jen_1381

A few things....first, a side effect of anesthesia is the blues. Believe it or not...I've experienced it many times after surgeries. I just felt like crying, no reason why. Also, after lap band, your diet has changed durastically and you no longer can take comfort in food when you're stressed, especially right post-op. I've heard a lot of people feel like they're mourning the loss of food. You've got big changes ahead, and that can be very overwhelming. Add in the fact that the post-op liquid diet is not fun an all. All you can do is take it one day, rather, one decision, at a time. You CAN do this if you want to. I've done things on this journey that I never thought I could do. Reach out for support, this is a great forum to do that. I wish you all of the success in the world!

Tonight my husband, Jason, and I are venturing out on a weekend road trip going from our place in Washington down to Florence, Oregon, to see my cousin then back up the coast making stops in a couple more places. While I am SO excited to get away, it has me a little anxious. There aren't many healthy options when traveling, convenience stores and quick restaurants don't typically have high protein/low cal meals readily available! Plus, I weigh myself every day and have since starting my weight loss journey. I know there's tons of opinions on doing this, but for me it helps me stay accountable. Even though it's mostly water-weight fluctuations, it helps me tell which foods make me retain, etc. I also haven't seen my cousin, Brandon, in about 3 years (when I was around 240 lbs). He doesn't know about my surgery, and I don't think I necessarily have to tell him (not that he would judge at all, it's just something I've kept kind of private). I get to meet his wife for the first time, and his 6 month old son. I'm so excited to see/meet them, Brandon and I were the very best of friends growing up. We've been through so much together...we both feel like we have that "twins" connection even though we're cousins - - but we do look very similar! I'm also REALLY looking forward to a weekend away with my husband. He only gets 1 weekend off a month so spending some solo time with him is rare. We have a jacuzzi suite reserved at a hotel on the beach Saturday night. We need some serious R&R. We had the conversation again last night of "you're going to lose all this weight then find someone else". I know it's just his insecurities, and he doesn't bring this up often, but I feel like he's just waiting for the ball to drop. I'm not sure what I can do to assure him. Most of my underlying anxiety is coming from being scared I won't make the best choices, and I go in to see my doc 1st thing Monday morning for a weight check and fill. I wanted SO bad to be down a full 10 lbs, and right now I'm down 13 from my last appointment in July. I don't want to ruin that by bad choices, but am afraid I will get caught up in the moment. I'll have to ask my husband to keep me grounded Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!

GREAT topic. Very deep! I had an abusive childhood at the hands of my Aunt and Uncle whom were our daycare providers. After the abuse was discovered, I did therapy as a child (I was about 6) and just had it set in my mind that I was fixed. When I was around 14-15 I started having anxiety, yet I didn't realize it was anxiety until I went through the WLS program and saw a psychologist. I felt like I always had to be busy. I was always cleaning, or doing SOMEthing to keep my hand moving. When I had nothing to do, I would eat. Kept my hands and mouth busy, and kept me calm. Fast forward over the next 14 years and I didn't know how to relax. I wouldn't let myself have an ounce of fun, or sleep, until the whole house was perfectly clean and orgainzed. I wasn't completely obsessive about it, but I would literally lay awake at night thinking of laundry that needed folded. After seeing the therapist and recognizing my feelings/anxieties over what happened to me as a child, and focusing on a few relaxation techniques, I'm a COMPLETELY different person. Things that used to keep me awake are no longer a priority over living life. I'm not saying I let my house get dirty (don't think I could ever do that!) but I no longer stay home from fun things because I need to shampoo the carpet. Added bonus, learning to keep my hands still cut out all of my mindless eating. Now, before I grab a snack, I ask myself if I really need this, or if I'm just needing to move around. Then I take a deep breath....

My nutritionist recommended 80-100 oz. I bought a plastic Starbucks bottle that holds 20 ounces and pretty much drink all day long. Most days I can hit the goal but others I'm just not thirsty.

Well I've hit a plateau in a big way. It's oh-so-frustrating. I know that plateaus are normal. I know that everyone hits them every now and then. Does that make me feel better? Meh. I've gone two weeks with absolutely no change. I know, you're probably thinking 14 days insn't bad compared to some who plateau for months, but this is very new to me. Last time I went on a weight loss journey (pre-band), I did fantastic until I hit a plateau 20 lbs away from my goal. I rode it out for a few weeks then slowly sunk into my old habits and gained ALL of the weight back. What's scaring me is that last time I stopped losing at 190 lbs. Very close to where I am now, and I can't help but wonder if my body just isn't meant to walk this Earth at 160 lbs. Maybe this is all of the good I can do? I know that's the pessimistic side of me thinking, but I'm trying SO hard to break this. I tried increasing my calorie intake. Nada. Tried decreasing my normal by 200. Nothing. Tried upping my exercise and changing up my routine. Zilch. Even stopped exercising for two days. Nope. At least I'm not gaining..but really, I'm putting in the hard work. What gives?! I want so bad to be at a flat 193 when I see the doctor in 8 days. I've done so well at hitting my goals up until now. A coworker asked me two weeks ago how much I'd lost (he didn't know I had Lap Band) and I told him I had finally just hit the 50 lb mark. On Friday, he made another comment about my amazing weight loss and how good it looks. I felt like screaming - I HAVEN'T LOST ANY MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO!! But I refrained, and gave him that smile and you're-making-me-feel-awkward face. Okay, disclaimer: I'm usually NOT this negative (okay well I sometimes am but I don't say it out loud). I really am a glass-half-full person and am finally getting used to my "new" body. I just felt like I was on such a roll, and now I've stopped and am spinning in circles. My NSV that keeps me going is that I caught myself all curled up in my office chair last week. Like, feet up on the seat, curled up in a ball (I really was working! Just computer stuff gets boring sometimes). I noticed it and I actually felt comfortable, not like I was pinched in half and couldn't breathe. So yeah...that's kept me going through the week.

I was told gum was a no-no but I still chew it occasionally. Call me a "rebel" I guess I'm just very cautious. It's the only thing to keep my mouth from getting dry when I run.

Men are interesting creatures. Instead of showing worry or concern like most women tend to, they disguise it as anger, hesitation, or flat out rudeness. My husband was not the nicest person in the world when his mother was sick (she died from lung cancer 3 years ago) but I knew it was because his stress and emotions were at an all-time high. I literally had to sit him down and tell him that I know he's upset and asked him to please re-direct his energy because I'm upset too, and his attitude was not helping either of us. Maybe try leveling with him? Tell him if you're scared, concerned, excited, hopeful, etc. Maybe hearing aloud that you're having some feelings, he could relate.

NWGirl - I think I'm close maybe to feeling restriction...I'm just not sure, this is all so new! Last time I went in for my 2nd fill, he planned 3 cc's then saw that I had lost 12 lbs in the past month so decided to only do half...be less aggressive. I don't get my "full" signal, but I do stay full for about 4-5 hours after eating. I think I'm halfway to the green zone I would like to get that "full" signal. I worry though that he may not want to do a fill this time because I've lost 12 lbs since seeing him last (hopefully a few more by my appointment Monday). We'll see!

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most likely with your first fill you won't feel any restriction. Maybe for the first few days....but most times it takes multiple fills before you feel restriction. The fill itself has always been quick and painless for my. My surgeon places every port in the same place so there's really no "finding" for him. He has me lay on my back on the exam table, he draws up the Fluid into the syringe to fill my band with, then wipes the port area with alcohol. He gives it a minute to dry then has me get into a "crunch" position so the port is easy to access. He pokes into the port through my skin, adds a small bit of fluid then draws it back confirming he's in the port (if he's not, he told me no fluid would come back), then once confirmed he injects the rest. I have to wait 5 minutes post-fill in the office and drink a cup of Water. If it all sets well, then I'm good to go. liquids for 24 hours, Mushies for 24 hours, then back to normal. I've had two fills, have 4.5 cc in my 11 cc band and still don't feel any restriction. I go in for another fill Monday.

