JanetC

I'm so sorry to see you go! And please keep up posted weekly, monthly or something -- as often as you can stand to stop by. If we lose all the wisdom from the board, we become just a bunch of snivelling know-it-all band-children grovelling around in our ignorance. These warriors have fought long term & tired, bloody, wounded, exhausted, they want nothing more then to share their experiences with us. (Don't know why the war images, lol, think I've been watching too many specials today!) I sure hope all of ya'll will reconsider & hang around. Remember that trends come & go... give it a month, this fighting trend is bound to move on. Man I hope so, anyway! (( Hugs Leatha! ))

I had an absolute panic attack in the pre-op room. Poor Mikey was there to hold my hand. I did fine while they talked to me & had me sign things, but then the IV was in & I was prepped for everything... and the doctor was late. So we just had to sit there... waiting.... I started hyperventilating, really worked myself up. Mikey finally got me to listen to him -- I was squirming & about to rip the IV out. He had me start breathing -- VERY important. And talked to me about why I was doing it... what the long term results were going to be. Had me start the "mind pictures" again. He re-convinced me right there, in the pre-op room. And then all the deep breathing got to me & I went to sleep, lol. I woke (barely) when they put me on the table, but not enough to panic, thank goodness. Then the next time I woke up it was done. I did freak out then, but who could tell? lol. Go morphine!! At that point the freaking was that it was done & I hadn't witnessed it, of all things! And that Mikey wasn't in the room with me... I focused on breathing really well so they'd let me OUT OF THAT ROOM!!! (Morphine makes your breathing slow, so they watch you closely. Get your breathing nice & deep & oxegenated & they'll let you out! ) Then I got to my room & Mikey was there & I went to sleep. **AHHHHHHH!! Sweet relief!!** In retrospect, all the panic was for naught. It all went great. I'd already prayed & trusted & planned & anticipated. Not sure why I turned the panic on, but I eventually got through it. All in all, it was worth it. We have hope again. We've been re-equipped to step into the battle lines & take up our swords again in the never-ending battle against food. Long story to say... breathe, pray, hang in there, it'll be over soon & you'll be glad for the rest of your life!! ((( HUGS!! )))

I think it's just Mikey & I that went to Southlake... it's the Harris Methodist Surgical Center in Southlake, across the street from "Southlake Town Center". It's brand new, gorgeous, convenient, etc. http://www.hmsouthlake.com/ Dr Sewell's offices are in the center, as is all of our team: PT, shrink, etc. http://www.lapbandspecialists.com/ http://www.robertsewellmd.com/index.htm I'm not sure if he'll take outside patients, but he's a good guy. We're in Keller as well (377 & N Tarrant). It's about 15-30 min for us, but much better then Dallas or Plano!

Date Banded: 2/15/06 Country: USA Doctor: Dr Robert Sewell Eroded: No

Wow! Why can't you drink the Protein drinks? Allergies? If so, you might try a health food store & see about soy drinks or something. No drinks is scary!! I'd tell your doctor you're not eating at all. Surely he has a viable option for folks that can't do protein drinks!! I know that we're on broth, creamy Soups, etc. Can't wait for mashed potatoes! Good luck!!

liquids wash the food through the upper pouch. So no liquid means you feel full longer. My doc's rule is 15 min before, 2 hours after. Not sure I can obey it! 39 pounds?? WOW!!!! Congrats!

Hang in there Stacey!! Deep breaths! The worst is the waiting during pre-op. You get all nerved up, then they make you sit / lay & wait!! If you can, go to sleep! Makes it go a LOT faster!! For me, the worst pain was in recovery, because you're really not all there. But they've got the GOOD stuff there! (Morphine) They'll take good care of you... and after 2-3 hours you'll have napped & be back among the living. At that point, the pain wasn't bad at all, though I could always tell when the meds were wearing off! And I moaned & groaned enough to get sympathy from a rock! I'm 5 days out now & just weaned myself off pain meds -- mostly, lol. My hubby went to meds at bedtime only after 3 days, he's all stoic & stuff. I'm a full-fledged member of the no-pain gang! I'm already glad I did it & would happily do it again. Not my favorite day, but well worth it!! At least I hope it will be! Now to get a fill......

Hiya Feb Bandsters!! Sorry I went AWOL this week. Mikey got his band successfully placed on Monday & I had mine on Wed. I'm finally back in action. I'm ashamed to say that HE was the better patient! **blush** I moan & groan about every ache & pain. He sailed through with little to no problems & keeps reminding me that I'm 2 days behind & saying that he was as whiney as I was on THIS day (yeah right, lol, I was there!) He's a sweet heart for sure. Oh, I was TERRIFIED right before the surgery... during pre-op. The "stark raving mad" kind of terrified. I ended up deep-breathing with Mikey's assistance. I went to sleep before they wheeled me down the hall, lol, helped tons! Hang in there when you're scared, picture your happy place with all of us hugging you & sending you happy thoughts! The pain is really not THAT bad, and the drugs are GREAT!! Anyway, I'm finally catching up & hopefully got everyone's everything updated. If I missed you, let me know! It's great to see everyone doing so well!

I just have to tell someone, lol, so ya'll are it! :clap2: After being told for... um... all of his life that he should record an album, Mikey FINALLY did! Woo hoo!! The album is all hymns done with piano & vocals. He's got a gorgeous voice! Anyway, if you're interested: www.mikeycunningham.com I can't wait for his next one! He's already got plans in the works, once we get done with this ol' surgery thang. ((Happy dance!!))

14 is awesome!! :Banane40: I lost 2 ((blush)). I'll just take credit for some of Mikey's, lol.

My momma always told me to eat papaya when I had an upset stomach, lol. Don't know about it digesting protein. :roll:

Make sure you're reaching for Protein first -- for the hungry part. Otherwise, a call or email to your doctor / nurse / nutritionist might be in order. To suddenly double the amount you eat, ouch! That much weight loss in a month is scary good. Congrats!

Mykidsdad (I think it was him) said to always keep something in your hand, so you psychologically THINK you're eating all the time. So always have a cup of broth, or some tea, or a popsicle, or whatever. Also, if you can do Protein Drinks, it should help calm the rumbling a little. For our clear liquid days, I'm stocking Isopure Zero Carb RTD (watch the Zero Carb part!!): http://www.naturesbest.com/index.html?section=Shopping&catsec=208&-session=thisSession:66E77B3BDD1AD9D09A6A6584CEA7A0E2 Good luck & congrats on the banding!! Hang in there!!

I've also heard that the body-fat "foot scales" don't work as well for women as for men. It's effected by the tides, so to speak. Women should use the hand analyzers. I'd chalk it up to Water retention & ignore it.

Just a quick search brought up: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/cs/divisions/obesity/surgical_sleeve.html

The Isopure site: http://www.naturesbest.com/index.html?section=Shopping&catsec=208&-session=thisSession:66E77B3BDD1AD9D09A6A6584CEA7A0E2 I think it tastes like Koolaid... Mikey thinks it tastes like dirt, lol. Our GNC doesn't carry it, but Vitamin Shoppe does. Just be sure to get the Zero Carb version if you're watching carbs! I'm dreading the liquid part, so we're well stocked. 3 days to go!

That's awesome Elisa! Keep it up! I've heard as you go back to solid food that you'll gain some... so don't get discouraged, keep your eyes on the long-term prize!

Sounds like good odds to me! Congrats on getting through to the next step!

Heh, mine's promised no chocolates this year, lol. :roll:

Awesome! Looks like Feb 15th & 21st are gonna be hopping! :couch2: Hopefully I got everyone... if I missed seeing your post, let me know!

Whenever you get a weight loss post it. (That goes for all of you.) I'll try to keep up with it! Oh, and when you get fills, throw it up here too. That way we can keep track of how our month is doing. Might help for moral support in some form or fashion, lol.

Welcome to LBT Sabine! We're so glad to have you hanging out here! And that new band is the coolest device ever!! No port for infections! Of course the antenna could get infected... maybe eventually it'll all be a part of the band. You're doing awesome on it! Great weight loss! Thanks so much for letting us know about the test & your journey with it!

Read this thread too (I got my questions from it): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12541 Add to it: Does he do endoscopy on a regular basis (18 months or once a year)? If you feel like you've slipped or eroded, what would his procedure be? Do you have to pay for band removal or is it guaranteed (and if guaranteed, for how long)? Those are all worse case scenarios, but I wish I'd asked 'em. Mind you, I did ask a ton, lol, poor doc!

Keep us updated Jodie! I'm worried about you!

That's gorgeous!! Your own private tropical get away! (Color me jealous! )