- HOME
- ARTICLES
- PHOTOS
-
FORUMS
- WEIGHT LOSS RELATED
- Main Forum
- Exercise & Fitness
- Diet & Nutrition
- WLS Graduates
- More
- MEDICAL CONDITIONS
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- More
- SURGERY DATES
- GO LOCAL
- Regional Forums
- GROUPS
- HEALTH TRACKER
-
COMMUNITY
- Newsletter
- OH Personal Newsletter
- More
- Member Q&A
- Chatroom
- Events
- MYJOURNEY
|
Monica H. Chicago, IL, USA Post Op - BMI: 39.2 Surgery Type: Lap Band Member ID: H1078777990 Surgeon: Vafa Shayani, M.D., F.A.C.S. |
Click here for Monica's surgery support page Click here for the 08/2004 Reunion Page Click here for the Lap Band forum Click here to print Monica's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!) |
 I'm a single mom and I've been battling obesity all my life. After years of "yo-yo" dieting I gave up, since I ended up bigger than I was before the diet, and accepted that I am and always will be fat. However, since recently becoming a mom, I've realized how much I'm missing out on and how important it is for me to loose weight. I'm tired of feeling like I'm lazy from not being able to move around, play, clean or go out from the pain and fatigue I feel (emotional and physical). My hope is to be able to carry my toddler for more than three minutes without having to put her down due to back and knee pain, walk with my toddler and not get so tired I want to fall out after ten minutes, or to be able to sit comfortably at school, or anywhere for that matter, and not worry about my bottom not fitting in the chair. My dream is to finish my degree in Allied Health and not worry about being discriminated against because of my weight, and be able to physically support my patients. I want to be able to run and be active with my child instead of just watching; and show of pictures of "us" instead albums full of pictures of her with everyone but me. I want to stop having to make jokes about myself to hide the pain and embarassment I feel. Most importantly I want to be able to stop secluding myself from my family and friends and finding any excuse possible to keep from having to leave the house to face everyone and let them "see me".  4/27/04 I am very excited! I had my Lap-Band consult with the doctor today. All of my surgical clearances have been scheduled without any problems...except my pulmonary testing which won't be until the begining of July and all others are within the next two weeks. I don't know that I can wait that long! Hopefully (fingers crossed) I'll be starting a very demanding medical program at school in June so I won't be able to take time off. Maybe by some miracle I can talk them into "squeezing me in" (no pun intented) due to the special circumstance at school.  7/03/04 After a few changes to the schedule, I have finally finished all my clearances and I'm just waiting for the surgeons final "go-ahead" and the insurance process to begin. Depending on how fast the insurance company works...It won't be long now!!! Sadly I didn't get into the medical program at school; but there's always next year.  7/28/04 FINALLY! I've been scheduled for surgery 8/9/04. My insurance (IL Medicaid) approved the surgery after a week (give or take a few days). I'm so excited but it is also starting to turn into fear...can I really do this, am I ready?! What if something goes wrong...I have a toddler to care for. Do I need surgery to loose weight? Should I give it one more shot on my own?  8/10/04 I'M BANDED!!! So far so good! Thanks Dr. Shayani! The surgery was a breeze. Waiting in the recovery room was the hard part. I'm pretty sore but nothing that I can't tolerate. I haven't even taken any painkillers since I was at the hospital. But know I'm wondering what I did to myself. I'm soooo hungry! I'm sick of broths! Will I ever eat again???? I have to keep reminding myself that this is only t-e-m-p-o-r-a-r-y! I WILL eat again! But when?.....  08/16/2004 I can eat!!!! I had my 1st post-op visit with Dr. Dhayani and he said I can begin slowly weaning myself onto regular foods! I didn't expect that for another week! ....and.....I lost 12lbs since surgery. Boy what starving yourself on a liquid diet won't do....  09/01/2004 No restriction from the band yet. But the good news is I don't have an appetite. I have to remind myself to eat. I'm starting to get discouraged by the amount of food I can still eat. Plus I gained back 4lbs. But I know that after my first fill it will get better. How much longer?...  09/26/04 I had my first fill a few days ago and I must say I love, love, love my band!!! Finally I am feeling great restriction. I feel like I'm officially a bandster! It's not quite where I'd like it to be yet so I go for a second 10/13/04. It is absolutely amazing that I can (so far) still eat whatever I want and still loose weight! I've got my freinds and family getting jealous.  09/29/04 Quite often I'm asked why I chose the band over rny here are just a few: The mortality rate is low, recovery is easier, Weight loss is slower (which can be safer), No dumping syndrome and most importantly it's adjustable. So the long term results are better. I also love that I can still eat pretty much anything I want including junk food. Most importantly the band offers long term results that RNY doesn't. You WILL loose with the band but how much and the rate depends on your efforts. You still can eat well and cheat sometimes, you'll get full much faster and as long as you monitor your eating habits you'll be fine. Since it's adjustable I can "loosen" it when I'm at my goal...and if I start to notice a change in my eating habits or weight gain I can go for a fill and "tighten" the band. Some of the complications of the band that I know of are, slipped band, and a port flip. Band slippage doesn't always need to be corrected but if it does you will need surgery. Port adjustments are done as an oupatient procedure. These are not as common as people think. Many surgeons stitch both the band and the port in place to keep that from happening. But of course there's no guarantees. Compared to others those are pretty minor complications that I am more comfortable with.  10/11/04 Well so far no major victories on the scale but boy am I loosing inches!!! I'm going to need new clothes soon. My pants are starting to hang off my...well let's just say I should get some belts in the mean time. My rings are loose, shirts, everything. Hey, hey, hey not EVERYthing! Also I've got energy now! I can clean, shop, play with my daughter and not need a nap! Don't get me wrong, I WANT a nap but I don't NEED one. I'm starting to get lots of compliments on my loss so far. But I've still got a long way to go. So I must stay focused...  10/13/2004 Second fill Today! I'm sure I be feeling some real restriction soon! (BTW -18lbs so far)  I consider myself to be extremely blessed to have had insurance coverage for this surgery. For those who have not and will not be as lucky please take time to sign a surgeons petition to make Weight Loss Surgery coverage a Federal Law. If your are having difficulties obtaining coverage DON'T GIVE UP!!! Some insurance companies are just about paid to tell you no the first time and hope you won't put up a fight! Please take a look at this link to get Sample Appeal Letters: 
                on 10/11/2004someone from the HTML TEAM (htmlhelp@obesityhelp.com) | ||||||||||||||
Photos
Hospital Reviews Member Interests: Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members. Surgeon Info: Surgeon: Vafa Shayani, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Shayani has been very direct and sincere. My first impression was that he is very respectfull, patient, and eager to help. He seems to care about you as a "person" and not a "patient". His office staff is wonderfull. They have always been very nice, thorough and prompt. As of yet I have not had the surgery but I have no reservations about chosing Dr. Shayani as my surgeon. Insurer Info: IL Dept of Public Aid, Medicaid/MediPlan The doctor's office handled everything. They're great! I didn't have to stay on top of things they processed everything right away as it came in. (Dr. Vafa Shayani-Loyola, Maywood, IL) According to his office, Medicaid does stall sometimes but is rarely a problem. They expected my wait to be 2 weeks, 4 at the most. I got my response after a week. |
© 2013 ObesityHelp, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
