Im_Lost_Again

I'll take the loss any way I can!

Sorry Annie, I live in Hamilton. Right now I'm walking at nights with my boyfriend. I'd like to find someone close to home that could Geocache, walk or ride bikes with me. I'm not back on my bike as of yet, but plan to be in the next few weeks when the weather decides it's not going to be cold for a few months. Sounds like you have your hands full! I have two kids that are grown with kids of their own (5 Grandkids). My Mom is in bad health and her husband is almost blind. Makes you apprciate your health!

Wow, eight hours! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: My doc insists you stay 24 hours. I was about 31 hours. Glad to hear you are doing good! Company always helps. I got my prescription filled at Walgreens and they didn't give me a cup either. The hospital gave me three to take home but I aleady had a shot glass that has measurements on it. Hang in there, everyday you will notice how easier it gets. In a week you'll be back to normal without the hunger! I went down on size of pants and now these are a bit loose.

They treated me great there. Everyone was wonderful, even the aide I had. She kept checking on me and asking questions about the surgery and what I expected when I got home. She was really interested and caring. I have had 5 other surgeries and this was by far (if you can call them enjoyable) the best experience I had. I do recommend Southview to anyone!

I had mine done at Southview Hosp. it was a little closer to home. Dr Clarey and Dr Bruce do such a good job of informing patients that I couldn't think of hardly any questions then or now. I recommend them to everyone. I have been to one support group meeting so far. It's hard for me to get away at the times they have them. It's about a 40 mile trip for me. So far they have not added the banded only group. When I went to the meeting there were only a couple getting ready to be banded, none that had been banded. One of my work contacts at FedEx and I were talking last week and I discovered that she had the RNY bu Dr Clarey 2 years ago. We may try attending the meetings together.

Week 2 down and I haven't lost anymore weight but have lost inches! I'll take it!

Mazie, Soon as you are feeling like it, let me know how it went. :gluck:

I must be doing someting right. Yesterday at work my son came up to me and said "Mom you have got to get smaller pants." So this morning I got out my old jeans, a size smaller, and they fit perfectly! I'm losing inches fast! My weight is slower to drop but the inches are melting away. I feel on top of the world. This only re-enforces my determination. Mazie, you'll do just fine. I was scared in the beginning not knowing just what to expect. This has been the best decision I have ever made for myself.

Hi Tammy, I just got banded last week. After reading what you wrote the question that first pops in my head is which band did they use on you? I have the smaller one and have lost 13 pounds as of last Monday. Are you sricking closely to the diet, do you get hungry? So far I haven't really been hungry.

I was banded on March 20th and as of last Monday I had lost 13 pounds! I like the unjury protien drinks a lot. Congrats and Good Luck!

Mazie, The gas is left over from the surgeons pumping your stomach up so they can work on you. If you walk a lot and lay down when and if you feel it starting to hurt, you should be able to minimize it. It really isn't that bad, and it isn't a constant pain, just now an then. I wouldn't worry too much about it you may not even experience it. I had never heard of toilet tongs before reading it on here. I had no problem in that department either. If you don't have trouble reaching now you shouldn't have trouble after surgery. Just take it slow and easy the first week. I've seen some of the lists on here that the doctors say you should have. The food items are good to have and the blender. I bought the Magic Bullet and really like it. But some of the other items like baby dishes and sippy cups are, in my opinion, going too far. I do have a shot glass that has teaspoon measurements on it, but I didn't go get it for this. I hope this helps. I'll be glad to answer any more questions.

Mazie, The shoulder pain really only hurt bad once. Other times it's just a nusance. It's totally gone now. I found that laying with that shoulder under me, helped to disipate the gas and the pain and it only took a few minutes. I think walking helps because it gets your system working better and can process the gasses faster. After a week everything gets so much easier. I don't want to scare anyone, this is minor, but I have had gas in my stomach (just small amounts). I hadn't been able to make myself belch but I found that patting myself on my left upper chest area that I can burp myself. My family thinks that it is hilarous since I have a newborn grandson. Burp the baby then grandma!

I think I'm falling in love with my band! Maybe that is going a bit too far, but how did I ever live without it!

The only pain I had with the incision sites were from tossing and turning which I do quite a lot. I had the shoulder pain caused by a build up of the gas that they used on my surgery. It only got bad once. I immediately took my liquid Vicotin and laid so the shoulder was under me, that way the gas could spread out more until my body was able to help get rid of it. Now I'm back to work and feeling lots better. I found that I need to get one of my protien drinks (Unjury brand) in first thing in the morning, it satisfies me and gets me a decent boost for the morning. I wish I could have taped all the comments I got when everyone at work got their first look at me yesterday. Everyone was in shock at my weight loss, mainly because it shows so much in my face and neck. They made me feel so good. With that kind of support, how can I go wrong! I've had no complications at all, in fact the doctor said I was doing great. Sleeping is getting better. I spent the first 5 days on the couch or the spare bed. I'm a stomach sleeper so it's been a challenge but getting beter every night. I think in about a week I should be having no problems sleeping at all. My daugher-in-law announced yesterday that she is going to make an appointment to get the band too. That really makes me happy. (She was waiting to see how well I did first.)

Just got back from my post op visit and I've lost 13 pounds! All is going great! It's amazing to smell restaurant food and not be hungry from it! Why didn't I do this sooner!

Today I am a bit weak. I'm getting enough protien but maybe not enough carbs. Anyone have any suggestions?

