Mischief

I was banded 9/23/2011 - my surgeon primed the band with 3.5cc at the time of surgery; However, I had to return to the Dr. and have a total unfill 3 days post surgery - I had swollen to the point where i could not keep down anything, even liquid pain meds. So, now I am almost 7 months post-surgery. Down about 60 lbs, with 60 more to go, and I just now have 4.5cc in a 10cc band - I seem to be doing well - I can eat almost everything as long as I take my time, chew well, and eat slowly (the eat slowly part has always been part of my difficuties). I have had fills as small as .25cc and have never received more than .5cc at any one time. Progress is slower than I hoped, and I feel as if I am working at this hard -- going to the gym to workout at least 3 or 4 times per week - difficult for me due to osteoarthritis in both knees, but I do the recombent bike for 10 miles and swim 1/4 mile each time at the gym. I do not regret the band -- it has put me on track for better health overall. I am rewarding myself with a trip to Europe in June - London/Prague/Budapest. I now feel like I can sit in one of those nasty airplane seats (in the cheap seats) without feeling guilty, and I am really looking forward to it. I feel as if the band is what I thought it would be -- just one tool to assist me in reaching better health goals - but it won't do the work for you -- you have to do the work for yourself, just with a little help from "Skinny" (that's what I've named my band). Hope all of you do well with your journey.

Hate the whole concept of "working out"! It just doesn't seem to be in me to get excited about going to a gym to exercise. BUT.....if I can DO SOMETHING that is a physical activity I enjoy and get in some good ole' sweat time in the process - then I'm good with that. Perhaps you could find something you enjoy doing that physical and enjoyable at the same time. I'm in Michigan, so winter months can be more challenging, but during the spring-fall months, I enjoy kayaking, horseback riding, golf, and so forth. It doesn't strike me as much as "exercise" when I'm doing something else -- even if it's mucking out stalls in the barn - I enjoy it much more because I can take a breather and pet noses with the horses. As you lose weight, you might seek out activities that you might enjoy - even if they are non-traditional. I know several women who have become interested in fly-fishing, archery, hiking, etc. -- especially if you can find someone else to share these events with. A day on the river paddling with my BFF is a lot more fun that hours spent on a treadmill. Just a thought.....

Pendulum - I love me some pets also!! Any guy who is willing to give a boost to elder basset (they are so darn cute) gets a thumbs-up from me. Post-surgery (I'm about 4.5 weeks out - was banded 9/20/11) I was able to sleep in any position except on my stomach. My pets crawl all over me - and I was comfortable as long as they stayed away from the port incision - mine is about parallel with my belly button and 6 inches to the right. It's only been the last week or so that my port incision area hasn't been tender to the touch. I live in rural area, and heat our farmhouse with wood. Fall is chainsaw and wood stocking time for my husband and I -- but this year I've had to take a back seat and enlist assistance from some of his buddies -- I'm not able to run the chainsaw for more than a few minutes, and am not able to help with loading/unloading the tractor trailer either. We grew pumpkins, and I was sharing some with one of my coworkers yesterday -- I helped her put a box of about 30 small pumpkins in her car -- and I'm still feeling it today. I think it will be a good while after surgery before you would be able to comfortably lift 75 lbs., especially on a repetitive basis. (I do human services work -- if your employer employs more than 50 employees -- you should be eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave with your return rights to your job guaranteed -- if you do physically demanding work - don't hesitate to utilize this process.) Rushing back is NOT worth long-term injury, and I understand this can also cause the band to "slip" or prolapse -- definitely not a good thing. I hope you and the pups all do well.

