dsmoffett

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Officially 40 down!  It's very exciting although I've slowed down quite a bit.  I moved just after Christmas and had a lot of trouble finding a doctor that would continue follow-up care after my surgery.  It's crazy!  Four turned me down outright.  I found one that would take me but he doesn't take my insurance, which really stinks!  I'm ready for a fill as I can pretty easily consume 2 cups of food now.  I'm still losing but I don't like how much I can eat.  SELF CONTROL!!!!

Well, I'm officially over 20 ls down!  I;m thrilled and feeling great except that I can't sleep on my sides yet.  It's a pain as my body is getting used to sleeping sitting up.  Oh well, if that's my only complaint then I have nothing to complain about.  God's blessings to all!

Buck

I had surgery on the 27th.  All went well.  My port site is really sore but that's about all.  I expected some discomfort and it's a little less than I expected except fot he port site which is really sore.  I'll keep posting daily with updates . . .

It looks like I'll be banded on Nov 29th.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Met with the pulminologist yesterday.  He sent me home with a oximeter for the night.  I turned it in today and got a call from Dr. Rantis's office to schedule the surgery.  I should have a date by tomorrow! 

Started the pre-op testing yesterday.  The 562 question MMPI test was a breeze.  I did my best to be honest.  I don't have much baggage so the meeting with the clinical psychologist went well and he supports me 100% for the surgery.  I also did an abdominal ultrasound yesterday.  I have a new sympathy for my wife and what she went through with the kiddies.  Although it didn't hurt in the least my tummy was real uncomfortable afterwards (something promptly corrected by a few White Castles).  I meet with the nutritionist on Tues the 17th, support group on the 21st and with the pulminologist on 11/7.  He's the one crimping my style by not being available before then.  I really wanted my surgery around Thanksgiving but now it looks like January is looking more realistic.

 

Approved!  Definity sent the letter home.  I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy that they aren't making me jump through any hoops to get my surgery.  Now off to the phone to call the Dr's office to get all the pre-op stuff done!

 

The journey begins!  Had the meeting with the surgeon.  Dr. Rantis was great, very down to earth and approachable.  He spent a lot of time going over, well, pretty much everything that I already knew about the surgery but he covered it well.  They did a body compisition test.  The "charts" say I should weigh about 210.  Based on my body, the test showed that with 0% fat (impossible) my estimated weight would be 221 lbs.  With the 15% bodyfat they recommend for males my weight should be about 260.  So that's my goal.  I weighed in at 358.5 lbs.  98.5 lbs of fat to lose.  I think my NSV will be more humble, just want to fit in a size 38 or 40 pant as I'm at a size 56 right now.  My letter will go off to Definity next week.  I have heard great things about Definity (United) and their approval process.  I'm still a little skeptical.  We'll see . . .

 

Why the surgery?  Good question.  In order to understand I have to share a little about me.  I am a diehard conservative Christian who believes that I have to be accountable for the choices I make in life.  To that end, I am 100% accountable for my weight.  I am not captive to something.  I am not depressed.  I don't ask for pity for my condition.  (This is me, not a reflection on the conditions of others.)  I simply love food and the feeling that being overstuffed gives me.  I am 33 years old with 5 (yes, that's 5!) kids.  I can play with them and keep up without getting too unduly tired.  I can walk up and down stairs with a few more creeks than when I was younger (that's me, not the stairs).  I'm looking to have the surgery not because I am a walking health timebomb or that I'm unhappy in life.  On the contrary, life can't get much better than now.  My issue is that I want life to stay that way.  And I'm really concerned that it won't if I tax my body like I am doing now.  This surgery isn't for now, it's for 20 years from now.  I first thought of having surgery a couple of years ago but couldn't push myself to a gastric bypass because it seems so permanent and unnatural.  Then I found out about the LAPBAND and after some careful thought, prayer and talking with my beautiful wife Rachael I decided to take the plunge and go to a seminar.  What I saw there was so enlightening.  I heard people talk about the positive changes in their lives.  What I saw there was also so sad.  I saw people, some much younger than me, who couldn't walk because they were so heavy.  I made up my mind that not having those problems and being able to watch my children grow into beautiful adults and parents was more important than the feeling of scarfing down that whole large pizza.  That's why I'm here.