Weight loss surgery 101

Over the past few days I have had a number of people ask what a "fill" is. Honestly I find myself over the past few months trying to explain the different types of weight lost surgery otherwise known as bariatric surgery

First you need to be candidate for weight loss surgery the basic requirement is to have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40.  Individuals who also have the following may be candidate if their BMI is as low as 35: sleep apnea; high cholesterol; heart disease, diabetes.

 Depending on your insurance there are other factors or requirements as well such as being on an unsuccessful weight loss program(s) with a 2 year history of obesity. You should also be required to have a psychological evaluation as well. (Yep had the exam. No I am not crazy but it was a very interesting 600 question exam.)

Also depending on your insurance and the clinic you go to, only some of these procedures may be available to you.

 Below are videos on the types of surgeries. Youtube and WebMD can describe them better then I can.

Types of surgery:

Gastric Bypass:

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric Banding

Duodenal Switch

Incision free

At the clinical group that performed my surgery the Duodenal Switch and the Incision Free procedures were not presented as options, not that they would have interested me. Gastric bypass was not an option for me 1) it was too invasive with too long of recovery 2) with my heart condition my primary doctor would not have approved the surgery. I debated on doing the sleeve, but the recovery time was too long.

Even though I have not lost weight in the past two weeks, I still believe the band was the right choice.You will notice I call it a Lap Band, that is actually the name of the manufacture of device.

A patient may have up to 8 CCs of saline in the band but not all at once! The adjustments will be done over a number of months (since the average between appointments is 6 weeks). I know its hard to imagine without knowing what the device actually looks like;

Above is what a basic band device looks like. You have the ring that attaches around the stomach and the port, that is stapled to the muscle wall, used to insert or remove saline.

Above are two brand of the banding device, shown with or without saline added.
Now the final video is a band fill. Yes they still a needle in your side (if that is where your port is, I have a friend who's port in in her chest).

I hope these videos and images have answered a lot your questions and I am sure they have generated even more.

As always I want to thank everyone for their support in the last few months and now as I make more and more changes in my health towards the better. Having such a great support network has been more help then any of you could imagine.

 

 

First Fill.......

I had my first saline fill to my lap band on Friday. For what ever reason I was set up to see the NP (Nurse Practitioner) as well as the nutritionist, I since it has only bee 6 weeks since my surgery apparently it was suppose to be only the nutritionist...oops. Well it worked in my favor.

Apparently after this appointment I was to be cleared to eat foods such as nuts, hard fruit, salads, popcorn, and meats. Guess I misunderstood, thought I was already cleared to eat meat. While speaking to the nutritionist I voiced my concerns about being able to eat well over a 1/4 or 1/2 of food. It concerned me since hello I had the surgery for a reason.

I also told her I have had no normal complications and had not lost weight in 2 weeks (granted being down 35 pounds is still good). She said she would talk to the NP about actually doing the fill since I was accidentally scheduled for one anyway. Oh I got cleared for all exercise and all foods but bread or some pasta.

The NP was not going to do the fill at first but after talking with me for a bit she decided to give me 3 CCs of saline.  She was only able to give me 2 CCs, apparently the reset backed out the port meaning the opening was too tight. She kept me around for a few minutes after. Made sure I could drink water with no issue. I didn't have any issues, but it did feel weird. Then I got the news that I would have to be on a liquid diet for 24-48 hrs...well that was unexpected.

So I had my liquid diet, and informed my husband of it. I could have strangled him since he made lobster tails and shrimp for dinner later that night! Well anyway I was feeling fine until about 5pm that night. Boy did I get nauseated. Other then a few hours after my surgery I have not really been nauseated and apparently this is rare since most people get sick and may have issues keeping things down. Not me.

I was hurting pretty bad, then I realized something. It was hunger pains...really? WTH? One of my daughters went and got me some ice cream (hey it helped settle the tummy) and a little while later I made some tomato soup. All better.  The rest of the night went pretty smooth. The next day I was able to nibble a little here and there on a few things. But no real appetite. Granted as soon as I feel queasy now I have to eat something. Even if its just a tablespoon of yogurt or cottage cheese.

I have been lucky thus far not to have some of the regular complications that come with the lap band. But I also do not have "benefit" of the gastric bypass. In other words I am a lot more accountable of staying on a good program. I can still have sugar (as well as wine and sangria) so I just need to be aware of the intake. But I keep saying over and over this is one of the reasons I had this particular surgery. Its still rest on me to do the work.

With the chaos called my life in the past two weeks I have neglected working out. That needs to be rectified and it is. I  need to use this tool to it's full capabilities.

One month post op!

Really? It was only a month ago? OK so a month and 2 days ago. But it seems that it was so long ago. I feel great and I forget that I still have restrictions on my diet and physical activities. The last month has  definite been a journey.  I just wonder what the year is going to bring.

I have hit my plateau, up and down 5 pounds this week. I am counting down the the days (12 to be exact) to when will get my first fill. I need it. Each day its getting harder and harder to resist the portions I know should not consume. Sadly its not out of boredom or addiction, just simply not paying attention to what I am eating and not setting a limit.

This is why I had the surgery, not something I can do  on own yet. I have to use this tool to its full extent. Granted exercising helps. I am getting ready for the next 5k, just not looking forward to the cold February weather.

At least there is not shortage of support for me on this journey.  I wish I could accept everyone's offers of being a "work out buddy" but my schedule is so hectic I hate to commit to people and then have to bail on them. Doesn't mean I don't want to work out, I am doing that at home now. But before I commit to anyone else I have to fulfil my first commitment to my youngest daughter. The 12 5ks in 2012 was suppose to be a way for me to find a way to not only get back into health, but also to bond more with my 15 year old daughter.

When I actually start doing the "Couch to 5k" program in a few weeks (have to wait for Dr clearance), those work outs will be with her. Having everyone join us for the 5ks will be great. Its amazing that so many people have offered to work out with me since they want to get healthy again too and join me on my journey. I hope you all realize your verbal  (and written) encouragement is just as motivating for me as if you were running (or walking) along side me. Its nice to know I am not really doing this alone.

On that note THANK YOU all for your support!

First of Twelve Down & Creating a Support Group

I DID IT! I completed the Resolution 5K in Fredericksburg, VA on Jan 1, 2012.  The goal was to actually do it, and just walk. I had some great friends that joined me as well as my youngest daughter and husband. I even ran the last bit of the 5k (so not planned).

The weather was perfect, only 54 degrees. Nice and sunny, not what I was expecting for New Years Day 2012. I am even completed in under and hour. My official time was 00:56:48 and placed 222 of 229 runners. Yep I was NOT last!!! Hey I was just amazed I did it. Not looking to break any records...right now.

It could not have been so successfully if my friends were not motivating me on and off the course. It is great to have your own cheerleaders. Something interesting is happening. More people are planning to join us. By getting myself motivated I am motivating other... I have one word to describe that feeling...AWESOME!!!

Through a mutual friend (who is a "Bander")I recently became friends with another woman who had the Lap Band done over a year and half ago. She looks great! I think she said she lost 70+ pounds. She looks great and is gorgeous (not that she wasn't before the band mind you).  But having another person who has been successful with the band really is helpful.

There are so many support groups for patients that have gastric bypass, not so much for us Banders. That is sad because honestly we need the support a little more at times and our issues may be different the gastric patients. Its amazing how things are falling into place and I kinda created my own little support group. By others being motivated to join me on my 5k challenge this year, they are keeping me motivated.

So one down and twelve to go!