aubrie

I initially told my parents. My mother was "okay" with it. Dad didn't say much. Then they started reading some crap and totally went ballistic. Both of them freaked out, and my mom was so upset I feared for her health. (She's 70). I finally ended up telling them they were right and I changed my mind so they wouldn't worry. I went ahead with my surgery. My 23 year old son was a little frightened because he saw a bypass surgery on TV and freaked. The show discussed the complications. Once I explained I was having a lap band and the difference, he was okay with it. My husband was fully supportive from the get go. 6 weeks later after surgery, I went home to my parents' for Christmas. I was healthy, happy, and eating solid food by then, and had lost 21 pounds. Once they saw that I was okay, they were okay with it. BUT. I had galbladder surgery two weeks ago with some complications. My Dad demonized my band and said it was all my bands fault!!!! He wanted me to have it taken out while I was still in the hospital. I had already had TWO surgeries that week!!! Was he crazy???? He just doesn't understand......... My band had NOTHING to do with my galbladder problem. I doubt I'll be able to convince him of that. They haven't seen me since Christmas, and I have now lost 65 pounds, so they should be quite surprised when I go home next week for a visit. We'll see how it goes........

At age 49 I'm a bit surprised about the loose skin issue. I thought I would have loads of loose skin on my tummy. I don't. Just a little. I thought my arms would look normal. They don't. They are HORRIBLE. It's not at all what I expected. I figured that I could wear a one piece or cover up my tummy, and wouldn't have to worry about arms. In south Texas, it's HOT, so sleeveless tops are almost year round. I'm fretting over this, and I've only lost 65 pounds with 45 to go, so I know it's going to get even worse. I look like I have mud flaps from the underside of a semi truck!! Not pretty. I think I will have no choice but to fix them surgically. The two people that I've seen have it, did not have good results, so I'm scared.

S. Missy: I think there are quite a few people that experience hiccups when they are full. Hiccups are an early warning sign for me. If I eat one more bite once I start hiccupping, I get stuck. So I'm thankful for that. My DH will even take my plate and scrape it off for me. After 9 months, he knows when it's time for me to stop. He hates for me to be miserable and uncomfortable. He's been so good through all this, and is my biggest supporter. A constant source of encouragement.....

I asked about discounts at a nearby restaurant. The waitress was so nice when I explained why. She said she would ask. The owner said, NO!. She was embarassed and very apologetic. She said she would give anything to do what I did, and wished me all the luck in the world. I've never asked again. But I do have a card. My doctor gave it to me in the hospital before I went home from surgery. It also had medical information should I ever get in an accident. Like being careful with intubation tubes etc.

Secret. Yes, my doc does have me do something wierd to find the port, although you can feel it pretty easily. I lay flat on the table. He gives me a topical, then I get a lydocaine injection. He waits, then he has me push my stomach out and bear down like I'm having a baby. My port pops right up to the surface. First quick stick and it's in. I've never had to go through a series of sticks thank God. My doctor does it himself EVERY time. He doesn't allow his nurses to do it. He puts in a good fill while I'm drinking water through a straw held by the nurse. When the water starts to back up, he stops and slowly takes some back out until the water goes down easily. I rest for a minute and then drink some more water. If that goes down, he takes the needle out. Then I sit up for 5 to 10 minutes and he has me drink some more water. If that too goes down, I'm free to leave. So he triple checks. So far I've never had a problem, and I've had 4 fills and one complete unfill.

Yup, three out of my four fills caused an ugly bruise. They are about the size of a silver dollar, and they take three weeks to go away. I don't know why they last so long, but they don't hurt.

I got a fill after my vacation. When I'm spending that much money, I want to enjoy it, and not risk any problems. I would HATE to be in a strange place, have a problem, and not have my doctor around. Or horror, there NOT BE a bariatric doctor around!!! Plus, I knew from flying prior to that, that flying makes my band tighten anyway, and I didn't want to risk being to tight and then being miserable and ruining it for my husband. Plus, I ALWAYS lose weight on vacation. I have a desk job, so being on vacation and swimming, snorkeling, hiking, walking, dancing, and riding bikes causes me to actually lose weight anyway. I'm very active on my vacations.

Restriction is a pressure or dull ache in my left rib cage area when I've had enough to eat. It can be hiccups if I need to quit eating. When I get stuck, which is totally different than restricition, It feels like a flaming golf ball in the middle of my chest between my boobs. I don't get stuck very often, and rarely if ever PB. But the restriction is always there, reminding me not to overeat.

I think people notice, but many are at a loss about what to say. They fear they may offend you by bringing it up. They don't want to be crass or rude, or make you feel bad. It is an awkward situation, and they don't want to upset you. some people are very sensitive if you mention their weight. I catch people staring at me all the time, but they never say a word. They notice....... Not to mention the people out there that are jealous of your accomplishments, and don't want to give you credit for it, because it would make THEM feel bad for not taking control of THEIR weight problem. Jealousy can be an ugly thing....... Don't worry. Believe me. 45 pounds DOES show.....

Many bypass patients get B-12 shots. I would HATE that. The sublingual does absorb better, and you actually utilize more of it. My doctor doesn't recommend a B-12 supplement routinely, but he always tests for it when I have blood work done. I've been perfect, so I don't need the extra. I take Bariatric Advantage mulit-vitamins, so they are specially formulated for us, so I guess they work.

Good to know fanny. I use herb tea when I'm feeling a little puny myself. I like peppermint tea for that occasional nausea. Chamomile works well too, when I just need something soothing. I love ginger, so I'll try it. Pre-band, I ALWAYS reached for ginger ale when I was sick. My son gets sea sick, so we always brought it along when we went snorkeling. It worked like a charm for him. but of course, no more fizzy drinks, so the tea will be welcome...... Glad you're feeling better. I was getting worried about you. Did you fly out early or tough it out?

SassyMama you cracked me up!!! I laughed out loud when you said you would eat an onion if someone handed it to you, and you don't even like them...... I'm sorry you're having such a bad time, but this to shall pass. Hang tough. You do not want to risk harming your band or messing up your stitches. Be patient. It will all be worth it when you step on that scale!!!

Water also helps curb your hunger. Midway between meals, if you feel like you need something in your tummy, water helps take the edge off. It also flushes your system. With your body breaking down all that nasty fat, the water flush becomes REALLY important. Some bandsters (like me) suffer with constipation. Drinking enough water helps with that two. So there are many reasons to drink that water!!

Acheiving self realization at the tender age of 18 is phenominal. The fact that you are so in tune with yourself at such a young age is admirable. You seem to know yourself fairly well. Most people wouldn't see the things you do, or would be in denial over them. If you can talk about deep things with your BF, then keep talking to him, but if you feel smothered, then taking a break would be the right thing for you to do. But I wouldn't get rid of that friendship just yet. You still need a support system. EVERYONE does!!! You seem like a real smart and introspective young woman with a good head on her shoulders. Relax, and enjoy things in your life. Enjoy college. It will be the best time of your life, and now you have a new outlook and new attitude to go with it. Don't fret. I think you're on the right track. Especially for your age!!!

I still don't like chewing my food down to sludge. It loses it's flavor and feels icky in my mouth. I can't stand it, but I do it so I don't suffer with the flaming golfball later.

My best friend had a terrible botched Lab Band job done in Houston by Dr. Spiegel. She suffered horribly for a year, and the office staff just basically blew her off. She FINALLY found a doctor in Victoria who was willing to take her case. He had to do extensive corrective surgery, but was able to save her band. She's doing well now, but the old band is beginning to act up. Her new doctor feels one of the newer bands will really help, so he approached the original band manufacturere and explained the problem. They even came to meet him. They were not opposed to helping fund a replacement with a newer model. My friend is delighted. So she is looking into this. It IS possible.

My only regret regarding the band, is that I didn't do it sooner!!!

I had gallbladder surgery two weeks ago. Had to have all my fill taken out for a second surgery I ended up needing two days later. BUMMER! I went yesterday to get my fills started again. I had been up to 5.5 cc, and was worried I'd have to start slow. I didn't. The doc put back in 4, so I'm not far off the mark. I lost 7 pounds in the hospital!! (5 days of clears) Anyway, the doctor had wanted me to keep a food diary for a week so he could assess my eating habits. I'm very proud to say that I got an A-!!! I thought he would really fuss at me, but he was actually proud of me. His only complaints were, snacking after my workouts with a few chips, a couple indiscretions with a cookie and skim milk at bedtime, (hey it's better than the whole milk and the half a bag of cookies that I used to eat!:wub:) and eating tiny amounts of white rice, pasta and white potatos occasionally. I HAVE to switch to brown rice, sweet potato and only whole wheat pasta (which I hate), and only that type of carb 3X a week. My intake of fresh veggies and fruit, fish, and protein was right on target. I'm good with my dairy and water. I'm good with my food choices, and did well in a dining out situation for work. I'm eating solid food for breakfast. And I'm good on my fat intake and remembering to take my vitamins. Even my portions were right where he wanted them. I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! :thumbup:I have successfully changed my eating habits for the better, and couldn't be more pleased!! :smile2: I'll take an A- any day.

