lisacaron

I'll be honest with everyone...this weekend I just took OFF! I stayed home, I stayed in my most comfy sweats, and did NOTHING! I had a baby Christening to go to on Sunday and you know I love my family, but I just didn't want to get up and get "dressed" up. I do that every single day for work. The hair the make up the clothes. I just wanted to be OFF this weekend. So I took it! I gave my congratulations, I sent my card and my gift and my love to the new little family and I stayed home in my sweats with my hubby. I needed a mental health weekend away from it all. This morning I was up early, got my car to the shop "idiot" light was one and I need an oil change. I got dressed and yes my clothes and even my boots are a bit too big on me, but you know I don't look terrible and I promise myself this week I will buy some pants and some new shoes. For now I'll just wear tube socks with my boots because they are calling for SNOW! Spring freaking SNOW here in NY again! I am so sick of this cold weather it just is NOT funny!

@@lapper32014 I understand. Your very newly banded and it's going to take some time. If you are worried about the Protein and getting that in, there are protein shots by body fortress these helped me in the very beginning when I wasn't able to get the amount of protein in as needed. They are light juice flavored but they pack the punch you want/need and they are easy to take. You can also mix into Water to cut the "flavor". They helped me when I didn't have access to keep things cold and I needed to make sure I had that protein in. On days when you can, try to set "meal" times so you are eating balanced through out the day. The habits you establish early on will help you as you move forward. I know if I don't carve out the time to sit and eat I won't eat at all and that sets me up for failure later in the day. Good luck! Great that your back to work already!

Are you banded? and if so for how long? I will tell you what my nutritionist says about taking so long to eat or drink anything once you are past the early healing phases. It should take you no more then 20 minutes to consume your meal. If you are eating past the 20 minutes stop if you keep going your eating into your next meal. It should not take 3 hours to consume a blended beverage and if it is I would also question why make 24 oz and not less?

@@tw42 how long have you been banded?

I can say I am in the same boat and at times the tide is in and others the tide is out. I have some days where I am more restricted because of allergies or cold/flu though never to the point that only liquids can be taken. I have had that once after being sick, and it was not something I could or would want to live with for any extended amount of time. Thankfully it cleared up and I did not have to have fluid removed. I'm at a good place with my band today. I am able to eat solid foods, and keep the portions in check. That's right where I want to be. When I have days where stress cinches my band because all the rest of my body is tense, I know it already and I will take it easy on my choices of foods, and lets just say I won't be eating a steak or dry chicken breast. I have learned even before banding that when those days come along, it's better to eat light and easy. Before banding I would get very sick if I ate heavy while under extreme stress, and now I have to say I'm glad that with the band I just can't get it down cause at least I am not sick for days

You are most welcome to come shopping with me any day! We can even go to the outlet stores if you like. They have some good finds and are less overpowering then the mall. In the past I would send my sister in law out for me. She's great with shopping, has good style similar to mine and loves to shop. The only problem with that right now for me is size, and I'm one of those discriminating PITA's. I have to like it, be comfortable in it, and it has to fit my "style" budget which could be anything and everything at any given moment So come on lets get our shop on!

I agree that it's something that you have to work on every day to keep balance in your life. That said it is understandable for a person and/or persons who are undergoing life changing experiences like WLS or recovery to vacillate closer to one end of the spectrum and back to the other before they find their balance. I think the key here should be support, from close family and friends or even a therapist who might be able to sense that they are too far in one direction for too long and give that person a nudge so they don't stay stuck there and can keep swinging until the find their rhythm.

Do you know I just love you lady do you know that?!! I appreciate all of you and all the support. I was a good girl today and I didn't stick my tongue out at myself this morning! I'm a really bad shopper, honestly I hate it with a passion. It's an old left over emotion from years of shopping and trying on clothes with my mother when I was young. Alexanders was the worst place in the world. If they said we were going there for new clothes it was enough to bring me to tears. It meant hours and hours of trying on clothes I didn't even like. It was the 70's did anyone like those clothes? I started the donation pile this morning, I pulled out those things that just don't fit right anymore, you know the ones you just can't belt or pin anymore. They are going to find a new home where someone needs them. Some of my more "awesome" shoes will find a new home too. I'm not big into selling my things, I'd rather give them away. I'm headed out for lunch today and I'm going to one store and see what I can find in my size and if I purchase one or two things you ladies are right that will be a big help and I can do that every couple of days and soon I'll have a decent wardrobe again. I think if I keep the "shopping" to lunch time I'm sure I won't be overwhelmed and miserable and I'll actually accomplish something since I'm putting a time frame on it

I got one word for you, AMAZING!

