willowcat

Good luck--hope all goes well!

A year later for all of us sometime this month! :confused: How's it been? What have you learned? What are your hopes for the next year? Victories? Disappointments? Regrets? Praises? I'll start. Getting the band was the best thing I've ever done for myself. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. I hope next year sees me losing the rest of my weight and at goal. I hope my skin snaps back more. I feel strong, healthy, and normal-sized! I have more energy and no more leg, knee, and feet pain. I've learned that I still don't know how to eat slowly (and regurgitated food doesn't taste very good). I've also learned that steak doesn't really taste that good when eaten in really small bites. I've found that I like exercising and the more I do it, the more I want to do it. Also, I'm not afraid of airplane seats in coach anymore. I wish I could find the correct balance between too tight and not tight enough. What else do you have? Please share!

I have problems with the lactose in whey-based Protein powders, so I went to my local health-food store and looked for a protein powder without whey in it. I found a protein powder by NutriBiotic that says Vegan right on the front label. It's called Vegan Rice Protein. I buy it in chocolate and vanilla--I like it just fine. It's not as high in protein as whey-based protein powders, but here's what the nutritional label says for one heaping Tbsp: Calories 55 Fat 0.3 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 8 mg Carbohydrates 1.8 g Protein 12 g Adding it to soymilk would probably bring up the grams of protein enough to make it competitive with the whey-based protein powders. My nutritionist was fine with me using this protein powder pre-op (especially because I was throwing up the whey-based protein drinks!), but wanted me to make extra sure that I take a Multivitamin along with this if I use it as a Meal Replacement now--because it isn't a significant source of Vitamins and minerals. Good luck!

News that Sharon Osbourn had her band emptied because it was triggering her bulimia, got me thinking about pbing and bulimia, too. I've suffered with compulsive overeating--zombie-like, mindless, insane eating. At one time I considered "refunding" as a way to deal with my overeating, though I never did it. But I have gone to OA and have met people who have struggled with bulimia for years. Anorexics, bulimics, and overeaters all share the same obsession with food. It's truly a mental torture and has nothing to do with actually nourishing one's body. Eating (or not eating for anorexics) is a distraction for dealing with life and the emotions of life. I think the difference between pbing and bulimia is the purpose being served by the vomitting. If you're vomitting because you are panicked that you've eaten something "bad" or because you're afraid that if you don't get rid of all that food you'll "get fat" then I think you've starting crossing over into bulimia. If you vomit because you're stuck or you've truly eaten more than your pouch can hold, then you are not making good choices--but I don't think you're bulimic. That doesn't make it ok to be throwing up all the time, but I think one is a physical need (pbing) and one is a mental/emotional need (bulimia). Pbing, though, should be a yellow light that makes us stop and ask ourselves "Why did that happen? What do I need to change? Smaller bites? Slower eating? Different food choices? Smaller portions?" Maybe when you're secretly happy that you can just pb that up if it doesn't work out, you've started down a slippery slope? I don't really know. Just some ideas I've had myself.

Leigha, Sounds like your plate is already full with the C25K. I wouldn't name your decision as "giving up," but as "changing course". All things in good time. Enjoy the journey. :thumbup:

Everyone here is so tall! I don't feel short at 5'2", but I guess I am. Hmm...I didn't feel fat at my highest weight either...I must live in denial and not realize it (but then it wouldn't be denial now would it?! lol). 130 lbs will put me right at the high end of "healthy"--I'd be great with going lower, but as it is now, I'm already starting to swim in my loose skin--yikes!

Hi gals and guys! Leigha thanks for the invite! It's nice to hang out with positive people--Life is too short for the other kind, I think. I'm a teacher and school is over in one week! Yeah! Back to regular exercise! My bandiversay is June 4th--I'd like to see 100 lbs lost to celebrate! My husband says that it's only numbers and don't get too hung up on them--I guess humans are funny that way (I still want to see 100 lbs lost by then--wish me luck!). Last night we went to the movies--first time in a long time--and the best part of the movie (besides watching Russell Crowe) was sitting in the seat and having plenty of room to spare between me and the stranger in the seat next to me--no embarassing overflow!

