Kat817

One thing I do like about her, is she seems to try to ease the peoples minds when they are hurting. I hate seeing the ones who only make the loved ones left behind feel guilty or unworthy of a loved one coming back. She gives people hope anyway. But do NOT get me started on her talons...er nails. EEeeeeewwwww!!! Kat

Hi Girls- Betty we are all sighing with relief right along with you! I am so glad Alan is doing this well! Did they have to replace the valve? You know Rick's Dr. told us this is one surgery where older people do much better than younger ones in recovery. He said the reasons are that older patients have more neuropathy---older nerve endings don't "feel" as much anymore, so they overall have less pain. Plus the older ones he said have less pectoral muscle so there is less muscle pain there as well. So I guess it makes perfect sense! I just thought he was either saying Rick was getting old---or was a wimp!! I really am glad it is behind you, and he will soon be home, and walking with you---that is just awesome!!! Julie---if you faint again---get yourself checked out! That isn't supposed to happen! Boo---I think starting an open thread like the other one would be really good---especially for the newbies. So many people are banded then leave the site, that it seems there are more people here with complications, than not. I respond to a lot of people just looking around that it scares off. I think anything that highlights the positives would be an excellent move. Smart woman you IS!! Molly---you are doing it!!! One step at a time will get you there! Blue---I'm getting worried....check in with us. Hoping your leg (and the rest of you too) is ok! Dawn---how cold is it now? It rained here today, and poof things already look greener!!! I have flowers getting ready to bloom!! When it hits over 100 for days in a row here, I will be jealous, but right now I am loving it!!! I spent over an hour at the park with Kinsey today---she is learning to play tag---so I ran around with her, and just had to laugh with sheer joy---that was one of the things I prayed to be able to do with this surgery, run and play with my grandbabies, and I was doing it! There was a young girl---maybe 26 there with her 2 children, she was easily as heavy as I was in the begining of this so in the neighborhood of 300 pounds. She was sitting on the railroad ties that border the play area in the park, and they were all eating McDonalds which is right outside the park. She was shoving handfuls of fries in her mouth, and bribing the kids to eat their lunch. It was sad to me. The kids wanted her to push them on the swings, she refused. The oldest one played and ran with Kinsey and I--the youngest was just toddling, and scared me, she would walk over by the swings, I just knew she was going to walk in front of one---and the Mom just sat, and ate. It was like I could feel her unhappiness. Her frustrations were so obvious. She had no hope---and I really didn't know how to give her any. I tried a couple of times to talk to her, about the kids, nothing else, but she was not willing to say more than single word answers so I didn't bother her, but I have thought of her all day. Wierd. Rick is doing fine. We are at a point that is kinda difficult for us. He cannot have hard protein in the form of steak, or chops, or roasts---he has to have ground meat only. And other soft foods. He has ate whatever I needed for the last year, without complaint. So I am trying to return the favor, and not tempt him unfairly, and yet keep my eating from piling on pounds. My scale is still reading 200 then 201....but I don't want it going up again! But I don't want him feeling bad that I am not eating right either. So we have been trying to be creative with hamburger!!! Tonight we didn't even try to be creative, we grilled burgers and called it good!!! He see's the Dr. on the 2nd. Hope to get some plan in motion for improvement. Will keep you all posted. Well I am going to surf for awhile and will be back. I started this post before dinner and am finishing it 4 hours later---had to watch Greys Anatomy!!! So if I missed anything in the meantime---I'll be back!!! Kat

Sounds to me like you may have what is called a Mallory Weiss tear of the esophagus. They are tears, inside the esophagus itself. They can be minor, or VERY serious. In your case it sounds like they may be bleeding, and when you fill up, you vomit. The scary thing is, the repeated vomiting is what often causes them, and can make them considerably worse. My DH had a tear similar to a MW---caused by non therapuetic levels of blood thinner he was given. His tore bilaterally where the esophagus meets the stomach---and he almost bled to death in minutes. They did an experimental procedure and managed to save his life. But the Dr. come out and told me to get his kids there, he would likely die in the next 15 minutes. This is NOTHING to mess with! It is time to find a Dr. who will look into this seriously before your family is finding a mortuary! Yes I am trying to scare you----when it happen to my DH it was the worst---I have never been so afraid in my life. PLEASE take it serious! Kat

