Kat817

You are in what is referred to around here as "Bandster Hell". You have a band, but since you are healing, you cannot have food, and you are therefore hungry. We all went through it. It is not fun, and it is not easy. It IS however VERY, VERY important to stick to YOUR Dr.'s guidelines, not someone elses Dr. There are serious reasons for the post op diet being usually VERY restrictive. I had 2 weeks Clear Liquids, 2 weeks full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, then on to a regular diet. Your body needs time to heal! It is compared to eyeballing the new car you want for months, finally getting go down and buy the new car, then you cannot go anywhere because you have no gas.....you have your band (car) but you have no fill (gas). When you can begin the fill process, usually at 6 weeks post op, then you can start working towards some hunger control, and restriction. Then the band begins working with you. The good news through all of this is.....IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there, you CAN do this!! As has been pointed out get in your Protein, clear liquid Protein drinks are available at places like GNC, they do help, with hunger, fatigue and healing! Try Zero carb Isopure--or some of the clear Liquid Protein shots they have. Also do not let yourself get dehydrated. Often diarrhea accompanies this stage, so you have to get lots of Fluid in. The loose stools are normal as well, liquid in= liquid out. You can do it!! Kat

Ya know Dianne----one would almost think I spoke from experience!!!! Ahhhh we live and learn!!! Kat

Welcome! The time line is different with everyone....sorry, I know that does not help you one bit! Different Dr.'s, schedualing with the assorted Dr.'s, how fastyour insurance gets back to them---it is all dependent. My psych appt. was a simple talk, I did not have paper work, some do, have a standard questionnairre. Mine simply ask me what led me to want the surgery.... how I envisioned life after the surgery..... What my ultimate goal was concerning weight loss....How my family felt about the surgery....who I had planned to share the experience with.....did I know others who had WLS....how I felt about their experience....was I afraid of the risks involved in surgery...how would I react if I woke up to find they were unable to perform the operation... Lots of things that way----looking to make sure I had thought it out, and no one was pressuring me to do the surgery besides myself, was her ultimate goal in the questions I believe. There was not a nutritionist/dietician here that accepted my BCBS of TX, so they allowed my PCP to do the nutrition counceling, and it was way off base I think, he was kinda idiotic in it, he had me keep the food diary, then simply went over it, telling me that this would be better, avoid that.....the usual. And his biggest---RIDE A BIKE!! He rides competitively, and that was his answer to everything. I ended up changing Dr.'s and am soooo glad!! I think it will be a simple Q& A of diets tried, how you eat on a regular day, how they want you to proceed from there. It is a guideline, to help, not judge your past behaviour. They often put you on a diet that you MUST follow to qualify for the surgery, proving you can and will follow the guidelines. Dress heavy for the appointment. Many people have issues with the weight loss, or the next appt. falls during TOM----hedge your bet with a little extra for your check in!! Once again---welcome to LBT!!! Kat

All the foods mentioned so far have a high gluten content, and it changes form as it breaks down, tends to go back to a big old ball of dough----often times bigger than the stoma opening----there in lies the problem. It blocks other food and saliva (slime as well) from going through, and takes a looooong time to break down, without stomach acids to aid in the breakdown---and the stomach acids are below our band. Snowbird, I must tell you--I have seen several of your posts this morning, and you are on the money!!! Way to GO!!! I love reading smart, well thought out, helpful posts---and yours have been! Jeannie---bandsters say they have a hard time with things that for one reason or another their band is not agreeing with. Sometimes as in the gluten rich foods above, it can be food related, other times it is our own lack of chewing well----or a food that is difficult to chew to the proper consistency---think shrimp, mushrooms, things that do not break down much beyond what you chew them. chicken for instance is pretty easy to chew to a paste consistency---but a mushroom does not absorb the saliva and break down the same way. Due to that, some foods can be simply too much for the stomach to try to digest and causes pain. Or if the bite is too big, or the pieces swallowed too big, they do not want to pass through the tightened down area of the band. Often times when you do have things that don't want to pass we "slime" it is our bodies way of trying to help. We produce copius amounts of very thick, sticky saliva. It is intended to help slick things up and pass them. Unfortunately if we have stopped up the stoma opening at the time, nothing moves---it just backs up. And there is too much slime/saliva. So spitting it out is the best bet. If you cannot do that, then it fills our little pouch quite quickly and then into the esophagus, and when it hits the esophagus, it triggers the gag reflex---and you have a sudden need to "throw up" or PB. PB's can vary from a simple hiccup while that bounces things loose in the pouch to a type of projectile vomitting. The biggest difference, is there is nothing but chewed food, and saliva/slime--sometimes looks foamy--but no acids. It can be a nothing like thing, or it can hurt, and take awhile--------there is no predicting, and they should not be common. Small bites, chewed well, and keeping portions small will avoid most PB's or stuck episodes. One thing about the band, it is a learning tool---a type of aversion therapy, you do it once, and you learn! It is VERY wise to ask all these questions before making your final decision. Way too many people wait to ask, and are surprised! Welcome to LBT--ask all your questions, we will try to help~!

Would tempt me to wear some really heavy jewelry, heavy jeans, drink lots of Water prior to appt......lay it on thick, but not permanent!!! My BCBS was of TX and it was 35 w/ 2 co morbidities, and 40 w/ none. Good Luck! Kat

How is your weight loss? Are you losing 1-2 pounds a week? If you are, and if you are still getting food "stuck" then it does not sound as though you are needing another fill yet. It is always a temptation to get really tight restriction, and lose it fast. But as you are finding out, it is hard to eat if you do not do so properly, and have restriction!!! My suggestion would be to slow down.....and learn to seriously eat like a bandster. Smaller bites, and chewed VERY well....then a few more times just for good measure! When you can eat in this way, and eat hard proteins--meat--without getting stuck, and your weight loss falls below the recommended 1-2 pounds per week----then go get the next fill. If you push it, get another fill, and do not learn to eat properly before hand---you take a chance on getting something stuck seriously that would require a complete unfill, and healing time. I have been banded for almost 2 years, am getting close to goal now....and have only had 2 fills. I might be able to handle another now, but I like the control I have learned. I like being able to eat healthy food. I can eat salads, and meat without issue. I still eat small amounts, and in small bites. Chewing is serious business! It is better for your band and your stomach to achieve restriction slowly....and cautiously. Overfilling and unfilling, begins a swelling cycle sometimes that can be hard to break. Therefore making it hard to find your sweet spot. If the only thing you are getting stuck on is the buns, tortillas, and chicken, it may well be that they are simply too dry, or going to be trigger foods for you at this stage of the game. It is time to watch your intake, and how you feel closely----see how you eat those foods, and if you feel that way at any other time, etc. Ask yourself some serious questions about whether you are ready for another fill, whether your Dr. asks you or not. It is your body---be sure you take as good of care of it and your band as you can!! Kat

It helps flush the toxins from your body that you are losing as you lose weight. If I don't get enough water/fluids in, my weight loss totally stalls! Kat

Sometimes it is an indication of a band being too tight. Other times it is possibly indicating a hiatal hernia. Try avoiding food after say 7 PM. About 8 begin drinking a large glass of Water to flush the pouch. Then nothing more by mouth until bed. See if that helps. Do you have any indications other than this that you might be too tight? If not you can try raising the head of your bed a few inches, or sleeping on a wedge type of pillow to help with reflux. Sometimes sleeping on your side eases it as well. If you feel like your food is getting stuck too often---then see your Dr. for a slight unfill. You can also use an OTC antacid. Many Dr.'s have their patients take one as a precaution. I had a hiatal hernia prior to surgery, it was fixed, but has herniated again----both my parents have them, guess it is my lot in life!!! I sleep on a wedge and take Prilosec OTC, and have no issues anymore. Good Luck. Try something, that acid in your throat is not healthy! Kat

