Sojourner

Janet...I hope you are feeling better now...I imagine that could be scary for the grand kids.

Just stopping by to say "Hi"... Today was better, I still had the Headache this morning, but the medication kept it at a minimum. I did not push myself today, and did not get as much accomplished as I wanted. But I did get over to the rec center for my minutes on the recumbent bike! Terri, beautiful quilt and lovely Goddaughter! Janet, definitely prayers for Maddy that all will go well... Dawn, so pleased to read that your focus is back and your funk gone! Michelle...it's always a relief to know the situation you are dealing with, and can take effective action. Your son will adjust, and likely will lead the way with his understanding of what he needs to do for himself. Seth did...and he continues to amaze me with all he has achieved. Dee...how is the summer going? What new adventures have you been up to? Diane, I hope and pray that you are home and your brother improving... I don't know what the schedule is tomorrow. Jack has an appointment in the morning, and we will know more then. Happy Friday everyone...hugs...

My band has not slipped, but it is extremely sensitive to my stress level. Recently, because so many major life events were happening all at the same time, my band tightened up to the point where I was having the horrific reflux at night. I had moved to another state, and had to consult with a different surgeon who was not familiar with my medical history. If a band has slipped, the first recommended action is usually to unfill it entirely and wait for 4-6 weeks to see if the band will reposition itself. Unfilling my suddenly overly tight band and following a few simple changes in my evening routine has allowed me to get complete relief from nighttime reflux and decent sleep again. As for revising to another procedure, it would be best to consult with a physician who is aware of your medical history. I have already been advised that I am NOT an acceptable candidate to revise to the sleeve due to my long history with GERD. It is not advisable from what my physicians have told me to allow the band to remain too tight. There are real risks for medical complications. I hope you feel better fast...but in my experience the only way to do that was with a complete unfill.

The Headache is still with me, though a very low grade one now. Dawn, I am on medication to help control Migraines. I thought I did not need it anymore, so my PCP allowed me to quit taking it. That was last year. After a month of 9 migraines, I am now back on the medication. I don't usually get the Migraine with light and audio sensitivity and nausea like I have had this week, I usually have ocular migraines with visual disturbance and little to no pain. Almost as debilitating though, as it takes away my ability to see out of my right eye for usually 20-40 minutes. Not a good thing while driving. I will be back in my office today with boxes of books. We still don't have the scanner/printer set up. The barrister bookcase is now reassembled, so a major step,closer to having my space back. I hope to get back to the fitness center again today, As I have missed being there for the past 2 evenings. I really need to get my focus back to lose the rest of the weight I need to. I'm feeling very thankful,that at least for the present I will,be,able to keep my band. If I do need to have it removed in the future, I would at least prefer to be at my goal,weight. I hope everyone is having a good Thursday...love you all!

Dee, you are going to ace the GED...sometimes the motivation we feel to be successful makes the difference. You certainly have the motivation now. And this will add to your beliefs about your own abilities to be successful! Dawn, you have so much going on in your life now. It's not unusual to have these feelings. So many major life events and changes are coming, I hope you find a sense of peace in knowing you have done an exceptional job being a positive role model,with your daughters, and now it will be your time to design your future. Diane, I hope you are home now...and that your brother's condition continues to improve. You and my our family are in my thoughts and prayers... Terri,you have been uncharacteristically quiet...I hope all,is well. Does Dee live close to Amish country? I remember visiting that area years ago...it was beautiful. I know you will enjoy your visit...and like our meeting in Asheville, you will feel like long time friends even with meeting for the first time! Have a great trip! Michelle...keep breathing deeply when the stress seems to be closing in around you. How is your son? I hope your weather remains moderate...and that you are on your glide path for reaching your goal weight. I guess Nicole has moved on? I hope she is doing well regardless...

Good,Morning All... Janet...so sorry for feeling sad about your mother...I understand how that can be difficult. Be at peace that you have been an attentive and loving daughter, so much more than so many others... On a lighter note...your baby quilt is beyond beautiful. I find it difficult to believe that the pattern is "easy"... It looks quite difficult to me! I hope you and family will find a solution to allow Maddy an opportunity to experience the beach.

