korpa11

Congratulations, Katiebug! I'm edging close to Onderland and know I will be thrilled to get there. Unlike you, I love to go shopping now and am indulging myself with new summer clothes that I won't be able to wear next year but am not feeling any guilt! I denied myself that joy before I had my surgery. Can you maybe take a mini-vacation to some place fun to celebrate? Kathy

Hello! I agree - it is so nice to have 65 lbs. gone. I can hardly believe it! I've had many NSVs from being able to lean over and tie my shoes, crossing my legs, running (not far, but something I haven't been able to do for years) to many, many wonderful compliments. I've slowed down with my loosing - now loose from 4 to 6 lbs. a month but I'm satisfied with this pace. I have yet to have a fill - my doc says if it ain't broke, don't fix it - so I'll just keep going the way I've been going. I am so proud of us! Kathy

Thank you all so much for your replies. I eat at least 60 grams of protein a day and often more but I am not eating much fat so that may be the problem. I'll also try the biotin. Kathy

Hello, everyone, I was banded Dec. 20, 2007 and have done very well - down about 60 pounds, exercising, making sure I eat plenty of protein and other nutritious foods, etc. Lately, though, it seems to me that I am loosing hair! I'm wondering if this is some sort of deficiency. Is it something I need to talk to my doctor about right away? I'd love to hear about others' experiences with this. Kathy

The orientation meeting was the first thing I did before I had any lab tests, etc. His office said it was a mandatory steip in the process. It was an informational meeting and was held in a classroom at Holy Family Hospital. There were about 30 people there, some in support of those interested in having the surgery. Dr. Trotter explained the procedure with a Power Point presentation and then explained what changed we would have in our lives. Then, there was a question and answer period. I found it very helpful and his enthusiasm and professionalism sold me. It lasted about an hour and a half including the questions. I was surprised at the amount of resistance some people had with lots of "I can't do this", or "I can't give that up!", etc. but it's probably good that they were weeded out at this meeting rather than during an office appointment. Kathy

Hi Deb, I was banded the day after you. I'm also very tired of the liquids. Dr. Trotter did say I could have creme yogurts, puddings, cream of wheat and cream soups with no solids in them. That's helped a little but I really do wish for regular food. I don't see him until Jan. 29th so I've got a little extra to go. Kathy

Hello, everyone, I'm wondering what you all are doing for exercise. So far, I'm walking about a half hour with my dog every day. I have arthritis in my knees and that's about as much as I can do. I'm thinking of joining Curves and am wondering if any of you have tried it. I love to swim but forgot to ask my doctor when I can go back to it. Anyway, I really think I need to be doing something soon. Kathy

Hello, everyone, I'm so sorry that I won't be able to make the meeting tonight. My voice finally is just about gone and I'm home from work today and probably tomorrow to try and be able to regoup and teach on Thursday. With a little better luck, I'll be at the next one. Kathy

Hi everyone, I had my surgery the 20th of Dec. 07. I'll finally see my surgeon tomorrow for my one week check if he doesn't cancel. I'm doing well, just pretty anxious to move on to soft food:) Here in Eastern Washington state we are having a snow storm. We've had a real, old fashioned winter and I'm finding the older I get, the less I like them. Kathy

Congratulations, Debra! I hope things go smoothly for you and I'm looking forward to meeting you and the support group meeting. Kathy

Ari, I did see the nutritionist at Holy Family but much of the information she gave me was for the Roux-en Y. Just before surgery when Dr. Trotter came by, I said to him that I would be doing the clear liquid diet (following the nutritionist's advice) until I saw him for my first appointment, and he said no, that I should be doing the protein shakes (no creamed soup or yogurt, etc. ) and that's what I've been doing. I'll be so glad to go to the support meeting next Tuesday and also to my first post surgery appointment with Dr. Trotter next Wednesday. I definitely am not planning to do anything that is not following this program - I paid for it myself and I'm determined to make it work. Thanks so much for you help, Ari. I'm a little under the weather - a cold and very sore throat. I teach at SCC and we started the Winter quarter last week. I talked for 3 solid hours and my poor voice gave out so I'm giving it a rest, hoping I'll be good to go Monday. Kathy

Hi, I did have the surgery and did have the bridge. We have an anticoag clinic here and they worked with me and my doctor to set up the whole thing. I gave myself Lovenox shots (a type of heparin but not quite the same) a few days before and gradually reduced the warfarin and after surgery, two or three days of the shots as I started back on warfarin. The clinic taught me how to give myself a shot and had me do it there to make sure I could do it. I didn't like it much but it was better than risking a stroke. I have afib and so just quitting warfarin was not a risk I wanted to take. I had my surgery December 20th and we're still working on getting my INR stable. All in all, it was not that big a deal. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have. Kathy

Thanks for responding to my rather off topic post. I'm also a teacher and having someone else tell me when I can eat and what is hard:) Still, I paid for this myself and I'm not doing anything to mess it up. Kathy