Sultana

Hi Kiera, I checked out the syrups and I am going to order--my husband is diabetic (and thin!!) so he will use them too. I am 50 (barely), but very young at heart, and from the hippie generation. I am hardly constipated. I have had very loose bowel movements from day one! Of course prior to the surgery I never had a constipation problem either. I have been eating pureed vegetables, so maybe that helps. I hope it doesn't become a problem. oatmeal? That is listed as something I can eat now, but I haven't; it seems so....sticky!! I guess I could thin it like you suggest. Thanks for the web sites--we should start a section just for product web sites, huh? How do you like my new sign off??!! Sultana 12/29/03 Dr. Kurian NYC 318/314/175

Holly, I am eating pureed foods-am only 5 days post op. I eat very little, but already I was worried about the same thing as you--eating too much! I am following my doctor's instructions to the tee, and I have lost a few pounds (probably water weight). I think that as long as the scale is moving downward everything is okay, right? I just got a message from another girl- LLili, who is two weeks post-op and still on clear liquids at her doctor's advice! It will surely be an adventure, huh? Aren't the people here wonderful? They have helped me so much. Sultana 12/29/03 Dr. Kurian 318/314/175

Hi LLily, Geez, your plan sure is much stricter than mine. I am following what my doctor's nutritionist gave me, and I am allowed scrambled or soft-boiled eggs and cottage cheese. As a matter of fact, it says I can eat anything as long as I puree it-even pureed meat loaf!. Last night I had pureed Won Ton Soup. Who is your doctor? Did you get a regular lap band? Were there any special circumstances involved in your surgery? At four weeks I will be going off pureed foods onto solid foods! I guess all doctors are different, eh? I had Water weight too, but I have gotten rid of much of it. I am still getting migraine-like headaches, and I know that is from water weight. I hope you are doing well, and thanks for sharing! Sultana

Yes, I do feel better. less depressed and less gassy. Today either my allergies are kicking up or I might be getting a cold--too early to tell. I have been having all kinds of symptoms from the anesthesia and drugs. You and others here have certainly made me more hopeful about the future when I actually start eating and utilizing the band. Now I am just letting it "settle in" as my doctor says and bypassing it with pureed food. Congratulations on your weight loss. It seems to be slow and steady, and that is good I think--healthier. You must be doing something right! I am sure that all who are banded learn little tricks and methods to eat, and I know that I will too. I just hope it will not be too unpleasant or time consuming. I am a workaholic and devote much time to my job. I have to agree with you that it actually seems to make sense to me to drink a little before eating too. I have become very fond of tea too; I especially like Black Currant and Chai tea. Have you tried those? I don't know your age, but Black Currant is supposed to be good for menopausal symptoms too. Again, thanks and do keep posting! I appreciate all opinions. Sultana

Hi Again, Thanks so much for all the time and effort that you take to reply in such detail; it really helps me to be able to prepare and not be so chicken! I realize that my experiences may not be the same, but then again, they may! I plan to really work on chewing and trying to avoid foods that don't chew well. I was kind of concerned because I have had my jaw operated on for TMJ problems, but I figure it won't be more chewing than I have previously done eating large amounts of food! I am thinking I won't be able to eat squid or steak or sushi (because of the skins). I will switch to sashimi, I guess. This banding is sure to be an adventure, and like all adventures I am sure I will not always take the right roads; I do so appreciate your being my guide! Sultana

Yes Keira, it's true that you were graphic, but I appreciate that. I am also glad to hear it is not a frequent experience. I guess my biggest fear is having it happen an an inopportune time or that I might choke. I will remember your "bowl" suggestion, and TRY to stay calm. It seems that what tends to precipitate PBing is either eating too much or not chewing enough, eh? I am a teacher and had to drop my insurance to use my husband's because mine would not cover the surgery. I am lucky that his would. You are right though, it is definitely a problem here. I was prepared to go to Mexico if I could not get coverage here. I am so happy for you that it was so quick and easy. From the time I started research and progressed to finding a Dr., wrangling with insurance, and dealing with the MANY pre op requirements and testing it was a YEAR until my surgery. I put your "candy" bar site on my favorites, and I will study it after I get past this period of pureed foods. It makes me feel kind of nauseated right now! Thanks again. It's funny, but of all my travels, France was the easiest because I DO speak French! Keep trying. Sultana

Hi Kiera and Janeen, I did check out the bars, and the one has fructose which is a corn product, but the other one doesn't! I will have to check out the others too. Thanks! I assume you don't have any PBing problems with these? The thought of PBing scares me to death! I am still on pureed foods, and I just had some pureed Won Ton Soup which was surprisingly good. Do you love Belgium? Janeen I sympathize with the burping and gurgling; I too have both, but I sure do hope mine goes away much sooner than yours have existed! Good luck with that. Could it be that maybe you have or have developed a hiatal hernia?? Just a novice thought. Happy New Year bandees, bandits, bandsters or whatever moniker you prefer! I think I might be getting less morose! Sultana

Hi All, Thanks for your advice. I am sticking to liquids and pureed baby food for Protein. I really appreciate all the shakes suggestions, but I am allergic to corn (starch, syrup, dextrose, sorbitol, etc.), which may not seem a big deal, but it is in practically everything. Sue, I guess you don't know any ingredients in the Jamba juice products? My husband actually works in Philly for AMTRAK. I did order (before surgery) a Protein shake mix that is made from brown rice and has no corn. I am concerned that everything I eat makes me gassy, no matter how little it is. Is this normal? I have been taking Gas X and Dr. Kurian gave me an RX for Axid. Many of my friends and family have called, but my husband has been fielding the calls because I just don't feel like talking to anyone, but you. Very odd for such an extrovert as myself! I hope this too will pass. Hey all, Happy New Year! Kiera, you'r from Belgium! I love to travel and have been to most of the European countries, but never to Belgium, but it is on my list. Sultana

Thanks Sue! I appreciate any advice, solicited or otherwise. My doctor said clear liquids for 2 days and then only pureed foods (which includes scrambled eggs on the list!) I have been eating very little, at least. It does help to know that I am not the only one who has had a hard time with the post op period. You know, my husband just came upstairs to bring in the new year with me, and I was shocked! I completely forgot it was New Year's eve! Happy New year!

Kiera and Alexandra, Thanks so much! I am crying, and I am really not an emotional person; I think this surgery has really affected me on so many levels. I keep telling myself that this will pass. I am just trying to deal with the gas--(did you just keep burping?? and the other ), the allergy problems, and the general malaise. I am a take charge kind of person, and that is just not applicable here, so I am depressed. Let me ask you this, and I know that answers are individual: How much did you eat post op? Today I had an egg, some pureed soup (about 3/4 cup), and 2 bites of cottage cheese in addition to lots of liquids. Do you think I am overdoing it? Again, ladies, you are wonderful and I will be sure to repay in kind to some other rookie. Now I am crying again. WHAT???? Sultana

Hi Kiera and all others who replied. Well, I am banded. I so wish I felt jubliant like so many of you have reported, but I just had to interrupt this message because of a migraine (dull pain now), and I feel so depressed. This is two days after my surgery, and I have only eaten one egg and lots of clear liquids. I probably shouldn't have, but I weighed myself, and I have not lost even one pound. My face is bloaty and has been flushed for days. I learned from a group of student doctors who came by after my surgery that Dr. Kurian fixed a hiatal hernia which I didn't even know I had. I am a very allergic person, and I suspect that maybe some of the tons of the drugs they pumped into me did not agree. At any rate, I sure do hope things improve. The good news is that my incisions have steadily improved and I have a wonderful husband who is cooking for me right now. You know, I feel a little guilty and selfish sending this out because I don't want to discourage others with my whining. I just could really use some encouragement. Thanks so much for all your replies; I can't tell you how much it helps. Sultana

Hi, I think that a doctor saying that he/she believes that you will not be able to control yourself based only on your weight is insulting! I am currently at 320 and I am 5' 7" and will be banded on the 29th. My Dr. thought that it was a good choice for me. I think that some doctors try to steer patients to gastric bypass because it is much easier insurance-wise, and some have much more experience with gastric bypass. I would suggest getting another opinion. Good luck! Sultana

Hi All, I am being banded on Dec. 29th in NYC by Dr. Kurian. I have had all my pre op testing except my stress test, and now I am depressed because I have spent a year working toward this goal, and today Dr. Kurian told me it might not happen because the blood work came back with my blood sugar high. I e-mailed her and told her that I would be be cutting carbs and stepping up exercise to get the number down, and I admitted that I had been in a "last supper" mode, and that I had not exercised for a week and a half because I was sick. She told me to "cut the crap eating" and that surgery would be cancelled the day of surgery if my blood sugar was "out of control". I was devastated by the tenor of her message. I e-mailed her again assuring her that I was indeed eating low carb, and I asked her when I should start meds if my numbers did not come down (I can check daily because my husband (who is NOT overweight) is diabetic). Again, her curt reply was "cut carbs and simple sugars". Again, I replied and told her that I felt discouraged and that she should trust me that I was watching my diet, but that I do NOT want surgery cancelled so I needed an answer to the medication question. I have not heard back yet. Please, does anyone have any words of encouragement to offer me? I know that I am only one of hundreds of patients that she has, but I have been working so hard!

Thanks Alexandra, The thought did occur to me that I had posted my thread in the wrong section. I am not yet used to using this site, and additionally I am impulsive. Thanks for the info answering both my questions. You look so good in your picture! Sultana

Hi, Can anyone tell me what the black dot on the envelope next to my posting--Thanks to all- means?? It is the only envelope with a black dot. I hope I didn't do something inappropriate or offend someone??? Thanks, Sultana

Hi All, I am being banded in NYC on Dec. 29th by Dr. Kurian. I just finished reading all the posts that occurred after I posted and it made me feel so good and so postive (until I got to Jimmy's unfortunate episode). I was wondering if anyone knows the numbers on surgery problems? Is it common or a fluke if the band slips or a person becomes totally blocked? Does it depend on the experience of the surgeon. I guess you have figured out that I very nervous--not about the surgery, but about being able how to figure out how to eat without PBing. Is PBing just unpleasant or can a person actually choke? I have read twice on these posts that no questions are dumb, and please forgive me if this is not so UP! Really, I am excited about the thought of REAL and lasting weight loss. I have another question: I take lots of Vitamins and three medications. How do you take pills that need to be taken with food if you don't drink while eating? Many thanks for all of your encouragement. It is admirable that those of you have already seen your way to living successfully with the band take the time to guide the rest of us. Sultana

Hi Again, Thanks for the info about the PBing and the pills. I am going to a support group session on the 11th of Dec. before I am banded on the 29th. I plan to attend afterwards too. I'm hoping I can get some of my questions answered there too. I live in the Phila. area, but am traveling to NYC for my surgery because my doctor (Kurian) is so top-rated and has MUCH experience. I could not find a surgeon in this area who had performed more than two lap bandings, and Phila. is a big area??? Again, thanks. Sultana

Hi Jimmy and all, Thank you so much for your reply! I am sorry that you had to have that problem, and I am glad that you are now doing well. I am a very positive and take charge kind of person, and therefore the only thing that scares me is the unknown. I just have to keep telling myself that this too is something that I will be able to master (typical overachiever!!) Thanks again. Sultana

Hi Carmen and Ginger, Thanks for your replies. My outlook seems to change daily about my impending (sounds so negative!) banding. I am, of course, excited and hopeful, but some days I just can't seem to believe that I am really going to do this. Some days I picture myself thinner and think about all the advantages, and some days I get discouraged and think that there is no way this will ever work--nothing else has. And some days I get scared thinking of PBing and how I might at the least embarrass myself or at the worst choke. I am a control freak and do not deal well with the unknown. I have conversations with myself daily that it is like any other change, and I will learn to deal with it successfully. Geez, I really sound like a nut case, eh? I do so appreciate your comments and encouragement. Ginger, congratulations on your 19 pounds; that's awesome! Sultana

Greetings to All, I am scheduled to be banded on Dec. 29 in NYC with Dr. Kurian. I have been doing much research and I have been on-line with MA Bandsters. Some of the people there have been so kind and helpful, but I feel like an outsider because they all seem to be in a clique in the Baltimore/Virginia area, and the postings are few. I am so excited to have found a new site where I might share with others. In these two months before my banding I am feeling doubtful. I am worried that I will not lose weight, and whenever I read about the odd case here or there about someone who did not lose weight, I get scared all over! So, I guess I need some assurance that I will be able to lose some of my excess 314 (5' 8") pounds. I have read so many of the messages here that I feel like I already know some of you. Sultana