debb_hoff wants to be "big loser" :)

[debb_hoff 0]

Hello Folks,

I live in Lake Charles, La. and teach in a small rural school nearby. I am a teacher/librarian with 500 students, grades pre-k to 12. So far the hardest part of all this is planning to be away from school for a few days...lol. We just started school a couple weeks ago and my little students are "hungry" for books.

My surgery will be in three days, Aug 31st, by Dr. Spiegel in Houston. I am excited but a little nervous. I have total confidence in Dr. Spiegel. He seems very conscientious and thorough. I had pre-op tests (EKG, blood, chest xrays) a few days ago but need to see a cardiologist for an "all clear." My EKG wasn't quite right, but I am thinking it was a bad test because, I had a great treadmill stress test and EKG a few months ago.

I live over two hours from Houston so I made a hotel reservation there for Tuesday night since my surgery is scheduled for 5:30 am Wednesday. I had a hard time getting a room, because Hurricane Katrina is heading for New Orleans, and evacuees are heading west to Houston and other places. I live in Lake Charles which is in southwest La.

I pray mostly for those people who will be hit by the storm, but I also pray that the storm doesn't cause me to postpone my surgery. My husband will be with me for the surgery, unless his work forces him to stay there. He works at an oil refinery nearby, and sometimes the workers are locked in for big storms. I need to remember that God has it all planned out for me.

I must go now to check on the storm. I hope to contact people in Lake Charles, La. who have had the surgery. There is a support group in Westlake, a town west of here, but I would also like to see a group here in my city.

Thanks for listening.

Debbie

debb_hoff

[paula 4]

Hi Debbie!

Welcome to LBT.

Spiegel did my sugery as well, and I am also from LC. We have alot in commen.

WOW - you are close to your band date! One suggestion, stock pile on the s/f pop sickles! They saved my life for the first 2 weeks post op.

If you need anything, I dont mind giving you my home phone. Sometimes it helps having a live person to talk to instead of a computer.

Good luck and God bless you.

[fee 0]

Hi debbie....welcome to LBT!!

its only a couple of days away now

I hope it all goes well

Good Luck

[mousecrazy 2]

Hey, I'm thinking of you, and praying that all will be well for you and others in Louisiana, and the other Gulf states...Good luck, and keep us posted, please. Cindy

[sunsett 2]

Wow Please let us know you all are OK! I'm praying for all of you who were effected! If there is ANYTHING I can do please don't hesitate to let me know.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!

[debb_hoff 0]

Hello Friends,

Thank you for your response. You are all so kind.

I had my lapband surgery in Houston three days ago. I had to stay two extra days in the hospital cause my band didn't open up very much. I believe that was due to excess swelling. I had to stay on a drip to make sure I had enough hydration.

I am home now without the drip, and I am trying to get fluids down. I think there is finally some trickling through. It has been kind of scary, but I am feeling more optimistic. But, I still feel that I wish I had not gone through with the surgery, but everyone says that will change in a week or two. I pray so.

I am around 5'3 1/2" and weighed about 235. I think that I have lost 12 pounds or so in the last five days. I have been very uncomfortable with gas pains and everything coming back up. And I am talking only small amounts of Water until today.

I had to miss my son's football game last night. He is a linebacker and had an incredible game...even put his picture on the front page of sports. It was nice to be home in my own bed though. I listened to his game on the radio.

Everyone has been calling me and encouraging me. That has boosted my spirits. I want to thank you guys for being there. I know that this slump I am in will pass, and I will be better than ever...Must go now.

Debbie

[AnotherMe 0]

Hi Debbie, sounds like you had a bit of a rough week. Here's hoping you heal faster than you expect!

LBT is a great site! I'm going to recommend that you also join a Yahoo site called "Houston Area Bandsters" -- there are many members who live here, and many others who live elsewhere and come here for their Dr appts.. I suggest this because the next time you need to visit the Dr, someone may be willing to lend you their guest room for the night instead of you having to find and pay for a hotel room with all that's going on. I love both groups, and try to read as much as I can every chance I get.

If you have trouble finding the site, send me a Private Message or email and I'll be glad to help you navigate.

Take care

[Daisybelle 0]

Hey Deb,

I'm near LC too. Sorry I missed your post at first, but I just discovered that there were seperate forums for each state!

I'm fairly new to all of this - only 7 weeks post-op tomorrow, but if I can help in anyway please feel free to email me at smlr3@yahoo.com or PM me here.