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Blog 87104
 

Made My First Appointment

I finally called and made my first appointment with Dr. Singh. I attended his seminar late last summer, and I finally made the call. I kept thinking when it would be the right time, since the Dr. said its important to go through with the surgery when you don't have a lot of stress in your life. Probably and impossible thing, but I've made some changes to get rid of the stresses that I can.   I'm totally nervous to go through with this. It's those little things....the "what if"s. That and I really hate throwing up, so I hope that I don't have that much of a problem post-op.   My appointment is March 31, 2010. I want to loose at least 100 lbs. with this surgery. Hopefully the loss will help me gain my confidence and start to live again!
thefuzzytongue

thefuzzytongue

2
Blog 79623
 

Weekend before lap-band surgery...

3/20/2010 Well, here I sit, about 33 hours from checking in for my surgery. This month has really gone by fast. I've been on a liquid diet consisting of 3 Atkins shakes a day, sugar-free drinks and jello, and water since 3/16. The first 3 days were hard. I even felt kind of faint after my shower yesterday. My friend thinks I had a vasovagal reaction from the hot shower, so today I took a lukewarm shower and was fine. Today I also didn't feel as hungry. I even forgot to drink my lunch shake and never had it until 3:30. I did cheat a little and had some low-fat, low-salt chicken broth because I was getting kind of sick of all the sweet stuff. I'm feeling pretty calm considering my surgery is so close, but let's see how I feel tomorrow night at this time! I'm glad I have to report to the hospital so early on Monday (5:30) because I'm pretty sure I won' sleep very well tomorrow night anyway!
matilda01

matilda01

6
Blog 295
 

Doctor's Appointment Update

I went to a scheduled doctor's appointment today to discuss my low blood pressure issues. Over the past week my blood pressure had seemed better (101/57), but I kept the appointment because he only works one Saturday a month. The nurse took my bp and it was 96/61. The doctor took it manually and got a very low reading as well and then switched to a different cuff. He told me that because of how small I am now a child's cuff would give me a more accurate reading. With it he said I'm definitely "low," but my pulse rate is slow as well, so he's not concerned like he would be if I had a normal pulse rate. He explained the whole thing in detail, but my eyes glazed over and I just half listened. BUT, the good news is that I'm okay for now. He was also really glad to hear that I was trying to maintain. He didn't say that I shouldn't lose anymore, but if I did, it needed to be at a much slower rate.   My husband actually came to this appointment with me and at the end brought up my emotional state. The doctor confirmed that the weight loss is a contributing factor to my state. After more of a discussion though, we decided I would try a low dose of an anti-depressant for a month and then see him again. I won't go into the contributing factors here, but he also wants me to see a psychiatrist. I'm cautious, but a little hopeful that maybe this medicine will help get me in a good place again.   I'll be seeing my surgeon on April 1, and will see what he has to say about these issues as well.
deedee

deedee

2
Blog 82069
 

so excited

starting weight-295 current weight-264 I had my sugery on January 12, 2010 thats 31 pounds in two months. I go for my second fill on thursday my mini goal is to lose 5 more pounds by then i can do it.
losingitjania

losingitjania

4
Angela's Blog
 

A couple of concerns...

:scared2:I really need to stop going on You Tube and looking up Lap band. I have come across a lot on complications and I can't help but check them out. I keep telling myself that the majority are patient error not the band itself but I am still very concerned. I am especially concerned because I have to pay for this surgery out of my pocket. I wonder if my insurance will cover any complications, other than actually have to do more surgery on me. I mean like if I get an infection or something like that. I am worried. I can't afford that. Another issue, is more being pissed off than a concern. I have seen postings where they say don't tell anyone. It is personal. Yes that is true that it is personal and it is your choice whether to tell people or not that you got banded but at the very least DON'T LIE about it. I know of someone who never let on that she had the band. She lost a lot of weight fast and when people asked her she said she was working out and dieting. They ooh'd and aah'd over her and bragged about her determination and success. Well then she ends up having plastic surgery for her arms because of all the hanging skin and a tummy tuck. Well it was weird because usually if you are dieting and working out then you would not lose weight so fast that your skin would hang to the point that you needed plastic surgery. Her closest friend spilled the beans last week during one of her usual ramblings that I tune out but this caught my ear and she suddenly was like well ummm she didn't want anyone to know. You LIAR!! After people started noticing her weight loss she started giving updates on her progress but all the while saying it was the workouts she did. We have a gym at work and she attended for a while but not after her plastic surgery. I am not saying who she is or repeating this to anyone else at work. I wasn't the only one there when she spilled the beans either. It is not my place to tell others her story but it just rubs me wrong that she pretended to be something she's not. There are several people at work that have either been banded or had gastric so it's not big news. Sorry just frustrated...
anglov

