mrsto

Carol - this thread is a different subject matter than what you're asking. You will get a lot more responses on your question, if you post it on a separate thread.

I've had three major surgeries, including my banded plication, gallbladder, hernia repair combo surgery. I was given a spirometer after each surgery, and told that it was to help keep my lungs clear, to avoid pneumonia. I was instructed to use it once an hour for a full week. After my band surgery it was painful, because I had a hard time breathing for a good 2-3 weeks.

Interesting that you say you could feel something happening around in there. I didn't have any immediate sensation at the time of my first two fills. The first one added 3.2 cc's to the 3 that were already in there from surgery. The second fill took it up to an even 7. The one I just had this week was only .25, which was perfect for a band to the fullness mine is. But with this last fill, when she pulled all of the Fluid out, I actually felt the band loosen......like a sense of taking off a tight belt and feeling relief. It was an odd sensation, and really illustrated just how much the band constricts that area of our stomach.

I would call your doctor and explain what is happening. It does sound like you're a bit too tight, but if your last fill was close to a month ago, and you haven't had this problem until today, it's best to rule out anything other than a band that's too tight. Please let us know.....and I hope you feel better soon.

Jim - love your new picture. Very dapper

Tara - yes, good advice. I'm going to call her tomorrow. I can't deal with this!

rkimom - were you taking supplements the whole 16 months before you started having those issues? If so, please let me know what you WERE taking. I have many concerns right now; the biggest one being my loss of focus and brain power. I'm starting to think that I have some sort of brain tumor, but I know that can't be it. My internist wanted to do the specialized nutrient testing, but I wanted to wait. After reading your post, I'm starting to rethink my decision. Seriously, I'm having a difficult time making 2+2=4, and I do accounting for a living!! As funny as that sounds, I'm really nervous about this. It took me a long time to build my business, and I can't sustain it without a brain!!

WOW - that's fabulous.....congrats! Yep, the band is doing what it's supposed to do I went off my blood pressure meds after the first 25 pounds came off. Very happy about that! I'm going to have my cholesterol and blood sugar checked, to see if those numbers dropped as well. I would almost bet the house that they did

Since they have a fridge, you can bring ready made Protein Shakes, or whip some up at home and bring them. You can also heat up some Soup before you leave, and put it in a thermos. It's a little difficult without a microwave, but it might be a good idea to figure out what local restaurants have things you can eat during this time. Going out to lunch might be something you'll need to do. That, and keep some Protein Drinks for in between. V-8 juice with unflavored Protein Powder worked well for me, when I was tired of the sweet Protein shakes. During the mushy phase, you can pull together different things that don't require heating; cottage cheese, egg salad, etc. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Very exciting

I didn't have any pain, either. Now, I struggle with the opposite issue

I had it during the first couple of weeks after surgery as well. The explosive kind!! It lasted about 2-3 days, and then stopped. It was different than any diarrhea I'D ever experienced.

WOW - so close to ONEderland. That is so exciting! I look forward to seeing your post on the "day of"

What you're going through is completely normal It's a big step, and the unknown is always a bit scary. But I can tell you.....it's SO worth it! You will be fine, and once you're on "the other side", you'll put one foot in front of the other, and walk a new path. In the beginning, it's not easy. But then you get past that, and the way you eat will become the new normal

Yes, I have found that to be true. Initially, they lose quicker, but then the loss slows down the lighter they get. As far as preparing yourself for what's to come, it's best not to compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone loses at their own pace, and your body will release the weight however your particular chemistry works. If you follow the rules; track your food, exercise, and do what your doctor recommends, the weight will come off. Good luck!

Yep, I'd have to say that the toxic person in my life is me as well. I'm my own worst enemy!

Donna - I'm 58 (as of next week), but I'm going to comment, anyway :-) I have lost and gained so much weight over the years, I never stopped to think about surgery. This last round of weight (over 90 pound gain), really threw me. This time, being post menopausal, it seemed impossible to eat the small amount necessary to drop some weight. So, I continued to gain. I was on blood pressure meds, had high cholesterol, my knees were ready to give out, along with various other obesity related issues and pain. It wasn't until my next door neighbor told me that she had a bypass, that I even considered surgery. After months of turmoil on what to do, I settled on the lap band with plication. I'm 4 months out, 37 pounds lighter, off the blood pressure meds, knees rarely hurt, and I'm half way to my goal (I set a reasonable goal of 150). Do I wish I did it sooner? So far, I haven't felt that way. I'm just glad that I DID it, and my weight is going in the other direction. Good luck! You came to the right place, and will get lots of good info and support on this site.

Arlene - Mazel Tov on your great success! Yes, I said GREAT success. As you said, everyone is very different with their overall program, and it's so important not compare yourself to anyone else. Just focus on your own achievements; for which you've had many. Happy Bandiversary :-)

I like the idea of eating the salad an hour before a meal. I've been trying to figure out HOW to get in more veggies, but if I eat them with Protein, I won't eat enough protein. I'm going to try doing what you do.

Gwen - I'm long past having periods, but you should call your OB/GYN and tell him/her what's going on. Most likely, it's due to all the recent changes your body has (and continues to) go through. But you should definitely call and explain that you've just had bariatric surgery, etc. Only your doctor can really put your mind at ease. Many years ago, I was taking tons of diet pills, speed.....and anything else I could get my hands on. I was swinging from the chandeliers, but happy being in a size 3 (really?). Anyway, I skipped a period or two during that time. Our female reproductive system is sensitive to major changes in our bodies, but definitely check it out with your doc.

The last time I lost 90 pounds, I went to places like Marshall's and Ross. I picked up pants for less than $20, and tops for $10. I did this as my size dropped down, until I got to my end.....which was a size 6. Then I went and bought clothes at Macy's or other places. Marshall's was still fine, but the wardrobe world opened up, being in a single digit size. NOW, this time around, I go shopping in my own closet I've got everything from a size 6 to a 22. My goal isn't to get back into the 6's, but I'll be happy as a clam to be a size 10.

With all the coupons and discounts at Kohls, you can buy a ton of stuff for less than $100!

It's very common for people to feel tight in the morning. Sometimes, I do as well. The nurse explained that when you wake up, and your fingers and feet feel tight and swollen, it happens inside your body as well. When you swell inside, the band tightens because of the swelling underneath it. All these changes are a weird ride, huh? I've had some weird stuff lately, aside from morning tightness. The one that is the most bothersome, is the acid reflux. I really need to get that one under control. My surgeon is going to do a TNE, to see if there is any ulceration. Not looking forward to that!

I took it a couple of months ago without issue. And they're big!

Tara - you are doing great; ALL that energy! I know how good that feels. Well, the liquid Vitamins went back to the store the next day. Day #2, I dry heaved after drinking them. That is the first time I've had an episode like that since surgery. It really freaked me out, so I emailed my surgeon about possible band slippage. He wasn't concerned, unless the heaves continued beyond the one episode. I went to his office yesterday for a small fill, and picked up a bottle of Celebrate chewable. I'll see how that goes. It's very frustrating! I looked at the Opurity online. I may try those next time. Thanks for the suggestion. I never heard of them, but they sound as good as any of the other reputable bariatric supplements. I have to make a concerted effort to get in enough veggies. They push Protein so much, and say it should be the first thing we eat. Well, after that, there isn't much room for veggies. I'm going to start eating some for Snacks. It's a total balancing act! My doctor did not mention anything about iodine. But I haven't really been restricting salt, so I'm sure I'm getting plenty. It's also in the chewables, along with selenium. I tried taking the cytomel (T3) med, but it made me feel very weird. I tried it years ago, and had the same reaction. I thought maybe it would be different now, but it's still not good. I'm going to focus on getting in all the things we discussed above, and see what the labs look like in a couple of months.

The more Fluid you have in your band, the less it takes to tighten it. I asked the same question to the nurse in my doctor's office. I was concerned, because I had about 3cc's at the time of surgery, and a month later got another 3.4cc's. I felt great; got me out of bandster hell, and I did very well for about 6 weeks. Then I got another .6cc, which brought me back to the level of restriction I felt after the first fill. I thought, if I'm already at 7 (based on the size of the first fill), I'm already close to the max. She explained that when there is more fluid in the band, smaller fills tighten to a satisfactory level. I saw that happen with the second fill.