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Profile: Almost2tired2 i
Surgery: Post Op
Personal Comments
Welcome
I was born weighing 170, and have tipped the scales at 240 during the past year (and many other times during my lifetime). I have finally gotten down to 199 because my activity levels have increased (no longer confined to bed due to spider-bite open wound for 2 yrs, 9 mos). I know this weight won't go anywhere exept practice the yo-yo effect (sometimes even with blinking lights).
I'm at the 'borderline' for lap-band consideration but have many other health issues. About 2-3 years ago a Dr told me that the lap-band surgery was no longer being done because it didn't work (I had been researching it after watching a special on Discovery Channel). I have been turned down by a Gainesville Dr due to the borderline status (only weighed 195 at his office on 11/10, weigh 201 today 11/15) and the meds (morphine) that I am currently taking for a lumbar injury in 1999.
I'm interviewing surgeons in Mexico because I 'WILL' have the lap-band surgery - and hopefully before the end of the year. I've gotten a letter of referral from my primary care physician and a psych eval, both positive for my having the lap-band. I'm so positive about this that I've even gotten my financing already.
11/17/05 Update
I've selected Dr Aceves for my surgeon and I'm scheduled for 12/12. Needless to say, I'm so excited I can't stand myself, and no one else can stand me either !!! I'm spending all my time reading lap band posts etc. on this site and his site, that I haven't even taken the time to cook a meal. If I can't eat it here in front of my machine, I can't eat it...
11/29/05 Quote
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming...
Damn, What a ride!!
12/05/05
It's really nice to be busy for a couple of days. I had one friend that had minor surgery, and another that got sick and found her way to the hospital via the local red-lighted emergency bus. But, things are slowing down now. (They'll pick up a little starting tomorrow as I'm getting a new little mini-chihuaha puppy, just 3 months old.)
I've found myself sitting in front of the computer, trying to read all the posts since the last time I was here. (Make mental note - take speed reading course as soon as possible.) I finally decided that I just couldn't stay up all night another night reading. So, I'll be back tomorrow. I've found a few new web sites that I want to check out, too. And, it's time to start watching the weather for next week in Mexico. I've got to know what to pack.
I'm getting a cold sore. I sure hope it's from nerves and stress and that I'm not getting a cold or sick or anything like that. (Why do they call it a cold sore or fever blister anyway?)
I'm not too nervous yet, just very, very anxious to get started on this new journey to a new life. I just know I'm going to have trouble sleeping before the surgery. I'll be productive and knit or crochet a baby blanket while I'm counting sheep.
Guess I'd better start posting some weights here, or I won't remember my true weight!!! I'd hate to embellish that number just because my memory doesn't serve me as well as it used to....
201 - must be something wrong with the scales. No way that I lost 6 pounds with all the 'last meals' that I've had. I've even repeated a few of them because they were so good. I've got to admit, I'm hungry now. Guess I'll mosey into the kitchen and see what I can find.
12/9/05
Well, I leave tomorrow. As usual, here I am down to the deadline and not even packed yet. All the things I wanted to get done 'before' are now going to have to be done 'after' if they get done at all. I've had the 'blahs' all day today, but now I'm starting to perk up a little. Sure hope I can get some sleep tonight... I went to bed by 10 last night, but couldn't get to sleep until after 1... Hopefully tomorrow night I'll be tired enough to fall into the bed at the motel. I'm just ready to get this trip over with so I can get started on my new life!!!
1/21/06
It's been too long since I've turned on the computer...
I'm completely healed and on the road to my ideal weight. I've actually been able to pull out some of the clothes that I stuck away back in 2000. I did buy 3 pairs of new pants and a pair of jeans. Mine were just too baggy and no longer even looked good.
My back decided to act up and I'm sure the depression was starting to come back, too. Plus, hot flashes were beginning to overcome me. So, I started back on my antidepressent and hormones on Tues this week. I'm still off all my other meds except the pain and narcolepsy pills. Oh, I also started back on the Iodine for the erythema nodosom since I had developed a rather large nodule the week after surgery.
I find that the days I'm not up and active, my weight just stands there. I even started putting a couple pounds back on last week. But, just a couple days activity and I'm back down where I was. Perhaps it was salt and water retention??? (Hopeful wishing, but I know better.)
I'm still real positive and excited and glad that I had the surgery. I know this time when I get to 170 that there is hope to go lower and Keep IT Off !!! That's the biggy - it won't be so hard to keep the weight off. I think that benefit of the surgery is just hitting me. I can tell by the couple times I put a pound or three back on that it was real easy to take it back and then, even further. It's all up to me.
What a wonderful tool this Band is !!!
205/178/130
2/13/2006
I'm ready for a fill. I am having to fight to stay around 180. I can eat anything in limited quantities. I haven't vomited yet at all. I can tell that I've lost the 25 pounds both in my clothes and especially in my face. It's been a month now since I've lost anything and I'm getting hungry more and more often. I'm not discouraged, but I'm not as excited now, so it's time to get this show on the road again. I think part of it is not getting online regularly anymore, so I'm not getting the support or the motivation that I need. So starting today I get proactive again. Other things can wait so I can lose weight!!!
Band is still a wonderful tool !!!
205/180/130
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Surgeon Info:
Alberto Aceves M.D., F.A.C.S. (Mexicali, )
Dr Aceves is a very caring person. He checked in on me several times every day to make sure that I was doing well and comfortable. He assigned a personal nurse to me that checked on me every hour or two. I don't think this person was a hospital staff person, but employed by Dr Aceves - I'm not sure about that, but I wouldn't doubt it.
The patient coordinators were there for me every step of the way. Each person spoke excellent English and was able to translate for me to the hospital staff. The gentleman that picked me up from the San Diego airport was very nice and gave me a little history of the area. On the return trip he even went out of his way to go to a second borderline crossing due to the lengthy line of vehicles waiting at the closest borderline.
Dr Aceves asks all his patients to check with him every 10 days after surgery. I haven't kept up with this like I should due to laziness, Christmas holidays, and out of state company. I will have to do better.
Before surgery, Dr Aceves himself spent hours with me going over the procedure, answering questions, and assuring that I knew the risks as well as the benefits of the surgery. I was given a complete written (in English) synopsis of everything that we talked about. I was also given a guideline for my diet through the first several months.
I would recommend Dr Aceves and the Mexicali Almater Hospital very highly. I went by myself, but, I didn't feel alone. I would rate the entire experience and all of the staff with a 10.
At this time I am seriously considering returning to Dr Aceves for my fills. I would like to keep in touch with the people that I met, and I was so comfortable with Dr Aceves that I really don't want to have to interview and go through the process of finding another Dr that I can trust for my fills.
Insurer Info:
Vista HMO
I checked with Vista before making an appointment with a bariatric surgeon. I had to have a referral from my primary care physician (no problem). I was told that the lap-band was a newly accepted procedure that would be treated like any other non-emergency surgical procedure and be sent to a panel for approval. I've had to have other things sent to the panel for approval and have never had any problems with getting immediate approval.
Every time I have had to contact Vista for any reason, the Customer Service representative was knowledgable, helpful, professional, friendly, and willing to get further information, if necessary.
Guess I won't have to wait for an answer from the insurance company, the local surgeon turned me down. I'm going to Mexico, and I'm now a self-pay.
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