New Lease on Life 33 Years in the Making

[tigers1998 35]

Banded: July 10 2013, Hiatal Hernia Morbid Obesity. To be honest, Lap Band wasn't really on my list of surgeries to have. I have always felt that I could lose the weight on my own if I could reduce the upper half of my anatomy (woman here..), Well, insurance doesn't agree that my upper half could cause me problems. However, My digestive tract was a whole other issue. As long as I can remember, I have always had issues with digestion: not being able to digest formula and breast milk, frequent stomach viruses, having to stay awake a few hours after I ate avoid choking on my meal while asleep, stomach ulcers, and finally not being able to eat a whole host of foods the last three years. Do you see a pattern here? Of course malnutrition began to catch up with me. My immune system was terrible. I caught everything. My Vitamin levels were extremely low and I was basically living on starch. I was in pain when I ate and in pain when I was hungry. So, I figured if I can't get one part fixed, then it was definitely time to fix the other. I went to my doctor who referred me to the stomach doctor. I had an EGD and an Upper GI. Needless to say, my stomach looked awful. Gastritis, Ulcer, and most importantly a Hiatal Hernia that's been there since birth. Wow, all these years of stomach issues and no one ever told me I had a hernia. Well, he went over options for me. Surgery was a must. I could have a Nissen Fundoplication or I could try Lap Band as an alternative. I discussed the options with both my primary and my specialist. Both surgeries would fix the hernia problem. However, choosing the Nissen Fundoplication would virtually eliminate any possibility for weight loss surgery in my future and would be harder to fix should complications arise post surgery. So, I chose the Lap Band. Solve two problems with one solution. Having a restrictive diet is nothing new to me. Experiencing pain, nausea, and overall stomach upset....everyday part of life for me. So all of the situations discussed in the Pre Lap Band class didn't scare me. It was my hope that the Band would help eliminate some of these problems for me. Well, I am happy to say, I have been banded. I immediately felt much better. The only soreness I have is at the incision sites. This was my first major surgery, first time ever put to sleep. Amazingly, my cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels were all Good BEFORE surgery. But NOW I am confident, I can keep them that way. I look forward to being able to enjoy fruit, vegetables, salads, things with Tomato paste, and a whole list of other things I had to give up before. YES, I am aware I will never be able to chow down again. But if I can enjoy just a small portion of these foods than I am satisfied. Here's to a New Lease on Life. One hopefully without pain.

[rmalikone 108]

Good luck on your journey.

[dawalsh 919]

Your story was very inspiring and hopefully othe people will learn from your journey. I remember my mom suffering with a hiatal hernia most of her life. Maalox became her best friend. She'd sleep with a bottle of that chalky liquid on her nightstand. She had a weight problem too. I never considered her morbidly obese but she had gained 100 lbs from the time she married. She went from 89 lbs to 189. She also had duodenal I stomach ulcers. So I empathize with all the suffering you went through. Good luck!

[Lady VS 1,147]

Hi Tigers1998. Your story sounds very similar to my own. I am so glad that you are recovering well from your first surgery ever. I have had too many to count and I hope that this Lapband is my last surgery ever. hahaha Anyway, congratulations to a new you. I can't wait to hear about your "firsts". It is going to be so exciting.

[JOANNE M HOLL 388]

Great going! You kept at it until you found the problem. We Banders wish you smooth sailing into the future. . . keep us posted. :wub: