JayinMA

I haven't seen a counselor, but I have considered it and would feel awkward, telling my deeper thoughts and feelings to a stranger. I'm not sure I could. But i am going to try to go to the meetings? There's one Monday right? Did i just make that up? I thought once you had one procedure done they wouldn't do another? Maybe I made that up too... In any event thank you for your kind words.

Hello Everyone! I got a friendly reminder from Mel to come back and post or she'd hunt me down like a dog in the streets. To be honest, It would seem I've almost given up on the band. I haven't been to a dr's appointment in 2 months when Dr. R. told me he wanted to take some of my fill out. He thought I was overfilled and was eating softer foods that are higher in calories, which would account for me not losing weight. He might be right, because I typically get food stuck once a day, at least. But I don't want my fill taken out. I know i'm not losing weight, but if I have some taken out what if I gain weight? I know that the band is adjustable and we could just put it back in, but for some reason the thought scares me. I don't want to gain weight! I haven't been keeping track of my calories, my portions of making sure I get to the gym. Working at a college september and october are very busy months, but I'm hoping that I can try to get back on track, probably starting with going to a meeting at faulkner... when is it in november? The things I have the most trouble with are gauging portion size. I eat at restaurants a lot (I know, I shouldn't. Not only are the portions sizes huge, the calories through the roof, but it's also really expensive.) I have got to be firmer with my friends that not everything we do needs to include a meal. Typically when we're making plans everyone is very busy so we'll agree to meet for dinner or lunch, but that has to stop. What do you guys bring to work for your lunches? I've tried the smart ones/lean cuisines, but most of those (that I like anyways) are pasta based and I have a real problem with pasta when it's microwaved. If it's boiled pasta or made fresh I can handle it as long as I chew well. I'm just a mess and didn't want to bother the board with my inability to make it work. I thought I would bring down the people who are going through the process of trying to get the band or make it work. I should probably make an appointment with Phyllis. But good to "see" everyone again!

are the dates out for the october meetings? I need to get to one, I need to refocus!

Hello Everyone! I'm back from my vacation (I took my niece to Disneyworld) and I will say that pb'ing in a disney bathroom is a nice experience. Losing your dinner to the tune of "it's a small world after all" is actually kind of reassuring. I have an appointment in a week so I'm going to have a small unfill, I joined a new gym that has classes (I can't be left alone in a gym to my own devices, I have no idea what I'm doing there, besides people watching), and hopefully the combination of things will work for me. I was kind of upset to hear Dr. R say that my weight loss "was slower than expected" at my last appointment. But maybe that's the motivation that I need. Hope you're all doing well!

...I didn't know you were supposed to restart the cycle when you got stuck. Thanks! hopefully that's just what it is!

Hi Everyone, I should start off by saying, I didn’t know this could happen. My last fill was about 7 weeks ago. It was fine, I had minimal restriction but not an over abundance of it. I went in for the next appointment and Dr. R couldn’t decide whether he wanted to take some of the fill out. I was adamant that I didn’t want any of the fill taken out because I just had minimal restriction but since the weight loss wasn’t what he had expected, he was wondering if I was too tight. I wasn’t. So we didn’t take any out. My next appointment is for Sept 14, (one because I’m going on vacation and won’t be back until after labor day, and two because the 13th is my birthday and a 3 day birthday weekend isn’t a bad thing.) But since that appointment I’ve been getting more and more restriction with no fill and it’s concerning me. It’s to the point now where I think I’m overfilled because at every meal I get stuck. Last night I had a quarter of one meatball, chewed thoroughly and… stuck for 45 minutes. Is this something that happens where you just experience more restriction though the fill amount hasn’t changed? Also, I need to have this fixed, because I can barely eat any solid foods, but when I called Jennifer, she told me Dr. R is on vacation and if I can’t eat I should go to the emergency room. Now they’re going to take all my 7.5cc’s out. I don’t want that either. But I’m not sure what else there is I can do. Will the other surgeons take someone for a quick unfill? Can a PA do it?

The only thing I could find in the exclusions of my policy (I have harvard pilgrim PPO) was: Commercial diet plans or weight loss programs and any services in connection with such plans or programs Does that mean I wouldn't be covered for lap band?

Another fill for me today. This one might be just what I need or put me over the top. I'm still trying to train my eyes/brain to realize the portion I think I need is way too big for what will actually take me from hungry to not hungry. I hope I didn't gain weight again.

Oh that would make much more sense if it was Dr. Vernon's Jennifer!

