Saturday, November 12, 2011

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Over the past month and a half I’ve been going through the motions of that one would go through to be approved for weight loss surgery.

This is the new version of the banded gastroplasty. My surgeon is Dr. Elmer Valin.
I’ve been researching the lapband procedure for over a year but wasn’t too sure about it.

September - I had my first consultation with Debbie Valin. I went in thinking about the Gastrectomy but she quickly told me that I shouldn’t get it even though, obviously it was my choice. She told me that the long term effects weren’t known as of yet. Then asked me if I developed stomach cancer in the 15% of stomach I would have left…what would I do? That was enough to make me change my mind. She then proceeded to tell me about VBG. She further explained why I’d be a good candidate. I’m 5’7 and at the time I was 303. On the smaller side of the BMI. She also mentioned to tell me that it wasn’t the old procedure that her husband does it is a completely new way of doing it. A more effective and less complications. I was sold.

October 5, 2011- I was running late for my appointment with the Psychologist Chris Lodi. He was nice enough to allow me to come in and start the questionnaire. We then rescheduled for the full appointment on October 15 which happened to be the same day I was was scheduled to see the Nutritionist Diana Rosa.

October 15, 2011- Both appointments went well. With Lodi we discussed what eating pattern did I fall under. I told him exactly what it was and he was fairly surprised that I could pin point it myself. We also discussed a lot of other things going on in the world. The nutritionist went just as well. She gave me the Ketosis diet to go on for 6 days. Friday I would have to go back,weigh in, and have my urine tested for ketones.

October 16-21 - It was hell the first 3 days. I had the craziest cravings. I seriously thought I wasn’t going to make it. I ate 2 boiled eggs at each meal w/broth. I would snack on Polly-o string cheese in between meals. By the fourth and fifth day all cravings were gone and I had NO type of feeling of hunger at all. Which that was a first. Not even head hunger. That Thursday I had bought a scale at Walmart and weighed myself in the parking lot (don’t judge me LOL).  I lost 13LBS. That was the moment that made me realize that I reaaaaally want this.

October 21 2011- I got my period. I was going back and forth about going because knowing she’d test my urine I didn’t want to pee and the blood….graphic much? I don’t care. I told myself I’m sure these people dealt with worse so I went in 10:30 that Friday morning. The office was PACKKKKED. People seemed upset when I was called before them HA! She was surprised that I lost so much and happy that I stuck with it. She said usually people get it on their second try. I told her I wanted this too much to fail now. She gave me a packet for the Pre-Op meeting with her and the Psychologist for the following Wednesday 5:30-7:30. I am so ready.

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