Thank god for ibuprofin--it's the only otc pain killer that really works for me! I use the liquid gels with plenty of water. My reasoning is that as soon as the gel caps dissolve, the liquid pain killer will go right through my pouch into the rest of my stomach. Ibuprofin can be hard on the stomach (even before being banded) as it is. I prefer to not have the pain killer sitting above my stoma for very long because I've found that it can irritate the stoma and cause "stuck" problems until it eventually heals in a few days.

You've gotten lots of good advice about the bike, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth about the skates. If they fasten/close with velcro straps, just buy some double-sided velcro (they sell it in office supply stores for organizing your electronics' wires--I think I've even seen it being sold at Walgreens now). Cut it to the extra length you need and use it to extend the tabs. It's still very secure and it works! I've done that to get the cross-country ski boots I rented to fit and had no problems at all--even during a full day of skiing. I have short legs and thick ankles--even at a much lower weight, I had trouble closing the straps on ski boots; the porportions are simply designed for a longer leaner leg. Good luck and be safe!

Every surgery has the risk of death, BUT lapband is minimally invasive and is not considered a high-risk surgery. I wouldn't let the fact that someone died after lapband surgery stop me from getting lapbanded--you have no information about that person's other health issues anyway. Life is full of risks. People die all the time from automobile accidents and yet everyone still gets behind the wheel of a car. Don't psyche yourself out over this.

I've been teaching for 20 years, but last year was the worst. At 5'2" and nearly 300lbs, I was in pain, felt exhausted all the time, and spent as much time sitting as possible. I had resisted even the notion of bariatric surgery for quite some time, but as my weight rose during the years, I began to fear that I wouldn't be able to continue doing the job I love--I felt SO old and worn out. Sometimes I laugh to myself when I think about all the weight I was carrying around--I imagine myself hoisting two of my second graders (about equal to the amount of weight I've lost so far) on my back and trying to do my job! No wonder I was exhausted. I feel younger for sure! Yeah! Hoping I can continue teaching for another 15-20 years now! :thumbup:

Starzie, YEAH for you!!!! I'm so proud of you! It's kind of like you did it for all of us 2009 June Journeys--look what one our own accomplished! So glad that your son could be your cheerleader, too! Good for you--enjoy your BIG NSV! :thumbup: Willowcat

So...how was it?! :thumbup:

Gemini, "Stick with what works" is what I say...so glad you had a stuck/slime-free week! :bored: Even though my doctor didn't think there was anything to the water vs. no water theory, I know that there seems to be a connection for me...anyways, drinking more water can only be a good thing. Are you going to go ahead now and get that fill that you have scheduled? Good luck. Willowcat

60 miles is my goal

March total: 56.3 miles close...but no cigar

Alas, Gemini, nothing earth-shattering came out of my doctor's visit. He said that he didn't think water-drinking or not had anything to do with feeling too tight or not. He did think that my stoma could have gotten irratated by the medication that I take. He said that a small unfill can do wonders. He took out .5 cc and I almost immediately felt better! It's been a real relief to be able to eat again. Hope everything works out on your end. Willowcat

Gemini, I'm going to do the same thing--drink water when I feel like a little bite to eat. We can run a little experiment together. I remember RestlessMonkey said something once about drinking water vs. not drinking water having an effect on how you could feel different levels of "tightness" on any given day. I've never been much of a water drinker so when I was drinking my 64oz it was a real push for me to actually do it. I've gotten "lazy" when it comes to the water, but if water = no sliming/vomiting then I will certainly be 100% more motivated to drink all my water every day! I'm still going to the doctor tomorrow--just to make sure that this past month of sliming and vomiting didn't damage anything--also, to get his imput and thoughts about why I've had so many problems lately. OMG I sure hope something as simple as drinking all my water fixes everything! I'll keep you posted. Willowcat

Gemini, Are you still drinking all of your 64oz of water daily? I know that I haven't--and am lucky if I get even 1/2 of that most days. There seems to be a correlation for me between the times I've hardly drank any water and the times I'm unable to keep most things down--and the reverse also seems to be true (more water = less stuck/sliming episodes). I thought I'd see if you are still drinking all of your water or not--maybe water consumption could be a connection to our sudden problems? Willowcat

