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Rachel Banded...
 

Pre Op registration

So after talking all morning with my employer trying to make sure it was okay for me to go ahead with surgery, I have made the decision to head to Birmingham <about an hour away> to do my pre op admission and pre op class. Also to pick up my pre op diet. Hopefully the roads will be better since the big snow and ice storm here that has had me snowed in all week. Not looking forward to starting my pre op diet but as I said before I feel lucky it is a little more then liquids. Last night instead of being able to have a big send off at olive garden or something like I wished I had to settle for fresh brownies. yummy! I hate this snow storm. I will officially start my pre op diet in the am since I wont get my diet material until after 3 this afternoon. Starting to get excited after the past twenty four hour emotional roller coaster of my work telling me to post pone my surgery. There has been soo much time and money put into this process I would hate to have to put it off again. Thankfully everything has worked out so far. Now if Mr sun will dry up the ice on the roads to get me to where I need to go. I feel like with the insurance requirements and all the emotional hurdles this has been a trek up an icy mountain. So I will pack my snow skis and off I go...
~*~Rachel~*~

~*~Rachel~*~

1
PJbanster's Blog
 

Seriously?

So when I was on my post op liquid diet my husband dropped about 20 lbs because he was living on salads and sandwiches and not actually cooking for himself. Kinda sickening how simple it was for him. I have finally passed him in weight and he decides he wants to lose about 50 lbs. I put him on a diet and now he's starting to catch up to me! He's only 4 lbs heavier than me. I mean I'm glad he's dropping some weight, but man it's like win lose if he catches me on my weight again haha. I guess I'll just take comfort in knowing that EVENTUALLY he won't be able to go as low as me. At least I hope... he's 6'1" and I'm 5'8"   To answer a few questions... I only lost about 7 lbs pre op. 21 lbs the first month post op. I average about 12ish lbs a month. I try to exercise lately anywhere from 3-6 hours a week. I try to keep my calories around 1200 a day. It is challenging to get all the calories in lately, but I try to drink my protein to make up the difference. If I go below 1200 for too long I will usually stall a bit. EVERYONE is different here. You have to learn what works for you.    
PJbanster

PJbanster

0
marykay82's Blog
 

Side note

My original weight loss tracker     So I have made SOME progress. At my appointment yesterday I was up 8 pounds from my last appointment in April of 2009. So that's not so bad, could have been a lot worse. Could also have been a lot better if I'd gone in sooner.    
marykay82

marykay82

0
marykay82's Blog
 

Starting Over

Okay, so I admit it. I've been too tight for 1 year and 9 months. Wow I can't believe it's been that long. Always feeling uncomfortable after eating, vomiting often. I cannot remember the last day I went without vomiting at all - all day. Its become such a normal part of my life. But so incredibly embarrassing. I hate eating out with anyone. I know what's coming - quick run to the bathroom, trying to act normal, feigning a small bladder - I'm sick of it. Looking back I'm frustrated that I took this long to go fix this - have fluid out. Well, no, I understand why I haven't - shame. But I still wish I'd gone in sooner. I'm to the point I'm afraid of food. I look at food and can tell how quickly it will come right back up. I can't eat this, I can't eat that. No raw vegitables, most raw fruits aren't even an option, no bread, and most meat is out the window (down the toilet). Doesn't leave you with much that works. Chips, frappes, cheese, liquids, not very healthy.   So Saturday I starting on an antibiotic for a sinus infection, and my stomach took exception to it. The antibiotic irritated my stomach, making the lining inflamed. Between already being too tight, irritation from vomiting, and the antibiotic inflaming tissue, I effectively swelled shut. Or nearly so. All I could get down was think liquid and even that was very slow and not a sure thing. By Monday I was miserable. I called for an appointment and they got me in Tuesday afternoon. I had 7cc in my band. We took out 2cc, but the test water would still just pretty much sit there - not going down. We took out another 2cc, and water was still slow but moving - and I need to finish my antibiotic. So we decided to just take out the last 3cc. So I'm down to no fluid in my band. I'm to finish my round of antibiotics and let me stomach recover. In two weeks I go back and they will put 3-4cc back in, and we'll go from there.   I feel so much better since having the fluid out. I stood in my kitchen for a long time last night enjoying a cup of water. How great if felt to actually feel cold water go through. Amazing. Relief.   Now I have to be careful. Once the swelling goes down, I'll basically have no restriction. The theory of the next two weeks - besides healing - is regaining some confidence in being able to eat solid foods. But I can't let it get crazy. I'm going to my lap band support group tomorrow night. I haven't been in probably as long as I've been too tight, so almost 2 years. They are doing a starting over type thing for starting the New Year. So I'm starting over.........    
marykay82

