scheduled for mid-March

vinesqueen · December 30, 2004

Okay, here goes.

My surgery is scheduled for mid-March. It would be sooner, except that is Spring Break and I’m a full time student.

My BMI is over 40, and I have acute asthma. Turns out, there is a type of asthma that is exacerbated by weight, and I’m sure tired of spending time in the hospital because I can’t breathe. After the last stint in the hospital (and the steroids) I gained another 15 pounds, so I’m now about 275 pounds and a size 22/24. Not terribly happy about that. I don’t have an eating disorder, which is apparently unusual for someone my size. The various medications, sleep apnea and major stress have all wreaked havoc on me.

I am hoping that the weight loss using the Band will help with my other health issues. I haven’t seen anyone else talk about the effect the surgery has had on their fibromyalgia, and I hope to see some added relief for that too.

I’m also looking forward to being able to be more active. I currently (okay, before the last stint in the hospital) walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (hoofing it around campus) and I was doing Pilates twice a week. Next semester I am adding tai chi and horseback riding. I was really looking forward to going skiing this Christmas break, but well, stupid asthma….. Okay, for a fat gurl, I guess I’m not doing so bad in the activity department when I can breathe.

I don’t have a goal weight. I had to learn the hard way that weight is meaningless. I do have a goal size: 12 or 14. Probably size 12 pants and 14 top. I want to go into the shops and buy a bra that actually fits me. I’m thinking that a D cup could be lovely, as opposed to the niche porn star size I currently am… J Or to quote my mother, “circus freak size”

My band research has been a little unorthodox. My husband (Mr. Research) got the band 18 months ago. And so far, he’s lost 170 pounds. When he finally got the band he weighed 600 pounds. Okay, the official weight was 596, which is close enough to call it 600. So he’s got some way to go.

I have checked out other boards, but my husband isn’t on this one. He suggested that I find a board that he’s not on, incase I need to complain about him… J he’s already banned me from Extraordinary Bandsters, incase he needs to complain about me.

Well, thanks for letting me take up such bandwidth.

DeLarla · December 30, 2004

Good to see you here. I used to sleep with a CPAP machine to keep me breathing at night (had sleep apnea.) Several months back, I noticed the machine was really drying out my nose and throat to the point I couldn't stand using it. I was afraid the apnea would keep me away, but now I sleep like a baby. I've only lost half the weight I need to lose, but my apnea is already under control. Good luck to you and your hubby.

New Hope · December 30, 2004

I like your sense of humor!!! I have asthma and hiatal hernia (seems they trigger each other) and have found both tremendously better since banding! Big reduction in symptoms and meds. Really helps the pocket book too. I haven't used my nebulizer since banding. You will get to do that skiing! In October, I went on 4 and 5 hour hikes in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. I would have never been able to do that preband! I didn't have to use my inhaler one time!!

vinesqueen · January 3, 2005

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm glad you don't need your CPap machine anymore DeLarla. Lucklily, I have a warm humidifier for it, which makes a world of difference. Instead of drying out my nose, sometimes I wake up with a snoot full of water.... But seriously, I do have a love/hate relationship with it, and I am SO glad to hear from other people that after they loose a big chunk of their weigh they no longer need the machine.

And New Hope! WOW! Not needing your neb since banding! Well, double WOOT to that! Congrats on that one big time.