CrochetGranny

I had my C-section (vertical incision) many years ago when I was young and a much 'bigger baby' than I am now - so at the time I thought I was in some considerable pain. When I had the lapband I thought it was a piece of cake (at age 60) with very very little pain. (course in between the two I got to experience a little taste of real pain when I had a total knee replacement and they accidently unhooked my morphine pump the first night after surgery and left it unhooked til the following morning!!) I wouldn't worry too much about the pain from the lapband (not to discount anyone else's pain) - but it is done laprascopically; some people have pain with gas which I didn't. My first night I had a little problem getting out of bed but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle on my own.

When I first began my lapband journey, I copied this quote from a thread on LapBandTalk; I wish I could give credit to whomever posted it, but alas I forgot to copy the name of the originator. This is what I decided to tell if anyone ever said that to me (but so far no one has): "I wonder if these people would prefer us to be lying smugly in our early grave with our supersized casket and an inscription on our tombstone reading, "Hey, I died 20 years before I should have but at least I didn't take the easy way out."" I prefer "the easy way out" to dying an early death from my co-morbidities. I may still die early but at least I did SOMETHING to try to prevent it.

Referring to the other thread, it says the fill maximum is 4 CC in a 10 CM band, so maybe that is the solution to the mystery, a 10 CM band, not a 10 CC band. ( I don't know a thing about this cm, cc stuff, though)

Hi Carol, I'm about 60 miles southeast of Springfield and close to your age (I'm 60). Had my surgery in Clinton in July 07. Losing fairly slow, but happy with my results!! I would be glad to talk to you, whatever you need to discuss. I am retired now; used to work in Springfield.

Cerrin, would you mind sharing the brand of liquid vitamin you take? And, how does it TASTE? Thanks

I just had my 4th fill; I'm at 6.5 cc. My nurse-practitioner said so far she has not filled anyone with the small AP above 7.5 (however, I think I was the first one in their office to get the small AP). I went 3 months between this fill and the last one, that I now think that was about a month too long!! I can still eat lettuce, chicken, etc and probably more food than I need to though.

so I chose to pay for it myself rather than wait. So there are longer diet requirements. (I have Personal Care Insurance). Maybe you could pay for 1 (maybe the one that needs it the most) and see if the other one makes an attempt to comply with the diet. Tough decision, but depending on your age, you may need that 401K yourself.

unjury is right up there at the top, along with Multi Pro Belgian chocolate and Whey Gourmet Chocolate Peanut Butter (my very personal favorite!). 99% of what I tried were dumped to the sink after one or two sips...These I can drink!! I tried the Unjury chocolate, unflavored (with warm Water and Better than Boullion as a hot drink), chicken Soup flavored, and vanilla. I like them all, and these are the only drinks I do along with the two mentioned above and Muscle Milk Lite (the only premixed drink I have found that fell within my doctor's guidelines and that I liked). I mix the cold drinks with water and ice and blend, or with skim milk and ice and blend usually. They don't have that 'thick' taste that some of the canned shakes have.

Well, I had my 2nd fill last Thursday (Oct 4) and got to experience my first sliming episode and first PB!! Tried to take my pills Thursday night (which I hadn't had any trouble with before) and had a major sliming (frothing at the mouth) attack!! Well, I cut out the 2 big ones and drank lots of water with all the little ones and that did the trick the next time. Also 2 nights later went out to eat; thought I was starving because we waited so long; ate too much and too fast. Spent about 15 minutes in the bathroom recirculating it! Won't try that again!! My birthday is coming up next week and a few weeks ago I posted some things I wanted to accomplish by then: By my birthday (October 16): 1) Would like to be able to walk 2 miles in 45 minutes (small goal, but I can't do it now!!) Yes, I can now do this, but have been slacking off; need to get serious again. 2) I also would like to get my blood sugar in the mornings down to 120 or less in the morning. I have had a couple or three times when it was below 120 but not consistently yet. However, my A1C was down to 6.6 (from maybe 8.2) so this was GOOD!! 3) Would like to be down a total of 20 lbs (already down 7.5) I am down a total of 27 lbs as of this morning. 4) Would like to ride my bike at least 4 miles at a time. (I can only do 1 mile now with a rest in the middle.) I slacked off riding my bike when it was hot; need to try it again. 5) Have my blood pressure down to 120/70 (with or without medication) My blood pressure is down pretty consistently to within a few points of this (still with medicine) so I am happy with it. Hope to start reducing the pills soon.

