since this is a hot topic i figure i'll give my OPINION on lapband VS other WLS (RNY or DS or FOBI)

reasons i chose the band...

*shorter hospital/stay quick recovery...i had surgery monday and worked friday

*no malabsorption of nutrients or medicine

*if you get pregnant you can have the fill released to have a more natural pregnancy

*the band can be removed at any time

*its adjustable...you can always go in for a fill or unfill to meet your EVER CHANGING NEEDS!!! lol

*no dumping

*less chance for gallstones, kidney stones because the weight is lost slower

*skin has a chance to catch-up with your body because the weight is lost slower

*no rerouting of stomach

*less chance for death during surgery and complications arent as severe (although the band does have its own complications!)

*you are forced to deal with your eating/food issues from day one since you absorb EVERYTHING you eat.

*at any time (10 yrs whatever) you can get an adjustment. with the other surgeries if you stretch your pouch the only way to change the size is a revision.

i dont think there is anything wrong with other WLS if you in an urgent weight loss situation. its is my opinion that if you only had 100 - 150 lbs to lose and no urgent co morbs that lapband is the better choice. its complications arent as severe immiediatly post op or long term. worst case scenario they take your band. with other WLS worst case is DEATH. yes you can die with the lapband but is FAR less common than with the other more serious procedures.

if i could not have gotten the band i would have had RNY.

i guess i could give some info about myself.. i am 26 years old have been overweight my entire life. i am worried that if i don't get my health/weight in check before long i will be DEAD. i have high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes all in my family.(don't know what i have to embarrassed to go to dr.) I don't want to shorten my own life because I over eat.

pre-op 350

7-2-03

i went to a seminar for LAP BAND!!!! which i am really interested in. i started out first wanting any of the other surgeries but after MUCH RESEARCH i want the band!

as soon as i am approved i will definitely update!

i am doing atkins diet now and have lost some ( i didn't weigh before because i was afraid to know ) i am going to continue till my liquid diet begins!

7-3-03

o.k. its started! i went to dr. mortons office was weighed and they sent off my info for approval. i like the sound of that word. yes i did say they weighed me...325 1/2 ...i hadn't weighed in a long time for sheer embarrassment and humiliation. thank god i started dieting 4 weeks ago i have probably lost 25 pounds and will stay on it till my surgery!

7-7-03

well i am not sure if i am going to be able to wait for insurance approval!!! this is going to seem like forever. well over the weekend i cheated on my atkins diet.

i had 2 pieces of pizza and 2 pieces of cheesy bread Thursday.

i had ribs and pineapple cheesecake sat.

Sunday i ate ice-cream and a Reese stick 1 package

i had to deal with my family going how are you gonna have surgery and keep eating like that? your on a diet now and are already cheating. well i have been on this diet for 5 weeks with little cheating and since i will be having the surgery soon i figure i can indulge a little. i am right back on the diet today, just irritated with my family for pointing out the neg.

i think i should just keep dieting, eating and surgery to myself. i know that i would have been better off sticking to the atkins but soon i will be seriously restricted and think it's alright to get any cheating out now.

7-16-03 man this sucks!!!!!! i have always been impatient. my insurance request is approved....but they have to check the policy to make sure that there is not an exclusion. I HOPE NOT!!!!!!!! my bosses wife has already had gastric bypass so i would think there are no exclusions.

i have not been doing so well on the atkins diet. i can go strong for a few days but then i end up cheating. i guess that's why i want/need this surgery! it is very frustrating and discouraging and depressing. i don't know what I'll do if i don't get approved. I did call the dr office and ask them when i would have a surgery date for, annnnnnd they said if i had approval today then i could have the surgery in 2 to 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need this so bad. I cant believe that i weigh 325 that's disgusting. people look at me like I'm disgusting treat me like i am a pig and though a lot of the time i know that they are just insensitive asses most of the time it hurts. this is just a cruel cycle. I WANT OUT. i am so big now i cant exercise. i get winded just doing minor things. i am afraid i would keel over if i tried to do anything. Once i get below 300 i will definitely start exercising. why cant i just stick with the Atkins until my surgery. this is so hard.

7-21-03

I AM APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOO! I JUST TALKED TO THE INS CO AND I HAVE BEEN APPROVED! THE DR OFFICE WONT SCHEDULE MY SURGERY TILL THEY RECEIVE THE LETTER, SO I HOPE THEY OR I GET IT BY THIS FRIDAY. STILL HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE ATKINS. I CAN DO IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT THEN CANT HANG ON. I WANT TO START THE LIQUID DIET BECAUSE THAT SHOULD HELP ME LOSE. I JUST WANT TO BE A LOSER. I WILL POST AS SOON AS I HAVE A DATE SECURED

7-29-03

I HAVE A DATE!!! AUGUST 18!!!! i am so happy! this has all been a little surreal. i was first looking into gastric bypass and had a consult scheduled for today how ironic that today is the day i got my surgery date. i am so comfortable knowing i will doing the lapband! i feel much safer! i am even looking forward to the liquid diet! since i was last weighed (month ago) i have lost 3 pounds i am ecstatic about that since i have been *cheating* a carb here and there and here again. i will try the Atkins while i am banded and see how that works for me, and of course i will post the results.i cant wait to start losing my first goal is going to be to lose 50 lbs by Christmas. secretly it will be 70. but I'm not even going to say it out loud so don't tell anyone! the larger you are the faster you start out losing that's why i think 70 may be do-able. yay me i cant believe i am doing this. i deserve it!till next time...