My husband thought at first that it was un-necessary, that I should just try dieting again and see if that made me feel better. He's never said a negative word about my weight (I started at 243 lbs) and didn't understand why I would resort to surgery. I sat him down one night and (calmly) explained that I only have one chance at life, and I do not enjoy it being obese. I had tried diets in the past and failed, and failure is my least favorite thing in the world. I explained that I'm just not comfortable in my skin, and I asked him to give me a chance. I asked him to have an open mind and let me make an informed decision. I went to the seminar alone (he was at work) and came home and laid it all out for him. I told him that I had decided to have the procedure, and while I would really appreciate his support, this was a decision I made for myself. The closer I got through surgery and moved through all of my pre-op appointments, the more interested he got. I shared everything with him, knowing inside that I couldn't let his opinion influence me. This surgery was something I had to do for myself. I didn't want to get skinny for my husband, family, friends, etc. I did this for me, and I just had to keep that attitude until my husband got on board. Fast forward to present day, we set goals together. He's also started eating healthier and has lost about 8 lbs. We go walking together a few nights a week. I told him that when I get to my goal, we'll go skydiving (something we've both wanted to do for a long time). He promised me a new wardrobe. My best advice would be to try to calmly and honestly tell him your feelings. Explain why you want this surgery. If he won't be on board, then try to acknowledge his feelings but not let them deter you.

Every now and then I'll have a handful of popcorn. I just make sure to chew it well. I only have 4.5 cc's in my 11 cc band and don't feel any restriction yet, but so far no adverse events

Yes! Don't stress. I was astonished to step on the scale the next day and weigh more. I'd been on liquids for a week, how did I gain?! It was, of course, from all of the IV Fluid and it took me a couple days to get back down to my surgery weight. I know it's hard, but try not to worry about the scale for the next few weeks. Your body is going through some crazy changes and will react on the scale. I nearly melted when I went to mushies and gained a few pounds in a day. Every diet change I would gain, it's like my body was shocked it was getting food again Just wait it out and don't take it too seriously for the first few weeks.

It's funny you mention the McDonalds right after groceries. I would always go grocery shopping then pick up something quick for dinner...after I just BOUGHT food!! Made no sense to me, but it was habit. Congrats for bypassing the bad food!! I knew the first 10 lbs I dropped were Water weight, but it didn't matter...it was 10 lbs gone!! Feels good, right?

Also consider the potential impact of hitting the water going fast. I asked my surgeon last month when I could start full contact MMA- type classes and he strongly advised against anything that may cause a direct sudden pressure to the port area. Maybe depends on how good you are in the jetski

Wow Jim, kinda scary! I noticed the other night that my port seemed more mobile than usual. Maybe it's because I'm losing lbs and can feel it that much better? That's what I've convinced myself I'm going to run it past my surgeon next week at my fill appointment. I wish I had advice for you, but let us know what your doctor thinks. Keep us posted.

I was relieved to say "good riddance" to my gallbladder! I had gallstones two years ago and had my gb out about 5 days after my first attack. The surgery was a piece of cake, just three laparoscopic incision, and minor post-op soreness. Good luck to you! Hopefully you'll feel better aftewards without your gallbladder. Once they start causing problems they're a huge pain...literally.

I'm not aware of one on Lap Band Talk. Most of us use apps or websites like Myfitnesspal. It's the one I use and love it.

My surgeon told me that by choosing Lap Band, I'm committing to be friends with him over the next year He said there is quite a bit of maintenance involved to get to the right spot, so expect to come monthly for about the first year. I don't mind coming, my insurance covers 100% and it's 5 minutes away, but if I was in your situation I would question it too. I set my monthly goals from appointment to appointment. You would think that once you're in the green zone, the visits would be less. I'll have to ask my doc when I see him next week.

Great job!! Success feels good, doesn't it?! I bet your body is so thankful you made those lifestyle changes. Keep up the good work, and keep shocking your WLS team!!

I would check with your surgeon, the first few weeks are all about healing and smoking has been proven to slow down the healing process. Your doc would be the best one to answer that since they all seem to have different preferences. (I spared you my lecture on not smoking...and it was tough! )

Each program is very different. I got a projected timeline of events at my WLS seminar. From seminar date to surgery date, it could take up to 6 months. I was able to cut corners (no need for sleep study or a few other tests) and was able to go to my seminar in the beginning of March and get banded May 18th. There was a two week delay in there because I had strep throat and couldn't meet with the surgeon for my planned appointment so I was bumped two weeks out. My WLS Coordinator said that mine was the fastest case she'd ever done that used insurance. It takes time, but is SO worth the wait! I used the time to get my head in check and get as prepared for my new lifestyle as I could.

My program set meeting the surgeon as the last step. I started a pre-op eating plan after seeing the nutritionist and lost about 12 lbs...putting my BMI below 35. I called the WLS coordinator and she said that they didn't submit the numbers until I saw the surgeon, so if I wanted insurance to approve it, I HAD to get my BMI back up to 35. Check with your coordinator or surgeon.