Kat817

Sue---my surgeon said that to do one without the other, left people so unhappy, he does it as part of the procedure most of the time now. He said some minor lipo, then simple skin manipulation of the mons would do it for me. Warning this might well be TMI----but following my chemo, not a lot of pubic hair regrew--so he said my pubic hair line being nonexistant will allow him to make a smooth transition without much problem. He too discouraged one without the other. He said we might not notice the bulge of it now, being hid under the belly---but after it is gone, if they do not do the mons lift, it is highly noticable, in cases like mine anyway. So it is getting done as well. Mine is going to just be hip bone to hip bone he is not extending it. My hips, my back, and my butt are all in fair shape for what hell I have put them through!!! I do not have love handles, or muffin top problems--------just a hanging belly. Right now it is a huge shock that I don't just fall on my face and lie there, all my weight is in the boobs and belly!!!!! Kat

Hi girls---been a rough day---will try to get back in awhile. Kat

Wow Jane----what a night you had!!! Good thing I read your post AFTER we went riding, or Rick in his chaps might have given me the giggles!!! We had such an awesome ride! Beautiful weather, all the fruit trees blooming, and spring popping out everywhere! I LOVE it! I don't know how to explain the sensation, it is like my senses are in overdrive, I could smell all the trees, and water hitting fields that had been dry all year, and the sun makes everything seem red and warm if you close your eyes. We have our Ipod on, playing OUR music. On the back roads, you can just let your arms fly with the wind. I find it extremely easy to pray when riding....I know that might seem wierd! But there is so much to see and be thankful for, and when you have things troubling you, it is so easy to contemplate them for a minute or 2 and then pray over it and acknowledge it is time to Let Go...and Let God----and on the bike it just feels physically like you can feel them blow off. I come home feeling pounds lighter. Add into that that there is no way on the bike not to be extremely close to my DH. He tends to ride, with one hand wrapped around my leg on the back roads....I can rub his shoulders, and we can talk freely. Even in helmets, we have intercom. Without the helmet with the face shield I would look like the famed Happy Biker---I'd probably have bug filled smile---I am smiling all the time!!! Made it a great end to a great day. Night girls---see ya tomorrow! Kat

I'm slinking off to finish eating my Starburst!!!! Kat

Way cool Julie!!! I have been to Hawaii several times (DD used to live there), but never was in a shape to even consider a bikini! The thing about it being such a tourist mecca, is that you see people of all shapes and sizes, so I never felt especially conspicuous---but I do think I have a new goal------------Hawaii in a bikini!!! What type of suit did you buy? Kat

Rick built our entertainment center! I had an old one that housed our small TV, that my Grandparents had given us. I didn't really want to part with it. But we went from a 27" TV to over 50" so....no way was it going to fit. Next thing I knew I heard the saw going, and what used to be the bottom cabinets below my TV----Now sit directly above the TV, with shelving in the middle. He added shelves down both sides, to house speakers, media equipment, and all my doo-dahs, and kids pics!!! Then on each end---instead of just solid wood, there are shelves facing the outside--like bookends to the entertainment center, one end houses DVD's the other CD's. It is probably 7'X7' easy!!! It is tallest in the center above the TV---it has a crown molding border on the very top section, then it steps down into a lower height for the shelves, then the music racks are another step down. It is self supporting, the TV is centered under it---so we can pull the TV out, which is actually very easy and light to do, get back there to change out wiring----or even do the C word (clean). I love it! I still have the basic unit my Grandparents bought us---and NO ONE has one like it! Although we have had plenty ask where we got it! He helped our neighbor build one out of an old waterbed frame--it turned out really sharp---but omg it is heavy!!! Suzanne you make me feel soooooo lazy!!! I cleaned up my house, got things going for dinner, but have spent a very lazy day----wandering the yard, piddling, I have hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils blooming. The forsythia is bright yellow! Grass is turning green---I LOVE it! I took my book out on the porch, but then Red next door thought I wanted to visit by sitting out there---I wanted to swing and read!! Not try to find conversation....he is a nice guy, and a great neighbor, but he and I personally----conversations are limited, he talks with Rick all the time, and I his wife, but other than the usual, what is blooming, weather, how we are--it's done!!! Well thinking it is time to go for a ride---guess I will call Rick and ask him how close to done he is!! Catch y'all in awhile. Kat