11-20-03

hey i was right! i now weigh 299! woohoo mini goal for me!!!! now i only have 100 lbs to lose to be under 200! now that will be INCREDIBLE!!!! i had 5th fill today and now have 3.4 cc! holy cow that's a lot but that's what it has taken and that's what i got! my official loss since surgery is -24 lbs!! cool! i want it lose 26 more pounds by Christmas! (long shot) i am still going strong with no carbs! till next time-

11-21-03

i know i am back soon....i had my 5th fill yesterday bringing me to 3.4 cc and i ate soup last night. today for breakfast i ate 1 scrambled egg and noticed i did not have any discomfort with it going down (usually every morning when it 'hits' the band i can FEEL it) then for lunch i brought 2 pieces of chicken- a leg and a thigh and was able to eat both of them PLUS some broccoli WITHOUT getting full. (and i never felt it 'hit' my band and stop) i could NOT have eaten this much before the fill and i am worried that my port is leaking!!!! i brought the 2nd piece to have for dinner and now i am dinnerless and worried???? i don't know what's up but this is not something i want to deal with.

12-4-03

HI- I GOT ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT ON 12-1 THEY CHECKED TO SEE IF ALL THE PREVIOUS FILL WAS IN THERE... IT WASN'T! THERE WAS ONLY 2.8 CC AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GIVE ME ANY RESTRICTION :cool: THEY DID GIVE ME ANOTHER FILL BACK TO 3.4 CC THE ONLY THING IS I STILL AM NOT RESTRICTED EVEN AS MUCH AS I WAS AT 3.2 CC WHY DID I GO FOR THAT 'FILL FROM HELL' THAT HAS CAUSED THIS!!! I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPT AND SEE WHAT'S UP!!! ( I AM CALLING AS WE SPEAK, CRAP HAD TO LEAVE A MESSAGE ) I HAVE AN APPT FOR TODAY I WONDER IF THEY CANCELLED IT SINCE I SAW THEM ON MONDAY??? ANYHOW SINCE THE UNFILL MISHAP I HAVE HAD A REALLY HARD TIME TRYING TO STAY ON TRACK. IT IS EASIER WHEN YOU CANT EAT BUT A TINY AMOUNT. YOU DON'T OBSESS ABOUT FOOD. NOW ITS ALL I THINK ABOUT!!! I NEED TO BREAK THIS CYCLE. I NEED SOME RESTRICTION!!! I WONT REACH MY GOAL OF 275 BY CHRISTMAS. MAYBE BY MY BIRTHDAY? IT IS FRUSTRATING TO SEE PEOPLE LOSE HUGE CHUNKS WITH BYPASS WHILE I AM STRUGGLING IT JUST SEEMS AS LONG AS I AM ABLE TO EAT HUGE AMOUNTS OF FOOD I DO. AS LONG AS I CHEW WELL I CAN EAT TILL THE COWS COME HOME. WELL NOT WITH THE CORRECTION ADJUSTMENT BUT I CAN STILL EAT WAY MORE THAN A 1/2 CUP MORE LIKE 2 CUPS...NO FOOD BACKING UP, NO PB, NO GOLF BALL PRESSURE, JUST ME GORGING MYSELF

12-17

well now i have restriction!!! i am eating about 1/3 piece of chicken and a few bites of veggies and i am stuffed!!! i am now at 288!!!

12-22-03

Happy holidays! i have 3.8cc's in a 4.0 cc band. i have pretty good restriction. i am starting to exercise. i just bought a treadmill and cardio glide at the goodwill for 2$ a piece!!!! they are both sturdy and in good shape! i know that exercise will help me lose inches. i also want to start stretching in the mornings and at night. the problem is i hate waking up in the mornings!!! the next time i weigh I'll report the loss!!!

1-6-04

well i still haven't weighed but i am sure i have lost!!!! i have been doing good eating my protein first then veggies and ABSOLUTELY NO SUGAR!!!! that's a big one as i could DRINK CHOCOLATE!!!! even though i have struggled to get restriction and i will say up until the new year i have been eating whatever i want. here's the cool part~ i never gained more than a pound or 2 back and continued to lose inches. i know your probably thinking - your supposed to lose weight but i didn't have restriction till mid December and that's a long time!!! so to not have gained any of the 25 i lost pre band or the 30 post band that is incredible!!!!! plus i have been 'reshaping' loosing inches! every time i see my family they ALL say boy your loosing now and i really hadn't lost that much but now since being restricted its a whole new ballgame! PLUS i have been exercising so that's a huge help!!! i cant wait to weigh!

