gentlespirit

Mandy~ I went shopping at Wal-Mart last night and got most of the stuff you had on your list. Thanks a bunch for posting it...I'm sure it'll make post op time easier. Maudeispam, I didn't think of bandages, though! Talk about missing the obvious! Emily

My surgeon said it's better to be safe and go get an anti nausea shot in the ER at the first hint of trouble...just tell them why it's important that you not throw up, and they should give you one. Emily

I asked my surgeon about that when I went in for my first appointment because someone here had asked that question. His response was to go to the ER for a anti nausea shot at the first hint of trouble and tell them why you need it. Emily

I am amazed that there are PCP who aren't in formed about anything o ther than gastric bypass. My sister wants to have lapband surgery in Sioux Falls late this winter, and when she asked her PCP, he had never heard of it. We put together a packet of information for him, too. Seems like part of our job has to be to o educate even the docs! Emily

Congratulations...what a gift to yourself! You sohuld be very proud of all your hard work! Emily

I've been prone to bladder infections for years, which can lead to kidney infections if not treated. They really suck! I've been concerned about not being able to get in enough Water to avoid them once I'm banded. YOu have my sympathy...hope you feel better soon! Emily

Mandy~ Thanks for the detailed shopping list...I've been planning and making a list for a couple of weeks now, but there were things I hadn't thought of that you had on your list. Like the squishy pillow to guard against the seatbelt pressure. The voices of experience are priceless! Emily

Thanks, everyone! I just bought the chocolate and unflavored unjury but will look for those you've mentioned, too. I have next Friday off to get all my pre-op testing done so plan to spend the afternoon checking all this stuff out. Emily

Did your doc do just the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) or the T3 and T4 (deeper level testing)? My aunt is a nurse practitioner and said that the THS can be within normal range but when you get the more definitive tests they can show abnormalities. I'm glad you're going to an endocrinologist...they're the specialists that deal with this all the time. Maybe ask him about the more definitive tests?? I think about you often and every time hope that you can get some answers and start losing again. Emily

Congratulations! Glad you seem to be doing well. I can't wait until it's my turn in 3 weeks! Emily

I'm so glad for you! Emily

Hope everything goes well for you and that you're feeling decent again soon! Emily

If she can keep busy with a hobby or something she enjoys doing, that will help, too. I know when I just sit around or watch TV, the food cravings come and I eat automatically. If I'm busy with a project, the time flies and I hardly even think about it. If she likes to read, this is a great time to start an good book! I'd also suggest some counseling if it's possible to help with the food issues and to understand how she got so heavy and how to change the mind set. People here keep saying that the head hunger is worse than the physical hunger, and I'm sure that will be the case for me, too. Its harder to watch our kids go through something tough than to go through it ourselves, I think. Good luck to you both, and consider yourselves hugged! Emily

I am not yet banded (scheduled for Jan. 24) and have learned SO much from these people. They are very open and honest about the pros and cons and what to expect after surgery and healing. I think now I can go into it with a very realistic view of what I'm getting into. Any surgery is scary and has some slight risk, but I agree with sleepyjean...I had to get to the place that my fear of living the rest of my life with the complications of obesity was greater than my fear of the unknown "after surgery" life. From what I understand, eating too much or too fast isn't life threatening, but it can and probably will make you miserable enough so that you don't want to repeat the experience. Most of us need that for behavior modification...obviously what we've been doing so far isn't working or we wouldn't be considering the band. I wouldn't consider the RNY either, so this makes sense for me, I think. Please keep reading here...you will learn so much and it will help you make a better informed decision. Good luck! Emily

Whoo-ee! Congratulations! That's awesome! Emily

Best of luck to you...hope everything goes well and you heal quickly and without incident! Emily

bubblesstina~ My dad is a retired dentist, and my 3 sisters and I all worked in the office all through high school and college. He retired about 5 years ago, and they never had a computer, either, so I do remember the pegboard. Hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it! I was usually at the desk but also did chairside assisting...particularly liked oral surgery stuff...fillings got so boring I'd get cross-eyed!! Emily

Well, I missed the time for "Merry Christmas", but I do wish everyone a WONDERFUL 2006! It will be the beginning of my journey with the band, and I thank all of you who post and share your triumphs and trials...you had a major impact on my decision to go ahead with it. Thank you all and again, Happy New Year! Emily

You look wonderful! Congratulations on the weight loss and on learning to focus more on the good things you have...I think I saw the same special...it was amazing! Emily

You are blessed with 3 beautiful children...glad you had a wonderful Christmas! Emily

My surgeon has done about 300 and has had no erosions. Emily

Grab it and run....I'm delighted that it worked out so quickly for you! I think this might be something that we want desperately and fear at the same time so we're never really ready for the actual event. But you'll be fine. Please keep us posted. And congrats on the whining...sometimes it's the only thing that works Emily

I di great on Prozac but after a couple of years they had to increase my dosage and then it made me twitch, so now I'm on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. My son is Type I diabetic and had severe clinical depression several years ago, but they wouldn't try Zoloft because they said one of the side effects is weight gain. Everyone is so different and the way the different meds work is so different depending on our body chemistry, etc. Hope the Zoloft works well for you! Emily

Thanks for the yogurt tip...I'll remember and try it after banding. Emily

Depression was one of the comorbidities on the list my surgeon gave me that would make having the surgery even more reasonable and easier to have approved. Her decision makes no sense...is there any way you can see another therapist? I can't believe her attitude, and I'm SO sorry. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers that you can find some way to get your band. Emily