marykay82

0
Ready for a Big Change
 

Tomorrow is the big day

OMG! Tomorrow is the day. I am nervous, excited, scared and soooooo ready for it to just be over with, lol. I'm ready to eat real food again, no matter how small the portion, lol. I'm not really hungry with the liquid diet just need something to chew, lol. Gum just doesn't do it for me. I have to be at the hospital at 8am and I think I am scheduled for about noon. I can't wait. I have already lost 12 pounds just being on the pre-op liquid diet although that was on Sunday, not sure what it is now, lol. I will post when I get a chance to tomorrow.
nurse_b11

nurse_b11

2
Blog 95458
 

3rd Fill & Dog Walking

I got my 3rd fill today. Just .8 cc and it freaked me out when the PA said I might have a bruise, because she had trouble finding the port. She clarified this by saying she meant the part where she actually places the needle. I totally did not like how it felt today. Each fill, I've been a bit sore for awhile. Does everyone have this issue? Am on liquids for a day, then soft/mushy for a day and then back to regular food. I'm going to be working on eating 3/4 cup of food instead of 1 cup. It is depressing, because it doesn't seem like you can enjoy your food, when you're only eating such a little amount. ...but, I know that this band is working.       I've been getting in the habit of walking my Lab at night. ...and I have to say I do talk to my animals.... So, last night I told him that sometime this year, I'll only weigh a little more than him. He's about 100 lbs and my goal weight is about 110-115. I'll just see how how like that weight, but that should be good, because I don't want to be bony.
nomorejellybelly

nomorejellybelly

1
robesondenise's Blog
 

New Journey

I am very excited about the possibility of being a surgery candidate for LapBand, I live in North Carolina, and I am going to my very first appointment in Fayetteville tomorrow, (weather Permitting), I have already participated in the seminar, and I have researched so many hours for LapBand and realize Band. I will make every effort to update my progress, in this blog. I have tons of questions for other participants, however I will add more after I have my consultation and give you the steps that I have to take in order to change my life. If anyone has had the surgery could you tell me the post -op recovery time, I only ask because I am a school teacher, and do not want to miss a lot of school, just curious how many days people might have needed in order to be back in full force! Thanks again.
robesondenise

robesondenise

1
Blog 53202
 

Climbing back on the horse...

Saw my doctor for the first time in almost 3 months. Expected to get a big lecture on my fantastic 18 pound gain. Thankfully, he was very kind. Filled me up, 2cc's, and sent me on my merry way. Why did I gain? Why did I stop going to see him? It started as being fed up with not being able to eat and vomiting all the time. The last time I saw him, he removed most of my fill. I don't know what happened after that. I got really stressed out with hubby in Afghanastan. Mom being sick. Everything was totally overwhelming. And damn, it was so nice to eat bread!!! I love carbs. I'd missed carbs. Then it was suddenly Thanksgiving. Why not enjoy it with my family, eating next to them, normally. And Christmas. Part of Christmas is baking goodies, right? Yea, I did my part. And my neighbors part, and your neighbors part. I baked my brains out. But those are just excuses. I made the decision every morning, not to work out, not to follow my diet. And now, I feel awful. All that hard work, down the tubes. I can't believe how easy it was to gain. It didn't take long at all. Pretty damn easy. Sadly, it won't be that easy to take it off. But, I am ready. I want to hit my goal this year. I know I can. I know I will. 80 pounds in 12 months. I CAN DO IT!!!! Then watch out Hawaii, here I come!
shellyphaunts

