DebbieGail

I don't know if I got any pictures on...but I'm trying....

Let's see if I can get a picture in here:

Okay I feel like such a dinosaur!!!!I'd love to post my pictures but have not figured out how...also the signature and tickers...I've tried a direction but it's not broken down enough and it has abbreviations I don't get. Anyone patient enough to give me a remedial tutoring session? Dinosaur Deb

My doctor suggested Benefiber. When I miss a daily BM the next day I use it... by afternoon if still haven't move try once more...that usually does the trick for me. Deb Highest lifetime weight 386 1st Visit to doctor 376 Surgery Day 343 Today 312.2

This is great nsv: I've been able to walk for 1.5 miles come in and bike for an additional 10 min. Pretty good for someone that couldn't make it from parking lot to my classroom without huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf. Also, can bend down and tie my shoes! I used to have to have to finagle all around the couch to get the task done. And the biggest "one my positive attitude" is affecting my DH we actually - playfully wrestled the other night...been a long time since that happened. He's been wonderfully supportive! Highest weight 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery Date 343 Today 312.2

This is great nsv: I've been able to walk for 1.5 miles come in and bike for an additional 10 min. Pretty good for someone that couldn't make it from parking lot to my classroom without huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf. Also, can bend down and tie my shoes! I used to have to have to finagle all around the couch to get the task done. And the biggest "one my positive attitude" is affecting my DH we actually - playfully wrestled the other night...been a long time since that happened. He's been wonderfully supportive! Highest weight 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery Date 343 Today 312.2

Loving all the suggestions. Thanks will but that in my memory bank. Deb

You may be right...I'm a teacher and there has been a confirmed case of Whooping cough of a brother of one of my students...I let the doctor know and that is when he gave me the z pack. They have never tested me for it though. I think I'm ready to change GP. I will get with a doctor and have them test for this ... it has been going on for way too long. Thanks for listening and helping me figure out what I need to do. Deb

Thanks for the suggestions...will will try them. Had a fairly decent night sleep last night...this morning got up ate Breakfast was up about an hour and then feel asleep until my husband woke me for lunch....this is really good for daily exercise!!!*?:frown: After the nap felt a little better only had two bad coughing fits the others I could handle. Heather, thanks for the encouragement about not hurting the band .... it's making me feel a little better. Hope all stay healthy and/or get feeling better! Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery day 343 Today 312.5

I have had something since 1-22-09, It's weird - no fever, does not feel like it's in lungs (confirmed with chest xray 2-10-09), no congestion just coughing and drainage. First trip to GP got z pack and cough meds with coedine, Next trip 5 days later getting worse worried about band gave me inhaler and a different antibiotic, Last weekend started coughing fits and started like dry heaves in middle of cough and it felt like airway collapsed takes me some time to get inhale/exhale stablized (scary) Called GP again couldn't get me in until Tuesday. Called my surgeon about concern of dry heaves during cough...gave technical medical name (sorry reception gave me this message and said it was something very young children sometimes get and occassionally adults can get it) Asked if anything comes up when coughing? (No) Asked if food and liquid staying down? (Yes) Said to get with GP ask for cough med with coedine. Did and got a refill. At Tuesdays appointment was put on Prednisone for 10 days ....continue inhaler, antibiotics, cough meds. Called surgeon he said okay for 10 days but add 2 pepcid with Prednisone and 2 pepcid at bedtime. Yesterday had less coughing fits but today it is worse again - drainage thicker and more - more fits. Still no fever. I'm calling surgeon tomorrow to see if he can recommend another doctor for 2nd opinion or see me himself. I'm so concerned over my lapband? Surgeon said he would not be able to tell until after cough has stopped whether there was any problems with band. This all started 4 days after 1st fill...I don't think I had any problems keeping everything down and never hungry. Really concerned and frustrated .... any ideas?

