mrsto

As of yesterday morning, I didn't gain anything. I was afraid to look, but the scale was in the same place as it was before Thanksgiving. I was SO relieved!! Just goes to show……we can enjoy a holiDay. But when a holiDay becomes a holiWeek - Month or Year, we get into in deep doo doo. But I've been on the treadmill and walking these hills ever since Thursday, and will continue to do so. I got off track with my exercise about 2.5 weeks ago. But now I feel SO much better doing it

Yup...I think you got it right mrsto. Needing water, dry mouth, sweating and headache does sound like a hypoglycemic event. But what you described at the market sounds just like what happened to me. I swear it felt like my heart was going to come right through my chest. I got terribly flushed/warm and lightheaded. By the way....I work on diabetes studies in my job and know the symptoms of hypoglycemic events...so Bama....if it happens again...go see your doctor, OK?. I feel for you…… Panic attacks have got to be one of the most out of control feelings ever. During that time of the market event, they would wake me right out of a deep sleep. Horrible!

Thanks for mentioning that you see a therapist. I was thinking I might investigate doing the same thing if I find I can't shake this uneasy feeling. Most of the time, I can stick it in a corner but sometimes I feel really overwhelmed and think it would be good to talk to someone. I think this is a good idea. There are so many feelings that come up as the fat melts away from our bodies. Missy hit it right on the mark, about how our wall of fat serves to protect us. There is so much more to obesity than a love of food, or the compulsion to eat for emotional reasons. I remember a therapist telling me that very thing, and I resisted it at first, but then really came to understand it. Unfortunately, the epiphany didn't cure my eating issues, but it was helpful for me to understand part of the problem. I kept the extra weight to keep people (mostly men) away, so I wouldn't have to deal with my discomfort of their attention. Mind you, I craved the attention, but I was afraid and had major trust issues.

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Thanks so much for sharing! I was out shopping yesterday in a dept store and got dizzy, broke into a sweat, then mouth got really dry and I was so thirsty, then headache. Really scared me. I went to my car and drank some Water and took some deep breaths and was okay. Maybe that's what that was...an anxiety attack! I've lost 45lbs since Sept 9th and am really starting to feel the diff, physically and mentally! I get bored so quick now, and its an awesome feeling not to be depressed and have what I would call "black days". Oh what a feeling!!! This almost sounds like more of a low blood sugar attack. When I have a rapid drop, that is it in a nutshell. The only difference is, drinking water won't stop it. I have to eat something to quickly bring my blood sugar back up. Not pleasant! I think panic attacks are one of the worst ever things to go through. I've had my share, and now carry Xanax at all times. I'm not saying to run to your doctor & ask for a prescription, but it does an excellent job of helping me de-escalate, when I can't do it on my own. That wave of panic out of Nowhere…..horrible! One time, on X-mas day, I went shopping at the only market that was open. It was mobbed. I unloaded all my groceries at check out, and BOOM - my heart started racing, I couldn't catch my breath, and I was going to pass out. I told the checker that I left my wallet in the car; I'd be right back. Well, I sat in the car until the wave subsided a bit, then went home. I left all of those groceries at the checkout, with a huge line behind me. That was about 27 years ago, and I will never forget it. Interestingly, this was the day after I was released from an in patient eating disorders program.

I'm with you on this….. I never got stuck, but I can't help but feel that I stressed my "surgical system". I'm going to try & stick with liquids for a day or two. My husband has been on vacation this past week, so my food and eating is way off. When he is on vacation, he goes hog wild with eating, which makes it more difficult. Throw in the holiday…….yikes. I've been slipping and sliding all week long, and I need to get back in the LB saddle. I hate the way this feels…….like I'm losing control. Scares the crap out of me.

Ditto….. I was wondering if all the plication stitches came out…..couldn't quite figure out how I was able to eat as much as I did. Still, much less than pre-surgery, but waaaay too much of the wrong things :-)

My gastroenterologist told me that MiraLax is the safest laxative to use on a regular basis. Regarding Milk of Mag, other than once in awhile, he says it's not good for you. MiraLax really works wonders for me, but it does take a couple of days to kick in.

I'm so with you on the blood sugar issue. I was up for most of the night from sugar cursing through my veins. And I'm sure today will be a blood sugar roller coaster.

Yes, the site is starting to feel more like LBT. I'm not the most patient person, which came through in some of my initial posts after the switch over. But I'm so glad Alex and his team have ironed out many of the issues.

I've said all along, that I wouldn't have a revision if I lost my band. But now? I don't even know what the sleeve would be like after plication. Or if it's even possible. I have a lot to address with my doctor at my next visit. I want his take on the whole health insurance issue, and if there might be a way around it. A big question in my mind is, if new insurance is supposed to cover pre-existing conditions, would our surgeries be covered under that caveat? If we had a serious complication that required removal of the band, wouldn't that be considered "pre-existing"? Geez……so much to think about. I don't know that we'll get definitive answers, either. Last night……as I lay awake at 3am…..Thanksgiving sugar cursing through my veins, I was having a bit of meltdown on this. I really did a number on myself with all the possibilities, in addition to wondering how the hell I let myself eat too much crap. Okay…..it was a holiday…..I'm moving on

Hi evh, I'm 58, and was banded with plication in March. I'm eight months out, and I've dropped 57 pounds. I'm still so happy with my decision to do this, and haven't looked back. It's certainly not easy, but the band is the best tool I've ever had to control my portion size and hunger. I'm off blood pressure medication, my knees no longer hurt, and my other lab issues have normalized. I have a few more pounds to go, to get to the (reasonable) goal I set for myself, and I feel very positive that I will get there. I'm glad you registered on this site. There are many wonderful people here, and you will get a lot of support. Ask anything that comes up, and feel free to private message me…..if you want

I know this has been discussed at some point, but I want to address it again….. I've been having bits of fleeing panic over the idea that I (we) can lose bariatric coverage with all the health insurance changes coming down the pike. I'm safe for 2014, but what happens after that? My fear is, if I lose bariatric coverage, and have issues that require surgical intervention, how will I pay for it? This scares the crap out of me, and I'm thinking……if I do lose the coverage, I may just have the surgery reversed prior to that happening. And that in itself is a scary proposition! There are still many unknowns with the current flux in the healthcare system. I've heard a few people post that they've already lost their bariatric coverage…..and what will they do?? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I'm not posting this to open up another political discussion on the Affordable Health Care Act. I'm genuinely interested to hear what others plans are, should they lose this coverage.

