Cindy2013

I love the clipart! Thanks so much for sharing this information. Questions: 1) How many incisions do you have? 2) Where is your port? 3) How large are your incisions. My surgeon told me I would have 5 incisions. I have a history of scar tissue from other surgeries, and he told me if he gets in there and I have too much scar tissue, they will abort the procedure. I hope that doesn't happen! I'm just curious if the standard is 5 incisions, or if this is something specific to my doctor. Not really worried, just getting information. You sound fantastic. I'm glad your day 1 went well. Cindy

That sounds awful. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Hopefully they will be able to remove the scar tissue easily. Did you have any symptoms alerting them to the problem, or was it just found when they attempted to do a fill? Don't let it get you down. Your doctor is there for you and will get your band working again.

And one more, this is my wonderful husband (Dee) and I. We've been married for 27 years, and through all the ups and downs, good and bad, we still love each other!

By the way, I was wearing a swim suit in these photos. My hair was not done, as you can tell. I really do look better when I'm not about to go get in my hot tub.

Okay ladies, this takes a lot of courage. I never expose my arms or shoulders, so this is a big deal to post my before photos. But perhaps if I post the before photos, it will give me motivation to lose weight to show you the after photos. The person I see in these pictures is not me. I see these pictures and think "how did I ever get this big?" But I did. And now is the time I will do something about it. No matter what!

I think you need to use his insensitivity as leverage. Tell him how you feel now, and that he can make it up to you by buying you your favorite chinese dishes in 6 weeks when you are ready to eat. And he has to buy you a new blouse to wear. And he has to buy you flowers that night. And he has to do the dishes when dinner is over. (That is if you do take-out). What do you say ladies? Shouldn't she make him pay?

I'm the author of the post Cheryl is speaking of, and the patient of the doctor above. Cheryl, my doctor does encourage good eating habits. His point in suggesting that we drink a protein shake daily for the rest of our lives is because so many patients don't get enough protein. If I feel I am getting enough protein, this is certainly something I can discuss with the nutritionist on his staff and get her recommendations. I already have some hair loss from a prior time, and I don't want to lose anymore, so I am definitely going to follow his orders initially. But everything is negotiable, other than drinking carbonation. The point of his instructions are to give his patients an outline of what will provide them the best health. He is the one with the years of experience of following his patients and seeing what they need. The protein shake is the simplest way to ensure that his patients are meeting their daily 80 grams of protein. Hopefully I'll be like you and will eat enough in my foods to get the required protein. If so, I'll talk to the nutritionist. But I do need to be aware of the need for protein even 20 years from now. People's eating habits change as they get older. I think he wants to make sure that we are all okay and that we understand the need for protein. If the shakes are driving me crazy, I can always throw a scoop of protein powder in a recipe and get it that way. And yes, it should be my choice. It is my choice whether I follow his instructions, or whether I find a way to adapt them satisfactorily. One thing for sure, I now know how important it is to get that much protein FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, and if I am not getting it through my food, I will be drinking a shake. Premier Protein ones are quite tasty and easy to have in my purse wherever I am.

Another day down. Day 4 wasn't bad for me today. Stayed totally within the guidelines for breakfast, no snacking, at lunch I had a protein shake and salad greens. For supper I had 3 oz baked chicken and veggies, along with 1 tablespoon of barbeque sauce for the chicken. So technically I cheated on the bbq sauce. I don't feel bad for that though. I've done well with the salad greens and only being allowed 1 teaspoon of light vinegarette (or mustard or lemon juice). Such a tiny amount gives just the right flavor without making it coated with dressing. I was surprised that I could be satisfied with 1 teaspoon. Day 4 down, only 10 to go. On a side note, I get to have the blood patch procedure to fix the spinal fluid leak that I have. The procedure will be Friday at 10:30. This has been a miserable past 7 days while I have been dealing with this. Hopefully by Saturday or Sunday I will feel like being up and around again. I can't get much accomplished when lying on my back. Good thing I have a laptop to play on when I am in bed. That is the only thing helping to keep me sane! So Day 5, the morning will be easy since I can't eat or drink before the procedure. The afternoon may be rough, but I have a strong will to do good. I can just see the nurses coming in after the procedure with crackers and yogurt, juice, etc. Strong will, Cindy, Strong will. I'll practice "May I have ice water please?" Going out for lunch with my husband after is certainly not going to happen on this trip.

Hey ladies, I'll be thinking of you and watching for your posts. Try not to be too scared. I have had several other types of surgeries through the years, and there is always a good staff there to take care of you, from the anesthetist, nurses, surgeon, assistants, etc. You'll be in good hands and you are finally ready to be given the tool to aid in your weight loss. You go girls! I'm happy for you.

