Lap-Band Give Away Contest
In June 2010, DayOne Health launched its first Lap-Band Giveaway Contest. During the following three months, our Chicago clinic received over 100 essays with compelling stories from people who wanted to win the free lap-band procedure and a year of follow-up visits. Finally on December 3, 2010 we chose the winner, Amy. Over the past year she posted her lap-band journal entereis here for others to read. Below you will find not only Amy’s story that made her the contest winner, but also the diary of her weight loss journey with DayOne. We hope that Amy’s page, along with our other success stories, will inspire you on your weight loss quest.
Amy - One Year Later
Well, this is it, my last blog. What an amazing, challenging, and successful year it has been. Thanks to the help I’ve gotten from the lap band I’ve been able to lose 105 pounds in just under one year. I feel really good about that. I had set a goal for myself to lose 100 pounds in the first year and to have met and even exceeded that goal gives me a huge sense of accomplishment. When I think back to my life just 365 short days ago, it’s crazy to think about what a prisoner I was in my own body. There was so much that I wanted to do that I couldn’t. Things like walk around the mall for more than 30 minutes, exercise, grocery shopping, and play with my nieces and nephews at the park. But not anymore! I’m free to go and do so much more. I walk, I run, I play and I do it pain free.
As I mentioned earlier, this year hasn’t come without its challenges. I’ve dealt with a gall bladder flare up, a kidney infection and a too tight band. Each time I had to break from my normal exercise routine in order to recover. In the past, those things would have completely derailed me. But I have a new determination that was missing in the past. I’ve found that success doesn’t mean you won’t have setbacks. It just means that with each challenge, each disappointment, each unexpected turn of events, you resolve that though you’ve been knocked down, you don’t have to stay down. Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do in life is just get back up.
I have some advice for those who either are new to the band or are considering having the surgery. These are things I’ve learned through trial and error and hopefully will help others avoid some of the pitfalls that I had to climb out of. The first thing is beware of having your band too tight. Everyone is going to experience this at least once in their journey. The temptation is to get it so tight that you lose weight quickly. However, it is possible to get it so tight that you can’t even swallow your own saliva…literally. If you find yourself in that situation, go back immediately to get things checked out so there isn’t damage caused by band slippage or stretching your pouch. For more information on whether your band is too tight make sure to check out the DayOne website. There are some great editorials on there that will help you be successful with your band.
With that being said I want to give a BIG thank you to everyone at DayOne who were a part of developing the contest and choosing me as your winner. You all have made a remarkable impact on my life and have given me the ability to actually live my life instead of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else do what I longed to do. A special thank you to Dr. Ellli, Vicky Lasota & Gladys Nieves for talking me down from ledges and for being there for me through every step of my weight loss journey. I will forever be grateful. For anyone who may be thinking of getting the LapBand surgery I strongly encourage you to take control of your life and just do it. You will not regret it!!
Recent Contest Updates
Month 11 Post-Op
11/01/2011
Well, it’s November, let the holiday festivities commence! My birthday is just around the corner and my husband and I celebrated our 4thwedding anniversary a few weeks ago. Anniversaries always make me reflect on what’s happened in the last year. This has been one amazing year for me. My life has literally gone through a 180 degree change. It was less than a year ago that I found out I was a finalist for the lap band surgery contest. I got notified of that on my birthday and then just a month later at Day One’s holiday party I found out that I won the contest. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of modifications to my diet, my exercise routine, the way I spend my free time, the way I celebrate holidays, and mostly to my thinking. Read more »
Month 10 Post-Op
10/03/2011
Hey everybody! September has been a challenging month. Not long after I wrote my last blog I started to get really bad stomach aches that got progressively worse to the point that it was totally unbearable. The pain started centrally located in my abdomen but then became more painful into my upper right abdomen under my rib cage. One trip to the ER later, I found out it was a gall bladder attack. After consulting with the staff at Day One, I found out that gall bladder attacks can often occur as a result of the rapid weight loss. I thought that gall bladder attacks only happened because of fatty diets. I’m very conscious about not eating too much fat since my surgery so I was really taken by surprise. In the last few weeks I have done some research and found out that there are natural methods of taking care of your gall bladder but it seems that it’s only a matter of time until I will need to have my gall bladder taken out. Read more »
Month 9 Post-Op
09/01/2011
