TerriDoodle

Day 2 of Fill 2 is going pretty well, I guess. Seems kinda like those 1st post-surgical days....feels like there's some swelling. I'm hoping some of this restriction will back off a bit. This a.m. I had cottage cheese and canned pears (about a cup), eaten in 30 mins. For lunch I had about 3/4 c broccoli cheese soup then a soft ice cream from McD's. I'll probably have a couple of scrambled eggs tonight before I go to the gym. It's chest, abs and biceps tonight -- Yippee! Quads are very sore today -- can't hardly walk down the stairs!! But that's OK! :grouphug: TracyinKS - Really happy to hear that you've started walking. That JUST DO IT mantra really does come in handy! I use it all the time! The other one I use is: FEET ON FLOOR. If I can just get my feet on the floor and move one in front of the other, eventually I will get to the gym! It helps to have a set time, too....like I have to be there by 6:30p. Especially if I have an appt. with the trainer!! I wasn't too sure about this trainer thing to start with, but I'm all over it now.

I had the same thing. Dr. Spivak says it happens frequently. He explained by comparing the band to a balloon. A balloon deflates over time because the air escapes thru the semi-permeable membrane. Same with the band & the saline. I also had Omnipaque put in rather than re-injecting w/ saline.

Yeah, it's kinda like fix-a-flat in the sense that if there is any porosity to the band, this liquid is too thick to get thru it. It is not a fluid that's main function is to prevent leakage in lap bands. It's primary function is as a contrast medium for various internal exams using x-ray technology. (Like your barium swallow fluid is used in the fluoroscope.) My doc says the risk is not so much to the person but to the band. There aren't any long-terms studies on it's affect on the band itself. He has used it for several years (as other docs have) with no ill affects to date. I tried to google it with regard to lap band but didn't really find anything. As a contrast medium there's a bajillion hits so lots to read if you're interested in the fluid itself.

I'm hungry. I'm going to bed!!!

I have had no problems giving up diet cokes at all. I just kept trying different crystal lite (and similar) flavors til I found one I like a LOT. Now I'm hooked on Propel berry flavor, adding lots of fresh lemon. I drink 60 oz of this per day and never get tired of it!! So refereshing! Bread got me stuck and chicken fingers (for some reason!). Neither of which are good for me, so I"M GLAD I can't eat them!!!

Pamela - This time I really felt it! The first fill I had I didn't feel a thing. This time I had a little esophageal spasm immediately after the fill (before I even got to the fluro) and then later a little soreness...reminiscent of those first post surgery days. But it didn't last long and now I'm fine. The test will be when I start eating solids again.

