jjsmiles

What you also need to consider is that you may have drains after the surgery or extra Fluid build up and how that will be managed. How is after care managed? I just had a major surgery that included a panniculectomy - I had three drains. When I left hospital (I was in for 10 days) I still had one drain, and it ended up coming out early by accident. Ironically, I had incredible fluid build up on the other side and I just had to have 2 drains reinserted last week (3 weeks post original surgery). Now I had mega surgery and about 4 procedures done so I don't know what is actually plastics related, but I understand it is very common to have drains. You need to know if your surgeon uses drains, how they will be managed and what to do if you have fluid build up. In about 6 days I had almost a 1 1/2 litres drained manually (that kind of retention also ends up being very uncomfortable)- and this was 2 weeks plus after the actual surgery. I don't know where you live in BC (I am in Calgary), but I am pretty sure that your docs are not going to be happy in dealing with any complications - although I think they have to see you). As well, can your local area even help you if you have complications? Would you need to travel to Vancouver regardless? I know that Dr. Schulman has said that he requires people to stay in the New York area until the drains are removed and I know Frangi (both have current threads in this section) has had to go back to Florida on several occasions because of fluid and wound issues). Travelling itself may or may not be an issue. I actually felt better earlier after the surgery and feel much worse now. I think I was so drugged up early on that I felt pretty good. I don't think you should be travelling alone (the drugs really impaired my ability to think and judge) and you need to be careful about blood clots from sitting on one position for any length of time). Does your surgery include muscle repair or just skin removal? Muscle repair opens you up to a whole world of pain that you wouldn't have experienced with the lap band surgery. Good luck with your decision! Jacquie

Hi everyone, I thought I would just give those of you who might be interested a not so quick update!!! Be warned that I have written a bit of a novel. I had my mega surgery on September 9 and the 2 surgeons were able to do everything (yeah!!!!!). I have been told by about a dozen nurses and doctors that having everything done like that was probably as big of a surgery that could ever be done. Both of my surgeons have been positively giddy since the surgery, and I think they are very impressed with themselves :cursing:. I had: Anterior bowel resection (took out about 1 foot of my diseased colon and reconnected the remaining pieces) Reversal of my ileostomy – which means reconnecting my small intestine with my large intestine (for the last 2 and ½ years I had not been connected and was managing my bowels through my small intestine which had been poked through my abdomen and I “pooped” into a pouch that was attached to my abdomen – I had no bowel control). Repair of two huge hernias (one in my belly button and the other a peristomal hernia which was as a result of my ileostomy) Panniculectomy – the plastic surgeon removed about 5 pounds of excess fat and skin in my abdomen. I was in hospital for 10 days and had a wound vac for that time – special dressings attached to a type of vacuum that sucks out Fluid and guck (frangi has one) to help with wound healing. I had 3 drains across my abdomen and 46 staples. The wound line is about 28 inches from one back side of my hip to the other (the line is straight across the hips but then goes up and around my genitals – the doc said he had to take the cut a bit higher than they usually do). I believe he went higher to assist with the bowel surgery and to be able to remove the bad skin where my ileostomy site had been – I had a whole there plus some wounds that had not healed for a couple of years). When I left hospital they removed about half of the staples and two of the drains. The other drain I was supposed to keep – it ended up coming out (with some assistance from me) about 4 days later. I was noticing a bulge on my other side (which I was worried was a recurrence of the hernia), but when I went in to see the plastic surgeon to get the rest of the staples out it was a build up of fluid. He ended up draining 360 cc’s fluid that day, the next day 190 cc’s of fluid. I then went and saw him last Tuesday (four days later) and had 2 separate pockets of fluid (800 cc’s of fluid between them), so the decision was made to “reinsert” 2 drains again. To drain the fluid, they stick a really big needle into the wound line and start pulling out fluid – not a really pleasant experience. I was told it is not really unusual to have fluid build up, but the amount of fluid I have is unusual. Radiologists reinserted the drains this by ultrasound. They froze the areas separately by needle, cut two new wholes and inserted the new drains, which they stitch to the skin to hold it in. This time they used industrial size tubing and drain bags (the bags can hold up to 600 cc’s which is more than 2 cups), which I strap to my leg. What can I tell you – I am a fashion statement!!!!! I will likely have these drains for a couple of weeks. Worst thing – I can’t shower now until they are out). I have lived with an ileostomy for 2 ½ years, so taking care of the drains is really simple. My other main complication has been fluid retention in my legs. I went into surgery weighing 164 pounds and left hospital at 194 pounds :cursing:– all fluid being held in my legs (NOTE - I am NOT changing my ticker ). It is incredibly painful and uncomfortable to carry that kind o fluid. The docs finally put me on a mega dose of Water pills (80 mg per day). I have lost 17 pounds in the last 3 days – which really drains you (literally and figuratively), but at least the legs are starting to look and feel a little better. I am trying to sleep with my legs above my head - interesting position let me tell you). I have an appetite, but can’t eat much (which is pretty ironic considering the weight gain – I mean REALLY - gain that much weight but not with anything good to eat sucks horribly :smile:). I had very little restriction before the surgery, and I didn’t get any solids (clear fluid only) for the first 8 days after surgery. My band is being pretty picky right now – for the first time since being banded I am struggling with bread and some meats- although some days I can eat quite a bit and others almost nothing. Ironically, Pasta seems to slide right on down. I have been told to load up on Protein, so I am back on Protein shakes. My port feels like it didn’t move at all as a result of the surgery (I was not unfilled for surgery). It is hard to really say what my body looks like now, with the drains, fluid retention, etc., but the first time I put pants on I was incredibly excited because I had no extra stuff hanging in my abdomen to stuff into my pants. I could feel it was flat before, but wow it felt different and great when I put on pants :cursing:!!!! Because I didn’t have any lipo, my mid section is pretty square and boxy (I have never really had a waist though). I will never be able to wear a bikini (oh yeah – I also don’t have a belly button any more), but I am excited about what I can see (or not see). Sorry for the length, but I wanted to get it off my chest (or thighs or ankles :cursing:) and I have always felt very supported here. The first week or so after surgery was very rough - but I would gladly do it again. I hope to get my arms done in the next year (no hurry though). Thanks for listening!! Jacquie

Thanks Diane - the compliment is very much appreciated. :thumbup:

Well I have to say - you even make having a 5x broken nose look pretty darn good!!!!! Oh - to be 6' ft tall - the only things going on the top of my cupboards are dustibles that go up and never come done :frown: I am glad that you are still able to enjoy your talent on your own terms. Take care of you :smile: Jacquie

My dizziness has lessened over time. For me, I think it was the reduction in my blood pressure as I lost weight. I still get dizzy occasionally, but not all the time like the first 4-6 months. Muscle cramps can sometimes be due to a deficiency of some sort - for example potassium deficiency can cause leg cramps. You should always seek medical advice if you are worried.

Gorgeous shot - beautiful dress (you ARE very multi talented by the way). What other art do you do? What magazine are you going to be in? BUT - dare I ask how you managed to break your nose in 5 places :thumbdown: ?That must be incredibly painful. What can you do to help healing, except avoid anything touching your face? Jacquie

I still love looking at all the pictures. What a great idea to take pictures in front of a door :biggrin: Not only do you see the changes in your physical body, but you also see "in the real world" how much less space you take!!!! Sometimes it takes tangible reminders to really show us how well we are doing Blue shirt (about 350 ish - taken late 2005) Yellow shirt (about 300 - taken August 2007 - one month before surgery) Brown t shirt (taken August 18, 2008 - 167.4 pounds)

canned vegetarian chili weight watchers frozen dinner tuna melt egg white omelette with toast oatmeal turkey sausage (pre cooked - just have to heat) leftovers (at least 2 times per week)

I also didn't go low carb. I eat anything and everything, but try to generally stay around 1000-1200 calories per day. I log everything I eat and I exercise a lot (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day, 3-5 times per week, both cardio and strength training). When I go out to eat, I eat what I want, but I do try to think about what I am going to order before I go, so that I make a semi-sane decision (i.e. not the bacon double cheeseburger with fries and gravy, which would be my impulse choice). I am also not overly restricted - I can easily eat 3-4 oz of Protein and 1-2 cups of whatever else for a meal. What I find the band does is that it helps me control my hunger between meals. In fact, other than the evil head hunger (which I still experience), I don't really experience hunger anymore. I still love to eat though and I still love food and have not lost my taste for sugar and fat. I am kind of going with the philosophy of eat really well 90% of the time and then have whatever I want the other 10%. After that lengthy intro :biggrin: - typical day for me: B: oatmeal or 1/2 c. egg white omelette with weight watchers toast snack: fruit - 1 piece or 1-1 1/2 cups lunch: 2 slices weight watchers whole wheat or multigrain bread condiments like mustard, fat free miracle whip, ketchup 2 oz of some kind of lean protein 200 g fat free yogurt (2 of the small containers) dinner: 3-4 oz of lean protein (any kind - I eat chicken, fish, pork, turkey sausage, beef, etc.) 1-2 cups of veggies (usually cooked cause I like them better) snack: 1-2 Snacks (about 100 calories each)- favorites include 100 calorie micorwave popcorn, vita muffin, 2 sticks of turkey pepperoni, no sugar pudding I will eat potatoes or Pasta, but I am usually too lazy to cook them during the week, so I am more likely to have them on weekends. I don't drink any of my calories (no protein shakes), including milk (I don't like the taste), and I take a Multivitamin and a Calcium supplement. I haven't reached goal yet (my goal keeps changing) :smile:. I think realistically, I will be able to eat about 1500 calories most days once I have finished losing weight.

Great spreadsheet - thanks for posting!!!

Kara - you can do this. First thing - what is your level of restriction? If you can eat really large quantities, it is time for a fill, which will give you some external control. Don't worry about what your dr is going to say - they see this all the time :biggrin: Second, I totally agree with the poster who said to log everything you eat - even if you don't count the calories. By writing it down (including quantities) you are forcing yourself to make a conscious choice of what you are eating - I know for me, if I have to face up to it, I can often make a better choice (please note that I did not say make a choice not to eat - I understand that that isn't realistic). Third, recognize and make a plan for your trouble times. I have tremendous head hunger in the evenings, so I make sure that I plan to have at least one or two Snacks in the evening. I try to stick to around 100 calories, but I eat things that will satisfy my urge to snack (vegetables in no way satisfy that urge :smile:). Favorites of mine: 100 calorie microwave popcorn, no sugar added pudding, 2 sticks of turkey pepperoni (about 90-100 calories), chocolate vitamuffin (2 oz of chocolate heaven - high fibre - 100 calories). I also plan activities and things to do that will distract me (this web forum is a godsend)! Fourth - make a plan to get active. It doesn't matter what you do - just do it - try to work up to 30-60 minutes a day, 3-5 times per week. Research is showing (along with food journalling), that those that incorporate exercise are far more successful in losing weight. Fifth - don't make this about a diet - make it a lifestyle choice. I eat the way I plan to eat for the rest of my life so I eat all food groups, including carbohydrates, chocolate, Cookies and pizza. I don't eat lots of the last three, but I do eat them - but in moderate quantities. I buy Hershey's individually wrapped extra dark chocolate pieces (only 40 calories a piece), put them in the freezer and pull out 2 pieces when I really want chocolate (don't ask me why, but those dark chocolate wafers taste better frozen). Tomorrow is a new day. You can always start fresh. Heck you can start fresh after every meal :thumbup:. You know inside what you need to do, now you need to make a committment to doing it. Jacquie

