Sojourner

I'm thankful every day that I chose a surgeon affiliated with a recognized "Center of Excellence" for my WL journey. They required every patient to attend pre op nutrition education and nutrition counseling...the time I invested has paid off well for me many times over.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, Carole Lombard...my mother was infatuated with motion pictures. 2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Friday evening while speaking with my dearest friend. 3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE lunch meat? Boar's Head Londonport roast beef. 5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 3 adult sons, 2 grandsons 6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes... 7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, they were removed when I was 5, the day after Hurricane Donna came through where we were living in Florida. 9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Never... 10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL Cascadian Farms Dark chocolate Granola...have not had any since my pre op diet began. 11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I only wear slip on's....except for my walking shoes, which I used to untie after I to finished my walk. I cannot walk for exercise any longer. 12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? When I need to be. 13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Jamocha almond fudge 14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their face, specifically their eyes... 15. RED OR PINK? Pink 16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My legs. 17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My late mother... 18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST? I'm clueless about this... 19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black slippers. 20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Steamed carrots. 21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Coldplay 22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Deep purple. 23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Tollhouse Cookies while they are baking, coffee, original Polo cologne. 24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My sister. 25 . MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? Mountain hideaway... 26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Collegiate football. 27. hair COLOR? Dark brown with blonde highlights. 28. EYE COLOR? Blue 29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not since my Lasik surgery 7 years ago. 30. FAVORITE food? My grandmother's and mother's old recipes. 31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings. 32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Hope Springs in the theater. 33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black tee shirt dress. 34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter 35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs 36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Warm apple crisp a la mode with vanilla ice cream. 37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO? Cardio. 38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? Computer. 39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. 40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? The Disney Villains...it was a gift. 42. FAVORITE SOUND? The wind in the sails on our sailboat. 43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither...I prefer The Police or Genesis. 44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Prague, Czech Republic. 45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes...art needlework. 46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Coral Gables, Florida 47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? Leesburg, Florida this year, North Carolina Smoky Mountains by next summer. 48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? Taupe with shades of brown brick. 49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR? Pearlized white. 50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS? I usually ask them!

I knew ahead of time about the life changing requirements for successful weight loss with the band...and felt then, and still feel today that it was a very small "sacrifice" to regain my health. A wise bandster I met by chance while I was still deliberating about having my band placed helped me put it all into perspective. She asked me what was more important to me...eating everything I wanted to in what ever quantity I wanted or a few minutes of disciplined eating three times a day? My answer to that question was decided in an instant...and I've never looked back...or had any regrets for my decision!

Yes...I have been in several car accidents though the years...most of them occurred while stopped in traffic or at an intersection at a traffic signal. Two of the rear end collisions on I-4 were serious(causing the lumbar spine issues)...and the one when I was T-boned was near fatal (causing the cervical spine issues). I still get stressed when I have to drive...

If you have hypertension or issues with renal function, you should not load up on sodium, as per my PCP's instructions...and if you read the nutrition labels some of those sodium content numbers are astronomical...

What were your surgeon's post op instructions regarding your post op diet? All surgeons seem to be a little different with instructions that they give their patients, however you should have been given a diet to follow. Contact their office to get additional guidance on this. I can tell you that I had to remain on a totally liquid diet for an entire 2 weeks post op. Nausea is a symptom of severe dehydration, and cannot be ignored. I ended up in the hospital because I became severely dehydrated and did not recognize the symptoms. From day 1 post op, I still keep a bottle of Water with me and sip from it frequently. I also was advised to never use a straw...so I have learned to sip everything. This soon post op, you're still healing, so be gentle with yourself. Make sure you get those instructions from your surgeon...and feel better.

First and foremost...remember that everyone is a unique individual, and no two bandsters will have identical weight loss journeys or food tolerances... Rice and Pasta need to be limited as they are carbs...and our diet's first priority is to get sufficient Protein. Protein keeps you satiated longer than carbs. If you want to have rice, remember that brown rice has more nutrients than white rice. I tolerate chicken in all forms...though it is easy to get the chicken meat too dry from microwaving. I can tolerate both light and dark meat, but have found that the white meat dries out more often. I've given up on steak...though I pre band did enjoy it occasionally, post band it takes too much effort and time for me to keep it on my diet. If I want any beef, I will purchase Boar's Head brand of roast beef.

I lost a significant amount of hair between months 3 to 7. I also have been compliant with all of my nutritional supplements, and take Biotin daily. Over the past month, I have noticed the rate of loss to have slowed significantly; I have not done anything differently. I guess the post op shock on my body has run it's course. My hair stylist was not concerned about the hair loss...she thought that I had lost around 10% of my hair (she's been my stylist for over 20 years), and that it would not be permanent. It made me extremely unhappy and concerned to go through that phase, but it does not last forever...

I have arthritis in both my cervical and lumbar spine areas. I have what has been described as "bulging" discs, and this is less severe than an actual herniation. Though I am not yet at my goal weight, my aches and pains for the most part are less than they were prior to my weight loss to date. This is really much more significant than it reads, as I was on a fairly strong dose of a prescription NSAID which I have had to stop taking because of the band surgery.

I've used the Swanson brand of broths. They come in several flavors, they also make a low sodium version and are 99% FF.

It may be helpful to call your bariatric surgeon and ask them for additional information on what diet you can safely follow that would also be affordable. You are definitely doing the right thing to exercise, and sometimes it helps to change up the speed and type of exercise as well.

I am not being "judgmental"...but I do stay grounded in reality. There is a time to teach, a time to learn, and a time to face the reality that you are placing yourself at risk for serious complications. If you feel that my sharing the realities of those risks is to be "judgmental", that's only your opinion and I don't agree with it. Perhaps you could share what you believe to be the proper way to alert another that they are at risk for serious complications if they don't learn how to understand the limitations with their band, learn how to work with their band and use it as it was designed to be used. I don't believe to "sugar coat" information helps the individual who needs to learn...as a realist I tell it like it is. My profession requires/required it. If you believe I'm being judgmental, I would say that you are clueless about how to interpret my written words...and thus you are being "judgmental". IMHO...your mileage does vary...best wishes and hoping you have a successful weight loss journey.

My son is a pharmacist, and he also told me not to open capsules or crush any "time release" medication post op. You risk an overdose of the medication if you do. Prior to surgery my PCP changed all of my prescriptions that came in a different form to soluble tablets or liquids temporarily. The rest I had to crush for two weeks post op. I would call your surgeon's office and ask for a clarification.

No slight intended, but I would never want to entrust my health and well being to surgery, doctors and devices used in a foreign country...I do realize that Mexican doctors have some success stories, but for myself I would never feel comfortable with taking the risk. You did not mention if you ever sought another medical opinion from a US doctor...I'm a strong advocate that we each need to be assertive in areas which concern our health and well being. In other words, WE need to take the responsibility for our own health and well being. From your posts, it reads to me that you were not proactive to resolve your medical issues with your band. For that you have only yourself to hold responsible. Not everything about pre op and post op education and nutrition education is related to money. And, after all, you did have the funds to travel to have your surgery. Just saying... I hope you do find peace and health with your decisions...however in your situation I believe you are more interested in placing blame than accepting your lack of accountability to yourself. And, your insight is accurate...you wrote that you are bitter and disappointed. For every failure with a band there are many, many more successes...

Just a couple of additional bits of information to add to the excellent posts previous: It is possible to have medical complications which are not actually caused by the band, but are the result of significant weight loss. Weight loss does affect the gallbladder in some people, especially if you have any history or evidence of gall stones. I did have an episode of pancreatitis which was precipitated by my gall bladder no longer working. Likely my weight loss exacerbated my pre-existing condition of my gall bladder no longer working, so I did need to have my gallbladder removed. If you don't yet have any weight related medical conditions, you are fortunate. Research has shown undeniably the negative effects of obesity...increased levels of obesity are referred to as "morbid obesity" for valid reasons. It is not my intention to scare you, only to share information. My decision to have my band placed was driven by my race against the Type II diabetes time clock. That was to be my fate without intervention...I knew I would never be a compliant diabetic, nor did I want to experience the side effects of being diabetic. I can't stress the extreme importance of having your "head in the game" if you want to be successful with your weight loss journey...it's essential for you to revise your beliefs about your relationship with food, understand that food is not your friend and cannot be relied on to provide solace or used as a coping tool to manage your emotions. You make a conscious choice to eat to live and not live to eat. The band is also not a punishment that you have assigned to you for years spent overeating...I viewed getting my band as an opportunity to regain some of the good health that my excess weight was stealing from me. The band is a self empowering weight loss tool that you must learn how to use properly. You will determine the degree of your success or lack of success by the choices you make every day to comply with the bandster diet. Best wishes as you consider your options...

