cheryl f.
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Everything posted by cheryl f.
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Hi Denise, good to see you. Wanted to tell you how great you look but you disappeared. Congrats, you are an inspiration and your hard work hard shows. I've come to terms with my wt loss/lack of. Cleaning out closet the other day, couldn't believe how old clothes were swimming on me. Made me feel better and have accepted that maybe this is it but that's ok. I haven't gained in 2 yrs and am not hungry or suffering. Never one minute of regret...even if I'm foaming at the mouth with unwise food choice. Whoo boy, that's bad.
Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for the input. Did see my surgeon today, she is a general surgeon, as well as my lap band surgeon. She agreed to take out a little fluid before surgery, which is going to be tomorrow. I feel better about that as I'm at maximum restriction, which is fine but wouldn't want to be this tight and chance nausea or vomiting.
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Is it safer to have band unfilled prior to an elective surgical procedure(i.e. gallbladder) with an general anesthesia ? Is there more chance of vomiting or aspiration? My surgeon didn't think this was an issue but wondering about others experience. Thanks
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Is it safer to have band unfilled before undergoing surgery with general anesthetic? Is there an increased risk of vomiting? Thanks.
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Is it safer to have band unfilled before undergoing surgery with general anesthetic? Is there an increased risk of vomiting? Thanks.
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Should one have the band unfilled before having gallbladder surgery? Are there risks of vomiting or aspiration?
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Hi Denise,
Long time no see. How are you doing? Are you happy with your lap band? I still have no regrets. Wished I lost more wt but happy with the 30 that are gone forever/lack of hunger. I probably have to have my gallbladder out, not looking forward to that. Hope all is well. cheryl
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Hi, Glad you liked him. I recently asked someone who works in surgery about him, said he is a very good surgeon.
Don't know how to advise you regarding band vs bypass. The bypass affords faster wt loss but one can regain, have absorption probs and it's irreversible. The band is a lot more work, ie, finding proper restriction, slower wt loss but is reversible. Just remember, you can eat around both surgeries, liquid calories go down just fine. With the bypass, often times you can't tolerate much sugar and will have dumping syndrome (nausea, diarrhea, sweating) Lap Band, sugar, ice cream go down fine, so you have to not even have them around, if that's an issue.
I'm happy with my choice but you just have to read everything you can to make the best choice for yourself. The support meetings are helpful, not my favorite thing, I would prefer a smaller group but have made an effort to go lately. good luck to you.
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lap band surgery with hiatal hernia repair
cheryl f. replied to lynmcg's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes, I did. I don't think it impacts recovery at all. I haven't had GERD since then. It's a good thing. -
I've always needed music to keep me running. My Favorites now are: Single Ladies, Beyonce Pink's new album. Fun House.esp Bad Influence and her old songs, get the party started, who knew Cyndi Lauper's She's So Unusual...Girls just Want to have Fun, etc Donna Summer. Last Dance Patti LaBelle Lady Marmalade Queen Supremes Billboard Top Hits 1980's I know I'm old but when I put my ipod on with these oldies, even my kids get up and dance. But right now I'm into Pink's album, almost every song keeps you moving. Mary J. Blige No More Drama
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Anyone have moments of panic before surgery?
cheryl f. replied to twiggysmiff's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think it is normal to have fears before surgery. I'm an RN and it was almost surreal experience. It's odd to be on the gurney, instead of pushing it and seeing the ceiling and OR rooms from a pt standpoint. I trusted my surgeon, the nurses and anesthesiologist and once those drugs kick in, your anxiety will be a thing of the past. I had feelings of guilt that I couldn't control my wt and had to go to this extreme. How would my (grown) children do if anything happened,etc. Well, I have no regrets, I feel healthier than I has felt in about 5 years. The daily hunger struggle is gone, my quality of life has improved. Best decision I ever made. Just have to do the research and know you picked the right team. good luck! -
I need help with this problem of getting stuck in front of other people
cheryl f. replied to Just Banded's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I would just order an appetizer and nibble on that, not a big meal you know you can't eat. Make it something safe, something you know will go down ok. Or just stick with the soup. I don't think people really pay much attention to what others eat and since most of us have been on diets forever they probably figure you're trying to watch it. Just enjoy your time out with your friends, food becomes less important. Maybe then you will be less stressed about it. No need to tell anyone about the band, if you don't want to. I keep it a non-issue, don't talk about it but wouldn't deny it if someone asked. Hope that helps, good luck and don't stress. -
hi,
I attended the lap band support meeting last night at TMMC, hope you did. Best meeting I've been to. The sales rep was very informative, as was Dr Takahashi, Dr Solomon was there. I liked the way he answered questions, seemed very sweet and approachable. I hope your appt goes well. cheryl
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Dr. Houman Solomon - Torrance, CA - Is he too new?