So, I have something on my mind that I would like to address to those who have never had the surgery or for those who may be considering lap band surgery. I think it is a generally held notion that weight-loss surgery is the easy way out. I confess that I was guilty of thinking this way before I had the surgery. I thought people who got weight-loss surgery were in this great little place where they could just do whatever they wanted and eat whatever they wanted and they just sat back and watch the pounds fly away. No sweat, right? Well, I am here to tell you that I could not have been more wrong. Read more »
Month 8 Post-Op
08/01/2011
Well, I suppose it will be true from now on until I reach my goal weight but I am the smallest I have been in my adult life. I never get tired of saying that. And this blog brings some particularly exciting news because I have finally reached what they call on The Biggest Loser, “One-derland”! That means I am finally out of the 200’s and into the 100’s. Woohoo! This has been a challenging month though and getting to this great milestone has not been easy. I am constantly working with my band to achieve the healthful life I have always wanted. Especially when it is so hot out, there is the temptation to just stay inside and eat ice cream or sit on the couch and avoid sweating at all costs. Read more »
Month 7 Post-Op
07/01/2011
Hello again. Since that last time I spoke to you I’ve been through some interesting, albeit challenging, experiences. Prior to my most recent adjustment my band and I were getting along pretty well. Obviously I’m still eating much slower and much smaller quantities than I used to but besides that I was able to eat anything I wanted without any problems. I’ve been very conscious along the way to make smart choices when eating but every so often I allow myself to enjoy a treat in order to keep from getting burned out. I lost about 8 lbs. in six weeks. Read more »
Month 6 Post-Op
06/01/2011
It seems like the weather is finally turning warmer for good. It was a good winter of losing weight and rediscovering myself indoors, but now I’m ready to get out and enjoy the sunshine and become a freer, more active me. It has been 1 month since my last adjustment and I am averaging a 10lbs per month weight loss, which is very exciting, but hasn’t come without its challenges. Even though the weight loss has given me more energy I still have days when I don’t feel like exercising and don’t, days when I feel like having nothing but comfort food, and indulge. Read more »
Month 5 Post-Op
05/02/2011
I hope this note finds you all doing well! It has been 1 month since my last blog and I have managed to lose another couple of pounds putting me OVER the 50 lbs lost mark! WOOHOO!! I am getting my 4th adjustment on the 9th and am looking forward to it. I feel I am becoming complacent with the weight and size I currently am. The weight I am now is the weight I have been most of my adult life... Read more »
Week 15 Post-Op
04/04/2011
I hope I am not sounding like a broken record here but ever since I have gotten my surgery I am learning something new about my band, my body and food, and how they all get along with each other every day! For example, they tell you that some days your band can feel tight. I was always very confused by this statement because in my head I imagine a rubber band being wound tight, something like that you can noticeably feel. With my band I can’t feel it, so I always thought that statement was weird…until I experienced it! Read more »
Week 14 Post-Op
03/28/2011
I am loving that people are noticing the weight coming off! Is that bad? Don’t misunderstand me, it’s not the attention I like, because I don’t like when people ask “Wow, how much weight have you lost?” But it’s the comments like “Lookin good!” that make me feel proud of my accomplishments, ya know? When you’re on a weight loss journey it can be difficult to see your progress, especially on a day to day basis. It’s those rare times when your pants are a lot looser than normal or your shirt seems to be too big that trigger a thought: “Hmm…maybe I am losing weight?? Read more »
Week 13 Post-Op
03/21/2011
Wanna hear something super cool? I had my meeting with my co-workers last week and I was pretty excited to see them since they haven’t seen me since my surgery. Everyone said how much I have “slimmed down” and that I’m “lookin good”. It’s awesome to hear that people can see that the weight is coming off and all the hard work is definitely paying off! But success doesn’t come without its challenges. Read more »
Week 12 Post-Op
03/14/2011
What a week! I’ve had my 3rd adjustment and have been exercising my tail off. I got weighed at the gym and I’m down a few pounds since my adjustment! WOOHOO!! I’m feeling more restriction with this adjustment and I’m feeling more confident that this will do the trick. I go back in about a month for another adjustment, if I need it. It is easier to stick to the portion sizes now and I am eating about every 4 hours. Read more »
Week 11 Post-Op
03/07/2011
I’m baaaaack! LOL My husband and I are back from Arizona and boy do I miss that 77 degree weather! But the one thing I didn’t miss?? My goal of eating well while traveling! I was bound and determined to not give in and eat whatever was around me just because it was convenient. Our hotel room had a mini fridge and a microwave, so I went to the grocery store and stocked up on microwaveable steamed veggies, microwaveable meats, tuna and some fruit. I even packed my protein powder, too, so that I could still have my protein shakes! Read more »
