Kat817

I can and have eaten McDonalds on occasion, as was said above, a small burger, remove the top bun---the fries, just kinda went to being yucky when chewed properly....so it is not something I care to have. I try to lead the grandkids towards Wendy's for fast food lunch, or Taco Bell. Unfortunately, they don't see the play area there, so it is sometimes a hard sell to the 6 year olds!!! Sharing a meal with my 2 yr. old granddaughter is ideal, and we usually still have leftovers! You will be able to eat most things, what you end up CHOOSING to eat, may be totally different! Kat

Hi--You are doing the same thing I did pre surgery---asking lots of questions! Unlike our resident "wonder-boy" ousooner (wink wink)---I didn't have a weight issue until I hit my late 20's and my 30's. And then it soared! Depression, and bad habits did me in. I dieted, occasionally successfully. I simply could not stick to a diet nor keep the weight off once it was lost. Banding was my big hope. It has been the answer for me! I likely would have lost more weight if I had dieted along with the band. I am one of the banders who continue to live as I did before, only now in moderation. I do not eat the junk food I used to---it is not appealling to me anymore. I do eat whatever my family is eating, I eat whatever is offered at the place we choose to eat out at. I don't eat a lot anymore, small portions are filling, so I just go with it. I have grandchildren---and wanted to spend time having fun with them! I wanted to be able to eat birthday cake at their parties. The band has allowed me to do both. I do not feel deprived in any way---that was always in issue with me and dieting! I have not felt hunger in over 8 months now! It is far easier to make a wise food choice when you are not in the throws of starvation!!! I now go for quality food, as opposed to quantity of food. I used to go to dinner at say a nice steak house, and order one of the lesser cuts of meat, in a larger size. Because I wanted to be sure it was enough. Now I can order the filet, and know there will be more than enough. I will choose to eat it, and some salad, or a vegetable, and ignore the bred completely, and maybe eat a bite or 2 of the potato, and be more than satisfied---and have a couple of meals of leftovers to bring home! Restrictions----I was told no lifting of over 15 pounds for 2 weeks. I was on (keep in mind I have a VERY conservative Dr.) clear liquids for 2 weeks, full liquids for another 2 weeks, and 2 more of mushies, then was to be on solids for 2 weeks prior to getting my first fill. I did pretty good following the plan. There is a good reason for the liquid diet---and it is VERY important that you follow the diet your Dr. gives you. Your healing depends on it! As for food restrictions, most Dr.s suggest low carb dieting in conjunction with the band. It helps, it is not required. I have lost 90 pounds, and have eaten a bit of everything. The way I eat has changed, I eat slower, smaller bites, and chew everything very well. It allows me to eat and finish about the same time as those I am dining with. It is amazing how well it works out!!! I'd be happy to help answer any questions in particular you have---just ask! Welcome to LBT---we are GLAD you are here!!! Kat

The band is basically a tube with a balloon in the center, when you fill the balloon part it makes it tighten down around the stomach. It is made from the same silicone material as breast implants. The band is attatched to a tube, connected to a port. The port is stitched into a layer of muscle type of tissue, and is accessed by poking a needle through your skin, into the port, and adding saline. The saline, goes through the tubing, and into the band, causing it to tighten around the stomach, increasing the restriction of food passing so quickly. Which leaves you feeling full longer. Some people feel enough restriction just getting the band put on, and others require 7 or 8 fills of saline to get to a good point, called the sweet spot. A place where you can eat a small amount, and feel full for several hours. Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Yeast raised donuts......of course I really don't NEED to eat them either!!! I tried a simple glazed donut----it was a no go---it grew to about 10 times the size of the bite I took, and I slimed for 45 minutes, before ultimately losing what seemed then to be a dozen donuts----way more than the bite I took!!!! All in all, I am very lucky. I can eat most things. I cannot eat a lot of pasta---1/4 cup or so, and I feel FULL big time! Same with potatoes. meats, most veggies, etc. I do fine with. Fruit is another take it very, very slow thing. The moisture content in the fruit makes it like drinking with food, and I risk sliming!!! Good Luck!!!! Kat

I am afraid with this question---you are going to get lots of opposing answers!!! Only because everyones tastes vary!!! Which is perfectly normal---but makes it difficult to rely on others experience. I will say, I drank Zero Carb Isopure during the original clear liquids, they had 40 grams of protein and zero carbs or sugar. They come in several flavors, and some were tolerable, others were down right gaggy IMHO. But I have seen others promote the flavors I had the most problem with!!! I drank them just the same! They helped me---and I viewed them like any other "medicine". I also used Unjury powder for shakes. It was not bad in my opinion. But I can also tolerate the Slim Fast Protien shakes, and have seen others that say they throw them up instantly! Several companies offer sample packages. You might also consider something unflavored, and using the sugar free syrups, or sf pudding mix to flavor some shakes. Walmart sells several options, and most can be bought in smaller amounts, and GNC even has some here in a cooler that can be bought singly---so you could try a few, find something you like, and then can likely order it online much cheaper. Good Luck---hope you find something to make your taste buds happy! Kat

The fill may or may not give you restriction...but it will get you started on the road at any rate!!!! In my case, the first fill simply confirmed I did have a working band! It forced me to slow down and chew well. Then a month later, my 2nd fill gave me good restriction. Kat

Hugs to all that are headed for bandland!!!! Tracy, when I went in to the Dr.'s office with my SIL for her to get a fill, there was a woman there, who was talking really negatively about the band. She was a nice looking woman, who was actually quite thin, but her attitude about the band really sucked! She was going on and on about things she couldn't eat, and how it likely would be proven to be dangerous she figured in the next decade. I finally spoke up, saying that was not my feelings about my band at all!!! When the woman she was talking to went back to the exam room, I began talking with her, and she said she had lost 204 pounds with her band in just over 2 years. I was amazed, and ask her if she had been sick the entire time. She said she had never been sick, I told her with her down talking the band I figured she had ( I thought WTH she WAS down talking it!). She tells me she always does that, because good grief it everyone has the surgery what good did it do for her to get skinny, she likes being the successful one! I was almost too shocked for words! I ended up telling her I was trying to make sure she wasn't the only one by telling everyone who would listen about how great my band was! Maybe this witchy woman led your so called support group!!!! Kat

I agree with Julz---I told my children they could be anything they wanted, if they did the work to get there. Why should I be the one to decide where their ceilings should be set? That would be like someone coming up to me a year ago saying I would never be able to lose this weight. I am sure without the band they would have been right, but I FOUND a way!!! If you want something, sometimes you have to look for other ways to achieve that. My DD also struggled with math---and used a tutor to bring herself up to par when she needed to---it was not something that come naturally to her. She is currently a nurse, using what she has learned, and is soon quitting to attend the police academy. Lots of people told her she could not make the cut when she tested, there were 5 women, and 7 men, she and 4 men made it through the written test, and the agility test. She interviews for the academy this next week. Now what should we tell our kids? "You got poor grades, so give up, and quit trying, you are wasting our time?" How do you seriously choose how far THEY can go? I have read tons of posts on this site, from bandsters who do not have the support of their family---or their family members say hurtful things to them, either intentionally or not. I would much rather my child grow into adult hood thinking (knowing) I had full faith in them and their ability, than them to think I doubted them. I agree that we need to be honest with our kids, and not heap undue praise on them. When their shortcoming are obvious, and there is nothing wrong with that honesty--- I believe that is when you encourage in another direction. But you also have to keep in mind, that it is difficult to see that some times through "Mommy eyes". The little girl who cannot keep up during her dance recital, is being viewed by her Mommy as the most adorable child on the stage---and possibly with great pride by the Mommy who was always too afraid to perform in public. I seriously hope by the time American Idol comes around, they both realize maybe her strong point is something else!!!! We have a friends Father who chews tobacco, and I swear I think he swishes it around and gargles with it---it is all over his teeth, and lips, and he spits-----grosses me out! Think I'll send him to see Becky, for brushing and flossing lessons! Kat

AAArrrggghh---I like Cindy just lost my post!!! And I am tired!!! I'll try to do a quick recap!!! Cindy I am here!!! Kinda! I am glad haven is doing so well in softball---I used to love Volleyball, thinking of trying it again! I saw 199 again this morning, it is playing peek-a-boo by the day!!! I will change my ticker when I see it for 3 days in a row, which may be 2008!!! Darcy---enjoy the cabin, it is lovely!!! Eileenie---I am so glad they promoted you, you truly deserve it! Beannie---thanks for educating me!!! I have never had the opportunity to spend any time with anyone of the Muslim faith, and truly had no idea!!! Patty---hang in there hon, it will all come back around and bite him in the a$$!! Betty---we went riding today---but had to cut it short! Mr. Pat---so glad all is well, and it is only gonna get better!!! Welcome Jenny---we are so glad to have you here!!! Actually I could use you HERE!!! I am sorry for missing the rest of you---Sherry, Chris, I hope your vacation plans fall in perfectly!!! I am not slighting anyone for any reason other than lack of time, not lack of concern!!! I am only supposed to be home to get warm clothes! And then I lost the post---so am pushing it time wise! We have a new little filly---she is gorgeous!!! She is a little quarter horse tovero paint---we are going to pull an all nighter, and do some imprinting. So I will be back sometime tomorrow. I named her Kismet (my granddaughter thinks her name is KissMe!). Her sire was a stallion named Chances Are (called Chance) and our mare is named Serendipity---so I thought Kismet fit. I'll try to get a pic on. Everyone take care, be back when I can't stay awake any longer!!! Kat

Laura, big hugs and lotsa prayers going out for you and for dynamomini too---and any more of you heading to bandland here in the next couple of days!!!! You will do fine, and we will be here waiting to hear from you!!! Kat

Boo, I am so proud of you---I felt like I was running that race---I can so relate to all the things feeling like they are conspiring against you---what a special accomplishment! We truly are PROUD of you! I havw walked my butt off since last night, and I think I froze off a couple of pounds too!!! Which would likely show, but the hot chocolate I was drinking to keep from freezing---counteracted the loss!!!! We had a new little filly born yesterday late in the evening. We had been watching the mare, and knew it would be soon, don't they always drop in the middle of the night!!?? Anyway, we spent all night and most of today, imprinting her---it is time consuming, but fun in its own way, and very worthwhile we find. She was sired by a stallion called Chance, our mare is Serendipity----so in that light we named the colt, Kismet. My granddaughter thinks her name is KissMe! I am tired! It is about a quarter of a mile from the barn to the house, and I used that walk to keep me awake, and get some exercise in today. Last night I rode the 4 wheeler---today I walked. Probably totalled 2-3 miles over all. Not to mention, mucking the stalls, and tossing hay. I worked out today! Tomorrow, we are going to work with her some on her imprinting, then some friends and DH and I are riding (motorcycles---not horses!!!) to the 4 corners monument. My friend has never been. So I am going to go and sit my smaller behind in 4 states at once. I'll try to get a pic! Ok, I am off to shower and try to warm up. The chill from last night is hard for me to shake off. Since being banded, I freeze, I guess that layer of insulation was warmer than I realized! Take care all. Once again Boo-----Yea YOU!!! Kat

Sounds like the muscle area your port is stitched in is extremely sensitive. Maybe your Dr. will have some ideas for you when you see him. Hope you get some answers and some relief! Kat

BJean, I am SO GLAD someone sees this the way I do!!! I keep saying that the additional calling, whether it be to keep the goofball, or get rid of him, is playing right into their hands. No calls would be so damn funny, I might even watch then!!! Kat

It is very individual...it just depends on how much residual gasses remained in your body cavity. I have read that flying sometimes increases the pain of the gas---the pressurized cabin, and altitude I would guess. Do lots of walking, and use some Gas X strips. Sip water slowly but steadily. Walk, Walk, Walk----that will help more than anything else! Welcome to bandland, and to LBT----hope you feel better very soon! Kat

Hi Hotpink- I wouldn't stress too much about what you already ate---but use the way eating the wrong thing made you feel, and try to make a better snack choice next time. It is the best any of us can do, and believe me, we all have our "breadstick stories!!!" I am sorry your Dad is not being more supportive. While you really do need to watch what you are eating for the purpose of the band and weight loss, right now the most important thing you can do, is follow the eating guidelines for taking your Coumadin! And faithfully going for your PT/INR checks! There are foods with high vitamin K that you need to be avoiding---that should be your #1 priority, then once you get the blood clot issue resolved, if you can add some of that back into your band diet, fine, if not---you'll just have to work around it. My DH had diet guidelines the entire time he was on blood thinners. Be very careful with them---do not even chance a PB. My DH was put in a life threatening situation, from vomiting---he tore his esophagus where it enters the stomach---it was bad! They told him throwing up with blood thinners is a dangerous thing. So with that in mind, proceed slowly and cautiously with your fills, and eat mindfully. Pay attention, and do your best to avoid a PB. Some of us know what you are going through, and know it isn't easy. But neither was going through the most of our lives obese---so you getting it done and taking care of it now---is such a wise decision! Hang in there, get your health under control, then your weight---and you will have such a great jump start on life!!! Kat

