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LapBand Journey

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TOTALLY NEW ME!!!!

Along with losing weight I will be going through a hair transformation at the same time. I have been wanting to go ALL NATURAL for years, but never had the guts to do it. I wanted to totally transform myself so I stopped relaxing my hair about the same time I decided to get banded. I couldn't think of a better time to start! After growing a couple inches of new growth I finally chopped off all my relaxer. I went and got my eyebrows arched, put on some make-up and some cute earrings to ROCK MY TWA (teeny weeny afro)! I can't keep my fingers out of my hair...I love the way it feels! This is the hair that God gave me and it is beautiful! I can't wait til it grows long enough to put a flower in it or to wear some twists. I have to be sure to get in at least 60g of protein a day so I won't lose what little hair I do have. Watch out as my HAIR GETS BIGGER and my BODY GETS SMALLER! :biggrin1:  

tammyj

tammyj

 

I'm finally getting started...

I have been back and forth so many times in making the decision to have the lapband surgery. I have been researching for months and months and reading post after post on this message board. I have followed several of you throughout your journeys. Although I am scared to death, I know that the Lapband may be my answer to losing the weight and finally keeping it off. I am a chronic yo-yo dieter and have been on and off diets since my pre-teen years. At present, I am 5'9", 265lbs, BMI 39. I went to a seminar at Mercy Hospital on Tuesday November 21st. I went out of town the next day. I returned home on Sunday to find out the nurse called and left a message on Wednesday (the day after the seminar). Now I have an appt. to see Dr. Bonomo on Dec. 26th. I am very nervous, but very excited about all of this. I'm on my way!

tammyj

tammyj

 

Just Got My Approval Letter!!!

The request for approval was just sent in on January 24th and I got my approval letter in the mail today!!!:confused: I really didn't expect it 'til the end of the month. WOOHOOOO!!!

tammyj

tammyj

 

BANDSTER HELL!!!

Well I haven't really lost any weight in the past couple weeks. Still 27lbs down and stuck at 252lbs! :bored I had my first fill 2 weeks ago and I do feel some restriction, but I am still able to eat quite a bit. I started counting calories last week to try to get this scale to move. I've been staying under 1000cal/day so I'm hoping that helps. I haven't weighed myself since Tuesday, but I will when I go to the hospital tomorrow for my 2nd fill. I absolutely hate counting calories so I'm hoping with proper restriction I won't have to. We'll see if the second fill will get me there! I have less than 2 weeks left for Las Vegas and was hoping to lose 13lbs by then. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen so I'll take ANY loss at this point. On a positive note, I've been working out everyday and my body is definitely changing so I feel good about that!!!:love:

tammyj

tammyj

 

WEIGHT LOSS AND NSV!!!!

Weigh-in last night and this past week I've lost 6 POUNDS!!! Total weight loss 38lbs!!! :scared: About a month ago I said I wanted to lose 13lbs by Mother's Day Weekend and a couple weeks ago I had given up hope because I hadn't lost any weight. Low and behold I've lost 11lbs in 2 weeks and now I am 2lbs away from that goal. I think I am going to make it!!!   NSV-I went jogging last night and as I was putting on my fanny pack, it wouldn't fit so I adjusted the straps as much as I could til I finally had to take the extender off. I have never worn that fanny pack without the extender and I don't need it anymore!!! It makes me feel like I'm practically a normal size person. I know it sounds silly, but I am proud!!!   WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

tammyj

tammyj

 

40 POUNDS GONE 4 GOOD!!!!!!!

I weighed in at the gym this morning and the scale read 239lbs!!!! The 270's, 260's, 250's, and 240's are gone 4EVAAAA!!! I am half-way to ONE-DER-LAND...40 more pounds to go!!! :scared:

tammyj

tammyj

 

4 WEEKS POST OP

I was supposed to have my first fill on Monday, but now I have to wait til next Monday the 16th. It seems the people in scheduling screwed up. I had my 2 week post-op appt. on 3/26 when it should have been 4/2 and my first fill was scheduled for 4/9 when it should have been 4/16. My surgeon said he wants me to wait a full 4 weeks and to come back next Monday (the only day he does fills). I'm okay with that I just wish they would have caught it before I wasted my time coming out there.   Other than that, everything is still going great. I twisted my knee working out last week and it has been really bothering me, but it hasn't stopped me from working out everyday (except Sundays). It is feeling better now, but I'm still limping around a little bit. My eating is going pretty good. I am still pretty much in control. I had a couple bad days; especially on Easter, but I just dusted myself off and got back on track. As of Tuesday, weight loss was at 27lbs!:clap2: I only weigh-in once a week at the hospital. My scale at home is all screwed up so I don't even use it. I don't want to be discouraged or given false hope by weighing myself on different scales.   My mother and I are going to Las Vegas next month for our annual Mother's Day Trip so my goal is to lose another 13lbs by the time we leave on May 11th. That will put me at a 40lb loss!!! We'll see how that goes!

tammyj

tammyj

 

I AM FINALLY BANDED!!!!!!!

