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Telecia

LAP-BAND Patients
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Everything posted by Telecia

  1. Telecia

    Sad and frustrated!!

    well you know how when you used to diet you would hit a plateu? I can imagine the same thing happening with the band. (I'm not banded yet by dying to be) Sometimes our bodys just stall. I guess is the best way to describe it. And getting past that can be a pain in the you know what. Stick to eating heathly avoid the white carbs and junk food. Maybe increase your excercise a bit. And read read read these forums. There is so much good info here just waiting for you!
  2. Telecia

    Indiana

    St vincent's has a bariatric center in Carmel which is a little closer to you then Indianapolis And also where I hope to get my surgery done. Changing Bodies. Changing Lives. Ive heard from people that they really are a great place to have surgery done especially if your a really big person like I am. They have the bigger beds/gowns etc.
  3. Telecia

    diet soda

    For me going from normal to diet sodas was harder then giving up diet sodas. Finding out i was diabetic was when i started drinking diet. But since I am a caffiene addict Giving up diet sodas wasn't hard. 3 months now without soda only flavored waters And Iced tea sweetened with splenda. Now ditching the caffiene is gonna be the hard part. Ive already cut my coffee down from 4-5 30 oz. cups per day to one. In the mornings to get me going.
  4. Telecia

    Can only compare to a C-section

    I hope that when I get my band It's as easy on me as my c-section was LOL.. The c-section itself wasn't bad on me. It was the staph infection I caught afterwards/during that caused allot of pain in the incision area because when they pulled the outer staples half the incision just flopped back open. That began a 6 month long series of packing, debriding(sp?) and even one time of the surgeon opening the area back up once. Then in 2000 I had my appendix out. 1- 3 inch long incision and 2 port holes and I had NO problems whatsoever. Very little pain and no gas. Healed up nicely. Which I hope is how my banding will go.
  5. Telecia

    Surgery and Foot Pumps

    I've had them several times over the last few years every time I get hospitalized for cellulitous(SP?) They are a bit annoying cause when you need to get up you have to take them off. But always thought they felt pretty good. Wouldn't mind having them at home for when relaxing on the couch watching tv. They improve circulation and when filled with hot water. Reduce swelling amazingly fast. Guess I was lucky as mine didn't make allot of noise just a really low soft humm when they filled. And a soft hiss when they emptied. My CPAP made more noise. lol
  6. Telecia

    10 Years Out, Only 14% Lost?

    Bah statistics, Now that everyone has access to the internet if you look hard enough there are statistics to back up ANYTHING. I know for a fact that 15+ years ago for gastric bypass patients they did not give the same advice they do now to patients. Cause my step mom had bypass surgery in 1985. And I went with her to appointments. They never told her to change her eating habits, never told her to avoid foods, to avoid drinking with her meals. And said she didn't have to change anything about her lifestyle. Well guess what. She lost her first 100 lbs fine. But that was about it. She had all the nightmare complications, malnutrition, A miriad of stomach problems, constant PB'ing etc. And is on around 5 different stomach medications now that she will be on for life. Because she didn't change anything in her diet habits. She still ate out 5-10 a week, ate alot of junk. And things with no healthy nutrients in them. Myself I take this message board and others like it into more consideration then any so called study. Suposedly long term weight loss isn't so great with the band and large amounts aren't possible but yet there are handfull upon handfulls of people on this board who have proved different.
  7. hehe I don't even own a scale. Mostly cause I can't afford one that can handle 400+ lbs. But years ago I had a doctor tell me weighing daily was a waste of time. Cause you can gain/lose up to 5-6 lbs of water weight alone depending on how much fat you have. That the higher BMI you have the more radical the water weight loss can be day to day. IF I had a scale at home. I would say once a week. But right now since I have to go to the doctor to get weighed It's monthly or bi monthly. Since I've made some drastic changes on how I and my family eat at home I'm looking forward to see what the docs scale says this month.
  8. I haven't been banded yet but there are a few tips I've gotten over the years for ANY surgery. That after my c section and a apendix surgery made things so much easier. .. have everything you need for after care bought and put away BEFORE surgery. Nothing sucks worse then needing to change a bandage or handle constipation and not having what you need handy. ..plan comfortable clothing that will not aggrivate your stiches, tape, staples etc. I love this site for their tank top dresses CHEAP MIZRAK - The BBW's Fashion Friend - Plus Size Clothing Super-size SSBBW bought several of them for my appendix removal and I felt so much better having clothes that didn't rub the incision spots. If you have a deep freeze FILL IT. I made up all sorts of meals for the whole family and that the kids could pop in the microwave and then made sure I had bought cases of Soups, raviolli, ramen. I made them Breakfast biscuits and burritos they could microwave. Have a friend/family call or come by daily. To check on you. In case you do need someone to make a quick trip to the store. The little pillow someone else mentioned can be a godsend. Especially for seat belts and coughing. Extra pillows for getting comfortable while sleeping or even just relaxing. Everyone recovers differently. And even the same person may recover differently to different surgerys. Best thing you can do is prepare for a lenghty recovery. And take it one day at a time
  9. Telecia

    Have They Changed Your Wal-Mart?

    After my other half spent 3+ years working at Walmart I do seriously hate them. But Out of several necessity reasons I still shop there. Biggest one being I have to use the electric carts to shop with due to my back which is agrivated buy my weight. I would much rather shop at K-mart or Target but they either don't have the carts or have ones with unmovable arms a person with big hips cant use. Walmart has to be the worst store ever with several issues, seems to me they always have the isles full of stock waiting to be put on the shelves making it horribly inconvient to move around. Then when you Do get to what you need/want they dont have it on the shelf. Our local store just went super-center in the last year and I hate the new store really. Nothing is in places that make sense. they droped so many things that we used to buy regularly and as an employer they are the worst. But people complaining that they ran out the smaller stores. Yea they did but It's not nesicarily walmarts fault. They offered a service that people wanted/needed.. a place you could get just about anything for less then other places. In this age of 2 working parents and hectic lifestyles most people can't spend a whole day shopping or going to 10 different stores to get what they need. Which reflects on todays way of living, we have to be WAY more efficient on how we use what time we have.
  10. Telecia

    Allergic to band?

    Its something you need to discuss with your Dr. Big time. Their may be other suture options that he can take that would work better in your situation.
  11. Telecia

    picking up kids

    I can imagine also the doctor might be ok with carrying kids around. Like Jachut said I know after my third child (C section) I was ok to carry my 3 year old but not allowed to lift her. So I used one of those baby tummy pouch carrier things with her with no troubles. Just made my ex pick her up and put her in it.
  12. Its better to arrange for help and not need it then to not have someone around when you need it. I haven't had my band yet but I have had laproscopic surgery before. And you never know how your going to feel from one hour to the next. Besides if you don't need someone to walk with you at least you have someone to chat with. And since its not wise to lift after any surgery anyone with small kids needs to have someone close by. I remember what it was like to have a 6 year old and try to get him out of the tub without lifting him. (Ex refused to help) When he don't want to come out.
  13. Telecia

    Pretend Banding

    Ohhh Ive started the portion control too. And my daughter is having fits cause I made mashed potatoes last night and gave everyone a *Normal* Portion. And did not make enough for seconds. lol. She has a weight problem too at 14. And no amount of my discussing it with her and nudging has gotten her to eat better. I'm doing fine with it myself though. And in between if I need a snack I make me a bowl of salad. Curious to see at the next doctor visit how much weight a month of this will get rid of.
  14. Telecia

    spouse not supportive

    Awesome Val, its wonderful to hear that he is willing to work it out. And a retreat sounds like such a great idea. Making time for just you two as a couple is always a good thing for keeping a relationship strong. Cause while we love our kids with all our hearts we sometimes get to caught up in our *mom* roles that we lose a bit of our own independent selfs. Or the *wife, friend,lover* selfs tend to get buried.
  15. Telecia

    Help My husband is forcing me to eat.

