katerzz

Well, the second surgery went as planned! The problem she was having before has been fixed, and she should be home tomorrow!

Its me again, Katie had to go in for a second surgery today at 3:30. The first band was putting pressure on an artery and causing acid to come up her esophagus. They took that band out and put in a larger band. So, we start the recovery process from day one. At least we know what to expect in the first few days!

First lemme thank everyone for being my rock right now. My hubby can only say and do so much seeing as he has no clue about what I'm going through. Everyone knows ive been a major rambling freak this week and im sorry its not intentional its just all coming out!!! My surgery is in 5 days. So I figured heres my confessions to those who wonder like I did what one goes through. Am I scared? I really wasnt *scared* until the part where I was doing my pre admit stuff and they handed me the forms to fill out about life support and feeding tubes and the living will stuff. I guess then it hit me.. omg I *could* die. .. heh (Im not gonna die.. but I could) Do I think I'm Ready? Yea I think at this point I just want it over with and all my nervousness to go away. Have I had any doubts? Yes. This is very important for me to explain because I wondered this so much when trying to decide if this was the right thing for me to do. I have asked myself *SOO* many times if this is the right thing. I've woke up in tears as my head filled with emotions about the whole thing. This is not something to take lightly this is something that I believe everyone does go through but it is important that you do go through it. If I didnt have any doubts I think I would only be fooling myself into thinking this is an easy way out. This is by no means easy. Do I think I can do everything that I'm told to do? Honestly no.. not without failure a few times. My whole life I've tried to do things and even when I try my hardest it doesnt always work out. This "list" of things I have to do afterwards seems easy enough but I know I am the kind of person who tries to find ways to avoid things I dont want to do. I have faith in the fact that I have a great support system and that even if I do fail a couple times with the diet, etc. that I know this tool I'm being blessed with will help me overcome my problems. I must confess also that I have cheated in my pre-op diet. I did not do it intentionally and I know for a fact it is not a good thing but I dont believe that this means that I cannot succeed with the band. I am fat for a reason and no matter what any nurse or doctor says it is not always something I can control. Yesterday I had my preop appointment, my preop class and my husband and I were starving. We went to subway. I *knew* this wasnt the right choice but I get it in my head.. oh what can it hurt. The only thing it can hurt at this point is if they open me up and say . .. omg she had subway 6 days ago her liver is to fat to do this surgery. (hey its in the back of my head) so today I vowed that I will stick strictly on my protein shakes and do the best that I can in avoiding situations where the temptation is there. The same goes with smoking. I had quit smoking for a few days but all of a suddden I am SO stressed out and I have had a couple cigarettes between yesterday and one today. I wont lie.. i felt SOOO mcuh better afterwards but Im terrified of what effects those few smokes will have on my surgery. No one is perfect. I surely am not perfect and no matter what I say im going to do things dont always work out the way they should. I'm terrified that I did somethign wrong this week that could possibly effect whether or not after I'm put under they will do the surgery. Im scared that I did something to hurt my recovery and most of all Im scared that if in fact anything does go wrong it is my fault and only my fault. I weigh 387 pounds. I am scared to death that oneday I will be 400. I am scared to death that the extra 250+ pounds will cause me risks during surgery. I'm scared that I did something that I could have avoided because I have bad will power and sometimes cant always listen to myself even when I know what I'm doing is the wrong thing. I dont know maybe I am not a great canadite for this surgery but honestly this is my *last* resort. This is it and if this "tool" doesn't help me get over the things I couldnt do myself then at least I know I tried. I hear so much about people cheating it and trying to eat soemthign they shouldnt and it not letting them. This will help me and hopefully help me learn how to say no because no matter how hard i try sometimes I just cant. I like to make excuses of why I do things. "i ate subway because i was starving" "i smoked this week because i was stressed" the truth is I wanted to do those things even though I shouldnt have and even though I swear to myself now I wont again. This is where I get depressed and emotional because I feel like I am a failure that I cannot succeed and wont succeed. But then I come here and look for the support I need or even the rude awaking of someone telling me hey guess what.. you did screw up but you know what a lot of us do because no one is perfect and you sure as the hell arent either. I know I have a good chance that things will work out for me. I also know the little things I did this last week could screw a lot up for me and if that is what happens then I know its my fault. Sometimes I wish the surgeons office offered more support and less "rules". Sure you can tell me to stop smoking but whos going to HELP me do it. You can tell me to drink just liquid for two weeks but whos going to HELP me through it. Maybe surgeons need to consider all of these things instead of the bottom buck. Maybe I should just realize that I am only human and no matter what I've done this week people make mistakes and hopefully the mistakes I've made aren't going to harm me in the end.

no matter if we know you or not you will always find support here!

