mdgarcia31665

Hey everyone. Hope all is well with you. When you go to your classes, not matter where they are, SSF or Richmond be sure you ask questions. I was banded in SSF and the classes focus on RNY. There was only one lady who was being banded. I initially went to be banded but the doc wouldn't do it because I have to much scar tissue from some other issues I had. Be aggressive with your questions and make sure they are answered to your satisfaction. The team in SSF is really good and they are nice too. Good luck!

NP may be the psyc. eval. You have to meet with a psychiatrist (sp). They want to make sure you know what the rules are. They also will go over your history with you. It is pretty detailed and takes about 45 minutes. You will also need to get an EKG and a chest X-ray. If I remember correctly the only appointment left is with the medical doc. and he or she will set up your appointment with the surgeon. Good luck

Here's one: I can see my collar bones!

No not yet. I guess I better. This is not normal for me and has me kinda concerned. I guess I could just start taking the iron pills, but I will check with the doctor. Thanks for the suggestion.

This seems to be the thread for my question: Does anyone have a problem with bruising? I have found that I am bruising a lot more now than I was before. Could it be from a lack of iron? I get bruises just from scratching an itch.

Mine said no alcohol because it is empty calories. No beer because of the carbonation and empty calories. I was banded in May and have since had a few drinks. Yes, it does affect me much sooner than before. I certainly do not drink nearly as much as before. As a matter of fact 1/2 a drink will affect me as much as 1 or 2 did before. Check with your doctor to see what they want you to do. Every doctor is different and has a different set of rules. Good luck!

Bandster Hell is a bad place. Being newly banded your stomach is still somewhat swollen. The swelling goes down and your appetite comes back with a vengence. You start to lose weight and the fat that is surrounding your stomach starts to go away and you need a fill. Your appetite again returns. Remember that when you eat to eat slowly and take small bites. Wait between bites for a few minutes to see if you are no longer hungry. The goal is to not be hungry. We are trained to eat until we are full. We need to re-train ourselves to eat until we are no longer hungry. The nothing to drink before and 1 hour after is a good rule because the food will stay in your stomach longer, keeping you satisfied. Do not drink while eating because the liquid washes the food through and you will not lose weight or will gain weight. Remember to eat lots of protein. At meals eat your protein first then your veggies and carbs if there is any room left. I have found that eating slowly is hard to do, but don't give up! It takes time to re-learn good habits after years of bad habits. Good luck!

Haha, "lighten up" we have, literally. And I have to say it feels great! I think we all agree. As for the embarrassment: People at work ask "how much have you lost?" I am not close with these people and to me it really is rude of them to ask such a personal question. I feel that if I answer a question like that they will know how much I really weighed and that is none of their business. I just tell them, "a lot". That usually satisfies them. If not, too bad! My weight loss is not their concern, they weren't concerned about me when I was fat, why all up in my business now? But I am proud of myself, and that is what matters. What makes me stop and think is when someone calls me "skinny". It usually is someone who does know me, family, friends, and the few people I am close with at work. That's when I stop and think "Wow, if they are calling me skinny, (I am far from that) I must have been freakin' huge!! I am slowly getting used to the compliments, because I too am uncomfortable with the attention. Yes we should relish the fact that we are on our way to where we want to be and we are doing a great job getting there!

In the morning, after completely "unloading", nekked. When I go to the doctor (tomorrow for my 3rd fill) I wear light clothing and remove the shoes. My sneakers add 2 lbs alone. My scale is calibrated to the one at the doctors office.

I am losing mine too. I hoped it wouldn't happen, but no luck! I heard the Biotin works and am going to try that, but do the Vitamins come in chewables? pills get stuck especially if they are really big. I am tired of my hair going down the drain! Congrats KePrincess on the weight loss. We were banded on the same day and I am only at 60 lbs since this whole process started for me a year ago. Keep up the great work!

Make sure you are taking in all of your fluids as well.

