claraluz

Thank you, Donali. It may get me a while to get around to it, but I want to post "before and during" photos. I don't even have a photo of me since I've lost weight yet, but I hope to have the nerve to get one soon. I have gotten so used to avoiding having my picture taken. Thanks so much for the info. I am not very computer literate, so I may have to try to private message you with questions if I have problems, if that's ok. Nancy

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but I couldn't find it . . . How do I post a photo in a thread? And how do I post a photo for my avatar? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Nancy

What Alex said. Just as with anything else, different surgeons require slightly different pre-op workups and if you have any particular health problems, the surgeon may require extra tests for you pertaining to that condition that he wouldn't require for someone else. Any previous stomach surgery, particularly for reflux may be a contraindication. Esophageal problems probably would be. Pregnancy (they usually don't want you to get pregnant until after your first year, I think). Most surgeons require a psychological evaluation and I suppose that could rule you out, though I've never actually heard of it happening. My surgeon wanted to be very sure that my expectations for the surgery were not out-of-line with the results that were to be statistically expected. So when I told him I wanted to lose all my excess weight, I had to do some fast talking to call him back to my bedside. He wanted to be sure that I understood that a loss of sixty percent of my excess weight was more reasonable. It was only after I reminded him that I had twice before lost all of my excess weight without the band that he relented. Please don't worry. Most of us have had a few health problems related to obesity. And welcome to the board and to a world of hope. Nancy

It is scary, Maureen, but I found that even with no fill, I couldn't exactly eat as much as I would have pre-band. The band itself provides a bit of restriction, though not much. Even if you let yourself go a bit, you may not gain weight. I didn't and I was unfilled for about 6 weeks. Nancy

Well, I finally got re-filled back to where I was before the unfill. I am so glad to have restriction again and can't wait to start losing weight again. I'm giving it time to settle, of course, but I just hope it is not going to be too tight. I can drink without problem, but so far have not even been able to eat mushies yet (which they told me to start today). Wish me luck. Nancy

Oh, and Marie, I bought that book, chicken Soup for the Animal Lover's Soul, one time when I was feeling low. I thought it would be full of warm fuzzies. I read the first few pieces and they all seemed to be about animals dying. I cried my eyes out! Nancy

Terry, I also want to say how sorry I am for your loss. I am going through some "anticipatory grief" for my dog who has congestive heart failure. The loss of an animal companion is a true death in the family, with feelings just as strong. I am glad you can comfort yourself (well, at least in part) with the knowledge of how lucky you are to have had her love. Nancy

Well, this sounds very positive to me. Hopefully Kemmerling will take you on. And I sure hope his office can get ahold of Dr. Chua directly. As you know, sometimes doctors respond more immediately to other doctors. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. Please let us know what they are able to do for you. Nancy

WOW, DeLarla, huge difference! And hubby is handsome! Nancy

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you won't be the only one at work with puffy eyes. It just means you're human. but you do seem to have had more than your share of grief lately. Life is so unfair sometimes. Hang in there. Nancy

Good luck! No worries. Nancy

That was a really interesting article. And it made me wonder whether drugs that increase GABA might also work for compulsive overeaters. Really fascinating. I remember hearing an NPR story about two drug addicts that had to drive about six hours a day every day to get to the nearest methadone clinic. It sounds like now they might have some hope of having a normal life. Nancy

Wow, that almost brings tears to my eyes. It's just further confirmation of how great you do look. I'm so happy for you, ALex. Nancy

Well, I haven't yet read the article (I intend to), but I know that for me food is like a drug, too, and has a sedating effect. Of course that's only true of simple carbs - not protein or other healthy types of food in my case. Nancy

I'm glad you went to the EC even though it has left you feeling unsatisfied. I understand how you might feel like you are being shunted from one specialist to another, but in my experience surgeons never want to have anything to do with a situation that is not surgical. Did the EC do anything for you? Blood work? Anything? Did they feel you are still well-hydrated? I'm so sorry you are still hurting. I think you can see that we are all with you in spirit. I am sending healing energy your way. Nancy

