Cherlita

Hi there, If anyone is interested, tonight is the WLS support group for Northern Colorado Surgical Associates. Information from their website: The Light for Life Bariatric Support Group meets on the last Monday of every month at Poudre Valley Hospital in Café F, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. (Café F is located on basement level in back of cafeteria) This group is designed for patients and their families who have either had the surgery or are considering it. Becki Mudgett, RN facilitates the meetings and one of the surgeons is always in attendance to answer medical questions. We often times will have a guest speaker that will address certain topics of interest to the group. The support group is a wonderful resource for you and we hope you will take advantage of it. Cherlita

Chrissie, (I AM NOT AN MEDICAL EXPERT OR NUTRITIONIST) I don't think you are not eating enough calories. With that low of calorie intake I think your body is in starvation mode so it's holding on to everything. That has been my personal experience. Your body needs fuel to burn the fat off. I strongly suggest you see a Nutritionist who is lapband friendly/knowlegdable so that you can review your calorie and food intake and perhaps make suggestions. Perhaps that might make a difference. At least talk to your Surgeon about it. Just my two cents! Cherlita

I don't keep a record of rude and discriminate behavior that I have been subjected to, (the list would be very long) but I do recall certain incidences that make me chuckle. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just ignore them, and certainly don't want to waste my precious time dealing with their feelings of inadequacy. One incident I'll share: When I was 17 I was in the state bowling finals. We bowled 3 games against one other person, who, in my case was a skinny girl; I was all of 180 lbs at the time. After the 1st game, which I bowled over a 200, she decided to tell the score keeper to use her "nickname" which she said was Fatso. The scorekeeper was the father of one of my friends. He was mortified at the request, but I told him to go ahead and put it down. See, what she didn't know is that if you piss me off, I do much better. Well, I bowled better games than the 1st game, all well over 200 pins, and ended up taking 2nd in state that year. I have been overweight all of my life. The discrimination started in my own home with my father calling me names and telling me that no one would ever love me for being fat. I was the lucky one who got all of the fat cells in my family, everyone else was skinny or "normal". Anyway, I learned at a very young age that the only opinion that truly matters is my own. Y'all have a great day Cherlita

If you make your own shakes, try adding sugar free (SF) davinci syrups to the vanilla or chocolate powders. I love the SF Marshmallow + SF White Chocolate davinci flavors. I've read that some bandsters have chewed SF gum to help with the chewing urges. Realize the liquid diet is temporary and that you are saving your life, quite literally. By doing the liquid diet, you are reducing the fat in your liver, which will help the Surgeons. You will do great! I believe in you. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/356/200 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

Hi Cascavel, check out this thread for BMI > 50 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f139/thread-super-sized-bandsters-starting-bmi-over-50-a-16168/ Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/356/200 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

food, Glorious Food! Pre-band, I loved to eat! I loved the sensations, the flavors, the textures. I loved planning my binges, and loved the anticipation. It was like going on a hunt and winning every time! Now, well, I was banded 2 weeks ago, and I do not get hungry. For the first time in my life I have to force myself to eat. But I still have the urge to binge. I had to stop watching TV because of all the visual cue's. I honestly knew before the band that was a food addict, an overeater, but I didn't realize just how susceptible I was and am to external cue's to eat. It has been quite an education and a challenge to get my brain around it. I am extremely low carb right now, to help me with the carb cravings. They usually go away after about a week of eating Atkins Induction. This will be temporary for me as I will gradually add in the good, healthy carbs. I'm an overeater. They band has helped me control the quantities. It is up to me to make the right choices, and I make the right choices, because I can. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/356/200 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

Congratulations Melissa on your surgery date! Lots to think about in the next week. I was banded on last Tuesday, 11.27.07. My check-in was 8:30A with a 10A op time. I was taken back to my pre-op prep room at about 8:45A. They gave me a gown, everything has to come off. (Leave all jewelry at home, if you have piercings anywhere, take them out) The Anesthesiologist came in and asked me the standard questions (pregnant? anything to eat or drink? etc) soon after the tech came in and started my IV. One last bathroom trip and I was wheeled into the OR suite at 10:27a. Positioned on the table, given the gas/meds to put me under. The next thing I knew, I was in recovery. Not too much pain, but I have a really high tolerance for pain. I was wheeled up to my room at 1230p. I slept off the anesthesia and was up and walking at 4p and every hour after that until 10p. I also had the leg pumps on my legs. Some advice: For at least 2 weeks post-op you should not lift over a gallon of milk or push or pull anything (like a vacuum). So clean, do laundry, shopping, etc before. Search this website for some great post-op lists of suggestions other bandsters recommended. The Gas-X strips help with the post-op gas the bowel tract (very painful); walking also helps with the gas. Milk of Magnesia helps if you don't have a BM for 3 days or more, but don't force yourself. I am 9 days out now and feeling great. My Surgeon has cleared me to a soft diet for 3 more days and then to start regular food! I've also been cleared for exercise including swimming and going to the gym. Good luck on your new adventure. It is going to be a wild ride Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/356/200 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