I've been curious about this too, as there is a dry sauna at my club but it doesn't seem very inviting. I've always enjoyed steam saunas though. I did a very quick search on the web and found this: Dr Weil on sauna and your health Question I've heard totally varied opinions on the benefits/hazards of saunas and steam baths. What's your opinion? Answer January 28, 1997 To me, the benefits far outweigh any hazards. If you're in reasonable health, the benefits of a sauna or steam bath are great. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, saunas may be good for you, but you'll want to be cautious; check with your physician first, and go easy. And with either of these conditions, it's not a good idea to jump right into cold Water afterward, as Finns always do. When you take a sauna, the heat pumps up blood circulation near the skin and stimulates sweating. The Finns say a proper sauna elicits about a quart of sweat per hour. I generally encourage sweating. It helps the body rid itself of unwanted materials and improves general circulation. In medieval times, healers relied on saunas to cure illnesses, and priests used their heat to chase away evil spirits. In the United States there's a lot of concern about pregnant women taking steam baths or saunas. A study published four years ago in the Journal of the American Medical Association found some association between neural-tube defects and heat exposure from saunas, hot tubs, and fever during the first three months of pregnancy. (Neural-tube defects include anencephaly and spina bifida, both disastrous abnormalities.) The biggest problem was hot tubs, which pregnant women should approach cautiously. Interestingly, though, in Finland it's not uncommon for doctors to give the OK on saunas from conception all the way up to the day of delivery - and there, neural-tube defects are very low. In fact, in Finland saunas were once a traditional place for childbirth. It's worth noting that Finnish women tend to stay in the sauna for six to twelve minutes, and they shorten that time during pregnancy. Also, saunas raise the body's core temperature insignificantly compared to hot tubs. Finnish saunas also tend to be different from most US versions - unless these are run by Scandinavians. In Finland, saunas are usually heated by a wood stove. First there's a dry phase that can get hotter than 200° F. Then the participants splash water on the stove and spend some time in the steam. Many US saunas employ an electric stove, which you can't put water on. So you're just exposed to dry heat, which I find irritating to my respiratory passages. Some saunas in health clubs are set to a lukewarm temperature. Turn up the heat. Even if you're in a very hot steam bath or sauna, it's mostly the temperature of the surface of your body that goes up. As it increases, blood vessels dilate, and circulation in the skin climbs. As resistance to blood flow through your veins and capillaries drops, your blood pressure goes down. Then your heartbeat increases to keep blood pressure normal. Finns always follow a sauna with a plunge into cold water. I find this incredibly refreshing and enjoyable, and healthy as well. Then you relax afterwards. The main risk of a sauna is staying in too long and fainting from overheating. People who are most susceptible to this are those with heart disease or who have been using drugs or alcohol. It really isn't a good idea to combine drinking or other drugs with a sauna or hot tub. Children should not use saunas without supervision. Also, be sure you drink plenty of water, to replace the water you're losing. By the way, the correct pronunciation is sow-na, not saw-na. Dr. Weil And this is from Wikipedia: Information in this section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. Please check for inaccuracies and modify as needed, citing the sources against which it was checked. During a 10-20 minute sauna session, the heart rate increases by 50-75%. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow. Blood vessels become more flexible <SUP class=reference id=_ref-0>[1]</SUP> and there is increased circulation to the extremities. During a sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This is due to the blood vessels in the skin's surface expanding to accommodate the increased blood flow, a process known as vasodilation. This increased blood flow brings important nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue, promoting cellular activity and growth.<SUP class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</SUP> It is especially beneficial to areas of the skin which normally suffer from poor circulation. Along with nourishing the skin, the high temperatures also cause the skin's 2 million eccrine glands to excrete sweat to cool down the skin and blood capillaries. Research has shown that sweat is much more effective than water at emulsifying fat located in the skin's sebaceous glands, and thus at removing the sebum and bacteria lodged in the fat.<SUP class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</SUP> The vasodilation caused by the high temperatures also allows essential fluids to be transported to the skin's surface. This enhances the development of collagen, giving the skin a continued elasticity and wrinkle-free complexion. Steambaths and saunas induce perspiring to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. 30% of body wastes are passed through the skin.<SUP class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</SUP> Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.<SUP class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</SUP> When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state, a process known as hyperthermia. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system, resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral Protein with cancer fighting capability).<SUP class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</SUP> Steam inhalation is an excellent treatment for many respiratory problems. For example, the moist air in saunas can relieve throat irritation. Steam also loosens secretions and can stimulate discharge of mucous from the lungs and throat, giving relief to sufferers of bronchitis. Finally, steam can also aid sinusitis by relieving congestion and inflammation of the upper respiratory mucous membranes. An occasional secondary occurrence caused by breathing in the steam-- In some cases and with some people, if they have a weak respiratory system, example; the infection of a common cold or sore throat, may be carried into the lungs causing it to spread. This is uncommon but does occur. However, to counter this from happening a small opening for the head in the wall of the sauna at the level of the seat will allow the persons head to be outside the sauna (on a small shelf) and thus the benefit of the 38°C (100.4°F) still takes place without the fear of increasing the infection. The heat also kills all kinds of bacteria and insects, e.g. lice. This knowledge was used widely during the Winter War and Continuation War when Finnish troops were forced to sauna (although the unclean conditions in the field made it unnecessary to force them). While the men were in their sauna, their equipment was in another. This cleansed both very effectively while Russians had problems with many diseases.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-1>[2]</SUP> However, it should be noted, people with heart problems may be at risk due to blood pressure unpredictably rising or lowering after using a sauna. People with stable coronary artery disease are generally safe in a sauna, but people with uncontrollable heart problems may be advised to stay away from a Sauna by a doctor in order to avoid possible complications. People with autoimmune disorders may also be at risk.

Laura -- you crack me up! You're such a picky eater...no telling WHAT kind of cake you'll end up with!! Fruit fillings are good!! Pineapple, raspberry and lemon are yummy! It's usually not a whole lot of filling...just a small taste mixed with buttercream usually...so don't rule it out until you've tasted it! And it makes the cake so elegant... wait....stop! I can't talk about this anymore. I'm on fluids today and I would LOVE to sink my teeth into some cake right now. ANY kind of cake!

Tracy....I'm afraid I can't offer a definitive explanation about why fluid escapes the band. I can tell you that the release I had to sign acknowledges that even the doctors don't understand why it happens. What they DO know is that this leakage is usually prevented when you replace it with Omnipaque, which is a more viscous fluid. Inamed hasn't tested the band with anything other than saline, so won't allow it to be implanted with anything but saline. I had to sign a release saying that I understood all of this before allowing the injection of Omnipaque. My alternatives were 1) replacement of the band, with no guarantee that it won't happen again; and 2) continue to use saline with the understanding that it will require a higher level of maintenance. There has been no record of any adverse affects of using the omnipaque, but it has not been studied long-term either. I trust my doctor completely. If he says it's OK, then it's OK with me, too.

I always think it's really interesting to see weight loss charts....especially when it demonstrates so clearly that weight loss does not necessarily happen in a straight line downward! Especially if you weigh every day like I do, your chart will look more like an EKG than weight loss! Here's mine...A few days pre-band until today (7 weeks):

Just got back from Fill #2 and WOWSER can I feel a difference!! Got filled by a NP and she told me I had lost 1/2 of the 1.5cc fill I had on May 4. We opted to re-fill with Optipaque this time and she added another 0.5cc....bringing my total to 2.0cc. Gotta stay on fluids today. Had a smoothie for lunch and it took me 45 mins. to get it down. I'll keep you posted!

Apparently losing fluid from the band is not unusual. My doctor even addressed that issue in our orientation seminar! I just returned from my second fill and the nurse told me that I had lost 1/2 of the 1.5cc fill I had 3 weeks ago! They took all of that out and re-filled it with Omnipaque, a thicker fluid.

I really want to run someday. I think this is my real goal...one I can define and work toward. First goal should be something like "I want to be able to run 1/2 mile (?) without stopping." I have never in my life been able to do that. On the treadmill now I jog for very short spurts ...maybe a minute? It just feels like such a burden on my feet and bones ....like I'm doing more damage than good.

Because it is a GI irritant that can cause ulcers and perforations, etc. Especially bad for us because we have food (and drugs) sitting in our pouch for long periods. I plan on asking my doctor today if it is possible to take liquid (children's) advil every once in a while. There are times I just NEED it!! I have a weak/sore back and with all this exercise and lifting, etc. I sometimes really need it....it's the only thing that helps.

Laura - I neglected to contratulate you yesterday on this TREMENDOUS milestone!!! I know how excited you are....I am excited FOR you!! As a matter of fact, one of my first thoughts as I awoke this morning was about you...and would today be the day that you say goodbye forever to those pesky 300's!!!? Pamela - Don't worry too much about it now. There will be plenty of time to cut back your calories later. If you have 'long days' it's probably more important to keep your metabolism fueled and your energy up. That can't be many calories anyway! A postage scale works great too! Got mine at OfficeMax and it weighs up to 5# or in grams as well. Love it! Uh....Jenn? That does sound like you might be overdoing it JUST A TAD!!! Why are you doing this now? Don't you have enough on your plate?? (And no, I don't have any more pain at the port) TEACH!! - Ya'll are in my thoughts!! Hope everything is going swimmingly! :eek: (I know how you like the water!) SARA - Where the heck are you, girlfriend?? I'm having a great day. I just feel GOOD. I really am feeling all the benefits of exercise now -- have not missed a workout in 2 months. You know the 'benefits' I'm talking about?? The ones that you hear about ALL the time from magazines, news, you doctor, etc?? The ones you get almost sick of hearing about?? Well, I'm really "getting it" now. One of the ones I like best is the feeling that I'm detoxing with all the sweating. I just feel like my pores are clean, my head is clear, I have more energy, etc. Really, it's all so true what they say. I don't see any sign of slowing down and this is MAJORLY HUGE for me. This is such a turnabout that I can't even tell you. I really think that signing up with a trainer, making that financial commitment, having to be accountable to him has made a big difference. Never stuck with any kind of regular exercise, I was very sporadic at best, except for yoga....which has it's own kind of benefits, but not as impactful as these. 'nuf about that. I go for my second fill today! Kinda nervous, but OK. Hoping restriction will be acceptable for my trip 1st wknd of June. Would be a total drag to not be feeling well then. I think he'll probably only do a .5 cc so that'll be ok, I'm sure. I have confidence that I can handle whatever comes. :ermm: :biggrin1: Mdrai - Glad you're still with us and still on track :clap2: Gotta get some work done...bbl!

45# in 17 weeks is approx. 2.6# per week. You are losing at a faster rate than doctors even recommend. Yes, you will go thru periods when you don't lose anything at all. That is normal. Sometimes those periods can last weeks!! Looks like you're doing perfectly OK to me.

Are you tracking calories? Most likely you are eating more than you realize....especially since you still 'do the same bad things'.

HA!!! I don't think I can say that! I am sweaty, stinky and my makeup is running because I've forgotten to take it off prior. Sooooooo pretty!! ....but I DO know what you mean!! I "feel most beautiful" when I can do it in the mornings and get it out of the way...then can look forward to the rest of the day knowing that obligation is behind me! Now, Edie....that is a great idea. I would have to substitute LBT in there instead of TV, though!!

What I like most about exercising is silencing that nagging voice in my head that was ALWAYS there saying, "You need to exercise. You are in horrible shape. How do you expect to lose any weight? You're gonna have osteoporosis like your mother. You need to firm up that butt. Your muscles are wasting away. All you do is sit around....." :blabla: on and on ad infinitum!! FINALLY, it is quiet. No amount of sweat or pain is too great a price for that. Silence is good.

Was there any fruit in the yogurt? You may have something stuck!....that's what it sounds like. Maybe post in the general discussion thread ?

It's my pleasure to support you, Mdrai. I know that type of post can be powerful and thought you might benefit from it. Have a GOOD day!

Ok Mdrai -- It took me almost an hour (ok, a half hour!) to put this post together so you better READ IT!! :whip: Just for whatever this is worth to you.... a little retrospective of where you've been in the last few weeks.... 3/19 IMHO...Don't change your date. Breathe. Calm down. Try not to think too much (it always makes me crazy!). Focus on the positives and don't go reading so much into every little thing. It'll all be ok. We're here for you. We understand. Think calm thoughts. Be kind to yourself. Shower others with love. Get doing & thinking of others & take the focus off yourself. Get out of the downward spiral of self-absorption/over-analysis. Surround yourself w/beauty & peace. It's all good... You get the idea! Whatever cliche or life truth works for you as far as calming you down & smoothing the rough edges & getting you through the next few weeks in one piece. Best of luck to everyone as we get closer & the excitement of our futures changes into scary reality!!! We can do it! We are strong!<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --> 3/20: Great list Denise! Great attitude, too! Focusing on our "whys" and the positive things that will occur after banding is a great idea! How about we each make up a list, adding to what Denise has written?? I'll do a quick start now, then be back later to add more: * be able to fly in an airplane w/out worrying that I'll need to ask for a seatbelt extender or that my fat will flop over into the next seat. * be able to walk through any shop or restaurant without figuring out the widest path to take * be able to sit in a booth at a restaurant * wear stylish clothes -- any item I like I will be able to find in a "normal" size! (I think this is one of my favs, as I am soooooooooo much more stylish thant my current wardrobe displays!!!) * to have all that extra energy & brain power to focus on other, positive things, rather than my fat arse! 4/9: I'm in the black hole of insurance approval... I try to just "forget" that someone somewhere is reviewing my request & deciding my fate! I pray that "God's will be done"... and know that whatever the outcome, it is His perfect plan and that I can't control everything (that's a hard one for ME! ). I truly think that "Thy will, not mine, be done" is the most difficult prayer there is! I've decided to wait 2 weeks 'til I start following up on the approval... I think that's reasonable... when we're talking about the rest of my life here!!! Again, YAY to everyone... what a great group!! ((hugs)) <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->4/10: I'm so worried that the ins. co. will make me do another 4-6 months "supervised" diet -- uh, hello? I've been DIETING MY WHOLE LIFE AND ALL IT'S GOTTEN ME IS TO 317 LBS!) Oddly enough, I'm hoping that my big fat a$$ and horrible BMI and sleep apnea and high cholesterol and borderline diabetes... will actually be a blessing for once and work in my favor to show them that I need this procedure! 4/10: I am sobbing as I type this... I am DENIED! 5/2: Lunasa -- AMAZING POST-S!! And THAT is EXACTLY the level of self-discovery that I feel I need to work to in tandem with the band. I truly feel like I have been given the opportunity for a brand new life -- not just a thin(ner) one, but one that incorporates mind/body/spirit. Wow. Thank you for prompting some deep self-exploration for me! Laura -- Sex... what is this strange word of which you speak??? I lost my libido a couple YEARS ago... it must've fallen out of my purse when I wasn't looking! I know that my issues stem 100% from how I look & feel and am cautiously optimistic that problems in that area may improve post-band. I honestly think that's the ONLY reason that dh is even a little bit supportive of this whole thing... men! 5/8: I am just so mad & sad & MAD! I feel exactly like I did when I was denied... like it's some cosmic joke or something... "Hey, watch this! Let's dangle some hope in front of her then jerk it away! Ha! Ok, let's do it again!"..... ok... I've got to go actually do some of the stuff that didn't get done today as I was in limbo... will check back tomorrow... thanks again... 5/8: I just feel soooo bad (badly?) right now.... completely down & out... I'm so close to my dream of being normal... I feel like I'm being taunted... I just don't know if I have it in me to postpone or go through all the hoops again in 6 months to a year... "Poor, poor pitiful me..."...I really am just a miserable mess. The band truly is the answer to my prayers and I absolutely cannot do bypass... no way, no how... so what... it'll be back to diet & exercise, which works for about a week or so before I'm off on a binge... dieting is what got me here... argh! I am so sorry, Violets, for being such a downer... thank you for letting me be wholly & truly who I am at this moment and not having to pretend w/you as I do the rest of the world. I swear I'm giving myself only tonight to wallow in all this self-pity and then it's back to dealing w/whatever may come my way w/my head up in true Violet fashion. Keep sending out those powerful Violet supervibes my way, please... I need 'em! 5/10: Your stories touch my heart. Anyone who thinks that this whole process is easy or simply about eating less food is crazy! We're all tapping in to lifelong issues/thinking/relationships/behaviors that are all in flux and we are learning & changing & growing on every level imaginable. Wow. We're all doing great work and while a lot of it is hard, the rewards will be so worth it. Wow again. 5/15: Hang in there, Pam... take it one day / one moment at a time... sometimes baby steps are the best we can do... and that's ok! Be gentle w/yourself during this difficult time... vent to us... we can take it! ((hugs)) 5/16: OMG! In the spirit of Spring and new beginnings and feeling all proud w/my bad self on all of Day 3 of liquids what did I do?? I had my hair chopped off into a cute, funky short style! i wish I'd thought to take a "before" pic w/my old boring mom style hair so that I could show you guys them both... I'll check on the 'puter to see if I can find anything, but I'm not holding out hope as I avoid the camera as much as possible. I'll get someone to take a pic tonight & I'll try to post them tomorrow. What fun! I feel so light & free & short & sassy!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

And this point is HUGE. It's not just your "inner binger"....it's the most basic of your instincts, the instinct for survival, that tells you "DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING....I'm doing an excellent job of survival!! Look at all this extra energy I've stored!!" That is a powerful and real instinct that is trying to hold you back. In order to overcome it you have to engage your positive powerful emotions, the higher part of your brain, and stay focused on the EXCITING part of this adventure!! And it's awesome!!!

Mdrai - I want you to search for my post (from March, I think) called "Would You Do It Again?"....it's a poll with around 200 responses. The percentages are 92+% Yes, 7% No. How can you argue with those percentages?? 92%!!! The other thing that I've been thinking about this weekend is this: After that inital big weight loss, I've been losing an average of about 1 - 1.5# per week. My calories probably average 1000-1100 per day (net after exercise). If that's what it would have taken for me to lose this weight without a band, I could have NEVER NEVER NEVER done that. Like all of you, I've dieted a hundred times but it would come off very slowly....so slowly that I'd get discouraged and give up. Then I'd gain....again...and again...and again. I've seen the scale do NOTHING but go up for 3 years. With my blood sugar issues and the need for constant food intake, I could never keep my calories below 1400-1500/day for any real length of time. Ok, well that may be only my issue...but that is my story...and I could never have lost the weight I needed to lose. I am truly very, very happy that I did this. There is REAL hope for the first time in my entire life that I will be able to get down to a reasonable weight, maintain it and be healthy. The value of getting that %#*^! monkey off my back is absolutely priceless. You may feel differently, but that's where I sit right now. I'm not in the business of trying to convince you to have the surgery or not have it. But just know that your fears of "not being able to eat normally" are founded on your habits of today. I cannot emphasize enough that your perspective about food will shift and take on much less importance for you. I've said enough. Best of luck with your final decision and your pre-op jitters. I know how you feel and it's kinda scarey.

WOW...that does seem very restrictive! Every dang doctor is different, that's for sure. If you ask this question of 100 different people, you'll get 100 different answers. But, unfortunately, it doesn't matter what others do, you have to follow your own doctors post-op instructions.