anglov

1
Just another day. . .
 

I've lost that lovin' feeling

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that the scale has become more of an afterthought. Maybe it's because I'm maintaining now, or I'm finally happy with where I'm at weight/size/shape wise. But, to be honest, I'm kind of mourning the loss of weighing all the time. I miss the high of jumping on the scale and seeing the numbers drop. I miss seeing the scale go down every day, and wondering what I can do to fill that void.   I've shopped until my little heart is content. I've decided to get some of my clothes altered because I didn't wear them that long, and I really love certain pieces.   I guess this is just a different phase of this journey that didn't really prepare myself for mentally or emotionally. I never denied being addicted to the scale, but I'm realizing that I am/was addicted to see those numbers drop every day. Now, it just says the same thing day in and day out.   I know I should be elated. I realize that I should be stoked about my results. But, from one addiction to another is a weird transition. And, now I'm left with nothing to find as exhilarating as the numbers on the scale going down every day.   Thought I would share my newest revelation. I need to find something to excite me and give me that "umph" of joy that I had during my losing stage.
Tiffykins

Tiffykins

4
Blog 52574
 

Need a fill so bad!!!

I really sympathize w/all of you who have to wait a month between fills now. My doctor allows fills every 2 weeks if you feel like you need one. But, I made the mistake of waiting before making my next appointment and this time they had no appointments available when I felt like I needed one. So, the soonest I could get in is four weeks after my last fill. And, I just feel like I have almost no restriction at all right now. AND, I still have to wait ONE MORE WEEK! ACK!!! :waytogo:   Even worse, I am not losing any weight. I am being very good about my exercise so really hoping that this means I've at least gained some muscle and lost some body fat (even if the scale isn't moving down). Of course, I won't know that until I get on the doctor's scale (that breaks it all out) so for now I am just bummed that the scale is not going down. :eek:   I don't want this post to be totally negative, though, so let me share at least one positive thing that has happened for me this past week and that is that I now fit into some even smaller jeans. The smaller jeans I was excited to fit into a month ago are now loose and some that I could not even pull up on me before, I can wear comfortably. Woohoo!!! :mad:
adagray

adagray

2
Blog 81497
 

Feeling very frustrated

262 that's where I have been stuck and now a week after my fill still stuck there. I watch what I eat, my portions are small and nothing is happening. Then I get home and my insurance paid $1,000 of the surgery they pre approved leaving me with a bill for $25,000. Feeling a huge amount of regret for having this surgery. It's not working and now my insurance is pulling the rug out from under me. I was so excited to have this done, lost the 15 pounds I was required to and the day of surgery I weighed 270, so since surgery I have lost 8 pounds. My surgery was Feb 8 here we are March 20. I signed up for the process because it was slow and and I had to work at it as well but seriously 8 pounds in 6 weeks? Those 8 pounds were in the first week, nothing since then. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week and work out for an hour. This is how I felt before my surgery, no matter what I did it didn't work, with surgery no matter what I do it doesn't work.   This sucks!!!!
Shannon64

Shannon64

3
Blog 79531
 

Saturday 3/20/2010

I hit my 10 pound loss today!!! Start Date on 3/11/10 weighing in at 344 Today = 334 Yay!!! I've lost weight many times in my life, it's funny how in the beginning of something it seems so scary even if you've done it before. I'm just glad I'm doing something. Oh yeah - I had a light bulb moment last night before I went to bed. It finally clicked in my brain that there isn't something wrong with my internally, psychologically, etc. Somehow I kept thinking there was some outside reason that I had a problem with over eating but now I realize that it was just because I liked doing it. It was just that I was too ashamed to admit it to myself or others, I suppose because that would then make it my fault. In reality, I guess it has been. There is something truly liberating about not being a "victim" anymore! Today, I'm feeling enlightened and hopeful! God Bless   :mad:
peprmentpati

peprmentpati

1
Blog 64499
 

A while...

It's been a while since I've blogged. Things have been slow in the weight loss dept but otherwise life is good. We're almost finished with the purchase our first home! Hopefully moving in a few weeks.   I think I'm in a funk right now, I'm having trouble sticking to my pre-op diet and now I'm getting discouraged. Not to the point of quitting, but I'm not as dilligent as I once was. I've increased my exercise but I'm not eating as well as I was six months ago.   It's times like these where I get really annoyed with my surgeon. I know he gave me my pre-op goal weight for a reason, and I'll have a better result after surgery. I just don't know how to get back on track and lose these last 40 lbs before my surgery. I'm also finding myself getting a little jealous of other people who don't have to lose so much before they get surgery scheduled. Some days that inspires me to work harder, but other days I get so discouraged. (I think this may be one of the latter...)   I don't really know where I was going with this, I think I just needed to get it out. Whew.
singand_dance

singand_dance

1
Blog 1107
 

Just had to post before I leave on vacation.

