Alex R.
Decision time
Apr 20, 2007
First of all, that user name needs to be explained, because I can't seem to change it - when prompted to create a name, a phrase I use often at work came to mind. I am a literary agent. I am not a writer, nor do I write well.
I have always been able to lose weight, 20 pounds, 40 pounds, 15 pounds, 9 pounds, even 75 pounds.... but I've never been able to keep it off. As we all know, it comes back with compound interest. I had dieted myself to obesity.
I firmly believe that if I had never gone on that first diet, I would only be a slightly overweight, but average sized woman.
About 4 years ago, I mentioned to my doctor that I was thinking about bariatric surgery.
"What's that?"
I can't believe I had to tell my doctor what bariatric meant.
"Oh don't do that", he said.
I have a new doctor.
One day, while at my doctor's office, and I saw a notice that they were looking for people to try a new diet protocol that was being developed by a major hospital. I decided to give it one more try. You never know.
The program study was being conducted by a recent medical school graduate, who was practise doctoring with my GP. When I got the diet, I was floored. It was poorly written, insulting even, and had nothing new to say. The diet talked about a "secret macro nutrient". Turns out, it was.....water. I tried it for a few weeks.
When I told this student doctor that I thought it was the worst diet I had ever seen, she was furious. I even asked her - "do you know how many people keep weight off that they lose by dieting?" She replied, "lots of people". Every one of us knows that the stats are 2 to 3 percent. I tried to discuss my diet history with her, but she didn't want to hear anything I had to say. She closed her eyes, held up her hands and said "enough".
A few days later, I was reading an online journal with announcements of new deals in the publishing world. There staring me in the face, was an announcement by a publisher of a new diet book by this doctor.
It was never disclosed to me that she had written this diet - that she was publishing this diet for profit, or that she was looking for statistics to back into her study to promote book sales. No wonder she was mad at me when I told her I didn't like her diet - I was ruining her statistics.
I have always been wary of the multi-billion dollar diet business that preys on desperate people and was very angry that I was helping her jump on the diet book bandwagon. I was so angry that I reported her to the ethics committee of the hospital that she was working through.
Some time later, my best friend had an appointment with a bariatric surgeon and asked if I wanted to go to the appointment with her. We have a wonderful medical system in Canada, which covers everyone, but there are some limits which vary by province. In Ontario where I live, RNY is covered, but lap-band is not. The surgeon showed me a chart contrasting the two procedures. RNY, covered, had a waiting list of 3 years and there was strict criteria. Lap-band would cost $17,000 and could be done in 3 weeks. A safer, non invasive, adjustable, effective procedure.
I had to stop kidding myself, this was my only chance. How much longer was I going to wait to save my life?
I didn't choose that first surgeon. He had only done 40 lap band procedures. After much research, I chose the pioneering clinic in Canada, which co-incidently was within walking distance of my office.
I had expected my husband to be appalled that I wanted to do this surgery, but was shocked to find him very supportive. Two of my three daughters were thrilled for me, but the oldest was horrified.
Once the decision was made, things moved quickly. I started a two week pre-op diet consisting of yogurt and cottage cheese. Not exciting, but do-able. I lost 15 pounds.
April 5, 2007 -
On the day of surgery, I walked into the OR and hopped up on the table. When the anesthetist put on the mask, for some reason, I said, "I don't feel sleepy. I don't feel sleepy. I dun...." And then I woke up in the recovery room. Surgery at 8AM - home by 2:30.
Home with my new French MIDband. Ou la la. I felt very Parisian.
Although prepared for post-op pain, gas, etc., I've been very fortunate. I had very little pain from the incisions - and no gas pains at all. The surgery was on the Thursday before the long Easter weekend. I was fine to go back to the office the next workday. in fact, I was disappointed that I didn't need more time off, or have my family dote on me a bit longer.
Preparation - thats the key. Knowing what to expect. Being part of this community and reading posts prepared me the various post-op stages. Believe it or not, I found the liquid stage almost liberating. I didn't have to think about what I was going to eat. There were so few choices to make, but for me, it was a good thing.
Before surgery, I cooked a turkey just to make soup. I craved that rich, salty broth all the while I was on the yogurt and cottage cheese pre-op diet. When I could finally have some, it was ambrosia. Believe it or not, that clear broth was very filling.
April 25, 2007 - almost 3 weeks post op. Feel great. Can't believe I had surgery. Incisions very neat, healing beautifully. Very, very happy with the clinic and surgeon I chose.
Somewhat disappointed that I haven't lost very much, considering how little I'm eating. But this too is not unexpected.
October 5, 2007
6 month bandiversary
Onederland
I have had the most positive experience I could have imagined.
Surgery was a breeze, very little pain. Quick recovery.
The pre-op and post-op diets were ok. I lived through that.
I was prepared, mostly via this forum, for bandster hell.
I was prepared to be patient while getting fills, until I reached good restriction.
I was prepared to lose slowly.
I was prepared for the occasional stuck episode and PB, and have learned how to avoid them.
In six months, I have:
Lost 50 lbs - which is 50% of my excess weight.
My blood pressure is perfect, without any meds.
I can go upstairs without huffing and puffing.
My mobility has improved so much, that I actually crave exercise now.
I have purchased clothes in normal stores.
I was able to get my wedding and engagement rings off for the first time in at least 15 years.
I can cross my legs.
I have energy.
In 1 year, I have:
Lost 70 lbs.
...and continuing to lose.
I'm happy with my rate of loss.
I have tons more confidence. I would often hide behind emails for business, but now, I will often choose to have meetings instead.
I love my shadow - its shrunk too.
And I've posted pictures for the first time.
Still loving my band.
