PandorasBox92264

I had to deal with a husband that kept pushing and telling me how to diet and exercise to get down to a size 2 which is what he felt I should be. I do not EVER remember being a size 2, maybe as an infant! We got met I was a 16 and got married I was an 18. I had to hear over and over about diet and exercise, mind you he looked like he had a belly. When I decided to go check into surgery after trying various diets then gaining more weight. He was against it, I think he was worried about the money however we had insurance that paid for most of it except the pre program fee which I paid out of my paycheck and the hospital copay which was minimal. During the pre op diet I had to deal with him eating the KING size candy bars, tasty cakes, chips and dip and even finding me when I was tucked in the bedroom away from the food on the computer. I told him to back the hell out and leave me alone. I felt he was being not very nice to make specific trips to the store just for junk food (which he never did before) during both the pre and post op diets. I called him on his going to the store and getting these items, and the perfect timing. All the bitching about my weight but when I truly go to do something about it then he packs in the junk food. I had to really try to figure out what was up with that. Right after my banding about a month out I lost my job, went back to school fulltime, Lost my Mom to Cancer and he and I were not getting along due to more issues that came along. I figured it all out, left and filed for divorce and have since moved back to Southern California where I am from. Both he and his family tried to blame me leaving on the band. It was not the band and I assured him of this because it was his lack of compassion during the time of My Moms struggle, the bullcrap things he said and treated me, the way he treated others, he was gone the majority of the year on jobs with minimal time at home. He had said he was worried I would leave him, originally that was not my intention. I think I finally figured out that I loved myself more and didn't need to settle for something that was not making me happy! I have backslid some, but back on track now. I have a great significant other, domestic partner hubbyish boyfriend that is fully supportive. Loves me thick or thin, supports my family, looks out for my band needs and we both look out for each other. We are best of friends and I can even talk to him about my feelings about not eating this or that, the food addiction, we banter, he even goes with me to doctors appointments. There are some relationships that will not last the banding process! However there are many more that don't last because they do not last! I have found that through banding things came out in the woodwork with female friends, co workers, extended family members etc. You will hear people talk negatively, some will be jealous. The biggest thing I can tell the two of you is to keep the dialog open, support each other, I would say take him to the doctor with you, cook together, be open.. make sure that you can tell each other anything about how you feel and you both will be safe. It makes A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!! Good luck

Chicken, Bison, beef, cottage cheese, yogurt, all kinds of beans especially black beans,.. morningstar farms veggie protein fake meats. I just made bison chili last night and LOVE it.. Eggs, almonds (but some people have issues with them) LOVE our Protein shakes.. when it doubt pull those out! String cheese sticks, deli lunch meats.. (try to stay away from over processed ones)

When I have surgery I always wake up feeling really puky! I did tell the Doctor/Nurses and everyone prior that this happens. Sure enough as soon as the nurse came to try to wake me in the recovery room, as I was coming too, I said Im gonna hurl!! I didn't but they had the stuff ready right there to go in my IV. Just let them know if you have a tendency.. they can make arrangements to have it near. They could get it anyway but I wanted to make sure!!!! You should feel much better tomorrow! hang in there... Just rest and recover.. and try to drink the fluids when you get back on them... keep in mind IF your on alot of IV at the moment, you might notice a some weight gain from the IV solution.. it will go away... So my suggestion is try to stay off the scale for a week or so...

I have had two versions.. My surgeon back east they used to have me lay down, insert needed do the fill/bandaid then drink a glass of Water before leaving the office. Prior to the visit I wouldnt eat much or right on top of the visit. The new Doc that I have here in Ca.. same on the food nothing sitting around in pouch.. inserts needle.. puts Fluid in.. makes you sit up with the needle still in your tummy which freaked me out a bit BUT it doesnt hurt. They then make you drink water kinda fast to see if it comes back up. Or how slow it is going down.. if you run into a problem and it starts to want to come up they can immediatly pull out fluid to get you over the block. It saves them from having to stick you twice and can relieve you faster.. I prefer the way my new Doc does it because you get to drink a bit faster than normal to see if there is something going to go on... both docs wanted liquid for same day as fill then pureed foods the next.. then go with comfort level on the 3rd day...

