KDay78
Hello. I am 28 y/o that has been over weight for most of my life.I have always struggled with my weight. It seems like I have tried every type of diet and exercise and have had success but it has always been hard to maintain.I am at my heaviest at 296 and I am saddened to see all of the things that I use to enjoy doing physically have become a burden due to my weight.This year it is my goal to live a healthier lifestyle and taking control over food and weight. I had my first consult with Dr. Williams about the Adjustable Lap Band in November of 2005 and everything has progressed nicely.When I began my research on WLS, I initially thought Gastric Bypass was my only choice.I spoke with a friend who had Gastric Bypass along with her husband and she referred to her Doctor. I went to the consult in 2004 for the Gastric Bypass and after leaving I talked to my mother and other family members and friends and I thought about all the information I was given and I prayed about it and I decided that Gastric Bypass was not right for me. I cried after I made my decision not to have bypass because it seemed like the only option and I thought I would be trapped in this fat forever. A few months had passed after my decision to not have Gastric Bypass and I happened to come across a website of someone who talked about her experience with having the Adjustable Lap Band.After reading her story I got excited and started to looking for research everywhere about the adjustable band.After researching the adjustable band I started looking for surgeons that did the procedure and to my dismay there were no surgeons who did the procedure in Philadelphia or who took my insurance. I cried yet again and felt hopeless and I let it go. A year later I checked on the OH site and I checked to see if Dr. Williams accepted my insurance and to my great joy I saw that he did take my insurance and that he did do the adjustable band. I have met people who have had other procedures, i.e., Gastric Bypass and they say the bypass is better, but I have to do what is best for me.I have no dreams of being a size 2.I would just like to be at a healthy weight, living a healthy lifestyle. I have completed all of my test and consults and I am waiting to have my psychological eval.I went to a few support meetings and I found the people in the group to be very encouraging and helpful with information. I have currently begun to change my eating habits with portion control and cutting out sugar and I have started walking again on the treadmill for 15 minutes
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I went to the sleep study center at UPenn and picked up my CPap.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
I slept with my CPap for the first time last night and for the first time in a long time I woke up this morning and actually felt like I had a full night of sleep
Tuesday,July 04, 2006
Well I decided to take the time out to update everyone on what is going on with me.Well in the process of waiting for my approval date,I have also found a house,in Florida.Yes that is right,while I am already dealing with the stress of preparing for surgery,I have also had to start preparing to move,which by the way I am not that enthused about.Well as for my surgery journey,I have my last test scheduled,which is my Psych Eval on July 12th.I am hoping and praying that after my Psych Eval, I will get an approval date right away.I am getting nervous but I am also trying to keep high hopes.
Wednesday, July12, 2006
Well I had my Psych Eval with Dr. Sarwer and I must say he was much more pleasant this time around than our first meeting.I am glad to say that I have completed all of my pre-test and am now in the waiting process of getting an APPROVAL LETTER.......Yeah!!!!!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
At 10:49 a.m. I got the best news of my life.I WAS APPROVED AND HAVE A SURGERY DATE.I am so happy.It has been a very long journey,but I thank God that I never felt defeated and never wanted to give up.I am on the path of being a better and healthier me
Monday, October 2, 2006
I woke up at 3:00 a.m.Today is my surgery day.I didn't have to be at the hospital until 6:00 a.m.,but I was too excited.I arrived at the University of Pa Hospital around 4:30 a.m.The admissions office did not open until 5:30 a.m., so I sat with my mother and prayed and passed the time away.The time finally came and I went to the admissions office and checked in.The whole process took less than 30 minutes.The nurse called my name and took me upstairs to change and get ready.I know my mom was nervous so I had to keep up a extra strong front for the both of us.After changing.I just laid down and prayed and tried to keep myself calm.I was a little upset because the nurse did not explain to me that my mother could have come back and sat with me until I was taken to the O.R.,so I was back there by myself.After a while the anesthesiologists and Dr. Williams came back to explain the procedure.Because I only had 2 hours of sleep,I was already out of it.I asked Dr. Williams if he could check in on my mother.At 6:30 a.m. I was wheeled into the O.R. and its was lights out for me after that.I don't recall too much after coming through from surgery.I just remember that I wanted to see my mom.I was taken to my room and my mom was right there by my side.
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Well I was discharged from the hospital today.The Dr. wanted to discharge me on Tuesday,but I was not having it.I was sore and since this was the first surgery of any kind that I ever had,I wanted to stay in the hospital as long as I could in case something went wrong.By the time I checked out.I was walking and moving about great.The Dr. prescribed pain killers but I don't even need them.I don't have much of an appetite but I have to force myself to drink water and some broth.
