Robin Bird

Hi all, I wasn't sure where to post this, but here goes: Sometimes after I eat (perhaps a little too much) I get an ear ache in just my left ear. Does this happen to anyone else, or does anyone know why? Thanks in advance for any insight! Robin

Thanks for the responses! Robin

Chickie, Just wanted to say I looked at your before & after pics and you look INCREDIBLE!!! Robin

I'm with Gloucester - start kicking ass. I know that's easy for me to say since I don't have to live with your husband, but I don't think anyone has the right to tell you, after 100 POUNDS lost, that it's not enough! That loss is incredible, to say the least. Would it help if I kicked his ass for you?? Good luck to you, Robin

amsderb, Thanks! And good luck to you. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! Robin

Hi! I am from Marinette, WI. I was banded 11/2/07 in Green Bay. Best of luck on your surgery & hello to you other cheeseheads! Where are you, Spring???!!!!... Robin

Hi- I only had to do 1 week pre-op liquid diet. I used Slim-Fast ( with Jello, broth, popsicles) and lost 13 pounds in that week. Good luck to you! 4 weeks would suck! Be brave... Robin

Marcie, I had my surgery on a Friday afternoon and went home the next day. I was off work the following week. I had my husband on the weekend and he took off the Monday also. It's really nice to have someone around. Could you do it yourself? Probably. But everyone reacts differently to surgery. I probably could have cared for myself but I'm glad I didn't have to! I only ended up taking the Tylenol w/ codeine once after I got home. It was more discomfort than pain for me (think WAY too many sit-ups type discomfort). Good luck to ya! Robin

Hi Marcie, I live in Marinette, WI. Can I move with you to Arizona??? My husband and kids might miss me... Just kidding, but will this winter ever end? Best of luck with the surgery and the move. I was banded 11/2/07 by Dr. Kemmerling in Green Bay. Where in WI are you? Robin

Blund, Congrats! I was banded Nov. 2, 2007 which was my 37th birthday! Best birthday gift ever. Robin

I had no problem getting a letter from my PCP...and my OB/GYN...and my psychiatrist...and the mailman. I guess they all just took a look at my 300 pound body and jumped on board!! I'm just kidding about the mailman. I do not mean to make light of the situation - it would be seriously frustrating to not know if they would support you. BTW I was banded Nov. 2, 2007 and have lost 63 pounds (about 1/2 of what I'd like to lose). Best of luck to you all and don't give up! Robin

Angie, I have the exact same problem. I joke (no joke) that I need a cast-Iron sports bra. I have posted elsewhere about this, and someone suggested the Enell sports bra. I have not yet tried one myself, but thought I would pass along the info. Good luck to you, and I feel your pain!! Robin

OH MY GOD!! I just spelled grammar wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! Robin

Steph, I just have to tell you that I love your grammer/spelling box! Robin

Kat, You go girl! I totally subscribe to your eating theories. I have never met a "thin/normal" person who ate healthy all the time. Why should we? Just my opinion. Robin

Hi all, This may sound weird to most of you, but I battle the "overwhelm-ies" by not weighing myself. I weigh in at my surgeon's office once a month. It's so much more encouraging to see a bigger number of pounds lost after a month, as opposed to smaller numbers lost (or heaven forbid - gains!!) when you weigh more often. No offense to anyone, but I think it's nuts to weigh every day, ESPECIALLY multiple times per day! I think that's self-defeating. Just my $0.02 worth. Best of luck to all. BTW, I have lost about 65 pounds since pre-op diet beginning Oct. 26, 2007. Sugery was Nov. 2, 2007 (my birthday!). Robin

afisher, I did not have "preapproval" for the band either, which was hard for me to understand. The bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office told me that there is really no such thing as preAPPROVAL, and what you do is gather all your materials/records and proceed with the surgery "in good faith". That scared the heck out of me! I kept worrying that after I went ahead with the surgery they would decide not to pay! I do not recall pre-approving the hospital myself (my surgeon requires a one night hosp. stay), so perhaps my surgeon's office did it. The bariatric coordinator sent in my materials for me. I never once spoke to BCBS. Things went pretty fast after I had handed in all my requirements. If you have other questions, let me know. Robin

Congratulations! 142 pounds in 6 months is amazing!! Keep up the great work and you will be at goal before you know it! Robin

Snuffy, I have BCBS of Michigan (I live in Wisconsin) and they paid for 80% of my band surgery. Best of luck to you! Robin

Angelyco, I am already taking Wellbutrin (along with Lexapro, Seroquel and Trazodone). I think the problem may be the Lexapro, but I cut my dose in half and it hasn't seemed to make a difference. Thanks though! Robin

Gee, I wish I had the "problem" some of you have: insanely high libidos!! I'm sure my husband wishes I had that problem too!! I posted about this on the Lounge forum (I think that's where...), but I have basically no sex drive due to anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medications :thumbup:. I wish I could just go off them all. Any tips for me?????? Robin

Hi there, I know exactly what you mean about not being able to sleep because EVERTHING is flying through your mind at warp speed. I used to be the same way. I take Trazodone about 1/2 hour before bed and I sleep like the dead. I also take meds for depression and anxiety (Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Seroquel). Ask your Dr. for something for sleep. And by all means bring up the anxiety. You have physical signs of it along with the mental ones. Your Dr.'s job is to help you - make him/her do it! Robin

I'd say as long as you're getting proper nutrition, start counting those stars! Robin

Kendra, I'll say it - this totally sucks!! It's a testament to your incredible strength that you are so calm and collected. You obviously have the kind of strength that will carry you through anything. And it will. God bless. Robin

Hi all- Question: when would be the appropriate time to go for a breast reduction consultation? I was banded 11/2/07 and have lost about 60 pounds, with approximately 60 more to go. I imagine that the right time would be when I reach goal, but I can't help thinking how nice it would be to have them reduced now so that exercise would be so much easier! I want to run! I really can't do so for fear of black eyes (or concussions) for myself and those near me! I'd need a cast-Iron sports bra to stop the bounce. I am a 40DDD now. Anyhoo... if I had the BR surgery before I hit goal, would they shrink and be too small/deflated?? What do you all think?? Thanks in advance, Robin