Update - May 20, 2011

May 20, 2011

Well I haven't given an update in a long, long time!  I haven't been on this site in ages.  So here's the short version:

I did see Dr. Leclerc for the Lapband.  I went through the required  pre-op sessions in Montreal and saw the surgeon several times.  By the last session in the spring of 2010, I had lost about 40 lbs and was told I had to lose 60 more!  That was beyond discouraging.  I lost about 5 lbs after that. 

I had renovations that shouldn't have lasted more than a month since it was only a few wall repairs, refacing my fireplace, putting vinyl tile in my kitchen and bathroom, and painting my upper level only.  It took over 3 months.  The designer and the guys she hired sucked.  By a month and a half into it, I started getting depressed.  My living conditions were terrible (cluttered, dirty, you name it) and I had been eating out a lot.  I ended up gaining about 20 lbs back.

In the fall of 2010, I had a nasty hormonal imbalance that lasted a couple of months.  I think I might have been borderline anaemic but the cravings I was having were horrific.  I was eating anything and everything for most of that time.  I ended up gaining about 30 lbs.  *sigh*  I hadn't seen the surgeon in that time and finally wanted to get back on the wagon in April and made an appointment with him. 

I realize now I will never lose 100 lbs that's required for this surgery.  If I could do that, I probably wouldn't need the band, I could just keep losing on my own.  I need the extra help to lose weight and keep losing it.  That's the whole purpose of having the band!  Someone I have been in contact with for some time now had the lapband and it wasn't working for her.  She decided to get the VSG.  She gave me some information on the process since we both live in the same province.  A friend of mine also had the VSG done a few years ago in 2008 and says it's the best thing she's ever done.  Then there's someone else I know who had the same surgeon as I was seeing for the lapband...  She's also been struggling and doesn't feel she's lost anywhere near enough weight and has been completely discouraged. 

So where does that leave me?  It leaves me thinking that there's a good chance I'll never get the band and even if I do, a good chance it won't be enough for me.  I've decided to save myself the trouble of getting the lapband and get myself on a waiting list for the VSG.  I'm not crazy of having my stomach cut but after looking at youtube demos using ham and seeing how the staples work etc, it's doable.  They can do the operation with my current weight so there's no worry about whether I'll have lost 100 lbs in time.  There is an 18 month waiting list so I do want to get myself on it ASAP.  I'd like to avoid a DS but I'll cross that bridge if I get to it.

So that's where I am.  I'll try to post more often here.  If I don't, check out my blog on my web site where I post more often at http://weight.cat-holics.com/wordpress 

0 Comments