debbieperez55

It is so weird. I am finally figuring out my body. Yesterday I was so restricted I could barely eat. I felt the connstiction from the morning until late afternoon. It started right after I drank some Water, yes it was not a sip, I gulped in error. It was like a spasm and then just stayed. Today, no problems. I am eating fine and even having my allowed Snacks. But I have noticed that some days are different than others and I really think it is because some days are just more restrictive. Do any of you have this? Actually I think I would like more of those days and perhaps I will speak to my Dr about another fill. Let me know, thanks Debbie

Moms - dont you love them............... :thumbup: Hey, 30 pounds is a lot. You should be very proud of your progress. And yes, this is not gastric bypass and slow is better. You know, I bet your cholestrol and blood panels are better than they were before. Now that is something to "crow" about :wink2: Debbie

Thank you all so much - We had a fantastic time. My food was very controlled and I believe I have lost weight. I even went out to dinner at the Outback Steakhouse with Hubby. We shared a dinner. I got a very small portion of the steak and steamed veggies. I savored EVERY BITE. I have to say, it was the BEST steak I have ever had in my life. I hate to admit this, but I couldn't eat all my steak, aprox 1 1/2 ounce, so I licked it. I just wanted a little more flavor, not food. I cut the steak in tiny bits and ate slowly. My hubby is a SLOW eater and I finished way after him. I was so proud. Also - We went to Vegas in July. I almost had a stroke or heart attack with all the walking. At on Hotel, they gave me two waters. I was winded and walking was very difficult. I walked miles this time. I even led, would have walked faster but the crowds were horrific. I loved it, and we walked everywhere, even to dinner. I cannot believe the difference. I am so happy and thankful for all of you for your help. Debbie

I am going to Vegas for a few days and I am scared. I have some staples, protien drink, canned chicken (in Water - tuna might be too hard to work with and stinky), canned fruit and I will bring some other foods. I want to be prepared and make sure there is something I can eat, I am not totally on regular food yet, and I don't want to make a mistake - like GETTING STUCK. HELP - please......... Debbie

Teri, I hope all is well with Matthew now. I am so sorry to hear he was critical, but relieved to hear he became stable. I truely hope that he is much much better now and that he is home and that you are able to relax. What a Thanksgiving. Not only the stress of the "day" but with a critically sick child too. Teri, my heart goes out to you. Funny about that band. I thought stress would cause us to go back to our pre band eating pattern, but I have noticed that my stress causes me the most restriction. Sounds like you too. I reverted to liquids and this past weekend we were in Vegas. I was so scared. I did fantastic! My husband and I even went out to dinner and I had my first STEAK. We shared a dinner. I told the waitress that I had just had surgery and that I couldnt eat very much. She was very understanding and she has had other customers with the same issues. Hubby had Steak and Fried and I had a tiny portion of the steak with steamed veggies. I aLmost ate too much, the steamed veggies were devine. Teri, I licked the steak and swished my broccoli in the juice. It was heaven. I ate very slowly and savored EVERY bite. I hope you are doing better. Hang in there. To make it through the stress you encountered the last few days is a feat in itself. Teri, you are doing fantastic. Keep your chin up! Oh and SMILE - Debbie great big bear hug :thumbup:

I was almost floored when my Dr matter of factly told me that it's going to happen. It's a learning experience. When you get the icky feeling - getting stuck - just go to liquids for a few days. Seems they expect us to BLOW IT. You know, the 25 sets of eyes, that unnerves me. My Mom will say things, meaning to help, but last night I wanted to KILL :grouphug:. But then she sweetly said, aren't you glad you have me here to help. OY. Her heart is in the right place, but sometimes. Teri - good luck with Thanksgiving. I feel like puking myself. I am so nervous. I think I will take a protien drink, just in case. Take Care Debbie

I know what you mean, when I went to the pharmacy it was with the intention of getting the Milk Of Mag - :grouphug: too bad there isn't a face of someone puking - I am at my end too. Enema's, give me a break. And to top it off I have my Mom nagging me, if it was only as simple. I refuse to break my Drs program REFUSE. I wish coffee was the trigger for me. It use to be dairy products. NOT ANYMORE. THIS SUCKS:cry_smile: My colon is going to seize :grouphug: But as soon a I find SOMETHING I will let you know. Hang in there Debbie

