U_go_gurl68

Welcome to lbt. I hope you find this site helpful in your journey.

I really love it here and have met quite a few people in all stages.

I can't wait to read your posts throughout the process.

Best wishes,

stephanie

I am an rn on a pediatric unit so not too much heavy lifting except with our older kids, but i will say, the first couple of times i was accidentally kicked in my stomach i thought i was going to pass out.

I was originally going to have my surgery on friday and return to work the following tuesday, but since my surgery was rescheduled for a later time, it happened to fall during my two week vacation. I was so glad i had the full two weeks off. I don't think i could have made it back in three to four days afterall. My surgeon didn't recommend it either since we are always on our feet and doing alot of lifting and turning.

The other bit of information that i received from him was that we are at a higher risk for band infections if we come in contact with mrsa infected patients, as well as becoming carriers. He said he realizes how careful we (nurses) are with handwashing, but that in some cases, there have been those that have gotten mrsa, even after the incisions have healed, which caused an infection around the band and early erosion. He suggested more frequent handwashing, wearing gloves even if you don't think you need to and scrubbing with antibacterial soap from head to toe after work. He said he would recommend immediately going home to shower rather than doing other things first, like shopping, etc in our scrubs.

I am sure some of you probably already know this, but i thought i would pass on the info anyway.

Best wishes to all,

stephanie

well i had the surgery, just no band! Lol (i've got the 6 holes to prove it :biggrin:

doc said to stick religiously to the preop diet and he'll try again 8/29!

I can say for me, post op pain is non-existent (and he said how i do now is how i'll feel with the band) so that's good. A few tylenol and i'm good to go!

sorry this happened. So now does that mean you will have six new holes the next go around? I don't think they would reopen the old incisions would they? Doesn't sound good for healing purposes.

Best wishes,

stephanie

You will do great. I can't wait to read your posts post-op and all your successes along the way.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Do you have a 401k account? My original plan fell through and I had to borrow from my 401k account. I applied for the loan the Tuesday before my surgery and by Wednesday night, the money was in my account. I knew right then and there, this surgery was meant to be.

I hope you get it all worked out. I know how frustrating it is just to be waiting for your date to arrive and then the financial part get all messed up.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

For immediate relief, you could try something like Milk of Magnesium, but perhaps you need to add a stool softener to your daily intake, such as Colace. Taking fiber supplements are a good idea but only if you are taking in plenty of fluids on a regular basis. If you don't take enough Water in (or other liquids), you will only end up making the problem worse. Your body needs the liquids to help move the fiber through, but if you don't take enough in, you are just making a brick of fiber in your gut, which could cause a tear in your colon when you are trying to push it out.

Your best bet for long term, is to get a stool softener, especially if you are straining a lot, which can cause hemorroids or changes in your heart rate and blood pressure. Also like another poster said, add prune juice, prunes, or other raw vegetables.

Make sure you are moving a lot too. Lack of activity can cause Constipation since we aren't moving well after surgery and taking narcotic pain medications is another big cause of constipation. Just don't take laxatives for long periods of time because you will then become dependent on them, making the problem worse.

Good luck with finding a solution. I know exactly how you feel. I went the first three weeks without a BM and felt terrible.

I used Phentermine a few years ago and lost 80lbs, but when I quit taking them the weight piled on quickly. The next time I tried to do the same, I couldn't tolerate them as well. I had dry mouth so bad, my tongue hurt and my teeth left painful indentions on it from being so dehydrated dispite my high liquid intake. The doc had also prescribed a diuretic along with the diet pills. I didn't lose more than the 8lbs of Water weight and my heartbeat became irregular. I work night shift, so I felt like I never got any sleep, because I was so hyped. Once I got off the pills, I felt so drained for awhile.

That experience is what made me decide to be banded. I knew it would be slower than diet pills, but the reason for wanting to lose weight in the first place was for better health and I wasnt getting healthier with diet pills. In fact, I was making things worse.

Good luck,

Stephanie

The clinic I went through ordered the Optifast and had it sent to my house.

I didn't drink much of it as it was irritating to my stomach. I am lactose intolerant and they didn't tell me Optifast had some milk fat in it until I let them know how much it was making me sick. They then told me I could drink whatever Protein drink I wanted if it had a high Protein content and not just something like slim fast or carnation instant Breakfast that had lots of carbs.

Good luck on your pre-op diet and surgery.

Stephanie

Slinderella2b,

Thanks for not getting upset with anything I said. I worried about it after I had posted because my intention was not to make you feel bad. We all fall and we all pick ourselves up again and again. We will do so until we get it right. It is just that I don't like to think of people failing when they have come so far just in making the decision to be banded. Most of the time, it is after a lifetime of bad habits and illness and many failed attempts. I know, because some of that is me too.

