Denise O.
At the beginning of my journey I was 38 years old. I was in my 15th year of teaching. I taught math and science at a local middle school. My responsibilities were increasing and my energy level was decreasing. I was diagnosed with PCOS. My husband and I tried fertility drugs unsuccessfully. I was on 2 different high blood pressure medicines. I had sleep apnea. My dad had been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, and it was only a matter of time before I was. I had tried many diet programs. They all worked for a little while, but the lost pounds would find me and bring their friends. At 367 pounds I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing. I couldn't even stand through the whole worship service at church. I was becoming increasingly more angry each day. I didn't know what to do. I felt hopeless.
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December 2005
Enough is enough! I turned 38 this month and was tired of the weightloss struggle. I didn't want to turn 40 and still be overweight. I called my insurance company to find out if they covered WLS. I was told "not usually". To me this meant that sometimes they did. So I got a list of their hoops (sleep study, PCP must make referral and state medical necessity, documented doctor supervised diet, etc) I started jumping through their hoops convinced I'd found the wieght loss answer for me.
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March 2006
My best friend has the RNY procedure - no complications.
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April 2006
I visited my PCP & he makes the necessary referral for our agreed upon Lap Band surgery. I chose the Lap Band because my main issue was satiety (fullness) and my husband and I still would like to have children. Even though I have been through fertility drugs, and we plan to begin adoption procedures after our new house is built, we still hold out that God is capable of anything. I wanted to be able to hold a child full term if I would ever get pregnant, and Lap Band seemed the best choice in that case. It was also the least invasive, and had the shortest recovery time. I realized that weight loss would be slower, and that there would be a bit more aftercare required in the form of fills and unfills.
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June 2006
I attended the required Bariatric Surgery Seminar at OHSU. I received a lot of information, and I was excited that they told me it would be possible to have my surgery this summer and recuperate before school started. They asked me to reconfirm with insurance that this was a covered item. This time when I called Premera Blue Cross I was told that WLS is a listed exclusion to my insurance plan, and that whoever I talked to prior had made a mistake.
I was stunned. I was angry.
I was told I could still have the surgery done where I had intended, but they estimate cost to be about $20,000. I didn't have that amount lying around. We were still trying to secure financing for the house we planned to build. I felt like I'd been shot. I had spent two years debating, researching, and convincing myself that this would work for me. I was devastated! A friend at church told me about a friend of hers that went to Mexico for the Lap Band surgery. I called her, sure that I was not going to Mexico. She highly recommended the doctor she had who trains the U.S. doctors, and has performed the surgery for 6 more years than any U.S. doctor. I started researching other surgeons. I found referral lists and searched for real people in my area that went the foreign route. Then I found places that were willing to finance surgery. I settle on Dr. Kuri in Tijuana. My thinking is that since I fly into San Diego, later, when I need fills, flights might not be so expensive.
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July 5, 2006
Today I started my Liver Shrinking Diet, basically a liquid protein diet. My surgery is scheduled for July 21st. I will fly to San Diego, CA. The surgery will be in Mexico. I will be picked up at the airport and brought to the hospital for all my pre op work. I will check into the hospital at 7PM. My husband can stay with me. The next day I will have surgery. I will stay in the hospital that night, and then I opted to stay in Mexico one more night at a hotel, which is included in the cost. Total cost will be $8,950. I was approved for $10,000 so that I could include my flight. I am excited to finally be beginning the process!
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July 6, 2006
Yesterday was rough! Protein drinks got really old. I really needed to chew something. (I would have settled for the upholstery!) Just for kicks I got on the scale. WOW! I lost 4 pounds in one day. I'm guessing it's just water weight, but I'll take what I can get.
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July 14, 2006
I am 1 week away from surgery. I have spent 8 days (so far) on Dr. Kuri's Liver Shrinking Diet. I have lost 20 pounds! My husband, who is not having surgery, is doing it with me, and has lost 27.
I had my first "what the heck have I gotten myself into" moment last night. We were watching a re-run of Grey's Anatomy. As they were putting someone under I burst into sobs. It was uncontrollable. I felt so foolish. I am about to do what I've dreamed of for years, and all of a sudden the fear of going under and not coming back just overwhelmed me. My husband was great. He held me in is arms, made me hug him, and made me talk about what was going through my head. I thank God for him and his support.
