Day Dreamer

Kim and Moore's post really scare me. To be honest, this scares the hell out of me. Does the leak cause the lung to collapse? How do tell the difference between normal post op pain and something more serious?!?! :eek: Thanks!!

My friends think I am crazy because I am addicted to these boards. I just feel this urge to find out as much as possible before I make the jump. It is scary, but reading the bad is just as important as reading the good. Just bare in mind, that every person is different, their surgeons are different and their heal time will be different. I have to remind myself that the surgery is unique to each person and it will be for me too!

Not to sound gross, but ACV can be used in the treatment of hemorroids. You can ingest 1 tbs daily as well as use it topically. Note: dilute ACV when using topical as it will cause burning. Wipe off excess with wet cloth or baby wipe. Use after every movement to reduce hemorroid size and pain. I googled it and thought, Hmmm will this really work. It did for me, and I have used every treatment out there. I am wondering though, is ACV safe to swallow post sleeve?? It works for acid reflux, but I am very nervous about what can go in after the sleeve due to sensitive nature of the stomach. Thanks

I can't seem to find any current /past banders of Dr. Oldham in Etown. Please drop me a line if you went through BlueGrass because I am considering them over Louisville Bariatric group. Thank you

I went to the Bluegrass seminar on Saturday. It was ok except Dr. Oldham was in emergency surgery?!!? So the coordinator and finance person gave the seminar the best they could. It was a bit one sided as the coordinator had the Band and that is all she spoke about. She grazed over the other options saying she didn't have information on them. Sad. She did mention the Bariatric Advantage program and said how well it works but that it was not mandatory. She said many people use Atkin's brand shakes or other meal replacement bars, but they need them to be low carb. I am thinking about going to Dr Lusco's seminar at the end of this month. Not sure if I am up for the drives back and forth though.

Ok Kristen, now I KNOW you are talking about my hubby!! Muhahaha!! What a turd, who let him out of the house again?!?! Seriously. My hubby just looks at me when I talk about my WLS, but I can feel his nasty thoughts. He has gained weight but he doesnt eat for a day and BOOM he is magically 5 lbs lighter. Don't get me wrong, I love my hubby, but there are some people that WILL NOT support you no matter what! I refuse to tell certain people in my life, because I feel they would not uplift me - ergo, I joined this board!!! I love it here. Yeah, you get the ney sayers but you get so much more support and motivation. I check LBT multiple times a day!! I love it that much. My point is, you don't need to defend your choices and you do have people that support you - US!!! We will be here to support your choices (Band or not), motivate you, uplift you and share experiences with you. It might be an online friendship, but it is supportive friendship none the less!!! My story -> watch this (SlimQuick commercial LOL)

Just talking about this very subject with my friend because I am 1 or 2 point from BMI after doing the pre op diet (just to see if I could do the shakes).... I think the ankle weight thing is scary because what if they found them. I will drink some Water tonight and see how much weight it adds. I know my bladder is weak though (from being overweight) so I am not sure how long I could hold it; or if it would even be enough water to help me meet BMI. BTW it seems some bariatric groups are more strict about weighing in than others..

Ok guys... maybe it is my nerves.. but - if people can lose weight with "no fills", maybe I don't need the Band? Do you have any restriction with no fills in? I keep telling myself that if I can just follow that pre op diet and post op diet, then I won't even need the surgery. I know - if I could, I probably would have a long time ago. I have no doubt I might be able to lose 20 lbs but I know it would not be permenant. Just curious. Thanks

Hey CCBC, I have been researching both options. My seminar is tomorrow, so I am anxious. I think that if it is meant to be, you will get your surgery (no matter which one it is). Just think, many people that need Band revision or removals, end up getting the sleeve anyway. You shouldn't feel defeated just yet. Keep your chin up. Hugs!!!!

Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if you had any back problems before the surgery? I had spinal cord surgery last year and wondered if I would have severe back pain after this surgery. I hope you feel better soon!!!

Kristen, were you talking to my husband?!?! LOL Omg... sounds just like him. My friend had RNY a couple years back and he tore into her about how lazy she was. She was in tears and I yelled at him to stop!! She was so hurt that she wouldn't come over to the house when he was there. Here it is years later, I am now fat and looking to get WLS and what say he - not a darn thing!!! LOL I am not sure why people are so rude and think they understand what you are going through. I get this a lot at work with this thin girl who constantly ask me if I worked out the night before. WTH?!!? Why do you care? She said she is just looking out for me, but I am sick of it!!! I even got a candy bar and walked past her eating it. She said.. oh I wish I could eat that but I am trying be bikini perfect by June... pfft.. Bikini-smini!!! Needless to say, I won't be telling her about my surgery She can kiss my fat butt!!

ccbc, I have read that you cannot get the Lap Band if you had the Nissen Fundoplasty. I did read that you would be able to do RNY instead. Is that an option?? I was going through Louisville as well (Dr Schuster) but worried about the drive and follow up visits. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you are doing well and staying positive. Did you have any pain when loading the dishwasher? Do they give you type of compression garmet post op? Thanks and good luck!

Aww you guys.. here I am having my pity party and seems there are other people that feel this way. Yeah, I know I am a bit hard on myself - but I feel like I have to be. No one else is going to discipline me, if I don't. @ Aro - your words cut to my heart. I suppose women are a bit more cruel when it comes to judging but I know men do it too. I am ashamed to tell people I was a soldier... and worse if they ask "how long ago was that?". Wow. Really? @ Everyone - I thought I could have some "fat accpetance" but just can't get my mind around it. I feel like people stare at me everywhere I go. They must think, "Oh that poor girl. She is out of control". *sigh* But it is so much worse when your friends and family judge you. They remember this thin, fit girl.. then they see me. My own child thinks I am "sooo big". Ugh. I want to lose weight for her too. yes, for me, but for her too. I want to run and play with my daughter. I want to fit in the chair at the school when she has a recital. I want her to say my mom is soo pretty instead of my mom is sooo big. Food has become my enemy. I don't even like the smell of food anymore. Things that tasted good, no longer offer that console. I want the band to help me - help myself. Does that make sense? I need that extra edge to fight this war. Dieting alone is like fighting a war with a limited number of bullets.. [motivation]... once my bullets are gone, I will lose the war.

Looking for E-town/Radcliff pre op people. Thinking of going through BlueGrass instead of my originally planned St Mary group. I am going to the seminar on Saturday

This is just plain scary for NOOBS like me to read. I am here to research, get honest info and hear good/bad stories. To be honest, it sounds like you started eating the bad foods (as you said, you began to crave). I know all WLS work differently on everyone. I know many people with varied WLS and most are doing well. One friend had her RNY 10 yrs ago and she is still thin as ever (she drinks socially and eats goodies but in small amounts). There are no 10 year studies in the US on Band (that I know of) but many people 5 years out are doing well. Some Bandsters don't even need it because they learned to eat and work out so that it is second nature. (Finger crossed, that will be me.) I want to hear about complications - because knowledge is power, but to blast the band because it didn't work for you is a bit harsh.

My coordinator said I would meet with the Dr two times pre op - once to do intake / vitals / all the insurance screening sutff (psych, labs etc) and one more time to set surgery date, ask any questions etc. I am sure every program, Dr and insurance vary, but mine looks like: Seminar Intake - weigh-in, labs, etc Paperwork submitted to insurance for approval Surgeon visit Surgery

Thank you for the kind words

Good info!! Thanks!!