My Trip to Weight Loss Freedom

June 11, 2006

June 18, 2006

September 11, 2006

February 12, 2007

For two years I pondered and researched, talked myself into and out of getting the Lap-Band surgery done. I had heard horror stories, success stories, but I wanted a story of my own, and trying to do it on my own wasn’t getting me there.

Finally, in November of 2005 I made that first call to set up an appointment for a seminar. I was ready to see for myself the pros and cons and hear them from the doctors’ mouths.

Initially, I had told myself I wanted the gastric bypass, it would be easier, lots less work from me. I’ll admit I’m lazy. But during the seminar my mind started changing quickly. Listening to the pros and cons of gastric bypass seemed like more work than the Lap-Band. Listening to the Lap-Band part of the seminar, I realized that if this was the road I was going to take, a lot of determination and work would be required from me. In the beginning I had it all planned out. I talked to Christian, the nurse practitioner, and he said that he thought I was making the right choice and that I met all the criteria. Of course, then came the insurance battle; surprisingly that didn’t take that long.

Jennifer and Brandy told me I had been scheduled for surgery for February 8th. I cried, and thanked them and the Lord so much. I was so tired of living in a body I had hated for so long. I was wearing a size 24 jeans (stretch kind), 44DD bras, XL-XXL  shirts.........I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was 36 with one grandchild and 2 on the way. How was I going to be able to play with them if I couldn’t bend over to get enough air to tie my shoes?

So, the date was set and I was soooooo happy. Then, in the beginning of January, my husband changed jobs and I was losing my TennCare at the end of the month. I thought, oh no, I can’t have my surgery now because it’s on the 8th of Feb. and I’m losing it the 31st of Jan. I called Brandy, Jennifer, and everyone I could think of there to get my date changed. Thank God they moved it to the only date available, January 31st. I had joked around with Dr. Melvin, who by the way is the doctor I chose to do my surgery. Yes, they give you a choice. He’s a real, down-to-earth character. But I had joked that I was going home the same day of my surgery. He kept telling me that a very low percentage of patients are able to do that. I was determined.

I went in for my surgery. They were all very attentive to me. I joke when I’m nervous, so they learned a lot that day. When I came out, I felt fine. They showed me where my port was, which is where they inject the saline into the band. The only way I have been able to describe this procedure is it’s similar to a blood pressure cuff, but using saline instead of air. Back to the story, I started swallowing the liquids they gave me and was doing well and Dr. Melvin, surprisingly, let me go home.

It would be March 8th before I got my first fill because they don’t fill your band initially due to swelling from the surgery. I went in and got 1 cc. It didn’t seem to be doing much. So I called and asked for another cc. That didn’t seem to work either. Then when I was up to 2.5 cc Dr. Melvin was curious as to why I wasn’t losing much weight. Well, one of the reasons was, I hadn’t been one time to see my nutritionist, so I was eating just small portions of what ever I wanted. WRONG THING TO DO. I went in and got filled to 3.2 cc and was sent to Jennifer and Christian for a "you need to eat right session” of sorts. I hadn’t been eating right at all. They told me protein, protein, protein was the key and water. Well once I started that, let me tell you, it started dropping off. I went back and got raised to 3.5cc and I believe that’s my ideal fill because I’m losing and starting to look and feel great.

But the key to this surgery is exercise, eating the right foods, and learning your body as it starts to decrease in size. You’re not going to look like a super model as the weight comes off. I have extra skin under my arms, but it doesn’t bother me, I know that can be removed in time. I have belly skin, but in time that can be removed also. Largely, I see it in my feet, my hands (I went from a 10 ½ wedding band to a 9 and now I can’t wear any of my jewelry), my clothes, my face. I don’t see the change much because I look at me all the time. But my friends who rarely see me are like, WOW, I didn’t even recognize you.
I get cat calls, and though I’m married, I get asked out by these little young guys. I don’t look my age, I look much younger and the more I lose the younger I look. They don’t know that they’re asking a 37 yr. old woman out. It’s encouraging. I don’t take it as an insult at all.......now my husband, that’s another story......lol.

But I feel good, and feel like I look good. I’m losing at a rate of about 2-3 lbs a week. I’m currently at 228 lbs. My start weight was 294.

I would recommend this surgery to anyone that’s obese. I never had the first problem as far as vomiting or anything. It’s all up to you. It’s not a diet, it’s a key. I don’t regret it one bit.

Thanks to Dr. Melvin, Brandy Powers, Jennifer Ginnings and all the Weight Loss Staff.

Debbi Bowen
Hohenwald, TN

February 12, 2007
Well folks, here I am, @ 180 pounds. Its hard to believe I weighed 300 just a little over a year ago. I wore a size 26 jeans (stretch) and now I'm down to a 10/12. I feel great today. My body has finally warmed up to the new blood, and I'm eating and I actually got out of bed today. Thank God. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Love Debbi
PS.......Thank you Dr. Melvin....I love you.