DivaStyleCoach

Very happy update - my surgery is ON! :biggrin::thumbup::biggrin::tt2: Went for my pre-op testing and consult with the surgeon yesterday, and he didn't even mention my anemia - he was more concerned with my prior abdominal surgeries!:cool2: My November 17th date is now good again, and I can't wait! I've lost another 5 pounds, so my pre-op diet is working just like I'd intended. My surgeon was impressed that I'd lost another 5 prior to surgery and praised my seriousness about the process. I'm so excited! I started taking a product called SSS Tonic (available at Walgreens) which has definately helped. It was recommended to me by a friend who has had the bypass. I feel the difference in just 4 days...I'm not so cold anymore, and because it's a liquid, it's easy to take. I will continue to take it after I am banded - I want to be sure NOT to backslide. I can't wait for Monday - final shopping trip this weekend for post-op stuff, and then Monday I'll be banded!:w00t::w00t::w00t: Thank you all for your encouragement, prayers, good wishes and positive thoughts...it works!

I got the go-ahead for my surgery! :lol::thumbup: I'm so happy I can't see straight...I'm very very excited! My surgeon didn't seem to think the anemia was a problem - he was more concerned about prior abdominal surgeries than anything else! I'm completing the pre-op diet I put myself on this weekend, and was told not to take my diabetes meds on the day of surgery. I'm SO EXCITED to finally join my sisters and brothers in bandland! Monday will be the first day of the rest of my healthier life...many thanks for all those who sent me good wishes and who have kept me in prayer... I'll definately be checking in between now and then...and my self-imposed pre-op diet made my surgeon very happy - he said I was doing the right thing by being proactive about it, even though he didn't require it. Can't wait for Monday!:cool2::w00t::tt2::w00t:

PJTP - I'M FINALLY GOING TO HAVE MY SURGERY!!:tt2::cool2::thumbup: I'm so happy I don't know what to do!!! I went for my pre-op with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist yesterday and all went well - no one even mentioned my anemia, though I think since I started taking a super-iron supplement, my levels have come up. I followed the recommendation of a good friend who has been bypassed and struggles with her iron levels. This stuff (SSS Tonic - avail at Walgreen's) reportedly raises your levels in just 4 days. I started taking it last week after finding out I was still anemic and that it might postpone my surgery. I'm happy to report that I am, indeed warmer (iron deficiency makes you cold) and I'm back on schedule for Monday surgery!!!

Hey Everyone, I was so PISSED at the end of that show, I couldn't see straight...:thumbup::cursing: My DD and I watch faithfully, and neither of us can STAND Vicki---if I was on that show, we would have come to blows by now. I hate fake a** people and she's definately one of those! She even said she'd vote her own husband off rather than leave herself...what a roaring B**CH! I'm glad Amy stood up to the "blue" team...and I hope she stands strong. I think the conspiracy stuff has GOT to stop...they will have to pay, sooner or later. I was so glad Bob chalked Heba's wheels when he was working with her hubby - basically told her to shut her mouth and worry about herself...HA! I feel for the black team - it seems Jillian's teams are ALWAYS underdogs - she even said so herself...I just want another Black team member to win - like Ali from last season, who looked awesome, by the way:biggrin:

Hi Heather, Thanks so much for the good wishes!:cool2: The Iron supplement is a liquid, and is called SSS Tonic. It also includes the following: Supplement Facts: Active Ingredients: Each High potency Dose (3 Tablespoons) Contains: B1 Thiamine 5.0 mg, B2 Riboflavin 2.4 mg, Niacinamide 20.0 mg, and Iron 100.0 mg as Ferric Ammonium Citrate. Other Ingredients: Purified Water, Ethyl Alcohol 12%, Sorbitol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial flavors, Gentian Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate and Saccharin Sodium. I have been taking it since the middle of last week, and though I haven't had my iron checked since then, the product does say you'll feel better in 3 - 5 days. I got mine at Walgreens - they had one of the best prices, and there's one near me, so no shipping cost. It doesn't taste too bad - kind of like Vitamins I used to take when I was a kid...my anemia may have been complicated by the fact that I also suffer with fibroids. My menstrual cycle can be a real bear to handle...:thumbup: Hope it helps - I'll let y'all know on Wednesday if I'm still going to have surgery in November...:eek:

