Mary Williams
I am married 20 years to a wonderful man (had to try more than once to get the right one:-)) and we have two grown children and two grandchildren.
We live in Sarasota, own a machine shop and both work full time at other jobs as well.
Hobbies: Researching WLS and reading self help books and kicking around in my pool.
I see I am 20 pounds heavier than when I first signed up on this message board. :-( I have to move ahead with the surgery and have faith it will help.
Update: My lap band surgery was April 5, 2006. Got along great and as of today, Sept. 1, 2006 I am down a total of 44 pounds, 13 of which were lost before surgery. I lovemy band!
2005
12/17/05
I have recently changed my Gp who is suggesting I wait a year and try more non-conventional means first. While I am not opposed to tring such techniques as meditation, body talk and other methods, I feel I need to move ahead with my plan. I am writing her to explain I have given this considerable thought and that I want to proceed right away with getting approval from my BCBS Insurance carrier. I have attended three consultations, all w/differnt doctors; two perform the Roux n Y and one the lap band.
12/28/05
I saw a gastrointeriologist and she is starting me on some meds that have proven to help with weight loss. It is Topamax, which is also supposed to help with pain (had bilateral knee surgery unsuccessfully three years ago and hurt all the time now). Supposed to see her in one month.
Pre-op: Taken in January 2006
Weight 220 (at highest) BMI 41
Height 5'2" (As you can see, I carry most of my weight in my belly area.)
2006
2/8/06
I have nearly completed all the requirements for the paperwork to be submitted to the insurance. I learned from Odalys yesterday at Dr. Jawad's office in Ocala that they will not resubmit an approval request if you are denied without a $500 fee or they will give the patient the paperwork for them to resubmit on their own. I am concerned the insurance will not accept my 6 months history of attempted weight loss efforts. Many of my efforts were start/stop and I did not have consistent follow through with the doctor. I believe everything else is in order.
The other concern is which surgery to go with. I have one of the few insurance plans that covers lap band and I am inclined to choose that one as it is less invasive. It is a big decision and one to be carefully considered. I guess there is a part of me that wonders if I can achieve the weight loss witht the lap band. Paperwork submitted to insurance company on Valentine's Day.
2/17/06
I called BCBS today and I HAVE BEEN APPROVED for the Lap Band procedure. I feel so grateful to the insurance company, to our employer, Manatee County School Board (because they can choose to have this as a covered benefit or not) and to Jan Lindsey, my angel, for her help and the staff at Dr. Jawad's office (Odalys) in Ocala. It only took the insurance two days to decide.
Now, I feel as if all those posts I've been reading have new meaning and I need to reread so many of them. I'm tryng to remember what I read about pre/-post op, the foods, how long I'll be on liquids, etc. All of a sudden it is becoming real!
I am trying to decide whether or not to tell folks where I work. I think if I had the surgery on a Thursday I could probably return to work by Monday. I think most of them would be pretty supportive. Then I wonder, what if I don't lose like I should? Oh, insecurtities....
Oh, thank you Father, Mother God.
02/24/06
I am very frustrated with Dr. Jawad's office personnel. I was approved one week ago today by my insurance and still have no surgery date. I feel as though the doctor's office keeps looking for someone to tell them this surgey is not going to be covered after all. The insurance company even sent a fax, followed by a letter that the lap band surgery is covered under my plan, apparently the only one that does.
I know those of you reading this understand as our lives go on hold in many instances once the decision is made to have WLS. I am even thinking I mayhave to find another surgeon which I don't want to do. It was hard enough deciding on the first one and I think he is very good. If they weren't so far away I would go camp out on their doorstep and say either give me a surgery date or my paperwork and I'll start over. Gads... I hate to think of that.
Ahhhhh.. now I feel better.....
3/1/06
I HAVE A DATE! My surgey is scheduled for April 5th. I can hardly wait. All the emotions are surfacing... excitement, fear, wonding if I'm doing the right thing, wondering what I will do in place of eating.
I feel fortunate that my husband, Bob, is very supportive and is willing to follow the low carb high protein type of food plan with me. I could not ask for a better support system.
I know the time wil pass fast but my surgery date seems like an eternity away just now.
03/03/06
Went for the uppper GI today. Icky but it didn't take long. The worst part was the "sandy" type stuff at the very first. It was hard to swallow and I was afraid I would choke on it. But.. it's done. I just have one more thing to do, the blood work for the H-Pylori test.
