My 100 lbs. soaking wet sister (see the pic to the left above & technically my sister-in-law, but I don't like the term "in-law" cuz it has negative connotations) suggested I blog about my weight loss journey; she even came up with the name. I could be a hater b/c she's so stinkin' cute & tiny, and consumes quantities of food on par with--oh let's say a she-bear just coming out of hibernation, but that's not the point. She--along w/ the other family & friends that I've told about this--have been so ultra supportive.
I had my Lap-Band surgery on 10/29/2009, but I guess it's more accurate to say that the journey began several months before that. First there was the decision to do it. Why? Well, b/c the laws of physics dictate that a smaller object is easier to move than a larger one. I have multiple sclerosis so mobility is already an issue. I of course wanted insurance to pay for the surgery so you have to do all these things to qualify such as prove that you've for at least 6 months tried other less drastic methods of weight loss, have a psych eval (I now have proof that I'm not crazy!), have a physical, clear it with other doctors (such as my PCP & MS Specialist), etc. Then insurance will decide if they will pay for it. Fortunately mine did. Woo-hoo I got to save that $35,000!!!
So the surgery itself was on 10/29/09--my surgeon, Dr. Frank Felts--is totally amazing. The procedure only took about 45 minutes, and I was able to go home the same day. Here's a link to a video of an actual procedure being done: http://www.lapband.us/lap-band-videos.html. But if seeing the actual thing grosses you out, here's an animation: http://www.lapbandsolutions.com/, you'll see the video on the right.
Even the pre-op diet wasn't too hard (2 protein shakes per day and 1 healthy meal). Then there's the post surgery diet: Days 1-10 liquids (protein shakes, clear broth, jello), Days 11-20 soft foods (creamy soups, pudding, cream of wheat, oatmeal, mashed potatoes), Days 20--> back on regular foods in greatly reduced quantities: after all my stomach has gone from the size of a football to the size of an egg. Oh yeah, and you have to--as my friend tells her 15 month old daughter--"chew and chew and chew and chew and chew!". Masticate (okay, chew) until your food is the texture of baby food before swallowing. Otherwise, it can get stuck in your band, which lemme just say "OUCH!". And also no drinking out of straws b/c that fills your stomach with air which again lemme just say "OUCH!".
So that's all the background info. I'm one month out of surgery and had my first follow up with my surgeon yesterday. I'm already down 14 pounds. So, the journey has begun. I'll keep you posted on further progress. My "before" pic is top right. I'll try to post some interim pix as this blogging thing goes along.
Love,
K
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