Xtightend - I agree with Jmegirl - two days after surgery you are NOT going to feel like sitting up straight and socializing...tell your family you had surgery, but don't tell them what kind. That isn't their business, but when you don't show up, they will need an answer... Protect yourself after surgery - I've heard people mention on the site that the gas pains don't hit until a day or two after the surgery sometimes, so that may also happen to you. I'm not wishing it on you, but if that happens, you won't want to be around a whole bunch of folks. Your health is first - they'll get over you NOT being at holiday dinner and if they don't, OH WELL!:thumbup:

Hey Ladies, Checking in... Jen - good for you in renewing your commitment to exercise. It's obviously working for you (24 to an 18, Woo Hoo!:thumbup:) so keep up the good work! I was a lazy girl last week - didn't make it to the gym at all...I still walked every morning with DD and DDog, plus my walk at lunchtime, but I think I've been doing that long enough that there isn't a significant "stress" on my body. I really NEED to be in the gym, and today, I'm going back! I'm only one week from surgery - assuming my recent indication of anemia doesn't stop me from getting it next week - I need all the good thoughts and prayers I can get. We'll see tomorrow morning...:eek:

Good morning Bandster Family, I had a temporary setback last week - my PCP told me that my Iron levels are low - I'm anemic - and that it might postpone my surgery!:cool2::eek::w00t: As I'm sure all of you can imagine, I'm NOT happy :thumbup: I worked hard to get to this point, and I'm not giving up! I have a good friend who suffers with serious anemia, and she's on a special supplement. I went out and got myself some - it's a high-potency liquid iron supplement, and is reported to raise your levels within 4 days. I am still scheduled for my pre-op tomorrow, so I'll report in and let y'all know what's what. I am praying that my surgery will go ahead as scheduled...I arranged for the time off work at one of the busiest times of our year, and my DH and DD have been so supportive...I just hate to wait any longer.:eek::crying: For those who know the power of prayer, please keep me in yours...I need all the good thoughts, good energy and positives coming my way that I can get!

Good morning Fab Forties, I went to a support group meeting here in New Haven last night - they only do them once a month, so as part of my research / investigation process I decided to go. The group is run by Yale University's Bariatric Surgery practice (Dr. Bell, Dr. Duffy, Dr. Roberts). First impression - warm, supportive and happy folk. All present were bypass patients though - not exactly in the same frame of mind as myself. :thumbup: There was a nutritionist, and Dr. Bell came to the meeting as well. As with all group meetings, certain people talked more than others, some were like me - just in the information gathering process - and there were veterans (over 6 months post-op) and newbies (less than 3 months post-op). Not really structured - after the introductions, discussion centered around food challenges, and when that topic slowed down, the meeting just kind of dissolved into seperate conversations. :sad: Not a bad experience, but I'm not sure it was what I was expecting. More structure, perhaps... I did meet another lady who works in my office building, on the same floor, who is at about the same place in the process as I am. Even if we don't do the same operation (she's leaning toward the bypass) we'll have each other for support. :party: Heard lots of inspirational stories, but also some challenges - the changes in people's ability to eat certain foods, rapid weight loss followed by loose skin, changes in taste buds (some complained they couldn't taste anything anymore) and other stories made me even more determined to stick with the band as my choice. :w00t: I probably won't go again - I'll be looking for a lap band support group either in New Haven, where my surgery will be done, or in my home community.

