NanIAm
I have battled my weight all my life. I remember my first diet at age 10 - a low carb diet that my aunt was doing. My mom thought it would be good for me to do it also. The rest is history. My most successful attempt was right after the birth of my first daughter in 1986 - I joined Weight Watchers and dropped a lot of the weight I had gained while pregnant. Then..... baby #2 was on her way. My ob said that she would not approve the WW pregnancy diet since I had been successful in taking off the weight the first time. However, I was never that successful again. Up, down, Up, down..............
Here I am 18 years later, and I am heavier than ever before at 250 pounds. I take 2 BP meds, cholesterol, and diabetes medication. No way do I want to begin my 5th decade on this earth in such horrible condition.
My sister is an RN, and is the one who first told me about the LapBand. At first, I wasn't too enthused. But as my weight continued to spiral, I got serious at looking into WLS. I first went to a educational and support group meeting that Dr. John Feng was giving. I met a lady, Aliece, who had worked at the preschool where our girls went years before. She had nothing but great things to say about Dr. Feng. Aliece is so genuine and has been so successful with her VG surgery, that I was sold. After sitting through the presentation about all of the surgeries available and their pros and cons, my husband and I came away thinking that the VG would be the best choice. I called and set up an appointment with Dr. Feng for about a month out. I cancelled that appointment - chickened out!
After more short and unsuccessful trys at dieting, I made a second appointment and kept it. I was so nervous to go to that appointment, but I should not have been. Not once was there any judgment or embarassment by Dr. Feng. Only genuine concern and compassion. At that time, we agreed that the VG would be a good choice for me. However, he did warn me that the insurance would probably not approve the surgery for payment. I was optomistic though, since I had never been denied any type of service. Dr. Feng was right - Blue Cross PPO still considers the VG experimental. They would only cover the LapBand or RNY. The VG would be $16,000 out of pocket.
After much research and thinking, I decided to choose the LapBand. My thoughts were that I could learn to work with the Band, the procedure is reversible, and the insurance would pay the tab. I felt I had nothing to lose. If the Band was not for me, I could always pay out-of-pocket for the VG. So, I committed!
It has been a difficult road in the pre-surgery diet and post-op surgery. Setting aside my favorite past-time and escape of food has left me with a lot of time on my hands. How many times have I reached for a food that is sitting on the counter? Mindless eating has really come to light. I knew I wasn't eating anything but protein shakes, but that natural reflex to just "have some" would just be there. I always caught myself, but have found the reflex a very interesting look at how my mind operates.
Thankfully, my husband is the best. He has eaten outside, in a back room, or not at all in an attempt to help me. He tells the girls (who live on their own now) how hard it is on me. He has been so supportive and attentive through the pre and post surgery misery. What a saint!
