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Surgeon Testimonial

Thomas Sonnanstine M.D.
Wow! Dr. Sonnanstine was so personable and genuine. I could tell that he was been truthful with me and not just telling me what I wanted to hear. He explained that the struggle was not going to end with WLS. WLS is a life long change and not a cure. I have to be dedicated to make it work for me. I appreciate this honesty. He really was Great!
Member Interests

mimi4's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I have grown up in a family with obesity related conditions. I was not obese as a child or young adult. I began putting on weight in college and after having my children. Even though I was not obese growing up, I believe I had the mentality of an obese person. I constantly worried about weight. I was so afraid of becoming fat. I remember praying to God to "not let me grow up and get fat." Luckily, I didn't have any eating disorders. Since I didn't grow up this way, I discovered that I don't know how to be overweight. I don't know how to shop. I don't know how to act. I feel like the person I see in the mirror is someone else. I know that there is a different person inside of me. I hate what I see in the mirror. For this reason, I don't have full mirrors in...
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by RJOLLY1967 on 8/29/07 3:36 am
    prayers going up for you & you family God give you peace at this time of need
  • Comment by cathrynsrealm on 8/28/07 3:24 pm
    I just saw Angela's post on the KY board, so I just had to stop by here and let you know how much we're all pulling for you. I will pray for your family.
  • Comment by bearcollector on 8/28/07 1:01 pm
    My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of need.
Click here for the surgery support page

Hi Everyone.  I am here to learn, get inspired and inspire others.  I had Lap Band Surgery on 11/20/06.  My experience with this surgery has been a rollarcoaster ride.  It has been rewarding, frustrating, challenging but never "easy".  I have never been able to lose weight.  This tool is AMAZING.  What you will see here is the truth.  I never say what I think people want to hear.  So far...I would say that I have been successful but I know that this is a life long commitment.  You'll never hear me say that the weight is gone FOREVER.  The weight is constantly knocking on my door.  Any WLS you may have will NEVER fix your brain.  You have to conquer the demons that made you fat (or at least keep them at bay).  Good Luck!!!

Welcome to Mimi's Place
You can also visit me at: http://www.myspace.com/mimimcv


January 2012
on January 25, 2012 5:38 am
 January 25, 2012

Its been over 2 yrs since I have posted on here. I had my 5 year anniversary Nov 2011. I can't believe it!  I am going to Columbus today to see the fabulous Dr Tom. He has moved around since leaving Florence and I just haven't had time to go. I decided that it is time. I think I am doing o.k. I've gained 20 pounds over 2 years. I'm back to 134-135 pounds. I HATE it!  Nothing fits. I HATE to shop... Again. I can't completely figure out what has happened. Here is what has changed that may have caused weight gain:  I had uterine ablation 2 years ago. I was put on Lexipro (I took myself off -not worth weight gain). I drink more wine than I did in the beginning. I also started drinking more Coke Zero. After my band, I could NOT drink pop but can now. I thought that because it was zero calories, it was ok. I'm thinking it could be a factor. I have horrible reflux and find myself eating things with higher calories because it sooths my stomach--- yes, I'm talking about ice cream or smoothies. Bottom line, the band DOES work. I have gained 20 pounds. It's not because my band is failing. So much of what made me a success at weight loss are the things I have stopped doing. Obviously, I'm still on top of this. It will be this way forever!!  I'm hoping the good doctor will adjust my band and help my tool to work better again. I think I need to get back to journaling. I need to go back to the basics. 20 pounds?  Size 6?  You may think "GIVE ME A BREAK!". It's a big deal to me!!  I didn't have much to lose to begin with. Think of my gain this way... If you gained 1/4 of your weight back, would it be a big deal??  Of course!!  I know what to do. I know how to do it. Know to just get it done!!
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November 2009
on November 20, 2009 11:41 am
11/20/09

