New Hope

Look forward to you becoming an official Band Brother! May God guide the surgeon's hands and may your recovery be as painless as possible!

Lisa, Bless your heart! Thank goodness you were at Penni's and were able to go to a band dr. that would treat you! Please take care of yourself and heal. Hopefully this drama is over for you and you can get well now. (((Hugs)))

Melanie, while I was in the pre-op area waiting to get my band, I saw a surgical nurse I knew. I hadn't seen her in about 2 1/2 years. I knew she'd had the bypass and had lost a lot of weight. But she had gained about half of it back. It was just an extra reassurance to me that I'd chosen the right WLS.

I live in Houston (3 measly ft. above sea level) and went to Colorado in October. Flying or the higher altitude (highest was 11,000 ft. - mountain hiking) didn't affect my restriction. But if it will give you an excuse to visit your son and dog, you can always "fake" it.

I asked Ryan's permission to post a support thread for him and his wife, Patty. Ryan's wife had a debilitating back injury that has left her incapacitated and in severe chronic pain. Ryan is her husband, best friend, lover, primary breadwinner, and primary caregiver. Patty was receiving some pain relief recently from an implanted catheter that steadily releases medication. But a careless homeworker caused her to abruptly lose this catheter. Since then, Ryan has been trying to keep Patty comfortable with pain meds., but these are only keeping her heavily sedated. On, Monday, 1/24, the surgeon will reinsert the tunnelled epidural catheter. This will be placed in her epidural space in her cervical spine with no sedation. At this time, this device has offered Patty the most effective form of pain relief currently available. Ryan has stressed that they've been through much worse times. He realises this is just a day by day thing. But their main concern and hope is for a successful catheter implant and some relief from her chronic pain.

Petunia, Congratulations! A heating pad is soothing. Mylicon Baby Gas Drops will help w/any gas pains. It really will get better!

RNY patients will initially lose weight faster than bandsters. But they tend to gain most of it back once their body adjusts to their smaller tummy. A bandster can get a further adjustment when they reach a point that they need to lose more weight. You really need to NOT drink with your meals or for one hour after eating. This helps the food remain in your pouch and helps you feel "full" longer. Eat your hard proteins (lean, moist meats) first, then veggies, then if room left carbs. Eat small bites and chew, chew, chew. Get some form of regular exercise. Drink lots of water throughout the day (except w/meals or right after). Only weigh yourself once a week. Use www.fitday.com to keep track of your calories, what type foods you're eating, and your exercise routines. This is helpful to show you where you need to make changes. Best of luck to you!

Sounds like Ray and Lonnie were your angels and that you and Patty were theirs....Each there to help another. I think you handled everything very well. Just think of all of this as fodder for your book. "The Nightmares of Health Care". Please take care of both of your selves. Try to get some real, uninterrupted rest and just do what you can do each day. Don't overextend yourself. Keep the meals simple, and the clothes clean, and you'll be in pretty good shape. You're a trooper, Ryan, and I know Patty just loves you all the more because of the love you show her daily. Take care and let us know if there is anything that we can do.

Congratulations, Shae! I know you're going to be a very successful bandster just by the way that you've prepared for this. Every day will get better. If you're unable to drink a lot right now, just take little sips here and there as often as you can. They'll add up and keep you from getting dehydrated. Estela, try to eat like a Bandster, Protein first, then veggies, and if room left over, carbs. Keep drinking that Water (except w/meals and 1 hour afterwards.) Your aches and pains will get better. Lauren, sip, sip, sip continuously. It doesn't matter if you chug or sip, it all adds up if you do it often enough. You're not worrying about calories right now, just getting enough fluids in. Hope you're soon feeling better.

Misty, the Imodium should help. You might want to ask your dr. if the dairy products (protein drinks, etc.) are aggravating the nausea/diarrehea. Keep drinking plenty of water so you don't risk getting dehydrated. Hope you're better soon.

Becca, how are you feeling today? Hopefully, the headache is gone!

That's great, Blossom!

Emmy, slow down, relax, take teeny tiny bites, and chew well. Some banded people can't do eggs. Try some other soft foods and see how you do. You're doing fine!

Wow, that is literally a "night and day" difference!! Two success stories! Audrey, I love your new haircut!

Zoe, I bet a "Pre-Bandster" bought that sandwich! Yuk!

Becki, you've done fantastic! And how wonderful that you've positively influenced your husband to join you. You'll be Band Buddys!

Trish, as you start feeling better, you'll realize one day that you were NOT lazy all those years. Claraluz summed it up best... The problem was you were TIRED. Tired of carrying that extra weight around - every time you move, sit, stand, walk, and even trying to enjoy sex. And mentally, exhausted. Once your weight starts dropping, you'll feel so much better physically and mentally. DH better be keeping an eye on himself or he won't be able to keep up w/you in a few more weeks. And that Pysch test is no biggie. Just tell him the truth and you'll only have one version to keep up with. (((Hugs)))

Trish, you're smarter than I was because you're getting on top of this at a young age. Your body will heal better, have less problems wi/saggy skin, and you'll look great because your good health will start shining through. We've all felt the way you do, why is our sis littlier, why am I the biggest one in the family pics, etc. Apparently we're make out of a little different fabric than they are. But with the band, you have the control you need to help you manage your food portions, and that sends you on the journey of better health, lower weight, more energy, better self-esteem, more hope for a better, happier life. Perhaps set yourself a mini-goal right now of say 25 pounds. Then take a good hard look at yourself when you reach that point. You will be pleasantly surprised. Then set another mini-goal. The mini-goals are easier and faster to get to so you can enjoy that feeling of accomplishment sooner. Just keep doing that until you arrive to your end goal. We can't wait for you to get your band, because you are going to be an AWESOME bandster. You'll be able to encourage the ones following behind you, needing encouragement to "keep on keeping on." You go, girl!

Perhaps you can get some US surgeon's prices if we know where you're located. My dr. is 14,500 for cash-pay patient in Houston, TX

That is so cool that you both saw such a nice guy, out living a normal life, even though he's now financially secure. Isn't it great to see a regular guy make big, but still be nice? Teresa, you can click on anyone's ticker tape and it will take you to the website to create your own, then you cut and paste it under your LBT user CP. If that's not explained clearly enough, a search for ticker tapes will give you a more detailed instructions. You really need to do yours to show your fantastic progress!

You poor thing! Are you prone to migraines? Have you tried a cup of hot tea w/honey and lemon? Do you feel like you could stand up in a hot shower? Sometimes the steam and pulsing, massaging feel of the water helps. Please don't soak in a tub because of your incisions and risk of infection. Are you eating or drinking anything that you could be having an allergic reaction to? (ex. dairy products?) Does a heating pad help? A nice smelling candle? Rubbing some good smelling hand lotion on your hands? Good smells seem to help me sometimes. (((Hugs))) Hope this passes soon!

Cranberry Juice Lite mixed 50/50 with water is a good tasting alternative.

With the help of your band, proper eating, exercise, and plenty of water...you'll do fine! Best of luck to you!

Sandi, good luck! Everyone loses weight at a different rate. Some go back to work quickly, others need more healing time. There is a lot of information available if you'll do a "search".

Katie, you've done great on your weight loss! (((Hugs))) and prayers to you and your family. I know having a wonderful supporting family will help him through this.