I agree with you. This is a support community and yes every now and then we are off topic and there are forums set up for those "way" off topic things, and even one for rants and raves if you feel so inclined. That said let me also say that if you are going to write about and share your part in or knowledge of something illegal you can 100% guarantee it and you will be reported. So, unless you feel the need to confess and you can't make it to your local police station, your fingers forgot how to dial and you lost your voice and can't dial 911 then by all means share it here and we will make sure that the proper authorities are pointed in your direction.

I agree with everyone above! If you are ready to do this, and your medically clear for it, go for it! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself, and have not regretted it.

Sure you can use Muscle Milk post op just choose the "light" version of it, is what my Nutritionist advised.

Beautiful! Congratulations!!! @@Suzyfit If you are going to only breast feed your new little love, you are going to want and need to wait on fills until you are ready to transition. You and most especially your little one will need all the nutrition you can get in during this time and it's pertinent that you eat and drink and keep your strength up. There is always time for weight loss later down the road. Take this time to heal and recover, as your body has been through something it doesn't' do every day even if it is a totally natural process, and most of all take the time to enjoy and love your little one!!! Check in with your surgeon, and let them know your breast feeding and how long you plan to continue and their office and your nutritionist if you have one, (if you don't the hospital would be able to advise you for breast feeding nutrition) they will be the best resource for you as you go forward. Don't worry if your hungry, that's normal. Try to make good nutritious choices and you won't go wrong

Yes one of my favorite sayings "I am ME"

I agree I would give your doctor a call and let them know that you were vomiting just to be sure that everything is indeed OK. When we vomit the usual spasm that makes food go down reverses and makes food go up and when the muscle reverses it can cause swelling in and around the stoma from the pressure of bringing something up against the force of gravity which naturally propels things downward. That swelling can be temporary or it can force the band out of place if it's extreme. Sometimes rest and liquids is what the Dr. prescribes but only the Dr.can tell you if everything is OK. So for peace of mind I would give them a call. Let them know what your symptoms are and ask for some advice on the next few days. If they ask you to go to the office, go you will sleep better at night knowing rather then second guessing. Feel better and let us know how your doing!!

Hi Cinderoo, I would think that if you are vomiting enough to cause head bleeds that there has to be some significant damage or even slippage to the band. I would also as the Neuro to run some more tests to see if it could be something that is genetic in nature. like Arteriovenous malformations. This is a congenital disorder, the individual is born with it. It is a disorder of blood vessels in the spinal cord, brainstem or brain. Having this type of disorder could make something as simple as getting stuck on food or sick from the flu give you a bleed. If you feel that the band needs to come due to your condition keep pressing your doctors and medicare, don't give up on your health and your needs because of paper work. If your neuro finds it's causing you to have more episodes or adding to them, then he can argue a case for it's removal. Having a diagnosis for your condition is one step in the right direction, keep on pushing forward and don't take no for an answer! Best of luck to you, let us know how your doing.

You know I did get something stuck last night ! That's could be what's causing it Now you hit the nail on the head! That happens to me when I get stuck on something, and what has helped me in the past is Papya enzymes. I have one or two of them and it clears it all up for me and the hiccups totally stop. Give it a try you can get them at Walgreens or GNC they are chewable.

@@Tanya Strayhorn Hi Tanya, OK so you've had a rough road of it, and your feeling a little discouraged. I understand that, I think you will find that there are quite a few people here who will understand where you are coming from. Let me start by saying that since you are a banded person you are no longer able to eat like everyone else so give yourself a break and stop trying to. Start eating like a banded person again. It's a simple reset to get back to the beginning when you first were banded. Go back to simple eating and eating for yourself and not the family or friends. When I find myself all twisted up and trust me I get there too, I hit the reset button in my head and take my mind back to why I had this surgery and what were the first steps I took. That always helps me get back on track again. I'll go back to band basics for a few days and work my way into a groove. Preparing my meals and cooking healthy dinners etc. As for your band, right now I personally think you might be too tight. When the band is tight it's hard to know what's going since your always getting stuck your always working around it your struggling to eat and keep foods down and fighting the Gerd and heartburn etc. It's more difficult to recognize and feel the I'm satisfied signals our body sends us. Consider meeting with the Dr. and taking out even 1cc of Fluid and seeing how that feels for a couple of weeks, as you being to get your mindset back on the band again. As for exercise, that is not an easy one when you have debilitating arthritis and you are so far from any where warm and safe to walk or swim to tell you to get up and walk. I know my husband is facing hip replacement surgery later this month, due to such arthritic condition and his mobility is pretty compromised as well and let me tell you mine is NOT but in sympathy for him I think I don't move as much as I should I almost feel guilty going out for walks or going to the gym or even losing more weight since he's not able to keep up. (I have to work on those issues with myself) I read recently and have started working with my hubby on these youtube videos someone else posted about on here. Give it a try they are pretty cool and I do some of them at my desk while I am at work Paul Eugene chair aerobics, if you google that you will find his youtube videos.