    Wow sounds like a lack of communication somewheres. It is good that he is worried, but it sounds like he isn't truly and totally aware of things around him. I agree with someone else saying the kids need to be informed. They do. Cause kids notice when things aren't right in the home even if its not brought up. And talking with them about why you chose the band and how you are supposed to eat. Might actually be a blessing to you. You might find they are one of your best support options. Have you talked with him about his reactions?? He may think hes being supportive and not realize this is causing more stress on you then being helpful. Allot of times lack of communication in relationships cause tons of problems that can be avoided. And if he's not willing to talk about it. Maybe some councelling, have him also read these forums, go to an occasional support meeting, or with you to the doctors. It could be hes feeling *Left out* There could be other issues also. Like others mentioned jealousy, fear, helplessness. Who knows, everyone reacts differently, only he can tell you whats really going on. The idea of keeping records of what you do eat daily to show him sounds like a good idea. Especially when he isn't around, trying to fit a whole days eating in just a few short hours isn't good for you. I haven't got my band yet but I plan on the whole family going through some major diet changes, as I go through them. Hoping this will help teach my kids to eat better also as my 14 year old daughter has a weight problem also. In fact I have already started some changes.. More vegetables and salads and less Pasta, rice, potatoes. And while my daughter is griping my sons all for it and loves it. He's 12 and my biggest cheerleader
  16. Telecia

    Pretend Banding

    You might be suprised how easy it can be to give up something like soda. I swore I would never drink *DIET* Sodas. Then I found out I was diabetic. The first 2 weeks was rough I was a horrid Pepsi addict, and plain Water made me feel sick. But I descovered that diet dr. pepper didn't taste like a *DIET* Pop. So I started drinking that. Cut out all sugars and junk foods like chips etc. lost 200 lbs that way. Now When I crave a snack I find myself looking for nuts, crackers etc instead of sugary stuff. I CAN"T stand regular sodas. And have recently droped soda totally. And i was drinking 1-2 liters a day of diet rite. And I do not miss it at all. Sure when I'm out I sometimes treat myself with a soda but at home I use Splenda (Walmart has a version called altern that is cheaper) And make tea, lemonaide, koolaid etc. Since the Sodas I did/do drink aren't caffinated It was easy to drop them. If the soda you do drink is caffinated maybe try switching to sugar free tea for a while. Then slowly switch to a decaffinated version? I admire your desire to pretend band. I may do that myself.
  17. I haven't been banded yet but 12+ years on a CPAP and 2 surgerys and a dozen hospital stays since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Like everything else everyone adapts differently. Myself I took to the machine with ease. But I also have pretty bad apnea. There are a ton of things you can do to help you get adjusted to the machine. Like start wearing it for 15 minutes a day while awake. Increasing that as you go. Try it during naps. Its been my experience that If you go to the hospital for anything take your CPAP with you. Many hospitals demand you use your own machine. When I had my apendix removed I was in the hosptial for 3 days. And as soon as they put me in a room (before they had decided to do surgery) The Told me I had to send my boyfriend home to get mine. That they would monitor my breathing during surgery and control my breathing if needed but I needed my cpap afterwards. Anytime I have to be admitted They say I need to bring my machine. And quite honestly. I can't sleep without it period which can be annoying at times. I cannot nap in the car without having serious problems. This is one thing I wonder about once i get my band and lose allot of weight. I bet I will no longer need the machine someday. Will I be able to sleep without it. LOL My sister in law was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and had some major struggles getting used to it also. With some encouragement she tried several masks and headgear sets till she found one she could live with. That helped her allot. She also is allergic to all the masks but a solution I came up with for mine has allowed her to use hers now with no breakouts. Covering the mask part that touches your face with moleskin. Its like anything else start small and slow and work your way into it.
  18. Telecia

    Fill at 2 weeks??????

    Not having a band yet myself. I dunno if this would still apply. But one doctor I used to see always told me never to worry much about 5-10lbs gains/losses cause they can be very deceptive. You can, depending on what your weight and BMI are gain/lose up to 10 lbs in a day or two of Water weight in the body. Also differences in scales used to weigh. Can vary drasticly. He always told me to pick one scale and go by only what that scale says. And not use the scale more then once a week. He also told me after my apendix was removed to expect the body to react by some slight gain as I was healing. Just to not let it get out of hand. Long as your following your Doctors directions. I wouldn't worry to much about a slight gain.
  19. Telecia

    Inspiration

    Wow i just got done reading the 100+ thread and I am in awe of everyone and now very hopeful for myself. I find I am excidedly awaiting the phone call I will get that sets the first appointment. I watched several of my family members go through weight loss surgerys in the past 20 years with mixed and sometimes horrid results. To the effect I SWORE I would never do the same. And Here I am now wishing it would go faster. My stepmom had the bypass done when I was in highschool and she did lose weight but had all the troubles afterwards too. The dumping and stuck food and numerous other problems. She ended up having to be put on perscriptions for several problems with her stomach and suffered massive malnutrition. But after all my research and the hours spent reading this list I see now where alot of her problems came from. Lack of knowledge and support is one. second she never really changed her diet. She continued to eat alot out, eat junk food, drink while eating. And just about lived on mashed potatoes and jello. Basicly she did all the wrong things expecting that the surgery would do it for her. She never really lost more then her first 100lbs. But I see with the advanced knowledge I will have I can do MUCH Better. Her brother also had the band and surgery both and was over 500 lbs when he died. For the same reasons. Expecting the surgery to do it for him. I know I will have to make lifelong changes. And me and my DH have been discussing this. And at first he was hesitant. Didn't want me to go the surgery route but now hes starting to be more positive about it. Hopefully with more education he will be as excited about it as I am now. Either way he will support my decision. Anything he says to keep me around longer is a great thing :car: He is so awesome.
  20. Telecia

    Inspiration

    Wow i just got done reading the 100+ thread and I am in awe of everyone and now very hopeful for myself. I find I am excidedly awaiting the phone call I will get that sets the first appointment. I watched several of my family members go through weight loss surgerys in the past 20 years with mixed and sometimes horrid results. To the effect I SWORE I would never do the same. And Here I am now wishing it would go faster. My stepmom had the bypass done when I was in highschool and she did lose weight but had all the troubles afterwards too. The dumping and stuck food and numerous other problems. She ended up having to be put on perscriptions for several problems with her stomach and suffered massive malnutrition. But after all my research and the hours spent reading this list I see now where alot of her problems came from. Lack of knowledge and support is one. second she never really changed her diet. She continued to eat alot out, eat junk food, drink while eating. And just about lived on mashed potatoes and jello. Basicly she did all the wrong things expecting that the surgery would do it for her. She never really lost more then her first 100lbs. But I see with the advanced knowledge I will have I can do MUCH Better. Her brother also had the band and surgery both and was over 500 lbs when he died. For the same reasons. Expecting the surgery to do it for him. I know I will have to make lifelong changes. And me and my DH have been discussing this. And at first he was hesitant. Didn't want me to go the surgery route but now hes starting to be more positive about it. Hopefully with more education he will be as excited about it as I am now. Either way he will support my decision. Anything he says to keep me around longer is a great thing He is so awesome.
  21. Telecia

