Dody

So funny you mentioned meeting an old friend and "she didn't recognize you because SHE had aged so much", not sure if this was a joke or not, but I'm still laughing over it. I'm convinced my street is much longer than when I moved in here 5 years ago, and yes the bags of groceries are much heavier, but I think it's the darn clerks fault who is loading the bags. I also think all these young whippersnappers talk in code or too low for us to hear just to irritate us. Of course in my town 3/4 is Mexican and I have no idea if they are saying hello or go to hell to me...so it doesn't really matter much. I just give them a friendly nod and go on my way. Now why on earth do people move to the U.S. and are here for years and they either choose not to speak English or they didn't learn. That irritates me to no end. I'm convinced they are merely trying to befuddle me moreso than I already am. People also seem to honk a lot at me when I'm driving. I wonder if I'm too slow or too fast or just normally erratic. I've never had a ticket, but that's probably because I never go fast enough. I'm so glad that I can relate to someone this well on the forum. I thought for awhile I was simply losing my mind

So happy you have now got your band and are getting just a little bit better. I know when I had my heart surgery I was scared to death. I too talked a lot to God, and the surgeon held my hand and we said a little prayer and I asked God to guide his hands. He did a wonderful job of helping me out, and I think he did a wonderful job with you too. Your being scared so bad may have contributed somewhat to your almost panic attack (I have them too) and your asthma certainly didn't help things. Every day you will feel a little better and a little stronger. Ask a million questions. There are so many smart people on here that have been through the surgery (I'm not one of them-not banded yet) and they will get you through this. I read all their posts and I'm encouraged by them too. God Bless and have a wonderful recovery.

A nurse will take you out in a wheelchair (doesn't matter if you can walk or not), it's hospital policy everywhere. They will NOT allow you to drive yourself. I'll tell you what I did. I had open heart surgery and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. I had driven myself to the hospital (thought I had indigestion) and my car had sat there 2 weeks in the emergency room parking lot. The nurse insisted on wheeling me out. I called a taxi, she saw me off, and I had him drive around the parking lot to my car, and off I went. I have to admit it was painful though. I had a friend bring me a pillow to the hospital and I put that between the seatbelt and myself. I could have had a friend drive me, but I wasn't leaving my car there any longer. It's always an option to go that route. They do have lockers to keep your purse and everything else. If you are staying the night, you have to refuse any type of pain medication in the morning...you don't want to be driving impaired. You know it isn't the ideal solution, but in my case it was the only one. I had one aspirin the morning I was dismissed.

You've done a great job. There is a chance that what you want your body to be at and where your body is comfortable are two very different things. That doesn't mean you can't slowly lose more weight, but perhaps your body has lost all it wants and the process slows down dramatically. I've seen that happen with RNY patients also. My daughter is 35 and is a diabetic. She is 5'5" and 120 lbs. Nothing prepared us for this diagnosis. She had gestational diabetes when she was pregnant but the dr. assured us it would probably go away. It didn't. She is now on insulin every day, so your weight doesn't have everything to do with your being a diabetic. You may lose 20 more lbs. and still be diabetic. Some things you just may have to adjust too. People equate diabetes more with being heavy, but the truth is it can strike anyone. My daughter works out and runs and eats healthy, but the disease got her anyway, and with no family history that I know of. Good luck to you, and congratulations on that great weight gain. Those elusive 20 more lbs. may just be your body telling you it is content where it is.

I just got my summer sandals from Crocs in the mail. They are cute as all get out. Because they have an open toe they don't have the big wide foot (like Sasquatch) on them. I'm going to order some more at Zappos.com. I like the Metro style. I live in either my Crocs or Birkies.:hititbanana:

When you came home what did you find it most comfortable to wear. I'm wondering if I should be looking at jogging wear with the elastic band or what. Because I won't be alone and will be at my daughter's home I can't run around in a nightgown (which I don't like anyway). I was thinking perhaps one of those cotton shifts that snap up the front, but I have no clue. Will the little bit of elastic on my pants bother my port? Thanks for all your help. Also, how long before you ventured outside and did some walking or went to the store and felt comfortable? I guess my problem is I will be at my daughters but her friends are always in and out (not to mention her hubby does a lot of work from home and has friends stop by) so although I want to be comfortable I know I can't hang out in some shorty gown or something.

There is an old saying in the nursing field that "Cardiologists and Neurologists Think They Sit In The Right Hand Of God". The rest of the jerky doctors are scrambling for a spot in the left hand. Yes, a lot of them are jerks. I like my cariologist, but when it comes to my scar and the pain it causes me he brushes it off. It's embarrassing to be out in public five years post-op and have an itch between your boobs, and it never stops itching. I asked him if I should consider plastic surgery and he said "if anyone gets that close they aren't really going to care about the scar"....so much for sympathy. I have huge scars on both upper legs as they couldn't find enough veins in one leg for the bypass. I do believe the janitor stitched them as well. Although they healed, they are ugly to the max and if I lost 100 lbs. I'd never wear a bathing suit because of them. They border on grotesque.

Because of the port location which will be to the left of my bellybutton, I'm wondering if underpants will be appropriate to help with the port...the pulling sensation, or if it is better to go "pantless". I'm so uninformed in this area. I think I've learned a lot on this forum about the surgery itself and what to expect, but I never saw anyone address what they wore afterwards. If I was going to be home I would probably settle for comfortable nighties as I live alone, but I'm going to be visiting and that certainly isn't appropriate. I just ordered a snap up knee-length robe from Blair and some yoga pants from Silhouette's (they have really nice things there, thanks for the info on it), but the underwear is a touchy subject...to be or not to be that is the question. I've always had trouble with bras since my open heart surgery. It was 6 mo. before I could wear a sports bra and never one that fastened in the front (somehow that bothered my scar more). I'm finally wearing regular bras, although I can't wear underwire at all, and now I think I'll be going back into sports bras. I think my heart dr. spent 9 hours on my surgery, got tired, and had the janitor stitch me up. My scar looks like a huge zipper with keloids on it....very ugly and looks like it was done yesterday, and is still painful. When I tell my dr. he very non-chalantly says "You are alive aren't you"...DUH.

Congrats on that great weight loss. You girls are great inspiration.

Crocs are "butt ugly" but there isn't a more comfortable shoe in the world. I got the idea from my daughter who is on her feet all day at a hospital. I wish they had "Crocs" when I was nursing. They are like walking on a cloud.

Some wonderful ideas here. I'm going to hit a few stores for the shift dresses and the snap front shifts. I do have a couple of the loose pull on dresses from Blair, so that is a great idea. I am also going to check out Silhouettes.com. Thanks so much to you all for your help and God Bless.

Mary's hackles went up when her hubby paid you a compliment. Perhaps he doesn't pay enough of them to her. She just might be fighting her own demons, so unlike the others I think I would feel sorry for her that she felt she had to make this remark. She was protecting what she thinks is "her property". She has probably definitely noticed you losing weight and if she didn't say anything before her husband did....well you have to think she is wondering how, when, why, where and how. She certainly isn't positive energy, but I would confront her if she is the friend you think she is, and let her know that her remarks hurt me. If you can't be completely honest with a friend then they weren't a friend to start with.

Someone on here the other day was asking about some type of "timer". This must have been what they meant. It sounds like it could really help. I haven't had my surgery yet, but have jotted down the info to order one.

ROFLMAO. So funny. Seems strange to hear the "bullshitting" remark come from a dr., but oh so true. That is what he told me, but I don't think I would want it anyway. What the heck would I do with it? It would just remind me of a bad experience I would just as soon forget. You mentioned you have a whole drawer full of them. Do most people feel like me and simply don't want it or reminders of it? Why the heck to you keep them. Do you have a band fetish or just a collector?

I guess if they could put mouthwash in a strip they could put an antacid in a strip. How well it works I don't think we will know till someone tries them and lets us know. Sounds like a great way to take it though. It would be nice if all medication could be taken this way after lap banding and then we wouldn't have to worry about swallowing pills.

Isn't it strange how we find "food" to escape the things we have to or need to give up. In my case it was smoking. As a smoker I was thin......but I had open heart surgery, had my cigarettes taken away overnight, and thought I was doing great, but I turned to food without even realizing until I started gaining that I was on my own path to destruction. Then is the time I needed some form of intervention, but I'm not sure I was ready to accept it. I thoroughly enjoyed smoking and I was angry at the people that had taken it away from me. I'm sure giving up drinking is equally as hard and you found a substitute in food. Why couldn't we have taken up going to the gym or something Best of luck, you will do wonderfully. It is normal to be a little fearful. I know that I am. Let us know how you are doing.

Because of the heart bypass I had to wait 2 years for gallbladder surgery. I never really had a bad attack. I had very small stones fortunately. I can eat anything and everything I ever ate before with no problems. No problems with diarrhea or anything else. I guess I've been very lucky. I sure don't miss that yucky gallbladder. If you have gallbladder disease it isn't going to disappear. There is no way those stones are going to dissolve themselves. They are a potential danger just waiting to happen again.

My doctor has assured me if the band slips or erodes within a three-year-period he will perform any surgery needed to make it right at no additional cost. That is probably why I opted for the surgeon I did. The fills are also part of the whole program.

My dr. has put on my list of "have to gets" a kitchen timer. He wants me to set it at 20 min. and regardless of anything stop eating at that time (plus never eat after 7:00 p.m.). I'm not sure about a timer that tells you when to take a bite, only one that tells you when to stop eating. He also reminded me that chewing very, very well is the key to success.

I was told by my dr. that should my band ever erode or slip to the point it had to be removed that under no circumstances could I keep it. It must be returned for testing and to see if the experts can figure out what happened. I doubt the same is true in Mexico, as I've heard of people keeping their bands, but I've never heard of anyone who was banded in the US getting to keep the band once it was removed. If I'm wrong, please chime in and let me know.

This lady was 61 years old getting her gall bladder out and reveled at how easy it went and what a fast recovery it was. I must be one crusty old broad for sure. Now, if I come back whining about the lap band surgery remind me of this post

I have a negative upper GI and sure hope I don't get reflux again ever. Tell me where you buy the Aloe Vera juice please. I think you gave that girl some good advice. I to was thinking she is irritating her stomach and that band after only 3 weeks out.

My appt. to see the surgeon and dietician is Apr 10. I only have to be on a supervised diet for 2 weeks, so I still have a good chance by the end of April. I so want to be able to go to the Kentucky Derby, and I just know it's going to be right around my surgery date. I will, however, get to go to Bristol and see Tony Stewart and NASCAR before my surgery, which is excellent news. I own a part of a horse (I think the most important part...the nose) that is running in the derby and I so wanted to be there. My two passions are horse racing and NASCAR. I couldn't choose one over the other.

You have had no luck with the doc you have, so why not give a newcomer a try. It seems to me nothing could go worse than it has. I'm so sorry for the trouble you have. Have you ever been checked for slippage or erosion to see if that may be the cause of you not losing weight. Maybe it is time to change doctors if he hasen't suggested any of this to you.

You are much more liable to lose more slowly with the band and keep it off permanently then you are with GB. I've seen people three years out that have stretched the pouch and are gaining their weight back. I wouldn't even consider it an option for myself. You can always get a fill in the lapband, but there is nothing can be done about stretching out the GB pouch.