guitarman

Well kathy I guess I could pack a freezer pack for you and get it in the mail overnight. I seem to have a little extra right now. Delarla, A case of snickers??? Now we are treading on dangerous ground. And then they had to go and invent the dang ice cream snickers bar. Those mean evil people.

Hey Folks, I was banded last Tuesday April 19th and Life has been Hell since then. I see so many people on this forum that are so happy with their band but I can't imagine why from sitting in my seat. I feel I am the poster child for someone to not have this done. I have suffered from Nausea for several days and Phenegran and Zofran doesn't work. I started maxing out on water and that helped with the nausea but has left little room for nutrients. Last friday I was admitted to the ER on doctors orders because of the Nausea. My doctor actually came to the hospital and took me back to radiology. He then proceeded to draw 1cc of fluid out of my supposedly empty band. He said that the factory sometimes leaves them with some fill in them. After that I felt a little less restriction with my breathing and swallowing. I then took in a Liter of IV for dehydration and went home 4 hours later. Saturday I felt like a new man all day long. I was told to stay on clear liquids and not to get back on the protein until sunday. Saturday night I was back at the closest sink breathing through my nose and out of my mouth trying not to hurl. Cause when I hurl there is nothing there. It is gas that won't go up nor go down. So I took my gas-x chewables and my liquid lor-tab. Finally things stablized enough for me to go to bed. Yesterday Was a Fantastic day physically. Emotionally it was a wreck but what the heck. I drank more water yesterday than I ever have been able too, 45oz plus I had about 20 more oz of soup. But at 10pm I felt this restriction (or constriction) I should say around my throat. It was as if someone hand their hand around my throat at my adams apple and was just slightly squeezing. WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT FROM???? Another miserable day after all. So I have a few questiosn that I would like you seasoned veterans to answer if possible. Cause I have to tell you folks that I am wondering what my options are as far as getting this thing taken out. 1) what does it feel like to have to no restriction with an empty band? Do you have the ability to eat as you used to? Same portions and same bite sizes. 2) Should I feel restriction with soup with a zero filled band? Shouldn't fluids just go right though? 3) Do you ever get to the point where the band is not your primary focus 24 hours a day? I want to enjoy life and not be thinking about this device all of the time. Yet if I always feel this restriction then I can only think I would be focusing on the band all day every day. 4) what are some of things you ate during your mushy food stage. I have a week left of liquids and then I can move to mushy food but I don't think I will be able to with this feeling in my throat. 5) How long did it take for you to expel thegas from your surgery? 6) if you have complications like a slippage and youhave to have surgery to correct it do you have the option of having the band removed? I know this is a lot to read and ask for a response on and I do apologize. But I am kicking myself for doing this when it took me three years to get it approved.Perhaps I focused too hard on the fight to get it and didn't think enough on the effects of the change. I did expect to feel different but not to the point that I am an emotional basket case. I realize too that there are others out there going without the band who really want it and are fighting for it just like I did as well as some who have paid for it out of their pockets. I am not trivializing anyones efforts at all.

Thanks folks. Again you are so encouraging. today was my one week post op appt with my Dr. He has elevated me to pureed food such as some fruit cocktail in a blender and maybe even some tuna or chicken salad in a blender. So life is looking up for sure. I feel much better and my family and I had a great day today. I will admit I am a control freak and I think part of my immediate anxiety was fearing the loss of control (which obviously I never had or I wouldn't weigh this much) over what I ate and when. I am adjusting and I think things will work out fine now. Because I realize the band is actually going to give me the control I never really had. Much Thanks and God Bless.

I want to thank all of sweet kind people for your words of encouragement. reading all of the above gives me so much hope. I have never had surgery in my life except for wisdom teeth and that was 18 years ago. So needless to say I can see where the age factor could play a part in it. I am depressed and an emotional wreck. My wife, Luckily, works at home and has been the greatest help to me. I just got a card from my Mother-in-law and it said to take it easy and give it time and that I have the best nurse on earth. After reading which I welled up in tears and thanked the lord above because she is the best. I did try two new things today and so far haven't had any bad side effects. I bought some Isopure protein mix at Smoothieking. This stuff packs over 50 grams of protein in one 8 oz serving and it tastes great. It was thin too so it went down OK and settled fine. I also am having my first bottle of gatorade since surgery and it seems to be holding it's own too. Another good sign is that I went into my doctors office weighing 370 pounds over 3 months ago. I now weigh 334 one week post op. I am sure a lot of this is water but it makes you feel good though. on May 14th my Family is going to Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie Texas. This is a renaissance festival and man the food is everywhere. So much that you couldn't possibly have everything in one day. So we all buy something and share. This will be about the time I am assuming I may be able to have solids. So maybe that day will be a good mental motivator for me. Or maybe I will have to stick to the lemon chill rather than have a piece of turkey leg. :-) Thanks to all of you

