The Journy Begins

[Shawn S]

Since the summer of last year, I have been trying to get this surgery. I was met with roadblocks from my insurance company, and the hospital. Then from one of the clearance tests, and now this Monday, early in the morning, I will get the procedure.

I am trying not the be the perfect patient, because, trying to obtain perfection will lead to failure. This is life, there will be no "perfect situations", we have to make the best with the hand we are dealt with. I'm trying not to fall to the romantic misconceptions of the surgery and believe all of the weight will fall and it will be just as easy as downloading a song from Itunes.

I'm going to update this thread to give some of my insight, struggles and successes with the surgery.

Thanks for reading.

[Shawn S]

Hello everyone,

I just arrived home from surgery at 7:45am with Dr.Allam. I feel like I hit in the stomach with a sledgehammer. It's a good thing I have my gas-x and pain medications. I would type some more but I am tired and in pain. Thanks for reading. Have a good day.

Shawn

[Jamie]

Hi Shawn,

Welcome Home!!!

All of these aches and pains will subside shortly, but it is very important that you get up and walk, walk, and walk some more. The gas that Dr. Allam pumps into your chest so he can use his laproscopic instruments can gather in your chest and rise up to your shoulder area and can be as painful , or more than the operation itself. By walking it off, it will help get rid of the gas and will ease the pain and you should have no problem. Walking also helps with cirrculation and keep things normal and prevent more problems. This is very important, so just tough it out and make sure you walk. It will also help keep you loose so you don't stiffen up.

Please keep us posted, and by all means, ask any questions you want to the message board, just remember that if you have any medical problems that really concern you to give Dr. Allam's office a call. Dr. Allam is such a careing doctor and between him, and all of the other pro's like Pat, and the message board, you should be just fine.

Please try to come to the support group meeting tonight if you are up to it because we can answer your questions live.

Keep on posting

Jamie,

[Shawn S]

Hello Jamie,

Yeah, I know about the walking. The nurses and my girlfriend were trying not to have me walk so much. Even when I arrived home, I walked about 1.5 miles. Thank you for the kind words, I will try to make it to the meeting tonight.

Shawn

[Shawn S]

Sorry I could not make the meeting on Tuesday night, I fell asleep from the pain medication.

I walk one mile twice a day, and I still have gas problems.

I return to work on Friday and I resume classes tomorrow. Finals are next week.

Next week, I will be seeing Pat and Dr. Allam. Hopefully my progress is going well, and I for one cannot wait to return to food, even if it is soft.

I need to go weigh myself.

[Jamie]

Hey Shawn,

Sounds like you are doing just fine. Make sure that if you do get tired to take it easy, but keep up the good work.

The meeting was a good one, but you are still pretty fresh out of surgery, just keep an eye on the message board the next couple of days for the newsletter. I just fowarded my part to Regina and she will post is when she gets a moment, and it will give you an idea of what we discussed there.

Make sure you pace yourself at work because you don't want to have any setbacks.

You should make out just fine and your visits to Dr. A and Pat is a good chance to answer any other questions you may have, so write them down so you can remember them while you are in thier office.

You mentioned about getting back on "real food" again, and I remember it well!!!! It was so enjoyable to finally be able to tolerate Cream of Mushroom Soup that I was thrilled!!! Then I was really getting into mashed potatoes!!! Before you know it you will be back to the real good stuff, just be patient and you will get there soon.

Good luck on your finals, and please keep posting,

Jamie

[Shawn S]

Hey Jamie,

Thanks for the luck.

I have already tolerated a scrambled egg white with 1/2 oz of melted cheese on it. It will be a slow process, I understand that. At least I have applesauce, yogurt and white fish.

Before my surgery I weighed about 420 pounds.

Well, it is time to walk another 2 miles.

Until my next update, take care.

[Shawn S]

Earlier today I had my appointment with Dr. Allam, I weighed myself, and it came out to 398 pounds. So far I have lost a total of 22 pounds since my surgery on 4/19.

However, in the middle of March I weighed 436 pounds so I went on a diet and 2 weeks before the surgery I went off of it, but I still managed to drop 16 pounds.

But still, I am under 400 pounds for the first time since my initial appointment with Dr. Allam last July.

We'll see how my appointment this Friday with my primary doctor will go.