I am feeling a little guilty that I still have not told my mother that I am having WLS. My dad and step-mother know. My friends and several co-workers know. The thing is, they have been supportive. My mom has never really had a weight problem. She eats what she wants, and pretty much stays the same. Oh sure, she could stand to take off 10-15, but that's about it. I'm looking at wanting about 200 off. I don't know if that's possible, but any off is a step in the right direction. Anyway, I will have to tell Mom or the guilt will kill me. She will feel betrayed if I wait until afterwards. I'll call her this weekend.
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July 19, 2006
Well, I did call my mom this past weekend. She was very supportive. She was a little disappointed that I had not told her when I was face to face with her. She also was also a bit put out that I had told my father and not her. Oh well, water under the bridge now.
I have spent the last 48 hours in a panic. Having financed my surgery I expected the doctor to have been paid. I kept calling to see if things have been received, but nothing. I finally was told today that the money will be wired first thing tomorrow morning, and that this is standard procedure. That would have been nice to know up front.
So, I have just come from a massage, which I highly recommend though this process. I am down 24 pounds from my high weight. I am ready to start packing for my trip to Mexcio. Surgery is in two days and I couldn't have more emotions flooding me than I have right now.
My comfort is God. He is steadfast and sure. He gets a kick out of my needless worry and angst, I'm sure. I know everything is in His hands. I know He won't let anything happen to me that is not His will.
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July 23, 2006
I flew home today from Tijuana, Mexico. It was a really long day, but I am glad to be home. I am glad to be starting my new life as a bandster. Healing is coming along nicely.
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July 24, 2006
Yes, I HAD LAP BAND SURGERY IN MEXICO!!
I get really tired of people who gasp at the fact that I had surgery in Mexico. So for all those sceptics, here's the play by play of how it all went down.
I was on the Liver Shrinking Diet for 14 days. It was very rewarding. I lost a total of 25 pounds on it. Dr. Kuri said my liver was much better for it. If I had not lost weight they may have had to do open instead of Lap.
A little advice for those going to Mexico. Don't pack too many clothes. I spent the entire surgery day in my hospital gown. I would bring some loose fitting pj bottoms though, that way you don't flash everyone.
They have everything down to a T in Tijuana. That's funny, I didn't intend that to fit like that, but it's true. Miguel, a driver for Dr. Kuri, met us at the airport. He spoke very, very little English. He drives a large red van with Dr. Kuri's name on the side. He does drive kinda wild. He had to make another stop at a parking area to pick up some other patients. He dropped us off at the doctors office, which is a large new medical building just behind the brand new hospital, right on the hospital grounds. He took us up the elevator and right to the office. Inside, the place is the cleanest thing I have ever seen. We did have to wait for some other patients to arrive, but then they started having us fill out more paperwork. One by one we got called in to be weighed and have our EKG and pee in a cup. The tech doing the EKG also spoke very little English. I didn't even know what she was doing, but it really wasn't scary. You have to take your blouse & bra off for that.
Then a group of us were taken over to the hospital to have our blood taken. I am a wimp when it come to blood draws, and almost passed out, but that is normal for me. By this time you will have made friends with the other patients. They all told me I looked white as a ghost. They were all fine. Once we were all finished giving blood, we went to the hospital pharmacy to fulfill a prescription they had given us back in the office. It's pain medication for afterwards. It cost 17 US dollars. Oh, we could have a snack then. Bring something like a granola bar and juice, the cafeteria food there was awful and very expensive. My husband and I each had a soggy sandwich with water and it came to $18 US.
We were given a time to be back in the office. At that time they called us in one at a time to talk to one of the doctors. I never did get his name. He spoke good English though. He asked about medications, the Liver Shrinking diet, whether I was taking any illegal drugs, if I smoked, etc. Then he took me back into the room I had the EKG in. He did a physical exam, tapped on my tummy, squeezed my legs & ankles, took my blood pressure, temperature, and listened to my lungs.
After that we were given a time to come back and told we could go out for dinner. Now, everyone talks about this wonderful Mexican restaurant across from the hospital. We went there, but I was thinking I'd be getting Mexican food, you know, burritos or enchiladas, etc. all done however they really do them in Mexico. Well, they had some of that on the menu, but not much. It seemed to be a more of a steak place with ribeye and fillet mignon on the menu. It was good, but it wasn't what I was expecting. There is also a TGI Friday's right across the street and some kind of pizza buffet. My husband even walked to a McDonald's the next day. Oh, this entire time you leave your luggage in the doctors office with everyone else's.
