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Finally took my first steps on this long journey...



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I joined this forum back over a year and a half ago because I was seriously considering getting banded. Did my research, googled the crap out of it, and after getting the green light from my husband - I made my decision. Called Tricare (I have Tricare Prime) and they told me what I need to do to get it approved. Can I tell you how crazy excited I was to find that not only do they cover LapBand surgery, there is a good chance that I will pay NOTHING. Wait....WHAT....like zero dollars??.. :blink: ..is this real life!??!?!???!

About a month later, we went home to Austin (hubby was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the time) for Thanksgiving vacay. I was going to call and schedule Dr appointments and get the ball rolling after the new year (2012). BUT the universe had other plans. On Jan 11th 2012 (our 1 year wedding anniversary , we found out I was pregnant. :D :D :D

So here I am now in SE Georgia, husband is deployed, with a six month old. Had gestational diabetes during my last trimester and was on a diabetic diet until my son was born. I gained about 35 pounds during my pregnancy and was able to shed 15. I know I probably was smaller than that a few weeks after but I have been steadily gaining now hovering anywhere in between 259 -264. Aside from the day I gave birth, this is the largest I have ever been. Of course I like the idea of not being plus size and lookin all thin and stuff but my health is the now the driving force behind me deciding to actually do this. I am so scared of getting full blown diabetes. Because I had gestational I have like a million percent chance of getting it if I don't lose the weight. My most recent weight loss venture has been weight watchers. I could see how a person could have success with it but it's just not working for me. Oh yeah, did I mention my sister is a licensed personal trainer/nutritionist/crossfit instructor? And a ex-boxer? She is almost 100% lean muscle and is in NO WAY supportive of this. I told her last time back before I got pregnant that I was considering it and she flipped out. Told me that I don't need that and that it's a lazy person's answer to a life long problem. Whatever skinny butt! Go off now and eat your paleo crap burgers. <_< That being said, I love my sister dearly and appreciate her concerns but it's my life and my decision. I've always been the type of chick who threw caution to the wind and just went with it. Some would call me brave. I don't think I'm as brave as I used to be. Funny how a husband and kid change things like that. I think twice now before I do or say anything. Especially, since my hubbers is in the Navy. Can't let my mouth go an get me in trouble.

I have my very first appointment on Monday with my PCM to get a referral to a bariatric surgeon in the SE Georgia or Jacksonville area. I am still breastfeeding and really want to continue breastfeeding as long as possible up to 1 year old. But I can't imagine picking up my son and hoisting him up to nurse after surgery. YIKES! :unsure:

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Hi! Are you at Ft. Stewart by chance? Thats where we are stationed currently. My husband was suppose to deploy recently but his orders got changed at tge last minute so now he gets to stay home. My plan was to lose a bunch of weight and get all sexy while he was gone - but now that he is home I am relieved that I will have his support.

Dr. Whipple in Savannah will be my surgeon, I really liked their office and staff so I am looking forward to this. I just went into my first appointment last week and we are getting the ball rolling on all the pre-op requirements.

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Hi!! Congratulations in getting the ball rolling! Plesse keep me updated on your progress!

We're actually in Saint Marys. About 2 hours south of Savannah

and an hour north of Jacksonville.

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What branch of the military is your husband in then? Navy? I hadn't heard of a base down there - seems like GA is full of them!

Looking forward to hearing about your journey as well! :)

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He's Navy - a submariner ♡♡♡

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"We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine!"

Sorry, couldnt help myself lol

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Ha! Don't worry I drive my husband bananas singing that song to him every time he says "submarine". Good times.

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you guys are cracking me up, couldn't help myself. Good luck on your journey! I'm excited for you both.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

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      · 0 replies
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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