Ok you will laugh.. but I used to have this problem HORRIBLY...It would get inflamed, so red swollen and irriated. I would put baby powder on it to help sooth.. my Dad suggested this and this is off the wall but he also tried it and it cleared up the problem. I tried it because of desperation and it was probably 20 yrs ago He has some athletic foot spray, make sure you have underwear on so you dont get it near your girlie bits. Spray some Tinactin, then a layer of desinex... they are both antifungal athletic foot spray.. I dont know exactly why, but I NEVER have had it come back to that degree since I did that treatment.. It fixed his issue to evidently. after The only time I get any irritation is if elastic on my panties gets twisted... I also blow dry my personal area to make sure it is moisture free after a shower.. This also works IF you have a tendency for yeast infections.. or irritation in general. Hope this helps because it helped fix mine..and it has helped others i know..

Get back on the Wagon!!! I was banded in 08 and had partial unfill july 09 because of moving cross country due to death of Mom and losing insurance. I didn't want to get stuck in a ER room with nobody knowing what to do with a band. Anyway I finally got another fill mid May and hopped right back on the wagon. Nobodys fault but my own, things happen... you live, you learn you experience life. There are many of us out here, just forgive yourself see your doctor. They did not give me a talking to, they understood, the important thing was I went back and going to start it over. You will probably have to go in for an Upper GI, and if you go elsewhere have your records transferred over or if you can see the same doctor then go to them. Just do it.. you will be happy you did.

I chew gum sometimes and had never been told not to. I do not swallow it and never have since I was little on accident. I am assuming it is a stuck issue.

I just decided to purchase a better scale for our house. Is anyone familiar with the Eatsmart Precision Plus or the Precision Premium? What about the Ozeri Precision Pro II or any other ideas? How have you found that the scale you have differs from what your Doctors office shows? Do you use the ones that show Weight, body fat, hydration and Muscle and bone mass? What do you use, and how do you like it? Does it show different readings on different areas of your bathroom tile? I am really curious as to what your guys think! This is a big deal because frankly I have never actually THOUGHT about buying a scale myself I just used hand me downs or what was available. So.. BIG step for me!

Welcome to the site! My sister had Gastric Bypass and ended up with a ton of complications and surgeries to fix them. She almost died from them and thank goodness she didn't. I opted for the Band and had it in 08, but had some Fluid removed due to being too tight and moving and not sure about finding another doc or what. I am back and got a fill several weeks ago again so i am back on the wagon. The band will not fix our problem, however it is a tool that is adjustable. It is still work to do what we need to do, but if your looking for support there is plenty on this site. I bop in daily to see what is going on and get support from those I do not know just from reading their posts! It is a good community with alot to offer! I am sure you will get alot of responses on your post.. so hang in there, join the crowd and ask whatever questions come up! Good luck!

If you just had a fill then you could have swelling, which is normal right after a fill. Make sure to follow the diet of liquids then pureed foods if that is what the doc gave you following a fill... Right after a fill I have a hard time with liquids too, you might also try to drink hot tea and that will help open you up a bit. I have to keep a water bottle on the bed or with me to drink, drink, drink... not near me but on the bed or chair so it is right there while I am hanging out. It is hard but try to drink as much as you can.. and it should open slightly..

Few things to point out.. Some of the Prep H products have a Petroleum base to them, same as Vaseline.. good for instant vaginal infection. I think the only thing from that that is suitable is the wipes, however if you are going to use a wipe use a feminine hygiene wipe. I know that some of their products contain witch hazel, which will dry the skin in your vaginal area, which can open you up to more infection, dryness, bleeding, cracking splitting etc. Some of the Cow Salves are petroleum based also, regardless even if it is cream that will cause an infection. Not to get too personal, but did you use a bedpan, have any gastric distress etc... If you had assistance in the hospital they might have by mistake transmitted bacteria from one place to another, which will give you a really good painful infection. The antibiotics can add to the problem! I take a supplement daily it is chewable and it is acidophilus it helps with your intestinal track and balance for guard with yeast infections. If you had a last hurrah before your surgery you could be having symptoms of cystitis, which is not fun.. I ended up in the ER one time for that, not a good time. You might find help in a product called Yeast Guard, it has some oils in it that are safe for the Vaginal area and it quite soothing. They have wipes also, I would avoid things with perfumes in it..and I still to this day have to be careful what type of body wash I use, or soaps because I will go into a full scale irritation and infection. Yeast Guard also has ******.. Can you eat yogurt yet? That is a good source of pro biotics.. also.. you guys will laugh.. BUT.. a remedy that I learned from a friend of mine is Plain yogurt suck it up into a Turkey Baster.. and make sure you lay down.. and Fill yourself up.. Yogurt is cool, it will ooze.. but will help to get some of that Probiotics up in into that area again... Sounds crazy but it soothes... Helpful hint::::: no fruit at the bottom Yogurt!!! You might get a cherry stuck! Hope it helps.. but seeing a GYN would help for sure.

