TracyK
(2004) Hello. I am a 33 year old, an active duty (AD) military member who has had weight problems for many, many years. I enlisted in the Air Force in 1991 and love it!!! I workout 4-5 days a week and consume 1400-1500 calories daily. Even with these workouts I have still gained weight. My cholesterol is at 130, my blood pressure is normally 130/50 with a resting HR of 65. My doctors say they wish they have my numbers in their records. I have no thyroid problems or diabetes (even though it is sprinkled all over my family tree). I am as fit as I can be on the inside, but you could never tell on the outside. I have tried "diets" and they just don't work. I have been told that it is a "genetic pre-disposition to weight gain". I am tired of being considered obese. I have seen many doctors and all they can give me for answers is "I don't know" or "I don't understand why it isn't working for you". It would be easier for me to handle if I knew what was wrong with me. I have had many years on what they call the "Weight Management Program" now called "Fit Test" (FT) and have found many ways to quickly lose the weight to meet our weigh-ins; ex-lax, sweat suits during aerobics, water pills, starvation, and some normal diets like Phen fen, Slim fast, Atkins, South Beach, etc.... I am in a position that if I fail the FT 3 more times I can be discharged. No matter how great a job I do, just that I am to fat to fit in the military. I have a disabled husband and 2 beautiful gifts from God, and I refuse to give up. I am having this surgery (Lap Band) first and foremost for me but also with a sub-catagory for my family. We have come use to the military way of life and I refuse to be a failure and have to give this up.
(23 NOV 04)
I had an appointment with Dr Weiner and I have decided to have the lap-band Procedure done. Now I am just waiting on a date!!!
(25 NOV 04)
Recieved my date! I am excited to finally be able to be the real me. I have been fighting weight for so long that I lost the real sense of me. I can't wait to find her again. Thank you Bridget and Al! Your words of wisdom helped me take the first step to my thinner life.
(2 DEC 04)
My Thanksgiving was good, Friends, food and fun. I am excited and scared at the same time. My husband is excited for me and we talk about the surgery alot. I can't believe that it is only 18 days away.
(14 DEC 04)
Now the nervousness is setting in. I have my final appointments with the military hospital commander and my doctor tomorrow. They said they could not find a reason to tell me that I could not have the surgery. (I am a self pay, the military is not doing this surgery for me nor is my insurance going to cover it). I just have to have it all in writing in my medical records. It is also to cover their too, if there are complications I have to pay, Tri-care will not be responsible. I have extra insurance set aside just-in-case and I have put money away for my family just-in-case. The reason for the appointment, so they can document that we had a face to face consultation and I accept full responsibiliy. The people here have been wonderful and very helpfull. They were just nervous that they have not seen a active duty patient wanting this surgery. I am so happy. I was worried that they would deny me. I have only 6 days until the new me will awaken and start to come out of my shell of fat.
(15 DEC 04)
The appointment went well with the hospital. I had a meeting with the my doctor, Tri-Care rep and a psychologist and a patient advocate. They all had questions and concerns but were very helpfull. They were all baffled since this has never happened to them before (a request coming from an active duty member). They were all supportive and wished me luck. I am still a self-pay since Tri-care doesn't pay for AD personnel yet..... They wanted me to give them more information and keep them informed of my progress so maybe they could use me as an example for other AD personnel to use if needed. Who knows I may just be able to help someone out so they don't have to go through the hastle I have had to go through. I am still on for Monday. I am excited. I am ready.
(19 DEC 04) (230 Lbs)
Well today is the day I go to Frankfurt. I will be staying in a hotel. My surgery is planned for 7 am tomorrow morning. I have the nervous butterflies in my stomach. I am hoping that this works for me. I don't want to take away all of this money from my family. Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and e-mails. I will see you all on the other side.
(21 DEC 04)
I am home. Just got back from my 4 hours drive. The surgery went well. I was in some pain yesterday but I feel much better today.
(27 DEC 04) Well as of today I am exactly 1 week post op. I am weighing 220 even. That is a 10 pound loss in one week!!! I am so excited. The liquid thing is hard to do. I am trying to find some other ways to liquify my dinner. :-)
(4 JAN 05) Today is my first day back at the gym. I am just so full of energy after 1 session. I am feeling like this is really going to work for me. YIPPY!!!!! Still at -10 for weight loss but I am sure after today I will start seeing a difference.
(13 JAN 05) I am not feeling as happy as I was last week. I am still working out, 4 days last week and 4 days this week. I just feel like I can eat the house, ok maybe just the living room. I am hungry a lot and I am not sure why. Maybe it is what they are calling "Head Hunger"? I was thinking it is because I have been working out more lately, maybe that is upping my appitite. I got on the scale and I am back up to 222. I know that is still below the pre-op weight, but I was so excited to finally be under 220. I did spinning last night and walked another 2.5 miles today. I didn't get on the scale today, I am afraid it will show me a nightmare of a number. The doctor comes back on Monday, I am making an appointment for my first fill. Maybe that is what I need.
(20 JAN 05) I am going for my first fill tomorrow. I am so excited. I have been the same weight for the last few weeks and I am ready to see what I payed for! I looked at the difference between my pictures and I think I can see a difference in my face. Not much else.
