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Surgeon TestimonialLaura L. Machado, M.D.My first impression of Dr. Machado was how normal and down to earth she was. She actually got ice chips for me when I was in pre-op. I'm a nurse and it impressed me that she did that for me herself, and didn't just have the nurse do it. My impression of her has not changed over time. The staff at her office are great. I just love Julie and Jennifer. They are awesome!! There have been 3 PA's in the last year. The first one was horrible (can't remember her name). Gretchen was great. Just met Kylie today and she seems ok. She's fantastic at accessing the port! This turn-over of PA'S/nutritionists make it a little hard because I always feel like I'm starting over with building the relationship. rnrnThe thing I like least about my Surgeon? The only thing I can think of is the distance from my home, but that's not her fault. Future patients should know that Dr. Machado is a doctor you can depend on. The whole program runs incredibly smooth. I would rate Dr. Machado and her staff as a great big 10!!! |
1 year post-op on January 18, 2010 5:12 pm
I can't believe January 15th was my 1 year bandiversary. Let me catch you up. This may be long.
I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on the following Monday. No major problems. I was really tired that first week back to work and extremely emotional. I was mourning the loss of my best friend...food. I was much better after starting mushies!
My journey with the band has been, basically, uneventful. I didn't go through, "Bandster's hell". I was able to follow the rules pretty well until I got decent restriction. I've had several fills and one slight unfill when I was too tight. I don't even know how much saline is in my band now!!
I've consistantly shrunk over the year. I've lost 92 pounds!!! I've spent a fortune on clothes!! (I love to shop). Pre-surgery I was in a 22-24 that was actually too tight. I should have been in a 26 - 28. Now, at 150 lbs, I'm in a size 10 and they are getting a little loose. I have one pair of jeans that are a size 6. They are my favorite!!! ;-)
I want to lose another 5 - 10 pounds before my tummy tuck this summer. I will begin visiting surgeons toward the end of February.
I'm so glad I did this. I turn 40 next week and I'm happier than I've ever been. I can play on the floor with my kids, ride rides at the amusement park, go down the slide with the baby, and shop non-stop all day without needing a rest every few minutes. I can wear heels again too (even when I'm shopping). Oh, and my husband thinks I'm one hot mama!! He is planning on getting banded this summer.
If anyone is thinking of WLS, I have one thing to say to you. Do it! Obesity is a disease and I'm so glad i sought treatment!!!
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Pre-Op Appointment Yesterday. on December 30, 2008 10:27 pm
Well, I'm one step closer to Surgery. Yesterday was my pre-op appointment and things went well. I was kind of bumbed because I gained 4 pounds over the holidays. I'm encouraged though, because this is the last Christmas that I'll be this big.
The funny thing is, one minute I'm all excited and the next I feel scared to death. What if I die if I can't have diet soda? Surely the human body can't survive without it.
I am just keeping my eyes on the prize and I'm not going to let anything get in my way. Soon I will be on the floor playing with my babies and I'll be able to stand up without getting on all fours first.
Although my husband is very supportive, he is also worried. He's even more worried because he won't be home when I have surgery. I think that makes me more anxious too, but my best friend, who is also a nurse, will be with me for surgery and then for a few days when I get home.
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December 19, 2008 on December 19, 2008 11:27 am
I'm approved!!! Today I found out I was approved for Surgery and I have a Surgery date of January 15th. My pre-op date is December 29th. Gosh everything is going so fast, it's unbelievable. I'm not getting anything done at work today because I'm so dang excited!!!!!
November2oth, 2008 on November 20, 2008 8:14 pm
Well, I met with the Surgeon two weeks ago and we (I) decided to go with the lap band. I chose the band for several reasons.
1. I'm afraid of the malabsorption with the bypass.
2. My husband travels 9 months out of the year, so I'm basically a single parent to a five year old and an infant.
3. I need a short recovery period due to lack of help during that time.
4. Don't want to miss a lot of work due to just taking maternity leave 6 months ago.
5. In a worst-case scenario with the bypass, I would end up in the hospital, with kids to worry about.
I just feel better about the band. my BMI is 40.1. I have no serious weight complications YET and I'm not in a huge hurry to be in a bikini in 4 months. Anyway, Now that I've decided on the band, I've been studying up on the recovery, diet, lifestyle changes that I'll have to make. The biggest change will be saying goodbye to fast food. I just don't cook very much and certainly don't know how to cook healthy food that tastes good. I'll have to work on my recipe collection. I will also have to be dedicated to pre-planning. I will even have to dust off the crock pot. Since I work full time, after picking up the kids from daycare, I don't get home until about 5:30 or 6:00 pm. Then I have to feed everybody, tend to kids, homework, baths, story time...etc. Can all of that count as exercise???
Anyway, I'm off to my nutrition consult tomorrow and then everything will be submitted to insurance. My Surgeon said I should qualify without a problem, but that it would take about a month to get cleared. She said they are already scheduling surgeries for January, so I probably won't have surgery until late February or even March. It will be worth the wait, I'm sure!
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My Story I must really be fat because it's really hard to get up from the floor. God, there is a list a mile long that proves I'm really fat. I'm pretty sure struggling to wipe my butt is a sure sign. Hmmmmm.
I've been lurking among you for months as I've researched weight loss surgery. I've read profile after profile and realized I was reading my own story time and time again. I'm 38 years old. Married with two children. (Daughter 5, Son 7 months). I'm a nurse. I'm smart, funny, kind, bitchy, dorky, pretty, caring, successful, sometimes lazy, and morbidly obese. My first diet was at age 15 and 160 pounds. I've lost the same 20-30 pounds over and over again. Apparently I've found an additional 20-30 pounds many times too. I have decided on weight loss surgery because I'm so tired of being tired. I'm tired of hurting. I'm tired of pretending to be confident. I'm tired of being afraid for my future health. I want to play with my kids. I want to be active and healthy. I want to be able to wipe my own damn ass 10 years from now!
I have my first consult with my Surgeon on November 7th. (2 days away). I've been to the Seminar, researched insurance coverage (Anthem Blue Cross), I've completed the psychiatric evaluation, and I've quit smoking. Somehow, I managed to upload a few pictures onto my profile. I have no idea how I did it.
Now I hope to join this forum and form a network of support and friendship. I'm afraid of this journey I'm about to begin, but I'm excited about the new life I'm about to start.
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