SoniaMc
*April of 2004 I had Lap Band Surgery. This procedure was not successful for me at all. I lost a total of 40lbs. With the band I never felt restricted. I could eat anything and almost any amounts after my fill. I received approximately 10 fills or more. This was the most frustrated thing I had ever gone through in my life. It was really depressing going to my doctors appointments surrounded by all of these people that were losing rapidly. I was told after a year of not losing a significant amount of weight that possibly my band had slipped. At this time all of the fluid was drawn from the band and I was told that I needed to be without fluid for a couple of months. After the fluid was drawn I gained almost every pound of the 40 that I had lost back.
*2005 I decided that it was just time for a change altogether. I then went to another doctor to see about getting the band removed and having gastric done. I went through all of the necessary test and was denied by my insurance. The insurance company said that I would have to prove that the band was defective in some kind of way. There was no way to prove that the band was defective so I gave up once again.
*2006 Here I am once again back on my grind. I've decided that I was not going to give up this time. I scheduled an appointment with a surgeon in Dallas. He said that he could do what is called a revison. This is where he'll go in, remove the band and perform the gastric bypass. I contacted my insurance to see if the test that I had taken less than a year ago would still be good or if I needed to start all over again. Well, guess what...........I was told by my insurance company that my surgery had already been approved and I had up to a year to have the surgery. The second doctor that I went to received the letter saying that my appeal had been won and never contacted me. I guess everything happens for a reason though.
*January 07, 2007 Everything is done and I'm just waiting on my surgery date. I am so anxious and excited. I'll keep you all posted.........Keep me in your prayers!
*January 09, 2007 @ 11:00am I'm a little frustrated today. I have been calling Dr. Provost office for two days trying to speak with the nurse that clears the surgery. I was told that everything was done and I should hear something back right after Christmas. I haven't heard from anyone yet. Perhaps, I'm just a little too anxious. I've spoken with the office manager and the lady that schedules the surgery. Everyone is saying that they will call be back but NO CALLS. I'm trying to be patient. I think waiting for a date, for the surgery has been more frustrating than everything else I've had to endure. It's like I'm soooooooooo close, yet still so far away!!! This is driving me nuttttsssss..........
*January 09, 2007 @ 3:30pm Guess WHATTTTTTTTTTTT???? Dr. Provost office called today to see if there was any particular day that I wanted my surgery scheduled for. I'm making a public apology.......His staff is the BEST..........................YEAHHHHHH! Okay I WAS being impatient!!!! I'm not going to call them anymore..................(this week). Seriously, I'm so close now until I can almost feel the pounds falling off. I am so excited! God has truly been good to me.
*April of 2006, I lost one of my best friends. She had been on dialysis since she was 17 years old. She too was a BIG girl. She was not able to get a kidney transplant because she was too large for surgery. They told her that she needed to lose about 100lbs. She did it, with God's help. She went from a size 30/32 to a size 14. She was beautiful. By the time she got the weight off it was too late for them to give her a kidney. She had so many other health issues by then, until the transplant would have killed her. She was 36 years old.
*Sept. 27th of this year my mother died of cancer. She was my VERY best friend in the whole wide world. My mother had battled cancer for over 20 years. She too was a full figured woman. God finally decided that he needed his angel more than I did.
I just received a call today. One of my classmates that I graduated from high school with passed away. She was a 37 year old diabetic. She was also a BIG girl.
THIS IS MY SEASON!!!! I am taking the first step, in taking my life back. In 2007, I will become healthier, stronger (spiritually) and live a more productive life. " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
*January, 18, 2007 @9:15am Okay, I'm a little frustrated today. It has been 9 days since Dr. Provost office called and asked if there was any particular day that I wanted my surgery on. I haven't heard from anyone since then. How long could it possibly take to check a couple of schedules and call me back? I think that I'm being very patient this time. I just really need to know at least a month in advance. I have to get paperwork filled out and approved so that my job can give me short term disability. I'm not trying to rush them. I just want everything to be done when that time comes. You all will hear from me when I hear from them.....UNLESS I NEED TO VENT BEFORE THEN!
