Desdemona

GO TO THE HOSPITAL! I went through that about a month ago and they had me come right in! Not only can you get dehydrated, it can cause a slippage which might be removal of the band. They should NOT have given you 1.5 cc all at once on top of what you already.

Tess---OH YES!!!! I have been there too re: not being able to change a darn thing that's going on in my environment. What a feeling! It's like sucking pond water. --- That's exactly what got me started on getting the band in the first place. I felt so darn helpless and unhappy. After making a list --- I just figured that there wasn't much I was going to be able to do about a bunch of things because they were out of my control. But I saw that 1 of the FEW things I actually could do something about -- was to grab the bull by the horns and lose weight. I decided that since I couldn't "control" anyone or anything else --- I'd just try focusing on me for a change. Now that I'm thinking about this --- I'm realizing that I need to get right back to that place of remember just how much I was hurting (physically, mentally, emotionally). I sure don't want to go back there---again.

Dr. Schulman-- Thank you for your quick response. I will mostly likely have an additional question or 2 as I move through the process. Thanks again.

Dr Schulman- Thanks you for offering your expertise. I have a question. I’m going to have a breast reduction and I think I should probably try to have it about 40 more lbs from now. I’m guessing I’ll lose another 5lbs or more from the surgery process. I won’t have any problems w/ins. Shoulda and Coulda done it years ago when I was still young and skinny. I know I will have to have my yearly mamo. I also know that sometimes they find cancer that didn’t show up on the mamo. If cancer IS present---does it become more dangerous (spread faster) because it has been opened to the air or disturbed by the surgery?

Deedee---that’s a great first week weight loss . . and . . .yes. . . I do think it’s “normal” to lose that much. I had clear liquids for the first 2 weeks and it does take a LOT of weight off. Long2TobThin---Wow! That’s a great idea! I love it! People are telling me that I look really different but it’s hard for me to understand because I can’t SEE it. Maybe what you are doing will help with that. Sunshine---It really does sound like water. As you can see---I have changed my ID from RugmanForever to Desdemona (the Italian pronounciation!). I guess with the weight loss I’m feeling more like a Desdemona than a Rugman!

OH YES!. . . I did something else . . . I changed my ID from RugmanForever to Desdemona (that is with an Italian pronunciation please!!). Too many people thought I was a man. I got to thinking about this and I’m wondering if this has something to do with losing weight. I have to admit that I’m starting to FEEL more like a Desdemona than a Rugman! Amanda--it seems like exercise is your strength. We seem to have the opposite problem. I have good food choices but I'm as active as a stone.

I’m with the rest of you on the mojo stuff! I have often marveled at how so many of us in this group seem to be having the same thoughts, feelings and behaviors at the same time. I’m wondering if there is just a “normal cycle” to the banding weight loss process. It kind of makes sense because there are normal rhythms to attention, grief, and activity – so I guess we are in the “no mojo” part of our cycle. It also seems like it’s really important to try not to succumb right now. So what have you all been trying to over-come this? Today I went through my closest and tried on a bunch of clothes. I was rather surprised to find out that several things that fit a few weeks ago – are getting too big. So-I took them and gave them to the Goodwill. I think that helped a bit. Maybe this is one of those times where we are losing some inches – and less on the scale? I also had another picture taken in front of the frig. That’s the first time in 2 months. What things are you doing to find your NSVs? Are there people out there who are reading? Please come in and post. It might help all of us find our energy.

I've been doing a lot of reading over at the surg thread. (There's a PC that maintains a thread over there and he answers anyones questions). I'm hearing it's about 2 days in the hospital and 3 weeks recovery on breast reduction. I'm not sure about the TT. I need to lose about another 40 before I can do the BR. I'm not sure I will get/need the TT.