Missy, Really there is no problem...just a concern that you assign labels freely ( low carb eating is a fad, so very inaccurate). Encourage others to have a dialogue with their medical team rather than issue labels without professional credentials. My surgeon specifically advised me that " carbs are the culprits for obesity and lack of weight loss." The brain needs carbs to function on, however carb addiction is not a fad or a myth. Unhealthy carbs contribute significantly to obesity. For many people, carbs are a trigger to unhealthy eating which even with a band can contribute to unsuccessful weight loss.

Well, just let me ask you yet again what professional credentials you hold through completing education at accredited institutions of higher learning, along with Board Certification in any medical specialty which gives you the authority to controvert what qualified medical professionals advise their patients?? Though my experience, it is generally agreed that on this open forum we share our experiences, best practices, and sometimes opinions. We all should agree that we are not qualified, the operative word here is QUALIFIED, to render medical advise and encourage others to seek such advise from their own medical tram, as they are the ones who will oversee the care of their patients. What belief system do you adhere to in which you feel empowered and qualified to state your opinion in a way that is misleading, which incidentally is in direct opposition to the directions I was advised to follow by my nutritionist, and two different surgeons in 2 different states?? I read journals also, and studied how carbs and their effect on the brain follow many of the same neural pathways that also are affected by illicit drugs which have a high potential to be addictive. Carbs are addictive, and I understand this first hand as an obese individual and a CAP. Look that one up if you don't know what the acronym represents. In your post, it was positive that you wrote that "anything goes carb" diet is what works for you. Good for you...my medical team would have issues with your diet of choice. Yes, you have lost an impressive amount of weight, and I am genuinely pleased for you...however, please, in the interests of all forum members refrain from posting trite remarks that "A Low carb diet is a FAD diet", It is not a fad, and you are right, you can usually locate a "statistical evaluation" research study to prove or disprove just about any research focus if you look for it. As you do this, also look into who funded the study. I also have read numerous journal articles and research studies in the course of my professional career, and let me say that there are many that the results are statistically skewed in the direction to favorably prove the study results to the positive of who provided the funding that get published. I would feel dismayed if new bandsters were to get confused, take your opinion as the gold standard they should follow without asking their own physicians, and believe that a member of this forum's lay opinion would trump that of their professionally qualified medical team. IMHO...I realize your mileage varies...let's allow individuals an opportunity to follow the medical advice of the team whose expertise they have paid for, or at least ask genuine questions. Post like yours, IMHO, are capricious and not in the best interests of the forum participants.

With regards to an earlier post, eating "low carb" is NOT a fad diet. It is studied and documented that carbs are what caused many of us to become obese, and there is a mechanism in the brain that causes craving for additional carbs if UNHEALTHY carbs are consumed. We do need some carbs, but what has worked thus far for me is to limit carbs, and make the ones I have healthy ones which naturally occur in the foods we eat. I was advised never to count calories, comply with recommended portion size, only choose lean proteins and naturally occurring carbs in fruits and vegetables, and now a few whole grain options such as unrefined oatmeal.

It's best to wait to hear what your physician tells you regarding the study results. We are not physicians, so are unable render any medical interpretations or medical advice. I hope that you will be offered solutions to resolve your current situation.

Michelle...very happy to read that you are looking into alternative treatment options. I have never heard of acupuncture being helpful for Tourette's, but there must be something to it if you were referred in that direction. Prayers to you and your family that your son will be treatment compliant...

Well, today the migraine came roaring back...I spent most of the afternoon in bed sleeping. If no improvement by tomorrow, it will be time to see the doctor for injections. I'm taking it easy, with minimum projects today, and hope that tomorrow will be migraine free. Too much needs to be done around here to be out of commission!

