Age: 24

Height: 5'8

Starting Weight: 294 lbs.

BMI: 40

Current Weight: 264 lbs.

Goal Weight: 170 lbs.

I have been morbidly obese pretty much my whole life. When my insurance finally added lap-band to their coverage I jumped on the opportunity. I started trying to get approved Jan 09, my insurance wanted a battery of testing. I had a psych eval, sleep study, EGD (scope of stomach), EKG, chest x ray, Doppler of my legs(check for clots), ultrasound of my gallbladder, and I had to have a letter from my primary care physician. During this time I lost 10lbs myself. After all this I got a surgery date of 09/01/09. I was so excited. I went in for a 2 week pre-op check-up and received my 2 week liquid diet plan. I could have 3 shakes a day and one protein bar 800 calories a day. During the 2 weeks I lost 14 lbs, which thrilled me. It was really hard but it was worth it. The bowel prep was the worst part of the whole thing. I had to take 2 bisacodyl tabs and then drink 64 oz of this liquid that tasted like chap stick flavored sea water, 8 oz of it every ten minutes. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted in my whole life. After being on a liquid diet I guess my stomach had shrunk and after the 6th cup I vomited it all up. I called the Doctor and they said finish the other 2 glasses but I couldn't make myself. I was worried they would cancel my surgery but thank God they didn't...
When the day finally arrived I was so excited and nervous. The surgery went pretty well, they found a hiatal hernia and I had to get that fixed also. I woke up with 5 incisions, I was nauseous while I was at the hospital b/c of the drugs and the fact all they were giving me was 15ml of diluted apple juice every hour. I was scheduled to go home the next day but every time I would walk my oxygen levels would drop. They did a chest x-ray and a doppler of my legs to check for a clot. After everything was oked I went home late the next day. I was in a lot of pain mostly from gas, but the inscions were bothering me too and I was sooo naseated. As soon as I got home I drank a protein shake and I felt like a new person. Everyday I have woke up feeling a little better. I can't wait until I'm allowed to do everything again. I have lost a total of 30 lbs so far and I am so happy. Even though only 5 lbs of it has been since the surgery I think it's one of the best things I could have done for myself.