GoingforGoal

As a NICU RN it's hard to endorse the concept. However, I am also anti-government... which just means I need to buy and govern my own damn island and all will be right again

Can't agree on the should we be eating candy bit (snicker) but this woman is the classic discriminator. Uneducated and ineffective. When we talk about obese children, my heart just pours out to them. That was me 30 years ago. An adult has some audacity to make a child feel badly about their health/appearance, when in reality, it's the f'in parents who are being negligent. I could remember as early as elementary school learning about healthy eating & need for regular exercise. But if that is not reinforced in the home and if it is not modeled by your parents, it's a lost cause. Multiply that with years of poor eating habits and you got a classic obese case. And than society turns around and says if you want to lose weight just stop eating, or eat less, or make better choices. That's like telling society hey if you want to get ahead learn to write with your left hand when you've been writing w/ your right all these years. Technically you can do it, but it doesn't come natural, there's little gratification and in the end it's just easier to write with your right hand. Terrorizing kids is not addressing the epidemic. Education, reinforcement and accountability are the only measures that can address the matter. It's a cultural thing now in our society..being one of the heftiest countries in the world. Address society not a child.

It's your body metabolizing meds. Keep hydrated to help your liver in the process. (taking a few steps back...ok I need to get some fresh air) lol

Gotta love life obstacles. Happens to all of us, just in different ways. I can related. For now, hold tight and go through the (additional) steps of getting the port repaired- it is the key to your success. I feel your pain/disappointment. Keep strong..you'll get there !

lol I love how everyone is starting the single chat. Good luck finding someone to love on

Collegebio, I am going to assume you are covered by your parent's health insurance. One of the key parts of getting medical care, is to understand your coverage. Some plans require you go to your primary physician who will than need to refer you to a bariatric specialist. Others allow the patient to schedule an appt directly w/ the specialist bypassing the primary physician. Once you figure that out, either get your referral or call the bariatric office of your choice. Most have websites that will stipulate whether they want you to attend educational seminars prior to making an appt. If that's the case, attend the seminar. These usually address all the wls options helping you make an informed decision. After the seminar, you make an appt w/ the surgeon. The first meet is a q&a health and physical assessment, and than a discussion on what steps need to be taken for you to qualify. Some of these are the burden of the docs and some of these are stipulated by your insurance company. Together with your surgeon you'll go through the steps of addressing these prequal requirements. Examples include nutrition classes, psych eval, cardiac eval, sleep study, blood work etc. These varies greatly based on the insur. carrier you have. Once you complete these items, your doc submits the paperwork to the insur. co to get approval. Than it's time to schedule the actual surgery. Some docs require preop diets, but again, it's all highly individualized. Not sure why it's a year long process. Most can get this done in under 4 months. Some insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet component, but many of these companies are dropping this requirement recently. Again, contact your insurance company (or go to their site) and figure out what their minimum qualifications are for the band. Good luck

Yad, You should be given a detailed feeding plan by your doc and/or nutritionist to get you started. Most them include a shopping list of YES foods. These are ideal foods that are typically easy to eat and give you optimal nutrition. The reality is, you can eat whatever you desire. However, with that being said: 1) Everyone needs to experiment with their foods. For some, foods like bread, Pasta, rice, dry meat etc cause issues and so therefore they avoid them. However, if you can eat them than you may, just in moderation (if high carb for example) 2) Healthy choices are essential if you want to lose weight. Two things to keep in mind is making Protein your priority (60-90g per day minimum). That should be your staple and than eat extras after your protein. Do it the other way you are likely to stall or even gain weight. Also, traditionally bad foods like Cookies and icecream are high cal. Although it can get by the band, it is in no way going to serve you if that becomes a daily indulgence. The key is moderation. However, I take it a step further and recommend a strict diet for at least 6 months as you heal and adapt to eating with the band. You'll give yourself a great jump start in your weight loss and will more than likely have had enough fills for good restriction resulting in smaller volume intake when you do indulge. I don't think we stress enough the importance of following the diet rules. So many ppl are eager to get back to eating normal foods that that soon snowballs into eating the same volumes etc. There needs to be a commitment to changing the dietary habits/food selections in addition to eating less to be successful. Again, nothings off the table, but moderation is key.

