The Bitter Bandster

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A year in review

After years of contemplating surgery; it was one year ago today that I first met with my surgeon, Dr. Kim. I was about 200 pounds overweight; my 45th birthday was fast approaching and I felt like shit. I told Dr. Kim that I wasn't one of the confused fatties that he was used to seeing that thought surgery was a panacea. I was an educated fatty. I had done my research. The LAP-BAND® was the tool that would help me keep the weight off if I did my due diligence and lost it through hard work and determination. He agreed and told me I was the perfect candidate for LAP-BAND® surgery. I was skeptical of his attitude because I was sure he fed that same line to everybody that walked through his door but none the less, I knew I was the perfect candidate and was ready to prove it to him and the world. A week to the day later, I suffered a heart attack at 44. It was an epiphany (I've had a few epiphanies recently). I needed to heal myself and fast. I immediately modified my eating habits and lifestyle. I didn't continue to stuff my face like some moron that thought, "I better eat all I can before the magical LAP-BAND® was installed and kept me from doing so." I stopped eating fast food; cut my portions down and began walking my dogs daily instead of just tossing them in the backyard. If I was going to have to exercise, they were too. Whenever I thought I was hungry, I would ask myself if the feeling was real or just my gluttonous appetite trying to lead me astray yet again. Aetna required me to do a 3 month supervised diet in order to get approved for surgery, this included meeting with a nutritionist once a month. I didn't whine about the waiting like so many retards do. I took complete advantage and learned even more about what I can do to gain my health and prepare for surgery. I paid it forward by sharing what I had learned and experienced here. I received many thank yous from grateful people and that convinced me I wasn't wasting my breathe. Although, I did have a couple of jerks, like whatshername on a journey with her bible tell others that I had no clue what I was talking about because I wasn't banded yet. I dropped 50% (95 pounds) of my excess weight by the time I had surgery five and a half month later. Surgery went smoothly and there were no nasty surprises. A few of the good surprises are that rice and bread are not taboo with the LAP-BAND®. I'm down 153 ugly pounds and I'm preparing for my panniculectomy. I fear the pain a lot but I need the surgery. My clothes are way too big for me and I refuse to buy any new pants until this pannis is gone. I'm going to lose my belly button but I figure I haven't used it in 46 years except to store lint. So, who needs it. I can always get a tattoo of a belly button if I miss it. I should have a date by the end of next week. I am aiming for December. The liquor is wearing off and I need to get to bed. I'll probably have to edit this when I'm sober. :thumbup:

btrieger

September 19, 2010

A third of the way there!

I should have had my date 2 days ago but my cardiologist left something off of his release. Hopefully that will be cleared up by next week. This morning the scale said 300. Not only do I love round numbers but that means even without the band I have lost 1/3 of the 195 pounds I had to lose. Last week I was having second thoughts but I am gung ho to get my band now and it better keep me from ever seeing 300 again. I am figuring I will be 285-290 by the time I get it and around 265 for my first fill.

btrieger

January 8, 2010

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