Well on June 21st I began 3 weeks of liquid protein shakes with one small meal per day. I could have chicken and fish with a salad or some vegetables. But I mostly ate the salad everyday. The shakes were not as bad as many people seem to make them. I had order a lot of samples and bought the Body Fortress Super Protein Whey from Walmart and that was pretty good. I got 3 flavors in 2lb. containers for 40.00. That was a great deal. I bought them online. I could also have yogurt, preferably greek, strawberries and oatmeal. So it wasn't really too bad. I must admit that I did cheat on the 4th of July and had a hotdog and a hamburger. I was so nervous about that, but I just wanted one they smelled so good. Other than that, I was able to survive.
Now when it came to my nerves that was a different story. I was getting nervous. Reading the different posts here on lapbandtalk.com some of them are negative and some people's experiences were not good. I began to question myself. My mind was saying "well you have lost 49 pounds maybe you can do this yourself." I would go back and forth with these thoughts. But then I would read a post that would say "you have yo-yo dieted before, you can lose the weight but you can't keep it off." So that would reinforce to me that I needed the help to do it and I would be committed again to do it.
I had a countdown widget on my Android Tablet telling me how many days until the surgery. I would make comments on facebook about my big day but I didn't say what it was. If someone wanted to know what it was I would tell them to inbox me. It wasn't until they mentioned the guy from Pawn Stars on facebook that I finally alluded to the fact that I was having this done and even with that, I don't think many people picked up on what I was talking about. So I guess that's a good thing.
The last 3 days were the hardest for me mentally. I began to worry about the surgery and my surgery got moved by one day. This then created a problem with my support person who had to attend court that morning. But my daughter would be off that day, however she is only 23 years old and I was fearing for the worst and I thought if something went wrong and they had to come out and tell her about it, she would probably faint or something. I kept telling her "remember I want to be recusitated". But God is good and as it turned out, i didn't have to be to the hospital until 9:30 and my surgery was to start about 11:30. So my daughter went with me and by the time I was getting wheeled into the OR, my other support person had arrived. So I was able to go in without event.
As for taking anything to the hospital, you really don't need to take anything. I took slippers and a housecoat, but you have that IV in your arm so you can't put anything on anyway and they give you slippersocks and I kept them on. They also provide you with all your necessary toiletries. I would only suggest bringing your cellphone and maybe a computer or Tablet in case you can't sleep at night. Most hospitals have WiFi. Do not wear any jewelry or fingernail polish on your nails. Toenails are OK to be polished.
So Wednesday morning July 13, I went in to begin this new life of mine. They took me back to the preparatory section. My daughter was allowed with me during this time and that made it nice. They had me undress and put on this old ugly "gown" and then the nurse put an needle in my hand to which she attached IV drip. Then a series of nurses, techs and the anesthesia people came in asking question after question and each one of them had to start with asking me what procedure I was having done as well as my name and birthdate. I got so tired of providing that information that one time I said "I'm here for gastric bypass", and the nurse looked at the chart twice and then to me and I laughed. She said "boy I was wondering how they got that one wrong." I was asked if I wore dentures, if my teeth were loose or tight, stuff like that. They took some blood from me.
At one point, my surgeon came in and asked how I was doing and I told him "fine". I asked him a couple of questions about the pre-op diet as I was just wondering why he does his for 3 weeks and some docs don't do them at all or only a few days. He said to shrink the liver, which I already knew but I was just wondering if there was some other reason and he said "no". I also asked him if he was going to be able to do the surgery laperscopically since I have had previous surgery to my abdomen. His associate had said that there was a chance that they might have to cut me open again. I sure didn't want that. He told me that he felt they would be able to do it without cutting me like that again, he just said my surgery would be a little longer--1.5 hours instead of 30-45 minutes. This helped me feel a little better too.
Finally, they said they were ready to take me to the OR and I had to say goodbye to my daughter. I began to tear up and she told me "if you cry Mommy, I'm going to kill you." I tried not to let the tears drop out of my eyes but they did. I have had several surgeries and I guess I always get this way but this was one of the first times she was ever the one to go back with me. I gave her a big hug and told her I loved her.