[Jamie]

Congrats Shawn,

This is only the beginning, believe me it really gives you incentive once it starts coming off. You just have to remember that everyone is different, and this means everyone loses at a different rate. Usually once you start getting your fills it comes off at a pretty good rate and that helps you keep on track. Try to come to the meeting next month and you can hear all of the success stories and some of the problems that some may have had along the way. The support meetings are proven to help with the success of your weight loss.

You sound like you are doing great, so don't push it too fast and keep posting because others learn from you and your stories. The message board has been rather slow lately, so we look foward to your responses.

Keep up the good work,

Jamie

[Shawn S]

Jamie,

Yes, I realize everyone loses weight at a different rate. I eat no more than 700 calories a day, I need 3400 to maintain my weight. In addition, to the 2-4 miles a day I do of walking, and 3 days a week of aerobic weight lifting, the weight will come off. What is weird is that I feel stuffed after having 3 oz of ground beef, and 2.5 oz of vegetable soup. It's a weird feeling.

Thanks and take care,

Shawn

[Jamie]

Hey Shawn,

Sounds like you are doing great!!! Make sure that you don't push to much with the food. Sometimes the textures do different things and work different than they did before the operation. I know it was quite a while before I could tolerate ground beef. You may want to experiment a little until you find something that works. If you feel yourself getting full, stop eating before it gets uncomfortable. Another thing that you will find is that one day you will be able to tolerate something like chicken or shrimp and the next time you won't!!! Just take your time and learn the tool and how to work it. You may also feel more restriction in the morning, (I did), or a different part of the day.

You will learn as you go along, so use all of this wisdom to use the lapband to the fullest.

Talk to you soon,

Jamie

[Shawn S]

Jamie,

I can tolerate the ground beef and chicken quite well. I eat a lot of tuna fish, ground beef and some chicken. I feel much better now. I still have some ways to go, but when I go up the stairs, I do not feel winded. I have started circuit training, three times a week. It's more strenuous than the 3-4 miles I walk a day now. I think the part I am coming to terms with is that it is a way of life now, and not just a diet. I can also tolerate soft veggies. So I feel like I am on my way. Thank you for your support.

All the best,
Shawn

[Shawn S]

Quick update:

I was supposed to get my first fill, but I was scheduled for work, and I could not get out of it. However, I will be there on Friday. And, I will be at the meeting this Tuesday night. I feel very different. I get full off of the smallest amounts. I feel like I am working out too much, but I will push through. Sometimes, I get a little discouraged when I do not see more results in the mirror, but all of my weight gain did not happen overnight, and nor will the weight loss either.

How was the first fill for everyone? Any advice?

Thanks,

Shawn

[Jamie]

Hey Shawn,

Sounds like you are doing fine and have a handle on your progress. That is a good way to put it by saying that the weight didn't get there overnight!!! We all have times when we slow down a little so don't get discouraged by this hiccup. If you are getting full on a small amount already, it may not take many fills for you to reach your "Sweet Spot". How much have you lost already? Make sure that you don't push the exercise too much if you are worried, there is plenty of time for that.

I look foward to seeing you at the meeting on Tuesday the 18th.

Until then,

Jamie

[Shawn S]

How is everyone doing?

I went to Allam's office earlier, I received my first fill. It is an interesting feeling. All in all, I lost 70 pounds, and I gained about 10-15 pounds of muscle. The next four weeks should be interesting. Once I hit 100 pounds lost, then I will shave my beard and post a before and after picture.

Take care,

Shawn

[Jamie]

Hey Shawn,

Sounds like you are moving along and doing a gret job too!!! Keep it up, and please keep us posted.

Jamie

[Chelsea]

Hi Shawn,

Glad you are doing well! We all cheer you on during this journey!!

All the best,
Doreen :)

[Shawn S]

Thanks guys for the kind words.

I just had another visit with Dr. Allam, I am down about 92 pounds. I still have a long way to go on my journey.

When I first started in April, I was a size 58/60, and now I am a size 48/50. I was 433 pounds, and now I am 341. I have a long way to go. Thanks for the support everyone.

[Regina]

Way to go Shawn on the weight loss. I say keep the beard. LOL Who knows maybe by our next meeting you will be telling us you reached that 100lb weight loss. Good Luck.

[Jamie]

WAY TO GO SHAWN!!!!!! Keep up the great work. Thanks for the update.

Jamie

[Shawn S]

Actually, today, I have lost 100 pounds overall. So earlier, I went walking/jogging (1min jog/ 3 min walk). That was hard, but not as hard as Muay Thai class last night. Thanks for the support guys.