Sylvia Brown on Montel Williams---I am fascinated by her sometimes too---other times, it seems a stretch.....don't know if it is her being up and down---or me!!!! Kat

Hi-- Sophie what I meant by that remark---knowing why you are sliming makes it less scary---is this--- When I was banded I had researched thoroughly the process, and my Dr. all of that. I had a fairly good idea of what a PB was---but when I failed to chew well enough following my first fill, I began sliming---and if not for the helpful souls here on LBT, I would have been even more scared!!! Lucky for me one of the older (band wise, not age) members was up late that weekend, and told me what was going on, that it was ok! FYI---slime is VERY thick, VERY sticky mucus. Your body produces huge amounts of it, if your body senses something is stuck or you overeat. It is trying to "slick" the obstruction up to help it pass. Unfortunately, when your pouch is full, there is nowhere for all the slime to go...so spitting it is the best option, if you try to swallow all of it, it will 9 times out of 10 throw you inot a full blown PB and you will lose it all. When you do swallow it, and then PB it, it often comes up in long strands referred to as ropes...it is heavy, it all sticks together, and comes up....sounds nasty, it is...BUT...the slime is tasteless, and odorless....just an annoyance! It does not choke you to PB (vomit in a way) it up....it is just bizarre looking---I know that sounds gross....but trying to be 100% honest here!!! My point was just that the more educated you can get on this site as to what might happen to your body, the better prepared you are, and you aren't sitting at home at 11 PM worrying that something is wrong, because you are "foaming at the mouth"!!!! You guys are right when you say we can probably remember a year ago--how nervous and excited we were!!! I Can! I remember sitting in this exact chair, at this computer looking at the before and after thread....not believing for a second that I could have my own pics there! I remember telling DH that the average/suggested weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. I told him, can you imagine me being 50 or more pounds less in a year? As it is- it is closer to 100! For every pound and every inch lost I have gained in confidence, and insight, and hope. It has been an incredible year---a successful one with my band despite some serious health issues for my DH that took priority. I am telling you all if I can do this through the last year---anyone can. That is one of the wonderful things about the band, when you are least able to concentrate on eating right, and working to get the weight off---it is still there working for you. You are all headed for a great experience! I am loving reading my band sisters responses!!! Great thread Boo!!! Kat

Meat at this stage is a definite no no! But it is not the only one. Cream soups or pureed foods thin enough to go through a straw with NO pieces however small---it should be liquified. You just do not want your stomach to try to digest it, which causes your stomach to move, and can pop stitches. Your lower stomach was brought up and over the band and stitched to hold the band in proper position. If you eat and cause your stomach to begin the churning process it uses to digest and pass food it can pop the stitches. So if you move on to creamy things, just be sure there are no pieces, strain it if necessary. One of those situations where, you are best following your Dr.'s orders, but in any case better safe than sorry! Kat

I too had sutures only. All incisions except the port were removed at 10 days, the port at 2 weeks---we removed them here at home. No problems~~ Kat

Hmmmm....I have never just felt mine. Mine is a low profile port and it is buried deep, and I carry my excess weight mostly in my belly. Do you have a regular port or a low profile? Have you mentioned feeling it to your Dr.? Are you planning another fill anytime soon? They might feel it themselves then I was thinking. Let us know how this turns out! Kat

No, you just don't have any restriction yet. You are in what is referred to around here as bandster hell. You have a band in place, but it is not functioning yet. It has been likened to buying the car---but until you fill it with gas, it isn't going to take you anywhere. If you must eat more, eat less at a time, and eat it more often. Avoid stuffing the pouch all at one time. Keep the amount in it, limited, and as light weight as possible. That will help it heal. If you have to eat another 1/2 cup in an hour, it is still better for your band. Try to choose the foods carefully. Keeping low sugar, and low carb in mind. They tend to exacerbate the cravings. When you can begin the fill process, it will all begin to change. It may take several fills to achieve a good level of restriction, but that is when your band truly begins to work. Until then, think of this as one last diet----work as hard as you can to get through this time. It isn't easy---I remember it! You will have times your head is so hungry---if you can, go take a walk, ot go water the plants---anything to get busy, get moving, and interupt the thoughts wanting to eat. Once you get through this hard time, it will get better---but I would not stress over thinking the band has slipped---it is rightfully called----bandster hell.... Hang in there!!!! Welcome to LBT April, we are glad you are here---and look forward to getting to know you!! Kat

