Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The date is set.

Well. The appointment went well. So well, in fact, that I'm scheduled to have the surgery in a month. A few days after we get back from Germany and about six weeks before we go to the beach in New Jersey with my family. I was prepared to wait until after the second trip, if necessary, but the surgeon told me that it's fine to travel after about two weeks--and I'll be on a normal diet by four weeks out.

The surgery that I'm having is the less invasive procedure, the lap-band. I'm a good candidate for that procedure because I'm young (and apparently younger people have a better success rate with the lap band), I don't have any health problems that require me to lose a lot of weight immediately, and I don't have a weakness for high-calorie foods that go right through the pouch, such as ice cream or cream soups. Granted, I LIKE those things, but it won't be a problem not to eat them.

Lap-band surgery is different from gastric bypass. Gastric bypass is the most common weight-loss surgery, the one that most people think of when they're talking about weight-loss surgery. It's very effective. If you have gastric bypass, you can expect to lose a lot of weight very quickly. This is because you come out of the surgery as restricted as you're going to be. A small part of your stomach has been cut off from the rest and attached directly to your small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and part of the intestine (hence the name). It's a more risky, invasive surgery, and it leads to malabsorption of not only food but also nutrients, pills, etc. It also leads to dumping syndrome (when your body reacts negatively to high-fat, high-sugar foods). It's a great surgery for what it is, and it's right for a lot of people, and it's very effective in curing diabetes--but it just didn't make sense for me.

Lap-band surgery is different. It's done laparascopically, which means that there will only be a couple small incisions in my abdomen and the surgeon will use a camera to see what he's doing. Nothing in my stomach will be cut off or rearranged. Instead, a band will be attached around the top of my stomach, creating a small pouch. The band has chambers attached to it that the doctor will fill over the course of a few months post-surgery. As he fills the chambers, they will press more tightly against the stomach, further restricting the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. This means that the amount of food that I can eat will get further restricted over time, unlike with the gastric bypass.

The post-surgery diet is a lot less restrictive. It's about portion control more than anything else. This doesn't mean that I can go eat only unhealthy crap and expect to lose weight. Once I've reached full restriction, I will likely be able to eat between 3/4 and 1 cup of food, three times a day. The majority of that food needs to be lean protein and the rest can be made up of complex carbs or whatever else I want. There's more of a learning curve with the lap band. A Weight Watchers-style eating plan should be very effective.

The weight will not pour off like it would with a gastric bypass. Instead, I can expect to lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week--but the weight loss will continue over a longer period of time and will end up at about the same as the gastric bypass after three years or so. Plus, because it's a tougher battle at the start, it means that it's easier to avoid regaining weight down the road.

The social worker I met with warned me as well that after the surgery, there will be a point when I feel discouraged, like it's not working and I tried everything and surgery was a last resort and even that isn't working and I'm doomed to be fat forever. She says that because lap-band surgery is so slow to start being effective, and because it's more of a tortoise than a hare approach, nearly every lap-band patient feels that way sometimes. That was actually really encouraging to hear, and I repeated it to Torsten so that if/when I start feeling that way, he can remind me that it's normal and I was told it was going to happen, and that I will move past it.

And I will. I'm so excited about this. I can't believe it's really happening. Everyone I've met with thinks that this is the best option for me, and I totally agree. The main driver being my health--I don't want stress on my heart. I don't want stress on my joints. I don't want stress on my future fetus. But there's another side to it, too. I want to fit into the world. The surgeon's office, being designed for overweight people, had this extra-wide chairs? And I sat in one and there was SPACE on either side of me. It was such a novel feeling! I want to fit into chairs. I don't want to worry that I'm going to be squashed whenever I fly, or go to the dentist, or go to the hairdresser. I want to be able to find bras that fit. The world isn't designed for fat people, and therefore being fat is UNCOMFORTABLE. I'm so ready for that to be over.

