Kat817

I could have done it with no problems. Most restaurants offer soups if nothing else...and in Vegas...with all the buffets---you won't eat much, but you should easily find things to eat. I agree, I would take my protein shakes, and some back up food, but I'd go for it and plan on having a great time!!! I LOVE Vegas!!! Kat

Welcome to Bandland Chief!!! I am glad your surgery went smoothly!!! The recovery can be slow for some people---walk a lot and use a heating pad for the gas problems, it is pretty common. I used unjury powder and made my shakes---it was ok, I also just bought the ready made ones at Walmart I cannot remember the name AES Advantage or something like that. I do recommend the sugar free flavored syrups for adding ooomph to the shakes. You can also use sugar free pudding mix (just a small amount or it gets thick!), even peanut butter...they all help make them a little more palatable. In the beginnig, where you are now I used Zero Carb Isopure. It is clear liquid---well thin....not heavy like a shake, and has 40 g. of protein per bottle. It isn't great tasting, but some flavors were ok---I preferred it ICE cold!!! I looked at it as a medicinal necessity!!! I bought it at GNC. Hitting the protein will help you feel better more quickly. We look forward to getting to know you, and watching you drop the weight!!! Once again----WELCOME!! Kat

I used a different Dr. but wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming surgery date---woooohoooo let the fun begin!!! And also want to welcome you to LBT---hang out with us---if you have any last minute questions---ask away!!! I look forward to getting to know you!!! Kat

Hope you are resting comfy Mandy. Eileen how is your sore throat?? Wanted to let you all know what went down yesterday. The moron who went through the fence--Jan (pronouned Yawn)--contacted the attorney and wanted to settle it out of court. So since it had been filed, we had to go to a mediator. Which I was the one to do the filing, so I had to go. He was sooooo stupid!!! He kept saying the only reason he hit the fence was because he had shingles (the disease, not the roofing product) in his eye. I told him then in my opinion he should not have been driving he could have mowed down children walking from school as easily as my fence---he pops back saying "well it's a good thing no one wants your opinion then isn't it" The mediator told him yes they did want my opinion that is what we are there for. He admitted hitting it and leaving. He was objecting to the financial amount, and he did not want to fix it to our standards...what it boiled down to was he didn't want to buy new posts, or cement them in. He saw nothing wrong with a farm fence having slightly bent fenceposts. In theory there isn't, and if he had not tried to get away with it, we likely would have worked with it---but....anyway when I said "no" he went ballistic again in mediation! Finally the mediator told him no more outbursts or she would call in an officer. So he was going to leave, and she told him she is appointed by the courts, she would be testifying that he admitted to her he hit the fence and left, and that he was driving an uninsured vehicle. He screamed until the officer showed up, then he decided to settle with me. He wanted to write me a check then and there. The mediator told him no, it was in the hands of the courts, paperwork would be drawn up, and he would pay that way, and he stormed out. We are supposed to be in front of a judge on March 8th. Not sure what's gonna happen with him next. The mediator agreed that the restraining order was a good move. She even ask for an escort to her car when she was ready to leave! Sort of feels like I should have taken the loss, and let it be---but I didn't and here I am. will let you know if anything else happens!!! I have dinner cooking...I miss all of you---just wanted to be sure to keep you up to date on "the moron!" TTYL Kat