Today is my 3 year bandiversary.  Wow!!  Its a great time to reflect.  3 years ago, I weighed 193 pounds.  I wore a size 18 and XL (some XXL) tops.  I was miserable, unhappy and wanted to hide from the world.  I never looked at myself.  I didn't want pictures taken of me.  I felt terrible about myself and shut myself off from friends.  I have 3 kids and I was afraid they were embarrassed by me.  My beautiful sisters, niece and sister in law had WLS and I was watching them transform their bodies and soul.  I wanted what they had so badly...not jealousy....ENVY.  I was able to do it too!  It has NOT been easy.  I struggle almost every single day...STILL.  It got easier but never easy.  I continue to want to over eat.  I continue to want to eat bad foods.  I continue to be critical of myself.  I know that I have come a long way.  This journey will NEVER be over.  I have exceeded my weight loss goal of 120-125 pounds by weighing 116 but I am not finished.  Sure, I am finished losing weight...  I am not finished in controlling my weight.  I never will be.  This is acceptance.  Weight loss and eating right is a life long commitment.  I used to just want to get to the finish line...  I don't think that Finish line exists.  Once I realized this and accepted it, it got easier somehow. 
I looked over my original goals...  and this is what I found:  
Get rid of back fat, Have visible collar bones
Comfortable wearing a tank
Wear bathing suit without fear
Cross my legs comfortably
Bend over and time my shoes
Walk steps without being winded
Flip on the trampoline
Do a cartwheel
Take a family picture
Have my husband pick me up without grunting
See people from high school and not hide
Take a bubble bath

These goals seem so simple now.  I just wanted to be NORMAL.  I realize that these were not earth shattering goals but things that I was not able to do...things I wouldn't DREAM of doing.  Needless to say, these goals have been met.  I am now setting new goals for myself.  Its amazing to me how we can take such simple things for granted when we have them and can do them but these simple things are HUGE when you can't.   

Whether you are just beginning, in the middle or maintaining....  You can do it!!  You really can!  Take it one day at a time.  Heck, sometimes it is one minute at a time...  Everyone CAN be successful at this.  I'm living proof.  Good luck!!

After

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My Story

  

Date

 Weight Pounds Lost Total Pounds Lost Comments
11/20/06 192.6  0  0 Surgery day
11/27/06 183  - 9.6  - 9.6 Back to work
11/30/06 179.4  - 3.6  - 13.2  
12/21/06 174.6 (home)
176.4 (office)		  - 4.8

  - 18 1st Fill 
1.4 cc
1/18/07 171  - 3.6  - 21.6  
1/23/07 176.2 (office)  + 5.2  - 16.4 2nd fill 1.4cc
1/24/07 171.6  - 4.6  - 21  
2/20/07 167.6  - 4  - 25  3 months
2/22/07 166.6 (home) 168 (office)  - 1

-8.2 since last fill		  - 26  3rd fill .3 cc (total in band = 3.3cc)
3/20/07 163.2  - 3.4  - 29.4  4 months
4/20/07 163.0  - .2  - 29.6  5 months
5/4/07 159.4 (home)160.8 (office)  - 3.6  
- 7.2 since last visit		  - 33.2  4th fill  (took out 2.7cc and added back 3cc)
5/20/07 156  - 3.4  - 36.6  6 months
6/23/07 154.6  - 1.4  - 38  7 months
7/5/07  151.2 (home) 
153
(office)		  - 3.4

(-7.8 since last fill)		  - 41.4  5th fill .2cc total in band 3.2
7/19/07  148.6 - 2.6 - 44 8 months  - 41.5 inches 
8/19/07 145.8 - 2.8 - 46.8 9 months
9/12/07  144 (home) 145 (office)  - 1.8

(-8 since last fill) 		 - 48.6   6th fill .4cc total in band 3.6
9/20/07  140.2  - 3.8  - 52.4  10 months and I'M NORMAL 
10/20/07  135.6  - 4.6  - 57  11 months - 50 inch 
11/20/07  133.0  - 2.6  - 59.6   1 YEAR!
12/6/07  130.2 (home) 132 (office)  - 2.8 

(-13 since last appt)		 - 62.4   No fill at this appt. still holding 3.6cc
01/20/08  127.8  - 2.4  - 64.8   14 mos
02/20/08  127.2  - .6  - 65.4   15 mos 
02/27/08  125.4  - 1.8  - 67.2    GOAL!! 
03/20/08  123.4  - 2  - 69.2   16 mos
 4/27/08  120.0 - 3.4 - 72.6  17 mos
2/25/09  117.0 - 3.0 - 75.6  27 mos
7/24/09  115.2 -1.8  -77.4  32 mos 
         

  

 

 

I am the youngest child in my family.  I have a brother and 2 sisters.  I did not grow up overweight.  That doesn't mean that I have not struggled with weight my entire life.  I was active and social and obsessed about cheerleading as a child and