I dropped 5 lbs this week after a stall that I thought would never end! I am down to 180.8! I haven't been this small since right after I had my daughter and I had post partum so bad that I never ate (not healthy!).   Diarrhea is here to stay for a while, I am afraid, but I can handle when I am seeing progress.   I took a day off of working out today (I work out 7 days a week) so that I could go to dinner with my very patient and kind hubby (He has been really great to me through this) and my kids. I had a nice filet and even a few pieces of potato. It felt great.   I am a solid size 12 and I keep buying clothes even though by mid summer they probably (hopefully won't fit!) But I wanted some nice things for our trip. We are leaving for a week at the beach in the morning.   I feel great and I am so happy this sleeve is doing its job! There were so many days where I did wonder if I had made the right decision! I think I did! :biggrin0: Yay me!
excited2lose

excited2lose

2
Blog 81847
 

Im approved!!! What now!?

:mad: SOOOOO NOW WHAT??? IM SCARED...MY DATE FOR SURGERY IS MARCH 30TH...IM NERVOUS ABOUT HOW I WILL FEEL AFTER..THE PAIN LEVEL...IM SCARED THAT I WILL NOT LOSE ANY WAIT AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME...IM AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE HANGING MEAT! I DONT WANT THAT...IM EXCITED...TO FIT IN AIRPLANE SEAT PROPERLY....IM EXCITED...TO NOT BE OUT OF BREATH ALL THE DAMN TIME....IM EXCITED TO NOT HAVE TO HOLD MY STOMACH EVERYDAY ALL DAY...IM EXCITED...TO NOT SWEAT MY DAMN HAIR OUT... SO IM SCARED AND EXCITED...ANY ADVICE...LOL:confused:
juicygirl1

juicygirl1

3
Blog 85448
 

The Neighbor from Hell

When we moved from VA six years ago, we found that most of our neighbors were really friendly - except for one couple. From the get-go these people would not say "Hello" or even acknowledge us. We live across the street and two doors down - within eye and ear shot. After witnessing a few incidents of some rough treatment by the parents to their kids and each other, we figured we were blessed NOT to have made their acquaintence.   So imagine my surprise last holiday season when I was up on a ladder helping the hubs hang lights. He was out of sight(on the roof) when I hear a loud voice(rocking a Sopranos accent) call out, "OMG Should someone that SIZE be on a ladder!?!" It was Mrs. Charming Neighbor. Neither my husband and I acknowledged the comment. I sure clarified for me why they didn't like me/us - my weight - what else could it be?   Several weeks later we attended a neighborhood Christmas party. I was floored when our next door neighbor extended her sympathies - apparently she'd heard from Mrs. Charming Neighbor that my husband and I were having problems?! Huh - apparently the fact that my husband was out-of-town for a week long business trip, followed by a trip back to VA to finalize the sale on the house equaled him "leaving me"!? A couple of weeks after that, we had our 6 and 8 year-old niece and nephew spend the weekend while mom & dad a some time off. We don't have kids of our own. Was I surprised to hear the rumor that we were only allowed visitation rights?! Ugh! Today was the icing on the cake. I'm out cleaning up the yard in prep for my spring planting, when I hear Mrs. Charming Neighbor bellow, " Looks like LardAss has finally lost some weight!" Ah, but this time Ms. Nice Girl didn't keep her mouth shut - I bellowed right back, "You're right and thanks for noticing! Too Bad Your Mouth Is As Fat As Ever!" My husband - who took the day off -was rolling with laughter in the garage!:mad:
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

5
Blog 85392
 

pre-op diet hell

Ok, im on day 5 of my liquid diet, people said it would get easier, it hasnt. My dr. has me on   3 protien shakes 3 sugar free jello 1 cup chicken broth 2 cup light yogurt   Does this sound normal? Im hungry and struggling, i have not cheated yet but this is so hard...any advise?:mad: Thanks, Trish
trisha lynne

trisha lynne

2
Blog 85346
 

Pre-op Diet

Hey everyone this is my first time here. I am having surgery on April 1st. Today is my 2nd day of the pre-op diet, does anyone have any tips on how to make the optifast shakes taste better? Yesterday was awful, lots of nausea and heartburn, today is a little better, when will the hunger pains subside? Any help would be appreciated!
Deedee3

Deedee3

2
Blog 87703
 

3 days after surgery

Well the pain is def pretty much gone but i'm still swollen. Mostly where they repaired the hornia and etc. I'm trying to get all my protein in and fluids but dang I am struggling. I;m down 15 pounds since last thursday. Now that the swelling is going down more is coming off. I'm trying hard to get liquids in but between drinking and jello I am constantly full so it's hard to drink all the time
butterflytats

butterflytats

5
Blog 23942
 

Starting Over

I had my surgery on 02/09/2007 and was very happy with my results in the beginning. My starting weight was 298 lbs and I managed to get down to 228 lbs in less than a year. Well, as of today's weigh-in I am at 262 lbs, which is a loss for me because I got all the way back up to 279 lbs. I just feel very disappointed in myself because I see my girlfriends that had the surgery with me losing weight and keeping it off. To my defense, I did have my band opened for most of 2008 due to reflux and possible slippage. Yeah I was suppose to go back and have an adjustment, but life got in the way and I became very depressed and of course food was my crutch.   Well, I am trying to get back on track now. I started back at the gym, increased my protein and decided to start utilizing this LAP-BAND® forum again. So wish me luck! This time I will stay focused and on track! :mad:
amatt020907

amatt020907

1
Blog 68671
 

Easter Challenge 5th Weigh In- 2 Weeks left

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtJHinfw3ya3dFFUVUd5NVhreklrV3p1RlItVXcwd0E&hl=en   Hello Everyone, we're coming down to the wire, 2 weeks left.   Here is the list of us that have stayed on track!! I honor you guys/gals for all your effort!!:mad:   kdee Mechelle amanda Christie JeweI Teacher2010 LeighaMason ~amy~ Jennifer lamber2299 April09Bandster Melinco juliansmom2003 Lisa 73 shadst8 Karen Dyer530 dbeers tbird1211 lexi89 kpdgal JessiAP Liz.Rochelle Vanessa Kay DDGalarza Bree99 JoiaRox emtsusieq
kdee

kdee

1
Try, Try Again
 

Weigh-in

243.3 this morning. I managed to lose a few without even trying. Nice!   Mini-goal: 225 (pre-pregnancy weight) This will put me back at the 50lb mark too.   18 to go!
juno610