Congrats, and welcome to the group!!

I had the same thing and started mine early after my band. I also had an experience when in hospital about 14 yrs ago and started WAY early. One of the ICU nurses told me that it is very common that for some reason women who go into hospital the majority will end up with a period whether or not it is due. I don't know whether it is adapting to the flowing hormones around the hospital or the stress or what. I know many have heard that our cycles will start to link up with friends/coworkers.. but.. In civilizations that had multiple wives/harems etc.. part of the reason for the addition of wives all the time was due to this reason. When someone new was brought in they were on a different cycle, so would be seen in the time when all the others were on their cycle, then the new woman would end up on the same cycle as everyone else eventually who usually followed the Alpha Female. For many of these Countries is was more of a taboo to associate sexually with a wife or concubine during this time, so they brought in new ones to add to the mix. Obviously it was a never ending cycle, but interesting to say the least.

My Surgeon had me doing 6 of the Slim Fasts per day for two weeks prior. I was also able to drink broth as well which was good for the wanting something savory. If you are doing the shakes that you blend, I find that if I add a bit less milk and a bunch of ice cubes the blended ice helps me alot!! Especially in summer it makes it more of a treat. Hubby and I both do the shakes and if we do not have them it is something we crave. He is not banded, just loves to partake in the process. We both swear by Isopure the Dutch chocolate version. Not alot of things agree with me and have a horrible taste. This has a good proteing, no sugar.. and was approved by the Doctor and the Nutritionist. Good luck

You hit the nail on the head! You are detoxing, it is an addiction and you are going through withdrawals! Hang in there with it, it will get easier but the first few days are the worst. Know it for what it is and you will find your body also purging itself, you mightg even have a bit of skin breakout. You will be hitting the bathroom, you might be cranky, you might get some thoughts such as you can eat this or that. It is your body saying to you to just eat it, continue on... just like someone coming off a drug. If you are having a rough time just come look on the posts and see what everyone is saying, it will help you keep focused! Read a book, or watch a movie without commercials. Listen to music, or meditate... I even took some naps to help me get through. Hang in there...

For the Chili I put in 1 can of Kidney and 1 can of Pinto Beans... I am thinking of mixing in black beans to give that a whirl. Helpful hint I dice up celery in small pieces and cook that in with chili. It helps with the problem of gas that happens when you eat the beans. My dad taught me that trick, and it will help in whatever you make and when it is cooked you cannot really taste it. I have never been a fan of celery so for me to use it, you must not be able to taste it. We put celery in our Protein shakes along with kale and ginger. Also, give Bison meat a try if you like Hamburger. It has a better nutrition value, it tastes really really good and it is more tender than beef.

Not having a BM can make you feel really nauseated. It is uncomfortable and I know with myself I can get a headache and feel like I am going to be sick. I would try to drop back down to liquids/soup/ and maybe yogurt ... Drink some hot tea which will help push things through as well.. and a warm heating pad, along with some of the stuff to bring it on. hope you feel better!

I am going to give you another version of what it could be IF this is your pain. I periodically get a pain on the left side, under the ribs, in the realm of the port area but it can move slightly. If I get it mild I can control it by laying back, if I get it bad I can't sit up, move for a bit and help me if I start to laugh when in pain. It feels like a charlie horse under my ribcage, the muscles can vary from twitching, gut wrentching, spasm that will come on suddenly and then can be gone. Worst time was for about an hour, then it left and hasn't been back. This pain is not gas!! It can hit, during sex (such great timing), after I have been out and not properly hydrated myself. To fix the issue I usually eat a banana, and start to make sure I get the fluids in and drink drink drink. I figured out that it happens like a calf charlie horse.. if i keep hydrated, I do not get them! Hopefully this is what your pain is... at least it is NOT gas!!!... Good luck! Am I the only one that gets these pains? I never hear of anyone else...sigh

I was banded back east in Philadelphia, and had to find a doctor out here. My insurance referred me to a Bariatric Practice in Fountain Valley, the main doctor is Peter Leport. I saw a Dr, Kelly Francis when I was there and everyone was really nice. They will take you if your banded elsewhere, I did have to get a upper GI prior to my fill and I had medical records to take with me too. I live in Palm Springs so it is a 2 hour drive each way, but they are who my insurance refers patients to. Not sure exactly where your located, but it is an option. Good luck

Get one blender and you can get seperate Canister/Jars for it so you do not have to mix sweet/savory stuff together... But you have one blender base. You can also get the food processor attachment for the blender base..or some blenders do the puree stuff for you. We have an Oster 6844 blender in a candy apple red color, and hubby dropped and broke the jar thing. We ordered replacement parts online and have extras.. We ended up getting a chrome canister for it instead of replacing it with glass.. which he already dropped and dented a bit. But it is still usable where the glass would have shattered. Shop around for them.. get some extra parts here and there.. for spares..