Would it kill you? Highly unlikely. Could it cause you problems? Possibly---no way to know. Would I do it? Not without consulting with my Dr. I know it is hard! I had 2 weeks of clear liquids, before I moved on to 2 weeks of full liquids. I remember it! I remember thinking if I could just sink my teeth into something I might just survive. The best advice I was given (right here at LBT) was when those thoughts took over, go take a walk! Even if it was just around the yard! This time of year, Spring is hitting, there are lots of things to look at, flower beds to work----DO something! Do Anything! Get your mind off of food or the lack of it! Increase Protein. Give yourself a manicure. I am not trying to be flip, or holier than thou! I know it is sooooo hard! But until you talk to your Dr. hang in there! You will be proud of yourself for knowing you did the best possible thing you could for your future band health. If he gives you the go ahead, then you KNOW! You will not question every twinge you feel, whether or not you messed something up. Dr.'s commonly change their own directions, when they find out how you are doing, how you feel, how liquids are going down, how long they hold you for, how the incisions are healing......give them a chance to work with you!!! Hope you get some good direction from your Dr. Kat

Awwww thanks Luluc! I could say the same for your posts, I always look forward to seeing your take on things! I think Megan has received some really good advice, I cannot believe I missed the books!!! I always have a book (sometimes 3 or 4) going! I listen to books while I exercise! Keeps me moving! Megan---please know we will be here for continued support. When I read your post, I was SOOOOO proud of you. You held your head high, and used some of your incredible strength for YOU! You are already an amazing person, to step in and care for your aging parents as you struggle to raise your own children---the added work you are doing on you now---girl there is gonna be no stopping you!!!!! Kat

Yep---you've done lost your mind!!! LOL--no, I have heard a lot of people have found that it takes several days for the exact restriction to kick in. My fill Dr. does not do the swallow test with each fill, he says he does not find it to be helpful. That swelling might totally block it off in a matter of hours, or as the fill moves through the band and the tubing, you might find yourself much more open in a matter of a day or 2. He said time and living with it, is our only way of knowing what will work for us. That being said.....I have no idea why you can eat so much more even with the small fill----unless more ended up coming out than you thought maybe. The extreme foods might have caused some swelling, I mean, maybe your stomach reacted to the bread at Breakfast and swelled some which caused the PB at lunch.???? Just a guess! I do know if you end up with a PB from it, go back to at least a few hours or a day of liquids, do not continue to irritate the stomach....or you could start a cycle that is very hard to break. I can sense your frustration! Wish there was a clear cut answer to these fills! Wouldn't it be ideal if 2cc.'s worked for everyone! Good Luck to you--let us know what you find out! Kat

I had to increase my Fiber. I usually have a small dish of some sort of fiber cereal---like a bran chex, or mini shredded wheats---as a snack while I sit here at the computer. It meets my need to snack and gives me some very needed fiber!!! It won't work instantly, but it will work towards regularity. Kat

