Gwendolyn Smythe

Hello All, I have been banded over five years. NO PROBLEMS. I am afraid to think how much weight I would have gained with out the band. I am gratefull to who ever came up with lap bands and my wonderful surgeon who did the surgery.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is all I can say. You look quite perky. I thought you would have been in way more discomfort. CONRATUULATIONS FOR DOING WHAT WAS GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A continued speedy recovery. Should we call you Ms. Perky?

I am so happy for both of you. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am thrilled for both of you. I can only imagine how wonderful it must feel to look at the new "you" in the mirror. You have worked very hard to get to this point. The best of the best to both of you.

Hi Hazelbliss, I did not know that. I have seen ads for this type of surgery. I guess if I want to lose the extra skin and wrinkles I have it will be via surgery. Not to sure I want to go that route. Thank you for posting this info.

Hi, You did what you thought was best for you. Soon you will look at yourself in the mirror and say wOW. Hope pain meds help soon. Will be thinking of you. I know it is easy for me to say hang In there as I am not feeling the pain.

Hi, I had my upper arms done. I had such a large wing that I burnt myself on the stove. To have this corrected I had to pay for it. Surgery on both arms was $2400, anesthesiologist was $1900, and I do not recall what the same day surgical center cost. I healed quickly, and then stopped. I increased the amount of protein I was eating, and my arm started to heal quickly again. The incision goes from my elbow to the end of my arm. No more burnt "wings" when I cook. Lots of luck.

Thank you all for posting. I am having acid reflux, and do not know what to do. I sleep with my head raised, take Nexium and Carafate (latter when I need it.) My esophagus has been stretched (it was only open a little bit), and my esophagus is ulcerated. I can not figure out what causes the problem for me. I will see a new gastroenterologist soon. I am afraid to have any fill taken out, as I am afraid I will gain all that I have struggled to lose. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for being here.

Congratulations.

Hi, the best advice I can give you is to have at least 60 grams of Protein every day. When I do this my healing is quicker than when I don't. The reason I did not do it for one surgery - is I forgot. Once I increased my protein, the healing went quickly. Thanks or keeping us posted.

I will be thinking of you. Wishing you only the best, and as pain free as possible. Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Thank you for the update.

Hi, Thank you for posting the pics. I am 7 weeks out and not completely healed yet. I am healed about 95% from the surgery. I am also very happy I had the surgery. I accidentally burnt the wing on my arm while I was cooking. I wish I took before and after pictures. Please keep us posted.

Hi, I am 72 yrs and 3 days. Wasn't to sure if this site was still active or not. Please let me know. Banded 2 years ago, have not reached my goal yet due to lack of motivation. I have lost close to 70 pounds and need to lose 30 more. I know what I need to do. I live in Central Florida - anyone else live in this area? Hope this site is still active.

I thought I had read somewhere on this forum that someone had two surgical procedures done at the same time.

Hi, I just found this site and wish I found it before I had my wings removed. Had them removed for a variety of reasons. I am thrilled with the end results. Now I would like my entire body redone. I wish I could accept my body for the way it looks, and not the way Madison Avenue glossies look of women.

CONGRATULATIONS. I had my "wings" removed for several reasons. Pain was way less than I expected, hardly any at all. Healing started very quickly, slowed down, and now is going quickly again. I look at my arms and can not believe how great they look. Very proud of your accomplishment.

Hi Everyone, Eva be careful when you are in BA - what they say about pick pockets, etc is quite true. The only other city I ever witnessed it was in Barcelona. Do you know where you want to purchase your leather items? Skin cancer - my DH is celebrating 18 years since he was diagnosed with Clarks Level Stage 3 Malignant Melanoma. Every six months it seems they cut more snips off of him. He is going in for his second toectomy to see what is growing under his toe nail. I am a travel agent - we were on the Celebrity Century. We were in two different areas of Croatia this time. Much more fun learning about history when you are walking through the old towns. Because of my knees, the pain, I was unable to get off in Venice. Will just have to go back. Mayo clinic and doctors - I do hope you get the answers you are looking for, and the cure that goes with the answers. Jewel - our DGD was diagnosed with ADHD - we had read that if she takes one tablespoon of Fish Oil a day, it can help with the diagnose. She refused to take it because she doesn't like the taste. Exercise, will start doing more of it when we return to Florida. Will do aqua aerobics. Asked my doctor to give me a new pain med for the pain I experience in my knees. Will see if this one helps. Eating on the cruise ship, wasn't a problem. I knew what I would eat before I left and to my surprise and delight found it easy to follow. Rarely went to the buffet, primarily ate in the DR where the food was portion controlled. Weirdest thing was, that is for me, I did not fee deprived. Another thing that happened on this cruise, we went to an Agro Farm to tour it and have lunch. I left food on the plate! I could not believe it.:thumbup::Dancing_shocked: Prior to banding I would eat everything and then some. I was so shocked with myself. I kept staring at the plate to make sure I really left food on my plate. The DGB is so cute, and with that smile so precious. Ready to crash. Gwen

Hi Everybody, You are the most wonderful people in the world. I needed to hear what everyone had written!!!! My Higher Power was truly at work through all of you. I appreciate your honesty. I was feeling like a failure because I am not losing weight as fast as I thought. I am lucky if I lose a half pound a week following the food plan strictly and exercising to the best of my ability. It was also validated to me on this cruise that if we had more money we might have less problems with food. All my food was prepared and served to me as I requested. Each day my emergency Proteins were delivered to my room. That is the life. I am so happy you are all here, that our numbers have increased via DGC (Darling Grand Children), that everyone in one way or another is on the road to recovery or getting diagnosed. As a dear friend of mine would say - I am so happy that I am peeing bubbles. Hope I did not offend any one. Have to get back to a normal routine - washing clothing, shopping for food, etc. Love ya all for all of your individual and wonderful ways, but most of all for your honesty. Gwen

