The Back Story ~
I've always been overweight. I was usually 150 - 170lbs when 12, 13, 14. At 14 I would go between bulemia and annorexia and at 17 was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). It's often referred to as a metabolic disorder. When I was 24, I was diagnosed with hypothryoidism (underactive). Again, a metabolic disorder. There seems to be a link....yes! At 18 I became a gym junkie and it worked for a while, but my food addiction was too overpowering and by 20 I was 200lbs.
I left Australia and moved to Nashville, TN in 2000 with my then boyfriend. I stayed and worked and 5 years flew by. I piled on more weight and in 2001 or 2002 I developed hypoglycemia. I believe it is due to insulin resistence. It meant that I couldn't go more than about 3 hours without getting the shakes if I didn't eat food with equal amounts of fat, protein and carbs. I was a prisoner to food! I joined Curves in Nashville and lost many inches, I also tried Weight Watchers for a time. My overeating could only be curbed for a short while before I felt deprived and actually missed my emotional buddy, "Food". As a young child I always remember sneaking food into the bathroom or my bedroom and stuffing it into my mouth before my mother caught me. And as long as I can remember, I've always snuck food. I do it at work, when staying with friends and definitely around family. I also gorge!
DECISION FOR SURGERY
I've probably written a long enough preamble. I have decided to have surgery after much thought, and of course waiting 12 months for my insurance "waiting period" to end. I will never be able to get a grip on my eating habits. I have chosen surgery because I am sick of letting life pass me by, I have made multiple serious attempts to lose all the weight, and due to my multiple health problems which seem to hinder any efforts. I feel that serious calorie restriction is the key, including a program which forces me to chew slowly and cut my portions by 75%. I chose the LapBand over more risky permanent options because I want to try the least invasive option first (with a hope of 100% success). LapBand also doesn't have the malabsorption factor which means I'm not at risk for anemia or osteoporosis later on. Of course I still need to take supplements whilst having the LapBand due to limited food intake. Also, a con for LapBand is the ability to cheat with sweet foods.
EXERCISE
All year I have dedicated myself to exercise and lost an unremarkable 8lbs / 4 kgs. I have gym partners who I work with and we go to classes 4 nights per week, including Pump (weight bearing), Aerobics x 2 and Boxercise. I also started riding to school, it's a 4 mile round trip.
SURGERY COST / TESTS / DOCTOR (AUS$)
I googled the bariatric surgeons in Adelaide, then phoned them and asked for a list of costs involved. I also asked questions like, "how many surgeries has the doctor performed?". Some surgeons were part of a clinic which offered pre-op psych sessions, an exercise nutritionist, a dietician, and so on. They were quite expensive options. I chose a doctor who includes 18 months of post-op visits in his surgeon fee $1600 out of pocket. The anaesthetists fee: $400. The endoscopy fee: $400. The initial visits to my doctor were a $25 co pay. I saw him twice. The hospital stay is $50 per day.
SURGERY DIET - aaah!
This really concerns me because of the "shakes" I get when my blood sugar drops. I get antsy, my heart races and my vision goes funny. No, I am not diabetic - we've run a gauntlet of tests with a negative response. I am pasting the pre-op diet to show how stringent it is.
In hospital straight after surgery to day 1 :
CLEAR FLUIDS OVERNIGHT
water
clear fruit juice and
cordial only
don’t drink everything at once
small amounts often – 50mls every 10 minutes
suck on ice if thirsty or dry
no fizzy drinks
NO SOLID FOOD - CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES
Do NOT eat anything other than water, clear fruit juice, clear consommé, and black tea/coffee or cordial – even if it has been delivered to your room – it is probably a mistake.
EATING UTENSIL Slim straw only
Days 2 to 21-28 - Liquids Only
LIQUIDS ONLY – small amounts frequently to keep you hydrated – 50mls every 10 minutes (up to 2 litres per day). Within a week you should be able to drink 1 cup of fluid slowly.
120 ml fruit juice
250 ml vegetable juices/ vegetable soup (pureed, thin)
protein drinks
reduced fat milk
fully vitamised chicken/meat & vegetable soup
no fizzy drinks
NO SOLID FOOD - FLUIDS ONLY
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES
Drink small amounts often. Your new stomach pouch is small. Don’t overstretch it by drinking too much at once. Sip slowly, Small mouthfuls.
If you can’t get it through a slim straw easily you can’t have it.
EATING UTENSIL Slim straw only
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