Mary Jo F

After multiple multiple attempts at weight loss over a 30 year period, and many thousands of dollars with the ultimate yo yo effect, I actually had looked into the process of gastric bypass. At the time I looked into this Lapband was either not an option or not an option readily more available. I started the GB process and, in fact, my best friend who had had GP a few years before was my mentor. I just did not like the fact that they were playing with God's handiwork and the fact that it was "final". All surgeons are good and in specific fields they know what they are doing but give the bariatric surgeon one too many sutures or one too little and I was afraid my final result would be less them optimum for life.  It was not until we moved to FL almost five years ago that I started looking into lapband. I am a wonderful procrastinator and it took some time. However, going into Tampa was annoying at best. The roads are crowded and I just didn't want to get into it. That and the fact that insurance was so stringent on how you had to qualify. I guess I just was not ready. I finally took the bull by the horns when word got out that a local vascular surgeon was looking into starting a bariatric program. The surgeon has an awesome following and I have yet (and I work for one of the hospitals he is on staff at) to find anyone who has had a bad experience or a bad word to say. Unfortunately my hospital is not yet ready to go into bariatric surgery so it would mean going "out of network" to that "other" place if I wanted to do this. I did make my consultation appointment and met with the doctor and got the information and the journey began. But truly I did not do too much with it at first until I stood on the scale one day and my weight was 319 lbs. I am not a large girl, 5'6 in and weighed 120-130 at my heaviest before and right after my first child was born 31 years ago. So I was so upset. I have all the triggers, high bp, weight induced diabetes and sleep apnea. After meeting with Dr. Butler I wanted to do the infomercial but apparently there were issues and the other hosptial was not ready to start a bariatric program either so it was some delay before I went to this session. I was just as impressed. So was my usually NOT impressed husband. So I made the appt with my Primary Care and began the journey. Luckily my daughter and SIL moved in with us. He is a wonderful chef and they are both into fitness so they railroaded me, pushed me, annoyed me but made me move and by the time I had surgery on Aug 8 I was down 50 lbs!! And yes they are chomping at the bit to make me start moving again. LOL. I am in no hurry. I am very sedentary by nature and it is not easy, or fun to exercise but I tolerate it to watch the weight come off. Not always happy about it but I do it.
 
What I liked about lapband is the ability to "customize" it to ME and what the surgeon wants, not what it IS. I am hoping not to have any issues as surgery was uneventful but I found out this morning I have not been doing the shakes correct and was eating double the amt at the meals. However, I do not eat all four. Then again it is to protect the pouch so I am worried I may have screwed it up. This is agony waiting until Monday to confess my sins to the dietician.
 
Glad I found somewhere to read other peoples stories as I doubt I am the first to have this issue. Am tired of the fluids already but will comply. I can't say I have not snuck a bite or two of chicken which I knew to cherw well. But that is evil and I had to stop. Didn't hurt me tho...And now I am worried ... Come this far to screw it up?