*January 18, 2007 @11:20am Okay Guys, I broke down and called them. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH..................I HAVE A DATE, YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! My journey to the new and improved me begins Feb.26th @ 7:30am. I am taking my life back!!!!!!
* February 22, 2007 @ 9:05am Family, I have 4 DAYS until my surgery!!!!! I am so, so excited about my new beginning. I must be honest with you though, I'm also a little nervous. I went to my pre-op visit yesterday and had lost 10lbs. I did a pre-admission to the hospital, all of my test were good so..............I"M READY!!! When you all hear from me again I will be post op and a LOSERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS
*February 23, 2007 @ 4:43am IT IS 4 DAYS BEFOR MY SURGERY AND I GET A CALL FROM MY DOCTORS OFFICE TODAY AT 4:30PM SAYING THAT MY SURGERY IS BEING CANCELLED. THE INSURANCE GUY APPARENTLY SUBMITTED THE WRONG CODE FOR MY SURGERY. INSTEAD OF REVISION HE PUT GASTRIC. NOW THE INSURANCE IS SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR A REVISION WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION THAT THE BAND WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INSURANCE GUY AT THE OFFICE JUST KEPT SAYING, "I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO TRY AND GET ME FIRED". HE KNOW HE MESSED UP. HE WOULDN'T LET ME SPEAK WITH ANYONE ELSE. HE SAID THAT EVERYONE ELSE WAS GONE FOR THE DAY. I DID PRE-OP TESTING AND PRE ADMISSION ON YESTERDAY. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THIS GUY ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS AND EACH TIME HE HAS SAID THAT I WAS READY AND NEEDED TO DO NOTHING. I AM SO UPSET RIGHT NOW. I'M PICKING FAMILY UP FROM THE AIRPORT TODAY TO BE WITH ME FOR THIS PROCEDURE AND HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY DAYS OFF OF WORK. HERE IS IS 4:45am AND I'M UP. I AM SO UPSET I CAN'T EVEN FUCKING SLEEP. I'VE HAD A HEADACHE SINCE 5:00PM YESTERDAY.........THIS IS THE WORSE SHIT EVER! I'M ABOUT READY TO JUST THROW IN THE GOTDAMN TOWEL.
*March 06,2007 @ 8:51am I know it's been a while since I updated so here goes. The last time that you all heard from me I was having a fit! Well, everything worked out okay. The doctor's office called me early the next morning and said that they were going to do their best to straighten this mess up. Needless to say they worked it out and I had my surgery as scheduled!
Okay, now let me back up a lil. The Saturday before my schedule I had a pre-surgery dinner at Pappadeaux. I got so much love from some people from this site. I had never met these people before but yall they came and we had a fabulous time. I felt so much love. I would just like to thank Stephanie, Otis, Kim,Claudette and Nicole for being so supportive. I have so many fabulous angels in the DFW. My special angel is David C. from STL. He has been really supportive, thanks Dave!
Now the day of surgery,My friend Temika flew in from Arkansas to be with me for my surgery. I can't begin to show my appreciation for her. I am just so blessed to have her in my life. She is a precious jewel yall, for real. My oldest sister was there who I love dearly was there. I think she was more nervous than I was. She has been my strength in my time of weakness. Nobody can take my mom's place but Jean (my sister) is doing an excellent job filling in. I was taken back for surgery prep at about 6:15am. Jean and Temika were allowed to come back there with me during the whole preparation process.
@ 7:25 am I was taken back to surgery. All I remember is them moving me from my bed to the operating table. Next thing I know, I was in my room. I don't even recall going to recovery. I was so out of it! When I finally woke up I just remember almost being in tears because I was in so much pain. At that time the nurse introduced me to my very best friend for the next two days, my morphine pump. Babyyyyyy, that is some good shit!
Okay moving right along......I know this is a lot but I'm trying to play catch up here!
*February 28, 2007@ 6:15pm I was released from the hospital and was on my way home! I have to admit that I have been one miserable sister. I haven't had a lot of pain but the discomfort has taken driven my nuts. I am just ready to feel normal again.
*March 02, 2007 Was a horrible day for me! I was an emotional wreck. I was having regrets about having the surgery, wondering what in the hell had I done to myself, just really in a bad way. I'm not quite sure what I was going through. I'm just glad that it has passed.
*March 06,2007 Today is a fabulous day. I woke up feeling good about myself and my life. I got on the scale for the first time today. I have lost 10lbs in 8 days! Yeahhhhhhh Meeeeeeeee
*March 26, 2007 @ 10:00am I know I haven't updated in a while. It was really because I didn't have anything good to say about my experience. I didn't want to write anything that might not be encouraging to someone else. I am one month post op today. I have lost weight and gained weight yall. This journey has not been an easy one for me. With the gaining and losing I am down 27 lbs as of today. Am I happy?? NO... Should I be? MAYBE....
I really cannot for the life of me understand how I gained any weight back. I am eating like a freaking bird and exercising. I am doing everything that I was told to do and still don't feel that I'm accomplishing much. I've read that this journey is more mental than anything and that is SO true. Mentally, I'm tired as hell....Physically, I'm okay (most of the time).
I have days that I'm happy about my surgery and I have days where I almost hate myself for doing this BS to myself. My dumping episodes have been horrible. I mean excruciating pain! My son was crying with me. He wanted to call 911..........This is NO joke people. This is serious business and should be treated as such.
*May 03, 2007 @ 9:05pm Hey Family, I know that I'm well overdue posting. First of all I'd just like to say that I've lost a total of 41lbs in 9.5 weeks. I have gone from a size 26 pants to a very loose size 22. I think I've gotten off to a pretty good start. I'm trying real hard not to compare my journey with anyone else's.
Overall, I'm pretty proud of myself, most days. I have joined the recreation center and work out 4 days a week. I can't believe that I get my butt out of bed at 5:30am and go to the gym before work. Do you hear me???? I workout before work.......who would have thought that would ever happen. I have my 20th year class reunion coming up in July and I would love to be in a 16. This may be an unrealistic goal but I'm working hard to achieve it. I'll let you all know how I do!
Finally, I need for you all to keep me in your prayers. This is my first Mother's Day without my mom and I'm not dealing with it well. Eating use to be my comforter. Now that I don't have food, I don't know what to do. I have missed her so much these past 8 months until it is crazy. She was my very best friend in the whole wide world. If you don't have a good relationship with your mom, today is the day to make it better. You only get ONE mom and when she's gone.......she's gone!
I love you Ma.....Happy Mother's Day!
*Sept.07,2007 @ 1:39pm I know it's been a while since I've updated. So, here goes.........I just went for my 6th month checkup on the 31st of August. I had lost a total of 77lbs. I've gone from a size 26/28 to a size 16/18. God is good people. I haven't worn a size 16 since I was about uhhhhhhhh hell I don't know! Anyway, I've been doing pretty good. I'm waiting on my lab results now. I hope everything is good and I don't need any extra vitamin or anything. Yall I hate taking pills. I do manage to take them every day though. I was working out 4 days a week but I don't get to do it much anymore. I work full-time, go to school and I'm trying to work a part-time job. BTW I'm taking my last class this semester.
I will be a college graduate as of December 2007. Yeahhhhhhhh Meeeee! I decided to go back to school after being out for over 13 years. I'm finally done family! I promised my mom I'd finish and I'm so close now that I can taste it. I know she's smiling down from heaven soooooo proud of me. Here I am about to be a college graduate, I've lost weight and I'm finally experiencing some joy in my life. I am at an all time HIGH in my life!!!!! I'm just patiently waiting on God to send me my husband. Men approach me all the time but most of them are BUSTERS! Raising my sons alone has been a task yall. I'm doing a pretty good job though (patting myself on the back) .
