My journey is long, but I don't mind......

[Geri Marie 235]

Hey all. My name is Geri, and this is my story. In 2010 after years of yo yo diets, ups and downs, I decided to do something. My husband was against Gastric By-pass and frankly I was to because I had a GF that had had it and was having all sort of issues. But being new to the bariatric world I didn't know why she was having issues I just thought it was Gastric By-pass in general. (Turns out she was doing all sorts of stuff to sabotage herself) So back then the latest and greatest thing was the Lap-Band. I asked my hubby if he would go to the seminar with me. He replied why would you want to go to a Lap Dance seminar Sweetie? LOL So we went, with Burgerking drinks from our meal that we had just had. We saw Dr Thomas Bass in Fort Myers Florida. He and his wife Tiffany ran the seminar and explained the two main surgeries Lap band and Gastric Bypass. He mentioned that after surgery and Burger King visits would have to stop! I went head first in with the Band. I was 290 at this point and so miserable, My mom has passed away at 63 from Diabetes and liver failure due to the disease. I dont want to have her ending. I literally watched my mom fade away in a hospital bed for a week after they took her IV away and basically starved her to death. Her liver no longer functioned and she quickly went down hill. I was in the room when she passed away. I will never get that image out of my mind. She was a wonderful woman but suffered so much due to this horrible circle of Obesity and poor life choices. If she had gotten the sleeve or the Bypass she'd probally be here still today. I swore to myself I'd NEVER go out like that. So I followed all the requirements, diets, appointments and finally the day came I got approval from my insurance the night before my surgery! I was doing so good. I got down to 212 and had lost 78 pounds. Then.......well, I stoped following the program. My husband told me I was being a pain in the butt because I had to eat small meals several times a day, and I started to eat poorly. I figured out if I drank while I ate, I could eat more. I never really got the hang of the Band. I could never tell if I was "Full". I admit I never measured my food, and I never really stopped drinking while I ate. Then I started eating more, faster, bad foods, and the weight came back on. I got back up to 250+. Then I needed to have a procedure (female related) and the surgeon wouldn't do it unless I was a certain BMI so I started eating the way I was taught with the band, and got down to the 220 I needed to be. Fast forward to last year. I maintained my 220-230 but was having a ton of back issues. I went to a neurologist who discovered I had a birth defect and my lumbar region was almost 3/4 of an inch off, pinching my sciatica on both legs with numbing, I had a spinal fusion in July of 2016. I couldn't work, I had to stay home for a year. Of course I ate all the time, because what was there to do but watch tons of cake boss, cupcake wars and food network! Mother's Day week I started to have chest pains. I was having so many issues with my band. I would drink Water and lay down for bed and that water would come right back up. I knew I should go see my Dr. but I was ashamed I had gained that weight back and didnt want to let him down. So I suffered. Then I had such bad chest pains I thought I was having a heart attack. Two emergency visits later and one hospital overnight stay, I realized it was the same chest pain I had experienced right after my La NBand surgery. SO I asked the Drs, could this be band related? And the resident dr said "Oh....yeah I supposed it could be?" This is after tons of testing and a stress test. So I went to Dr. Bass and he said immediately it was the band. So he took out all the Fluid and suggested the sleeve. I had been researching it by then anyway secretly wishing I had gotten that done instead. I had to under go another Spinal fusion in June(that went well). So now, I start my new journey for the Sleeve. I had my band taken out 8-16-17. I went this week to the nutrition appointment and tonight I go for my first of three classes required for my insurance in a three month pre trial. I weighed in at 254.4 for a start weight. When I had the band removed I started my own "Pre op" to retrain myself how to eat healthy. I bought some Protein, almond milk, coconut milk, tons of yogurt, cottage cheese, and tons of eggs. I weighed in at 247 at the nutrition appt. I already have a surgery date of November 13th. So all thats left to do is wait. And wait. And wait..Can you tell I'm an impatient person? Well I am lol. But I know I can do it! As for my husband. I gave him a piece of my mind concerning the Band. I feel he played a role in my failure with the band. He started making fun of the Band and the whole process, like it was a gimmick and not taking it seriously. I told him about the sleeve and he was not too happy at first. I told him he will not effect me this time and that I will not stray from my goals. He's coming around but only time will tell. This journey is about ME, and MY health. I loved my mom and this world is lonely without her so I will do this in her memory and live a longer life for her and God! Thank you for listening, I will update frequently..........

[Geri Marie 235]

So I attended my first of three nutrition classes last night. I remember the instructor from my Lap Band days. The room was filled with people ready to take the plunge. Across from me was a woman who is scheduled for surgery on Monday and I think she was in panic mode. She was talking about canceling her surgery!! Two or three of us said we would take her place!! A lot of what the instructor said I have heard before. One lady was bringing up stuff she had read on support forums like this and the instructor had to make her fall in line. One woman was a bus driver and she was in full panic mode because she had found out she had to quit caffeine. IDK but what I do know, and i voiced this to everyone. If you don't make these changes, and fight the program you wont be successful. You have to change, along with the sleeve or tool of your choice, in order for it to work! So ready for this journey!! Ive lost 8lbs so far since I changed some of my habits.

[KartMan 58]

Thanks for the story Geri. I'm sure you will do great.

I can relate somewhat on the spouse issues. My wife doesn't make a joke about it, but she has zero weight issues. It seems like she eats more than me, yet barely ways 100lbs (she's 5'1").

I had the band a little before you (2009). It actually worked fantastic for me, I lost 110% of my excess weight. Unfortunately, I starting having problems with it this year (reflux and vomiting). I either had to have the band replaced or switch to sleeve. Although I successfully lost all the weight, I knew I still needed a tool. This was confirmed by gaining 50lbs after the band was unfilled.

I am scheduled for revision on Sep 7th and am on the prep liquid diet right now.

[Geri Marie 235]

2 hours ago, KartMan said:

Thanks for the story Geri. I'm sure you will do great.

I can relate somewhat on the spouse issues. My wife doesn't make a joke about it, but she has zero weight issues. It seems like she eats more than me, yet barely ways 100lbs (she's 5'1").

I had the band a little before you (2009). It actually worked fantastic for me, I lost 110% of my excess weight. Unfortunately, I starting having problems with it this year (reflux and vomiting). I either had to have the band replaced or switch to sleeve. Although I successfully lost all the weight, I knew I still needed a tool. This was confirmed by gaining 50lbs after the band was unfilled.

I am scheduled for revision on Sep 7th and am on the prep liquid diet right now.

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I so jealous your getting the sleeve so soon! But I'm sure for you its not soon enough. Didn't I read you had an issue and had to reschedule your surgery? Anyway glad your doing good and good luck on the 7th! Let me know how it feels different from the Band. We can say we are breaking up with the band lol.

[KartMan 58]

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I so jealous your getting the sleeve so soon! But I'm sure for you its not soon enough. Didn't I read you had an issue and had to reschedule your surgery? Anyway glad your doing good and good luck on the 7th! Let me know how it feels different from the Band. We can say we are breaking up with the band lol.

My surgery process might be a little quicker because I'm doing self pay in Mexico. Because of that, there are no insurance hurdles to slow things down.

Yes, I had a preop delay. I had hepatitis 30 years ago and they wanted to be certain my liver was healthy enough for surgery. That particular blood test takes 10 days. Tests all came back good (I knew it would) and I got a new date of 9/7/2017. Unfortunately, it also means I get to do the two week liquid diet all over again

I'm really curious on the different feeling of full with the sleeve versus band. I never have been able to effectively explain to non banded people how our full feeling feels. I certainly won't miss that feeling of an elephant on my chest and I hope I never PB again the rest of my life.