leatha_g

Yes. I take coumadin , which I hate to take. I have it checked very often to make sure it's at the right levels. (Twice this week since surgery.) I did have a vena cava filter put in at the time of my first banding last year. Such a relief to have that secondary precaution! For me to have any kind of surgery or extensive dental work, I have to stop my coumadin at least 5 days in advance, then I have to give myself shots of Lovenox for those days in the interim and until I begin my coumadin and get it back to a therapeutic level. No emergency surgery for me, unless it absolutely IS an emergency. Then, I've learned they can give me shots of Vitamin K to thicken the blood. It sucks and I hate it. However, I begged off of it after the first DVT and wound up with a PE 6 months later. During this time, I was also on Hormone Replacement Patches which they made me take off immediately. That proved almost harder to get over than the DVT! 2001 was a year of hell for me. I've spent the 3 yrs in between trying to get back to something close to what I was before all this began.

Amen! Thank you so much for saying this! I could not agree more. Leatha

Yes! Once you have had a clot, the valves in the arteries have been damaged and it's almost inevitable that you'll have another. The artery walls themselves are affected as well. Then, sometimes a person has certain qualities in their blood which causes it to be 'sticky' or too thick. I've had all kinds of tests for hereditary factors or certain syndromes because I have systemic lupus and my father's side of the family have a terrible history of clots. They tell me I probably do have some sort of disorder, but it has yet to be named. I guess we could call it the 'lethal' syndrome. lol (but not cause it's funny.)

It is very common to be more tight in the mornings. Some people drink warm liquids and this tends to relax the band some. I have a problem with eggs too. If I scramble them, I have to mush them with the fork before I eat them or they'll surely get stuck. Interestingly, though. I can eat a Protein bar - which I do often. You may want to try some different things. Maybe a Protein Drink in the mornings or Carnation Instant Breakfast. Maybe try a warm drink first, then some harder Proteins.??

I think you've done a fine job Chris!! Seems like you and I could be band twins. We're both in the same size clothing too. I think 52 lbs in a year is the perfect amount to lose!! If you're like me, it's totally opposite from the direction you were going when you had this surgery. At the rate I was going, I would have gained another 52. I say congratulations and keep up the good work!!:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I believe both of my clots - dvt and pe - were caused by my sitting at the puter for hours on end. The chances can only be mulitiplied by any recent invasive surgery.

Zoe, Just remember to get up and move about pretty regularly. Sitting at the puter for long periods actually does put you at risk for clots. Early on. I'd try to get up and move at least every half hour or so. Just a friendly reminder from a friend who's been there..

Yes. I think it plays every now and then. I've seen it a couple of times. I'm a big Heart fan anyway. I just love Ann Wilson! Some say she 'should' have lost better. I say any loss is better than no loss and I think she's beautiful! I think we get way too caught up in the 'fast' results, when the goal is really not about how we look to others or what size clothes we can get into. This is a drastic measure, taken by those whose health had gone astray. Everyday, I look in the mirror and I think to myself. I hate my arms. To me, they are so unsightly for wearing sleeveless clothes. My thighs are sagging where I've lost weight. My tummy is a scary sight to behold (especially since I'm the incision Queen.) but the focus of my journey is working. I can breathe now. I can wipe my own behind without having to be an acrobat. My center of gravity is returning. My cholesterol isn't an embarrassment anymore or a danger to my very existence. These are the reasons I got my band. Anything else is purely bonus!

Texans are definitely represented on this site. Welcome Lisa! Dr S was my first doc of choice. I really liked him but due to some health history, he refused me .:think I often wonder how things might have gone if he'd have taken the challenge. lol You'll find lots of caring and support here. Feel free to check out all the pasts postings. There's lots of good experience to mine. Welcome again! Leatha

Tricia, The band does help with hunger later down the road. It is the restriction that helps with that. Sometimes, it takes a few tweaks to get there. Zoe , you sound like you're doing well! Pam - My first week was the worst too. There is no way I could have worn binding clothes at all the first week. The second week, they would definitely still have to be loose. Undergarments are even questionable the first week. I took 2 full weeks off because I could, but also because of the lifting aspect. I travel and just didn't think lifting a 50lb suitcase was real smart at that point. I still have port pain on occasion, if I wear binding clothes, but with weightloss that seems to be getting better. The port migrates lower as you lose. Pam, there are some pretty graphic photos from a few of us on this site somewhere. We've had some fun comparing bruises in the past. lol. Do a search on Darcy, Donali, myself (I can't think of who else - maybe someone else can.)

