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Simone: Best of luck on Tuesday. You too Marge!! (Hope ye get the same ward) I got your email last week and sent you a reply early in the week. Is that the email you mean? Didnt get anything since. Let us know how you get on. Don't forget to walk, walk and walk. Coco: Have fun in New York. I'm curious to see how the band reacts for you. I do long haul flights a couple of times a year and as it is my insides go nuts for a few days (TMI?)

Hello all I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward. I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before surgery I made sure to tell the nursing student to watch my face when I woke up so that if I had any pain I could get my pain meds started asap. Well, as soon I started to become aware, before I even opened my eyes, I heard the nursing student say "she's frowning!". The post op nurse asked me to rate the pain and I was given the appropriate pain killer and back off to sleep I was. I woke up @ 10:00 am to get moved to the outpatient recovery room and was able to visit with my family and watch tv for a while. I took a swallowing x-ray test and met with my surgeon who said that he wished all his bandings were as easy as mine. I guess my pre-op liver shrinking diet was worth it afterall. I have small kids so I stayed with family to be waited on while my hubbie took care of the kids at home. It was so nice - my family served me broth hot tea, Jello, Water and my pain meds. They also read all of the literature and talked about how proud they were of me for being so brave and making a healthy choice. I slept well on my left side and woke up at 4:oo am for some pain meds then was up and about reading throughout the day. I took a nap from noon to 3:00 p.m and was rested enough to come home tonight. I am still using my pain meds - though not every four hours like I was at first. I took great care not to use my stomach muscles even when they were feeling ok as I didnt want to be sore later. I also walked up and down steps several times and I think that is making my recovery so much easier. Some of my concerns: I was afraid of being aware of the breathing tube being taken out. - It was out before I becare aware of anything. I was scared about the whole naked thing - I was draped with blue paper sheets and the portion of my stomach that was operated on was the only thing showing. I was worried that my large chest would get in the way - The girls were taped up out of the way. YAY!! All in all, do not fear the pain... it is so doable and the surgery is so worth it!

ok, i called and left a message they open at 9. it's not quite 9 yet. even if i could ride this out, i don't want too, i don't think. i am thirsty..and i need to drink. i haven't felt the need to urinate yet today (i know tmi), and that is not normal after a full nights sleep. is it supposed to hurt when you take a sip right after a fill? i've been tight before, and i've felt my drinks go through my stomach, but never any pain. and it seems to just stay there.

Ok, I had my first fill a week ago. Today I have diarreah. So I haven't eaten much. Drank a purple gatorade this morning. Then I notice my diarreah has been bright greenish blue for the rest of the day. Ok, I thought it was the gatorade - then I remembered someone saying that the saline was blue in color. Now I'm kinda worried. Could something be wrong with my band? Has anyone ever experienced this?

Carrie, I know you're worried. A lot of us have second thoughts but to be honest with you, I don't have IBS and am more constipated than anything so I wonder if your symptoms with IBS would change. I have to take a lot of benifiber just to get things moving and I take it in my cup of tea. I'm also on an anti depressant which I believe tends to constipate you also. I know TMI but that's what we're here for. The vomiting that most people go through if they over eat or eat too fast or don't chew well enough isn't like the vomiting that we're used to when we have the flu. It's much higher up and the food isn't really digested so in some ways it's much easier although none of us want to vomit most of us have had occasion to. My daughter was worried because she said she had a strong gag reflex and didn't want the lap band like I have and is having the gastric bypass but that's her decision and I'm supporting her wishes with that. I had to cancel my lap band the first time two years prior to getting mine in 8/07 because of other people's issues that I had to deal with. Maybe if I had the surgery then I'd be thin by now. It has taken me a while to get used to the band and get it working but so far I seem to be doing well. My surgery went like clockwork and recovery was a breeze and I don't consider myself sick all the time and doubt most people do on this forum, so read more from people and talk to your surgeon if you have worries, I think it's normal and you're making a lot of major changes in your life right now. Good luck brandyII.

Wheetsin, That was a really sweet thing you did for your grandfather. He lives really far away from us and is a loner and actually has a physical disability that makes it difficult to travel now due to bowel probs, TMI but as he's gotten older it's much worse so I don't think he'd be up for that. He normally would travel every year to visit his daughter for two months and his sister for two months simultaneously but he can't do those trips anymore. He's gotten a bit crotchety in his later years and now his sister doesn't even want him to visit! I guess it's a brother/sister thing but usually when the elderly are older that's normal especially if they're ill and in pain too but I can't explain that to her. My daughter is a very good artist and we did get a copy of one of his last portraits that he sat for and she was going to paint it but I have a feeling it will be used for a memorial service and not as a gift. He came to my father's funeral two years ago, the last time he was up for traveling to his daughter's home and told me afterwards that he wanted a service just like that one. It really made me sad but he seems to be in touch with his mortality now. Anyway thanks for the help, I appreciate it Nancy.

Probably TMI here, but UGH. I already have major raw going on under my pannus. I still have 60lbs to lose, I can't get PS yet! UGH! I guess it's a good opportunity to go to the dr and start complaining about it so insurance will pay later? I'm NOT in the mood to put up with THIS all summer!

Becky-they refer to it as a mons lift, they are going to do some mild lipo, and lift the skin to make it taut again. He said mine should be pretty easy, as there is not an issue with a pubic hairline----I guess it was a side benefit of chemo that someone besides DH gets to appreciate---sorry TMI I know, but it made me laugh!!! Steph you already look great, you are going to be one of the TT poster children!!! Mine is ungodly, and MUCH MUCH MUCH worse!!!! I am in a size 14 easy--will likely make a 10 when it is said and done, because they fit, they just won't button around the middle. Not sure I could ever post it---but will take them, then decide!! If I looked like you, I could do it without issue, unfortunately I do not!!! Well, I have things started to cook out, guess I better get busy--see you girls tomorrow! Kat

Thank you everyone!!! What an issue to have...I have had it over the years but lately it is just horrible...even with preventative sprays and creams...I use like athletes foot spray, powders...everything!!!! I just went and bought monistat cream and soothed it then topped it with a medicated corn starch powder...UGH!! I will definitely get it documented...in fact it was in my problems for getting the surgery!! My doc says as my sugars get better that it might help??? I hve been pretty good with my pre-op diet so who knows... I'll have to try the tube sock idea...gosh, I need them under my bra too! TMI LOL... Thanks again!!!

Pam - sounds like a fun night try epson salt to soak your foot in, I swear it works, pulls infection out. That is what they told me to use for body piercings and when my belly got infected it sucked the puss out (i know tmi) but really works. it is chilly here, don't feel like doing anything today as i know I have to work my butt off later

I'm 60 lbs down, but know that I know I will want to have corrective surgery... I see droopiness and stretching in my lower stomache, arms... inner thighs and a little in my booty. I have a small apron, so I'll let me PS tell me wich option is best for me... I'm trying to tone my upper belley wich just wants to stay put! darnit!.. I may or may not want to have my arms done... I kinda believe I can tone them a little more... but my girls, my poor poor girls... have just given up the fight and they are DROOPY :w00t: While I'm thinking Breast lift... I need an implant to fill up the hollowness... and nipple reshaping.... I know TMI huh? LOL

:cursing:OK...TMI. :tongue2:..but I keep having an issue with the rash where my skin is touching like under my apron area... and under my breasts...UGH!!! I have tried like everything....it goes away then comes back in no time...I even took a diflucan pill last week which helped...sprayed tinactin and used powders and like diaper rash stuff...it keeps coming back!! And it is tender.....any great ideas?:w00t: THANK YOU!!!

I completely get waking up from this dream. I'm always saying to my DH that "the other shoe is going to drop soon." I think I'm just so used to being fat and dumpy and honestly believing that I don't deserve anything more because I couldn't get this weight thing right. So now that's a hard belief to get rid of. But it is silly and we DO deserve this. We are worthy....and we are NOT going to wake up fat again. Okay....kids are in bed (if not quiet yet) and my head isn't feeling like it is going to explode quite yet so I'm going to post a few more things I was thinking about while I was out walking.... Phyl, I was a bad daughter. My parents and I fought a LOT and it was ALWAYS my fault. I left their house one night when I was 21 and basically ran away to Missouri. We didn't speak for years. When my dad passed it has always been the time of my life I regretted. Sometimes though we stupid girls don't know how to fix things even when we know we need to. I regretted my decision from day 3 and didn't know how to go back and still have even a shred of my pride intact....and so it persisted. It took my dad being the bigger man to come and say it's alright. I don't know if that helps any, but maybe you'll find a kernel of something in it. Oh...my email is ssoderquist@gmail.com and anyone who would like to add me to their list, please feel free. Janet, please add me to the lucky 7 bandiversary exchange. I would love to Celebrate with you all! My diet seems to be doing pretty well as I keep track of it on daily plate but I'm pretty low in the Fiber part. Do any of you worry about too little fiber? I know that it can cause TMI problems but I don't have those. Are there other reasons I should up my fiber? I did pick up some Kashi GoLean high Protein high fiber Cereal. I'm going to try some tonight for my snack. I'm not quite at my protein quota and I still have calories to spend so I thought I'd give it a try.....anyone???? Hope you are all sticking out your Water wings. I've been working really hard to get mine in. I actually woke up this morning thirsty...and that never happens. Had a bottle of water before my coffee this morning even. Now that NEVER happens. I went walking tonight but only did about a mile and a half. It was only about 35 out and I really don't feel well. I made myself go and I took the hill instead of skipping it, but couldn't bring myself to go the rest of the way. Oh well....1 and 1/2 is better than the none I was getting this time two weeks ago. I can't wait for my total gym to get here!!! Then it won't matter if it's freezing out. Okay....my get up and go just got up and went. I'm going to go watch qvc for a few minutes while I eat my kashi. Night everyone. See you tomorrow.

Yay for new babies Janine!!! Lol. My mom because a Grandma when she was 38. Maybe she was 39. I don't remember... Lol. Went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes with a friend tonight. I love going to eat with her. She is my super thin friend and she has been nothing but supportive of me from the begining. She is the only friend that I have who knows about my band, and will still go out and eat with me. Seriously. Maybe a few others will go out with me, but they hate watching me eat tiny portions, and tiny bites and chewing. Honestly, I hate watching them scarf down huge bites of things I could never dare to eat. Lol. Oh well. ANYWAY... so we went out and I seriously paid $10 to eat like 6 peas, a few peices of shredded cheese, 1 crouton, 1 small broccoli head, 2 sips of broccoli and cheese soup, and a few sunflower seeds!!! Thats insanity. We laughed really hard about it and she said that she was going back for 'thirds' to finish eating our moneys worth. Haha. We had a good time. Missy - I know what you mean about the scale... this morning I was back at 280.1. yesterday morning I was at 279.1. But (here's nasty TMI talk) I realized I hadn't had a bowel movement in like 3 days. So I doubled up on the fiber today, which just made me gassy. I really felt like I SHOULD go tonight, so I did a suppository! Haha. I was desperate! I feel about 5 pounds lighter now. :redface: Yay me!

My connect was so slow for a while there - then had to go eat - Idol is a little boring - well I gotta see what David Cook does - He is my Fav.. OK Karri - I was just worried since you hadn't ck'd in all day... You Band Mommy is going to give you a little talking to. I agree with Phyl - I totally get the being afraid - I really really do - but with all your exercise and training for the marathon you are going to have to do one of the 2 - #1 Eat HIGH CALORIE FOODS IN SMALL QUANTITIES - OR #2 LOWER CALORIE FOODS IN LARGER QUANTITIES - My vote would be for #1 so that you can still control your portion issues. If you are hungry have a piece of fruit - or string cheese - you need the carbs for your training you need the fat for your skin and the tmi subject.. You are going to have to have energy to run 13 miles and you aren't going to get it from eating 1/2 cup of food.. And this statement - i am eating more that I was before the fill was taken out - Darling you were so tight that you couldn't eat - in something I can relate to how many cups of food do you eat per meal. I agree with Phyl you gotta relax just a tad - were you this obsessive over eating prior to the band or is it the fear that is getting to you - Since I still have restriction and If I didn't KNOW that I would have problems - look at me now I am still trying to stuff my face even when I am full - that's one reason I got on the computer cuz I haven't finished my dinner - ate all my fish - 1/2 my pasta (whole wheat 180 c for 1 serving) and haven't touched my veggies.. it's funny my band is tight at night - I wonder if it's the exercise - cus at lunch it isn't.. You are 100% more dislepend than me so chill a tad - eat some more fat you are going to do great - we are right here holding you up... Just don't go back to the foods that you ate prior to banding - those are your trigger foods.. Linda - I could totally relate to standing naked infront of the doctor - but this is their job - you aren't the 1st ex-fatty they have seen - I know that doesn't help but it's only a moment in time - next year at this time you will be so happy - And I REALLY WANT YOU AND JACKIE TO COME TO M of A... I am going to guilt you guys into it :lol: Phyl - Yes I am a bad girl :thumbup:- you guys just don't know about my bad side - I could be a crook - but I am afraid of Jail :lol: I will tell you all in person how bad I was - but I am not posting it on the internet for the world to see - there was a thread once that said - What would people be surprised to know about you .... I almost posted but - really don't want that kind of info on the web :tt2: Ruby - As stated above - I can come up with great ideas - heck you pay for the insurance and IMHO our surgeries (ps) should be covered by insurance as we have lost all this weight due to trying to get healthy and the residual fat and skin left behind is a mental problem for us which could cause us to gain the weight back.. Hugs to DH us who have lost our parents totally get his pain - for those who still have yours - call them right now and tell them you love them.. (omw I am an old jewish mother aren't I - no offense I think I was jewish in my prior life:tongue:) Oh Karri - my investment broker is in Bend OR right now (he travels to offices who needs his help) - Edward Jones - he said you are like right next door - he told me about the snow - Oh ya Phyl I was hot - I will send the heat your way - I hate being hot when I exercise and they had cleaned the ceiling fans last night and forgot to turn the one above MY treadmill on - I asked the manager about it but they didn't have anything to reach up there and the ladder was too big to bring out with the gym being full... My x made fun of me about exercising with the fan on me - he said that was the whole purpose of exercise is to sweat - but the stupid man didn't know that that's only water weight and not fat and as soon as you drink a glass of water the weight is right back- I think pple who wear those plastic suits (and they still do I have seen it in the gym) are so STUPID.... ok my obsession with eating one more bite is gone - LUCKY #7 thank you and it's 9:19 and so I gotta go make coffee and get ready for bed. Karri - You will be ok -Hugs - We have faith in you and that in it self should hellp carry you thru - It does me - your guys faith in me helps keep me on the straight and narrow.. Oh ya Ruby - I have gotten my water for the last 2 day :tt2: Sweet dreams - See ya all tomorrow....

I have been eating oatmeal (weight control) for Breakfast - I have some kasha cereal 8 grm -- I am cooking dinner and just ck fiber content on spinach or french green Beans only 1 gr of fiber :blushing: I am ok in the tmi subject as long as I get all my Water in - but the bad cholesterol was 121 where as before surgery I didn't have a problem (i think) - I guess I will have to add some sandwiches into my eating - I don't eat them much I have some WW multi grain bread 2 slices 100 calories but only 4 grms of fiber - heck how much fiber to we need to lower my cholesterol??

Mhaz..., I was the same way after I moved out of my Roach apartment! It makes you paranoid. It was an old one near the city so there was no way of controlling it, just leaving. We bombed all our stuff before we moved into his mother's but I was always worried that they'd still be in boxes. And believe or not I gave away a lot stuff for free because I knew there were roaches living in it. All my living room furniture was given away. You can open up a cookbook from back then and see a dead one, I know TMI, but that's how infested this place was. I was dumb to move there but it was close to the subway and cheap! I'm afraid of the lion pits at the National Zoo in Wash DC. It's been a while since I've been there and now that an incident happened, I forget at what zoo and what animal but they can get out. Also they have/had a gorilla house and it's all glass and these huge guys will come right up to you face to face and pound on it and I remember screaming and running away thinking they could break through! dandy brandyII.

Hello Shamrocks! I keep meaning to start this thread, then forget about it when I am online. I figured it would be nice to have a thread that is for all our embarssing questions and/or comments. Funny part is that right now I don't have one, but I wanted to start the thread before I forgot. :thumbup:

Ah Suzzzie - the "curse". I can completely relate!!!! I'm just coming off of mine and I've been a tad cranky - especially since I can't have MIDOL anymore!!!!!!! There are times when I watch my family eat. I see the huge bites or how fast they are wolfing it down and it truly makes me nauseous! Then, very sad because I know I used to do the same thing. My fill is tight so I'm still getting used to it (going on 2 months now) so I sometimes look at the food and almost cry because I want more, I know I NEED more but I just can't do it. Back to the "curse" - mine has caused me nothing but grief since I was 12. It has adjusted the schedule to invade every important event in my life. (some were a good thing). All dances in high school, prom, college trips, wedding night, trip to Australia (this one really hacked me off, I couldn't go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef because of it), every wedding anniversary, birthdays, my first cruise, and any other vacation/trip I've been on. I truly have the CURSE!! I even try mapping it out before scheduling a trip - my body just adjusts to make sure it can make an appearance. TMI, huh?

I need a few minutes to whine... and no one understands me like ya'll do. So, TMI or not... when I'm on my period my band gets tighter. And today we had a huge dinner for my Gramps' 83rd birthday. I ate a few bites of a veggie cassarole I made and then a few bites of mashed potatoes. It took me just as long to eat that as it did for most of my family to eat entire plates full of meat loaf and salad and whatever else there was. I kept looking at their plates and wanted to cry. People take huge bites of things like dinner rolls and salad, and I can't eat these things at ALL. If you remember, NO one in my family knows about my band. I'm always paranoid that people will try to push me to eat more... we're all 'feeders', but no one has really said anything to me today. A few people who did see my plate were like, "is that all you're eating?" I mostly stood in a corner to eat, so most people couldn't see what I was or wasn't eating. And the whole period thing... it's basically new to me. This is 3 months in a row now. That has NEVER happened to me before. I got my first one when I was 12, and then I think a few months later I had another... I'd read that in the begining a young girl may not have a regular cycle for a year or more, so I never thought anything about it. After a few years, I did some more research and just kinda figured that the absence of a menstral cycle was a blessing. Lol. Ok, seriously, I just attributed it to my weight. I've been over 300 pounds since I was about 16 years old. In my early 20s I learned about PCOS, and figured that is what the problem was. I still wasn't upset about it. The few times I'd had a period I hated it. And now that it's been here for 3 months in a row I'm really hating it. Even more weird though... I go about 5 weeks between cycles... so it's still not regulated. Losing 100 pounds has been great... don't get me wrong... but on days like today all I can see is how far I still have to go... the wrinkling and sagging skin I have on my arms, thighs, belly, and flat droopy boobs... and having to bleed every month is certainly no reward. Woe is me...

oh my, never heard of that! congrats on your first fill! let me know if all goes ok. i still can't burp or if i do it is so tiny i have to wonder if that is a burp. lol i still have a horrible pain when eating at least one meal every single day since my fill on April 1st, the joke was on me! i t feels like some one is stabbing me and can last from 10 minutes to 1hour plus. i don't know why something gets stuck every day. i am paying attention. never happens with hot Cereal or pudding or liquids of course but anything solid can get stuck there. i only had 1.6 and don't know if i'll ever get more if this does this every day for ever. i HAVE to stick my finger down my throat to get a burp for a little relief and if i puke it is just the slime. TMI? well i just don't know what to do. hoping yours goes really well!

It stand for Productive Burp. Me personally and sorry if this is TMI but I usually cough mine up.

Thanks Egor! I have always had curves (TMI alert - I had 'the girls' WAYYY before other females my age). The difference is now the waist is starting to curve IN not OUT.:thumbup: Skirts - I always have worn business suits with skirts. The difference will be that I will won't be wearing as many 'long-cover-a-multitude-of- thighs' ones, but rather shorter more form fitting ones. At least, this is the plan when I am closer to goal. Bathing suits -oh Hollyncharm, how I hate the bathing suit shopping. I always purchased mine on-line so that I never had to go into a store and have the post-humiliation melt-down in public. I am HOPING that as summer and my goal weight draw closer, my weight/shape will be more conducive to going into a store and trying one (or 10) on.

Terry, You're probably wondering why I'm ignoring you. You called me Sunday and told me you were getting sick. Honey, you have no idea. :confused: I woke up at 5 a.m. on Monday morning with a stomach pain. I thought, no big deal. I'll have some diarrhea and actually not be constipated for once. Not! I spend the rest of the day until 4 p.m. sitting on the pot with my face in the garbage can doing both at once! TMI I know, but had to share. So, I had to stay home from work Tuesday as well because I was still really messed up with a fever until early that morning, and ended up having my 3 year old at home with me sick too. He fortunately didn't have the pukes and poops. Completely different for him. High fever, cough and snotty nose. Lovely. I had volunteered at the local YMCA for healthy kids day on Saturday and was around 150 children and their parents. It is not a surprise that I ended up sick I suppose. So, I'm back at work today and feeling much better. Lunch will have to wait until you return from your trip. Have a good time!!!

Don't beat yourself up this is hard. Also this kind of diet messes with your head. You have no sugar in your brain. Believe me I know because I've been the weepiest, craziest mess for the past two weeks. And I didn't have to do the liquid diet, I was on low-carb. I thought I would loose my mind. So give yourself a break. You are not eating anything, that messes with your normal body processes. You're not eating any Fiber so naturally all the extra Fluid has to go somewhere. I had diarrhea as well. It was so bad for the first few days that I also had rectal bleeding and pain (sorry, TMI, I know). So you had a salad and piece of chicken. That's not cheating, that's normal. Cheating is when you go to every drive-thru in town and order one of everything. Just think you only have 4 more days. Take it one day a time, one meal at a time. You're almost there! Hang in there. It will all be worth it!!! Good luck!