If you are trying to decide what to do about surgery or which surgery to choose...Pray Pray Pray and let God guide you. My revision has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. If I had followed my first mind I wouldn't have had the lap-band in the first place. That's Me Yall.......Gastric isn't for everyone.
Good Luck on your journeys and May God Bless!!!
*Nov. 07, 2007 @ 11:36am I haven't updated in a while but here goes.....I have been going through so much lately family! I had a mammogram and it came back abnormal. Well if you've read my profile you know cancer runs in my family so I've been driving myself crazy thinking about the "what ifs". After waiting a couple of weeks I found out that I had a lymph node but it was benign. Thank you Jesus!!!!
As far as the weight loss is going.....I've been on a plateau for two whole months. I was losing and gaining the same 8-10 pounds for two months. So, finally the plateau has been broken. I lost 15lbs the month of October. Stress is one of the main reasons I think I lost the weight though. Food has always been my comforter. With this surgery food can no longer comfort me so I felt like I was going to lose my mind. I swear I needed some chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. I know I've said it before, THIS SURGERY IS 85% MENTAL. I think once a junk food addict always a junk food addict. Why don't they have a 12 step progam for us or do they????? HMMMMMMM... Anyway, I've gone through another trial and tribulation, I've learned from it and grown and once again I SURVIVED IT! Without God none of this would have been possible. Back to the weight loss......(I think I have adult ADD) I am now 214lbs. I have lost 95 pounds in 8 months and 19 days. I am 15lbs from being in onederland (onederland is when you get in the 100s). I have my 9 month checkup on the 30th of this month. My goal is to be 200lbs...........Do you think I'll make it????? I'll let you know when I update next time..............Keep me in your prayers!!!!!
*Jan. 04, 2011 @ 6:28pm I can't believe that it has been this long since I updated my page..I have a whole lot of catching up to do...I'll give you the short version of what's been going on with me. I mentioned that I would be graduating in Dec 2007...I actually graduated on my 38th birthday (May 24, 2008). How awesome is that...I had the best graduation/birthday party ever. Friends and family came from everywhere. The only thing that could have made it absolutely perfect was my Mama seeing me strut (I didn't walk...LOL) across that stage. My graduation dress was a size 12
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Finished undergrad and went straight into my graduate program...I must have been smoking cuz I was already tired as hell....Anyway, I just completed my Masters Program in Special Education Dec. 2010.....YEAHHHHHHHH MEEEEEEE!!!!!
From the last time I posted and now I've just been trying to maintain and keep my head above water. I've been battling my weight and life!!! I won't bore you with my life issues but let me tell you about this weight thang.....I have been losing and gaining the same 15 to 20 pounds for the past two years. The lowest I've ever gotten has been 190 pounds and the highest I've gotten is 215.
When I hit 215 I freaked the hell out...My goal is to stay under 200. I don't care if it's 199.8 I'm cool with that. I was so busy with life (work, my sons, relationships and all the other crap we deal with) until I got off track! Needless to say I got busy as hell getting back down under 200 pounds. I can always go back to the basics to get extra pounds off and start back exercising. It use to come off easily....it seems as though it's getting harder and harder eat time I yoyo though! Which means I need to maintain....THAT'S THE HARD PART.....for me!
I can eat anything that I want to eat (food)...still small amounts though....but I can eat an unlimited amount of junk food. I am a junk food addict...this is most definitely not a good thing! So, this will be a battle for the rest of my life!!! I am in a comfortable size 14. This year I would like to get down to a size 12 and maintain it. Keep me in your prayers and I'll keep ya posted!!!!
About Me
Before & After
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