dbowers

Hello, I've been away from the forum for a while, but I'm seriously needing prayer. I'm scheduled for knee replacement surgery, and I have to lose 5 more lbs or my doctor won't do it. My weight loss has been very slow: I've discovered I'm a real stress eater and Satan has been doing double time in keeping me stressed. My surgery date is 23 Sept 09, and there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do this. Any encouraging words would be appreciated.

I just had my third fill about a week ago. I'm now at 5cc's with the Realize band which is 10cc's max. I'm starting to feel a little restriction but not much; and I haven't lost anything since the start of this. but I'm not going to get discouraged.

I just had my first fill - 3cc's about 3 weeks ago. Not feeling any restriction yet. My official weigh in shows gaining 2 lbs, but my scale says no gain. I'm still confident the loss will come, but I get so hungry; so I know how you feel. We just have to hang in there and be patient, eat moderately and don't over-indulge. We'll get there.

Had a dumb question: What does "fluoro" mean? I had my first fill a week ago - 3cc - but I didn't sit up and I didn't drink anything while he did it. I just layed on my back, he numbed it and then filled it - no problem no pain. He did have me take a bottle of water and sit in the waiting room for about 20 minutes while I sipped it. He said if I had any problems to let him know before I left.

It will be 4 weeks this Friday for me. I've lost 16lbs counting the two weeks pre-op. I've been holding my 16lbs lost for over a week now; probably because I'm in between my post op healing period and 1st fill time and I have been eating a little more. I expected that though. I know I'll pick up losing again once I have my first fill and get back to more restriction. I also realize that that equates to 4lbs a week, and for a woman that's a pretty great loss. It's really hard for me to lose - I'm post menopausal and am low thyroid so I have that working against me. Like everyone has said, everyone is different. Just keep doing what you're supposed to do, if you slip up just get back on the wagon and keep going. The weight will come off. Good luck to you.

Yes, you made me laugh tonight. I remember a few years back I went to the cafeteria at work, fixed a sandwich and went to the condiment station, and pushed down on the mustard spicket (sp?). It was clogged and shot out all over my new blouse, face, glasses and hair. I was quite a picture, and it was a long walk to the ladies restroom !

Ditto ! I wore mine for about 1 day, and I broke out with a rash all the way around my stomach that lasted for over a week. It was awful. My skin is so sensitive anyway. I used a whole tube of Hydrocortisone cream and Gold Bond baby powder to stop the itch. I am also sensitive to the adhesive on the tape they used with my IV. It was red for days. My doctor suggested wearing a T shirt under it, but by that time I was ok without it.

I don't get my first fill until Jun 23rd. That seems like a year away, and I have had a bad week. With Memorial Day and eating out more often, I'm back to my old bad habits. It's like I freaked out that I couldn't eat and now that I can again I want to take advantage of it. But I'm ready to get back on track. I've lost 16 lbs and gained back 1 or 2. I've felt so great I don't want to lose that. I've realized that this is exactly why I had the Lap Band done to begin with; because I have a problem with control. We will always slip occasionally, because we're only human. We just need to tighten our belts and get back to business and focus on how great we'll look and feel this summer compared to last summer!

I had my surgery April 30th, and after 1 week I had first major hunger pain. If I only ate 3oz per meal, I'd be starving; and I'm way past mushies. I don't eat hard foods though. I'm like Baggio, I've never been nauseous or felt that food was stuck. But I could sure nibble all day if I let myself. These past 2 or 3 days I've been really bad. My two week doctor visit is the 19th and I go back to work. I think that will help to get busier. I'm working at home right now by myself, and I get a little more bored. My problem is I'm a carbaholic; breads, pasta and all that. I need to get back on track. I'm glad you're all here for support.

Has anyone else had a problem with a rash around the stomach area from the binder? It's really red and itching terribly. I'm trying Cortizone-10 Plus but it doesn't seem to be helping. It covers from one side around to the other.

This is fantastic. I have some diflucan. I'll start on them today. Thanks soooo much!!

I wonder if this belching will eventually go away or is this a side-affect thing? I'm 8 days post op. The gassy chest and back pain is waning, but I still have mini-belches every time I eat or drink.

Frances, so are you talking about Malox the antacid?? So what is the recipe? Could something other than Malox work? I'm using the gold bond already and it does relieve the itching for a while, but the redness is still there. I do have a prescription of steroid cream I got a month or so ago for a yeast rash on my stomach. What if I mixed those? My stomach and chest has just recently become very sensitive to soaps, moisture and all that. It's driving me crazy. I've been to a dermotologist and my family doctor about it. How long do you leave the paste on? I'm willing to try it.

I also saw 60 minutes, and it was amazing. They did talk about the insurance issue, that it was being looked at for diabetics even if you don't meet the BMI requirement. I was right at BMI 40, but with numerous health issues - high BP, high Choles, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis in my knees and requiring replacement, back trouble, low thyroid, etc etc and I'm only 54. I just decided this wasn't living and had to do this. My insurance approved me right away. Good luck!

I was prescribed Ursodiol a gallstone dissolving agent (?) which really surprised me. I am to take 2 a day for 6 months. Also Pantoprazole for acid reflux, and Scopolamine transderm Patches for nausea if needed.

Thank you for your responses. I stopped wearing it several days ago, but the redness and itching is still there. Gold Bond powder seems to relieve the itching pretty well, even more than the cream. I called my doctor too, and they said if it doesn't get better in a few days they may want me to take some Benadryl.

The binder is the thing they wrap around your stomach for support...

I am also in my 4th day post-op. I've had pain in my upper chest and back from the gas. Slowly but surely it is passing (excuse the pun). The Gas-X strips have helped some, water and walking. Hang in there.

My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. I'm wanting to hear from any other post op-ers that have sleep apnea. My question is at what point in losing do you need to have another sleep study done, or how do you know if you CPAP level is too high? I'm hoping my apnea goes away. I have a love-hate relationship with my CPAP right now. :wink2:

Thanks everyone, I can't wait to get rid of my CPAP either. (I've never found the headgear that I'm completely comfortable with, and I hate the marks it leaves on your face. I don't have it too tight, any looser and it affects the fit of the mask.) Y'all let me know how your sleep study's go...

Hi, I am on Cymbalta due to depression and anxiety. It was my thyroid doctor that initially prescribed it because I was feeling over whelmed at work - and still am. When I had my Psych evaluation, he went over my meds and saw Cymbalta. He asked me nothing about why I was taking it. We had our normal consultation, and a written test. I believe that other conditions that we have can contribute to depression and anxiety. My psych called me with my evaluation results and he said he felt that my reasons for wanting the surgery were all sound reasons, my expectations following the surgery were normal; and that my written test reflected the same. Being overweight makes me feel very down and unhappy, because I hurt all the time and can't do the things I want to. I would think that a written referral from your current therapist would be a real plus, if he feels some of your depression is because of your weight. Lap Band is HUGE lifestyle change, and they just want to make sure you're mentally up for it. Good Luck to you.

Hello, I'm kind of new to this forum. My surgery date is this Wednesday. Wanted to share with you that I've just started a Sunday School class on Beth Moore's "Get Out of That Pit". You should pick up her book. We're discussing how Satan loves to get you down into that pit and off the right track in every aspect of your life. This class came at a good time for me.

I get the 23 hour deal if I need it per my insurance. I think staying one night isn't a bad idea though. I would hate to go home too soon and have problems. It would be reassuring to be close to the doctors.

Yesterday I woke up with a mild sore throat, and it's still sore today and my voice sounds deep. No congestion, fever or anything else though. I'm hoping it's just sinus drainage, so I'm not re-scheduling. My surgery is this Wednesday.

Mid-week during the first week, I cheated. I just got hungry. After that I guess I adjusted and didn't feel as hungry so I've been okay since. I'm not losing much weight though, maybe 5 lbs. so I hope my liver is okay. My surgery is this week Apr 30th.