Different Doctors have different rules. My doctors say no cereal hot or cold, while I have read that some people can have cereal. It all depends on the doctor. Same with some soups. I was told that the liquids in the soups helps the food through the stoma. The rule about not drinking liquids with meals is the same concept. Do what ever your doctor has told you to do. That is the best bet. Good luck.

Yup! My mind still sees a rather large person in the mirror also. I still can't get used to going to the 18/20's instead of the 24/26s. Do you find yourselves getting bugged because you are a smaller size? I sometimes get angry and can't figure out why?:confused2:

I go to S. San Fransico. I went to orientation at the end of August 07 and had surgery May 08. One thing you will find out throughout the process is that they focus on RNY, so you need to ask as many questions as you can. The whole team there is extremely nice and helpful. Yes they are human and make mistakes, they will also tell you that if you are supposed to see them and haven't heard from them to call because sometimes things do get mixed up. They will tell you that you need to lose a certain amount of weight prior to your surgery. The med doc will tell you how much you need to lose. I was losing weight only half-assed because, well, I don't know why. She said that if I had lost a significant amount of weight between the orientation and that meeting with her she would have scheduled me for the first available surgery date. Talk about a kick in the ass! I worked out like a fiend and lost almost 20#s in a month. I met with the surgeon and he made my appointment. They generally want you to lose about 10% of your weight prior to sugery. Once you are scheduled it moves fast. Be sure all of your pre-op tests are done. You will have to go there 1-2 days prior to your surgery for the final blood work, they will not do it anywhere else. You will be there overnight in a private room and they will take very good care of you. If you have any more questions PM me and I will be glad to answer them if I can. Good luck on your journey! Michelle

Yeah, I know the feeling. I'm fighting with the same 3 -5 lbs. It is extremely frustrating. Are you losing inches though. Even though I haven't lost any weight to speak of, my clothes are getting bigger. That little victory is helping to keep me from getting too discouraged. Do you have any restriction? I don't and my doc will only fill every four weeks and 1cc at a time. My next fill (my 3rd one) is 8/29 and that day can not get here soon enough.

ROCK ON GIRLS! ROCK ON!:thumbup:

Just checked. They sell them at Target, Safeway, GNC and Albertsons.

We are ROCKIN' HOT MAMAS!!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Hi Brooks, welcome to LBT. Hey, been there done that. The diverticulitus thing happened to me in 96. Same thing, same process. Sucks huh? Good luck on your journey and good luck with your overhaul.

You too Felicia!!

I have a few also...Off of some meds; blood pressure and cholesterol. Got on some rides at California's Great America that I hadn't been on in years. When I had my surgery I was going into a size 26 clothes-went to a wedding last night and had to buy new clothes: size 18/20. And was able to wear heels all night!

Welcome and good luck on your journey!

Lisa, if your doctor sent you home with pain meds (and he/she should have) by all means take them. You don't need to suffer unnecessarily. HarleyNana is right, we are all different when it comes to pain, and the walking does help with the healing and gas too. But don't suffer, take the meds and be comfortable.

Here, here!!!

Jen37: Call your doc and let him/her know what you are feeling. Let them decide if you need to come in and be seen. Walking will take away the gas and burping. You may also want to try Gas-X strips they will help. The craving for all of the "good food" is head hunger. The mind needs to be re-trained. You also really want it because you really can't have it. Healthysue: If you are on full liquids you may want to try eating a little bit slower, and maybe a little less. It may be gas. If it doesn't pass call your doctor. Fotofem: Don't be discouraged. Hang in there. You just had major surgery and are recouperating. Take your time with doing things you would normally do. Your bodies are healing and getting used to not eating the way we used to. Don't get in a hurry to eat normal foods because you can hurt your band. Try to ignore the head hunger because that will make you eat things you aren't supposed to eat at this point. Buy some sugar free popsicles, sugar free puddings and sugar free Jello. They help. Good Luck on your journeys and welcome to the Lapband family!