Teri, So the twisted port, it is okay now? Will it go back to normal? If they revise it, that means they go back in? I still look like I have a third boob. I swear I thought it would be hidden. Even so where the swelling is turns out the port is lower. If I try I can even feel it. But I do worry, which is why no sit ups. Teri, really, my stomach hangs so low anyway, will it really do any good. I have a Turkey Neck - gobble gobble gobble Hanging Turkey Arms Hanging tummy But my but and thighs are getting firm from walking. Hey I am over 50, I don't need a tight butt, I would like a less saggy neck though. Everyone tries to be helpful and they say, Oh you can take care of that. WHAT ANOTHER SURGERY. No way, I guess I will come to love the extra skin. Don't they have that squishy undies that sucks you in??? Besides, as down as I might get, when I see as I was told by my Band Buddy - two wet tube socks hanging from your chest, I remember my real reason for the band. To get healthy. I just have to keep my eye on the ball - a healthy heart. Sorry for being down, bad day, terrible day, shitty day, you pick the word. Debbie:blush:

Last night I bought some suppositories. YUCK. But I am so afraid. I started haveing pain in my right side, no appendix, and I just don't want it to become as big a problem as last time. I am afraid of Miralax. The pharmacist said it is Fiber and Benefiber was fiber but it created more problems that it solved. I don't want a bowel obstruction or impaction so I am trying to really be careful, but once a week is not cutting it. I even eat baby prunes. The pharmacist even suggested that nasty liquid in that little bottle they give you to clean you out, but to only take 1/4 a bottle. I will have to speak to my Dr, obviously it is not the Water - I drink 64 ounces a day!

Can you believe how FANTASTIC everyone is doing. Who would have thought it would be like this. Debbie

Kiz, Funny you mention fish. I have gone out and gotten fish a few times. I have shared and one place gave me alacart and a small portion. It was great. Two meals. I love fish and it seems to love me. I have High Fiber Oatmeal, I didn't think about the coffee maker for the hot Water. I always use milk for the extra Calcium, but that is a fantastic idea. I am also taking cottage cheese and my applesause for a quick meal. I have all my stuff to take and some protien drink with 30 grams of protien I got at costco for emergencies. I am always prepared no matter where I go. I figure I have to, no one is watching out for me except me. Thank you all so much for your input. Debbie

I know that every Doctor is different, boy did we find that out on our phases. My Doctor allows snacks. If you don't need it, you don't eat it. And I cannot believe I am saying this, but usually I don't need it. BUT - he said that he would rather we eat a snack than blow it at the next meal. Yes, when you are REALLY hungry you eat faster and make poor choices. No the snacks cannot be empty calorie, sugar free Jello for instance, needs to be protien or Calcium product. Just what my Dr does. Good luck, glad you got your sencond fill. And you are right, swallow wrong and PAIN I learned that the hard way too. Debbie

I may have to try apricots. Canned or Fresh. I had to quit the Benefiber, it made CONCRETE and I was so close to an obstruction. Now I freak out, all the time. I cannot describe to you how bad it was, but trust me, one more day and I would have been in the hospital. Miralax, I have heard is good, who knows. I am going to have to try something. I take 3 colace a day. AND YES I drink Water. Two liters a day aprox. Isn't that enough. Oh how I long for the IBS days. I have never had constipation in my life. Good Grief.................

Thank you all so much. Teri, we must be soul sisters. A lot of what you write could have come from me. Hang in there, Thanksgiving will be fine. At first I was SO FREAKED OUT, then I relaxed, made a plan and will eat some of my Daughter's turkey, very slow. She is even going to make me my own baked sweet potato. And frankly, I don't care who I offend. For once in my life, once I think I am full, I am taking a walk and leaving the food (and dishes) to the others. I have done clean up duty all my life and I am well aware of my "picking" tendancy in regards to that damn Turkey carcass. Jack, so nice to hear from an "experienced" bandster. I try so hard to take small bites and eat slow. Nothing has touched my lips that is not on my Drs instruction sheet. But with liquids, sometimes I blow it and I notice my sip might be too big. I am so glad you were able to explain about the weird spasm thing. But, no sugar and no carbination, just diluted crystal light. Also, thanks for the explanition for my "restricted days". I love those days, today I am having one. As I have said before, weekends are the hardest for me, weekdays I have a schedule and work to do. Weekends have no structure. I finally broke my plateau today and it feels good to see a downward trend again :laugh: Debbie

I am just going to be blunt. And YES I was addicted to Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke since I was 16, way back in the Cyclamate days. (I know I didn't spell that correctly-must be my age) In the end, Carbonation will stretch your pouch. That can cause slipage or errosion. Do you really want to take that chance after all you have been through? If you need something sweet, get a bottle of water, a single crystal light, and drink away. If you need the bubbles, Well, we are all Adults and we have made bad choices before. I guess that is why we ending up needing the bands in the first place.

