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Goals

Make it through Surgery without Complications

367 People
 in progress, 
813 People
 achieved this

run a 5k

191 People
 in progress, 
55 People
 achieved this

my first goal is to get below 200 pounds.

175 People
 in progress, 
90 People
 achieved this

meet the love of my life and marry him

50 People
 in progress, 
3 People
 achieved this

WORK OUT 3 X AWEEK

37 People
 in progress, 
12 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by ~ Niko ~ on 9/19/07 11:58 am
    Hey Hon! I hope everything is OK with you. I have confidence that you will do well. Please let me know as soon as possible. I will be praying for you!
  • Comment by Angel O. on 9/18/07 8:53 pm
    Hey Cari, I have been praying for you. Sending Angels to help you heal! Blessings, Angel
  • Comment by Catherine F. on 9/17/07 5:34 pm
    Hey Cari, I'm saying a prayer that all has gone well with the surgery today. Soon, I hope to be having the same surgery as you soon so I want to hear all the details. God Bless and can't wait to hear from you. Hugs, Cathy F
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Cari W.'s Blog
Cari W.'s Blog


More of the journey
on October 26, 2007 4:07 pm
I had my one month post-op check up this week.  It went really well.  My pain is gone for the most part.  Every once in awhile I will feel a twinge of pain in my left side, but it's very minimal.

I am down to 215...so that's 28 pounds.  Pretty exciting.  I can see it in certain parts of my body and definitely in my clothes.  I swear, I can't get enough of the compliments.  lol  Especially when I haven't seen someone in awhile.  I have several coworkers that are on different floors, that I may not see for a week or two.  And then when they see me, they tell me how great I look.  That feels good.

It's amazing how much I am changing, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.  I have more confidence than I have ever had and just feel so happy and full of life.  It is so different for me.  I have so much further to go, but I feel like I have come along way in just 5 weeks.

I am still dating.   I am not seeing the guy that I spoke of last time anymore.  I know, I know, that was short lived!  He was extremely arrogant and that got old very quickly.  So I have moved on from that.  I have this friend that I have been friends with for 8 or 9 months.  We are really good friends and talk about everything.  I have never been interested in dating him even though he has tried many times.  I hung out with him last night and it's like I saw a totally different person.   I had these feelings that I have never had before with him.  I can't even explain it.  It's like all of a sudden I could really see him...sounds silly.  I have no idea what will happen at this point.  But I guess I will find out soon enough.  

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LOOONG Time, No Post
on October 8, 2007 1:26 pm
I have been REALLY bad about updating my profile.  Let's see, I am three weeks post-op today and doing really well.  I have started eating real foods as of yesterday, and so far I haven't had any problems.   Since surgery, I have become lactose intolerant.  I will see if this goes away; only time will tell.  I do take lactose intolerance stuff before I have milk, and it helps some, but not completely.  But honestly, that is my only problem thus far.  This is so much better than the band, I can't even begin to tell you.  Even my recovery was better!!  Everytime I ate with the band, I worried about food coming back up.  I also had that 'stuck' sensation that sucked...no more!  It's awesome to be able to eat salad...I haven't been able to do that in years.  Now granted, I can only eat VERY small portions(much smaller than the band) but I have been able to eat just about anything.  I haven't tried sugar.  I am going to assume that I dump, and leave it at that.  I don't need to know at this point.  I am afraid that I will get sick, and if I ever find out that I don't, then I will be tempted to eat it.   Better safe than sorry!  

My  life has really returned to 'normal'.  I don't feel like I had surgery 3 weeks ago.  My sister and I have started our exercising again and it feels good.  We are training to do a 5k on Thanksgiving, the 'Turkey Trot'.  We are both excited about that.  I have also met a new guy.  He is super sweet and I am excited to get to know him better and learn more about him.  Only time will tell.

Well I guess here is the part everyone really wants to hear about....my stats!
Started Pre-Op Diet   243
Day of Surgery            237
Today                           222

Total loss = 21 Pounds!!!
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2nd Consulation
on August 30, 2007 8:49 pm
Today was my 2nd consultation with Dr. Barker.  I am getting super excited.  2.5 weeks until surgery!  

Dr. Barker said today that my EGD on July 30th showed that I had a very significant slip and it's time for my band to come out...well I knew I was in pain for a reason.  It's getting so annoying...I am so ready for it be out of me. I hate my freakin band.

Anyway, that's about it.  I am so excited to have a four day weekend, I can't even stand it.  I had a friend coming into town this weekend and he had to cancel at the last minute.  I am secretly glad.  I feel like I have been running around like a crazy woman.  I am ready for a break.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention.  I dumped the guy that I was dating.  He turned out to be way too needy for me.  We were only dating for 3 to 4 weeks and he CRIED when I ended it.  Okay, seriously?  Come on, 3 weeks and tears????  It was far from serious; we weren't even exclusive.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend.

Cari
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8/20/2007 - APPROVED
on August 30, 2007 7:39 pm
I am so freakin slow at updating.  Okay, My insurance was denied at first.  Then Brittney at Dr. B's office called UHC and found out it was a mistake.   Someone reviewed my case and said it was handled wrong and should have never been denied.  They told her if they would get me resubmitted on Monday, they would have me approved my Friday.  They were not kidding!  I had to go back in on 8/20 to weigh in for my final 90 day diet weigh in and I was resubmitted that day.  I got a phone call at 6:00 PM from Tanga at Dr. B's saying I was approved.  It was about 6 hours after being submitted!  AMAZING!
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Waiting, Waiting, Waiting
on July 28, 2007 9:13 pm
I am STILL waiting on insurance approval.  They submitted all of my info and clinicals on July 11th and it's still under review.  I have called DAILY, sometimes twice a day.  It is getting very frustrating.  It's hard not to get upset and down.

I am having my EGD done on Monday.  I am glad for that.  I have been having this stabbing pain in my stomach that I am quite sure is a result of my slipped band.  Have I mentioned how much I hate my lapband?  I know for some people it's been great, but for me it's caused only pain.  Dr Barker requires the EGD anyway.  I went to see him on Thursday about the pain and he said let's go ahead and do the EGD now.

I also got a call about my sleep study late Friday afternoon.  The place Dr. B's office is referring to me is in network, so it will cost me absolutely nothing...Thank goodness!

I finally told the guy that I am dating about my upcoming surgery last night.  He was so supportive.  He asked several questions about my personal battle with my weight.  And then he said he understood and would support me and encourage me in anyway he could. He had watched Big Medicine with me on Monday night.  That was good; it gave me a reference when telling him about the surgery and my previous surgery.  I really didn't know if he would really understand since he has never had a weight problem.  He even offered to take me to my EGD appt on Monday, but my little sister is going with me.  And that's truly the way I want it.

Well I am about to go to bed.  I have a lot to do tomorrow and we are going to see The Simpsons Movie tomorrow.  

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My Story

My name is Cari and I am 29 years old.  I had lapband surgery on August 4, 2004.  I have struggled with my weightloss ever since.  I went from 258 to 204 in about 13 months, then my band slipped and I went up to 220.  I am now at 235 and have not been able to lose anymore weight.  I am currently looking into having the gastric bypass.  It's funny, three years ago when I was researching the band, I wouldn't even consider the bypass and I guess I just finally hit my rock bottom.  I can't live like this anymore.  I have decided to look into having a revision from the band to the bypass.  I had my consultation with Dr. Barker on May 22nd. My band has slipped again and that is what is causing this HORRIBLE reflux.  He took all my fill out and the acid reflux has improved about 95%.  I have to go on a three month pre-surgical dr. supervised visit for UHC.  My company put that in the requirements for approval this year.  The diet started on May 22nd and I will have to go in to meet with his office once a month until August 22nd.  They will be able to file with my insurance after August 22nd.  I was disappointed at first, but I am okay now.  It's only 3 months and it could have been so much worse.