January Bandsters???

[irishmae11 0]

:think I had my last appointment with a pulomonologist on the 21st....I was kind of worried about this one as I have pulmonary embolisms in my family history....not only did he send for a special blood test for that, but also a sleep study and also thought he heard a systolic murnmur, so I have to have echocardiogram for that...the sleep study-they never came in to put the mask on me-does anybody know, does this usually mean no apnea? I know I snore, but never thought it kept me from sleeping properly-one of the VERY BEST THINGS I do is sleep......:notagree so not sure where we are at this moment.....I am soooo ready mentally...but I do want to make sure everything is good to go.....

[tonya66 13]

My doctor didn't require a sleep study test. However, I believe I do have sleep apnea, and I am thinking about scheduling the test on my own. I'm unfamiliar with the test. But I was under the impression that there was not a mask for the test, only wires hooked up, but not for sure.

Anyone else have the test?

[marjon9 6]

Yes, I've had a couple sleep studies. I have apnea and use a cpap now. When I had the studies I had everything (wires and mask). I'm pretty sure you will as well if it's a test for apnea.

Keep in mind that the masks they use in these studies can be somewhat medieval. They made me use one of these huge honking masks. I felt a bit like Leonardo de Caprio in The Man In The Iron Mask. In contrast, the mask I use at home is quite light on the face and not claustrophobic at all. It just brings the air stream to your nose with almost nothing on your face.

I have a tendency to get on a soap box regarding sleep apnea, but I'll keep the sermon short. Sleep apnea is serious, and can really damage your health, especially your heart. I had no idea how much my life was affected by it until I started using a cpap. I urge anyone with apnea to get the cpap if they need it. It's a scary looking thing but it will become your friend very quickly once you realize how much better you feel.

OK, done with sermon.

When I lose all the weight with the band I expect that I will need the cpap much less, if at all. That will be good, too. But if that happens it will be tough saying good bye to my old friend, the cpap. I'll probably take mine out to dinner and break the news very gently. At dinner I'll take small bites and chew very well, of course.

[tonya66 13]

Since we are all being banded THIS MONTH. I thought I would post some important reminders for us all - just to reiterate the facts:

1) It is very important to drink your Water after the band. No longer will most of us be able to take big gulps of water, or nor are we supposed to drink water with our meals. Because of this, it makes it difficult to get your water in. I have read where this has caused some serious complications for newly banded people, and one girl had to have hers removed shortly after receiving it because of severe dehydration. Have dehydration can cause kidney stones as well - and I hear these are extremely painful. So the moral of the story, drink your water! Or sip your water, all day long. I plan on keeping a water bottle with me at all times.

2) The first six weeks are about healing, so as Cindy suggested in an earlier post, get rid of your scales. Hide them, trash them, or have someone hide them if you cannot stay off of them. Just be prepared for the slow weightloss or no weightloss during the healing phase. Keep your chin up.

3) Everyone is different. Some of on this board will lose 100 or pounds during the first year, some of us will lose 25 lbs, some in between. Just remember not to compare ourselves with everyone else. We go at our own pace and what our bodies allow us to lose. I know I am a slow looser, so I suspect to be the "least" amount of weight loss next year. No biggie, I know I will get there.

4) One of the most important things I think is we have to remember the band is a tool. It is not a majic pill, or surgery that will make us skinny overnight. We have to treat the band with respect, if we make poor choices, the band will not work right.

5) It is not healthy to PB all the time. Occasionally is expected, but if you are doing it everyday, there might be a problem. You could be too tight, maybe your eating too fast, or perhaps too big of bites.

6) We must learn to take small bites, and chew chew chew. Not doing this will cause food to get stuck! Getting food stuck all the time, can cause constant PBing, and I hear it is painful. Again, constant PBing could damage our band, I hear it can cause slippage, which in turn can cause erosion.

7) We are not doctors here, so the best advice you can get is from your doctor. Develop a relationship with him. Make sure he will/can answer your questions.

8) We all know our own bodies the best, if we feel there is a problem, don't take "your fine" laying down. Demand follow up test and get to the bottom of your problems.

9) Okay, we all hate to hear this, but EXERCISE will help us. Even if it is small walks around the block. Use this as building blocks to build up to 45min to an hour of exercise 5 x's per week. Remember exercise will help with that hanging skin....

10) Stay positive, and stay in contact with the board. We all will fall off the wagon from time to time, we're human. Don't beat yourself up over it, just realize that you are human. We need the support here so make sure, even if you have fallen off the wagon that you reach out to any of us here so we can all support each other.

These are just a few things I thought of, if anyone has some stuff they would like to remind us all of, jump in. I think we all need these constant reminders as our surgery day approaches.

[tonya66 13]

I have a tendency to get on a soap box regarding sleep apnea, but I'll keep the sermon short. Sleep apnea is serious, and can really damage your health, especially your heart. I had no idea how much my life was affected by it until I started using a cpap. I urge anyone with apnea to get the cpap if they need it. It's a scary looking thing but it will become your friend very quickly once you realize how much better you feel.

OK, done with sermon.

Well, you've convinced me. I am going to call and make a sleep study appointment for myself. I am convinced I have sleep apnea just from all the symptoms I have.

1) I snore - really bad

2) I am always tired

3) I toss & turn all night

4) I'm overweight

5) My husband says I stop breathing a little at times during my sleep

Thanks for the advice marjon9!

[tonya66 13]

PS - I just made my appointment. I go in on the 9th for my sleep study appointment at 11:30 am. Then that evening at 9:30 pm for my test.

Should be interesting. I bet my life they will say I have sleep apnea and I will be perscribed a cpap machine.

Question for you Marjon9 - does the machine stop you from snoring? My DH will be thrilled. I hate the snoring and am so embarrassed by it. My daughters friends heard it in the other room. It is really loud I guess.

[sheilamj1fan 2]

I am a January soon-to-be bandster! January 11th!

[tonya66 13]

Sheila, Welcome to our group! I know you were having a hard time trying to decide if you would get the band. I'm happy that you joined our group. I'll add you to the next at the next update!

[sheilamj1fan 2]

Thanks Sunshine2!

Be BLESSED!

[TxPeaches 0]

I woke up to pee and walk :clap2: . I still do not have a lot of pain (thanks goodness) yet however, they say day 2 I might have more discomfort, by the looks of my tummy I think I will hurt like hell. I'm very fair skinned so everything just jumps out at ya. I've eaten a few I chips and I am NOT hungry, don't even think about food. I gave myself my first shot and I did ok. I got a little apprehensive and kinda shook the needle, but I'll get better, I have to do it every 8 hrs. Thanks again for all your support.

[tonya66 13]

Kristi, is the shot for pain? Girl, get your butt in bed! lol. Take it easy, seriously. Glad to know that "hunger" is not a factor.

[marjon9 6]

I am convinced I have sleep apnea just from all the symptoms I have.

1) I snore - really bad

2) I am always tired

3) I toss & turn all night

4) I'm overweight

5) My husband says I stop breathing a little at times during my sleep

Even though I am not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV), I would say it's very likely you have sleep apnea from reading that list of symptoms. Since you say you "stop breathing a little at times," then it sounds to me like your apnea is not as bad as mine was. I would stop breathing for extended periods, like 30 seconds, and wake up gasping. Can you imagine what a strain that puts on your heart? I did it for years. I really think it would have killed me.

But even if your apnea is milder, the cpap should definitely still help. You will probably sleep much better and no longer feel tired all the time. This was a really noticeable change with me. I had forgotten what it felt like to be normal. Instead of being extremely sleepy every day, especially in the afternoons, I felt awake and energetic all day. It was an amazing change.

And, here's the big news: YES! You will very likely stop snoring completely. Before the cpap my snoring was awful. I told my wife that I was practicing my "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" impression, but that joke stopped being funny after about, oh, say, five years.

Anyway, you get the idea: CPAP - GOOD.

[PeaCeJ 0]

Hello, everyone. I am happy to join the January Bandsters! My date is January 15 at 7:00 AM. They told me to be there 2 hours early. I am dreading getting up that early almost as much as the actual surgery! LOL!

I have a very long road to go, and have spent over a year researching this and preparing for it. Not to mention jumping through all the hoops for insurance (Cigna CDHP - which did finally approve it.) I tried to get it in December, since I only had about $100 left on my out-of-pocket max. Oh, well. Best laid plans and all that.

So, here are my stats (I'll figure out the signature and ticker soon)

Starting weight: 358

Height: 5'4"

Dr. Ed Pucci, Dover NJ

Surgery date: 1/15/07

[cdgmom 0]

TxPeaches, glad to hear you are back and were able to type a message to us (that in itself is very encouraging!)

I just spent the last 30 minutes catching up - I'm at work again, the only time I seem to get to check in on LBT -

Audree, your day is almost here - are you ready? I know it will be fine, I've had a couple of friends go through the procedure and that has been really a great comfort to me.

I'm doing okay on my Pre-Op, NYE was a challenge, we went to San Antonio and had Christmas with my two best girl friends and their families - all 3 of us are overweight and vow to get it off every year. We stayed at the Hyatt on a family package deal that included a Buffet dinner - I managed to just eat salad and a few pieces of steak - so I count that as an NSV (non-scale victory) in the journey. My Protein Drinks taste good enough that I ordered the canisters of the chocolate and vanilla.

I also saw a cousin of mine over the week-end that had gastric by-pass last April and has lost 115 pounds and she was very encouraging about WLS.

I'm an open book kind of person so everyone in my life knows I'm having surgery next week - not one single person has said anything negative - and for that I am very grateful!

Amy

[cinward2001 0]

Sunshine, I love your reminders! Here's a few more....

After the initial post-op swelling and irritation down, MANY (if not most) of you will hardly even feel like you have the band. You'll start wondering why in the world you did this when the band doesn't seem to help AT ALL. Well, it really doesn't do much until you get a fill...and most often, 2 or 3. It is a *process.* So please try NOT to feel like "this" is a failure, too...give it time.

One other thought...many people feel some post-op depression...whether because you start mourning food, the general anesthesia is wearing off, you're uncomfortable, etc. Expecting it won't necessarily make it better, but at least you'll recognize it for what it is...it goes away. :mad:

Last...after surgery, get moving!! You're going to have some soreness and discomfort, but in almost all cases, walking helps. The more you lie in bed, the stiffer your muscles will get. Plus, walking will help with any post-op moodiness.

Peaches, glad to hear that you're doing ok!

Cindy