PATCHELTON
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Everything posted by PATCHELTON
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Assuming all seminars are pretty much the same, it is an informational session where the various surgeries are explained, and info about what you need to qualify. Some insurances may have different criteria, but, in general, a BMI of 40 plus 100 lbs overweight, or a BMI 35-39 with one or more co-morbidity (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint arthritis, reflux, sleep apnea--there may be more, but that is the basic list). There is no weigh in at the seminar; that would take place either at your surgical consult, or when you meet the dietician. Some insurances require a documented 6 month weight loss attempt (I didn't have that so I met with the dietician who set me up for it and I had to wait until that was over before they could submit to my insurance). You will also get a psych consult and a pre and post op meeting with the dietician, plus a class with the bariatric nurse. I had all of that, and I think in general most places work that way. The seminar is just informational, to give you an idea what to expect. If you find you don't qualify you don't have to make any other appointments, and the seminar is usually free. Good luck on your journey. The band is a tool to help you control portions; it is still up to you to eat right and exercise. Hope this helps.
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1. Crossing my legs comfortably. 2. Buying size 12 clothes and having them fit (down from Womens' 22). 3. Going to a clothing outlet for scrub tops and pants, picking up some medium of each (down from 2x), and when trying them on at home discovering the pants are too big! I took them back and actually tried on a small at the store because I didn't believe it. Believe it! The tops are still medium but the pants are small! 4. Wearing formfitting tops and pants and getting COMPLIMENTS! 5. Stopping almost all the medicine I was on. We are trying me off my one blood pressure med to see if I can stop it long term. 6. Walking 4 times around the nature trail (2 mile trail) instead of once or twice. 7. Packing up my old clothes and giving them to the thrift store. (BTW--I found a pair of size 12 Ann Taylor Loft jeans at the thrift store, hardly looked like they had been worn, kind of a brick red color. They were having a 50% off sale so I paid $3.49 for them. They fit like a glove and I love them! Thank you to whoever donated them.)
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I read your post from a while back about getting a group together in Harford County. I live in Edgewood. I go to the group at St. Agnes once a month, but it would be nice to have a group in Harford County. We could do it informally, like at one of the libraries, or maybe make it officical and meet, say, at the McFaul Activity Center in Bel Air. We might need a trained support group leader for that, so informal would probably be easier. Depending on people's feelings about eating out, we could meet at a local restaurant, like Double T. I am not sure where the library is in Bel Air, but there is one in Edgewood and Joppatowne. Let me know what you think. You can email me at work at pchelton@midatlanticcardio.com.
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I read your post about your coworker. I too had a coworker who only lost 20 pounds since last November. She went to Bayview, but I don't think the hospitatl mattered. She wanted to eat less crap; not stop eating crap, just eat less. She also has a sweet tooth (the band is more of a challenge with a sweet tooth--so many things slip down easily, like chocolate, ice cream, cake, pudding, etc). She fudged her 6 month diet, got past the psych evaluator, and since surgery does not exercise, does not see the dietician, and does not go to group support. When she is stressed out she eats sweets. She has had several fills, I think up to 9ccs. If you use the resources available to you, and get your head around eating differently and make a real comittment to exercise, you will be succesful.
I hope this info helps. I had more but my message was too long. If you have questions you are welcome to email me at work, pchelton@midatlanticcardio.com.
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I can't attest to what was said about Bayview (I was done at St. Agnes by Dr. Singh--had a very good experience) but as far as loose skin . . . Much depends on age, how much weight you have to lose, how long you have been heavy. It is a rare person who loses significant weight on ANY bariatric procedure that does not have a loose, hanging skin issue. I have lost 100 pounds, and I will soon be 64 years old, and yes I have loose hanging skin. I half joke about saving for my tummy tuck, and if I win the lottery it will be a total body lift, boob lift (yes, even at my age) and a face lift, but right now that is all wishful thinking. I am not ruling it out, however. A lot of my new clothes have long sleeves, and I wear pants and jeans mostly. The only time I am seen in the bathing suit is at Water aerobics, and most of the women are heavier than me, so what skin shows doesn't really attract much attention. However, those new clothes are size 12, down from women's 22, so I am not complaining. I am also off most of my previous meds (2 cholesterol, 1 of 2 blood pressure, 1 GERD). I have one for arthritis pain which I hardly ever need, and my doctor is trying me off the last BP med to see if I can ditch it. If so I would just be taking Vitamins, fish oil, and glucosamine. Not too shabby for an old gal.
