Great2BThin

Happy Saturday!! It's a nice hot sunny day here. It's like our 15th or 16th day in a row in the 90's. If we make 18 it's a record they said and the 5 day shows nothing but 90's. I guess I've accepted the fact that I am going to have gall bladder surgery now. At first I was in denial sortta, I just don't want to face another surgery, but sure would rather take care of it now while it's fairly minor than have big stones, an attack, infection or worse later. So will schedule that when I see the surgeon on Wed. Sure is a lot less hoops to go through this time around. Heck he has every test on file still from my banding only 7 weeks ago and if anything I should be healthier now, except for the gall bladder. I also got off BP meds since my surgery, actually at one week out I was off of them. I take nothing now except for my vitamins and supplements. I need something for my knees once in while. I've been taking childrens liquid Ibuprofen. I know it says no NSAIDs but am thinking that's okay since it won't sit in the pouch, but I wll ask and find out on Wed. Knees have been extra bad the past few days.

Amen! to what Nancy said about doing research. I had to be self pay so could go anywhere. It was very tempting to go to the best price and there is a very inexpensive dr in town that many folks fly here for. But I had to go with what was comfortable for me. I chose a Center of Excellence because I liked what that meant, could research the dr's record even. He wasn't the cheapest dr. but, though I am prejudice, I did choose the best, and by the best, he was the best for me, my needs and desires in a surgeon. He may not be the best for the next person which is why research is so important. I have nothing against the cheaper dr. in town, but just knew when I met my surgeon and staff he was the one for me. And now that I have my gall bladder issue he will also take care of it. He will do general surgeries on his bariatric patients. At the time I was researching that didn't mean so much to me as I figured that wouldn't be me, but here I am 6 weeks later and am so glad I don't have to go to a new surgeon for this procedure. And they have been so great in handling my questions about it etc. Good luck to the upcoming bandsters! And Joann I hope you get that date soon!

That's awesome!! We have this big oval tub in our master bath and when we moved in 2 yrs ago I wanted to take a soaker. Could not get down in it between the weight and my bad knee. Or if I got down, there was no getting up. So I look forward to the day. However, I did have one the other day. I was sitting in a chair talking and looked down and I had my legs crossed!! Not completely like a skinny person but it didn't hurt and fall off my knee either. It's a start!

Ahh, you'll be fine. I freaked out a little about 2 days before my surgery too. By the day before I had a real calm about me. I just reminded myself that it was normal to be scared and nervous, however, I made this decision with much thought, research etc. when I was in a much more rational state of mind and that helped me a lot.

Great pics!! You so look like a biker. You should see what I wear. LOL

Me too!! don't like chocolate, would've saved me the awful kindergarten memories being forced to drink my chocolate milk and gagging and throwing up! LOL Janet is in Minnesota with some of her Lucky 7 mates for LBT this weekend.

But then again, a year ago, you probably never thought you could ever go 50+ miles either, and look at you now! It's amazing the progress you folks have made in a year. I'm impressed!

OMG!! That is awesome to ride that much at the end of the day. But be safe!! Do they make lights for bikes?

That is so neat about your daughter, Whosya!! What a positive influence you are on her life!

Welcome home Katarina, and to the other side of the band! I had the hiatal hernia too and came home same day. thanks for the info as well on your gall bladder surgery. I am hoping since my recovery went so well from lap band it should be smooth sailing with gall bladder, after all the worst part of the band was the port site and I won't have that this time. And if it's 3 incisions that's 2 less than I got for the band. Maybe I'll lose some weight then. I have not lost in 9 days, in fact gained 2 of the 4 I lost last week, this week. So frustrating, but I have had great losses so maybe my body is 'resting'. LOL I did take measurements and they have gone down so that is good! Up to 5 inches in some places total.

"Up North", I haven't heard that term since leaving Wisconsin. Both my grandparents had cottages 'up north', I used to love to go there. One of them was even on the Michigan border, we used to go into MI all the time and thought that was so cool as kids to cross the state line. LOL

Janet, I hope you have a wonderful time at the Mall of America. What a great place to shop for new skinny clothes! I finally got the results on my gall bladder today and it sounds like I am facing another surgery. I see the dr on Wed to discuss. I have small gallstones and a poorly functioning gall bladder I guess. I'm hoping they can go in the same holes! My lap band surgeon will also do this surgery so I am pleased about that as I liked him so and no danger of him messing up my band, etc.

Anyone have any info on these Dr.s? I went to Dr. Johnells info session on Tues. am going to Dr. Snyder's on Sat. and Dr. Brown's on Monday. Has anyone used any of these guys? What did you like? not like? Also, just found out from reading these boards about Dr. Kirschenbaum and seems lots of folks come here from all over for him. But what concerned me there is that there's no info sessions, or center of excellence rating, but he does sound cheaper. Not that price should be the only consideration when it comes to surgery but it sure would be a benefit! I'll more than likely have to selfpay.

Now that is something I've not heard before in front of my weight 'only 261'. Thanks for making me feel smaller! Well folks looks like very shortly my riding is going to have to be put aside for a bit again. Looks like I am going to have another surgery! GRRR Dang gall bladder anyway, who needs one? At least my lap band dr. is going to do it so he is familar with my insides. I see him on Wed. to go over everything and be sure. have some questions I want to ask first, of course.

Good afternoon nifties!! I finally found out on my gall bladder today and it's not sounding good. The nurse called and rattled off a bunch of stuff but the main things I remember are poor functioning and sand like stones. Dr. Snyder is willing to take it out, he banded me as well. I just wasn't sure I was ready to schedule another surgery so soon. So I am going in to see her next Wed. for a fill and to talk to Dr. Snyder about my gall bladder. She (the nurse) said i could wait a bit, but that it usually doesn't go away or get better on it's own, especially since I am losing weight. Also I could have an attack and if I got a sharp pain or felt like a wringing of a dishcloth going on inside me to page Dr. S and head to the ER. I dont' want to live life in fear of that either. So looks like surgery. I wonder if they can go in the same holes?? I'm going to look like a pin cushion.

Well considering I just bought this bike, that isn't going to really help. I can't afford to go out and get another. I do ride a recumbant at the gym and it's a little better on the knees but not much. Thanks, because it is exactly that, my size that would've kept me from the bike shop. There's one near my mother in law, next time I go over there I will stop in. Going to experiment with seat height and foot positions in the meantime. Thanks everyone for their help!

Wow so much great advice on my knee problem already!! Thanks! I am not sure if my seat adjusts front or back but I doubt it. My bike is just a cheap one I just got at Walmart, Schwinn Sidewinder 'comfort' bike. I wanted to test the waters before investing too much money so to speak. I guess I feel timid still on the bike and want to be able to touch the ground if need be, but I am building confidence. Also in my still very overweight, out of shape body it's hard for me to get my leg over the seat if it were any higher. I already lie the bike down on the ground to step out of it. LOL I fell once on a boys bike and feet didn't touch and well I got that bar in the crotch and have been scared since (I have a womens bike now so that won't happen). I will check more closer as I pedal how my feet are facing I have a feeling it is outward in the V. It is more comfortable if I put my heels on the pedals but that's awkward pedalling. Thanks for the tips. Not sure I will try today or not, depends on the knees. I bought some childrens liquid ibuprofen and took a double dose since my dr. said no nsaids, I'm hoping that's okay to take since it shouldn't sit in my pouch.

I finally got back on my bike last night. It cooled way down and wasn't so miserable to be out there. I went all the way to the park which is further than I've gone before. But, OH MY KNEES!! They are killing me. I got the bike because of my bad knee (left is bone on bone) and it didn't hurt. Now it hurts terribly and the other knee is starting. It's not the down push on the pedalling either, it's when the knee is up the highest and bent. I've tried raising my seat but it's about as high as it goes (I'm 5'9") that I can hardly swing my leg over to get on and off or touch the ground from my seat. any suggestions? Today I can hardly walk.

Felicia, you sound just like me. I can do low carb easy as I'm not much into the breads etc. either. I get about 700-900 calories a day and my carbs are in veggies, etc. as well. I had great restriction last week after my first fill but it seems to be gone this week. We travelled today and I had a piece of pizza, I was hoping it wouldn't go down so well!! LOL It was only one piece though. I try to watch my protein more than the calories though. I may get another fill next week or the week after.

I had a major one for me today! I flew and the seat belt not only fit but had extra left. And one flight I got the middle seat, and it wasn't unbearable and I didn't spill over. Usually my butt would kindda go under the armrests and push the armrests up. This is huge for me. DH works for the airlines and I can fly anywhere in the world for free, but have hardly gone because I would literally get panic attacks about middle seats and seat belts. Now I got my wings back and I am ready to fly!!!

Hi, I posted this on the Colorado thread but thought more people would see it here. There was an article about banding in today's Denver Post and it made the front page. Here's a link: Foreign surgeries tip scales to relax U.S. rules - The Denver Post

Thanks, Felicia. That's what I was doing but seem to be slowing down. If you don't mind my asking, how many calories are you consuming? I'm at about 700-900 right now since my fill. I just talked to the nurse at my surgeons office and I may get another fill after the 1st of August. I'm going out of town and wasn't sure I wanted to do it before leaving as I hear flying tightens you up. BTW, I used to live in Vegas, in Henderson/Green Valley actually. I enjoyed our brief time there.

I had to wait til my 6th week to get a fill. I had great restriction but can tell it's a lot less already only a week later. Will see how the next week goes and if need I can get another, just have to wait 2 weeks between fills. Not all of us reading the Post are!! :seeya: But those comments are the main reason I was scared to tell folks about having the surgery as there does seem to be a stigma attached to it or a lot of misinformed or misunderstanding folks out there. Maybe it has to be with Denver just having been named the post fit city in the nation. LOL I told Dan my surgery tipped the scales in Denvers favor. ha ha Seriously though, please don't lump me with the clueless persons, as I am in Denver and read the post.

I really enjoyed those first posts that you shared today. It gives me hope. I am where BG was where my butt hurts and it's all I can do to do the 1.5!! Now many of you mentioned getting new Schwinn's at Walmart. Are you still riding those? I'm assuming you've upgraded by now. That's what I got to start myself.

I just talked to the nurse in my sugeons office. Probably won't hear til Thurs. as he's out of town. She may be able to go over the results with him over the phone but doubtful. GRRRR Why are the calories affecting your sleep? Are you waking up hungry? For me when I eat really low, I am sleepy so have no troubles. LOL I was that way the day of my fill as I was on liquids for most of the day and had one mushy thing (refried beans) for dinner and very few of thoes. I conked out early and slept late.