Kat817

Hi Linny--it is true, it is not always easy with the band---you do have to do some of the work yourself! But isn't that the way it is with anything that is worthwhile. It teaches you a new way to eat. It is not an easy lesson in the beginning---with the necessary liquids following surgery---but it gets to be MUCH easier in time. And once you go back to a normal diet, you can eat most anything (some bandsters have problematic foods---others don't), just in a much smaller, healthier amount. It sounds impossible to you now, it did to me pre-banding as well. I could not imagine that a small amount of food would ever be enough, and how was I supposed to deal with being hungry the rest of my life???? It doesn't end up like that at all!!! I am about 11 months out from my surgery, and I have had 2 fills. The last one being last July---and I can tell you in all honesty---I have not been hungry since! I wil notice if I forget to eat (who would have ever thought I would forget to eat!!!), I feel empty---but not the growling, gnawing, cannot concentrate until I eat, hunger! Now I can see you counting months here from April to July I must have been starving!!! Not really! I don't know how familiar you are with the banding process, but when they place your band around the upper piece of the stomach, they bring the lower part up, and use it to stitch over the band, to hold it in place. Some Dr.'s use 4 stitches, some 5 I am told. When you come out of surgery you are restricted to liquids only for a period of time, it varies depending on the Dr. The purpose of that is to keep the stomach still. When your stomach senses solids, it begins to work, trying to digest the food, by breaking it down and pushing it on to the intestines. It does this in a kneading move. With the fresh stitches holding the band in proper position, you do not want the stomach moving like that---it could pop your stitches. So yes, during that period of time, it is HARD! Not necessarily harder than any number of other diets I had been on---but hard. It does pass, though, and in the big picture, it is a small window of time, that while not pleasant, is necessary, and does serve a purpose. When it passes, and you can begin the fill process, to tighten the band down---to restrict your food intake--the band begins working!! My first fill brought me to attention with the "band rules". I was forced to slow down my eating, and to chew well. But I could still eat more than was ideal to weight loss. So I went for a 2nd fill a month later. Now in that month---I wasn't starving---in fact it was too close to pre banding ability! With my 2nd fill, I achieved restriction. I now eat small meals....3/4-1 cup of food---I am done. I am not hungry. That is more than many bandsters allow themselves to eat, I just chose to do this MY way!!! It is much easier making smart food choices when you are not hungry all the time. Add to that the feeling of success as now your weight is dropping, and your clothes becoming too big----it isnot a hard thing to do! When I opted to get banded, I wanted as normal of a life as I could have. I wanted to eat with my family, I did not want to live on supplements. I wanted the ability to eat sweets if I chose to on occasion. I am a cancer survivor, but I am realistic, at some point I may have a recurrance. If I do, and need extra nutrition, a simple unfill will allow that. When I was banded I was taking 2 meds for High blood pressure and one for high blood sugar(metformin). I no longer take any of them. My blood sugar is low/normal (under 100 always), and my blood pressure the same--118/72 the other day. I feel great! I NEVER did any real exercise before, now I do! Not because I feel like I have to to lose weight---but it makes me feel good! I find that one of the hardest things to believe!!! I walk, or use our eliptical every day. I joined Curves! It is such a different life. This band gave me a life again! Instead of sitting back watching it pass me by---I am now up and living it! I cannot say enough good things about the changes this has brought into my life. I would recommend it to anyone---even my own child should it ever be necessary. I wish you good luck on your research! Keep looking around, I beleive you will find the band an amazing way to achieve weight loss! Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

It is my understanding from reading on here, that 5cc, in a 10cc. band is not much of a fill---maybe it is time for more---so that you can try to get some restriction. Someone on here compared the band to a new car. You bought the car---now you have to buy gas to make the car work. You having the band without having a proper fill, makes the band a moot point. Have you found a new Dr. since yours moved? Seems to me that would be the first step to finding some answers. Good Luck! Kat

Ahhhh I had no idea, maybe I didn't read close enough---sorry. I lost a Grandmother with Alzheimers. How old was her Mom when she was diagnosed? My Dad gets very moody over the fear he may be next with the wretched disease. Kat

There IS an April 2007 thread---and some really great people over there. Some of them have joined us April 2006-ers, in an exercise challenge as well. I am sure they wold love to have you!!! I believe their thread is titled something like "April 2007--Head Start on Spring". Good Luck---congrats on your date---and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