I learned the hard way that YOU don't have to have switched soaps or personal hygeine items. I broke out with huge lumps under my arms! I had used the same deodorant for well over a year, but it was obviously the culprit! Either they had changed the formula---which is quite common (read New and Improved!), or I developed a reaction/allergy to something in it---somehow something changed!!! I was miserable for a few days. I switched after a few days of nothing...and worrying that I was going to stink, and had no problems with the new one. I agree if it continues to see your Dr. if they can't pin point it, they can refer you to a dermatologist. Good Luck- Kat

I don't remember seeing one---looks like you might get to start it!! I know April is filling up, they have quite a list of them going to be banded in April. I am an April 06 bander, so we have been in touch with the April 07-ers! I bet you will be shocked how they start popping up with May dates---you won't be alone for long! Congrats on getting your date! And welcome to LBT!!! This will be one of the best things you have ever done for yourself!!! Kat

I would honestly be more concerned with the lack of support from your nutritionist, than the hunger at this point. Are you making sure to get in protein in your liquids? It helps some with the hunger. Not a lot but some. I was 2 weeks of clear liquids, and it was hard for a few days, but then I got to where I DID anything to stay busy, and away from food! Then I had 2 more weeks of full liquids, and then mushies...my Dr. was very strict in his post op recovery diet. He explained and showed us why...so I did my best to follow it. I think I jumped the changes by a couple of days each to be honest!! I was able to have the popsicles (SF) during the clear stage---and they seemed to help---they kept my hands involved! Is your nutritionist connected with your Dr.? If she is, I would call the Dr. to find out why you do not get a call back. That is not a good thing. You (or your insurance) pay her---not the other way around! You deserve to have your concerns answered, however trivial she may find them, and regardless whether she has to answer the same question for every patient. Does a 2nd grade teacher get to refuse to answer the same question for every student? Nope, and neither should the nutritionist---if you pay for her to guide you through this, she should at least return the call! Good Luck! Kat

Excellent advice---I had not been in her shoes, and never thought of it---you bring up very valid, and insightful points!! I love this site! Kat

The PB'ing will last as long as we have restriction without dilation, or slippage, and refuse to eat right. It is caused by our own inattention for the most part, so it lessens as we learn what our own bodies will and will not handle. Occasionally there are people who just have problems with the band causing everything to back up---and for them they are quite common. Unfortunately this often means there is a deeper problem. I have been banded for 11 months, and have only had 2 true PB's---to the point of actually bringing everything up. I have been lucky---and very careful when away from home. At home when I get too slack in my eating habits, I have slimed many a time, but I spit and walk, and stretch, and have avoided further problems. The slime is very thick and heavy. It is naturally produced by the body when it is trying to help us move food through, either from something being stuck or overeating. When you swallow the slime, it tends to pool together due to the weight of it. When I say it is heavy and gooey and thick---it is not an over statement!!! So when you swallow it, and you are already overfull, or stuck, it has nowhere to go---so eventually it will fill into your esophagus, and a PB will be next. When you do PB (basically like vomiting) the slime comes out in "ropes". It conforms to the shape of the throat, but is all together, due to the weight of it. It is tasteless, and odorless, it is gross, but nothing like stomach acid. When you PB it is the slime and the undigested food---nothing else. In that way it differs from real vomiting. As for the belly/skin issues----oh yeah I got those!!! I was heavy (yeah talk about understatements!!!) but I carried all of my weight in my belly. Well most of it. I always had fairly thin legs---still do. Not much butt---still don't. My hips were always narrow. My belly----omg........it was huge---still is in my mind! I also have large breasts, and my upper arms were getting pretty heavy. I have lost a lot of weight from my torso. I can see my collar bones, and feel my ribs, and hip bones. My belly is beginning to look like a balloon that has been blown up and deflated several times. The skin is crepey, and soft. I figure the first of next year, I will be ready to get the TT. I would like a boob lift too---but I have keloid factor, and scar pretty badly. The plastic surgeon I spoke to years ago concerning a reduction, said it would be dicey, and he would not do it. I don't know if they have come up with new ways or not. My port scar is just now almost a year later, returning to normal coloration, but is pretty ugly still. I know the TT scar will be bad, but it will not be as limiting as this skin hanging in my way. My high weight was 289, and I am tall, I am 5'9". I am still 200 pounds and if I had this skin gone I could easily fit into a size 12 jeans. I am wearing 14's, just to accomodate my belly....the butt and thighs have excess room. I just want to "deflate" this belly as much as possible before surgery. Til then, I can totally relate to the sudden sighting of the blob. My DH knows I am unhappy with it, he allows me my vanity!! I don't like him touching it! He can touch me anywhere else, but do NOT play with the belly skin!!! I thought about the satin slip gowns, then just letting them slide off the shoulders, to pool about my middle to "hide" it....but I figured that was a bit orchestrated....and am more of a go with the flow kind of person. Just don't touch it! LMAO!!! Kat

Have you tried using something sugar free to tame the original sugar craving? SF pudding or Sf fudgesicles or something usually takes care of my chocolate cravings. I have more problems with the carb laden chips and that sort of thing...I think it is because I haven't found a good substitute! Kat

Not real sure why I am stalled out---or losing so slowly. But the inches continue to drop, as well as my body fat percentage dropping. I have been working out more---getting more exercise in, but also likely eating more. At this point, I am not real concerned about it. Some days it is frustrating, but others I don't even think about it! I feel like as the weather changes, and I can be outdoors doing things, that the last of this weight will come off. Now that is not to say I will miraculously slide to my goal weight!!! Would be nice---but unlikely!!! I am at a point now, I feel normal---so anything from here on is bonus to me. I feel healthy, and I am fitting in normal clothes. So when I can be outside, and work in the yard, and swim, and all that---whatever I get off I will be happy with. I don't count calories, I never have. I try to live with the old motto of "all things in moderation". This is a lifestyle for me, not a diet. I am not willing to be miserable and deprive myself today for how I might look tomorrow. I hope one day soon to see the Onederland number on my scale again---I saw it the other day, now the 2 is back!!! But it will reappear--and someday be here to stay!!! Kat

My DD also has PSVT---that they are monitoring pretty closely---of course as her Mom, it is not close enough!!! Let us know what your PCP has to say! Kat

aka----I talk A LOT!!!!!! Thanks that's a sweet thing to say! Kat

I used Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. Kat

I agree that he may be acting on fear. There are so many things to consider, and he is acting wrong, I will not defend that---but don't even start thinking the "big D". There is a lot to salvage. If you can work together as parents, you can work together on being a couple. I know if I didn't spend as much time talking about this band and this hectic first year here, on LBT, I would have likely alienated my husband and the rest of my family!!! I know they would get tired of my focusing on little else. You have gone through a grieving process only a fellow bandster (or equivalent) would understand. One of the stages of grief is anger, also sadness. He probably does not understand that. While bringing in the food that you cannot have is hard on you---you might try looking at it in another way. Remember how you used to turn to chocolate or whatever your favorite was when you were assuaging hurt feelings or feeling stressful? Well he hasn't been banded, he still can eat away his fears, hurts, whatever he is feeling. If you are feeling this, he is likely to be as well. And he has admitted to being afraid you will leave. Talk to him. Try to find things to agree on....work on it. Find a way to laugh together. Summer is coming, find things to do together, whether it is a sport, or grilling in the yard. Do things with him---let him know you want to be with him. You work your band---it may take some time working your marriage. It may not have been ideal, but you loved him enough to marry him, and have 2 children with him---find the spark again---and reassure him, it is HIM you want by your thin side. No matter what the future brings, as long as there is not any abuse in the marriage, you will never regret giving it your best shot, especially for your children. You all deserve a chance. Speak with your Dr, if the want to cry all the time becomes overwhelming, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. We needed help with our weight issues, so we got the band. If you need some emotional bolstering, ask for help---it is not something to be ashamed of. You lost a way of life, it often takes time to find yourself on an even keel again. ((((hugs)))) Kat

What is your "Bandiversary" goal? To consistently weigh in below 200 What have you learned this past year? That I CAN do this!!! That my life does not have to center around food. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? I take no more prescription meds for high blood pressure, or diabetes. My back doesn't hurt. I FEEL healthy! What is your biggest challenge? To eat enough veggies, and some fruit. I havre a tendency to eat meat...and other high Protein foods, forgetting my body has other needs too! What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? To enjoy the year---yes we all want to be at goal NOW!!!! But getting to know yourself and your body along the way, is wonderful. Seeing how far you can push your new abilities---is eye opening! What is your greatest fear? Losing my band! I try really hard to make the way I do things into a habit, so if something should happen, I would KNOW what to do, to keep from going back where I was. What goals do you have for the future? Taking my grandbabies to amusement parks, and Water parks, and not embarrassing either of us! To be the best support I can for others following me on this weight loss experience. How has your life changed? I breath easier, I feel healthy, I don't feel people staring at me, I buy clothes in Misses sizes. I wear jeans again, I can wear flip flops without my feet hurting. There are so many of these little things---there are also big ones. I upped my life insurance, and did not require a Dr. exam to do it! It has been full of changes---wonderful, dream filled changes! Has living with the band met up to your expectations? Yes, I didn't go in with a lot of expectations...this was not as involved (the board) then. I expected not to be able to eat some things, that I have been able to eat. I read about all the PB's---only to find out they are not a daily occurance! I expected the surgery to be more painful---all in all it has been much better!!! If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! I had failed at so many diets, I really doubted myself going into this too. I would explain the why's and the hows that I have learned along the way. Knowing why you are on a liquid diet, makes it so much easier to stay on! Knowing why you are sliming, makes it less scary. I researched, but I learned so much by experience!! I would share my own experience!! Banding is without a doubt one of the best things i ever did just for me---i would do it again in a heartbeat, and recommend it to anyone and everyone who asks me!!! Kat

My SIL had one repaired during her banding surgery, and he also removed several adhessions from a previous gall bladder surgery (done years ago with the BIG incision). She was up and around same as I was....no discernable difference. Not anything to worry about, just make sure your Dr, knows. Kat

In the town where I live we have a Chevrolet sales lot, that outgrew it's location, so they added a used car lot accross a VERY busy artery road. Now this is a small town, but that road connects the town to the highways. What did they do, but get the city to put them up a cross walk. Now I have no problem with crosswalks at intersections, or if it crosses to a school, or something of that sort....but an auto sales? And those damn salesmen stroll, they do not acknowledge that 4, 5 sometimes more cars had to stop for them. I would not buy a car there if they begged me! Kat

I think they should have just named it "GO"!!! Because I did!!! Kat

Felicia, the slime is the bodies way of trying to help us get whatever is stuck or overeaten passed on through. Slime is a thick...make that very thick, very gooey, sticky saliva. There is just a huge amount of it. Like Desiree said, it is made by the body, because the body is trying to slick it up and help it pass. The problem with that is when we have something stuck or have overeaten and the slime is being produced, there is nowhere for it to go! It backs up, and the best way to deal with it is to spit it out---not pretty but most effective. If the obstruction or excess food and slime are all swallowed, and don't pass fast enough, you often end up throwing up...in a manner, called a PB. The biggest difference in a PB and actual vomiting, is that with a PB it is usually just undigested food and slime. No stomach acids...they are in the lower stomach area. Foaming, is just a form of slime, often caused by trying to drink to pass the offending food. If I drink, I get foamy---which just feels like it is expanding in an already full little pouch. If I make the mistake of trying to drink it away---I will PB---both times it has happen, that was my BIG mistake!!! In my opinion "PB" sounds like a mild little burp thing, and it isn't for me, it is much more like truly vomiting. But I have never been able to throw up easily---I have to be VERY ill!!! Maybe that is why it is a biggie to me!! Neither are pleasant, and ideally for the health of your tummy and your band, should be avoided. But they happen to most of us one time or another. Keeping an empty water bottle or disposable cup in the car, in case you get to a point of sliming, is always a good idea. They say airsick bags are perfect, but where do you get those if you don't fly often??? Bandster eating rules really do help---I am just a slow learner sometimes!!! Kat