aubrie

S. Missy: I think there are quite a few people that experience hiccups when they are full. Hiccups are an early warning sign for me. If I eat one more bite once I start hiccupping, I get stuck. So I'm thankful for that. My DH will even take my plate and scrape it off for me. After 9 months, he knows when it's time for me to stop. He hates for me to be miserable and uncomfortable. He's been so good through all this, and is my biggest supporter. A constant source of encouragement.....

I asked about discounts at a nearby restaurant. The waitress was so nice when I explained why. She said she would ask. The owner said, NO!. She was embarassed and very apologetic. She said she would give anything to do what I did, and wished me all the luck in the world. I've never asked again. But I do have a card. My doctor gave it to me in the hospital before I went home from surgery. It also had medical information should I ever get in an accident. Like being careful with intubation tubes etc.

Secret. Yes, my doc does have me do something wierd to find the port, although you can feel it pretty easily. I lay flat on the table. He gives me a topical, then I get a lydocaine injection. He waits, then he has me push my stomach out and bear down like I'm having a baby. My port pops right up to the surface. First quick stick and it's in. I've never had to go through a series of sticks thank God. My doctor does it himself EVERY time. He doesn't allow his nurses to do it. He puts in a good fill while I'm drinking water through a straw held by the nurse. When the water starts to back up, he stops and slowly takes some back out until the water goes down easily. I rest for a minute and then drink some more water. If that goes down, he takes the needle out. Then I sit up for 5 to 10 minutes and he has me drink some more water. If that too goes down, I'm free to leave. So he triple checks. So far I've never had a problem, and I've had 4 fills and one complete unfill.

Yup, three out of my four fills caused an ugly bruise. They are about the size of a silver dollar, and they take three weeks to go away. I don't know why they last so long, but they don't hurt.

I got a fill after my vacation. When I'm spending that much money, I want to enjoy it, and not risk any problems. I would HATE to be in a strange place, have a problem, and not have my doctor around. Or horror, there NOT BE a bariatric doctor around!!! Plus, I knew from flying prior to that, that flying makes my band tighten anyway, and I didn't want to risk being to tight and then being miserable and ruining it for my husband. Plus, I ALWAYS lose weight on vacation. I have a desk job, so being on vacation and swimming, snorkeling, hiking, walking, dancing, and riding bikes causes me to actually lose weight anyway. I'm very active on my vacations.

Restriction is a pressure or dull ache in my left rib cage area when I've had enough to eat. It can be hiccups if I need to quit eating. When I get stuck, which is totally different than restricition, It feels like a flaming golf ball in the middle of my chest between my boobs. I don't get stuck very often, and rarely if ever PB. But the restriction is always there, reminding me not to overeat.

I think people notice, but many are at a loss about what to say. They fear they may offend you by bringing it up. They don't want to be crass or rude, or make you feel bad. It is an awkward situation, and they don't want to upset you. some people are very sensitive if you mention their weight. I catch people staring at me all the time, but they never say a word. They notice....... Not to mention the people out there that are jealous of your accomplishments, and don't want to give you credit for it, because it would make THEM feel bad for not taking control of THEIR weight problem. Jealousy can be an ugly thing....... Don't worry. Believe me. 45 pounds DOES show.....

Many bypass patients get B-12 shots. I would HATE that. The sublingual does absorb better, and you actually utilize more of it. My doctor doesn't recommend a B-12 supplement routinely, but he always tests for it when I have blood work done. I've been perfect, so I don't need the extra. I take Bariatric Advantage mulit-vitamins, so they are specially formulated for us, so I guess they work.

Good to know fanny. I use herb tea when I'm feeling a little puny myself. I like peppermint tea for that occasional nausea. Chamomile works well too, when I just need something soothing. I love ginger, so I'll try it. Pre-band, I ALWAYS reached for ginger ale when I was sick. My son gets sea sick, so we always brought it along when we went snorkeling. It worked like a charm for him. but of course, no more fizzy drinks, so the tea will be welcome...... Glad you're feeling better. I was getting worried about you. Did you fly out early or tough it out?

SassyMama you cracked me up!!! I laughed out loud when you said you would eat an onion if someone handed it to you, and you don't even like them...... I'm sorry you're having such a bad time, but this to shall pass. Hang tough. You do not want to risk harming your band or messing up your stitches. Be patient. It will all be worth it when you step on that scale!!!

Water also helps curb your hunger. Midway between meals, if you feel like you need something in your tummy, water helps take the edge off. It also flushes your system. With your body breaking down all that nasty fat, the water flush becomes REALLY important. Some bandsters (like me) suffer with constipation. Drinking enough water helps with that two. So there are many reasons to drink that water!!

Acheiving self realization at the tender age of 18 is phenominal. The fact that you are so in tune with yourself at such a young age is admirable. You seem to know yourself fairly well. Most people wouldn't see the things you do, or would be in denial over them. If you can talk about deep things with your BF, then keep talking to him, but if you feel smothered, then taking a break would be the right thing for you to do. But I wouldn't get rid of that friendship just yet. You still need a support system. EVERYONE does!!! You seem like a real smart and introspective young woman with a good head on her shoulders. Relax, and enjoy things in your life. Enjoy college. It will be the best time of your life, and now you have a new outlook and new attitude to go with it. Don't fret. I think you're on the right track. Especially for your age!!!

I still don't like chewing my food down to sludge. It loses it's flavor and feels icky in my mouth. I can't stand it, but I do it so I don't suffer with the flaming golfball later.

My best friend had a terrible botched Lab Band job done in Houston by Dr. Spiegel. She suffered horribly for a year, and the office staff just basically blew her off. She FINALLY found a doctor in Victoria who was willing to take her case. He had to do extensive corrective surgery, but was able to save her band. She's doing well now, but the old band is beginning to act up. Her new doctor feels one of the newer bands will really help, so he approached the original band manufacturere and explained the problem. They even came to meet him. They were not opposed to helping fund a replacement with a newer model. My friend is delighted. So she is looking into this. It IS possible.

My only regret regarding the band, is that I didn't do it sooner!!!

I had gallbladder surgery two weeks ago. Had to have all my fill taken out for a second surgery I ended up needing two days later. BUMMER! I went yesterday to get my fills started again. I had been up to 5.5 cc, and was worried I'd have to start slow. I didn't. The doc put back in 4, so I'm not far off the mark. I lost 7 pounds in the hospital!! (5 days of clears) Anyway, the doctor had wanted me to keep a food diary for a week so he could assess my eating habits. I'm very proud to say that I got an A-!!! I thought he would really fuss at me, but he was actually proud of me. His only complaints were, snacking after my workouts with a few chips, a couple indiscretions with a cookie and skim milk at bedtime, (hey it's better than the whole milk and the half a bag of cookies that I used to eat!:wub:) and eating tiny amounts of white rice, pasta and white potatos occasionally. I HAVE to switch to brown rice, sweet potato and only whole wheat pasta (which I hate), and only that type of carb 3X a week. My intake of fresh veggies and fruit, fish, and protein was right on target. I'm good with my dairy and water. I'm good with my food choices, and did well in a dining out situation for work. I'm eating solid food for breakfast. And I'm good on my fat intake and remembering to take my vitamins. Even my portions were right where he wanted them. I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! :thumbup:I have successfully changed my eating habits for the better, and couldn't be more pleased!! :smile2: I'll take an A- any day.

I can control my cravings for most things, except salty chips. I have the WORST time with that..... If I crave something I can usually go watch TV, read, clean the house, do laundry, anything to get my mind off of it, but chips literally call out to me!! It's horrendous. It's a struggle to convince my mind I don't really need them.

I crave salty and crunchy. Mostly chips. I have to not even be in the same room with a bag of kettle chips. tostitos and salsa. Trisquits with cheese. It MUST be the salt. Now that I'm used to extra protein in my diet, I crave that a lot too. I keep turkey in the fridge for just this reason. One slice of Butterball Cajun Turkey and I'm satisfied.

Obstructions can occur from lack of bowel movements. If you get to impacted, your colon can actually burst and poison you in short order. DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THIS. I had this happend after a shoulder surgery a few years back. I was in the hospital longer with the impaction than I was with the shoulder surgery!!! Pain meds were the culprit. Now I avoid pain medication as much as possible. I just grit my teeth and bear it after the initial day or so. Tell your doctor about this immediately. You can really hurt yourself with this. There are several things he/she can do to help.

Help!!! I'm now two weeks post surgery, and my blood pressure is still giving me fits. It's not coming down even with the new dosage of medication. What could be causing this???? Now I'm getting worried. Comments? Information? I go back to the doctor on Wednesday the 20th for my first post op fill. Do you think a fill will alter the blood pressure even further? I can't figure this out. It's a mystery at this point.

Happy Bandaversary and WAY TO GO!!!! You did it!!! Congratulations. I know you have to be on top of the world. Enjoy life!

Susan, You're right. I forgot to mention that.... I hiccup too!!!! When I start with that, even my DH knows I've over done it and he'll put my plate away. He never says a word. Just picks it up, scrapes it off and in the sink it goes!!! I don't mind in the least, because he is so non-challant about it, and doesn't harp on me. Such a sweetie!!!

I'm 5'4" and currrently weigh 187. That puts me in a size 16 jeans. I have a small waist for my size, so I can get into a 14 skirt. I wear a large or extra large shirt. My goal is to weigh 140. By past experience, that would put me comfortably in a size 10 or 12.

I've only PBd twice in 9 months. Both times it was more that something got stuck than overeating. If I overeat, my stomach hurts BAD. And it doesn't go away for hours. I also get very intense and painful gas. So I pay for it. So for me, a PB isn't always the sign I have overeaten.

APPEAL!!!! It took me 11 months to get approval. DON"T give up. I had to get letters of support from my OB/GYN, rhuemetologist, my PCP, and my cardiologist before they decided to pay for it, not to mention the hoops I danced through like you did. Just be persistant. The insurance companies are counting on the fact that you will give up. I think they just want to see how bad YOU want it...... bastards...., but play the game. You'll win in the end.