Aunt Stacey

I decided to have bariatric surgery in May 2010 after going to an amusement park with my niece.  We were getting on a roller coaster and the safety bar would not fasten on me.  I was very embarrassed and my niece was embarrassed for me.  It really affected her and she kept asking me if I was ok, etc. and I decided it was time to do something.  I had just finished my 6 mo. pre-existing waiting period on my health insurance and began researching what the insurance would pay and would not along with various types of surgeries and doctors in my area.  I found the Weight Loss and Surgery Center at UT Hospital in Knoxville and made an appointment.  My first appt with the PA was very informative and I started my journey in Sept. 2010.  I began making lifestyle changes and also realized that food addiction is just that, an addiction, like someone who is an alcoholic or a drug addict.  This realization really helped me begin my lifestyle changes.  After my third or fourth visit, I met with the insurance specialist at the center and was told I was what they call a "10 percenter"  My insurance required that I lose 10% of my body weight before they would even consider approving my surgery.  My insurance also required that I undergo a psychological evaluation and participate in a supervised weight loss program, with a doctor, other than the clinic at UT.  So the Lord truly blessed me with a great OB/GYN, he is actually the one who recommended I have gastric banding.  He and I had battled over the years with my weight and he agreed to oversee my program and write my surgical recommendation letter.  In Sept. 2010 I weighed 270 lbs and by Feb. 2011, I weighed 243 losing the 10% and I was on my way to surgery.  I was approved and had my gastric banding surgery with the Lapband on April 8, 2011 (ten days before my 40th birthday).  I thought I would do just fine after surgery as it was a one day procedure and would be back home that night.  Since I had my surgery on a Friday, I could be off work for a week and go right back the next week.  I was so wrong!  I had surgery on Friday, and five days later I was back in the doctor's office having my first band adjustment where he removed 1 cc from it.  Then I was in the UT ER that night because I had dry heaves and was severely dehydrated.  He removed fluid from the band because my stomach was so swollen that I could barely get liquids to stay down.  I was miserable, but still determined and never once regretted my decision about having surgery.  Other than that occasion, I haven't had any significant problems.  I have learned that even healthy foods I ate before surgery, I can non longer eat after surgery.  I have had some issues with my band, as on my third adjustment, we found I am very sensitive to the band as don't know that my stomach can tolerate it very tight.  I could not eat solid foods and when I tried after about the third bite it would come back up.  Liquids and soft foods were the only thing I could tolerate for a couple of weeks until fluid was removed and I haven't had an adjustment since that time.  I have still lost over 40 lbs but I am losing it slower than I had hoped and continue to have issues with the vomitting at times.  I have found I cannot eat bread at all nor anything cooked in oil.  I ate a bite of my husband's french fry the other evening and it came back up quickly.  The psychological aspects continue as I have up and down moments with depression and stress, but I am learning to deal with it and do better.  I fail at times with my exercise routine and really need a workout partner that will hold me accountable.  Although I have had some problems since my surgery, I still do not regret my decision and recommend bariatric surgery to anyone who is looking for a tool to help them lose weight.