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Phoenix Rising's Blog
 

Question About Incisions?

Hi Everyone,   Things are still going well for me. I am so grateful for that, believe me. When I have read of others problems on here I cannot believe my luck. Long may it continue.   Now the water weight has gone I did a proper weekly weigh in and am one pound down on before surgery. (However, you could call that 8lbs as that would include the iv fluid weight gain that has gone too) but still one more pound to take off my ticker. Hooray.   Went out and about again today, saw someone I hadn't seen in three weeks and they actually said and I quote "Wow, you have lost weight in your face" Thank you thank you thank you. This is the first time someone other than me and my hubby has noticed!   I do have one small problem, no, that is overstating it. It isn't a problem, just a little query I am hoping someone can help me with. On one of my incisions sites I have what looks like a piece of clear plastic wire/gut/fishing line???? sticking out. It appears to be attached inside me. Do I a) cut it off close to the skin and forget it? or need to get my doctor to take a look at it? The incision itself is healing nicely and there is no pain around it, and is not puffy or red or anything. So Ladies help me out here, what do I do next?   Don't you just love the fact that we can call on each other whenever we need a helping hand. I am as I have stated before, a bit of a luddite when it comes to technology, but here I am asking help from people I have never met who may be half way around the world. Not only that, I am pretty certain that I will get a response too. So thank you in advance if you do respond, and thank goodness for technology too. Best wishes all Phoenix
Phoenix Rising

Phoenix Rising

2
Ruth71's Blog
 

One Week To Go

Ok so this time next week it will all be over !! or should i say just starting .....well the anxiety of the surgery will be over any way. I am know 111 kg and trying so hard to stick to pre op diet but soooo hard. Im so excited im really finding it hard to sleep at the moment. :rolleyes:
Ruth71

Ruth71

2
freelance frog's Blog
 

11 Months!

Thinking back on this year I remember most wondering how far I'd be when the first year was up. Never did I imagine that I would have exceeded my goal and be at the bottom end of all of the weight I had to lose.   Today it's been 11 months, and I weigh around 130 pounds. A little less some days, a little more others. I haven't counted the inches lately, but it's a lot. I bought a new pair of capri jeans last week and they were a size 1/2. ONE/TWO!! What??? Those jeans are Maurices brand, and I'm pretty sure the sizes run big. They have to. Just a month ago I was wearing a size 28 waist. I was thinking that was around a size 7/8 I know I'm a little smaller than that now, but a size 1/2 seems ridiculously small. I tried on a size 26 waist and they were snug.. so I don't know. I'm thinking my true size might more accurately be about a 4 right now. My boyfriend looked at those pants and asked me if they were for a kid! Haha, very funny mister boyfriend! I continue to drop inches in a mad fashion, and I believe it's because I've been working out. A lot. I do the express circuit three times a week, walk/run on the treadmill at least twice a week and play racquet ball. I'm no good at racquet ball as far as the "rules" go. But it's such an amazing workout getting in there and pounding that ball around. And it's fun!! The guys from the free-weight room watch and laugh sometimes.. I'm sure I look like a complete dork in there (along with my daughter - in- law) running around, sometimes missing the ball, sometimes slamming it, and I always have my i-pod on with good move tunes playing, so I'm in my own little world so to speak... marching to the beat of my own life. Laugh mister weight lifters.. see if I care!!   I haven't had a fill in over 2 months. I don't need one at all. I have tons of restriction still, and I'm really happy with where I am. I don't eat much at all, and it amazes me that I don't need to. That's huge for me. My life once revolved around when my next meal was.. what I was going to eat, how much I was eating, etc. etc. Now I forget to eat sometimes. Weird. I remember thinking that people who "forgot to eat" must be insane. Who forgets to eat? But trust me, it does get to that point. The other thing I tend to forget (believe it or not) is that I don't wear a size 2XL or XL even anymore. I bought a couple of those little spaghetti strap tank top thingies at Walmart a few days ago (you know the ones that are like $4) and automatically bought a size XL. Oops! Not so much. I need a medium now. Some old habits die hard I guess.   I have bony parts of my body. Weird. I still freeze easily.. no fat to insulate. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and have really been enjoying the unseasonably warm spring like days we've been having lately.   I'm up and moving so much more than I ever did before now. I feel like it, for starters. But I think it's mostly because I can! Not that I couldn't before, well... okay I couldn't do a lot. But now I have energy, and ability, and suddenly a desire to not let too much grass grow under my feet. Don't get me wrong, I can still laze around with the best of them for awhile, and still enjoy snuggling up and watching a movie sometimes, but when it's time to move, it's time to move! I ran (literally) to my car last week for something and my oldest son said "Now you're just showing off" I said "What? Why?" He said "I've never seen you run for ANYTHING.... EVER" Hahaha! Silly boy! I didn't even realize I did it!   My boobs have shrunk! Seriously. It's like someone stuck a needle in them and let all the air out! Booooo! Remember when I couldn't wait for them to shrink? I thought that somehow they would just shrink a little, just be a smaller version of what they were.. but no. We're talking tube-sock with an orange in it pretty much. Ahh well. The photo you see here doesn't really show the whole tube sock concept...but bras these days are basically smoke and mirrors my friends! Unfortunately what you see isn't really what you get. Yeah, yeah, a little false advertising.   11 months ago I figured it would be 2 years before I wrote a blog like this one. At least 2 years. I have had a very short journey filled with amazing losses and amazing gains. I found my other butt in far less time than I dreamed possible (even though it really, really needs some firm and tone work, but looks awesome in jeans). I found my energy. I found my mojo. I found my life. I'm so grateful for the things this year has given and taken away. I will be back in another month with my one year pictures, and anything new to share. Thanks for your support and words of encouragement along the way!     Follow me at http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com
freelance frog

freelance frog

6
raven8888's Blog
 

I Have A Date!

May 14th! Waaaaaaa! The long awaited "date"! I feel like a beam of light from the heavens should shine down on me with some celestial music accompanying it. Well that is how it felt as I discussed the conversation with the pre-op coordinator on the phone. I tried to play it cool, but inside I couldn't wait to get off the phone so I could squeal like a little girl and do the happy dance. These past few weeks I have read over and over people posting their exciting messages about the date they have. I can feel the excitement in their posts and now I have joined the "date crew". This is all starting to move so fast. It's so real. I can't wait! My pre-op coordinator gave me a little more good news...no great news. I have been a self-pay up until today due to insurance not covering the procedure because I didn't meet criteria. Well, that is what they are telling anyone who inquires about the coverage right now, but the truth is the new criteria and policy do not begin until June. Because my surgery is before May, it will be covered and not allowed to audit after. Yay!!!
raven8888

raven8888

4
Dixie's Skinny Wannabe's Blog
 

Nervous But Very Excited Buy My Up Coming Surgery

Hi Y'all, My name is Cat and I weigh a ton, well, not a ton but enough as to where I feel I do and it's time to do something about it. My last Dr visit was a wake up call, I had talked with my Dr before about the surgery and he wasn't for it, but that Dr left and I started seeing his partner. I told him money was tight now and he asked how I could not afford something to save my life. After all, I pay out the rear for my prescriptions. So I talked it over with DH and he did some looking on line that afternoon, came home and we made a choice my life is worth this surgery. So DH and I have gone to one seminar about weight lose surgery, listened to the nicest Dr talk about all the options, we have two more to go to before I decide where I want to go to have it done, we have decided the sleeve is what I want done right now. I know if I can get most this weight off I can start walking again without the back spasms and my knees killing me. I know I am facing total knee replacements in the coming years and I really want to be healthy enough for that recovery. Are their any of you who wish they had not had the sleeve?
For my family and myself
 

Question

Ok So I just read thorugh some blogs and it seems as though everybody was put on a special diet at least a week before, I wasnt!   Is this going to effect anything??? My doctor did tell me to loose some weight but he only told me to loose 4 lbs! My surgery is tomorrow at 1:00p.m.and of course nothing to eat or drink after midnight but is there anything I should do between now and then.
Eviees mommy