Rachael: First, thank you for being such a positive force on this blog. I've appreciated your words of reassurance and positive attitude. Next - I sincerely think you need to have a direct conversation with your surgeon, explaining to s/he what your concerns are. It makes me wonder a little bit - why did two obviously beneficial members of his staff choose to leave the practice team? And why has the surgical PA not been replaced by at least an equivalently skilled member? (It is my understanding that a surgical PA receives training above and beyond the "normal" PA level -- and that education and increased skill should not be discarded lightly.) I would not phrase it in a threatening manner - but let the surgeon know that your pre-op exploration of the process included an assessment of the post-op treatment available to you. Just because the surgery is behind you does NOT mean the "task" is compete. Your journal is still mid-stream, and you NEED and have a right to expect the entire post-surgical team to support you along the way. Congratulations on your weight loss to date -- I've always found your pic to be quite attractive. You've lost a considerable chunk of weight quite quickly -- I think it is reasonable to give your body an opportunity to catch up. I'm betting that as your exercise routine goes along, you're going to find that you are more than pleased with the resulting changes in your body. Hang in there -- I think you've done a wonderful job thus far, and show all the signs of continuing your weight-loss journey to a beautiful conclusion! Congratulate yourself on your accomplishment. If you don't find satisfaction with your current surgical team, I'm sure you will be able to find a better fit to work with. It's your body, your health, and your $$ -- one GOOD thing about the US health care system (at least somewhat -- limited to your insurance policies exclusions) free to shop for a better fit if needed.

VERY COOL!! Congratulations on this grand step in your journey. Take pride in your accomplishment - and move forward with your new life. I can't wait to get there and join you in a new healthier life.

Funny -- I saw the tag line on your post and thought, "That's so ME!". I'm two weeks post-surgery, but for the entire time pre- and post-op, I've DREAMED about food all night long. I've always enjoyed cooking, and trying new types of foods -- dreamed of varieties of scrambled eggs for a week straight! I'm thinking that in my case at least, it may continue. I quit smoking cigarettes over 30 years ago, but still occasionally smoke in my dreams -- so vivid I can actually taste the menthol in the tobacco (I think I was almost as addicted to the menthol as I was to the actual tobacco). Hang in there -- mine have diminished a bit. I just got approved to go to "mushies", and have been thinking about those scrambled eggs for dinner tomorrow night! At least I'm thinking about those and not a dish of ice cream.

I'm yet another diet coke addict! I was consuming up to 8 cans of soda a day - and more on hot summer days or when I was "socializing". What helped me the most was transitioning to an alternate drink. I find that I really like SOBE Vitamin Water - they make a zero calorie option that I've found quite tasty. PROS - I've been soda-free since my surgery 9/20/2011. CONS - (1) it's even more expensive than soda; (2) it's unavailable at restaurants, movies, etc. I find myself sneeking in my own beverages. Another option - my grocery store (Kroger) just started carrying a small liquid additive that you can mix with bottled water yourself - found it in the aisle with Kool-aid, and it's worked out well. (I've also added these drops to plain yougurt during the full-liquid stage of my diet, and it helps add flavor without any additional calories or fruit lumps.

I don't know how adventurous an eater you might be, but I found that the international section of my local grocery (which has a fairly large selection of international foods due to diversity of our local university community) gave me more options with greater flavor. One of my favorites to date (I'm 2 weeks post-surgery today) is Red Curry Lentil Soup - very creamy and flavorful. I have also liked the Indian section - lentil soups. Hang in there -- I'm struggling with the extended liquid diet portion of this thing - but am determined to make it WORK -- I'm 56 years old, having fought with being overweight ALL of my life -- and am SO READY to put it behind me. I'm certain that this is the longest period I have been sans meat since my baby teeth emerged - craving meat like crazy, but keep telling myself that this is one short period of my life -- and the future lies ahead. Good luck on your journey!

I was banded on 9/20, and also had to have some fill removed from the band because of swelling. Every time I tried to swallow Water, my chest (right at the sternum) felt like it was on FIRE. They removed 3.5cc of Fluid and I felt INSTANTLY better. I can't have any of the foods you list yet, though -- I see my surgeon for follow-up on 10/5 - and HOPE that they will let me advance to soft mushies at that point. Tuna sounds like heaven right now, but at least I can have Soup - much better than the clear liquid diet. The unfill process wasn't as bad as I had feared either. I assume putting fluid in is basically the same. Down 25 lbs from 9/6 -- that Protein diet really kicked my butt!! I actually think I can begin to see difference in shape of my face. Congrats on your success so far!

Jason: Wow - sorry to hear that your journey started out with so many issues. Hopefully, with your first fill, you will find progress at last. Hang in there! I was banded on 9/20 - things have gone along pretty well so far - I had to return to the surgeon on 9/23 to have some of the Fluid removed from the band - I had swollen to the point where even swallowing Water hurt. The surgeon removed 3.5cc from the band and it was like heaven - I immediate felt so much better. I was really anxious about the fill process, but it wasn't painful, even though the port incision was still very bruised and hadn't had a chance to heal yet. So...I guess i worried about that for nothing. Unlike others, I didn't have my breakdowns POST surgery - but for two days PRE surgery, I would cry at the drop of a hat. Just an emotional rollercoaster ride. All's good now though. I returned to work on 9/26 - six days post-surgery. The day went fine (office worker, so no real physical stressors). I've been open with my coworkers about the procedure - and they have been supportive. I just feel that I utilize technology in all other aspects of my life - why not utilize technology available in health care. I'm 56 years old and have ridden the weight rollercoaster for my entire life - time to jump the track. My Dr. recommends one week of Clear Liquids post-surgery, so today is my first day of full liquids. I never thought I would actually have dreams about cream of tomato soup! It tasted like heaven. Two weeks of just Protein shakes, SF Jello and popsicles pre surgery - one week of clear liquids, this was the first thing I've had since Labor Day that actually tasted like food. YUMMMY......but I think I'd been thinking about it all day at work - I was like STARVING when I got home - first time since surgery I've felt that way. I'm already looking forward to diluted cream of wheat tomorrow.

I'm on day 10 of a 14-day pre-op diet. The pre-op diet my doc uses consists of only 3 Protein shakes, 1 Protein Bar and unlimited sugar-free Jello and/or popsickles. On Tuesday 9/13 I weighed in at 10 pounds less than I did on 9/06 -- and was really excited! But today, I'm actually UP 3 pounds from my 9/13 total. Freaking OUT!! How can you possibly be eating nothing but Protein Shakes and GAIN weight?? I'm anxious that my doc will cancel the surgery -- she's been a real stickler for rules. (No diet sodas or carbonated drinks, no smokers, no marijuana - LOTS of pre-surgery hurdles to jump (EKG, blood work, pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy, chest Xray on....and on...and on...and on. It took me from February to September to get a consultation. Surgery is scheduled for September 2, and I'm so worried that she'll cancel on me. Anyone else gain weight on a pre-op diet?? Any suggestions?? I've cancelled out all but 2 very small (1/8 cup) additions of SF jello, but still on the upswing.

My Doc's office is very conservative when it comes to pre-op preparations. I began the journey in February 2011 - did not have my consultation until September 2. Pre-op consisted of 6 weeks of informational seminars - Chest XRay - a MONSTROUS blood work up (I had hepititis at age 8 - the blood work they took then was NOTHING compared to the draw they took here!!) - Psych consult - letter from my personal physician - sleep study - EKG - Mammogram - Pap Smear - Colonoscopy - multiple visits with nutritionist and 6 MONTHS of negative testing for nicotine, alcohol and drugs. I was left with the impression that they were going to determine pre-surgery whether you had the stamina to actually stick with it and how determined you are go succeed in the process. When the consultation appointment arrived, though, then things have moved along quite quickly. Began 2-week mandatory liquid Protein diet on 9/6 and am scheduled for surgery on 9/20. Only FOUR days and my journey truly begins! Good luck with your surgery!!

Thanks much for the replies! I'm certain that the shakes are not my problem - they are New Directions Weight Control shakes - they are mandatory purchases in the pre-op surgery stage - sold by my Drs. Office. Very Low Calorie - High Protein etc. I'm just hoping that by some miracle, the pounds drop off before Monday (day before surgery) - and that she doesn't cancel me out. It's been such a long haul to get to this point, I'm so ready to just "do the deed" and begin the process of becoming a healthier me.