1-7-04

i just found out that effective 1-1-04 our insurance changed to BCBS of TN and i am very irritated because there is an exclusion for "services and supplies related to obesity, including surgical or other treatment of morbid obesity" well if i just had to pay for fills that would be one thing but the more fill i have the more i worry about my actual band needing tightening. i have 3.8 cc and 3 weeks since that last fill it is really loosening up so since i only have .2 cc's left i am getting pretty nervous...anyhow it has been almost 5 MONTHS and i have some restriction but as i lose and my band loosens up i don't have much room for more fills... if i have to have a revision to tighten my actual band would i have to 'sue' the dr to not have to pay for the entire bill myself? i am not gonna get a fill for a while because i think i can lose on what i am eating now~ but what the duck an i gonna do when i am at fill capacity!

1-16-04

well i am getting my swallow study done Thursday but it comes with a hefty price tag of 600-800 smackers. then if nothing is wrong and i need another fill another 150. i ended up starting a 'diet' because i want to see the scale MOVE! i have 3.8 cc in a 4cc band and the band is not stopping my food i can feel it pass through the band. (if that makes sense) since bc bs has an a specific exclusion for wls looks like i am going to have to buy secondary coverage. my boss could care less he was like 'eh maybe you could appeal it' well eh maybe he's an asshole. sorry for the frustration in my post but there is no telling how much ins will cost a morbidly obese person.

1-23-04

SOOOOO i had my swallow study yesterday and i was told my band is fine. it has not slipped and my pouch is not stretched. so what gives??? my dr's PA (physicians assistant) told me just stop eating at a half cup. well hello if i could do that i wouldn't have gotten to 350 lbs. i told her why don't we do lunch one day so you can see me eat!!!! i asked her what will happen when i get another fill and am at 4.0 cc there is no adjusting left?? she said we'll cross that bridge....yada yada i had an appointment i thought she would address my questions! i personally think the band may be to low on my stoma where the tissue is thinner. i am going to have my dr call me after he has had a chance to review the x rays so he can answer my questions. I AM NOT BAND BASHING HERE. I LOVE MY BAND. WITHOUT IT I WOULD HAVE GAINED BACK ALL MY WEIGHT PLUS SOME. IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING FOR ME AS DESCRIBED.

every time i have lost with the band it has been from dieting and exercise. i DID lose 10 lbs this past month but that is from starting the atkins diet. if i don't diet i just stay the same. i hear a lot of bandsters saying "why would you have gotten the band if you were gonna diet?"

here is an idea of what i eat since starting atkins:

25 oz water before i eat

breakfast~ 2 eggs scrambled with cheese, 2 sausage links

25 oz water

lunch~ 2 cups salad or 1 chicken breast with 1/2 cup veggies

25 oz water

dinner~ medium new york strip with 1/2 cup veggies

tea with splenda!

does that seem like to much??? does it seem the band is doing what it is supposed to for me? i eat all my food within 30 minutes. do not drink with meals.

1-28-04

things have been going good. i have lost some of the restriction i had but i can deal with it since i will have to self pay for fills now. i am going to try to get on in February. i have been doing the atkins diet to lose and it has been working!!! that combined with EXERCISE!!!! i have been working out and stretching for at least 45 minutes a day (5 out of 7) the last time i weighed i weighed 290. i WANT to get back on the scale though!!!! i did have my band tested and was told that everything is fine. i don't know that i completely believe them since i have 3.8 cc in a 4.0 band. but since i no longer had ins that will cover the lapband i guess I'll just deal with it. yesterday i was DYING for some chocolate (PMS) so i went and got 3 atkins candy bars and ATE THEM ALL... it did satisfy my craving and i didn't eat the 'real thing'... oh and how cool is this my BMI is down AGAIN!!! FROM 51.7 to 42.8!!!!!!! i am almost not morbidly obese anymore!!! i will only be SEVERELY OBESE!!!!

2-3-04

hi i am going for another fill tomorrow which will put me at 4.0 cc. i had better be restricted DAMN-IT!!! funny thing. when i had insurance for the band and would call for a fill it would take 2-3 weeks to get an appt. i called today and got an appt for tomorrow with cash. HMMM

2-17-04

lately i have been feeling guilty. the other night i was laying bed thinking how bad i ate today i was gonna fail and when i went through and made a mental list of everything i had eaten they were all good food choices. i was around 20 carbs for the day and 1300 calories. i couldn't figure out why my mind would do that to me!!! i have been doing great on the atkins diet. about my only bad thing i am doing is not getting in my water!!! through the week i do good but on the weekend i drink tea w/splenda and diet 7 up. so by Monday i am feeling dehydrated. i have to do better on this. i also got another fill and i am now at 4.1 cc's and i do have restriction!!! i wonder if this makes me in the 4% complication stat since i am overfilled. on a lighter note! i am going to Gatlinburg 2-26 i am staying in a chalet with a hot tub so i had to get a new swimsuit as mine was as saggy as my skin is becoming! i will not be hot tubbing in front of the other couple i am going with i will go alone in the early morning. i am also bringing our 2 dogs with me!!!! i am excited because this will be their first vacation! i know i spoil my dogs.