Week 10 Post-Op
02/28/2011
Here we are, coming to the close of February. CRAZY! Time is certainly flying by and some positive changes are happening. One positive is that I’ve started working out with a personal trainer. She is very familiar with weight loss surgery. Most of her clients have had it, and she does support groups out in the burbs, so I’m very lucky to have her. She has kicked my butt, though, but in a good way. I leave the gym feeling accomplished and that feels awesome! Read more »
Week 9 Post-Op
02/21/2011
I’m 8 weeks out from when I had my surgery and I’m feeling pretty good! As I reflect back, I think about all the cool and not so cool things that I have got to experience in my weight loss journey. For example, one cool thing that has happened is I am officially down 2 pant sizes!! WOO HOO!! 2 pant sizes down and 4 more to go!! It has been 3 weeks since I received my first band adjustment and 2 weeks since my second. I am noticing that my portion sizes have decreased but my want to eat more has not. Read more »
Week 8 Post-Op
02/14/2011
A lot has happened during these last 7 days! I received my second band adjustment and I am so glad that I did! I am now able to eat and stick to the 4oz meals as recommended, which is encouraging, to me anyway. I even lost a few pounds over the weekend! This time the adjustment hurt. They ran out of the “air puff number” (that’s what I call it) and their back-up “number”… let’s just say it wasn’t as good. I’m definitely a fan of the “air puff number”! Read more »
Week 7 Post-Op
02/07/2011
I received my first adjustment to my band last Friday and all in all it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Didn’t hurt a bit. Now that I have had my first adjustment, my meals are supposed to be around 4oz… yeah, not so much! After I left DayOne, I had a 20oz protein shake and was still hungry. I’m finding that I am hungry about every 2 hours. I feel like an infant. So, I’m going back to get my band just a little bit tighter. Read more »
Week 6 Post-Op
02/01/2011
This past week has been a week of small victories and discoveries. I have had to go through my closet and purge all of the clothes that are now too big for me. I am down 1 full pant/shirt size. WOOHOO!! Just a few days ago I was looking for a pajama shirt to wear and I accidentally grabbed one of my husband’s t-shirts. I put it on and noticed it fit “differently”. Read more »
Week 5 Post-Op
01/31/2011
This past week I have started to incorporate more solid foods. I’m finding that there are things that are easier to eat than others. Meat seems to be my biggest issue. Even after chewing it for the recommended 15-20 times before swallowing it can be difficult to swallow. I have made pot roast, and turkey tenderloin, slow-cooked them for hours until they were fall apart tender and it was still difficult to digest. Read more »
Week 4 Post-Op
01/24/2011
It’s been 3 weeks since I have had my surgery. I was able to start introducing soft foods into my diet, which I was totally excited about. Until I got on the scale. My weight has gone up a few pounds and I couldn’t have been more heartbroken. Read more »
Week 3 Post-Op
01/17/2011
The week of pureed foods went as smooth as…well…pureed foods! LOL! My favorite part of the pureed diet was the ability to have yogurt, cream based soups and the occasional shot glass full of tuna salad. I was able to get my liquids in easier. I’m up to 32oz a day. Read more »
Week 2 Post-Op
01/10/2011
This blog is the first in a series of weekly blogs. I’ll be posting one blog per week starting now and going on through till the end of the year. I’m thankful that this blog starts off on a good note. Today was my post-op appointment. Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 6
01/02/2011
Today was kind of a fun day. My husband and I were talking about the New Year and things we are wanting to change within ourselves. The past week I have been laid up resting and recouping from surgery. So our form of entertainment is me lying on the couch with my feet resting on my husband’s lap and we were watching TV. Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 5
01/01/2011
I had a pretty good day today! I got some more walking in today by getting a little shopping under my belt in. Who said shopping isn’t therapy?? Getting out & about has its challenges. Because of where one of my incisions is located I am not able to wear a bra. Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 4
12/31/2010
Happy New Year! Today was my big adventure. Meaning it was the first time I left the house since my surgery. And to celebrate this momentous occasion, I got to go to my favorite place. No, not Giordano’s…Target! Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 3
12/30/2010
Today was A LOT better than yesterday in just about every way. I wasn’t in as much discomfort getting in and out of bed or going from a sitting to a standing position. There is some mild discomfort but it is just that, very mild. Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 2
12/29/2010
Holy “burpin’ like a trucker” batman! (I can say that since my dad is a trucker =) I’ve been burping all day long, even as this is being typed. Nothing but burps coming out of my mouth. Gas-X helps a little bit but you can’t take more than four a day. Read more »
Week 1 Post-Op – Day 1 – After Amy’s Surgery
12/28/2010
Day after surgery. I wasn’t as tired today as I was yesterday. I felt more gas pains today so I ended up taking two doses of Gas-X. My stomach hurts, almost like you did too many ab crunches and you have muscle soreness. I’ve got three incisions. Read more »
Surgery Day
12/27/2010
I had to be at the surgical center at 10:15am. After checking in and filling out paperwork Gladys greeted me with a big smile and a hug. Shortly after I was taken back to the recovery room that was assigned to me, I changed into the lovely surgical wear, complete with booties. I got weighed in, my total weight loss over the 2-week span was 17 lbs. Was hoping for more but I’ll take it! =) Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 14 – Before Amy’s Surgery
12/26/2010
It’s the day before my surgery and I have so many thoughts going through my mind. I am currently in the car on my way back to Chicago from spending Christmas in Oklahoma with the in-laws. In just a few short hours I will be checking in to DayOne and will be getting prepped for surgery. December has definitely been a crazy month! Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 13
12/25/2010
Merry Christmas! Today I was surrounded by family, food and friends. I awoke this morning to the excitement I used to have when I was a kid on Christmas morning. I was totally excited to watch my nephew open presents and exchange gifts with my husband and my in-laws. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 12
12/24/2010
I don’t have anything really exciting to report. I spent most of the day with my sister-in-law and my nephew. It was great to see that she was being considerate of the fact that I couldn’t eat by not eating in front of me. Not so with the nephew. He wasn’t waiting for anyone. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 11
12/23/2010
Today was rush, rush, rush right from the start. I spent most of the morning getting things prepared for our road trip, getting myself ready, getting our bags packed and getting all the necessary liquids available that I needed. Then we hit the road. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 10
12/22/2010
I was talking with my husband today and he was telling me things he’s noticed about me during the last week and a half. He said he was impressed that I’ve stuck to my guns with not eating despite the constant gnawing. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 9
12/21/2010
I don’t know why but today was a very difficult day to try and stay focused. All I could think about was I want something to eat! It seemed like every commercial, every Facebook post, even TV shows were all focusing on food! Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 8
12/20/2010
So far so good. Things seem to be going well and I’m looking forward to the end of the week. I even made a lunch date for next week. We’re having soup and I’m totally excited about it. A fellow “lap-bander” reached out to me and shared her story concerning her lap-band journey and her struggle with PCOS. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 7
12/19/2010
I’m halfway there!!! I’m seven days away from my surgery date and I think I’m heading into this on a good foundation. I’ve been weighing myself every day for the last week but I’m not sure how much I’ve actually lost because our scale isn’t the most accurate. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 6
12/18/2010
Being able to consume nothing but liquid is not only difficult, but it sucks. BUT it’s also made me more conscious of eating habits, hunger pains and those types of things. And it’s made me more conscious of when I’m actually really hungry as opposed to when I want to eat just because I can. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 5
12/17/2010
I was talking to my sister in law today about the amazing amount of support I have been getting this week. Not just from her but from my friends and family. From phone calls to texts to cards all my closest friends and family have been so encouraging! My husband, who may just be my biggest supporter, has been great! Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 4
12/16/2010
Today was okay. No major malfunctions or catastrophes. I did have a piece of good news. I found out I can have coffee with fat free, sugar free non-dairy creamer and Truvia. It’s the little things in life. I picked up some new sugar-free beverages that are aspartame free and that made getting my 64 oz. of liquids in a lot easier. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 3
12/15/2010
Today was better than yesterday. I had a bit of a headache still but not as bad. Nothing that one more dose of Excedrin Migraine couldn’t take care of. I drank mostly water today just to make sure that I was hydrated. I also had 16 oz. of diet V-8 and stayed away from all the sugar-free products that contain aspartame. I wasn’t about to go there again. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 2
12/14/2010
Well, today didn’t go as I’d hoped. Yesterday went so good with all the moral support I had and with all the determination and I felt good. I guess naively I expected today to go about the same. But waking up with a headache the size of Texas was a harsh reality check. Nothing I did would touch this headache. Not four extra-strength Tylenol, not a 30 minute nap, not complete silence. Read more »
Pre-Op Liquid Diet – Day 1
12/13/2010
It’s the end of day one of my liquid diet. Looking back over the course of the day, consuming only liquids was not as difficult as I thought it might be. There have been days when I skipped eating all day; that was by choice. This time…not so much. Read more »