The day of my surgery went very smoothly. I got to the hospital right at 8:30am. Within 5 minutes of sitting down in the waiting room they called me back to get started. At least 10 different people came in and out my room to ask questions or just to introduce themselves and let me know they will be in the operating room. Everyone was so nice and attentive and made me feel at ease. By 10:30, I was in the operating room. By 11:45, I was in recovery and was taken up to my room around 1:00pm. I wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink the first day, not even water so I was quite parched. The only thing I could do was wipe the inside of my mouth with a wet swab. Every couple hours I got up to walk for 10-15 minutes around my room for the rest of the evening. The next morning around 8:30 I was taken to X-ray to drink the barium to make sure that everything was flowing okay. Finally around noon, after receiving the x-ray results I was brought a food tray with broth, jello, tea, apple juice, cranberry juice, a popsicle, and a pitcher of ice water. I ate/drank all the broth...which was delicious, had a spoonful of jello, drank the cranberry juice and drank 2 cups of water. I had no problems drinking at all. The nutritionist came to my room to visit and told me that she watched my entire surgery from a window. I said, "You're kidding!" I thought that was really cool!   This is day 2 post-op and I am feeling REALLY, REALLY good! I am really surprised. I slept very well last night. I slept propped up on my bed/tv pillow and used several other pillows to support my back and my legs and I was very comfortable. No real pains to speak of. Still very gassy, but no trapped gas...it's coming out both ends quite often.   I am so glad I did this!!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

tammyj

tammyj

 

Another 4 pounds gone

Weigh-in at the hospital last night and I've lost another 4 pounds. So far, I have lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks. I hope to keep losing at this same rate after I am banded. I am shooting for a 20lb loss before my surgery next Thursday. I know that's kinda pushing it, but I am hoping to get close.   8 more days to go!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap2:

tammyj

tammyj

 

3 WEEKS POST OP

Well it will be three weeks tomorrow, but I felt like writing today! 3 weeks out and I am feeling like my old self again. I have my energy back, no pain, and the gas is finally gone. I am feeling GOOD!   I weighed-in at the hospital last night and I am down another 2 pounds. Total loss 24lbs. :clap2: I lost 13lbs during the pre-op diet and 11lbs since surgery. Weight loss is slowing down now since I've moved on to soft foods, but I am still happy with the loss because I have absolutely NO restriction! :omg: I've been working out like crazy and measuring my food trying to keep the weight off. 5 more days 'til my first fill. I refuse to gain any weight back...I'm OK with maintaining, but I definitely don't want to gain!

tammyj

tammyj

 

I need to get this weight off NOW!!!

My knees are killing me, my back is killing me and I am so tired. Any other time I would be running to get my diet pills or trying the next new diet by now, but I need to keep this weight on for my first dr's appt. (Dec. 26th) I'm supposed to bring my medical records for the past year to submit to insurance, so I assume my height and weight recorded on that day will also be submitted. As soon as that's over I have to get this weight off 'cause I feel like crap!:phanvan

tammyj

tammyj

 

4 WEEKS LEFT!!!

I have exactly 4 weeks left to surgery and 2 weeks to start full liquids! WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!:roll: :high5: :bounce: :whoo:

tammyj

tammyj

 

RESTRICTION AT LAST!!!

I went for my second fill last Monday. I was filled to 2.75cc in my 4cc band. I was feeling way too tight the next day. It took me about 2 hours to finish a 4oz protein shake and I went from drinking 64oz of water a day to barely getting in 20. The next day after our group meeting at the hospital I decided to let the nurse know and she said it sounded like I was too tight and I could easily get dehydrated if I didn't get some taken out. So I did! My Dr. removed .5cc from my band so now I'm at 2.25cc and now I have very good restriction!!! I'm eating about 1/2cup of food at each meal, I'm satisfied, and I'm not having any food problems...NO PBs...knock on wood!   :update: After being stuck at 252lbs for 3 weeks I finally weighed-in at 247lbs when I went for my fill so I lost 5lbs in one week. I lost that weight the week before my second fill when I barely had any restriction so it was mostly WILLPOWER. I worked my butt off to lose those 5lbs!!! I can't wait to weigh-in tomorrow to see how much weight I've lost since having the fill! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :bounce: :high5: :nod:

tammyj

tammyj

 

6 more weeks

I started this process about 12 weeks ago and now I only have 6 weeks left. Time is really flying. YIPPEEE!!! I am so excited, but I know I may get scared and nervous again as my surgery date nears. I know it's kinda early, but I'm already buying soups and protein drinks even though I don't start my liquid diet for another 4 weeks! I am done with most of my testing. I have to see the nutritionist today then I only have the Pulmonary Function Test and the Sleep Apnea Test and I'll be done.   I AM HALF WAY THERE!!! :bounce:

tammyj

tammyj

 