2-18-04

6 month BANDIVERSARY

i have had 10+ fills and have had problems getting restriction. i am now at 4.1 cc in a 4.0 cc band with pretty good restriction although i can still eat any meat pretty much anything. i have lost 40 pounds to date and i cant complain about that!!!! i tried the not dieting thing and letting the band 'work for me' and it did to some extent~ i never gained any weight but i didn't lose either. the only weight i have lost has been through diet and exercise. now that i have restriction we'll see how it works combined with diet and exercise.

NSV so far:

*not fearing ANY seat- movie, booth, chair with arms

*starting size 30/32 current size 22 have even fit into a few 20's

*rings that were to tight before surgery are now to loose!!!!

*not being the biggest person at winter banquet this year!

*increased energy and productivity (losing seems to motivate me??)

*exercising- i actually enjoy it now! and i am building some stamina!

*being able to pull off a few SEXY clothes!

2-23-04i don't know what happened to me today.

i had 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast

32 oz water

lunch- i had to go run an errand so i decided to pick up a can of chicken breast meat. well they had the 12.5 oz can on sale so i bought that thinking I'd be able to eat that for the next FEW days...

i ate the whole can in 30 minutes. then you would think i would have stopped but i had brought a salad for lunch originally so i decided to 'pick at it'. ITS ALL GONE TOO. so here i sit stuffed from the bottom stomach up to the top. i feel absolutely HORRID. NAUSEATED. GROSS. my salad was a spinach salad so not only am i FULL but those natural fibers are making me bloated to boot.

i know partly why ate that...i guess i wanted to 'test' my band. i have 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 band and still no FUCKING restriction unless i eat solid meats. i have been to my dr too many times, had the swallow study and was assured everything's fine' well if it was I WOULD NOT PHYSICALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EAT ALL OF THAT!!!!! i just know for sure that i will have REALLY WORK my band along with dieting until my insurance changes and the band is covered again.

Unless i want to sue my dr i don't have any other options. i knew this before i have known it since Jan 1. i just made a PIG of myself today.

well thanks for letting me vent. i know for 100% sure that i never want this feeling (stuffed pig) again.

michelle

on a good note i didn't have hardly any carbs in my food and was protein first but my god a days worth in one sitting...

3-1-04

well i had a wonderful time in the mountains! we did get some snow but it didn't put a damper on our trip!

i did have a few light bulb moments!

first off~ if you have cut sugar from your diet, don't drink a coke. i had about 6 oz of a real coke and it made my stomach knot up and turn. i wouldn't have had ANY but i BROKE the damn coffee maker pot and was in dire need for a cup of caffeine.

2nd off~ i do have more restriction than i realized. i ate some carbs with my meals and BOY i really couldn't eat! my SKINNY friends either think i am sick or have an eating disorder!!! at every meal they were like didn't you like your food? are you ok? i haven't told them about the surgery since i weigh more than BOTH of them combined even NOW that i have lost 65.

some examples of my indulgences...

breakfast- 1/4 egg sandwich

lunch- 1/2 whopper junior

dinner- 1/3 chicken breast 6 bites mac and cheese

breakfast- 1 scrambled egg, 2 bites of potatoes

lunch- Doritos and hummus 1 handful

dinner- new york strip steak 1-2 oz, 3-4 bites of potatoes with red pepper and feta

breakfast- 1 1/2 pancakes about 3 inches around

lunch- 1/2 burger with bun

dinner- 3 ribs, 4 bites of maple crème Brule

breakfast- 1/4 bagel with butter

lunch- 2/3 taco

dinner- 1-2 oz steak

now that's what i ate...

i wasn't watching what i was eating so the choices i made are high calorie. but i think i will go for a while eating carbs and just following a healthy eating plan and see how that goes.

these were the first carbs i have had since i had been at 3.6 cc and i am telling you i really couldn't eat!

3-10-04

just thought i would let ya'll know that i will be having another swallow study done tomorrow with the dr and the P.A.!!! i FEEL so much better knowing that they will both be looking at it!

Since i contacted inamed they haven't gotten back to me but it did spark a call from the dr's office wanting to know WHY i contacted them. i told them "i wasn't unsatisfied with my care but i just wanted other professional to look at my case. since i am uninsured when it comes to the band i didn't want to have to pay out of pocket so after the advice of OH message board i contacted the manufacturer."

they said they wanted to do another swallow study (since i am now at 4.1 cc with mild restriction) and they are able to work me in for TOMORROW!!! thank goodness i work only 10 minutes away from hospital!