Hi Denise-- yes---I'm thinking of changing my handle because others think I'm a guy too. When I first joined the board – I must have tried to pick a hundred IDs and they were all taken. I picked “RugmanForever because "Rugman" was an ID for a very special friend (my soul mate) who passed away a few years ago. But I do think I’ll change it one of these days. Denise---I saw your post about your vitamins. Are those things really big? I need to find a good vit. that contains everything I need. I'm not taking any and I should. I don't want anything really big -- and once a day would be easiest.

Hi Babs! I'm still keeping an eye on you! Great to hear that you are doing so well. So far --- I don't really see any sagging skin but I still have 47lbs to go --so ---who knows what will happen. But my girls are really starting to hang and I just know I'm going to need to get them done. Did you get a sense of how long of a wait you will have for surg for the reduction? I'm a bit concerned about having it done locally. I'm wondering if there's anyone in our area that is REALLY good. I'm thinking it might be best to go to Boston. But -- I take you that you have already looked around locally and found some good surgeons???

Hi All-- I'm out in Western MA but get to Boston a fair amount for work. I'm beginning to think (dream!) about getting to goal weight. It's very clear that I'm going to need to have the girls done. I'm thinking that it would make sense to have that done in Boston. Where do you think I should get it done? Brigham & Womens? Does anyone have a suggestions about who has a good rep for this? Can I do it before goal weight -- or wait for a while? How long of a wait will it be to get my first evaluation appointment---then wait for a surgery date?

Man-O-Man!! I left the board for a while because I was so overwhelmed at work ---and now I just read -- like 50 pages to catch-up with ya'll!! You've been BUSY!!!! deedee--I did 3 whole weeks of clear liquid after banding too. It was hard. They told me I could add in some skim milk after a week but that only lasted 1 day (I don't think I even drank milk when I was an infant!!!) I did get kinda spaced-out and weak. Janet--What have you been hearing about the length of time we should wait for skin surgery? I think it's still too early for me to tell -- but so far--the only thing I see sagging are the girls (big time!!). I wonder if I have to wait until goal weight to get them done or if I can do it before goal weight. Everyone is doing great -- and I'm glad to see so many women in here! Have a great weekend! I

Hi All-- I've been gone for a while. WOW! I'm really impressed and struck w/the conversation here these last several pages. It's powerful. Have a good weekend.

Dear Special-- Yes. It's hard to lose people in your life and really hard to see your parents going through such terrible losses. Emily Dickinson said, "Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need of hell." I totally concur. I will be thinking of you and your mom in these next sorrowful days. I pray you --- peace.

All All-- Just checking in. I sounds like a lot of us are in slower modes for different reasons. It looks like several of us are heading for fills in the next few days. I will go Thurs AM and I hope it gets my weight loss going! I have the same amount in my band (3cc) that I had in early May. I'll be really interested in seeing if others who are getting filled are seeing any improvement in weight loss. I'm eating very well and have been for a really long time--- just not moving down on the scale!

Fenton--I know what you mean re: the level of stress---being tired--overwhelmed--out of control---pushed--pressured. Eating whatever I jolly well wanted and whenever I jolly well felt like was my way of exercising SOME control in my world when everything seemed out-of-control. I also felt things were just too hectic to eat healthier. I was always on the run and grabbed whatever drive-through was on my way. But--then I felt so bad (physically and emotionally) that I decided that eating right and trying to establish good sleeping habits was the ONLY thing I really had ANY real "control" over. I knew that if I let my work/schedule chip away at my health then I was going down big time. So--I'm with the others on this one --- get a fill ASAP! It will probably take least a few before you get a good effect. Here it is Aug and I STILL only have the same amount I had at my first fill in the beginning of fill because of mistakes that have been made by my surgical team! I STILL am not at a sweet spot! SO--the point here is -- don't delay. You have been working hard and you deserve this. Be GOOD to yourself!!!