I can change my Almost There to There! I got my band on Tuesday. Everything went very well. I have no appetite but figure that will come back once the anestesia is out of me fully. I did get the shoulder pain that was very uncomfortable but bearable. So far since I stared the pre-op liquid diet I have lost 10 pounds! YEAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Thanks Misty, I'll have to check that out too! Well, tomorrow is the big day! :whoo: I'm a bit nervious, but still excited to lose that weight! The liquid diet wasn't as bad as I thought. Only twice did I crave something and I squished it pretty quick! I'm so glad I was told about this web site before surgery. It has only made me want the band more. (Maybe not a tummy tuck after seeing those pics. Guess I need to forget them first!) Talk to you all on the banded side!

If I could I'd jump a plane right now and head for NM for some fun!

The GPS can be costly, but there are some out there for under $100. I try to combine trips to justify to my self the gas cost.....It works, I'm a push over! I'll be visiting Columbus sometime this summer to visit my sister. We're planning a Geocaching day. She did a couple with me one day and really liked it. Where do you stand now on surgery? Mine is around the corner...the 20th.

Mazie, "G O cashing" would be correct. Kat, I knew I was living in the wrong state! There isn't much here to do. We have lakes and rivers, but there are so many dams on the rivers you can't take a canoe very far. Cincinnati is built on 7 hills, but is covered with homes and businesses. There are some pretty awesome caves a few hours from here, if you like splunking. Most of them have regular public access too. Anything else has to be built (like amusement parks, ski slopes). Life can get pretty boring especially in the winter. I was born and rasied here, lived in 4 cities (all within a 20 mile radius). I'd move if it weren't for the grandkids. Oh yes, shopping is a premium here. Stores everywhere! I have six Wal-marts within 15 miles of my house.

Kat, My family visited NM long ago when I was only 7. I do want to come back out that way and of course cache along the way. I remember how beautiful it is. But I doubt that I could rock climb, but who knows, maybe next year! My boyfriend is into all kinds of out door sports climbing, rafting, camping, motorcycling, 4-wheeling, etc. He's always on the go. My favorite cache was one that was on a small bridge. I went there three times and searched for about an hour each time and still could not find it. I got my boyfriend to go back with me and he found it within 5 minutes. It was a small container about the size of a fill with a magnet on one end. The owner had painted it the same color as the bolts and stuck it in an empty bolt hole. You could only find it by feeling it. That was truly and evil hide!

Kat, where do you live. Maybe I should come out and meet this man. Oh wait, I still have one. Give me a week! I know of three couples that met because of caching!

My Grandson describes Geocaching as Treasure Hunting. Not much is needed...a computer with internet, an account at Geocaching.com (it's free), a GPS and a way to get there! On GC.com you will find caching pages that list information about where someone hid a container. The container maybe as small as a pill or as large as a storage tub (some may be larger). They may give you hints on where it is, depending on how difficult is to find. Difficulty and terrain are rated on a 1-5 scale. A terrain rating of 1 means it is wheelchair accessible. I live in Ohio and there are none rated at 5 here. Those are the ones you may need climbing gear for. The containers must contain a log book so you can sign it. Larger containers will hold swag (trinkets mostly geared toward the kids). I have seen small change, flashlights, toys, candles, and lots more in them. food and weapons are not allowed. There are also places where caches can not be put. Please read the website for all do's and don'ts. Once you are a GC member you can log on, download or manually input the coordinates into you GPS and off you go! As an example, I followed the GPS and ended up at a park that I never new existed. From there I walked the trails until I got close to where the GPS was taking me. I found a plastic container about the size of a Crystal Light container stuck in a tree that had fallen. Caution: Once you get addicted to it you will want Travel Bugs, coins and to put out your own caches. It is way too much fun and a great way to get in your walking. Not all caches are in the woods, most of mine are in the city I live in (on poles, in cemeteries, etc). Let me know if you try it out!

Hello Ohio! I'm Donna a 48 year old Mother and Grandmother. I'm scheduled to be banded 3/20/07 (in a week). Growing up I was not a heavy child nor into my teens. It was after I had my second child that I started to gain weight. I tried diets only to find out that my will power wasn't mine! I slowly kept gaining weight over the years. My first weight loss success was with the Atkins Diet. I lost 55 pounds and kept it off for two years. Then I needed both knees operated on. The surgeries were six weeks apart and recovery was hard. The diet slipped away and I put most of the weight back on. Now my doctor is telling me that I will need knee replacements soon. Sooner if I can't get the weight off of them. I also have high blood pressure, asthma and hypothyroidism. All of which will benefit from weight loss. Besides my 5 grandkids, Geocaching is my hobby (sport?) It's helped me by getting me out and walking (even on vacation). It's been fun and I have met quite a few other cachers. All of them have been really nice. If anyone is interested check it out at geocaching.com. I'm going through Dayton Bariatrics, Dr. Clarey. A co-worked had the RNY done there. He's lost too much weight and now if trying to put a few pounds back on. I'm really hopeful and up beat about the whole ordeal. The operation doesn't bother me. It's the liquid diet. At the moment I'm 3 days into the pre-op liquid diet and it seems to be going well. OK, my boyfriend just walked into the room with a pizza. How bad should I hurt him? I'm 234 pounds and want to weigh 150. 84 pounds to lose...maybe another 250 if he keeps eating that pizza in front of me. I met a woman in Dr. Clarey's office that told me about this web site. If you read this email me! And thanks for telling me about this. I'm sure it will help and maybe I can eventually help others too.