Depends on what you count, but the Dr counts what I weighed in his office at the first visit. So for me - 46 pounds Since the begining of the year, my highest (once I decided to get the band I got constant diarreah and lost almost twenty pounds) so that is 65 pounds. 65 pounds of fat from my Liver - liver panel is back to normal - no more FATTY LIVER 65 pounds from my coronary arteries - my cholestrol is normal 65 pounds worth of my life back. I may have saggy skin, my turkey arms are ready to flap, and my turkey neck if ready to gobble, but my legs and tushies are getting firmer and I feel fantastic and I love to walk. Must be those endorphins!

I am so glad I read your post. I am doing FANTASTIC but I too fluctuate. I have started skipping the scale every day. Right now I am at a standstill. It happened 10 pounds ago, I was stuck and then dropped 10 pounds in two weeks. Now I have been at my current weight, and yes I can say it now, 222 for a week. But I dropped more inches, in my boobs mostly But I have lost 9 inches in my butt in total. Now that is worth celebrating Good luck on your second fill. You will do great! Debbie

Teri, Congrats on the milestone. I am there with you. I hit 222. I got down that low on Weight Watchers 10 or so years ago and never saw under 230 again. I even weigh less than when I married my hubby. You are doing so great! You should be VERY proud of your accomplishment. Debbie

I just realized, I get my first fill on my 1 month Anniversary, October 23. And I was upset that I had to wait for my insuance to give authorization. What a fantastic date! Debbie

I totally understand, I was a 12 pack a day user myself. I weined myself off, but finally just had to suck it up. Just to let you know, I met another Bandster at my Surgeon's office today. She has slippage and I was shocked when she said she drank soda. Of course it is a choice, but I choose to err on the side of caution. So - Soda free since August, no more GERD, and I believe my Gastroenderologist will be very happy. There is life after Diet Coke, and more money too :rolleyes2:

Teri, I am so glad you fill went well. You deserve a break - or how about - you deserve some restriction...... Take care Debbie

Oh Tamara, this is a parent's worse nightmare. How lucky that your daughter didn't go with her friend to check out the new car. Your daughter must be so upset also. This must be quite a reality check for her. Hopefully she will understand that you love her and want her safe. I am so sorry for the parents of the young man and your daughter's friend. When my daughter was a teen I would always imagine she was "dead on the side of the road" if she was late or didn't call. Now that she is a wife and mother, she understands. Hang in there, everything will get better. Debbie

Teri, let me know how you are doing today. I didn't want to go to work without checking on you. I hope you are feeling a lot better today. Take Care Debbie

MMMmmmm Diarrhea or Constipation - which to have :w00t: Okay, not nice, bad joke. (poor attempt at humor):w00t: maybe a touch of diarrhea...... Teri you poor thing. I cannot believe now this. You have been through so much. Okay, now the Mom in me is taking over. You need to call your Surgeon. You paid him enough or your insurance did and - well - honestly, he owes you! I would go back on the Clear liquid, but this could be serious. You have to stay hydrated. We are still newbees and our systems are barely coping with normal, let alone being this ill. Seriously, call the Dr. I know it is late and you won't get anyone anyway, but you need to make sure they know you are this sick. Nausea is bad, but vomitting is BAD. Be careful, really careful. But call a Doctor in the am if nothing else. We need you - Take care sweetie Big Hug :laugh: Debbie

Poor baby, that must have been awful. I did mine under Fluro and boy am I glad I did. He found the spot, but could not get the needle in. I was his first Realize Band, I guess they are slightly different. I was sore for days, but at least they numbed my skin. Next time, ask - okay DEMAND, nicely, something to numb your skin. Tell them that others in your support got a cream that numbed the area. It doesn't help the "man handling" but I didn't feel the poke and needle movement. I am surprised you didn't cry, you did a fantastic job! Take care Debbie