Hi Everyone, We are now in Barcelona and board the cruise ship today. Knees - hurting and nothing seems to be taking the pain away. food - not getting enough Protein or liquid. Afraid to drink to much as there are that many bathroom stops. I think things will be better on the ship. Hope all is going well with everyone. Miss not reading the daily posts. Hugs, Gwen

Hello All, You are here in Madrid with me. As I become frustrated about food, I think of all of your words of wisdom. It is making this journey easier for me. Hope everyone is doing great. Sorry I can not afford to read any emails. Internet cost is quite high here. Best to all of you. Gwen

Hi Everybody, I will no longer listen to orthopedist. Saw my GP today he made me feel better. Said it is not good to lose a lot of weight to quickly. Thank you for the suggestions for the two books - I will get them when we get back. Jewel I used to help people write resumes, and if they had a period of time when they were unemployed simply wrote either the truth, or said that they were exploring alternative professions. Just saying you have a degree is all they want to know. Great what is the five day pouch? I enjoy reading about Nels experiences in life. Brings back many wonderful memories. I do not think it is easy being Andrew's age - I am impressed with how helpful and thoughtful he can be. Apples - you will have the prettiest teeth and gums. Wish I had a magic wand and could wave it over everyone in pain to take it away. JB heat index where we are in FL was 109 degrees today. Well it is nearly 4:30 in the morning - better end here and crash. Thank you all for your support and wonderful words of wisdom. Gwendolyn Smythe

Hi All, I can still remember when each of my kids went to school by themselves the first day. Feels like yesterday. I felt they had all grown up to quickly. Where I live the shingles injection cost me $125. Saw the orthopedic surgeon today about knee surgery. He will not do surgery until I lose another 20 to 30 pounds. He also felt that my lap band surgery was not very successful. He based this on when I got banded, how much I lost, and that I haven't lost anything for three weeks. I am planning to go back to square one - liquid stage. Not to sure what else I can do. My surgeon (banding) has his Excellence Award - never said a word about PBing. I remember when I started college. Felt like the teachers, Professors, that you were only taking their course. I was overwhelmed the first day of class. Congratulations for going to college. Just looked at the clock, it is after midnight - gotta go. Gwendolyn Smythe

Hello Everyone, Hope everyone is on the mend. Since I started solid foods I have not been doing all that great. Just another learning process. I either eat to much and feel horrible, not eat enough and feel hungry, not getting enough liquids. Also have felt dizzy and getting headaches. I figure this is all part of the learning curve that I need to figure out. Thank you everyone for explaining what PBing is. When it happened to me I would have been scared, instead I said to myself - So this is what PBing is. Doctor or nutritionist never said a word about it. Appreciate everyone for sharing their knowledge. This way when something happens I am not alarmed. For those in pain just know you are in my prayers and thoughts. Sending you strength and putting you under a healing white light. Eva - if I can help you in any way with your trip to Argentina please let me know. I will be more than happy to share my knowledge with you. We have been there, for only a couple of days, bags are packed and ready to go back. We are now in Florida and leave this Saturday for Europe. My inter net access will be limited. I am planning on taking a lot of the various whey powder drinks I have. Some info - you can take a sealed liquid protein drink on the plane as long as you have a doctor's note stating that it is needed. Take care everybody, and I will try to make time to read all the past posts.

Hi Great2BThin, Yes, I will be at the same rehab as your Mother went to. I do not know anybody who has been there. I will have physical therapy after I leave the rehab. From what I understand the pt in the Rehab does not count toward your total number of pt that you can have. I see the surgeon in two weeks, will let you know what he says. Gwendolyn Smythe

Hello All, Thoughts and prayers to each and everyone of you. Hope you are all feeling better soon. I enjoyed reading about your lives. I haven't posted, because by the time I am finished working, work is on the computer, just want to shut it off. I have to get both knees replaced. Some friends are suggesting to do them both at the same time. Get over with the pain.:sad::sad: I DO NOT LIKE PAIN, and will request every pain med if Doc says okay to this. I decided I will go to a rehab for one week after surgery. Don't laugh but if I go to a rehab they will pay for an expensive drug that I would have to buy otherwise. I did not know you could not bend down to the floor with fake knees. I guess I will have to join all of you ladies on QVC and buy something special for my new knees. :thumbup::thumbup: I am now buying organic meats. Seems like all organic meats are not equal. I did not know that until I started learning about them. Have been exercising - but on and off. Use my fatigue as an excuse not to go. Will be seeing my acupuncturist on Monday, to have him unblock what ever is blocking my energy You are all tough cookies, no sympathy or rest if one has any physical problems - . :nopity::nopity:which is great. :thumbup: I have been having fiber one in my protein shakes. Definitely does not add to the flavor. :frown: I have accepted finally that after two weeks of being banded I am on my first of (I guess) many plateaus. :smile2: Also not to compare my weight loss with everyone else Now I know how you recall who wrote what, and then post on here a personal message. Who ever thought to use a word document is absolutely brilliant. I copied the icon below just because I liked it. :) Gotta run - Gwendolyn Smythe :wink2: