leatha_g

Awesome! Sounds like it's not so bad after all, huh? Welcome to Bandland!

It's okay Alex. Everything will probably be negative, but even if you did have Mitral Valve Prolapse it's a very benign malfunction caused by the mitral valve occasionally 'sticking' open. Generally, it will exhibit possible palpitations, lightheadedness maybe, but it's not a dangerous or life-threatening thing. It's very common among women especially.

Hood Carb Countdown is great for mixing Carnation Instant Breakfast and much higher in protein than regular milk with less carbs. I love it! I also use it with Oregon brand Chai Tea and it is WONDERFUL! Personally, I used Atkins ready to drink shakes and I found them to be fine, especially refrigerated. Also, jello is your friend, it at least allows you think you are getting something semi-solid. You'll find that warm broths really make you feel like you're getting something nice too. Campbells Soup-at-Hand was my 'main course' meals quite often. It's all temporary and very worth it. Temptation is there to try things that are not recommended but this time is not meant for 'tolerated' foods, it is meant for liquids only so that your band may heal in place which will help to prevent slippage later on or even early on. Causing your stomach to grind and churn to digest at this time is pretty much putting your band at risk, don't do it if you can help it! Good luck!

I've had several echocardiograms. Very simple procedure. What they are mostly looking for is any problems with valves in the heart, enlargement etc. She may be thinking Mitral Valve Prolapse because of the dizzyness. They may see the band, but it shouldn't present a problem. You'll find it very interesting.

Hope everything went great! Keep us posted!

As everyone else has stated, this really is a normal part of the process. Mourning that which was, fear of the unknown. I think, for me, I was mourning the fact that although I am a very strong and determined person, this was one thing in my life I could not beat or overcome with grace. In ways, I felt like I had failed and somehow I had some character flaw that made me inadequate. Occasionally, I still think I want MORE than my band thinks I need to eat, especially if it's something really tasty or one of my old favorite foods, but I have come to really appreciate the fact that I don't have to feel 'stuffed' like I used to or go to bed feeling guilty for having eaten too much at dinner and after dinner, etc. I really feel 'relief' from the burden of food and I can't tell you what the loss of 75lbs has done for my health and general well being. Try not to let it get you down. Perspective is everything. You are not really losing anything, but weight and the prospect for a terrible unhealthy future. Yes, there are adjustments to be made, but you'll be surprised at what a relief it is to not have 'food' as your master anymore. You'll come to a place where activity takes up more of your time. Buying new clothes, cleaning out the old. Taking walks, riding bikes, dancing, smiling, feeling so much better mentally and physically. One year from now this pre-op period will be but a faint memory in your thinner, healthier new life.

My cholesterol was 309 when I decided to be banded. I take 40mg of Zocor everyday. My family has a bad hereditary cholesterol problem, but mine is now 161. My doctor and I are going to try a lesser dosage to see if the actual weight loss/exercise/diet change will manage the lower number or if I truly need the higher dose. I can sure see no good reason why NOT to have the band so that you can get that down to a healthier level. I also take blood thinners due to blood clotting issues in the past and various other meds for GERD, Depression etc. My band has in no way caused a problem with any of that.

It's amazing once we get off the JUNK, how obvious it becomes that it really WAS JUNK all along! My favorite burger joint used to be the best burger around, but I ran into the same 'cardboard' effect too. I think it's ME that's changed, not the burger itself. Jessie Ahroni states over and over, since we get so little to eat, let's not make it junk - go for quality instead. I do, however, sometimes just HAVE to go through that drive through to remind myself it's not all my brain would have me thinking it was. I love my band!

I used Dr Veninga in Carrollton. I did not have to have such rigid weight loss information. I simply wrote down all the previous attempts, such as Diet Center, Nutri System, Weight Watchers. How long I was on them, how much I lost, how much I gained back, etc. Things are tougher with other insurances. I wish you luck!

Leatha1960 I played Keno and Solitaire last night.

Great to hear you FINALLY got approved!! Awesome!

WOOHOO!!! Great news!! Congrats!!

Then you must know my man 'The Nuge'. Where you shopping? I'm in Texas.

Happy Healthier Birthday to you Teresa!! You're doing an awesome job!

When changing clothes is aerobic activity. When there is no room for water in the tub because your body took up all the space. You HAVE to get pedicures because you can't maneuver enough to groom your own toenails. You stop buying shoes that tie because you can't reach them to tie them. You go without a coat in the cold because you ALREADY feel like the Michelin man.

I've had band slippage/pouch dilation which required band replacement 15 months after my initial banding, then gallbladder surgery exactly 6 weeks following the replacement and if they told me today I had to replace it again, I would (if my insurance would go for it.) I'd also put in a zipper if that were necessary to re-do it EVERY year. My loss has been pretty slow comparatively, but all in all, I've had a great journey and I'd definitely do it again! Good luck with your research.

I try to stay away from fast food too often. It is exactly what got me here to begin with. If I absolutely HAVE to have something, I've learned the Naked Chicken Strips at Popeyes are good and usually I fill up on 1 or 2. For a treat, occasionally I'll go for a Crispy Taco and Beans and Cheese at Taco Bell. Chicken strips is a good standby, but the breading will cost you weight loss - wise. Eating out in restaurants, I have become quite the conossieur of crabcakes, salmon cakes, chicken marsala, mahi mahi. Mostly appetizers are always plenty. I eat alot of chili too. I skip the fries, but if they come on a plate, I do usually sample 3-4 just to say I did it. I've found the burgers without bread are rather scary after not having eaten them in awhile. Nowadays, they seem mostly stringy and full of filler and with our small pouches, it's just not worth wasting the space on such yukky food.

I play Solitaire and Canasta. Alot of the other Yahoo games. Haven't tried Pogo. Guess I'll have to check that out. Otherwise, I'm traveling the country doing mainframe conversions for a Healthcare account and stay onsite for several weeks training the users how to use the system.

I would definitely encourage him to repair it NOW as there have been numerous folks who had to go back and have it repaired later. The restriction seems to exacerbate the stretching of such a hernia which can cause problems with slippage/pouch dilation later on. Defintely something to discuss with your doctor.

Delarla, I, for one, certainly don't want your blood, but I AM getting concerned about how you are reacting to all of this. Are you okay?

Sounds like you had a great experience! Welcome Home! Keep us updated on your progress!

Johnson and Johnson is currently in clinical trials.

(((((BIG HUGSS)))) We like Hugs.

AMEN!! Thanks Carol! You're a doll!

I would like to have the crab dip recipe, if you get time. Thanks Carol!!