Christine—The situation with your DH mother sounds so sad and hard. I’m sorry to hear it. ----Thanks for the advice. After reading your post I decided to go to the emg room. They gave me an EKG, checked my blood levels and monitored me for a few hours. My heart seems normal but they are recommending a halter monitor for a few days to make sure. I do feel much better since getting check. I think it is my stomach and esophagus. I started taking my protonix again. I’m slowing down with eating and chewing better. I’m also not currently stressing as bad as I was. I’m still having the palpitations but they aren’t as bad. Amanda---Wow!! GOOD DOG!!!! GOOD AMANDA!!!!!! AND Tell that man to CHEW, CHEW, CHEW!!!!!!!!!! ---- AND---Congrats on the Triathlon. I don’t think I could run down the block if a bull was chasing me!----------Also, the manuscripts are a royal pain in my A ---! Nothing interesting --- believe me! I’m a prof and researcher and do a lot of technical writing (journals, proposals etc) as part of my job. I CAN actually enjoy it but right now it’s just too much. I’m under tremendous deadlines which make my stomach and head hurt! JDUB0414!!!—Hi!!! Glad your back! SpecialK---LOVED your post of 7/30. You certainly showed your MD a thing or 2! Twoterville will be wonderful. Mscathyl---WONDERFUL NEWS! Never under-estimate the human spirit! Tess—Thanks for the treadmill link! I went to Nauset Beach (Cape Cod) for a few day and stood in the ocean and let cold Water rush in and knock me to my knees over and over as I screamed. MAN! It felt so GOOD!!! I felt so much better. There must be something to that primal scream theory.

When your walking through your livingroom and your night gown slips off down around your SHOULDERS and falls to the floor!!!

It sounds like this post originally asked the question -- should people around 200lbs get the band? What does this mean? First of all – the question doesn’t seem to take into consideration that 200lbs can be 40-50BMI for many people. People who are over 34 BMI are at a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. They are more likely to be under-performing in their job----more likely to be passed over for promotions (less financial security)---less likely to be happy. Should we expect the non-symptomatic overweight person to wait for a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease before we decide it’s alright with us if they get a band? There is also the opposite side of the coin to this question. The VAST majority of the published research on WLS clearly demonstrates that samples with higher BMIs do better with bypass than banding. That is why many insurance companies refuse to pay for banding but will pay for bypass for higher BMIs. That’s also why many WLS surgeons strongly recommend bypass for higher BMI patients. So now-- should we say that people with higher BMIs should NOT get the band? I'm not in favor of offering opinions to low or high BMIs because each and every single person is different. We have different bodies, minds and spirits. We have different stories ---different needs. Personally -- I had a very hard time deciding what to do about my weight. I have spent over 20 years battling my weight problems. All I had to show for all that effort was a slowly dying body – constant pain from head to toe – difficulty doing my job---and increasing shame. 100lbs may not seem like a lot of weight to someone who needs to lose 200 or 300 hundred lbs but-- believe me---it’s enough to quickly kill anyone regardless of known diseases or not. Most people in my life have been supportive of getting the band. There are some of my friends who are so moralistic that they just think I should have gotten my act together and lost the weight on my own. I assume those same people think that anyone who dies of obesity deserve exactly what they get. In the end, I’m glad I didn’t allow the opinions of other people to shame me out of getting the band.

Candle-- you are raising the most absolutely important point here and I think we need to make sure we say that for other people who are pre-surg who look at this thread in the future. We don't want to scare them away from having the band. I actually heard someone who is about 250lbs overweight say that they would not do any WLS or lose a lot because she has nice skin (she really does too!) and she wouldn't want to have loose skin. I'm very worried for her. She is a wonderful woman and is developing serious health problems. I knew when I got the band that loose skin might happen and I was willing to face that possibility in order to get my life back. I have talked with several people who have loose skin and not 1 of them regrets having the band or bypass. They feel so much better. They are healthier. And they look better. Of course, I don't want it -- but if it is a consequence of my weight loss -- so be it. I'll get some surg for what ever makes sense and if there is loose skin that I can't fix--then I'll be so happy and grateful to have my health, strength and energy back that I'll be just fine. Well---yes. When I said "my fat was older" I really meant that the skin around the remaining 50lbs has been stretched for a long time. I began gaining weight 25 years ago. I have been at least 50lbs overweight all that time. Then about 5 years ago I started gaining another 50. So the 50 I lost had been there about 5 years and I don't see wrinkles. But that original 50 has been there for about 25 years so I'm wondering what will happen.

Beverly-- Sounds like your on your way! Some pills can be ground up (ask your pharmacy). If they taste terrible that way--some people mix the ground pill with sugar free jelly. Lynn--You GO girl! You are just doing so well!! Long2bThin--don't feel distressed. You have very good weight loss for your time into banding. Your body has lost a lot of weight and needs to rest. I went through a stressful week at work. I wasn't too bad with eating but it does seem like everyday I ended up eating either a some starch or a sweet about 5 days out of 7. I didn't gain -- but I didn't lose either. Today I was back on track. One things I really noticed was how tight my band got with stress. I just couldn't believe the difference! Well---at least I know now that my band will prevent me from doing too much stress eating.

Why in the world doesn't your doctor use an x-ray machine if he has so much trouble finding the port? And why did he pump so many cc's of saline in (especially without an x-ray machine??). He's asking for trouble doing that. It's not OK for him to just keep poking over and over like that. He could puncture silicone band and that would require surgery. Such aggressive fills (4cc) without the use of video x-ray to monitor the fill could result in band slippage -- which means removal of the band. Makes me wonder what kind of job he did putting it in. Consider finding someone else.

Well now this post just sent me flying into the bathroom in front of a full length mirror for stretch mark inspection! I have lost 50lbs so far and have another 50 to go. So far--I'm not seeing sagging or wrinkled skin. I have some stretch marks under my arms toward the top of my arm, some around the outside of my hips, and some toward the top outside corners of my breast. I'm not seeing any on belly or thighs. The 50lbs I just lost is "newer" weight gained in the last 5 years. I'm concerned about the next 50 because it's older weight (a LOT older!) and I'm afraid that because it's been there for a long time -- my skin won't be as elastic for that fat as it has been for the first 50.

Welcome back Fenton. Ya---I'm with you on the stress. I haven't totally lost it (yet!) but I have been slipping to some foods that I don't normally allow. Had either starch or sweets for about 4 out of 6 days. I had a very stressful week writing. Wanted to get it done and in the mail before taking a planned beach trip. Ended up pulling an all nighter Sat---and then (Sharona) I ended up driving all the way down to your neck of the woods (Windsor Locks) Sunday AM to the P.O. near Bradley Airport to mail manuscripts so I could come to the Cape in peace. Today I actually stuck to my diet and got in a lot of walking. I think and hope the worst of the stress eating is over. I don't think I did any damage to my weight but I haven't lost Does anyone ever get fluttering feelings in the middle of their chests? Is this the band? It isn't to the left where my heart is. It kinda palpitates some.

I'm an ice-cream addict too. . . And any bread/pasta is another trigger food for me. As soon as I start with either of those foods ---I'm off and running. Part of why I picked the band is because it would restrict/prevent bread/pasta. I have found the sugar-free pops to be a lifesaver. If I do the Skinny Cow or any form of Ice-cream - I'm into the REAL stuff in no time flat. Even the sugar-free fudgsicle will not work in keeping me away from ice-cream. The only thing that works for me is the sugar free pops. It's iced-cold and flavored. I seem to be able to eat them without switching to ice-cream. Well--- I continue to be losing more slowly that I want to ---BUT --I have FINALLY hit 50lbs which is half way to my goal and 42lbs above a "normal BMI weight." My MD said I'd have trouble with losing because I'm so short. I'm determined to lose it. I put a jacket on this AM that I wore at my dear grandmother's funeral. That was Jan 03. I'm sorry I gained 50lbs in these last 5 years but I guess I can at least say that I've taken that off and now I can focus on the rest. Have a good weekend ladies. I'm thinking of all of you.