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The best decision I've ever made!!!!!!!

It's been two full weeks since my surgery, and I've lost a total of 15 pounds. I am learning how to listen to my body and this is very new for me to do. I eat very slowly and when I feel the least bit full I stop eating. Learning not to over eat is a really big deal for me. I have always felt like I needed to have just one more bite of something really everything. I now know that is not the case. Food is starting to mean something totally different to me than ever before. I am getting so excited to finally see the scale move down in numbers. My clothes, underwear, bra, and shoes are all fitting a little different and that is a very good feeling. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I am ready for the challenge like never before. I look forward to doing some form of work out nightly -now. For me, every little thing counts when it comes to working out. I now look at everything as some form to work out. I park my truck farther away from the doorway, and I find every opportunity to walk while at work. I am getting so many compliments from people at work, shopping and church. I do have one little problem at this point. I really thought my husband would be very happy and excited that his wife is looking healthier and sexier. "WRONG" He is becoming one of my biggest haters with all of the stupid things he has been saying. I could notice this changed even before my surgery actually was done! Now things are only getting worst between us. Well, I have decided I did this for me and my love ones who truly love me. Therefore, I am not going to allow his unhappiness to become my own. With God's help I do know things are only going to get better and better for me having this band. I have to stay focused, active, and true to myself and this band. It is a tool and I intend to use it's assistance to the max!:cool:
shonette

shonette

8
 

My first fill experience/ 10 cc band with 2cc fill

Today I received my first fill and it was not as bad as I had anticipated it being. My doctor is a very cool person and he has a way of talking you through your fears of the unknown. I really don't have a problem with needles, but I did not want to be stuck multiple times as I originally thought would happen. I learned that I have a standard seize band that is 10 cc, and I was given 2 cc of saline in my band today. My doctor took me up to 3cc just to let me know how it felt to have an over fill. He then took 1 cc out and I was able to swallow just fine. He was really proud of my weight lost, but he also wanted me to focus more on my fat percentage and not just the weight lost itself. I was put on a three day post adjustment diet to ensure everything was working the way it should. He also encouraged me to buy one of those scales that calculate your body fat mass along with your weight. On the way home from the Hospital I felt a little pressure in my chest area, but it appears to be fading away at this time. I do feel like my diet is very bland at times so I pulled up some food ideas that are high in protein from the net just to mix things up a little. I don't want to feel like this is something I can't do, because I know I can and will do this. Since I now have my first fill, I don't want to feel like my weight lost will slow down. I know that sounds crazy! I really want to keep myself on a consistent weight reduction cycle. I feel really good about the things I am doing right now, and people are really being supportive towards me in this process of losing weight. I had my first appointment with my Podiatrist today, and he gave me a boot to sleep in and a cortisone shot in my heel to relieve some of my pain and pressure. Hopefully, once I get my heel pain under control my exercise can increase. At this point it is just so hard to apply excessive pressure on my feet. The pain is just too much to bare at times. In three more weeks I will be considered for my second fill. I really do thank God that I don't have any type of complications with my new found friend "Allergan" my band!
shonette

shonette

5
 

There is "HOPE"

I really don't know why, but I find so much comfort expressing my thoughts and feelings about my weight issues in my blogs. Being able to write these blogs are a emotional release for me. I am so excited because I called the local Doc in Valdosta just for info, and I found out that he do except my husband's insurance. All of my information was taken over the phone & I faxed a front/back copy of the insurance card to prevent any info errors. Ronda @ Dr. McCown's office will get back with me no later than Friday to let me know the overall status is going. Whatever that may be. I really want to get the band in Valdosta.   I guess my kids play a large role in me not wanting to be out of town. Being out of town for any type of medical procedures brings back bad/neg memories of me lossing my son. That's one more emotional part of my life I have to deal with.   It still give me a lot of hope that Dr. McCown will be able to do my band. My husband is very supportive of me getting the band, because he would like to see the old me from years pasted on.   However, my mothere really do not believe in any type of medical procedure to aid in weight lost. Actually my mother would benefit more than anyone if she would agree to being banded. She has not gotten on the scale in years, but I believe she is way over 400+ pounds. I look at my mother and I do not want that to become me in the future. I want to be able to live a active moble life without the limitations my mother has.   My mother is one of the biggest reasons I want to be banded. I feel that my family deserves to have all of me for a very long time. Overweight runs in my family and everyone accepts it as apart of their life. I now know that being over weight does not have to be apart of my life.   I know things are going to work out for my good one way or another. I do know there is Hope!
shonette

shonette

3
 

Everything is Down hill

I've started all my appointments with the different things required by my insurance. I still have a problem with the six months supervised diet by my doctor. I really feel that is just a waste of my time. If I could lose the weight and maintain it on my own, I would not need the lap-band® done. I have researched the lap-band® since feb 09. I am very aware of a lot of different things that I have to do to lose the weight.   However, I feel like am giving myself the gift of life. It's like a second chance to make right of all the bad food choices I've made in my past. My BMI was 40 so that alone makes me an excellent candidate for the band. I reallydon't have any type of major health issues outside of my high herenia and joints (knee). Yes, it's all weight related. Thank God, I was told by the Doctor my herenia could be fixed when my procedure is done. That was music to my burning throat/chest! :sad: I know my life is only going to improve in so many healthy ways. I can not wait to start losing this weight and keeping it off for good. I do know the band is only a tool and (baby) I intend to work that tool to it's fullest!:drool: Am positive and I know God is going to work everything out in my favor. Everything from this point is down hill. As long as all of my appointmens are kept, I should not have any problems being approved my the insurance company! "It won't be long now"!:wink2:
shonette

shonette

3
 

Going for my third fill!

Over three weeks ago I had my second fill. It ended up being an over fill. I later found out some of it could have been my fault due to not following the outlined diet as ordered. My normal fills are already covered for a year, but I received a bill a couple of days ago for the extra appointment to have some of the saline taken out due to the overfill. I pray my insurance will cover 90% which will leave me only owing $35.00. My God that one visit was expensive and it only took him less than 5 minutes to remove the 1cc that was causing me all that trouble. How be ever (it this is considered an appropriate phase) I really pray my doctor will do another fill today. He assured me my past experience would have no deciding factor on my future fills. Oh well I will see this afternoon when I get there. I really do need a little more restriction. I will follow my diet to the "T" this time, because I want to be successful with my band. I was told never to eat two hours before or after a fill. Today am soooooooo hungry which seems that way every single time I have gotten a fill. As I type this post, my stomach is making all kinds of noise so I really need to put some real food in my stomach before my fill. I need to have my morning protein shake which I am late drinking and an early lunch today. I have been walking 4-5 miles weekly. I know that is not a lot but it's an effort for me due to my very busy and demanding life. I have a five year old son, two month old grand baby:wub: (boy) and a seventeen year old daughter and a husband. I am trying to make sure she remains focused and move beyond her bad choices so her son can have the kind of life he deserves! Her senior year is very demanding and she has to work. Therefore, I have to keep the baby those days she is working. My son is now in constant competition with the baby which keeps my hands full! I really want to do some type of work out daily, but I don't always get the opportunity to do so. My scale is not moving a whole lot but my clothes fit so much looser and some are too big. I am trying to judge my success by the way my clothes are fitting me and not just based on the numbers by the scale. I do thank God I have not gained any weight. I will post how things went with my third fill. I pray I get a fill. I am so very thankful to be able to have my band. It really has been my saving grace!:smile:
shonette

shonette

4
 

Juicing and going for an adjustment this afternoon.

Today I am scheduled to have another adjustment at 430pm. I have put off getting another adjustment for several reasons. I am really not sure first of all if I really need another adjustment. I have a difficult time as it is getting certain foods down. I rarely eat fruits like apples/oranges etc, because they always give me a stuck feeling which I hate more than anything. I love to eat all types of fruits and I really miss not having them in my diet. Therefore, I have started juicing to get my fruits into my daily diet within the last couple of weeks. I had a really nice Jack Lalnane power juicer a couple of years ago, but I had a house fire and it was never replaced. My mother is a gadget queen and she purchased a juiceman 2 yrs back which she stopped using once the thrill was gone. Therefore, she pasted her juicer on to me a couple of weeks ago and now I am able to enjoy all my fruits and raw veggies. I juice in the afternoon which give me a late day burst of energy which I really need after a long day. Last night I juiced (2) small apples, (4) carrots, (1) large orange, and (1) grapefruit that really got my digestive system moving. I felt so good this morning once I got up and moving.   Now when I find it difficult to digest certain foods I juice as my alternative to getting nutritional foods. I know this does not work for everyone, but it really gives me an incredible feeling of being full and it's good for my body. I do not drink things that don't taste good to me. I am learning that foods are to be enjoyed and I now only eat those things that I really enjoy eating. I am always searching the net for new and tasty juice recipes. If anyone has any I would really enjoy you sharing them with me!   Back to my fill- I really think another adjustment will boost my weight lost, but I dare don't want to be too tight like I have been in the past. I want my doctor to be very conservative today with my fill. I think just a little will put everything into motion. More than anything I am very excited to know what my fat mass is going to be today. My last fill was on 1-18-2011 and my fat mass was 129. I am so excited to find out what it will be today when I weigh in at the office.   Lately, so many people have been coming up to me complimenting me on my weight lost and asking how I've lost so much weight. My response is a very honest one (portion control and being more active)! I've learned not to mention my band any more because it leads into too many questions that I am tired of answering. I really don't see what they do, but I do thank God Change is taking place in my body.
shonette

