Desdemona
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Everything posted by Desdemona
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Disappointed No Weight loss week 2
Desdemona replied to alice150's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks for all the encouragement. Everyone is great on this forum. I realize that I probably am not getting enough Water either, so I will try to up that more too. Its not easy when all you drink is liquids. alice150 -- I wish I was losing faster too but then when I think back on my struggles over the last several years I have to admit that moving in the right direction is a heck of a lot better than moving in the wrong direction. About 20 years ago I lost 42lbs in 11 weeks from drinking 455 calories of Optifast 4 time a day. After the first significant weightloss in the first 2 weeks I lost about 3.5 a wk. They would weight me each wk and I would lose nothing 1 wk and then 3.5 the next. It was like clockwork. I remember the nurse telling me that I was losing fat out of the cells one week but cells were being filled with Fluid and that fluid weighs more than fat. According to her the fluid retention was just the final phase the cell went through before finally giving up. She said that in the wks that I wasn't losing weight I was losing inches. She took out her measure tape and proved it to me. I find that I'm going through something like that now. I don't know if it's true but it seems to help me get through. I must say that just before I see a significant weight drop after nothing for several days -- I am up several times a night using the bathroom so I think back to what the nurse said. I also find that if I stall -- increasing water helps. I also heard Bob Greene (Oprah's trainier) say that nothing breaks a stall better than increasing movement. I also agree with several people here to say that when our bodies have been through stress (like surg) it just goes into a bit of shock. Hang in there. You are doing very well. -
thin2beme---Congrats!!!! You are doing really well!
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thin2bme----I also do best on low carb. I keep my carbs below 30 and try to be below 20. For protein drink -- I use Reset. It has 22g protein, 6 carbs, and 130 calories. I have been drinking 2 a day with just a few tablespoons or egg, refried bean, or cottage cheese. Now that [i'm up to 6 tablespoons of food per meal --I think I'll cut the protein drink to one and a half a day. Fri -- I can begin using chicken, fish, ground beef if I want. I will see how it goes on the low carb, 60g protein and 600-800 calories.
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If you're interested in getting a set of nice sterling or silverplate forks --you can get some decent prices on Ebay. I went all out and bought a set of very nice sterling silver 8 oyster forks for about $80 but they have others for significantly less. I'm also thinking of picking up some demitasse spoons to match.
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Hi hungry4help I have been feeling hungrier (and carving food) too in the last few days and feeling concerned that I might slip up. Today I decided incorporate the chicken broth and sugar free popsicles back into the fluids (between meals). I have to say that the nice warm broth and then the nice cold pops seemed to really help both hunger and carvings. I also keep my Protein intake at 60g by using the whey Protein drinks (and they're low carb) for part of the Fluid intake. I'm keeping my carbs low because they make me hungry. I don't really know how well this is work but it has helped a lot today and I thought I'd just let you know how I'm trying to deal with it. If others have some ideas---it would be great to hear how your coping.
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Carol-- Good luck. Keep us posted. At my hospital support group they give oyster forks/cocktail forks to group members when they get there banding dates. I thought it was a great idea and went out and bought myself a set of sterling sliver ones. They are pretty and I use 1 every time I eat. It REALLY slows me down. Someone else suggested using chop sticks.
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Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Desdemona replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I'm glad we are talking about fills. I was banded March 19 and I don't have another appointment until May 26. The surgeon is not necessarily planning on filling in the near future. But in his book, Dr Ortiz recommends the first fill be in 6-8 weeks. He also says most of his patients only need 3 fills in a year. He uses a fluoroscope to help him assess the fill need. I’m confused about why so many MDs are doing fills so slowly. I am doing well with weight loss but I’m doing it the old-fashion way ---through real hunger---and by keeping carbs, calories very low and portions very small. Can someone clue me in? I'm afriad I'll fall off the wagon this way. That's what used to happen before. Is there some type of advantage to NOT getting fills? -
Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Desdemona replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi All-- I follow the threads every few days but don't usually have a lot to add. egorsgirl1----I'm glad to hear you are with the rest of us that that everything went well. I am feeling a bit more energy since I started added a few carbs a few days ago. I'm getting a few spoonfuls of refried beans. They help me feel better. I have until next Fri on the egg, soft cheese, refried beans --and then I can have some fish or chicken. -
Has any one been able to quite taking some of your meds?
Desdemona replied to crazycat's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I'm off that darn CPAP machine-- and I'm thrilled to be without it. I haven't been taking my Protonix but I stopped that on my own. -
I got banded 9 days before you and I am also low energy most days. I drink 2 low carb (6g) protein(22g) drinks a day and get about 4 tablespoons of egg or cheese 3 times a day. So I'm doing about 54-500 calories. Tonight I decided to have 4 tablespoons of refried beans to get a bit more carb. My MD allows them but I didn't have any before this becasue I didn't want the carbs. But I'm thinking that I do need them. I do well on low carb and I still want to keep them as low as I can.
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thin2bme I notice we were banded on the same day. Thanks for the tip on the CalorieSmart the other day. I just bought 1 on Ebay becasue you spoke so highly of it. Got it for $67 (including shipping). Will let you all know how I like it later.
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Wow! Yes! I just went for my first post-op on Tues and then back again on Weds to see the nutrition and the same exact thing happened to me! I took it today and it seems to be down. So I guess this not unusual. I'm going to monitor it for a bit to see if it settles down.
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Wow --Steve----Terrible!! Please keep us posted.
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Hi All-- I have been away a few days (work) and was catching up on all the posts. Fenton ---ya --I know Rugman is misleading. I though of that later. I picked it in memory of a much beloved mentor who passed. BUT--he DID love foot ball and the Washington Redskins if that helps. Ha! For everyone watching the ticker weights (as I am!) I want to let you know that I am including 20lbs that I lost before I was banded. I have actually lost 10 since. I still consider 10 lbs in 2 weeks good. Especially since it's not part of that initial weight loss we always lose so much Fluid in those first several lbs. I'm transitioning today from Clear liquids to 2 low carb Protein shakes and 2 tablespoons of soft cheese or eggs 3 times a day (in addition to fluids and sugar free frozen pops). I figure that will be about 400-445 calories and less than 20 carbs a day. I'll keep it at that level until I can't stand it anymore and then I'll increase a bit. My support group presents each newly banded person with a little cocktail/oyster fork. I bought a few nice sterling silver ones off of Ebay and I used 1 today. They really work very well in making me slow down and the sterling gives me a sense of opulence in the eating rather than in the amount of food.
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hi --
do you have to wait because of insurance requirements? How many pre-op support meetings are they requiring you to do? Where are you going for them?
It's still really novel but I like it so far. Most people seem to get back on their feet faster than I did but I am also older and had a stricter liquid phase. Today was my first day adding in food (day 15) and it is also a stricter diet than what I see on the message board. I started taking 2 Optifast like drinks a day and just 2 tablespoons of egg or soft cheese 3 times a day at mealtimes. I'm supose to build to 6-8 tablespoons a meal and expand on the foods beginning with proteins and then adding in veggies. I know this sounds terrible but actually I don't mind it. I think I'm OK with it for 3 reasons. First, because I did do Optifast for 12 weeks a long time ago---this doesn't seem as hard compared to that. 2nd--the band is REALLY helping with it. So far I don't have any cravings. I did feel hunger on the 2 weeks of clear liquids (250 calories a day!) but because of my Optifast memories --I was able to hold on. The 3rd thing that makes this easier for me (so far!) is that I found out yesterday that I lost 11 lbs in those 2 weeks of clear liquid. My MD told me yesterday that I can keep this as low carb and as low calorie as I want so I have elected to be REALLY strict. I'm hoping to lose at least another 45 lbs by Sept. That will be tough.
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Hi --- I just finished reading the thread. I'd like to join too if I can. I was banded 3/19. I had clear liquid only for the first 4 days and then was allowed to add some skim milk after that. I'm hoping that means I will have a decent weight loss when I get weighed tomorrow for my first post-op check. I go back to see the nutritionist on Weds and then Thurs I start with a cream soups and a few tablespoons of egg or yogurt or refried beans a day. Most of my soreness is over but I'm feeling a bit whoosie from so few calories. I haven't gone back to work yet but I think I'll be back in a day or 2.
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Hi Diva-- Yes. I started feeling that way when I was around your age. I'm now 56 and much more over weight (from all those times I lost and regained and added more weight). I also have several weight related medical conditions. Fortunately most of them can be reversed with my current weight reduction and the lap band. The spinal disc disease can't be reversed. After many years of learning about obesity I have finally come to realize that it is a very complicated thing. I also can see that getting a lap band does not mean that I don't have to exersise restraint or change habits. It's just a tool that helps me to change. We DO have to put a lot of effort in if we are to reach our goal.
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zsflower-----I'm just banded and found your post. Thank you SO much for sharing your advise and experience. You are making some very important statements here and I will remember them. penny
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Losing Weight/Feeling Good
Desdemona replied to Jalilsauntie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Jalilsaunite-- Congrats on the 20lbs. I was banded on 3/19 and will be going to see my surgeon for the first post-op on Tues. I'm pretty sure I've lost on all these clear liquids I'm drinking but won't know until I get there. -
I am sick of Liquids
Desdemona replied to mail mom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
mail mom-----I'm with you-----I got banded 3/19/08 and I'm sick of popsicles, broth and skim milk. Since I don't like milk --- I only choke down about a cup of that a day. The only good thing I can think about this method is that my MD claims that this will be produce a faster weight loss. I guess we have that to hope for. Even in my next stage (to begin next Thursday) I can only add cream soups, and 2 tablespoons of eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, soft beans 3 times a day. It will take a month before I will be able to move to 8 tablespoons! I SURE DO hope this gives me a great weight loss!!! -
who supports right to choose
Desdemona replied to 396power's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
BJean--I thank you for your post. I take your point. There is a rich philosophical approach to this however, I think I'm now passed it. I have 3 degrees (despite the fact that I type so fast I leave typos!) and have (unfortunately) "philosophized" and "religionized" with the best of them. But---after all those fancy papers, I have seen enough to conclude that nothing----no conversation---no political position---no action---no dogma-- is more important to me than doing whatever is possible to stop suffering. I understand that that many people would argue that the unborn fetus is a person with rights and that many believe there is an unborn soul that has rights or that God has made the life. What can I say? That is a belief and people who do NOT believe that have every much of a right to their belief. My own particular personal belief is that I am here to care about those around me. I have gotten past the philosophical stuff. I just want to stop the suffering of the 1 child who happens to be sitting in front of me at the moment. I think it was Mother Jones who said --"pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." Rugman -
Hi Lenore1890!
AH!!! I see you live in Florence?!! I work in Albany and have a very small place in Williamstown but real home is in Westfield. I was just banded 3/19.
I'm only just now starting to feel hunger. I'm hoping it will not be too difficult to deal with. In the late 1980's I went through the Optifast Program and only had water and 4 8-oz serving of the Optifast drink 4x a day for 12 weeks. I didn't have too hard of a time with it. But now I weight 20 lbs more and I'm almost 20 years older so we shall see.
Penny
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babs0101---I just got banded 3/19/08. I live in the same place you do. I initally wanted Dr. Fiallo but had to have it done in Albany because of my ins. I'm stunned by your results! This is wonderful and I hope I can keep up with you! I'm going to check your other posts to read about your progress. You GO girl!
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3 days post surg - Banding feeling tighter! Help!
Desdemona posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Please help Just got banded 3/19. I was given Lortab consistently while in hospital and sent home about 24 hrs after surg. They checked the band on video x-ray before I left and it was fine. I had a BM before leaving the hospital. They gave me Lortab Elixir which I took up to last night as needed and then I switched over to liquid Tylenol. I have only taken the Tylenol once (about 4 AM today) and haven't had anything for pain since. I continued to have a LOT of gas pains after leaving the hospital but this seems to have been significantly relieved since yesterday. I have been following the clear liquid instructions they gave me. On my first day home I drank 2 liters of Fluid that the discharge intern told me to take every day and I REALLY got terribly overfull and bloated by this. I'm wondering if he was wrong to tell me to do that. I have been drinking today but I'm not allowing myself to get that terribly uncomfortable feeling so I know I'm not doing 2 liters. Here is the current problem---I'm starting to get a REAL sense of tightness across the band area. Sometimes I can even feel a little burning. I'm wondering what is happening? Is my stomach bloating up?? Is this post-op obstruction? Or am I just feeling more because I'm not using anymore tylenol? I'm not running a temp or having anything problems. My feet do feel cold but it's cold outside. Should I be getting worried? :thumbdown: