ndmom

Anyone planning on going to Iron Horse in Red Lodge MT in July?? Less crowded than Sturgis but awesome ride. I am looking forward to a riding season with less wt to move around on the bike. Penny banded 11/7/07 254/231 2006 1100 V Star

I was banded on 11/6 and had my first fill on 1/3 (2cc in a 10cc band, dr did not put anything at the time of surgery.) I am really struggling as I feel hungry all the time, the same battle I was fighting before the band. My dr wants a month with less than 5 lbs lost before he fill each time. So, I am frustrated that I will have to endure a month of feeling hungry before the next fill. Am trying to follow the "rules" but it's hard when you're hungry all time. I find myself rushing through meals because I'm hungry and making some bad choices because I'm hungry. I also find myself obsessing about food because I'm hungry.....anyone struggling with the thought of food all the time?? Penny

What is faa?

This is so great, I love reading everyone's stories!! I was born and still live in Bismarck, ND. I am an only child and have been overweight since I was 5 yrs old (guess my parents fed me for all the kids they wish they had, haha) I have a degree in social work and have worked in a nursing home, hospital, homeless shelter and now work for county social services with elderly and disabled (including hospice and traumatic brain injuries) connecting them with community services in order to avoid nursing home placement. I have 2 kids, a boy 14 and girl 17 and a cat. I am divorced but live with my fiance. We went to school together and I had a huge crush on him 30 yrs ago....and still do. My proudest accomplishment (other than kids, of course) is that I got my motorcycle license 2 yrs ago. I got tired of waiting for a man to come along to give me a ride so I ride my own now! My decision to do the band came after watching bypass patients in the hospital where I worked and others and then watching my 2 best friends go through lap-band. I knew I didn't want bypass because of complications I had observed. The band has proved to be a safer choice for me. I have never been successful at losing more than 15-20 lbs and the weight was wrecking my knees and I was tired of trying things that didn't work. I still have a lot of work to do with the issues behind the overeating, but now I have one more tool to be successful. (I also want to look better in my leathers!) My worst wt loss experience was when I was in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. The school nurse came to my class weekly and took me out to the office to weigh me and tell me I needed to lose weight. I saw thate nurse at a professional meeting we both attended after I gratuated from college and had to go to the bathroom to throw up. I wish I had the assertiveness then that I have now. I was banded on 11/6 and on a new, positive journey for myself and with my family. The future is looking great. I love this website, the people who give of themselves when they post. Thanks everyone, Penny turned 45 on 11/11 Down 15 lbs since surgery

I have the same problem and went the route of a sports bra. I returned to work before my incisions healed enough to go back to my underwire. I am 3 wks out from surgery and still wearing the sports bra. I plan to go back to the underwire because of support, but I'll wait awhile until my tummy isn't sore. Penny

Thanks ladies! I called the dr nurse and she moved my appt to Friday. Her best guess is constipation (but I've had that and I know that kind of pain, this is very different). But I am going to be a good patient and do the laxative she recommended so we can "clinically" eliminate that. Meanwhile, I have told my boss I'm taking Davocet at work and not to ask me any life-altering questions until this is resolved...hahaha. Thanks again. Penny

Hi everyone: I had surgery 11-6 and overall I am feeling good. My problem is that I can't sit for more than 10-20 minutes and I get a cramp that starts around my port area and moves left along my left side part-way around my back. I do well standing and walking but I have to sit at my desk for my work and can't get up every 10 minutes. Is this something anyone else has had? Any ideas, I am really going crazy and can't take pain meds at work (other than OTC stuff). Thanks so much for ideas, experiences. Penny

I'm a county social worker in ND working with elderly and disabled (mostly traumatic brain injuries) adults to keep them at home with community services rather than nursing homes. My favorite cases are hospice, such a sacred time in life and gift to be welcomed into a family's life during this journey. Banded 11/6/07.

This is also a problem I am having. I was a stomach sleeper so I have been really struggling since surgery 11-6. My answer has been the couch so I can tilt a little to my right side. I tried to lay on my left side and my stomach once and I thought I had ripped out everything the dr did. Needless to say I won't be so quick to try that for awhile!!! Thanks for the body pillow suggestion, maybe that will give me another alternative....if my daughter will give her's up for me to try! I thought maybe something was wrong with my surgery because I couldn't lay on my left side. How long do you think it will take until I can go back to my stomach or my left side? I know it's different for everyone but it's good to hear other's experiences. This website is a life saver on this journey!! Thanks everyone. Penny

Oooo, I'm so glad this thread was started! I was banded Nov 6 and am struggling already with feeling hungry. I am trying everything everyone has suggested (except the 3 min between bites, but I will try that tomorrow!) Just reading that I am not losing my mind is helpful. I thought that I had really made a mistake to go through this and not feel much different in my eating habits (however, I have lost 10 lbs in the 3 weeks). But I'm afraid I will start going up pretty soon. I will try to calm down and just listen to some of you who are more experienced. My first dr appt is Dec 6 but dr said he usually doesn't fill during the post op visit...we'll see. Thanks everyone for giving me some reassurance! Penny

Hi Everyone: I was banded yesterday (11/6). Went in at 5 a.m. and into pre-op at about 6. Don't remember when I got back to my room but my fiance said the Dr told him the actual procedure took about 20 minutes...AMAZING to me. I am pretty sore on my left side, I feel like I am going to pull something out when I try to sit or stand. Once I am in a position, I feel better. I haven't ventured to anything but liquid protein (punch flavor) in my juice, water and broth. Haven't been nauseated except right after surgery. A little shoulder pain but it's working out. I notice I gained 5 lbs, had to laugh about that. I am sure the fluids in the IV's have not moved out yet. Hungery is manageable for now but the future scares me. I wanted the surgery to remove my desire to eat but that's probably asking a lot for $15,000 (and a bit unrealistic, but it sounded cute!) I appreciate reading everyone's stories, I don't feel so alone. Thanks to everyone. Penny

Hi Biker Bandsters....I too just found the site. My surgery is scheduled for Nov 6 if a Urology consult doesn't derail it (found blood in a recent UA and have a family history of kidney and bladder cancer). I, unfortunately, am coming to the close of my riding season (Bismarck ND). But I grab any time I can get. I have a 2006 Yamaha 1200 Star. I am looking forward to being able to get into leathers in the spring so I don't look like a black stuffed sausage! And being able to ride comfortably without the weight. My biggest fear is failing this too like all the past attempts to lose wt. Glad to read about all the riders still going strong in Oct, that's one of the curses of living on the North prairie. Penny

Hi Nov Bandsters: I have been off-line for about 2 wks, have had a complication that I am dealing with. During my annual female exam, blood was found in my UA. My mom died of kidney cancer and my dad currently has bladder cancer so I have been referred to a Urologist for further tests. The consult isn't until Friday and my band surgery is scheduled for Nov 6 so I don't know if I will have to postpone or what will be in store. I will find out on Friday. It has been a huge emotional roller coaster, I had considered putting off the consult but good thinking got the better of me and I will do it before so I don't risk having further complications. I think my head is back in the game and I will just keep a positive focus on my band until I know something different. Onward... Penny

Hi everyone: I have been away for awhile, took a week of vacation to relax before really gearing up for the surgery. I had my pre-op visit on Monday, that involved some blood work, EKG, chest X-ray and meeting with a dietitan. My pre-op preparation is to consume 60 additional grams of protien per day by protien shake. I have lost 10 lbs since my initial consult 4 wks ago just by drinking the protien. Two days before the surgery, I will be on Clear Liquids. They also want no more than 1500 cal /day the month before the surgery. I think my surgeon is pretty reasonable! His only hard rule is NO wt gain or he won't to the surgery. I had my psych testing done before the initial consult with the surgeon. Now it's just moving toward the Nov 6 surgery date. I went to the hosp support group last night (second time) and it's nothing like the support found here. Everyone here is the BEST!! Now that I figured out how to get my Ticker on, I have to figure out how to edit it! Any guidance?? Penny Bismarck ND Medcenter One Dr Bruderer

Hi April. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.....not a psycho bandster, but let them know you are flexible and ready to go. Whatever the date, it's what's meant to be and where you are meant to be. I am actually on vacation so I will check on the Nov people when I get home. Penny

Thanks April, couldn't have done it without you!! Now we just have to watch that bug make it's way through the tulips!! Counting to Nov 6! Your going to get there soon too, and don't you even think about jumping the Nov group, we'll haunt you!!!