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="title">What did you hear about the Lap-Band that turned out to be a myth and is there any Myths you think should be cleared up for those looking to have the surgery?</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Myth #1. "Many prominent bariatric surgeons are not doing this surgery, it must not work." This is not the reason, the truth is that not all insurance companies cover this new surgery and many facilities do not want to handle non insurance covered treatments. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Myth #2. "If I am 100 pounds or more overweight, Lap-Band Surgery won't do me any good." This is definately not true. There are many benefits (and risks) to have this surgery and many surgeons will preform it on those of the "heavier" end of the scale. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="paragraph">Myth #3. "The Adjustable Gastric Banding (lap-band) is not as successful as the Gastric Bypass." In recent studies it has be proven that the Lap-Band is as successful as the Gastric Bypass if not more successful. Although the rate of weight loss is significatly reduced after 2 years the weight loss in either patients will start to match up. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Myth #4. "I heard I will only have two years to loose all the weight I want then I can't loose anymore" This is the best part about the Lap-Band. After 6 months, a year, 2 or 3 years and even the rest of your life you will always be able to adjust the fill in your band which in return will allow you to loose more weight. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="paragraph">Myth #5: "I was told that the band would not be effective if one tended to be a sweets/icecream eater" Well... I am an ice-cream FREAK and the band is working pretty darned well for me! Although every person is different many lap-band patients have no problem eating sweets. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Myth #6: "I heard that one could "run out of room" for fills. Many docs will try to discourage their patients from getting fills too often, because the bands will only hold so much, and once the person reaches the "max" they have no where to go." I have never heard of anyone NOT being totally closed off at the band's full fill capacity. ANY MORE? </td></tr></tbody> </table>

I can't wait to hear how she is doing! I Hope she has a speedy recovery and gets back before I go under! Shes been a rock for me =P

im on protein shakes for 2 weeks up to

I just watched an video from inamed and they showed an actual surgery, they did say that they bring a part of the stomach up over it and stich it in place. My surgeon said the same thing

I'm sooo nervous. I have my preop at 11:30 with the surgeon then at 2:30 we have the preop class to attend. I am defiantely scared to death about not "passing" when it comes to not gaining any weight.. i doubt i have but my life will be thrown up side down if they cancel my surgery for ANY reason!! WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

well they didnt cancel!! hehe but I did gain 2 pounds since january GAHHHHH rofl in my mind i feel like "whats 2 more pounds" hehe but all is still a go thank goodness. then i met with the surgeon.. found out i *AM* staying overnight and if i dont want to go home the 2nd night he will keep me. then at the preop class i got my post op diet stuffs and was told about 2000000 times about 3 surgies in the last week they canceled because the patients liver was to big. so now im paranoid about that!! sigh i cant wait till its all over hehe at least they did give me drugs i went and got my prescription now for liquid lortab hopefully its just perfect (not to strong not to weak)

*****CRY*****

Wait until 3 years from now.. when yours is still effective and can be adjusted and hers cant. or.. do the noble thing and be proud of her and thank your lucky stars she hasnt had any problems with the bypass. My 2 sisters are overweight also, but I am by far the worse. My oldest sister couldnt do either surgery because she doesnt have the commitment it takes. (she drinks soda like Water for #1) and My other sister wants to have the surgery but shes being sneaky and wont tell anyone else. My thought is she wants to "appear" as though she just did it on her own. I am open and honest and tell everyone.. even people in a game me and my husband play together online. I guess it comes down to why you want to loose weight. Is it a competition? My thought is my sisters and I have always been competitve its just how the world works but I would *never* do anything to sabatoge their progress (like eating something they couldnt in front of them) I am going to be so happy when I loose 42 pounds and even more when I reach my goal. So anyway to answer your question: You support them and praise them in their accomplishment because you should know how hard it is to be fat and what emotions we all go through in this hard battle. You do everything in your power to be supportive and realize that one day the favor will be returned. It may not be the answer your looking for but god forbid if something went wrong with your sister and you had to deal with the guilt afterwards. Travel this journey for yourself otherwise you may find yourself all alone.

omg i hear you. the other day i had a major breakdown.. a numb feeling about it all. Today is 10 days out for me.. and at this point i just want it to be over and done with so i can quit making sure i have it all taken care of!! i wish i could have my last "dinner" man a burger sounds great right now. I kinda have to laugh because all of my life I was the cheeseburger kid of the family my parents' friend took me to a 5 star seafood restraunt in fort bragg and I ordered a hamburger.. the waitor just LAUGHED at me (at least they had ground beef!! im sure they had to wack the cow tho haha) Were gonna survive.. and things will work out thats pretty much all I keep telling myself as my tummy growls and every commerical kills me to watch. I cant even go outside because all I see is billboards and restraunts. I hope it gets easier.

Ok.. so here im sitting and i get a call saying "oh this is melissa from Western surgical i forgot to let you know we need you on a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery so you need to start, like today" Then she told me to call the local university and find out about the liquid diet supplement they have and to get started on that.... HAHAHAHAH OMG i just called the university.. $200 bucks!! they need 200 bucks.. and Im supposed to start TODAY. so im in tears.. i dont know what to do we cant come up with 200 bucks and i dont know what to do. she said GNC has something for 800 calorie liquid diet and when i called them they said they had no idea what it would be except "hollywood diet" Someone PLEASE help me.. what the hell do i do?????????

Well guys I spoke to my dietcian today and shes absolutely FLOORED that this is what my surgeons office did. She pointed out that first of all that much Isopure in a day for 2 weeks they will end up canceling the procedure because of a Vitamin overdose. She noted that i already had symptoms (metallic taste, bathroom issues, weakness, shaking) And at this rate i will be not able to go through with the surgery. So here is what she did: instead of 800 calories of isopure, i go down to 400 per day. And i dont have to use isopure.. i can use ANY Protein drink and there is MUCH cheaper stuff than isopure. (sometimes i think the surgeons office do get kickbacks!!) The other 400 calories i can figure out myself.. as long as i stay with mushy/liquid ill be fine and if i go over 800 im fine just dont go over 1200 and stay away from fried/high calorie stuff. YEY! i can handle this!! omg i can soooo deal with this lol so when my hubby gets home were going to get Soup and liquidy stuff like pudding and such. she told me if im starving.. to eat. she said theres two problems that the surgeons nurse didnt address... -that much protein/vitamins will cause a person who doesnt take Vitamins to become very ill and get dehydrated -if i get sick in any form before the surgery, it will be canceled and if im not well during the surgery and as healthy as can be recovery will be very bad soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo im not stressed anymore i feel good (other than i gotta pee every 5 mins it seems) and tonight im making soup and eating dinner with my hubby!!! now.. as for the surgeons office im a little worried now i mean this is kinda a big screw up on their part.. so when i go to preop i will be discussing my concerns with the surgeon because something like this could definately screw everything ive worked so hard for up. I guess i learned a very important lesson.. if things dont seem right or settle well with you, get a second opinion!

Ok, as most of you know I just got a new job and am starting may 11th, one month after surgery. my question is this.. I weigh 384 lbs right now, and wear a size 34 (OMG i said that in public!!) With my new 800 calorie diet till April 11th (surgery date) and being hopeful (most ppl my size tend to loose more the first month than average) I'm worried about cloths. I have to wear scrubs at my new job so my question is.. about how much weight brings you down a size? I know nothing is FOR sure and everyone is different.. but what was your experience? example.. when will I drop a size after 10 lbs? 20? 30? hehe thanks in advance