cheryl f. replied to mommy0f5's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I don't think you have anything to lose by seeing him next week. It is usually at least 6 months before surgery could even be scheduled. They require a lot of pre op testing, which is a good thing. I work at Torrance Memorial and asked someone in surgery about him when he first started, said he was an excellent surgeon. By the time you would be scheduled, he will have even more experience. You will also have time to research if you don't feel comfortable. At least, you can get the ball rolling. When I had my band, Dr. Takahashi had only done about a dozen but I trusted her experience as an experienced laparoscopic surgeon, in bariatrics, critical care and general surgery. Remember, the younger surgeons are sometimes better at laparoscopy than the older ones, not to take away from their experience and knowledge. I think I read that Dr. Solomon also has training in Robotics...the next frontier in surgery. Also, Monday night is the lap band support meeting, might be wise to attend. You will be required to attend meetings before surgery anyway. A rep from lap band is supposed to be there, they can usually answer a lot of questions, some even the surgeons can't. Good luck with your decision, don't rush into anything just because you see someone has done 5000 bands, you want quality and not an assembly line. You have to do your research. -
I think many people are banded without knowing all the facts...BUT even though you have read the research and think you know all there is to know, you won't. Until you have that band in place and have lived with it for a year or two, don't think you have all the answers and can predict that you will succeed faster or slower than others. The band is not black and white, many gray areas. What one can eat, another can't. What you eat one day, you can't another. It is not an exact science. I continue to learn a year and half out. I read the books, compared studies, spoke with pts. attended support groups. I've worked with Bariatric pts for 20 years and in those years, I have seen procedures/technics change, as well as my own opinion about bariatric surgery. So, until you've walked the walk, please don't degrade others for asking questions. People look to this site for help and information.
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Hey, have a good trip, hope the altitude expands your band and you have more restriction. I feel your pain, try not to focus on the scale but the way your clothes fit. Also, 40 lbs lost is forever, not for a few months. WARNING!!! stay away from simple carbs. I told Dr. T that it would be very difficult to do this when my kids were young because of the food in the house. My youngest daughter (25) just moved back home and bought cherrios and THAT was a temptation for me...so I can ONLY imagine how hard it is for you. "OK kids, we're on a low carb diet Protein and veg, that's it"
I know by now you watch people shovel food in at an alarming speed...often times skinny people ):} You will be eating slowly and savoring every bite which is the way it should be. You're doing great and you should be proud of yourself.
All the best.cheryl
believe
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Good luck with your surgery. You're in good hands at TMMC. All the anesthesiologists are great, as are the nurses in surgery/recovery. Dr. Takahashi is one of the best surgeons there.
All the best. cheryl
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Another thing, I don't know if that 1/2 cup thing is a realistic goal IMHO. Depending of the type of food, time of day, it can all change. After 1 1/2 yr I am still learning and don't have the answers. Met with Cathy the Dietician the other day to take a hard look at my diet. Writing every bite down and posting on sparkpeople.
I don't like this msg site too much. It limits you to 1000 words. had more to say but had to delete. I'll email you.
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So, what to do? I would try and schedule your fills closer IF they let you, that was a battle for me because when I had mine done they just started and didn't have a set schedule.
Hang in there. Go to Sparkpeople.com and start entering ALL of your food/exercise so you can have exact info to report next visit. When you get that next fill, I think things will be better for you. Hope this is helpful, I think we are all struggling, I have not lost a lot of wt but have lost that horrible feeling of constant hunger...and now if I tried to overeat, I would be sick. Have had a few stuck episodes because I didnt chew well......it is horrible and I would have freaked if it happened when I was newly banded for fear I damaged things.
Keep exercising for your health..don't give up!!
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i Denise, I never think to look at this site..just my email. Sorry you are having a hard time. I recall feeling frustrated and not feeling restriction, couldn't get appts when I wanted, etc. I survived on will power and fear that I would wreck my band. With my first few fills, Dr. T used a method I liked, which was she would insert the needle, have you sit up and drink and she would adjust fluid until you felt restriction. The last few times she just inserts 1-2 cc's not as scientific because everybody is different. I'm at a good restriction now BUT I find when I eat carbs, I'm hungry and they go down easily so I try and stay low carb and I don't struggle with hunger. I don't think she wants to chance an overfill, so close to surgery because your band is still healing. Being too tight is not pleasant and vomiting could cause your band too slip before it's scarred in there.
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Hi Denise, I answered your post on my site...I need a lapbandtalk lesson, I don't know where I'm supposed to post?! Noticed the post about gaining wt, don't do that, she will fill you, as long as you are not restristed she will keep giving you fills until you hit the sweet spot....it just takes awhile with some peeps, unfortunately. Anyway, I emailed you with all my thoughts and advice. When do you go back for a fill?
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Another thing, I don't know if that 1/2 cup thing is a realistic goal IMHO. Depending of the type of food, time of day, it can all change. After 1 1/2 yr I am still learning and don't have the answers. Met with Cathy the Dietician the other day to take a hard look at my diet. Writing every bite down and posting on sparkpeople.
I don't like this msg site too much. It limits you to 1000 words. had more to say but had to delete. I'll email you.