Psych Eval

The Psychologist at Mercy Hospital called today. My psych eval will be on Monday 1/15 @1:00. Things are really moving along.

tammyj

tammyj

 

ONLY 1 MORE DAY.......

and I will finally be banded!!! My emotions are over the place, but I am definitely ready. I am expecting a call from the hospital today to find out what time I have to be there tomorrow. I am hoping they call early so that I am not anxiously waiting by the phone all day. I have some housework and laundry to do so that will keep me busy and help me take my mind off of things. All thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.   Love Ya, Tammy

tammyj

tammyj

 

One more week...

I am very excited and anxious to get started. One more week 'til my appointment!

tammyj

tammyj

 

Oh well...

Bears lost...:confused:   I decided to get serious about losing some weight now. I have been having feasts on all the foods I love and now enough is enough. I did my normal Monday morning workout at Workout Express today. I don't usually workout on Tuesdays, but I am going tomorrow because it is time to lose some weight. If I start now the less I have to lose after being banded and besides this extra weight is really bringing me down.:faint:   I am also starting to practice some bandster rules. I have been trying to get used to sipping liquids. I am so used to downing a 16 oz bottle of water in 4 or 5 gulps. How in the world am I supposed to get in my 8 glasses of water a day by sipping?!?! Seems like my water bottle will have to be permanently attached to my hand to get it all in.   Today I replaced my breakfast with a liquid. In a couple weeks I'll switch to breakfast and lunch. I'm only doing Slim Fast right now. I'll probably switch to some of my protein drinks in a couple weeks. I don't want to wear those out since I still have a little over three weeks left before starting the full liquid diet.   I weigh in every Tuesday at the hospital. Last week I was 275. I am so pumped and ready to lose some weight!!!

tammyj

tammyj

 

My Weight

When I weighed at the doctor yesterday I was 275LBS...OH MY GOODNESS! I didn't think I weighed that much! BMI 40.8...GEEZ! I think something was wrong with their scale...LOL! My goal weight is 175lbs...maybe 165. I can't wait to get there! March seems so far away, but I know it will go by quickly.

tammyj

tammyj

 

Done w/ Psych Eval

Well, I'm back from my psych eval. I have never been to a psychologist before so it was a little creepy. It was in the basement of the hospital, which made it even more creepier. Why do most psychologists look like they have a few screws loose themselves?...lol! Anyways, I had to take a short written test which asked the most ridiculous questions. Even if I were crazy, I would know better than to answer honestly on those tests. Then he asked me a ton of questions and took alot of notes. When it was all over he said, "We are looking forward to working with you", so I guess I did fine or passed the criteria.

tammyj

tammyj

 

Medical records

I was told to bring my medical records from the past year to my appt. with Dr. Bonomo. I went to get my records yesterday and it was weird seeing (on paper) how much my weight fluctuated. The records were actually for the past 2 years. This was a medically supervised weight management program using appetite suppresants. My weight was recorded as: Jan 05: 262lbs Feb 05: 248lbs Mar 05: 241lbs April 05: 227lbs June 05: 233lbs Dec 05: 252lbs Jan 06: 239lbs Mar 06: 245lbs Aug 06: 251lbs I hope these records are enough to submit to insurance without having to do another 6 month program.

tammyj

tammyj

 

I'm ready...

The ball is finally rolling towards actually getting the lapband. It's almost unbelievable and I'm surprised that I'm actually going through with it. It's seems like quite a big step to take, but I am willing to go through it. I am so tired of this vicious cycle of losing, gaining, losing, gaining. I want to finally lose and KEEP IT OFF! I have been overweight all my life. I want to be healthy and not walk around with this horrible weight on my knees. I want to be able to run and jump without getting winded. I want to be able to shop in the misses department which I have never been able to do in my adult life. I'm ready for a NEW ME!

tammyj

tammyj

 

Schedule

I have to attend group support meetings every Tuesday @ 5pm and I have a lot of appointments to keep track of. The following is a list of my scheduled appointments. I will update as I go along.   Dec 26th- 1st visit w/ surgeon @10:30am Jan 15th- Psych Eval @ 1:00pm Jan 17th- EKG @ 12:20pm Jan 23rd- Echocardiagram @ 3:40pm Jan 30th-Pre-op testing @ 2:30pm Feb 1st- Nutritionist @ 12:00pm Feb 26th- Pulmonary Function Test @ 9:00am Mar 6th- Sleep Study @ 6:00am March 15th- Surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   After surgery, group support meeting switch to 6pm every Tuesday.

tammyj

tammyj

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