If you and others here DIDN'T have their pictures and weight loss stories, sizes, etc, people like me would never have decided to have the band. What you choose to weigh, or what your body decides you should weigh, is up to you. Why should anybody feel intimidated? I will be satisfied if I get to 150; but I would be ecstatic if I got down to 120 or so. But if I get to 150, I definitely won't feel like a failure. I know that what I get out of this will be in direct proportion to what I put INTO it!

Hi, 5'2" - started at 245 wearing a 24 (some were too tight) now at 218 wearing a 22. Course my age probably has something to do with it too.

Well, I had my 2nd fill last Thursday (Oct 4) and got to experience my first sliming episode and first PB!! Tried to take my pills Thursday night (which I hadn't had any trouble with before) and had a major sliming (frothing at the mouth) attack!! Well, I cut out the 2 big ones and drank lots of water with all the little ones and that did the trick the next time. Also 2 nights later went out to eat; thought I was starving because we waited so long; ate too much and too fast. Spent about 15 minutes in the bathroom recirculating it! Won't try that again!! My birthday is coming up next week and a few weeks ago I posted some things I wanted to accomplish by then: By my birthday (October 16): 1) Would like to be able to walk 2 miles in 45 minutes (small goal, but I can't do it now!!) Yes, I can now do this, but have been slacking off; need to get serious again. 2) I also would like to get my blood sugar in the mornings down to 120 or less in the morning. I have had a couple or three times when it was below 120 but not consistently yet. However, my A1C was down to 6.6 (from maybe 8.2) so this was GOOD!! 3) Would like to be down a total of 20 lbs (already down 7.5) I am down a total of 27 lbs as of this morning. 4) Would like to ride my bike at least 4 miles at a time. (I can only do 1 mile now with a rest in the middle.) I slacked off riding my bike when it was hot; need to try it again. 5) Have my blood pressure down to 120/70 (with or without medication) My blood pressure is down pretty consistently to within a few points of this (still with medicine) so I am happy with it. Hope to start reducing the pills soon.

I didn't have any restriction after my first adjustment, but I just had my second one yesterday. Had my first episode of 'sliming' last night after taking several small pills. I'm supposed to be on liquids today, had hot tea this morning; I've heard it will open the band (hot drinks) sometimes. Today at lunch I ate some fish and potato salad, very small amounts and chewed it well, did ok. If you don't loosen up maybe you could have a slight unfill.

I am a retired "Systems Consultant"; another way of saying systems analyst/computer programmer. I liked my job but I LOVE my retirement!!

I can't believe I haven't updated my journal since one week post-op. I enjoy reading all the other journals, but have been lax in updating mine. Went back and got my list of things I wanted to do, so am updating it here: I hope to be able to do all these things when I lose some weight: 1) Ride my horse without worrying that I am breaking his back!! Too hot, haven't even tried. He's having fun in the pasture. 2) Have the energy to clean my house and shovel out all the stuff I gathered thru the years. I have more energy, and have started cleaning out some (namely clothes that are getting too big) but sad to say not real enthused about this yet!! 3) Stick my arm in that blood pressure thing at Walmart and not have it get stuck there!! And use a normal blood pressure cuff! Haven't tried it yet! 4) Walk somewhere without huffing and puffing and stopping to rest 20 times. Can walk 45 minutes on the treadmill and am finding daily walking a lot easier! 5) Get off all these pills I am taking - or at least most of them!! My blood pressure is pretty much normal now (with the pills), but it will probably be a while longer before I decrease them. My blood sugar has decreased but still a ways to go. Went off Metformin when I got the surgery. Going to the doctor tomorrow and will get blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, etc. 6) Quit getting my butt stuck in chairs/theatre seats, etc with arms. This has decreased dramatically, with just a 24 lb weight loss. 7) Have enough energy to play with grandkids, do some gardening, ride my bike. Stayed off the bike for the 6 weeks after surgery, still not gotten back on it yet. Maybe today if it's cool enough! 8) Not be the biggest person in the room. (Already accomplished this when I went to the bariatric clinic-how sad. Finally sat in a chair too big for me!! But I don't consider this a NSV) What a sick mentality I have that I rejoice that someone in the room is bigger than me - this isn't usually the case tho. 9) Do something besides read, crochet and watch soaps on tv all day long because I don't feel like doing much else. Still need to work on this. 10) I'm sure there are many more but I have gone brain-dead for now.