I believe that some blood thinners are standard for surgery. I had a shot of Lovenox given in my belly prior to surgery, then again after. I also had the inflating leg wraps available, and in fact they were on when I woke up. But I began walking very soon after that, and only had them on that night in the hospital. I flew home from surgery, and they stressed the importance of keeping my legs moving, and keeping hydrated. So I moved --a lot! I bet the guy in the seat next to me on the plane thought I had ants in my pants!!!! Oh well--better that than a blood clot! The death rate following all bariatric surgeries is affected by the general health of the obese patients going in to the surgery. All too often we do not seek medical help on a regular basis with our weight being the cause. Pre op testing for existing infections has lowered the problems following surgery. Flipped ports---where the stitches pop and allow the port to turn over do happen, but most can be fixed quickly, and slips do happen with bands--there are things you can do to help minimalize that possibility--but both of those scenarios are fixable! The issue being ----even if your band slipped-----your stomach is still there, it just has to be reset, or in worst case scenarios removed laproscopically the same way it was put in....but in the end your body is still intact. If you eat a nutritious diet, there is no need for supplements--other than a good Multivitamin, which we should take anyway probably! YOU learn new ways to eat. YOU learn how food really tastes! When you chew something thoroughly you get to really taste it! What that does, is teaches you to like tasty food, which translates to good food! All the Snacks like the Little Debbie, cheapie snack foods we all ate--omg, to eat that now tastes to me like putting a spoon full of sweetened crisco into my mouth----the grease feels like it sticks to my teeth, and gags me!! I really cannot say enough good things about my surgery. I am glad I was able to address some of your fears. Please both you and your wife feel free to PM me and ask anything you want----this IS elective. But it is electing to live a longer, healthier life. Electing to enjoy your kids---not worry that they will be embarassed by you at their baseball games. I speak from experience. I was FAT during my DD's growing up. I was self consious every game, every school activity, from early elementary when I gained it all, to graduation. I now am proud my grandkids do not remember me fat!!! My 3 year old granddaughter is ticked off because I tell her that lady with her Papa in the pictures is me, she doesn't believe it!!! Perfect! Kat

Morning crew! Lazy day here in NM. My MIL just left. When DIL had pictures made of my grandson, she always buys the off the wall things---the black and white, and sepia tones, and ends up spending her budgeted amount on the specialties, and never has enough pics. So I went in, bought pics for us, both parents and the girls. MIL come by to get hers. She loved them. They live so close, that my grandson spends tons of time with them, and I knew she would want a picture, that showed him being him, and in color! So I picked her one of him sitting, laughing in a bushel basket. It was a good choice. Today I plan on going through a couple of closets. Becky and I are having a yard sale next weekend. She has a storage shed she wants to clean out, and I have a shed out back that needs it as well. She lives out of town in an area not so great for yard sales. My place is off of a main throughfare----easily signed to point in the right direction. In one of the well established neighborhoods.....perfect for a yard sale, with the small exception of the fact that my drive slopes a bit too much towards the street end. But we have it planned, and will get it done. Rick is off, Gary doesn't work--so we should be able to clear out a bunch of stuff. Manda wants to bring stuff too. I told her fine, if she wants hers kept separate financially she has to work it-----not drop things off and leave. I told both of them what is not sold or moved from my house by next Sunday gets put into the side yard, covered with a tarp, and one of the charities will be called to pick it up.....I am not storing one thing for anyone! I am being so mean! But I still have a fire pit in my back yard of Becky & Gary's---and an attic full of kids junk--------I want to clear out, not store more!!! Maybe I will go clothes shopping with my earnings!!! Took pork chops out to grill---anyone got any great ideas to go with it??? TracyKS---I have no idea what made me wonder about that woman, but I do know---it was a negative feeling. In fact I was watching America's Most Wanted!!!! Something about someone helping someone on the show---and I thought of you. I hate that she is going to end up screwing you over---when you were the one person willing to help her. Just keep in mind, what goes around comes around......don't let her being horrid change the kind person you are. Jane I have had that happen---losing a huge post----it irritates the you know what outta me!! I look forward to the rewrite and hearing about last night!!! Pamela---I love your posts!! The more things you post about you and the way you are and handle things, the more you sound like Becky! Both aspects of your post would have been her--the gouges in her new furniture would have elicited EXACTLY the same response!!! And her fear of heights. For years we have discussed a trip to the Grand Canyon on the motorcycles, and she has nixed the idea. So this year we have an agreement. If I go through Carlsbad Caverns----and manage my fears. She will do the Grand Canyon. Personally I wonder if we will do either!!! Rick may blow all our money on his shop! LOL We got the contractor estimate yesterday, it come out better than I worried about---but OMG nothing is cheap! Well I guess I better post this before I have a Jane moment!!! Hugs~~ Kat