Eviees mommy

7
Jen's Journey
 

Liquid Diet

03/26/12   Liquid Diet: Day 1   Today has been an interesting and educating day. I had my first weigh in pre-surgery (315, yikes!) and spoke with the nurse, a PA and the scheduler for the surgery. My insurance dictates that you can't have the surgery scheduled until you've lost 5% of your weight (15.5 lbs for me), and you won't be able to confirm the surgery date you're given unless you've lost an additional 5%.   The way it was explained to me is that this is done to a) reduce the size of your liver, get you mentally prepared for the journey ahead and c) please the insurance companies.   My primary care physician had suggested doing a liquid diet to shed the weight fast, coupled with cardio exercise and going to a sauna (yeah, like I have a spare sauna in my spring purse, just waiting to be used. Ugh.)   Here's what I've had so far today:   16 oz water 2 scoops isagenix vanilla shake mix frozen banana 4 frozen strawberries   16 oz water 1/2 box of jello l-carnatine tablet   16 oz water 2 fiber choice tablets 1/2 box of jello   1 can chicken broth "seasoned with veggies" (College Inn brand, reduced sodium, fat free - VERY good!) 2 cups coffee with sugar free creamer 8 oz water   I "think" I'm hungry, but my stomach isn't grumbling and I'm not hungry enough to eat lawn clippings, so I know it's just a mental thing. As far as I can tell, I just have to psych myself up that this is for ME and for my FUTURE, and do I REALLY want that big chunk of mozzerella cheese more than being healthy? (At this very moment, yes - yes I do. LOL) ((Now, no - no I don't))   I had my blood labs done today, while I was at the weigh in. Nothing like seeing how much you weigh and then having 9 vials of blood drawn to start your Monday morning off, eh?   Well, I'm going to clean up the house some to keep myself busy.   Tomorrow, I meet with Dr. Panamanglore, my surgeon.   Interesting Fact: One lb. of body fat is made up of approximately 3,500 excess calories.
jen043454

jen043454

1
Fifty Not Fat Blog
 

Ok,,,,,,, One Week Post Op

Well....... I've made it! The 1st week is the one I feared the most, because you don't know what to expect, but over all its been good. I feel like I shaould have done this years ago and i already feel much healthier. Dr kim told me so many people promise that they will follow the diet, but some fail..... well I refused to be one of the failures. I 'v waited too long to feel better, bend over with out hurting and being able to sleep a full night. I find sleep very different than it's been for the last 5 years with sleep apnea. When i first came home I noticed that each morning i would have to burp for about 30 minutes after i was out of bed. I realized that during sleep i was swallowing air from the CPAP, so I will have to get that adjusted or I may not need it anymore.
For my family and myself
 

Hours Away

So tomorrow is the day!!!! The day i get the band put on.   I have mixed emotions right now. I am sooooooooo freaking happy and excited but at the same time I have been thinking about no going through with it. I am so scared that something is going to go wrong and that I wont wake back up. This however is normal for me I HATE having surgery like Im sure most people do but Im also one of those people who always thinks the worst thing is going to happen no matter what!   I have an eight month old daughter who is my life and a wonderdful husband and all I keep thinking is that im not going to come back to them.   I must get this band. I have been overweight my whole life and MUST change NOW!   I am going to do this tomorrow afternoon at one, but it would be great to hear some good things. Are you happy with the band? Would you do it again? Anything that do like about it. And honestly I would love to hear how much weight you lost on a weekly basis!   Anything you could tell me... The good and the bad would be great! Thanks
Eviees mommy

Eviees mommy

3
Phat Diva on a Mission Blog
 

Round One - Pulmonary Consult

Okay today was Round 1. I had my pulomonary consult with Dr. Sussman. He was nice and excited I was taking control of my life and managing my weight. I had to take a test that required me to sit in a little glass booth. WTH? The lady conducting the test was obviously not pleased that she had to test me. She said, sit on the chair in the booth and sat down at her computer. I squeezed behind her chair and tried to figure out how I was going to fit myself into that glass booth atop that little chair. I had one leg out of the booth and she said, Put both legs in the booth. I told her I felt a little uncomfortable and she did not respond. She seemed extremely annoyed with me. I decided I would not talk to her and just do my best at accomplishing the task of breathing and blowing. She then closed the door to the booth and I held my breathe to make sure all of me would fit inside. I was happy when the test was over because my legs and feet were falling asleep. The doctor reviewed the test and wants me to take Advair and Proair to make sure I'm clear for the test. He said I had better results after the nebulizer treatment. He also said he wants me to take a sleep study because 50% of people my size have sleep apnea. He doesn't think I do but wants to be better safe than sorry because if I do and they aren't aware I could have complications after surgery. He is going to get me in soon as to not delay my surgery! Usually there is a two mth wait but he is going to tell them to squeeze me in if there is a cancellation.   Round 2 is on Wednesday. The Psych Consult!
phatdivabbw

phatdivabbw

0
Ready2BFit's Blog
 

One Week Out

Well here it is one week from the day my life will change forever and a new healthy approach. This has indeed been a journey and learning about what is ahead makes it so much better. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to have a new life and just enjoy fullness. Thank you for everyone who is reading this for you have been a motivational tool like no other.
Ready2BFit

Ready2BFit

4
Pooh plus size's Blog
 

Not Losing Much Need Help Before I Go Crazy

Hello everyone I was banded on 10/7/2011 I am only down 35lbs and So frustrated I just sarted a new workout program which is zumba 2 days a week and the gym cardio 2 days a week what else do I need to do? I have pretty good restriction I don't snack much but I will do a cracker or something no candy no bread. What to do plz
Pooh plus size

Pooh plus size

5
desertmom's Blog
 

Recovery

Today I started the day fast.I wanted to have yogurt with protein powder but could only manage some as it was just to sweet....hehehe,a first ever for me,something being to sweet to eat.   Went for tea with a friend and came home only at 15:00.I made a smooth protein thingy with 4 slices of turkey lunch meat which went down well.Only came home again at 19:00 and by then I had had quite a quite a bit of water but I also had a stomach and back ache like you wouldnt believe.the back ache is high up,where my bra is a little to the left directly behind the stomach ache.   Made some liquidized,strained soup and had that.wanted a little sweetpotato liquidized and really struggled with all this.Another first for me since this surgery.I never struggled to finish even a full cup of soup before.   I think that I should eat a little more frequently as it is only liquids,and I shouldnt be on my feet so much yet. My one incision is a bit wet and red and if you see what the scars look like on the outside it makes you realize it is not healed altogether on the inside yet.   Tomorrow,I will make time to just sit every now and then.And I will take it a little easier. I should also start tracking my intake a little better but I am super careful at the moment and actually know exactly what I am taking in.For future reference: 100ml yogurt,half cup turkey mousse,half cup strained beef soup,sweetpotato soup made with 120g of sweetpotato and NOT ENOUGH protein.about 40g in total.The calories were about 550-600 calories for the day.I am happy with this for now.
desertmom

desertmom

1
Phoenix Rising's Blog
 

Phew! What A Relief.

Hi Everyone,   You will all be delighted to hear that my water weight has gone. My water tablets really kicked in this morning and I lost 7lbs in 2.5 hours. Woohoo! So I am back at my pre op weight. Now I hope to watch the scale drop again and again for 'real' weight loss.   Had a lot more energy today, was able to go to a class, go shopping and for a good walk too. I collected a brooch I had had made from my Grandmother's and Mother's wedding rings today, it is so beautiful. I had a diamond inserted where the rings crossed as the diamond was my Mother's birthstone. I lost her just 22 months ago and miss her so very much. She would have been my biggest supporter and cheerleader too. Now I can wear her ring next to my heart every single day. It helps me feel that she is close by.   Everything is still going well, my incisions are healing nicely and I still have no problems with fluids and protein etc. I haven't felt hungry once yet. Does that continue? Please tell me it does. It is making everything bearable, because I can see food, watch others eat and not be bothered one little bit. Long may it continue. Thanks for the comments ladies, I knew I could rely on you to help me through the iv fluid drama. If I can help anyone else just let me know.   Phoenix
Phoenix Rising

Phoenix Rising

0
Magic Mini Mushroom
 

That's Not Real Food

So one of the things I'm still working on figuring out nearly 8 weeks after banding is what foods are worth it for me to eat. This is a new equation in my life. Before banding, I just ate. Half the time I didn't think about what I was putting in my mouth (if I did, I would have lived in a state of perpetual self-disgust) and the other half, I just didn't care. I was already fat and unhealthy, so why stress about the food that was making me that way? Clearly, I was eating too many calories, but now I'm realizing that the amount of calories I was eating may have mattered less than whether those calories were worth eating.   What I mean by that is that as I make better, more sensible food choices, it is becoming clearer to me that "real food" is much more satisfying than the alternatives. "Real food" is a hot topic these days. You can find whole books about it in your local bookstore, whole pages of books on the topic, if you cruise through Amazon. For my purposes, though, when I talk about real food, I'm referring to anything that isn't processed or prepackaged. Things like eggs (pasture raised, please), meat (ditto), milk (three for three), vegetables (organic, please), fruits (yuppers), and grains (certainly in the "o" column). To many, my obsession with organics and pasture-raised animals may make me a snob or a hippie, but I'm okay with that. Even before banding, I preferred to choose those foods when possible, but now I'm realizing that the alternatives aren't worth it.   I try to keep my calories at somewhere around 1000/day. I say around, because there are days I eat 850 and days I eat 1400. Mostly, I average between 1000 and 1100. Before banding, I could get 1000 calories having coffee, a piece of toast, and a single fast food sandwich, and then everything else I ate that day would be those excess calories that made me fat. Theoretically, even with the band, I could still make those food choices, but now they're just not worth it to me. Today, I would say that most of that food isn't real food, and therefore, I'd rather not eat it.   This morning, I had toast and coffee for breakfast. Not the bandster's first choice, perhaps, but I find I can't eat anything too rich or too heavy in the morning without severe nausea and potential for vomiting (I've always been that way, even before banding). The difference here is that the coffee was made with real raw sugar (half a teaspoon) and organic, pasture raised half-and-half. One tablespoon of that. For a total of 37 calories. The toast was a thin slice of home-baked bread (made last night from organic flour and natural ingredients) with a teaspoon of pasture raised butter. Low in protein, but I'll have meat for lunch and dinner, so I'll have no trouble meeting my protein goal for the day. So far for the day, I've had 137 calories, less than 15% of my allowance for the day, and every single one of those calories was totally worth it. They all tasted good, none of them cost the environment more than necessary, and all of them allowed me to live with my band while feeling content and satisfied. If I'd tweaked that just a little, gotten a small nonfat latte and a bagel with non-fat cream cheese from Starbucks, for example, I'd have eaten 500 calories of food that wasn't really worth it to me. Even if the band had stopped me at half the bagel, that would still have been 250 calories (113 more than I actually ate). It would have contained less fat, but also less satisfaction and it wouldn't have tasted as good. To me, the unprocessed "real food" I ate at home was a better, healthier choice and worked with my band.   True, a lot of bandsters would tell me I should have had Greek yogurt instead. Or maybe a scrambled egg. There are days when I do that, but here's my confession: I love bread. Love it. It is my favorite of all foods. I adore it more than ice cream (meh) or potato chips (one of my trigger foods and a life-long addiction for me). Give me a choice between a handful of chocolate and a piece of fresh baked bread (home-made or from a real bakery) and I will go for the bread 9-1/2 times out of 10. My brother and sister-in-law are gluten intolerant, and have cut all products containing wheat out of their diets. I'd rather cut off my own arm. Seriously, I can't live without bread. Which could be a problem for a bandster, both because of the low protein/high carb nature of bread, and because the texture of bread can have trouble passing through the band. But here's the thing. "Real" bread (the kind from the bakery or from my very own oven) passes through the band pretty well. It has fiber and texture and it tastes so good, that it's worth it to me to take small bites, chew slowly, and get it through the band. Pre-sliced generic white sandwich bread? Not real food and definitely not worth it. Also lower in fiber, higher in sugar, stickier in texture, full of chemicals, AND higher in calories. Clearly the unhealthy choice. As a bandster, I have had to reshape my priorities. Homemade bread is a priority; processed, pre-sliced bread is not.   It's all about priorities.   And balance. For breakfast today, I had a carb-heavy, protein-light meal. For lunch, I will have a couple of slices of roast chicken (heritage breed, pasture raised) and some veggies. Or maybe a small serving a chili with pastured ground beef. The meat cost a lot more than the supermarket alternatives, but it was locally and sustainable raised and frankly, it tastes so much better that I don't feel deprived from eating only 2-3oz of it as a time. It's so full of flavor that 2oz feels more like a meal than 6oz or the alternative. For dinner, there's either the chicken or some leftovers from an organic rabbit I stewed over the weekend in red wine and prunes. And more veggies. So worth every single calorie and so, soooooooooo satisfying.   One of the reasons I got the band and not another procedure like bypass was because I wanted to be able to eat and enjoy real food, I just wanted to eat less of it. I didn't want to give up my bread (obviously) or my chocolate or my steak. I wanted a smaller slice, nibble, or cut. I'm doing that with the help of the band, and because I'm choosing real food, I'm doing it with happy tastebuds and a smile on my face.     ------ I hope no one interprets this as a lecture, or me claiming to be better than anyone else. My priorities are my own. I happen to live in an area where organic, pasture raised foods are easily accessible. They're sold at my local groceries and at the weekend farmer's market in my town, less than 5 miles from my house. I also only have myself to feed and worry about. I'm not trying to budget to feed myself, a husband and three kids, let alone saving for college, paying for daycare, or providing clothes to cover bodies that seem to double in size every few months. My animals and myself are the only things I have to spend my money on, so it's easy for me to justify funding my environmental and health agenda. Everyone has to do the best they can with what they have, and no one--least of all me--should fault them for it. Make your own priorities, and then live by them. I hope it brings you the same satisfaction it brings me.
morelgirl

morelgirl

2
ShapeShifter's Blog
 

Putting Myself In Your Shoes...

In the early weeks of my research into VSG, I was immersed in video updates of sleevers' lives post-surgery. I must have watched 100 thoughtful and detailed check-ins with dozens of people reporting their success, struggles, and victories.   During that time, I started ordering different kinds of recommended protein powders to see what flavors sat well with me, and also to see if upping my protein in an already low-carb, low-cal diet would invite my body to release some of the weight she insists holding onto.   The funny thing about having empathy as one of your top 5 strengths (ala StrengthsFinder), is that one is truly capable of feeling the emotions of others. I found that my heart hurt for those who were in a stall and worried that, like in the past, their body would just refuse to lose anymore. Also, I was elated with each victory and celebration of releasing pain, meds, ailments, being able to sit comfortably on an airplane, wear a smaller size, walk up a hill without becoming winded, and many other wonderful achievements.   I was so invested in the well-being of these courageous people, that I hoped that I could be one of these people, too. I starting stepping on the scale each morning to see how many pounds I'd lost due to the success of this life-altering event... and then realized (each morning)... that I am not one of those people. The scale shows me the same gained and lost two pounds every day. Sigh...   Oh well... I'll keep working on the insurance issue with hope in my heart... that one day... someone else might be feeling elated for my victories, too.   Wishing you a day filled with peace and beauty...
ShapeShifter

ShapeShifter

1
ChaChaBurch's Blog
 

First Blog Since Surgery

My surgery was on 3/22, and I have to admit that I wasn't even a little bit nervous, until we were actually in the OR. The Head Nurse gave me my "happy juice", I immediately apologized for anything that I might say, then pure oblivion. I had a flash of someone calling my name, and I remember asking, "Laproscopic?". I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to remove my band and do the sleeve laproscopically, even though the Surgeon felt confident he could, he did warn that it might require him to "open me up". Thankfully everything was done laproscopically. I don't remember another thing until I woke up in my hospital room, and my DH was sitting next to the bed holding my hand. I asked him the same question - just in case I imagined the first one - and he confirmed that they were able to remove my band/port, and do the sleeve laproscopically. He told me that the Surgeon said I had a tremendous amount of scar tissue from the band, and that he ended up removing 85% of my stomach. I didn't use much of the pain meds, they made me nauseous, even though they gave me anti-nausea medicine. My pain was about a 7, so I could handle it.The switched my pain meds from morophine to dilaudin, which still made me sick. They waited until the next morning around 10am to do my swallow test, then after that, ice chips. I don't think I've ever taste anything so good in all my life. I've also never had acid reflux before, but I did then, at least until Sunday morning.   BTW - Has anyone mentioned (or experienced) the extreme pain in the head, neck and shoulders? I don't know if it was from the surgery table, being tense, or lack of caffeine and/or food, but my head and neck hurt much worse than my surgery did. It was exactly like the migraine's I used to get.   They discharged me Friday afternoon, and I got home around 6pm. I ended up sleeping on/off until about noon Saturday on the Couch (it has reclining on both ends). Felt a little better Saturday afternoon/evening, but by Sunday was feeling vastly improved. Headache/neckache were finally gone. I ate applesauce, jello, broth, water, and popsicle that day.   Today, (Day 4 - AS) - I get to start full liquids. I'm also feeling almost normal, except for being a little woozy, which I don't know if it's from a lack of food, left over from surgery, or what. I've been working on getting down a protein shake (worth 42g of protein). So far, everything I've consumed has gone down with no issues. No more nausea, no more acid reflux. My big fear now is, how much is too much? How will I know if I've put too much in? Will I vomit (don't want to, that will really hurt), Will my stomach tear (REALLY don't want that), or will I get that sliming/spitting thing I used to get every single day with the band? I'm not willing to push it just yet, so will continue to take "baby sips" all day long.   I have a follow-up appointment for Wednesday afternoon. The Surgeon will remove my drain then. By Friday of this week (if all is going well), I will progress to mushy foods (yayyyy)!.   Also, just a thought, but I KNOW I have never seen so many food commercials in all my life!
ChaChaBurch

ChaChaBurch

1
bumpy journey with Lola
 

An Update Is Desperately Needed!!

the universe works in mysterious ways.....I didn't realise when I logged on yesterday that it was 3 years since lola was readjusted after my assault...... Feels like on my bandaversary that I made an unconscious new start!!!! Instead of thinking of it being 3 years of hell...which it has been. I am going to call it three years of life lessons. Well everyone knows that in 2009 I was assaulted, my 7 year old son spent 10 weeks in a mental health ward for suicide attempts (he has multiple disabilities) that my beloved poppy and nanny passed, that I became the head of the family looking after my parents, brother, husband and children.....I never have grieved properly and to this day I am still struggling with the loss... In the last 2 years we were trying for a baby. since November 2010 I have had 3 miscarriages and my body is just totally stuffed. My last m/c was in Sept last year and I haven't been the same since. I have decided to try take my life back.....To concentrate on my physical and mental scars and help them heal....I don't even know how I am still standing after those 3 years....... So my life lessons, going through tragedy doesn't make you stronger...but it teaches you to cope better. I have more empathy for people, more than I ever realised. I have met some beautiful beautiful people on my infertility and baby loss journey, who have touched my heart. I am now taking time for me. I am not right. I want to sleep all day. I do not want to face the world, I don't want to get up. I feel like I am existing not living. I cannot work, due to my physical and emotional issues.....I am at home with my 10 year old son, who only attends school 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. I am a carer to him, more than a mum and that is really sad and something everyday I have to come to terms with. I want to find myself.....I wanna water the seed, fan the ember inside my soul so that I start to care for myself more, so I look after myself and one day will believe that I am just as worthy of this life as much as everyone else.....
Kygie

Kygie

4
Thyck&Sexy's Blog
 

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...........................................................