Hello ladies! Sorry I have been MIA---it has been a hectic time. I am keeping Kinsey still, and we got the grndson's 1st birthday done, and I survived it. My house did too, for the most part, I have spent time on and off cleaning for 2 days. I am glad it is over, which is sad, I don't mean it because of the little guy---not at all, it was a HUGE to-do that he had no clue what was going on. Not sure if I mentioned all the legal wrangling we have been going through with a local artist who drive through our field fence. There were several witnesses, he stopped, and propped the fence up and left....with us having a bull and over a dozen cows in the field! And it has roadside frontage! He never told us! about it, a neighbor called us...and in the end he had given the neighbor a fake name and place of employment, BUT one of the high school boys present knew him from an art class!! Tell ya what when we walked in and he found out why we were there, he was not a happy camper!!!He guaranteed me in front of an officer--- I called him in for a civil standby, after the guy had cursed out my Father In Law on the phone---that he would be out to fix it and never showed. So we filed suit---and he responded, wanting now to settle it out of court, so I spent all yesterday afternoon in a mediation with him. He once again lost his temper, and the mediator was going to send us on our way and report to the court her findings, when he suddenly decided FINE he would pay our damages...then wigged out again that he could not write me a check right then and there. I have to go tomorrow, and get the settlement....settled. What a pain in the butt!!! Anyway--that's where I been a hidin'! Blue---I am so glad you are now in your DD's care and out of the hospital--I am so sorry it happened and messed up your vacation. Thank goodness you are taking care of it though. Please know I am thinking of you and hoping you heal quickly, so you can return to the comfort of your own home. After tonights workout (which I need to add up my time!) I will have exceeded the workouts---although I don't feel like I have really worked as hard at them as I should have!!! I know I have put in the time, but since so much of it has been walking and using the eliptical here at home, it doesn't seem like I did much. I am anxious to be able to vary what I do---come on Spring!!! I have no idea if my weight has changed, I am officially boycotting the scale---for a month! I can keep a pretty good guage by how my clothes fit, and I know when I am doing right and wrong---so I am so tired of it not moving---I moved it, right on out the the garage! Dawn congrats on signing up for the run!!! You, Julie, and Amourette rock on! You'll have to run for me too!!! I'm with Betty---this Granny is unable to run, although the thought is appealling, it cannot be done! In fact I am getting the Granny workout today, I had my granddaughter all day, while my DD worked, and tonight she has a class so I will likely have her through the evening!! There is a reason God gives you 2 year olds when you are young!!! I am afraid my DD is considering a career change. She is a nurse, and is going to Citizens On Patrol---she wanted to be a cop years ago, I am afraid the desire has reared its head again....will have to wait and see, and let her live her life, but I don't have to say I am happy about it! Well dinner is cooking, and Kinsey needs another book she says, so guess I will go take care of things! Talk to y'all soon! Kat

It is a time period referred to here as "Bandster Hell". A band in place, with no restriction, and liquids only. All I can say---is you do survive! You drink lots of different things!!! There is good reason for it, you need to allow your body time to heal. Pretty mych when you are hungry you drink some more, and log on here, and tell us all about it, and we commiserate!!! Congrats on the finalization of your date!!! It will be here before you know it!! Kat

I too flew into San Diego---and then we drove (they drove, they picked us up at the airport) to Mexicali. OK, let's see, besides the things they told you to bring, my advice would be to pack lightly--you will be lugging the suitcase on the return trip, if you have any flight changes, and you don't need to be lifting. Oh yeah---not sure if this will apply to you, but it was something my vanity stressed over!! I was given this hint, and it worked like a charm! As you board, and the attendent is welcoming you aboard, ask for a seatbelt extender (especially on the return so it is not tight), she will reach right behind her left shoulder and hand it to you. Now the people already aboard, are busy settling in, and those behind you have no idea what you are doing. IF you wait until you are seated, they will have to go back and get it at the front of the plane and walk it back and hand it over in full view of everyone sitting there just waiting to take off. It is simple embarassment free if you ask right away! Also on the return trip, grab a pillow as you make your way to your seat, you might need the padding between you and any incisions. I didn't need it on the plane, the lap belt was fine, but in the car, the shoulder belt hurt and I used my pilfered airline pillow!! Oh yeah---wear slip on shoes, if possible...they make you remove them when going through security, and bending to tie them afterwards is not pleasant for a few days. Before you go, in the next few days, start a journal of weight, and measurements. Measure your neck, to your ankles. Write them down, and then enlist the wife to take some pictures. Stand in front of something permanent...I used the door. Take front, side and back pictures. You will hate them! I was pissed at even having to do them, and it shows!!! BUT now I have something concrete to look back on! It is so shocking! I have about 2 inches to go, and I will be able to take a picture of me standing in the leg of my old jeans!!! I have probably lost another little bit, inch wise, it adds up, and feel so incredible!!! I work out at Curves and was put on the 4 foot wall a month ago---meaning I had lost over 48 inches. A friend just made the 5 foot wall, she is now down 61"!!! I began this in a size 22/24 pants, and now wear a size 14, 9 months later. I didn't change this drastically when giving birth in 9 months!!! Hang in there!!! Kat

