Kat817

I did not have a full liquid diet pre-op, only post op. And my experience was totally different from barbara's, I was not hungry for probably 2 weeks easy. I did have a high protein, low fat pre-op diet, that I followed, and my Dr. said my liver and stomach looked very good, that he could tell I had done the diet! I was on clear liquids for 10 days after surgery, then on full liquids for another 2 weeks. By the time I was ready for mushies, I had begun getting hungry. ericsmom--have you tried using chocolate protein powder so you don't lose the chocolate taste? Unjury has a chocolate, and also an unflavored so you can use it in anything...and I have used it in ALL kinds of things!!! www.unjury.com I would use the unflavored, and sugar free syrups from DaVinci, and made myself all sorts of flavors. I also could add the unflavored to broths, jello, and since eating normally, if my protein intake is low for the day, I sprinkle some in the gravy, after it has cooled a bit, or in a cup of applesauce, or pudding. I believe it will get easier, as your body quits craving sugars etc., and after the surgery the stress you are under awaiting it will ease as well, and I found it easier. I had a very easy surgery, no issues with gas, or much pain involved. I was done in Mexico, and flew home on day 3, with a 5 hour plane trip, and another 5 by car, all I took was one shot of liquid tylenol. And that was the last time I took anything for discomfort. I hope the diet becomes easier for you, I really feel it will. It works in 2 ways, not only does it shrink your stomach and liver, it begins the mindset of not everything involving food. Good Luck to you, I hope all goes wonderfully for you!! Kat

Just checking in to see if you are ok. Marital issues seem to affect everything else in our lives, and I was kinda worried about you. Stop in and let us know you are alright. Kat

Hi everyone, been popping in and out, but finally have a few minutes this morning to catch up! Not much new here, finally after 7 days of 2 shots a day and oral meds, DH's blood is in the range they want it for the blood clot. Hoping it resolves itself and surgery can be done on schedule. Oh yeah....who ever decided to call it a "golfball"????? It feels more like a freaking bowling ball!!!! Standing in the kitchen chatting with my Dad, slicing turkey handed him a piece, and popped one in my mouth pretended to chew like in the old days and swallowed, about a minute later, my chest exploded! No slime, didn't feel sick, just hurt like you know what! Ate very little the rest of the day, just drank a lot. I chew extra good now... until I forget again I am sure! Darcy--what did you find after researching canine epilepsy? Poor Ava, poor Darcy! At least you got your teeth cleaned, as you smile through the tears, you'll look good....!? Sorry it's the best I could come up with in encouragement at this point. You know my Uncle is a Dr. and he told a friend once that with no insurance his best bet was a teaching hospital, because you get multiple opinions, and the costs are much less. He was chief of staff at a teaching hospital in MS at the time, so he may have been biased. But anyway, don't vets have to be taught somewhere? Is there anything that might get you help in that way? Dianne, I swear I never made the connection between the 2 pictures until it was pointed out to me. OMG I am SOOOO proud of you! And I cannot wait to see that change in myself, what an inspiration you ALL are. You and Eileen, absolutley amazing! I am also jealous that I live so far out in the sticks I will likely never get to meet any of you in person...well maybe the Texans of us...we are there 3-4 times a year! Sherry--Can you fire the dumb bunny who just changed the numbers to fit hers?? How moronic! What will it take to get them to develop the job you want to do? Beannie--Made it home yet?? Glad to hear yoy had a good time in spite of the games outcome, and glad you made it home in general with the way your boss drives apparently! DH and I have been discussing our parents driving issues. They all 4 drive totally different, but are all 4 dangerous I am afraid. What do you do? Pat--:music:(done in my best sing-songy voice) who wears short shorts???!!! Congrats on the NSV!! Good job! Love how at home your grandkids look. I thought to myself, has to be grandma--who else would let them have chips in the pool!!! Cindy--glad the Dr. went well. Mine is so pleased at my lack of meds!! Me too, if nothing else ever happen I would consider this a success based on that alone! Hope the migraines keep dwindling til they are only a distant memory. I am so glad you DD is doing well in her "private" swim lessons. It took forever for my oldest DD to learn to swim, she had strep throat issues, and by the 3rd day of lessons every year she was sick...but she does well now, she was just older by the time she really learned or was secure in the water. She lived in Hawaii for 4 years, good thing she got over the fear!! Donna--how grown up he looks in the uniform!! I know you are proud, heck I am proud of him!! Alcohol is a scary thing, and I am glad he found his way. I added his name to a military tree at church since I had his name I hope you don't mind. I know I should have ask first....sorry. Just a tree with yellow ribbons containing soldiers names. Each week as you go into the church if you want you can remove a ribbon, and pray especially for that soldier during the service and the week following. As we leave we lay them on the alter, and they are later returned to the tree. I have only "met" one of the kids I have prayed for, but have a ribbon each week. Betty--There is nothing to say except how sorry I am that you are going through all of this. We will be here, thinking positive thoughts, and praying hard, for both your brother, your Aunt, and YOU. Watch your back, stress is so hard on the muscles. Mary--So gld the EX is finally seeing daylight. You know in his defense it really IS hard to see clearly with your head up your.....ahhh you get the picture!!! Eileen--hows the new "baby" your DD looks like she will give it enough love for all of you!! That is too cute! Your pic is awesome, I cannot hardly wait to have such a drastic change!! I need to keep it in mind when the wrong foods start calling my name. Enjoy your boss free day!!! Well my post is going to take up a page of its own!! Y'all have a good day!!! Kat