My surgeon advises that naturally occurring carbs, such as those found in dairy products and fresh fruits are acceptable carbs. What we need to avoid are foods which have sugar (carbs) added to them.

While I was still in active private practice, I was working with a couple who had numerous issues...and the decision of the husband to move forward with band surgery without the wife's "blessing" actually ended up causing the couple to divorce. Let me stress the point though...they had other significant issues. The reality is that when you live with someone, and are in a committed relationship, they will discover the truth whether or not you want to "keep it a secret". It could also end up causing some additional issues further down the road. You will also need someone who will be able to drive you to and from surgery...and how would you explain your incisions? My husband is extremely supportive of my choice to regain some of my health, but has also shared that he hates the diet I need to follow now. It's been a major adjustment for both of us. Try to consider how you would feel if your wife kept something this important and life altering a "secret" from you? What does that say about the component of trust which is supposed to be in a marriage? I think it's important to have your wife be a part of your journey...do your best to have her get involved with your pre op journey, and help her learn more about why you want this confidentiality and would like to have her emotional support. It's your choice, however the likelihood of you successfully keeping this a secret from her is unrealistic. Keeping secrets in a relationship is not a healthy relationship dynamic. Best wishes...

My PCP discovered my gallbladder was not working only after I was hospitalized with an episode of pancreatitis, which caused severe pain in my back and extreme nausea. I hope they get to the core issue, and that you feel better fast...take care...

I'm puzzled by your concern...I've experienced only 1 stuck episode, and it was my fault. It would not require several stuck episodes for me to understand the limitations of my current level of restriction. If you are having to "constantly find the bathroom I believe you would benefit from being more observant regarding your eating patterns. It should not require an entire learning process for every fill. Another possibility is that your band is too tight. I would be discussing this with my surgeon ASAP.

You need to let your PCP know what is going on immediately...there are medications to help resolve those issues as your system adjusts to life without your gall bladder. I was fortunate in that my gall bladder had stopped working entirely, and no one could identify when that happened...so post op from the gall bladder surgery there were not additional adjustments. I hope you feel better...

The "green zone" is achieving a level of restriction in your band that allows you to be satiated with less food and for a longer length of time without not feeling physical hunger. My surgeon has shared that his goals with fills are to allow the patient to still be able to tolerate meat, and to not get physically hungry for 3-4 hours. Stuck episodes are usually caused by the bandster eating food either too quickly, taking too large of a bite, or not chewing every bite enough. Making poor food choices with the wrong type of food (I.E. soft white bread) can also cause a stuck episode. "Sliming" happens when you have food that is really stuck, and your digestive system creates additional saliva and "foam" (I'm certain it's related to saliva, but have not researched it) in an effort to lubricate the esophagus so that the stuck food will pass through the band. Everyone does experience some variation regarding the length of time a stuck episode will take to resolve, the amount of pain they feel, and how many times (I know...TMI) they will have to "throw up" before the offending food is no longer stuck. I've been able to avoid all but one stuck episode...as I immediately heed my early warning signal of feeling too tight in my chest that lets me know I need to slow down or take smaller bites. I hope this information helps...the best way to learn is to ask questions!

That makes no sense to me...and it flies in the face of the principle of having a band. It also indirectly says that your relationship with food has not changed. To obtain and maintain a healthy weight, we need to control our portions, and accept that we eat to live and not live to eat. Holidays, or other "convenience" excuses are not a valid reason to request an unfill. My surgeon would refuse...however I would not ask. IMHO...your mileage may vary...

Before you move forward with your decision, it would be helpful for you to prioritize what is important in life for you... You don't seem to have any weight related comorbidities...but the effects of being obese or morbidly obese are cumulative over time and they do affect the quality of your life. At your age, I did not need my band. I was not obese until past the age of 50. But times change, and as your metabolism slows weight does creep up on us. Perhaps you are not ready to make this type of life changing commitment now... Do your research, and be comfortable with whatever choice you make...