    Start in the process

    Friday I asked my Doctor what she thought of the possiblity of my having a lap bad and she was overjoyed. I had lost 10 pounds from last months dr visit which she was tickled about but I was less enthusiastic about it. since the month before that i had gained 30. Anyhow she said she would start the process of making me a refferal. Now I have to wait for them to call me. A bit about me and my weight.. I'm 39 years old and 451 lbs. My first sign that I was to have trouble with my weight came at the age of 18 when my father came down with cancer. He had to retire from work and I became his caretaker. Up till then I spent 80% of my free time walking everywhere I went, ridding my bike and just generally being active. I was no big deal to walk 5 miles to go someplace or ride my bike. So by the time summer ended and my senior year hit i had gained 40lbs. Before this i was average sized. 1 year after I graduated. I got pregnant & married. I had a old fashioned doctor who's ideals of excersice and diet were anchient YOUR EATING FOR TWO NOW! He said. Between the Dr. and my in laws (whom we lived with because of the pregnancy, wouldn't even let me open the garage door myself, or walk anywhere, and pushed food at me constantly) 75 more pounds came on. Which of course started the vicious cycle of yo-yo-ing. 2 years later: Back injury at work and hospitalized for exhaustion. 5 years later Pregnant again gained MUCH less weight with my daughter. But after her birth was a nightmare. She was collicy and screamed 8-10 hours a day and wanted to nurse every 20-30. minutes. And my marriage was falling apart. Depression set in and I had migraine troubles. And the medicines knocked me out for a day at a time. Not even sure how much weight I gained during that period but it was ALlOT. Because of added weight and a hillbilly doc who treated my back injury I started having to adapt my life for my back. Becoming less active. 3 years later another pregnancy. And more health problems. Developed Sleep apnea and became diabetic. I spent 90% of this pregnancy falling asleep constantly. Developed MRSA on top of it all. 5 more years in a horrid marriage where my husband was mentally abusive, and untreated depression on top of all the other health problems. several hospitalizations for cellulitis complicated by M.R.S.A Then I met my current boyfriend. 2 years later I left my marriage of 13 years and moved in with my boyfriend. At my highest point I hit 650 lbs. In the first 2 years of living with my current partner I lost 250 lbs! And came out of depression. Then i hit a plateu where I hovered at 400 pounds give or take 10 lbs. A month ago i discovered I was gaining again. 30 lbs. I have come to a point in my life that I want to control my life and not let everything else control me. Some of my goals are. Short term goals ================ Get my diabetes under better control Have the Lap band surgery done Handle the Back pain problem so I can exercise more. Encourage my family to have better eating habits as I learn and adapt my own Longer term goals ================ Lose around 200-250 lbs Stop Smoking Exercise and be able to stand to do things more like average people do. NOT Need a electric cart to shop with. Be able to fit behind the wheel of our van or car STOP being a homebody and get out more not spend 80% of my day sitting here 70% of that on the computer. Be a better example to my children. So maybe my daughter will wake up and see she's heading for the same place I am in if she doesn't change. Hopefully reduce the # of medications I am on. Diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea to all improve with better health. I have been researching the surgery and pre & post op suggestions and experiences from this forum and several other sites. And I believe I can do this. It will be slow at first since I cannot exercise much. My back limits me so much and I hate that. Next visit to the doctor I am going to ask for a non medication means of handling the pain Like a T.E.N.S. unit. Hopefully one with a muscle stim setting also. Because I know why my backs messed up. Years ago when I had my work injury my doc put me on pain pills and muscle relaxer and put me to bed. There was no therapy afterwards at all. So I think that if I can get the muscles back in shape I should be able to stand more. Getting weight off of course will help this allot. But I will need to be able to exercise as I am losing weight. For the surgery to to be a true effect tool.
  22. Telecia