They then rolled me into the OR which was freezing as usual. They had a nice warm blanket ready for me though so it was alright. They again asked me my name and what I was having done. Next, they had me breath in some oxygen a few times while they did what they had to do and that is the last thing I remember happening.
So, I went in an unbanded person and woke up banded. What did it feel like? Well I was very, very sore. Felt like I had been beaten up in my abdomen area. I didn't have any negative response to the anesthesia as I never have in the past. It doesn't make me nauseous or sick, just sleepy. I'm hard to wake up, I hear. They were so nice in the recovery room, I had a nurse stay at my side the whole time until I was awake enough to go to my room. That was the first time I had experienced that. They usually walk around the room, but he sat next to me and had a computer by his side to take notes, etc. He asked if I needed something for pain and I said I was OK for now. Finally, they told me I was going to my room. I asked for some ice chips as my throat was hurting from that breathing tube they put down your throat. I got the ice chips and off we went.
My surgery was done at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC. This is a teaching hospital.
My room was a private room and very nicely appointed. The nurses scan everything they do to you just like at the grocery store. They scan your wristband and it goes into the computer that is in your room. It was pretty high tech. Everyone was very nice to me. The next thing that had to be done was an x-ray of my stomach to make sure my port was in the right place. I had the nicest transport person take me down to x-ray. He tried to make the ride as "bump free" as possible, as he knew my stomach was hurting. The x-ray went fast and I was on my way back to my room where my family was waiting for me. They told me that the doctor had come out and spoke to them and told them that everything had went well but that I did have some scar tissue that caused my time to be a little longer than someone who had no scar tissue. My surgeon's name is Adolpho "Fuzz" Fernandez, that's how he introduces himself--as Fuzz. He has a great bedside manner, kind of young and handsome, not too young, but younger than my 53 years.
So the family didn't stay too long as they knew I was tired and wanted to rest and sleep. The nurses came into check my blood sugar and it was OK. I was also worried about that being too high but it was alright. I didn't want to end up staying an extra day due to that problem. The rest of the evening was uneventful. I was able to take some of my meds by mouth and some were given to me through the IV.
Finally, I was feeling hungry as I hadn't eaten since midnight on Tuesday. The nurse found me some chicken broth and jello and juice. That broth tasted like a Rib Eye Steak. I ate it all surprisingly and most of the jello. That IV had me running to the bathroom every 2 hours or so, and I had to drag that IV stand with me, that's a real pain in the butt. Then they didn't have me down for sleep meds and I had a terrible time going back to sleep that night. I tried to play with my Tablet but the wifi signal wasn't strong in my room. Finally about 3:30 a.m., they gave me a different pain medicine and that put me to sleep, but at 6:30 a.m. the doctors came in to see me. They said that as soon as Fuzz came in and looked at the x-ray that I could go home. They told me I could take my time, it was no rush. So I just went back to sleep after they left until about 9:30-10:00.
I got out of there about 1:30 p.m. and stopped to get my prescriptions filled, and wouldn't you know that neither Walmart or CVS had this liquid narcotic that I had been prescribed. So I had to wait until the next day to get that medicine. Fortunately, I take pain meds for my knees and they helped out during this time period.
My first day home was great. I was sore, but I felt so good mentally. I was able to eat soup with no problem and I had some sherbert later on. I even had a couple of soggy crackers with my soup. My doctor said I could have protein shakes if I wanted them and any type of liquids. He said after that, if I wanted to try a soft egg in a few days that I could. I'm going to take it slow and allow my port to heal. I'm not in a rush to eat anything yet and so far I haven't been really hungry. I eat because I know I need to stay hydrated. But I have no appetite. I don't know if that's due to the band or just because I just had surgery.
I do know that I feel happy for the first time in a long long time. I really don't know what to attribute this newfound happiness to. Someone called me brave to undertake something like this--to have a port inside of me that the doctors can access from outside, something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I never thought of myself as brave but I guess I am. I guess when you look at it and the chances and you hear some horror stories, one has to have faith and courage to undertake something like this. But my goals were so defined. To get off of so many medications, to be diabetes and hypertension free, to look better and feel better. To walk without a cane. Not to have my knees hurting all the time. This was my motivation, my goals. That the rest of my life could be better than the first half. So that's my story up to this point. I'm a happy camper today, this Saturday, July 16th. I'm a new woman on the road to becoming another woman and I'm so excited about that!!!