Paula, It's very common for newly banded people to be frustrated in the beginning. Remember, this is a slow weight loss surgery. It is not meant for you to drop the weight EVERY day or EVERY week. The 'average' is 5-10lbs per month. It is said 'average' because you simply may not lose every week or even every month, but you will average out over a period of time. If you are pb'ing, I'm not sure a fill is a good choice. But, I have attached a link that you should save to your favorites and use on a regular basis for this type of frustration. I struggle all the time, but I can honestly say I know it's because the choices I make are not always the best. Even more funny, sometimes I think I've really pigged out, then I drop 5lbs at a time. Our bodies are just beginning to understand what it is we're doing. At first, they'll balk, but you may be 'compacting' due to a new exercise regime. The band can only meet us halfway and I promise to you that you will NOT be the one person it doesn't work for if you are doing your half. Here's the link: http://bigolalaskan.com/lapband/fills.htm Also, it might help to track your intake through www.fitday.com for a few days just to see where your Protein, carbs, fat, calories all really landing. It is possible you're eating too little, or too much. Or maybe your carbs are too high. Some of us just cannot lose on carbs. If I focus on my protein, I will lose everytime!! This, from your band mom! Who weighs 185 this morning.

Marie, If you'll post one, or send one to me in in email. I'll try to make it work for you. It's tough to get them very clear at that size, which is frustrating, but I'll do what I can.

K, now - you have to go into your profile page and select to add an avatar. Go to User CP - Edit Options, then at the very bottom of the page there is an Avatar Option. You will have to save the smaller photo to your harddrive first, then in the Avatar option, chooose it and upload it to your profile.

The avatar can only be 50x50 pixels. Which is very small. A normal sized photo has to be saved to that size. I'm no pro, but let's see what this does.

THREAD HIJACK!!!!! Whippledaddy got a picture!! Whippledaddy got a picture!! nanny nanny boo boo!!

It's very common that people feel that way in the post op, pre-fill stage. 11lbs is good. Don't beat yourself up. Sometimes, the first fill gives you some restriction. Sometimes you have to tweak it a little more. Remember, this is for life, there is no deadline or race. Keep your chin up! Leatha

Good luck, Kimber!! Please let us know how you are doing! Leatha

Okay. Now, I'm getting worried. I recall Terri saying she was going on vacation but, allright already.

Terri, I miss yewwwwwwwwwwwwww!! Are you okay? Don't make me come lookin for you.

I wouldn't worry too much about pajamas. Unless you're planning to stay awhile, you will probably never wear them. If you were going out of country for a few days, maybe. Mostly, the first thing you do is give up your clothes then the last thing you wanna do is put anything binding on when you leave. An over-the-head loose fitting house/summer dress is your best bet for getting home. Take what you can use..

Yes. I do believe you call it jelly.

I don't think they have time to sit and read these websites. lol. If they did, I doubt they'd be vigilent enough to find any one particular person. If they do - I want their job! LOL I don't see any mailbox by my name?

Koukla, I love mexican food too! Welcome! You''ve lost 60 lbs in 5 months! I'd say that's plenty awesome and well above the average for the band. I'm sure you're feeling wonderful! I've lost 64 in over a year. lol. The band is meant to be slower, so that your weight loss will be more healthy. You don't lose muscle, etc, etc. I'm sure you've heard all of that. I'd say give yourself a pat on the back. I don't think it's bad that you love mexican food. The band is not meant to be a 'diet', it's meant to help us learn to eat in moderation. If you're losing and not packing your pouch (it will stretch) then it sounds like you're doing fine. Congrats!! I've attached a link to a great quiz to check whether you REALLY need a fill or 'other' adjustments. Enjoy! http://bigolalaskan.com/lapband/fills.htm Leatha

I had this sent to me in email, however, the title to the email then said, "Why I love my mom'. I think that threw a whole new light on the gist of the story. I love my mother. Leatha

I had Cigna PPO. I simply called them to ask the status of my request for approval. The guy I spoke with gave me his name so that I could ask for him directly if I called again. Luckily, I had my approval within one week of the time they received it, however I had some pretty serious co-morbidities. I'm 5'1 and weighed 250 with a history of blood clots in the legs and lung, systemic lupus, depression, etc, etc. They're pretty tough, so I hear from others, but if your doc turned it in, I'd get on the horn tomorrow and see if they've recieved it and what the status is. Then, I'd ask how long you could expect to wait for an answer. Hope this helps!