Thanks to all of you folks for your encouragement. It really does help and I know I will be back to my positive self before too long. I had to go to the emergency room this afternoon because I was so nauseated. The Phenegran wasn't doing anything to help at all. So I called my Doctor in Ft Worth and believe it or not he actually showed up in the ER. He sat me in a wheel chair and personally wheeled be back to the radiology area. Layed me on the table, set up the equipment himself and checked my band. Everything looked good except he said I had a lot of gas and was dehydrated. He said my problem was probablybecause the band was too full when they inserted it. I said to him I thought they were all empty when installed andhe said they have to be tested at Inamed and sometimes they don't drain them completely. So he pulled the bandages off of my port incision and inserted a needle and drew out 1cc of saline. As soon as he did that I felt an immediately pressure relief. We did a Barioum test then and then he took me back to observation. Such a great doctor who also happenes to be banded. I asked him if the band was everything he thought it would be and his eyes lite up and he just smiled and said, "and then some." So that made me feel lots better. If youknow anyone if the DFW area that needs a doctor please have them check out Dr Adam Smith. I know this sounds like an ad bit it's not. (how did I get italics?) Anyway I love all of you guys and can't wait to get backl to jammin.

Well this has been one heck of a rollercoater ride. I guess I am not the norm. I had surgery on tuesday of this week. Immediately had problems with nausea but initially conquered it with phenegran. Then wednesday was the worst gas day so far, (Still have it today as a matter of fact) and yesterday the nausea was back full force, especially when I layed down. Now last night I slept the bext I have so far since tuesday. Every since tuesday I was constantly waking during the night with gas pains and Nausea. Last night I went to sleep about 1am amd woke up at 8am, then proceeded to crawl to the master bedroom and slept in their (yeah the first time in my own bed since surgery) until 11:30 this morning. The only problem now is that I can't wake up. IS that normal. Anyway everything will be fine next week I keep telling myself. I am kind of in the Buyers remorse stage. I don't want this tool to be the primary focus of my everyday life. I want to concentrate on my work, My music, My Children and my Life. Hopefully living with the band doesn 't make all of the seconday, etc.....

Just banded at 11am this morning. The pain is pretty bad but what I want to know is wat is up with all the nausea. I have had to violent episodes of dry heaving today. I am afraid to take my lilquid pain medication as it was one of the things that caused me to gag earlier.

Yes I did that Barium and it was really fast. I have a question though. When they set the band the first time is it totally open? If so can you eat just as normal with an open band? Or do they set it at 1cc or something small like that to start with.

Thanks Delarla, Actually this was a day surgery for me. The funny thing was that when I checked into outpatients check in (huh?) that the nurse had a hand written sign for the doctors asking them to move their procedures along this morning as they were at maximum capacity and were out of room. Talk about your cattle car surgery. I thought that was funny but man they weren't kidding about getting me out of there. I spent about an hour on the table and 2 hour in recovery, then slammed into a wheel chair and taken to my truck. Wow, what a day.

No Way in hades could I have handled picking up the guitar much less singing. The sub was definitely the way to go. With a wedding this weekend and two more the following weekend. Thanks.

Thanks Everyone. I do feel better today. Just goit to get rid of the gas now which is preventing me from breathing very deep. The upside is I don't miss food right now. :-) You guys are all great. Especially my Bandmate buddy, Becky in Texas. She has been a big help and here scheduled surgery date is April 29th. So we'll get through this together and with everyone elses help too.

Thanks. I think I will try some chicken broth. The warm thing sounds too good to pass up. My wife is already on her way to an all night pharmacy for the Phenegran/ Thnaks for the quick response.

My family on both sides settled in the McAlester area many years ago. I love it there.

Hey Houston and Sachse!!!!!!!!!! ( in case some of you don't know how to pronounce Sachse just bare your bottom row of teeth and tighten your neck muscles and say "SEXY") Thanks guys. I am so glad to meet more fellow Texans. We are a proud bunch aren't we? I am nervous about this deal coming up Tuesday especially after they have screwed up my diet by telling me one date and then giving me another. Putting me on the diet and then taking me off. No telling what my Liver looks like now. Probably a T-bone. But I have a problem with this whole clear liquid diet thing. Do you guys think it is really to get us adjusted to life immediately after the band or is to shrink the liver as I am being told? A good surgeon out to be able to flop that liver to the side regardless, don't ya think? :-) Well I ain't turning back now. This has been too hard of a fight. I wanna be skinny and I'm gonna be. Much Love!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not sure what kind of crazy stunts I would have to do to get on survivor. Hopefully by then I can lose a lot of weight and use that as my gimmick, if I need one. Big Brother is another story altogether. That show is amazing as far as everyone thinking their problems are the center of the universe. I would expect that with the youngsters on Road rules but with Adults on Big Brother????? I tell ya. If you want some zero common denominator television to watch check out Viva La Bam on Mtv Sundays at 9:30 CT. I am not a fan of Mtv, Jackass or anything affiliated with that network except this show. I watch it as if I am looking at a car accident. I can't take my eyes off of it and I can't believe what I am seeing, yet I return each sunday. It's all about a kid named Bam, formerly of the jackass show, who basically tortures his parents and uncle with insane antics like filling his mom's car full of snow. Or catapulting his uncles car. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!! But what a stress relief.

Hey Lisa. I am Ready!!!!!!!!!!! I better be by golly.........Yes ma'am I do gig quite often. I did about 200 shows last year and that sure did take a toll on this big boy...........Whew!!!!!!!! I tell ya. You guys give the word and this band is headed your way. We just need a heads up. that's all. We are ready for the races this weekend and then we have a few outdoor festivals this summer so I have slacked off on a lot of the clubs. My heart is where the kids are. I love to play gigs at festivals where there are children. I love to see their eyes light up when they see a band for the first time. You just don't get that in the clubs but the clubs help pay the bills. Plus we do a lot of charity events for organizations such as The Down Syndrome Guild in Dallas. My boys are 16 and 14 and they actually help papa out with the shows. The ironic thing is neither play an instrument but someday maybe they will. Hey thanks for the welcome. I can ramble on for hours if you let me. They say I could talk the ears off a wooden Indian.

You know. That's a great idea. I assumed when I joined this board that most folks had gone through the same runaround. Perhaps I am wrong. I think I will place my story in a word doc. and attach it to a new thread. If I simply posted the story here in the forum people would get tired-head about halfway through it. I don't think I am as tanacious as anyone else but information is valuable and there is nothing more frightening than an educated consumer to these insurance companies.

Becky this is going to one heck of a ride..........I say lets kick it in the tail..... Muchos Gracias!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's Great OkieJudy. I would love to meet you. Is the OKie for Oklahoma? If so, how close to McAlester?

Dell, PLease don't give up. Keep fighting. If you work take your case to your human resource administrator. Believe it or not sometimes they can make a difference. Another option is to call Inamed directly. They can direct you to legel representation. When I talked to them they were willing to help write my appeal and were willing to get me in touch with a lawyer who specializes in the Lap-Band and insurance companies. I have fought this fight for three years. Finally after all my complaining my company switched to BCBS Empire who happens to cover the surgery. This has been a 3 year journey for me. so keep the faith and keep fighting.

Hey Tony, I guess I never thought of that. Bummer........Well we'll just have to declare thumb-stomach and see what happens. See ya There!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steph got lucky. What was she thinking jumping off that pole for pizza and taking a chance on losing a million bucks? Hell I have an eating disorder and don't think I would have done that.

I am the Svelt (tongue in cheek) Guitar player with the goatee and silver hair, or as my son says, Platinum highlights.

My other guitarist cut his gigging teeth in Vegas. We play everywhere actually. So Maybe we can set something up in Vegas in the near future. I would love to go back. in my other life I sell irrigation systems for Golf Courses and we have several installations in Vegas. My favorite was the MGM Grand Course they built in Boulder about 5-6 years ago.

yes we are playing at the race this weekend. It's going to be a blast. Saturday night in the campgrounds. We have several sponsors who put this show on for the campers there.