I was hit, well rear ended, back in September las year. She hit me going pretty fast, they figured about 40-45 mph, I was stopped. It shoved my knee between the dash and the metal speaker panel on the drivers door. The paramedics knew my knee was a problem, and it was in the accident report. My insurance said that was very helpful, having it noted. I had surgery to repair the knee, and the ortho Dr.'s who did the surgery refused to bill the 3rd party insurance, so my own insurance had to pay it and then subrogate (sp?) it from their insurance company. Both insurance companies are big nationwide ones. Well I had a $10,000.00 limit on my med. coverage, and when I went through it, I had to pay the ortho's out of pocket. I recovered ok, moved on, they said they were waiting for all the other bills to come in and for me to finish my PT before they would settle. So, fast forward a few months, and I was thinking about Lapband surgery, and insurance had denied me twice, so we were contemplating financing it. We needed to see how much of our savings we were going to get back when they settled the ins. claim. They called one day when DH and I were driving down the road discussing a 401K loan for my band. They offered us an amazing settlement we thought. It paid my bills, and bought my band. By the time I pay for 5-6 visits with my fill Dr. here in the states, it will be about even! Many have told us we could have gotten much more, but that felt so greedy, I was not expecting this! It was an answer to my prayers!!! Both claim adjusters actually thanked me for my detailed record keeping. So that is the best advise I can offer is to document EVERY word of any contact, with dates, times, who you spoke with. Copy everything you mail. Keep copies of all medical bills, phone bills if you call, paystubs with days off or sick days due to the accident. If you buy an ace bandage to wrap your sore wrist, keep the receipt and document it! Keep a quick chronogical run down of what happen when so you can have a better idea of where to locate receipts etc. Good Luck to you!!! Kat

At our house, we had Willies, and Hoo-Hoo's!! And our key phrase for get your hands outta your pants was "Quit shifting gears!" Years later, I was providing day care for a couple of young brothers, who were by FAR the worst with this that I have ever seen....they had never been told not to do this just anywhere, it was all ok with their parents. Trying to respect how they were raising their sons, and also respecting the other kids I cared for, he was told he had to be alone in a room if he wanted to hold it! So my DD and her then b/f (now the ex husband) come in from school, she was heading to the bathroom, and there was one of the boys, Niles....she comes out and tells me "Mom, Niles is in there shifting gears...does he take long?" I thought I was going to have to call 911 for the b/f, he laughed until he could not breath, tears rolling down his face. Years later, after they married, all you had to say was "shifting gears" and he would be rolling on the floor laughing. He said it was the wierdest conversation between Mother and Daughter he had ever heard! Hadn't thought about this is forever!! I needed the laugh. Will try to keep all this in mind for the grandsons! As for the circumcision, our son was done, like you say mostly because my DH was. Grandson too. Both my Dad and my FIL had to be done later in life, and they were very vociferous in wanting it done in infancy! Thanks for the laughs!! Kat

I am so sorry you are having nerve pain, but I am so relieved to hear it isn't all in my head! It really is in my leg! Mine started a few years ago following my hysterectomy, the outer portion of my right leg from the knee, up to mid thigh, is numb feeling but also hurts. It seems to help when I reposition my leg some times. I went to the Dr. who sent me to a neurologist, who put me on neurontin, and kept increasing the dose...I never had any improvement with the meds, so opted to discontinue them after over a year. I figured I give it a good run. It has been over 4 years now, I have been hoping if I got some of this weight off, that it might relieve some pressure somewhere and help...but not holding my breath. If you find relief let me know. Has anyone thought about accupuncture? I have .... but just thought only, never got up the guts to try it! Good Luck on your recovery! Kat

I am not a teacher, but I am a parent. A parent of a daughter who loved her art classes for 2 years then she said it just changed, and she moved on as well. In hind sight (always 20/20 I guess) I wonder if it wasn't budget cuts that caused the change. My thoughts on this are #1. The new job sounds like it was meant to be for you...go for it!!! #2. I would submit a letter to the school board letting them know why I felt the need to look elsewhere in the beginning. #3. I would consider writing a letter to the editor of one of your local papers, or submitting an op/ed peice in regards to this. I was very involved in my kids school life, but as they got older it was less so,(HS doesn't have room moms!!!) and even being involved, I may have missed the severity of the budget cuts on some of the classes. So possibly many parents, grandparents, even other interested alumni, etc. have no idea of the difficulties in supplying the classes. Good Luck on your new adventure! Kat

Krystal, my only suggestion is if you are using a different Dr. for your fills, than your surgeon. My port is deeper than most apparently, possibly the same situation you are referring to. I did have a bit of difficulty during my first fill. I had a different Dr. so he had no idea ahead of time where to locate my port. My suggestion if you are using a different Dr. is to go with a fluoroscopy aided fill the first time out with the new Dr. In the end it was all good, so I am sure yours will be fine too! Good Luck to you! Kat

I just happened upon this thread, and am not familiar with your "story" prior to this issue with your husband. So if anything I say is way off base, just ignore me!! Reading your post I noticed you mentioned being disabled in an accident last year. I tend to wonder if he is not overwhelmed/depressed by your life changes in the last year. Maybe his buying his things was a grasp at feeling happy. We women tend to go to Walmart, and we splurge on a few shirts for ourselves or the kids in a shopping therapy session, men I noticed tend to go for the big stuff! As women we are also more intuned with ourselves, and one another for that matter, when it comes to recognizing depression in ourselves and our friends in a way that men do not all do. He may not know WHY he feels the anger or the frustration with life in general, or how to act with those feelings. Especially if the first 24 years were happy. If your accident left you disabled, it must have been a serious one, he may never have "got over" that. (Something like a post traumatic stress syndrome.) And you having this surgery done signals that you have. If he came close to losing you during the accident, he may emotionally be unwilling as hell to take a chance on losing you during the surgery. While we KNOW that is a very, very rare happening, he may not be thinking clearly to reason that out. I agree that NO reason is a good reason for abuse of any kind, be it emotional, physical, or verbal...but it sounds like this is a new situation for you. You are far too upset to have dealt with this for years. Do you have any medical coverage following the accident? Is there any way to get it to cover counseling, even if it just you that goes, they may be able to give you coping strategies. Because you too could have the PTSS thing.... I was in a very bad marriage, and dealt with about any kind of abuse you can imagine, but my marriage was never any good, there was nothing to repair or salvage, it sounds like there is in yours. I think the journal idea is good, as well as coming here, help vent out some emotion so you can be less emotional when dealing with him and his. Good Luck to you, I will have you both in my prayers. Kat

Possibly the extreme temperatures are keeping you from chewing it enough? Just a wild shot in the dark. I thought of that, because the other day I had a chicken sandwich (removed the bun, for calorie elimination mostly) that had green chile on it. I had ate them before, and as long as I chew it thoroughly, I have had no problems with it. Well the green chile they had the other day was hot!!! Because of that I did not chew well...and was stuck after the second bite...DH finished my sandwich, and he even put the bun back in place!!! A lot of people have sensitive teeth with extreme temps, so it would make chewing it fully more difficult. I don't know, I hope you find the answer to your problems! Good Luck to you! Kat

The one thing I can suggest that helped me, and continues to make a difference in my weight loss (and I too am new at this!) is making sure I am drinking enough water. I can watch my food intake and not cheat at all, but unless I take in my fluid, the scale does not move. When I drink properly, I slowly start to drop. Someone on LBT here, told me we have to have it to flush everything from our bodies. Nto sure of the exact reasons for it, but it might help you. Good Luck! Kat

This is not technically a response to your post, but it is along the same thing, so thought I would share it. Once when my DD was going to the gym at her college, we overheard 3 women body builders comparing who could weight the MOST and still fit into the smallest size! It seemed so odd to hear them bragging about how MUCH they weighed!!! I too seem to watch the scale closer than I should, but I have noticed, with my increase in activity, that even when I was stuck scale wise, I lost inches. I measure again tomorrow, and am actually as excited about that, as i am seeing the scale numbers go down. Good Luck to you! Kat

hey Alex, sorry about the job. Was gonna offer all the same thoughts, but decided to go with "Screw 'Em" instead! They will now get what they deserve! You will find something better!! Kat

Beannie, I had high hopes for your dreams, until you threw that word "sane" in there!!! Kat

I didn't come home the day of surgery, but flew home 2 days later. Since I was flying, and obviously out in public for extended periods of time, I had to dress!!! I wore some french terry cloth tie waist pants, and a loose shirt. I also had to wear a bra, I was afraid if I didn't, I would turn around and knock out a flight attendant or something!!! In the end, the bra was the worst, and my pants did not matter in the least, my incisions were so high, I could have worn snug jeans and not mattered. But the top half mattered. 5 hours in a plane, then 5 more by car, I was sore! I actually took the tiny pillow from the plane with me, and used it in the car too, between me and the seatbelt. Even with all this, it was not that bad, I had one shot of ES liquid Tylenol that day is all. You will all do fine, will be thinking of you!! Kat

It's scary when they mix up prescriptions, makes you feel very vulnerable. I went, ironically also to Walgreens several years ago, to pick up a prescription for Zantec, before it went OTC, and when I went to take it, it was a different looking pill than usual, so I looked at the bottle closer, and it was Xanax,(a tranquilizer I am told). Good thing I didn't take it, I would have had real reason to have heart burn!!! Glad they caught yours, they were sure falling all over themselves to appease me that day!! Hope it helps your palpitations, I have heard of goiter problems, but know nothing about them. Also glad to hear Ava is feeling a bit better, poor baby. I feel so bad for her, also for you, I know how it is, financially, what do you do??? Good Luck Darcy, there are days you need it, and it sounds like the last few for you have been like that!! Kat

I used www.tickerfactory.com to do my ticker, I just changed it to be ready for the 4th of July!! If you go there it will walk you through designing what you want, then use the top option for copying it to LBT. Right click, Select all, then copy. Then come back to LBT, and go to user CP in the upper left, and click on edit signature, go to where you want your ticker to be in the lower window and right click again and hit paste. It should show up in the preview window then. I hope your surgery went well!! Welcome to lapband as they say!! Hope your recovery is smooth, ifyou have any questions, just ask here, there are some very good band educated people here, they have provided me with great help!! Kat

Having run a daycare for over 20 years, i could fill this thread!!! These however were from my oldest DD. Sortly after her 3rd birthday, I walked into her room to find her and a friend with no less than 10 barrettes each in their hair (one of her birthday gifts). I laughed at her and told her she was "too cute", she jumped up, hands on hips, and informed me that she was now "Three cute". About a year later, we had gone with a friend and her 2 kids to Taco Bell. My DD was way more interested in playing with the friends, and looking over the back of the booth into the neighboring booth. I had told her repeatedly to sit down and behave, only to be ignored basically, as 4 yr olds do. I finally had reached the end of my pateince, and told her to "sit her butt down or I was gonna bust it right there in front of God and everybody". Amazingly she did just that....was a perfect angel the rest of the meal. On the way home she wanted to go see Grandpa, so we stopped in, first thing out of her mouth was "Grandpa, God was at Taco Bell!". Won't be long til my grandkids are filling me full of fun stories too!! I sent the second one to Readers Digest, and made money on threatening my child!!! Kat

Once the initial healing has taken place, I don't think wrestling with your six year old should be a problem. I mean they encourage exercise, much of it is heavy exertion. They said as soon as I was comfortable with it sexual relations with my husband were fine ( that made me laugh, they specified my husband, like it was ok with him BUT no one else!!! Not that I wanted anyone else!!!). So I would just do what I was comfortable with, explain to him not to hit you there, show him your scars...and let him "win" on occasion!! Good luck to you! Kat

