Kat817

Hello...Welcome...and Congrats to all of you newbies, and soon to be banders! This is an awesome site, you will find all kinds of good info here! If you have a specific question about something, just ask, and there are many wise people here who will readily try to help you out. Let's see page 001 ask what she should take or know going to Mexico. I went to a different part of MX, but figure it is close to the same. I would take very comfortable clothing, elastic waists for flying home. Possibly a heavier shirt, or light jacket, some women have been unable to wear their bra for a few days. I wore mine no problem, and my incisions are very high, but I managed! I would pack very lightly, you will be responsible for your luggage, in the airport, and you don't want to have to hassle with heavy dragging suitcases etc. I took liquid Tylenol, which they ended up giving me a bottle and I didn't need, but you could easily toss in one of the new Go Tabs packets, and have it, without taking up weight and space. You could take some of the SF drink packets, to mix in bottled water. The hospital I was in gave us bottled water, or juice. We were unsure of the tea or coffee because we had always heard bad things about the water!!! So if you prefer flavor they work fine, and are ok on a liquid diet. Simple things I wish I had had and didn't, that are harder to come by than here in the states hospitals...chapstick, and lotion, and a nail file...emery board will work and be legal at the airport! My suggestion if you need one is to ask the flight attendant as you board heading for your seat (as she is welcoming you) for a seatbelt extender, she will reach directly behind her and hand it to you. At that time everyone is busy finding their own seat, and standing in line behind you, not watching what either of you are doing. If you wait she will walk down the aisle with it in full view of everyone who is now just sitting, watching her and waiting to take off. Also grab an airline pillow as soon as you can, it may be more comfy with it between the belt and your incisions. Also have a small one in the car for the ride home, the car seat belts (the shoulder one) really hit mine. Can't think of anything else right now, if I do I will pop back in. If I can answer anything else...just ask! Good Luck all...I hope for you easy surgeries, and quick uneventful recoveries!!! Kat

This helped me realize "a billion" when I received it! Here's something thought provoking- The next time you hear a politician use the word "billion" in a casual manner, think about whether you want the "politicians" spending your tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases. a.. A billion seconds ago it was 1959. b.. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. c.. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age. d.. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet. e.. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it. Kat

Add me to the count!!! It is reassuring to know occasionally that it is in there and doing it's job. Now I should know that simply by my lack of hunger, but that whoops shouldn't have had that bite tells me it is on the job!!! Are we all nuts??? Kat

The only thing different I had to answer from Susan is that I was stitched. Plain ol' every day stitches, the 4 small ones come out at 7 days, the port stitches at 10 days. If there were no signs of infection or tenderness, etc, we could remove them ourselves...and we did! My husband too was very supportive, but he told me he flet discussing it with me was similar to walking a tightrope!!! That he was afraid if he went with me to the seminar, and was all gung-ho over it, that I would interpret it that he was unhappy with me the way I was. But on the other hand if he was not there, I would interpret it as him not wanting me to do it! So when we finally had this talk where it all come out, we agreed to quit "interpretting" what was being said and only listen to what was actually said! He accompanied me to surgery, and helped me every step of the way. He has been my biggest supporter, always making positive comments on the weight loss...this morning he told me he could see my individual ribs!!! When someone says those nice things to you...of course you feel more sexual. It has been a great thing for our relationship. I had surgery in MX. I arrived there the day before surgery, they picked us up at the airport (My DH, my SIL (his sister) and myself), drove us to the hospital, did some testing, had individual conferences with us about our expectations etc., & took us to a really nice motel. We shopped and had dinner, then they picked us up early the next morning, and as Susan said you will be ask the same questions by no less than 5 people!!! We chatted with the Dr. had IV's put it etc., and I was wheeled to surgery. The assistant surgeon introduced himself, and the anesthitist I had met the day before explained he was going to give me my first "margarita" and he gave me something in my IV, and then they hooked up my BP, and he told me Sweet Dreams, and then I remember waking up! I was feeling my stomach for big bandages and thought they didn't do it! The nurse told me I was fine, the band was placed and it was time to wake up. Within a short time I was up walking, and drinking. I spent the night in the hospital, another at the hotel, where we once again went shopping!!! Then the next day we were drove back to the airport, and we flew home...5 hoursin the air, another 5 by car, and all I needed was one dose of Tylenol. It was an easy surgery and easy recovery for me. You will do fine, and you are in the perfect spot for asking all your ????? Great people here!!! Good Luck!!! Kat