Oh Honey, your post says it all-----re-read it and I believe you will see your own answer, and quite possibly the root of much of your stress. You can and will make the right decision---it is just like I tried to say to him---true love puts the other first, and you can be confortable knowing you will be first. You deserve that. Plain and simple! I see a new HotPink Bubbles about to emerge in more ways than one! Anger is to be expected, and we are all adults, and can see frustration working its way out---it's ok!!! Kat

If there is a simple difference of 10-15 pounds, we all know how easily we gain that anyway---or we would not have the weight issues that sent us to the Dr. anyway. If you are guaranteed coverage with it, I say it may well be worth considering, IMHO. Kat

I too went to Mexico to a Dr. that banded a couple of friends. I had an excellent experience, and have referred another 2 since! I was put on a high protein, no/low carb, diet for 10 days prior. Similar to Atkins---which was easy for me to do, I lost weight good with Atkins---I just gained it all back when I quit. I lost 8 pounds or so prior to surgery...it also had the benefit of getting over the carb cravings prior to surgery. I used the time to taste test several protein shakes, and drinks. I am sure you know the purpose of the pre op, as well as the water flush is to help manuever around the liver...so you need to go easy on the "Last Supper" syndrome!! Are you flying to Mexico? I flew home on the 3rd day, it was a combined day of 5 hours in the air, and another 5 by car. I took one dose of liquid Tylenol (get some to have on hand prior to surgery), for a headache. I was exhausted when I got home, but survived it!! Kat

It isn't "easy" but when you reach a good point of restriction, and get used to your new lifestyle---it is pretty smooth sailing. I noticed we are the same age---and I think as we get older our metabolism takes a dive---I used to be able to lose weight easy---as I aged, not so easy!!! I had a total of about 120- 130 pounds to lose. I have got rid of the first 86---and the going is much slower now. I have begun exercising MUCH more---and we have even started a light free weight lifting program to tone up. So I may be gaining some muscle as opposed to fat (which I still seem to have plenty of!!). My body fat ratio numbers, and over all inches lost are coming down even though the scale is sitting tight. and I really am not insistant that I acheive that particular goal weight---I want to feel good about how I look. the scale is something just the Dr. and I will see, it is inconsequential in the end---it is just a goal to work towards. Where are you having your surgery done? Have you got a pre-op diet? Kat

Army boots, heavy jeans, a roll of quarters in your pocket...lots of jewelry...weigh yourself down before your next visit! Seriously tho---I don't know how they do it at your Dr., mine I sign in, and when they take me back we stop at one room, weigh, do BP, pulse, check your oxygen level...and make notes of why you are there, then you get sent to an exam room to see the doc. If yours is similar....why can't you weigh yourself "up" some? Kat

Ask away!!! We are here to support and help in any way we can to ease your mind. The 9th will be here soon!!! Congratulations!!! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