Good Morning... Today is starting off much better. I still have a mild Headache, but nothing close to last evening. Four hours of sleep and 4 doses of Fiorinal helped. It's been years since something like this...I must need to stay with my routine...,totally by the wayside yesterday. Terri andmDee, so happy that they two of you're able to meet...like when Terri, Diane and I met, it was not like meeting strangers. We really already knew each other...good times. I hope you enjoy! Dawn, you will do well, because you are motivated for success. Plus, you have many life changes which you are moving towards...and inherently people do not embrace change. Especially when others precipitate the change. Aka, your daughter's leaving home to attend school. Diane, I hope you brother continues to improve...and that the crucial time passed uneventfully. I can only imagine how anxious you are to get home and resume your routines. Continuing prayers of healing to you and your family. Michelle, totally normal for your son to be felling resistant to the the situation facing him and your family. He will come around...it may take years, in our case 24 years for me to be vindicated and forgiven for having Seth placed in a low intervention level of SLD classes. The military confirmed his disgraphia and ADHD diagnoses, which let me off the hook for forgiveness. For all of his school years Seth was angry with me for insisting he be evaluated for learning disabilities, and then when they were found to take the recommended interventions for his academic success. That was a difficult journey for years, but again his maturity helped. All good things in time! Janet, thank you for your concern and inspiring words...I hope and pray that your mom is feeling better today, and that no surgery will be necessary. I thought Dawn's idea about renting a beach outfitted wheelchair was a great idea. Maddy would definitely the sand. I hope you all come up with a solution... So, speaking of change, yesterday when we were in the "big city" of Asheville, we discovered that the TJMaxx store had a Home Goods there, something we had not seen since leaving Florida. We were able to get some of the necessary items for a king size bed, and Jack experienced a form of sticker shock. I will only sleep on cotton, and in king size, they are quite a bit more expensive than they were a few,years back, but at least we have the basic things we need. I will need another set of sheets and a quilt, but not just yet. I also got a new phone yesterday, which I was not expecting to do until next month. I wanted to keep my same cell number I have had for years,,and had been told that I would only be allowed to,do this while in the same area code as the number. Not true, so I now have a new phone with better coverage areas off of the mountain. But, again, another learning curve for to navigate through. I don't do especially well with change...and here we go again. Jack has an appointment with a surgeon here for his outpatient surgery this Friday, and on Monday we take our road trip to Charlotte with the kitchen designer to select the kitchen countertops. Trying to pace ourselves... I hope every one will have a great day...today is a day of rest for me up until the headache is gone. I really need to get focused on losing the last 25 pounds I need to. Difficult to do with a sore foot, but I am determined! Big hugs to each of you...

Diane such wonderful news! Prayers continue for healing... Janet, an amazing woman I feel blessed to know and call my friend. You definitely shared wonderful words of encouragement today, and I have to say, again, "ditto what Janet said"! I am blessed to know all the strong and exceptional women of this group, and second Dawn's sentiments about Janet taking the initiative to keep this bond intact... This will be a shortened version of today, as I am fighting a Migraine. I have not had one this bad in years... So, blessed again...as I suspected from my seeing the images left up on the screen post GI eval, there is a very small dilation in my esophagus, and the band is still in the proper position. The surgeon said that the band is still working, and advised strongly that I never have another fill. He wants the same GI study repeated in 6 months to monitor for any changes in my condition. I had the stude results forwarded to my physician in FL, and will discuss them with him next month. I can live with what I found out today...I essentially have green zone level restriction at present. If my life ever returns to some semblance of normal, perhaps I will be able to consider my fill options. The surgeon today also told me that one big positive is my being able to get the night time reflux under control...so he is ok with leaving the band in, yet he did offer again to remove it. More about today when I feel better... Thank you all so much for all of the encouraging words of love and support. I believe each of you know how much of a difference it can make when the picture looks dark. I love your words Janet, darkness is the time to have faith. Off to find my pillow... Love you all, and thank you again...

I way typing invisibly again... Thank you all for your encouraging words, shared wisdom, and love along the way. I hope and pray that I will,complete my journey with you...time will tell. Hugs to you all...

I have to get up early, so will be off to bed now. I have to be in Asheville for my 10am appointment. I will be finding out the results of my GI study...and will request that the results be shared with my surgeon in Florida. If I have to have my band removed, my surgeon in Florida will be the one I trust to do it. I already have an appointment with him for early August. I hope it will not come to that. On the plus side, I do have the reflux under control, and am able to sleep through the night now. Foot is not healing too well. Part of this may be tied to the attempt I made to walk the trail around the rec. center last week. At least I am able to use the recumbent bike. I really would just love to be able to walk pain free like I did in the past...never take anything for granted...

Good evening...actually almost morning all... Sorry I went MIA today...the sun came out finally! No excuse though...I got another quilt laundered, several more boxes in my office are history, and got my gym time in. I did miss reading the check in's though. Dawn, please don't be hard on yourself. This journey is full of learning along the way, and none of us will have a perfect score. You are doing the right things to get back on track, and that's what is important. Dee...I am so happy for you! You are really getting in touch with life and living and having the time of your life. I hope all is well with your family... Diane, I must have missed something...but was glad to read that there is a possibility that your brother will get to move out of the ICU. I'm also happy to read that you were able to take better care of yourself today. Stay strong...and stay in touch. Continuing prayers for you and your family. Terri...how wonderful that you and Dee will get to meet...we want a report and pictures! I hope your home was in good order when you got there. So much rain, it did seem like a tropical storm in Florida. Janet...you are amazing...yard work to,quilting, to repairing cars. Is there anything you can't do? So happy you are feeling better...awful to go on vacation and end up getting sick. You know that you and your are most welcome anytime. Michelle...I am relieved that you now have a diagnosis for your son, and a good treatment plan in place. It is difficult for teens to accept their medical needs...I fought that battle on several fronts with Seth while he was in middle and high school. Your son might be more inclined to listen to his physician. The years when our children are not kids, and not mature to be adults are the most difficult. Take a day at a time...you all will get through this.

Realize that this is the time which you are still healing, so weight loss is not going to be the highest priority. As others have mentioned, it's your portion control and changing your relationship with food which will make the difference. You cannot rely solely on fills for weight loss, for even with restriction your band will not stop you from eating the wrong things. I had to wait 14 weeks post op for my first fill, and still managed to lose weight. Weight loss with the band is healthy eating along with portion control and exercise...but it is also about your mindset. There is a psychology behind obesity that plays a role as well. The more you know about it, the better coping tools you will have to help. Best wishes for success...

Like anything else new to us, it does get easier with practice. Not the most appealing thing to do...but keep focused on your goals.

The length of time you require coverage through FMLA is determined by your doctor, based on your individual needs. Usually the range of time off is 1-2 weeks. Again though, this is a physician decision.

I have felt restriction from the first day I had my Realize band, and I had to wait 14 weeks post op for my first fill. We are all unique individuals, and we will all have slightly different experiences traveling a similar journey.

Sorry for the choppy posts...a continuing new behavior for my laptop, it will not allow me begin a new line or paragraph. Will have to get back to the iPad. Will be back later.

Consider the prayer list updated Terri...same here, no sun, and a few torrential downpours. Am I still in Florida????

I have a Realize band, which was placed in February, 2012. I was not given a choice by my surgeon at the Center for Excellence where my surgery was performed. I did ask about other options, however I was advised by my surgeon that he only used the Realize band.

Michelle...I can so relate to how stress and anxiety can tighten the band rapidly. Very sorry to read this about your son. The most important thought to hold on to is that there could be a number different reasons for your son's symptoms...some can be medication induced. Others such as Tourette's spectrum disorders can be managed well by medication. I can relate to the anxiety you are feeling. Do your best to stay calm, and focus on getting your son the medical intervention he needs. Prayers for a good resolution of his symptoms, and for you to remain positive. Keep us posted on his condition.