(22 JAN 05) I had my first fill and I tell you it was nothing. I watched it all on the monitor. It was pretty neat. I am stupid though because I forgot to ask exactly what amount they injected. I think I was just so excited to actually see what this band can do for me. I guess I will have to wait for the e-mail reply to find out. I am on liquids/soups for 3 days then mushies and regular food after that. I am feeling pretty good. I woke up this morning and saw that I had lost another pound. I guess I the only time I will ever be able to stay off the scale is when I PCS next month. Then the movers will have to pack it and ship it to Alaska. I think at what the scale will say when I step on it then. It is going to take 80+ days for our household goods to get there. HHHHmmmmm I am thinking the scale should be showing some great numbers after that amount of time.
(2 FEB 05) Ok what the heck is going on here I weight this morning and I see that I am STILLLLLLLLLLLL at 219. I am sick of the scale. I am sick of this not working for me. I have spent this money for nothing? What am I doing wrong?
(22 FEB 05) I had my 2nd fill on th 18th of February. I feel the restriction now. I am not sure of a weight loss yet, my scale is on its way to Alaska. I do know that I have lost 3.75 inches since my surgery so that is good news. I will post more later when I have my own computer.
(6 MAR 05) I have been out of this forum for a while. I am still not on my own computer yet. I am using whatever computer I can find. I have been in the process of PCSing to Alaska. I did measurements on the 20th of February and saw a difference but I will have to add those changes at a later date. I do however have to add that I am now weighing in (unofficially) today at 213.5!!! I can not believe it! I have much restriction too. I am so excited. I have not been going to the gym either since I have not had the time or opportunity too. Between moving, inprocessing, house hunting and getting the kids back into school.
(24 MAR 05) Well I have had my first PB today. Not a very good experience. It just happend to be from the kids brightly colored Easter Eggs. I guess I now have add Hard Boiled Eggs to the no no list.
(18 APR 05) I have my official weigh in this week. I am so excited. I have cheated and stepped on the scale within the last few weeks and know I am down a few pounds. I had a doctor appointment (dreaded bladder infection), but with my uniform and boots I was 210! I just want to see what I am at on my 4th month anniversary. The first time I took my FIT TEST (Feb 2003) I weighed 204. I am supposed to take the test again next month. I wonder how the scale will read then? I don't want to get my hopes up too much but I am excited. Who would of thought that I would actally be excited about stepping on a scale.
(21 MAY 05) My official weight for my 5th month is 198.4! Can you believe it I am almost half way to my goal in just 5 months. I am so excited that I am closer to the inner me. I can already tell the difference in my attitude too. I am more happy and more energetic. I actually wore a pair of pants that I haven't worn since my girlfriends baby shower. That was over 2 years ago. I have also lost 17 inches. My husband is complementing me. What a great invention.... The Lap Band.
(9 DEC 05) I have been such a slacker on my profile and I appologize. But I do have to say that since I have had this surgery, almost a year ago, and have lost alot of my extra pounds I am no longer sitting in the house doing nothing. I am actually out there attending parties, meeting new people, traveling to more areas and just getting out. I am so happy since this surgery I no longer have been taking Anti-depressants the weightloss has actully helped my mood. Like that would be a no brainer. I would just like to have anyone out there who is reading this to know that this is an awesome solution to a weight problem. I wouldn't change a thing. I love my band and it has changed my life. I just re-enlisted for the last time in the Air Force. This one will take me to my 20 years, and now I am confident that I can do it. The weight will never hold me back again.
(28 DEC 05) I forgot how much food is consumed during the holidays. The only thing that is holding me back is that I am not a big chocolate person. But my neighbor is such an awesome cook/baker. I am trying very hard not to eat it all. I am happy though that this band is helping me through this time of cookies, candies, baked goods and extras.
(20 MAY 06) I have been so busy lately with us buying our first house in Alaska. The scales have been moving slowly. I am stable right now at about 168-170. I love it. Of course I would love to lose that last 10 pounds, but my life has changed so much that it is not as important to me as you would think. My life is not being run my my scale anymore! You know what else I did? I actually went online and bought pants! Size 12 and they fit. I would of never thought of buying pants with out trying them on first. They fit and looked good too. Actually they were on the loose side. To make my life even better! I have finally passed my Fit Test and don't have to take it now for another year! In my whole 14+ years I have never passed this test. My life is so much better and I am glad that I have found this tool to help me.
(9 APR 07) I have been on another roller coaster with my weight and female issues. I was told because of my terrible periods that I should get back on BC pills. Lucky me, I gained 10 pounds from it. I told the Doc that I needed something without hormones, that I can not risk weight gain. Well in February I had the Novasure ablasion done. I am so excited about it. No more periods for me. I still have cramping but nothing like it was before. I also contacted Dr. Todd and requested a fill. I have not had one in 2 years. So, between getting off the BC and the 3rd fill I am down to about 175. I was just recently told that I am to deploy to South West Asia for 4 months. I am sure that the 130 degree weather will help me lose the weight too. I have been doing really well at the gym. I am up to running 30 minutes 3 days a week. Averaging about 2.5+ miles per run. I am feeling great!!! I still have the goal of 160. I am hoping that I reach it in 2007!
Haven't been on here in a while and noticed the blog section. Further comments are listed there.
About Me
Before & After
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