juno610

1
Blog 87839
 

In the beginning

I was born in 1959 and was given up for adoption at birth. I was adopted and released at age 3 months due to having conjunctiveitis as a newborn. I love my adoptive parents but they are both very thin persons and here I am or was the cute chubby kid that grew into the cute fat adult with a few years of being a sexy thin person in my early 20's thanks to large amounts of Dexatrim, excessive exercise and starvation eating. My parents were told when I was adopted that my biological mother was 5' and 200 lbs or so and that there was a chance that I would also be short and heavy. I'm 5'2" and presently 260 lbs. At my highest I was close to 310 back in 2005 and have somehow managed to lose about 50 lbs and keep them off. I'm a nervous eater so when things weren't so hot in my life, I would eat - anything.   Throughout my childhood I was fairly active riding bike, playing outside, softball, kickball and running around the neighborhood with the neighborhood kids and marching band in highschool. My mother took me to doctors for my weight starting around age 7-8. I was put on some synthetic thyroid meds and something else. I also suffered from severe constipation for years. (This was resolved at age 25 after I had lost 95 lbs and it was discovered that I had a deformed coccyx and it was pinching off my large intestine at the bowel area. I had surgery to have it removed and it was the best thing that I have done so far.) My mother claims that if she would not have taken me to the doctors, I would be heavier today. I'm not sure that is the case. She kept tight reigns on what I ate - at least what she saw me eat. She wouldn't let me have chips, cookies, I had a half sandwich for lunch with a half slice of lunch meat and an apple. Many of the kids I ate lunch with probably would have killed for lunch meat but I would have killed for their peanut butter and jelly whole sandwich. I got food from other sources and sneeked money out of my piggy bank to school in my shoe so that I could buy candy at the penny candy store across the street from school. If my mother wasn't home when I got home, I was in the potato chip can and cookies and sometimes even had a whole slice of lunch meat depending on how much was left. I truly think that I would not have done some of these things if I was allowed to have them in small amounts or as a treat. Who knows. I do believe in genetic predisposition though.   When I was 30, I found my biological mother and family. My mom had given me information and encouraged it so that we could find out any health/medical information and see if anything ran in the family. I had an adoption support counselor make contact for me and found out that the day she called, was the day that they were burying my birth mother. I had 2 half sisters though and my birth mother had a sister and 2 brothers that were still alive. It took a couple of years and finally I received a letter from birth mothers youngest brothers wife. It was warm and inviting and eventually I was able to meet everyone, including my 2 half sisters that were 11 and 12 1/2 years older than me. That aunt and uncle have 2 adopted kids themselves -a girl my age and a boy a year or 2 younger.   Over the years it has been a struggle - yo yo dieting - up down, down up. I'm afraid to try things like Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and weight watchers because they tell you what to eat or limit what you can eat and you have to visit and get weighted. I have aversions to being shamed if I gain a little and not given enough credit for when I do lose. (At least that is my opinion that stems from the childhood). My willpower is low. I'm not sure having surgery is the way to go because I feel like I should be strong enough to do this on my own. Surgery is so permanent (I know that band can be removed but what is the purpose of getting it if you have it removed?) and I would never have a gastric bypass. My half sister had one after she went up to nearly 500 lbs due to bad knees and knee surgery that didn't take and couldn't exercise. She is back down to around 240 but can't seem to lose more. The insurance company won't approve the surgery to remove the excess skin which would be about 40 lbs. Personally, I think that is cruel to do that to someone. It should be a package deal. Anyway, I couldn't stand to have that be me. I would rather be heavy than have all that loose skin hanging down. (I love you Ruthie). Sadly, our older sister Sandy passed away almost 4 years at age 60 of a heart attack brought on by uncontrolled diabetes high blood pressure. I myself am diabetic but pretty controlled with just glucophage and borderline high bp that is under control with a low dose of bp meds.   So, I decided to research out the LAP-BAND®®®®®® because I understand that since you lose slower than with gastric bypass, that your skin has a chance to shrink and isn't as bad, however, I'm 51 now and not 25-30 where things are still more elastic. I attended an online webinar last fall presented by the center/surgeon that my pcp referred me too. I had almost made up my mind to go through with it but then I learned that it could take up to about 6 months or so before one would have surgery or that I might have to go on some other diet for 6 months before my insurance would determine if they would pay or not - even though being diabetic with high bp and knee/joint issues should get me approved. I mentally couldn't handle that as I am of the nature that if I decide something, I want it to happen relatively fast so that I don't change my mind. So that is where I am right now. Not sure I want to commit and not sure I have the willpower to do the 2pre/2post weeks of liquids only and then my mind goes into the "what if I am one of the ones who has issues and problems afterwards forever"? I don't think that I am strong enough to be able to handle that.   I found this site March 13 after I started looking into more information. My best friend called me and said she was going to have the surgery and was supposed to go for her first consult March 18. I sent her the link to this site to be supportive of her decision. She called me on Tuesday and said she changed her mind and wasn't going to have it done.   I've created my own diet plan using the liquid protein, high protein, soft/mushie foods, lots of water and calories limited to 800-1000 to see if I can stick to it and see where I am by May 1. I'm still considering LAP-BAND®®®®®® surgery but I need to know that I can have the willpower to do this. If I have lost enough on my own so that I can start walking daily 30-45 mins on the treadmill and continue the diet, then maybe I will be strong enough to get off the excess lbs that I would like to get off without the surger. I have thin cartilidge in my knees that at the moment at my current weight they (knees) don't allow me to do any extensive walking other than in the stores as they go out of place and sometimes swell.   I've decided to use this forum as a support for myself - for my diet my way and perhaps live vicariously through those brave persons who have already made the commitment. I truly wish the best of luck to all you on this life changing endeavor and hopefully you will all be able to be my inspiration.   Yours Truly and :eek: Pat   :mad: and :waytogo:
Aquarius12459

Aquarius12459

3
Blog 85870
 

Surgery Date booked!

I am sooo excited! First, I have lost 10 pounds since being on the Atkins diet. Go me! I am now down to 209. I had my surgeon appointment and my medical clearance appointment this week. Surgeon appointment was a breeze. I chose to go with the Lap Band brand, we discussed where the port will go and what to expect day of and day after surgery. Then the next day i met with the clearance doctor. We went over all my test results, she felt my abdomen, checked my breathing then said, "let's get you a date! You are ready!". I couldn't believe it. I followed her to the insurance woman and she looked over my file, suggested a date and said she would call me tomorrow for my next appointments.   So, I am scheduled for March 29th! Can't believe its just around the corner. Makes everything soooo real. I have to do all my last minute shopping for food and supplies and also do the Easter shopping for my little munchkins this week! I am just so relieved to have an end date and a new beginning in sight.   I am ready!
Jilly29

Jilly29

5

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