I never post anything to make myself feel like I know more because Lord knows I don't and I am fairly new to this myself. I guess it helps keep me on track by reinforcing my thoughts with myself as well. Again thank you for being so sweet.

Here's to better choices, healthier lifestyle and the benefit of being a slender, new us.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Ok I am like a week out from getting my first fill and as I expected I am still eating what I want and how I want although I try to eat right it never happens it's like walking again you have to learn. But with no restriction I am eating basically what I want. Well today I was being bad, ( I am about to have a visitor sorry tmi) and I wanted so bad a double decker taco from taco bell. I got one and ate it chewing very carefully (becasue I still try and practice that . Anyway I am feeling like it's stuck in my throat/chest and it's not painful just uncomfrotable and this is the first time I have felt this. Is that restriction?

First of all, I want to say I am not trying to be mean or bash you because I am not. I have read so many comments when someone pours their heart out and they get attacked. That is not my intention as I struggle just like you. What caught my attention is that you said, you eat what you want and how much you want. Even though it is hard, (very hard) the key is to change what you "want" and "how " you want. I know it is easier when you have good restriction, but the band is not going to decide what is a "good" choice for your diet. I believe when the doc says after a time we will be able to eat what we want, it doesn't mean continue the old diet, but in smaller portions. If it is bad, it is bad. Going from supersize heart attack meal to a smaller portion of the same, is not all that much different; it is still bad.

Like I said, I struggle with this constantly too and I guess I am lucky in that I haven't really had any cravings for anything. But I do know what I use to eat and sometimes my head will try to tell me to go ahead and eat it, but I don't because my motivation is to be healthy no matter what the cost.

I am sorry in advance if I said anything to offend you. I have just read so many entries where people are blaming the band for not working or blaming non restriction for eating what they know deep inside they shouldn't just because they can. I know because I have done this myself and for me, it is hard, but I am working on changing my relationship with food. I didn't pay $12,000.00 to fail at this and I am not going to let food beat me. This is a mental game and I have to make myself mentally stronger and that is what being here on this site is doing for me.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Oh by the way, Have you added yourself to the June bandsters? They are a great bunch of people. There is also someone keeping a log of everyone's progress.

Hi-- I would love to chat with someone- surgery 6/20 and 24 pounds down-- want to discuss normalcy of my progress....:wink_smile:

Congrats on your weight loss; you seem to be doing great. I was banded on 6/30 and have lost about 18lbs. I seem to be at a standstill that has lasted two weeks. I know I need to schedule my first fill, but haven't yet. Once I get that fill, hopefully the weightloss will get a jumpstart again. I was doing well with eating small portions and not being hungry between, but no weight loss in two weeks, the only thing I am guessing is I need to schedule that fill.

Best wishes to you and I hope to continue reading your success stories on the boards.

Stephanie

Has there been any significant or small changes in your life? Sometimes we get determined to lose weight at first because of a new relationship or we are starting over again. Once everything seems comfortable we lapse and temporarily lose site of everything. I am not saying this is you, but for whatever reasons we have failed on other programs in the past, could happen here as well. Perhaps it has nothing to do with food, but more of how you are feeling about something personal in your life.

I fear this happening to me one day, because I have always been an emotional eater. I have always done well with diets and lost significant amounts of weight only to put it back on because I wasn't dealing with the real issues at hand.

If it is just about food, then just don't buy the things that are causing your weight gain. Distract yourself from eating by getting out of the house and being active. Spend time with friends and family. Go to support meetings and share your experiences. You aren't a failure by any means. Make a new commitment to yourself and get started. Sometimes you just have to be creative and make a new strategy when the old one fails. You are a winner in my book.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

I was banded June 30th and there are times when I get frustrated, but not with my band. It is doing what is was supposed to do, but when I feel that way because of my stalled weightloss, I have to ask myself, "Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing?"

Sure after awhile you are able to eat regular foods and they will go down much better when you are healed, but does that mean you should keep eating what you were before being banded? Some people say they eat less than before and that is great, but if eating less is just eating a "happy meal" or small portion of a bad choice, then are they really changing their lifestyles or just getting use to doing the same but in smaller portions? This is something I am learning all the time. And it is hard to make those choices when you are so use to living another way. But in order to make it work, you have to work as well. It hasn't been an easy time for me, especially since I am fairly new myself, but would I do it again? Heck yes and btw, I was self-pay as well.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Do you think you are truly ready to be banded at this point in your life? You have a statement that says you had become one with your fatness and now you feel like you are turning your back on yourself?

I have never felt like I was comfortable with being fat or one with my fatness as you stated. Even though I had researched the band for several years it took me awhile to commit because I wasn't sure my head was right at the time. I know it is a new experience and something that takes changes and time to learn a new lifestyle, but I believe in order for the band to work for you, you have to be truly ready mentally. This isn't just another diet you try. I am by no means saying you aren't committed as I don't know you and having fears before surgery is normal. But if you are truly ready for a change then you don't have anything to fear or hide behind. You LIVE and you enjoy your new life and you feel better everyday. I think that is what losing weight does to a person, it frees them to be whatever and whoever they want and there are no more excuses.

You have some really great motivational quotes on your profile. I too love to read encouraging quotes and stories. Just keep writing down your goals or if you haven't started yet then do so. Cut out motivational pics from magazines. Visualize a new and improved person, doing what he loves most. Surround yourself with positive images and people and you can't go wrong.

I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery. Hang in there and keep visiting this site often for support and encouragement.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Congrats on your weight loss. I can almost hear your excitement through your words.

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery. I can't wait to read about your continued progress after you're banded.

See ya on the boards,

Stephanie

The point here to all this is that the original poster has learned her lesson and knows what to do now. From all the posts I have read here on LBT, there have been many people eat far worse and even sooner.

I am not saying doing anything outside your docs orders is ok, because they aren't, but at the same time, all this is new and takes trial and error to get right.Sometimes at a great cost. If WE were ALL able to follow orders, diets, exercise programs, etc in the first place, there would have never been a need for the band.

We are here to support each other and share our own experiences. If we don't help each other, who will? The best thing is to share all of this with your doc and see what he or she thinks. I think the lesson has been learned and support is needed from here on out.

Best wishes to all of you,

Stephanie

I was put on Optifast and I hated it. It made my stomach so irritated. Have you tried any of the drinks by EAS? They have some RTD cartons and powders you have to mix. Those aren't too bad. The powder I really like is by Designer whey. Maybe try blending them really well with some ice,flavored yogurt, fresh fruits, or just different artificial flavorings to give them a better taste.

I also tried those Protein shots they have a GNC, YUK and double YUK!!! They are too thick and taste so bad.

You just have to get creative with those Protein Drinks so that you will be able to get enough Protein in. One of my favorites was using ice, chocolate Protein Powder, coconut flavoring, and almond flavoring to make an almond joy flavored drink. I mix my powders with Water instead of milk to cut down on the calories, but you can mix with FF milk or soymilk.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Perhaps it was just a gas buildup from eating Beans and cheese. When I have something that would normally cause me to be gassy, even in small amounts, it makes me hurt pretty good.

I guess that is another reason why they want us to add foods slowly, not just so they won't get stuck, but to see what you can tolerate with your band. Some people develop food intolerances where there was no problem before.

I am not certain what it feels like to have a slipped band, but it is very uncomfortable to eat something my new stomach can't tolerate. I don't get the feeling that something is stuck and it doesn't hurt, just doesn't feel right either. To me, in the pre-band days, it is like trying to drink a soda too fast and you get that instant bloat feeling in your breast bone area and upper stomach. That is the best way I can explain it or like you have eaten way too much, even though you know you haven't. This may be or may not be what you are experiencing, but if you are worried, check with your physician.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Hey Linda,

Congrats on your weight loss and reaching your sweet spot. I still need to get my first fill. At the moment I am still not feeling too hungry, but I am sure I need to schedule a fill anyway since I have been at a standstill for over two weeks.

See ya on myspace.

Stephanie

I know how you feel, but your surgery date will be here before you know it and then those other anxious feelings will come about.

I wish you all the best and hope everything goes well for you. I look forward to reading your posts in the near future.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Well you have come to the right place. There are many people on this forum who have felt the way you have or are just starting out just as you are.

I was self-pay because I didn't qualify for insurance purposes, but I didn't have any co-morbidities either. I did have the aching joints, but not much of anything else other than a bad family history and fear of getting all my family's problems. My surgeon said I was smart to get a handle on things now before the problems really started. My bmi was about 37.

You may still qualify for insurance because of your co-morbidities, but there are other factors involved as well. Have you checked with your insurance company to see what they require? Some want a history of physician supervised weight loss attempts and many other tests.

Not only was I not able to get insurance to cover my surgery, but the docs in my town wouldn't do it because they followed the requirements set by insurance even for self-pay. I had to go see a surgeon in another town 2 hours away.

I hope you will be able to get the surgery either way and I can't wait to read your story in other posts. Whether or not the other posts apply to my situation, they are all helpful and encouraging. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Wow I can't believe it is taking so long. I could see that if you were relying on insurance. I am in Texas, but when I made my appointment for my consultation, they scheduled me for my consult with the nutritionist, labs, and ekg all on the same day. After that they were ready to schedule me for surgery in less than a week. Since I was self-pay, I didn't have to get all the other tests done or the psych eval because I didn't have to meet insurance guidelines.

I don't know if they are requiring such a wait with all the tests because of your bmi, mine was about 37. Or maybe your surgeons office is just so busy. That could be it too. So many people trying to get in during the summer break.

I wish you all the best and hope that you are able to get in for your surgery before going back to work. I had originally thought I would have my surgery on Friday and go back to work on a Tuesday, but I am glad I took two weeks off. There is no way I could have gone back any sooner (pediatric nurse).

Stephanie

OK, so my journey started not too long ago and moved very fast. I am scheduled for 8/18 and had my pre-op class yesterday. Here is where I am struggling. My husband has decided he will have nothing to do with it. He will not take me to the hospital or pick me up. He does not want to talk about it or hear about it and I cannot expect any help from him with our three kids while I recover. He says I am lazy and have no discipline and I could just diet and exercise on my own.

I swore to myself I would do this for my own health but I am starting to wonder if it is worth it? My mom will take me and pick me up but I will have no one there when I wake up in recovery or for visiting that night. My mom will be the cell phone number the doctor calls in case of emergency. This just does not seem right.

Part of me says that HE is not worth it if he feels that way about me but I am not sure I want to test that theory.

Any advice would be helpful.:cool2:

I am sorry all this is stressing you out so close to your surgery, but it will all be ok in the end either way. You have to do what is best for you. I know that may be easier said than done, but in the long run you will be glad you went ahead with your surgery.

My fiance was all for me being banded until about a month before my surgery. He even offered to pay for it. I didn't know how strongly he objected to it until about a week out. I was supposed to have my surgery a month before I did, but when we were on the way to the pre-op appt with the surgeon, he had major issues with his car and we had to wait several weeks for him to get his car back. Since I was relying on him to pay for my surgery, I didn't think it was fair to ask him to come up with money for his car repairs and my surgery all at the same time. So I put my surgery off for awhile.

I guess that bought a little time and it made him happy for awhile because we didn't discuss anything related to surgery. After he got the car back, I went ahead and scheduled my pre-op appt. When I had mentioned it to him, he got upset and thought I had dropped that silly idea. He said pretty much the same things your husband said. He said I didn't need to have surgery and when I got upset he told me not to be getting mad at him just because I wasn't disciplined enough to exercise and diet. I didn't waver, I told him this is something I am doing for myself, like it or not.

He kept finding reasons for putting me off in regards to getting the money for my surgery, so exactly a week before, I went to the person that handles my 401k account at work and discussed my options with him. I was able to borrow the money for my surgery and in fact, had it in my account in less than two days. Imagine my fiance's surprise when I told him I had the money to pay for my surgery and didnt need him to worry about it any longer.:thumbup:

My surgery was going to be the last one for the day, so we didn't have to get up and leave too early (2 hour drive). After we were dressed and ready to leave he said he didn't think he could handle all of this and didn't want to be in our relationship anymore (6 yrs). I got angry for him doing that to me right before surgery but I stood my ground and told him I was sorry he felt that way, but I was still going with or without him. He thought he was going to intimidate me into not having my surgery, but it didn't work. He said he still wanted to drive me, because he had promised to be there with me through the surgery. We didn't talk the entire trip. Once I checked in, I told him he could leave, but he wouldn't. Before my surgery he just sat there teary eyed and didn't know what to say to me.

After surgery, he was totally different. He told me he didn't know what to say to me at that point and I told him I thought he said all he needed to and he just apologized to no end. I found out that not only was he jealous about me having surgery because he thought I would lose weight and leave him,he was worried and didn't want me suffering any pain. He had all these emotions bottled up inside and he didn't know how to express them to me, so he got angry with me. He has helped me and supported me ever since and he is glad I didn't just give up. He sees how happy I am with him and myself and now he believes it was all worth it. He also sees how hard all this is and commends me on my efforts to make this work. He didn't realize how many changes would take place and how it WASN'T that QUICK FIX.

I think your husband will come around. Just try to be patient and understanding with him. He probably has fears himself and doesn't know how to express them to you. You know what is best for you, but looking back on my situation, I wouldn't change anything. For me, this actually made my relationship closer.

I wish I was close to you, so I could be there to support you during your surgery. But if you need someone to talk to, I am here.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Pat,

I couldn't help reading that post on the other tlc thread. WOW!!!! Talk about getting defensive. I didn't think anything you said sounded hostile, but I guess that person was already upset, so it didn't matter what you said, if it wasn't in agreement with their experience.

I hope he/she gets their problems resolved. Everyone I have had contact with has been so professional and courteous. I have yet to get my first fill, but I have confidence it will go well.

I also didn't get to make the support group on Saturday. It was just too hot. I am sure I missed a good meeting and hope to make the next one. I don't do extreme heat too well and I would have had a two hour drive in my black, heat attracting car to get there. I need to find a lighter car. I can't wait to meet you and everyone else.

Sincerely,

Stephanie