Afterward, meaning after you have healed, for the most part, unless you are eating you will not have any different feelings, nor abilities than you have now. The ability to do more things will increase as your weight decreases. Your port and tubing do not just flop around freely inside you. They stitch the port, tightly into muscle, which holds it securely, and the tube simply runs from it, to the band,and you do not have sensation of it being there at all. I am quite close to my goal weight and I must still push firmly to feel my port. I ride motorcycles with my husband, as well as 4 wheelers, ride horses, haul firewood, jump on a trampoline, swim, wrestle with my grandbabies on the floor, use a variety of exercise equipment (not nearly as much as I should tho!)....heck the list could go on forever! I do a lot of these things thanks to the band, I was too heavy to do them before. The problem with stats when it comes to this surgery is the fact that they are operating on some seriously obese people. I am talking Super obesity, of over 500 pounds at times, and when you begin looking at that type of weight the health issues are monumental, and death is more common due to blood clots following surgery as they are not often mobile....but once the surgery is done, it is reported as a surgical statistic. This was a simple surgery for me, and I was very close to your weight. I was up and walking within hours, and back to my normal life in a week. We were remodeling a home with my Daughter at the time, and I was back to weilding a paintbrush and making Home Depot runs within that week. I am able to eat all foods. There are a few I opt not to eat....but that is a personal choice. I eat much much less than I did before, I am now in control of the food as opposed to the food being in control of me. I chose banding over bypass for several reasons. #1 being I am a cancer survivor and if I ever need to increase nutritional intake I can. #2. I had serious fears of my insides being cut and rerouted and removed. #3. I do not do well with deprivation. Being told I could NOT eat sweets was a deal breaker! I wanted to have a piece of birthday cake with my grandkids on their special days. So banding was the ideal choice for me, I eat that small piece of cake and am good, no longer wanting to eat the entire cake!!! The choice was an easy one for me. I do understand it is a very personal choice for everyone. I hope you do take into consideration the risks associated with obesity as compared to the risks associated with lap band surgery. At the risk of sounding like a mastercard commercial, getting your life back is priceless......being able to run, and sit in any chair, climb any ladder, fit on all amusement park rides----and not stand out in the crowd because of my size----those and a host of other reasons make me happy every day I chose to override my fears and be banded. I hope you come to peace with a decision soon. Did your wife go to the seminar with you? They can be super informative! Kat

You will not always be sitting at home alone. Right now it may seem that way, and I realize how much you love your family---and how hard itmust be right now not to have some resentments. At being the one forced to care for everyone, and not being able to just throw up your hands as he has. But, in a few years, when you look back at your life, you can do it with a free heart. You will know you not only did for your parents what they did for you.....you set the example and raised responsible children, who if ever the need should arise, would take equally good care of you. As good of a "fit" as it was, he was/is not ready for that responsibility. He will not be able to look back with the same ease you will. I am not sure how to say this....but even if he were to come back at this point, wouldn't you would always feel like it was an inconvenience to him? At this point the staying busy sounds like your best option. Making life happy for your folks, and helping your kids get off to the best possible start. Take time each and every day to work out awhile, or do something for you. On your day off from working out, give yourself a pedicure, or go get your hair trimmed. Make the choice to be happy again. For awhile it may well be an act....but your parents and kids are worth that act. And soon, you WILL be happy again, and also well on the road to healthy and thin! Your time will come girl, just doesn't sound like this is the right time. And if it is....he will be back, ready to work with you to make those you love happy----including you. So sorry you are hurting. Seeing our hopes and dreams fade away is hard---most of us have been there in one form or another, and remember the pain involved. I hope you can move forward and recognize the special person you are for making the choices you have. Take Care~ Kat

From one survivor to another----good luck on your banding. I hope you find the control with it that I have. It has been a blessing! I look forward to watching your success. Kat

