mommymouse03

I was going to look into getting gastric bypass when I was in my late twenties.  Then I decided to "wait for something better".  I thought that new techniques are always coming out in the medical field so something had to come along eventually.  I had heard about the LapBand but there wasn't a surgeon in my area performing the procedure.  In early 2009 my mom told me that Dr. J.P. Manuele was performing the LapBand procedure.  I began seriously considering it.  In April 2009 I went to Dr. Manuele's seminar which was the starting point of it all.  In May 2009 I had my psych eval, nutrition eval, liver ultrasound and was well on my way to surgery soon.  I had to lose 10 lbs. before I could begin my 2 weeks of Optifast which would help decrease the size of my liver and give me a safer surgery.  On June 11, 2009 I was told I could begin my Optifast.  I had never lived on so little calories a day.  I drank 4 shakes a day with any 0 calorie beverage I chose.  I lived on 640 calories a day for 2 weeks.  My surgery date was set for June 23, 2009.  I lost 20 lbs. in 2 weeks from the Optifast.  On surgery day I got checked in and my husband stayed with me until I was taken into surgery.  I was in surgery for 2 hours and then recovery for only 30 min.  When I was rolled back out to the general patient area I waited for about 2 hours to make sure everything was fine and then I just asked to go home.  I didn't have any pain or regret.  This was the first day of the rest of my life!!  I was so excited to begin my journey!!  After all, I had so much support from my familyl!!  I began my clear liquid diet.  I don't eat Jell-o much anymore :)  Each week I added more and more foods into my diet and before I knew it I could eat whatever I wanted.  I went for my first fill 6 weeks after surgery.  I didn't notice much change.  Six weeks after that I had my 2nd fill and I began to notice a difference in the portion I could eat.  This is when I gave up bread and pasta for good.  I didn't like the "lump feeling" after I ate it.  Six weeks later I had my 3rd fill in October 2009.  I lost an incredible amount after that fill.  I haven't had anymore fills since October 2009.  I had a total of 6cc in my band at that time.  Less than a year after my surgery I am at my goal weight and so happy with my new life!!!!  My doctor calls me his star patient.  He says I have done the best of any of his LapBand patients ande he uses my pictures and story during his seminars these days.  I lost 138 lbs. total.  I went from a size 26 to a size 12 and lost over 50 inches.  I would do it again.  I have friends that have had it because of my success.  I feel that I'm a walkiing billboard for LapBand and I'm glad I can help others achieve a healthy lifestyle as well.