sailorChristy

I am SO glad that you all are doing well and are healing at home. Some common themes that I'm picking up on are (and excuse my language, please): heparin shot -- sucks port incision -- sucks gas pain -- sucks nausea -- sucks having the actual surgery part over with -- ROCKS! To be honest, I wasn't afraid at all before, but I am pretty wigged out now. I won't waver from my decision, though. It's flat out 'what needs to be done.' I like to think about what it will be like on June 1st, with our supportive little group continuing the journey together and celebrating the life-changing event we each experienced during the month of May. (And to be quite candid, I also like to think about prancing around in front of my ex at the docks later this summer.) KareBare, sounds like you and DH are to be commended for reacting so quickly and intelligently to the incision issue! Keep up the good work, everyone! We are nearly 25% of the way through May!

Congratulations, HG!!!! Thanks so much for posting your story for your peeps here. :thumbup:

Hi, everyone ~ What a great month to be a Mayo Bandito!! I am in Atlanta this week for work. My last business trip for awhile. I am staying at the lodge at my company's corporate campus in Norcross and commuting via the MARTA train to downtown for a conference through Wednesday. Well, I found the MARTA station closest to the office and found a place to park, marveling about the fairly long walk from my car to the train platform (and then marveling even more when I actually managed to walk all that way.) When I got off the train in downtown Atlanta (actually my first time in downtown Atlanta) and took the escalator up to street level, it was amazing -- like NYC or something! I was operating under the mistaken assumption that I would be able to look around and see the Hyatt, so I was unprepared with directions. Unfortunately (or not?) I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up walking for several blocks in the wrong direction. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I was pretty must *toast*. But I was pretty pleased with myself to have made it over that hurdle. The other "I did it!" for the day was when I had lunch at the hotel, I felt inspired by my own efforts and decided to order one of the better choices on the menu -- tuna salad on wheat and a salad. I typically would have chosen the grilled chick sammy with fries. After the conference, I took the train back to my car and walked the long walk back to the parking lot, feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Yay!

Hi, everyone ~ What a great month to be a Mayo Bandito!! I am in Atlanta this week for work. My last business trip for awhile. I am staying at the lodge at my company's corporate campus in Norcross and commuting via the MARTA train to downtown for a conference through Wednesday. Well, I found the MARTA station closest to the office and found a place to park, marveling about the fairly long walk from my car to the train platform (and then marveling even more when I actually managed to walk all that way.) When I got off the train in downtown Atlanta (actually my first time in downtown Atlanta) and took the escalator up to street level, it was amazing -- like NYC or something! I was operating under the mistaken assumption that I would be able to look around and see the Hyatt, so I was unprepared with directions. Unfortunately (or not?) I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up walking for several blocks in the wrong direction. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I was pretty must *toast*. But I was pretty pleased with myself to have made it over that hurdle. The other "I did it!" for the day was when I had lunch at the hotel, I felt inspired by my own efforts and decided to order one of the better choices on the menu -- tuna salad on wheat and a salad. I typically would have chosen the grilled chick sammy with fries. After the conference, I took the train back to my car and walked the long walk back to the parking lot, feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Yay!

My pre-op visit was Tuesday (went great and all clear!) I would suggest: 1.) When may I resume taking the Vitamins I. usually take each day, and may I take them in pill form or try to find them in chewable or liquid form? (I will take a chewable multi and chewable Calcium for the first two months after surgery and then can resume my regular vitamins.) 2.) Bring your medications with you and ask which must be cut up and which capsules must be taken without the actual capsule, and at what point will you be able to take them in their usual form. (I must cut up a couple of mine and empty one capsule, but only for the first two weeks after surgery.)

How cool that you feel better already! This is purely speculation on my part, but I'd be willing to bet that it's related to the better eating habits and elimination of bad carbs. A month or so ago, I followed the post-surgical eating plan for one week. During that week, I slept better, was happier, and had much more energy. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time sticking with it without having a tool in place to help control my hunger and allow me to feel full sooner. Keep up the most excellent work! Just think - we'll get to feel like that -- and even better -- very soon.