IF---------and that is a big IF-----you are on a regular diet now, not on mushies or liquids, then nothing will happen if you eat it. This is not bypass surgery with dumping issues. Small bites, chewed well----and you should be fine. Most suggest the lower calorie as it speeds up weight loss!! Avoiding refined sugars and flours is recommended, but if you are asking will it physically hurt you, or your band, or make you "dump" the answer is no! One of the benefits and yet drawback at the same time to the band! You can eat it, but you will get the same calories and fat out of it you would have pre band. The difference is, with the band, once you get some restriction, 1 cookie will be enough, not the entire plate she brought!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

Wow! Lucky you! If there is a 6 month wait, look into it, often times doing all the pre op testing etc. still takes a few months. Think of the vacation you could take on your 16K----when you feel good wearing the swimming suit!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

As someone mentioned before, a motel desk, is often slow through the night, allowing you to get your study time, and grading papers done. If you could get a 3-11 shift, you would have busy time, also slow time, and still have time to go home and sleep. Or even an 11-7 shift, you would have slow time----and could sleep prior to work. I am not sure what your other hours are. Home health is also always an option. Many allow you to sleep as long as you are there if the person needs you. I did this lots of years ago when I was going to school. Did the night shift with a man who had cancer, and was an amputee---if he needed up at night, I was there to help him....most nights, I got a solid 6 hours sleep anyway. A question--------can your parents afford to help you out this way? If so, draw up a contract, make it legal, allow them to loan you the money to finish up school. Agree to whatever repayment schedule you all decide on---then you could relax, not worry about asking for the extra each month....that kind of thing. If they really cannot afford to help you I understand, that would not be an option. As a parent, who has helped her kids, with school expenses, and home loans---I know I had no issues helping them, as I knew what they were doing was helping them! They have repaid the money, and we all come through it without issue. I have our youngest DD now, we loaned some $$$ for their down payment on their new house. They have not done exactly as we had hoped....her DH has chosen to go back for his masters instead of getting the job that would allow her to continue her education too, as well as pay us back.....but fornow we are letting things sit for a bit....we feel she is under enough stress right now, trying to support them. Parents usually do just want to see their kids happy and successful!! Good Luck finding your way through this. Few things are more stressful than money issues. Kat

I always figured if you had a snotty nose due to an infection, if you swallowed it, it would just move to another place. My SIL says she always gets bowel issues when she gets a sinus infection, she thinks it is from the antibiotic---which it likely is--but it could also be all the crap she is swallowing----ick! My appointment today is not until 3:30.....so going to try to stay busy and not think about it!! I have things out so I can put some cheesy chicken enchilada Soup in the crock pot. Not calorie good----but tastes good, and will be something I can eat on over the next couple of days. I have some laundry I want to get done. I really think I will feel better once it is done. The infection is getting to me. I took my prescription in to get filled, and they took FOREVER!!! Then they still got it wrong! I was trying to simplify, and do all my things in one spot, such a mistake. From now on, I stick to the pharmacist who knows me. There is another woman here in our tiny little town with the same name as me. And if that is not enough----our birthdates are almost identical----exactly 10 years apart. Mine being say 1/1/60 and hers being 1/1/50! They put my prescription through her insurance----and then told me my insurance card was no good. Well I have seen plenty of Dr.'s and dentists lately to know it IS good! What a disaster--then when I get it home, I see they still have it wrong! So among other things today I intend on a letter being written to the corporate offices. Then when I checked out of the main store, I had more problems! My next door neighbor and I went together and bought a gift card for the couple across the street, who are expecting their first baby. She told me what "pattern" she was using---but we figured to be safe we would go with the card. So I take the card to the cashier and tell her we want $75.00 on it. She messed with it over and over and set it to the side. Totalled my stuff, and before I run my debit I told her I needed the gift card, she replied she had given it to me already. I disagreed, and she just stood there, very slowly blinking at me, like she was controlling her temper! Pissed me off!!! We ended up with a manager at the register, and she kept insisting I had the card, it must be in my purse. So I went through my purse again---nothing, the manager went through my bags. The cashier is being super snotty--saying check your pockets, and not just shaking her head at me, but her entire body! So I tell the manager "Look it is $75.00 on that card, I brought it up here, a white card with little yellow ducks, and she fought with it for several swipes, it IS on my ticket total, she sat it somewhere, she never give it to me, and I am not leaving this store without either the transaction voided off----so it is not charged to me, or the card IN MY HAND! I told her she is welcome to go through my purse, I do not have the card! So she says, let's just void it off, and begin again---the cashier is very agitated, so she cannot get the proper sequence of keys on the register, so the manager stepped up and as she reached to pull out a copy of my receipt, she reaches down and there between the check reader and the drawer part of the station, is my gift card!!!! I told her VERY loudly, I thought her cashier was trying to rip me off, and I would be in touch with the corporate offices about this! The email I got back from them this morning bemoans the entire gift card process. Not an apology from a stinking single person I dealt with!!! Frustration! Watch if you buy a card, make sure you get it!!! Did you hear about all the Sharper Images cards sold at Christmas are now worthless, as the company went bankrupt? Today will be better!!! While in the mall yesterday I happened across a rack of Crocs marked 75% off. So I bought them for the granddaughters. For $9.97. Kinseys look so dang cute!!! They are the smallest they sell a size 4-5, and they are a bit big, but they look so cute---I wear mine to run out after the paper, or wood, so she has her a pair right here now too, she thinks she is hot stuff!!! Well I am going to go assemble all my stuff in the crock pot, and change out laundry. Will likely be back as I try to keep myself occupied, if not----I'll check in soon! Kat

Got busy (?) reading a book, now it is LATE!! Kinsey will be here early---and Rick leaves at 5:30---so I better go get some sleep. Tomorrow is my day, wish it was early----but at least it will soon be over---hope it fixes my headache. Talk to y'all tomorrow!! Kat

These comments do not seem to be made to be non supportive to me---or malicious in nature. When we are fat, joking about it is not okay. Seems like maybe this is just their way of being happy for you and maybe an uninformed way of showing it. There are people on this site who find being called skinny, the equivalent of being cussed at----and in the next post you will find someone who is counting the pounds and days til someone refers to them as skinny. We all take things differently, and in this case, what your family is doing, would make me laugh at myself too!!! Kat

I am so glad Abi got her box, and is feeling up to school tomorrow! Hope it goes great. Kids all seem to prefer snuffing as opposed to blowing or wiping.....some men too. My BIL drives me nuts with this deep sucking of everything in his head--I cannot describe the grossness!!!!! Well we are off to chinese, last time it did not set well.....so we will see!!! Catch ya in awhile!! Kat

I think if you go in and ask him in a manner that is not accusing---and give him a chance to respond----you should be ok, even if you don't get the answer you desire. Then you have a clear picture of where he stands, and whether he is involved at all. Then if you want to change, you can seriously begin looking, and then I would write letters saying they misrepresent the costs involved. Let us know! Kat

I just had my PS consult, and yes I do have sagging skin along with remaining fat in my belly. I am at a point it is a problem--today--not in another year or 2. As the fullness in my stomach has reduced, it has dropped. Now it irritates underneath it, the skin actually breaks down, and becomes infected. I have had the Dr. prescribe ointments, I have tried everything over the counter from lotions, to powders, to deodorant, to athletes foot cream, to yeast infection ointments. I had no serious problem clearing the wound up, and it healing...IF I allowed it to receive plenty of air, and I quit irritating it. The problem is, to do any type of exercise irritates it! If I ride my bike or the elliptical, it bounces my stomach up and down---first day I am ok, second day the skin with tear. Then I am sidelined for 4-5 days while I allow it to heal, I deal with the pain of it, do not get any work outs in, and sit in a chair reclined with my belly open to the air.....real exciting!!! If I try the compression as opposed to allowing it to move---then it breaks out in a heat type rash, and instead of being in one spot where the skin tears--------it is the entire width of my stomach, and on my groin/thigh area---where my legs attach to my body. I have lost weight everywhere, my hips are thin....my legs very thin....my only remaining problem is my stomach, and I am limited in how much I can do without injuring myself. I could reduce the calorie intake, and risk malnutrition.....but the goal here is to be active, and be healthy! My remaining fat, and skin on my stomach alone stop that. My PS surgeon agreed completely. He said any more weight loss might leave me a slightly looser skin feel, but not one that would interfere in my daily life as this is. Now if insurance comes through like they say they are-------it is gone! I would bet without the alien on my stomach I would drop 2 sizes easily! I wear a 14 now, and the bottom and legs sag....but I need it to cover my belly. I am ready for it to be gone and be able to walk and exercise again at will! Not in 1-2 years! I would be regaining weight I would bet! Right now I feel very healthy----and this is my only deterrent to staying active. Kat

