Other Montanans Out There

[Sula 0]

Howdy Montanans,

I guess Terri and Sharon have made a plan to meet after the support group. I suppose while at the group, we can decide where to go from there.

Shawn

[spldgrl 0]

I paid for mine, not sure each insurance is different. I do know if you have a hernia which is common in bypass, the tt can be done at same time for very minimal costs. do dont know about insurance.

Thank you, it has almost been 2 years, I forget to update that ticker I now am at a loss of 111. My initial goal was a size 12-14 and to be healthy, never got into this for skinny, my mom is a stroke patient and I wanted to get healthy as I was on the same path per my dr. But now I am a size 10-12 and am still very swollen from the tt so hope to be 8 when all is said and done which I never imaged possible. my life has changed so much I cant explain.

I have a 10cc band, and have had 6 fills and 1 unfill for a total of 2.7cc in my band today. I was very adament with fills for the first 6 months going slow with .5-1cc fills max each time my doc was great. Very patient and understanding. 11-22-05 was my last fill at 1cc which took me to 2 that is when I lost the majority of my weight. then 5-06 I had a fill by Dr. Rohrer of 1cc which was too much I was very sick I lost 10 lbs in 7 days I was in Minnisota and couldnt get the unfill until I fly home. he took .3 out which made such a difference. any small amount out makes such a difference. I am not sure if i will get another fill or not, I am good for now and my weight has maintained even with recovery I have changed my eating habits and feel this is a good wight for me to maintain. If i get too think, I know my body wont maintain and I want to live not diet!

good luck, are you getting more snow? it has snowed since yesterday here in Lewistown.

[Sophie248 0]

I'll be coming from Shelby for support group meeting tomorrow - pending the weather situation. See you then!

[SharronL 2]

Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure what time I'll be arriving in GF considering the weather and Terri doesn't get off of work until 6:00 pm so we thought we could all meet at the meeting and then decide where to go from there. I have to go into Lewistown on Friday so I would love to meet everyone on Thursday. I called the clinic to confirm the meeting and time. They said it's a go. They are located accross from Dr. R's office. See ya there. Sharon

[spldgrl 0]

Sharon, while in Lewistown, would you like to meet?? I have a few girls that we might be able to get together, one other for sure. If so when and where as we dont work we can fit it to your schedule?

[SharronL 2]

Hi everyone, I wished I had checked my email earlier so we could have met up in Lewistown. I was there for about 2 hrs. It was great meeting everyone at the support group. I wish I lived closer to I could attend the next meeting. You'll have to let me know how they go. I went in for my fill. I asked for another full cc (for a total of 3 cc's) but I couldn't keep Water swalled down so he took out 1/2 and now I have 2.5 cc's. That seems to work.

Terri and Shawn, I'm sorry I couldn't meet on Friday. With John's entire family living in the area, we didn't get done visiting until almost 8:30 pm. I really would have like to do something. Well I hope everyone is doing well. Sharon

[Sula 0]

Hi Sharon,

I thought the support group was great. I wasn't going to go because I wanted to keep this band deal quiet in town here, but then I decided that the support would be better for me than the secrecy. Funny, the next day I saw Karen (the nurse at the meeting) out to lunch, at a place I've never gone to before. Small world.

I probably wouldn't have come back into town on Friday so I would have missed seeing you again. I live about 30 miles out and my DH was gone so I had to feed all the animals. I'm sure there will be another time.

I was surprised to hear about all the different types of food that you couldn't eat now. And Kelly, sounds like he pretty much does liquid. I'm not sure I want to get that restricted. I generally make pretty good food choices...and this helps a great deal with Portion Control. But who knows what comes with time.

I lived and worked in Kalispell for many years, then moved, and moved back. Left there the last time in 1997. But my folks are there and I go over several times a year.

Take care and enjoy the weekend.

Shawn

[SharronL 2]

Hi Shawn,

I appears the next support group is the first week of April and I will be on Spring Break that week so I think I'm going to come up from Kalispell and go to it. I'm on mushies right now with my fill but Tue. I get to go back on solids. It seems like the foods that give me grief now are the ones that got me heavy to begin with (cheeseburgers, fries) so it's probable for the best I can't eat them anymore. But I can still eat steak etc... I actually live about 20 miles outside of Kalispell but go into town about everyother day. I tried protien powder. Quickly discovered do not add it to hot material. Well I better go. Sharon

[Sula 0]

I'll be coming from Shelby for support group meeting tomorrow - pending the weather situation. See you then!

Happy banding. I know today is your day and I hope that you will be wildly successful in your fast recovery. Drop us a line when you're able and tell us how it went and how your doing!

Shawn

[Sophie248 0]

Hi guys, I did it! Surgery was done 3/5, and today I can say the experience was not too bad overall. It started a little bad though. DH and I had to get up at 4:30 am to get to the hospital by 9:30 am (surgery was to start at 10:30). I was trying to think of every reason why I should NOT have this surgery during the drive – this was perpetuated by the conversation I had with my mother the night before who does not support my decision. We waited until 11:30, during which my DH had to maintain a grip on me to keep me from bolting. Then I was noticing others who came in after me were going back to OR, and I became irritated. By 12:00 people were trying to explain to me that the surgery before me ran quite a bit over, and my new scheduled time was 12:30. I told my DH that this was “a sign” that I shouldn’t go through with this, yet he still would not let me leave – so I was taken back at 1:00 to start prep. First thing the nurse said is “you don’t look like you need this surgery”….

By then I was so dehydrated that they couldn’t get an IV in. Two different nurses tried 3 times, and my anesthesiologist tried once, and then she just put a little IV in and said she would put the regular one in when I was asleep. She then gave me a nice “cocktail” in my IV and said it was “on the house.” Then everything was right with the world again….

They pushed me to the OR, where it seemed everyone was having quite a good time visiting and laughing. I joined in the festivities, until my anesthesiologist said “goodnight sweetie”. I woke up feeling quite fine. No nausea, sore throat, or pain. I had some ice chips, and after 2 hours I walked to my room. I decided I wanted to check out at 9:30pm, walked around Target a little bit and got my new Magic Bullet (love it!), and then went to my hotel. My liquid Lortab and anti-nausea meds were working, so I slept pretty well. I got a little worried when I got up once and I felt a popping sensation at my port site – so I hope I didn’t pop anything out there.

Had a swallow test the next day where they saw my liquids were going down well, and everything was in the right place. I started feeling more pain by mid morning, so kept on top of my pain meds. By evening I was feeling quite miserable with lots of bloating and gas pain in my stomach – all below my ribs. The bloating was putting pressure on my incisions. I was taking the max of Gas X strips, walking around, and using my heating pad. I couldn’t burp very well – but wished I could. It didn’t hurt too badly when I did my little burps. This lasted about 4 hours.

.

I still am a bit bloated this morning, but feeling better. Haven’t needed pain meds yet. I’m sipping chamomile/mint tea and drinking Water. I could go back on my Liquid Protein today, but think I’ll stay on Clear Liquids due to the gas.

I’m hoping that the worst was yesterday, and that from here on I will feel better each day. I am very happy that I went through with the surgery. As soon as I woke up from surgery I was smiling and feeling that sense of relief, hope, and calmness. I then began focusing on the positives people were telling me such as “you will be so happy with the results, soon you won’t need your blood pressure medication, you’ve made a good health decision, etc.” Hope you are all doing well! I enjoyed meeting you!

[Sula 0]

Congrats, welcome to band-land!

I do think the worst part is the anticipation right up to the moment. I didn't feel too bad until the third day, then I took a three hour nap and woke up a new me!

The gas pain is from the gas they pump into your abdominal cavity. It won't be burped or .... out. It has to be absorbed... It is tolerable but uncomfortable. One girl suggested getting on your hands and knees and then crouching down, butt in the air...she said it worked for her.