3-11-04

i had my swallow study don't today this is how it went...

go in drink barium look at band. NO RESTRICTION. check to see what's in the band 4.1 cc. everyone is very confused how can this be yada yada. fill me to 4.5 cc. drink barium. no restriction. fill me to 5.0 cc. no restriction. the fluid in my band came out a little murky. they decide to change the t-shaped fill needle thing. when changing them out the dr wants to access the port himself (pa had done in past and today) he is poking jabbing stabbing etc. he even BENT the needle trying to get it in. switched again, got it in. removed all fill. still not happy with the connection so they switch access needles again. thank god they decide i need another numbing shot. so they fill me again to 3.0 cc and have me drink. i had a little restriction, bump me up to 3.2 cc now my opening resembles a bandster!!! remove fill, fill, swallow barium. remove fill, fill. swallow barium. they leave me at 3.2 cc.

they concluded that when i was getting filled before, while they were accessing the port they were not getting the fill fluid into the part of the port that would send it to the band. when they would withdraw fluid it wasn't coming from the band but a pocket in the port.

i don't know. i don't care. all i care about is if i have restriction!!!! i had a can of cream of chicken soup just now and was able to drink the entire can with relative ease but that's just soup so we'll see as i get more adventurous tomorrow and this weekend with foods of substance.

they were also VERY impressed with my loss since the band hasn't been offering me any/very little restriction.

my dr has banded 200+++ patients and i am the only one this has happened to so don't worry i am an oddball! i guess i am in the 4% complication rate...but not anymore!!!!! i hope!

3-26-04

well things are going great with restriction! i am eating 1/2-3/4 cup depending on the texture of the food. i am currently doing the atkins diet (once again) but i feel like i am behind on losing since i went so long without restriction! i lost 11 pounds the first 10 days and now day 16 i don't know cause i aint weighing till i go to my dr in 2 weeks. but 11 pounds is a great start! i am going to TRY to follow the atkins plan till summer then switch to sugar busters it is still low carb but the carbs you do eat come from whole grains, and you can eat fruit! i really will be lot more active this summer (my parents have a pool) so i am thinking it will give my body a chance to recoup and regroup! i have lost 75 since 6-01 i think i might just make the century club in 1 year!!!

i went to the farmers market today and bought 14$ worth of veggies: roma tomatoes, red peppers, green bell peppers, avacodos, white onion, yellow onion, cilantro, jalapenos, green beans, mushrooms, lettuce, spinach, green onions, garlic and broccoli. now REMEMBER foods that haven't been processed (fresh) stay with you longer. they also make you chew more which is something i miss sometimes. the meat i eat is also not processed.

4-13-04

so i had a three day weekend and Monday i went to the dr for a checkup and possible adjustment. when i checked in the nurse gave me a sheet for when you need and adjustment. after reading that i decided YES! i do need one so i had an adjustment.

anyhow i got .2 cc's. More than i wanted but i am not the 'expert'. after the fill i got to the FUN part... WEIGHING!!! 1 month ago i got 'restricted' weighing 286 yesterday i weighed in at 268!!! that's a 18 pound loss in 1 month!!!! i did this by ALWAYS choosing protein first, not eating sugar or bad carbs that turn into sugar, drinking 96 oz water a day and some exercise. i am basically doing the atkins diet. my dr fully approves of it as a way to maximize your tool to get the weight off but not as a way of life.

so am i to tight??? i don't think so. i couldn't wait for three days to see if i was to tight so i ate some real food. A TINY BITE. no problems and i was full and STAYED FULL!!!! no pb's or slimes! this morning waters going down slowly but fine! ( i was hesitant to post the eating part and don't recommend it but at 8 months out i got the chewing down so i attempted it at my own risk, like i said )

4-27-04

i am still restricted!!! WOOHOO!!!! well i have really been losing since i got my band fixed!!! the scale said 261 the 3 days before i started my period now its at 265 and last night is was 268!!! GROAN. tomorrow we weigh in and i hope it's at least under 264 so i can report a loss from last week. if not when i finish this dreaded 'curse' it had at least better say 261!!!!

things seems like they are moving along on cruise control. i just eat and do my regular routine and the days keep passing and the pounds keep melting away. i can now wear 20's all 20's and i cant wait to be in the teens!!! i think i could possibly be a 14/16 by august!!!!

my mom told me that she and my dad will pay for any plastic surgery i need...SHOCK!!!!...they are usually quite tight with $$$ even though they don't *need* to be! i will try for insurance approval but if not i will be hitting up the folks.

i am still doing the atkins plan and man is easy to 'diet' with the band! i hardly ever get hungry. i guess that's all for now!

5-19-04

for the past 2-3 weeks my butt has been sore and hurting. last night i was doing a butt exam kinda like breast exam trying to figure out where the soreness was coming from and felt 3 lumps on my rump!!! i quickly yelled for Steve and asked him if you could get a tumor on your butt and he felt and LAUGHED it seems the lumps are BONES!! thank goodness!! today when i was sitting outside on a bench i COULD NOT get comfortable from the bones hitting the bench!!! i guess i am used to having more 'cushion' michelle

5-24-04

DID IT!!!! TODAY ITS OFFICIAL!!!!!!