shonette

1
 

It's always Good to Know!

I was talking with my doctor about some of the problems I was experiencing with my acid reflux condition. He wanted to do an EDG to see if I actually had a high hernia. My test was friday morning at 6am and it was a lot worst than he actually thought. My condtions had gotten to the point that every single thing would cause an acid reflux reactioin. Sometimes drinking water could cause intense burning in my throat. My God sometimes I thought it was a condtion only in my head. Surely, I thought simple things I would eat could not cause that much discomfort but it did. My doctor is really cool and he stayed after my procedure to read the results that friday morning so I wouldn't have to wait over into next week to know the results. My doctor stated my hernia was not the worst he's ever seen, but it was worse than most. I really feel better knowing that I truly have a condtion that can be fixed at the time am banded. :bored:   My primary doctor was very supportive that I was working toward getting the band implanted. He was willing to assist me in any way needed to ensure my insurance would approve me being banded. He stated it was only a game the insurance company required, and we would both just have to stay on top of the insurance requirements so I would not be denied. However, my doctor did not advocate me taking any diet pills. He felt that would be unnecessary for me to take them, but he wanted me to continue to watch what I was eating and to work out as much as possible.   My last requirement per my insurance company is the psy visit on 2-10-10. My paper work will be submitted once all the documentation has been completed from my other appointments. I pray by some miracle from God the insurance company would go ahead and approved me without the six month monitored diet by my doctor. That would be really cool if they approved it right off w/out the diet. I really trying to lose some weight becasue my liver has to shrink down in order to be banded per my doctor. I feel really excited:biggrin:
shonette

shonette

2
 

Mixed feelings

I have not posted anything in a very long time. When I first joined this site at the end of last year 2009, I was so excited for this process to start and end. I felt like this time would never come to an end for me. As I look back over these last seven months, I really can see my idea of being band has changed for the better. I was so desperate to find a quick fix and this band was going to be my answer. I now realize that the band is going to be the tool yes a "tool" to lose the weight. I have said it so many times before that I understand my responsibility in this whole process, but looking back I really don't think I did. This is my body and I am responsible for the way I take care of it. For years I have not done a very good job of taking care of myself. It is hurtful for me to be able to admit this, but I really have let myself down in so many ways. I have made so many excuses for things being the way they have been with me physically. I do understand and realize that no one else can or will do this for me. I have developed so many health issues (heel spurs, arthritis in my right knee, swollen feet, and a hernia) that are contributed to me being over weight. I do realize and thank God that I could have so many more serious conditions. However, these conditions cause me enough pain and discomfort. It's not easy to say these things, but it helps me to understand my responsibility in my present condition. I do love myself and my entire family, therefore they all deserve better from me. I will do my sleep study this Saturday, and all of my paper work will be turned in to my insurance company. I have met all requirements, and I really don't foresee any reason they would deny me. I am praying to have my procedure done by mid June. At this points in my life, am ready to make a life long change to becoming a happier, healthier {"ME”}! This site has been such a blessing for me to be able to vent if needed and receive the most unbelievable support any person could ever want or need. Thank you Lap Band Family. My journey is just beginning!
shonette

shonette

2
 

Good News is worth waiting for!!!!