I ate more yesterday than I have in the last 8 months. Even still, no stuck episodes. I've never been stuck, which I guess is a good thing. Given that I have plication, I'm surprised at how much I was able to eat. Not so much the actual dinner, but all the before stuff…..appetizers and wine. I did okay on the dessert, too. Oh……lets not forget the bowl of mixed nuts that ended up on my lap. Ugh…. I knew before we even got there that I was going to overeat. I just felt it coming, and didn't have the "strength of mind" to avoid it. But the GOOD news is, today is a brand new day Sometimes I wonder if I need another fill. I've been going through something over the past three weeks, where I'm not hearing/feeling the signals quite the way I did in the beginning. So I'm wondering…..is this a restriction issue, or a brain issue? I'm comfortable with where my weight is, and I fear that I'm getting a little TOO comfortable. Based on a long history of you know what (roller coaster ride on the scale), I'm a bit concerned. I will make an appointment to see my doctor in December.

Happy Bandiversary, tmf!! Congrats

I was asked the same questions by my doctor and the therapist, when trying to figure out which surgery to have. I'm a sweet eater, so they determined that I was a good candidate for the RNY. I almost went for it, but settled on the band with plication. The bypass is just to scary, and any sweets I eat anymore, is Protein bars or drinks. It's all worked out, and I'm glad I went with my gut on what would be best for me in the long run.

Could you please try to color inside the lines this time and please don't eat the green crayons. LOL!!

Hey Bandista.. can i just say one word for your troubles.... "IPAD"... lol sorry so not a fan of apple and all the hype that company generates.. i feel like we should just chant we are Borg you will be assimilated.... I totally agree, and I have an iMac - lol! I switched from a PC three years ago, and now run a virtual PC on the Mac to run my business (accounting). I do have to say that I've never gotten a virus, spyware or malware, but when this computer dies, I'm going back to a PC. Even if I have to replace the PC every three years, it's still so much cheaper than getting another Mac. I always say……Apple people are drinking some sort of Kool-Aid. Their products aren't crap, but they certainly don't fulfill all the hype. And now, with Steve Jobs out of the picture, it will be interesting to see if they keep up. Just MHO.

Ditto!! I was also scheduled for the RNY, but cancelled 10 days prior to surgery…..for the same exact reasons. Though I added plication to my band surgery, I still sleep much better knowing that it can all be reversed. Once the other surgeries are done, they're done…..no going back. I know of too many who've had major Iron deficiency issues with the RNY, and the margin for weight gain over time is equal among all surgeries. Given that, I went with the least invasive.

Better yet, fix you and the hubbie some fish for dinner here is the ONLY way i would ever eat fish..... OMG - that is just harsh - lol!

Many do not lose weight during the healing process. It sounds like that is exactly where you are. Until you begin getting fills, you're basically dieting……it's called "bandster hell". Just hang in there and stick to your recommended program. The weight will begin coming off soon enough. Just a suggestion…… I don't know how often you're weighing yourself, but it might be best for you to stay off the scale. Maybe weigh once every couple of weeks. I know for me, daily weighing has a negative emotional effect. So - I weight once every two weeks; maybe three. Good luck!

Great job! Well done

I think of my port as my "little friend". Probably sounds dumb, but this surgery was a big deal, and the port is one reminder that I have this implant. As the months go by, I can see how easy it is to go brain dead and slip into old habits. I scares me! Sometimes I'll touch my port as a reminder, and a mental reconnection with my band. Hey, I'll do whatever I have to do to stay on track!!

Alex, On the old LBT site, there was a section on the right of the screen "recent posts". Now that box only shows about 4 recent posts, and there isn't a "view all" button. When I go to New Content, many things toward the top are posts from two months ago. This, coupled with the other complaints you're reading, is too much to sift through. I completely understand the merging from a business standpoint, but I really hope us bandsters can band together again, soon I didn't realize just how much I appreciated the e-friendships I've made here, until the whole format changed. Even when I don't login for a couple of days, I find myself thinking about everyone. I miss the old home….. But like tmf, I'm hanging! Albeit, by a thread…..but still hanging

The last time I saw my internist (the first and only time since surgery), my T3 levels were low, though my T4 was fine. Her immediate "go to" comment was that I wasn't getting the proper nutrition since being banded. She's had issues with RNY patients being completely Iron deficient (along with other things), so of COURSE my issue HAS to be from my surgery, right? Not! I will admit, since my band/plication surgery, I eat very little fruit and veggies, because when I'm done with Protein, there isn't much room left. If I eat the veggies with my protein, I get full much faster. I'm still working on this. It's bothersome to me that I don't eat the level of plant foods that I used to (except for Beans, onions and tomato products). Anyway…… I agree with Cheryl….250 grams of protein is downright dangerous. I do have kidney issues, and was cautioned about excessive protein intake. I stick to around 50-60 grams per day, which is perfectly fine. Sometimes I have more, but rarely ever exceed 80 grams.