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Profile: Jackie S
Surgery: Post Op
Personal Comments
I am 55 years old and have been dealing with weight issues since my early teen years. Weighed about 180 when I married my wonderful, loving husband - but that was only after being on Weight Watchers for a year or so. Gained weight during two pregnancies and have never taken it off, just kept gaining through various dieting efforts, and now am at an all-time high of 320#; my BMI is 51.6. I am on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but really have been pretty healthy otherwise; good sturdy genes, I guess. So, I had just resigned myself to being obese and living with it. Self-esteem hasn't really been an issue; I've been able to have good jobs, have done a lot of "upfront" stuff at church, etc., and for the most part have not felt bad about myself -- though I knew I could look and feel better.
Then, last May, I fell on our stairs and broke my ankle. To say this was a challenge is an understatement. I was non-weight-bearing on the broken ankle for about 6 weeks; hopping around on my 'good' leg was agony; showering only with assistance; trying to use crutches to haul this weight around; finding out about being dependent on others and how inaccessible some places are. With our bedrooms being on the 2nd floor, I had to literally crawl upstairs at night and slide down on my rear. It was not pretty!!
That ordeal made me think more seriously about the future: would I become so fat that I'd have to have my husband (or who?) move me around in a wheelchair? Would I be incapacitated by my own indulgence? Thinking about any kind of life in retirement - the things we said we wanted to be able do - became clouded by what I imagined I might be like by that time.
I never thought WLS was an option for me because of the cost. I have Kaiser insurance, which is good in most circumstances, but I knew from a friend's experience that they basically have a lengthy and difficult program that does more to discourage than encourage bariatric surgery -- and they only offer gastric bypass. When I happened onto this website, and others, I found the lapband procedure more to my liking. AND I discovered that surgery could be done in Mexico for a whole lot less money by doctors with lots of experience in the procedure. Suddenly, the light came on in my head and I found myself thinking it might just be possible.
I opened up to my husband and he was immediately supportive. Now we've done some refinancing of our house to get the necessary cash. I have chosen Dr. Aceves in Mexicali for my surgery and the date is set for January 19, 2005! Am so anxious to get on with it and be among the losers! Another exciting thing is that a very dear friend (actually, my cousin-in-law) has decided to join me and we'll be having surgery the same day. We are pumped and ready for the journey.
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Jan. 11, 2005
We leave tomorrow for southern CA and Mexico (spending a few days of fun/travel with daughter and hubby). Am trying to be diligent staying on the high protein/no fat diet that Dr. Aceves has ordered prior to surgery and have actually lost about 7# the past week; will see what his scales say when I check in on the 19th. Anxious and excited, with a dose of anxiety thrown in! Next time I post I will be post-op! Hard to believe this is happening.
As I've said to some folks, the whole eating thing is going to be a drastic change and not a 'magic pill', but that's what has to happen in order for me to be healthy -- either with or without the band -- and I'm choosing to have the band help me. Let's roll!
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Jan. 24, 2005
Well, the deed is done and I'm back among the living. Surgery on Jan. 19 went very well - in fact, it exceeded my expectations. Since we were driving rather than flying (to/from Portland, OR), I had prepared myself mentally for a grueling return trip, assuming that I would be miserable post op. What a pleasant surprise :) I had no problems at all and felt wonderful. Needed no pain meds and the trip was a breeze. Thank God for my wonderful husband who was a trooper throughout. I was thrilled with Dr. Aceves and his patient coordinator, Nina. Both of them were fabulous in all respects. Other doctors (internist and anesthesiologist) were tops as well - very caring and concerned. The hospital staff was great and though I couldn't communicate with them much at all, I really had no problems because surgery went so well; I didn't need much from them other than what they were 'programmed' to do.
I had so many wonderful pre-op good wishes from OH members... thanks for your support; I just haven't had time to reply to all of you.
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Feb. 2, 2005
Two weeks post-op and feeling very good. The clear liquid period has passed pretty easily and I'm moving on to soft foods now; had some tomato bisque soup yesterday that sure tasted good after so much sweet-tasting liquids. No problems whatsoever with incisions, pain, nausea,or anything. Amazing. Am down 15.5 pounds and so pleased with my progress.
My cousin-in-law, Donna, has had some bumps in the road. Surgery went well but since she's been home has experienced some nausea because she has to take pain med for her very bad knees and the liquid versions have not set well with her tummy. Even so, she is happy with her decision and feels great (when there is no nausea).
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Feb. 11, 2005
Great news this morning. My scale registered at 298# -the first time I've been under 300 in at least 5 years. So excited!!
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Feb. 18, 2005 (30 days post surgery)
25 lbs gone today! I think I'm beginnig to believe it. I am feeling it in my clothes and in my step -- and am so happy. Life is good and the band is my new best friend. Thank you, Dr. Aceves! Donna is also doing great and has lost an incredible 32 lbs.
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Mar. 19, 2005
Two months post op. All is well. The weight loss has slowed down this past month, but I'm down a total of 32 lbs, which is truly fabulous. Took measurements today and found I've lost 6-1/2" in my hips (!) and 4" in my waist. Going for my first fill with a local doctor, Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick, on 3/23. Kind of nervous about what this will be like. We plan to go back to Dr. Aceves in June but don't want to wait that long for a fill - don't want to waste time losing:).