My liver size was fine, however the week before, during my blood work up, they found my liver enzymes were sky high. Mine was caused from a statin drug I had ben prescribed, to combat cholesterol, and according to a AMA report it, used in conjunction with, metformin was supposed to help prevent diabetes. Of course I stopped taking it immediately, but even though I did, my enzyme levels were still high for surgery, but being able to show that 6 months prior they were fine, it had only been since the medication change helped. And it had also began going down. I was afraid I would do like you and wake up without a band. My Dr. did not have a STRICT pre-op diet, only one high in protein and low fat, I adopted the stricter diet as well as I could, from what I had read on here. He said it was obvious I had followed the diet, my liver looked fine. Now a few months out from the statin meds, and my enzyme levels are once again normal. Had you been on any drugs prior to surgery that could have made the liver that way? I am so sorry about the insurance situation, my insurance wouldn't cover me either, I only fit 2 out of 3 required criteria. So I went self pay and went to MX. I do have a fill Dr. near me, the Dr. I would have used if ins. had come through. Good Luck to you! Kat

I would imagine if your band is still in a healthy position, it would be fine. I think it is time to see your Dr. let him scope you and check your positioning on the band, and see if you have any fill...and begin again if all checks out. I have a friend who is super tight in the morning, and her Dr. told her to quit sleeping on her stomach, and she saw immediate change...now I have no idea if this would affect you or not, but thought it couldn't hurt to throw it in! Also might be a good idea this time to find a good support group, or talk to someone, to help you from sabautaging yourself. Good Luck. Kat

I was banded just a few days after you, and have lost about the same weight, and yes I hit a plateau for 2 weeks (before my first fill a few days ago) that I lost and gained the same 2 pounds over and over and over!!! Now I don't know how this is possible, or why, but it is true...I saw it with my own eyes!! During the time I was not losing actual pounds, I continued to lose inches! I measure about every 2 weeks, and figured it was for naught, since I had not lost pounds, but wanted to keep my journal steady so measured anyway...and had lost an additional 5 1/2 inches overall! It helped me cope with the standstill in weight loss. Now I am losing a bit again, since I had my fill, likely due to the forced liquids again for awhile!! I know I should have upped my exercise, but, life has been chaotic lately, and I couldn't, it was nice to see something was still happening!! Good luck!! Kat

Just think Kathy, if not for the band, you may have had a super sonic cheese burger and chili cheese tots before the shake...I would have!!! We all do it, and I think giving in on occasion keeps us sane. Look at all the improvements you have made in your eating lifestyle, not the odd treat you let yourself have. This is for life, and I personally would not enjoy a life with not ever having a milkshake again. The lapband allows us to enjoy one, or some of one, and have the ability to begin again. Ain't it great??!!:high5: Quit beating yoruself up, and be human with me!!! Kat

You know beacheeGirl, what finally allowed me to quit once and for all back in 1990, was my A$$hole ex-husband saying I couldn't do it!! But what kept me quit, was realizing that with the health issues, and the cost (which is nothing compared to now!!) if I started back, I would eventually have to quit again...and that meant living through the first 3-4 days without a cigarette again, and that was HELL. So pick someone you don't like who smokes, and show them!!!! As for the band, depending on how much weight you have to lose, and your morbidities, different Dr.'s require different diets, and some none at all. Mine did not require a strict one, I was told lean protein and little to no fat, for a week. By the 2nd day, I was noticing weight loss, and that encouraged me. I tried, but screwed up a time or 2...to be honest! I had my surgery, and for a good 2 weeks, I had zero hunger, so that helped me get a good start. I lost really well for about a month, then we got some bad news concerning my DH's health, and the stress hit hard, and I slipped, I bounced the same 3 pounds off and on, but it still felt like I had control! I can't remember when I felt in control of my eating! I had my first fill yesterday, and am on liquids through today, and have high hopes of getting back on the weight loss wagon!!! If we all had the control to follow the diet to the letter, and never make bad choices for ourselves, we would not have ended up here needing the band. I have not had a PB, I am sure my time will come. I have had the golfball, from eating too fast, and too big of bites, it was very unpleasant!! But I learned, and I find the eating style becoming more habit now than something I think about. I have not found anything yet I cannot eat. I don't eat some things, and have cut others way back, but motly my difference has been in portion size. It has lessened drastically! But it takes me longer to eat the small amounts, and I haven't felt deprived. I hope you find a place you feel comfortable with as you head into this. Maybe you should do one step at a time. If all of us can do this, so can you.... Kat

You know Debi, if you have the lap band, and by some sick twist of fate, ended up like your sister's friend, at least you would have options. You would not have to be sick every day of your life. It is removable, and all of your intestines are intact. I can't say I would never consider RNY if something were to happen to my band, but I feel so much safer this way. My health has improved drastically, no more metformin, no more BP drugs...I am loving it!! I too would recommend looking around at other surgeons, going to see them, or at least attend their seminars. Find someone as open minded as yourself! Best of luck to you!!! Kat