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Hi. I live in Edgewood, work in Rosedale. I see you were done by Dr. Von Rueden. He has moved from GBMC to St. Agnes. I saw him at the bariatric Christmas reunion party at St. Agnes, and he also came to the Holiday gathering (on Lapband group night). You might be interested in the St. Agnes group. It was the 3rd Wed of the month but in January it is moving to the 3rd Monday. It is in the Alagia auditorium at St. Agnes, 6pm to 7pm. Bypass and sleeve meet on the 1st Monday. I have been comeing to group since way before surgery. Learned a lot.
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:smile:Hi. I live in Edgewood, Harford County, Maryland. I was banded 3/25/08 by Dr. Singh at St. Agnes. Singh, Averbach and Von Rueden are the surgeons at St. Agnes. They are a bariatric Center of Excellence, too. I currently fluctuate between 149 and 152, and my goal weight is 150, so I guess I am there. Now to stay there!
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Any walking/running bandsters in Harford County?
PATCHELTON replied to aimlagana's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I live in Edgewood. I was banded 3/25/08 and while doing my 6 month diet for insurance and waiting for approval I decided to bump up my exercise with walking. I asked around and was directed to Mariner Point park in Joppatowne, and I have become addicted to walking there. I am headed there in about ten minutes as my office is closing for Xmas Eve. There is a 2 mile nature trail, paved. I carry peanuts for the squirrels, and even befriended a chipmunk (I named him Chuckie) who is now hibernating, but the squirrels are still out. I don't walk for time, I walk for distance. I do anywhere from 2 to 4 times around the trail. How fast depends on how many squirrels I run into. I can't say enough about walking. I noticed a difference in how my clothes were fitting even before surgery and a significant weight loss. I have gone from 2x and women's 22 to medium tops and small to medium pants(about a size 10-12). Right now I usually only go on weekends and holidays, as it is dark when I leave work at 530. I also go to Curves in Joppatowne and Water aerobics(Underwater Playground in Edgewood on Business Center Way off of Puliaski--MTTh 6pm). When daylight savings arrives I pass Joppa Farm Road on the way home so I walk almost every day, sometimes combining a stop at Curves. If you are interested in meeting you can email me directly (work is the best place to reach me-I will get it Friday 12/26) at pchelton@midatlanticcardio.com. Good luck with your journeys. -
I have had chronic constipation since long before surgery. I too take stool softeners (I get generic Colace--cheaper--you can get a two-pack at Costco). The pharmacy told me it was safe to take up to two a day, which I do, routinely. When that is not enough, I take a senna laxative (Senokot or generic versions) for a day or two, and that usually straightens me out. I investigated colon cleansers, but the one I finally tried (First Cleanser--for first timers) didn't impress me; I do better with the senna laxative. I take fiber tablets sometimes (chewables) but I am finding they increase flatulence. The chewables have Inulin as their fiber source. GNC carries a flavored powder, Women's (and Men's) Ultramega, which technically is a Vitamin supplement, but it has Inulin in it and is sweetened with Spenda (sucralose). It doesn't have as much protein as some of the protein powders, but it has some, bumped up with skim or light milk and you get a decent amount of protein. It has Vitamins included too. I sometimes make a smoothie with the vanilla flavor, adding some cinnamond, ground flax seed, and frozen fruit (no need for ice--fruit takes care of that). I get a tasty smoothie with protein, vitamins, fiber, and it tastes pretty good too. I also find sometimes exercise helps with the constipation. The abdominal machine at Curves especially. I walk a lot also.
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I was curious about these, and I asked my dietician about them. She had no problem with them and referred me to a Health food Store to get more info. They were a little far, so I investigated a link my sister found. If you want graphic, the web site for Blessed Herbs is definitely that! They even give you the option of turning off the pictures from the testimonials! I have never seen so much s**t in my life! I ordered from another place (BH cost like $89) for $60 something, and when it came I changed my mind, called them got an RMA number sent it back with delivery confirmation. Now they are giving me a runaround, saying they issued the credit, but it is not on my account. One CSR had me fax them my statement to prove I didn't have the credit, the next one said the credit was issued and I should take it up with my card bank. I asked for a supervisor and they put me through to a voicemail and the person has not called me back. So I called my card company. I printed the delivery confirmation and I have the numbers of the CSR's I talked to. My credit card CSR checked my account and it is not there. So they will take up the issue for me as a failur to refund. I will get my money back, but they do not make it easy. I may complain to the BBB too before I am done. I returned a product once because it didn't work well and the shipping charge was rediculous. They tried to tell me I couldn't have the S&H back, and I said had I been told what it was going to be I would not have ordered the product. I went to the BBB for their state and was ready to go to the Attorny General for the state, when they decided to give me my shipping back, because I made it clear I was not going away until they did. That said I decided to try a product in Vitamin Shoppe called First Cleanse. I wasn't impressed. I threw the balance out. I do better with a senna laxative (Senokot or generic brands) and a stool softener. I order on the internet all the time, but be careful of TV infomercials. They are the ones I have had the most trouble with. Go to a reputable health food store and ask lots of questions. Or you could contact your dietician and see what he/she thinks.
