donali

To make your ticker and post it: http://www.tickerfactory.com/WeightLoss/weight_loss.php?type=3 1. Go to the link above and make your ticker. 2. Go to the bbCode box and right click on mouse and hit Select All then right click again and select Copy 3. Go back to LBT, click on User CP and under Settings & Options choose Edit Signature 4. Click in the signature block where you want the ticker to go, right click and select Paste You can preview your signature, or select Save to save your signature( it will look like a bunch of letters until you save it) Your new signature line will now show on all your existing posts, and all your new posts. To edit/update your ticker: 1. Click the ticker in one of your posts, or go to User CP, Edit Signature, Preview Signature and click on the ticker there. 2. The ticker page should open up. 3. Click on the Back button and revise your numbers. 4. Click on the Next button. 5. Go back to LBT and delete the existing ticker. 6. Repeat steps 2- 4.

What a wonderful post! Congrats!!

No, you should not have to be unfilled for surgery. Biggest concern would be nausea from the anesthesia - make your doc aware that you need anti-nausea meds. You should be fine!

KATIE!! CONGRATS!!! Now - TAKE A DEEP BREATH... 1. It sounds like all of your ducks are in a row - the only ??? is your weight. 2. Instead of stressing about whether or not you've gained, start TODAY with some healthy eating. You KNOW you're NOT saying goodbye to anything forever, so you don't need to do the last supper thing this week and a half. 3. I know all of this is a huge surprise now that all is approved and happening so fast - BUT - you have waited TWO YEARS for this!! YOU ARE READY!!! Breathe, breathe, breathe... You are SO ready. You are going to do great. Your dream is coming true - embrace it! And Kathy is right on the money - have a friend whisk you off to a hotel for overnight. ((hugs))

Shelly, again, I AM SO THRILLED FOR YOU!!! I hope you don't mind I posted your links before you got here - we were all going crazy wanting to wish you well. <3 <3 <3 xxoo (((hugs)))

I want, I want!!! Of course, I'm about 50-80 pounds from where I need to be... Sigh. You look great! Thanks so much for posting the pics. xxoo

I've tried to post to this thread before, but wasn't allowed to log in - TWICE!! lol Anyway, congrats, Penni!! So glad all went well, and that there has been NO adjustment period to the monovision - whoo hoo!! Need the goggle pic now! lol

Spreading white, healing light liberally over your being... (((hugs)))

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/postdetail/145557.html?vc=0#145557 http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/postdetail/1112867.html?vc=0

I assume you mean "After PBing".... Actually, after a PB, it is recommended to do liquids only for at least 24 hours. If you're still sore after that, and/or struggling with liquids, stay on them longer...

It's so hard to navigate over there... Whoo hoo!! Shelly!! Come here and post your news!! See how good I am and NOT posting your links, so you can tell LBT yourself?!?! I can't wait much longer... SHELLY, SHELLY, SHELLY... :continue chant until ShellyJ relents! :

She's giving good news somewhere else FIRST?!?!?! Shelly!!! Tell here, tell here, tell here!!!!!

Only if you're big enough to cover up one of my private bits... lol

No, Lisa, your doc tells ALL of his patients that, not just you. My last fill was my 4th (always done under fluoro), and that was October 2003 - no problems noted. At my endoscopy June 19, 2004 I was at 40% erosion.

Oh, MEGAN!!! Girl, I am delirous for you!!! YOU DESERVE THIS!!! <3 <3 <3 xxoo

oooohooooh!! Goody!! Then I want all my private bits covered up with strategically placed little cupids...

Well... According to the more drastic warning from organicconsumers, chunk light tuna is considered a "moderate" mercury fish, and consumption of moderate mercury fish should be restricted to one portion per month. But even Betty's list claims that fish chosen from their "Enjoy" list should be limited to two servings a week - that's not two servings a week for each item, that's two servings per week TOTAL from items on that list. Of course, we're all going to die from something, anyway... lol If I were trying to become or was pregnant I think I would be more wary of my fish consumption. I don't eat a lot of fish anyway, but even if I did I probably wouldn't think about the dangers unless the people around me were dropping like flies... lol Too many other things to worry about.

I'm port AND bandless... But I should be February, anyway... Those people who buy subsequent year's calendars, though, will wonder why Miss February never seems to get any smaller... Sigh...

Hey, Megan!! Remember this?!?! http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=488 Ah, we were so young and naive back then.... xxoo

Hi Norma - I am so sorry that you are experiencing pain. Before you throw in the towel, might I suggest that you have your surgeon examine you throughly first, to make sure all is in order? It is possible that through some sort of surgical error you are experiencing something out of the ordinary, since the vast majority of people who have researched the procedure and decided to have it done do not regret it so deeply as you appear to. It is true that a few people really cannot tolerate the band - I don't know how much of that is mental/emotional vs physical, but the end result is the same - they have the band removed. Only you can really and truly know what you can tolerate and what you cannot. I would not try to persuade you to keep the band, not knowing exactly how you feel. I can say that by day 18 I felt pretty much back to my old self. I did not suffer from the gas that you speak of, but even if I had I doubt that I would have considered giving up my band for that reason alone. I would not have kept it under insufferable pain, however, unless I was certain I knew/understood the cause, and was convinced that it would go away in a very short time. I did have to have my band removed - my stomach started to erode around the band, and I was at 40% erosion at the time of diagnosis. I was not in any pain or having any adverse effects. After the band was removed there had to be some repairs to fix the erosion. Today, seven months later, I still occasionally will feel "stuck" if I am eating too fast, or swallowed a big, less than moderately chewed bite. Other than that, my stomach feels the same as before. As far as being able to keep up with the weightloss, unfortunately I cannot at this time claim to be one of the successful ones in that regard. My hunger has returned to the same level as before, as has my capacity for quantity, and I find myself in the same struggle I had before I was banded. I have since regained 30 of the 100 pounds I lost thanks to my band, and I miss my band everyday. If you decide to have your band removed, I would advise you to seek counseling specific to compulsive overeating to help you after the band is gone. Even if you DON'T decide to have your band removed, I think the counseling is a good idea anyway. Even though my weight is slipping back up, I still think those 6 months in counseling are 6 of the most valuable months of my life. I remain hopeful about my condition, and wake up to a new day and new possibilities everyday. Again - I have NO WAY of judging your pain level - I cannot advise you if what you are feeling is "normal" or not - only you can determine what is the best for you. I wish I had my band back, and I sobbed for a week when I learned it had to be taken away. I had been banded for 18 months. Best wishes.

Re: your pain - sorry you didn't come across these old posts!! lol pain survey - Julie H, 11-5-2003 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=946 <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1337 I am the super pain weenie. Right after surgery, I'd say I was at 8-9. Everything was extremely uncomfortable, I was hot, my throat was dry, I felt big as a house. Moving me into my hospital bed was not fun. I was on oxygen, and hated it. I finally took the mask off myself after an hour or two - I just couldn't take it anymore. Then, just laying still, I'd say the pain was at a 6 the first night. Throughout the night it continued to drop as long as I stayed still. They administered pain meds through the night on a schedule - I never asked for it. I took all the pain meds they gave me when I got home. Throughout the first 12 days, I had painful burping. Day 1 - 8-9 - surgery day Day 2 - 4 (when still), 6-7 when trying to move. Lived on couch. Day 3 - 1 (when still), 6 when trying to move. Lived on couch. Day 4 - 1 (when still), 6 when trying to move. Lived on couch. Day 5 - 1 (when still), 8 getting into/out of the car, 3 sitting for 8 hours at work, 5 getting up and walking Day 6 - 1 (when still), 8 getting into/out of the car, 3 sitting for 8 hours at work, 5 getting up and walking Day 7 - 1 (when still), 8 getting into/out of the car, 2 sitting for 8 hours at work, 4 getting up and walking Day 8 - 1 (when still), 7 getting into/out of the car, 2 sitting for 8 hours at work, 4 getting up and walking Day 8's BIG MISTAKE - went to choir practice - 2.5 hours of deep breathing, sustained support Day 9 - 3 (when still), 8 getting into/out of the car, 4 sitting for 6 hours at work, 6 getting up and walking. Left work early. Crashed on couch. Sick as a dog, thought I was going to die. Lots of waves of nausea, no actual throwing up. Day 10 - 4 when still, 6 getting up. Sick as a dog, thought I was going to die. Lots of waves of nausea, no actual throwing up. Lived on couch. Day 11 - 4 when still, 6 getting up. Sick as a dog, thought I was going to die. Lots of waves of nausea, no actual throwing up. Lived on couch. By 6pm I decided to go to the grocery store and get more supplies. Two severe waves of nausea while shopping, still did not throw up. Day 12 - 0 when still, 2 when moving (back to work) Day 13 - 0 when still, 2 when moving Day 14 - 0 when still, 2 when moving Day 15 - 0 when still, 1 when moving Day 16 - 0 when still, 1 when moving Day 17 - 0 when still, 1when moving Day 18 - first day getting in/out of car pain free - whoo hoo!

Cold/ICY = greater restriction. If you already have too much restriction, you should stick to warm/hot beverages. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but that's the way it goes...

Morbid Obesity is a DISEASE. It has been recognized as a disease since 1985(!!!!) by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is going to be a long rant… I mean, post. The longer I thought about doctors who make a patient lose weight before weightloss surgery as “proof” of their commitment to a healthier lifestyle, the angrier I got. I am FURIOUS. I am INCENSED. These surgeons are making their livings “treating” obesity, and THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT OBESITY TO CALL IT A DISEASE. THEY DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT OBESITY TO REALIZE THAT IN 1991, THE NIH CONCLUDED IN ITS CONSENSUS CONFERENCE THAT DIETS, EXERCISE PROGRAMS, APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS AND BEHAVIOR MODIFCATIONS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE THERAPIES. YES, I am YELLING. Because if they DID, they would NEVER tell a patient who desperately needed their help that they must lose weight FIRST – to PROVE they are serious about getting better!!!! And to have this kind of attitude propagated on a weightloss SUPPORT board as acceptable under ANY kind of circumstances is absolutely reprehensible, and a symptom of just how well the prejudice against fat people is accepted. Not only is it tolerated, it is expected as our “just” punishment for being fat. Because after all, we are merely gluttons. The formula is so simple: too many calories in = too much fat. So diet and exercise. Too bad for you that you’re not one of the “normal” people who can regularly consume more calories than they need without getting fat – you are NOT a “normal” person, so you must just go hungry and exercise your butt off. Guess what? The formula is NOT that simple. NO ONE really knows the complete explanation of why some people become MO and some people don’t. But not understanding “why” is NO excuse for discriminating against the MO, or continuing to blame the patient for their disease. If a person could not swim, would it be acceptable for the lifeguard to say, “I could save you, but FIRST you must swim 20 feet to PROVE that you really want to be saved.”? Or better yet, “You can’t swim, so you should never have come into the Water in the first place. Why should I bother saving you? This is your fault.” Except in the extreme cases of denying organ transplants to smokers and alcoholics, I have NEVER heard of denying treatment until the patient starts to get better on their own as an acceptable medical response. (I’m not saying I agree with the transplant thing, just that I have heard that a smoker who doesn’t quit wouldn’t be considered for a lung transplant, and an alcoholic that doesn’t quit wouldn’t be considered for a liver transplant. I don’t even know if that’s true – I’ve just heard it.) Diabetics are not denied medication until they can prove they can get their blood sugar under control with a commitment to eliminating sugars from their diet and exercise. Smokers are not denied the nicotine patch until they can prove that they can quit smoking for four weeks first. A double-amputee is not denied their prosthetics to enable them to walk until they walk two blocks without the prosthetics, to PROVE that they really want to walk again FIRST. The prosthetics, after all, are just TOOLS – not “cures” for amputeeism. People with high cholesterol are not denied medication until they are able to lower their cholesterol first, through diet and exercise. If a depressed person goes to the doctor for treatment, and they meet the protocol, the doctor would NEVER say “Snap out of it first. Then I’ll give you the medication you need to maintain a non-depressed state.” Anorexics are never told "JUST eat!!" Their condition is taken very seriously, and requires medical and psychological intervention. I ask you all, then, WHY IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO REQUIRE A MO PERSON TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE TREATMENT?!?!?!? YES, we have to make lifestyle changes – but just like the amputee, we can’t do it without a TOOL. We have a DISEASE. I feel that I have done the emotional work. I have completed a professional counseling program specifically for compulsive overeaters. I’ve been hypnotized. I’ve done every diet known to man, and some that I made up myself. How DARE ANYONE tell me that I am NOT serious about losing weight?!?! I cried on the way into work this morning thinking about this. I am crying now. I will NOT accept punishment for this disease. I will NOT accept blame for this disease. I WILL accept the responsibility of doing something about it, however. But I cannot do it alone – because I am NOT “normal”, and I will ALWAYS need some sort of treatment to HELP me, until they find a cure. And I cannot stand by and let anyone forget that we are NOT here because of some moral failing, some character flaw, some personal weakness. We are here because we have a DISEASE. We need treatment, not judgment. If we were not serious about getting better, we would not be here. NO ONE deserves to feel badly about themselves because they have a disease. NO ONE should be made to jump through hoops to prove they want to recover from their disease. MO is NOT A CHARACTER FLAW. This is NOT my opinion – this is medical FACT. It is up to US to know and understand this, and to eradicate the long-held beliefs that we have allowed to shame us for all of our lives. We must NEVER EVER allow anyone to get away with propagating beliefs that MO is anything but a disease that requires medical treatment. *************** http://216.239.63.104/search?q=cache:OTJxKzuvN8QJ:www.shapeup.org/profcenter/diabesity/PoriesPres.ppt+is+morbid+obesity+a+disease%3F&hl=en "The truth is that Morbid obesity is a disease, not a moral failing." “Obesity is a chronic, lifelong, genetically-related, life-threatening disease with highly significant medical, psychological, social, physical, and economic co-morbidities.” Statement on morbid obesity and its treatment. Obesity Surgery 1997 7:40-41 “In 1991, the National Institutes of Health concluded in its Consensus Conference that diets, exercise programs, appetite suppressants and behavior modifications are not effective therapies.” Report of the Consensus Conference on Surgery of Morbid Obesity, National Institutes of Health, Washington, DC 1991 ************** http://www.rsapc1.com/morbid_obesity_surgery/ "Morbid obesity is the most common form of malnutrition in the United States and in the world today. It is considered after smoking to be the second leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It is a chronic disease which is very complex and has multiple etiologies." "We lose over 300,000 patients a year to morbid obesity and morbid obesity related medical problems." "There are social, psychosocial and economic consequences of morbid obesity that can be devastating. Unfortunately, the prejudice against the obese is very common in our society." "Conservative management of morbid obesity that includes diet, behavioral modifications, exercise programs and the like have been found to be ineffective over the long term. A person who is morbidly obese who attempts conservative management, as mentioned above, either alone or in any combination, is not expected to be successful more than 5% of the time. Over 95% of patients who are morbidly obese and meet the criteria for morbid obesity will regain their weight and often overshoot their previous weight. Surgery for morbid obesity is the only method that has resulted in long-term maintenance of weight loss and the reduction of the comorbid diseases that are associated with morbid obesity. In particular, hypertension, dibetes mellitus, risks for coronary disease, osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and many others. Morbid obesity is a chronic disease which is defined as a disruption of bodily function that develops slowly and persists for an extended period of time and often for life. It is multifactorial and includes genetic predisposition, environmental factors, social economic factors, cultural influences, hormonal influences and digestive abnormalities. In 1985 morbid obesity was recognized as a disease with associated comorbid diseases by the National Institute of Health. In 1991, surgical weight loss stated to be superior to nonsurgical weight loss methods and that only surgical intervention produced acceptable long-term results. In 1993 the National Institute of Health recognized the vertical banded gastroplasty and the gastric bypass procedure to be effective in significant reduction of excess body weight. The National Institute of Health recognizes morbid obesity as being an epidemic that can only be reduced significantly by surgical intervention for both morbid obesity and its associated comorbid problems." **************** http://www.landauercosmeticsurgery.co.uk/obesity/ "OBESITY: A MEDICAL CONDITION People who suffer from obesity are poorly misunderstood by those of the population who are not obese. There is a common attitude that overweight people are stupid and unable to control themselves. People who are obese are often the brunt of cruel jokes and thoughtless humour, even to the point of suffering abusive comments in public places. We now know that the medical condition of morbid obesity is a complex disorder, and not simply due to over-eating. The vast majority of people living in the Western World eat more calories than they need but it is only a small proportion that relentlessly lay down every excess calorie in their fat stores. Most people have a mechanism, by which their body knows when their stores have been refilled, but there is an unfortunate group of people where this mechanism is defective, and when they eat it can be likened to filling up the bath with the overflow blocked off. There are of course no fat people in starvation areas of the world, but this is because these are regions with chronic malnutrition and nobody there has access to even adequate calories. People who are morbidly obese often find it difficult to believe that their problem is a medical disease and not simply due to overeating. MORBID OBESITY IN FAMILIES The disorder of morbid obesity often runs in families. The chance of having morbid obesity is clearly increased if other people in your family have the condition. Studies of identical twins who were separated at birth and brought up separately show that if one twin becomes obese, then the other one is likely to become obese as well."

Whoo hoo!!! Super congrats!

Definitely time for a slight unfill. IMHO.