Back at the doctor's we picked up our luggage, then went to officially check in at the hospital. They brought us to our rooms, and we unpacked and showered. A nurse came around with a bunch of papers to sign. You actually sign a paper for the TV and DVD remote. It took us forever to get them though. Our group was like many others, I guess, in that we bonded through the experience, and ended up all in one person's room chatting. Dr. Kuri finally made his appearance once we were all settled in at the hospital. His team had done 8 surgeries that day, and over 150 fills. I guess he usually goes to each room to gather each person to meet someplace, but since we were all together already he just joined us there. He gave a little talk, let us see and touch a band. He introduced another doctor. They spent time answering questions from anyone. He announced the order our surgeries would be in. I was to be 3rd of our 6. Then we went back to our own room. Later the nurse came in and gave the patients a sleeping pill. It was a good night's sleep, for me anyway. My husband did not care for the bench he got to sleep on. It's just a thin pad similar to what they put in campers for seat cushions. It would be better for a smaller person, but he's big.
The morning of surgery I got up and took a shower. They wanted me freshly showered in the morning, even though I'd showered the night before. I had to put on compression stockings and the gown. Since they do one surgery after another you don't know exactly when they will come get you, but eventually an orderly came to get me. I had to get on a gurney. It is very odd to lay down and be wheeled down the hall, and down an elevator. I was taken to pre-op where they put in the IV. He also gave me some pill to put under my tongue. My advice, leave it under your tongue. It tastes terrible. Just a short while later they wheeled me into another room. At this point things get really fuzzy. I remember talking to some lady, breathing deeply, and then waking up in pain. Once I was more with it, I use this term loosely, I was wheeled back to my room. For some reason, they made my husband change rooms while I was in surgery, so I was really disoriented when I got back. The room was a mirror image to the original, and my husband had put things away in different spots than I had. Imagine that! I slept most of this day. Each time I woke up though I would suck on an ice chip and take a walk. The stockings had crept down some, but it didn't matter. I was glad to have my PJ bottoms though since I could not get the gown off because of the IV. My feet were cold. Your toes stick out of the stockings, so I had my husband put socks on me. Throughout the day a nurse would come in with more ice, another would take my temperature and blood pressure.
The next morning a nurse came in to show how to clean and care for the incisions. Dr. Kuri came by to answer any questions, we packed up, and went to a hotel. A driver from the hotel picked us up. We spent a night there before coming home the following day. Miguel, Dr. Kuri's driver, picked us up at the hotel to go back to the airport.
More advice: Bring tip money for Miguel and the hotel driver. Also money for whoever goes with you to eat. The hotel (Azteca) has a restaurant. I was not impressed with the hotel much. It was noisy. They also let people smoke indoors, and we had to wait in the lobby until our room was ready. The smoke smell nauseated me. I think this was the only negative thing about the entire experience. Otherwise it all went like clockwork.
Like I said, they have it down to a T in Tijuana.
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August 4, 2006 (14 days post-op)
Wow, I can't believe it's already been two weeks. I have lost 12.5 pounds since surgery. Today is my last day I have to be on liquids/purees. I get to move to soft foods (mushies) tomorrow. I am so excited. I have enjoyed the puree stage though. I have used my Magic Bullet blender to mix up all kinds of fruit smoothies, variations of thinned bean dip using refried beans, pinto beans, great northern beans, and vegetable broth.
Mark, my husband, and I walked our "hill" today. Now, that may not sound much to anyone who reads this, but this "hill" is .75 of a mile walk. Still not much huh? Well it is a change in elevation of 500 feet. There are flat places, so you know there are parts that are really steep. Well, going down was no problem; it's the getting home that is the issue. It was STILL an issue, but the point is that I actually wanted to do it. This is huge! I had the energy and drive to WANT to exert myself. WOW!
Now, If I'd been on my treadmill, standing there at the bottom after going that 3/4 of a mile I would just turn it off and go get some water. Well, ya gotta get home. We live out in the country, obviously on a mountain, and it could be hours before anyone came by that I could ride up with. So, step by step, inch by inch, we made it. Wow, did I feel good about myself. Well, losing 12.5 pounds since surgery didn't hurt either. That makes 37.5 since before the Liver Shrinking Diet. Wooo hooo!! Yeah me!!
