piercedqt78

I learned to feed my feelings, because having a very southern mom, we were fed for every emotion. If we were sad she would bake us something to cheer us up. Happy? let's celebrate with cookies or a cake. Struggling with homework? Let's take a break and have a snack. I have to watch her like a hawk with my daughter. My DD has some severe medical problems and everytime we go to the doctor or have to have boolwork or medical testing, she wants to bake. It's a vicious cycle, and I am stopping it now. ~Mandy

I'm Mandy, I use Piercedqt78, cuz I have body piercings, I'm a cutie and 78 is when I was born. ~Mandy

Some reasons: PCOS High blood pressure Migraines High Chloestrol Back pain Knee pain arthritis foot pain/problems irregular periods reflux I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. ~Mandy

I too do the chew up and then spit out thing, usually because after I have started chewing I realize I am not hungry. A great stress snack is one of those 100 calorie popcorm bags, or any of the 100 calorie snack packs. I keep several in my car, one in my purse, and a few at school where I volunteer. They have oreos, cheese nips, popcorn, and some others. Might want to check them out. A low guilt stress snack. ~Mandy

I don't think there are any doctors out there that don't stitch it in place anymore. There were way too many complications before. ~Mandy

I do a single pill in a small amount of allpesauce, then the next, until we are done. The meds go in the spoon and then some applesauce goes on top. It covers the taste and works like lube to help the pill or powder slide right down. IF the applesauce is still to much try to start slowly, try taking it with some broth, then progress to jello maybe? Give yourself time to heal, drink plenty of fluids. Hope you feel better.

Hi all, it's been a hectic few days around my house. I was laying on the couch and heard a noise in the basement. I went to check it out and discovered...you guesses it...a mouse. I went to Walmart and bought some traps the next morning, thinking I only had one....silly me. I have spent the last few days sealing every hole in each and every wall in my house with steel wool and then sealing it over with expansion foam. I have about 20 traps set (overkill due to paranoia) and some Decon in the 2 closets in the basement, one has the furnace and hot water heater in it, the other a sump pump. In the last 4 days we have gotten 8 or 9 mice. I think that tonight we actually finished sealing everything, and might have the problem under control. I HATE mice, rats, hampsters, gerbils, anything that is rodent like makes my skin crawl. They have to go....if they are still around after the weekend, I am calling the exterminator. I have sealed every place that I can think of, and have traps and poison set out everywhere I can safely set it out. We will see what happens now. I will check in tomorrow and let everyone know what happens tonight. Wish me luck. ~Mandy

But are you getting smaller? ~Mandy

Here is another http://www.lap-bandforlife.com/chapters_06.html Makers of the band: http://www.allerganandinamed.com/products/obesity/us/clinician/lapband/surgical_tech.html This one has some very graphic surgical pictures but they really explain the proceedure: http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/mainframe.asp?node_id=7078&leaf_id=12687

There are two methods of stitching, one "wraps" a piece of the stomch aound the band the other does not. (pars flacida sp?)The "wrap" method is newer from what I gather. I will see if I can find more info and get back here. Edit: more info, this is the best description I can find. http://www.transmed.tv/bariatricsurg/lapband3.htm

(((hugs))) I know how hard this can be. You said: A few questions for you 1. Is your band too tight? 2. Are you sitting down and eating your meals? (I find I PB if I am eating on the run, like in the car) 3. Are you having a cup of warm tea or coffee before meals, that helps. 4. Try to eat as soon as you start to feel hungry, so you are not in such a hurry to consume too much. 5. When was you last adjustment? 6. How often are you having PB problems? I know that I was too tight for 6 months, and was PB'ing almost daily. When I went to see my doc, he asked me point blank, "do you think you are helping lose weight any faster by being overfilled? If anything you are putting your band at risk of erosion..." That scared me enough to have some removed, I have only had 2 real PB's since October. Both times in the car, damn hectic schedual and Wendy's chicken nuggets. I hope these questions give you some help to finding answers, you don't have to answer them here, just think about them. I hope you feel better, and have the control that you want/need. ~Mandy

Sounds to me like you are build muscle and dropping fat. Fat is heavier than muscle, so you are getting smaller but the scale isn't moving. I went from a 14 to a 12 and never lost a pound, but I lost 6 inches combined from my waist, hips, and chest. That's muscle building. ~Mandy

Patty, I sit here with tears of joy for you. I remember how I felt the day I was aproved, it was an odd feeling, all the fighting and energy, what would I do now? You will start to get excited, once you have a date. (((Hugs))) I'm soooo happy for you.~Mandy

My daughter takes her meds on applesauce (it comes in like 20 flavors). Might be worth a try. It's good that your doc agreed about splitting your pills. I bought a pill, splitter/crusher/storage/water cup at walgreens for like $7. It works like a charm, my dd is on several meds each day and this contraption has been a life saver. Hope the swelling gets better fast, I know that is no fun at all. ~Mandy

I had my gallbladder out and also foot surgery and both times I was fine, no fill removed at all. My band was not even a concern for surgery. ~Mandy

You look fab, 30 more pounds? I can see maybe 10 or 15 but 30? unless you are hiding your weight in your head? Is that why you really hide it?LOL You look great as is...~Mandy

Pat, that is too funny. ~Mandy

Have you tried any clear protien drinks? Maybe the creamy drinks are too much for you, maybe you are sensitive to the dairy in them. I know that I have a problem with whey protien, I do better with soy. I would also ask about some phenegran or zofran, both are anti-nausea meds. I keep a bottle on hand in case of a sudden stomach flu or case of food poisoning. Hope you are feeling better, and the check-up goes well tomorrow. ~Mandy

Call the number on the back of your card and request a benefit book, or contact HR and ask for the latest copy. ~Mandy

I have done kick boxing since being banded, it hurts a bit more to be kicked in the port area, but my port is fine. My daughter had just turned 4 when I got my band and I had 2 huge lap cats, no problems there. Just be careful during the initial healing phase with lifting the little one, I know I had some lifting restrictions, but since my daughter was older that wasn't a big deal. ~Mandy

I am in a size 11/12 and I weigh 160. I am 5'4. I went from 232 size 22, to 160 size 11/12. I would be in an 8 but I have soooo much extra skin. ~Mandy

Kat, so sorry that you are going through this. Ex's can be a pain, specially when there are kids involved. I hope your dd has a great time, but not too great a time if ya know what I mean. Hope she comes back single, and with some extra cash. Reminds me of the friends episode where Ross and Rachel get married and have the sharpie marker drawings all over them, eally funny on TV but not IRL. Call and check in on her, let her know the ex is all screwy, and to ignore him if he calls. Hope the morning improves, for you, try the liquids, maybe even have some egg drop soup? Potatos get me everytime too....think I would learn right??? nope I still try to eat them everytime. ~Mandy

I'm not dr. c but can tell you that my last fill took about 1 week to kick in. I was able to eat the same as pre-fill, then suddenly a week later, I was struggling with yogurt. There are plenty of banded folks that will share the same experience, sometimes fills can take a week or so to really "kick-in". Good luck, give it some time, relax. ~Mandy

It depends on the issue and how far away the band surgeon is. I have a local surgeon and see him for band related issues, other medical issues go to my PCP. ~Mandy

Hijack: anyone read Amber Frey's book? I did, it tells a ton about Scott. When he was arrested he had google directions to Amber's new job and in the trunk were a tarp, rope, huge knife. Who do you think was next? ~Mandy