Longhorn

I don't mind -- I'm honored! Thanks, Bobbi!

When I first decided, only my immediate family knew. Then before surgery, I told my mother, siblings, and extended family. Since surgery, I've started telling people as the issue comes up, but it depends on who it is, too. If someone asks me how I lost weight, I will probably tell him or her. It's amazing how I went from doubt that I could ever have this surgery to pride!

I may not be near a computer until I get home from work Monday night around 9 (central time) but I'll post an update. Thanks, shortgal!

Thanks, Hon! I'm afraid I'll be doing a lot of grading but I'll be watching the Longhorns play basketball (on television) later today and we're going to a Jim Cullum concert tomorrow with my husband's folks. Jim Cullum has a Dixieland band and a club (The Landing) on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We often go down to San Antonio to see him (about 90 minutes away) so it's great that he's coming to Austin. :w00t:

mariegabrieleee: I'm glad you reposted in case anyone else comes across this thread and needs the information. However, I saved the email alert which had the body of the post that disappeared and I have saved it. I read a lot of the information at the sites and think endometriosis is a definite possibility. It matches a lot of the symptoms I've had recently and even over the past few years. I'm a little older than most women are when they are diagnosed but that's about the only characteristic that doesn't fit. I'm definitely going to discuss the possibility with my doctor(s). Thanks again for taking the time to compile that information! You're the best! :w00t:

sherriberry: I don't think it's unusual for your band to loosen up after a fill. There can be some initial swelling due to the adjustment and when that goes down, you're not as tight. I've heard of just the opposite, too -- that a fill "kicks in" a couple of weeks after. It seems to be different with each person and even each fill. Good luck!

This is the strangest thing! The first email alert I got about your post included text that was full of helpful advice and links concerning endometriosis. But the post never made it on the board, that I can see. Thank you so much for your help. I will bring it up to my doctor!

Thanks, Shalee!! :confused:

Thanks, shortgal! Your first sentence -- I'll second that! :hurray: They knew I had lap-band surgery and didn't hesitate about the CT so I guess it was okay. When I had the bone density scan on Wednesday, the technician asked if I had an insulin pump. :confused: I'm seeing the cancer doctor on Monday. I have to say, I'm very impressed with the care I've received so far, with the exception of my phone experience last Friday. I really like the GYN and she has personally stayed on top of my case. When I call her office and say my name, I'm immediately put through to the nurse. The biopsy and CT were ordered STAT, and then I get a call from the cancer doctor personally. Our local radiologist has a fantastic set-up where you do very little waiting (I was just there Wednesday) and they do little extras like bring a pre-warmed blanket when you're waiting in the gown. They have a separate waiting area for women getting mammograms, too. I've decided to assume that this group of medical professionals is like this with everyone and not just treating me this way because my case is so serious -- just potentially serious. I had a bit of a weak moment after my appointment yesterday when I called my boss to tell her I wasn't going to tutor that day -- I didn't want to be getting a call about my biopsy results while I was at work. I didn't have a problem calling my husband -- gotta stay strong for him and our kids. :biggrin:

Well, there have been developments but no real news. The GYN office called this morning and had not heard back about the biopsy but wanted me to get a CT scan, which I did this afternoon. Then a little bit ago, I got a call from another doctor, a cancer specialist referred by the GYN. The biopsy was inconclusive and the CT scan showed a large mass (no wonder I'm overweight!!!!) but they still don't know what's going on. She wanted me to have her contact information in case the bleeding is worse over the weekend (it's actually better) and I'm going to see her Monday at 12:30. The cancer doctor wanted to know what I had inside of me! She was talking about the lap-band -- she had never seen one on a CT scan before. :confused: Thanks, Foofy and Sades, and the rest of my November Nymphs! :hurray:

Congratulations on the second store! I checked out your site and it looks great! Good luck with the new location!

Thanks, shortgal! My mother and younger sister both had fibroids and ended up with hysterectomies. My mother was only in her 30's; my sister had just turned 50. No one in the family has had cancer, let alone cervical cancer, and I read through the list of risk factors and not one of them applies to me! Of course, we don't always know what causes it. I'm glad your husband had a good outcome! My father-in-law also got treated for prostate cancer. I was looking up survival rates and prostate cancer has a 99% survival rate when detected early. The survival rate for cervical cancer is also relatively high with early detection. It justs shows how important it is to get regular check-ups and tests!

I saw the gynecologist yesterday. She said if I'm a lucky woman, I have a fibroid that has prolapsed into my cervix. If I'm not lucky, I have cervical cancer. She was hoping she would be able to call me with the results of the biopsy yesterday afternoon but no call ever came. I'm getting my nails done this morning and if I haven't heard anything by the time I'm done, I'll be calling the office. I'd rather not spend the weekend not knowing what's next.

I agree with Shortgal. You don't want to defeat the band by eating soft or saucy foods in order to avoid getting stuck. However, if you're You might want to track your food for a week or so and see how many calories you're getting, as well as Protein, carbs, etc. There are many free online food trackers: Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople, FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal, and Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate are all good ones and I'm sure there are more. I have to admit that I'm still favoring softer foods, but my doctor doesn't want his patients on hard protein until five months after surgery. My main meal is a Weight Watchers entree and when I have chicken, for example, it is in a sauce but the calories are controlled. I have to eat very slowly and by the time I'm finished, I really feel stuffed and stay full for hours. I don't drink with my meals or for an hour afterwards. In fact, there are times I have to make myself eat because I know I haven't had enough food that day, especially protein. We're all still learning how to use our bands and we're also all different. That's why the sharing is helpful because we can learn from each other but then apply the methods that work for us. For example, some folks claim we can't lose weight if we don't exercise. While exercise is obviously good for us, it is possible to lose weight without it and it isn't the answer for everyone. I haven't been able to exercise for several weeks and I'm losing more quickly now than when I was doing it four or five times a week. When I get my medical condition cleared up, I'll get back to it but not necessarily to lose weight. Try not to get too discouraged and keep experimenting until you find the right regimen for you!

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Shortgal................189.............188.2.............184.........4.2 TxArcher...............345..............342...............325.........17 Osangriared...........262..............258...............250...........8 Shalee04...............205..............203...............197...........6 Trixie....................241.............231................221..........10 Longhorn...............204.............197.4.............195...........2.4

I'm not sure you can find a U.S. doctor who will do the surgery for that low of a BMI. It's not because there's anything wrong with it but the FDA has regulations for when the surgery is allowed. The requirement is a BMI of 40 or above or 100 pounds to lose or a BMI of 35 with co-morbidities such as diabetes, sleep-apnea, hypertension, etc. That said, my BMI was right at 35 with no co-morbidities and there was never a question that I was a candidate (also self-pay.) I just don't know if a doctor would go with a BMI that low. However, the best thing to do is to call around and ask. Another option is Mexico, where they are not bound by FDA regulations. Read up about it on this board -- many members were banded there by excellent surgeons, some of whom trained the U.S. doctors! And it's less expensive. Good luck!

Wow, you're the oldest bandster I've ever heard of! j/k

I've lost the average amount of cheese that Americans eat in one year! I hope to have lost an elephant's penis by the time I'm done!

Oh, man, what a bummer! I had a medical appointment mixup a couple of weeks ago but it was only a hassle -- not the same as your disappointment in not getting a fill. I'm glad you only have to wait a day and not a week or a month! Good luck!

By the way, take a look at the graph of my weightloss. The first dip is the week after surgery. Then notice how flat that line is. There's a slight dip when I got my second fill (not much happened with my first) and now it's on it's way down at a slightly more steady rate after my third fill ten days ago. I suspect that I'll experience losses at a higher rate for maybe 10 to 20 pounds pounds and then it will taper off again, as those last few pounds are always the hardest and slowest. Overall, my average is 1.6 pounds per week, right in the middle of the 1-2 pounds per week that was predicted. And it feels slow but it really isn't -- it's just slow at times. :biggrin2:

Patience is the hardest part about weightloss. As wonderful as this board is, one's patience can be tested even more when you read story after story about the success of others. We're happy for them and we're jealous. If you're able to eat a lot, hungry all the time, and not losing weight, you likely don't have enough restriction yet. It doesn't really matter how much saline you have in your band compared to others because we're all different. We have a member on our November 2007 group who hasn't even had a fill because she has enough restriction just from the band and is losing well. Some of us are up to about 70 to 80% of our bands' capacities and just now really feeling restriction and beginning to lose, though some faster than others. I've read about members who went to full capacity or even beyond (most of the bands can hold a little more than the stated capacity) before they reached proper restriction. It occurred to me the other day that it took me four years to regain the weight I lost the last time yet I'm impatient when I'm on track to lose it in less than a year! Y'all keep doing the best you can but go back and see your doctors regularly and consult with them about getting to the proper level of restriction. Unless you're purposely eating in a way to defeat the band, it should work for you! Good luck!

Sades is right on with all of her answers. You'll find variations from doctor to doctor but her experience sounds pretty typical, from what I can tell reading the board. Also, I don't know the different doctors but many members have talked about how accessible their Mexican doctors have been by phone and/or email. Not that we don't give great advice but you can probably call your doctor's office and get answers, too. Good luck!

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........202.5......197..........5.5 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........252........240.........12 Foofy...........242.5.........241.5......234.........7.5 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........186........181..........5 kjl315..........227...........221........217..........4 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........162........157..........5 Linda Lu........228...........226.7......215.........11.7 Longhorn........204...........197.4......195..........2.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........208........199..........9 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........225........220..........5 __________________

Wow, I just joined you! I don't think my loss has been as dramatic as yours, though. The only people who have commented are those who know I had surgery so it's hard to know if they're just being polite. But you look fantastic! Congratulations and my condolences on having to keep buying new uniforms!

Sades: I think 6.5 would be too little restriction for me, too. I have perfect restriction right now as far as little hunger, needing to eat slow, and getting full fairly quickly. After my initial loss while back on liquids, I haven't lost any more but I have to lose eventually with as little as I'm eating. Yesterday I had a Slimfast shake (180 calories), a Weight Watchers entree (I didn't check but the ones I get are all less than 350 calories), a Luna bar (180 calories), and a sugar-free pudding with two reduced-fat Cookies (200 calories), for a total of 910 calories. That's pretty much how I eat every day, though different foods. I can't seem to eat any more than that without relying on shakes and even then, I'm just not hungry for them. What I like about this level is that I still seem to be able to eat most foods. I haven't tried everything but I've been able to eat everything I've tried. I really think the next fill will do it for you. If I get another fill in March, I suspect it will only be .5ccs but at this point, I don't anticipate needing one. Good luck!