Finally, Recognition That Obesity Surgery Saves Lives

MSNBC has an article that talks about the long term effects of weight loss surgery.

The first long-term studies of stomach stapling and other radical obesity treatments show that they not only lead to lasting weight loss but also dramatically improve survival. The results are expected to lead to more such operations, possibly for less severely obese people, too.

Researchers in Sweden and the United States separately found that obese people who underwent drastic surgery had a 30 percent to 40 percent lower risk of dying seven to 10 years later compared with those who did not have such operations. Source

I couldn’t stand to read the comments though. My surgery wasn’t covered by insurance, and we paid the whole amount out of pocket. My aftercare, minus my doctors visits, isn’t covered either. So now, I have to pay for my fills and my co-pays are higher than usual. I wish my insurance would have covered it. But I’d pay every cent again.

I’m only 20 pounds overweight now. Not 100. I’m down 100 pounds from my highest weight, down 80 since surgery. I’d been fat my entire life. I can’t ever remember being skinny. It was only a matter of time before I had a heart attack or got diabetes.

Gastric bypass literally saved my father’s life, and his insurance company wouldn’t pay for it. Despite the fact that he had Type II diabetes, blocked arteries that required a stint, numerous other health problems that they were already paying for.

Since his surgery, he does have some problems, mostly with his kidneys. But his diabetes is gone and his heart problems are better. He’s not on as many medications as he was. I will never understand why insurance companies don’t focus more on preventative measures.

One Year Bandiversary

Today it’s been a year since my lap band surgery. And although I haven’t lost a lot of weight the last three months or so, I’m very happy with where I am. I am down yet another pants size. I’m going to keep going, to get to my goal, but I’m not trying as hard anymore. I’m focusing on eating healthier and getting good nutrition. We are trying to get pregnant, so dieting is taking a backseat. Frankly, I’m really happy with my weight now. Sure I could still stand to lose another 20 pounds. But I’ve lost over 80, so I’m not really going to sweat the rest of it.

A lot of people thinking about the band ask me, would I do it again? Yes. In a heartbeat. Despite the fact that it cost as much as a new car. Despite that it wasn’t always easy. Despite that sometimes I miss bread and rice and pasta. I’d do it again.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think about weighing myself this morning to see if I can update my ticker. Jon was leaving for Detroit and I forgot to reset my alarm to get up so I was running way late. I’ll just have to do that tomorrow.

Health Update

I went for a barium swallow today and there’s no stretching in my pouch. I’m all good and normal. A huge relief! I don’t know if it was the liquid diet or cutting out pasta and rice that made the difference. But I’m happy to hear it. I was a bit worried. Pretty much any serious band complication will mean another surgery, and I’m guessing I’ll have to pay again.

Also Jon & I are 4 days smoke-free today. It’s not been too bad, really. We haven’t killed each other. Or gained 30 pounds. Obviously, it’s still early yet, and the true test will be hanging out with our friends this weekend. Lots of nicorette is going to be the key, I think. I’m really glad we are doing this together. When one of us gets down or frustrated, the other mentions why we are doing this in the first place. So we keep each other in check.

Surgery Update: Nine Months Post-Op

I didn’t post about this last week because I wanted to see what was going to happen. Now that the crisis is past, I’ll update everyone.

I went in for another fill last Monday and was told my pouch had stretched. (The pouch is the little bit of stomach they leave above the band. It’s intentionally supposed to be small.) Sometimes if the damage is caught early it’s fixable. If not, the only option is another surgery.

However, mine was caught early. So I went on liquids for 4 days, and was told “No bread, pasta, rice or sodas!” I’d been good about the bread and sodas, but I was still eating rice & pasta. Frankly, no one had ever told me not to. But since I’m off liquids, I’m starting to feel full again quickly. The doctor told me to watch that I don’t eat but 4 – 6 oz of food per meal. It’s quite frustrating to be measuring, since I didn’t want to do a diet. That was the purpose of having the surgery.

I can tell a difference again, though, so I hope all will be well. I’m to go back in January and have another barium swallow to check that it did shrink down. I think maybe she just caught me on a bad day. We’d gone out to eat the night before and I’d been guzzling protein shakes all day.

So that was my little 9 month drama. I didn’t want to post, because drinking soup for 4 days makes me cranky. I was waiting until I had real food again. I’m not worried anymore, and I think I’ll come clean at my next checkup.

4th Fill

I had my fourth fill today. I’m up to 2.6 ccs in my band. I can already feel more restriction, and I can’t even eat real food yet. For those not in the know, you’re on liquids the day of the fill and “soft” foods the next day. I’m hoping that this will help me break the plateau I’ve been at for the last few months. I lose two pounds, gain it back, lose it again, gain it back…you get the picture.