50 for 50, welcome to the group. You've worked on this for a long time (it sounds like), getting rejected twice after doing medically supervised programs. You know you need to do this, you know you want to do this, and you know you can do this, and most importantly, you know it will be successful. Because really, our success is ultimately up to us. And if we are committed, we will be successful. It sounds like you are there and ready to take this on. The deli/catering business may put a big boulder in your way that you have to crawl around once in a while, but you can do it. Get someone else to do the tasting and move your priorities to marketing and presentation. You KNOW you can do it. Try not to be too nervous between now and the time for anesthesia. After that point, it is all over and you'll be ready to lost the weight that has stayed with you all these years. My starting weight was 270, but I'm down a few from there now. My goal is 160 and heck yes, it is achievable. So it is achievable for you too. I got on our wii fit today to do a body assessment. It tells me my perfect weight would be at 135. I was 150 when I married my favorite man in the world 27 years ago. And I was very happy with 150. Looked good, had muscle, couldn't see much flab anywhere. I could probably "pinch an inch" but that was about all. So my 160 goal sounds more realistic for me than 135. I didn't see how tall you are, but since we are starting at about the same weight, and wanting to lose down to the same spot, we should definitely encourage one another on. For tonight, don't let any of those negative thoughts scare you out of this. You've worked hard to get here, and your psychologist evaluation must have stated that you are ready for it. My advice, for the rest of the night, turn off the computer, go have one last indulgence before midnight, and then enjoy laying in bed, watching a movie, soaking in a bubblebath, going for a walk, paint your toenails, or do whatever you need to do to keep your mind off of the surgery. And when tomorrow comes, say a prayer that all will go well, and please know that we are all thinking of you. Welcome to our group. Cindy

sorry, that was what kind of mileage we'll get?

A suggestion. My nutritionist suggested that when I go out to eat, I ask for a box at the beginning and automatically put half of the meal in it. That way I won't be tempted to over-eat, and it would also solve the problem of others wondering if I don't like the meal. Going out to eat was a big concern for me. She said that their spokesperson (Penny) actually goes out to Wingers frequently, orders 4 hotwings and celery. I found that reassuring. Who have I told? My husband, children, and 2 friends. I told my mom I am on a doctor supervised diet, and that is what I plan to tell others when they ask why I'm losing weight. Not telling my husband's family, my siblings, etc. Once I'm successful, I will tell everyone if they want to know. But right now, I don't want the negative comments from people who think they know everything. One of my 2 friends that I have told was very interested in looking into LB for herself. She brought it up to her husband (without telling him I am doing it). He went on a rant about how only lazy people can't lose weight on their own, how people who have WLS always gain the weight they lose back, if not immediately then within years. He was very negative and shut her down quickly. I wonder what he'll have to say to my face when I tell him (way down the road) that I have done the surgery. I'm going to be cringing inside if he plays the oh that's great line. I hate people who say one thing to our faces and another behind our backs. Okay, off my rant.

All this talk about gas and I want to know what kind of mileage we'll? Ha ha, but think about it. This is the most expensive gas we'll ever buy. If it gives good results, won't it be worth all those gas pains?

My #1 is that I want to feel better. I am disabled and spend way more time in bed than in healthy. I want to be productive again. I want to get excited about doing a project and actually complete it. I want to feel better about the way I look. And yes, I want to buy cute clothes again. It is so very hard to find cute clothes for people our size. They are always grandma clothes, and I'm not old enough to look like my mother yet. I want to go in the school and have my daughter be proud of the way I look. Right now she gets embarrassed because I am fat and I limp significantly. And another goal, if I can get my body to do it, I want to learn to dance with my husband! I hope losing weight helps me to walk better so that this is possible. I used to say my ultimate goal is to go scuba diving, but that until I could look good in a wet suit, I wouldn't even think about it. Now that can see me getting down in size, perhaps I don't want to scuba dive as much as I thought. {fear}

