jen_1381

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!!

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.

Everlag - you should have a WLS coordinator who will get all of your benefits in writing before you begin the process. In my case, she got the policy details at the beginning of March. When they applied mid-May for auth, UHC denied it because I didn't have two comorbidities (even though the three different people we spoke to said 1 comorbidity was fine, as did the paperwork she was able to reference). I technically did have two, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, but when the surgeon submitted paperwork he didn't put "Uncontrolled Hypertension", just simply "Hypertension". The surgeon had to do a conference call with the approval board at UHC and they approved it - - the DAY before surgery! I totally believe that the patient is responsible for knowing their benefits, but the technical stuff I left to my coordinator. They actually told us in our WLS Seminar that most times if you call and talk to two different people you will get two different answers.

I haven't thrown up once since surgery. The only reason I could potentially see you getting sick right post-op would be from the anesthesia/meds. If you're really concerned just let the anesthesiologist know that you'd like some anit-nausea meds. If you're thinking that vomiting will come further down the road with being "stuck", then the best thing is just to be cautious while you eat. Chew, chew, chew! I'm almost 11 weeks post-op and haven't ever been stuck or vomited. I used to HATE throwing up. I would make myself utterly miserable to avoid it, but started having intense migraines when I was 21 and vomiting came way too often (had the migraines 2-3 days a week - horrible!). I got really used to vomiting and now it doesn't bother me, but I only do it when it's necessary (hope I didn't set off any bulemic alarm bells - - I've said many times I could never be anorexic because I'm too hungry or bulemic because I can't stand vomiting!).

My surgeon does them every 4 weeks until you hit the green zone. Last time he did a 1/2 a fill because I was losing fine on my own (I have 4.5 cc in a 10 cc band). The hunger doesn't bother me so I'm fine waiting the four weeks.

We're on neutral terms, only because it's not really helping me so far. I have no restriction. But, it has inspired me to make great choices and be active. I do feel more full, for longer (most days) but I'm still not getting my "full" signal. It's just a matter of time though. I appreciate my band, and will even more when it comes into full affect!

I did the HCG diet last year. From January to May I dropped 45 lbs. BUT. I gained it all back plus 5 lbs once I started eating normally. Honestly, the drops did absolutely nothing for me. They're supposed to supress your hunger - they don't. It's ALL in the diet. You're on a very strict 500 calorie a day diet. Your body goes into starvation mode, and after a while you plateau, then if you bring your diet back up to "normal" the weight piles back on. They don't recommend doing it more than a certain time period then you go into "maintenance mode" where you are at around 800 calories a day. Still, not enough for the typical persons body to keep functioning and losing weight. The weight loss was fun while it lasted, but I do NOT recommend this crash diet. I fully believe all of my weight loss came from the diet alone, not the drops...and honestly the diet felt dangerous (but I was desperate). I would never do it again.

I set monthly goals along with my big overall goal. I want to be at _ _ _ by the time I have my next fill (since I'm still going in monthly). My doctor would like a 4 lb loss between each fill, so I like to at least double that for my monthly goal. Setting goals really helps keep the vision! Plus, a little competition never hurt anyone

Now is the time to start practicing that will-power that we all need post-op. You can do this!! The shakes are giving your body the nutrition you need. The hunger is most likely head-hunger (even if your stomach growls disagree!). Be strong! You will have much larger temptations as you adjust to your new eating life-style, so start resisting now!!