pugsx3

I have an aunt who thinks I'm taking the easy way out too. He mother was an alcoholic, who beat her addiction after 30 years, and she thinks that being overweight is the same as being an addict. I love her to death, but she just doesn't understand weight issues, because she watches everything she eats and works out. It's a part of her life and always has been. I am huge because I eat the wrong things, and I eat too much of everything. I know what I'm doing, but I don't have the control to do this on my own, and I don't understand how the choices I make that lead me to be fat have a negative impact on others. I told my aunt that the band is a tool that I am using to help me lose weight and that I owed it to myself to try it, but she insists that I should do it my own. I asked her why anyone would buy a cordless drill, when a screwdriver got the job done just fine, and she didn't quite know how to answer that one. She wants me to get into a 12 step program to deal with my weight, and she is "praying" that I can have the band removed some day and keep the weight off. She told me all I had to do was to avoid "all bad food" for the rest of my life. I get so frustrated with our society, because we help and treat all other addictions as a disease, at the same time we legally discriminate and ridicule those of us with weight problems. I hope I'm not coming across as unsympathetic to those with addictions, I don't intend to. We can and should help everyone to the full extent of our ability. I'm just wanting to understand why enjoying food and being overweight should be considered some kind of personality flaw, that deserves to be ridiculed instead of getting the same kinds of treatment options as those available to addicts of any kind.

You are very similar to the diet I'm on. When I went for my 2 week check up, I admitted to my dr. that I had progressed myself to cottage cheese and melted cheese. It was the only thing that got me through. When he told me I had to do 4 weeks of mushies - I told him that I refused to blend meat to the consistency of applesauce before eating. He backed off a lot, and told me to do just about a week at that point, and then slowly start introducing foods back in. It took me about 48 hours to get to ground turkey meat and I've had no problems. At this point, I have not had a solid piece of meat yet - probably because I'm afraid. He said he wants me to be on regular food by my 6 week appt., and that's when I get my first fill. I can't wait, because I am starving all the time!

My PCP tried to talk me out of the procedure, and fortunately I did not need a referral from him to go to a surgeon. When I contacted the surgeon, he was very encouraging and motivating, and had no hesitation at all about doing the surgery. I started out with a BMI over 50, and was not required to lose any weight before surgery either. I did have to do a 3 week preop diet, and lost 24lbs in those 3 weeks. The surgeon also required that I get medical clearance from my PCP, and when I saw him for the clearance, he tried to talk me out of it again. I simply stood firm and told him that this was a tool that may or may not help, but I owe it to myself to try because although I've been able to lose weight in the past, nothing I've done has kept the weight off. I just couldn't find a down side to having the surgery. I'm now a 3 weeks post op, have lost another 12 lbs, and am thrilled to death. I've got an appt to see the PCP tomorrow, because I think he needs to drop one of my BP meds. I'm getting light headed and dizzy if I move to fast, which he warned me would happen. I had a follow up scheduled with him for November, so I'm more than 6 weeks ahead of schedule on that. I can't wait to see if he's still as pessimistic about the surgery now!

I feel like I'm in BIG trouble right now. I got real food for the first time this weekend, I felt like that opened the door to eat everything I've been craving for the past 6 weeks. I ate so much this weekend that it scares me and I had absolutely no problem doing it. I'm trying to get my head out of my butt so I don't gain everything I've lost back in a week, but I'm getting really mad at myself because it appears to be stuck up there. I know that I'm the only one who can restrain myself, but boy do I need some help now. I would not have needed the band if I had better self control. For me it's not sugary things, it's Mexican and Italian foods, and I'm not satisfied with a small taste - I have to stuff myself until I hurt. How do I get myself under control?? My first fill is not until 10/27!

I just got banded on 9/15, and these challenges are great motivation for me! I'd love to join!

Count me in! Name, real or screen~ Laura (Pugsx3) Age~ 50 Weight on October 1st~ 272 Goal Weight for October 29th~252 Exercise Goal for October~ half hour on the treadmill 3x per week Dietary Goal for October~ increase Protein and decrease carbs Personal Goal for October~ to get up after 3 snoozes!! Date Banded~ 9/15 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 34

I can't see your photo's for some reason, but 33 lbs is a LOT of weight! It may not be as fast as you want - but one of my favorite tricks when I get discouraged is to go to the grocery store, and put 33 lbs of butter in cart. Just look at that, and see what 33 lbs. of fat looks like!! It's amazing when you look at it like that, and it will really help you out mentally. If you can find something that weighs about 33 lbs, pick it and carry it around for half an hour. You'll wonder how you ever did it!

I've got my two week follow up appt tomorrow, and I am praying I can move onto mushies. I can't handle the liquids any more. I had a 3 week preop diet, all liquid which I had a hard time to start with, then it got to be routine, and then I had to gag them down with a huge glass of water for the last couple of days. The week after surgery I wasn't too hungry, but the past week has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I have cheated a bit, I advanced myself to cottage cheese, which I was not supposed to eat, but have tolerated it well. I also broke down and had scrambled eggs for breakfast yesterday. Unfortunately they were from McDonalds, and they did not taste very good. Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be my day and can go out for a fish dinner!

I went to a surgery center, so staying was not an option. I got there at 6:30am, surgery was supposed to be 7:30, but the Dr. was late. I'd say it got started around 8:30ish. I had the band, hernia repair, and liver biopsy done, was out of surgery around 11am. They woke me up, got me dressed, gave me ice chips, and then I had to do 4 laps around the place before I could go home, which was about 11:30 - 11:45. I was eager to go, so I could go home and get on the lortab, cause I knew that would put be right back to sleep. I got up every couple of hours to walk, and just went back to sleep, cause that was the easiest way to handle it!

I went to Maggiano's and had a family style meal - 2 salads(caesar and maggiano salad), 2 appetizers (artichoke dip and calamari), 2 pasta's(Spaghetti & meatballs and Rigatoni D), 2 meats(Parmesian crusted Tilapia and chicken Marsala), and 2 desserts(Profiteroles and apple crostada) - all all you can eat. My friends that came with had left overs for two weeks! One of them is now thinking about getting a lap band so we can have another "last meal"! I had to do a 3 wk pre op diet, so I needed to make sure I had enough to get me through it!!

I've had a horrible time with it in my second week. I was not that hungry the first week, but I got my appetite back after 5 or 6 days. Fortunately, my dad brought me some home made bean soup which he pureed for me and it was a life saver. Contrary to what I would have thought, the gas from the beans actually helped move the stagnant gas along, so it all worked out for me. I'd recommend others approach any foods that may cause gas cautiously, cause you may not have the same luck that I did. I have my first appt on Thursday, and I pray that I can move on to mushies. I'm going to have a problem there too - because I also refuse eat meat that has been pureed - but still I'll be able to have tuna, flaky fish and scrambled eggs which will be a giant step forward. I'm not supposed to have cottage cheese yet, but I have eaten a lot of it just to keep my sanity. What I would give to have a nice big juicy burger right about now...

I got my lapband on 9/15, so this is still pretty fresh for me. My gallbladder has been gone for about 4 and half years. For me the surgeries were about the same. I still had the horrible time trying to get out of bed, and the pain was pretty comparable, maybe a little less with the lap band. After gallbladder surgery I had this weird feeling, almost like I could feel a "hole" where my gallbladder was - but did not have that feeling after the lap band. I went back to work after gallbladder surgery in 12 days - and back to work after 6 with lap band. I had a really hard time at work last week - but I did make it. I felt great this past weekend, and feeling a little bloated today. That being said - I'd get the lapband again tomorrow, as it's my last hope to be able to keep the weight off once I get it off!

I totally get the refried Beans craving - that is the worst of my cravings. I'm getting excited for things I know I can have - like scrambled eggs, and tuna fish of all things. I don't even like tuna fish - but just thinking about it can make my mouth water! My parents came to check on me the other day, and I told them I how badly I wanted refried beans, so yesterday my dad made a big pot of bean soup and pureed it for me. I was a little worried about the gas - but it actually made me feel a little better. It was soooo good I can't wait to have more when I get home tonight!! I've also cheated a bit, and have gone on the low fat cottage cheese already because I just was not getting enough Protein and I can not bring myself to drink another Protein shake ever again. I just make sure it's mashed up really well and drink Water with it when I swallow. My cousin had her lapband a year ago, and she made that suggestion to me. She was eating hamburgers within days of surgery and had no problems, so I figured a little cottage cheese could not be that bad.

I got the zofran prescription when I left the surgery center. I also asked for a scopolamine patch before surgery, and they were very willing to give it to me. I only wound up using 1 of the zofran tablets they gave me, the second night after surgery! Sorry the office staff is not more flexibile. I've been pretty fortunate in that regard, and am super pleased with my surgeon. When I asked which band and port I was going to have, he told me it would be the larger band and port. When I asked him if you'd be able to see it through clothes he said I hope so! I must of looked at him like he was crazed, because he immediately said that you wouldn't see it until I got down to a size 8, so I guess I agreed with him. He then added that there were things we can do if that happens, but should not worry about that now - so I'm not! Good luck to you and all others getting banded tomorrow!! It feels great to be on the other side...

