Bugcarrie

Hello all- I am new. I have been struggling for the past 15 years with idiopathic intercranial hypertension IIH AKA Psuedo Tumor Cerebri (Excess spinal fluid on the brain) that has all kinds of fun symptoms such as migranes, visual issues that can lead to eye sight loss, severe extremity numbness and tingling, severe joint pain, skin hypersensitivities, gastrointestinal issues, and so much more yada yada... all the menacing aggravating "little things" that make you miserable and mess with your ability to focus/work/perform as a human being and end up having your pcp prescribe more and more meds to treat the never ending wonderful or newly arising symptoms. And what always seems to comes more often than not with medication? you got it... weight gain. Talking about a major catch 22.
For the past 15 years I have been relatively passive and accepted the meds and said sure no problem, lets take more for this or more for that new issue... until 3 years ago i finally said no more! I will find the right Primary Care and the best weight loss program and will learn to live my life in a much better/healthier way. It's taken a move across country and several investigations into processes and procedures for me to decide which to go with, but when I finally had to take a second leave of absence from work due to vision loss and inability to function due to the pain caused by a Hiatal Hernia at the same time, I took a big jump and said that's enough for me!!! Lets fix it all! Let's fix the Hernia, the weight gain issue, and reduce the spinal fluid, joint pain, overall weakened immune system, fatigue, high BP, Cholesterol, BMI, EVERYTHING can stand to improve by getting the excess weight off and keeping it off. If I don't change this, no one will. If I don't do this, no one will. If I don't take responsibility for my health, I will die earlier than I should or want to. It's time to change. So I, with the advice and the expertise of a few chosen and so far proven effective medical professionals- working cooperatively together- was able to make an informed decision for a surgery solution that was best for me and my health at this time.
I know that I should not expect all roses and clovers and that this is a major behavioral and lifestyle change and much is and will be required of me. The success of my overall health is dependent on my ability to understand and work with this new tool and work towards including new behaviors- better food choices, exercise i actually like to do, and most of all eating the right amounts for the right reasons! I understand the pros and cons of the band and the issues that can arise, they are scary and I don't want to be one of the stats for slippage or erosion but I am also an analyst at heart and have done my research and know that death can be avoided, and the band can be removed that is reassuring.
I have hopes and expectations, and I have fears of failure just as I am sure all of us here do.
I am experiencing some strange things this first week of post op.But thankfully, all my current fears have been put to rest by being able to read what others have experienced and note that these 'things' are actually 'normal'.
hopefully my comments can help reassure others to come. I look forward to chatting and celebrating in the progress we all make, encouraging each other when we need it, being a shoulder or just knowing there is another feeling the same somewhere else, when needed.
I lift my current shot glass of 3 tablespoons of Chicken Broth, and offer a toast to all: ' May we all begin and/or continue on this, our journey, towards our best health possible. May each an every one of us be happy with ourselves at whatever stage in our progress we are in. No matter what others say or think! May we all know, even when others may not tell us or show us, we are each always Exceptional! Always! Now Sip up, SLOWLY!... No gulping...