One of the things you need to realize is that you have just gone through major surgery - the lows you are experiencing are absolutely normal, althouth very unpleasant to experience. Not only are you mourning your old lifestyle (eating everything you want, smoking and pop), but your hormones and body is all over the place because of the surgery and anaesthetic. Unfortunately the people we love the most often have the hardest time being supportive. In some ways they have a really vested interest in keeping things the way they were (status quo is comfortable and familiar), although they won't want to admit it. They think they are being supportive, when in fact, they are being anything but. Given your conversations with them so far, you might want to save your most serious discussions about how they can support you for when you are on a more even keel. As they see you experience success, they will start to come around. Explain to your family (when you are feeling better) about how you feel, how they can help and then leave it at that - they either will or won't. Distract yourself with a walk or something else that is just for you and gives you peace and satisfaction. Come online and read and post. I think one of the biggest lessons for many of us in this journey is that we need to start doing for us, and not just others. Living the way we always have just led to morbid obesity, so we have to make changes, even if those around us can't or won't (even if just initially). If you have a meltdown or behave hatefully - apologize, acknowledge that you shouldn't have done it, or could have handled the situation differently, and move on. Probably the best thing you can do is model good behaviour (even after the fact). They will appreciate that you know the difference. As others have said, it will get better, know that this is absolutely the most difficult point of your new journey, and you are not alone.

WOW WOW WOW - when things go bad - they really go bad, don't they. I know it sounds trite - but what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. Just think how strong you are to face all these challenges! As with the other's - I am sending you hugs and positive energy. Take care of yourself!!! Jacquie

Hi Kristi, I really feel for you - you might want to consider getting some metabolic tests to make sure there is nothing wrong (i.e. thryroid) but I think you have answered your own question about why you aren't losing weight very quickly. YOU ARE TOO TIGHT!!!!!!!! I must have read 1000 times on this forum about people who PB everything "real" that they try to eat, and guess what? They all say that they aren't losing weight. I have yet to read anyone saying "I can't eat anything, and I am losing weight at a great rate". I don't have any scientific proof, but it really seems that in order to lose weight, you do have to eat real food - go figure. Is it because people are eating "slider" foods that are higher in fat and calories? Is it because they are sending their bodies into starvation mode and their bodies refuse to give up the weight? I really don't know. You aren't doing yourself any favors by refusing to get a slight defill. The lap band is not intended to stop you from eating - it is intended to help you control your portion sizes. Unfortunately for all of us, I have found that the battle to lose weight is almost entirely a "head battle". It sounds like you are panicing at the thought of being able to eat and then losing control of your eating again? Maybe it would be helpful to come up with a plan to help you address your problem times and food. I know some really key strategies that have worked for me: 1. Document everything you eat, including quantities (do or don't count calories - at least you will have to honestly face up to what you are eating). A large study (posted on another thread here) has shown that people who write down what they eat lose 2 times the weight of others who don't. 2. Eat the way you plan to eat for the rest of your life, but make it sensible - it would probably help to make a daily calorie goal and try to stick to it. I know lots of people who say they refuse to diet, BUT if you eat the same way as before banding, just smaller quantities, I don't think you can expect to big a big, quick loser. Most of us got to be this large because of what we ate (quantity and quality). I eat everything (including Cookies, chocolate and pizza), but I plan for it and eat in moderation. If I go out to eat, I try to think of what I am going to order before I go, so I make a sensible choice, rather than the bacon double cheeseburger with fries and gravy. I don't deny myself anything (just makes me want it more) - and if I go over my calorie goal for the day - so what? No big deal, I get back on the wagon tomorrow. 3. Add some kind of physical activity into your world - something you can commit to doing and enjoy as much as possible. Studies are showing that successful lapbanders have, for the most part, exercised. I don't intend to sound preachy or mean, and I don't know your specific circumstances, but I tend to see red when I read about people who are in misery because they are too tight to eat real food. I know we are all different, and we can't compare one person to another, but the nature of these forums forces us to in many ways. Take my info for what it is worth - something or nothing - just my own 2 cents worth. By the way - I can eat anything as long as I am careful in chewing. I can eat large quantities by lap band standards (3-4 oz of meat, 1 cup of veggies for dinner). I have lost 154 pounds (including loss before lap band) in the last 14 months. I have been superly morbidly obese my entire adult life and obese since early childhood. I would consider myself one of the "hardest" cases out there. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck

Being the largest person around (formerly) and having lost a lot of weight, I am now noticing that some of my friends and acquaintances seem to be having a bit of trouble with the new me. I think I have inspired some to take up diet and exercise - and not necessarily because they want to lose weight, but rather they are having issues with me being smaller than they are!! :biggrin: I had to laugh the other day - I was visiting with a very old friend (we have been friends for 28 years). This friend has never had a significant weight problem, but has always said things like "your needing to lose 100 pounds is like my needing to lose 10 pounds" (she didn't honestly intend to be mean and condescending, but REALLY?) For whatever reason, we ended up in her closet and I ended up trying on a shirt of hers that she said swam on her - and it fit!!!!!! She honestly wants to be supportive - she gave me the shirt, but you could really tell that it bothered her immensely that I could wear something out of her closet. She must have said 10 x how big the shirt had gotten to be on her!! Probably the weirdest thing is though, that although I am probably within 10 pounds of her weight, I still don't see myself as being at an almost normal weight or being her size. I have never thought that she needed to lose weight, yet I still see myself as huge compared to her. In my head I know the truth, but I still don't really see it in the mirror. I wonder if this ever changes? Jacquie

This is a really interesting thread. I have always been the heaviest person in my world (by far), so I never had anyone to compare to. As well, wls is relatively new and pretty uncommon where I live, so when I tell people I get more of a reaction of interest and curiosity. No one has ever told me that they thought I was taking the easy way out. I personally think this journey has been anything but easy - I have worked incredibly hard over the last year. I never think that I should have been able to do it without surgery, because I have 42 years of previous history that tells me that I wasn't capable or ready. I don't know that I am jealous of other people losing without surgery, but I do find myself being not as "nice" as I used to be (at least in my inside voice). I am not sure what is happening, but I find myself less and less tolerant of others when I think they are being ignorant, mean or wrong (of course I am right all the time :sleep2:). I "think" I keep it to myself, but I sometimes think that along with the weightloss, I am also shedding the skin of having to be the most likeable and nice person you would ever meet. In some ways that really upsets me, as my identity is really tied into everyone liking me. I don't like that "inside voice" that makes catty, snide and mean comments. I think that is something I really want to work on. For now, when I catch myself, I tell myself to knock it off and be the person I want to be. Not sure that it is working all the time :Banane37:

Julie - I am so sorry you are going thru this. It must have been quite difficult to hear the info you heard. I will step in for a moment and suggest that you get at least one more opinion (if not more). Both of these dr's have a vested interest in their own practices and parting you with your money. How can you be sure that this dr is any different or more reputable? If I remember correctly from your posts pre ps, you did a lot of work and consultation in picking #1. The more I read on this forum, the less trusting I am about dr's opinions (every time I hear one opinion - about anything- there are tens if not hundreds of others with totally different information) - but that also means that I wouldn't trust this new guy either, without way more information. Since you have spent so much money already - can you go to Dr. #1 with the info from #2 and see what #1 is willing and able to do for you? If you jump into a lawsuit right now, you will not see anything more from the money you already paid. I wish you the best of luck and success in this part of your journey. I know you are a strong person and you will be able to see this through.

I was browsing the web today and came across this YouTube video by Leigh Peele, who talks about how you may sabotaging your weight loss efforts by using measuring cups: food, you will likely be giving yourself way more than you intended - uping your calories and your fat and then leaving yourself miserable because you haven't lost any weight, yet you are only eating "so many calories" and you are doing everything right. I then followed the link to her web site and she has some downloadable "e books" about reving up your metabolism and troubleshooting your fat loss. They look really interesting, although not cheap (59.99 for the whole package). Not that I am advocating for her or anything (I never heard of her before today). I was just thinking there are lots of people on this site who are stuggling with their weight loss and thought this might be another useful resource.

Congrats Nance!!! Where did you find the scale? It sounds like a great tool!