I didn't know that Jennifer is pregnant. I just made my appointment for my next "fill" (we'll see if I get one, I have enough restriction now, I believe) and I called thursday afternoon, got the voicemail, she called me back within 15 minutes, but I missed the call. I called her this morning and got and she picked up right away. I'm not sure why but I have never had a problem getting an appointment or getting her to call back. Guess I just must be lucky.

I think i'm at 1:45... I always plan them late in the day so I can fill up on food for the two foodless days following!

I've been coming here I don't know how long and I just realized Faulkner is spelled wrong in the title of this post. I'm not observant at all. Anyways I also go in for another fill on the 29th. I'm not even sure I should be getting one. I still have some restriction. I don't know if I have enough but...we'll see.

I might be able to make it on the 8th. I also can't make it on the 16th to B&W and personally I think I enjoyed the Faulkner Group last time we went more.

Well my friends it has been nearly 4 months since surgery and I had a fill on monday and.... I have some restriction. I know it will potentially go away soon, and it might take one or two more small fills to get to around where I need to be, but I am just happy to feel any restriction at this point. Dr. Robinson put in 1.5cc's bringing me up to 6.6 cc's. Paige, sorry I didn't make it to the plastics thing last night, how was it?

Haven't decided yet

anyone going to the plastic surgeon meeting tonight?

Hey everyone, tomorrow will be the first time i'm driving in to Brigham... where is the best place to park and how much is it? thanks!

I'm confused by the people who weren't told when to start their pre-op diet? Did you meet with the nutritionist? I did that at my first meeting with dr. Robinson and the nutritionist at faulkner (I forget her name but she runs a good support meeting) told me that I would start my pre-op diet two weeks before the surgery. She gave me a big packet of information that spelled out what food I would be eating two weeks before surgery, during surger, and for six weeks after surgery. Did you guys get that packet? i feel like I have something the 19th, but I will try to make it, I love meeting up with you guys, I hope yvonne comes!

Hope everything went well!

We will definitely have to! Are you going to the brig support group this month? I don't even know when it is, but I hope to be there.

Thank you Paige and Mel! I actually have Harvard pilgrim ppo, hopefully I’ll find someone. I know this sounds odd but going through the website and seeing which doctors I can see, all of their names sound old. I don’t want an old person. Anyways I currently have some kind of respiratory infection/cold/flu from an animal that’s supposed to be nice, or whatever, and I have found that the band seems tighter after a major coughing fit, and it just tighter in general as opposed to when I didn’t have a cold. So… for people who haven’t had a cold yet… keep that in your back pocket. Paige, just as an aside, after the last meeting I reactivated my face book account and blame you for the time I spent at work on there. If I get fired, you better be able to support me. Oh! Here’s a fun story. When I was in college I was in a co-ed fraternity. I know, I know, I definitely seem the frat guy type don’t I? Well the point is I was in one. And I lost touch with the people I was in with, mainly because after college you don’t necessarily want to be reminded of all the stupid stuff you did in college (like joining a fraternity on a whim). So anyway I’m perusing face book and this girl that was in the frat I lost touch with after she moved to nyc to be a standup comedian. I’m watching her stuff on you tube and notice she has some more videos, I look them over and find out that she made these lap band videos documenting her process, much like the ones I watched before I had the surgery. So I immediately face book messaged her and then she called me and we talked for about an hour all about the band (she had hers last june) and that’s my fun story about the band. Ok, maybe this story wasn’t fun at all, but who cares, it was an entertaining read wasn’t it? I know the month is young but is anyone going to either of the support groups this month?

Paige, how would I go about finding a counselor? After trying to discuss things with my friends I think I would like someone to be financially obligated to listen to me complain. I just don't know where to start looking. Are there bariatric specific therapists? btw, I gained a pound. Dr. R. wasn't concerned at all, I'm not that happy about it.

I'm horrible at giving advice to other people, so keep that in mind when I say the following: I don't think what you're doing is selfish at all. You're doing what you can to be there for your children as long as possible. And it's not like if you don't get the band you're in the clear. The reason Sleep Apnea is dangerous is because it can kill, and you need to do what you can to get that taken care of and getting the band will aid you in that process. Many, many, many people have apnea when they get this surgery, I was diagnosed with it also and I came out of it just fine, and I also have a narrow airway.

My surgery was pushed back a week and then almost pushed back again because of a heart issue. But the date was here before I knew it, it'll be alright!

Hey everyone sorry I haven't checked in in a while, but april is the cruelest month. I don't know who said that but so far it's been correct, at least on the professional front. I know I shouldn't complain because at least I still have a job....I hate when people say that, I can still complain it's my right as an american. Anyway, I go for another fill tomorrow, hopefully i'll get some restriction. I walked a 5k today so my legs are burning. How is everyone else?