Hope you have fun Jane!!! TracyKS----for some reason tonight, I was wondering about the woman you got the job for, that then broke her wrist or something didn't she? What ever happen with her??? Michelle hope you are out having a good time. If I took a whole Zyrtec, I would be sleeping at the table!!! Hope you are not face down in a bowl of soup!!! Will check in with all of you in the morning. I am not getting any email at all from LBT---has the site been down or anything? Kat

Terry if I could have done it yesterday, I'd be a lot funnier right now-----high on pain killers!!!! I am waiting for 2 things. For either the Dr. or myself to get the actual paper confirming approval in our hands. We cannot move forward without that. Then I have my appointment on the 18th--she said I should be able to schedule the following week for surgery. IF I get the confirmation of approval, and they get a cancellation, I might get that appointment moved up. It is a fine line to walk to schedule it and schedule my unfill. I have a 12 hour round trip for the unfill. I don't want to leave Kinsey with my Mom for too much, she does tend to wear her out, and she will have her steady following my surgery, so I am gonna end up doing a goofy dance to fit it all into position I imagine!!! I have so many more wrinkles than when I was fatter it is unbelievable!!!! But the belly is far and LARGE the biggest issue. We have tried the golfing thing too----but Rick is just too loud!!! He is shall we say "lively"? He laughs and gives people a hard time, and is not one to hide his emotion---good or bad!!! And me? I get mad and would be the one who throws her clubs in the Water trap! Or wing some jerk up side the head!!! Wasn't a good fit for us! Rick sticks with his motorcycles. I used to love to play volleyball and softball. Too old now! I watch the kids do things now! Kat

LOL Pamela, my nieces call me Aunt Lucy! My DH's given name is Ricky---his Mama is a true Texan!!! So she still calls him Ricky---so they teased him by calling him Uncle Ricky----which naturally makes me Aunt Lucy! Kat

Lynne---I know Tylenol does not help migraines---but itmight help with the other aches and pains brought on by it. The Junior Strength 6-12 year old Rapid Melts. I buy the store brand, and while you have to dissolve 4-6 of them, the taste is not bad (like the Go Tabs) and there is no need for Water to swallow them with, so they go down when you are so tight. Last week when I was so swollen from being sick, I drank hot tea, just as hot as I could stand it, with honey, and it finally helped. I had NEVER in my banded life been that tight, I was scared! My Dr. was out of town, but another suggested the super hot, and it worked! I was running a high fever, and the Tylenol, and finally getting some liquids in eventually helped. Hope you feel better soon. Whatever you drink---make it full caffeine---that will help with the migraine a bit. So sorry! Kat oh yeah, I need a complaint....... I HATE unloading the dishwasher, and I ALWAYS have to do it...

I am looking at a TT in the next month. My Dr. is the opposite, he is a talker!! He told me the average is 4-12 pounds of skin and tissue to be removed and lipo'd. Then he went on to say to expect to go home from the hospital up by as much as 20 pounds!!! He said not only do they pump you full of IV fluids, but the body retains Fluid to try to heal you. Which is why the drains are usually used. He said it will slowly dissapate, and be absorbed into the body, and you usually will find at about day 10- day 14 you find one day you spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, and your body flushes the excess fluids quite quickly. He said from that point on, your swelling should begin to reduce quickly. I was in his office for 45 minutes discussing every aspect of what to expect, and he told me stories. One of the reasons he is the one I chose, I felt I could ask him anything! He went on to tell me about the mons lift, and how not doing it vs.doing it, left patients feeling. That was the deal maker. He was someone I felt I could call up and ask any question under the sun, and not only get an answer, but also, not feel like an idiot asking it! Can't wait to get mine done!!! Kat

I used a product called Zero Carb Isopure. It is a sugar free clear liquid drink, looks like koolaid. Is sold in GNC or similar shops. In bottles that look like the Sobe drinks, that kind of thing. Each bottle has 40 grams of protein. The protein will help with the weakness, the fatigue, and it will help with the protein. I would drink half a bottle in the morning, sipping away, and half in the afternoon. I could tell when I didn't drink it too! I agree with Sue---------be sure to try some liquid vitamins. I also used a sublingual (you put it under your tongue) B complex vitamins. They help with energy as well. They don't taste great, but not gaggy either. Same with the drinks. If I was feeling good and had a choice they might not be what I chose, but to feel better, they did the trick! They come in 6-8 different flavors. Good Luck---feel better soon! Kat