My DD is a nurse for a local physician, she was saying they have been prescribing a lot of the Chantix. She said that the first week or so goes by fairly easily for the people, but then side effects pop up, or something---she said long term at least in their office, is not looking too good. Their office manager is a smoker, and I cannot remember what she said happen with her, but it wasn't successful. I don't tell you this to dampen your spirit or desire. I know first hand exactly how hard it is to quit---I did it 16 years ago!!! Good Luck guys!!! Kat

Besides the addition they made to my IV in recovery, before I realized, and spoke up---I had nothing for pain, and needed nothing. When I realized that was pain meds, I ask not to have more, they offered it orally, I refused. I took a shot of liquid Tylenol to fly home. Surgery was not a big deal pain wise to me. Comparing it to mild mestrual cramps would be very accurate in my experience. And they were nothing I would ever take an actual pain med for. My cosmo hasn't come yet.....I think sometimes my mail lady forgets where it goes!!!! Kat

I got my exercise in----and have sore muscles to prove it....not to mention I don't smell pretty I am sure!!! We branded today. Not any fun as a rule, but as weird as it sounds we always end up laughing ourselves silly---over things I am sure no one else would find humorous!!! So I won't subject you! Yesterday, I did 30 minutes on the eliptical (dang near killed me for some reason!) and then our weight lifting routine has now expanded and takes about 30-45 minutes to complete---so with the 2 I managed to count yesterday. It was so windy and rainy, it had to be indoors. We actually woke up to a scattering of snow on the ground today---but other than making things muddy (and when you are branding, mud is the least of your worries!!) We are busy getting things ready to head to TX. We want to buy some new 4 wheelers (ATV's) while we are there---so are going to take a trailer---so I can haul all of my cast offs to the place there!!! I bought some new furniture, so am taking the old to the farmhouse. And we are swapping out a bed....taking advantage of hauling the stinking trailer. Then we finalized cruise plans yesterday---doing a Hawaiian cruise with my DH's brother and his wife, and his oldest sister. She lost her husband a little over a year ago to a cancerous brain tumor. She ask us to go with her, and we figured why not---we flew over several times when our oldest DD lived there, but we never cruised!!! Should be fun. And get this----I can wear a swimming suit---and shorts.....actually shorts were never a biggie, I have always had thin hips and legs, my upper body was the issue, and the belly---but I am close enough to normal to be fine in the clothes now, and not feel like every eye is on me. I am so excited for that! And I can shop in Hawaii, and buy misses sizes!!! My scale is teasing me, one day it will say 199, the next 201..I refuse to change my ticker until I can make it say 199 or less permanently!!! Talking to my PCP today---when I picked up my blood work (which was all GREAT!!!), and he said my TT should not be an issue with insurance as we have documented the muscle tear for years. And with the weight loss, I now am in a health position to have it repaired. Hoping it is that way. I have a muscle tore loose on the lower left side (courtesy of my a$$hole ex husband and a well placed boot)---and he said that will keep it from being cosmetic or something. I figure next January is when I will look into having it done, so start the approval this Fall sometime. January gets me past the holidays, and time to sit and heal. It also gives me time to get this last 35 pounds off as much as possible. He said I have lost enough to likely have it done now---but I prefer to wait, until a less busy time! I am in a size 14, but if the belly skin, and what fat is left were gone, I could go lower, the seat is big....how exciting will that be!!!! I was hoping for smaller breasts, but that is likely not going to happen! I scar so BAD. The TT will be a bad scar, but couldn't be uglier than the deflated balloon of my belly!!!! Ok well I am off to surf for awhile---everyone keep moving, and have a good one, the weekend is almost here!!! Kat

mustangelf---my DH has not been banded, but he had a massive GI bleed last October, caused by improperly handled blood thinners. What happen was he got sick at his stomach, and when he threw up, his esophagus tore---technically for those that know it, it was a bi-lateral Mallory Weiss tear, where the esophagus meets the stomach. They didn't give him much of a chance of survival, due to the fact he had been on blood thinners heavily for several months, and was bleeding out rapidly. Thank God he did live through it due to some inventive doctoring. Well in the last few months he has had the problems you are having. He choked seriously on things all the time. I have had to heimlich him several times, and last month he choked on a little bite of chicken, and we spent 12 hours in the ER. Well the chicken went down past his trachea,into the esophagus, so he could breath, just not swallow, or throw up---he was blocked totally! They tried several meds (glucogon, nitro tabs) to dilate the esophagus, nothing worked so they took him in and cut it, while inside the esophagus, and removed it, with the scope. The Dr. said his esophagus was horribly raw, and irritated. Told him he had acid reflux. He has never woke up with reflux ---I have for years! He coughs, but we thought it was a result of the efforts taken to save his life! He put him on Prilosec OTC (available everywhere) in the morning, and then on Protonix in the evening. He said that he could take the Prilosec 2 times a day, but the insurance covers once a day on the other!!! He has not choked at all since starting it! He does not cough, his throat no longer feels tight! Prilosec is not dirt cheap, it is in the $20.00 range at Walmart----but it might be worth a try to see if you have the irritation of the esophagus he did. He explained that the motility is affected by the reflux, so it spasms, and at times such as this last one, can lock down on something, causing a serious choking situation. It would be MUCH cheaper than a scope. And regardless if it helps or not, it will not hurt you. Good Luck to you! Kat

What Sunta said!!!!! I too eat as I please for the most part. I do make a more concentrated effort to eat a healthier variety---and I can do that because of the band. Before I felt so hungry all the time, I ate anything and everything that was handy!!! Now I will actually take the time to toss a salad, as opposed to grabbing a bag of chips.....unless I really WANT the chips! I am terrible about feeling deprived! I was not either excessively spoiled or denied as a child, so I have no idea why, but as soon as I am told I can NOT have something I fixate on just that! With my band, I have not eliminated anything ---except raised donuts, and they hurt me----so I don't try! Otherwise, just knowing I can have it if I want it---relaxes me! I was not willing to diet like crazy today to be thin tomorrow---I would rather the journey take a little longer, and enjoy my todays as well as my tomorrows. The band works for that. I love the feeling of freedom the band has provided, I am no longer controlled by hunger or food. Serious dieting to me is as oppressive as obesity---which may be why I failed at all of them! Definitely a life style change----so I can run with my grandbabies!! Kat

psssssst.....today is Kyethra's birthday!!!! Kat

Hi Anniejo---so glad all went well for you!!! Dr. Aceves did my surgery as well! There is an April band group, have you checked in with them? They are a great group! Isn't the feeling of not being hungry a great thing? It won't last forever yet----but remember how it feels because that feeling WILL be back to last!!! Welcome to Bandland!!! Kat

Michelle I am so happy for you!!!!! YEA!!!!!! I am on quick replay or I'd add you some dancing nanners!!! You know it doesn't matter when you end up banded---you belong here!!! I am just so relieved for you----what a week you had!!! Tracy---you and your poor Dbf----still messing with the plumbing---and that just plain sucks no matter what, where or when. There is no upside to it---I'm sorry it is still plagueing you! Jane---goodness, I sure understand your fear---but can you just imagine it fixed and gone? It will be worth the extra work, and even just a bit more ouch factor---to have it off of you! Will be thinking of you! As for vitamins---I do chew 2 childrens vitamins a day!!! I do a viactiv (or store brand equivalent) calcium chew, sublingual vitamin b complex. And if I am around a lot of colds, I do the vitamin C strips---like listerine strips. For Tylenol, the liquid is available in several formulas---regular, sinus, cold....at Walgreens, and some Walmarts. They also make a chewable adult Tylenol, called Go Tabs. They are pretty nasty, but they work, and are handy to carry around in a purse or a glove compartment, etc. There are more and more things available in chewable or liquid....the pharmacist told me it was because society is aging more than ever, and it is needed......I think there are more of US!!! Kat

Personally I would take it very easy, and stay on casual rides, like "It's a Small World" or "Pirates of the Caribbean"---ones you simply sit it, that don't have a lot of jostling, or bars across your stomach. I have been to Disneyland several times, and I feel like there will be enough things you CAN do to make the ones I would NOT attempt not seem like such a loss. I would also plan several breaks, find some shade, and sit while they ride something wilder, and you can people watch, and rest a bit. Remember to keep a bottle of water---maybe one of the protein waters, and sip on it steadily! Dehydration can make you feel horrid! Try not to overdo---but doing things like this is why we got the band---just this early out, do it with care---and start planning another trip for a year from now, and plan on riding EVERYTHING!!! Have lotsa fun!!! Kat

Wow---I would imagne it is due to how the insurance companies search for ways to end up denying us. The Dr.s way of comping themselves for the work entailed. But that's just a guess. Be interesting to see if the trend is more widespread than just your areas! Welcome to LBT. In my opinion---the band is well worth that cost. I self paid, and paid a lot more than that, and it was still worth every cent!!! Kat