poodlecamper

I haven't posted in monthes--caught up in family drama, which I blame for my current "psychological eating". I'm just not feeling that motivation like I did in the beginning---going tomorrow for a fill and a dreaded weigh-in--I've lost, but not nearly as much as I should have. And already beginning to feel that old holiday stress. :thumbup: To add to a comment that someone made, Fairfield Bariatrics is the BEST!!!!!!! And St. V's is a wonderful hospital--3 surgeries there and no complaints. Now, I'm happy with my results so far, but want to have the gung ho attitude I did in the beginning--I'm taking the easy way out, and eating slider foods that are not the best choices. On a POSITIVE note--yesterday was my 4 year anniversary of survival from ovarian and peritoneal cancer, stage 3!!!!!!:thumbup: To anyone considering this surgery--go for it--it really is life-changing in the best way. Carol Hey Debbie in Stratford, how are you doing?

Jeff---There are so many things I want to say to you--it would fill a book. I wish I could've had this surgery 30 years ago--I missed so much of life's participation as I steadily gained. I will address your fear of missing food and being able to binge--I had the same fear---how could i give up such a big part of my life? Something that gave me such pleasure? Well, believe it or not, you WILL eventually be able to eat the things you love. But you won't be able to eat massive amounts, and you will get used to it. And as you lose, the food will take on a smaller role and focus in your life. I ate at Taco Bell the other day--not as much as my family, but i was satisfied with it. You may even be turned off by things you loved, because you know they won't "work" anymore. (hamburgers just won't go down anymore and are a very unpleasant experience for me) You're so young---and there is such a big world and so many experiences out there. I have a list of goals that include kayaking and horseback riding for myself. What are your goals? I wish you lots of luck and hope you find support from this group. Carol

The family went out to celebrate my daughter's graduation--as we were seated in a large booth (which I try to avoid) I checked underneath to make sure it could be moved to accomodate me--was I shocked to find I fit with room to spare!!!! I no longer need the seat belt extender in my car!!! I can shave my legs in the shower AND polish my toenails without almost passing out.

Welcome Katie!! The Fairfield group is wonderful--you have made an excellent choice. I had my lap band done 1/15 and, like you, have been in pain and barely able to get up n the morning. I am walking more and in less pain now, and wish I could have had this done years ago. I am 57, Mom of 4, grandma of 3 1/2 and a 3 1/2 year survivor of stage 3 ovarian cancer. So I want to make my time here "quality time"!!!! This is a great forum and you'll get lots of good advice/information here--welcome!! Carol

Hi--I was banded on 1/15 by Dr. Craig Floch (who also removed my gallbladder before) and I second everything MarLinda said. What a great staff and a compassionate, skilled surgeon. I think I may finally have good restriction after last week's fill. Up til now, I've been able to eat way too much and it's been willpower that's kept me losing. I hope to lose 100 lbs. by October. My port flipped, and I had a month-long plateau until surgery to fix it on 5/20---couldn't get a fill. I really feel the restriction now.

I've been banded 4 1/2 monthes, and up until last Friday felt I could eat way too much---I had to use more self-control than I had anticipated to keep my calories down. Now, things are very different--and variable. Yesterday 1/4 of a hamburger barely went down. Today, 1/2 cup spaghetti and 2 tiny meatballs went down easily. Even liquids have to be swallowed slowly, like going down a backed up drain. Before I could down 12 oz of fluid in a few seconds. I guess it's just a series of fine-tunings. I'm giving this 2 weeks--to see if I need to have some taken out. I'm happy though, losing weight without that hollow, starving feeling. Wish i could've had it done 20 years ago!!

Whoops--that was 5/20 I had the surgery on.

Hi--I had my initial surgery done 1/15/08. After the first couple of fille, it became more difficult to access my port. X-rays were done, looked ok. Then in April, the port was totally inaccessible. I was going away for 2 weeks, plus insurance had to approve the port revision, so surgery was scheduled for a month away. On 4/20, the port was reattached. The surgeon said he had never seen anything like it, the suture material broke at all four attachment points---seemed like defective suture material. Anyway, I went home three hours later, and except for minor soreness, felt fine. The hardest part was going on a vacation with no restriction!! I ended up gaining a pound. Best of luck. Carol

I had the same problem with gas--every swallow felt like a lump in my throat and burping relieved it. Gas was coming out of me everywhere!! And the stomach pressure was awful. I didn't shower for 5 days !!!! By one week post op I finally felt like myself and was able to drink the required amounts. It was a rough week---and my doc requires clear liquids 2 days preop and an additional week post op. Sleep is good for you, rest, you're healing, and hang in there.

Cool Crystal---Good point: Men are "meat and potatoes" guys or just love food---with women, it's always straight to the psyche.

