Lap Band Day 2

[julie.bair@att.net 0]

Today is Day 2 since I have been banded. Dr. Robert Snow was my primary care physician. The process for approval actually started in October 2010. My mom was banded in December 2009, and has since lost 92 pounds. I have struggled with weight lose my entire life as had she. She believed in it so much she offered to pay half the co-pay stating, "Honey I wish I had done this thirty years ago. Weight has been such a big deterent for many things and I want you to enjoy you life. It may have even saved me from a hip replacement that I had to have four years ago."

So I started my journey by contacting Dr. Snow for a consultation. I went in with my husband and my mom and he explained to us the process. He said it is a tool not a cure all. You still must do the work of the dieting and exercise, but the Lap Band is an extreme motivator to help you succeed.

I am considered obese weighing 272 lbs at 5'6". I am actually a lucky one in that you can tell I'm overweight but people are surprised to hear how overweight I am. I have been fairly good with concealing it through my clothing. However, I am tired of being tired just giving my two year old a bath. I am tired of not being able to go outside and play soccer with my daughter or go swimming because I don't want to get in a suit. More though I am scared that I would end up with the many healthy problems that have faced my family members who suffer from this disease! So I said, "Hell yea let's do it!"

Dr. Snow sent me over to True Results to do their 4 month dieting program to present to the insurance. My employer, JP Morgan Chase, has some excellent insurance through Aetna, which only required a co-pay of $400 for the surgery! I completed my four month program on January 17, 2011.

From there I had to get True Results to send my paperwork to Dr. Snow. Now there are in the same building, but this actually took five days. Finally Vikki from Dr. Snow's office called me. Let me tell you that woman is awesome. Vikki will work with the insurance and bug them almost as much as I did! I become affectionately known as her "call stalker", due to the fact I called once/twice a day to check the status. I also called Aetna three times a day, which after getting the same rep a couple of times they explained was not necessary. Well for me it was because I wanted it done NOW!

January 28, 2011, I received a call from Vikki saying it was a go! My surgery had been scheduled for February 8, 2011 at Baylor Medical at Trophy Club. She told me their hospital would be calling to verify insurance and setup my EKG, X-rays and any other blood work. I am what I call a "healty fat" no high blood pressure or any other problems, so when BM called they said just to follow my doctor's diet plan and come in at 8:45am the morning of the surgery no need for further testing.

Soooo, I scheduled time off from work (tue-sat) just make sure! I followed very strictly to the sugar free jello/pudding, Soup only with no lumps, humps, or bumps, and the popsicle brand popsicle (my fav)! I found a Protein Powder I liked Carribbean Cooler and mixed it with fruit in the blender, which helped keep my energy and my mood up. However, it was torture seeing as we had a Superbowl party at my house and everyone was drinking beer and eating, but I resisted! I think my head only spun around like four times, but it was all good no green spewing from my mouth. I guess what I'm saying is without food, I'm not the nicest person!

Ok so morning of the surgery, first we got lost! I went to Baylor Grapevine but was redirected to Baylor Trophy Club. They are like 10 mi away from one another and mapquest is always great about confusing me. Diana at the front desk walked me through how to get there. She also told the nurses I was running late, because I told her if I had to reschedule I was going to cry... hahaha a little overdramatic I know!

I get there and BM staff has me do some paperwork to ensure I am who I say I am. I then waited until they came and got me to take me back. Tabitha and Nicole (I think) were really nice. They had me pee in a cup to test for pregnancy. I was wondering what they were testing for, so the night before I made sure to drink a Protein shake around 10:30pm, so my protein counts would be good. Silly me they just wanted to make sure my weigh gain was not attributed to a child! (which of course it wasn't)

They had me take all my clothes off and put on a robe with socks to keep my feet semi-warm and a lunch lady hair net. Then Nicole came in covered me with a warm blanket, which Tabitha put my IV in. I waited about an hour until Dr. Snow finished his first procedure. I told him I was glad he had a practice run before me... hahaha. He asked my husband and I if we had any questions and restated what he was going to do. I was able to get the single incision through my belly button, because I'm so heavy.

Next the nurse and anatesologist came in. I kissed my husband goodbye and he went to the waiting room. I was scared not for the surgery but because the anatestologist was cute. I told them don't hold me accountable for my actions or what I say when I'm drugged. The nurse said they have heard it all. Then the anatesologist injected the IV and they started wheeling me to the back.

I was counting because I didn't want to say anything stupid. They get me to a room with total of 6 or 7 staff and then I was out! Next thing you know, I'm waking up to a different nurse who wheeled me over to a doorway, where I was helped from bed to drink that nasty barium stuff. I was already standing by the machine to test to make sure it was properly placed.

The nurse walked me over to a recliner and told me to sit up. I started shaking as the anatesia wore off, which really is an aweful feeling. She asked me if I was in pain and I was so she gave me some liquid Loratab. My husband came in with the pictures and was excitedly trying to show me as I was in a fog. She had me sit there for 10 minutes and then my husband helped me get dressed. He went and pulled the car to the front and I WALKED out.

I'm in pain today not too severe due to the liquid hydrocodone, but I just can't believe I'm up walking around already. I have been resting and every time I wake up, I walk the halls of my house and breathe out of this machine to test my breathing. Other than that I feel pretty normal. I know this is long, but I kept asking people what happens and each person gave me a piece of their experience. I wanted to know the whole experience, so here it was! Hope this helps someone else thinking about doing it. My journey has just begun!