I AM -100 POUNDS!!!! (this includes 25 pounds lost 2 months before surgery.) i am so EXCITED!!!!

*i went from a size 30/32 pants to a having room in 20's!!!

*my BMI has gone from 51.9 Morbidly Obese to 36.9 severely obese (in 2 more bmi points I'll only be OBESE!!)

* i have lost 52% of my excess body weight (if you base it on a goal of 156 pounds) so much for those 'you can expect to lose 35% in 3-5 years' stats!!!!!!!!

* i have the energy to do the things i had not been able to do... plant a garden, landscape yard, hiking on hills, swimming laps in the pool, going to outside festivals and not passing out!, run (no i am not a runner but sometimes I'll get the urge and i can actually run more than 10 feet!)

so i am 100 down and i am not sure how low i will go! before i always said i just wanted to get into 14's or be at 200 because i knew my health would drastically improve and that what i REALLY wanted out of surgery. BUT now i think reality is setting in. i will be in those 14's soon (!!!!) so i may actually get to a size 10 which i haven't seen since the 6th grade!!!!!! only time will tell where i end up weight wise but i am already reaping the benefits of my loss and if i never lost another pound i still would consider my surgery a raging success!

June 19, 2004

weight 236!!! still doing the atkins diet till i reach 199.9999

do i miss food? no i eat all the things i love. i only eat things that are 'treats' now when they are PERFECT before i would eat a 2 day old donut that wasn't even the flavor i liked. now i haven't had a krispy creme in MONTHS but i will have one and when i do it will be from the K.K. shop when the hot light is on and i will enjoy that sucker!

i wont lie and say when i see a foot long sub part of me doesn't want to scarf down the whole thing and this morning i was upset and driving into work i cant tell you how many times 'egg mcmuffin' popped into my head. thank goodness i have the band to keep me inline, pre-op i would have bought a combo and extra sandwich and large coke. this morning i did drive into to work crying but i can say i didn't turn to food for comfort.

6-28-04

well i am now another WLS statistic. i am ending a long term relationship that i have been in for the past 5 years. mine falls under the 'it wasn't healthy to begin with' category. they say if you are in a happy healthy relationship it will get stronger and if your relationship was in trouble to begin with it will likely end.

i decided that i wasn't going to settle for anything less than everything i have always dreamed of. wish me luck!! i have someone that i have my eye on but we are waiting for the timing to be right.

i am at 235 right now and think my weight will stay the same for the next week or so. i tend to lose for 2 weeks out of the month and stay the same for 2 weeks. WEIRD. as long as the scale isn't going up though i can deal with it!

7-25-04

well another month another 5 pounds. i really have been eatin to many carbs this past month. i still am ending my relationship. i will be moving at the end of this month. i have been working an obscene amount plus trying to pack. this has been very stressful. i think after this week things will get much easier.

next month will be my 1 year bandiversary!! i will be -100 since the day of banding hopefully more! i have completely exceeded any expectations i had before banding. i think if i can cut out some of the carbs and get my ass on my parents elliptical trainer I'll really notice a loss in pounds and INCHES! i am going by there tonight to drop off a load of boxes and house plants...i PROMISE to do 5 minutes of steady workout. 5 MINUTES!! don't laugh that thing will have me hobbling to my desk all week. it really leaves me 'feeling it'. since i will have to look at every night when i go home i will MAKE myself get on it! my parents have had it for almost 2 years and RARELY use it.

next month i will be going to the beach with my family so that will be some much needed rest and relaxation!!! at the end of august some friends from my old job want to go gambling so hopefully we can orchestrate that! THEN in September i will be going to visit a very dear friend of mine FUN FUN FUN! oh and i have a Plastic surgery consult scheduled for sept too. so i will still be busy but i will have lots of fun things going on.

weight 228!!!!!

7-27-04

I'm a cheater!!!!! just kidding i 'endulged'!!!

this saturday a friend of mine called me up and invited me to come make cake weenies with her. being the good friend i am i happily obliged. we made little chocolate cake weenies with chocolate frosting and pink ones with white frosting.

they were yummy...well actually i had a weird experience...on the chocolate one i could only eat about 2-3 bites before it became WAY to sweet. i even let it sit for 2 hours while we watched a movie thinking i could finish it later. STILL to sweet.

weird in a good way!! have you had your cake weenies today?

7-29-04

well i DID go work out the last sunday and i have paid for it all week. my mother was laughing at me the whole time i was on the machine and come to find out it was set at the highest level of incline (isnt she sweet). my legs are sore!! i need a strapping lad to come and give me a massage. if i were guaranteed a massage for working out i would do it every day!