I was so excited when Dr. McCown's nurse called me back this morning to let me know they would be able to start my initial appointment(s) and all the other stuff that needs to be done. I just want to do absolutely every single thing required of me so a band date can be scheduled. I feel just like my 4yrs old son in the toy center at Wal-Mart. Excitement, joy, and hopes fill my heart right about now.   I am very careful not to share my decision with too many people. For some unknown reason, a lot of people have a very negative opinion about weight lost procedures. Every single person make this choice for so many resons, and I know my health and personal well being is my main reasons.   I posted a picture of my two beautiful children in my photos today. Those two very special people are my main reasons I want to have good health and a very long life.   I started to experience some pains and difficulity my my right knee 2 weeks ago. I really don't know what happened with it, but I cracked this same knee over 2yrs ago from a fall at my old employment. I have had on going issues every since.   I feel losing as much weight as possible will only take excessive stress from my knee pains. That's my main goal/ good health and happiness!   I have so many things to feel blessed about, and this is one of the biggest blessings of all. (Lap-Band®)!   It's so hard to explain but I feel like am getting a new chance on living a more productive and healthy live for the rest of my life.
shonette

shonette

2
 

Heavy Heart

I was looking at all the pictures on the web of the earthquake victims in Haiti. Oh my God, what devastation Haiti is experiencing right now. My weight problems just don't seem to be as significate today as it has been.:sad: The earthquake that hit Haiti was worse than any hurricane I've ever seen. I feel so thankful just to live my life today without all the sadness those people are going through. I can not imagine my world being turned upside down and inside out the way Haiti has!:cursing: My heart is so very heavy for their lost. Today, my desire for the band is just not that important to me. My prayers and focus is for the sadness and lost for the people in Haiti.:ohmy:
shonette

shonette

4
 

The Wheels are starting to Turn

:cursing:Today my first appointment was made to see the nutritionist and to have an initial consultation for the band. 1-18-10 at 1pm will start the wheels to turning. I do realize there is a long road ahead of me, but at least the band process is more of a reality than just talk. I am ready, excited , and somewhat nervous.:ohmy: Overall, am ready to live a new kind of life! Haaaaaa!
shonette

shonette

3
 

Pins and Needles

To day am waiting on a phone call from the Dr's office to let me know if my insurance will be accepted by Dr. McCown. I really pray things work out because now more than ever, I really want to get the band. I get so excited for others when they are given an approval or an offical date for banding:ohmy:!   I have always heard that if you can celebrate for someone's happiness God always make the same provisions for me :thumbup:! If I have to go out of town, then I will do what I have to do.   This morning I mentioned to my husband about being banded. He acted as if that was the very first time he had ever heard the word Lap-band®®®! He stated, "you know I still have until the end of January to make any changes to my insurance"! Okayyyy, now am thinking what was that all about. He always make comments about me losing weight, but in a very nice kind of way. Therefore, why in the world would he not want me to be banded. Honestly, I really don't care if he want me to be or not- if things are approved by any doc am getting it. He better watch out because a new me is just around the corner!     By the end of the day I will have good news or Wednesday I'll be on my way to Brunswick Ga. :biggrin:
shonette

shonette

1
 

Very Hopeful

I've spent a lot of time viewing the before and after pictures of the different people on the site. Am so excited about getting the band.
shonette

shonette

4
 

What am I doing?

All of my documentation was forward to my insurance company this week. I was required by my surgeon to do a sleep study last weekend. That was one of the most unpleasant experiences I have gone through in a very long time. Thank God it is done and over! I have found myself trying to eat a lot of different things I normally would not be eating. It’s like I know in the back of my mind I will not be able to eat those foods for a while or never once my procedure is done. Food is starting to become more of a focus for me than I would like it to be. It really takes very little food to bring me to a filling of being full. I am finding myself force eating, and I hate that feeling. It has taken me a very long time to train my stomach that a little can go a long way. I have started losing the weight on my own, but getting the band would be a wonderful thing tool to have. I understand that my mental state has a lot to do with the physical desire to eat even when I am not hungry. My husband did not even eat supper last night, and I noticed he did not give the thought of not eating a second thought. I don't understand why that does not work for me. I do understand that every single person is created and designed totally differently, but I wish some things about me were different! I have a lot of mixed emotions about being band, but I am still so excited at the same time. Does any of that make sense? I know God is going to give me the strength and ability to be successfully with the band. I feel like some of the bad food habits I've tried so hard to fight are trying to over take me once more. I find myself wanting to eat and I am not even hungry. Is that crazy or what? I read someone's blog and they wrote," Being thin taste better than food"! Those words are keeping me focused when I don't want to be focused. I do want to be thin, and that is a greater desire than eating certain foods. Maybe some of what I am experiencing is the anxiety of waiting for my answer from the insurance company! I have waited so long for my day to come so an extra 15 business days is not going to kill me!
shonette

shonette

2
 

The long road home!

