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My Journey

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Update Time

So it has been 6 months since my last entry. What a slacker!   Things have not bein going as well for me the last 7 months. My operation was Mid June. By early September I lost 20kg (10kg pre and 10kg post surgery). Things were tracking well. Positive results included:   1. Able to play golf now (albeit in a cart) 2. Sleeping better 3. Lots of positive comments re my weight loss 4. Family is happy with my progress 5. I have not lost weight - but have not put on weight either 6. Whern I am naughty I am nowhere near as naughty as I was before. 7. Clothes a lot looser, but not massively down in size yet. 8. Seat belt extensions not needed on flights anymore. I actually need to adjust the belt in from max! 9. I have lost weight in a year where I had significant eating out challenges to overcome due tio an activity I was involved in. 10. The surgery support team have been magfnificent!   However,   1. I seem to have hit a yoyo, where I lose weight, then gain, then lose etc. 2. I have been getting in to bad eating habits again 3. I have been buying a lot of food either eating out or lunch bars etc   Overall the positives well outweigh the negatives!   So now is the time to take stock and evaluate. I am basically going back to the pre-op diet for a week to kick start my weight loss again. I need to kick myself up the backside. I have many more goals to achieve;   1. Back playing Golf again 2. Go to normal clothes shops 3. Sleep apneoa gone   I will be working hard to achieve them
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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5 May 2011 - The Kiwi's Journey Begins! How it Started.

Hi there. I thought I would transfer my blog here from another section of the site. I am a 45 year old Kiwi from Wellington, New Zealand.   Posted 5 May 2011 - 149Kg   I have to say there is some inspirational stuff on this site and I have been very interested to read some of the stories. I thought I would start by commenting on why I made the decision to get the lap band procedure done (in mid June). Then a separate post on how I decided.   My whole story starts some 20 years ago when i started overeating. I would not say I am an "emotional eater" as such - I just like food! I tried Jenny Craig a few years back when I weighed about 116kg. I got down to 104. I am now nearly 150!   So I have been seriously wanting to do something about my weight for a few months now as it is really starting to negatively effect the way I live my life. I used to play and enjoy a lot of sports mainly cricket and golf, but ankle problems mean I can hardly walk a km these days.. So needless to say for those reasons and many other I am motivated for change. I want to record some of the issues I have had mainly so that I can look at this in future times if I ever need motivation. It also might be of assistnce to others considering the op.   Negatives I am avoiding social occasions as much as I can and have become a slight hermit - not drastically so but it is there. I am conscious people are looking at me and passing comment behind my back I am always nervous getting on a plane that I will have to ask for the dreaded "extension" (it doesn't always happen but has sometimes). I am conscious of the poor people sitting next to me on the plane also I avoid seeing people who I haven't seen for a while (people mean well but they do comment sometimes) people call me "big guy" as a term of endearment which is nice (I don't mind too much - accurate decision) - but small guy would be better. I have to be careful where I sit in restaurants and when visiting that the seats is sturdy enough and there is enough room! I can't enjoy the sport I used to I am very low in evergy - the couch is my friend! I have sleep apneoa and high blood pressure I am worried about the effects my obesity has had on my health and will do in the future left unchecked. I am headed for an early grave   Positives I am very fortunate that I have no other obesity complications - yet I am determined to change I have the support of my family (I have only told my wife and my mother at this stage) I can change if I want to. If/when I do lose weight a lot of the issues mentioned above will be assisted   So that is where I am. I will post some more tomorrow about how I decided on the Lap Band - it was a decision I agonised over for months!   Regards   AJ
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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6 May 2011 - Which Surgery????

So - to continue the story.   So before Xmas I went to a seminar in Wellington on the surgery options. The seminar was pretty focussed on the lap band but definitely mentioned gatric bypass and (less so) the gastric sleeve.   I also really liked the way they were talking at the seminar where ths surgeon said that the difference between me and him (healthy weight) was that food "does it" for me. I thought that statement really rang true in my case.   I was defintlely liking the sound of the lap bad. Mainly the adjustability and reversability aspects.   That was until I went to the doctor in January. He said that he had "researched the topic" and that he thought that the gastric sleeve had great results and that this was something I should seriously consider. He gave me some contact details and I got some info and a quote.   So the place I got the sleeve quote from was a lot more expensive and the surgeon at the seminar did sleeves also and was very experienced...   So - is it the sleeve or the band?   This was a nighmare. There were advantages and disadvantages for both. The main advantages as I saw the band was as above. The adjustability and reversability. But always in the back of my mind was - yes it's the safe option but what if it doesn't work? A huge amount of money down the drain! Wouldn't I be better to do it once and do it right? What if the "lower risk" band failed and I have to have another procedure?   So - the research began. The internet is sometimes your friend and sometimes not. "Lap Band" Sites extolled the virtues of the Lap Band. It was the only way to go! "Sleeve" sites did the opposite and talked about erosion and a miriad of other problems with the band... So I did heaps of research (including watching you tube clips of both procedures). I just couldn't make a decision and wasn't sleeping well at all....   So having selected a company to go with I booked in for the appointments with the nurse, psychcologist and dietician. Before the appointments I made a list of pros and cons of each operation and questions with the intention of making a decision. I also booked tentative dates for BOTH operations and had the intention of making a decision the day of these appointments. I was really impressed with the organisation I chose and the fact that they took wholistic approach to the whole procedure and payment included 2 years of after surgery care.   So appointment day arrived. I went to see the nurse first which was great. She took the vatal stats and basically said I was a good candidate for EITHER operation! AAARRRGGGGHHHH! :-). No criticism of her as I think it is important that I made the call, but I was hoping to get a "steer" one way or the other given my individual factors. No such luck. After a really interesting half day I came out much more knowledgable, but no closer to making a decision! So both dates remained pencilled in until I saw the surgeon 2 weeks later. I turned up with my list of questions to that appointment.   I chatted with the surgeon. I discussed the Sleeve v the Lap Band. He does mainly lap bands and bypasses and had only done 5-6 sleeves. By far his most common operation was the band. He commented as folows:   - The sleeve was a relatively new procedure in comparison with the other 2. - There was no data availabile on long term effects with the sleeve - He had patients have success with both the bypass and the band - All operations could be "cheated" - many people who had one operation then went to another failed in both because they hadn't addressed core overeating issues. - results after 2 years were similar for all operations   So it was time for a decison! The thing that really swung it for me was the lower risk of the band. I thought carefully about my core issues again:   1. I eat the wrong foods 2. I eat too quickly 3. I eat too much   I thought that the band will help me with 2 and 3 - but solving all 3 is up to me. So why not go with the lower risk/reversable option? So that's what i decided. And i haven't had any second thoughts since!   Pre-op diet in 2 weeks and op in 6.
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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28 May 2011 - On My Way - Pre Op Diet

I am on my way I guess! 1st week of pre-op 5.8kg lost. A pretty good result I think considering I probably didn't quite drink enough water (that is the aspect I am struggling with the most) and I cant excercise at present due to a toe injury (I think I might join the gym and do some weights). I have been pretty strict on the diet. I went to the meat and fish shop and bought some electronic scales and weighed all portions exactly and individually bagged them to stop me eating too much protein. I also have a spreadheet in the kitchen listing exactly what I can and can't eat.   I have done this before though, and had a big loss the first week. I'm sure next week will be a lot less lost. I am away with a work trip so it is going to be quite challenging. I will be taking my opti-fast with me though!
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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13 June 2011 - 4 Days To Go!

Hi All,   Just 4 days to go until my op!   I am getting rarther nervous about it but there is always the over-riding feeling that I am doing the right thing. It is a bit scary signing all the consent and hospital admission forms, But my pre-admission meeitng at the hospital went very well and ECG was A-OK.   It is funny though checking in to a hospital for an operation when you feel that at present (apart from the weight you are carrying) you actually feel quite healthy! Anyway I am determined to follow through as last time I lost weight like this it went back on - with interest added.   The pre-op diet has been going pretty well, though it was always going to be difficult to maintain the momentum of the first week. I haven't been perfect but when i have fallen off the wagon it has been soup not McDonalds! Pretty close to 10kg now and I joined the gym last week as well.
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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6 July 2011 - Post Surgery Comments

Hi All,   My surgery day has been and gone. I must admit I was quite tense and nervous for the 48 hours before the op. To add to my stress I travelled to Auckland for a meeting on the Wednesday and stayed the night there. I was booked on a flight back to Wellington Thursday morning in time for my surgery Friday. Only problem was that an ash cloud was hanging around. I woke up at 4:30am wondering if my flight was going to go or not! 2 things saved me. I was booked on Air NZ and only flights to the South Island were cancelled!   So my day of surgery arrived. I arrived at the hospital at 6:35am having been told to report at 6:45. I was taken down to my room at 6:55. The nurse shaved my stomach area then got me to have a shower and wash the area with a special soap gel she gave me. I then got in to my gown and the anesthetist and sugeon paid me a visit. I had the surgeon on a bit and said I hoped he was a good starter (I was first on the list of 5-6 he was doing that day)! He said that he was glad it was Friday as he took his "special" medication on Tuesday. Good to see he had a sense of humour. :-)   So it was on with the socks and the (rather grumpy) theatre matron type person turned up about 7:55 to get me down to theatre. I walked down to theatre behind the the bed (couldn't work this one out as the bed was on wheels?) and transferred straight on to the surgical bed which was a lot narrower.   Then the anesthetist came and put the IV in my arm. The last thing I recall was her telling me that she was about to administer some medication that would make me feel nice and relaxed and happy. Boy that was good stuff!!   I don't recall any countdown or other medication at all. I just remember waking up in the recovery room. I was then wheeled in to my room. No pain, but quite a dry throat. I wasn't allowed to drink until 2.00pm so until then I just kept taking a mouthful of water and spitting it out. Broth and jelly for tea and breakfast. The surgeon said that things went very well and he fitted the smaller band of the options available and that that was good news. The pre-op diet had worked well and he could see around the liver no problems. I got up and about pretty quickly and took a few walks in the hospital. I was discharged about 10:00am.   One of the nice things about the hospital visit was I got to meet most of the other patients and have a brief chat with them. I even got the wife to bring in a DVD of a new movie out and let them all know it was available on their TV's to watch. It was nice to talk about the anxiousness beforehand etc etc with someone eho knew what you were going through.   I took panadol gel caps regularly for the week after the surgery and visited the gym 3 times.   My diet called for liquids the first week then soft foods the next then mince sort of foods this week. It is all going very well but I am getting the odd referred left shoulder "gas" pain, but the literature I have read told you to expect this - so no dramas. I go fo my first fill next Thursday though the surgeon said he had put 1ml in the band during the procedure. The weight loss is tracking well although this week hasn't been as good as the others - probably because I am starting to eat more "filling" foods now.   I have to say I am very happy I made the right decision. I am also very impressed by the pre-surgery information I was given. It really did make the whole experience a lot easier to go through. I have also already been invited to a post surgery seminar!   I look forward to the next chapter.   AJ
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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22 July 2011 - Update

Hi All,   It has been a really interesting couple of weeks. Things were tracking really well until the last week of my post op when I had healed and I could eat pretty much what I liked. It is amazing how those old habits come back to haunt you! I had a great week and sure enough a slight gain in weight was a result!   I had my first fill last week and have pretty much been able to still eat anything I like although now I can feel some restriction and although I haven't got anything stuck I have had a couple of things sit there for a few moments. It is an uncomfortable feeling! :-)   So the result - after losing pretty close to 15kg I have gained 0.6kg in the last 4 weeks. I'm not worried about that for a variety of reasons. Those old habits are pretty hard to break and I know as the fills start to kick in I will have some assistance there. I am still head eating (my head thinks I am hungry) and I need to work hard on that and my portion size. In saying that I am nowhere near eating what I was pre surgery (both quantity and type of food). No takeaways since the pre-op started. As always I blame no one but myself for the gain and I am able to understand why it happened. The belt notches are comintg in and I am feeling good.   The great thing is that everything that has happended I have been ready for and understand. This is a great resource and the information I was given by the surgeon and orgnaisation I used was first class!   AJ
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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11 August 2011

Hi All,   I am going in today for my 3rd fill. My weight is still trending down but weight loss has been slower than the pre op diet weeks. That is only to be expected. We are not perfect and I have been a little naughty at times - though nowhere near to the same extent.   The restriction on the band is starting to "kick in" now. I had my first instance of something getting temporarily stuck the other day. The good news is that, due once again to the excellent infortmation I have been given, I was able to understand what was happening. I was also empowered to deal with the situation effectively and quickly.   Some other interesting things have been happening. I have been getting very few comments about weight loss from people I know and see every day. Work mates and friends have either noticed and not said anything, or have not noticed.   Very noticable is the comments from friends an acquaintances I have not seen for some time. Many have commented they have noticed I am losing weight. I find that to be quite interesting! The comments are very motivating. I have stuck by my decision to tell very few people about the operation for a variety of reasons. When people ask i just tell them that I am being careful what I eat, have cut down my quantities and am exercising more. The truth - but perhaps not the whole truth!   I must say though, that if I was asked by someone struggling with their weight I would tell them and encourage them to take step to have the surgery. It still remains the best decision I have made!   AJ
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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9 September 2011 - Update

Hi All,   Time for another update I guess. I have been pretty happy with how things have been going. I am losing generally between 0.75 and 1kg per week. The last couple of weeks have been a wee bit funny. I have felt that come weigh in time that I would see little weight loss and things have come up that meant I haven't been a strictly controlled as I would like to be. but the last 2 (fortnightly) weigh ins have shown me to have lost 1.7 and 2kg. I think this is a sign that overall I have made the changes in lifestyle required and "normal" is a lot different that it used to be - so abnormal isn't as bad as it used to be!   One thing I am very grateful for is the support I have received from the staff at the organisation I decided to have the surgery with - Obesity Surgery Wellington. I hear stories about infrequent/large inflations and adjustments or even little after surgery support at high cost. With them the payment for surgery covers 2 years worth of post surgery treatment! This is awesome stuff and I have found them all to be incredibly helpful and supportive. This is a big thing, and I would recommend anyone considering surgery to factor this in to their calculations.   AJ
AAAJJJ

AAAJJJ

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