poodlecamper

Live in Bolivia, Sunset Harbor area. Dr. James Harris, NHRMC. Sleeved 10/4 . Would love to find a support group closer than Wilmington.

I haven't posted in monthes--caught up in family drama, which I blame for my current "psychological eating". I'm just not feeling that motivation like I did in the beginning---going tomorrow for a fill and a dreaded weigh-in--I've lost, but not nearly as much as I should have. And already beginning to feel that old holiday stress. :thumbup: To add to a comment that someone made, Fairfield Bariatrics is the BEST!!!!!!! And St. V's is a wonderful hospital--3 surgeries there and no complaints. Now, I'm happy with my results so far, but want to have the gung ho attitude I did in the beginning--I'm taking the easy way out, and eating slider foods that are not the best choices. On a POSITIVE note--yesterday was my 4 year anniversary of survival from ovarian and peritoneal cancer, stage 3!!!!!!:thumbup: To anyone considering this surgery--go for it--it really is life-changing in the best way. Carol Hey Debbie in Stratford, how are you doing?

Jeff---There are so many things I want to say to you--it would fill a book. I wish I could've had this surgery 30 years ago--I missed so much of life's participation as I steadily gained. I will address your fear of missing food and being able to binge--I had the same fear---how could i give up such a big part of my life? Something that gave me such pleasure? Well, believe it or not, you WILL eventually be able to eat the things you love. But you won't be able to eat massive amounts, and you will get used to it. And as you lose, the food will take on a smaller role and focus in your life. I ate at Taco Bell the other day--not as much as my family, but i was satisfied with it. You may even be turned off by things you loved, because you know they won't "work" anymore. (hamburgers just won't go down anymore and are a very unpleasant experience for me) You're so young---and there is such a big world and so many experiences out there. I have a list of goals that include kayaking and horseback riding for myself. What are your goals? I wish you lots of luck and hope you find support from this group. Carol

I was on a plateau--3 weeks of gaining and losing the same 1-2 lbs. My calorie intake was 800 to 1000, and I was getting that old "oh what the hell, bring on the chips" feeling. Well, I saw a post about the "pouch test" and went to the website "Living after Weight Loss Surgery" to check it out. I lost 7 lbs. !!!!!!! and am below 250 (now 242, have to change my ticker) for the first time in over 20 years. I realized that 1) It does matter about protein first, and the no fluids before or after meals rule 2) I was eating too many slider foods---not bad, but not giving me that satisfied feeling 3) drinking LOTS of water makes a difference and 4) My carb intake was creeping up. It was a difficult 5 days, but I feel hopeful once again, and the scale is moving down!! Carol

The family went out to celebrate my daughter's graduation--as we were seated in a large booth (which I try to avoid) I checked underneath to make sure it could be moved to accomodate me--was I shocked to find I fit with room to spare!!!! I no longer need the seat belt extender in my car!!! I can shave my legs in the shower AND polish my toenails without almost passing out.

Welcome Katie!! The Fairfield group is wonderful--you have made an excellent choice. I had my lap band done 1/15 and, like you, have been in pain and barely able to get up n the morning. I am walking more and in less pain now, and wish I could have had this done years ago. I am 57, Mom of 4, grandma of 3 1/2 and a 3 1/2 year survivor of stage 3 ovarian cancer. So I want to make my time here "quality time"!!!! This is a great forum and you'll get lots of good advice/information here--welcome!! Carol

Hi--I was banded on 1/15 by Dr. Craig Floch (who also removed my gallbladder before) and I second everything MarLinda said. What a great staff and a compassionate, skilled surgeon. I think I may finally have good restriction after last week's fill. Up til now, I've been able to eat way too much and it's been willpower that's kept me losing. I hope to lose 100 lbs. by October. My port flipped, and I had a month-long plateau until surgery to fix it on 5/20---couldn't get a fill. I really feel the restriction now.

I've been banded 4 1/2 monthes, and up until last Friday felt I could eat way too much---I had to use more self-control than I had anticipated to keep my calories down. Now, things are very different--and variable. Yesterday 1/4 of a hamburger barely went down. Today, 1/2 cup spaghetti and 2 tiny meatballs went down easily. Even liquids have to be swallowed slowly, like going down a backed up drain. Before I could down 12 oz of fluid in a few seconds. I guess it's just a series of fine-tunings. I'm giving this 2 weeks--to see if I need to have some taken out. I'm happy though, losing weight without that hollow, starving feeling. Wish i could've had it done 20 years ago!!

Whoops--that was 5/20 I had the surgery on.

Hi--I had my initial surgery done 1/15/08. After the first couple of fille, it became more difficult to access my port. X-rays were done, looked ok. Then in April, the port was totally inaccessible. I was going away for 2 weeks, plus insurance had to approve the port revision, so surgery was scheduled for a month away. On 4/20, the port was reattached. The surgeon said he had never seen anything like it, the suture material broke at all four attachment points---seemed like defective suture material. Anyway, I went home three hours later, and except for minor soreness, felt fine. The hardest part was going on a vacation with no restriction!! I ended up gaining a pound. Best of luck. Carol

I had the same problem with gas--every swallow felt like a lump in my throat and burping relieved it. Gas was coming out of me everywhere!! And the stomach pressure was awful. I didn't shower for 5 days !!!! By one week post op I finally felt like myself and was able to drink the required amounts. It was a rough week---and my doc requires clear liquids 2 days preop and an additional week post op. Sleep is good for you, rest, you're healing, and hang in there.

Cool Crystal---Good point: Men are "meat and potatoes" guys or just love food---with women, it's always straight to the psyche.

Sounds great to me!! I love cookbooks written by "regular" people.

Glycolax(also called Miralax)---it mixes well, doesn't thicken, and works by drawing water into the intestine to "flush it out". No cramps. I've been using it since chemo made my bowels sluggish. It's over the counter, if my doc writes a RX for long term use,(3 monthes) it's covered under my plan. Carol

I love it when before and after pics are posted--and the difference is such an inspiration! Janet, your advice is so down to earth--I hope to dance--REALLY dance --at my son's wedding. Today I begin stage 4 of my postop diet--soft. Next week will finally begin regular foods. First fill is 1/22. Now, I don't feel like I have ANY restriction, but I've been sticking below 900 calories, doing the fluids and protein. Haven't cheated, so I don't know how bread and pasta might be--don't want to chance a band slip. But I can definitely eat way more than a cup of cream of wheat, or a combination of foods. Another real big concern of mine is: hearing about people who have no restriction after 3 or 4 fills--monthes after their surgery!!!! So after going through an operation, you are still doing the diet thing with no help from the band!! Do most docs wait a long time between fills? I would think after 2 weeks, you would know if you had restriction or not. Anyone ever ask their doc? This really worries me. I lost about 11 lbs before surgery, but am worried about temptation getting to me if I have to wait that long for the band to do its thing. Hey Carol in Arizona, looks like we're keeping pace!! Can't wait to hear about your fill!! Gee--I just got a call from Jack Nicholson asking me to vote for Hillary Clinton!! I didn't hang up because I love his voice. Well, onward on to Super Tuesday, Bandsters!! Carol in CT

That's what my DR told me--that the band I have has cushions to spread out the pressure--also that Inamed was bought out by Allergen. My band holds 10-12 cc's total. Glycolax (also known as Miralax) combines well with fluids and has no taste. I use about an ounce or less (depending on how things are "moving") in my tea in the morning. Does anyone use the Bariatric chewable calcium citrate? What's the best flavor? I bought liquid calcium at the health foods store preop, but it's gross---so I haven't taken any calcium for 2 weeks now. Carol

Hi Ctman, Dr. Craig Floch did my surgery on 1/15, and all went well. My first week postop was pretty rough---GAS coming from everywhere!!!!! Make sure you have a couple of boxes of the Gas-X strips on hand. I survived the week of clear liquids and tomorrow will be day 7 of full liquids. The post-op pain was minimal, the pressure from the gas they fill you with was very uncomfortable, though. Had to give myself Lovenox injections for one week postop, due to being high risk for blood clots. I was on the 10th floor, the nursing staff there was great. I feel pretty good, have to start exercising now that I'm allowed to resume my arthritis med. Take care----Carol :wink2:

I wasn't a burper before--but now!!!lol I have to burp, long and loud, or I'm very uncomfortable. I do take Gas-X if it gets too much, it helps a little. Carol

GO GIANTS!!!!!!! I'm from a multigenerational and in-law Giants family. My late father used to scream in a high-pitched voice and he and his brothers would jump up and down in our living room while they watched the games. He watched TV, had a transistor radio to his ear (this was the 60's) and have a game on the radio in the bedroom and run between the rooms to follow the games. He was a fan!!

Rain, What beautiful children!! Makes me long for when mine were that age (but only for a few days! LOL) My girls are now 29 and 27, my boys are 24. A big success one I remember was a large box, I cut a door and windows in it, and they decorated it with crayons.They loved their "playhouse".My 2 year old granddaughter enjoyed doing my PT exercises with me after my shoulder surgery. Hope the girls feel better soon--I remember when my 4 kids had chicken pox over a month's time--in February in CT!!!! I really do feel for you and know how difficult it is--I worked part-time at a demanding job, and it was EASIER than parenting, believe me. Sending a prayer your way. Carol

Today I feel pretty good and am finally starting FULL liquids. Jen--the first thing my own mother said when I told her I was ok'd for surgery--"You'll have all that saggy skin". Sigh. There goes that thong bikini!! Still, after 21 days of a 98% liquid diet, I have no energy. And it's 28 degrees out. This first month is NOT easy!! Carol

Hey Luvsrocks, sounds like you're doing really great!! Yesterday is the first day I felt "normal"--no constant burping, which hurt. Today I start full liquids--appears my group is fairly strict. Just had my first Isopure shake, but only allowed 1/2 strength. I am so tired of sickening sweet clear liquids--but at the same time, I'm a little nervous about advancing after the gas I suffered. Food question: I've heard eggs can be hard to eat, and I love scrambled eggs. Anybody have any experience with Eggbeaters, do they cause PB's like whole eggs?

Hi everyone!! I have to say this was tougher for me than I expected--terrible bloating/gas pressure,sliming nausea and horrible stomach gas helped only a little by Gas-X. But today I'm starting to do more, and except for awful hunger (and some weakness from it) I think i'll survive!! I cannot take any arthritis meds for 2 weeks, so walking is difficult at this point. Can't wait for Tuesday, when I can start Stage 2, although I am a little nervous about gas and nausea---I'm so excited to think about pounds coming off and STAYING OFF!!!! No more yoyoing. I told my DH--"You are taking me to Aruba after I lose 100 lbs.!!"--I've never been there. Hope everyone's doing well!! Carol in CT

I'm nervous about eating salads (still on clear liquids)--do the cucumbers cause gas? I have such bad gas now --keep burping--and the lettuce doesn't get stuck? I am SOOOO hungry Carol

Congratulations Sue!!!! What a wonderful feeling that must be!! And you did it so quickly---shows what sticking to the program can accomplish!! Woohoo start shopping those Spring clothing racks!! Carol