I used a wedge, and pillows, but slept in my bed from the begining. I come home on the 3rd day, and was so tired, fromt eh long flight, and drive, I was able to fall asleep on my back. The next night was harder because I wasn't so tired!! But I began propping pillows against my belly, and attempting a side sleep within a week or so. I do know there were times I was super stiff getting out of bed the next morning, sitting up was hard! Now I have to once again sleep on my left side with my wedge due to GERD (which is why I had the wedge to begin with). But the bed was my only place to sleep. Sweet Dreams! Kat

OOOooohhh if we wanna talk about THOSE marriages/weddings----how's this-- My 1st cousin was getting married in San Antonio many years ago (about 23-24 yrs ago I believe) and begged us to come. We were living 20 hours away---but we loaded up with my folks & my 2 year old--and drove down to a massive heat wave. It did not dip below 100 for 3 days or nights. My kiddo was sick with the heat, so we missed the reception completely. My Uncle who was career Air Force spent well over $100K even back then. He had a huge oil painted portrait done of my cousin in her wedding gown. Rented limos to transport everyone from the chapel to the Gun Club on base---he hired a videographer (pre perseonal VCR's by maybe a year)---I mean tons of money and time went into the wedding/reception, and it was beautiful. They got married Saturday evening, and Sunday morning we were at my Aunt & Uncles watching the video---when my cousin stormed in the door. She had left him! It was not 18 hours later! We figured she would calm down and it would blow over. But hell no. She took the wedding cash she had been given and high tailed it---she flew home with a friend of hers who had flown in for the wedding. She never did go back to him. She did not however have the marriage annulled, she waited 3 months and filed for divorce. Why 3 months? Etiquette books say she can keep the wedding gifts after 3 months..... True story. Never in all the years since has she even mentioned the guy, nor what happen. My Mom and I in our own evil little gossip sessions guess at off the wall things that could have happen!!! We get more bizarre, and kinky in every guess!!!! Sorry---will let you get back to topic---just thought I would share this prize while we were talking wacky weddings! Kat

You say she just returned not long ago from Brooklyn---but maybe she would like to spend her birthday with her Mom---the one other person that was surely there the day she was born. I realize she is in the hospital---but maybe she feels a need to spend more time with her. My husband sent my MOM flowers on MY birthday!!! At first I thought he was nuts, but seeing how thrilled she was to get the flowers saying "thanks for having such a wonderful daughter"---her happiness, made mine even more. Moms are very special. Hope youcan figure out a way to make it an easy transition. Kat

Welcome Mike!!! Smart dog you have there!!! We are happy to provide (and take) support! We look forward to hearing what your Dr. has to say, and seeing you begin the whole banding journey! It is one helluva trip! One I wish I had had available to me when I was your age. You have many long years ahead of you to enjoy being healthy! Do whatever it takes---I am living proof that this surgery canboost a couch potato right off the sofa!! Any questions you have or concerns, just let us know, we will do our best to help answer them! Once again, welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Perhaps you were a little more emotional than most, but it is a serious step. One most of us are ashamed at some level, that we let ourselves get to. And one, like you say that is hard to leave behind. It didn't matter if it was happy news, or sad news, food was always there to share the burden. We grew up celebrating with food, and mourning with food---it is a very close and personal friend. It is hard to imagine eating less and being satisfied and happy with that. So the mourning is natural, as is anger at the situation sometimes. However---eating less, and being satisfied, and happy with it is VERY possible! I like you just simply could not wrap my mind around that. I thought it would be a constant battle---but one I felt I had to try---I was out of options, I was sick of and sick from dieting! It is such a different life being banded than I imagined it to be! The first weeks were tough, I won't lie to you. But hell I lived through many weeks of tough diets! I knew I could do it at least one more time, and that was the last time!!! It does take some work to get to the point that food is not an issue anymore. I eat for the flavor, and the nourishment, but not the hunger now. It is no longer the driving force behind decisions. I don't decide what to order when I go out, wondering if it will be enough---whatever I order it will be more than enough. I order what sounds good, and will be good for me, and I enjoy it! I don't feel like every eye in the restaurant is on me and my plate anymore. I don't skimp at the restaurant, and come home and gorge. The things you will be gaining vastly outnumber the things you will be losing. Yes for a period of weeks you will not be able to have most types of food---but after the healing phase, you will be able to eat most of the food you do now. Some people have particular items they cannot eat, but just a few. You will be friends with the food you eat, because you are going to enjoy the few bites it takes for you to be satisfied. It is not a love/hate relationship anymore. You can love it, and there is no need to hate it for the way it makes you act anymore! Try to calm down---and imagine yourself eating like you see others eat. Imagine yourself losing weight, almost effortlessly! Yes you do have to watch what you eat to help with the weight loss, but that is so easy to do when you are not hungry 24/7! Imagine walking into any store and buying clothing, no plus sizes necessary. Imagine walking into a gym, and no one staring at you! Imagine living to be a ripe old age---something obesity will not let us do. The things you lose are mostly temporary, and you are getting more than a band---you are getting your life back!!! Hope your nerves settle down soon.... (hugs) Kat