Protein shake time!!!! Usually around 200 cals a piece and 20+g of protein it'll keep your energy levels up

I like assertive realists. So it's hard to offend me. Keep trying (ahhahah) I'll let you know otherwise snicker

Met my hubs online... (but don't ask which forum (snicker)) Great way to meet & greet and get a general feel for someone's personas, needs, wants and history to determine if it's a potential match. I recommend lots of provacative pics (kidddddding)

I can understand your logic. I was fortunate to have been banded w/ my husband on the same day. Sometimes you hear the stories of how difficult it is living with nonbanded spouses, nontheless, finding someone entirely new to understand and support you. Mis is right, of course you can find men open/understanding. However, I too would be inclined to find someone who related as it is a huge change/adjustment in your life and you don't need the problem of convincing or battling others as well. Ironically, if you look at the chat room, there is a room for singles. It's just never used. Some of the singles should start a singles chat forum with certain days/times so you can mingle. Not sure how successful it'll be because I'm unsure how many singles are chatting etc etc. But worth a try?

Yes your vits are essential, not elective. Just like Protein shakes, finding a version that is most palatable to you takes some experimentation. I take multivits, B12, Biotin, vit D (I'm low), and calcium daily for support. Short term you may get by just fine, long term you can cause serious issues. Best to be proactive than dealing w/ avoidable conditions

Hi Black, I too have had the same experience after losing all my weight. I call it bony butt syndrome, but to each their own lol. The only thing you can do is postural training. You may even want to see a physiologist and/or chiropractor who can assess your alignment. It is not uncommon for obese people to have their skeletal system unaligned due to the stress of carrying excessive weight. If this is the case, things like basic strength exercises, SI joint stretches and even adjustments can help with those issues over a period of time. Isn't is amazing how we suddenly become aware of our anatomy after losing all the cushion. For example, ribs and floating ribs. Goodness..haven't felt those things in over 20 years lol.

No just fingers. The nurse will put a pulse oximeter on your finger which reads your oxygen levels and pulse. If one finger doesn't work, you have (I assume) 9 others to choose from Good luck

And going into detail..I have done every move man made under the stars...port's still intact <WINK> Your port is well sutured (unless your doc specified otherwise). So, just like working out, sex and the fun positions it puts us in will not impact the port. I have gotten pregnant on the band. Beware, it makes you fertile (but maybe it was position 2,345 that did it) And girl, sex is the first forum post we all opened up..are you kidding me LMAO

I know and they keep postponing it another week....what gives. I miss my lbt friends

I just wanted to also mention, that if you use the search button you will get an extensive list of posts that discuss these terms AND related issues for further research

Woohoo... Good job on kicking Insurance butt See you on the other side

NEXT MONDAY???????? It was supposed to be done THIS Monday!!! Unhappy camper

foxychick, <love the name btw I just underwent major cosm. surgery (tt, arm lift, breast lift and aug). Prior to this procedure, I had multiple surgeries, to include x3 c-sections. The very first c-section made the area directly underneath my incisional scar numb and it never returned. Neural issues (whether it be an occluded nerve in your spine, to nerve damage during surgery) are very long healing. However, I would guesstimate that if by one year you do not have any feeling you can count it as permanent. Hey, the + side is that if you ever need subq injections, you can just do it there since the abdomen is a common place for them and you won't even feel it (smirk). I'm sorry that you are having issues/pain. So far I am healing on schedule, no real pain. I still have my steristrips on so I have no visual of the actual scars but doc says they should heal similar to what my previous c/s scars resulted in. You mentioned you have more work to be done. The good thing about that is perhaps some of the scar tissue that is creating havoc will be removed in the process and your new incisional line will heal nicer with less complications. Your results look great. I will be posting mine after a month or so when everything looks 'normal' again ahaah

^5 and congrats

Sounds like you have a great surgeon. You, as the patient, would not know to ask for lidocaine. It's a dr protocol. However, it's a good q to ask or request in the future since you know there will be difficulties accessing your port.