Hi, Welcome, Your wait time will go really fast. To get started now I suggest to practice eating slower...chew, chew, chew your food. Practice drinking more Water. Get your support- family, and friends in tact and informed. My whole experience so for has been wonderful. No problems! My only nervousness on the day of the surgery was facing the hospital scale...:crying: My surgeon would not do the surgery unless I was 350 or less. From my first visit to him I had to lose 26 lbs to have the surgery. My scale at home said 345 with clothes but you know how scales can be. But I was prepared to shed clothes if I had to...(But it wouldn't have been a pretty sight) LOL But their scale was very nice to me 343! I was all smiles from then on.:laugh: Today is my 2nd month Anniversary and I can truthfully say, "It's the best thing I have ever done for ME!" My energy level is UP, My activity level is UP, My attitude is positive, My knees and hips are already feeling much better, I have a spring in my step, and my weight is down. What more can I ask for. Good Luck, Follow your doctor's instruction, and enjoy the ride! Your investing in your future with this decision. Deb Highest lifetime weight 386 1st visit to doctor 376 Surgery Day 343 2nd month Anniversary Today 314.5 1st fill 1-19-09 2.5cc

Hi, I am a newbie so to speak. New to the lapband - surgery 12-11-08 and also new to this...first time (is what I'm doing called chatting)! A little about me .... 55 years old, married 35 years to a wonderful retired man, 1 son, 1 daughter in law, 1 13 year old grandson, currently kindergarten reading teacher for 3 years, first grade 17 years, and first year was in 6th grade in a rural K-8 district. I've always been overweight, many diet attempts, always active. Never let my weight keep me from doing things and achieving - Child to young adult bowler when I met my husband who worked at the bowling lanes carried a 225 average. Was a chubby Jr. High Cheerleader, Played softball - pitcher & 2nd base - Last few years played - team was champs, Played high school volleyball. As a teacher, for 10 years I was the girls volleyball and basketball coach and both boy's and girl's track coach for 10 years. My moto stayed intact.That is until about five years ago ...it caught up to me...sleep apnea, knees and hips going, and blood pressure creeping up. My mind said go...yes I can but my body said enough is enough.:thumbup: At my highest lifetime weight 386, :clap: I was miserable and almost immobile. I was in therapy for my knee for 16 weeks. I was in such bad shape it was almost like I had a stroke. I worked through that and became a little bit more mobile. During the summer I looked into the lapband... and went to the informational seminar...After that day their was no turning back. August 25, 2008 first visit with doctor weighed 376. Found out insurance would not pay, and that I would have to loss another 26 pounds before he would do the surgery. December 8, 2008 (my husbands birthday) started pre-op liquid diet on December 11, 2008 had my surgery. My only fear was getting on the hospital scale that morning and finding out I was not 350 or under...I was prepare to strip down if I had to....(which would not have been a pretty sight) but my weight was 345 with clothes at home and 343 with clothes at the hospital. From then on I was all smiles.:clap: I have not had any trouble ... I've went through all the diet stages ( I have followed all the rules/ with my husband's coaching) without anything bad happening. I'm on trial and error eating now...to see what I tolerate...so far nothing is on my Don't eat List except the doctor said no beef, pork, bread(sticky), celery for 6 mos. I was told to eat 1/2 cup 3x a day leaning heavily toward the Protein. I find my 1/2 cup tends to be a little rounded at the top whereas my husband's tends to be level....and he can tell what 1/2 cup is on a plate...so he has taken on the job of measuring! :thumbup: It's amazing though I'm never hungry between meals.... My eyes still think I need more...but as long as I know it's 1/2 cup I eat it and never feel hungry! I record and journal everything everyday. At my last doctor's appointment 1-12-09 he tried to fill me at the office but could not find the port - set up appointment at the hospital to do the adjustment - added 2.5 cc. back on liquid for a day, then puree, then regular 1/2 cup. Still no problems. My attitude is positive, my activity level is up, my energy level is up and my weight is down. I even walked a mile came in and biked (stationary) 10 minutes. For someone that could hardly walk from the parking lot to her classroom last year this to me is amazing! :w00t: My weight today is 321. I know I have a lot to go ... the rest of my life which because of this lifestyle change will be healthier, lighter, and happier. As you can tell, I'm a talker. I'm wanting to learn more from those that have traveled on this journey and rode this ride. I want to learn from your successes and mistakes.. I want to make new friends that have chosen this lifestyle change. I forgot to share my new motto : "Eating to Live" which changed from "Living to Eat". By just switching the words ... I'm healthier!

It's my 2nd month banded anniversary! Got up and stepped on the scale to see another loss! I'm at 61.5 from my first visit to the doctor 71.5 from my highest weight and 28.5 from date of surgery. I took pictures today to compare with surgery day pictures....I regret I didn't take a picture on first day to surgeon or highest weight. Well anyway, on today's picture when I looked close I saw a small but visible horizontal v indentation at where my waist should be. Wow, is that what a waist is. I'm very proud of that horizontal v! What a terrific anniversary present - my husband spotted it first! Can't attach picture because I still don't know how to do it. That's the blight of a newbie on working on computers! But I'm trying and learning slowly. I am concerned for the past 2 weeks, I have been fighting a cough, which has become worse, been to GP 3x. Been on 2 different antibiotics, cough med, and inhaler. About 4 days ago, the cough got so bad when I finish coughing it's like my airway has collapsed takes me a while to struggle and get my inhales/exhales working again. Along with that now, I'm experiencing something that feels like dry heaves! Called my surgeon because my band is so new I'm worried about damaging it. He suggested getting back with GP for stronger cough meds. After seeing my GP, he put me on Prednisone (pills)...again a call to my surgeon to make sure that was okay...He said it was but to add my pepcid tablets when I take the pills and at bedtime. I feel a little better...I guess it's still a good sign that I'm not having any trouble with keeping food or liquids down. Anyone have any similiar experiences? Highest Weight 386 1st visit to Surgeon 376 Surgery Date 343 2nd Anniversary Today 314.5 P.S. Thanks for responding, Fran. I will try and find the December 2008 Forum. Deb

Don't get discouraged. I have two insurance policies, mine from work and my husband's work also carries me. I did the research myself and my doctor sent in the papers also....but to my dismay both came back denied....they both had a rider that even with health concerns they did not cover any bariatric procedures. But I had several things happen 1st My father passed away 2 years ago and my mother 5 years ago...they left me a small amount of Anheseur Busch stock. My mom always wanted to help me financially do something about my weight because a neighbor had the gastric bypass and was successful with it. I was too afraid of something that evasive. Anyway when I got denied - Anheseur Busch was sold...I was not for the buy out - my Dad worked there and he would not have been happy with a buy out. But I was out voted and it was out of my hands...The sale went through and right at the time I found out I was denied the sale went through...My wonderfully supportive husband said it was my money to do with what I wanted... It was a lot of money and I fretted over it...my best friend's husband was talking to me one day when I asked him his opinion of how to invest the money (he is in the finance world and I trust his opinion) He gave me a few ideas and then out of the blue he said you know his wife and told him about my looking into a procedure to help with my weight ... and he said "using the money for that would also be an excellent investment into my future" His wife a few years back had breast cancer and is cancer free at the moment. He values Good Health. He made me really think hard about that - an Investment in my future! My husband would just say I was the one that had to make the decision and he would support what ever I wanted. My health has in the previous year declined - sleep apnea and my knees and hips were going. I was not very mobile. Shortly after that I made the decision and have never looked back. I know my parents would have been pleased to know they have helped me on this journey. My advice to you is even since you hit this bump in the road with your insurance ... try again ... you say you lost time ... I don't think you have...you've lost 20 lbs...I realize you have spent some of your own money but that can still be an incentive for you to keep moving ahead toward your goal Think of it as your investment in the future... I believe there was a reason this happened ... maybe to prepare you to succeed ... give you time to be mentally ready, or steer you to the right doctor for you. Sometimes we just have to have faith! I always tell people I can't tell you if this is right for you all I can tell you is "It's the best decision I ever made for ME!" I am extremely happy with my band and the whole experience. Of course, it only my 2nd mos. Anniversary was banded 12-11-08. My investment is paying off...even when the stock market is down! Keep the faith and move forward! Invest in your future! Highest lifetime weight 386 I started to lose weight to go to the doctor. I was ashamed of my weight. So I worked at it and got 10 lbs. off before my first visit. First visit to doctor 376 I was told I would have to lose 26 lbs before he would do the surgery. Day of surgery 343 2nd Month Anniversary is today 314.5 Weight loss since starting this journey 61.5 lbs from my first visit - 71.5 lbs from highest weight! I took a picture today to compare...I actually can see the beginning of a waist...there is a small but visual horizontal v indentation at my waist. But the amazing thing is I'm able to walk 1.5 miles and then immediately bike an additional 10 minutes...Before I had a hard time walking from the parking lot to my work. I have never been happier ... It has so changed my life already!