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microwavable dish (meal portion size)
cover bottom with 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu Pizza Sauce (I use Homemade Style)
cover with Hormel Turkey Pepperoni (70% less fat)
Cover with your favorite toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--3 colors of peppers and onion chunks)
cover with Kraft Free fat free shredded cheese (either Mozarella or Cheddar-I use both)
nuke for 2 minutes to heat and melt cheese
Enjoy!
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You have had quite an adventure. I lost 35 lbs before surgery, the rest since. I am hovering now between 149 and 151. I have become an avid walker and I think that has helped a lot. With it dark when I leave work now, I do Curves and water aerobics and walk in the park weekends and days off. I carry peanuts for the squirrels (I eat a few too). I am thrilled that I was able to do it fast. It really helped my motivation. Now I am broke from buying new clothes! Good luck to you on your journey, and hang in there. It is so worth it. I am on virtually no medicine (my doctor is letting me stop my last BP med with monitoring--I have to give her a month's worth of readings). I have a pain med for my knees but I hardley ever need it. At least until my next blood test I am off 2 cholesterol meds, 1 and maybe 2 blood pressure meds, and a reflux med. I am hoping it all still looks good on the next labwork.
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Running Weight Loss Totals by LBT'ers
PATCHELTON replied to *susan*'s topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
10 lbs on 6 month diet for insurance, 25 more on liquid pre-op diet, the rest has been post-op, altogether 100 lbs. -
Crustless Pizza
1) microwavable dish (meal portion size)
2) pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu (I use the Homemade Style)
3) cover that with Hormel Turkey Pepperonis (70% less fat). If you like bacon Hormel makes bacon bits that are reduced fat (big bags available at Costco)
4) cover that with favorite low fat toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--it consists of 3 colors of pepper chunks and onion chunks--I keep bags in the freezer and throw in various dishes).
5) Top with shredded Kraft Free fat free cheese (I use both Mozarella and Cheddar--just had some for lunch today) or you can use low fat shredded if you prefer
6) Nuke for 2 minutes on high.
Enjoy.
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Crustless Pizza
1) microwavable dish (meal portion size)
2) pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu (I use the Homemade Style)
3) cover that with Hormel Turkey Pepperonis (70% less fat). If you like bacon Hormel makes bacon bits that are reduced fat (big bags available at Costco)
4) cover that with favorite low fat toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--it consists of 3 colors of pepper chunks and onion chunks--I keep bags in the freezer and throw in various dishes).
5) Top with shredded Kraft Free fat free cheese (I use both Mozarella and Cheddar--just had some for lunch today) or you can use low fat shredded if you prefer
6) Nuke for 2 minutes on high.
Enjoy.
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Thanksgiving Week Review...and a NSV!
PATCHELTON commented on julie.ann's blog entry in My Secret Journey
You have years ahead of you to look your best. I may need a lottery win to do it but I would love a total body lift, or at least a tummy tuck. I plan to be a rockin hot mama (and just cuz I am almost 64 that doesn't mean a rocking chair). Wish I had done this years ago, but the band wasn't available when I was your age. Anyhow, my crustless pizza recipe is as follows (I had trouble getting the crust down, so I realized the toppings were what I craved) 1) microwavable dish (meal portion size) 2) pour in about 1/3 to 1/2 jar of Ragu (I use the Homemade Style) 3) cover that with Hormel Turkey Pepperonis (70% less fat). If you like bacon Hormel makes bacon bits that are reduced fat (big bags available at Costco) 4) cover that with favorite low fat toppings (I use Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry--it consists of 3 colors of pepper chunks and onion chunks--I keep bags in the freezer and throw in various dishes). 5) Top with shredded Kraft Free fat free cheese (I use both Mozarella and Cheddar--just had some for lunch today) or you can use low fat shredded if you prefer 6) Nuke for 2 minutes on high. Enjoy. -
Thanksgiving Week Review...and a NSV!
PATCHELTON commented on julie.ann's blog entry in My Secret Journey
Congratulations on your success. It is a wonderful feeling to find that clothes fit you now that you wouldn't dream would ever fit. Keep up the good work. I can cross my legs now comfortably (weird feeling first time you do it) and I was thrilled when I went from women's 22 to womens 16. I wore some pants I had gotten out with my sister and told her they were new. She said I needed to buy some more as they were too big! The waist band still fits so I keep them for exercising. I bought some misses 14s (women's only go to 16, at least in Blair's catalog) but soon they were looking roomy, so I bought some 12s and they fit! I couldn't believe it! I bought a new winter coat from L L Bean and ordered a large as their sizing is M 10-12, L 14-16, and I wanted room to layer. It was perfect. I ordered some jeans in 12 and then decided to live dangerously when I found a pair I liked in the SML breakdown; I ordered medium, which is the 10-12. They fit! I wear scrubs at work (originally 2x) and had bought a bunch of large (there is an outlet near work, everything mostly around $10 each) and they were okay for a while, then started looking too big, so I went back and bought some medium tops and pants. I tried them on at home and the tops were ok but the pants still looked too big. I said to myself, I can't possibly be a small, no way! I took the pants back, and said I wanted to try on a small before exchanging them. Well, it fit! I don't think I have been small since I was 12! My coworkers are very supportive. Now they tell me I look like a stick and not to lose any more, but I am an avid walker, and the proof is in the pants! I am still in shock. My hospital has an annual reunion for bariatric post-ops and this is my first year as a post-op (my sister had RNY a couple years ago and took me as a guest; something must have rubbed off on me) which is this Sunday. They have door prizes and bariatric friendly food. Then they have like a class picture of the post-ops. I am so looking forward to it. I hope you get to experience all the things you listed, and have that NSV of trying on a size you never thought would fit you. It is a very, very cool feeling. BTW if you like pizza, I dreamed up a crustless pizza recipe that I would be happy to share with you, if you are interested. Let me know. -
2009 - New York City Banded Together-Lapband Talk National Event
PATCHELTON replied to CoachCher's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
There is a thread somewhere on here for bandsters in their 60's. On the home page scroll down and you should find a link. I am 63 and was banded on 3/25/08. I am right around my goal weight (149.4 yesterday morning, 150.4 today) so I am thrilled with my results. My surgeon said I lost faster than expected, but that helped my motivation. Now the challenge is keeping it off. -
Fish oil pills??
PATCHELTON replied to Angelhope1982's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
For those interested in Fish Oil for Omega 3--not familiar with the chewable from GNC, but don't think they are fish oil source for Omega 3. I went looking and found liquid emuslified fish oil (sounds awful but is mint flavored--not bad at all) from Twin Labs. In the health food store it was $13 a bottle, but online you can get it much cheaper. Go to vitacost.com, item number is TWL 4012294 03 Twinlab Omega-3 Emulsified Fish Oil 12 oz. It is $6.98 per bottle with $4.99 shipping for ANY SIZE order. I use Twin Labs Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and D also (5 TWL 4010085 03--$7.62 for 60 chewable, 4 per day dose) so I order several bottles of each to get the most bang for the $4.99 shipping. One tablespoon of the fish oil gets about 1600 Omega 3's, more than I was getting from two gelcaps. For those interested in Centrum, there is a chewable, in silver too, about $11 at Target. -
Go to the Home Page and scroll down. The FAQs look like the end but they are not. Food and Nutrition is below that. Just click on that and you will find the mushies thread. As for eggs. I made creamy egg salad. I cut the eggs up in smallish pieces, put a little Dijon mustard and some light mayo (enough to make it creamy). The mustard gives it some zip. You can use yellow mustard if you don't like Dijon (0 calories in yellow mustard!). I did the same with tuna. If you have ever had a tuna salad sandwich from Panera Bread, they put yellow mustard either on the bread or in the salad, so I put it in the salad. Tastes great. I used refried beans, too. I pulverized some chunky salsa in the blender, mixed it into the beans, nuked a dessert dish portion in the microwave and put Kraft fat free shredded cheese on it to melt after it came out. I could have instant mashed potatoes, so I would make them and divide into portions, then heat some fat free gravy to put on it.
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Which side is your port on? Choice?