I have taken zoloft for over 10 years and would never stop taking it--life is too miserable without it. Unfortunately, about a month ago (banded 8 months) I had a bad episode with my daily zoloft dose (OMG the intense pain is unbearable!) and haven't been the same since. I wish I had found this thread earlier on in my lapband journey! Lessons learned on my own: 1. DON'T break the 100 mg pills in half--that just exposes the medication to your pouch. 2. An empty stomach doesn't make it easier for the pills to get through the stoma to your bigger (hardier--imo)stomach. 3. Something creamy like yogurt or pudding can help. 4. Saltine crackers seem to encase the pills and protect the pouch and stoma from the disolving pills. 5. Hot water/tea/coffee/soup doesn't relax the stoma and help the pills move through easier--it just helps disolve the pills faster= more intense pain. 6. Finally, your doctor can prescribe 50mg pills (you just take twice as many) and because they are so much smaller they do go down easier. Still, since my worst zoloft episode about a month ago, I haven't been the same. I'm getting stuck/pbing almost every day. Every meal/snack feels like a game of Russian Roulette. It's like I've had a big fill and am way too tight--though I haven't had a fill in over three months. I've begun to wonder if the stoma has been damaged in some way or is still just inflamed and irritated? I do have an appointment to see my doctor next week to have everything checked out and perhaps to get a slight unfill.

Wow! Gemini, I could have written your post! I too have lost 90 lbs and am very pleased with my results so far. The last month's weight loss, though, has been very slow fro me also. I too have had a lot of stuck and painful sliming attacks (every day at least one or more meals a day for about a month!). I keep thinking I've just eaten too fast, didn't chew enough, was holding water, hadn't drank enough water, had food that was too hot/cold/spicy...etc! I was just fine and then all of a sudden--just like you said--I can't seem to eat anything except yogurt, pudding, or soup. I actually can't take it anymore. I have an appointment to have a slight unfill this coming Monday. If I were you, I wouldn't get that fill you have scheduled; I can't imagine you'll be happy with it. If my doctor has any good insights into why everything was fine until about a month ago, I'll let you know. I'm so looking forward to being able to eat again without wondering whether or not what I ate will be staying down...

Not realistic for anyone--there's nothing real about "reality" shows like that. You deserve better than to use them as a yardstick for your success. Sorry, got a little preachy there I know...

I am aware that I am a slow loser, comments in regards to my slow weight loss are not welcome, I have done nothing wrong, there is nothing wrong with me, we are individuals and lose weight differently. Your silence will not save you I don't get your signature--what's the last part mean? Just curious. Sorry for hijacking the thread, so in response to the OP, hunger has always hurt my stomach--that's one of the reasons I could never last long on WW--when all the points were gone for the day and I was still hungry (painfully) it was unbearable. I thought everyone felt hunger as stomach pain--no? I still do--even after being banded--but now it takes much longer to get to that point. That's the reason I don't stick to the "three meals a day, no snacking" lapband rule--I have three small meals and three very small Snacks every day. Works for me.

I'll add my two cents for what it's worth. I had to give up coffee prior to surgery because my surgeron said he didn't want it in my system during surgery, and he also didn't want me to suffer from caffeine-withdrawl symptoms (headache, etc) on the day of surgery. I slowly cut back to nothing for my surgery. Then, directly after the surgery I was told to refrain from coffee because it is a stimulant and may irritate the newly-banded stomach. I figured since coffee can sometimes be a bowel stimulant (contractions and all--not to give TMI), that maybe it had a similar effect on other parts of the digestive system (?). I slowly added coffee after about a month after surgery and and am now (10 months later) back to my full cup of coffee with a bit of skim milk. My nutritionist said that she didn't have a problem with coffee--as long as it didn't replace my water intake. Everyone says that coffee is dehydrating, but I remember reading a study that said while that may be true in people who drink coffee now-and-then, that it isn't true in people who drink coffee daily.