The Holidays are over and boy were they a little crazy!  But I made it through with hardly a thought about food (okay you don’t believe me but that’s what I told myself).  There was food everywhere but with having the band I was able to eat the foods I desired but didn’t overeat!  That’s the point, right?

I did visit the True Results aftercare center a few days before Christmas.  I had lost 9 lbs since my surgery.  I’m not going to lie; I was kinda disappointed it wasn’t more, since I don’t seem to be eating much.  Connie Alford, the Nurse Practitioner, said that was “Great” and that I was doing Great. She is very encouraging and positive!  She said it’s always better to lose the weight slowly.  She had told me that we should see a weight loss of between 4 to 8 lbs a month, and everyone is a little different.  That made me feel better and helped me remember that I wanted to lose the weight slowly.

Connie did my adjustment, explaining everything in detail as she went along.  First, she took an x-ray with a barium swallow.  She needed to make sure the band was still placed correctly.  Next, she used a needle a syringe, and extracted all the fluid from my band; they need to measure to see how much fluid was actually there.  She then, put all the original fluid back in the band, via the syringe, and added about 1 cc more.  Then she took another x-ray barium swallow, to see if the fluid was going to flow through the band, now that it had been tightened. I have to admit, this procedure was very uncomfortable, it stung!  She said it would be a lot better, when I lose more weight, because it will bring the port closer to the surface of the skin.  I hope so.  I go back in another week to see if I need another adjustment.  Connie only likes to add a little, to get used to it being tightened, without adding too much.  She said it will probably take a few adjustments in the beginning, to get the right amount of fluid, to keep me in the GREEN Zone!  That’s where you feel full and satisfied, with only a little bit of food. 

My eating has been good!  I get full with only a little bit, now.  I’ve stayed away from bread, pasta, and rice, because they said these are “No-No’s”.  I still have a little problem with feeling bloated and gassy, but I just carry my Gas-X with me and that helps.  They said that could be because I need to sip more and gulp less…..I still can’t believe it.  Everyone at True Results are GREAT.  I was suppose to meet with Dr. Hollis, but he got called in to surgery, and I have to reschedule that for next time! 

Stayed tuned,

Chana

Well, it’s been 3 weeks since my Lap Band surgery at True Results. So far so good! I am finally able to eat some solids! I have a protein drink everyday for breakfast. Lunch and dinner is where it gets exciting – I’ve started eating canned tuna or chicken mixed with a little light mayo, or some low-fat yogurt. So far I’ve tried baked fish and mashed potatoes and a little bit of salad. I’ve had only one bad episode. They tell you to eat small portions and really chew your food but I guess I didn’t chew my food up as good as I should have, because as soon as it went down, it came back up. Since then I have chewed and chewed and chewed before swallowing, and it hasn’t happened again! I learned my lesson! One of the hardest things I’ve had to change is how I take medication. I’ve always been used to going to the medicine cabinet and getting a Tylenol for my aches and pains. Now I have to crush up anything I need to take. I wish adult strength Tylenol came in liquid form! I have my 1st post-op appointment on Dec. 23rd @ 12:30pm. I will keep you informed of my progress!!!

Stayed tuned,

Chana

Well it’s been a little over a week since I had my surgery.  The gas pains have gone away and I feel I’m gonna make it!  I started questioning myself about what I had done but realized a little gas pain is worth the alternative.  And I’m such a baby!

I’m living on soup and protein drinks.  I’ll be glad when I can start on the soft solids…next week…yay!   I go back for my 1st follow-up and fill/adjustment on Dec. 30th. 

Stayed tuned,

Chana

I did it! I had the Lap Band procedure on November 25, 2009!  The morning started off with leaving my house at 5:00 am with my mom and my sister.  We arrived at True Results about 5:45am. Once I got there, they took me to pre-op.  Shirley, the pre-op nurse, weighed me; I had already lost about 8 lbs.  Yay!  Then I got to put on that fancy hospital gown!  Just the gown and my socks were all that I had on.  Shirley hooked me up to an IV and Dr. Hollis came in and said everything would be fine and not to worry.  I liked him a lot.  The anesthetist came in, introduced himself and told me everything would be okay.  I told him I was extremely nervous and he had better take care of me!  He just laughed and told me I was going to get a cocktail in my IV and I would feel much better.  He was right, as soon as I got that cocktail, I didn’t remember a thing except waking up. Now it was time to start moving.  The OR nurse help me into my regular clothes and got me to walk to a chair.  My mom and sister were with me.  Before I could go home, I had to drink a bottle of water and go pee. 

Everyone at True Results were GREAT.  I couldn’t have asked for anything better!  Dr. Hollis had told my mom and sister that he had to fix a hernia, that I had, while he was in there.  I stayed kinda groggy for most of the day, but by that evening I was walking around.  My incisions are very sore, it hurts worse trying to get up or sit down.  They explained that I would have some gas pains, radiating up into my shoulder and that was normal.  They were right; the gas pains are very uncomfortable.  Overall, it was a lot better than I was expecting.  I am so grateful to True Results for giving me this opportunity to change my life! 

I’ve posted a few pictures of my Dr. and the nurses.

Stay tuned for more…

Chana

Well, here I am, the night before my surgery!  I am experiencing so many different feelings right now. I have so many butterflies in my stomach, that I can’t sleep and I feel sick.  I am so nervous and excited at the same time.  The pre-op nurse I spoke with said this was normal.  I am so grateful to True Results for giving me this opportunity to change my life!  I feel like I am getting the chance to start over, and almost be re-born.  I can’t wait to start seeing  the new me.  My surgery is scheduled for 7am, Wednesday 11-25-09, I have to be there by 6am, and that’s when my new life and journey begins!  I will talk to you soon!

Chana

Can you believe it?  I won, I actually won!  Now what, I’m so excited but very nervous.  I know this is the best thing for me.

My pre-op visit:  After learning I had won, I had to schedule my pre-op visit.  My mom went with me so we both could understand the Lap Band procedure, and everything I needed to do to make it a success.  First we met with the True Results Lap Band patient advocate.  She had the Lap Band procedure four years ago so she could relate to my situation.  She told us about her surgery and how she managed to maintain her weight.  She gave me tips on things I could eat down the road. Next I met Dr. Hollis, my True Results surgeon.  He talked with me and another patient about how the procedure would go.  I thought this was great because the other patient had some questions that I hadn’t thought of and vice-versa.  Dr. Hollis also explained the importance of changing our eating habits and including protein and less carbs in our diet.  We were given a pre-op diet to follow.  Breakfast: a protein shake.  Lunch: a protein shake.  Dinner: 4 oz of chicken, fish, or lean beef, 1 cup of green veggies and 1 cup of fruit.  That’s it!  I am a little sad about all the food I won’t be eating anymore.  Food has been my comfort for so long.  So I’m a little nervous about this but I keep thinking about the results.  I want to be healthier, thinner and more active, so I know in the long run it will be so worth it!

After meeting Dr. Hollis and hearing how the procedure will go, I am very confident and excited that he will be doing my procedure.  I am, however, scared to death of the pain after the procedure.  I’m the biggest baby ever! My pain tolerance is probably only a 1 and I’ve never had a surgical procedure done.  I’ve never been under anesthesia. My surgery is scheduled for Nov.25th, yes, that’s the day before the biggest eating holiday of the year.  I figured the sooner the better, plus I was already going to be off work.  A part of me thinks “Are you crazy” for doing this the day before Thanksgiving, but the sooner I do this, the sooner I will see results. 

Well I’ve been on this diet for 6 days, and I have to admit it’s not pleasant!  I wouldn’t be in my situation of being overweight, if this was easy to do!  The protein shakes are not very good even though several of the other patients I’ve talked with said they liked them.  I think they’re crazy!  This could be all mental on my part, because I want food!

 Click here to hear the announcement on KKBQ that I had won!!

Wish me luck,

Chana

First let me say that I rarely enter contests but when I heard a radio ad for the True Results free Lap Band procedure, I thought this is what I needed to get my life back.  So I went online and completed an entry form and entered.  And can you believe it? I was selected as a semi-finalist.  One of the semi-finalist requirements is attending an appointment to verify my vitals and go through an interview.  I was so excited and very nervous, especially about the interview.  It’s one thing to write your emotions down, but another to talk about them to total strangers.  The True Results staff was so friendly, I started to relax a little, but still anxious about the interview. Then, in walks Patsy.  She was the nurse that interviewed me.  I don’t know how she did it, but I went from being very nervous to extremely comfortable.  She was great.  We talked about my struggle to lose weight time and time again and why I thought the Lap Band procedure was the only way to get my life back.  She explained the Lap Band procedure in detail and how it would change my life forever.  After I left my appointment at True Results, I wanted to win this contest more than ever!  I just knew this would be the only way that I could truly succeed at losing the weight and keeping it off.

Click here to hear my radio interview on KKBQ Radio as one of the contest finalists!

Chana

Chana before the True Results Lap Band

Well, here I am today.  This is the photo I submitted when I entered the True Results Free Lap Band Procedure Contest.  I will be posting new photos of myself throughout my journey.  So please check back often to get a glimpse of the new ME!