8-17-04 (happy birthday TO MY BROTHER)

i was asked these questions via email and since it covers so much i thought i would share my experience when it comes to these questions...

1. When did you have the surgery done and which surgery was it?

Lapband. banded 1 year ago (well 1 week shy of 1 year!)

2. Where did you have it done and who is your surgeon?

Dr Charles Morton at southern hills medical center in nashville tn

3. How long did you have to wait to have the surgery from the time that you applied?

it took 1 month to get ins approval and 3 weeks from the day of ins approval till my date. i took a date that had been someone elses that had to reschedule.

4. How much have you lost so far?

i lost 25 before banding and i have lost 103 since the day of banding

5. Are you satisfied with the results so far?

i have exceeded ALL of my expectations!

6. Have there been any complications for you?

yes i had problems getting restriction it is in this profile from november till march. it was fixed without surgery

7. Can you drink all the water that you want? I am a heavy water drinker

the more you drink the better. it helps you lose

8. What is your daily menu like?

i follow the atkins diet so that i will lose faster. i eat foods off this list http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/15-464579.html i can eat any meat without problems and buy low carb pasta, bread, wraps, icecream, chocolate etc. all low carb though!

9. What size are you now?

i started in a tight 30-32 i can wear size 16's but since i like to breathe and be able to bend over i am not wearing them in public!

10. Are you having problems with too much excess skin? if so is exercise helping?

exercise will help with toning and firming the MUSCLE but not the skin. my skin is a problem i have a plastic surgery consult scheduled in sept.

11. Do you have dumping syndrome?

no bandsters dont do that. we PB (productive burp) when you dont chew well enough or eat to fast the food comes back up.

12. Did you try many diets before and where you ever able to lose any weight? if so why do you think you were not able to keep it off?

i have lost 100 pounds before. i wasnt able to keep it off because of portion control and it only took 1 tiny thing to make me blow my diet then i was off it. PERIOD. now when i cheat i wake up the next day and i still can only eat 1/2 cup to a cup of food. all i have to do is chose healthy things to eat and stop when i am full. it makes it seem more do-able knowing that i have something to rely on besides will-power!.

13. This question may not apply to you but, have you gotten pregnant? if so is everything ok with the baby?

if/when you get pregnant you simply go in for an unfill (all or partial) and when you deliver the baby or finish breast feeding they can refill you. the fills take 5 minutes and are done in the office

14. What has been the hardest thing to deal with emotionally?

life! i have to deal with my problems and emotions a large pizza and cheesy bread just arent an option anymore!

15. what has been the hardest thing to deal with physically?

not being able to guzzle when i drink!

16. Can you feel anything? inside I mean?!

i can feel my port it is beneath my breastbones betweeen the ribs. i actually touch it all the time. it makes it seem real!

17. What other health issues did you have before the surgery? and are they better?

i didnt have anything MAJOR going on at the moment. my feet were killing me (not anymore) i was having dizzy spells and anxiety over the condition of my health. (gone) i wouldnt have been able to concieve and have a normal pregnancy (gone i could now!)

18. do you have enough energy?

theres no stopping me! i am SO productive these days!

19. are you anemic?

nope i take my vitamins and eat protien first. you have to make sure to get your bloodwork done yearly to make sure you dont have any deficiancy's

20. do you have any concerns about the long term risks associated with the surgery?

sure! i knew what they all are and accepted that i could have one, luckily the one i had was minor!

21. Has your hair fallen out any?

some although i am thinking its more to do with stress. it didnt happen till i started - breaking up with BF (done), working 70+ hours a week at work (done! finished project yesterday!), and moving (done 8-1-04) all at the same time.

22. If you were banded, how many fills have you had so far? 10+++

8-22-04

i get several emails a week asking me about the amount of food someone can eat and do they need a fill...

my response is always roughly the same...restriction varies with the types of food you eat.

so i got an email over the weekend saying i can eat a whole taco do you think thats to much?

my response was i can eat a whole taco too but not a whole chicken breast. taco's have (well at least mine do) cheese, sour cream, tomatoe, lettuce, guacamole to help everything slide through the pouch area.

so i didnt bring my lunch today (this is what happens when i havent planned a meal in advance) i ended up going to taco bell i ordered 1 steak soft taco and 1 baja chalupa with beans instead of the beef. i was able to eat BOTH of them without PB'ing, sliming or anything in less that 25 minutes. (no drinking with my meal)

i am full. not as full as if i had eaten a 1/2 of a chicken breast but full. more importantly i did satisfy my craving i have been having for taco bell.

the moral of my story is that yes i can eat quite a bit of food if i do not follow the bandster rules:

1. protien first

2. no drinking with meals

3. quit eating in 30 minutes or less

4. eat SOLIDS (i classify my taco bell stuff as borderline mushy because it was saucy)

but when i follow them i am limited to about 1/2 medium chicken breast and 1/8 cup veggies. another key part of this is i would feel FULLER if i had just had some chicken and a tiny bit of veggies. the meat SITS on your pouch so your brain registers that HEY I'M FULL

given that i can only eat that much dense protien i dont think i need a fill i just need to stay conscious of my order of eating and food choices.

so if you think your to loose make sure you are eating the way your supposed to so you can MAXIMIZE the effectiveness of your tool.

michelle

ps. i am not feeling the least bit guilty about my taco treats. pre-op my taco bell order was 2 baja chalupas with beans instead of beef, 1 taco, 1 steak soft taco and a chicken quesadilla...about the time i would be on my last item i would be thinking DAMN i should have got the cinnamon twists too.