This has been a very long process with me getting to this point. I called my insurance company today, and after 35 days I have finally been approved. There were a couple of days that me, my doctor’s office and the insurance company was playing fax tag. Thank God it was all cleared up. Some documents had to be resubmitted, but all and all it’s all over the waiting game is too. I was given my pre-certification number (BX8MSVK1) SWEET! I really don't know how I feel to actually know this is really going to happen for me. I have read so many other people’s site speak about their experiences, but today is my day to celebrate my "Great" news! Thank God for being so good to me throughout this entire process. Everything has gone very smooth but the road has been very long. My date to be banded has been set for July 21st and my pre-op is on the 14th at 1pm. I will get all the information I will need to know leading up to my actual date. Today I started my sugar buster diet and it is not as bad as I thought. However, this is my first day on this diet. I am just so excited to know my journey is just about to take a big turn for the better. One of my good friends I met on the Lap band site recently had her procedure done. That is a really big advantage for me, because she is able to give me some personal insight on does and don'ts! The days leading up to my surgery will be very exciting ones for me. I can not wait for my life to take one of the biggest turn around ever. All I can say is God is truly good to me. Thank God! :frown:
shonette

shonette

2
 

Everything is Down hill

I've started all my appointments with the different things required by my insurance. I still have a problem with the six months supervised diet by my doctor. I really feel that is just a waste of my time. If I could lose the weight and maintain it on my own, I would not need the lap-band done. I have researched the lap-band since feb 09. I am very aware of a lot of different things that I have to do to lose the weight.   However, I feel like am giving myself the gift of life. It's like a second chance to make right of all the bad food choices I've made in my past. My BMI was 40 so that alone makes me an excellent candidate for the band. I reallydon't have any type of major health issues outside of my high herenia and joints (knee). Yes, it's all weight related. Thank God, I was told by the Doctor my herenia could be fixed when my procedure is done. That was music to my burning throat/chest! :confused: I know my life is only going to improve in so many healthy ways. I can not wait to start losing this weight and keeping it off for good. I do know the band is only a tool and (baby) I intend to work that tool to it's fullest! Am positive and I know God is going to work everything out in my favor. Everything from this point is down hill. As long as all of my appointmens are kept, I should not have any problems being approved my the insurance company! "It won't be long now"!:wink2:
shonette

shonette

1
 

One step closer

I called my husband's insurance company 1-3-10 to find out which doctors will cover the lap-bands in my area. There were no local drs in my area so I will have to pick someone out of town. That really is not too bad, but I really wanted to use the local doctor in Valdosta (Kevin McCown). He actually had the lap-band® done on himself. I thought that was really cool. He has a personal experience with the different things a person would be going through before and after being banded.   I have heard a lot of good things about him and thought he would be a good choice for me. However, I chose the closer doctor in the areas listed-Brunswick Ga. My first appointment is 1-13-10 @ 2pm. I really have some mixed emotions about getting Banded now, but I feel like a changed needs to occur in mylife for a lot of reasons. There are more out of pocket cost than what I actually realized it would be. I think it was round $1300 for the diet, pycho, and some other things first. Then the actually procedure is totally seperate.
shonette

shonette

1
 

A little Disappointed but patient

Today I was really hoping to hear back from Dr. McCowin's nurse, but so far nothing. I really wanted some good news to carry me through the weekend. Sometimes I have heard no news can be good news.:biggrin: Well, I had not completed my paperwork for the dr in Brunswick. I guess I need to go ahead and complete it before Wednesday for my appointment. Maybe Monday Ronda will give me a call back teling me something either way.:thumbup:
shonette

shonette

2
 

Two more days

I really do appreciate everyone's advice on handling the remaining balance of my surgery due to my doctor's office error. Thank God everything has worked out just fine with my covered percentage. I have only two days before I have my band. This has been a very long process, but I thank God I am finally at the end of the road. I do understand this band is only a tool, but I thank God I will have this tool to help me to achieve my weight lost goal(s)! Being apart of this site has given me so much encouragement and hope for the future with my band. I now have so much insight on the do’s and don’ts with my band. Wednesday is my day that I will enter into a whole new world (BAND LAND)! I feel a lot of excitement and nervous at the same time. :rolleyes2: I do have faith that everything is going to work out for me during this procedure. :bye:
shonette

shonette

1
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