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Introduction
Shari325
Posts: 196 Member
I hope I am welcome here...
I was almost 400# in 2007 and had LapBand surgery. I lost about 70% of my excess weight. In 2011, my LapBand eroded and I ended up with a severe abdominal abscess. The band had to be removed and I never fully recovered from the illness. I have been unable to exercise (due to complications from that illness) and have gained almost 100# in two years.
I decided in January I needed to have another bariatric surgery or I would be 400# again. I began the process of working towards a Gastric Sleeve procedure. Since joining MFP, I am reconsidering that decision. Suddenly weight loss seems attainable. If I continue to lose consistently at 2# a week, I may not have surgery. I won't make a commitment, either way, for at least 6 months.
I am still working towards insurance approval, as if I were having surgery. Dealing with the frustration of a dietician that thinks MFP is a waste of time, and wants me to eat 60% carbs (Hello! - I have reactive hypoglycemia. That many carbs would cause tremendous blood sugar swings.) On the positive side, I have had a stress test and proved the shortness of breath I am dealing with is not cardiac related. And I have been referred for Physical Therapy to deal with chronic back pain.
Look forward to meeting you all.
Shari
I was almost 400# in 2007 and had LapBand surgery. I lost about 70% of my excess weight. In 2011, my LapBand eroded and I ended up with a severe abdominal abscess. The band had to be removed and I never fully recovered from the illness. I have been unable to exercise (due to complications from that illness) and have gained almost 100# in two years.
I decided in January I needed to have another bariatric surgery or I would be 400# again. I began the process of working towards a Gastric Sleeve procedure. Since joining MFP, I am reconsidering that decision. Suddenly weight loss seems attainable. If I continue to lose consistently at 2# a week, I may not have surgery. I won't make a commitment, either way, for at least 6 months.
I am still working towards insurance approval, as if I were having surgery. Dealing with the frustration of a dietician that thinks MFP is a waste of time, and wants me to eat 60% carbs (Hello! - I have reactive hypoglycemia. That many carbs would cause tremendous blood sugar swings.) On the positive side, I have had a stress test and proved the shortness of breath I am dealing with is not cardiac related. And I have been referred for Physical Therapy to deal with chronic back pain.
Look forward to meeting you all.
Shari
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Replies
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Welcome, Shari! MFP is a great place to be! My dietician told me about it. I am so sorry to hear about your problems with the LapBand. How disappointing for you!
I had RNY bypass surgery on August 7, 2012. Since then I've lost over 120 pounds. MFP keeps me on track. If it goes in my mouth, it gets logged on MFP. I hope you don't need another surgery, but either way, we're here for you!
Maggy0 -
I can understand your reluctance to have another weight loss surgery. You did not mention your weight, but I am guessing it is over 300 pounds. Can you lose weight on your own? I'm sure you can. But odds are not in your favor for keeping it off long term without surgery.
I had RNY in 2008. My highest weight was 340 and I maintain around 140. No way I could have been successful long-term without surgery. It saved my life.0 -
Laura8603,
I'm sorry, I thought I listed my current weight. I am currently 320 with a BMI of 44.
You are absolutely right! I have always been successful at losing weight, but I have never been able to keep it off. In the past, the weight was lost doing things that were not sustainable for the long term. When I quit eating that way, the weight (plus several new friends) always came back.
Since starting MFP about 8 weeks ago, I have consistently lost 2# a week. I have not completely cut out things I love. I have learned to eat smaller quantities, while maintaining a balance between protein, fats, and carbs. Something that does feel sustainable.
Now, all that being said, I saw my GP today for my annual physical. I am once again borderline diabetic (glucose 113mg/dL), and although my cholesterol levels are great, my triglycerides are high (225mg/dL). She said a bariatric surgery would cure these instantly. She looked over my MFP diary and made some suggestions to assist in lowering both of these numbers. Even though she agrees surgery is good idea, she would like me to continue working at this myself and recheck blood work in about 6 months. If I have lost enough weight and these numbers are within normal limits, we MAY reconsider surgery at that time.
She, better than anyone else, understands my fear of complications from another surgery. She saw me when I was near death and in ICU for three days being stabilized before they could even consider going in and removing the band. Even though I suspect weight loss may be sustainable now, fear of complications is a bigger motivator to reconsidering surgery.0 -
I am so sorry to hear about our previous experience. When I first was considering WLS, all there was was bypass and lapband. So I decided I could do it alone. I was a champion of losing it, but I could never keep it off. I am now a 2 year vet of a sleeve gastrectomy. It was by far the best decision I ever made. Now, 2 years later, I struggle with my diet, but MFP is a great tool. One thing I wanted to ask you, if I may, is this the same doctor you had before? Also, it is so important to ask him about his success rate on the sleeve. In order for it to be a success, everybody has to be on the same page. Good luck to you! You are definitely in the right place for support and combined experience.
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This discussion has been closed.