leatha_g

It is a normal reaction to be afraid and anxious regarding surgery. I think the thing that has helped me the most with this surgery or any others I've had is the perspective. I'm not a real religious person, per say, but I am a very spirtual person and I do have a higher power whom I choose to call God. Before all of my surgeries I have simply thanked God for allowing me to be there, in that place and time, whatever the situation. With this surgery in particular, you can thank your Higher Power for allowing you this opportunity to regain your life, your health, your agility, you freedom to do the things you have missed doing. There are many of us finding a way to have this surgery, to gain this chance, but there as many who do not have the funds or the insurance to help them have this surgery, so indeed, this is an awesome opportunity. Simply saying this, 'Thank you God for allowing me to be here.' really does ease your mind and put things back into perspective for you. I really do wish you the easiest of surgeries and the speediest of recoveries. I can't wait to hear how things have gone for you! We'll be waiting here when you feel up to posting again. Good luck!

Nope. I got a website URL that I couldn't get to work.

80lbs! Awesome!! Way to go!!

(((((((((((((((Lisa))))))))))))))) 66lbs!! That is awesome weightloss, especially after all you've been dealing with! I am so proud of you girl! I sincerely hope your wound stays closed and you prove all this 'rejection' theory wrong! No one deserves their band any more than you do. So, I hope you get to keep yours. We love you girl and we're rooting for you!!

I suppose that could be a problem for men. Hmm...

i went shopping too. i have my tree up and the trimming is a work in progress. since i live alone, it's okay. no one will see it til the kids come for christmas. but, i turned the christmas songs on on the tv music channels. even alone, this Christmas seems much better to me. Usually, I am traveling so much I never have time to even think about it til Christmas week. This has been a nice change.

Try stopping the bread products. Not only are they apt to roll up in doughy balls and stop up your stoma, but they are high in calories and starches which turn into sugar, which effect your weight loss. As for 'full', if you are eating hard Proteins and veggies, the 'full' you will feel will be above your band. Most of us even feel as if it's in the lower part of our throats/esophagus. You will not be feeling a tummy 'Thanksgiving' full sensation anymore, unless you are eating softer foods that will slide through the band easily. In my book, that's quite a relief to me! No more going to bed miserable or full of guilt over what I ate.

Oh, Paula. I'm so sorry to hear about this. Reflux is NO fun. Not that kind of reflux, but it certainly coincides with your new fill. Try not to eat/drink at least 3 hrs before bed. I know the drinking part will be harder, but it does sound as if they have you a tad too tight and you do not want this. It's critical to have them take out even the smallest bit to give you and your band relief. I'm really sorry. Keep us posted!

Isn't that awesome!! I haven't lost a thing since Labor Day, myself, but everyday I find something else I CAN do that I couldn't do a year ago. It makes me so hopeful when I see another bandster come to that place of realization. Sometimes it sneaks up on you - the weight loss, the inches lost, the new flexibility/agility, the new sense of self who may have been wrapped up in a cocoon for years. Fly, butterfly, fly!!!

Love the one you're with. Hmm.. Stephen Stills

Amen to that.. specially since it said clearly, on the instructions 'you'll need TWO people to assemble..', I won't even go into the different gyrations I had to go through to get things to fit. lol

Yes ma'am. You can also buy that in 1 cup box containers which is helpful for measuring. There are also other broths in condensed powder that you can mix with hot Water. It's actually pretty good when you've had nothing else to eat. The warmth really makes you feel like you're getting something substantial... for awhile.

Glad to hear you're feeling better, Michelle!

You're looking awesome Michelle! Such a pretty girl! Way to go!

Welcome home Fran! Yes, the left shoulder is referred pain from the stretching of your diaphragm. It is to be expected for several days to weeks, but I promise it does get better. Practice your breathing exercises and walk, walk, walk. You'll do fine!

Well, I bought myself a recumbent stationary bike already. I have a brand new car. My daughter got a job and she is healthy. My son is doing okay and he'll be here for Christmas. My bills are all paid on time. I have a good job for now. My family members are all well. How selfish of me would it be to ask for Santa to bring a man into my life who would compliment all of that? Dare I ask for anything more?

Well. I hear it's all good. What I had in particular are the beef nuggets. They're very good!

Most certainly NOT. You learn these things by participating. I had to learn it somewhere too. I hope you weren't offended. My intent was not in 'correcting' but in helping you to have the right information.

That's interesting, the Vanguard is actually made by Inamed. It's just a newer product.

Great news!! Congratulations! Read, read, read, so you'll know exactly what to expect, before and after! Wow, and only two weeks away!! Awesome!

Mine was originally located right at my waist, left side. It has since migrated further toward the center of my stomach, thankfully. I have heard of sternals, which are farther up, usually between the breasts, right over the breast bone/sternum. I don't think I've ever heard of the right rib cage... interesting. Also, just FYI, the 10cc band (vanguard) is not simply just for higher bmi patients. It does accomadate them, but many doctors are using them on all patients due to the higher level of adjustment capability.

I had heard Jessie Ahroni going on and on about the Tillamook brand jerky. I thought it was something only local to Washington state, but lo and behold I ran across some in the local Tom Thumb. I had it this morning and she's right, it's about the best I've ever eaten. Me and my sabotaging co-worker ate the whole bag! (Instead of candy, cookies and chips for breakfast). I may even go online and buy it in quantity as it's a really good thing to have during those times you just feel like you need something to eat. Much better than carb/fat laden junk outa the vending machine.

Jerky and other high Protein type snacks!

Did your doctor also tell you that during the Un-filled period you may regain your initial weight loss and that this is fairly common until one begins getting adjustments/fills? This is a very common complaint from new post-ops. Once their pain seems to have subsided and their healing begins. Their hunger returns and they move out of Clear Liquids. You will not lose 1lb a day with the lapband. 1lb a day is not even healthy for you. The lapband average weight loss is 5-10lbs per month overall. This does not mean that you're guaranteed a minimum of 5lbs per month. This means that one year from now you will have lost anywhere from 50-100lbs depending on your food choices, exercise and Water intake. Please do not set yourself up for disappointment thinking you can maintain a loss of 1lb per day. It is unhealthy and it is simply not the way the band works. Most doctors with any longevity require you to do clear liquids in the beginning, then move into full liquids, onto soft/mushy foods - all of which are not great weight loss choices. Inamed states very clearly that unless the patient uses their own good food choices during this period they very well may not lose weight. This time is meant strictly for healing, to allow the band to get seated into scar tissue so that slippage may be harder later down the road. Take care of yourself. Remember this is not a race. You have the rest of your life to lose your weight in a healthy manner. Good luck!

I loved Chicago and Lake Michigan. I definitely might be interested, depending on the schedule.