I can control my cravings for most things, except salty chips. I have the WORST time with that..... If I crave something I can usually go watch TV, read, clean the house, do laundry, anything to get my mind off of it, but chips literally call out to me!! It's horrendous. It's a struggle to convince my mind I don't really need them.

I crave salty and crunchy. Mostly chips. I have to not even be in the same room with a bag of kettle chips. tostitos and salsa. Trisquits with cheese. It MUST be the salt. Now that I'm used to extra protein in my diet, I crave that a lot too. I keep turkey in the fridge for just this reason. One slice of Butterball Cajun Turkey and I'm satisfied.

Obstructions can occur from lack of bowel movements. If you get to impacted, your colon can actually burst and poison you in short order. DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THIS. I had this happend after a shoulder surgery a few years back. I was in the hospital longer with the impaction than I was with the shoulder surgery!!! Pain meds were the culprit. Now I avoid pain medication as much as possible. I just grit my teeth and bear it after the initial day or so. Tell your doctor about this immediately. You can really hurt yourself with this. There are several things he/she can do to help.

Help!!! I'm now two weeks post surgery, and my blood pressure is still giving me fits. It's not coming down even with the new dosage of medication. What could be causing this???? Now I'm getting worried. Comments? Information? I go back to the doctor on Wednesday the 20th for my first post op fill. Do you think a fill will alter the blood pressure even further? I can't figure this out. It's a mystery at this point.

Well, I suffered the week from hell last week. I woke up last Monday night at 12:30 AM with a terrible tummy ache. No where near my band. On the other side. I paced. I tried to pass gas and took gas-x. I rocked. I drank water. Nothing.... it just got worse. By six AM I was groaning and my husband had been up with me for a couple hours. I called my surgeon at 8:00 and he told me to come right away. (A 1 1/2 hour drive.... misery) I get there by 10:00 and he tells me I have gallbladder problems. WTF???? I don't eat a high fat diet. Never have. I have had low cholesterol all my life. I was totally in denial. I was starting to turn a little yellow. I have the sono and I have multiple gallstones. YIPPEE. By 7:00 that evening I had the damn thing removed. Thought it was over. NOT!!!!! I turn more yellow. My eyes turn yellow. My amalase and lipase levels skyrocket. My bilirubin is off the charts. More pain begins..... Well, some of the stones had dislodged and settled in my bile ducts, clogging the little opening. So all this infection, bile, and crap is backing up into my liver and pancreas. (Pancreatitis) Two days later, ANOTHER SURGERY!!! I opted against full blown abdominal surgery and chose the 85% effective procedure where they put all the cameras, equipment, tubes, etc. down your throat. (I was asleep) Okay. so that's done. 4 hours later, chest pains, nausea, can't sit up or talk, and my blood pressure skyrockets to 255/150. :sleep2: I was so close to a stroke. I had a team working on me in my room. My poor husband was beside himself. It was the scariest thing I've ever been through. I spent 5 days in the hospital. Anyway. I pulled through, I have a blood pressure patch for "insurance" and am monitoring that closely. I guess to much surgery all at once? I don't know, but I don't want to do it again. I'm much better now, :thumbup:but did learn that this gallbladder thing is common for RNY patients due to the more rapid weight loss. My doctor told me it's much less common for bandsters, and he thought I would have been one of the last ones to possibly go through it. He's just as puzzled as I am. I did lose rapidly in the beginning, but I've been on a plateau for months. Any nurses out there with any insight on this????:Banane37:

Happy Bandaversary and WAY TO GO!!!! You did it!!! Congratulations. I know you have to be on top of the world. Enjoy life!

Susan, You're right. I forgot to mention that.... I hiccup too!!!! When I start with that, even my DH knows I've over done it and he'll put my plate away. He never says a word. Just picks it up, scrapes it off and in the sink it goes!!! I don't mind in the least, because he is so non-challant about it, and doesn't harp on me. Such a sweetie!!!