Playful Psychic
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Everything posted by Playful Psychic
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Should people barely over 200 lbs or below 200 get Lapband or any WLS...?
Playful Psychic replied to Froggi's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I did it. I was 196 in January. 5'6". Today I weight 155. I couldn't be happier about it. It wasn't happening (at least it wasn't STAYING OFF) on my own and this way I have discovered a new way of eating and it has made a tremendous change in my life and the way I feel. I am part of the clinical trial being done in the U.S. on BMI's between 30-35. My BMI today is 25, which they tell me is normal. I feel great. I could lose another 20 pounds and still be normal, but if I don't, I am happy as I am. Before it hurt to walk around and carry all that weight. I have a bad back from a car accident. Today I am off of all my meds for blood pressure, pain and cholesterol! No more meds! Does it get better than that? So my answer is YES people at or under 200 pounds should do it if they cannot get lasting results on their own. Cindy Banded 01/27/08, Memphis Bariatrics, Dr. Woodman -
Anyone else in the <35 BMI Clinical Trial?
Playful Psychic posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am part of a clinical trial. There are 30 of us with BMI's >30 but <35. There is a protocol for the trial which they tell us is different from what most people have to do. I just wonder if anyone else here is in the trial. I'm in Memphis, but I believe this was replicated all over the U.S. -
Anyone else in the <35 BMI Clinical Trial?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Julio! Our study last for 5 years. I wonder if it is the same one. We start getting paid after the first year. Not a lot. Something like $50 a visit or something. We have 30 people in Memphis also and I think there are 4 guys in this one. One of them is my hairdresser! LOL! I get free hair cuts for the rest of my life for getting him in! -
Hi Stef,
My progress is slow but steady, I guess. My biggest losses have occurred the 2-3 weeks after each fill. I am on my 3rd fill now and have lost 30 pounds. Yeah, Woodman is a bear when you go in and aren't doing well. Honestly, I haven't figured out what his idea of well is, but obviously it isn;t what I am doing! LOL! I had my last fill last Thursday and haven't been able to eat anything solid since. I am feeling weak. Today I am going to get some protein to put in my shakes.
I know all the girls in the office. Laura, the office manager and head nurse, is my niece. Debra is a doll. She gives me more support than anybody else really does. Kelly is short and to the point. She doesn't have much of a friendly personality actually.....kinda like HIM!
Hang in there. You can email me at hale.cynthia@gmail.com. We can keep in touch if you like! When was your surgery done?
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Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Playful Psychic replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Yvonne! The more the merrier! I've been banded since January and it's been a slow go for me. I am going back for a 3rd fill on Monday. It is strange, but the only times I have lost any weight to speak of is the two weeks after a fill when you basically cannot eat anything. I am not a big eater (never really was) so it isn't as though I am stuffing myself after that two weeks is up. I only became large after I turned 50. I blame a lot of it on my age. I have changed my eating habits though. I read all the labels and try to stay away from all fat (although you can't exactly eat ZERO fat). I also stay away from sugar, Splenda items only. And I cannot eat bread because of the band, so that is out now. I am disappointed that the band isn't helping my more, BUT I have lost 25 pounds so I don't wish I hadn't done it. It is just going to take me longer than some of you. Welcome! Cindy Memphis TN -
I got my 2nd fill last Thursday. The 1st fill felt tight (as in you had to eat really slowly and the amount I could eat was restrictive), however, it "loosened up" after 3 days and I could eat about like I could before the fill. The 2nd fill felt exactly the same way in the doctor's office, but it definitely isn't loosening up any. I actually dread eating because of these problems: 1) food seems to literally stop at the base of my esphogus and it pressure hurts. I am chewing very carefully and the bites are toddler-sized. 2) Even drinking causes the same discomfort. I have to sip tiny bits of Water, feel the pressure until it finally subsides and take another sip. The most calories I have been able to take in in one day since the 2nd fill is about 400. I'm back on the Protein though to counteract possible problems. Is this normal? Is this just how it is until you lose the weight? Nobody ever mentioned pain when I signed up for this. I'd love to hear from anyone experiencing these types of reactions.
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Hi Denise,
No candy here! Just sugar-free jello and such as that!
Of course I wouldn't mind answering your question although I don't know how accurate I can be with only email type contact, so I will just take a common sense approach.
Anybody can find another person to love and be loved by, but the key to that is loving yourself first. Maybe the weight has given you a poor self image and you feel that you cannot be loved and that nobody will find you attractive. Nothing could be further from the truth! Work on loving yourself and somebody will come along when you least expect it!
I would like to say this though. "Attractive" is one thing to one person and another to someone else. To me attractive used to be physically beautiful. Now it is kindness, a nice smile, someone who gives freely of herself, someone who shows me love in ways like doing the dishes when I am tired or taking care of something I don't particularily enjoy doing. You don't have to have a gorgeous "shell" to be beautiful.
I hope this helps! You are welcome to talk to me anytime you want!
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I'm new here too, but welcome! You and I seem to be about on the same level. I've lost 25 since January.....but you had to go through Thanksgiving and Christmas!
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Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Playful Psychic replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
You know, the part of my brain that actually controls THINKING, knows you are right. I could do more and I should do more. I will try harder, I promise! -
Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Playful Psychic replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I guess I am just eager to get on with it! Exercise is my biggest problem. I hate doing it. Plus, I don't have any time to myself as it is, maybe an hour a day, and if I use it to exercise my toenails don't get polished, my face doesn't gets it's daily moisturing mask, and I don't get to watch any TV. Yes I know that is just an excuse. To hear my doctor tell it, I am lazy. I work two jobs PLUS I have a 6-year-old adopted daughter. :thumbup: That is exercise enough for me! It isn't as though I don't want to do it, but I've come to accept that I am probably never going to with the exception of walking 30 minutes at lunch. So, if I don't lose fast enough, exercise IS probably the problem. -
Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Playful Psychic replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
No I haven't read that thread, but I will now. I didn't realize you lose it around your stomach first. My legs, arms and face are noticeably smaller, but my stomach is still fat.....not AS fat, but nowhere near flat. Am I really psychic? Well, some would say if I were, I wouldn't need to ask these questions! LOL! But, the answer is yes, but not like Melinda on Ghost Whisperer or John Edward. I dream things that happen and know who will be on the phone when it rings, who is lying and who isn't, that sort of thing. It's helpful. I use it as a tool. Saves me on caller ID! LOL!:thumbup: -
Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
Playful Psychic replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I am 53 and banded in January. After close to 3 months, I've lost a total of 25 pounds. Not much is it? The only times I have seen the scale move down is like RIGHT AFTER a fill. For the first couple of weeks I cannot get much down and, of course, the scale moves. After the two weeks is up, the scale doesn't go back up, but I don't lose either. Luckily I don't have a huge amount to lose but I am wondering is anyone else has this problem and if it is due to my age. Cindy -
Hi Debbi, Can you tell me about the long term effects of the band? Is it easy to keep the weight off? Do you still have a fill in it? Is it still tight? I just wondered how it will be once my weight is normal. I have 30 more pounds to go before entering the normal range. Thanks! Cindy
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Dr. George Woodman
Playful Psychic replied to Bulldog one's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I used Dr. Woodman also and the assesment from laurend is right on the money. My surgery was free though, so you can put up with a lot for that price. -
Hi Kristy6! Congrats on 40 pounds! That is so much better than my sucess of 22 pounds since 1/23! Keep up the good work!
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Kelly brought food from salad's and sandwiches. The salads were from Wendy's, grilled chicken, but I can't eat lettuce without it sticking so none for me. The sandwiches were from just about everywhere except Sonic. She said there is NO low fat food at Sonic! With sandwiches the tip was stay away from mayo and the like. Ketsup and mustard only with lettuce and tomato. Of course I can't eat the bread so my "sandwich" was just the insides! She also brought a baked potato and chili from Wendy's. She poured the chili over the baked potato in lieu of butter or sour cream. It was interesting. I think I can grow to like that! Her next meeting will definitely be on Saturday from noon to 1:00, but you'll need to stay turned on the website for when.
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Dr. Woodman is my doctor too. I am going to one of his Kelly's Kitchen's meetings today at the seminar room at the hospital. Have you gone to one yet?
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Anyone else in the <35 BMI Clinical Trial?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You have to be patient. All that weight didn't come overnight and it won't go overnight either. You are doing great for only a couple of weeks. Just where you should be! -
Hi there! Just introducing myself. I am from Nesbit! Mississippi Rocks!
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Anyone else in the <35 BMI Clinical Trial?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Well, we had to do a BUNCH of testing before the trial. EKG, Barium Swallow, Blood Panel, Stress Test, and Lord knows what else. I can't remember it all. That took about a month to complete. Then they did us 6 at a time. So we are in 5 different groups. I don't know if the protocol is different for each group, but I don't think it is. We returned one week after surgery to make sure we were okay and to make sure we didn't have any questions about the diet. After that we returned at 4 weeks and received a fill, but were told that if we felt we needed more to return before the next appointment at 2 months. I returned one week early because I wasn't losing and that doctor loves to go off on you if you aren't losing. He says you are either eating too much or not exercising. By going in early I bypassed the lecture. Our next appt is at 4 months. I'm down 22 pounds so far, which is good, at least for my group. That is about all I know at this time. We received all the testing and surgery for free plus we get paid for the visits after the trial is complete. -
Anyone else in the <35 BMI Clinical Trial?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The protocol was simple really. You needed to have at least one comorbidity (I think it is called), which would be high blood pressure or high cholesterol and be above BMI 30 but below BMI 35. We had to agree to do things like the trial wanted us to do them, which is (they tell us) slightly different from normal....such as we were filled after 4 weeks rather than the normal 6-8 weeks. Just little things like that. Where are all my MEMPHIS people?!!!!!!!!! There are 30 of us. Surely somebody besides me found this site! -
Pain when you eat?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow so I will ask him to remove some of the saline then. I want to be thin, but I don't like pain! Besides, it'll come off quickly enough at a couple of pounds a week. Thanks! -
Pain when you eat?
Playful Psychic replied to Playful Psychic's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you! That is what I was thinking, but I wanted some experience to talk to me. -
Looking for Memphis,Tn LapBand talk
Playful Psychic replied to MemphisLady's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I am a patient of Dr. Woodmans. He is doing a trial and I am part of it. You guys have him pegged though. He isn't very personable! He is strict and expects perfection.......which of course, I am not! We are required to do things a bit differently...according to the trial.......so it'll be interesting to see if the differences help us or hurt us. There are about 30 people in the trial, which is for people with BMI's of 30-35. Mine is 30.4. I have 55 pounds to lose (according to Dr. Woodman), but honestly I think that is too much weight to lose for me. He is so strict though, he'll probably fill that band up so nothing will go down if I don't lose the weight! LOL!