shellyphaunts

1
Raylin's Blog
 

Change

Wow, maybe I am actually going to change. I have never started a blog before, let alone actually write on it. I am getting really close to getting a surgery date, next week I see the surgeon. I realize that it is becoming real for me now and I am getting nervous. I am even having trouble losing the 12 pds I need to lose before seeing him next Tues. I hope that I can get motivated and really do it this time. Old habits die hard.....
pickles777

pickles777

0
Blog 2657
 

Some advice for Mexico

Here is a letter I just wrote someone and I thought it might be helpful to others:   I am an open book for you and any questions you have. I was lucky with the money side of it since I charged it to a credit card that was interest free for a year and now I have been working on paying it off. So I can’t give you any advice in that area. As for a SCAM I had the same worries but everything turned out fine. I even missed my flight that morning and just called where they told me to call and it was no problem at all. The guy was there to pick me up just like he said he would be. We had to stop at the Mexican line and explain why we were going to Mexico. I didn't know I would have to explain in detail so just be ready to say what hospital and what Doctor you are going to see. They will ask how to plan to pay since they don’t like the idea of you taking large amounts of money with you. Since I had a money order there were no issues. Once I got into Mexico I did have some fear since as we all know Mexico is nothing like the USA. They had just had some flooding so it was pretty dirty looking. BUT the hospital was amazing. I have worked in a couple hospitals and this hospital was more like a resort. It was SO BEAUTIFUL!! It was clean, nice, and everyone was so nice to me. There was a few times at night when someone didn't speak English but I just used my paper they gave me and pointed at what I want. There were no problems at all.   On the pain side of the things your pain will come from gas more than anything. You won’t feel like walking but do it anyways. The more you walk the better you will feel. Gas-X is your best friend!! I used them as a pain pill. I was wake up and almost be puking gas so I would use one and it helped a ton. Also a heating pad is amazing too! My heating pad helped a ton when it came to sleeping. But again the main thing is to get off your butt and walk! If you don’t, the pain will be much worse than it has to be.   On the flight home it will be a little hard since you will be weak but not impossible. When you get to your flight ask to board first. You don’t want anyone rushing or pushing you. Make sure to take a pain pill before you get on your flight and bring Gas-X too. If you have the time in between your flights then walk since it will help with pain BUT if you are short on time don’t try to rush. Ask someone to drive you. I just explain that I had just had surgery and everyone was very kind to me.   My sister was with me when I was in Mexico but honestly you should be fine on your own. It was nice to have her since she would wake me up every few hours to make me walk but as long as you are able to make yourself do that on your own you should be fine. Make sure to only pack one bag (you won’t even need that much anyways) that has wheels. I promise you won’t feel like carrying anything.   On after care I haven't had any yet since I don’t have insurance but I plan to get my yearly done next month. I did have an issue where I didn't know we can’t eat fresh vegetables and was very constipated; to the point that I had a temp and was in a ton of pain. The good thing was they got a hold of my Dr. in Mexico and he let me know what was going on and how to deal with it. So your Dr. in Mexico is on hand if you need him for any reason.   I hope that helped... If there is anything else I could help you with please let me know.    
mellifrits

mellifrits

1
roseyposey's Blog
 

MY LAPBAND JOURNEY - DAY 9 OF PRE OP DIET

JAN. 11, 2011 - TUESDAY - DAY 9 OF PRE OP DIET. - WELL I WAS UP AT 5 AM. THIS AM. I HAD MY EGD DONE THIS MORNING. NEEDLESS TO SAY - I DID NOT SLEEP WELL LAST NIGHT! VERY RESTLESS WORRYING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. WELL IT WENT WELL AND WAS VERY FAST. I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT IT! THEY GAVE ME SOME GOOD DRUGS - LOL SO MY LAPBAND SURGERY IS ON AS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONDAY 1/17. THEY GAVE ME SOME HOT TEA AND A POPSICLE FOLLOWING MY EGD. I HAD SOME SUGAR FREE JELLO A WHILE AGO - SO THAT LEAVES ME WITH MY PROTEIN SHAKES TO HAVE YET TODAY AND THAT'S IT! GEEZ! OH YAH - I HAD MY PROTEIN BAR AND ANOTHER DECAF CUP OF TEA TODAY ALSO. IT IS SNOWIG AND FREEZING COLD OUT TODAY HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA SO I JUST DO NOT FEEL LIKE TAKING MY DAILY WALK AROUND THE BLOCK. I WILL INSTEAD JUST WALK AROUND THE HOUSE AND STUFF FOR EXERCISE. I WILL BE NPO (NOTHING BY MOUTH) AGAIN TONIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT AS I HAVE TO HAVE SOME LABS DONE TOMORROW MORNING. THE JAN. 17 SURGERY DATE IS SOON APPROACHING!!!
roseyposey

roseyposey

2
Blog 90135
 

Sooooo slow

This process seems to be soooo slow. I had to cancel my doctor's appointment yesterday because of all the snow we got here. I can't go in until a week from Thursday and know I need a little something in my band. I can eat more and I"m not thinking I like it very much. Everything seems to go down with ease. And, on top of that, it takes more to make me feel full. Also, I don't like feeling hungry after a couple of hours. Grrrrrrr! I have lost a whole pound in 8 days. I am down about 33 pounds total. About 15 of that after I got banded. I feel good about the weight I have lost so far, but also look at crazy envy at those banded around the time I was who have lost 50 or 60 pounds. Eeeek!   It's time to kick up the exercise in high gear while I wait, I guess. Does anyone have any good items to soothe your sweet tooth? I can't do any jello or sugar free bars for a long time. If you have any suggestions of something to curb it, while tasting sinful (yet lower in calories), please let me know. I usually do pretty well, but today I have a crazy ice cream craving and can't seem to overcome it :-( What's funny, I'm not really even an ice cream person!   Thank you if you are still reading me spew negativity. I am just having one of those days :-(
qtney1

qtney1

6
How I lost 100lbs
 

Losing a pound a day

I am so excited to be losing a pound a day! I wake up every morning anxious to step on the scale and see the numbers go down. I am 7lbs away from my lowest weight since being banded, so despite last year's set back I am NOW on track and that's all that matters. 10lbs down for the year and I started this fast on the 3rd, so that's actually a little more than a pound a day, but either way it's great!   No band issues since starting my new eating plan for the spiritual fast and I am excited to adapt this style of eating for the long run. I love to cook and I'm being challenged to come up with new and delicious veggie/vegan recipes. My Zucchini, Mushroom, Hummus pita pizzas are AMAZING and the stir frys and bakes and so on and so on.. I'm so excited for what this year is going to bring and as soon as I can figure out how to rename my blog I will to "How I lost 100lbs+" will be the documenting journey!.   Now to just work in a more routine work out schedule instead of trying to fit it in here and there when I can, it's becoming a priority, it has to!
Yvette1026

Yvette1026

1
Blog 104709
 

Been away

I have been away because I haven't had much to post. Still going to the gym, trying to stay healthy, eat right, though I have had a few bad things, but I call the treats. I really do go to the gym 5 days a week and if I only make it 3 I do not beat myself up. I think all in all I need another fill because I can still eat the same amount almost as before. Though food sometimes gets stuck. I just don't want the amounts to be so small that I can not keep up with my protein.   Oh and hair loss? Any tips to helping with that, my protein is on target so not sure why the loss of hair.
Cangel76

Cangel76

3
sleevless4now's Blog
 

If this is of any importants to any one, and it maybe good to know before.