Way to go! And thanks for noting we women won't lose as quickly. I'm glad to see successful results from our group. I have to admit I've avoided the scale since my surgery cause I'm afraid. I've been brainwashed into thinking we won't lose during this phase, and although that will be ok - I hope the rest of is can be half as successful

About 6 years ago I lost 140 lbs following weight watchers program on my own. I felt so amazong anout myself that I just can't explain it. I was do much happier and more confident and I just can't put into words how I felt. My husband did not like that I'd lost the weight and hated how other men looked at me. He kept trying to stop me and he finally got me to cancel my gym membership. To make a long story short, I then had some health issues and had my gallbladder removed folled by a total hysterectomy six months later. Through all that I gained all the weight back plus twenty more. My husband was happy but I was not. We wound up divorcing and my weight played a significant reason. I could not get that feeling unless I lost the weight. The divorce was final last October and here I am today 5days post op and can't wait to get back down. Do this for you and you'll never believe how happy you'll be. This is a gift you give yourself and is something no one else can give you. Once you have it no one can take ot from you either. You'll even find will be more srawn to you be ause of your confidence and contentment. Don't let your heartbreak take this opportunity from you!

Count me in for the post op support. This has been so helpful to me for ideas and reinforcement. I was supposed to return to work tomorrow o. Day 5 post op, but I'm. Not ready. I still can't stand up straight. Tho only incision tbat is still bad is where the port is, which seems unanimous. As long as I'm sitting or laying its ok, but when I move it hurts.I. gwt up and do laps in the house every couple hours, but that port is painful.

I just have it "primed", he didn't say exactly how much saline, but I'd guess its 1-2 ccs. He did say he used the bigger band also.

I've been eating the same things. I had a bowl of cream of chicken soup first, and thought I. Died and went to heaven it tasted so good. I also melted some cheese in cream of potato, that was good too. I can't bring myself to do a shake yet. It's funny - I can only eat half can of doup before getting full. I used to have a whole can and a sandwich and chips. I guess the band is working the eay I wanted it to - Yeah!

I had a slight fever yesterday, so I. Called my doc to see if that was normal. He asked how I. Was breathiing, and told him it hurt to breathe deeply. He said that was most likely the problem, and told me to work on my breathing and coughong to cleary lu.gx. Coughing hurts badly, but did ir anyway. Sure enough that took care of the problem. My advize to e erypne is to force deep breaths right sfter surgery, cause it only gets harder if you don'r.

Im home and doing well. I remeber fom my previous surgeries that there is a huge difference the second day. I'm still glad I. Got this done. And am so happy to have this part done. Everyone's posts have been dead on, about how I. Feel. I did tell the anesthesiologist to give me plenty of anti nausea meds and she did. I also got a patch behind my ear and hva no problems. I would recommend everyone to do the same!

YEAH!!!! My day is finally here. Im at the surg center, just waiting to get prepped! Surgery is supposed to start in less than an hour! I thought this day would never get here!

LOL!!! I have no doubt you just said exactly what I'll feel two weeks from now! I don't understand why healing stops weight loss either. I've always understood this to be calories in vs. calories out. I would think healing would expend calories, not add them! I'm really glad there have been so many posts on this topic, because I never would have guessed it, and even knowing - I'm sure I'll get frustrated. Enjoy your eggs tonight!! I'll be craving your eggs as I consume my last protein shake - YEAH!!! I've got to be at the surgery center at 6:30am tomorrow to finally get my band!

Very impressive. I'm sure you worked hard to be able to do this. I thank god every day for people like you, cause I could not do it. I worked as a ccna through college, and it was too gruesome for me. I stayed mostly watching the monitors, because I would get depressed for days when I had to work with patients. My aunt and former sister-in-law both have doctorates in nursing. My Aunt taught clinical pediatric nursing in Pittsburgh Pa. My former sister-in-law is an administrator for St. Davids in Austin TX. Both of them are very supportive of my decision to be banded, and are careful not to go into detail about the procedure, as they know my limits!

Thanks for the explanation. It makes me feel better. I'm not having any regrets about the decision, and am really anxious to get this over with and leave these protein shakes in my past. I think it was all at once finding out that there was something that was unknown to me. I'm sure I had it for both my gallbladder and hysterectomy, and never knew about it. It never bothered me then - so I sure as heck am not going to let it stop me now! And I guess I'll let the anesthesiologist or crna make the call on what they are most comfortable with. They certainly know more than I do! I don't ever remember feeling weird from the happy juice - I just was talking one minute and out half way through a sentence! I do feel incredibly groggy upon waking up, it seemed to take a long time. When I had my gallbladder out, they wheeled me back to the room, and helped me get up to go to the bathroom, and they wanted me to get dressed and go home that quickly. I remember thinking are they kidding me? I couldn't get dressed if I wanted to! When I had bunion surgery, they just gave me propofol - and they did succeed in getting me out of there as soon as I woke up from that!