Cherylita

The other night my mom brought home fried chicken (Church's), fries, mashed potatoes w/gravy and those yummy biscuits. This was day 3 post-op. I was so angry and sad at the same time. Anger because "How dare they (family) do something like that!!" Sad because it was at that point I realized I can never satisfy myself with food again. No more shoving chicken, chicken tenders, pizza, steak, huge salads, sandwiches, potato chips, anything down my throat again. I suddenly realized that this band isn't something I can just give up because I am "tired of doing it". I really second guessed what I had done. WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!?! I thought about this and thought about this. Even into the next day when I was making breakfast for my family (bacon and eggs). It took me a while to get over the loss of Food. It wasn't until late Sunday that it hit me. My anger and sadness wasn't because I was leaving food. Actualy, It wasn't anger or sadness at all. It was a tantrum because I couldn't have as much as I wanted. I couldn't eat 3 or 4 slices of pizza and have 2-3 pieces of chicken, etc because it is available and I want it. I couldn't be home by myself from work and munch in private on anything I wanted. I couldn't gulp down a drink because I am thirsty. I couldn't do what I had been doing all of my life!:confused: Once I came to that realization, I came to this one....I can still enjoy food. I can still try things. I just can't go crazy. I just can't have the same portion size that the old cheryl would have. This is all going to be much larger of a change than I had anticipated. I didn't realize how much I loved food in large quantities. Now I am focused on size in a different way. I am focused on portion size and will have that nickel that the patient advocate at True Results suggested. She said "take a nickel with you wherever you go. When you sit down to eat, place the nickel above your plate. This serves as a reminder that that is the size of bite you can take." At the time, that didn't make any sense to me, but today it makes total sense. That and take time to enjoy my meal. Savor the flavor instead of inhale the plate. Though I am just entering my mushy phase I am retraining my old self to a new way of thinking. I thought I would share this with ya and get it out of my head an into cyberspace. Cheryl

Congrats on your decision! Those were some of the same reasons I had lapband as well. Of course I wasn't moving to beautiful Puerto Rico lol. Oh, just a thought. I have read about folks getting their band in one country and trying to get fills and follow up in another and having problems. Have you already found someone in Puerto Rico that will take over your care? p.s. I remember my sleep study...that gunk they put in your hair took me at least 3 showers and alot of scrubbing to get out. Blah! I hated that part lol Good Luck and many successes! Cheryl

Hey y'all, Thanks for your replies. Well, the Dr's office called back and suggested an over the counter expectorant/decongestant. With the lack of fever or chills and the fact that the crackling had decreased from this morning to this afternoon, they felt that it was probably more likely due to allergies or the weather. If it progressed, however, they wanted me to call them ASAP. Thanks again for all of your support. Cheryl

Sherry, that is exactly the attitude that is needed! I know things will work out for you. Anything at all, as far as records is concerned, is what they are looking for. From what I understand they basically want to make sure this isn't something that happened in the last couple of years. The fact that you have records from further than 5yrs should be helpful as well. When I wrote my letter I started with the facts. I gave them my weight or lack there of because it was hard finding a scale that went up that high. I described joint pains and different struggles and different methods of weightloss I had tried. Just be as honest as possible. I started this process weighing 404lbs. As of today I weigh 369. I attribute the most recent 8 to the band since I just go it Wednesday and lost 8lbs between then and today. Don't ever be disappointed in what you haven't done. Be positive in what you are going to do. This point is where we learn patience. Having time to think this decision through is good. Whatever decision you come to is going to be the right one for you. Just believe in that. Best of Luck Cheryl

thanks TQ. I had actually just left a message for the Nurse Pract at the Drs office. I am pretty sure it's nothing but just some passing mess but like I said I tend to worry. thanks for the advice :wink_smile:, Cheryl

Well New year's Eve came and went and by NYDay I was banded. I stayed overnight due to insurance requirements and left by 10am. The surgery was, uneventful, thank God. I was actually worried about my liver being to fatty because I didn't exactly follow the pre-op atkins diet my Dr put me on. But he actually said I had a skinny liver with no fat. my mom said I said...there really is a skinny person inside trying to get out. lol. I was still under anesthesia. She said it cracked her up. I remember all the preop stuff and about an hr after I got there they gave me something in my IV and I told my hubby I loved him and the next thing I remember I was waking up. I was in pain right below my chest. Couldn't take in deep breaths and coughing??...forgetaboutit! It hurt like hell! but today is day 4. I am down 8lbs and the pain has subsided. I am not walking for any long amounts of time, just around the house and stuff. I figure at the end of week 2 I will be feeling better. my brother is an exercise freak so he is just waiting to get me in the gym! I told him, he will have to take it easy on me for a bit because..uhhh, this body aint used to workin out...let alone workin out hard! lol. So I will keep ya updated on that. As far the post op diet. My instructions said I could have clear liquids, creamy soups(strained), protein drinks, etc. For the protein I am using slimfast optima for now (my walmart is small and doesn't carry much selection). I mixed it with skim milk and some coffee and ice. It was suprisingly good! I am also taking 1flinstone vitamin a day. I got the complete that has Biotin that helps with hair growth. I thinks I am doing well so far.

