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 .....now the real work begins.   I am 11 days post-op.  My surgery day (July 1st) was thankfully uneventful.  My daughters who live here (my older daughter came from GA the next day) were there and my husband and 2 of my friends.  Me and my entourage arrived on schedule (6am) and I was taken back to the surgical holding area.  My family was getting anxious and they finally brought them back just as I was about to go off to surgery.  I only remember getting to O.R. and on the table, after that, I was waking up in recovery.  Dr. Davis is good!!      I am so thankful that lap band is out and I have a 2nd chance.  I will make the most of it.

Being home, I have had a hard time at night finding a comfortable spot in the bed, but I am sure it will be getter.  I have been able to get my walking in each day, but getting all of the protein in is hard.   The good news is I am down 28lbs since my last nutrition visit in May.  On my pre-surgery appt. I was 331 and the day of surgery I was 318.  The 2 week pre-surgery liquid diet really helped.   Leaving the hospital I was 324.  I freaked, but was told the IV fluids, gas, etc.This morning I weighted and I was 311. Yeah!! I am on the way.

My favorite poem is so real to me now.

 

The Touch of the Masters Hand

 

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only
two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three
dollars twice; going for three.." But no, from the room, far back, a
gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust
from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody
pure and sweet as caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make
it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and
gone," said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not
quite understand what changed its worth." Swift came the reply: "The touch
of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin, A
"mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. "He is
going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone." But the Master
comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul
and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

  

Myra 'Brooks' Welch

 

OK, I finally said it out loud!  I am happy and scared at the same time.  I started the 2-week liquid diet on Monday.  It has been hard, but so far I have been able to sustain. Hopefully I will lose enough that the doctor will go ahead with the surgery.   I am prayerful that this is the tool that will help me succeed this time.  May God be with me in surgery.   

Until next time, I am still
Touched by the Master's hand!
Charlene

I have finally completed all of the required visits.    Now, I am nervously waiting for the approval from the insurance company.  I have been trying to lose pounds pre-surgery, but no, if anything I have gained.  I lost 10 pounds before I went on vacation in April.  I was gone about 3 weeks.  Then when I went for my last visit, I had gained it all back.  

The most frustrating thing is I watched what I ate and we got lots of exercise in.  My husband on the other had has been steady losing and his BMI was already under 50. We pretty much eat the same thing.  I gained and he lost.    Dr. Davis said I have to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery; so I am praying I will have favor.  I am still trying. 

My main problem is still trying to get the "good foods" down.  They get stuck every time.  But, things I should not have, well they go down just fine. This darn lap band is not my friend!!!  I will be so happy to get it out and replaced with the RNY.  I ask that you agree with me and pray for no complications during or after surgery. 

Until next time, i am still "Touched by the Master's Hand"
Charlene

I have completed 2 of the 4 required nutritionist visits.  I am getting the feeling the revision will actually happen this time.  My husband is also going through the process to be approved for the RNY.  His PCP told him he was going to have a bypass one way or another and for him to choose heart or gastric.   He chose gastric bypass.  I know, he has been shocked into being compliant.  He has completed his psych and 1 nutritionist visit with one scheduled for next week.   I finally have some real support.   

He and I attended the support group meeting at the hospital tonight.  I heard some very good information and I learned other people use food for emotional support as I do.  I am really hoping the next couple of months go by quickly.  I am so ready.

I had good news today! My daughter went for her doctor's visit and it was confirmed that she indeed will be having a baby.  I am so excited!  

Until next time:  "I am still touched by the Master's Hand!"
Charlene

My husband's insurance now coveres the surgery and I am starting the process again this year.  I have spoken with my mom and surprisely she is fully on board!!!  My oldest daughter is happy with my decision, now the other 2, oh well.  I am at peace.  My husband fully supports me, so I am good.  I have placed myself in God's hands and I am trusting Him!!

My new insurance requires nutritutional classes.  I will start them on Friday.  I do not think that I have loss any weight.   There is a commerical on TV where there is a husband and wife who are both "dieting".  They eat/drink the same things and the husband loses; the wife stays the same or gains.  That is my life right now!!!!  My husband is losing; my body says, "what, oh you mean you expected to lose, ha, ha?". 

Hopefully I can complete this process this time around! Until next time:
"I am still touched by the Master's Hand"

I have not lost enough weight.  I had to lose 10% of my weight and that just has not happened and probably will not happen before surgery.  My BMI is still too high. I did order my pre-op kit for the 2 week liquid diet.   I think I need an intervention. I am going to call the therapist for an appointment and email Tricia.

Also on top of that my children are tripping.  "Can't you just continue with the trainer?" "Mom, there are too many complications."  AND, I will not have coverage after this month!!!!

All I know is God is not the author of confusion and until there is peace in the valley. I am going to be still.

I have a date!!! Yeah!     It is October 22, 2008. I am both excited and nervous.   I have a pre-op appt. on the 8th.  I am praying  that I have not gained any weight, but also loss some.  One of my sisters said she would do the 2 week pre-op diet with me. 

I have told my husband, daughters, sisters and a few friends.  All of whom are prayer warriors.  I am ready to invade the enemy's camp and take back my health and my life.  I will trust God to deliver and keep me.  I have truly been "Touched by the Master's Hand".

It has been a while since I updated.  This is not only a life style change but a journey that I have been struggling with.  No matter how hard I try I have not been able to be successful with the Lap Band.  Maybe I had too much weight to lose.  Maybe it is all in my mind (hmm.. my childrens would agree with that.)  I am now at a weight of more than when I started.

I eat right and the food gets stuck.  Then I am into Pbling, slimming and vomiting.  So to avoid that I am either not eating or eating the wrong things.  Why is it the wrong things go down just fine, but the things that are healthy and good for me get stuck? 

I can not keep going down this road, so I am considering the lap RNY.  I know, I choose lap band over RNY because it was less invasive, less serious complications, etc.  But if I am Pbling or vomiting every time a piece of food crosses my lips, that's a complication.  I have got to trust my God and all of the prayers that go up on my behalf.  I have got to start to live what I say, "God has not given my a spirt of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."  

With that said I contacted Dr Davis' office, my 1st choice and my PCP's choice for a possible revision.  I orginally choose Dr. Spivak to due the lap band due to his extensive experience in the Lap Band.  Dr Davis at the time did not do lap band.  But now that I am considering the RNY, my PCP wants me to go back to Dr Davis.

The last time I saw Dr Davis was 2005,so I had to attend the seminar again on June 4th.  The process has started and I have an appointment on July 14th.  Pray for me! 

Until next tme, I am touched by the Master's Hand!!  

July 4, 2007 - It has been quiet a long time since I updated. I had to have a complete unfill in Feb. 07. I let the pouch rest for about 3 months and now I have 2.5cc in my band. I was having a very hard time even getting water down. Weight Loss has been very slow and during the unfill I gained about 10 pounds. I refused to be discouraged. Now that I have the fill back, I think this time around I have a better view of what I can and cannot eat. I also know I have to up my excercise program. I am looking to join Dr Spivak's support group. Until next time I am still Touched by the Master's Hand!!!!!