Kat817

Sunta took the words right out of my mouth...err typed the word out from under my fingers??? LOl, anyway she nailed my problem--hunger! With my restriction on my band, I am not hungry. I eat, because I need food, I need nourishment to survive, and be healthy. I can go to the kitchen, and make wise choices, because I am driven by the need to nourish my body, not by hunger. Then when I do eat, small amounts are all I manage. There are times my head is hungry--and wants more of something, because it tastes so good...but the band keeps me from letting my head hunger win. If I decide to eat a candy bar today, so what, my band is there and will help me back on track. But not having the hunger and cravings, I only eat a candy bar on rare occasions, instead of wanting them, and usually eating them all the time. And now, the mini bars are plenty! I would have lost this weight long ago if I could have done it on my own. Well I did lose some of it, and regained it...several times! I do not consider myself weak. I have no control of my hormone levels--and each one your body produces, correlates to the hormone produced in your stomach, and it sends hunger signals, and causes cravings. The hormone is called (not sure of the spelling, this was told to us during one of the seminars I attended) Gruehlin. The balance of hormones is changed with health issues, ie diabetes, with life changes, ie menopause, even menses themselves...which is why our cravings increased at that time. Anytime one hormone level changes, others do too, trying to maintain balance. The example he used for us was a woman either going through menopause or having a hysterectomy, and suddenly gaining lots of weight...it is the direct result of sudden loss of estrogen/progestin (?). Where some people's bodies, are capable of balancing the hormones/chemicals out, others are not. It is no different than having other chemical imbalances, such as being bi polar. It is not something you choose to be, as most of us do not choose to be fat...but there is a reason behind it. It may not be the actual cause of being overweight, it just lends itself to the habits that cause us to then gain. The band allows food to reach the vega nerves in the top of the stomach much sooner, and that causes the feeling of fullness. If you ignore that feeling, food will then back into the esophagus...hello pain! It is believed the hormone in the stomach is directly related to diabetes, which is why this surgery is so successful for diabetics. It will be interesting to see what develops as they learn even more!! I am sorry, I cannot explain this as well as he did...maybe you can find similar info on line. Good Luck Kat

Is there not a chance of having it re-done? I am sure there were so many other things going on with an accident of that magnitude, that some minor soreness was not worrisome...I thank you for the heads up should something like that happen to one of us again. I'm sorry you have begun gaining back. What does the Dr. say? Please keep us informed...we will provide as much support as possible to you. There are several people here "flying solo" without bands---they are doing it and so can you!! We will help in any way we can. Keep your spirits up, and tell us what all is going on! Welcome to LBT! Kat

Sounds to me like you did a good job with an unfilled band, and waited a decent, healthy length of time to get your first fill!! It will help! I too wonder what a "fluffy" band is....hmmmmmm Welcome to bandland, and LBT, Kim!!! Kat

I do not work outside the home, but the week following my surgery we began remodeling my DD's place, and I was out shopping, and working on things there that did not require lifting or stretching much. I think most on here have been up to returning to work within the week or 2 following. It mainly would depend on the type of work you do. Good Luck in your research Dawn, and welcome to LBT! Kat

Back again---I see there are a couple of you with the diet right now. You can order the syrups online as well, and the delivery is quick! You will be doing some shakes after surgery as well. Look up DaVinci syrups and Torani syrups--watch the shipping, it is all one price for I think it is 3 or 4 bottles with DaVinci, then it jumps. While you are on the website--checkout some of their recipes, for Pina Colada's etc...some are really yummy!!! Kat

Let's see, I added several things to make shakes more palatable!! You can use SF/FF pudding (use very little, it WILL thicken!!!), peanut butter, and fresh fruit. You can use the DaVinci or Torani SF syrups---they helped me a lot!!!! They have some new flavors of the SF/FF coffee creamers out for the holidays. Hersheys makes a SF chocolate syrup, for like chocolate milk, or ice cream topping, it is pretty good, and easy to use for shakes. You can use orange juice concentrate, for an Orange Julius type of drink. It is not a pleasant diet...and in some ways it gets harder, but other ways it will get easier. The taste may never be something you can enjoy...sorry. But the cravings for carbs, and sugars will ease as you get into the diet by several days. And the simplicity of it, will eventually be a good thing. But the thing that finally kicked in and made all the pre-op and post op dieting worth while was seeing the weight dropping--quickly!!! In the meantime, stay busy doing things, and just take your shake with you, and begin practicing the sipping as opposed to guzzling it just to get it finished ( I remember thinking that would help!!), sip and as wierd as it sounds, after the drink breath out with your mouth open (if you are home and alone...publicly it might not be too good of an idea!!), it will ease the aftertaste of some of the drinks. You can also especially at this point use a straw if that is the only way you can drink them, and put the straw further back on your tongue, bypassing some of the sweet tasting tastebuds on your tongue. Soon all this will be a mere memory, and you will be doing what you can to help someone else through it. Tis hard, but oh so worth it!!! Hang in there!!! Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