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March 24, 2005
Okay, I had the first fill yesterday with Dr. Fitzpatrick. She is wonderful - accessed my port in a matter of seconds and put in 1.75cc. It was easy. Now I'm on clear liquids for a few days before going to full liquids, then mushies, solids. I'm actually kind of glad to be going back on liquids for a while - to cleanse my system again (like post-op) and jumpstart the weight loss again. This morning I weighed 286, down 34lbs. Yippee!
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Apr 7, 2005
Well, I saw 280 on the scale the other day but since then it's been 281-281.5 and I'm ready to kick the scale! BUT I've been feeling very good - having lots of positive feedback from people about looking good and I've bought a few thingsz in smaller sizes. Just doing resale and/or thrift store shopping now becaues I don't want to spend a lot of $ on transition clothes. The scale WILL move eventually!
Had my first bad experience eating last Sunday night when I absent-mindedly was munching some triscuits dipped in peanut butter (a not-so-good choice). I was watching a movie and not concentrating on chewing, etc., and all of a sudden had this HORRIBLE pain in my chest and I went totally clammy all over. It hurt like crazy but lasted only about 5 minutes. I wanted to throw up but couldn't and it finally cleared. Yikes! It was a good reminder to me that there really is restriction and I have to be careful about what I'm doing.
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June 1, 2005
Can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I updated this. The loss has been so VERY SLOW. Got past that 281-ish plateau but now have been sitting at 275 for weeks (45# loss). Had my second fill today by Dr. Fitzpatrick and she put in 1.25cc for a total now of 3.0 cc which seems pretty agressive to me. She said I must be losing fatty tissue from around the internal organs, and also told me the original fill was in place (no leaks) which was good to know. Anyway, we did the water test and I felt comfortable. I had been able to eat pretty much anything, including bread, pizza, etc., without problem so I know I really needed the fill. I will leave on June 23 for a weekend at Tahoe with college friends and I really want to reach a 50# weight loss by then. Will be treading carefully over the next several days to see how the restriction is.
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June 10, 2005
I feel so good about myself today. I finally reached my initial goal of 50# lost!! This morning the scale briefly read 269# and then landed on 270#; I could barely believe it - I had to weigh myself twice to make sure. Back in 1997 I weighed about 270# for a brief time but can't really remember how long it's been since I was below that - probably around 1982 when my daughter was born. Now, it seems possible at long last that I will actually see numbers I haven't seen (or dreamed of) in many, many years. What an amzing feeling!
I have been having so much fun shopping at thrift stores for transition clothing that I have to hold myself back. You can really find some great things and, even though I'm only spending $5-7 per item, I have to watch out that I don't overdo on clothes that won't fit for much longer (imagine that!). It was probably in March that I bought a pair of sz 22 Liz Claiborne jeans for $3. They didn't zip at the time but I bought them as incentive, thinking $3 wouldn't be a big loss if it never happened. About 3 weeks ago I tried them on and they zipped; I even wore them to work one day, but they were really too tight for comfort so I put them away. Today (after my successful weigh-in) I decided to wear them and they are absolutely comfortable today and fit perfectly. Before banding I was wearing either 26/28 or even 30/32 clothing. It seems like a miracle.
Enough! Oh - did I mention that this is a good day? :-)
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Aug. 24, 2005
Well, it's been a while since I updated this profile... probably because the weight loss has been so SLOW since June. I sat at 263-265# basically all of July. Then several weeks ago I decided to start swimming. We live in a development with an outdoor pool, so I started getting up 30 minutes earlier than normal so I'd have time to swim before work. That means 5:30 a.m. I'm in the pool. Our Oregon weather has cooperated all this time and I have the pool to myself at that hour, so it's been wonderful. Of course, it's darker every morning, so that's sort of weird. But I'm going to keep it up until the pool closes for the season. Anyway, the good news is that I finally broke the plateau and am now at 258# and feeling good. Need to find a way to keep swimming in the winter (local pool program) because it's the only exercise that I truly enjoy.
I haven't had a third fill yet and feel like I do have fair restriction. Had one bad sliming/PB incident about a month ago, but other than that it's been all good.
I need to get a new picture posted to show my progress, but we don't have internet connection at home right now so I'll have to put that on hold for the time being.
I still love my band :)
320
Jan. 2, 2005 - 17 days pre-op
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Surgeon Info:
Alberto Aceves M.D., F.A.C.S. (Mexicali, )
Absolutely the best! Dr. Aceves is so caring and kind - yet a true professional. He spent a lot of time with me and answered all questions patiently. I can't imagine a better surgeon. His patient coordinator, Nina Eguia, is FABULOUS. She speaks perfect English (the doctor speaks English also, though not quite as fluently) and was the perfect hostess and guide throughout the process. I cannot say enough good things about this great team. The anesthesiologist (Carlos) was excellent, as well; he checked in with me both before and after surgery to make sure all was well. Just to show how caring Dr Aceves is -- I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday evening, stayed overnight at the local hotel that night and Dr A came to the hotel see me in the morning before we checked out to make sure everything was okay. Unbelievable!
Insurer Info:
Kaiser Permanente
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