nutmeg1965

This is a smart group of people. I like their advice. Another thing to remember is that you are giving him power over you by reacting to his behaviors. Just by walking away, not answering him, not returning emails, he will get the message that you are not going to "play" anymore. Its anticlimatic but it works and its more peaceful than big dramatic blowups. Good luck. Besides, once you get used to feeling independent and free, it will be hard to give that up. When you do, it will be for someone worth it. I like the idea that someone implied when they said he should fix the problem. Maybe not in this relationship, but when you are looking for the next potential Mr. Right. Find someone who will put as much effort into the relationship as you do. Not someone who makes messes and won't clean up after himself. Best wishes. Meg

Have your doctor admit you directly to the hospital. This is nuts. They can do a colonoscopy or anything else you need once you are admitted. It doesn't matter if it is an ulcer or whatever. The fact is that you have been bleeding increasingly more and more for the last couple of weeks. You have to be starting to be anemic. I would love to know what your blood count looks like. Talk to your doctor. I hate to say it but you are your own best advocate. If you have to be a PITA do it. Squeaky wheels do get oiled. Thinking of you...wish you better...Meg

Have any of you felt that you were being nudged towards a gastric bypass? All of my coworkers have had gastric bypass. During my psych eval, the doctor was really pushing towards the GB, with the malabsorption, and rapid wt loss. They really seem to low ball the wt loss that you can lose. Only 50% of the excess wt they say. This forum shows that is not always the case. Did any of you feel that you were going against something when you chose the band? I'm wanting to know, because of course I would like to lose fast, but I don't want long term effects of malabsorption, I don't want the complications. I could never live with myself if I died:faint: . I've got young kids and a I want to not regret my one chance to get back in shape. I just want to be safe. Any of you go through something like this? Thanks for listening.

I used to have this mini road trip I would do in the evenings after work. On this circuit that I used to drive in St Petersburg FL, I would hit four McDonalds. The first was for a quarter pounder w cheese meal. I would order another at the next one and throw out the evidence before I got to the window to pay. Then I would stop and get some apple pies. Then I would stop and get some cherry pies. I would always wash these down with a couple of diet cokes! I used to imagine the McDonalds employees calling each store saying "She's heading your way now." I would drive along the beaches and binge away listening to Jimmy Buffet. Ahhh... the memories. Needless to say, I would waddle out of the car and be sick to my stomach every night and say I wouldn't do it the next night. :biggrin1:

"The gas I pass" Doesn't that sound like a Dr Seuss book title?! This guy can be our fart monster mascot!

I wonder if it is the diet though. Some of those high protein, low carb drinks can really make you musical. Mannitol seems to make a lot of people gassy. It is a sugar substitute. Who knows? I do know eating refried beans is so asking for it! :guess

I had to laugh at your response. I'm not banded yet, just a lurker, but I am already so gifted in those abilities. I can't wait to see what it's like afterwards! :faint:

Hedwig, I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and your post was the first thing I looked at this am. I am an RN. I hope you don't mind a little advice. If the bleeding continues and you notice your skin color getting pale, you start to get dizzy with position changes like getting up out of bed or standing from a sitting position, go back to the ER or your doctor immediately. It means that you have lost enough blood to mess up you blood pressure. Not necessarily the skin color, but the dizziness. Something is obviously going on. If you run a fever, I would also go back. That might mean that what ever is bleeding is now infected. Any shortness of breath also. Don't worry about paying the ER. They can't make you pay and you just set up payments of 20 dollars a month. Say that is all you can afford. They can't say no. Email me if you have any questions. The thing is. Go to the ER if you have any of these problems and you can't get to your doctor or you need help immediately. I would rather be considered a frequent flyer and find out what is wrong than end up deathly ill. The people on this thread are so nice!!! We are all praying for you to get better. Take care, Meg

I work in Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care units as an RN. We night nurses tend to get very big. The NICU nurses have about 12 now, L&D have about 4 and I know several though out the hospital. So I guess there are more than 17. Knowing these women and men the way I do, I know they will be watching my progress because I am going a different route. But one of my friends died having the RNY and I just can't take that kind of risk with my kids and husband. They are a great source of information and support though, so I don't mind them knowing. My family is more judgemental. Meg.

I thought I would share some of what I have experienced so far. I am going throught the initial paperwork and labs/sleep study. I hope to be banded by November. I told my sister (who has always been too skinny). She said I should just not stock my refrigerator. I have a hubby and three kids. She has none. She also said that I should do a 12 step program and maybe check into a treatment program. It worked for her drug and alcohol problem. Like I can stop eating completely. My sister-in-law (who is a retired nurse) freaked out. I kept having to reassure her that I am not having gastric bypass. She now hounds my husband just about every day trying to make him promise to stop me. Like he could. :guess My girls are excited. Thank God for little kids. They think I am lovely no matter what. They got really excited when I told them I would eventually be able to fit on roller coaster rides. My husband and my dad were great. They just wanted to know what it was and make sure it is safe. :biggrin1: I have about 17 coworkers that have had the RNY. They think I won't lose as much. But one of our coworkers died last month after being on a vent for 5 months after the RNY. I am the only one I know of here that is getting banded. They are supportive but almost as clueless how to respond as anyone else. :tired All I know is that I am so glad I found this site. When my doctor asked me what my support system was I included Lap Band Talk, my coworkers and my husband. The funny thing is I think this site is the most helpful to me. I told hubby to keep the compliments coming, and say yes when I hit him up for plastic surgery. What a guy- He said OK.:clap2:

I love this forum! It is so inspirational to hear how successful you all have been. I am just starting the process. I was going to have RNY because I had so many - 17 coworkers have it and very little complications. Then one of our coworkers had the RNY in Jan. 2006 and intubated and in ICU by the end of the week. She died in early July 2006 never having left the ICU. I have three little girls and I just can't risk it. I chose the Lap Band based on your successes and the fact that only one person has died so far from the Band in the US and that was because it was placed wrong. Keep up the great work. I am quietly reading and absorbing your wisdom and strength so that I can do this too. Thank you, Meg.

I live in Columbia and I believe I have united healthcare thru the university. I am going thru the university's bariatric center to have mine done. They are great. I have over 17 friends who have had it done here. We are our own support group. The surgeons have done hundreds here at the university and in st louis. Dr Scott is one of them. It is very organized. You first go to a seminar that tells you exactly what your options are for lapband, rny, sleeve etc. They give you a packet to start filling out with your history and personal info. They get your bmi. United, I believe will do it for a BMI of 35 with other health problems and 40 without. They know all the loop holes to get it covered and will have tests ordered to support the need for the surgery. It is quite a team. My email is tmcjd@mchsi.com if you want any more info. Good luck. Meg

Did you have a high BMI and any comorbidity issues to argue your case. I have BCBS in MO. Just looking into Lap band myself.

I am in Columbia as well. Is Dr Scott with the University or with Boone? What type of insurance do you carry. I have BCBS and didn't know that they can be difficult to get coverage from.

Hello Missouri. This is my first post. I am leaning towards the lap band due to safety issues. I have three little girls and a great husband to think of. 12 women at the hospital I work at have had the gastric surgery. 1 has been on a ventilator since January. The rest are doing fine with various stages of success. The lap band sounds appealling to me. A lot less risk. I look forward to visiting this site. I am in mid-Missouri.