9-22-04

YIKES!!! to long since my last update!! well i havent been 'low carbing' for the past month but i am still at 222! which is great considering i have had things like GODIVA chocolates, mashed potatoes, orange juice, pina colada's, fuzzy navels, cookies etc. i am starting back on low carb as of TODAY! my boyfriend calvin (he had RNY) and i have challenged each other to lose 12 lbs by halloween. i CANT let him win!!! today i am having coffee, roast beast (beef) 2 slices and 2 slices of munster cheese for breakfast. lunch is up in the air but i am going krogering for some half and half (for coffee) and splenda so i will grab some grub while i am out.

i have gotten comfortable at the weight i am now so i am excited to lose 12 lbs that would put me at 210 and then i will have a second goal of 199 by thanksgiving!!!! i would OFFICIALLY be at goal then. but i have unofficially changed my goal to 190 when i reach that i would like to have plastic surgery.

10-13-04

well i have been dieting and exercising to no avail so i made an appointment for a fill (adjustment) for tommorrow!!! i am VERY excited! i can eat about 1-2 cups of food depending on texture so i NEED a fill. i had a major NSV this weekend i was able to wear size 16 NON STRETCH jeans out in public!!!! that means i could breathe in them, squat down, bend over! i am so close to my goal i can taste it!!! originally i set my goal at 200 lbs or size 14 and i am 19 pounds from 200 and 1 size from a 14!!! i cant even begin to explain how i feel since losing 130 pounds...

10-20-04

6 days since my fill and down 5 lbs!!! 214!!!! WOWWWWEEEE i am quite restricted. in the am it is hot liquids only till 10 am...good excuse for morning coffee! then i eat breakfast 1/2 cup. lunch i have been eating veggies first so i can eat 1/3 cup cooked veggies and 1/3 cup meat. dinner is 1/2 cup meat. i am still doing 2 flinstone vitamins a day and am having to give up the sweet tea (splenda) and lemon because i am struggling to get in a decent amount of water.

i had a ps consult. they said i MIGHT be able to get my tummy tuck covered by ins. if not for boob lift and implant and tummy tuck would be $15,000 and thight lift, arms, and double chin removal another $15,000. who knows what will happen here??? i'll keep ya posted!

11-1-04

yuck!!!! so i had a interesting morning to say the least. i went to waffle house with calvin for breakfast and split a cheese and ham omlet and hash browns. i got about 3-4 bites down before i *knew* i was gonna have issues. i sat there, stretched, breathed deeply etc. all to no avail. finally i excuse myself to the bathroom and as soon as i get the door open i pb (barf) luckily it made it into the toilet. 2 seconds later pb AGAIN then SPLASH the force of the PB caused toilet water to SPLASH into my OPEN TOE shoes!!!

YES you read correctly i said waffle house toilet water in my OPEN TOE SHOES...the PB wasnt bad at all its the TOILET WATER that was so BAD!!!

i did call my dr's office because i have PB'd probably 10 times in the past 3 weeks AND had reflux a few times at night . i thought the reflux was from the way i was sleeping but i had it again last night. the P.A. said to go on liquids for a week or come in for an unfill. so i am gonna do liquids for a week but if i have reflux even 1 more time i am getting a slight unfill. i cant bear the thought of losing my band so if i need to be unfilled so be it!

i had a great visit with calvin. he saw me get stuck or be in pain basically everytime i ate. this morning (after the pb) i asked him what he thought about my restriction (because i was/am worried that i need to be unfilled) and he too was worried that i might not be eating enough or i am getting stuck to much.

i will post some pics tommorrow when he emails them to me.

ohhhhhhhh big news here i fit into and wore a size 14 skirt and went shopping and fit into 14's in the REGULAR stores...i GUESS i am at my original goal!!!!!!! i said 200 lbs or size 14 whichever comes first....the 14 came first...i havent weighed in a week so i dont know where that stands, last wednesday i was 212.

michelle

11-5-04

soooo after a 4 days of liquids and no change in my restriction i decided on the way home last night i NEED an unfill!!!

the soups i have been eating are full of sodium and so while they arent irritating my stoma it isnt getting any looser. i can drink 1-2 cups of yummy hot soup in 30 minutes but it takes me an 2-3 hours to sip down 16 oz of semi-cold liquids...screw this!!! i am gonna have them take out 1/2 of what they added AT LEAST. i just need some breathing room!!! i want some food! ...