Sonja W.
7 months out and things I have learned
Mar 04, 2008
I make better choices and eat healthier foods
I still crave breads/carbs, but limit them by choice
I don't snack on junk food
I don't eat "fast food" in my car - or otherwise
I take a multivitamin and calcium daily
I take all my meds as prescribed
I don't eat until I'm full -- just until I'm satisfied
I exercise 4 - 5 times a week or more
I feel better about the person I am
I stopped having 500 calorie Starbucks coffees every day
I only have 1 soda (or none) a day instead of 5 or 6
I drink tons more water than I used to
Sweets are now an occasional treat, not a staple
All of these are things that I could have -- rather should have -- been able to do without the band, but didn't. My band ("Barbie") has made it possible for me to FINALLY commit to making healthy changes in my life. This is truly so much more than I expected. I knew it would "force" me to eat a certain way (less food, type of food, etc.), but I'm pleasantly surprised at how it has helped me be healthier, both in action and in thought. So, thank you Barbie. Thank you Dr. Simpson!! And thank you all for your support and love. This journey is not always easy or fun, but it has changed my life forever!!
3 Months Out
Nov 07, 2007
My first time
Sep 24, 2007
3 Weeks Post Op
Sep 01, 2007
5 days and counting
Aug 04, 2007
Switching gears
Jul 19, 2007
So, I was able to convince my husband that I truly need WLS. Previously I was looking at RNY, but was not totally convinced that I wanted my insides rearranged forever. I'm more comfortable with the lap band, and so is he. So we decided to go self pay and get it done.
There is a great surgeon here in Phoenix that does only lap bands... maybe you've heard of him -- Dr. Terry Simpson!! He's the medical editor for OH Magazine!! How cool is that! I've seen him speak at one of the recent OH conferences and have read one of his books. He has a superb reputation and you can tell that he really cares for his patients and their needs. I went to his seminar and had my initial consult with him last week. Today I attended my pre-op teaching day and got to know a lot of others having wls with Dr. Simpson. It was a really good day. Best of all, I scheduled my surgery for August 8!! They could have done it next week, but I wouldn't be able to get everything at home and work under control by then. No pre-op liquid diet -- yea!! And they'll accept the psych eval and other testing I had done through Dr. Blackstone last year. I'm so excited to finally be doing this - I can't wait to be on the loser's bench!!!
6/22/07
Jun 22, 2007
Goal = 150
What now??
Jun 13, 2007
As of now I still have not had WLS. I also have been trying to lose weight without success. I've been losing and gaining the same 12 pounds since March, and actually since last July on 3 different programs. I'm frustrated and feel lost. I have pretty much decided to get the surgery and go selfpay since BC/BS has denied me and I've basically wasted the last year since that happened. DH isn't too keen on this idea because of the increased debt, but I'm at my breaking point. I NEED to do this. I have to do this to start living my life. I don't know how I'm going to convince DH, but I just know that I have to. I WILL have surgery before my 41st birthday in October!!!
Summary of things to date
Dec 31, 1969
1/30/07 - I found out a couple of weeks ago that BC/BS of AZ changed their criteria for approval and are now requiring 6 months of diet program and exercise (with a certified professional) - - that's the part they changed - - before approval. I'm really pissed off about it because I'm starting month 4 of my 6 month program and now I have to start over!! I know of others that "fudged" their reporting when they initially submitted, were approved without question and are now post-op and looking great. I wish now that I had done that just to get it done!! I'm struggling with what my next step will be. My husband wants us to "do this thing together". He doesn't get it. He hasn't had to live with an extra 100+ pounds for most of his adult life. I've lost all motivation and desire to make this happen - - short of starving myself. That's not even an option since I'm diabetic! I'm on major meltdown and don't know which way to turn. I'm terrified of failing again AND I'm sick of waiting for my life to get better. Good thing I'm on antidepressants, otherwise I could be suicidal!! :-)
Nov. 2006: I attended Dr. Blackstone's seminar in June 2006 and was very impressed with what I heard. Amazingly enough, my husband went to the seminar with me. He has been extremely opposed to even the idea of me having this surgery because of the "horror" stories he says he has heard. He said he felt somewhat better after the seminar and agreed to keep an open mind. We went to my first appointment with the surgeon in July. Joe asked a ton of questions, ones that I hadn't even thought of. The doctor was impressed with his questions and level of knowledge and said she loves it when a spouse is supportive. After meeting the surgeon and having all of his questions and concerns addressed, Joe said he felt much more comfortable with me having the surgery. From there, I saw the psychiatrist and had the EKG and blood work done. Unfortunately, BC/BS of Arizona denied me and said I needed to do 6 continuous months of diet and exercise and then resubmit for approval. I'm currently on month 2 of that - - I tried to do it on my own, but that only lasted about a month. Now I meet monthly with the doctor at the weightloss clinic and, as long as I don't gain over 5 pounds by the end of the 6 months, they will resubmit me for approval. Dr. Emershad says that almost everyone she has done the 6 month program with is approved, so I'm very hopeful that I will have surgery sometime this summer.
