3 Year Band-iversary.

As many of you know, I rarely toot my own horn, or try to call attention upon myself. However, as I begin my 3^rd year as a Realize Band patient, I cannot express how grateful I am that I decided to do this procedure. I think back to where I was over 3 years ago to where I am now, and all the GAINS I obtained while I lost weight, and I am humbled. And I would love to share some reflections.

In 2007 I was way over 400 pounds (435 prior to the operation). The person who was once the life of the party was quickly becoming agoraphobic. For about 2 to 3 years prior I stopped interacting with friends; I stopped going to my favorite vacation spot; I stopped going celebrations. Every day life was becoming more and more difficult. I had difficulties doing my daily work tasks. I need to take frequent breaks from walking. Walking up and down stairs was not only difficult, but painful. Getting into and out of my Honda Civic was a chore. Not to mention my stomach resting on the steering wheel, and my seatbelt “just barely" fitting. And “hygiene" was beginning to be difficult.  My health wasn’t getting any better. I had hypertension; high blood pressure; high cholesterol.

I was on the following Medication

 

Diovan HCT          160 / 25 mg à High Blood Pressure

Lipitor 20 mg à High Cholesterol

Coreg / Norvasc 20 mg  à Hypertension

Carvedilol 12.5 mg --- à Beta Blocker

 

Secretly all I wanted to do was die.

In the summer of 2007, my doctor said that I really should think about doing something surgical. She stated I am young enough and healthy enough to do it NOW, but who knows what the next year may bring. She also said if I don’t do something, there is no guarantee I will be around for the next 3 years. Therefore, that’s when I decided to seriously consider weight loss surgery.

 

The question was: “who should do it"? After interviewing approximately 15 strangers (they were basically friends of friends), and on-line checking, I decided to go with Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons, located in Florham Park, New Jersey. In all my research (on line, and word of mouth) Dr. Abkin’s (and his partner Dr. Bertha’s) names were always regarded very highly in the field. On October 24, 2007, I went to their seminar at the Parsippany Tara Hotel. What I really liked about Dr. Abkin was his straightforward honesty. He listened to what I had to say, and respected the surgery I wanted. He never talked me into one procedure or the other - unlike other Doctors from other practices I met with where trying to do.

 

Come mid-November (2007) I had “all my ducks in a row", and was ready to have the operation. I could have had it in either November or December, but I decided to wait until after the “New Year" – because I thought I would be in too much pain to enjoy the holidays. If I knew then, what I know now - I would have had the operation in November.

 

I had the Realize band operation on January 29, 2008 at Saint Peters Hospital, in New Brunswick. I arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. for my 9:00 a.m. surgery. I was wheeled into the operating room about 8:45 a.m., in the capable hands of Doctor Abkin. Who would have known that the “old me" would have “died" at the moment I was wheeled out of the waiting area, and the “new me" would be “born" in the operating room about 30 minutes later.

 

I was in and out surgery in about 45 minutes (no complications). When I awoke I felt nauseous, and I had dry mouth because of the anesthesia. I had this feeling for about 2 - 3 hours, and all I wanted to do was sleep some more.  Since I never had anesthesia before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I hear this is quite common.

 

I was in recovery from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was home by 3:00 p.m., and I rested for most of the day. The only discomfort I experienced was a feeling that I could only equate to when someone does a lot of sit-ups, and an inner chest pain (which I later realized was caused by the intubation). No other pain.

 

The next day I still had the “sit-up discomfort", and chest irritation, but felt relatively normal. By the 2^nd day after the operation, I was back to normal. If I wanted to I could have gone back to work, but I decided to stay home because I had vacation time coming to me.

 

On the 3^rd day I started my “semi-solid" (soft/puree) food intake. I had no problem swallowing or keeping anything down. However, I followed all the eating directions verbatim. I did not deviate from the recommendations. By the 4^th day, I noticed I have not had any hunger pangs since before the operation. I also realized any “hunger" I did feel, quickly disappeared when I drank something. It was a wonderful feeling, and is an experience that I still have.

 

Since the operation, I realized (no pun intended) I have not had any hunger pangs that I used to experience before the Realize band. It gets to the point that I have to “force" myself to eat, because I do not feel hungry. I also realized any “hunger" I did feel, would quickly disappeared when I drank something. It was a wonderful feeling, and is an experience I never thought was possible. It’s an experience that I still have.

LIFE AFTERWARDS:

 

My weight loss has been called remarkable. On my two week review I lost 17 pounds. On my one month review I lost an additional 30 pounds, for a total of 47 pounds. On my three month review I lost an additional 28 pounds. On May 21 I weighed myself and lost another 5+ pound. On July 11 weigh-in, I lost a total of 100 pounds. On February 28 (2009), I lost a total of 150 pounds. in January 2010 (2 years after the operation) I was down about 190 pounds. And that’s where I have been since, between 185 and 190 pounds. There are times I wish I have lost more, but I stop and realize where I came from, and I get great satisfaction where I am today. 

 

Since the operation, I consider myself an “unofficial" walking testimonial commercial for the Realize Gastric Banding procedure. I speak to anyone who is willing to listen, and even to those who don’t :-) !! I tell everyone about it, and I highly recommend this operation to anyone who asks about Bariatric Weight Loss surgery. I always reinforce that the decision is a personal one, and I would never sway a person one-way or the other which operation to have. The bottom line is to lose weight.