April.......YEAH, I DID IT!!! :clap2:THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! My mistake in trying before your instructions was that I did not highlight the whole bbcode box, just the first line. BTW, did I thank you? Penny

April, thank you so much! Let's see how I do.... Penny

Hi Nov Bandsters. I have been away for awhile and see that a lot more Nov Bandsters have gotten together. I am feeling everything everyone else has talked about....fear of failure or making all those scary changes, excitement for the regular stores...so many mixed emotions. I come here and I know I am not alone. The support and kindnesses helps strengthen my courage. On another note, I am completely and totally dumb when it comes to the ticker thing. I have worked so hard on this that my brain hurts and I'm obviously no further along. Is there someone who can give computer-illiterate type directions on how to actually get the ticker from it's website to the signature page? I need simple and detailed directions. Thank you! Penny

<p>I'm November 6!!! I live in ND and am on my pre-op diet of 1500 cal/day and 40-60 gr of protien/day. I will be on the Clear liquids 2 days before surgery. I am struggling with all the emotional issues surrounding overeating and diet failure, fear of failure after the surgery, fear of what people think of me....etc! I have had very good support from others on different threads, I can see this site will be my life-line as well as some of the other places I'm reaching out to locally....and my surgery team. </p> <p></p> <p>Penny</p> <p> </p> <p>5'4" 254 BMI 43.4</p>

Thanks....now my action needs to match my insight! Keep an eye on me IndigoGirl, you have good tough band love for us newbies!! And Amber, thanks for mentioning OCD, a factor much under diagnosed in overeaters. Penny p.s. Got my surgery date yesterday...Nov 6. Scared....excited, scared, excited......

Bridget, this is Penny.......the other scared girl on your thread. I can relate to what you say about "I eat because I want to eat." Actually, that is what scares me. That is what I hear from alcohol and drug addicts who are fighting treatment. Even though their health, career, family are on the line....they won't consider stopping the destruction. It's the addiction that has them convinced that they are drinking or drugging because they want to. The fact is, they drug and we eat because we are addicted. You and I are faced with early deaths and yet we still are hanging on to the lifestyle that will take us from our families "just because we want to." I agree with IndigoGirl, you and I need to have a plan beyond just the band and diet. We need to have a plan to address our addiction. I am glad your husband loves you just the way you are but with your family history, he won't have that luxury for long. I am a health care social worker, I watch young people (50's and 50's) die every day from earlier life choices. It isn't pretty and the families suffer so deeply. Love yourself and your husband as much as he loves you and be healthy to grow old together. Maybe now isn't the right time for the band, but it is the right time to do your addiction work. Here's to us and our future!!! Penny

I have been approved and am waiting for a date. I have made a few posts but lose my place so I'm not sure which threads I've been following. I am an emotional eater and know that I will need to make a lot of changes, not only diet. I appreciate the support found here and will keep trying to remember where I have left off. Would like to know if there are other ND's who have found this site. I wish I could meet everyone, all are so open, honest and positive. Thanks, Penny.

Thanks Bruce and DeV for the reply. I appreciate the encouragement. Bruce, ND will take you back anytime, we need all the taxpayers we can get!! Penny

Thank you all for such good information, tough band love as I have seen it called, and the encouragement. I appreciate the time each one of you have taken to "talk" about your experience. Since I know I have some head-work to do along with the band, I am wondering what kinds of things anyone has done.....Overeaters Annon, reading, counseling. I have been fat since 4 or 5 yrs old and have some work to do on 40 yrs of emotional eating (no significant emotional scars, just eat my feelings....and I'm a social worker........go figure!!). Addicted to food.....you bet!! That's where the challenge is for me, and I want to be prepared to take that on with as much commitment as the nutrition. Thanks again. Penny