I was hoping to feel more like working out tonight, but it isn't happening. I am having my DD bring me home some anti nausea meds---and hoping my stomach stays ok til then, but it makes me so sleepy, I can't watch the little one. I guess what I took for stress is some part of this migrating bug I seem to have....dangit anyway. We got my Mom home, she is walking really well! She has to schedule a sleep study---but that is a good thing, I have been telling her that for a few months---but I am not a Dr.!!! She is very good about doing as they advise, so she will do it. I am just glad she is home and all is well! Kinsey is napping, so I am going to go lie down as well. BBL Kat

I reported the above obvious ad-----poor moderators, I bet these things keep them busy!!!

My great Grandma had what she referred to as her "coin purse" which was a little satin quilted pouch type thing with a clasp closure on top, and she ALWAYS had a quarter in it for us to catch the snow cone truck!!!! And she kept in down in, what I would refer to as her "purse". I do not know what she called the overall bag---she simply would tell us to get her coin purse---and the race was on!!! Kat

Good Morning everyone-- Well yesterday was an eventful day. Started it out in the courtroom at 8:15, we were supposed to be there to finalize what we agreed upon in mediation (the guy who run through our field fence and I). Last I saw him he was screaming in mediation. Well he didn't show up. His attorney did with a cashiers check---that wasn't good enough for the judge. I did get the check, and actually another from the attorney, because the judge disagreed with them paying for the new fence, he wanted the $$$ to go to us, and we can pay the fencing company. He also ruled a contempt charge on both the idiot that drove through the fence, and the attorney. Because the attorney said he advised his client that he need not appear, he would handle it, and the judge got a little irritable. Anyway, I do not have to go to that hearing, and they are supposed to deal with the uninsured driving then, he did say he reserved the right to reward future monetary settlement, based on the next hearing, which isn't until JUNE!!! He told me I should have had representation. I wasn't out to get anything except my fence fixed....I don't want more than that. I am just glad my part is done, I want it ALL over, so that guy is out of my life, he gives me the heebie-jeebies. He also said the restraining order would remain in effect, until at least the June hearing. So that was good---it is over for the most part! And I have a check so I can call andhave the fence fixed, and get the cows back out in the field to graze it before it is time to grow it to harvest. So, from court I headed to the surgical center---my Mom was having arthroscopic surgery on her knee. Surgery went well, they said likely in 5 years she will need a replacement. But then she began having problems with her SAT levels, she was not coming around from the anesthesia like they wanted, so they called an ambulance, and transported her to the hospital. She is in for observation, and is breathing some better, until she goes to sleep---then her numbers drop significantly again. Following surgery without 02, when she would go to sleep she would drop into the 60's!!! That is deprivation level he said so that is why he sent her over. I see a C-PAP machine in her VERY near future. She is up and walking this morning. My DD is over seeing her now, since she had the girl and couldn't be there yesterday, when she comes back, I'll head over. She seems to be doing much better today---thank goodness! Betty---I am so glad Alan is doing well. Rick got the blood clot from his angiogram which led to a big bunch of the issues he had with long term blood thinners...so I am VERY glad he sailed through that with such ease!!!! YEA!!!!! Julie---I am not going to stress over the scale. I once dreamed of again being a size 14---and I can wear that now. Yes I would like to lose more, and I will---I am just not going to worry about it. Try to keep myself as healthy as possible, and enjoy it. I don't want to spend today stressing and working towards nothing but a number for tomorrow. I intend to enjoy today as much as possible. I have given up too many "todays" wishing for something different for "tomorrow". Living like Dawn was talking about ---waiting for the other shoe to drop. So pretty much I decided to throw that dang shoe on the floor, and get on with it! When ALL signs point to needing a fill to maintain or something, then I will do it. Til then--I will try to eat healthy, and move each day---and enjoy the success I have had so far. Kinda sounds lazy to put it into words---but it is just a feeling of being glad to be where I am in life. Rick went yesterday for a CAT scan. We were afraid he had a small stroke the day before. He had a massive headache, then lost all movement on his right side. He recovered from it very quickly, which they said was unusual for a TIA--but they wanted to check it out anyway. His CAT scan come back with no hematomas visible, or no abnormalities visible. They will go through it closer, but at this time, they are attributing it to a pinched nerve. Which a year ago---we would have too. But after the year we have had and his issues with the blood---it scared us pretty bad. But man---talk about flying high, and being happy with some results!!! All of the stresses combined yesterday have my belly trashed. I want nothing to eat at all---I tried to eat yesterday, but it felt like it just sit there. Going to baby it today, and hope it feels better. amourette--take the time you need to baby yourself---you deserve it. It wouldn't be right for you just to move on without issue. You put your heart out there, and it needs some time to heal. We are here to listen if you need us! Blue---hope your trip home is safe, and the woodwork wonderful!!! Well my DD is back, she left the girlie with me, while she went to the hospital, since she didn't get to go yesterday, but she is here to get her now, so I can head up there. Everyone have a good day, and I'll check back later! Kat

