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AussieLapBandChick New Member
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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 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 |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member 
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I'm rooting for you! T  |
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