GlitterG

THANK YOU!!!! I went in for my first fill yesterday at my Drs office. He tried twice to find the port but decided to send me over to do it with flouriscope. After sitting up I started feeling "fuzzy" and let him know. He sat me in the chair and asked if I was ok. I thought it was going away and he went out to tell the nurse to set me up for flouriscope - I closed my eyes and started taking deep breaths next thing I know the nurse is telling me to open my eyes. I guess I passed out for about 4 minutes and my pulse dropped to 40 and my lips started turning blue. They are required to call the EMS ... ugh so I had the EMS squad and fire truck there (how embarrasing). Recently I have been diagnosed with neuromediated syncope so I was reading on the forums prior to the fill and came across this post - which was very comforting when it DID happen to me I knew I wasn't alone. I just feel like I can't catch a break - The reason I was diagnosed is because when the Dr attempted to do my band surgery I coded on the table a few times. Second time was a charm though. I think I will try Birinak's suggestion with the salt next time. At least my Dr is familiar with my little oddities and he is AWESOME. Grace

Hi everyone! My name is Grace and I was banded on the 18th of April. This was my second round of surgery - first attempt was cancelled when I coded on the table a couple times. Everything turned out fine - just needed extra precautions. Because of the first round disappointment I came out of the recovery room hugging everyone! My incisions healed well. I had some red swelling but used some antibiotic cream and bandages at bed time and the redness went away. Days 1-2 I was on clear liquids then full liquids until week two. Now on mushies until week 5. I am having a hard time getting my protein and liquids in but I am trying hard. I have picked up the strawberry protein powder and mix that with twice as much milk ( 1 1/2 scoops to 25ozs of milk ) and do this twice a day now to get the protein and fluids. My daughter had picked me up these party shot glasses that makes drinking sips so much easier. I just pour from my shake mixer into the little cup. Somehow the shakes dont taste so bad this way (and the strawberry is new). Had my post op last week and Dr told me I can start exercising - nothing too crazy - just to make sure I sweat! AND EWWWW taco bell??? really??? I stopped eating those when I found out the meat they use is grade D - dog food is made from grade B ..... sooo you would be better off eating dog food! But the steak ... or a big fat juicy burger ... Actually - anytime I feel a hunger growing I take a sip of the shake.... I throw back a shot. I am not really paying attention to the scales (though I do weigh myself daily) just because I know it will not be an accurate guide with still healing from surgery.

We are band twins - I too had my band on 4/18. I haven't "cheated" but I also havent been hungry. I have been religious about getting the Protein in as I know my body needs the protein to heal. I make my first shake in the morning and add extra liquid to it in order to Water down that taste and to get in my liquids. My daughter picked me up some of those little plastic shot glasses - in the party section - and I pour my shake into those one drink at a time. I love the V8 Soups in a box and if they are a bit flavorless I just add a pinch of sea salt. I do confess to drinking a 6oz cup of coffee first thing in the morning (I have asthma and allergies and something about the warm coffee helps with the bronchial passages first thing in the morning without having to be medicated). I don't seem to be having any issues with my tummy except that swelling you mentioned. Because I had a previous scar my Dr chose to put the port in the center .... and the itching ... well that is a sign of healing. However, I do put on a bit of medicated ointment and a bandage over to "numb" the area to ignore the itching.

A friend of mine has had some success with Match and I met my husband at the laundry mat! Have you considered maybe taking a cooking class or art class at your local community college?

Banded on Monday the 18th. My heart behaved itself this time. Now on clear liquids until tomorrow then it will be full liquid for two weeks.

I am on day 8 of the pre op diet - for the second time. For me it is 2 shakes a day ... cottage cheese, yogurt, Jello, popcicles, and broth (ohhh and juice). I love the shakes ... every time I get the urge to cheat and eat something I can CHEW ... a smell of these things and my hunger goes out the window. Just the smell of them will make me gag! But if I cant do this prior to the surgery and not cheat - then it will be even that much easier to cheat after. I know me - I can justify ANYTHING if I want it bad enough. Personally I am not thinking - well I wont ever be able to eat ___ again ... sure I will - just in moderation!

Hi~ My name is Grace, I am 46, I was born and raised in VERMONT (yes it is a state), and now live in TEXAS!!! I am married and we will be celebrating our19th anniversary tomorrow (11 April) - could have sworn it was longer than that... We have 5 daughters (29,28,25, and 10 year old twins). 7 grandchildren (4 boys and 3 girls), two pekinese and 1 cat ... (who thinks it is human that we actually raised since birth). My husband is military - over 20 years and will be retiring in September. Hopefully I will be banded on 18 April (second attempt)

I can so relate. I went in 21 Feb and coded twice on the table so the surgery was canceled. I had a cut to heal from but nothing to benefit from all the work. I had to be cleared by the cardiologist and my primary before being rescheduled. New surgery is for 18 April - and I too have been recovering from pneumonia aquired in the hospital. Keep your chin up and everything will work out! Grace

Surgery date 18 April 2011 Started pre op diet Friday

You will love San Antonio! I have two grown daughters who live there. Not to mention some of the best military hospitals.

Where in Texas will you be moving to? I am in Killeen (Fort Hood) and the process really only took about 2 months beginning to end.

My ultrasounds found some gallstones and small fibroids and i guess i have to get the gallbladder taken out before the lap band. I won't go into details but I too have fibroids - because of the weight these have become more difficult to deal with than if I had lost the weight at an earlier time. Once you lose the weight and become more active you will be able to have more options managing these buggers. I have an autistic little boy who needs me and i want to be on this earth for as long as i can for him. Yes this is scary but i don't want my obesity to take me away from him. I started this journey for some of the very similar reasons - and truth be told I was tired of losing weight to gain it back over and over. Losing the weight is not the issue for me - its the keeping it off that I always fail at ... I have 10 year old twin daughters that I have noticed lately are being affected by my weight (probably more than I am). I don't take them to the park, or walk with them, or play with them, they are becoming isolated because I don't want children teasing them because they have a fat mommy. I am tired of watching others live their lives while I sit on the sidelines wishing I could take part. The other members are correct - you can always find negatives if that is what you are looking for. But - I bet if you dug deeper you would find there were underlying problems with those who died due to the surgery. As for me - I am rescheduled for 18 April - the first attempt didn't go well - yup I coded on the table twice. NOW dont let that scare you - it was the first time something like that happened to my Dr (he was joking with the anesthesiologist prior that I was his healthiest patient) ...he jinxed us!! Actually I have had many surgeries and this was simply a wake up call. Your Dr is equiped to manage anything that can happen (and I bet those deaths were years ago before the lap band was perfected and improved upon) What I am trying to say, I guess, is you do what you have to do and what is right for you - for me if I dont do this .... I could be coding on the table due to other preventable issues caused by my weight.

Got my new date this afternoon : 18 April 2011 - Glitter (Grace)

As of today I am back on the band wagon. After a rough start I was finally able to get my new band date - April 18. My journey to date: Feb 21 first surgery scheduled .... Everything went as planned UNTIL I went under for the procedure ... Dr makes a small incision on my left side (precaution as I have had previous surgery and the extent of scarring was unknown). My heart rate dropped as soon as the gas inflated my abdomen. Dr releases some of the pressure and heart rate returned Dr once again started the procedure and this time my heart stopped .... med was used to restart the heart once again the Dr started the procedure and my heart stopped for 14 secs .... Procedure cancelled Dr referred me to Cardiologist My heart gets a clean bill of health and a GO ... I have what is called neuromediated syncopy (and my heart rate drops with pain instead of raising) Now mind you I have had many many surgeries and I guess I just got too cocky thinking I would breeze through it ..... During the work up it was determined that I would need a hysterectomy due to fibroids. scar tissues, and adhesions. Went in to do this and guess what ... I wasn't able to be done as the damage was beyond my surgeons ability. So once again wake up with the incision and nothing to show for it ... I ended up with pneumonia while in the hospital recovering from ... NOTHING! So I call today with the clearance from my cardiologist, gynocologist, and primary .... My husband is in the military and due to be gone most of May - so they told me to start the diet tomorrow and we will do the surgery on the 18th. Trying very hard not to think ... three strikes you are out .... But I definitely am not cocky anymore! Grace

I went in yesterday to have the procedure. Everything was going well - the Dr and Anetheologist were joking I was the most healthy of all their patients. However as the Dr went to make the first incision my heart rate dropped ...they got it back up... he attempted again and my heart stopped for 14seconds ... got it back up and then repeated to involve them having to give me chest compressions. So now I need to see a cardiologist before we even can think of another try. I am so disappointed. Definitely was not my first trip on the OR table so the only "new" thing is this blood pressure meds I was put on. I am so disappointed. Thank you everyone for your support and I wish you all well on your new life! Grace (who hopes to be back very soon)

1/28/11-Smokey2112 2/02/11-ManningFan 2/02/11-TylerAshton567 2/02/11-Shawnypoo 2/04/11-blondeej (Trisha) 2/05/11-Korilynn 2/07/11-ruthiesmg. 2/07/11-KOKIE 2/07/11-soon2besexynslim 2/07/11 - bamakaren 2/09/11-Mrs.Mustang 2/09/11-Bunnykins 2/09/11-Loozer2B 2/10/11-JMH80 (Jackie) 2/10/11-Elle23 2/10/11-Trns4md 2/10/11-TexasNurseMom 2/10/11-bigtom1948 2/11/11-Justplaintired 2/11/11-KeeKee99 2/11/11-Care2teach 2/14/11-Alikitty 2/14/11-sdjenk 2/16/11-TexasMama 2/16/11-ThisMumRocks 2/16/11-aocon0630 2/16/11- SashaFierce (Jill) 2/17/11-Newbranden in Tampa, Florida by Dr. Aguila 2/17/11-wantinghealth 2/17/11 - DancingNancy 2/18/11-daisy_0729 2/21/11-hoagy 2/21/11-GlitterG 2/22/11-Elle23 2/22/11-FilleSudiste 2/23/11-Angel2001 2/25/11-Sophinator 2/28/11-Post Modern Retro Pretty

I will be banded in a few hours. Good luck to everyone!

Hi there! Just joined the board looking for support and information. I am scheduled 21 Feb 2011 for my surgery and will have my pre-op appointment Wednesday. On day 8 of the pre-op diet (protein shakes, yogurt, cottage cheese, juices, broth, Jello, and popsicles). I must say I am really surprised how "not hungry" I am ... but thrilled that I have lost 10lbs since starting the diet. I have never been a "big" eater - kind of just the opposite - which I am told is what put me in this situation. When I discussed the options with my Dr I really just wanted the band - I had done a lot of research and feel this is the best option for me. Grace

For me, and this is unique to everyone, I have tried all those "tools" that WW offered, diet pills, exercise, pay for meal plans, etc ... and they all worked - in the beginning. Will power - I hate hearing "you just need to have more will power" - will power is not something I lack. I am not sure if anyone else will have had this issue - but when I started gaining weight I would replace meals with Water or coffee, tried making better choices for foods - anything I could. What I didnt do was make sure I ate consistantly at the same time every day- it was easy to skip a meal and then have a large meal in the evenings. I couldnt understand why I was gaining and gaining, (Actually I just didnt want to admit what was happening ). I work at the computer all day and kept saying it was because I am not getting exercise... then realized I had gained so much it hurt to move too much. Had stress fractures in my feet, my blood pressure started climbing, and my back started hurting. I have friends who have had WLS and just couldnt admit that I was that big or to think of it as anything but "cheating" - yup I just said that! I have ten year old twin daughters I homeschool and several months ago I realized - I may think I am helping them and giving them the best I can - but I am not. Because I dont want people making comments about their mom if we go out in public (because people are mean that way), or that I can't participate in their lives because I have to watch on the side lines, I am not giving them the best of ME! I want to be an active participant in life - not a bystander always taking the pictures so I dont end up in the picture. Once I made this decision and researched it more - I wish I had done this years ago (but I get to benefit from all the experience of those who came before me) So there is my long ramble on why I did this .... I am doing it for ME and those around me will benefit as well. As for why this one over other options for WLS - this is an individual choice and their surgeon what would work best for them. For me I needed that portion control and a little reminder to eat regularly. I dont think one is better than any other - its just the needs of the 'wearer" For me I was more comfortable knowing that if there was an issue it could be reversed easier than other options.

I am not sure why they would have denied you. I am 4'11" and started the process at 228. Did you have a private PCM or are they at the base hospital? I asked my PCM about the procedure and he then referred me to the bariatric surgeon for consultation. After seeing the surgeon his office submitted the surgery request for approval. Can you possibly contact Tricare and ask why the request was denied? Sorry you are having to go through this aggrivation - I would have the Dr resubmit for approval.

OH ME ME ME! We got Dance Party 1 and 1 for our 10 year old daughters for Christmas - I have a blast doing it with them and it seriously gives you a workout.

I have been doing the whey Protein from GNC. Hubby is picking me up the strawberry flavored this evening on his way home from work. I wish I could put fruit in! I am following the guidelines to a "T" that my Nutritionist gave me - which even states yogurt without added fruit or chunks I had my pre-op today and am so excited - I think I have the most awesome Dr. - very easy to talk to. We are one day difference in our surgery so we can be "band twins"

Day 8 of 14 I cant stomach the shakes first thing in the morning (had to give up my coffee which is just unbearable) for Breakfast : 8oz apple juice 5oz yogurt snack: Jello or broth (popsicle) lunch: 26 g Protein shake with skim milk 1/4 cup cottage cheese snack: popsicle or broth dinner" 26 g Protein Shake with skim milk 8oz of juice 64 oz Water daily - I am to take in 44-66g Protein in a day lost 10lbs so far

1/28/11-Smokey2112 2/02/11-ManningFan 2/02/11-TylerAshton567 2/02/11-Shawnypoo 2/04/11-blondeej (Trisha) 2/05/11-Korilynn 2/07/11-ruthiesmg. 2/07/11-KOKIE 2/07/11-soon2besexynslim 2/07/11-bamakaren 2/09/11-Mrs.Mustang 2/09/11-Bunnykins 2/09/11-Loozer2B 2/10/11-JMH80 (Jackie) 2/10/11-Trns4md 2/10/11-TexasNurseMom 2/10/11-bigtom1948 2/11/11-Justplaintired 2/11/11-KeeKee99 2/11/11-Care2teach 2/14/11-Alikitty 2/14/11-sdjenk 2/16/11-TexasMama 2/16/11-ThisMumRocks 2/16/11-aocon0630 2/17/11-Newbranden in Tampa, Florida by Dr. Aguila 2/17/11-wantinghealth 2/18/11-daisy_0729 2/21/11-hoagy 2/21/11-GlitterG 2/22/11-Elle23 2/23/11-Angel2001 2/25/11-Sophinator 2/28/11-Post Modern Retro Pretty

I too am on Tricare and my first visit to discuss possible surgery was Nov 13. By Jan 31 I had all my appointments and approval for the surgery to include the surgery date. It moved really fast once I decided to actually do this. I always told myself if my health started going downhill I would immediately do something about it - so I was put on blood pressure meds in Nov - which is why I asked my Dr.