Well i just typed of a page full of text to hit the wrong button and lose everything. I'm quite upset about that. However, I will just say that last week a friend asked me to go with her to the YWCA to swim. I have never learned to swim but have wanted to more and more as I have gotten older. Actually, I have always deprived myself of the beach and pools because of being overweight. I would wear bathing suits with the little skirts attached, always had a bathing top of something to hide my body once I got out of the water. So the thought of being able to swim and wear a fashionable swim suit really began to intrigue me. So I said sure I'll come with you and off we went.
My friend is a certified lifeguard and she taught me how to float. Mind you, I have never been able to float. So much for the myth that all fat people can float. It was scary at first having to lean back in the water and get water in my ears a bit, but then I just told myself to relax and then I was floating. I put my arms over my head as instructed and just laid on the water. It was awesome. Such an exhilarating experience. I learned how to float on my stomach as well. That was a little bit more scary for me. I was afraid I would sink, but not so. Then my friend had me blow bubbles into the water as I floated on my stomach. She said this would help me get used to having water in my face. Then she told me that in order to swim, you learn to hold your breath and then you blow out through your nose. So I tried it and it was amazing, no water got up my nose. Awesome. I had a wonderful time in the water. I floated from one end of the pool to the other. I used a boogie board (i think that's what they are called). It was so much fun.
Doing something that you have always wanted to do but have denied oneself is just so liberating. I felt like I was a thin person. I felt like I could do anything. I feel like I'm learning how to live again and truly enjoy my life. And guess what, all this and I haven't even had the band yet. They say that so many things begin in the mind first and I believe that. It's all about what we perceive. I've heard it said that if you can believe it, you can see it. And that is how that Saturday was for me. I'm determined to go again and the next time I want to learn to take some strokes in the water. I'm going to try and eventually I will learn and hopefully with God's help, this time next year, my body will be looking great and I'll have a modern pretty bathing suit and be a slimmer, sexier me. I can't wait. There's no stopping me now. I'm going for the gusto. Whatever it takes I can do this and I will do this. Wish me luck!!
Hello Everyone:
My name is Kay and I'm getting banded in June. I joined this site yesterday and read all day. I began this process in 2004 when I was all scheduled to have a RNY Gastric Bypass and upon having the ultrasound, they found a mass near the area that the intestines would have to be rerouted. It turned out that instead of having my gastric bypass, I had a biopsy instead. I was so devastated. After that, there was not an option for me as the lap band was not covered by my insurance at that time.
In the interim, I put on more weight and finally relocated to North Carolina in the fall of 2007. In, 2008 I found that there was a young doctor in my town of Winston Salem, named Dr. "Fuzz" Fernandez, who had a very good reputation and success rate. I sent for the materials and was a little put off because he required a psychological evaluation that would cost almost $700 and that had to be paid out of pocket and not through insurance. As I had just spent so much money moving to this area, I was again was disappointed as I didn't have this money to spare at the time. So I put the materials away and said I would get to it later.
Later turned to almost 2 more years. In 2010, I had myself together again, was working and decided to go to the seminar which was required of everyone. I also found out that my insurance would now cover the lap band and I was excited, to say the least. It was similar to what I had learned in 2004 but there had been a lot of new developments with the lap band that I didn't know of at that time. They were getting good results with the band now. People were losing almost as much weight as with the gastric bypass.
I went along very fast getting my blood work done, the psychological exam, meeting with the nutritionist and dietitian. Completed everything that was required of me and thought I was ready. This was about March of 2010. Then I was told that my insurance, United Health Care, required a 6 months doctor supervised diet. Another blow I thought. Oh well, I had to do it. Now my doctor told me that I didn't really have to lose weight but just participate. So that is what I did. I didn't lose any weight!!!! When the nutritionist got my doctor's 6 months notes, they didn't look good. It looked like I wasn't even trying to be in compliance. She told me that my insurance would never approve me. I was so down I don't know what I was going to do. Six months wasted!
So, I went back to my doctor and said "hey look we have to do this again because I'm going to have this surgery." And we began again. So this time, I joined the YMCA and I purchased all low calorie foods for my dinners. I would eat cereal everyday for breakfast, have a piece of string cheese for a protein snack and the rest of my food was made up of fruits and vegetables. Surprisingly to me, I began losing weight. By the time the six months were up, I had lost 30 pounds. Everyone was happy, and you know I was smiling from ear-to-ear. So I called for an appointment with my surgeon.
When I met with him on May 19, 2011, he said "you've done everything, you're all set for a date. We just have to call the insurance company to get the approval and you will have your surgery in June if you want." I was like that's fine with me. So June it is. I hope to hear from his Coordinator this week with the exact date. Oh and I had lost another 11 pounds since March. Down 41 pounds now. Yea!!!!!
I can't believe that it is finally happening for me. I have had some support but people always say "oh you can do it yourself and I know someone who did this or that or the other."...and that can be discouraging at times to hear. Even yesterday someone tried to tell me about a Dr. Simeons diet using some type of drops... I wasn't trying to hear that.
I have wanted this surgery for 7 years now and I'm going to have it! I believe that obesity is a disease and that one way to treat this disease is with this surgery. So that is my choice. I have tried all the other diets as I'm sure anyone reading this has. We know about the merrygoround rides up and down with the weight. One false hope after another. I believe I can do this. It is a life changing event, it will be different, it won't be easy, but I can do it--I know I can and especially with God's help.
Anyway as for some beginning info, I currently weight 303 pounds and my goal is to weigh 180 as I am 5'6 inches tall and that weight looks very good on me. However, if I continue to lose that would be fine but I wouldn't want to be smaller than 150 pounds as I was skinny at that point in my life. I can't even imagine that. I currently wear a size 22 dress and between a 2X and 3X in tops and bottoms. My bottom is where I carry most of my weight so in dresses and skirts I can hide it fairly well, thus people saying I don't need this drastic a surgery. But the numbers are what is important not how i look in my clothes.
And beyond that as for health issues I have diabetes since last year and have had high blood pressure for years. I'm told that by losing weight I will be able to possibly come off the diabetes meds and that my pressure should not require 3 different pills, if any, to control. So getting my health back is a priority for me at this time too. And finally, I never wanted to die a fat person and be seen in a coffin as "fat". That may seem like an odd thing to say, but that is how I have felt getting older. And by the way, I'm 53 years young
So this is the beginning of my new life. Blogging is different for me and I will upload some photos as time goes by and keep you updated as to my process and progress. Thanks for reading.
Kay
Hello again,
Well let's see what has happened since I last wrote. Well I had my appointment with the Nutritionist to discuss life after being banded. She gave out some vitamin and calcium samples, a power point presentation discussed food and eating habits, diet and exercise. I was in the class with a 71 year old man who says that he wants the surgery so that he can walk in the room and the women will say 'who's that hottie." Oh how I laughed, But God bless his soul for being brave enough to embark on something like this in his truly senior years. He inspired me to say the least.
The Nutritionist also gave us a packet of information from the company that makes the band and we can chart our progress at their website www.lapband.com. I came home and read through the materials and looked at the vitamins. What I have learned now is that this program is expensive in more ways than one. I hear the cost is close to that of a new small car and in addition, there are out-of-pocket expenses that we must shell out for these protein shakes which are not covered and are not considered food purchases. They can cost anywhere from $13 to 40+ for a container of whey protein. She gave us a list of the types that we have to have pre-op since we will be allowed to eat chicken and fish once a day along with the shakes and some veggies and fruit and oatmeal oh and non-fat yogurt. That's about it for the 3 weeks.
Someone on here posted a list of places we could call or email for samples and I spent all day yesterday doing that. There must have been about 20 places on the list. The title of the message was "Samples, samples, samples" in case you can search for it. There were quite a few who are sending me free samples, some have sample packs where you only pay for the shipping and others have sample packs where you pay a small fee for the products and the shipping and handling. I ordered some Unjury and she is going to throw me in 2 samples of different flavors. I also ordered the sample packet of Chike products as I have heard they are good and Nectar products. The rest are freebies.