I'm 8 days post-op and saw my surgeon today. I've lost 10 lbs since surgery!! I've been following the full liquids/pureed foods diet post op without incidence. I'm not getting hungry at all, in fact, for the first time in my life I have to FORCE MYSELF TO EAT, what a blessing! I think I heard angels sing when I heard my surgeon tell me to advance to soft diet for 4 more days and then to ease into a full diet by slowly introducing foods!!! I was prepared to go the 6 weeks of full liquid/soft foods and he moved me right up! Also I am cleared for exercise including going to the gym and swimming. Wahoooo!!!!! The Band is the best Christmas present I have ever given myself! :whoo: Have a Great Week everyone! Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/356/200 pre-op/current/goal 11.27.07: Banded

Hi Everyone listed below, just wanted to wish you all the best of luck this week with your surgery! I am so excited. :whoo: I'm on the 27th. 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly jrsyshoregrl684 (Bypass) BigDoug143 BarBee 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess candy8360 28th lukin puppy cagstorm 29th Sassafras TAWHarris McQty close 4mykidzinVale (Surgery in Bend, Oregon) 30th WorththeWeight Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 11.16.07: 366 (Pre-op appt) 11.27.07: op date

Atkins - Atkins The Atkins website, click on "Atkins Nutritional Approach". They provide the basic info of living a low carb life. The rest of the following websites have recipes. Low Carb Luxury: A Complete Resource for the Low Carb Dieter. Simply Recipes: Low Carb Recipes About Low Carb Diets - Atkins South Beach and More Low Carb Diets Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home George Stella - Stella Style Community The Low Carb Cafe Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 11.16.07: 366 (Pre-op appt) 11.27.07: Banded

I am home from the hospital after an overnight stay. Everything went really well. I was banded on Tuesday, 11.27.07 by Dr. Michael Roller at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. I checked in at 830a and arrived in the OR at 1027a, anesthesia was quite quick and the procedure was fast. I woke up in Recovery, no problems. Procedure went very well, no hernias. I arrived in my room at 1215p. I got a little nauseous while being wheeled to my room, but thankfully that was the only time I experienced nausea. I had a PCA for pain control and used it about once per hour. I was up and walking after I slept off the anesthesia. My first walk was at 4P and then every hour after that until 10P when I went to sleep for the night. Pain was localized in the upper abdominal area. I kept pressure on it with my hand, which helped. I didn't get too much rest thru the night because they took my vitals every 2 hours. I had leg compression pumps that were going off too, so that kept waking me up too. This morning I had some SF Jello for Breakfast and a small amount of crystal light. For lunch I had some chicken broth and more crystal light and SF banana popsicle (yum!). I was discharged at 130p and home by 2p. This afternoon I've experienced pretty severe gas pains (a 5 on the 1-10 scale), with the pain radiating up thru my mid chest, like really bad pressure. I've been taking the Gas-X strips, which have helped. I started full liquids today. I just hope the gas subsides. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 11.16.07: 366 (Pre-op appt) 11.27.07: Banded

I was banded on Tuesday, 11.27.07 by Dr. Michael Roller at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. I checked in at 830a and arrived in the OR at 1027a, anesthesia was quite quick and the procedure was fast. I woke up in Recovery, no problems. Procedure went very well, no hernias. I arrived in my room at 1215p. I got a little nauseous while being wheeled to my room, but thankfully that was the only time I experienced nausea. I had a PCA for pain control and used it about once per hour. I was up and walking after I slept off the anesthesia. My first walk was at 4P and then every hour after that until 10P when I went to sleep for the night. Pain was localized in the upper abdominal area. I kept pressure on it with my hand, which helped. I didn't get too much rest thru the night because they took my vitals every 2 hours. I had leg compression pumps that were going off too, so that kept waking me up too. This morning I had some SF jello for breakfast and a small amount of crystal light. For lunch I had some chicken broth and more crystal light and SF banana popsicle (yum!). I was discharged at 130p and home by 2p. This afternoon I've experienced pretty severe gas pains (a 5 on the 1-10 scale), with the pain radiating up thru my mid chest, like really bad pressure. I've been taking the Gas-X strips, which have helped. Oh, and I gained 10 lbs from being admitted to weighing when I got home. I was given a lot of IV fluids and wasn't putting out a lot of fluid. My legs were also swelling some, so I was definitely retaining the water. Tomorrow I get to start full liquids. I just hope the gas subsides. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 11.16.07: 366 (Pre-op appt) 11.27.07: Banded :clap2:

Thank you Kristin. I really love Colorado too. It's a great place to live. Good luck with your return to work. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 11.16.07: 366 (Pre-op appt) 11.27.07: op date

You need to tell your Surgeon and make sure to tell your anesthesiologist for any future surgeries so they insure it doesn't happen again. I had surgery on my wrist under an axillary block, they numbed my arm, but I still felt them make the incision.

My surgeon's office submitted the documents the week of Oct 7. I received my approval letter last week. The time will pass pretty quickly. It's kind of like being a kid again and anticipating Christmas. :bounce:

suggest you search for "shopping list". Many bandsters have posted info. here is a good thread... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/pre-op-lap-band-shopping-list-41927/ Have a Great Week! Cherlita

My surgeon did not require a pre-op diet or weight loss. He only requested that I not gain. I've actually put myself on a low carb diet and will start a protein shakes/lean protein 2 weeks before my surgery date. I don't deal well with "cold turkey" change with my eating habits. I know myself too well. It is easier for me to make the changes to my diet now, and adjust my brainwaves now, rather than a cold change along with the stress of post-op restrictions. I've lost approximately 20 lbs so far. Any weight loss will help make my surgery go better and it will be that much less I will have to lose overall. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 10.15.07: 366 (Dietician appt) 10.31.07: Insurance approved 11.16.07: Surgeon pre-op appt (I wonder how much I've lost :nervous) 11.27.07: op date

Hi everyone, I received my approval letter from United Healthcare, so I am "go for launch" on Nov 27th. Have my pre-op appt on Nov 16th. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I've been trying to get at least 30 lbs off before surgery and I think I'm close. Thank you all for sharing your experiences in this thread. Those of us who high BMI's have different struggles and challenges. It is nice to know I can find kindred spirits here; and comfort and support, and yes, maybe an occasional virtual slap on the wrist, if I need it. To those who are struggling, keep up the fight. I believe in you! You are not alone in this journey. We will all have challenging moments along the way. Remember why you decided to do this. This is a tool, not a cure. Have a Great Week! Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 10.15.07: 366 (Dietician appt) 10.31.07: Insurance approved 11.16.07: pre-op appt (I wonder how much I've lost :nervous) 11.27.07: op date

I received my approval letter from United Healthcare, so I am definitely a go for launch on Nov 27th. I have never been so excited at the prospect of surgery. I am so looking forward to a new, thinner life. Have a Great Week Everyone! Cherlita

I just got a call from my surgeon's office to let me know that I am approved by United Healthcare. :clap2: UHC mailed the approval letter yesterday. I'm so excited and I wanted to share. It's been 2 weeks in review, so I'm very happy they were able to turn it around in such a short time for me. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 10.15.07: 366 (Dietician appt) 10.31.07: Insurance approved 11.27.07: op date

I just got a call from my surgeon's office to let me know that I am approved by United Healthcare. UHC mailed the approval letter yesterday. I'm so excited and I wanted to share. It's been 2 weeks in review, so I'm very happy they were able to turn it around in such a short time for me. Cherlita Loveland, Colorado 379/366/200 pre-op/current/goal 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 10.15.07: 366 (Dietician appt) 10.31.07: Insurance approved 11.27.07: op date

My surgery date is Nov 27th. I'm still waiting for insurance approval. Hope I hear good news soon. Cherlita 379/379/147 10.5.07: 379 (1st Surgical appt) 10.15.07: 366 (Dietician appt) 11.27.07: op date [/color]

Thanks Steph. Don't know why I was worried. I passed the Psych consult. The Psychologist also runs a support group for my surgeons, which I plan to attend. This is a major adjustment in my life. I'm sure I'll do fine with it. I have a wonderful family who are very supportive, even thrilled that I am doing this. They want me around for a long time.

MMT you were right, psych consult was no problem. She cleared me. The Psychologist actually runs the Surgeons support group once a month. I plan to participate. Still going strong on low carb. I hate that the first place I notice weight lose is in my breasts. What the heck is that... oh well, at least it is noticeable.

MMT that is good news. I tend to stay up late, but I have to get up early for work. Thanks for sharing this