Hi girls----I had issues logging in once this morning, but have not had trouble since....knock, knock, knocking on the desk!!! Will look into another pic besides my avatar Laura. Cute! Laura I am in a strange place with food as well. I either eat like you say, grazing all day, out of more boredome maybe than hunger....or I do like today, I get busy, and then as I walked in the door and began putting away groceries, I realized I was sooooo thirsty for my tea ( I had a bottle of water but it was getting warm)---and then I thought to myself it is going on 3 PM and I have not eaten anything but the cracker I took my antibiotic with! I find myself doing that a lot, forgetting to eat if I am alone and busy. With Kinsey, her new mantra is "I'm hungry"....so I fix her breakfast, and lunch, then of course I cook dinner, so I eat regularly. Left alone, I forget! So I sat down with a small bowl of chili with some fritos----but if I eat much I won't be hungry for dinner in 3 hours! I would have NEVER, EVER thought I would forget to eat. Hope MRS. Tracy is having a good time! Jane hope the accountant has good news for you! My neighbor next door, and I went together and bought a gift card for the couple across the street---they are expecting their first baby. So I bought it while I was in the store today. But the cashier never give the card to me after adding the amount to it. I ask for it, she said she handed it to me. I disagreed....she just ignored me! So she finished ringing up my purchases, and I told her I would not enter my PIN on my debit until the gift card had been found. She got ALL huffy, and flipped her light to flash--the CSM come over, I explained, she again told her she gave it to me. I am going through my purse thinking maybe I did space out....but nothing. So the woman goes through my bags.....nothing. I check all my pockets....and as the CSM is looking between the bags on the turntable, the cashier gets a little edgy and keeps saying "she has to have it!" I told the woman, I handed her the gift card with little yellow ducks on it, and told her I needed $75.00 on the card, she sat it against the keys on the register, and then she typed in the amount and slid the card, she kept sliding it over and over, so she sat it to the side. She is shaking her head---well actually shaking her whole body at that point! The CSM stepped up to the register, and found my card....slid next to the area they slide a check through at! The cashier keeps saying she thought she give it to me...blah, blah, blah------I think once it was paid for she planned on keeping it! I was so mad when I left! Neither one of them ever apologized! Home now, and have a bunch of things I need to do, and nothing I want to do!!! Story of my life lately. I still have this headache....I would prefer to be lazy! I see Terry here!!! She made it! Talk to you gals later! Kat

I read this, and as I was putting things away in the kitchen just now, it was running through my mind. Picture this scenario! Since you found his match.com, you respond to it as another woman....play him along, I mean after all this time, you likely know of his serious dislikes, and things, so you could play up being the perfect match. Then when the time comes to meet face to face....invite everyone you know to the restaurant, to watch as you hand over his divorce papers, and everyone sees him as the cheater he just proved himself to be. I know it would not pull off so easily, but wouldn't it be fun??!!! Kat