Good idea to get some updates! Before weight: 251 Current weight: 195 Fills: I think I've had about 3 which took me up to 1.5cc. I had excellent restriction at that. Complications: A possible complication about six weeks ago when I began having a lot of things stuck and PBing a lot. This could have been because of bad behavior, but I checked with the nurse just in case. She thought it was a slipped band. But she did no diagnostic test to verify this so it is really just a theory of hers. I was unfilled and now am partially re-filled to 1.3cc. Restriction: I have slight restriction. I have an appointment on Thursday for a fill back to 1.5 cc. Longest plateau: It's probably been several months since I've lost weight. That is because I'm not trying and I'm eating the wrong things. But at least I haven't gained. I have set Thursday as the day I am going to re-dedicate myself to weight loss. Exercise: I've been pretty good about it. I didn't start exercising right away, but once I started, I've been pretty regular about it. I try to do the treadmill or ride my bike every day. I do both in moderation: I walk about 1.75 miles on the treadmill and I ride about 6 miles on the bike. Nothing too strenous, but I really think it helped me lose and has helped me to avoid gaining even when I wasn't following the eating rules too well. I've never actually vomited (as opposed to PBing) since getting the band. I guess in summary I can say that in the past year my body has become much more healthy, but my mind is still prone to turn to food for all the wrong reasons. I am working on this with a therapist. Can't wait to hear how everyone else is doing. Nancy

That must have been infuriating to watch! I work in a children's hospital and we are going to start doing weight-loss surgery soon. I don't know for sure, but I guessing it will be gastric bypass. While I think the band would definitely be the better choice for a child, I do feel that some children and teens really do need surgery. I have seen more than a few who weigh near 400 pounds, who can barely walk, and who are suffering from heart failure. They will almost certainly die before adulthood if they don't have surgery. After all, they come from families who have not been able to provide enough support to lose weight by traditional means. Nancy

Janie, it sounds like you are doing the best thing by resolving to get back on track. I have seen studies that show that this is one thing that people who successfully lose weight and keep it off all do. So don't beat up on yourself because that can feed into a self-destructive cycle in which you start to feel bad about yourself and then eat to feel better. Guilt is not your friend. We all get off track from time to time. Learning how to get right back on is part of the journey, I think. Nancy

Darcy, I can understand your being worried, but try to relax. It could definitely be something minor. And I agree that it could actually be something that is not band-realted. I also know what it is to be to be intimidated by a doctor's staff, but just remember, you have a right to ask questions and a responsibility to your health to do so. Just ingnore whatever attitude they might give you and come to us for all the moral support you need. I sure hope you feel better quickly. Nancy

You look great, Alex. And even your girls look happier in the "after" photo. Beautiful family. Thanks for sharing your success with us. Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to post photos, too. Nancy

Hmmm. . . Well, I guess we shouldn't be surprised. My professional social worker curiosity makes me wonder what exactly makes dear Sandy tick. I mean, she's been kicked off of boards before, right? And she most certainly has been the subject of lengthy threads full of anger. If it were me, I would take a hint. But no. . . The fact that she's now using other screen names is troubling. Anyway, Sue, where have you been and how are you feeling? I know you had a rough time post surgery. I sure hope you are feeling better now. Nancy

That's very moving. Well said. Nancy

Ok, well I guess the gum finally went down, though it took a while. I tried the Peanut Butter, Donali, and I really think it helped. Thanks everyone for their replies. It's so reassuring to be able to come here for rapid-response advice and wisdom. Nancy

Marie: Yeah, I'm not too happy about that. I may have over-reacted in calling them, but it does seem that someone from the office should be available for such situations - especially since it is not exactly the middle of the night. It's still working hours for most of the world. As far as gum being a problem, I remember that someone posted something about swallowing gum (it may have been on another board) and the advice seemed to be, "Call your doctor immediately!" Others said they had been warned that one thing you should never do is swallow gum. Naturally, nobody from Dr. Spivak's office cautioned me about that, but that's because I got no instructions from them whatsoever other than to stay on liquids for two weeks and mush for two weeks. I never even got the Inamed booklet. But if you swallowed the gum yesterday, it obviously has not caused a problem for you. I think the concern is that it can get stuck and cause a blockage at the band site. I was supposed to go for a fill yesterday, but a situation came up at work and I couldn't go. Now I'm glad I didn't because that would only make the gum situation worse. Donali: OK, I'll try the Peanut Butter when I get home. Thanks for the suggestion. Nancy

Thank you and thanks for checking with Jessie. I am drinking some warm tea now. I can swallow, but the gum feels like it is stuck in my throat. But Jessie's response is reassuring. I just thought I had heard of disasterous results with swallowing gum and I was picturing it creating a sticky web right at the band site. LOL Jessie and I think alike. I did actually think of going to the cafeteria (I'm at work) and eating some mayo.