefull I'll start losing again. I did feel restriction especially if I ate too fast, but I would just stop eating until I felt the food move down. I haven't experienced a PB with the sliming and stuff just pressure in the center of my chest if I eat too fast.
7/31/05 Weight today is 244.6. I've lost 3.6# this past week!!! I think this may be my "sweet spot' for now as I am not feeling hungry and eating only about 1 - 2 cups of food/meal.
8/17/06 Just a little update. I've been battling the same 5# for about 2 weeks now. I am now at 246 but have gotten as high as 249. I think I will go Monday for another fill as it has been over 5 weeks since my last. I do feel restriction and tightness in my chest sometimes while eating but I can eat more and my weight is not going down. I was just charting my weight loss, and in 4 months since surgery I have lost 45# but 77.4# since my journey began in May,05. My BMI has gone from 59.14 to 44.99. I'm feeling very proud of myself and can't wait to be in the 230's. It must be over 20 years since I have seen that number. I'll update next week after my fill.
8/21/06 I had my 4th fill today. Official weight at the dr's office is 249.6. A loss of 2.8# in 6 weeks. I need to get back on track! I think I will start measuring my food for a while and see what I am actually consuming. I may try to do weight watchers point system but I'm not sure how many points I should actually have since my surgery. I really want to lose another 20 - 30 pounds before Christmas but it seems impossible. Since my first fill 3 months ago I've only lost 12#. That's only 4# a month. This is too slow!!!! I want it off now!!!!!!!!!!
10/10/06 Today is my 6 month bandiversary. My weight today is 242.6 which is a loss of 48.4# and a total loss of 80.8#. Weight loss has been very slow for the last 2 months. It seems I have gained and lost the same 5-6 pounds over and over again. I have finally been under 243 for a week so I quess the weight loss has started up again. I have been doing water aerobics 3 times a week for about 6 weeks now. I was going to go for my 5th fill yesterday but since the scale moved I am going to hold off for a little while longer. I have felt that "stuck" feeling a few times but yesterday was the only time I actually had to throw up. All in all I am doing great. I wish the pounds would come off faster but I know this is the healthier way for me. My next goal is to get out of the 240's. My husband told me that was the last weight I told him and that was about 20 years ago. My next long term goal is 220. I hope I'll be close by the end of this year.
10/26/06 I went Monday for my 5th fill. (Official weight 243.4, loss of 6.2 # in 2 months). After the first sip of water I realized I felt different. I was unable to get past the heaviness in my chest. Dr. Rau decided to take out .5cc (I guess he put in 1cc). I was able to drink the required water although I did take it very slow. Since then eating is so different than before. Yesterday (first day on solids) I was only able to eat about 1/4 cup of chicken salad and a few crackers before I felt full. Today I had vegetable beef soup and crackers. After 2 hours I'm still very full. I think I must be at "THE SWEET SPOT"!!! This morning my weight was at 238.4, a loss of 3#s since Monday. (The doctor's scale is 2# more than mine.) I finally have a new number and it feels great. My husband will be at work for another week and I hope to be a few pounds less. I'm going to take it very slow on the food side, sticking with soups and very soft foods until I get used to this new feeling of fullness. Will update at the next fill or when I get to my next number, whatever comes first.
11/13/06 Went today for my 6th fill. I thought my last fill would be my "sweet spot" because of the problems, but it seems I needed more.
I only lost 1# (241.6). When I walked in, Dr. Rau said "wow, I can tell you've lost" but then I had to say what the scale showed. We were both disappointed. He told me the exercise could be slowing down the scale but inches are moving down. He tried an "aggresive" fill but after sipping water, I had problems. He had to take out about half the fill again. I know this happens but it was a disappointing visit. I hope this gets me closer to where I want to be.
2/12/07 Went today for my 7th fill. Weight 239.6, loss of 2# in 3 months. On the good side, I lost 2# during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Anniversary, and Child's Birthday. I have always gained about 10 - 15# during this time. I am ready to see some changes on the scale!! It has been 10 months since my surgery and I would like to lose 15# before my 1 year anniversery to put me at about 225#. I know if I get serious I can do this. I started a new excercise routine with weights and continuing my water aerobics. Hopefully this change will show up on the scale, not just in inches.
11/13/07 Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I posted! I am now at 211# as of last week. My scale broke down last week (It showed I lost 18# overnight, I wish!) so I will weigh today when I go to the YMCA. The weight is still coming off slow but consistent. I was scheduled for a fill tomorrow but I cancelled because I had PB"d a couple of times last week and I didn't want to take any chances. I have not had any backward steps and I don't won't to start now. I would like to lose about another
20 - 25 pounds.
01/07/08 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! My weight is now at 205# and I have not had a fill since Nov. I just got back from a weeks vacation at Disney World and had a great time.
I did not need a belt extension on the plane, in fact I could tighten the belt.
I fit in every ride without having to enter sideways.
My 11 year old son continued to tell me to slow down.
And best of all (drum roll please),
The security guard at the airport looked twice at my drivers license picture and commented on my weight loss!!!!!!
I can't wait to be under 200# but I don't feel I need another fill at this time. Most days I can only eat between 8 - 10 bites per meal. I still have a problem with wanting to eat between meals but I try to stay with the 100 calorie snack packs. All in all I think I am right on track. I have lost 86# since surgery but 118# since starting the 6 month diet prior to surgery. By my 2 year anniversary date in April I know I will be in the 190's maybe in the 180's.
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Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Eric Rau
Insurer Info:
Great-West Healthcare, PPO
About Me
Bourg, LA
Location
34.2
BMI
Surgery
04/10/2006
Surgery Date
Nov 15, 2005
Member Since