My band holds a max of 4cc. I was told by my surgeon. My first fill was 7 weeks post surgery and I was given 1.25cc. I felt mild restriction, mostly when I ate too fast, or didn't chew well. 5 weeks later I had a 2nd fill, it was only .50 cc. and I had good restriction. I could eat most anything, but way less of it, and I had to be very good with the band rules! I had that fill back in July, and was fine with it, until the last couple of weeks, when I began having reflux more often etc. They checked me and I have good flow, with still having restriction, they decided my problem was swelling of the pouch due to the hot foods I eat! They sit there for so long they are irritating the stomach. So I have eased up and been eating other things, and seems they may have been right....no reflux...no pain. So if you have sudden change in restriction also look into any dietary changes. Besides the issue with my hot peppers, I feel this is as close as I can imagine to a sweet spot. I am a total of 1.75cc.'s Good Luck!!! Kat

Hi everyone- Well so far I am off to a good start!! We spent the morning after Halloween cleaning up, raking leaves, winterizing. We raked and mulched for 4 hours. I had filled 4 - 20oz. bottles of water and had them in the fridge, by the time we finished the yard, 3 were gone already!!! I refilled them, and by night, only 1 was left in the fridge. Yesterday I hit Curves, and took my Granddaughter to the park. We walk, it is about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, each way, while there I push her on the swing etc, generally chase her around..and walk home again. Yesterday I finished 3 bottles of water, and had a 44 oz iced tea from Sonic...we treated ourselves when we walked to the park! Amourette & Roberta...I sure hope you guys feel better soon. The month is young, you will make the challenge, don't fret! Same with you Heather, the surgery will be behind you, and it will work much better, once the band can do what it was designed to do. Susan, glad the big meeting went well, you should breath MUCH easier now!!! Julie, WTG on the running. This old broad is gonna stick to her walks!!! I have had both knees operatedon, and am pain free, hope to stay that way!! The month is young, we will all get there!!! Feeling a bit jealous of all of you traveling...then again, I have had so much chaos in my life, being home and quiet has major appeal!!

I hear a lot of people saying what Susan did...so that may well be your problem. Also a couple of days of liquid may not be enough if your stomach is especially tender, you may have freaked it out and caused it to swell again. I would give it a few days of TLC. Avoid the high cal shakes, but do liquids and mushies, soft veggies, avoid anything it has to work hard to process. Let it heal completely. Then if you still have problems eating, sounds like time to see the Dr. I have recently had to stop eating my spicy hot food, they think it is what is giving me heartburn! Can't imagine that!!!! Good Luck figuring this out...our bands can be a challenge to do that with! Kat

Boards been up & down for me too....hope they get it fixed soon, not only do I really miss it, I just know how aggravating computer problems can be, and hate that anyone is having that!!! Mandy--wasn't sure what a punk pirate was gonna look like, and it worked!!! She is a cutie for sure!!! I had a barnyard full of grandkids this year. My oldest granddaughter was a fairy princess for school, but Halloween night she was a girl on a horse, my youngest granddaughter was a cat, who refused to say Trick or Treat, she would only Meow...she is not quite 2, and my grandson was a little bull...horns and all!!! It was a fun night. I got to see a lot of the kids I provided day care for, and their kids!!! We always have food, and open bathrooms and they know it! My DD's BF's Dad (didja get that??) made the most awesome haunted house!! He totally gets into Halloween, and he turns a huge quanset hut garage into a haunted trail, some is lighted, so you see the eyes of the pictures follow you, and see gross things!! Then it goes into a dark area, and it was amazing!!! Caskets with rising dracula's, ghosts...you name it, it was impressive. He does it evey year. And in the side yard, he has a little spook walk, for young kids, which is very un-scary, fun things. I like this BF, and his parents. I really like how he treats my DD and granddaughter. They went to school together, so I think they are comfortable, not serious. Which is ok. Have a good weekend Dianne--mine is going to be boring...and I am good with that, we have had far too much excitment!!! Betty--any improvement on the foot? Your Halloween sounded fun, it was too cold here for that kind of party. We have to find costumes for the kids they can wear coats with, or under. Eileen, Pat, Sherry, Anne, Mary, Darcy, Patty, Cindy, Beannie, and whoever else my poor "too early in the morning" brain can't think of....Good Morning! Come out and play....can't ya smell the weekend on it's way??? Kat