 

Over the past three years, I have come to realize many things. The one thing, life is a rollercoaster ride. There will be highs and lows, but the ride itself will be exhilarating.

 

There are times when I “slip" during my journey. What I do during those slips is very important. I need to remind myself to get up, dust myself off, and continue down the road. I can’t let those slips derail me. Using a military analogy: In my “past life" I would see a weight gain as a ‘defeat’, and decide that since I already ‘lost this battle" I might as well “lose the war"; admit defeat, and eat uncontrollably. Now days, I realize I haven’t “lost the battle", but I had a “minor skirmish setback". I regroup, with help of the troops (folks on the board and/or support groups); I get the weapons and/or artillery (proper foods) I need and go an try to conqueror my foe. I also stop and realize I have won more battles then lost, and I see eventual victory on the horizon.

 

I stop and become accountable for my digressions. I then go back to the basics, and try losing that temporary weight gain. I remind myself that this is how naturally skinny (what we perceive as normal) people deal with this weight their entire lives. HOW they react to it is what makes us different.

 

I remember, this isn’t a race. “Slow and steady wins the race".  We are a generation of instantaneous results, however remember we didn’t put all the weight on at once, it took years. So don’t you think losing it would take just as long? This isn't one of those miracle instantaneous weight loss programs. We all know types of programs always fail. This is a way of life. Nowhere does any of the literate state you will lose x amount of weight in x days. I think LONG TERM. If it take me 5 – 10 – 15 years to get to my self imposed weight goal, WHO CARES!!! How long did it take to put on all those pounds?  And if I never get to that number either, I am fine. As long I don't end up where I began. 

 

I AM GAINING

 

There have been many other milestones along the way besides the “weight loss" factor. I love to call these milestones “MY GAINS"!! It might sound funny, but everyday I stop and thank God that I am a loser and gainer. I am “a loser" because of my weight loss, and I am “a gainer" because I have gotten my life back!!

 

The main gain is that I have gained my self confidence, and I am again interacting with friends/family. And I have become the person who is “life of the party".

I have also gained a wonderful bariatric family. These people are as important as my regular family. They help me along my journey, and give me the guidance and support I need, along with the love and understanding.

I have gained a special lady in my life. I never realized how empty my life was until I met her and her family.

I have gained my desire to live. Not just live longer, but to LIVE. To accept and enjoy everything in life, even if a problem occurs. I know that these stumbling blocks will be a learning experience, and I need to be grateful for them.

I have also gained new “goals" in life. The most recent one, is running. On Thanksgiving day I ran my first 5K. This is from a man who wouldn’t run to the bathroom. My goal is to run a marathon. Like with my weight loss goal, if I ever obtain the ultimate goal doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I have a goal, and I work every day at it. I realize there is no failure in not succeeding. The only failure is not trying.

 

The other thing I realized is that when it comes to WLS, no one prepares you for these gains. Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming. I stop and think, “What did I do to deserve this?"

 

I must thank the following

 

My Family Doctor for being truthful enough to tell me either do it now, or you may not be around.

 

Doctor Abkin, the surgeon who was honest enough to tell me what I could expect with the band, and skilled enough to do a flawless procedure.

 

The various Nutritionists who lead the support groups I attend, and who answer any of my questions without hesitation.

 

My bariatric siblings. It doesn’t matter which type of operation we had, we are helping each obtain our ultimate goal.

 

My sweetheart for loving, and giving me another reason to remain diligent.

 

My family and friends who have supported me throughout my entire life, and have all supported my decision to get myself healthier.

 

Ok, I am done. Thank you for taking time out and reading this.

Tom,
Thank you for sharing your story.  I know that you are the LAST one to "toot your own horn". However, by sharing you story with everyone, you motivate and inspire people.  Not just with your words, but by your actions. That Thanksgiving Day 5K...marvelous!!! Your participation in this forum is a great source of information and support to so many.  You truly touch more people than you know.
Congrats on your "surgiversary"!! May you enjoy many happy healthy years ahead!!!
MAZEL TOV!!!!!!!

Tom, Happy Anniversary and you are a special person.  You give so much of yourself to people and share a wealth of knowledge.  Thank you,

Tom,

You should toot your own horn, loud and ofter cause YOU ARE AWESOME!!

Thank you for being you and being such an awesome example for all of us!

Congrats to you!

Thank you !!!

Stella

Congratulations on all the positive strides you've made with your life....   and a big Thank You for all the work you do for the NJ Board....   you really are the glue that keeps us together....   I hope you are aware of all the positive reinforcement the folks on this Board get from you and your sharing!  Congrats on year 3....  and hope the future is even brighter!     Mary C

Tom this is a beautiful post. Your story really does inspire others and you should keep telling it.

The word "congratulations" is just inadequate. You deserve more praise than that.

And I can't thank you enough for organizing the NJIGTs. I have made so many great friends and heard so many wonderful stories, and my life is richer for it.

I don't feel as comfortable or as "at home" anywhere as I do during those gatherings. It just seems like we all "get it" and that's a really nice feeling to have once in a while.

Thank you for your energy, your enthusiasm and your generosity...

Linda