I'm a slow learner when it comes to listening to my body.... I don't know if I've had that full feeling...I'm just doing what my doctor told me to do...1/2 cup or less - 3 times a day....with emphases on Protein. I'm extremely lucky because I have a wonderful retired husband that cooks/measures what I eat. He is along for the ride right beside me. I can tell you that I am NOT hungry between meals. I'm on the trial and error stage of eating anything...I keep wondering if I will know when I can't tolerate a certain food. There are things my doctor has told me not to try for 6 mos. beef, pork, bread, celery so I haven't tried them yet. Fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, & cheeses are treating me great. We eat out at least once a week...I've learned to ask the waitress/waiter to serve me only 1/2 cup of what ever I order and put the rest in a to go box...which so far they have been very pleasant to work with...In fact, I had one waiter that was hilarious...he couldn't believe that was all I wanted especially when he then asked my husband what he wanted and he ordered the steak with a loaded mashed potato... the waiter teasingly told him he was "mean". When my food came they did their best "in a small artichoke dip bowl I found a little bit of the Pasta, two strips of the grilled chicken, and 3 pieces of broccoli very prettily arranged" At the end of our meal the waiter came back and stated that he did not want to be "mean" but it was part of his job to ask "Do you want any dessert?" My husband was not "mean" ... he was full and declined the dessert. The waiter gave me some encouraging remarks as we left. By the way, my husband has lost weight since my surgery and I have to fuss at him to eat. I also had left overs that made me 4 other meals. Anyway back to the question originally asked...I am living in my sweet spot ... my activity level is up, my energy level is way up, I'm never really hungry, food does not control me, my friends are amazed at me, my students (kindergarten reading) laugh more because I am more playful and active with them (last week I even joined them in P.E. class when they were doing Free Dance FREEZE! (I'm showing my age, they couldn't believe there was a real dance called the "Swim"), my husband and I have did more together since the surgery because I can and am willing to try and I'm beginning to believe I do have a future, my knees and back are not hurting and I am not in constant lookout for someplace to sit. Sweet Spot - I've found it and I'm living there! And yes I do know the definition of the sweet spot you are referring to but I like my definition better! ________ Highest lifetime weight 386 Began this journey 8-25-08 weight 376 (lost 10 lbs before I went to meet my doctor, was told I had to lose 26 pounds before he would do surgery. Day of surgery 12-11-08 weight 343 Today's weight 321 I know I have a way to go but haven't to date set a final weight goal ... but have set a life goal --- "eat to live changed from living to eat" and be healthier ________ My wish for everyone, including myself - find, stay in, and work to stay in their definition of "Sweet Spot" because it probably is a little different for each of us.

Don't freak out because of what the scale says. Are you doing what you're suppose to do? Then relax and enjoy the ride....your body is going through some adjustments inside. Try measuring success by what you are able to do now. Are you doing more exercise (time, intensity) than two weeks ago? I bet you are! I've also been told it comes off slow 1 to 2 pounds a week. Have you tried to set goals other than the scale goal....focus on that besides eating healthy. As I'm writing this to you ...I'm thinking good advice why don't you try making a new goal yourself. I'm trying to remember it's a lifestyle change not just the scale. Keep on going sounds like your doing what needs to be done.