I'd say it was an 18, but not as comfortable as a 16, and now I am in some 14's and to sit that way is natural again. I'm with you, I was thrilled. My new NSV was this morning, lying in bed, my DH told me "check that out, you can see your individual ribs". And I could I could feel each rib, and the separation between them!!! Keep going, those legs will go where ya want 'em soon!!! Kat

I have been seeing the commercials on here in New Mexico as well. Yesterday I took my parents to get their eyes checked, and one come on in the waiting room. The girl sitting across from me with her Mom said "That's what I need". I told her I had it done 6 months ago. Her questions flew fast and furious!!! She and her Mom both, in fact Mom was willing to finance it for her. She took my # and said she would call to talk about it some more!!! And it was quite the NSV for me....I still have a lot of weight to lose, but the daughter told me she never would have thought I had been fat!!! I floated out of there on a cloud!!! Pumpkin, we all heal at different rates, I could have taken care of my granddaughter the next day without a problem, as it was I did have her the 3rd day on. I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I don't think they should make it sound like everyone can go back the next day. But I also would hate to see them make it sound like everyone has a 2-3 week recovery, when it may discourage them. Then again if they tried to fit all the information in, it would start sounding like those drug commercials that go on forever with all the possible side effects, they crack me up!!! Kat

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Y'ALL!!!!! Hope everyone has a safe a fun day and night! Has been busy here, I had another scare this morning, I seriously thought I may be having a heart attack, my jaw and chest hurt so bad!!! I went to see DD at work, and they did an EKG, which was normal, and they did a rush on some blood work, which did not show the enzyme that is there when you really do have a heart attack. The Dr. and the cardiologist have decided my electrolite balance was skewed, and I have esophagitis. I may end up having some fill removed, I have been dealing with more reflux. I am just glad to know it is something that minor!!! Got the house and all ready for all the little goblins!! Should be fun! Will check in with all of you later!!! Have fun, be safe!! Kat

I too was denied by BCBS of TX, on a bogus loop hole! They have 3 major criteria you have to meet, BMI, and co morbidities being 2 of them. One of the criteria to meet was that you had to have 12 consecutive months of visits with the Dr. and supervised weight loss attempts. I had 10 1/2 months, and was in a car accident, and had to have knee surgery. They were refusing me because the 10 1/2 months did not count, I needed to begin again and do 12 consecutive months. God forbid anything happen 11 months into that year. They denied me twice, so I self paid in Mexico, ironically using my settlement from the above mentioned car accident! It was well worth it....shoulda done it from the begining, and I may be closer even to goal!! Good Luck to you, keep after them!!! They did give Lap band it's own code so it is easier to approve now, they did that this year. The surgery was approved, it was me who failed to meet the requirements. I had years of documented obesity, but not with Dr. counseled weight loss attempts. I had all the WW, and diets listed, they could have cared less!!! They wanted him to counsel me in nutrition etc. The catch I am told is that if you actually lose while being counceled by the doc, you are denied!!! Will be pulling for you!!! Kat

I'm right there with ya. I do pretty good, but bucking bales, or building fences, or branding cows, all make me sore and achy the next day. Thinking mine is AKA middle age!!! Kat

I use Luzzianne decaf tea bags for iced tea, every day. I noticed no real difference in taste. It seemed a bit weaker, so I brewed it a bit stronger the next time, but it was an easy swap for me. Before banding I quit drinking caffeinated soda as well, and found very little taste difference there either. It was nothing like adjusting to the Diet as compared to the full sugar versions!! Headache was the worst of it, from the caffeine withdrawals. Kat

Compared to some I had a very easy pre-op diet. I was told to eat high protein, and as low of fat as possible. I only had to do it for 2 weeks. My SIL and I were banded together, and she did not follow hers so closely, and he said he could tell a difference. Some others I have heard were on an Optifast diet, I guess it is a liquid shake type of drink. I drank protien shakes, but they are hard to find with low fat. I did more of them while recovering. I mainly stuck to lean meats, and veggies. I don't know if it had anything to do with it or not, but I had a super easy recovery, no gas pain...was a very simple surgery to me. Good Luck. Wish I could have been more help. Your Dr. should be able to provide you with any diet he finds necessary, some of them base your pre-op diet on your BMI. I believe there is a thread under the food one that outlines all the stages, not sure if the pre-op is in there or not. Kat

I get loud....LOUD hiccups!!! Sometimes they last forever, other times one or 2 and they go away....good thing I have some way of knowing to stop!!! Kat

Not back pain free, sorry to say...BUT the improvement is astonishing!!! Mine has been hurting, but it was from hauling 2 truckloads of wood. Wood I helped load and unload and stack....it hurt with reason! My back issues are a herniation of L-4 & L-5 at an S-1 station. As far as it just going out anymore, it is rare. Usually when I hurt, it is with good reason, but I am doing soooooo much more than I did 70 pounds ago it is un-comparable! One thing I have never heard of anyones back getting worse, from the weight loss. As you lose the weight and feel like you can do things again, you build your muscle tone back up, and that really helps a lot. Sorry you are having trouble now. I don't think lapband surgery is a cure all for back pain, but it has helped the severity of mine but mostly the frequency of having painful episodes. Good Luck! Kat

On one hand it feels like just yesterday that Cindy got ahead of herself (!) and started the October thread, and in other ways it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that month!! Does this mean I am officially old??? :cry Mandy--when you run out of things to do....my house is up for grabs!! I hate that kind of teacher!! We had one in 4th grade, the woman was horrid, she taught by embarassing the kids into submission. Now she is the principal of that school! I am so glad my kids are out of school! Poor Abi, I hate that she isn't in a loving environment, give her an extra big hug from me. Dianne--so far so good on the challenges. I enjoy knowing someone is keeping me accountable!! Plus I get good exercise ideas from them! They laugh at my exercises....hauling wood, branding cows, building fences...but hey it all burns calories, and build muscle!! Awwwww Sherry.....I'm sorry you're sick. I'm sitting here wondering if I should even try to eat dinner, I feel bubbly. Wierd I know, but is the best way I can describe it! Beannie--glad to see your scale moving mine is stuck. But my inches dropped a bit so will not complain...too loudly!!! Wonder if candy could be the culprit, if only I had Dianne's will power..may have to sneak over in the night and steal hers! Cindy--poor you is there nowhere in your life not in an upheaval right now?? You handle with such grace and good humor, I am impressed, might have to try to take that away too!! Eileen--how is the back? Boss GO AWAY!!! Betty--glad you dropped in, wish you would have cleaned at my house!! Chris--Woo Hoo mushies AND line dancing?? You go girl!!! Dancing is fun--I love to go! And it is fun exercise. Might have to use that on my next months challenge! Patty--Still hanging in there girl? Any news today on your account? Darcy--Are we gonna have to ...I was gonna say shed...but I really AM!!! ok, am I going to have to pee in the carpet or act like a bad puppy to get you in here???!!! OK off to fix dinner....catch up with all of you later..time got away from me! Kat

Anonymity does indeed make it easier sometimes!!! Go to the seminar alone if you must! Speak with your insurance and your PCP. Keep reminding yourself you are doing this for YOU and your health!! You state that she would then be the biggest in the family...well if you don't make changes, then when you reach her age the weight will still be an issue. Do not waste your life (or maybe not waste but expend unecessary energy on) fretting over your weight. Take control NOW. It is my only regret with the band, that I didn't do it years ago. Good Luck to you, hang out here, it is an awesome support group of people--you will come to love it here!! Kat

Nanette, I am so glad you came through surgery well!!! It takes a little while, but soon you will be back to feeling great, and life will begin changing!!! Being able to think of something (face it anything!!!) besides food has been the best for me!!! I am jealous of all of you being close enough to meet!!! Maybe when we take my DH to his next cardiologist appointment I can hook up with you guys!!! Have fun!!! And welcome to Bandland!!! Kat

This may sound a little silly, but buy yourself easy to prepare, and easy to eat foods as well. So if it bothers him, you eating in front of him, while he cannot eat, you can eat quickly and quietly in another room!!! Where it didn't bother me as a general rule, it made my SIL crazy!! And there was a day my DD decided to snack on Fritos in front of me, I wanted one so badly I made her leave!!! Another thing I would suggest, (though I fought it big time!!!) is to take lots of before pics. Several angles, and in an area you can continue to take progress pictures. I did mine with the front door as a background...and take them all there, in the same poses. They are very inspirational. Measurements the same way. I kept a little notebook, and am so glad I did...I feel like I have come so far!!! I have lost 41"....so even when the weight loss slows down a little, I can SEE progress. If I think of anything else I'll pop back in. I wish both of you good luck, a quick and smooth surgery and recovery!!! Kat

WOW!!! Well Joe, I am sure glad you pulled through all of that. Things can happen quickly! Did they ever say what had caused the original burst of the arteries in the colon? We went through something similar with my DH not long ago (less than 1 month). He had heart valve repair 2 months ago, and had been on coumadin as a blood thinner for about 5 months. He was set to go back to work, when he ended up with bronchitis. The antibiotics the Dr. gave him for the bronchitis, made his sick at his stomach. When he couldn't take it anymore, and threw it up, he tore the back of the esophagus loose from the stomach bilaterally on both sides. He began just pouring blood out. His blood was so thin from the months of thinner, that he would not clot off. It was horrible, they were giving him huge amounts of vitamin K (clotting agent), and plasma. He ended up with an allergic reaction to the plasma (they think it was the preservative in it!) He too ended up in ICU for days. They had us call in the family, thinking he would likely not make it. They tried an experiment with balloon compression internally and managed to save him. We lost count at how many transfusuions they gave him. He too dropped his BP to levels they could not pick anything up, and coded him, 3 times over the first 7 hours. In the end, it looks like he will be fine, although they rebroke his sternum, from where it had been cut for the open heart surgery, so he is hurting pretty bad again. But he recovered from that once, and knows he can again. Our Dr. told me that if something like that happen to me, it would require removal of my band! Due to the necessity of quick insertion of an endoscope, or an NG tube, for drainage of the stomach he said. So while I hate that you lost yours, I guess it is pretty common in serious cases. And as much as you loved your band, you sure don't want any additional problems such as infection. I am so glad like I say to know you made it through this!! You can hang in there until you regain your health and find out WHY this happen. If you can be rebanded then, that would be nice, if not, we will all be here trying to be supportive in that case too. Take good care of yourself, try to walk as much as you are allowed. I will keep you in my prayers. Kat

Let's see, how do I like Dr. Brown? I love his enthusiasm over the band! He is so convinced it is the answwer to diabetes etc. I needed his "no doubts" attitude I heard at his seminar in Pueblo. It is what gave me the courage to look into the band further. Then my insurance denied me...twice. So the Dr. I chose in MX spoke with him, and we made arrangements for Brown to do my follow up care. In that regards, I am ok with him. He agreed to do my aftercare, but will occasionally make snide remarks over my having it done in MX. He wanted to replace my port with a low profile right off the bat, when come to find out, I already had the low profile. He has a hard time hitting it...but in his defense, I do carry all of my weight in my belly, and he hits my SIL, 1st time, and we were banded together, hers is just more prominant. I follow his guidelines for liquids only following fills. I just do not think his plan of each meal consisting of 3 bites is nutritionally safe. So I have opted not to be as full as he would likely have me be. I have had 2 fills. The first was done in June (surgery in April), and was 1.25cc, and the 2nd done in July of .50cc. So I am at 1.75cc. in a 4cc. band. I still have restriction. My weight loss has slowed some, but I feel like I can eat healthy where I am. Since we live 6 hours from his office, "dropping in" if I feel too full is not an option! I am still losing, an average of 1-3 pounds a week, which is normal...so I have chose not to have any further fills until a time I quit losing. Andrea and Reenie both have said that is much better than being too tight, so have never said a word when I keep postponing my appointments!!! I do go back and forth with my SIL, for company when she goes for her fills (and an unfill etc.). Looks like we will be going for her next step on refilling in about 2 weeks. As soon as she makes the appointment, I will let ya know!!! Kat

Let's talk about Halloween! Are you going to a party? Staying home handing out candy? How about dressing up? A favorite Halloween memory? What are your kids dressing as? What treats will you give out? Going to any carnivals or Haunted Houses? Here...we will stay home and hand out candy, and wait for the grandbabies to come by!!! I have a friend who has a birthday on Halloween and for years we did a party...sometimes I miss that!! We had such fun! Hope everyone stays safe and has lots of fun!!! Kat

DH and I went and voted yesterday. It is so nice to be able to go early, and on a weekend no less, to vote!! We were the only ones there at first, so we had no wait at all. Another couple came as we left. The count on the machine where we fed our ballots in, said mine was the 1320th vote counted. Now I hope how I voted helps!!! Kat