We buy ground "beefalo" from a man we know. He raises both, and we use the hamburger exclusively because it is SOOOOO lean, and has great taste. This is a ground buffalo meat, but they add some beef fat, to make it where it will cook without falling apart or sticking. It is dark red, and as was said the calorie difference is amazing! We love it! I buy minimally 50 pounds at a time! We have had steaks--grill them a lot during the summer. But my DH still prefers his rib eye---which is of course much fatter meat! But we use nothing but the beefalo for burgers or tacos, anything we use ground meat in. Love it! Kat

What happen to my ticker???? Hmmmmmmmmm

My Clear liquids list just listed apple juice---it was actually on my hospital tray---in a box...like I get for the grandkids. I didn't add citric juices until later. Whatever you are drinking, be sure to add some clear Protein drinks, the protein will help with the fatigue, and also in healing. The restriction you are being given are at this point it seems for weight loss only. The liquid stage is for healing---but other than some juices that are extremely acidic, I cannot see what the difference would be, unless the sugars impede healing. Maybe one of the nurses, or medically trained bandsters will pop in and give an answer. Good Luck, and welcome to bandland!! The post op is not easy, it has definite issues....liquid in=liquid out. Not to mention it is hard to feel like you are healing without adequate nutrition. BUT we all did it, and survived it, and you will too. In the meantime, if you have problems or questions, we are here--and don't hesitate to call your Dr. if you feel it is needed! Kat

Morning Violets! Sitting here looking at my calendar thinking.....I picked a really bad time to look into surgery!!! Oh well.....will do what I can, and go from there! I have a couple of things I volunteer for coming up, and .... Rick will take care of one, they are both things that will go on if I am not there, and no one will even miss me!!! Nothing of dire importance! Our area is hosting the next 2 years of the National High School Rodeo. Thousands of kids, from all over.....the fair grounds turns into a mini town. Companies come in and set up pools, and other fun things for them during their down time. We hosted it 2 years in a row, several years ago. It was incredible! It butts right up to the Connie Mack World Series of baseball. Which is high school age, and brings teams from all over the US as well as out of the country. I helped with concessions the one year during that. It was such a relieving feeling. On the news and it seems everywhere you go all you hear is bad things about the kids today. With those 2 events, I saw thousands upon thousands of kids, and was sooooo impressed! Our world is not in such bad hands as I feared!!! The other thing Rick got involved in is called CAST. It stands for Catch a Special Thrill. It is a local thing, where they take disadvantaged, and challenged kids out for a day of bass fishing. We live near a large lake/dam. They teach them about water safety, fishing, also taking care of the land....the kids smiles are HUGE!!! Bass boats look like large speed boats, and they love being on them! It is May 10th, so it looks like it will be up to Rick. The other items will be later in the summer, I should be able to be recovered and less self concious by then! I look forward to all of it, I am soooo tired of winter! I gave myself a pedicure last night with bright coral color-----so I NEED sandals!!!! LOL Michelle-be careful not to overdo today. You will end up sicker for it! Be sure to drink lots while you are out today. I agree with Terry--appeal insurance if it turns it down......I would have in a heart beat! My history with the documentation of the torn muscle might have been why mine went through. It is one of those morning, I feel particularly tight. This might sound totally wierd, I notice if I sleep on my right side,or my back, I wake up with super restriction.....if I sleep on my left side, I can eat anything I want when I get up. Figure that out!! Rick has a theory of the fluid moving between band and tubing. I dunno, I just noticed it several months ago, and began watching it! Anyway, I am thirsty, feel like guzzling my iced tea, and I feel it trickling through, so guzzling is not an option! Well I am going to go take my vitamins---and find something to do with myself for awhile. BBL~~ Kat