I am new to this whole WLS surgery thing, and I must admit it is so much to take in. I have my first appt with my surgeon on April 27th, and I know that I have more than enough time to figure out what I want to get. At first I wanted the lapband, but now I am leaning more towards the gastric bypass or the sleeve. Was it hard for you guys to make the decision to get the sleeve, and are you happy with what you choose?
Thyck&Sexy

Thyck&Sexy

3
DSC1970's Blog
 

My First Fill

Okay, so I had my first fill last Thursday, 3/22, under fluoro. It was super quick and painless; I did have a little needle stick when Dr. G. put in the lidocaine, but when he injected my port, it was painless. By the way, my port is just above my belly button.   It was really cool to see my band on the X-ray....I kind of had that "seeing is believing" experience...especially since prior to being filled, I felt like I could eat anything.   I had liquids for 24 hours after the fill followed by 24 hours of mushies and then back to a regular diet. I can definitely feel the restriction (even with only 2 cc in my band).   Can't wait to see what this week brings...     Deana
DSC1970

DSC1970

3
Stephanie81's Blog
 

It's My First Day On Full Liquids Since My Surgery On 3-22-12

I'm just curious because when I eat something like pudding or creamy soup I stop after 3 spoonfuls and weight to see if I'm full.. I then get a feeling of tightness, so I stop.. Then 10 mins goes my and I get a nauseous feeling but I don't throw up and if I eat more the feeling goes away.. Is the nauseous feeling the feeling of I'm hungry? I'm so confused because I don't want to over eat and throw up.. What is the feeling of full? What is the feeling of hungry? It seems way different then before!   Stephanie
Stephanie81

Stephanie81

4
Blog 79244
 

It's Almost Been Two Years Since I Got My Band!

I know it's been a very long time since I have been on this site. In the past I would get on the site at least twice a day, but I slowly started to fade a little from visiting so often once my first year of being banded. I really do miss all of the wonderful post and comments people would write on this site. Actually, things have been very well with me. I have spent a lot of time helping my daughter out since she started her first year in college.   I am very proud to say that my weight continues to go down and I have not had any weight gain since the Christmas seasons passed. I do thank God for that. I have learned what do and do not work for my band. Certain foods had to be limited, and I have finally learned what my sweet spot is and what that actually means for me. I have not had a fill in over six months and nor do I need one. I finally have the tool I need to have long term weight success.   My weight lost has always been slow, but I continue to lose weight. I really don't and never have used the scale to measure my success, but inches and my clothes sizes are my biggest indicators. I started off wearing a size 24-26 and today I wear a 1x & 16-18. Most of the 18 sizes are too big in dresses so I normally get a 16w. That is a very- very big accomplishment for me. All and all I am very very happy with my band. This relationship has had its ups and downs, but the majority of my experiences have been very positive. The band is really what a person allows it to be for them. It really takes a lot of work and effort to get to where you really want to be.   My husband recently purchased a very expensive treadmill like the ones they have at the gym, and that has really aided my success. I try to walk a mile1/2 at least every other day. It takes only 25 minutes so I watch Netflix on my iphone which makes the time fly.   I really have to say that my family has been great and they really made this process so much easier to go through when times got hard. I will be banded 2 years on July 21st this year. I just encourage all new banders to be patient and give yourself time to learn your band and how it works best for your success!   I am going to make an honest effort to visit the site much more often than I have done in the past. This is truly a wonder site in which a person can gain a lot of knowledge, support, and motivation from others who have figured things out a little clearer than others.   My final words would be to stay encouraged, be patient, and never ever give up on your weight lost goals because you are worth it. Always remember that half the battle has been won if you have already gotten your band or started the process to have it done.
shonette

shonette

3

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