ObesityHelp

So I started the process of looking into weightloss surgery at the end of January.  Here we are mid-April and I am proud to say that I have been approved by insurance to get the LapBand!

My journey started when Dr. Oz did an episode that talked about how he felt the most under-performed surgery in America was gastric bypass.  I contemplated the idea of having the gastric bypass surgery but I was worried about the internal rerouting and cutting of my stomach and intestines.  Upon talking to my husband, we decided that if I were to go this route, it should be LapBand and not sleeve or bypass.

Let the journey begin...the first place I landed was obesityhelp.com.  I created a profile and looked for a surgeon in my area.  I decided upon Dr. Ernest Rehnke as I was overwhelmed with all the positive reviews of his work as well as the fact that he is part of the Bariatric Center of Excellence at Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.  His office and the hospital is about 50 miles from my house, but I feel like it was well worth the drive.

Today I started Optifast 800...except we only get 3 shakes a day, which is 480 calories plus broth, sugarfree jello and diet drinks.  I'm not gonna lie, it's been rough.  I've been hungry and my bowels are revolting against me.  It's stressful as I am finishing up my second semester of nursing school and have my finals next week.  Perfect timing to start a drastic change in diet, I know, but I am excited to see just how much I lose before my surgery on 5/4/12.