As with most females of age Id assume everyone had to get on birth control for the surgery.. i did anyway hehe anyways i got this new kind called seasonale its 3 months of pills then you know what i feel kinda weary about going back on BC but i know it has to be done!! But anyways anyone have any experience with this seasonale stuff? i was kinda bumed to find out my insurance copays made me pay $90 because it was 3 months worth instead of my normal $30 copay =( but other than that it kinda makes me excited to know that with the surgery my chances of concieving are better!! YEY! (we tried 3 years.. one year on clomid) sooo hopefully ill be able to pop a few lil ones out in a couple years!! =P

ok after much talk with my husband I decided to go to the store tonight and get some sugar free Jello and popsicles along with some chicken broth. Ive decided to take out one of the servings (200 calories) a daya nd replace it with broth since broth fills me up a LOT better and its not even 100 calories a can. so now ill do two 1 scoop servings of Isopure (100 calories each, 6 oz of water) and two 2 scoop servings (200 calories each, 12 oz of water) so itll be 1 - 1scooper - 100 calories 1 - 2scooper - 200 calories 1 - 1 scooper - 100 calories 1 - 2 scooper - 200 calories 1 - can of chicken broth - 50 calories 1 - can of chicken broth - 50 calories and then to get my last 100 calories i figure ill do popsicles/jello/pudding all sugar free and low on carbs. ill tell u.. just having one can of chicken broth has made me feel 100000000 times better.

well ive had 3 glasses of 200 calories each of the mango stuff.. i doubt its the drink itself maybe its being SO hungry but if i drink Water i gag and i feel like im going to puke. my poor hubby made himself dinner tonight and i had to go bury my head in bed because the smell was making me sick. im seriously starting to doubt my decision i know its just nerves and feeling but this is hard and im only on day one. i would assume its easier AFTER the surgery when u dont have a big ole tummy crying out hunger

okay.. i went and took the strawberry kind back and got mango peach.. all i can tell you is that its like eating the biggest cheeseburger in the world compared to that other stuff so.. if anyone needs Isopure DONT get strawberry!!! lol I did cheat a little today tho.. I drank one serving (200 calories) and had 1 saltine cracker (14 calories) and for the first time all day i finally feel full!!

Well.. going now on day 5 of my female dogs heat cycle I have decided that there is no such thing as sexual frustration for males or females of the human race. The true frustration is in my poor baby boy (dog) who can't stand that his woman is locked up so he can't knock her up. I have *never* experienced this so BAD before!! The last time she was in heat we let them do their tango dance and had some reallly cute puppies (http://www.katerzz.com/ its outdated a bit) but this time we've decided with surgery and just all the work it took.. NO way. So the first part of her heat isnt so bad.. she isnt giving out the wild smell that drives dogs to go insane. This week.. my god my male will sit at her crate and howl over and over (regardless what time it is) and when they are around each other .. we dont leave her in crate 24 hours a day =) but when they do get out and were playing with them we keep him on a leash and yesterday he almost ripped my arm off trying to get to her!!! Now.. hes sitting here crying over and over and i swear i saw him humpin the floor by her cage! Not to mention everytime he sees her he pees all over. (yuck but thats ok.. hes getting fixed soon!) So... next time you have even half of a thought about being sexually frustrated think of my poor dog whos over here humping the floor and peeing all over himself and realize.. man it could be so much worse!

Morning #1: a.m. drink. I literally had to get a straw to swallow this stuff. Does anyone have ANY suggestions?? I tried to freeze it a bit to "cool it off" so maybe it wasnt so chalky.. well no matter it still has the grainy feel to it. I couldnt imagine warming it up.. so ill skip that i think i figured out how it makes you loose weight... YOU THROW UP! =)

well i got the isopure.. i choose to get the "strawberry cream" kind all i can say is 1. it tastes like chalk 2. i cannot believe that not only i have to stop eating food, but i have to replace it with this crap 3. i keep saying to myself.. damn i lost my 2 best friends.. cigarettes and food. 4. i can only mix it with Water.. so maybe i can double the amount of water and it wont be so bad 5. i am angry as hell that i have to drink this stuff 8 times a day. without being able to get used to it first also.. it was 37.99 at GNC for 5.5 days worth so i have to get 3 cans of this stuff. all i can say is this surgery better be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!! YUCK!!

ps i dont plan on buying any till the week before.. im just curious =)

I just got my information for 2 weeks prior.. basically drink 8 half servings of Isopure a day for a total of 800 calories.. i can drink all the Water i want but eat/drink nothing else AHHHHHH omg!!!!!!!!! its bad enough they sprang it on me 2 days late but i just bought some and tasted it.. yuck! its all chalky like *cries* i have no idea what im gonna do for the next 13 days (yes im counting them down)