However, today I found out that I could use the product sold at Walmart so I order 3 2lb tubs in different flavors for $40. That was a good deal along with some chewable Flintstones vitamins and chewable caltrate as we will need these things too. So my total at Walmart was $69.00 and that should tide me over at least for the3 weeks plus maybe a week or 2 after I come home. I am hopeful anyway as I am on a fixed budget and every penny does count. I have to pay for my one nights stay in the hospital, out of pocket for that is almost $300 and I hear they want that up front and cannot be billed. So again, I say this is not something for those who don't have the extra money to pay. Then there will be the doctor co-pays for the fills which happen every 4-6 weeks and in my case that will be $40. Yes, I think I am sort of venting about money right now, but someone told me I wasn't complaining when I used to go out and eat all the time and think nothing of spending $40 on my meal alone or when I want to buy a new computerized gadget. This is for my health, my life, so why complain. Just do what you have to do Karon and keep it moving, as the young folks say.
I spend a lot of time at this site reading the posts and listening to people vent and rant and rave about they aren't losing fast enough, or this hurts and that hurts and when is the first fill and on and on and on. I would bed happy to have lost 78 pounds in 3 months as one lady did and she was still complaining about she needs to hit the gym more. Some of these folks seem obsessed. I don't want to become obsessed about this decision, this new life, etc. I have never been that type of person in the past and I don't want to start at this stage in my life. However, I understand to each his own and what's silly to one person makes sense to someone else. Those reading my blog may find me to be a ranter and raver. Who knows.
OK, so I can step down off of my soapbox for now and go and enjoy and old movie. Something that gives me lots of pleasure and entertainment. I will have a cup of strawberries mixed with green grapes. Oh, and I joined Myfitnesspal.com . I really like that spot. A lot of support there and people who are dieting, doing weight watchers and various other things to lose weight. The nice thing is you can have a food diary and keep track of your workout times, etc. It is also compatible with cell phones and you can post in one and they will sync up. So that's a nice little feature. I have been staying under my allotted calories so far and am happy about that. The program says if I keep eating the way I am in 5 weeks, I will have lost 8 pounds. I put that I wanted to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I'm not greedy. I would be happy to have lost 8 pounds. Every pound means something to me, to lose them means something as well and I'm not looking for a magic bullet because I think if it's too magical I won't appreciate it. I want a nice steady pace. I don't want to ask for too much or expect to much. Let me be pleasantly surprised.
Enough!
Well hello my new friends:
Thanks for tuning in to my latest little update. I found out today that the insurance company wants 5 years worth of doctor notes to approve a person for surgery. I relocated here 3 1/2 years ago. So they need notes from my doctor's office in NJ. So I had to have the office email me authorization forms which I signed and faxed back to her and hopefully she then faxed them off to my 2 other doctors. So we have a date now. Not what I had hoped for, but she said the insurance has 30 days to make a decision. So my date has been scheduled for JULY 12, 2011. I am very excited about at least having a date. It is like really seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
I am to begin my liquid -- shrink the liver regime on June 21. At that time, I can have two shakes a day along with protein items. The list is very specific, dry oatmeal, tuna, chicken, some fruit, salad, cabbage, low fat yogurt, etc. What I need to know from you guys is which protein shake really tastes the best. I am a chocolate person not vanilla, something in that line would work for me. Unjury is on the list along with quite a few others. Most were there except Muscle milk which she said I can't have until after I am banded.
Oh, I also have to take another 90 minute nutrition class on June 6. I guess she will go into more specifics at that time. So things are moving along, of course just not as fast as I would like. I can't wait until I am saying "I get banded tomorrow.' And after that, I'll probably be crying, right??? But you know how we humans are, we are never satisfied.
What has really encouraged me are all the stories and the wonderful people I have met on here who have take the time to read about me and offer encouragement. You really don't know how good that makes me feel. Because you know your time is your life and you have decided to give me some of your life. So for that, thank you very much.
I look forward to hearing from more of you and do keep in touch and add me as a friend so I can follow your stories/blogs as well.
Until later,
Kay