    Start in the process

    Friday I asked my Doctor what she thought of the possiblity of my having a lap bad and she was overjoyed. I had lost 10 pounds from last months dr visit which she was tickled about but I was less enthusiastic about it. since the month before that i had gained 30. Anyhow she said she would start the process of making me a refferal. Now I have to wait for them to call me. A bit about me and my weight.. I'm 39 years old and 451 lbs. My first sign that I was to have trouble with my weight came at the age of 18 when my father came down with cancer. He had to retire from work and I became his caretaker. Up till then I spent 80% of my free time walking everywhere I went, ridding my bike and just generally being active. I was no big deal to walk 5 miles to go someplace or ride my bike. So by the time summer ended and my senior year hit i had gained 40lbs. Before this i was average sized. 1 year after I graduated. I got pregnant & married. I had a old fashioned doctor who's ideals of excersice and diet were anchient YOUR EATING FOR TWO NOW! He said. Between the Dr. and my in laws (whom we lived with because of the pregnancy, wouldn't even let me open the garage door myself, or walk anywhere, and pushed food at me constantly) 75 more pounds came on. Which of course started the vicious cycle of yo-yo-ing. 2 years later: Back injury at work and hospitalized for exhaustion. 5 years later Pregnant again gained MUCH less weight with my daughter. But after her birth was a nightmare. She was collicy and screamed 8-10 hours a day and wanted to nurse every 20-30. minutes. And my marriage was falling apart. Depression set in and I had migraine troubles. And the medicines knocked me out for a day at a time. Not even sure how much weight I gained during that period but it was ALlOT. Because of added weight and a hillbilly doc who treated my back injury I started having to adapt my life for my back. Becoming less active. 3 years later another pregnancy. And more health problems. Developed Sleep apnea and became diabetic. I spent 90% of this pregnancy falling asleep constantly. Developed MRSA on top of it all. 5 more years in a horrid marriage where my husband was mentally abusive, and untreated depression on top of all the other health problems. several hospitalizations for cellulitis complicated by M.R.S.A Then I met my current boyfriend. 2 years later I left my marriage of 13 years and moved in with my boyfriend. At my highest point I hit 650 lbs. In the first 2 years of living with my current partner I lost 250 lbs! And came out of depression. Then i hit a plateu where I hovered at 400 pounds give or take 10 lbs. A month ago i discovered I was gaining again. 30 lbs. I have come to a point in my life that I want to control my life and not let everything else control me. Some of my goals are. Short term goals ================ Get my diabetes under better control Have the Lap band surgery done Handle the Back pain problem so I can exercise more. Encourage my family to have better eating habits as I learn and adapt my own Longer term goals ================ Lose around 200-250 lbs Stop Smoking Exercise and be able to stand to do things more like average people do. NOT Need a electric cart to shop with. Be able to fit behind the wheel of our van or car STOP being a homebody and get out more not spend 80% of my day sitting here 70% of that on the computer. Be a better example to my children. So maybe my daughter will wake up and see she's heading for the same place I am in if she doesn't change. Hopefully reduce the # of medications I am on. Diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea to all improve with better health. I have been researching the surgery and pre & post op suggestions and experiences from this forum and several other sites. And I believe I can do this. It will be slow at first since I cannot exercise much. My back limits me so much and I hate that. Next visit to the doctor I am going to ask for a non medication means of handling the pain Like a T.E.N.S. unit. Hopefully one with a muscle stim setting also. Because I know why my backs messed up. Years ago when I had my work injury my doc put me on pain pills and muscle relaxer and put me to bed. There was no therapy afterwards at all. So I think that if I can get the muscles back in shape I should be able to stand more. Getting weight off of course will help this allot. But I will need to be able to exercise as I am losing weight. For the surgery to to be a true effect tool.
  23. Hi Ive been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now. And been doing research for the last month on weight-loss surgery's And decided to go with the band. And today talked it over with my doctor who's going to get the ball rolling with the first steps. I had lost 10 pounds in the last month which was good but the visit before that i had gained 30 o.O so I think its time to get a bit more help. My major worry is Reading everyones posts I notice that i have seen very few from people as big as I am. I'm 5'7 and 440 lbs. at my highest i hit 650. But I hit a major plateau in losing and have been stuck there for 5-6 years now. Dunno yet how fast this will happen I'm on Medicaide so will have to see what kind of red tape there is. excited and worried at the same time

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