Awww Dianne--I so wish there was some way I could help you in all this. I'd even clean up the kids room. That I have experience in! My DS was the WORST!!! The oldest DD room was always knee deep in clothes---the younger DD had art supplies everywhere---read, we replaced her carpet, it was beyond saving! But HIS roo, had everything imaginable in it, he would deplete the kitchen of glasses, they were all in his room! Most things would eventually make it to the laundry, but his stinky socks all wound up under the bed. He would sneak in and take Dads!!! I eventually wound up buying them different kinds of socks so he would quit!! I kid you not! Then there was a time he tried to sneak a live Gecko in---and forgot to latch the cage---I found it on his window screen, scared the Sam Hell outta me! He was made to give it back because of the deceit involved, but the junk for the gecko (including a box with dead crickets) was discovered months later! For years I had parts---parts to what I never knew....he saved EVERYTHING!!!! And CD's and games, everywhere! And clothes...even him, but he never had the right clothes. We would buy him clothes, and I would see them on Jeff or Brody, his best buds....and on him would be something I did not buy! I cannot tell you the number of times both Janet, Brody's MOm and I ordered them to quit----they didn't. I had to laugh the other day he popped in from work, and he had on coveralls with someone elses name....he has yet to change I guess!!! At least now he is financing the clothing swap!!! Now today, it is grandkids making messes!! This morning Kinsey is elbow deep in Play Doh!!! We have made cookies, and a pie (which resulted in the colors getting mixed up!), and snakes,and she made all kinds of stuff only a 2 yr old recognizes!!! I will let it dry and sweep the floor of all the mess. I have no idea how you are coping with everything right now. I know it would be easier if the poor dog would just go to sleep, but can FIL handle that right now? Are you able to visit MIL yet? 61 inches---WOW---you have done so well!!! Can you imagine trying to keep up the pace you have going right now, with the weight you used to carry around everyday? If there is ANYTHING---and I do mean ANYTHING!!!! I will be glad to do it---I am going to send you my # in a PM, you are always free to share it with our group. If you need to talk at 2 in the morning---call me---I have not had your exact level of overwhelming, but I know even as recent as Rick being so sick, how it seems to snowball. Call me anytime you need to vent! ((((Big Hugs)))) Hang in there my friend!!! Kat

Glad to hear you chime in Sin, we were left with a whole different idea of what hotpink was facing. I still fully believe she approached the need for support in a harsh manner. Part of the reason is I am sure, as she stated---stress. She will be glad of your support, it is so helpful, as we go through the surgery and the recovery. The surgery for me was an easy one, but there is an emotional recovery, that is something altogether different, that I was not expecting. I had went out and bought all the protein, and heating pad, and the "things"....but I had not prepared for the emotional withdrawal from eating. It was a struggle for a few days---and one I was glad I had a loving husband who was willing to put up with my major grouchy a$$!!! You two hang in there---and while this is not lap band related....the Mom in me has to say it. Your relationship will be full of ups and downs until you find a way to communicate, and WANT to put the other first. There is a huge importance of caring for yourself---but when the relationship is a good one---you seldom have to worry about taking care of yourself first, you know your mate is doing that. As silly as it sounds that is how I knew my DD's marriage was on the rocks. We were all on a trip to a nephews wedding, and we had stopped at a convenience store, and we each bought an assortment of snacks. When we come back to the car...my DH knew what I preferred of what I bought, and you could not have forced him to eat it! He would have made sure I got it. On the other hand, when the DD and her husband reached for snacks, he saw her pick up a bag of snack mix, he snatched it, and ate it---never even offering her any, all the while knowing she had wanted it. He had never put her first I realized then and there, over a bag of snacks. If you cannot trust the other person to think of you in that manner---then there are problems. I am not saying that you two have that as a problem, stress does make us act in un natural ways. Just reminding the two of you---if you love one another---just don't forget to act like it. Glad you posted to clarify what was happening. I hope you make it for her surgery, for both your sakes. Good Luck! Kat

There is SOOOOOO much advice to be had out there---give us an idea what is making you nervous, and we will try to help!!! I can tell you it was a very simple surgery in my opinion. I LOVE my band! Pre-op advice....let's see. Cut out all carbonated drinks now! Eliminate as many of the carbs and as much of the sugar as you can now---it will ease the transition into the liquid diet, and make the first weeks following much easier. Make sure you have plenty of protein drinks (both clear liquid, and shakes) on hand, as well as broths, and whatever you choose to drink the first few days home, so you don't have to run to the store or anything. Make sure you have GasX, and a heating pad ready just in case, you might be one that has pain from residual gas. Have some liquid Tylenol on hand. Now if you are flying to Mexico----I can come up with some more---I too flew to MX. Let me know---feel free to PM me anytime. Welcome to LBT---we are glad you are here! Kat

Try the Texas thread, there are tons of Dr.'s in Texas doing the band, as well as across the border in Mexico. Go down to the USA local area on the home page, and then click to find the Texas support---there should be someone there to help you!! Good Luck, we are glad you are here too!! Kat

Dear husband....Darling husband....Damned husband....pick the one that fits!!! I still have to refer to the cheat sheet sometimes, these acronyms confuse me!! Kat

I have no idea...but maybe lay off the alcohol for a couple of weeks and see if it helps. The alcohol may be too harsh for the small pouch we have, I have heard it is easily irritated. If that doesn't help, it sounds like it might be time to check with the old doc! I just re-read, and the location of your pain is questionable, about it being band related....give us some more info....are you male or female? That is the big one!!! Because pregnancy, sexual issues, etc....would hinge on that all important boy or girl ????!!! Also, with the band our diets change so drastically it often leads to constipation etc.----maybe something related to that? Kat

I agree that this is time for you. I also feel that by being forced to SAY that to your b/f and family, that you are in a roundabout way asking for them to support you, and help take care of you. Which is all good, it is what they should want to be doing! I worry that you having to force the issue indicates, that them being there for you is the issue. That would be too bad. I also know that it is one thing to say "I quit" and another to follow through with it!!! You do need to scale back the little things, and take time for focusing on you. But I think you might get a better reaction from them if you just worded it differently to them. Like 5jacks said---cut out all but the basics. But telling them you will not worry about them---is likely to make them feel like they won't worry about you either then! A simple explanation to them, about what you are going to be going through, and that for instance--- you would appreciate if Dad could get someone else to drive him to the Dr. each week, BUT if the Dr. has bad news you WILL be there, without a doubt! Because I know this surgery is for you---but your family is still important! The boyfriend, I don't know, he is an unknown, but unless your family is extremely dysfunctional, they don't deserve to be cast off---they deserve an explanation of WHY you say you will not be worrying about them. And while preparing for surgery is stressful, it is not something that takes 24 hours a day of concentrating and preparing for---what are you going to do...lie in a dark room and meditate over the surgery? Maybe doing things with other people, and things you enjoy, would take your mind off of "stressing" over so much. I was excited and nervous---and I guess you could consider it stress---but staying busy, and talking over what I was going to do did more for me than cutting myself off from those that love me, and were worried for me too. Maybe I just need more background on the dynamics of your family---this is just a shot in the dark. Good Luck on your surgery! Kat

I worked directly with my surgeons staff in Mexico, no one here in the US as a coordinator. Now his staff did work with American Dr.s helping to arrange my aftercare---but that was it, no other go between. I used Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I was totally pleased with him, his staff, the hospital---it was a smooth trip and surgery. Kat

Let's see with something Punk.... Punk'd Power Powerhouse of Punk I think I read a suggestion of "Cherry Bomb" I like that. Also I like the one word names without a real explanation---I can hear them on the loudspeaker, and being associated with someone, as opposed to a long name...something like Vexxed Shock! Vixxen I call my grandson the Tiny Tornado---you can share his name!! I'll keep thinking---I just saw this thread! Kat

Hi Dave---I am not a bloke either---but will pipe up anyway!! Slippage is when the band moves, and allows part of the lower portion of stomach to come up through the band. Often times a complete unfill, and a return to liquids fo a period of time can fix it, othertimes it has to be surgically repaired. I'm not sure how much of this you already know so will just go with it, and you can ignore what you don't need! When they place the band, it goes in flat, and they wrap it around the stomach, and "snap" it into place to form a ring, separating off a small pouch at the upper part of your stomach. They then bring up the large bottom part of the stomach and stitch it over the placed band, holding the band in place. When you go home from the surgery you are put onto liquids so that the stomach does not have to digest. When it digests and works to pass food, it makes a kneading motion, and that puts undue stress on the stitches holding it in place. Once it is figured to be healed, you will be moved on to mushies. This allows the stomach to begin working, but only with food that passes easily, and fairly quickly--so there is not a lot of work for the stomach, nor a lot of weight in it at any one time. If all goes well with mushies, then slowly regular foods can be introduced. Some peoples stomachs react to the change by swelling, if so, you just go back to a soft diet, give it a bit more time, and try again. The nerves in the stomach that signal fullness are at the top of the stomach. Before we are banded we have to eat A LOT of food to reach them---but we have all done it---you know how you feel miserably full after a holiday meal for instance. With the band in place, and with it adjusted (filled) properly, your food is up high in the stomach, and you reach those nerves quickly! If you ignore them, then food begins to overload your stomach, and the only place for it to go is on up into the esophagus---which hurts, and leads to vomiting usually---referred to here as a PB (productive burp). It differs from vomitting in the fact that there is no stomach acids involved, just lots of mucus (slime) and the offending food. If you continue to overeat, and not learn the full signals you risk dilation---stretching of your pouch. PB's are not pleasant---so it is aversion therapy, you learn you do not want to do that! Sliming is usually a predessessor to a PB, the body tries to help move the food through so it goes into overdrive producing thick mucus to "help" slide the food through. BUT with the band in place and us full of food there is nowhere for the copius amounts of mucus to go....so spitting is about your only option, to attempt to swallow it all leads most of us to PB. The only way to describe slime...is VERY thick, VERy gooey saliva...tasteless (thank God!). For some people they have restriction immediately following surgery---for others it takes several adjustments/fills to reach a good level of restriction. Personally I have had 2, and feel like I am in a good spot now, have been for over 7 months. I eat small meals, and remain full for several hours. One of the BIG band rules is no drinking with our meals ( I thought this was going to be much harder than it actually was). If you drink, you liquify your food, and it passes too quickly eliminating the work of the band. In my case, if I drink it also causes my food to "float" back up into my esophagus....and hello PB!! Other than that, we take very small bites, and chew it into oblivion!While I no longer do what I consider to be a diet--I do take into consideration what I am eating. I have not felt real hunger in over 7 months---but I feel an empty sensation--hard to describe. I can only fit a small amount of food in, and yet I am fully aware that my body needs proper nutrition to survive and maintain health. So with that in mind, I try to eat the most nutrient packed part of my meal as the biggest portion, and then the remainder...carbs for instance in smaller amounts, just enough to compliment the meal. Surgery was a breeze for me, it was far less traumatic than a root canal I had done not long ago! I would recommend it to anyone--if my own Mother or Daughter needed it done I would do all in my power to help them get it! Hang out, continue to ask questions---this is a great site!!! We are glad you have you here! Kat

All of my medical literature that came in the Inamed box holding my band says it is MRI safe. I had been through a couple prior to banding and wondered too. I will fit better in the tube now!! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

YEA! YEA! YEA! I come home lugged in all the groceries, looked at the bills (aka the mail), put the girlie down for a nap. Then so as to be quiet while she drops off, I sat down here---and I heard from Pat!!! She is ok---she misses us! She said she would be back soon! I am just glad she is ok, now if we would hear from Patty....I worry she go bad band news, or one of her boys is sick...but I also thought maybe her computer crashed....I dunno, but I hope she is ok too. Sounds like you girls are doing really well on your low carb plan. I have more of an issue lately with sweets! I should have followed my Dads plan and gave them up for lent---but I am bad, and did nothing! As soon as the girl is asleep good, I will finish getting my house back to normal. I had to take some paperwork in to Rick at work, and pick up my glasses (reading....Darcy he said I cannot do contacts at the place I am right now, he said maybe in a couple of years...dangit!). So spent too much time running around, to make a good plan for dinner tonight, so guess I will cook some chicken---I can always find something to do with it! Weather here is wonderful---we went to town with no coats!!! The sun is shining, the wind is not blowing---I feel Spring coming! Well I will try to check back in, I need to get things done while she is sleeping, or I will just sit here----I am so lazy!!! BBL Kat