Going to trial and making him lie on the stand or fess up is going to be about all that might make DH's charges lessen I would imagine. HIS actions do not make YOU a hypocrite unless you go around saying your DH never does this or that. Those are his actions! I would say go to an Al-Anon meeting, you will find many others who feel just like you. Loving the person, and loving their actions when alcohol is involved are 2 separate issues, and they will give you guidance in ways not to enable him to have the "why you mad at me?" attitude. It will also send a message to your DH-----his alcohol consumption and lying are serious problems, ones you are not taking responsibility for. I know it takes a lot of energy to be mad. But hang on to that mad, do not let DH convince you to just get over it. You deserve to be treated better---YOU were not out partying with friends while your family was at home....he was. Kat

You say you are headed to trial? Can you not subpeona the original driver to testify? MAKE him perjure himself---then maybe the 3rd guy will be honest. It might not make a difference, but maybe it will freak him out, that it ISN'T over! Maybe this is the wake up call your DH needed though not to be taking DUI so lightly. Better he serve a short jail stay and know better than to do it again, than hit a kid and kill him in the future. My 16 year old neighbor boy was coming home from a rodeo when 3 men coming in from a few drinks after work crossed the center line, hitting and killing him. The men were not staggering drunk, the driver blew just over the legal limit of .08---they were laughing and arguing over which CD to put in----and he let the car veer off. Unfortunately Ty will never have the chance to make better choices than the grown men did. Maybe this is the lesser of 2 evils. I am not dogging your DH---I told my own brother the same thing when he got popped on a DUI. My brother has been sober for years now----hope it wakes your DH up as to what all he has to lose too. Kat

I agree that BMI is a nice tool to have to track progress, similar to the scale---meaning it is helpful, but it does not tell the whole story. My beautiful DD is just like Ceredad, she is tall 5'9", and ACTIVE!!!! According to the charts she would still be overweight, and by more than a simple pound! But this girl is a 36D, on top and wears a size 7 in Juniors!!!! But she has muscle tone that is incredible. She runs marathons! She lifts weights 3 X weekly, and does cardio 2X weekly one week then swaps the next. She only gets this time, as she does it in the company gym---but her weekends she is running with the dogs, she is GO GO GO!!! There is actually not that many pounds separating my DD and I---------but the shape we are in is totally different!! Her body fat is very, very low.....mine is slowly going down! We love having ways to track our progress, and scales, and BMI charts, are great, but a measuring tape, and a good physical cannot be replaced by either! In all honesty it saddens me to think something like a chart can say she is overweight, when ANYONE looking at her, would just shake their heads. You do not see her bones poking through----and you don't see body builder level of muscles, but she looks like I dream of looking! Kat

Same here, just checking in with my girls! I am off to do some shopping today, stock up on Soups and mushie things, I get my tooth fixed tomorrow ---- finally. I am so sick of the nasty taste it leaves in my mouth! Not to mention it has made hamburger out of my tongue. Be a relief! Hope Abi is still mending well!! Weather turned here too----t shirts Saturday, snow flurries Sunday----I am sooo ready for Spring! Will check back with all of you after I get back! Hugs~~ Kat

Welcome home Judy, we missed you, but I am glad you had a wonderful trip! I get my tooth/roots removed tomorrow. Not until like 3:30 tomorrow afternoon though.....I am a bit nervous. I have to go get my prescription filled today. Speaking of----I need to call my regular dentist and ask a couple of questions concerning the removal.....ok did that, now I am set. Going to go shopping today and stock up some more Soups and soft things. Plus I have a big ol' list anyway, might as well get it done while I don't have my Kinsey helper! My scale is not budging---but my rings will not stay on again....so weight is apparantly shifting....probably all is going to places I don't want it!!! It is cold here today....but the snow stopped. Well I am off to do a few minutes on the elliptical before I shower and head off to do my shopping I think. Better check on my email----I have been soooooo lazy this weekend!! Talk to y'all this afternoon! Kat

Zippykat, if you are having issues with length one thing you can try is the maternity lines. They are often made longer. I have a friend who is 6'1" and she buys lots of maternity things, and takes up some of the tops etc. She needs the extra length. Many are sold in separates, you can get the top in maternity and the bottoms in womens or misses if needed. Most tops will go with a black or solid color bottom. Kat