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Blog 97293
 

14 days after my surgery

Well this is my first blog ever! I had surgery on the 9th of Aug. and everything when really well! I I go back to work tomorrow and I have lost 25 lbs since I started the pre-op diet. I don't know if any one else feels like this but , I have felt that I need to get my band filled for about 7 days now! I have been eating solid food for about 7 days as well. I have not thrown up at all. My first apt. with my dr. is not until the 15th of Sept. and I can't wait to get this thing filled and not be hungry all the time. Well good luck to everyone who is thinking or has gotten the lap band it is sooooo worth it!!:biggrin:
frybeattie

frybeattie

5
Blog 96827
 

Tree, Leaf, Turning, etc....

08/22/2010   Wow! I went to my Ob/Gyn last week and had actually lost 10 pounds just in anticipation of the lapband. I have less trouble losing weight than keeping it off and am actually worried I might lose too much weight and get too low a BMI! That may be a first for me.   I still expect quite a fight from Cigna, as they do have this exclusionary clause in the policy that I have saying no CHN employee or their family members can have bariatric surgery, but I have to believe that the surgeon I went to would not let it go as far as it has just to be turned down. I definitely have some co-morbid conditions in addition to the greater than 40 BMI; I am being treated for hypothyroidsm, hypertension, have crummy joints, and take an anti-depressive. Shouldn't these count for something?????:biggrin:
higgikd1

higgikd1

3
Blog 95458
 

Approved!!!!!!!!

I got my approval letter last week. I'm meeting with the surgeon this week and am scheduled for the procedure on 09/08.   I am excited and looking forward to the results, but am a little nervous about how I'll feel afterwards and getting used to how I'll have to eat.   That's all for now.
nomorejellybelly

nomorejellybelly

5
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

You know that I like to change things up!

In order to focus more on work, well at work and to have time to some other things, I'm going to attempt blogging in the evenings. It's usually the first thing I do in the morning so we will see how it goes. I ended up leaving work on Friday because I felt so bad. That tetanus shot really kicked my butt. I got the shot on Wednesday and today, Sunday, my arm still hurts. How crazy is that?
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

1
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

You know that I like to change things up!

In order to focus more on work, well at work and to have time to some other things, I'm going to attempt blogging in the evenings. It's usually the first thing I do in the morning so we will see how it goes.   I ended up leaving work on Friday because I felt so bad. That tetanus shot really kicked my butt. I got the shot on Wednesday and today, Sunday, my arm still hurts. How crazy is that? I have a busy week coming up. Work will be busy because I have taken on some new responsibilities and I will have to spend some time learning new things. Should be interesting though! Tomorrow I'm meeting a Lap Band Support Group friend for lunch and am Jazzercising in the evening. It is the Jazzercise One Day Sale, so it should be busy. It is 8:00pm on a Sunday and I'm considering going to bed. Ha! I think maybe I will try and convince myself to do some yoga...just 20 minutes. :biggrin: I will let you know tomorrow night if I was successful. Have a good evening!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

2
Blog 90427
 

Weekend Challenges

My husband and I just returned from a weekend in Orlando with our good friends. We were invited to come and visit, so we rented a Charger (our van has over 200,000 miles) and took off. The drive was very nice - 3.5 hours.   The challenge I had was the food I was going to eat. My girlfriend layed out a terrific spread of cold-cuts and different breads and fruits for lunch. I had brought some string cheese with me. I remembered someone on this site had said she ate cold-cuts wrapped around the string cheese, so I had 2 sticks - one with a slice of boiled ham around it and one with a slice of roast beef wrapped around it and a couple of cherries. That was enough for me. Everyone else had thick sandwiches and potato chips. Boy, do I love the chips but did not have crumb one!   At dinner, 6 of us went to a great restaurant called Manny's Chop House. They have an unlimited salad that they mix at your table. One of the couples ordered a hamburger with the works, including fries and his wife ordered some kind of fried fish. The other couple ordered the rib/chicken combo and his wife ordered the full rack of ribs. My husband ordered steak and steamed veggies. Now, when we go out to dinner I usually order steak because it doesn't have any kind of sauce on it and I can make 3 meals out of a 12oz steak. But I wanted something special so I ordered a 6 oz lobster tail and corn on the cob. A 6oz lobster tail is all shell, but it was more than enough for me. I love lobster, so it was terrific.   So I am sitting at the table looking at all of the fried foods and sauces they were eating. Oh, did I mention the fresh baked yeast rolls with whipped butter? And I am thinking that the old me would have had an appetizer, full rack of ribs or the fried shrimp platter with french fries and many yeast rolls. But I had none of it. I was so proud of myself.   Then we went out for breakfast this morning. I had some scrambled eggs and 2 strips of bacon. I know the bacon was not my best choice, but I really wanted it, so I had it. My girlfriend, gotta love her, had biscuits and gravy. I LOVE BISCUITS! So when they hit the table, my mouth was watering. I considered, but only for a second, reaching over and stealing one of those beautifully golden brown bundles of happiness and joy, but I held myself in control and did not have to run from the restaurant with her biscuit in my mouth.:biggrin: So the cravings have not gone away, but my will power is very strong.   I can't wait to get to the gym on Tues and work out. I missed going Friday night and today because of our trip, but I was so good and feel that I can do this.
Bklynike