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August 12, 2006
Two days ago was my 4th Wedding anniversary. My husband and I had to attend the funeral of his aunt, but it wasn't really a sad occassion. She had been in a nursing home for the last 10 years, and for the last 5 didn't recognize anyone. After the funeral we went on to Bend, Oregon to spend a couple days. And today we will watch my Aunt land her plane here in Bend. As this is my journal documenting my weightloss journey, you may wonder what this has to do with weightloss.
Well, first of all I have had many food lesson these couple of days. Just prior to the funeral we stopped at a combination KFC/Taco Bell. I ordered mashed potatos and gravy and refried beans, but I was too hungry and took two bites too fast, and they were too big. Well, that was the end of that meal. It was like I was being choked, but I could still breathe. It felt like I had swallowed one of those rubber stoppers we used in high school chemistry. Later after the funeral I had a cup of cheesy cauliflower soup and was just fine. The next morning though, I smothered a bite of a mini blueberry muffin with butter and popped it into my mouth followed by a couple bites of dry scrambled egg. Same horrible feeling! It's not easy teaching yourself a new way of eating. It's very interesting to see what habits you have that you don't even know about.
My husband and I went to a "Fun Center". We played a game of mini golf. We bowled a game, and played some arcade games. I was exhausted later, and took a nap, but I have not done anything like that in years. It was energizing to know I could walk and stand that long. I had some knee and back pain that made my bowling score just awful, but I beat my husband by 10 strokes at the mini golf. It was a wonderful anniversary weekend.
I can honestly say that having lapband surgery has changed my life. I am only three weeks post-op, but I can see the changes starting already.
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September 16, 2006 (8 weeks post-op)
I don’t want to become one of those profiles that starts out informative and encouraging to those looking for Lab Band information, and then leaves them hanging, but I now see why so many members stop updating their journals.
LIFE happens… The Band gives you your life back!
I was just trying to figure out if I could get photos on my profile page to show my progress, and I had trouble figuring out which ones were from when. I’m 8 weeks post-op, and I feel like I’ve lived a year in the past 8 weeks. We traveled for our anniversary weekend, went bowling, putt-putt golfing, played the arcade, watched my Aunt fly in from her air race, we visited Mt. St. Helen, we rode a steam train, went to a wedding, and I have been back to school for two weeks already. I was in my classroom two weeks prior to that. It all sounds so exhausting, but I feel great! I love having my life back.
My husband says it’s great to have his wife back. He is such a trooper. Praise God for supportive husbands!
Oh, praise God for friends who send you their clothing too. My best friend had RNY in March of this year. She has sent me clothing as she “under grows” it. I have had the best wardrobe boost. Every time someone compliments me I have to say, “It’s from Amy.” The attention I get as I change is a huge motivator.
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December 8, 2006
Well, it's been awhile since I have updated this story. I am now 20 weeks post op, or 5 months. I have lost a total of 35.5 pounds since surgery, for a total of 60.5 since the Liver Shrinking Diet.
I just had my second fill yesterday, and am presently on liquids. I have basically been at a plateau for the last 4-6 weeks. It gets tough at times to make sure I keep following the rules. Some are easy, some are hard. I have no problems with when to drink. I easily wait an hour after meals, and don't drink with meals. I still like the occassional coffee drink though. I was finding it increasingly easy to eat more, and old cravings were really attacking. Unfortunately I was not able to battle them all. I really wish I could find a local support group to attend.
Anyway, I am still glad I did this. I'm excited to get over this plateau. I'm hoping this 2nd fill will help me be good through the Christmas season. I had 1.2 cc fill. They could only withdraw .2, so my total shouldbe 1.4cc.
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January 20, 2007
I am 6 months post-op. I have lost 67 pounds. The last few weeks I have fluctuated between 305 and 295, back & forth. I have had trouble with this fill. There were a lot of PB and slime episodes. I get these panic attacks fearing stomach erosion or slipage.
I have contacted a support group in Oregon, and plan to meet with them tomorrow. Maybe meeting with others who have been there & done that, will help me. Another friend of a friend is thinking of starting a support group in the Centalia/Chehalis area. I will also think about the support group in Olympia, but we are short on $ right now, and a shorter distance means less gas $ needed.
We had to travel back to Michigan for my grandmother's funeral. This put us behind financially, along with Christmas. I am greatly looking forward to my National Board Certification stipend. Anyway, while in Michigan family got to see me for the first time since banding. Most people were supportive, but I don't think they realized just how heavy I had gotten. I had very little trouble with food while traveling. I did not gainany weight. What a blessing.
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