Cindy51
Hi, I am Cindy from Illinois. I should be having lap band surgery in 4-6 weeks pending insurance approval. I am 51 yrs. old, 5'7/328lbs. I have been married for 33 yrs. We have 5 young adults (yes they do grow up) LOL. My oldest is our only son..he is 30..then we have 4 daughters. I have been a school bus driver for 28 years..between having my 5 children..and love it. I want to have WSL for many reasons mainly my health. I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, & pain in my feet. I am so excited to have this surgery and just wish it was done already!!
12/6/06
Update----I have been approved for lap band surgery by insurance!! Waiting on a date.
12/16/06
Called Dr.'s office today to see what was going on since I had not heard anything. She said could I have my surgery the 19th!? Omg just 3 days away!! Of course I said YES!!
12/22/06
Ok so I had the surgery & it went GREAT!! Dr. Chris Eagon with Dr. Tessie assisting did my lap band on Tuesday the 19th at Barnes Jewish Hospital in West County. It is a SUPER hospital & staff!! I can not say enough about how great the staff was!! My Dr's were wonderful too!!! I had no problems & was walking as soon as I got back to my room..to the total amazement of the staff. I did not want to get the gas pains so I walked as soon as I could, even before they asked me to & I had no gas pains whatsoever & my incision pain was a 1 most times up to a 3 at the most. I came home the next afetrnoon after I had had liquids for breakfast & soft food for lunch. Yes, my Dr. wants me on pureed food for 2 weeks already. I think this is unusual. I thought I would be on 2 weeks liquid, so I am taking it easy. Doing alot of liquids & a lil pureed. I do not want to stretch my pouch. Hugzzzzzzzzz, Cindy
Update 1/07/06
I am doing great!! I am not having hardly any restriction which is to be expected after surgery. I go to see if I need a fill on Feb 5, 2006. I am eating normal healthy food. And watching my quantity because that has always been my downfall is when I eat I would eat ALOT!! I have no problems since my surgery & was even able to cook our big Christmas meal of turkey & all the fixings for my family.
Update 1/19/07
It has been one month since my surgery!! I am down to 308 as of today. I am not restricted so anything I have lost is a bonus. I go for my first fill on Feb 5th. Things are going good. Just trying to hang in there till I get some restriction. I have started back to the gym. Right now I am just doing 10 mins on treadmill but will get back to the circuit training as soon as Dr. releases me to lift anything over 15lbs. Hugzzzz, Cindy
Update 2/7/07
I had my first fill on Feb 5th & I have some restriction. I know it may be just from after fill swelling so we shall see. I was down 16.5 lbs from the time I first consulted with Dr. Eagon. The fill was easy. Just a lilttle stick. He put in 1cc. Next fill date March 5th.
Update 4/14/07
Wow has been a long time since I have been here! I am down to 286 lbs today! Started at 328 so I am doing great. My March fill was great but after I left & got home (which is 2 hours away) I realized I was too tight. I thought ok wait & see if it is the swelling after a fill. The next night was miserable. Could not eat or drink anything. Waited it out 2 more days then went back to Dr. He took out 1/2cc & wow what a relief. I had lost 10lbs in 4 days! Fill was at a perfect spot & still is today (4/14/07). I did not go for April fill because I am still at perfect fill. I have kept off the 10lbs I dropped in 4 days plus lost some more. LAP BANDING WORKS IF YA WORK IT!! Hugzzzz, Cindy
UPDATE 1/03/2008
Again it has been a long time since I checked in but things are going great! I had my one year anniversary on Dec. 19, 2007. As of this update I am at 248lbs.. I started at 328lbs. Lab band does work!! I have sleep apnea and my pressure was set at 16. I was having trouble with my sinuses and Dr. suggested I have another sleep study done. Pressure was dropped to 8! I did not know this but people with sleep apnea and that have a Cpap machine should get their pressure checked when they loose weight as it most often will need adjusted. Sinus problems are gone now. I feel so much better overall. I am at my sweet spot and have not had a fill in 3 months. Next Dr. appointment is in Feb. I am off to Cancun on Monday.! It is a training trip with lots of fun thrown in with Cultural Homestay International, the new job I started last Feb. '07. CHI is a non profit organization that places high school age foreign exchange students with host families. I am the administrator for Illinois. It is the best part time job with the best company! I have so much more energy to do this job since having lap band. Will update photos soon. Hugzzzzzzzz, Cindy
