Elaine-MO
In March 2005 I contacted a Weight Loss Center in my area and began the procedure. My husband was about to be laid off from his job of 18 years and we needed to expedite the process. I went to my PCP and also had a Psych evaluation done. All the paperwork was sent in and I waited for approval. It took a few times of contacting my insurance to find out I had been denied. I needed 2 years of weights, and a 6 month supervised diet plan. I was in luck. I had joined LA Weight Loss each year for 3 years, only to lose some and end up quitting. But all that mattered was that I show proof that I had been under supervision to lose weight. After I sent all that in, I was approved within a couple days. This was August. One step closer to beginning my new life!
I met with my surgeon, Dr. Roger de la Torre on September 1st. I attended a pre-op meeting the same day. It was then I got my surgery date of September 21st. Insurance would run out October 7th. Time was ticking by too fast for comfort. I was put on a 2 week pre-op diet to lose a little in advance. In those 2 weeks I lost 17 pounds. Yippee!
Surgery went very well. No complications whatsoever, and the procedure was done in 45 minutes. The nurses were great, but I didn't get much rest. The worst part of the whole stay was having the tests done for checking for leaks. My surgery was late in the afternoon on the 21st and by the time I got to my room it was 10 at night. They had me up very early the next morning to do the tests. I could barely stand due to being very weak.
I was on liquids for 2 weeks following surgery. By this time it was a total of 4 weeks I had been on liquids. I was ready for FOOD! Starting week 5 I progressed to soft foods. I mostly had soup. It seemed to settle better. I added cheese to give myself more protein. I had, and still have trouble, getting down the drinks. But I know I need to be more faithful because it is best for my health.
I am now almost to my 4 month mark post-op. I have lost a total of 80 pounds, and am feeling so much better! I would do this again in a heartbeat. My only concern is making myself get in the protein. My hair is starting to fall out a lot. I have a lot of hair, but if I continue losing like this, it might start being obvious to others.