I can't believe I haven't updated my journal since one week post-op. I enjoy reading all the other journals, but have been lax in updating mine. Went back and got my list of things I wanted to do, so am updating it here: I hope to be able to do all these things when I lose some weight: 1) Ride my horse without worrying that I am breaking his back!! Too hot, haven't even tried. He's having fun in the pasture. 2) Have the energy to clean my house and shovel out all the stuff I gathered thru the years. I have more energy, and have started cleaning out some (namely clothes that are getting too big) but sad to say not real enthused about this yet!! 3) Stick my arm in that blood pressure thing at Walmart and not have it get stuck there!! And use a normal blood pressure cuff! Haven't tried it yet! 4) Walk somewhere without huffing and puffing and stopping to rest 20 times. Can walk 45 minutes on the treadmill and am finding daily walking a lot easier! 5) Get off all these pills I am taking - or at least most of them!! My blood pressure is pretty much normal now (with the pills), but it will probably be a while longer before I decrease them. My blood sugar has decreased but still a ways to go. Went off Metformin when I got the surgery. Going to the doctor tomorrow and will get blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, etc. 6) Quit getting my butt stuck in chairs/theatre seats, etc with arms. This has decreased dramatically, with just a 24 lb weight loss. 7) Have enough energy to play with grandkids, do some gardening, ride my bike. Stayed off the bike for the 6 weeks after surgery, still not gotten back on it yet. Maybe today if it's cool enough! 8) Not be the biggest person in the room. (Already accomplished this when I went to the bariatric clinic-how sad. Finally sat in a chair too big for me!! But I don't consider this a NSV) What a sick mentality I have that I rejoice that someone in the room is bigger than me - this isn't usually the case tho. 9) Do something besides read, crochet and watch soaps on tv all day long because I don't feel like doing much else. Still need to work on this. 10) I'm sure there are many more but I have gone brain-dead for now.

In only 3 more days I'll be out of surgery about this time and starting the rest of my journey to a smaller me!! I have so far lost 11 pounds (9 on my pre-op diet); so ready to get this done and over with!!! I need to be cleaning my house and getting ready since I reckon I won't feel much like any cleaning in about 3 days!! But don't feel like it today either!! No day is a good day! Had people over for a wienie roast last night and a hayride. One couple brought their grandkids over cause they wanted us to let them ride one of the horses - as usual it was not enough and they wanted to ride in the pasture and run the horse instead of in the small pen, and ride the other 2 horses which are real high energy horses. Then DH over- heard their grandma telling them "I don't know why they won't let you ride the other two horses, you'll just have to be satisfied with this one." Well DUH - they've rode some horse a couple of times and think they're experts (at age 7 and 10). How about we bring our grandkids (6, 8 and 12) over to your house and let them drive your truck - just around town. After all, we once let them drive our truck and they were able to keep it between the ditches for 1/4 mile. WHY OH WHY are some people so stupid? Then the 15 year old says 'this horse is trying to rub me off by going under the trees' - well, why don't you simply rein the horse around the trees. You're supposed to be the driver!! Oh yeah, according to them the horse doesn't know how to guide - well, he's been ridden hundreds of miles thru forest and up and down mountains with sheer drop-offs and we've never had a problem with him - could it be the driver????? Hubby was sure pissed when they left and so was I. Why do people think they can come to your house and do what they want with your horses and then insult you and them when they can't handle them? I told him this morning that's it - no more inexperienced riders on our horses. Especially if they won't listen. Oh well - my rant for the day!!! Had the Matrix chocolate for breakfast this morning in water. It sure tasted thin; should have had it in milk I guess. I'll stick with Unjury and a couple of the others. Signing off for today!!

Hi, I will be 60 in less than 2 months so would like to join this group also! I had my band on July 20, 2007. There was an older thread for over 60 but I guess it died months ago!

Maybe I was lucky - I've had 1 c-section and a hysterectomy, and the pain for the lapband was more like a toothache (minor one at that!). I took one dose of painkiller the same day I came home from the hospital (because I thought I should - not because I felt I needed it) and switched to liquid tylenol the next day (1 dose of it) and nothing from then on. The largest incision (mine was about 4 ") hurt a little bit, the others not at all. I am retired so didn't have to worry about going to work, but could have gone back to a desk job in probably 3 or 4 days. I had zero pain from gas that some people talk about. By the third night I was sleeping on my right side, and by the end of week 2 was sleeping on my left side and stomach. I am currently at 4 1/2 weeks out and have absolutely no pain, and haven't for a couple weeks. I never had a problem getting out of bed, just rolled to my side and sat up slowly. The only problem I did have is dizziness. I think it all depends on your tolerance to pain, and the gas effects, etc. Hope all works out fine for you!!

Hi NM Sunshine. I will be 60 in a couple months; I had my lapband surgery July 20, 2007. I have lost 20 lbs with the pre-diet and since being banded. I have high blood pressure (going down), diabetic (sugars going down), CAD - 3 stents, and a right knee replacement (weight loss so far is helping with the knee pain). My insurance required a one year diet beforehand - hell I could be dead in a year!! so I self-paid. No regrets so far!!

I have been dizzy and light-headed since the surgery (not necessarily when eating, but all the time) and it is just beginning to let up now. (I am three weeks out from surgery) I have done searches on this forum and other places. From what I read, I have concluded that it is a result of the surgery. Some posts say that the vagus nerve lies up against where the band is sewn to the stomach, thus when the stomach is swollen or healing, it could be irritating this nerve. This nerve can cause the dizziness, as well as various other things, such as suppressing hunger, hiccups, etc. The posts I read said as the swelling subsides it will go away. Also, some posts said this may be your 'full' message.

CrochetGranny; banded July 20, 2007 small AP band

Today is my 1 week anniversary!! Had my first post-op visit yesterday. I am down 1.5 lb from date of surgery (guess I'll take it, since I've seen others say they gained quite a bit from the surgery then lost it again. I was up 2 lbs the day after surgery and then back down. I've lost 11.5 lbs so far since first consultation. I am lucky, have not had ANY gas, incisions healing clean and not sore. Picked tame blackberries today, humid; had to bend over to pick quite a few of them (close to ground) - course I'm pretty close to the ground anyway. I think this is the first time ever I have not ate half of what I picked!! Have a blackberry pie in the oven in preparation for company coming tomorrow. This sucks since I LOVE blackberry pie. Nutritionist said I could move on to some mushies like cream of wheat and pudding; etc. So far not getting hungry - just getting tired of these shakes!!

Today is my 1 week anniversary!! Had my first post-op visit yesterday. I am down 1.5 lb from date of surgery (guess I'll take it, since I've seen others say they gained quite a bit from the surgery then lost it again. I was up 2 lbs the day after surgery and then back down. I've lost 11.5 lbs so far since first consultation. I am lucky, have not had ANY gas, incisions healing clean and not sore. Picked tame blackberries today, humid; had to bend over to pick quite a few of them (close to ground) - course I'm pretty close to the ground anyway. I think this is the first time ever I have not ate half of what I picked!! Have a blackberry pie in the oven in preparation for company coming tomorrow. This sucks since I LOVE blackberry pie. Nutritionist said I could move on to some mushies like cream of wheat and pudding; etc. So far not getting hungry - just getting tired of these shakes!!

Hi Carol1951, I am so sorry you are going thru this now. Why oh why do adult children who should know better use their kids (your grandkids) to punish you for a wrong she perceives you have done her? My DH and I have gone thru this before. I'm sure your daughter will come to realize that you are there for her emotionally, but cannot always be there for her for her money needs. It may take a while, but she will surely recognize it. It is a sad thing that her children have to suffer by not being able to see their grandparents; it can only hurt the children. Try to hold steady and do not give in to her demands for money. If you can help her think of ways she can make it on her own, then do it. But I'm sure she is of an age where she should be independent. Perhaps she can get some aid from a state agency or something like that. Try to occupy yourself with positive things; maybe find a new friend, go for some long walks; reconnect with other family or old friends. I don't think you have lost your daughter permanently; but sometimes it takes a while for them to come to their senses.