I left that hospital ready for this challenge. I was on liquid diet for 2 weeks. I hated this....I have issues with drinking shakes and gagged every one of the down! I also began to feel hungry! This sucked! I then started the pureed and soft foods. This was the worst part for me but, I was expecting it and ready to take this challenge head on! I initially lost 5-8 lbs per month. I was struggling but began to see my body change. Then I received my first fill. I was terrified. My 1st fill was under fluro. This was the first time I saw my new band in action. I was pleased yet disgusted. I guess I am a queasy person overall:tongue_smilie: I had to close my eyes and it really was not bad at all. Then the PB's began!!!! Everyday!! I had to learn how to eat like a bandster. This is still a work in progress. Slowly eat, chew 20 times, then swallow!!! I was not ready to adjust to that. When I am hungry...I want to EAT! Not think and eat! My support groups really helped me learn how to be a bandster. I began to transform into this person who was ready to follow the rules and let the band work!!! and WORK it did! I began to loose 8+ lbs per month consistently. I have now lost 81lbs in 1 year! I work out 4 times per month and let my band work! I received a total of 9 fills in this last year. I have been too loose, too tight, and all of the above! I am finally at my sweet spot! I still PB when I don't follow the rules. I still overeat at times, I am not perfect at this......I am still learning everyday! My band changes with my emotions, the time of day, and during hormone changes. This journey not only helped me loose weight but learn about my body! This was the best decision I ever made. :thumbup:
Hello Everyone! This has truly been a life changing journey for me. I am a 30 year old mother of 2 who is very excited about newly found health and energy. My journey began summer 2007 when I was fed up with my weight! I had tried any and everything to loose. I was unsuccessful and felt like I was doomed to be overweight. I longed to be healthy!! I began searching for new tools for weight loss, and discovered the lap-band. I was EXTREMELY skeptical and thought that this was pretty extreme for me. After long discussions with my husband, tons of research, talking to my primary provider, prayer, and "talking myself into it"...I finally decided to "go for it". During the next 4 months I made and missed 4-5 appt's at Puget Sound SUrgical Center. I had begun telling my friends and was talked out of my initial decision. I was so angry at myself...it's very easy for me to get "talked out of something" when I am already skeptical. Then, I finally went to the appt. I must have asked 10,000+ questions. My Dr. and staff were great! I was able to calm down and trust the procedure. Then the insurance nightmare began! :thumbup: I was denied twice by United Healthcare. I had the right BMI but no additional weight related health issues. UHC staff were rude and ridiculous. I hated calling them but stayed persistent. I must have called them everyday until the approved me. This took 4-5 months. Then the real FEAR hit me! Was I really about to get cut open? and have a foreign body placed in my body? was it really worth it? I wonder if I will fail at this? I was mess and a half! Then I weighed myself...274lbs! 29 years old and on my way to diabetes, heart disease, and early death....I had to go for it!! My surgery was on 10/8/08 at Steven's Hospital in Edmonds, Wa. I CREID like a toddler from the moment I arrived. I was finally put to sleep and 3 hours later I was done! I felt okay...just a tad groggy and sore in the stomach. I HATE hospitals and was ready to leave ASAP. I had my pain med prescriptions filled 3 days before so 4 hours later, they let me go! I was ready to start this new life with my newly placed band.....