Hmm.. now that is interesting. I used to get the hiccups all the time before I was banded and when I was newly banded I had them the first couple weeks of recovery. Now they will only start up occasionally when I eat too fast or too much. Have you eating anything that got stuck at all recently? I would give the Dr. a call and just let them know you have this going on, I know the diaphragm is close to the banded area and when that is swollen it can cause hiccups like that, which is why I say give the Dr. a call, they will have much more insight into it. Let us know what they say.

When I was first banded my husband and I would go out to eat as we often did pre-band. We would get some looks from the owners of the restaurants and our wait staff. I tried to tell him it would be better to just order one meal and we could just share it but in the early stages your eyes are literally bigger then your tummy so he would order a meal and I would order something and we would not be able to finish it. Are you OK is everything OK all kinds of questions! Even if we didn't want to take left overs home when we would check out they would give us dessert to go home with?! Really? Of course we would have to say NO no no no no no...and eventually they all got it. We weren't trying to slight them or their food, we just didn't need to be eating like we did before.

You know I have to say that if the leak is caused by the Dr. or his staff they should have to pay to repair it. If someone hit my car, or hurt me they would be paying for it and the same should be said of medical devices. I would really check into that and press the issue. If the device itself is at fault the same should hold true, and I'm sure there is some legal precedence you might be able to research and use in your favor. That said even a small amount of saline could change the restriction level, I am affected by .5cc, but like others said just because you can eat it doesn't mean you should do it. Of course that is easier to say then do as we all know too well. Perhaps they took more then 1cc and it's worth checking on for your peace of mind either way. Good luck to you and let us know how your doing.

Yup that's me! I tend to undo all the good I do all week on the weekends! You would think it would be easier when at home, but for me it really isn't. I have to "plan" and the hubby doesn't always like to go with my plan and thus we deviate and sometimes it makes me mad which makes me want to eat even though I know it is the wrong thing to do. We haven't worked this out quite yet...and I think I"m going to join a program on Saturday's whether it be dance or Karate or something where I am on task and he can join or not and it won't derail me so easily!!

@@ccjll As I stated in my post, if your good with it give it a go. I have done those programs pre-band and sadly they didn't work for me I never lost any weight. It has worked for you in the past and it might be a great way to give it a go now as it's all pre-measured and packaged for you and as long as it's in your calorie range and nutrition range again I say go for it. For me, it was easier to just shop and cook for my husband and I as we are both banded and definitely more cost effective. As for scolding...just as I thought you were being harsh, some people just come across that way an their intentions are spot on. You may/may not be the only one doing the JC so do let us know how it goes. I know there are some WW peeps on here, not sure about the other systems like JC and Nutrisystem but there are so many people I'm sure there are some out there who have given it a go.

Thanks @@Alex Brecher these are some great tips for Spring!

I too have this issue. It was easier for me to get rid of some of the bins I had stored in my attic, since I don't wear those clothes much. They were too big I donated them no problem. Now though, I find myself out of clothes to wear to work. I have a bunch of dress pants and suits that just no longer fit. I tried cinching them in with a belt but I look a bit like bozo the clown as they balloon around me all over the place. I spend the whole day uncomfortable and not feeling good about myself in them at all. I'm still losing and I don't want to run out and buy new ones. I am back into a few smaller pants I had worn about 9 years ago when I lost about 50 pounds (of course over time I gained that and more back) now that it's gone again I can at least use them for this spring. It's emotional and overwhelming and exciting and all those things. I have some really good clothes I hate to let go of but once they are in the bag, it's like tearing off a bandaid. I have to tackle the main closet this weekend, and before I store the "winter" coats again I'll have to get rid of a few really awesome favorites. They are huge on me now, and even with a sweater or sweatshirt under...they are just too darn big..and that makes me a happy sad sorta crazy