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79 People in progress, 42 People achieved this |
Surgeon TestimonialDavid C. Voellinger, MD, FACS, FASMBS I have only met Dr. Voellinger 2 times so far. I met him at the WLS seminar where he appeared very knowledgable and understanding. He has had experience in more than one type of surgery. He can be humorous, but he is very serious about the actual procedure and lifestlye changes that must be made in order for the surgery to be a success.I met him again at my first consult to begin my journey. He was thorough and to the point. He didn't seem concerned about what got me there, just about informing me about the surgery itself and what he does. Seemed to be very busy and in a hurry. Not too aloof, just didn't seem to have time for too much conversation. He did ask me if I had any questions. I did not since he had answered them all. So that was that. He was gone. I will be seeing him again next week for my pre-op consult with him. My lap-band surgery is in 2 weeks! |
5.0cc's in 14cc band
(lost about 26 lbs. before surgery)
Fill on September 27, 2009 3:22 am
Ok, so the summer has been great. My favorite time of year! After my unfill in June, I have felt wonderful. And unfortunately been able to eat more. I was so sick before that it was heaven to be able to eat. I continued to exercise and mantained my loss for quite awhile but did stop losing. After a couple of months i started gaining. Was eating some occasional bad choices but mostly not. Vacation and a couple of illnesses interfered with my exercise so that didn't help either.Finally I called in to get a fill.. Had to wait a month to get in! So I just went this past week on thursday. Because of me previously being overfilled they were cautious and only put in 1 cc. They want me to come back in 2 weeks for another fill of 1cc. I have to be honest I haven't really noticed any difference in how much I can consume so far, (been on liquids though) so I guess I will need that next 1 cc. Hopefully then I will be at my "sweet spot" and start losing regularly again. I haven't given up hope and know that I just need to start over and follow all the band rules strictly once again. My goal is to be 200lbs by Christmas. Wish me luck!!!
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Another Unfill on June 26, 2009 11:23 pm
I've been having at least one major stuck episode a week for over a month now. Thought maybe it was something I was doing. Been trying to follow all the rules and get used to living with the band. Finally came to the conclusion that I've been doing everything right and that my band is still too tight. My "episodes" became very disabling and were interfering with my work. They would last way too long, and could only get relief from forcing myself to vomit. Finally got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore, so I called the doc's office and talked to the RN. They totally agreed that I was still too tight. So I went for an unfill on friday June 19th. I apparently had 6cc's instead of the 5.4 they previously thought I had in there. So they removed 3cc's. Let's just say things have been much better since then. I can finally eat. Still not alot, but at least i don't hurt everytime I eat! Hope everthing continues to go well now....
Fill Too Tight! on April 3, 2009 3:28 am
Well after my first fill, I got progressively worse. I started out not able to get any meat down at all. I would get stuck every time. Threw up a couple of times. I first attributed the tightness to that "time of the month". I heard on here that some people tighten during that time. I was able to get in some roasted peanuts and soup. So I wasn't starving at first. Then later the next week I was unable to eat or drink anything without pain for about 4 days in a row. Felt horrible, I became dehydrated and lost 8lbs. So I finally had sense enough to call the docs office. They told me I was definitely too tight and to come in for an unfill.
I saw the RN the next day. She discovered I had 8.2cc's in my band! She said no wonder I was in so much pain. That was alot for a first fill. I thought I had 6cc's. Anyway, she put back in 5.4cc's and what an instant relief! I could drink without pain. So now I feel restricted. I can't overeat, but I am able to eat enough to keep me alive! Thank goodness. Dense meats can still be a problem. I have to be careful with those. But no horrible stuck episodes since the unfill thank goodness.Geez, that was no fun.I have a follow-up appt. in few weeks.
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My first fill! on March 13, 2009 4:36 pm
Well, I went for my first fill yesterday. It was a couple of weeks late due to a mix up at the office. I had it done under fluoro and it all went well. The P.A Candace did it while Dr. Voellinger supervised. There was a little stick for the xylocaine to numb me up, but that wasn't bad at all. When she inserted the needle into the port I could feel alot of pressure and it felt really strange. I don't know how else to describe it. It was freaking me out for a little while there. It wasn't painful, just weird. They had me sip barium as she was filling me. She got me too tight on purpose so that i could know what that felt like, then she withdrew some saline til i was able to swallow without discomfort. I ended up with 6 cc's total (there was 2 in there from surgery already). So they actually put in 4cc's. I 've been on liquids since yesterday , but will progress to pureed tomorrow for 2 days. Honestly , it has been rough to be back on liquids! My stomach is so pissed with me! It is growling almost constantly. Can't wait to get back on solids. At least I'm losing weight again! Well, i'm heading to the outer banks in the morning to do some kayaking, I hope, if the weather cooperates. Was beautiful all week down there, now they are calling for rain all weekend! Oh well, I will try and make the best of it whatever happens. Just glad to get away!
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One Month post-op! on February 6, 2009 6:17 am
Well, I'm one month out and doing great. My incisions have finally healed. It took the hiatal hernia incision longer than I expected to heal. I started back to work last weekend and surprisingly did well. I say this because I work 3rd shift over 13 hours for 3 days straight and do heavy lifting. I was afraid I would get tired fast, but I didn't. I guess after being on 3rd shift for 20years it would take more than 3 weeks off to mess me up!
I haven't had any nausea or vomiting. I have had some constipation, but no other problems to speak of. I took milk of magnesia for the constipation and that helped. I just started on soft foods this week. It's wonderful! I am chewing really well and not drinking 30mins before or after I eat. I am getting at least 60 grams of protein and 48-64ounces of water in daily. I take 2 multivitamins and 2 calcium plus D chewables (celebrate brand) a day. I am eating between 800-1000 calories. I usually eat every 4-5 hours and do not usually get hungry between meals.
My weight was at a plateau for the last couple of weeks and finally broke this morning! When I weighed this morning I had lost 5 lbs. for a total of 6 this week. I was sooo happy! Was getting worried there for a while. The reason I finally broke the plateau was probably because I started working out seriously again this week. I walk 45mins-1 hour a day on the treadmill. I do a weight lifting routine 2-3 days. Occasionally , I also use the recumbent bicycle. I am trying to work this band! Hopefully I will get a fill in a couple of weeks and be able to lose even more!
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My Story Let's see....I've never thought about "my story" until now. My focus is usually on others not me. That's why this is all new and kinda hard for me. I was born in March of 1964. I was a skinny child until puberty hit at age 11. It wreaked havoc on me mentally and physically. Mainly because I lost my rock and foundation at the same time. My dad became paralyzed due to complications following open heart surgery. (he was tall and thin by the way). He was never the same .He couldn't remember who I was for awhile. After that, I crawled in my shell. I became painfully introverted. I got taunted by other kids for my shyness, weight etc.My mother couldn't comfort me. She had her own problems trying to raise 3 kids without an able bodied husband.
Food was a comfort I guess..Hence the weight gain. I didn't stay heavy. I was fairly active and would lose some. Then I would gain it back , plus some. I met my husband when I was only 15. I was thin then(but thought I was fat). We dated 4 years and got married when I was 19. (we've been married 25 years this June!) I weighed about 170 then. Four years after that I had my precious , beautiful daughter April, She was 6 weeks early and delivered by emergency c-section due to my eclampsia/ toxemia. (I already had hypertension before pregnancy)She did well and is a happy healthy 21 year old now. I was never "thin" again. After having my only child, I never got below 185.
There have been alot of hard times over the years and with each one the weight gradually accumulated. I like food , but have never been a "binge" eater. I rarely eat any sweets, but I do like my salt.! I try to make healthy choices, but for some reason the weight just stays there.. Like everyone on here, i've tried many diets and exercise plans only to lose then gain more back.!Now here I am, with a (gosh this is so hard to write) bmi of over 49.That's why I'm ready to start concentrating on me and try to turn things around before they get any worse. I started out wanting the RNY bypass, even told my surgeon I did..Then I changed my mind because It just doesn't feel right for me for alot of reasons. So I am now in the pre-op process to be approved for the Band. Hopefully life won't get in the way and I'll achieve my goal soon!
p.s-Good luck to everyone on their WLS journey..This site is great. I can use all the support I can get!
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