My LapBand journey...

[Razor Roman]

Hey everyone...

I'm 30, and as of this morning I am 5'9" and 291 lbs...

When I started my journey in January, a week after my 30th Birthday, I was 310 lbs.

When I turned 21, I was 240 lbs and trying to lose that last 30-40lsb I felt I needed to use. One disastrous long relationship and short marriage later, I found myself approaching 300 lbs... I lost my father in October of last year, I was 29, he was 58 - talk about thinking your best is behind you!

I have tried Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, moderate eating, exercising (which I enjoy doing), LA Weight Loss... I have never been able to stick to a diet for very long, and after 30 years of being used to over-eating, I decided it was time to reboot my stomach, so to speak.

I first met with my surgeon Jan 10, 2009... I was told to get approval for my insurance I would need to do 6 months on a "doctor supervised" diet plan - which basically for me meant signing up for Weight Watchers online, trying to stick to points, and meeting with my primary doctor once a month for a progress update.

I was diagnosed with hypertension and sleep apnea -- my blood pressure medicine and CPAP have both been godsends for me! I no longer get headaches, and don't feel like I'm going to fall asleep while driving *to* work in the morning.

 

[Razor Roman]

Following the WW off and on and going to the gym, I managed to get my weight down to about 290... I was back to the weight I was before the wedding I never should have had!

Then, I finally got it!

The letter saying I was approved for LapBand surgery!

I am scheduled to have the surgery on Thursday, 11/19/09!

I started a liquid protein diet on Monday... my surgeon wants all his patients to do that, since it tends to burn a lot of fat off the liver... a smaller liver = easier surgery.

I have been having about 500 calories a day... and I haven't felt too terrible... I've lost about 5 lbs so far.

I am looking forward to getting in to better shape, and sleeping without that creepy CPAP mask...and no longer needing pills for my blood pressure!
1999

2009

 

[toystoryduo]

Welcome to WISH!

Sending some for your surgery. I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

Have a good evening!

 

[solar]

Good luck with your surgery...and congrats on your approval. Welcome to WISH journals and here's to your success

Cheers, Deb

 

[LAinSEA]

You have taken one major leap forward in making the decision to have the surgery and then sticking with the diet prior to it. Good for YOU!

I can understand about the very low calorie diet, the plan I'm on also is VLC (HCG) and it takes some getting used to the portion sizes and eating the right mix of foods to keep your body healthy and burning fat. Mind over matter--I've found most of my hunger was not need to eat, but want to eat.

My positive thoughts and prayers follow you into the OR for a safe surgery.

Laurie

 

[lotzasunshine]

Congratulations on your decision! It's not an easy one. I had my Lapband surgery July 08. I have lost 65 lbs, and am feeling so much more healthy than I have in years. I still have a long way to go, but I am going to get there!

Let us know how your surgery goes! Idk if you have been to lapbandtalk.com yet, but it has been a great support system for me!

 

[lotzasunshine]

forgot to subscribe

 

[Razor Roman]

Thanks guys! I've been on liquids since last Monday... I'm down to 285- my lightest weight in 8 years!!!. I did fall off the wagon once during the week and had a small piece of chicken parm.... and felt so guilty!

I had a scare on Wednesday night, when the surgical coordinator called me...

Apparently I needed to see a cardiologist and a pulmonologist to approve me for surgery.

I must have misunderstood, because when they said I needed cardiological and pulmonary approval, they also gave me the date and time I would be having an EKG and a chest X-Ray done... after finally getting the woman to calm down - she seemed more concerned with telling me she told me I needed this and not with telling me what to do - I got the list of doctor's that they refer people to for clearance.

I managed to see them BOTH on Thursday! The woman at the surgeon's office was shocked when I managed to get them both done - within 24 hours no less!

I am so looking forward to this life changing procedure.

I was also very happy when I visited the cardiologist, he did an ultrasound and gave me a stress-test - my heart is in perfect shape right now! My blood pressure is towards the lower half of normal - a miracle considering how high it was when I started my journey!

I feel like I have been given a new chance - and I am going to do the right things this time!

 

[lotzasunshine]

I'm so glad that your tests went well!! Congrats on getting to 285! I lost 9lbs on my preop diet. But I didn't have to do liquids, just carb free high protein. Keep up the good work! It is SO worth it!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Congrats on 285!!

Sending lots of for your surgery...

Have a nice Sunday!

 

[Razor Roman]

283! This is the lighest I have been since I started working full time 8 years ago this week!

 

[lotzasunshine]

283! This is the lighest I have been since I started working full time 8 years ago this week!

Congrats!!! You are doing great!!!

 

[solar]

Wow, impressive to get both those appts in so quickly! Glad everything is falling in place for you

 

[Razor Roman]

I got home from the hospital about 6PM yesterday...I'm sore, and having pains from the gas they fill you up with during the laproscopic surgery... but other than that I think I'm ok

 

[solar]

Glad you've checked in. Hopefully the soreness goes away quickly - and you're feeling like yourself again.

I know you'll be going through quite an adjustment...hang in there, and remember one day at a time, one meal at a time.

 

[toystoryduo]

Glad to hear the surgery went well for you!

Sending lots of healing your way......

 

[lotzasunshine]

Congratulations!!! Good luck with the next few days, they are hard, but will end soon!!!

 

[Razor Roman]

Today I hit 274 LBS... I remember when I was a senior in college and swore I'd never get above where I was then... I was 269.

I've been trying on clothes that never fit me or haven't fit me in a long time... and they do....
I'm even enjoying being silly and snapping pictures of myself ... Hopefully I can document my transformation so I know to never go back!

 

[lotzasunshine]

YAY!! You are doing great!! Those little victories make it so much easier to do what you need to don't they?!?!

 

[solar]

How are you making out since your surgery? Be sure to check in and let us know