amybaby33

Hottie alert! You look fantastic! Congratulations and keep up the good work

It's nice to see some more chitter chatter in here! I was getting bummed that we wouldn't even have a July group! It's so important to have support! Two weeks tomorrow and I will be a sleeved mama! Start my 2 week pre op diet tomorrow which is 3 Protein Shakes a day and one small healthy meal. My biggest anxiety is being away from my 10 month old son and not being able to pick him up after surgery. My Doc said no lifting for 4 days, which will be tough, but I know worth it! I'm just sooo ready to get back my healthy way of life I had with the band. Let's keep the support going, gang

Hey Jax..

Were you JaxBandster on LBT?

Thank God your Mom has her band out! I'm so sorry to hear everything she has gone through, but it sounds like she is on the mend. When my band slipped it caused a total stomach obstruction and put into septic shock..I was also 38 weeks pregnant. VERY SCARY STUFF! I'm just so happy to hear she is better

Congrats on your appeal! I also won an appeal with Anthem Blue Cross here in California. I'm doing a band to sleeve revision, and they originally denied me becausse my BMI was too low without co-morbidities, but seeing as I lost my band when I delivered my son (totally out of my control) they overturned the decision and approved me. My BMI is 37, so I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to go back to my "bariatric" way of life

I used to LOVE Bikram Yoga and am hoping I can get back into after my surgery. I would think you would need clearance from your Doc...espcially making sure you are completely healed and then some. Bikram puts alot of stress on the abdominal muscles. As far as hydration, I would always drink TONS of Water the day of class, so I would be well hydrated before class, then you could sip during class. Hope you get back to class when you're healed and ready, it truly is the best workout for the mind, body and spirit! Good luck and NAMASTE

My Doc told me barring anything unforseen, I will be in a day and half. I requested to be released the next morning because I have a 10 month old and can't stand the thought of being away from him! But, I also know it's important to get my pain management situated and ensure I'm leaving with a "thumbs up" from my Doc. But whether Im released the next morning or afternoon really isn't a big deal, I'm just being a neurotic Mommy

I voted in the poll.

I'll be starting my 2 week diet on Tuesday. Pre-op teaching is Monday and that's when I will get the diet and supplies for it (they are making me buy the supply from them instead of online). I still have to do the EGD on Friday - hopefully that goes well.

Hi Nancy..you know what's weird, is I kept going back to the poll and didn't see any vote results. I just realized I hadn't voted, therefore couldn't see anything..duh! Thanks for pointing out you voted. Looks like July Firecrackers has a slight lead over Red, White & Blue Crew. Anyway, I'm one day ahead of you for surgery. Glad to have a buddy along the way. Good luck with your pre-op stuff on Tues

Hi Wheetsin...I remember you from LBT. I was "marathinner". You always were the queen of info and I remember your ticker that said "shut your gob and get moving"..lol...I loved that! Seems there are quite a few of us bandsters that have found our way here. I had two slips..the most recent one resulted in removal during the birth of my son. I did great with the band for a year, and unfortunately it all went down hill from there. Not having my band for 10 months has been hard. I miss that way of life and am excited to get sleeved in a few weeks. Sorry to hear about your slip..I hope you figure out what your plan is soon.

Cheers!

-Amy

C'mon July sleevers, we need to rally some support for each other! I posted a poll for a group name but only one person replied Group name aside, we should be posting more in here especially since July will be here in no time! I'm starting my 2 week pre-op liquid diet on Monday. How is everyone else doing?

I'm on a 10 day pre-op diet. An Atkins shake every 2 hours. Between 6-8 a day. Water of course. This is day 3. It sucks a lot. I've lost 6 lbs but I'm really hungry and now I'm having diarrhea. Gotta keep my eye on the prize

I feel ya...it's so hard! But you are doing awesome and have the right attitude...definitely keep your eye on the prize.

The funny thing is that I wanna eat all that stuff you mentioned and I'm not even near the pre or post op stage! I LOVE trader Joe's!

LOL! And you SHOULD eat all those things...they're totally healthy! Oooo...they also have Peanut Butter cream cheese which only has 5 g of sugar and 5 carbs....YUM!

THANK YOU so much for your post!!!! I have Trader Joes nearby and can see I have NOT been taking advantage of it. I'm not very good at this investigating phase so your ideas were very, very helpful. Thank you again for posting. You've also inspired me to look!! DUH!!! :-)

You're so welcome! I was giddy with excitment yesteday as I walked through and discovered so many tasty treats. I'm a band to sleeve revision patient, so I know all too well how boring and grueling the pre/post op phase is. At least some of these things will make it more tolerable. I'm lucky to have a store about 5 mins from me. I'll keep you posted and any new discoveries

I've never been to one, but heard it's a great place. There is one about 30 mins away... now have me wanting to go. What are the prices like?

TOTALLY worth the 30 min trip! And they have great prices! I spend way less there than I do at the regular supermarket. I would say the only downfall is sometimes I find something that I love, but its not always there the next time I go. But..I always discover something appealing and now that my mind set is on pre/post op, I've discovered a whole new selection of foods! Good luck

I'm on my "unofficial" pre-op diet and right now am doing 3 low carb meals and 2 Protein Shakes. Next week I will do 2 meals/3 shakes until I head into my "official" two week pre-op diet of 1 meal/4 shakes. Anyway, I was at Trader Joes yesterday and discovered they have such great options for all phases of the pre..but especially post op diet. For example, the have tasty broths..not only chicken and beef...but turkey broth and mushroom broth.They have tons of cream Soups that don't even need to be strained for the full liquid phase (coconut thai, creamy portabello..any many more!) They also have GREAT S/F popsicles with unique flavors like pineapple, mango, pommegranite and mint! For the mushy phase, I discovered guacamole hummus.....two words: DEE-LISH (ok, maybe that's one word--but I digress) I also came across an Egg White salad with Chive that would be perfect for the soft food phase. I know everyone might not have access to Trader Joes...but for those of you who do and are preparing for or recovering from surgery...go stock up!

Omgosh! That is a TOTAL difference! Way to go, girl! You look fab

Here are some group names. Feel free to throw out other suggestions

I can do a poll in another thread. We should come up with a few ideas:

Maybe:

-Sizzling Sleevers

- Sparkling Sleevers

-July Firecrackers

- Red, White & Blue Crew

- Lucky Number Sevens (July being the 7th month of the year)

I'll post a poll with these and a "other" option

I had the Lapband while I was pregnant. I had a great pregnancy as I still had "some" restriction but was able to eat healthy and maintain the appropriate calorie intake. HOWEVER, when I was 37.5 weeks, my band slipped causing MAJOR complications and I had to deliver my son under general anesthesia because they had to get him out and my band out at the same time. It was awful My son is now 10 months and I am grateful and lucky enough to be getting sleeved July 11th. If I had the choice to do it all over again, I would have DEFINITELY gone with the sleeve! Good luck with your decision and I hope you get your little bundel of joy

Aw, congrats. You story is so inspiring. Congrats on getting your sleeve revision approved, and OMG, you're son is so cute!

Aww...thank you for your kind words and compliments! Ya--my son is a heartbreaker. Those eyes...OY those eyes!

I wish you the best with your VSG. I was denied the band by my insurance company this past January...I was really disappointed but now that I'll be a self-pay I'm planning to get the sleeve instead. Hoping for July, so maybe we'll do it around the same time. You've had success with your previous WLS so I know you'll have success with this one too. And hopefully less complications.

http://stealingskinny.blogspot.com/

Thank you! I'm sorry you got denied but good for you for being self pay. I hope we are in July together and can support each other!

Hello All,

It has been awhile since I've been on a WLS forum, but after a long and enduring 3 years..I'm back. Here's my story:

I was banded in February 2008 and had great success my first 1.5 years. I lost over 70 pounds and was a happy, compliant bandster Unforunately, in August 2009 my band slipped and I had to go into emergency surgery. I thought I was going to lose the band, but I was fortunate enough to have it replaced. After trying to conceive a baby for more than 8 years, God (and weight loss) finally answered our prayers and I got pregnant in December 2009. I had a FABULOUS pregancy. The band was such a wonderful tool to help me stay on track, keep healthy and I only gained 10 lbs up until 37 weeks. That's when the problems started. At 37.5 weeks, I got insanely sick. Couldn't hold anything down..not even Water. Turns out, my band slippe AGAIN and this time it caused a total stomach obstruction! Fast forward to 5 days later when I was told I would have to have a c-section under general anesthesia because they needed to take out my band and fix the obstuction. Words cannot desribe how devestated I was not being able to be awake for the birth of my son Fortunately, he was born beautiful and healthy. I had to stay in the hospital for 6 days because I was still very sick from the obstuction and subsequent "toxicities" that came with it. It wasn't until about 3 months after I gave birth that I started feeling the effects of not having my band. The ravenous hunger slowly started to creep in and now here I am almost 10 months later and have gained back much of the weight I had lost with the band. Fortunately, I have a phenomal Doctor who went to bat for me and got my insurance to approve a revision to a sleeve. I am scheduled for July 11th. I have to admit, I have mixed emotions. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to get my healthy lifestyle back with the help of the sleeve, but the stakes are higher now that I'm a Mom. I'm scared to go through another surgery and terrified of any complications. I know I will be fine, but I sometimes lay awake at night wondering "what if". I also think of how wonderful it will be to lose that weight again and be able to run, play and swim with my son. He's 10 months old and I want to be a fun, active Mommy and I know this is my ticket to getting there. Anyway, I know this is long..so thank you for reading. I just wanted to share my story and rally some support for myself as I head into surgery. Thanks!

P.S Attached is the reason I am doing this!

Hi everyone!

I'm Amy and I am a former Lapbander that will be sleeved on July 11th by Dr. Mueller in San Diego. I have kind of a unique story, but I hope my experience being a bariatric patient for the 3.5 years will help all of us with our journey to becoming sleeved.

I was banded in Feb 2008 and lost 70 pounds. I did very well that first and half until my band slipped in August 2009. I got a band replacement and through the grace of God got pregnant in November 2009. (DH and tried for over 8 years and never thought it would happen) I had a fabulous pregnancy up until 37 weeks when I suddenly got VERY sick. My band had slipped again and this time it was completely obstructing my stomach. I ended up having a c-section at 38 weeks and unfortunately had to be under general anesthesia because they removed my lapband at the same time. It was very traumatic and upsetting to not be awake for the birth of my son, but there were not any other options. Fortunately, he was born beautiful and healthy. I remained in the hospital for 6 days because I was still super sick from the stomach obstruction. Since losing my band in August, I have gained back 40 pounds. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to get another band, but I have definitely missed the restrictive componenet and healthy lifestyle I had with the band. I was sooo fortunate that my surgeon went to bat for me and petitioned my insurance to do a revision to a sleeve. I'm very excited. So, I've done it all! This will be my 3rd time dealing with the strict post op diet, so I hope i can lend support to all of you and perhaps answer questions as we get closer to our surgery dates! Look forward to getting to know all of you!

That was a great post! I think we can all relate to the self sabotage issue. I just started reading Women, food and God. It is a fantastic and eye opening book. I can't wait to finish it! Easy read too. By the first chapter I had already had several "ah ha" moments.

I'm not sleeved yet, but I am a professional Lactation counselor. DO NOT WEAN! Just nurse as ofter as your daughter wants. Fenugreek is only slightly effective in increasing milk supply and I would suspect that any fussiness you might be seeing and interpreting as low supply are actually baby's reaction to the flavor of your milk. This is not a concern for her. Your caloric intake doesn't change the quality of your milk at all. In fact women in countries where this is severe famine are often seen with fat little babies on their hips. Your body will take every it has and put it into milk for your little one, just as it would for pregnancy. This is of course an issue for you and you should try to boost your Protein after the surgery (my nutritionist suggested putting greek yogurt in my shakes to up the Protein by about 10mg a day). Unfortunately the LLLi leader you spoke with may be using old info. We don't need alot of calories to make milk, and we absorb far more calories then a non lactating woman would. We have alot of new info that is breaking alot of the old beliefs but the old beliefs do still persist.

Keep in mind that babies go through fussy periods that have nothing to do with supply, such as at around 6 months they have a "growth spurt" where they nurse all day long and all night long too. If you have not had a period PP yet that can also be on it's way back and causing you to dip slightly. This is ok and normal. Also they get to times when they re JUST about to do a new milestone and they will nurse nonstop, ditto with teething for some babies. Just roll with it, it's almost certainly not you.

Some things that may cause supply issues are birth control pills which are often recommended after surgery because of our increased fertility once we start losing weight (this includes progesterone only products), and lack of time nursing. Things that do not decrease supply are not eating enough or drinking enough (lots of research has been done on this, honest). Here is an awesome way to boost supply (without digging into your freezer stash), power pump. To do this, set up your pump and turn on the tv. When there is a commercial turn the pump on and pump. When the commercials are done, turn it off. Rinse and repeat for 30-60 min until you've seen 1-2 tv shows. This high frequency, short duration pumping schedule tells your body you have a set of starving twins and to ramp up production in a hurry. If you do this and let your daughter eat as often as she wants you'll be back to a full supply in no time. There is no reason to believe you need to wean or that your milk will change, but doubt and supplementation are a sure way of decreasing the feedings you give her for which will lower your supply. Keep up the great work and congrats on nursing this long already. I'm sure you'll be able to make it to a year and as long as you want to nurse as long as you keep it up.

Lucia (CLC, and mom of 4 breastfed babies including a set of twins and a singleton who will be nursing when I'm sleeved)

Bravo Lucia and THANK YOU for posting this!! As a breastfeeding Mom of a 6 month old preparing to get sleeved, I was soooooo relieved to read this post! I have been full of angst about having surgery and being able to continue to breastfeed. I wasn't planning on weaning, but I was really worried about supply issues related to the surgery. Fortunately, I have a fabulous surgeon who reassured me from the beginning that I wouldn't have to stop B/F'ing. The only thing he said was that I would have to pump and dump for 24 hours after surgery. I will have plenty of stored milk for my little one and I really appreciate you reiterating the fact that our decrease in calories DOES NOT mean a decrease in supply! I plan on BF'ing for a year and am grateful that I can integrate my health into the process. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a valuable post!