:happybday:HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND MANY, MANY HAPPY YEARS TO COME!!!! :happybday:

Wow!!! I am so glad thngs fell into place for you...a good Dr. as well as a timely cancellation!!! It is good your were consistant in pursueing answers. I hope the SR Metformin makes a difference for you. Be sure to check it often, the weight loss will make a difference as well...and when it all kicks in, you may lose more suddenly!!! Here's hoping!!! Good Luck Lisa!! Kat

Anything you can share here? I had serious endometrial bleeding issues,which turned out to be cancerous. I figured that was the cause of mine, well that's what they acted like, and sure enough once the treatment was finished, and surgery behind me. I began recouping. Now several years later, I have shown no signs of anemia in easily the last 3 years. I do still use childrens chewable vitamins with iron. Hopefully yours is caused by something simple, and you will be fine---will say a prayer for a good outcome! As for reading about things on line, it is both good and bad, it seems it always has worst case scenarios. I have 2 tumors, that I know are there, and non reactive at this time, but I made the mistake of researching one of them...had myself dead and buried before I made myself talk to my oncologist...so be sure you get the whole story, before you worry yourself sick. Take Care-- Kat

I was anemic for several years prior to my hysterctomy. since then, my blood #'s have improved dramatically! I am now eligible to donate blood again!!! Yea!!! I never read up on it to behonest, I knew why I had the problem, I just needed to fix it! Do you know what is causing your anemia? What does your Dr. say? Hope you feel better soon! Kat

What time line do you want for your responses? There is as usual, an abundance of newbie banders ( I consider myself to still be one!!!) on the site. Are you interested in everyone--or just bandsters 6 months + out...a year... Just thought it might make a difference... sorry about your band. Kat

Sorry your Dr. saw you as a bag of bones, and not a person. It is quite common. I had a call in today to a Dr. for my DH, asking a question about a test he needs run, and the receptionist was rude as hell. And that sucks, because I really like the Dr....but would hate to deal with her every time we need an appointment. Don't give up---if you need to see a different Dr. then do it. My best friends husband went through vocational rehab, he actually bettered himself, and changed job typed completely!!! He had been in the oilfield, and now he is doing photography. But he figured out a way to somewhat combine the 2, he is doing topographical photography of well locations. All the Voc. training was for was the photography, he tweaked it to his liking. He went from making an hourly wage in the mid $20.'s to charging by the job, but he is making an easy 9K a month now...and is working way less. So while it may not work out so easy for you, it can be done. He had 7 fusions in his neck and back, and then had some adhesions, that grew into the spine, so he has limited movement of his left side. So his work options were actually quite limited---and he did it. You can too Jq!!! Maybe this is an opportunity in disguise.... I will say a prayer for you, and I hope your back pain eases. You have come too far to give up now---hang in there!! Kat

My band??? LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!! Kat

Go onto liquids for 24 hours, and then try slowly with soft foods, to see if it is better. You don't want to set up a cycle of irritating the stomach and causing swelling, which will lead to another PB...thus the cycle. Several on here swear by Aloe Vera Juice to sooth and heal the stomach. I hope you feel better soon. My 2nd fill got me good restriction too---I have not had to have another since July!!! Hope you are as lucky! Kat

Oh no!!! I am so sorry!!! Did he say that drinking anything in particular would help you? I know that an ER doc actually sent my Dad home to drink beer when he had stones....which I know we can't have. But I thought maybe something with a natural diuretic may help them along...I have no idea! Poor you---hope it is all behind you now. Let us know how you get along! Kat

Could her hormones be causing the mood swings....PMS in the making? Or exacerbating an underlying issue such as the diabetes that others have mentioned? My oldest DD has POCD---when she went through puberty she was mild mannered, no problems. Now she has problems as far as irregular cycles etc. My youngest DD was hell on wheels with her emotions through puberty. You could not look at her some days without the drama...she screamed and cried, and made everyone a little crazy, especially the brother and sister. Now she is as regular as clockwork, has no PMS isues, nothing. Go figure. I DO KNOW that puberty is hard to go through for kids. Everyone is changing, and even in school, the others are going through the same mood swings etc., so someone who can be their friend one day is distant the next...and of course they blame themselves!!! ANY hormonal upset can lead to it, as can the health issues mentioned earlier. Maybe time for a full physical/well child check up. Other than the out of control outbursts she sounds like she has a good grip on her little life!!! Does she always internalize the outbursts? I mean is the anger always directed at herself and her appearance? Or does she get furious with the brothers too for instance? I was really glad to read that Dad is involved with her, and has changed his treatment of her. Sounds like she has a lot of love to help her through the hard times!! Kat

My pies are done...the caramel pecan---I almost dumped it as I put it in the oven (wouldn't that have been a lovely mess!!!), so it spilled onto the crust, isn't very pretty, but DH won't care it is his favorite!!! I like them both because they are SOOOOO easy!! I also got all my stuff chopped to make my dressing in the morning-for the feast at DH's work. My eggs are boiled for the deviled eggs---not sure what else I can prep ahead at this point!!! Never even heard of glogg before guys----let me know how it is. Beannie---you need to change your signature to reflect your fabulous 2 #'s!!! Kat

From one Kat to another.......glad your fill was a good experience! My first one, I ended up poked lots of times. It was however worth it, and I am feeling quite happy with my band!!! I have had a total of 2 fills, and am 7 months out. I never "felt" any "water" sitting anywhere. I never felt the POP some have referred to. I watch mine, and I can see when he hits into the port, the syringe, well the saline in the syringe backs up. My Dr. has a routine he uses for fills, but I am usually watching all of it...it's kinda fun!!! Like you at first the needle was scary!!! My Dr. has me stay on liquids for 24-36 hours following fills. Sounds like you are doing fine. You may notice a change when you go on to regular foods, or you might not. It may kick in in a few days, or you may never notice a difference with your first fill. The reactions to fills are as different as we all are!! Everyone's experience is just a bit different! The best news I read in your post was the lack of hunger....that was the turning point for me. I love that!!!! I can control the amount I eat on my own, if I can just have the hunger eliminated!!! Good Luck---glad the first fill, and the nerves that go with it are behind you!!! Kat

It all depends on what your Dr. has you on as far as pre-op. I had a high protein, low fat diet to follow. In my case, I would have simply went SF/FF, withit, and been fine. Others had strict liquid drinking pre-op diets, in which it would not qualify! What were your guidelines? When is your date into bandland? Good Luck!! Kat

I bought a pair of Levi Strauss 14's the other day at a sale. I can get them on--but barely!!! My 16's are feeling quite loose, and can be slid off without unbuttoning or unzipping---but this particular 14 is tight around the waist---my problem area. I know theyare my next size and the sale was too good to pass up!!! I have a pair of size 14 slacks I want to wear to my DH's company Holiday Party on December 30th. Ican get them on as well, but they will look better if I can drop about 10 pounds---gonna have to either get to work, or find a back up wardrobe plan!!! I can't wait til the 14's I bought are my comfy jeans!!! WTG Alicia!!! Kat

I told my DH you had said that about her hips, and he said he had already noticed that, and figured that was why she always wears the flowing dresses. I about fell out of my chair---the words flowing dresses is not something I ever expected to come out of my rough and tough DH's mouth!!! He never ceases to amaze me. Can't wait to see if they coem back, since the house is supposed to belong to a regular cast member, and it seems they are developing a story line for her son!!! Like I told you on the other site, I felt like I was in on it all!!! Kat

My SIL is cooking the turkey, and making cornbread dressing, but she puts apples in which none of my family cares for!!! She will also make giblet gravy, which is the same way...my family turns up their noses!!! And she is doing the pumpkin pies. So, I am making dressing for DH to take to work tomorrow, he is also taking a turkey to deep fry, so while I mix up the dressing I will make enough to have a dish of dressing we like for TG day. I will do the same and make some gravy. I kept the gizzard from the turkey DH is dep frying, and figure I can boil it and make some broth---if it isn't enough...canned chicken broth will work!!! I am also in charge of mashed potatoes. I have 14 & 16 yr old nephews that think I will ruin TG if I don't make the potatoes. And let me tell you they can eat!! Which is all fine and good, but my niece their mom, will not bring a thing, she is 30+ years old, and thinks she is a kid who does not have to DO anything....Annoying spoiled neices sometimes!!! Good thing I love em!!! I will also do green beans either with almonds, or a casserole, unsure yet. My Mom is making a relish tray, scalloped corn, and rolls, my oldest DD is bringing stuffed celery (her favorite), and cool whip (she plans on coming over to help cook here, so is not cooking at home), the youngest DD I hope will bring something her picky husband will eat. He to my knowledge eats nothing much besides cheesburgers, pizza, and fried eggs. Claims to be allergic to everything else...but don't get me started!!! DIL is bringing drinks, and ice. My MIL is supposed to bring SF desserts, as they are both diabetic. Tonight I am baking pies....pecan pies, plain pecan, chocolate pecan and caramel pecan. So I will be in and out as things begin cooking for DH's work feast tomorrow, and baking pies. I cheated, and bought ready made pie crust---I cannot see the effort it takes, when they taste just as good, and I don't have to worry about it! Think I will chop all of my onions and celery tonight for the dressing, rather than wait til in the morning. I am wiped out. I thought it was the pistachios that upset my stomach, but have about decided it was a virus, my Dad was down too. I ended up throwing up (sorry---yuck!). So have been drinking today, and letting my now nice and calm stomach have a break. I may make a up of soup tonight, and will go to bed early! Will be back in later. I got my first Christmas card in the mail---WTH it isn't even TG yet!!! Kat