Ok scratch the 1/2 tuna steak! Hubby just made a really nice marinated tuna steak that we split... two small bites of that which i chewed well..and have a lovely time with a PB and a slime episode. SIGH>> First grilled tuna I had since the last fill, and looks like I will have to keep with another way to cook tuna maybe just tuna from a can and non fat mayo. Guess we will keep to Salmon which I have been able to eat since the fill! Hubby is very supportive..and feels bad.. and said.. Well.. we will stick to Salmon!! Can I make you anything else? Love him to pieces!

I don't go for the bread like I used to! My hubby has adapted to my eating habits since I got my last fill, I was pretty open prior. Now he splits a chicken breast, tuna steak, split a steak and I always have some left over and sometimes he helps with my leftovers. i can put down a pretty good amount of salad if eaten alone and I make it with Romaine lettuce and chew it alot. It goes down to not much but the Fiber works good for me. I have also found it helps if I am having something on the dry side to eat salad with it... If we have a potato we split a baked potato and usually have some left over. I do make bison chili at home so I know what is in it. I usually eat about a cup of it... (I don't load it up with cracker, but on occasion will put in maybe 3 tortilla chips the restaurant style ones for crunch. If we make bison burgers I eat a half, and we do use wheat buns.. I eat a portion of the bun and toss the rest away. Pre i would have eaten a full salad, bread, a full steak, a full potato... compared to now.. part of a salad, about 2-3 oz of steak, 1/4-1/3 of a potato depends on the size. I will take it home and usually eat off it for 2-3 meals and that is sharing with hubby. I didn't usually order Desserts out anyway, so that was not an issue when going out. I find that on my main plate I now always go for the Protein first.. I will have a bite here or there of the other stuff.. but it is my primary concern... My go to food when I do not know what else to eat is Morningstar farms veggie protein fake meat products..and cottage cheese. I put some cilantro on the cottage cheese for a bit of a zing to it. Snacks... Or I opt for part of a Protein shake (hubby and I split them, some string cheese, sometimes some cottage cheese with a few slices of banana mixed in. We try to shop on the perimiter of the grocery store! The main exception is the Morningstar farms (we try to keep out of the frozen section) stuff or black Beans , broth.. salsa etc.. Hope that helps some

Don't be afraid to call the office and ask.. Hey do you know if they submitted it. This way you will know. I always ask and joke with the staff when I call up a Dr office. Tell them your excited and nervous and generally as long as your nice to them.. they don't mind checking up. I would also ask if they know how far out the surgeries are being scheduled for and they can give you an approx date say 2 weeks or more or less. Good luck!

Congrats on your NSV!!! Your post made me smile!

Before my last fill I would here and there get the pain in the chest you feel like something is stuck there, do not try to eat more on top of it. I usually would get up and walk around, the eyes Water and get red, and sometimes you can be a saliva machine and get a bit of extra saliva to help wash it down. I never had to toss any of it up it would go down on its own after 5 minutes or so. After the fill I had some interesting experiences as i was relearning how to eat. I ate on top of a large pill.. I also took a pill after eating because I used to be able to do that. Post latest fill not anymore! I take a pill a half hour to an hour before I eat dinner. I make sure to drink plenty of Fluid after the pill to help wash it down and away. The new stuck episodes did not seem as easy to clear, I guess because I was blocked so something was going to come back up. I had a couple of variations... I leaned over the toilet and excess fluid kinda fell out of my mouth, think of it like an over filled/blocked funnel it wasn't going down fast enough so with a little lean it just drizzled out. I actually sort of burped while over the toilet and some of the excess came back up, it is not painful, or forceful but was a relief. I also had more of a vomit but not. I think because had the burps when i got stuck which seems on me to make more air get stuck which makes the block worse.. but it was not fully involving what is under the band.. much milder not painful, but it felt like something needed to come back up now.. My versions I have time to get to a bathroom and you feel it coming on. I do eat slow, but in these cases I swallowed without chewing properly so it was all my fault or eating and pill taking one after the other. I learned after trial and error in the week post my last fill... I seem to be working into it now and not having any issues.. you will learn