I'm thinking about the pre-op diet of 2 protein shakes and one meal of protein. That's not as bad as some docs. It sounds pretty limiting for someone like me who currently has a big appetite. :-) I start that in two weeks, and that signals I am on the home stretch.
Thank you Father, Mother God.
03-05-06
Just took my measurements for the "before" and "after" historical or hysterical chapter of my jouney.
3/5/06 5/5/06
Neck 16.25---- Neck 15.75
Bicep 14.25----- Bicep 13
Forearm 11.25---- Forearm 10.25
Chest 48.25---- Chest 45.5
Waist 46.0---- Waist 41
Belly 52----- Belly 48.25
Hips 50.25 ------ Hips 48.5
Thigh 30------ Thigh 27
Calf 16------ Calf 15.25
In two months I have lost over 20 inches and 27 pounds! Yippee. I go for my first fill May 19, 2006.
April 5, 2006
I was at the hospital at 6 a.m. this morning, taken into surgery about 7:30 and was out in 40 minutes for my lap band procedure. I even got a CD of the procedure. How cool is that? I had quite a bit of initial pain the first couple of hours, but got a handle on it and some minor nausea. Made the two hour drive home with no problems
I just wanted to let everyone know who is approaching their surgery, that I am another one who had great success with the procedure itself. I'm sure the prayers helped. I also have been talking to my body the last seveal weeks about accepting the help I am givng it and my new lifestyle. I affirmed an easy surgery and told myself I would awaken easily with energy and ease.
I will be on clear liquids three full days. It hasn't been too bad really. I've had three cups of chicken broth which seems to be very soothing. Only problem is all the sodium but guess that's not a big problem if I dn't do it every day.
The most difficult thing right now is getting up and down from a setting position or to lay down. I am taking the pain meds every four hours for today, not os much out of great need, but to just keep myself comfortable. Tomorrow I will not take as much.
Thanks to all for prayers and encouragement. I'll keep you posted.
Oh. I lost 16 pounds pre-op so I felt good about that and was pleased to show myself I was able to comply with the guidelines, something I was concerned about. If that is an indication that I will be able to comply long term, I should do all right. My goal at this point is to lose 80 - 90 pounds.
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June 15
I am down 30 pounds and have had one fill and am hoping for another soon. The fill did not do what I had hoped in helping to control my hunger.
While I am a bit disappointed I am in no way discouraged because I understand it is a process of finding the right fill level and making the comitment each and everyday to eat like a bandster. I am now at 194.
July 15, 2006
Just wanted to share with everyone that my doc informed me that I have lost 34 % of my excess body weight. I had the lap band on April 5th and have had two fills and today a slight adjustment of an unfil.
I had a second fill last Friday, did fine until Monday night and then, WHAMMM! Food got stuck big time. It was scarry and painful. I had an intimate encounter with PBing and vomiting. I don't want to go through that again. Called Jawaad's office a couple of day later and Kevein, the PA told me to come in for an unfill.
So, yesterday I made the trec back there and he removed .75 cc's. Now I have 2.25 in my band. I could tell a difference (felt better) immediately. I am hopeful this will be it. The good news is I lost two pounds last weekl while being on liquids. Cool! I am now at 189. Out of the '90's woo hooo!!
I have found Sparkpeople.com to be very helpful (works better for me than fitday.com) and it is free.
And, the support here has been great! Thanks to all.
08-13-06
I had .4 cc put back in my band day before yesterday. Did liquids of course yesterday and I am down to 181! I had one quesadila last night and a small cup of soup from Don Paeblo's and was satisfied. One thing I recognize is that I have to adjust my eyes (helping portions) to the smaller need that will satisfy me. If it is on my plate, I think I need to finish it regardless of what my body is saying.
Measured amounts of food work better for me, or cutting what I think I want in half or at least by 25%. This is all a learning process and a re-training in behavior as much as learnig to sense what is going on with my body.
Regarding my fill, I am affirming this is my sweet spot. I will be careful the next couple of weeks. The large fill seemed all right at first too, so I am especially cautious now. Oh. Doc says I have now lost 37% of me excess weight. He is well pleased with me.
Future Update
September 1, 2006
New ticker
I am down to 179 today! I am thrilled to be out of the '80's. I had a couple of PBing episodes a week or so after my fill but have had no further problems. I noticed both times I was thinking about stressful situations in my life and I know that tightens my band, or stomach which effects the band. I really try to pay attention now, to not just the food, but the dialogue in my head going on as well. I found a good 160 calorie lunch, the South Beach breakfast burrito. It is pretty filling and stays with me a while. Keven from Dr. Jawad's office suggested it.
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