I may never get into a bikini, but I will get to a healthy weight. I WILL. And the journey starts now.

P.S. I have to wait a year after the surgery to get pregnant. So all of you people on Baby Watch are just going to have to wait. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

49 comments:

  1. Pseudostoops and I got together last night and she gave me the update. We both chatted about 2009 being such a huge year of change for you and Torsten. Coming off a late 2008 marriage. A new city. New apartment. New dog. New house. New body. We figured a baby would work it's way into your plans somehow. But, alas, I see that will have to wait. Still, I'm so very happy you've got a plan. One that seems to work with a strategy you've used to get to where you are now (slow & steady). I hope you feel relieved, excited and full of hope.

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  2. Congratulations, Jess. I'm so happy for you and will be here cheering you on the whole way, even when (if) you get discouraged. xoxo

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  3. I cant help but be cautious but I trust you and I trust you to make the best decision for you, so in that respect I am very happy for you and can't wait for you to get to your goal!

    I must admit a bit of jealousy in the sudden onslaught of your life changing successes i the past 6 months, I hope for the same level of life changing to happen for me and I hope that I have the same drive and integrity as you to achieve them.

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  4. Wow! Good for you - what a big and thrilling year for you! Good luck!

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  5. I'm really happy for you, Jess! I wish you all the best on this journey.

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  6. I'm so happy for you. Good luck and you know you have scores of us cheering you on even if you get discouraged!

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  7. Awesome news lady! I hope it all goes well. My mom got this done last year and it is amazing!

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  8. I'm really happy for you, Jess! It's great to see you so excited. We will definitely be here if you need a little more encouragement!

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  9. This sounds like a great choice for you. And thanks for letting us know about the baby wait so we don't get all suspicious anytime you say something random about feeling tired or under the weather!

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  10. I really cannot tell you how excited I am for you. It sounds like a really good choice for you, and I am looking forward to hearing about how it is all going!

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  11. Good luck with the surgery! It's so soon!! It sounds like a good option for you, I'm so excited! Excited enough, even, to wait for at least another year for a baby announcement. ;)

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  12. Oh FINE I can WAIT.

    I think this is awesome, by the way. Good for you.

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  13. Full support all the way, babe. Wishing you all the best.

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  14. as someone who counsels people in weight everyday...you really do sound like the perfect candidate. i'm very excited to hear how it goes for you. good luck!

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  15. yeah, i was kind of wondering how getting pregnant would affect your surgery...guess we'll have to wait for that kind of news. :) i hope this surgery gives you the results you want. good luck!

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  16. It sounds like it will be less invasive and you are very happy and comfortable with the doctor and the procedure.

    I am happy for you!

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  17. I LOVE how you just jump into things with both feet! This surgery sounds like a really good fit for you. How exciting that it will happen so soon!

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  18. I hope all this goes well for you Jess!

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  19. i'm really happy for you jess! i'm glad you're taking control of your health and thinking about the future family you want to have. it will happen when the time is right, don't let all those bloggers pressure you :) lol

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  20. Well, you know how I feel. So thrilled for you and with you every step of the way.

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  21. Congratulations! I am very happy for you that everything is working out. Good luck with it all! 2009 is definitely a major life changing year for you!

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  22. I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to hear more about this. You seem to be feeling really positive about it and that is GREAT. If I know anything about you it's that you are an informed, intelligent woman and I know you are going into this with eyes wide open. Good luck!

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  23. My Mom has had those feelings of defeat, especially when she loses 1/2 a pound a week. But we all try to encourage her to keep pushing and keep a positive attitude. Having a good support system is such an important thing to have and it sounds like you have just that. Good luck!

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  24. I'm so happy for you and this life change you're making!! Best of luck with your surgery, and I can't wait to read all about your journey.

