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I was wondering if anyone would be interested in running a Ragnar Relay? What is Ragnar? Ragnar is an overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport. You and 11 of your craziest friends (or 7 of your crazier friends for a trail race team) pile into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) (trail: 120) miles, day and night, relay-style. Only one runner hits the road at a time. Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty. So, from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it's the perfect race for anyone. It really is a life-changing race. If you don't know your teammates, you'll be best friends by the end of the race. More info: www.ragnarrelay.com There are lots of locations throughout the U.S., but I think Vegas would probably be the best bet because tickets are cheap to there from everywhere. It's also in November so if you're just starting out you could train in that amount of time. Also, I'm looking for a team for Zion Trail in April. I'll need to register by Feb 27.

I called my claims administrator today, I was starting to get panicky about the timeline, and someone offered me some solid advice and calmed me down until I could call. I'm very concerned about being able to have my sleeve done before the end of the year. Effective January 1st, my insurance will change, and I will lose my bariatric surgery coverage. I started this process officially end of July, but had seen my PCP in June and July to try and see what could be done about my weight. So, I called. We rearranged my appointments a little bit to get about another week squeezed into my timeline. I'm up for team review the 25th of September, from there, I schedule my consultation with the surgeon. I'll have two more visits to meet insurance requirements, the last one is on November 1st. After my appointment I call this gal back and she submits everything to my insurance. She said it should take a week, but we'll have an answer by November 8th. After that, it's just a matter of pre-op, and scheduling surgery. Could be all said and done as early as December 6th. SQUEE

Hi, I was sleeved on the same day I found I felt the worst and had the most trouble with fluids in the first 2 weeks. To be honest, I still don't get in as much Fluid as is recommended. Try eating sugar free popsicles - they tend to go down better, I don't know why. Maybe the slow melting simulates the small sips you are supposed to take. Also, if you feel like you are too restricted, tell your doctor and see if they need to scope you to make sure the stomach entrance is open wide enough. Have you moved on to any mushy foods at all? eating mushy foods SAVED ME. I was able to eat just a little and then spend my time concentrating on drinking. Although I don't have problems with dry-heaving, I am still struggling with fatigue - some days are better than others. I think it hits people differently. I can walk slowly for about 30 minutes in the evening and then I am wiped out. Before surgery, I could walk for hours. Make sure you get some Zofran disolvable (its the best anti nausea med), and be sure to take your Nexium or PPI meds to keep your acid levels down. Good luck--- Lara

I was a little anxious right before surgery. I'm really difficult to draw blood from and not being able to drink anything made it worse. They had to try multiple times to get an IV in and also to draw blood. After the surgery, I felt like I couldn't breathe and was very nauseous. I was put on oxygen afterwards and given zofran for the nausea. I was told that the Dr. wanted me to sit up the first day for at least 30 minutes. The pain was manageable. Mostly, I was just very uncomfortable. The IV was in an awkward place and there were people in my room frequently. I had surgery on a Monday and was released on Wednesday afternoon. I had to go home with a drainage tube that would be removed in a week. My biggest problem was that I couldn't get comfortable anywhere. My mom had bought me a recliner and that seemed to be the most comfortable place to rest. I was put on Hydromorphine as a pain reliever. I figured out within a few days that I couldn't take it close to bed time because it caused insomnia in me. I switched to Tylenol for night time pain. Thursday morning was a 100% improvement over my hospital stay. I went out for walks and everything just got better from there. I don't have kids and my mom was there to help me and my husband. This helped tremendously! Mike is visually impaired and I was not able to drive for a week or as long as I was on pain medication. I was able to get back into my normal routine in about 2 weeks. I took the 2 weeks off from work for after the surgery. I'm almost a month out from surgery and I feel I can do most things. I do get tired quickly singing at church and lifting anything that's slightly heavy. The first few days after surgery I was having slight regrets. I just felt so uncomfortable and due to the medicine, I wasn't getting any sleep. I've had a pretty smooth path so far. Thank you Jesus! I have been getting really positive responses from people! They are very excited that I got the surgery and are supportive. The one weird thing is my best friend and I are about the same size and I have heard multiple people say "I wish she would have the surgery. She is in such bad shape" , etc.I know that they mean well, but it just kinda rude. My aforementioned best friend has been a little distant lately. I don't know if it's because we're both really busy or if it has something to do with this surgery. She's asked me a few times if when I get thinner if I'm still going to like her/ hang out with her. I've tried to reassure her over and over that this is not going to change our friendship, at least not negatively.

For me a diabetic who craves sugar so bad it use to wake me up from my sleep this is awesome. Craziest part of all I'm not even tempted to eat some. Five weeks out, went from four diabetic meds to only needing one which I'm slowly weaning off of. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!

Hi everyone Looking for some words of encouragement. I was banded 9/27 and lost 23 lbs in the first three weeks of swollen stomach and generally feeling lousy. Since then I had a fill in nov of 5cc and 2days ago another 3 in my realize band which holds 11cc. I am starving!!! Trying to stick to soft foods just so mentally i will stay on track But I just ate some pretzels anddddd nothing! Little restriction. What? I'm already at 8?!? I know I'm not supposed to worry about the number but really?!? I'm getting discouraged. I've gained 9 back. Seems like its the same old of not being able to control myself. Worried this won't work for me If I go back for more will I ever get there?

Thank you guys so much. I am glad it's not uncommon around the 3 week mark. I know better days are ahead they just seem a long way. Thanks!

My team allows coffee right after surgery and I can count it as fluid. It was very bitter the first week, but now I look forward to it every morning. I used to drink three cups but now just one satisfies me.

Oh yeah.... I'm 6 months post op and that happened to me last week !!! The pain is not a "I'm too full pain" it is a pain like someone punched you in the stomach - it really hurts like hell !!!! Yep.... I learned my lesson.

Yup. I had a day like that around the three week mark too. It gets so much better when you move to soft foods. You'll feel better. But I know NOW would be good. Some days just suck but the better days are definitely coming!

Was just banded on Oct 5. 2007. its been a week and one day. I started off with 337 lbs and need to go down to 160 lbs. long way to go but i believe I can do this with the support of my family and friends i hope to make along the way. The first wk was hell, i wont lie, I like my breads and eggs and stuff like that. this is alot harder than i thought, but i made my first wk. i need to take it one step at a time. been checking out recipes and found some good ones and also found so many ppl felt the same way i did. maybe i will post over there. more later.:car:

I'm down 98 pounds so far with the sleeve. I do work to stay on track with good food choices though. If I don't make an effort I can easily eat lots more food and gain weight. I went wild over the holidays and gained 6 pounds in two weeks. Probably much of that was Water weight from eating lots of sweets, but it was eye opening and let me know that I'll need to track my eating and avoid sweets forever. But - I don't feel deprived at all how I'm eating. It's just I need to work at avoiding mindless and emotional eating. Bypass does seem to lead to better weight loss, but there are more health risks. You really need to stay on top of Vitamins and such or you can develop a host of health problems. In support groups I go to I've just heard a lot of stories about issues down the road with bypass. Mostly related to Vitamin deficiencies or intestinal problems. Whichever you choose (with guidance from your doctor/surgeon too) just make sure to get your head in the game and prepare to change your relationship with food. The surgery is a great opportunity to do that, but if you don't make the most of it, it's not that hard to regain with any of the surgery options. I wish you the best!

it is understandable you have concerns - I am newly banded (3 1/2 weeks post op) but here is my experience and comments so far from my Journey Since your job is a desk job 0ne week off should be more than sufficient - Most people have surgery We or Thursday and are back to work by Monday - (I travel extensively for my job and when I am not traveling I work form Home -) I had surgery Wed and checked emails Thursday and back to conference calls and paper work Friday - I took my pain meds all day Wed - 2 xs Thursday and then Friday before bed - I have not taken any pain meds since. As far as hunger goes the first week you will not be very hungry - once you get off the liguid diets and start mushies (very soft foods) and then get to solids your hunger will go away - there is also of course head hunger which is not real hunger but your head is tellign you to eat As you go on in the journey and become hungry more than 4-5 hours between meals - that is when you get a fill to help alleviate the hungry's For me the band is working very well - I eat 3 meals a day without hunger in between - I do not even think about food until I get hungry -- which is totally different form before the lap band - Food was a big part of my day prior to surgery I was fortunate and did nto have significant gas pains (which are typical with this surgery) until the 4th day - a heating pad, Gas X and Hot tea and walking helped tremendously (which you could probably do at your job If needed) I was on my sgtatioanry bike by 5 days (slowly yes bit still excercising) It sounds like you are wanting this for all the right reasons - keep researching and ask lots of questions Its sounds like you have the desire and motivation to make the band workj with you I wish you luck and let me knwo your progress and descion

Hi Becky - its hard to tell about restriction yet since its only day 2...tomorrow should tell me more. Really, the only restriction (or what I thought was restriction) was after my first fill, but only lasted 2 weeks. I sure hope my restriction will last longer with this fill. I do know that every sip I take gurgles after it goes down...i hope thats not a bad sign. Thank you for your response and good luck to you!

I have exactly the same amount of fill as you, 7.6 in a 10cc band. I was banded a bit before you-7-7-08. My NYU Dr is aggressive with my fills and I am glad. It took me 3 fills and then a .5cc unfill to get here. Being too full is horrible. I am now restricted and losing well. I could not imagine having another fill at least for a while because of the small amount of food I can eat now. I have not gone back for about 7 weeks and have no plans to. Try not to worry about when you will need another fill. Everyone is different and someone elses answers will not be yours. Some people never experience restriction or learn how to live with the band. Since you just had the fill, are you on liquids for a day and then mushies a day? That is what my Dr wants you to do to allow healing. Since you just had the fill, you probably don't even know how much restriction you have yet. Give it time. Just think, some people have a band that only holds 4cc. I might worry about filling it too fast then. My restriction really varies on my moods, stress level, time of day and month. This is normal. So see how you feel once your body heals from this last fill. Try to be patient and work with it as best you can. Feel free to PM me if you want to know more about my experiences thus far. Good Luck.

I have allergies and get sinus infections. I had an upper respiratory infection right after surgery. The post nasal drip made me vomit a couple of times. I take a steroidal nasal spray. It took a few weeks to work but keeps tings pretty well under control

Hello Dec 19 sleevers, How are you doing? I am a bit disappointed at my progress. I have just a 4pound lost this week and I just can't comprehend that sooo early on. I have not cheated and am doing exercise about 5x a week. I must say I don't think I meet my liquids requirements and Protein. My surgeon requires liquid Protein shots that taste HORRENDOUS and I gag every time I take it, so scared of vomiting I haven't taken them. I am going to try Isopure starting today. Do you think that my slow weight lost has to do with the no protein? I would hope not. If so, I might start thinking I could have just started Atkins.......

I just asked this question to my nutritionist last week. She said that my surgeon's protocol is to loosen the band after a certain number of years (I can't remember how many) at goal weight. The reason for this is to avoid any complications linked with a potentially-inflammatory implanted device, especially as one gets older. My surgeon has observed that by that time...(the certain number of years maintaining), the patient has acquired the eating and exercise habit/mindset etc that will prevent him/her from gaining the weight back. If the patient observes weight gain after the band losening, he/she is instructed to return for a fill immediately.

Yes , blood thinners are very important after surgery. You don't want a blood clot for Christmas! I had a two week supply of lovenox injections, not too fun , but better safe than sorry!

I was banded on 3/27/12 making me almost 2 weeks post op and everything has been going better than I expected with no problems. This morning I was sleeping on my stomach and I went to roll over and get my alarm clock and I felt a weird feeling in the middle of my stomach like something popped. No pain just a small burning sensation for a few seconds. It has me scared I messed something up. I have done everything correctly except I have picked my 3 year old son up a few times and now Im all paranoid that thats caused me to weaken something and it just snapped??? I know everyone will tell me to call my MD but has this happened to anyone? My MD is about 2 hours away and I just went back to work so I am freaking out!!!!!!!

Hi, I teach school and we just had our annual Thanksgiving lunch today. Turkey, dressing and all the fixings. I was banded on Oct.3rd. Today I had a few bites of white turkey meat, about 1 cup of soft, gravy laden stuffing, a bite of cranberry sauce and a few green beans. I know, I know....I should have had the turkey and no stuffing but this was my slpurge for the week. :success1: Everything sat real well on my tummy. No problems. I did feel "stuffed" though. I think the stuffing went down so eaily becaue it was so soft and had so much gravy on it. BTW....that stuffing was sooooooo.........good........ Maybe by TG, you can enjoy it too.

Whlarimer, My doc is Dr. Spivak. Can't wait until my first fill. I'm having a difficult time with the mushie stage of the diet and find myself sometimes eating things I know I shouldn't! I'm doing better this week because I've gone back lo eating soups again, but the temptation for solid foods is difficult to get past. Thank goodness I only have another week to go! Let me know if we get a Katy group formed. I would be interested in attending. I can't think of a meeting place offhand, but maybe to begin with we could meet at Starbucks or take turns hosting at our homes.

I was sleeved 6/6. Similar experience. First few days were the toughest and I seem to get worse day three or four. I came home very late on day two. I think for me it was coming of the meds on the IV. I took antinausea meds for about 4 or 5 days and then did not need them anymore. I didn't really need pain meds except for first night home. For some reason day 5 seemed to be "magical." Everything started to turn around and steadily up. No more of the "up and down" feeling. Hang in there. It's a big surgery but it's amazing how our boddies bounce back. It's no fun but it DEFINITELY gets wayyyyyy better. MNB PS: about 10 days out I started to feel incredibly well!!! Lots of energy and just plain ol' happy! :-) Hope this happens to you!!!!

I am Begining week 4 and have noticed my weightless has slowed down quite a bit.,. Any tips to get it started again? Please and thank you!

Take a very deep breath and decide if you are truly ready for this to happen. If you are, none of the other stuff should matter at all. Take things one step, one day at a time and that is how it all becomes less overwhelming. This includes the 3 week diet. It really is not that bad and will kick start your weight loss, ensure you have a healthier liver and make things safer. I can tell you that every bit of this is worth it in the end. I am 14 months post op, down 135lbs and 10 lbs from my goal. I thank god everyday for putting the Bariatric community on this earth to help us get healthy. When you feel the stress practice breathing very deep, it can be calming. Good luck to you!