The bloating is part of the swelling of your stomach and then the stab wound sites. That does take a while to go down. Loose bras!

Gotta run but I do hope you continue without problems!

Shawn

[SharronL 2]

Sophie,

I'm so glad everything went well for you. To this day I don't regret getting banded. It was very nice to meet you and everyone. Take care and keep us updated. Sharon

[Sophie248 0]

It's been almost a week since my surgery now, and I feel pretty much back to normal today. I still have a little port side pain, but can sleep on my other side and get up much easier. Tried to shave my legs today, but had a little trouble reaching the outside area on my left leg...oh well. Would like to know when I can have a bath again though??? Started walking 15 min 2 days post op, and am gradually increasing each day. My little weiner dog is trying to figure out why I'm walking so slowly.....when we go for walks she thinks were competing in the ididerod or something. It was so nice this weekend, and I spent some time with my horse and wanted to be out riding. Don't think that is a good idea yet though...

I went back to work on Friday (my work is mostly sitting at the computer and on the phone). I ended up leaving an hour early because I was getting uncomfortable sitting due to the swelling. I've done a lot of sleeping this weekend and feel great. Still using the Lortab once during the day and at night. Hopefully I'll be up to doing a full workweek this week.

I'm so surprised with how little liquid is keeping me satisfied. I was finally able to get down 60 ozs yesterday, but before that I was only able to drink less than 40 ozs. I was a bit concerned as calories were under 500 and not enough Protein. Yesterday I was able to get 64 g Protein and 950 cals in to 60 ozs of liquids. The nurse it will be easier when the swelling goes down. The worst part was the gas pain and swelling the 2nd and 3rd day. I have not thrown up, pb'd, or slimed, which I am very grateful for, and I'm down 13 lbs already!

I made some wonderful Soup today! Tomato Soup with protein supplement, then mixed in Tomato basil fetta cheese, melted, and pureed. It was heaven! Do you guys have any other recommendations for the liquid stage?

Some people have described having that "oh no, what have I done" moment after surgery. I was expecting that as well, but haven't felt that one bit!

[Sula 0]

Hey Sophie,

Sounds like you're doing great! I didn't have the "what have I done" thoughts at all. It took me some time before reaching the left shoe lace got easier so I can relate! Isn't it funny how this affect you. I think, too, that it was difficult to get even close to the recommended daily amounts for the first week or so. Just keep trying but don't force anything!

I did go for a long ride today with my husband. He has a walker and we were checking out some new locations to run our dogs (field trials) so my mare, Gracie had to hustle. I did have some minor pain at a gallop...just a reminder that I had the surgery, but nothing to make me stop. I guess it takes some time to really heal all the nerves endings...and I'm about 8 weeks out. And down last week a total of 26 pounds. I'm probably down this week (I had a fill two weeks ago) but I'm "bloated" so I don't know what the scale will show. I have upped my exercise as well as doing some heavy duty corral cleaning just a bit ago. You can get aerobic throwing manure!

As far as the liquid stage, I did Protein drinks, very runny cream of wheat, Jello (they gave it to me in the hospital so I figured it was okay) and campbells select Soups. I also did broths but that didn't last long. I really think the difference is the Protein Drinks and I still have that for my morning meal most of the time.

Well, keep up the good work.

Shawn

[Sula 0]

Hi Sharron and Becky,

I was wondering, beings as you guys are the old-time lap banders here that I know...do you get hunger pangs? I was on another thread and one person was saying they hoped that the lack of hunger pangs lasted forever and so I wondered. I don't feel hunger very often, unless I go beyond 4 hours or so without eating. Sometimes longer, but I'm trying to stay within that general time limit because if I get too hungery (5-6 hours without eating something) my tendency is to grab a quick fix and that may not be the best choice for me.

So, maybe you can educate me as to your experiences.

Thanks,Shawn