Hi Heather, Thanks so much for the luv...I'm starting to feel a little better about the whole thing, but holding out hope that I'll still be banded in November. My PCP told me my hemoglobin level was 9.1 versus 11 or 12 being ideal. It's been that low before...I guess that's why I'm sensitive to cold. :cool2: The iron supplement I'm taking is called Perfect Iron by Sundown Naturals. It lists the amount of iron per tablet at 50 mg. I don't think your body absorbs all of that, because my PCP said 2 of these were roughly equivalent to the others I used to take. I went from taking 2 per day to taking 2 per meal for breakfast and lunch. I've added dinner to this now that he's talking about rescheduling my surgery!:w00t: I still haven't heard from the surgeon :frown: - though I'm supposed to see him next Tuesday for my final pre-op appointment. Until they tell me otherwise, I'm continuing on as if everything is okay. Acting "as if"...I just hope I'm not fooling myself. :thumbs_up:

My fellow Notorious Novembers... I need your good thoughts and prayers...I've just been told by my doctor that my Iron levels are low enough that my band surgery might be postponed. I understand the reason WHY this might happen, but that doesn't make it any easier.:mad::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying: I have increased my iron supplement (doc's suggestion) and will concentrate on eating iron-rich foods, but my surgery is scheduled for only 10 days from now, and I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANY LONGER :w00t: *EbonyRose has a tantrum, stamping feet, waving arms and all like a two-year old*:thumbs_up::cry_smile::crying::crying::tt2::cursing::mad::mad::mad2::mad2: Please send good thoughts and prayers my way that my surgeon doesn't see this as an issue. Because it's a laparascopic (sp?) surgery, I am praying that blood loss will be at a minimum and my surgeon will continue. On the bright side, my formerly irregular heartbeat seems to be just fine (normal EKG) :frown: and the temporary bout I had with ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopaenia purpura - very low platelet levels) has also been resolved -My platelet levels are terrific now. :cool2: I desperately want to be a November bandster - I'm gonna do all I can to make sure I stay a part of the Notorious Novembers :crying:

Jamie (jmegirl) - I'm sitting here laughing about your post...not because you're having the difficulty, but the funny way in which you typed it...the shocked smiley was just too cute! I'll be ready for that - and for all those who have posted their post-surgery experiences, I want to second the heartfelt thank yous! :frown: It's really, really helpful to have actual experiences to read...and I promise when I'm banded on the 17th, I'll check in and do the same thing!:thumbs_up:

Yay Sil! Follow up is definately key - being proactive without being a pest (a very fine line!). I have found that attitude is big - if you are letting them know that you're excited about the surgery and that's why you keep calling, they will understand. Review for me took about a week and a half to two weeks, and then I was scheduled for a second, more intensive info session with Dr. Bell and the staff. After that, it was about another 10 days until I got my surgery date. Hang in there, it will be here before you know it!:wink2: Are you coming to the Lap Band support group meetings? We just had one last night - great fun! 3 newbies like myself and three veteran banders, including the lady who was "Patient Zero" the first woman they banded at Yale. The next meeting is on Wednesday, December 3rd at which time I hope to report that I'm banded!

Very interesting...why would someone read the title of this thread, post that they are offended, and then come back several times to make sure EVERYONE knows they are offended? Just stay away...it'll be easier for you, us and everyone who really DOES want to know more. I haven't participated in a threesome yet, but my interest is definately piqued, and I appreciate all the experienced posters who have contributed. This is NOT something I can ask my girlfriends about, nor can I talk to other married couples we know about this - I know them well enough to know they are NOT this adventuresome. I LOVE the off-topic area BECAUSE I can get answers to my questions and explore stuff I can't talk with other friends about. THANK YOU for being here, folks, and for sharing. I know I said this before, but I think it bears repeating. Carry on...I'm learning a LOT!

Yay for you, Jaime! Hi and welcome to Supergirl and all the other new November bandsters...here's hoping you find all the info you need on this site - I think it's great! Twyladawn - I'm sorry your experience has been so negative, but I have to agree with Supergirl - the positives I've seen on this site far outweigh the negatives. I find it really difficult to read and understand why someone would say that their bad experience means that NO ONE should get the band. Saying "Don't do it" may just be enough to dissuade someone else from investigating a procedure that could literally save their life. I don't think anyone would dissuade you from expressing yourself, but as I've learned from my time on these boards, the lap band experience is one of the most individual experiences anyone can have. No two people seem to react the same - we don't all lose weight at the same pace, we don't all have problems with the same foods, etc. I know that this will be a process - and I'm very willing to go through the process for me and for me alone. I'm willing to share my experiences - both positive and negative - to help someone else, but I'm NOT going to tell anyone else to avoid something that is so individualized based on my experience. I hope that you are advocating for yourself and your health with your doctor - don't give up on talking to them and asking for help. From what I've read, it sounds as if you needed a slight unfill, maybe not a total unfill. Understand that it's a process and it may be a bit "fiddly" until you reach your sweet spot, but DON'T GIVE UP! Keep working with your doctor, keep getting small fills, keep asking questions and demanding answers until you get the result you started this process for. Don't give up - a healthier life CAN be yours - I believe that wholeheartedly.

phillyfawn - we've got a really experienced and knowledgeable former bandster on this forum who converted to the sleeve - her online name is MacMadame. I bet she could help answer your questions or provide resources to help you find the answers. Do a search for her on the forum and then send her a message. From what I've seen, she's a really nice person and very informed...good luck with the sleeve!:biggrin:

PJTP...I'm positively THRILLED with the outcome of the election! :biggrin: I've missed y'all - application processing has had me flat out and no time to visit LBT :biggrin: I got a call from my PCP that my iron is low (28 versus his desired 32-34) and they might postpone my surgery :eek: Now taking extra iron pills in an attempt to get my numbers up prior to surgery...:sad: NSV - all my pants are getting too big because of my walking, gym workouts and eating better. Now I just need my band...send good thoughts / prayers my way that I'll still get my band on the 17th!:w00t:

Hey Notorious Novembers! I'm thrilled that we have a new President, and I'm on day 3 of my self-imposed pre-op eating plan (I hate the word diet). I've had a minor setback - my GP called and said my iron levels are low - 28 when he wants them at 32 - 34. I told him I was taking iron pills (2 per day) and he said if I was taking one per day to take one per meal! He's not sure if it will postpone my surgery (scheduled for Nov 17th) and I'm praying that it doesn't. I've bought additional iron pills (ran out of the old ones) which have 50 mg of iron per pill, and I'm taking 2 per meal, breakfast and lunch. Hopefully that will be enough that I won't have to reschedule my surgery. I worked out the time off from my job and everything!:biggrin: Please send prayers and good wishes my way that I get to have my surgery on the day I was scheduled and that all will be well with me.:biggrin:

Oh poor Trina...I feel your pain, my sista!:biggrin: The first day I tried the ArcTrainer, I swore my legs were gonna fall off at the end...it's a different kind of motion. If I work at it, I can keep it moving with no pause on each leg...I never get the tension or the weight off of the legs while I'm working them, and boy, do I feel it! Didn't do much over the weekend, but hauled 3 wheelbarrows worth of wood for our fireplace across the yard so DH could stack them in our outside wood rack. Then we hauled more inside to the basement and some up to the fireplace on the 1st floor. My back and legs were tired at the end of that. Started my liquid diet today - have had two Protein shakes and some fruit today...my head is pounding, so I may skip the gym tonight. I did walk this morning with DD, DH and DDog, and again at lunchtime, so I'm not feeling toooo guilty.:biggrin: Hopefully tomorrow my head won't be booming and I'll get to the gym...

Mornin' Soon-to-be-Bandsters! Started my pre-op diet today...LisafromCali - I can totally relate! I've had a Protein shake, a banana and just finished an apple. If this "hunger" keeps up, I'm going to take an early lunch and go for a brisk walk to shut that hungry voice up! I really want all to go well with my surgery - therefore, I am NOT going to cheat on my self-imposed pre-op eating plan. The doc didn't say I HAD to do it, but if it will shrink my liver and make things easier for him, I'm all for it! Stay strong, fellow Bandsters - We Can Do It!:thumbup:

Hi Julie, Fellow Navy here...my hubby served 21 years and retired almost 8 years ago. I'm scheduled to be banded Nov 17th and am very excited. I've put myself on a pre-surgery diet - after reading through this site and a couple of books on LB surgery, I want to do my surgeon a favor and try to shrink my liver, plus lose a few more pounds. I think anything I can do to make his job easier is a good thing. I'm already down 10, hoping for another 10 before surgery in 2 weeks. I am doing two Protein shakes plus one sensible / normal meal per day. I'm using fruit for Snacks. My Protein Shakes have 35g of protein per can, so I'm going to continue with them after I'm banded as well. Like you, I DO want to eat...I'm going to try to keep my hands busy and incorporate some walking to help quell the hunger pangs and the "head hunger". Good luck on your pre-surgery work, and I know you'll be successful!:thumbup:

ThinkingSlim, That's great news - I'm glad you are focused and committed. Stay in touch, and we'll both be heathier and even more gorgeous this time next year!

Good morning All-Stars! It's officially 2 weeks until my band date and I am so excited I can't stand it! I start my self-imposed semi-liquid eating plan today...2 protein shakes during the day for breakfast and lunch, fruit as a snack, and a "normal" meal for dinner. "Normal" meaning high-protein, low fat. Probably a WW meal, a Lean Cuisine, or some such. I'm holding steady at a 10 lb loss right now, but would love to lose a little more before surgery. I figure anything I can do to help the surgeon's job be a little easier, I'm going to do! Increasing my water intake as well - anytime I feel hungry, I'm going to drink water (unless it's time to eat). I'll also pick up my knitting and crocheting again so I can keep my hands busy. I've already got a home improvement project that I'm going to do while I'm home recovering, and a plan to do multiple short-range walks while recovering. I want to be one of my doc's star patients...and I have an ulterior motive. I've read in several magazines and books that African-American's don't seek out LB surgery because they either don't know about it, or don't feel it's for them. If it's God's will, I'd love to be a spokesperson for the surgery for my doctor. I've done some public speaking, so if I can help someone else get this life-saving procedure by talking about my experience, I'll do just that!

Thanks everybody for the well wishes and congrats - I'm so excited I can't stand it! :tt1: Luluc - your puppy is gorgeous...he makes me miss my dear departed Lab "Dave" even more...:tt1: Just waiting for time to pass...oh so slowly...I am indeed stocking up on protein. I have one order of the "bullets" coming, and I downloaded a great set of recipes from another topic in the forum that I'm going to try for the next two weeks. By the time I reach my surgery date, I'll have a stable of favorites and be a pro at making them. My DD is going to do the semi-liquid diet with me for 2 weeks. She desperately wants to be banded, but I'm not sure she's mentally ready for it. We'll see how she does...she's not 18 yet, but she's heavier than I am, and I'm worried about her. DH has said he'll change his eating style too - he's not going to do the liquid diet, but he's giving up Gummi's (he LOVES those things) and fast food for the next 6 weeks - partly to support me, partly to lose some of his tummy. :tt1: My DDog, Sisko, has already "told" me that he'll take as many walks with me every day as I'm up for, so my post-surgery exercise is taken care of...I'm just ready to go!:smile2:

PJTP... I'm SAMBLMBO - Sitting At My Desk Laughing My Butt Off at all the posts...I had to catch up a bit. :lol::lol: Had my EKG and blood work done today...appointment with my PCP, a one-on-one with my surgeon and the anesthetist, and 2 weeks from Monday I'll be in surgery!:smile2::biggrin::tt1::biggrin::tt1: Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!:tt1: