loralee

I'm a believer in the protein bars. I eat the Zone Perfect Bars,(12 g Protein, 190 calories) usually for my mid-afternoon snack at work. Usually drop one in my purse if I'm going to be out and about on the weekends--saves me from the "I'm starving, what shall I eat?" issue. At my last appointment, my NP suggested I stop drinking protein shakes for breakfast. Said I'm not utillizing my band but relying solely on protein for hunger control doing this. So I ate one of the protein bars for breakfast this morning. (Like someone else said, I don't have time in the mornings for cooking.) It did keep me full longer than the shake usually does. I get them a lot cheaper at Sams's than Wal-mart or the drug stores sell them. I really like the taste of the chocolate Almond and the Double Dark Chocolate. My kids do too, but they don't get much candy... I haven't tried any of the other flavors.

So glad you're feeling better. I was banded in December. The first 2 weeks I was so miserable I would have had it removed if I didn't have to have anesthesia again. My friend laughed at me and said "didn't I tell you it was bad? It'll pass." And it did. I feel great and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. We all made a great decision!!

Have you checked with your surgeon's office about this? I was a little over a week out, had to lay down and rest - even after something as simple as a shower. I started chewable iron supplements and felt better within 2 days. (I had ordered them when I ordered my multivitamin and calcium) Could have been coincidence, but I had problems with anemia during pregnancy and this felt just like that, so I treated myself since i already had them on hand. I thnk you need to talk to your doctor's staff and see if this is fatigue something they normally see or if they want you to do something different.

Gallbladder can cause referred pain, but I think it's to the right shoulder blade. I think I read something a while back from someone having similar pain and it was just their new feeling of fullness.

Loralee checking in. 202 this morning. Unless I'm holding a little water weight I can get rid of I don't think I'll hit my 199 goal by Thursday. But I'll get there eventually. And losing 5 1/2 pounds in 28 days is nothing to sneeze at. Heck, I've gained that much in a week before.....

Thaks Joan. I am anxiously looking for onederland!! It's just on the horizon... I did see 199 the other morning, stark naked and dehydrated, but clothed and hydrated I'm still lurking around 202. We'll get there though!! I'm in for the April challenge too. I like being able to touch base with everybody. Keeps me motivated.

This is Loralee. Down to 202.5 this morning! Met my personal goal for the Challenge. I made it to 204 before my anniversary Saturday. I see a link to what I think is the spreadsheet, but I don't see anything when I click it. It may be the security on my computer. If I'm supposed to be adding to the spreadsheet instead of posting for somebody else to do it, I'm sorry...

I don't thinkyou should have been billed for the fill either. I'm pretty sure anything related to the surgery falls under the surgery cost for 3 months. I think it's called the global period. Double check with your insurance about this, but that's been my understanding... If so, you need a fill on the surgeon's dime...

That's great news, Cheryl Ann!

It's an exciting day for 2 reasons!! #1--I'm Finally overweight!!! I've been playing around the 207-205 mark for two weeks. I'd dip down and then come back up. I'm sure it was Water weight playing around, but I got my 3rd fill Monday and today I'm at 204!! By the way I've been eating and my clothes feel, I trust this is a correct. And just in time for my 18th anniversary tomorrow. Wahoo!! #2 - Insurance finally approved my surgery charges!! That is a major relief. My insurance will not pre-approve any procedures. I had to have the procedure and wait for a determination after. The payment was sent to the hospital and anesthesia today. My surgeon is scheduled for payment Monday. I feel like a major load has lifted off my shoulders! I may have to Celebrate by buying a new pair of jeans!!! Thanks for letting me share.

Loralee checking in. Weight of 206 this morning. Down another 0.5 It's slowed quite a bit but still coming down so I'll take it.

Cheryl Ann--You are not a failure. Sure you haven't reached your goal, but you've lost 20% of your body weight. That by itself significantly reduces your diabetes risk and likely decreases other health risks. If your doctor okays it, do like reverie said and just pick yourself up and start again! You can do this!!

Loralee checking in. Sorry I'm late but I took the GRE Monday (yea!!) and had a sick kiddo yesterday (boo!). Down .5# (thats 1/2 not 5 ) this week. Gotta get the exercise back on track. The cold and rain is killing me... Looks like a bunch of people had a good week though. Keep up the great work everybody!!

Name, real or screen~ Loralee Age~39 (40 on 4/6!!!!) Weight on February 28th~ 207.5 Goal Weight for March 31st~199 Exercise Goal for March~ more consistent with exercise 3X a week at least Dietary Goal for March~ get my recommended Fluid in Personal Goal for March~ get to 205 (overweight-not obsese) by my 18th anniversary on 3/19 Date Banded~ 12/15/2010 Total Weight Loss Since Banding--23.5# (about 41 since starting the pre-op diet on 12/1) This is my first challenge. I know official weigh-in is Monday, but it'll be Tuesday before I can post most weeks. I hope this is ok?

Hi guys. Just getting back on the forum again and was reading through the last months posts. Everybody looks to be doing great. Go December Bandsters!!! Isn't it amazing how different doctors approach the fills. I didn't realize the amounts of fills could vary so much. I've had 2 fills for a total of 2.8 in an 11cc band. My last fill was 2/14 and just this week really started feeling the restriction--like most others have said, it's when I've eaten too fast/not chewed well. I'm still getting hungry about every 2 hours though. I have noticed more hungar on the days I drink caffenated coffee so I've switched to decaf. Better for Fluid totals anyway as getting my fluid is problematic for me. When you eat every 2 hours and can't drink for 30 minutes after it doesn't leave a lot of time for drinking. Add a fluid deficit due to the caffenated coffee and it's even more difficult. Heather--you asked a while back about Snacks. I keep ZonePerfect Protein bars on hand and eat one of those when I need a snack or the greek yogurt others have mentioned. The Protein Bars are pretty good for a chocolate fix and have 12 grams of protein. I'm having trouble keeping my kids out of them so it can't be just my chocolate starved palate!!! lol

I hope all is flowing now.... If not you really should think about allowing a catheter. The bladder can only hold so much before you damage it. I also had problems after my surgery. I walked, and walked, and walked. (the only thing my nurse suggested.) I tried warm wash clothes on my abdomen and back. I tried warm and then cool clothes on my urethra. (Thinking the catheter removal may have been tramatic, causing swelling.) All without success beyond 10 cc here or there. Like you the urge was there, but no urine. I actually asked "where is that stress incontinence when I need it?" Finally, when I told the nurse what all I had tried and asked if she knew of anything else she suggested something that worked. Get your legs as far apart on the commode as you can and lean forward. I mean panties off, legs on each side, trying to have a baby position. It worked at least for about 50 cc. Then same position I leaned back, again a bit. I kept slowly moving back and forth until finally I didn't feel the urge. It relieved enough pressure (about 200cc) that we weren't worried about my bladder. I tried the same maneuver an hour later, some success. Then finally went to sleep for the night. Woke up 2 hours later needing to pee and had no problems. Guess anesthesia had worn off.

I was banded 12/15. Felt great and was discharge 12/16. I did have a hiatal hernia repair as well. Pain is mostly gone. Woke this morning completely on my side with no pain. YES!!! I'm having problems with intake. I'm supposed to have a protien shake a day (though they did say it would take forever to get it all down) 4 meals (60 cc or 2 ounces each of thick liquids, blended soups, etc.) and 64 oz of half water/ half juice at 30 cc (1 oz) every 20 minutes. My problem is that anything going in no matter how slowly causes major bloating and discomfort. I'm getting about 1-1.5 oz per hour of water. about 2 meals a day and about 2 oz of protein drink. After every intake I have to walk/pace for 30-45 minutes. If I sit down too soon I get nausea and pain- I guess from my lower gut//fat roll pushing up on my stomach. And I'm starving..just can't get anything down. This was worse than the hernia. Anybody else in a similar situation?

Starting to get nervous today. I can't explain why or what I'm even nervous about, just that jittery feeling in my stomach. And I had gotten used to the protein shakes. I kind of miss mine today. But I did get full with just the juice from a can of chicken noodle soup. How is everybody else doing?

December 15 for me as well!! I'm now on day 4 of my liquid diet (HMR) Though I used Atkins and Slim-Fast last night. I wasn't at home and needed ready-to-drink. I haven't found them to be too bad. Not as filling as the HMR is though. I've done HMR as Meal Replacement in the past. Got to the point I couldn't stomach the thought of drinking another so I was worried about 2 weeks of it. I have found Crystal Light Lemonade mixed with the vanilla to make an amazing shake. Like eating lemon ice-box pie. YUM!!! I'm most worried about anesthesia. I've never had any surgeries. Last year our pastor had a minor outpatient surgery and died from a reaction to the anesthesia. I worry about that, but I figure my risk of dying from breast cancer or heart disease is higher and by having this surgery and maintaining a weight loss, I am decreasing my risk of developing these. So the benefits outweigh the risks in my book. What am I looking forward too? Background first... A few years back my Mom asked what I wanted for my birthday and I said I wanted her to quit smoking. (she has quit for years at a time before, but had started back again.) She said ok but she wanted me to lose weight for her birthday. She quit smoking. I tried but couldn't lose any significant weight. I can't wait to tell her Happy Birthday!!! This isn't why I'm having the surgery any more than others are having it so they can have more fun shopping (I am looking forward to that too ) But it's a bonus that I'm really looking forward to. Good luck to all!!! I've really enjoyed reading everyones thoughts on their surgery.