May 26th!! I added it to the Calendar too.

hey, all - I watched those videos awhile back, and I agree with John. It's really cool and not what I'd consider "gory" or anything. It is very interesting to watch the surgeon position the band, buckle it, and then suture it into place. John, I found it to be oddly soothing too.

I got my date today -- May 26th!!! It will be so difficult to wait that long!

Hello, fellow BANDitos! I had my consultation with Dr. Trace Curry (Cincinnati, Ohio) on Friday, and will call his scheduler on Monday to schedule my pre-op and 2-hour nutrition class, as well as schedule my surgery. I'll be on the Medifast diet program for two weeks (starting the day after my pre-op/nutrition visit), and then my surgery will be immediately after that. So, it seems likely that my big day will be in (early!!?) May. Oh my gosh, I am super-excited and eager. I'm ready. :cool2: Nice to "meet" you all! - Christy -

Hi! Has anyone heard from Juli? I'm wondering how she's doing post-surgery. After she heals, she's going to look and feel SO GREAT. Juli, are you back online? Please let us know how you're doing! :-) - Christy

Hello and welcome, Nancy. And congrats on your band! I am working my way through the pre-op process with the Fresh Start program at Riverside. Hearing about newly-banded folks feeling good and working their band is so very motivating. Thanks for sharing! I found the following section of the forums here that should provide you with ideas for every stage of the post-op diet. Let us know what works for you! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/lapband-food-stages-lists-suggestions-3995/ Hugs, Christy

K, Hope your birthday is an extra-special day for you, lovely girl. You are an inspiration! Hugs, Christy

What would happen if I shared with my pre-op psychologist that I might consider taking my life in the future when/if a romantic relationship I'm in ends? Would that get me help, or would it get me black-listed, or both?

Hi, Patrick! How are you? Are you still scheduled for 11/24? Please let us know how you're doing! And congrats in advance! As a wanna-be with no date set yet, I must admit to being a little envious! :-)

****NAME***********START WEIGHT*****CURRENT WEIGHT*******GOAL********LBS. LOST ****:ohmy: *************************************:eek: ***************************** 1day at a time.............................259.....................259.......... ...............239...................0 gratefulheart...............................241.....................24 1.........................225...................0 kikival315...................................229.....................2 29.........................215...................0 laurigee .....................................170......................170..... ....................158...................0 leslie2lose.................................215....................... 215........................199...................0 lindar172...................................257.8....................2 57.8......................240...................0 noosagirl...................................138......................1 38..........................124...................0 SailorChristy..............................251.5....................248........................230...................3.5 __________________

I'm bummed that I won't be able to join you all today. I am going to spend the afternoon hanging out with my Papa in Newark. Have lots of fun! See you next month. Patrick, best wishes for your upcoming happy day! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear about it!!

Hello! Is anyone here a member at Sawmill Athletic (aka 'Premier at Sawmill') ? If so, would you be interested in working out or taking some classes with me - evenings and weekends? Any takers? :smile2:

