Dee S.
November 12, 2007 - I'm back and in full effect. It's been a challenge. I haven't gain any weight. Thank the Lord. Changed doctors. The doctor that did my surgery is not doing my aftercare (fills). I write about that later. I'm really hyped about the journey. Back on the track. New doctor is great! Finally reach that "Sweet Spot". I was beginning to wonder if it existed. This is a better November than last year. My band is filled at 10cc...WOW!!!
Detour in the journey from February through November 2007 .....Back on Track
February 6, 2007 - It has been really difficult for me, but thank the Lord I'm here. Still trying to reach the "Sweet spot". I am going back and forth losing and gaining. I have my starting weight was 350lbs...I know I weighed more before going to the seminar. I weighed 317 today....whew. Can't wait to get to the "Sweet Spot". Dr. Hitchcock said that sometimes it may take up to 12 or more fills. Lord give me strength. Still praying!!!
December 12, 2006 - It's been over a month since my last fill. November was a difficult month. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, etc. I finally had the courage to keep my appointment. I felt myself sinking fast. Thank God I didn't gain. I didn't ask the doctor how many cc's my fill was. Praying through this holiday season.
October 26, 2006 - Another fill today. Had to have a fill in between the last (2 cc). I still don't fill restricted. I'm hungry and scared that I going to go back to my old habits. I lost one pound this month. Thank GOD I didn't gain any. Dr. Hitchcock added one cc today because he said he felt some resistance. He also said if I didn't feel any restriction this time, to come back before my next appointment. The holidays are fastly approaching. Got my fingers crossed. I pretty sure that the weigh will come off. Slowly....but surely.
September 21, 2006 - Second fill today. I lost 6 more pounds. It was a difficult month. I was hungry all the time. Cravings for junk was continual. I attended a support group session on August 24th and it went very well. Everyone is having the same concerns and those who have successfully moved pass the challenge offer great support. Dr. Hitchcock had a difficult time finding the right spot on my port to add my fill. He added another 2cc, but he said if I wasn't feeling any restrictions to come in a couple weeks. I met a lady in the doctor's office today that had a RNY and lost 46lbs in three months. Today I am really glad I didn't have the RNY. That's it for today. Over and out.......
August 24, 2006 - Got my first fill today. Next one will be next month. We will see. I'm still hungry and I'm eating more than I think I should. But with all that I lost another 4lbs from my last appointment. This is without restrictions. I am going to my first Support Group meeting. I'll see how that goes. Maybe I should have gotten the RNY. Just a little down today. Such as life!
July 27, 2006 - Got my staples out. Dr. Hitchcock reminded me to drink water, water, water. I feeling pretty great. My next appointment will be time for my first fill. I can't wait. I'm still following the South Beach Diet, so hopefully I will have lost a few more pounds. Right now egg salad is my diet. Lost about 24 pounds already since my first office visit with Dr. Hitchcock.
July 26, 2006 - My first appointment after the surgery is tomorrow. The week wasn't so bad. I introduced new foods slowly. Became neasauted (sp?) once. But I didn't vomit. I'm eating mostly proteins. I've had very little carbs. I'm soooo scared I'm going to gain the 18 lbs I've already lost. But they say that the first 6 weeks I shouldn't expect to lose weight. But I do.....
July 22, 2006 - It's finally behind me. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Still eating (drinking) liquids. A little swelling and stiffness. My breath is starting to smell and I brush my teeth 3 or more times a day. I will be to work on Monday. I'm just trying to figure out how to have lunch without my nosy neighbor being aware of the change. Dr. Hitchcock and his staff are truly wonderful.
July 14, 2006 - Met with Lynda McDonald, RN - SMMC Bariataric Program Coordinator. She was very helpful. She had gone through WLS and really knows the deal. We basically went over everything again. This sort wrapped up the Seminar, Psyc Evaluation, and Dietitian stuff together. After this process, if you are left with any questions not answered it is because they were not asked.
July 11, 2006 - Saw Dr. Hitchcock again. Everything is fine with my coumadin intake. I will be taking Lovenox shots instead for 5 days before surgery without the coumadin, then four days after surgery with the coumadin. That was really my main concern. GOOD NEWS - lost 10 lbs. I am sooo scared I'm going to put them back on before the 19th. I watching closely. I will start my liquid diet 2 days pre-op.
So the next step is to go to a Pre-Op Education Class. It is scheduled for Friday - July 14th. I feel like I'm at the top of the roller coaster and it has stopped. I am looking back at where I've came and down at where I'm going.
July 10, 2006 - Saw Dr. Sabipathy, psy doctor at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. He was very nice and seem to actually kind about what I thought and about the Lap Band Surgery. He give me the go ahead for the surgery. So all is on for July 19th. I went to get the rest of the things I needed, such as protein drink (GNC), sugar free jellos, vitamins and such. As Jackie Gleason would say...."and way we go.....".
July 7, 2006 - My first visit to the Clinical Dietitian at Shawnee Mission Medical Center went well. I saw Carolyn Swenson and she was very pleasant. Even though it seem like she had been through this a thousand times and seem pretty bored about it, I received a lot of useful information. I plan on re-reading the book and perhaps making an additional copy of it for a backup. Now it seems like the journey really begins.
I also say my PCP and seem to just as excited as I am. She has been pushing me to do this for about 3 - 4 years now. I wish I had done it then. But of course I know there is a reason that I didn't. No looking back with sorrows, it's history now.
GOOD NEWS: Lost 10 pounds. Since the last time I went to my WL surgeon. Lost 3 pounds since the last time I saw my PCP in February. My God.....that means I was up 7 lbs from February. Show me to the OR......STAT..
July 4, 2006 - It's the 4th. No tempations to eat the wrong thing because I didn't leave the house. I have my lab work tomorrow. Time is drawing closer to my surgery date on the 19th.
June 29, 2006 - I'm really trying to concentrate on my weight. My surgery is about 20 days away and I need to lose 15 pounds. I have to have a whole battery of test. Plus this coumadin thing. I'm not worry about. I just want my doctors to get it together. Starting weight: 350lbs.
March 24, 2006 - The Seminar. I really like Dr. Hitchcock. He doesn't sugar coat things.
Hospital Reviews
Member Interests:
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: C. Thomas Hitchcock M.D., F.A.C.S.
My first impression of Dr. Hitchcock was at his seminar. He was very knowledgeable at the Lap Band surgery. After meeting him personally at my first appointment, Dr. Hitchcock was very caring and he took the time to answer all my questions. Dr. Hitchcock reviewed my medical history with a fine tooth comb. Dr. Hitchcock address the risk of surgery very bluntly and left me with no questions of risk. I wasn't the typical patient. I had my surgery on July 19, 2006 and Dr. Hitchcock's aftercare is wonderful. I had a question about my surgery and Dr. Hitchcock returned my call personally. I would highly recommend Dr. Hitchcock for a Bariatric Surgeon. However, his staff at first seemed to be very hurried. It was very difficult to get in touch personally by phone. They would respond by e-mail within one day. After my surgery, I was given access to the office number that I could reach a staff person. After time goes on, his staff seem to be very caring and helpful.
Insurer Info:
UnitedHealth Care, HMO