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  25. I'm posting anonymously because I'm apparently vastly in the minority here. But I've never been one to shy away from saying what I think. I probably won't read your blog after you have the surgery. I started reading because I really identified with so many of your feelings about WW and working to stay on track and all that comes with that. But honestly, WLS is not in the cards for me. I'm happy that you feel like it's the solution for you but . . . I guess I just can't identify with the path your weight loss journey is now taking.

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  26. WOW! This is exciting! This surgery really seems like the best option for you. It's good that a procedure like lap-band exists for when you've run out of options.

    Can't understand at all what anonymous is saying...but I guess there are a whole host of complicated issues and emotions that run through those in the weight loss community.

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  27. Excellent Choice!

    Once again, feel free to email me if you have questions about the bandster lifestyle, even if they feel silly. One thing that caught me by surprise is the emotional component to the surgery/weight loss, so if you need an ear....

    Good Luck!

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  28. WOW! big decision! that's awesome that it's all falling into place so well. i look forward to hearing about the journey :-)

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  29. Jess - you know I have your back! This really sounds like a good fit for you - it isn't drastic, it is incremental and deliberate weight loss. This is very exciting.

    I will be cheering you on, listening to you, and sending hugs if you ever feel discouraged.

    You are such an inspiration to me, Jess. I mean that. You are doing the work to make the life you want. I am so, so proud of you.

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  30. This is SO exciting. I know it seems to people reading that things just keep happening for you, but it's so obvious you are doing your homework about everything. Best of luck!

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  31. Very exciting stuff! Sounds like a great plan :)

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  32. Here's wishing you the best of luck! Congrats with your decision to do what is best for you. I look forward to following the rest of your journey.

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  33. Hooray! I'm so glad that this is going to work out just the way you want!

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  34. I am so happy for you! I can tell you are happy with your decision :)

    What do you mean when you say "full restriction" is 3/4 - 1 c. three times a day. Is that in the beginning or end? Sorry for being ignorant.

    You know, I think I would almost prefer to lose the weight at that rate. Isn't it better to take it off slow anyway?

    You have so many exciting events coming up! :)

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  35. This all sounds so great! I'm interested to hear more. How will you deal with being hungry? I mean technically, not emotionally: Can you drink as much water as you want? Do you have to chew (a hell of a lot of) gum to help with cravings? Just curious. :)

    It's great you've made the decision.

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  36. I want to know what they said about the surgery and being pregnant/breastfeeding. Do you have to eat more often to get in the caloric needs for the baby?

    I guess I could just google it...

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  37. Oh congratulations. Best of luck with the procedure (and a baby will come when the time is right and you are healthy for one!)

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  38. Yay, the date is set!!! We will all remind you if you feel discouraged, too.

    PS, I would not be able to stop eating ice cream!!

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  39. I support you fully in whatever you do, because I think you're fantastic, but I am curious about how surgery enables you to control portion size any more than you would be able to do on your own without surgery. Will the band make you feel less hungry when you've eaten less food? Or will it just put a physical barrier in your way when you want to eat more than you absolutely need? I'm trying not to say "why don't you just eat less?", because I know you well enough to know that you are not at all lacking in self control or discipline. But I do wonder how the surgery will do any more for you than an iron-clad will would do (and trust me, I fully understand that an iron-glad will is probably humanly impossible to maintain).

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  40. I am hopeful for you and think this is a good step. I'm rooting for you!

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  41. This is GREAT, Jess! I'm so happy for you. It seems like you've got quite realistic expectations and that's always a good thing. Yay!

    And thanks for the "P.S." ;)

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  42. Congrats Jess! The exciting news just doesn't stop from you! Can't wait to hear about your weight loss journey....

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  43. it sounds like you've done your research and put a lot of thought into this decision. congrats!

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  44. Wow- so soon! I admire your decisiveness, and I'm really interested in hearing updates on the whole progress.

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  45. Good luck with everything. I just have one question that came to my mind while reading this entry. Why do you need this surgery? If you would just eat that amount of food they are telling you to eat post-surgery, then why don't you do that without having surgery?

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