Bklynike

6
Blog 3527
 

Can't wait

I am 5 days in my pre-op liquid diet. Things are going pretty well but every time I turn on the TV they are showing some yummy food. YIKES! I need to keep busy right now. I find the busier I am, the faster the time passes. I am scheduled for Sept.2. I CAN'T WAIT....:huh0:
nbrett

nbrett

1
Blog 2207
 

August 22, 2010

Two days ago I had my 3rd visit with the dietition and my only visit with Dr. Dawley (internal medicine doctor). The dietition said she was very pleased with my progress. I lost 3 3/4 lbs in the last month, despite alot of heel pain, which limits my walking. She told me to continue to practice chewing my food very well, small bites and eating protein first.   My surgeon, Dr. Lalor, requires all of his patients to be cleared for surgery by Dr. Dawley before submitting the paperwork to the insurance company, and he is VERY thorough with his exam. He reviews all the tests results, does a medical history and an exam. He told me at the end of my visit that he will recommend to Dr. Lalor that I would be a candidate for surgery. He did say that he will be requesting the results of my echo cardiogram test. I told him that my pcp said it did not show any problems with my heart.   When I told Dr. Dawley about the pain I have in my hips he said it is most likely due to osteoarthritis. If he puts that in his report, I'm hoping it will help me get approved for the vertical sleeve surgery. I understand that if you have arthritis that gastric bypass is not the best choice, due to malabsorbing the needed medications.   With all my previous abdominal surgeries, adhesions and diverticulities Dr. Lalor is really against gastric bypass for me. BC/BS of Ohio is currently still considering the sleeve investigational, but I'm hopeful they will make an exception in my case. More and more states are approving the sleeve (ie Illinois), as they see it is effective and there seems to be fewer complications after.I will wait two weeks and then call Dr. Lalor's office, if I don't hear anything, to see where things stand. I will update this post at that time or before if I get news. It's my goal to try and lose 10 lbs before surgery.
KabinKitty

KabinKitty

0
Blog 57113
 

Day before Surgery

Tomorrow is the DAY!! I am excited, and nervous too. Been on pre-op for 12 days... Its been pretty hard.. had a few crackers and one day actually had a piece of extra crispy bacon I also had a couple of bagel bites one day too. It seemed so hard for me, not eating with the rest of the family. I think I've lost about 12 pounds total.. I didn't weigh myself on my home scale before my pre-op diet, but based on my weight at the dr office and my weight on my scale now, its about 12pds. SO I'm going with that, Surgery is at 8:30, have to check in at 6:30AM. Went grocery shopping today to get some stuff I can eat in the next 2 weeks.
sherun

sherun

2
Blog 96969
 

Liquid Diet

I'm on phase one of my two week liquid diet. I've become cranky and pissed at the world.:w00t: I miss food, but I know I'm doing this for a better me. Luckily, I have great support and my friends understand my emotions are temporary. Each day the liquid diet becomes easier, but it's a challenge to be on such a restricted diet. I'm glad my doctor gave me two weeks because it gave me time to adjust to my lifestyle change. :biggrin:
Loyalfriend

Loyalfriend

4
sheilamj1fan's Journal
 

It's Been A Minute

Hello Everyone,   I've been meaning to blog, but I've been so busy! But to catch you all up to speed, my band doesn't have a leak YAY! :biggrin: So, I'm still on the mushies by choice, and I love what I'm seeing, RESULTS!:w00t: I haven't had meat in a month almost, August 24th will be a month. So I'm working out seven days a week and staying focused! Until next time.   Keep the FAITH!
sheilamj1fan

sheilamj1fan

0
Blog 92116
 

standing to eat.....

When i'm home, of course i can stand up and walk around and take forever to eat...but we go out a lot and this was becoming a problem!! so now (in a restaurant) i have to find an excuse to stand up and walk somewhere during my meal. otherwise, i get stuck! so when i get that feeling, usually after a bite or two, i either have to stop eating altogether or I walk to the restroom, or pretend to get something (buffet line), etc... It's kind of funny b/c i'll tell my husband, "I'm going to get you a napkin, fork, etc..." but he doesn't need any of these things!! LOL! I've also resorted to putting my food in a take-out container and finishing it in the car as we drive home. this way, i can take my time to eat (60+ minutes) but my husband doesn't have to sit there, bored to tears, waiting for me!! I'm glad to have restriction!!! :biggrin:
J_BandRanger

J_BandRanger

4
Blog 92116
 

back from vacation....

Bad: I ate Coldstone Creamery Good: I ate the smallest size instead of the largest size! Bad: some of my food choices weren't "diet friendly" Good: I didn't eat nearly as much as I would have eaten before i was banded. Good: I did exercise. there was this beautiful smooth treadmill at the hotel !!! Bad: I only made it to the gym once (but that's better than 'not at all'!! right?) Good: I forced myself to get on the scale (at the gym) and despite all of my "vacation blunders" over the last month, I still managed to loose another 3 pounds!!! (23 total) Bad: had it not been for all of my "vacation blunders" over the last month, I'd probably be down 43 pounds!!! - oh well, at least i'm going down, no matter how slowly, instead of up!
J_BandRanger

J_BandRanger

3
Blog 98741
 

Doc App. Update..

In Saturday Aug. 21st I had my second post op check up appointment, and it went very well. I was given a 100% and allowed to go back to normal activities, just cant go back to the gym for two more weeks:sad:....other than that, Im off to give this journey a kick start!:w00t:   I was also given my appointment for my first fill!!! Im really excited about it, I really ready to feel some restriction! So On September 18 @ 9am Im getting my gas tank filled up!!!   Best of luck and prayers to all!:biggrin:
ArmyWives

ArmyWives

3
Blog 99801
 

west hartford lap bander

Hello my name is Diane, I'm going thru the process for surgery too,, at ST Raphels, maybe we can support one another, I live in CT too, just got approved, I have to set up pre op app for testing. this week.
ladyditkd

ladyditkd

0
Blog 99760
 

Me.......

I had my surgary 12/29/2009...It's been 8 months now and I am so glad that I did the surgary.... I have lost almost 60lbs, and its been a struggle.... I walk anywhere from 2-5 miles a day.. I have lots of energy now.. I went from a size 18-20... to a 12-14..woohooo.... I'm so proud of myself...And thanks to my hubby for being supportive.. We cook healthier now... and the kids are on this diet as well.... they just don't know it... we just cook so much healthier here at home... we do go out to eat.. but not much... life is so much better now... thanks to dr. salimitari for being a big help in this... thanks again ....:biggrin:
debus09

debus09

3
Blog 94798
 

Post Op Day 17

Ok so it has been awhile. I have had a few struggles over the last week with weight loss. I had been losing about a pound a day and for 4 days I lost nothing. I have been extremely gassy and had bouts of diarrhea and constipation. I went to my support group and the nurse and dietitcian sort of helped me figure some things out. I am now including 1 solid item a day in my diet. I have tried mashed potatoes, cream of chicken soup, scrambled eggs and today I tried tuna. I have tolerated all of them well. The tuna today made me kinda bloated. I think I will stay away from that a little longer. I still intend to continue my protein drinks. I really like the GNC Soy protein chocolate and in 16 ounces with skim milk I can get 70 g of protein. They are convenient and I am not hungry in the morning so I can take it with me to work. Anyway, bloating and gas are gone today and I was down 2 pounds from yesterday. School starts Monday and I am in a good place emotionally and nutritionally. I have dropped 26.5 pounds and I think most of my clothes will fit again. I will wait for awhile to buy new stuff. I barely got to wear the new stuff I bought in the spring before it was too small. I am excited for the future and prepared to do battle in the classroom. My knee works great now thanks to surgery in June and I have satisfied the arthritis dragon for another couple of months.:biggrin:
belld

belld

2
Blog 3238
 

I knew it'd hurt but...

It's been 4 days since my surgery and I could swear it's been 2 weeks. In my case, though, it's been 2 weeks of pure torture. I've had it so bad that I knowingly forgot the reason I had decided to do it. I can't tell you all how many times I cried into the crook of my boyfriend's neck saying that I shouldn't have done it. Where do i start? To begin with, my first day at the hospital went as good as could've been expected. I came in around 9:30am, registered and sat in the waiting room to be called so I could get prepped. Once I was called, they had me change, took my vitals and walked me on over to the surgery's waiting room floor. I waited there, on a stretcher, for about 45 minutes before the anesthesiologist came to get me. Once I walked in the operating room, they had me get on the operating table, get comfortable and then proceeded to work my hand looking for that perfect IV spot. It took the technician 2 failed tries before he decided to ask the anesthesiologist for help. Newbies! At least I hope he was... I could feel another person prepping my legs with those air casts. Once everything seemed to settle in, the anesthesiologist began the "Small talk" (designed to take away from the real purpose and that's that he's putting you to sleep) Since I already knew what he was doing, I went with the flow and before I knew it, I was being wheeled into the recovery room. Wow! But then it hit me. A thousand knivesof pure fire piercing right into my abdomen. Needless to say, I was pumped full of morphine which decreased the intensity of the pain but I certainly didn't forget it was there. When the doctor finally came aorund to my bedside in the recovery room, he had explained to me that he had found the beginnings of a hernia near my belly button and repaired it as well as the operation having been a success. That night, I stayed in the ICU ward as is customary with all new VSG patients. Only a few hours out of surgery and I was already being asked to walk. Wtf?! Damn, they don't wait. I proved my walking skills at 4 am when I was told I had to walk if I wanted to get back in my bed to sleep. At that time, they had let me rest a bit before putting me on a recliner. So.. I walked myself to sleep. The next few days turned into a constant whirl fo emotions. For 3 straight days, my stomach rumbled for lack of food. The broths and liquids they served were cold and disgusting. Nothing worth even mentioning. But the pain in my stomach wasn't leaving. They stitched my abdomen too tight (in my opinion) because when I get up and walk my abdomen doesn't "hang" the way it should, only my right side does. My left side looks sunken in and any "excess" that should've just fell into place, doesn't. Instead, it hangs over the stitched area like a water balloon. And that is where all my pain is. I told the nurses and doctors about this but they keep telling me it's nothing. My instincts tell me different. I was discharged yesterday and I can still barely walk. When I do walk, which is only to the bathroom, I always have to hold my left side in. And suffice to say, I still can't clean myself. My doting beautiful boyfriend took over my bathroom duties for now and has been taking care of my every need. I'm keepng myself medicated so I won't feel much pain. My first appt is this coming Wednesday and I am absolutely terrified of going simply because it means I have to walk. My boyfriend asked me to wait until then to see what happens. He says I did technically have 2 operations in one and my body is swollen for the most part. Since I can't really disagree with him, I have no choice but to wait. Only good thing to being home, other than my boyfriend, is that the food choices are not so limited and I can actually have some hot broth. Mmmm. Nothing compares to a nice hot bowl of liquid esp. when your boyfriend is eating steak. :huh0: (Sigh)
Butrcupz622

Butrcupz622

2
Blog 89976
 

3 days post-op!

I'm 3 days post op and I'm moving around good. Today, I'm managing on plain tylenol...the tylenol #3 makes me too sleepy. I'll save the heavy hitter for tonight! I'm sore but it's tolerable. I'm bloated....and I'm focused on trying to get all the fluids I need in.. I feel too full to drink anything, but I know I have to. I force a burp every time I drink and if air comes out the other way, that's a bonus!!:biggrin: It sounds gross but it makes my bloated stomach feel sooo much better. My doc has me on prilosec twice a day and clears for a whole week! I'm not hungry yet...Although, my son was cooking sausages earlier and I thought about chewing them and spitting them out...just to get the flavor! But, I didn't, that was the old me! :w00t: I fell asleep the other night b4 I took pain meds, and was awakened to the feeling of knives poking my stomach with every breath! Take your pain meds before you go to sleep!! I can feel the band on my stomach a little and that makes me squeemish :ohmy: When I take pain meds, that sensation goes away... So, the moral of this post is take pain meds and walk, burp and pass gas, and you'll feel just fine!! LOL! Hope this helps
chubbynurse

chubbynurse

4
Blog 94821
 

8 days post op and finally feeling better

Well, I am finally feeling better today. I'm still a little hungry but it feels different. It doesnt hurt. It's a 'normal' hunger pain. Also, I have more energy, however, I take a medication for my sleep apnea called Nuvigil and this is the first day I have taken it since my surgery. It promotes 'wakefullness'. YEAH, it feels so great to feel better today. :biggrin:   thanks for all the advice everyone!!! I cant wait to be skinny and healthy again. I keep telling my daughters who are 14 and 25 that I'm going to be borrowing their clothes soon. :w00t: They both weigh around 130.
ebtkm5

ebtkm5

6
Blog 90804
 

Closet Shopping

Yes, I went closet shopping today. I've lost 30 pounds and it was time to make a change. Some of my clothes were just too big - wow, what a great thing to say! And you know, I've read posts on here by people who have said they completely got rid of their "big" clothes. I struggled and debated about this all morning . . . I just can't do it. I put most things in a box to give away (I have lots of friends and relatives who will be glad to get them, I know). But the dress clothes for work that cost sooo much . .. I put away. It makes me a little sad, but I just can't trust it yet . .. I am losing weight, sure, but the weight has ALWAYS come back - ALWAYS. Will the band be enough to really allow me to keep off the weight this time? That IS my goal and that is the reason I got the band - I've posted here before that I truly don't care if the weight comes off slowly, as long as it stays off. I don't know, what do you think? Does this make me a pessimist to think that the weight might return? I hope and pray that when I reach my goal weight I stay there . . . I'm just not sure. For today, it was encouraging and fun to pull a smaller size out of the closet (I have multiple sizes in multiple closets like most of us). I'll keep working and making healthy choices and see where this road takes me . . I'm lovin' it so far! Here we go . . :biggrin:
marw

marw

11
Angela's Blog
 

Vegetable Rice Soup--Fabulous!

Easy vegetable-rice soup Serves 4     Of course, you may chop a fresh onion and a bell pepper or two to substitute for the frozen mixture but why? I prefer the convenience. Some frozen onion-bell pepper mixes contain celery or other seasoning vegetables. They work fine, as do larger quantities of the vegetables (if you should find a 1-pound bag, for instance, use that).     1 tablespoon canola oil 12 ounces smoked sausage, such as kielbasa or skinless turkey smokes sausage 12 ounces frozen onion-bell pepper mix 3 to 4 cups minced fresh green cabbage ( I will use a bag of cole slaw cabbage) 2 cloves garlic, minced, about 2 teaspoons 1 teaspoon thyme A 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional 1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth 2/3 cup white or brown rice 15 ounces canned crushed tomatoes   Put oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Chop sausage into A 1/4-inch (or so) pieces ( I cut the sausage in slices then quarter those so I get sausage in every bite), and add to saucepan as you do. When all the sausage is added, cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown. Add onion-bell pepper mix, and stir. Add cabbage, garlic and thyme (and cayenne pepper, if using) as you get them ready.     Keeping the heat as high as you can, cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally, or until the vegetables are tender and have reduced quite a bit in size.     Add chicken broth, 1 cup of water and rice. When the mixture boils, reduce heat, cover and cook 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Stir in tomatoes, bring to a boil and serve. Serve with garlic bread.     Nutrient data per serving: 368 calories, 20 grams protein, 49 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams fiber, 11 grams fat   Courtesy of Sarah Fritschner, Courier Journal   http://www.blogger.com/home
anglov

anglov

0
Blog 98150
 

Praising God for His help

Went to the seminar on the 18th. I have my first appointment to see the nutritionist on the 27th. So i started on Thursday eating different. Discipline my self now. This way when i get the surgery it does not shock my body nor brain. So i have cut my portions, counting those calories, forcing myself to eat veggies and yogurt. Veggies n yogurt i dont like but ive been looking up recipes. Found some good ones on how to cook veggies where i may like them.   Im going to join the Y.M.C.A in sept. I am a local truck driver. Only home on the weekends. The Y at them moment till sept,is only open on saterday. Sept they start oping on sundays too.   Also been really reading up on the lap-band®®®. Doing my homework.   Seems a long ways away for the surgery. Im not very patient but i have to be. I have no choice.   The main person that is helping me with eating right is God. With out Him i could not do this. I have no well power but the good Lord is right here with me helping me with my cravings. Praise you Lord and Thank You
SbuggleBear

SbuggleBear

1

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