I haven’t really pushed myself to get a fill or lose weight the last few months because it has been great having clothes that actually fit. But if I can hit my personal goal of 170 before next March, I’ll be happy. My fills are only free for my first year, and after that I have to pay myself.

Complication Update

So I met with my doc today and he gave me the all clear to eat normal food again. We think I just ate bad “Boca” and had an upset stomach. I haven’t had any heartburn since, and he’s said I seem fine. None too soon, since I’m SICK of soup!

I was a bit nervous when it seemed like lunch wouldn’t go down easy, but I realized I was eating a sandwich and I don’t do well with bread anyway! Since then, I’ve had real food and it’s all been fine. So, no worries about a slipped band and having to fix it.

First Complications

I’m finally experiencing some complications with my band. On Saturday, I ate a Boca Burger (just the patty, no bun etc.) and afterwards got really horrible heartburn. I ended up vomiting. On Sunday, I went to liquids, since that is protocol if you get sick. I felt lightheaded, but generally ok. Then on Monday, I stayed on liquids until dinner, when I had Chicken Enchilada Casserole. I made sure I chewed each bite thoroughly, and ate slowly. About an hour afterwards, the heartburn came back. I took a Pepcid, but ended up getting sick again. So Tuesday I went back to liquids, though for dinner I had some mashed potatoes. Everything stayed down, but I took Pepcid before eating.

I went to my doctor today for my monthly checkup. (I see him monthly for the first year.) I told him about my problems. Usually reflux means your band is filled too tight, but my last fill was over a month ago. So it seems unlikely that it would show up so late. He’s put me back on liquids for the next week (and Pepcid Complete), when I’ll go back for another appointment. It’s possible I’m in the early stages of slippage.

Slippage – This is where the band moves down the stomach, often causing significant pain to the patient. Slippage usually occurs if the band is too tight or if the patient frequently ‘challenges’ the band resulting in vomitting.

I don’t he’s all that concerned that it’s slippage as he would have sent me for an x-ray to find out. So now I’m back on the damned liquid diet! Which is, if you’ll remember: protein shakes, applesauce, Jell-o, yogurt, soup or broth. This sucks! However, I hope we can solve this problem without having an additional surgery.

On the less dramatic side, it’s possible that I just ate something that upset my stomach and then rushed eating again without letting it settle properly. No more Boca Burgers. I’ll keep everyone updated.

Buying Clothes Rocks!

I went shopping today. For the first time in at least 15 years, I was able to shop outside the plus size section. I’m in an XL, but I’m finally in Misses sizes. At least at JCPenney!

Plus, I got a pair of stretchy knee high boots, which I have been coveting for years. I couldn’t find any that would fit my calves correctly before. I’m probably going to wear them all winter long. I just need an excuse to get dressed up. Maybe I can get my husband to take me out to dinner this weekend.

I Swear, I’m Not Making It Up!

My feet have shrunk. Seriously, I put on an older pair of shoes today and I’m walking out of them. Since I’ve lost the weight, my feet have shrunk. Honestly, this is not just an excuse to go shoe shopping (mmm…shoe shopping…). Now I’m going to have to clean out my shoes as well as my clothes.

Post Op, 6th Month Update

It’s been 6 months since my lap band surgery. Hard for me to believe that much time has past. My scars are still kind of purply, but I don’t really care about that. My doc assures me that they will fade in time. I suppose if I actually use the Mederma I bought it might help. I just never can remember, though I do sometimes use my vitamin E. When I think about it.

I’m down 5 pants sizes. I’ve gotten rid of all my fat clothes, except for one pair of jeans and one shirt. I’ll keep those as a reminder. The rest went to charity, except for a few items I’m selling on ebay. One thing I wish I’d done was measure myself. It’d be nice to know how many inches I’ve lost.

So far I’ve had 3 fills of almost 2.5 ccs. I’ve been in kind of a holding pattern with my weight the last few weeks. I’m not too concerned. Frankly, I’ve lost more weight than other people at my post op stage. I am going to work on the diet. I’ve been eating things I probably shouldn’t and not concentrating on “being good.” Not dieting per say, just eating healthier. I am also going to start working out again. I’ll be at the gym on Monday – no excuses! But to have lost 60 pounds in 6 months. That makes me happy. And it’s roughly 10 pounds a month, which is within the healthy range of weight loss.

So my doctor’s goal for me is 155, but I’ll be thrilled if I get down to 170. That has me weighing less than Jonathan. Which of course is all I really care about. That’s a feasible goal. I’m only 33 pounds away from that target. Maybe I’ll make it by Christmas, but I’m not in a rush. So far so good.