This may seem very insignificant in all the excellent advice you are getting... A little girl I used to babysit for was very overweight, had been since she came to me at 7 yrs old. She would refuse fruit as a snack, would only eat snacks if they were Little Debbie. We just gradually quit buying those!!! But the turning point with Liz, came about by accident. I was on the phone with my Mom one day, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her evesdropping around the door of the playroom. So I kinda turned the subject around to the kids, and told her I wished she could see the picture Liz had drawn at school, that I really thought she had talent. I didn't pour it on, but made sure she heard it, and went on to talk about other things, but nothing concerning her weight or what snack s we ate, and nothing about her thin, tiny little sister. Every day she brought me pictures, and wanted to talk about her art! A few days later in the yard, we were kicking a soccer ball, and I ask her to help one of the little ones since she knew what she was doing. I would ask her about soccer rules (she had quit playing the year before due to being teased over her weight). Soon she wanted to play soccer everyday after school. One day when she was out in the yard I took a chance and brooched the subject with Mom. She was totally relieved to have someone to talk to about it, so it went well thank goodness!! We decided to very non challantly mention positive things about her, and to try to do it, where she was not always involved in the conversation. Little comments...I said I would die for her long eyelashes ( I would!!!). It did not turn her around over night, but it did make a difference in her. She still is involved in art. She is 20 now! Engaged to be married...and still a little heavy, but nothing extreme. As she entered HS, she slimmed some off. But she played soccer again. She joined 4H, and was VERY involved in that with her animals. She found interests, and kindred spirits as she got older. Your DD is at a very sucky (is that a real word?) age anyway. Very few girls feel like they fit in. My DD was a foot taller than any boy in the school! And insisted on wearing nothing but sweats, then got her feelings crushed because she was called a nerd!! Now if those sweats had had a pocket, I would have bet a pocket protector would have been present, but she still didn't want to be called a nerd!!! As much as you work on her weight, work on her mind and heart. let her know the weight is on the outside, and the inside is perfect....work on her self esteem. As hard as it is going to be, it is going to be your job to build her up as the others tear her down. As she grows up, she will find her niche hopefully. She is definitely not the only girl who feels like she is on the outside looking in....you just have to try your best to help her along until she gains the maturity needed to help herself some. Good Luck to both of you--I will say a special prayer for you. She is lucky to have someone love her so much... Kat

BUMP I originally answered no, but am now having some problems, and have begun taking Nexium....hope it helps!!! Dr. says my band looks good...that is a relief! Kat

So what he found this...everything you have said here, has been said out of concern for how this is likely to affect your children. Let him print it out for holiday reading time....it will show your kids that they were your first concern. It will also show his family that they too played a part in the things of the past. It will show everyone who reads it, a woman who has been awake nights worrying about money while he does as usual, a woman who is stressed both at work and home, and doing her best. It will show a woman who has talked with friends about how to protect herself. No one here advised to you to do anything illegal, or unethical. Everyone reiterated to tell your kids daily that this is not their fault and that you love them...so I see no issues with what the insecure man found. That kind of control is a predessessor to physical abuse many times. It is past time for one of you to make a move. I know you want to stay in the house, but if that is not acceptable to him, let him toss his daughter out...because she would be going with you. If he values his own comfort and stability above that of his daughter---not only is he a poor excuse for a husband, but also a father. I know you were "iffy" about the reconcilliation from the get go---but at least you were willing to be fair and try it. As for withholding information until after the holidays...big damn deal. Why try starting over with fighting in front of the kids and family....that in itself, keeping papers on hold, is a non issue. If viewed even from a financial point...it is minor in the overall scheme of things. His spying on you is not minor---that is psychotic behaviour! What else does he do? Watch you when you go to your classes? Spy on the DD to see if she knows something she is not telling? His insecurites are frightening! Hang in there, it is highly likely his own attorney would have advised the same hold on papers... he knew he was pushing you into yet another corner, and is unhappy that you will not stay there, and be punished like the disobedient child he is seeing you as. You are strong---stronger than he is, as you can see yourself moving on without the foundation you have always had. The best defense is a good offense...file your papers, and get things back under way, and if your kids ask, give them this link...all they will see is a Mom who was literally worried sick over them, and tired of being put down by the person who is supposed to be there to lift her up...her husband. You tried---you did not mess this attempt up...he did. (((Big hugs))) hang in there---you deserve better! Kat