Danielle (and others) I hope your day was better than mine. Just closing out on day 3. First mistake I made was in the middle of the night last night I instinctively grabbed a granola bar when I was up to the bathroom. I have to walk through the kitchen, and for a year I have snacked at night. I got halfway through it before I realized what I was doing. I should have stopped then and there, but I finished it. So that took 140 of my allotted 700 calories. And it is not an allowed food, so I feel guilty. Did well for breakfast, and lunch wasn't hard. At 6:00 my husband came home with a box of food that my sis in law sent for the family, because she knows I've been on bedrest. This sweet lady just wanted to help out with a meal for tonight. A loaf of 100% homemade wheat bread, homemade chicken noodle soup (she even makes her own noodles), and a very healthy carrot cake that she makes. I said no to it, set the table for my husband and daughter, and then left the room. My mouth kept watering for some of chicken soup, and before I knew it, I was at the table eating 1/2 cup of it. I did not have the bread but I did have 2 small bites of the carrot cake. It is veggies, right? (nope, can't justify that one). I know the soup is very healthy, but it is against what I am supposed to be eating. I drank a ton of water, was still hungry, and then drank a protein shake. Now I'm satisfied, but mad at myself for caving in to that delicious chicken soup. I still think I kept close to the calorie limit, but went over my carb limit. I did get enough protein in. So that is my downfall. I hope it is the last one, but won't guarantee it. I figure that if I am losing, my liver is shrinking. My scale shows me to be down almost 10 pounds since I saw the surgeon. Our scale is off sometimes, but it can't be off that much. Anyway, I hope all of you had a better day today sticking to your diets. Kateeryn, I'm glad you got your veggies worked in. That should help a bunch. Can you eat any sauces on your veggies? What are you having tomorrow?

I agree that you should call your doctor and run it past them. Here's the reason why. but as you read the story, don't panic, because I'm certainly not saying this is what is going on. I had a gallbladder surgery years ago and I was told to expect gas pains in my shoulder. This is typically because they have to pump your abdomen full of gas when they are operating on you. So at first I dismissed my shoulder "gas" pains. The 2nd day I woke up and felt an immediate wave of pain through my abdomen, and then intense shoulder pain when I would move. I shivered and teeth chattered during the process. Feeling that something wasn't right, I went to my local ER. they proceeded to do an x-ray and then sent me home stating that it was just gas pains and that I needed to ambulate more. I was so embarrassed. The pain continued and got increasingly worse, but I was determined not to go back to just be told that I had gas. 48 hours later I found myself back in surgery to repair a bile leak that happened during the first surgery. I had several liters of bile sloshing around in my abdomen by this time, and ended up getting peritonitis (infection) on top of it all. Severe shoulder pain should not be brushed aside as gas pains. We all handle pain differently, and most likely what you are feeling is gas. it is a very real pain that I have felt with other abdominal surgeries. It hurts bad, no doubt about it. But if you are in EXTREME pain and having any sweating or shivering going on, call the doctor just to make sure all is well. I could have saved myself 10 days in the hospital if I had gone back "again" before it became an emergent situation. Are you expelling any gas? Do you get relief from that? Are you walking frequently, or just one long walk.

They are tasty. I have to use a lot of will power to only take the required dosage; otherwise I'd eat them as candy. they don't dissolve, but they do break apart easily when I take tiny bites. I am supposed to take the chewable ones until 5 weeks post op. At that time I can begin doing pills. I asked her why I have to do chewable ones. She explained that during the pre-op and then the 5 weeks post op periods, we are at risk the most for not getting adequate Calcium. The chewable ones stay in our stomachs longer and we have less of a chance of flushing the nutrients out through our kidneys. I didn't want to purchase them and just keep taking my regular calcium pill, but after tasting these, I'm glad I followed instructions. If you have a Walgreen's near you, there is a coupon out for $3 off the 2nd bag. They are already on sale, so the additional $3 coupon gave me 2 bags for $12. I think it is 75 in a bag and the recommended dose by my nutritionist is 2 per day. I picked the coupon book up at the front of the store. But hurry if you want them, the coupon expires tomorrow (January 31st).

I just thought i'd share my indulgence. I was instructed to take Viactiv calcium chews. I bought the store brand, but these are just like eating a little piece of chocolate fudge. Each calcium chew is individually wrapped so it is like I am getting a little treat. I'm a little surprised because they have 35 calories in each one, but hey--I'm following my doctor's orders completely! I purchased the store brand from Walgreens. I also have to take a chewable multi-vitamin. They aren't as tasty.

K Hey, we have similar doctors then. I can eat those same veggies at meal time, along with a protein. Can't have starchy ones. Additionally, I get one fruit (selective ones). How is it going for you today?

Don't let the psych eval freak you out. I think they want to make sure you are committed enough to make it successful. I met with the psychologist for about an hour and we discussed why I want the lapband, what I have tried in the past, etc. He asked if I have any unresolved emotional issues from my past (in an indirect way), and was looking to see if I am depressed. I was given some pointers and words of encouragement. I had to come back a 2nd day to fill out a bunch of questionnaires. One was a personality assessment. I don't recall the other ones. But it wasn't hard. Like Dee said, just relax and be honest. The doctor is on your side and wants what is best for you.

The personal trainer thing is a great idea. My husband and children know, as do 2 friends who can keep a secret, but I'm not even telling my mother, or my husband's family. I've told my mom I'm doing a doctor supervised diet; that is all she needs to know. fashionstylist, when is your surgery?