Beannie is here at the same time as me!!!! She didn't go on vacation and decide to stay there!!!! Hope you had a GREAT time! Talked to Mom this morning, going to drop the granddaughter with my DIL in about an hour and head over to the hospital, and hopefully bring her home. I had the same exact knee surgery on my right knee 5 years ago Mandy. I have had miniscal repair on my left, but they did the removal and the lateral patella release on my right. Lucky for me, my weight never really seemed to affect it, and I have had no issues at all with it. I could not have ask for better results. I haven't had much arthritis in it.....never needed the shots, he thought I may, but never had any follow up on it since PT. Sorry yours didn't go as well.... Sherry, I agree with Betty---sounds like you need some down time. Maybe you and Dianne need to get together, soak in a hot tub, and gossip for awhile!!!! I guess it was stress, my stomach is a mess. I didn't eat much of anything yesterday, and when I would try, it just sat there. I still feel like my stomach is bloated, and yucky this morning. Going to make it a day of liquids I think, and see if it settles down. It isn't a "stuck" feeling, it is just like all bubbly and yucky..... Will check in with everyone in awhile, going to get ready to get Mom. Kat

My MIL went off her pain meds really quick too, and said it hurt, but was a different type of hurting. Her DD, (My SIL) who is 58 just had one of her knees replaced, because she was literally unable to walk---she was home going up and down her stairs--he home is on 4 levels---within 5 days. Amazing what they can do! My MIL, walked really well following hers, but she still kind of tenderfooted around, very cautious. Then just over a year ago, she got tangled in the phone cord and fell---on her knees HARD. She was convinced she ruined them! She bruised the hell out of her knees, but they never hurt! Now she kneels on them, all kinds of things, we didn't realize she was afraid of ruining them!!! Kat