Hey Y'all!! I went to TR and my surgeon was Dr Marsden. He rocks!! It's so great to see all y'all here! I am from Gonzales but work in Austin. Just wanted to drop in and HOLA!! Cheryl

Hi Sherry! I have United Healthcare and had to provide the 5yr history. Although I have always been obese I have never really had to go to the Dr. So I ended up having to write a letter asking them to authorize my surgery. That may be something you might want to start composing--just in case. I explained my history and added some technical information but the majority was me being personal and putting it all out there. I didn't talk to them on a Dr-patient level but on an emotional, human level. I got approved the first time. But, if you aren't willing to jump through hurdles and fight for a healthier you then you probably wouldn't be thinking about this major change. Don't let the fear stop you from fighting for your life. Because ultimately, that's what this is a battle for a healthier you. It isn't that easy. So the question is to you. Are you really ready to make a change and go through the process for better or worse? Please don't take this as rude. I am just being real. Cheryl

Thank y'all for all the well wishes! Sugar, my recovery is coming along as planned. Today is 5days post op. I am still on the liquid phase and doing well so far. I do get tempted to step ahead and try something mushy, but I know that's the old me just wanting food because it's available. As far as physical things, I still have a little pain, but it feels like when you take a deep breath and there's a sharp catch like an air pocket in your lung. believe me it is NOTHING compared to the couple of days after surgery. sneezing and coughing only cause mild discomfort. I start back to work tomorrow and today, I am back to doing dishes and stuff (although it's at a much slower pace). Basically I am really trying not to over do it. I will keep ya posted. Feel free to ask anything. Cheryl

Well New year's Eve came and went and by NYDay I was banded. I stayed overnight due to insurance requirements and left by 10am. The surgery was, uneventful, thank God. I was actually worried about my liver being to fatty because I didn't exactly follow the pre-op atkins diet my Dr put me on. But he actually said I had a skinny liver with no fat. my mom said I said...there really is a skinny person inside trying to get out. lol. I was still under anesthesia. She said it cracked her up. I remember all the preop stuff and about an hr after I got there they gave me something in my IV and I told my hubby I loved him and the next thing I remember I was waking up. I was in pain right below my chest. Couldn't take in deep breaths and coughing??...forgetaboutit! It hurt like hell! but today is day 4. I am down 8lbs and the pain has subsided. I am not walking for any long amounts of time, just around the house and stuff. I figure at the end of week 2 I will be feeling better. my brother is an exercise freak so he is just waiting to get me in the gym! I told him, he will have to take it easy on me for a bit because..uhhh, this body aint used to workin out...let alone workin out hard! lol. So I will keep ya updated on that. As far the post op diet. My instructions said I could have clear liquids, creamy soups(strained), protein drinks, etc. For the protein I am using slimfast optima for now (my walmart is small and doesn't carry much selection). I mixed it with skim milk and some coffee and ice. It was suprisingly good! I am also taking 1flinstone vitamin a day. I got the complete that has Biotin that helps with hair growth. I thinks I am doing well so far.

This is good information! I was just banded on Wednesday so I want to make sure I get any nutritional info available. Also I wondered about something because I have heard that some people start to lose their hair. I wondered if getting vitamins with Biotin or a vitamin for hair, nail and skin health was a good choice. Any ideas? Cheryl

Mine is on NYE too!! At first I was scared of something going wrong but felt this is what I need to do. My thought became "if something should happen at least I was trying to improve myself and my health". But now I am not so much nervous about that as I am about my liver still being too fatty. My pre-op is a modified Atkins diet. But I can't help thinking after 35years of being obese what difference can 2wks really make. So we shall see. I also found out today that my insurance(UHC) plan requires an overnight stay. Which I guess is good but at the same time I wanted to at least ring in the new year at home. But hey at least I'll finally be keeping that resolution I have been making for the last few years to lose weight! LOL! anywhooo...GOOD LUCK TO US ALL AND CONGRATS ON MAKING THIS DECISION! I'll be praying for y'all. Cheryl

Hiya, I haven't been banded yet (scheduled for NYEve) but when I went for my preop visit with Dr Marsden he said some of his patients pour their diet soda over ice and let it sit for a couple of minutes. He said he doesn't have a problem with this of course no drinking through straws. He also suggested a glass of wine a week actually helps with weight loss. He didn't say become a whino LOL!! but he did say that is something he has learned along the way. He has done thousands of LapBands and I have yet to find someone who found any disappointment with him. but he did mention something interesting maybe you guys can help out....He said alot of his patients have a problem digesting lettuce. Other leafy greens are okay but lettuce gives them a problem. any opinions? I love reading these forums, I have learned so much. But sometimes things have to be taken with a grain of salt. Where my Dr says those things are okay, another Dr may disagree altogether. Anywho, that's my 2cents Cheryl