nursesandy

I knew I was probably going to have loose skin because my skin isn't very elastic. I've had 5 kids and have so many stretch marks it is unreal so that was my first clue. I didn't give up hope that I would be one of those people who could lose weight and look great, but now I'm down 65 pounds and have lots of loose skin. I had never really thought about plastic surgery, but the looser it gets the more I am contemplating it. Hopefully you won't have it either, but you just never know.

Hi everyone! It's nice to find some of you guys again. I couldn't even get on this site for awhile and then when I finally could, I didn't recognize anything. I am doing okay. I've lost 64 total (50.4 since surgery). I just had a hysterectomy 10 days ago and vomited yesterday after taking a pain pill. So now I've had heartburn/reflux the past couple of days and that has me nervous. I go to the doctor on the 18th so hopefully all is well. I have 7.5 in a 10cc band and feel like I'm right where I need to be. I only get stuck if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough, but do pretty well for the most part. I've only vomited 2-3 times since surgery and it's usually due to a virus or some other reason. I hope everyone is doing well. Sandy

I had a laproscopic hysterectomy 10 days ago. I have done remarkably well with that surgery. I overdid it a few days ago and started cramping so I took one of my pain pills (Lortab 7.5 mg). Well, it made me nauseous and I vomited yesterday morning. Felt bad the whole rest of the day and then after dinner last night, I noticed that I had heartburn and reflux. Took a Pepcid with no relief and took some Tums which helped a small amount. Was fine all day today and then got heartburn and reflux after dinner again tonight. I have an appointment with my band doctor on the 18th of this month. I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band and think I'm right where I need to be. I've lost 64 pounds since surgery on June 4, 2010. I have only vomited 2-3 times since being banded so of course I am worried about my band. Just need to get some reassurance from you fine folks. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Sandy

I was pretty certain that I was told at the beginning of this process that you will know you are at your sweet spot when you can eat 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food at a time and not feel hungry for 4 hours. Today the PA at Dr. Keith's office (Winters) told me that it was perfectly normal to be hungry every 2 hours and refused to give me my second fill. So am I at my sweet spot already? I am eating about 3/4 cup to 1 cup of food at a time. I do get full on this amount, but get hungry soon afterwards and could easily eat a cup of food every 2 hours if I let myself, but I usually tough it out until closer to the 4 hour mark, like I thought I was supposed to. I have never had any problems with getting stuck/vomiting/etc. I can eat all foods including most breads and pasta's, but try to avoid them because I know I am not supposed to have them. I am getting about 80 grams of Protein a day. The hunger is a nawing (stomach going to eat itself) kinda feeling. I was very upset about not getting a fill (only have 3 cc) and have to drive 3 hours for my appointments. I made the comment that I drove all this way for nothing and she got hateful. I tried to explain to her about being hungry after 2 hours and that is when she told me that was normal and that it didn't matter what I said, that she wasn't changing her mind. Her main concern was that I am losing 2 pounds per week, but I am working hard to lose that 2 pounds. I feel like I am being punished for working hard and following the rules. If I did eat every 2 hours like I want to, I bet I wouldn't be losing those 2 pounds a week. So what do I do? My other question is for those of you that are familiar with Dr. Keith's practice. Do you know if I can schedule my next appointment (in 6 weeks) with Dr. Keith or do I have to see her? I will change doctors before I see her again. I've only seen her twice and both times I didn't like her, but I did decide to give her another chance after the first time just in case she was having a bad day. I told them I wouldn't be back, but my husband really thinks I should at least see if I can be seen by Dr. Keith since my problem is not with him (I think he is great).

Today was my first day back at work after being banded on June 4th (had a lot of sick leave accumulated). I went in to do my morning assessment on one of our frequent flyer patients and she said, "My Lord honey you sure have lost weight." All of my co-workers had already told me how great I looked, but it was nice to hear it from someone who had no idea that I had this surgery done. Made my day and made me feel so confident the rest of the day. Sandy

Today is my one month bandiversary. What better time to join my first challenge. I guess I will try for 20 pounds. Sandy

You are not alone. My first one after being banded on June 4th was the most painful I've ever had. The next one should be coming soon and honestly I am a little nervous about it.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have not vomited since yesterday, but I am still extremely dizzy. Even with the dizziness, I feel tons better than yesterday. Other than a minor set-back with heartburn and gastric acid reflux, I have done pretty well with this band so I don't want to screw it up by vomiting and possibly being dehydrated. I am also scheduled to get my first fill this week and didn't want to mess that up. I appreciate all of your replies. It helps to know that there are others out there to share this experience with. Sandy

Okay, so I woke up this morning very nauseated and very dizzy. Was also in a cold sweat and very shaky. Thought my blood sugar may have been low so I made it to the kitchen and managed to get my Breakfast down. (I am NOT a diabetic). Went back to the bedroom and sat in front of the fan. About 30 minutes later I vomited for the first time since having my band placed on June 4th. Ouch!!! The vomiting was quite forceful, but I didn't get anything up even after about 8 retching episodes. I haven't vomited anymore, but have been nauseated and dizzy all day. PCP is not open today and my surgeon is over 3 hours away. I have been getting 1000 - 1200 calories a day with carbs included. I have only been getting 6 glasses of Water a day, but that is a lot more than pre-band. Has anyone ever had this happen? Being a nurse, I am trying to take care of myself instead of going to my local ER where I know they know nothing about bands (I work there). Any advise is appreciated.

I too feel your pain. I was banded June 4th. I felt a lot of restriction for the first week. Second week a little less and now in the 3rd week a little less. I get my first fill on July 7th. I am so nervous about stretching my pouch out that I think I am carrying it to extreme. I had 300 calories the other day and knew I had to have more so I made my Protein shake with ice cream. Not that I am recommending that, but I had to do something to get some more calories. I did Weight Watchers in the past and did really well with that as long as I ate all my points even if that meant eating some milk and Cookies at the end of the day. If I didn't eat all my points, I would quit losing. I haven't lost anything in the past week. It is frustrating, but I keep telling myself that the first month is for healing, not for losing. This is a learning process. I joined the dailyplate today and saw that I am getting no where close to the calories I am supposed to be getting. I am a work in progress, both physically and mentally. I agree, maybe you should add some Protein shakes. I was allowed to have anything you could drink on the full liquid stage. This included sugar-free Jello, sugar-free popcicles, cream Soups without chunks of meat, mushrooms, etc.

Those are stitches. They should dissolve on their own. I don't know if I had them with this surgery, but I did have them with my laproscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder) and my tubal. I know they can be a little pokey, but they should be about ready to come out. As they dissolve, you will notice that they will become a little looser and eventually the part that is hanging out will break free. Mine broke free and then pulled the partially dissolved stitch out of my incision. Not trying to sound gross, but it looked kinda like a worm. So if you notice this you won't freak out. lol. As long as you don't notice any symptoms of infection (redness, warmth, drainage), I think it will be fine. Sandy