PATCHELTON replied to Band_Groupie's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My port is what sounds like the most common place, about an inch above my belly button and over toward my left arm an inch. I have lost 90+ pounds so I can see and feel it, but I would rather that than have the 90+ pounds back. There is a doctor in Texas doing the single incision lapbands. Someone posted a message here who was getting ready to have it done, and she posted a link to his website. It is: http://www.austinbariatricinstitute.com/surgical-procedures/single-incision-lap-band-weight-loss-surgery.htm . I sent it to my surgeon to read. I think I also read about a radio frequency controlled port, or something like that but I don't remember the specifics. The above link makes for good reading. -
You have, at least partly, answered your own question. While we all lose differently, you pointed out two key things that you do or don't do that could be making the difference. You eat sugar--bad idea. One of the first rules I was given post-op was no concentrated sweets. The other was that exercise is critical to the success of the band. My surgeon won't even do anyone who is not mobile. I don't do anything fancy. Mostly walking. There is a lovely park near my home with a 2 mile nature trail. Until I lost daylight recently with the end of daylight savings, I went there almost daily, doing the 2 miles at least twice. I am not out to set speed records; I carry peanuts to feel the squirrels, so I stop every time I see a few to toss peanuts. I go for the distance. Prior to surgery I went to Curves, and frequently picked up a pizza for dinner (ate the whole thing, too). Now that it is dark when I leave work, I alternate Curves with Water aerobics during the week, and on weekends I am back at the park. Even though it is technically closed they don't lock the gate and people walk, bike and walk their dogs all year round. And when I get home I have a chicken caesar salad, or if I want pizza, I make a crustless pizza that is almost completely fat free. PM me if you would like the recipe. I would suggest replacing the sugar with sugar free as much as possible. I was banded in March and have eaten maybe 2 Cookies and last weekend at an early Thanksgiving dinner, a small piece of pumpkin pie. I read labels for sugar and fat content, trying to get as low as possible. You don't have to spend money on a fancy gym membership, unless you want to. My walking is free, Curves costs me $29 a month, and water aerobics is $110 for 20 classes. Not a big financial outlay. Both the park and aquatic center are on my way home from work. My weakness is salty Snacks. Instead of potato chips I get Kay's Natural Protein Chips (kind of like Fritos) and pretzels. And when I want something sweet (I have to confess I don't have a sweet tooth, and that is a major advanage with the band) I have sugar fee popsicles or sugar free/fat free pudding (with the pudding I sometimes add some unflavored Protein powder to bump up the protein) I am not a big Breakfast eater so I drink a protein shake, and sometimes eat a fat free yogurt, and maybe drink a small V8. I carry Kashi TLC bars in my purse, in case I am stuck somewhere and can't get a healthy meal. I will eat one as a snack to take the edge off until I get home. The Protein Bars that are mostly chocolate or Peanut Butter are too sweet for me. I hope some of this info helps. Good luck with your journey.
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2009 - New York City Banded Together-Lapband Talk National Event
PATCHELTON replied to CoachCher's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
May I suggest Baltimore, Maryland as a possible site. Convention space, lots of hotels, near BWI airport, not far from Washington DC, and several Bariatric Centers of Excellence in the area (I was banded at St. Agnes Hospital). -
I thought I would point out what my dietician pointed out to me about calcium. I had bought Viactiv too, but she told me that they contain calcium carbonate, which is not absorbed as well as calcium citrate. See my other post about Twin Labs chewable Calcium Citrate.
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I wasn't crazy about Bariatric Advantage either. I got a sampler pack before surgery to try. I switched to Centrum (which also comes in Silver, for us older folks). In support group, someone said she didn't like Centrum, but it tasted ok to me and is less expensive. I currently am trying one called Bariatric Lifestyle from BariatricShop.com. They list it as their Complete Nutritional System and 90 days worth is only $25.46. You chew one twice a day. I haven't decided whether I will reorder or go back to Centrum. They taste alright. For Calcium citrate, I use Twin Labs Calcium with Magnesium and D. It is calcium citrate and D3 (cholecalciferol). If you buy it online you can save a bundle. It comes in 60 wafer bottles and 4 a day is the serving size so it is only 15 days worth. I found it in a Healthy Options store and was actually paying $17.99 for it. I went to Twin Labs site and got links to places that carry it. vitacost.com sells it for $7.67 (that is not a typo). They charge $4.99 shipping for any size order so I usually get 4 or 5 at a time. You can get auto shipments too. I like them, so I don't plan to change, and the online price sure beats retail, even with shipping. For those interested in Fish Oil but concerned about the large gelcaps, Twin Labs makes a liquid, mint flavored fish oil. You take 1 tblsp a day and get about 1600 Omega 3's. Vitacost.com also sells that for $6 and change. There are 24 servings per bottle. I get more Omega 3 with the liquid than I was getting with 2 gelcaps.