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A Year of Possibilities
 

Pre-op Day 2: Loss Of Support

I'm posting this a day late, but feel the need to write about it anyway.   So I learned on my drive home from tutoring yesterday that the person I lined up to be with me at the hospital had to suddenly fly out of the country and wouldn't be returning for about ten days. This was upsetting, but not nearly as much so as why he had to leave.   T received a phone call from his best friend shortly after midnight on New Year's wishing him a wonderful 2012 and stating that he loved T. About two hours later, T received a call from his best friend's partner that his best friend had committed suicide. Quite understandably, T hopped on the soonest plane to go be with his best friend's partner and to help make arrangements.   Now, this of course came as quite a shock. I don't know how to respond to and support T. I love him desperately, but I don't know what to say. As someone who has contemplated suicide, I can't justify asking why. I know why, and it's only because of what my church taught regarding suicide that I never followed through with any of my own thoughts.   I am very concerned for T. This is not his first encounter with suicide - his mother took her own life when he was younger and he has contemplated it several times as well. He also struggles with depression, and I worry that this may send him into a tailspin. I don't know how to help him through this.   I emailed T as soon as I found out and assured him not to worry about me and that he was exactly where he needed to be. I extended my condolences and told him I love him and that I would be thinking of him (which is my lingo for "I'll be praying for you"). But I just feel like this is inadequate.   How can somebody jovially wish you a happy New Year one moment, then take his own life the next? I simply don't understand. I am wrecked for T and his partner A. I am wrecked for T's best friend's partner. I am simply wrecked.   I emailed T again today to let him know I found someone else to be at the hospital with me and to enquire as to how he was doing. I love him so much, and yet I somewhat dread seeing him again. I don't want to say or do the wrong thing. I don't want to be happy around him when he is so miserable.
meloney

meloney

3
A Year of Possibilities
 

Pre-op Day 3: What Not To Do With Isopure

I made an absolutely lovely, all natural, low sodium chicken stock the other day. I wish I had made more. I finished the last two helpings at work today. Consequently, I planned to pick up another rotisserie chicken on the way home from tutoring. They are available from tiny shops and street vendors practically everywhere here, including the tiny restaurant across from my flat. Unfortunately, said tiny restaurant has not had any chickens for the past week and the closest place is about a half mile away. When you are tired (and lazy) from your first day back to work after winter break (and lazy) and have spent three hours after work tutoring (and lazy), the last thing you want to do is walk a half mile to the little shop that sells rotisserie chickens, just to have to walk that half mile back home and stand in your kitchen picking piping hot chicken that you cannot eat off of a carcass to use said carcass to make more homemade chicken stock! And I'm lazy. Did I mention that?   Fortunately for me, I have cartons of all natural, low sodium vegetable stock that I was able to procure from the one grocery store in this country that deigns to carry such a creature, and it actually tastes pretty darn good. Of course, I think anything three days into a clear liquid diet would taste pretty darn good. Although not as good as actually getting to eat chicken would taste...   But I digress. I wanted to add some protein to my vegetable stock so I could be certain to get enough in for the day, so I poured a scoop of Isopure into a couple cups of stock, stirred, and set the microwave to heat the stock. THIS is what NOT to do with Isopure. Apparently, when you microwave whey protein you turn it into CHEESE. Thick, rubbery, smelly CHEESE. I tried stirring it. I contemplated whipping out the emulsion mixer for it. I hate wasting food (this is part of my problem), but finally had to make the decision to pour the curdled conglomeration down the drain.   At this point very hesitant to try anything further with the Isopure (did I mention this was my first Isopure adventure?), I mustered up the courage to try again from scratch. This time, I found that heating the stock FIRST was much more successful and resulted in a lovely glass of what appeared to be a heady beer. Wishful thinking in this country for one, on a pre-op diet for two, and in the life of a bandster for three. Ah, well.   One more day before surgery. I am so excited (and I just can't hide it - too corny?) about how things are unfolding. I only have a million things to do before Thursday, including writing lesson plans for Sunday because I will be taking off for recovery. At least Thursday's plans are ready, but I've still got photocopying to do. And this weekend holds yet another audition to cast Arsenic and Old Lace at Kuwait Little Theater and our first rehearsal Sunday night, and then I start right back in with work and tutoring and rehearsals. I'm amazed I ever found time to eat. That's not true. I always made time to eat, but ate the wrong things (everywhere delivers to your door in this country, even Hardees and KFC) and too much of them. But that is all in the past. I am committed. This is my year!
meloney

meloney

3
Texasbandit's Blog
 

Updates!!! Hubby, Holidays, And Passing Out....

Hey everyone its a new year and here is an update on what has been going on:   I Made it thru the holiday's like gang busters. Lost weight, still going strong, Went in for a fill and was told I didnt need one. I lost 12lbs last month. I guess I've reached the green zone!   I've lost 52lbs now and I feel good. I havent bought any clothes yet, but I'm getting desperate for work clothes. All of my work pants have went to the retired pile now. Money is tight, so I'll try to figure out something.   My husband had LVAD surgery 2 weeks ago and due to kidney failure he is on dialysis continiously to try to remove the fluid from his body. He is awake and his vocal chords are messed up a bit, but he talks and I can understand him a little. He stil on a feeding tube and has liver problems. So i just try to take it one day at a time.   Xmas was alright. My son got lots of gifts from friends and family. He was having fun running around playing with everything.   I had a scary moment while visiting my hubby. I started to feel sick to my stomach. I thought it was something I ate. So I thought it would pass. Then I started to sweat. I was thinking I was gonna puke. Then i got dizzy. I was trying to find a chair and get out of my husbands room. Then I began to see spots, my legs turned to Jello and then bam, I passed out. Thank goodness a nurse was there to break my fall. The nurses in the ICU all scrambled to help me and I was rushed to the ER. They checked everything and I was fine. I think I havent been eating enough and not resting like I should but heck half the time I dont have the time to eat. I'm working, taking care of my son and visiting my hubby almost everyday. I'll try to do better for this year.
Texasbandit

Texasbandit

3
Chefet-Amanda's Lapband journey with Thermomix
 

03/012012

Well i have had a trying day i only had about 5 hours sleep and struggling fairly well, my first degree sunburn on my legs is holding me back so much. Yesterday evening i ate some chocolate but it didnt stay down. In the evening i had some home made icecream i made in my thermomix. My biggest weakness is the evenings after dinner before bed. I havnt drank enough fluids today I recognise where im going wrong its implementing the changes.
Chefet-Amanda

Chefet-Amanda

0
My Second Chance
 

Let's Make This Official!

Ok, so I've been lurking around this forum since December 9th, so I though I'd better just get it all out there. Let me introduce myself. My name is Danielle- my friends call me Dooter. (That started when I was young, and someone at my church picked it up again because she liked it, now that's just how it is.) I don't like to be noticed or get attention, so this whole blog thing is weird for me talking about myself, but if it helps someone coming behind me in the process, then it'll be worth it. So be it.   I have a surgery date set for February 13, and Lord willing, it will go off without a hitch, healing will be quick and the life I've been longing to return to in a manageable body will resume and I will spend many happy days with my husband and my three boys doing things that I've not been able to do being weighed down by this body of death. Grim, I know, but that's how it feels. My only solace in this body is that if it failed today, I'd live forever in the presence of the Lord. However....I'm just not ready for that. I've got lots of work to do here first.   Like all of you (I'm guessing) I've been there, done that on the diet circuit. Up and down in weight...ad nauseum. I'm 42, and I figured that if I live to be even 84, I'd have ANOTHER 42 years to live in this body that is fighting me for EVERY pound. I'm done. Done, done, done. Did I mention that I'm done?? Now...I realize this life after surgery is going to be no picnic, but for once my efforts will be rewarded with loss!!!! Now that's gain!! Wait...am I gaining or losing? I'm confused.... Well, what I DO know is that I could lose 200 pounds and not be in any danger of being too thin. I'd be thrilled with 160, but hoping for more.   I can't WAIT to start losing! But know this: I am NOT cool, so I will NOT use terms like "onederland" and "surgiversary." Sorry. These crazy lingos irritate me.   So that's it in a nutshell. I'll be traveling to the next state for the surgery and self-paying, so once I decided to do this, I was able to just make an appointment. All the testing and meetings and whatnot will be done a couple days prior to the surgery. All in one shot. Nice. Then we hang around for a week and come home. Love it. I've been praying about this for weeks and will keep doing so until all is well. I'll also say some prayers for all of you. God Bless.   --danielle
Dooter

Dooter

2
Yanet Lopez's Blog
 

Pre Liquid Diet

hello banders i"m hopping that somebody can help me ,besides the protein shakes, can i eat food?i'm in my first day of liquid diet and i'm so hungry can i eat some vegetables with the protein shakes?
Yanet Lopez

Yanet Lopez

2
twold's Blog
 

After Holidays

So today marks the end of the holidays and I am now post surgery 4 weeks. I am waiting for my first fill in 2 weeks and am adjusting to the need to implement portion control. I did very well during these 4 weeks by losing quickly and then hit a flatline with a slight uptick in weight when I moved to solid foods last week. In my first entry I talked about that frustration of going up a little and decided that I needed to continue to maintain focus, which I did and since the first posting (4 days ago) I am down 3 pounds and feeling good about making good decisions. I am purposefully moving to amore soft foods diet to avoid weight gain and build up my portion control focus. This is working well and everyone in the household is adjusting well. It was nice to hear from my wife, who is very fit, that my change in focus on food and the fact that several times I said no, or I can't have that, actually helped her stay on track as well. That was very energizing for me to have that positive comment and helps me to stand to making the right decisions. Today we went to Pink's hot dogs (yeah not great for a bander) but I was able to have fun with the family and have very small bites of a hot dog (no bun) and leave satisfied and happy with the experience without impacting anyone else.   I go back to work tomorrow and will have to make good decisions there, but will go in a little later than before to have a good, healthy, portion-controlled breakfast at home (used to get something on the way...bad decisions were always my problem), leaving only lunch to worry about. I am finding that eating out and fast food are not something I will do as much and with a little planning things are working well. So leaving this second post, pre-fill I am feeling good about my mental progress of changing my lifestyle, which is what I knew had to be done to make this work anyway. I have a mental plan and with good focus each stage will go well, as I enter stage 2 I feel good so far.   Stage 1 - Pre Surgery I had to focus on making this real for me and admit that I had a problem (sorta my own individual 12 step program). I followed the Optifast 800 fairly well and cut out fast food. This allowed me to lose 70 pounds in the year leading up to my surgery. For the first time in a long time I saw some positive results in pictures and this added to the motivation.   Stage 2 - this stage is my goal between now and Christmas 2012. My goal is to lose 70 more pounds. I intend to up my walking and exercise during this time with the goal of being at a low enough weight to use an elliptical machine in my home by the end of the year for additional excercise. I am hoping that the band will help me to internalize new, better eating habits with portion control to make this stage a success.   Stage 3 - this stage will begin immediately upon completing stage 2, but hopefully no later that Christmas 2012. This stage is where I leave the crutch of the band and need to make the changes "biggest loser" style with excercise. I will be adding a full time gym membership expectation with this stage with the goal to lose another 70 pounds (this would be a combined 210 in 3 stages). This stage is targeted to be complete in regard to body change and weight loss by Christmas 2013. This is my lifestyle change stage and should lend itself to a much more active family set of activities.   Beyond - I will asses my weight and body at the end of stage 3 and add new goals in regard to weight, fitness, body composition but from this point on I am in a balance lifestyle with a maintaining focus. This is a while out, but I believe good gools come from having the end in mind.   So 2012 is beginning well for me and I hope to continue this journey to a new, improved me!
twold

twold

0
I'm in control now.
 

Just Over 3 Weeks

I'm just a little over 3 weeks away from surgery. I'm nervous/excited. I started stocking up on soups and whatnot for my "clear liquids" portion of the process. I'm not a very good broth-eater, but I'll do it! Still waiting on my passport to get here - I have to renew my drivers license because that expires at the same time - UGH! What a pain!
circa

circa

4
Is that a Fat Joke?
 

Today Is Our Day!

I was watching TV the other night and this new song came on by Shania Twain. By the end of it I was crying. Hope, Inspiration, belief that this time things will be different. It was a moment, an idea I wanted to share!    
mags2u

mags2u

0
Cuteascanbelizzie's Blog
 

Back To Life

Today was my first day back to work since my surgery on November 21, 2011. I didn't pass out or throw up which were my two worst fears about going back to work. I had enough energy to deal with the body slamming hugs of my middle school students and even an impromtu after-school meeting. I find myself watching the clock to time my students, my meals, drinks, and make sure I'm not off schedule for vitamins. I guess its kind of like riding a bike, you feel uneasy at first but you never really forget how. I had tons of energy until I sat down on my couch and now I'm ready to hibernate. I cheated and ate a small bag of chips (my last tempatation). I think I did well enough today that I can cheat a little. I'll probably pay for it later though since my new tummy doesn't really like greasy foods. Now I'm working on lunch and dinner for tomorrow and the next day. Things I used to cook and make into 2 portions I can now make into 4. Hopefully, I won't be so picky that I can't eat the leftovers. (I haven't liked leftovers too much since surgery.) I figure if I can plan at least one day ahead I can survive. I hope I don't get too caught up with regular life and lose focus.   On a different note, I got a quite a few compliments from my co-workers and a church friend yesterday. Apparently they can tell I've lost weight. I'm stalled at my initial 31 pound loss. I've attempted to resume my Wii workouts with Michael Jackson and now the Black Eyed Peas. I've also signed up for a couple of bootcamps via Living Social, Travel Zoo, and soon Groupon. I like the idea of working out with people and busting my ass at the same time. My goal is to keep a schedule of classes on my calendar so that I make time for me.   So there it is I'm back on the real life wagon post-sleevery. I'm nervous but, think I can do it. I'm calling myself the Little Lizzie that Can. I think I can, I think can..
cuteascanbelizzie

cuteascanbelizzie

1
Fabulous Sasha's Blog
 

Help!!! Experienced Bandsters

I am scheduled to go in for a fill this Wednesday. I was banded on 12/2 and dr put 1cc in my band. I do feel restrictions but not all the time. After 7pm on most days it appears I can eat almost anything and as much as I want. I'm not hungry in the mornings but I do eat an egg. During lunch i Usually feel restrictions. A few days ago I couldn't eat anything without spitting something up. Really bad day. On average. I am eating approx 1200 calories a day and the scale is not moving. Should I get a fill? If so, how much would you recommend? I am indecisive because I am feeling restrictions and don't want to overdo it.
Fabulous Sasha

Fabulous Sasha

4
lboogie617's Blog
 

I'm New...waiting On Pre Op Date

Hello everyone, well I'm new here! I'm a So Cal Kaiser member. Done with my Options classes which have been very informative. Saw the therapist last week (mandatory) labs have been done. Waiting to see the surgeon hopefully by next week then I will get my surgery date at that time to get sleeved. Words can not explain the excitemnet I feel for a new start and new direction in life. I'm 5'6 1/2 305lbs I have been a plus size woman my entire adult life. I'm done with the up and down diets done and tried them ALL. I'm 37 with an 18yr old son, I'm ready to enjoy life travel more & just see what the future holds. This website has been a great source of information and looks to give alot of support. While the program with Kaiser has been great, 3mths of classes and a wonderful staff I feel that acutally connecting with those who have been thru it puts it all into perspective. So anyway I should be getting sleeved sometime in February 2012...nervous but can't wait!!!
LBoogie617

LBoogie617

6
bkathrein's Blog
 

Easy Way To Calculate Calories, Protein, Etc.

Hi, For anyone who doesn't know, there is a free website: sparkpeople.com You can record your daily food eaten, it calculates calories, progein, etc. You can keep track of water intake, excercise, etc. Great site. You can customize it: adding foods not listed and have favorites, etc. i.e. I have added a not listed favorite called Barb's P rotein shake. I add that then anything I eat, cottage cheese, mile, pudding, etc. It calculates how many calories and how much protein I have had and gives me a running total throughout the day. That way I know if I need more protein and how many calories I am consuming. Barb
bkathrein

bkathrein

3
wannabeskinny
 

Allergic Reaction?

I think I have developed an allergic reaction to something, but I do not know what it is. My face is completely broken out with hive type things that itch, burn, and are really red. It is slightly swollen, but I don't know if I should consult a Doctor or not.   I've been racking my brain to think of what it could be. I started drinking Sobe waters ( the pepsi version of vitamin water)... I though maybe it is that, because this rash started friday... and I started drinking those thursday. It will really suck it if is those because they are really good. I've never had this reaction to the other Vitamin Water brand before.   I started taking Nexium on Saturday and some chewable vitamins on Saturday... so I don't think it would be those because this rash started Friday. I also started taking those Protein shots, but then again I think it was after it started. It wasn't really bad Friday... but has gotten much worse since the weekend.   I really don't know what has caused it. Could it be hormonal? Has anyone else had this type of reaction to something after surgery?   Typically my skin is pretty clear... especially compared to this. I guess that is why I'm worried. I've been taking benadryl.... and it really just knocks me out.. so I sleep a lot, which gives me some relief.   Any suggestions would be appreciated.   Rachel
wantobeskinny

wantobeskinny

4
bkathrein's Blog
 

I'm New

Hi, I'm new. I was banded Dec. 15 along with a sleeve plication. I found this site on Google. I wanted to know why I stopped loosing as soon as I started mushy food.   I guess I'm not the only one. I was instructed to start Phase III at my one week post op visit. Then I froze on the scale. I had lost a total of 18 Lgs. 253-235 between the pre surgery liquids and the 1 week post visti. I have been the same now for 10 days. At least I know now from this site I'm not the only one experiencing this. Thanks for the feed back.   I'm 66 years old and have had osteoarthritis for many years and have been on anti inflammatory drugs for years. I have been off these meds for about a month now and my stiffness and knee pain is my main problem. I am having more discomfort from this than my surgery. Has anyone else had to deal with this problem? I have been told (by the Nutritionist) some anti inflammatory meds come in liquid form? I would appreciate any input on this problem. Barb
bkathrein

bkathrein

2
sheilamj1fan's Journal
 

Day 7 Of Liquids For 1/1/2012

Happy New Year!!!   Anyway this post is for yesterday! I just forgot, so I had:   Chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein shake 36 grams (I gotta get more protein in) Calcium MultiVitamin 40 oz of Water Snack: Sugar free fudge with a little peanut butter and Reddi Whip Glass of Chardonnay Ran 3 miles!   God bless!
sheilamj1fan

sheilamj1fan

0
Casey's Countdown
 

Anybody With Manic Depression/bipolar Been Banded?

I was recently diagnosed ith bipolar/manic depression. I had thought about lapband before, but never this seriously. My mom had the procedure in 2005, and I have seen first hand the struggle and success. I want to be a healthier and hopefully happier me. I was wondering if anyone else w bipolar has had the procedure, and if so, how it has affected their depression? Im on an arsenal of medications to battle it, but am wondering if after lapband the meds could or would be reduced? Any help would be appreciated. Also windering if anyone was banded in Louisiana, or how much cash pay in the south would be? Im funding with my tax return
brownie012

brownie012

5
Banded Bunny Blog
 

Week 2 Done: Advise And Observations

So I am on my last day of my first two weeks post op with my band. I started out at 256 when my journey began. I was 235.5 going into surgery and I am now 226.6( In the morning that is not in afternoon or evening or any of the other times I get on the scale like a crazy compulsive woman- I always a pound or two higher then).   My first gem of advise is this- stay away from the scale: Ok, it exciting seeing the weight come off, but weighing yourself 3, 4 or 12 times a day isn't going to speed it up. It will just drive you crazy. I have been back an forth at 226/228 range for last few days. I get upset if it goes up a touch here and then get crazy about.   So here is gem number 2: Drink your water like you should. I was trying to figure out why wasn't loosing, and realize I'm not drinking enough water. Not drinking at meals is making it very hard for me. I use to drink a glass or two with meals and a glass or two after. So now I'm actually drinking less then normally. I really need to work on that now.   Gem number 3: Maybe you all are smarter then me. But for some reason I thought it would be ok to schedule my dental appt one week after my lapband. So here I am only drinking liquids and I go and have a crown fitted. I had a temp crown put on two weeks before surgery and this was follow up So Dentist put crown on without numbing me totally cause was only going to be a "little sensitive" she said. The shot to roof of mouth may hurt more. Whole cow was that awful. It was like brainfree on full force. And didn't go away for a day. I had stopped my pain meds form surgery but took them the next two day for my tooth. I wish I had the shot! So dentist then tells me I may be a "little sensitive" to temputure for next 4-6 weeks and should have anything to cold or too hot.Great. So luke warm seems to work. If I have something too cold or too hot and it makes it way to back of my mouth and new crown- instant headache. So allready only on liquids, now just warmish liquids. great idea Suzi. If you need dental work done get finish well before surgery. Don't make life harder then needs to be.   Now I get to start mushy phase. I just made split pea soup. A lot of split pea soup. 2 1/2 galloon- it seems. I also added other beans to it to pump up the protein. It is good to be prepared so next gem of advise: Before you cook a ton of food, make sure you have enough containers to store it in. I just ran out and got a much of rubbermaid single serving containers and now have 18 cups of soup ready to go. just the size I need. Going to put some in the freezer.   I got thru Christmas no problem. By the time New Years eve came around,I was on my fourth week of liquids and going a little crazy. I wanted to eat everything last night. Things I don't even like, just to chew something I think. I was mostly good. But, I did sneak a couple little mini pigs in blankets, chewed, and chewed them and was surprised that they went down so easily. But I felt really guilty and bad afterwards. I found myself tasting things last night. I little nibble here and one there. I would even spit it out after trying, but it was crazy.   Today I total goofed up. My kids were eating lo mein, and I was making my protein shake and reached over and grabed a piece of chicken from my son's lo mein he didn't eat. It was very thinnly sliced and not breaded or anything. I popped it into my mouth without thinking. I chewed it up a bit- and swallowed. I had gotten the little pigs in blankets down no problem, night before: but not the case this time. This was my first experience with something get stuck. It was scary and I did not like it at all. I felt like I was almost choking, but I could still breath. It was a tightening of my throat and lower. I was panicky, I didn't know what to do. Still have no idea what to do. What I suppose to try to get it to go down or back up. I was so afraid that I screw up eveything. I drank some water, at first it didn't help. Kept trying to burp or cough,anything to get it loose. It took a few minutes for feeling to go away. I drank my shake once I was settle down again. Won't be doing that again any time soon.   Otherwise doing well, trying to walk a bit every day. Today did 65 minutes on treadmill, yesturday walk the high school track with kids for a mile. They were getting bored with it quicker than mommy. Today I wore a pair of pants I couldn't even button morning of surgery- Not even close to closing. My husband laughs, cause my new favorite thing today was sliding these pants down over my hips and off without unbuttoning them. " Honey, look, look what I can do! Isn't that cool" He's response " yes sweetie, just don't show that off to everyone, they might not all understand like I do"   I go see my doctor on the 5th for first post op check up. Wish me luck. Suzi
suzbuni

suzbuni

1

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