LadyG37
My battle of the bulge has been a long and hard one. Growing up I've always been the chubby cute little girl with the pretty face. My weight issues eventually transinned into adulthood through my early twenties to now my late thirties. I began looking into weight loss surgery several years ago but never had a way to pay for the surgery since my insurance wouldn't cover the cost. So I waited and gaing more weight, and waited more time and gained more weight over the last couple of years.
A friend of my mother's mentioned to her that she had lap-band surgery at the Minimally Invasive Surgical Hospital in Lenexa Kansas which was performed by Dr. Wanda Kaniewski. That was in Feburary 2005. I contacted the office to get more information about the doctors and when the seminar's would be held. I registered for several of the seminar's but never attended one until 2007 after my first intital consultation with Dr. Kaniewski.
When I went for my first office consult on June 29, 2007 and weighed in I was throughouly amazed at how much weight I had gained. Since marrying my current husband in June of 2003 I gained over a whopping 90 pounds. I knew then that I was at a race to get weight loss surgery by any means possible. If I didn't I was risking shaving years from my life and aquiring all sorts of obesity related health issues. My BMI at the time of my weigh in was 78. I was classifed as SUPER MORBID OBESE!!!. Scary when it's put into terms like that isn't it?
Dr. Kaniewski was very informative and suggest that I had a procedure called the sleeve. It was a two step surgery with me losing the bulk of my weight then going back in and having the Lap-Band surgery perfomed to lose the rest of my goal weight. My insurance wouldn't cover the cost of the surgery, I had to seek financing through MedProva which lends money to patients seeking weight lost surgery.
With my BMI being so high the cost of the surgery also increased. So, the best and affordable surgery for me was the Lap-Band instead of the Sleeve Procedure. I was given a date of July 17 the first time and had to wait for approval. I had to reschedule my surgery three times. Each time was a major disappointment for me because I desperately wanted my surgery like yesterday. Finally after almost giving up I had a tentative surgery date for August 6, 2007. I was on a liquid pre-op diet to help shrink my liver and was just about to loss my mind from the lack of eating anything solid. Boy was that one of the hardest things that I have to do.
A few day prior to my surgery I was called by one of the nurses from the MISH and prepared as to what would take place on the day of my surgery. I was excited to say the least and was eager to get underway. The day of my surgery I took before picutres and was able to see what other people saw of me. I was a big girl and there was no hiding the fact. I looked miserable and round. I had my daughter take both front and back view pictures of me and also side pictures. I was a rude awaking but it had to happen one way or another.
I arrived at the MISH around 8:30 along with my husband and two step-daughters in tow, and was taken back to prep for surgery. I still wasn't nervous just anxious and excited. I was told as to what was to take place and given an IV drip which started to make me drousy. My husband and children were then allowed to come back to wish me well before I went into surgery. I also called my mother who has been nothing short of being my rock, my angel on earth, my best friend and one of the reasons I was able to obtain the surgery. She prayed for me over the phone and I could tell that she was holding back the tears and not to cry while we were on the phone. I couldn't tell her that I was wondering would I make it through the surgery since I was in a high risk catergory. I told her that I loved her very much and that I would see her soon. I waved to my family and then was wheeled into the operating room.
The anethesiologist placed a mask over my mouth and nose then told me to take deep breaths. I feel alseep after several seconds, and then awoke in the recovery room several hours later. To me it felt like I had taken a fifteen minute nap. I was groggy and delirious. The nurses said that I pulled my IV out of my hand and was somewhat compatative. None of which I remember to this day. All I want was for the pain to go away. One of the nurses stuck me with a needle in my butt for the pain medication. I know I was a hot mess and was totally miserable. I was then given ice chips for me dry mouth and was helped into my cloths.
My surgery was out-patient I was able to go home the same day. For the first few hours after arriving home it was a few tough hours for me. Since gas from the surgery had settled in my upper right hand shoulder and in the right side of my chest I was in terrible pain and discomfort. I had my husband call the doctor and let her know what was going on with me. I was then taken back to the hospital and then checked over with a fine tooth comb. Eventually the discomfort went away and the pain medication took it's term. Boy was I relieved and then was able to go home a few hours later to rest.
That was over a month and a half ago and to date I've lost a total of 52 pounds. The first ten days after surgery, I lost 25 pounds. I was amazed but I knew that I had lost weight because I was on a liquid diet and then eventually after several days I was able to eat anything that could be consumed through a straw. Three weeks after that I could eat anything that I could use a spoon with. The reason being is because the doctor wanted by Band to adjust and form scar tissue around it. I had my first fill on September 19, 2007 and will go back for the next fill in about a week. It initally takes two fills in order to achieve desired results.
I am pleased and losing weight like crazy. My cloths are getting lose and too big for me. The swelling in my ankles and hands are completely gone. My wedding rings keep slipping on my fingers. I can't wait to be able to by a new wardrobe since shopping is one of my passions. I'm a shoe freak!
My goal now is to loss another fifteen pounds by end of October which will put me at my target weight loss for the month. I am now walking more and moving around so much better. My husband notices the changes in me and how my curves are getting smaller. My butt is shrinking and my thighs are getting slimmer. I'm not too happy about losing bra sizes, I want to keep my breast, the twins are getting smaller. I know eventually that I will have to have tummy tuck and a breast agumentation, but for now I want to tone and shape what I have.
I am truly blessed and want to share with others and hopefully encourage someone else to change their life for the best. It's nothing like being able to get a second chance in life to live again. Ciao!