Hope this info is important to some one who needs it,Once I made my 1st canceltation with the Doctor that will do the surgery on me you will have 6 appointments to make and to attend after your first one,you have a psychological assessment appt. neutritionist for your 6 month weight management unless your insurance doesnt require it,Labs for blood test,support group,Ultrasound,and you will need to get a medical clerance from your pcp....the appointment are fairly easy to get but dont miss any......I wish you all the luck in the world....sleevless4now...
camille01

camille01

0
sleevless4now's Blog
 

I'm On My Way .....YEAH...

I am on my way ...I have my canceltation with the doctor yesterday and she answer all of the questions I needed answered,but I am here to tell you If you have something to ask that is very important PLEASE WRITE IT DOWN.because when you get infront of the doctor all leaves the mind,your thoughts will go bland....so please write them down and put a star beside the most important ones...   I had a very important question to ask the surgeon and most of you will agree,(why is there so many lapband patients converting to the sleeve or the gastric bypass,? and the answer will suprise most of you(there has been a decrease in lapband surgerys because of the failure in the product and that scared me,....I was thinking about the lapband ......until I did a lil research on the product..I would have never thought about changing to the sleeve...and I am glad that I did................sleevless4now......
camille01

camille01

0
NoEscape21's Blog
 

Hopeful but hesitant.

Since recieving an email from my worldmedassist patient coordinator yesterday evening that I am approved for surgery I have been on something like a natural high. I am excited but trying to keep it in and not say too much about it. I am always afraid of jinxing myself lol. I wont do a total freak out until I get the thumbs up on medical financing. I am very hopeful though and glad i didnt just get an auto decline. I recieved the message that they are going to manually review my application for financing and i think while i was declined previously in the past, the fact that this surgery will cost a lot less is probably working in my favor. That and the fact we are going to be putting 20-40% as a down payment as well.   Still though I am nervous about it all so I dont want to get overly excited about surgery just yet.   Anyways..just rambling... and hoping hehe.
NoEscape21

NoEscape21

0
skinnychick73's Blog
 

1st Blog!! Need some motivation to get MOVING!!

I was banded in mid September!! Have lost 35 so far, but I really need the motivation to get moving! I am starting a fitness class tonight... Can't wait! I wonder how sit-ups & crunches will affect my band? I'm a little nervous! Have done well during the holiday--didn't gain any, but didn't lose either! But I am back on track now!
skinnychick73

skinnychick73

3
La Gordita's Blog
 

Fresh Start again

I will start off with telling you all about myself I have been over weight all my life since I can remember I have been on diets, My mother was always worried about my weight and she didnt want me to be fat so she had me on the military diet and weight watchers at the age of 11 which was not fun and at the gym at 5am on weekdays but she did it because she was worried about my health. Well nothing worked I started high school and would work out and joined sports and still no change in weight then I found out I had Diabetes type II and that scared me. I did lose a little weight then but not enough. I got married at the age of 20 and had a baby and still never changed in weight I got divoiced at 24 and remarried at 26 and happy so happy I gained like 30lbs more so I was at 260 and got pregnant and at the end of preggo I was pushing 315. The worst part was that my baby girl was born with CHD know as Heart defects and other birth defects caused by my diabetes being out of control and over weight. They were not able to be fixed she pasted away at 6 weeks of birth, So that is the reason now that I had Lap Band so I can be healthy for my son and want another beautiful baby.   I say Fresh Start again because the first one start was when I was banded in May 2010 and I did really well at first. But I didnt do any exercise and I didnt feel full. So now I really need to use this band as a tool and lose some more weight . I have been tracking my meals online at the lapband journey site and tracking my workouts. So I have limited myself to no more than 1200 calories a day and at least an hour working out 4 days a week for now. You know it sounds so simple in my head but when it comes down to it, It is really hard to get motivated and i say want this so bad but then I fail to go excerise so I am so Bad that I let food control me I should control the food. Because to be honest with all of you I still get really hungrey after work and in between meals. But who knows I will beat OBESE one way or another.    
La Gordita

La Gordita

2
KelseyBoo's Blog
 

Float Through Your Fears

So I was banded Dec. 27th, 2010... I can't believe I can actually say that I am banded, it's an amazing feeling! I've been doing great, that long 6 month period of me having to wait and go through stupid supervised diets and all of that finally paid off, I so far have lost 27 pounds. It's not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I am staying away from all the foods that I don't need. And trying my best to stay with the foods that I need. Trying to get all the liquids I need.   I get my first fill on the 26th, so in about 2 weeks, and that's exciting in itself. All the hard times where people were eating in front of me, or whatever, I pulled through by myself. It's hard it really is, but if I can do it, anyone can! I can't wait to get out of the 200's, it's going to take a few more months, but I just can't wait! I know it's going to be an amazing feeling!!
KelseyBoo

KelseyBoo

1
Formerly LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Time for a fitness challenge!

Yesterday, I didn't take the time to write my blog entry in the morning and then I never got back to it. That seems to be a thing, so I have to make it a priority. History shows that blogging keeps me on track and I WANT to stay on track and reach my goals!   I have started another of my fitness challenges. They have always been so successful for me in the past so it seems like good timing. I plan to work out 6 times a week for 6 weeks...with at least 1 workout per week dedicated to running. I didn't want to get too specific or too hard core. I wanted it to be doable, but a challenge.   Sunday, I did the free run on the Wii for 20 minutes. Not a huge workout, but it got me moving on an otherwise lazy day. Yesterday, I worked out at lunch doing lunges, 8 minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes on the treadmill and some strength training. After work, my LB Support Group meeting was cancelled (sad!), so I went to Jazzercise for an hour. So by the end of Monday, I had done 3 of my 6 workout committments!!   Today, I plan to walk on the treadmill at lunch. I have found that hills (inclines) are my weakness, so I'm attacking that. Right now I'm walking at 3 mph, but I hope to increase that over time. Then I vary the incline between 5-15. It is funny how walking at a 15 incline for a few minutes make a 5 incline feel like a breeze!! I have noticed that on my 5Ks, I do all fine until I get to a hill and then I just poop out. My hope is to develop some resistance toward that. Since my knees won't allow me to run every day, I can still work on it with walking.   Have a wonderful day!! Beth    
Formerly LoseIt!

Formerly LoseIt!

2
PJbanster's Blog
 

It happened over night!

When I was first banded I had a friend from this forum tell me that one day people will all the sudden notice you've lost weight and act like it happened over night. Well it's finally happened! Yesterday I came to work feeling confident in smaller clothes and a new hair cut. I was stopped by so many people and they all had to tell me they didn't recognize me, they're so impressed with my weight loss, and that it just happened over night. What a shock to me! This has been the longest night ever lol. 7 mo of counting my calories and wearing my treadmill out. Even still, it feels GREAT to hear the compliments. If you're not there yet just remember it's coming! Every little fraction of a pound is worth celebrating. For the record I was down another 0.20 of a pound this morning... oh ya it definitely called for a naked dance! I guess I should add that as much as you should celebrate every weight loss, try not to freak out if you wake up one morning a pound or more heavier. I'm sure you've experienced it by now, lack of sleep, lack of water, or a slight change in the breeze can sometimes affect that number... temporarily. Keep pushing through those rough spots and you'll get there. Now! Remember this because I'm sure I'll have a low at some point and I'll need someone to help me get through it.
PJbanster

PJbanster

3

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