tiffyp
April 5, 2008
Well, my journey began on Feb 11, 2008. I went to a WLS seminar held my Richmond Surgical Group. I was really impressed my the both physicians ( Dr. Schroder and Dr. Brengman). They both had lots of knowledge about the lap-band surgery. They answered lots of questions. They didnt try to leave the seminar after a couple of questions. So, the next day I made my consult visit appointment for Feb 27,2008. My husband came along. I was surprised that he wanted to come. He's a little nervous about me having surgery. The consult went great. Dr. Brengman was totally cool. He answered all the questions we had. Told us what to expect next and after the surgery. I opened the mail March 13 and there it was. The approval letter from my insurance. I can't believe. I called my husband. He couldnt believe it came so quickly. The Dr. said it could take a few months. Just 2 weeks for us. How awesome!! 
I went to have the psy eval on March 21. I was really nervous about the questions that would be asked, but it was no problem. The sessions lasted about an hour and she said she thought I was a good candidate. OhBoy!!! Now, the next step is the nutrition class on April 14. I'm so excited.
April 24, 2008
Well, I went to the nutrition class on april 21 instead of the 14. I wasnt sure what to expect. I was told the class was 4 hours long. I couldn't understand how we were supposed to talk about nutrition for 4 hours. However, one of the nurses from the hospital talked for about 2 hours. It was good, but scary too. Complications, risks, infections. But it was good to have the info. She said to check with the scheduler in about 2 weeks if they hadnt already contacted us for a surgery date. OH BOY!!! we'll see how long it takes.
May 3, 2008
Yesterday, i received my surgery letter. June 12 is my day!! OMG~~~ i cant believe it. I didnt even have to call the office to get the date. This is totally amazing. May 21 is the day for my lab work. I'm really nervous and excited all at once.
May 30
Well I went to the office for my lab work. I havent heard anything fromthem, so i suppossed all went well. I started my 2 week pre op diet yesterday. i made it through. but my mind kept telling me i was hungry!! i forgot about that would happen. But i followed the guidelines exactually.
June 20
well, i'm back from surgery. 8 days now!! whoo-hoo!!! the surgery went well. i had to have a hiatal hernia repaired. i went home the next morning. my dear husband was with me the entire time. thank goodness. my stay at st. marys was excellent. the nurses were wonderful. i would go there again. and i'm feeling really good now. i've had some gas, but nothing major. and there's pain at the incision areas. however, it is passing. i started soft food on 6/19. and i'm doing well so far.
August 13
i had my 1st fill on july 24. i was pretty nervous. but it turned out well. my port was tilted down, so it was a little hard to access. the NP said that was normal. since i had lost weight on my tummy area. me we a smaller tummy. its amazing. but all in all it went well. however, i dont feel any restriction yet when i eat. i felt more restriction b4 the fill. i thought it would come, but it hasnt. i'm going to call the office tomorrow. maybe i can get scheduled to come in this week. who knows. all i can do is ask. i am losing weight, but not much. i've lost 3 lbs since the fill. its been 3 weeks since the fill. i think i'm suppossed to lose more than that in 3 weeks. i shall see tommorrow.
Sept 27
i went for my 2nd fill on sept 5. much better with restriction. i do feel full again. WOO HOO! i was worried that i would never feel full again. so now i have lost 7 lbs since the 5th of sept. which makes me hit onederland. i'm now 196lbs. i cant believe it. i havent been at 196 since maybe 1996/97. its so wonderful. i'm so pleased that i tried the lap-band. i was worried that it wouldnt work for me. and i would be heavy forever. but the band and i are really working together to take back my life from obesity.
yesterday i bought a pair of jeans from Sam's Club. just a regular size 14. no 14W. they actually fit. i mean really fit my body. my other jeans can fall off while still buttoned. and now i wear a size 14. i'm still in shock. i dont remember the last time i wore a size 14. in may i was a tight size 20 (actually a 22) and now in sept i'm in a 14.
my confidence has also gone up. this fall i've been coaching my daughters youth cheerleading squad. they're just little girls, but b4 i would've never done it. for 1 i wouldnt have had the energy to do it. and 2 i would be too embarrassed b/c of my size. when i look around at the other moms. i'm not the largest one anymore. not the smallest either, but i really look better.
i forgot how great it is to write about my feelings. this is wonderful.
Oct 7, 2008
Well, today i went in for a follow-up appt. w/ Dr. Brengman. OMG! i have lost 8.5 lbs since i went in for my 2nd fill on sept. 5. This is so incredible. I can't believe i am really using my tool. i get up 4-5 times a week and exercise. i havent keep this type of motivation in a reall, really long time. this is such a strange feeling. me exercising, me losing weight, me not being tired all the time. all i can say is Thank you Lord!! only through his grace have i been able to take the first step to WLS.
Dec 18, 2008
Today I went for my 3rd fill. i've lost 14 pounds since my follow-up. i am 176 lbs now. i cant believe it. thats a total of 71 lbs since the may 30(pre op diet). i feel soooo incredible. my husband and i went to get some new pants to celebrate my weight lost. i thought a size 12 was pushing it, but i let him get them anyway. the pants fit!!! WTH!! i wear a size 12. this is a wonderful journey that i'm on. i still cant believe how blessed i am to have this tool. i thought my days of being obese were the way things would be forever. but its not. i've never felt so committed to weight lost b4. i want so badly to be a good role model to my children. i want to show them how to eat properly and to exercise to keep their bodies healthy. i also want to look nice for me. i still have trouble believing this is happenning to me, but occassionally i can see it when i look in the mirror. some days i really love what i see in the mirror. some days i still see that old me. but luckily those days of seeing the old me are going less and less.