That is great news, Patrick! Yes, 'knowledge is power,' as they say. Having been through my thyroidectomy, I hope that I'll be a lot better prepared for the lap-band surgery. Some words of advice I will share from my own experience: 1.) I'm pretty sure that the people who work in surgery (pre, OR, and recovery) are especially selected to be some of the kindest, gentlest, and most empathetic souls you will ever meet. 2.) You really only need to survive (anxiety-wise) until the Anesthesiologist comes in to meet you. At that point, you should be able to convince him/her to hit you with a nice 'cocktail.' My Anesth. could see that I was freaking you, and he seemed to have a bottomless lab coat pocket full of syringes of all kinds of good things. After he hit me with all of them, he asked, "Are you feeling a little better now?" I responded, "Not really... um... yeah... wait... what did you just ask me?" :thumbup: 3.) Let your Anesthesiologist know that you are concerned about nausea from the anesthesia and ask if he will/can put something in your IV before you wake up as a pre-emptive strike against it. (Or perhaps that is standard operating procedure for abdominal surgery or LB surgery?) My Anesth did that for me but my Mom's did not. Guess who felt fine afterward, and guess who had a little pink basin on her lap all day?) :biggrin: 4.) Going to sleep and then waking up was not scary at all for me. It was kind of cool, actually. I was awake when they wheeled me into the OR, but at some point after I shimmied over to the other gurney, my memory went blank. I don't remember having a mask over my face or anything, and that was something I was very afraid to experience. When I woke up in recovery, it was kind of an interesting sensation (difficult to describe.) The nurses were very kind and encouraging there. I was afraid to try to speak because I didn't figure I'd have much of a voice from the thyroidectomy and/or trach tube, so when the lady in the cubicle next door (total knee replacement) started asking (loudly) for pain meds, I tried to use my arms ("put your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care") to try to get someone's attention. (You know, as if the screaming and yelling wouldn't generate enough attention? Sigh... I was on some good narcotics, apparently.) Okay, so that's my long-winded "Surgery Tips from Christy" story. We'll all be so eager to hear what your experience is like. You're gonna do great, and you'll be so happy - for so many reasons - when 11/24 arrives! [PS - I should probably include a disclaimer here that the opinions and experiences expressed here are from one dingbat named Christy and are not intended to replace the advice of your physican... etc, etc, etc. Your own 'mileage' may vary.]

Hi, Patrick! I just saw this post. When is your big day and how are you feeling? I felt the same as you described a couple years ago when I had a total thyroidectomy. If you'd like to talk things through with someone via phone, feel free to send me a private message. For the band surgery, I am taking comfort from the fact that it's only an hour or so in duration. That's not so bad, right? This is a very positive choice that you are making for your life! I hope that since you posted you've been moving from fear... towards hope and excitement! Please let me know what I can do to help!

Hi, pretty Juli - Thanks for your response. I should know better than to make ambiguous, melodramatic statements like I did, as if everyone here knows my story. Let me explain a bit. I hope this doesn't come across as defensive or even more melodramatic! I moved home from FL eight years ago, which was 6 months after my Dad's heart attack. He had heart bypass surgery just a few months after I moved to Columbus. Since that time, I've witnessed my precious Dad be diagnosed with one obesity-related disease after another, and observe as he suffers through each day and is hospitalized about once per month. My Dad has heart disease, type-2 diabetes, inflammed/fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, and depression/anxiety. My Dad is only 61 years old. As for me, my body has already failed me once. I have (had?!) Graves Disease, which is autoimmune hyperthryoidism (dx Nov 2002.) I went through three years of roller-coaster riding on meds (cycling back and forth between hyper and hypo, with occassional moments of bliss in a 'euthyroid'/normal state.) When I started to experience the eye symptoms that often accompany Graves (e.g., they started to bug out of my head), I elected to have a total thyroidectomy. Well, it's a good thing I had the surgery because there were two little secret microcarcinomas that only God knew were there. I had thyroid cancer, but it was stage 1 and the thyroidectomy is the treatment for that. Thyroid disease has been a real strike against me in the weight management department. I've gained about 10# every year since I was first diagnosed with Graves. I can very clearly see my future in my Father's struggles. I have hypertension, anxiety/depression, high cholesterol, and a fatty liver already... and as of last week I have added obstructive sleep apnea to my resume'. I don't want to have to continue living with this burden... with this daily fear of what comes next for me health-wise. I am only 38 years old, and I long to be as active -- and as 'at peace' with my health -- as I was before Graves. (I ran a 5k race every weekend when I lived in Orlando!) I view the LB as the tool that will help me to regain my health and avoid 'the family curse.' I don't feel like I'm viewing it as 'the diet of the month,' but I'll talk to my LB program psychologist about that just in case. I know that life will always throw me curve balls, like you said. I long for the day when I can confront them without the added burden of being 'a sick person.' Thanks again for your response and for the opportunity to explain my melodramatic statements a little better. Y'all will probably be hearing a lot more from me in the weeks to come. I've failed my first month of the pre-op program miserably, but I'm renewing my focus now and 'using my resources' to stay focused. I really think/hope that starting to use the CPAP machine will help improve my frame of mind and this dark spiral of anxiety/depression that I've found myself in lately. :thumbup:

On a somewhat more positive note, :eek: is there anyone else here with a membership at Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club (the former Sawmill Athletic Club)? I am looking for an early evening workout partner. Anyone interested? Thanks.

Thank you, ladies. The cpap wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I felt a bit better after sleeping with it. Now I must wait as patiently as I can for Dr. Zee (internist at Fresh Start Bariatrics) to write my rx so I can start using it at home. I am pre-op. Had my all-day appointment 9/28 and was expecting to have surgery before the end of the year... until I royally screwed up my first month of the 3-month pre-op diet. I'm seeing Jan, the dietician, on Monday afternoon. I am sorry that your husband was worried and caused you stress, d. When I first came up with the idea (in August) to have LB surgery, I was so excited to tell my best friend. We talked for an hour about it, and he treated the whole topic with such sensitivity and never for a moment made me feel bad about myself or my situation. He too is (was?) concerned about surgical risk, which really touched my heart. I had thought that he would be the one to visit me in the hospital and help 'nurse me back to health' (especially since he lives just two doors down from me), but I guess that won't be the way it goes. I am so eager to get banded, but since this is my last chance at life, I want to make sure that I get it right. I hope that the cpap machine will help me get everything on track -- and I hope that it won't be a need that I have forever. Thanks again, Christy

Hi, all - Well, I had my baseline sleep study Monday night and am back again tonight to do the cpap. I am so upset and discouraged. I'm barely functional from the exhaustion, my anxiety & depression have me at 'record lows' (like the stock market), I can't seem to get my 3-month pre-op diet right, and my best friend (a man I dearly love & thought was 'the one'... Who made me feel precious & desirable despite my size) is shopping for girls on the match.com (because of our religious differences.) I'm having a really rough time and am wondering if maybe my plan to 'save my life' with the LB came too late to make a difference for me. :-( Sorry to my spew my anguish here, but I'm in a pretty dark place and thought that maybe some of y'all have been there too. I am seeing a psychologist regularly now and am trying to snag an appointment with a psych to get a workable, non-fattening happy pill. I am going to book some personal training sessions this weekend and start seeing the dietician every week if that's what it takes. I am trying. Thanks for listening

Hello! I am 38 and an e-commerce Product Design Manager and sailor in Columbus, Ohio. When I was younger and thought I knew everything, I thought that people used ‘thyroid problems’ as a convenient excuse for their size. Well, then I was diagnosed with the Graves Disease (overactive thyroid) 5.5 years ago, and I had a total thyroidectomy 2 years ago. I have gained 50 pounds since I was diagnosed, and having a screwed-up thyroid (aka ‘metabolism’) and now having *no* thyroid has definitely proven to be a serious strike against me in the weight management department. I have a family history of all the horrible obesity-related diseases and am frightened to death. I don’t want all of that to be the only future I have ahead of me… and to be honest, I’d really love to have a tight little body again (like I did when I did, yep - you guessed it, the Atkins Diet) and the ability to run 5ks every weekend. And okay, I’d really love to snag me a husband, too, before these ovaries of mine wear out completely. I am just starting the program at Fresh Start Bariatrics @ Riverside Methodist Hospital. I absolutely adore Dr. Stephan Myers and his team. I have plenty of hurdles to clear before my surgery is scheduled (sleep 'hypopnea,' counseling for anxiety/depression/head-hunger, and nailing this pre-op diet), but I am viewing this as my last chance to save my life. I can't wait to really start living again!