Sounds great to me!! I love cookbooks written by "regular" people.

Glycolax(also called Miralax)---it mixes well, doesn't thicken, and works by drawing water into the intestine to "flush it out". No cramps. I've been using it since chemo made my bowels sluggish. It's over the counter, if my doc writes a RX for long term use,(3 monthes) it's covered under my plan. Carol

Hi Ctman, Dr. Craig Floch did my surgery on 1/15, and all went well. My first week postop was pretty rough---GAS coming from everywhere!!!!! Make sure you have a couple of boxes of the Gas-X strips on hand. I survived the week of clear liquids and tomorrow will be day 7 of full liquids. The post-op pain was minimal, the pressure from the gas they fill you with was very uncomfortable, though. Had to give myself Lovenox injections for one week postop, due to being high risk for blood clots. I was on the 10th floor, the nursing staff there was great. I feel pretty good, have to start exercising now that I'm allowed to resume my arthritis med. Take care----Carol :wink2:

I wasn't a burper before--but now!!!lol I have to burp, long and loud, or I'm very uncomfortable. I do take Gas-X if it gets too much, it helps a little. Carol

GO GIANTS!!!!!!! I'm from a multigenerational and in-law Giants family. My late father used to scream in a high-pitched voice and he and his brothers would jump up and down in our living room while they watched the games. He watched TV, had a transistor radio to his ear (this was the 60's) and have a game on the radio in the bedroom and run between the rooms to follow the games. He was a fan!!

Rain, What beautiful children!! Makes me long for when mine were that age (but only for a few days! LOL) My girls are now 29 and 27, my boys are 24. A big success one I remember was a large box, I cut a door and windows in it, and they decorated it with crayons.They loved their "playhouse".My 2 year old granddaughter enjoyed doing my PT exercises with me after my shoulder surgery. Hope the girls feel better soon--I remember when my 4 kids had chicken pox over a month's time--in February in CT!!!! I really do feel for you and know how difficult it is--I worked part-time at a demanding job, and it was EASIER than parenting, believe me. Sending a prayer your way. Carol

Today I feel pretty good and am finally starting FULL liquids. Jen--the first thing my own mother said when I told her I was ok'd for surgery--"You'll have all that saggy skin". Sigh. There goes that thong bikini!! Still, after 21 days of a 98% liquid diet, I have no energy. And it's 28 degrees out. This first month is NOT easy!! Carol

Hi everyone!! I have to say this was tougher for me than I expected--terrible bloating/gas pressure,sliming nausea and horrible stomach gas helped only a little by Gas-X. But today I'm starting to do more, and except for awful hunger (and some weakness from it) I think i'll survive!! I cannot take any arthritis meds for 2 weeks, so walking is difficult at this point. Can't wait for Tuesday, when I can start Stage 2, although I am a little nervous about gas and nausea---I'm so excited to think about pounds coming off and STAYING OFF!!!! No more yoyoing. I told my DH--"You are taking me to Aruba after I lose 100 lbs.!!"--I've never been there. Hope everyone's doing well!! Carol in CT

Congratulations Sue!!!! What a wonderful feeling that must be!! And you did it so quickly---shows what sticking to the program can accomplish!! Woohoo start shopping those Spring clothing racks!! Carol

At 19, I weighed 132 (ht. 5'5") and was nice and firm--and I wore size 11/12 jeans!!!! Wide hips and big butt thanks to genetics. My daughter at 5'2" and around 145 wears a size 8--10. Go figure. Mysurgeon has never discussed a goal weight with me, so I picked what I weighed when I was married and figured I'd adjust it, depending on how I feel and look. After 4 kids, including a set of twins, who knows what will end up where? Carol

Hi---I was done on Tuesday and still feel pretty crummy. Sl nauseous, burpy, weak---I'm on clear liquids until Tues 1/22, hope that helps me feel better. I usually snap back quicker after, so I would say you might not feel able to travel----maybe have a back-up plan? Carol

Hey Diane, my surgery's at 7:30 too!!! But EST, so before yours. Nikki, thanks,that's my beloved poodle Delilah. Also got a puppy this summer, Oliver , a white poodle, "the Devil Dog". Good luck to everyone tomorrow!! Carol

12 days of 4 Optifast shakes and 2 Optifast bars, 2 days of clear liquids--my banding is tomorrow also!! (I lost 10 lbs.) Best of luck. Carol

After I have my band done (Tuesday) and I start to lose---I might broach it with her. She eats a very healthy diet and exercises regularly, but then adds the junk food. And one of their hobbies is making beer !!:welldoneclap: We all know it's a big life-decision---took me years to make up my mind. Carol