Hi guys---just wanted to let you know how today went. My Mom's surgery went ok, the Dr. said she had a pretty severe tear of the medial meniscus, and that she has an average of 5 years then will likely need a knee replacement. She had trouble coming up from the anesthesia. Everytime she would drop off to sleep her SAT # would drop....and I mean drop, down into the 60's on room air, and only into the 70's on 4% O2. So they of course kept telling her to breath deep---and she could, but as soon as she relaxed it plummeted. so she is in the hospital tonight, so they can keep a closer eye on the oxygen. They were worried, she would take something for pain, and then both she and Dad would go to sleep, and she would lapse, and not breath. She was doing better this evening after eating. I see a C-PAP in her VERY near future! I got my $$$$ in court this morning. He did not even show up! His attorney claimed he suggested that he not, and the judge actually fined the attorney for contempt, saying he was court ordered to show, and he knew he should be there. So now the attorney and "the Moron" both have to appear on a contempt charge, but I do not have to be there. The judge apologized to me, for the system making my life more difficult! I got done there in plenty of time to go be with my Mom. I ended up with 2 checks! One cashiers check from "the Moron" for the damages, and the judge made a judgement that they had no right to decide who fixed the fence---that they just had to pay for it. So the attorney had 3 estimates on the cost of repair, and the judge had his assistant call one of them during the hearing! He ended up adding $300.00 to the cost of what they estimated the fencing to be. The attorney wrote me the check for that, and told the judge (who he was MAJOR kissing up to by then) he would just collect it from his client rather than make me waste any more of my time!!! The judge ask me if I was requesting any compensation for time missed from work, or day care expenses, or anything during the time I was trying to get this taken care of---I told him, same as I did the mediator---no. He told me I should have had representation, and I could have received a better settlement of the case. I told him, I just wanted him to fix the fence, so we could once again graze the cattle in the field. He just looked at me, like I didn't know how to do this!!! It's ok, I was not in it to get rich---only wanted what we lost! Crazy. If we had had to go to court to let them hear the case as opposed to the agreement we reached in mediation---the next open date on the docket was mid JUNE! I would have had to of fixed it ourselves. As it is, they will be out Tuesday to build the fence. Both checks are in the bank. Mom is doing ok tonight--surgery is over, fence fiasco is over---day is over---whew! Talk to y'all tomorrow! Gotta go donate blood tomorrow, forgot what time..... Kat

I have had both knees operated on. I hade torn meniscus in both, and then had to have the patella (knee cap) muscle released laterally on my right. I cannot tell you how much better they feel!!! My Mom is in the hospital tonight, she had arthroscopic surgery on her knee today to fix a medial meniscal tear---the surgery went great, she is walking on it really well, but she can't get her oxygen SAT up, so she is in for observation tonight! My Mother in Law, had both knees replaced 4 years ago, when she was in her mid 70's. She was in the hospital for 3 days, we moved her to a rehab for a week, and then was home. She did PT for several weeks---and gets around since then like she did 30 years ago! She had let her knees deteriorate to badly she was extremely bow legged---when they replaced them, she gained over an inch in height! It was the fact that they were so bowed that they did them both at the same time, they said if they did one at a time, it would straighten that leg, and destroy her hips because she would be so "uneven". She did great. Knee surgery used to be an iffy thing, but I would never hesitate, nor put up with extended periods of pain---I'd be off to the ortho!!! Kat

I carry my wallet in my purse.....

One of the best things about my weight loss, is that I am once again wearing jeans---real jeans, with button, zipper & pockets!!! For years it was elastic waists with no pockets for the most part. So most of the time now, I clip my phone on, grab my debit & ID, slip them in my pocket, and leave the purse in the trunk! I am amazed by all the things I have in that purse that I realize I can live without carrying everywhere!!! When I fuel my car, I always use my debit card at the pump, and am trying to learn to lock my car even if I do not plan on leaving it. But that is because I have recently heard of people sneaking into the back seat while you are turned away----that thought sent chills down my spine, so I am doing my best to remember to lock it back up. I have auto locks, but the auto unlock too, when I open my door, all the doors unlock, so I have to remember to lock it---and my memory, is something I think someone already made off with!!! Kat

Trudie--I hope it works out as well for you as it has for me. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask away or shoot me a PM. Glad to have helped! Kat

Congratulations!!! You two will be awesome support for one another. Keep in mind men lose faster, so don't let it get you down. If I had any suggestions, they would be to begin eliminating any caffeine---it gives you a major headache to go cold turkey if you are used to having it. Also give up carbonation....and begin cutting out the carbs....the more carbs you eat, the more you want, when you get them cut from your diet, you will find less cravings for them especially when you go to liquids only. Walking is an excellent way to get prepared, and a great habit to develop for post surgery too! The more Protein you get following the surgery the better you will heal, and there are all kinds of Protein drinks and shakes out there---so now is a good time to begin taste testing some, to see what you like and want to stock up on for the days following surgery. Pack very light for your trip---you will neither one feel like lugging a heavy suitcase, so be on the lookout for ways to economize space and weight. If I think of anything else I will pop back in!!! Congrats!!! Kat

Sit him down and let him read through some of LBT---or ask your US Dr. who trained him in the procedure and where. I used a surgeon in MX, for my surgery as I said, but I use a US Dr. for my aftercare, and he was trained in laproscopic surgery in general, by one Mexican Dr., then trained in banding by another Mexican Dr. maybe that is why he doesn't have issue with doing my aftercare. My surgeon helped me set up all different levels of aftercare prior to surgery. I live in a rural area, even the band Dr. I use for fills is a 10 hour round trip. So he even set me up to speak with a local oncologist, in case I needed an emergency unfill---as they are quite comfortable accessing ports. It is up to you to do your homework---but it can be done safely. Look up the statistics----they rank right up there! Good Luck---there is such a stigma---and much of it fairly applied, that it is a struggle to make a decision, I know, been there!!!!! Kat

Morning Girlies- Yep Betty, today is the day. It is supposed to be a simple cut & dried closing of the case, with him paying the damages he agreed to in mediation. But with him, we will have to see how it goes. I had hoped to be bolstered with all of my family with me---but (isn't there ALWAYS a but???) the moved my Moms knee surgery to today. IF this goes off quickly as it is supposed to, I will make both, which I am fervently praying for, I want to be there for my Mom. My Dad and my DD will be there. DH is going to be with me, as is DS at this point. We did not tell my inlaws it was happening today!! My FIL is so hard of hearing, that he doesn't hear, and always wants things repeated, which is not in accordance with the atmosphere they want maintained in the courtroom. Hoping I can just show him the CASHIERS CHECK---and tell him when the fence repair people will be there. Then shoot over to the surgical center to be with my Mom. They are going into her knee arthroscopically to see if there is a way to just clean up the meniscus, and give her some pain relief. He said if it is too bad, they will do minor clean up and schedule her for replacement. So today's surgery is day surgery, and not super serious, but any anesthetic at their age especially is not great, so I would feel better being there. Will let you all know at the end of the day how things went. My sunshine-y weather has given way to rain showers today----kinda fitting for the mood today has taken on! I am with Betty---I have this crud that seems to migrate. It started as laryngitis, my voice was bad, but I felt ok. Then my glands on the right side became swollen, and my throat sore. Then the gland went down and left me with a stuffy nose....now that is gone and it is in my chest making me want to cough, and of course my voice is bad again---just in time for court!!! Tomorrow I have no idea where it will land!!!! I hope you feel ok at work today Betty. Hope everyone is hanging in there, with kids, and parents, and life in general---I will be back to let ya know how it all went. Wish me luck! Kat

I think you only need the letter if you plan to totally withdraw the entire account. We have taken a loan out of ours before, and it required nothing but a click of the button on the computer! You can take out a loan of up to 50% of what you have in your 401K if you are fully vested, is how ours works. We have never attempted to totally withdraw it---so I have no idea. I know there are no penalties if it is for education or to buy a primary residence....but that's all I know. When he changed jobs, the new place, got all of his paperwork in order, he signed it, and the 401K rolled right on over into the new job. Now that has been many years ago---so a lot might have changed since then. We seriously thought about using ours---but other methods fell into place for us. I recieved a medical settlement from a car accident I was injured in. Used it-----soooooo worth it!!! Kat

Most chinese restaurants will make an order of Egg drop soup---with no egg!!! Sounds silly, but it is a pretty common request apparently. My Dr. explained it to me saying that when they band you they pull the lower stomach up and over the band to hold the band in place. They put several stitches in to hold it. When your stomach senses solids in the stomach, it goes to work, producing extra acids, and digesting, when it digests it squeezes and moves the food around, similar to a kneading motion. It does this to break the food down, and push it through to the intestinal tract. When you are newly banded, they do not want the stomach attempting to digest anything, because it can pop the newly placed stitches. It is not like stitching your hand---that they then tell you to keep dry---it is not dry---so it takes an extended time to heal. A popped stitch can allow the band to drop in one area....commonly known as a slipped band. It can also put it in a bind when it heals, leading to blockages, or erosions. I don't know if it is as dangerous as it was made out that it could be to me---but it wasn't something I was willing to take a chance with. Hang in there---try the egg drop---strain it a bit if nothing else. Kat