MsPris

Hello again: I updated my ticker, but can't remember where to go on this website to put it. Can anyone help a computer dummy. Actually, when I started this journey -- I was 248 lbs. And I am currently 119 lbs. Thanks again, Priscilla

Greetings Everyone: I have been so very busy that I haven't had the opportunity to write, though I have come on and read everyone's posts. - Not all, just the last two pages or so everytime I come on. I had a rough November, so I'm kind of glad the New Year has been ushered in. And in CT, it's been "stormed in with snow." Anyway - I do have a question I was hoping someone could answer. Because I had the gastric bypass, I have now developed a hernia. So, because I need to have the hernia repaired, my surgeon informed me the insurance would pay for plastic surgery on my stomach. I'm assuming a tummy tuck. My appointment with the Plastic Surgeon is next Monday the 19th, and I am so excited to go. For those of you who have had plastic surgery, how long was the recupperation and has anyone posted any before and after pictures anywhere, and could you tell me where they are? I promise that I will post, my before and after pix, after my upcoming surgery. Thanks a million in advance for responding. Priscilla in CT.

HAPPY - belated - BIRTHDAY !!!

Read the pamphlet - hopefully your surgeon gives you one - or you may already have it - on Lapband surgery. read - all the complications - and not just - after the surgery. I had surgery 7-16-07 for a band and awoke in the recovery room to my surgeon standing over me saying: "You're alright - everything's fine - however, As I was passing my instrument, to bring the band around - I accidently punctured both your esophagus and liver. I had to to repair those injuries first - so you have no band in - and because of prior scar tissue on my stomach from an open gall bladder surgery 30 years ago - I can NEVER have a band - because it's in the exact same spot your injuries were and you will have too much scar tissue in that area for it to work. Waited 6 months - still had weight and severe health problems. Only option - Open Gastric Bypass. Had that Feb 6, 08. Have lost 82 lbs. and best of all..no more Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Barretts esophagus is under control. So, I wish you the best of luck - however, I believe everything happens for a reason - so when it happened - I wasn't even upset. And now, to be honest with you I'm glad it happened. I'm much happier not having to go for fills - and all that stuff. And because they bypass the small intestine, my diabetes was gone within one week. So, I'm very happy. Good Luck to all who read this. Go ahead with the band. This is where I started last May or June, before my surgery. I'm a member of the July 2007 bandsters. And, I still consider myself part of the group - even though they got a 6 month head start on me. Priscilla:thumbup:

Greetings Sammey1 and Shortgal: I'm in Waterbury. Had my surgery at St. Raphael's in New Haven. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. You don't have too much longer. Bear with it, it's worth it in the end.

Greetings All: I’m so excited I finally made it into onderland. Actually almost a week ago, but hated to post such a milestone until I was certain it was definite. Patti C: - Don’t berate yourself for what you did or didn’t do this month or even yesterday. I’m not a band expert as you can see from my signature, so I don’t know if a cup of food at each meal (Did I understand you correctly?) , is good or bad. However, Jackie posted a great post about water. My doctor has on one of her hand-out’s - if you aren’t sure if you are hungry or not, drink water! Jackie: - Congrats on your Casino windfall! Linda: - You have my deepest respects for the mentoring and volunteering you do. Karri: - Hope you are able to eat soon. Glad you decided to go for an unfill. Kristin – Happy ST. Pat’s Day to you also. Not cooking Irish this evening- neither son nor fiancé is crazy about corned beef. As far as cooking fish, I honestly don’t have any great recipes. I only like mild white fish, Tilapia, Sole, Flounder, Pollock, & Haddock. Cod-only in fishcakes. Other than that, I like shellfish of all kinds. (And besides, breaded and deep fried is the only way to cook fish or most shellfish anyway.) Isn’t it? That was my attempt at a funny ha-ha! I’m looking forward to FISH recipes, also !! Phyl & Janet - Thanks to both of you for your help with the site. I’m so envious that you got to spend time together. Hope everyone has a nice St. Pat’s Day, whatever nationality you are, and regardless of what you eat for dinner.

Ara: Just wanted to wish you luck in your quest. I too, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995, but more than any manias, I suffer from depression and anxiety. So, I take an anti-depressant (Zoloft) and I also take Klonopin. Keep your appointment with the new psychiatrist and explain the circumstances. Make sure he or she knows your PCP has made sure you are stable and the psychologist-for surgery approval - feels you need more counceling. It might take two or three visits, but if your PCP writes you a letter stating you have been stable and the new Psychiatrist does also, I don't think a non MD Psychologist can refute their findings. I don't know if that helps or not, but good luck. Priscilla

Greetings All: Janet - thanks for the info on how to include quotes in my messages. But, this computer dummy has another question???? How on earth, or more appropriately where on earth do I add a fancy name from glitterfactory or my weight change from tickerfactory? I can't figure out where on my account these go. Can someone please help! I read as many posts as I can, but don't always have time to respond. So, everyone keep up the good work! Priscilla

Dear allaboutmefl, frustrated, indiogirl55, lindaa, salsa1877, jackie506 and peaches9: I haven't quite figured out how to post your responses as quotes in my replies, but a big thank you to all of you who gave me input. I don't remember who said they missed GUZZLING Water, but add me to the list. I've been the Ice Water queen my entire life. Boy do I miss that. As far as my meds, as soon as I went home, I was off my metformin, lipitor and diovan and prevacid. However, I do have to take a Centrum adult chewable Vitamin every day, along with 2 Tums EX and sublingual B-12. The psych meds I'm supposed to be on are Risperdal - which I took myself off of 2 weeks before surgery, Zoloft and Klonopin. According to my doctor, I am not able to any longer swallow pills. They all have to be crushed or in elixor (sp) form. Risperdal - which I think I should go back on and the generic Zoloft, sertraline are also football shaped type pills and crusing them up in Jello is ridiculous. Even after they are crushed there is as much pill as Jello and so I just can't do it. It literally makes me gag. I'm going to have to go to my PCP or call my pharmacist to see if either of those pills come in chewable or elixor form. The other option is to see how small the brand Zoloft is and maybe get my insurance to override the generic as the brand name being medically necessary. I thoroughly enjoyed all your responses to my questions. It made me feel like I was not alone. And as strange as it seems at my age, I don't know anyone personally who has had a lap band or a gastric bypass. So you great ladies are my sounding board, and lifeline as I go on this journey. Thanks again for everything. Hugs and kisses! Pris

Karri: Thanks for the quick response. I really think most of my depression centers on my weight also. However, the 100 mg. sertraline (zoloft) is so big and bitter to the taste. I do still take my Klonopin though, since my doctor recommended I stay on that. I know the first day I came home from the hospital and my fiance made himself dinner, I thought I was going to vomit as I watched him eat the whole bowl. And, as I said, it's not that I'm hungry, It's just that everything smells so good. But, I remember a quote from a while back, "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." Congrats on your phenomenal weight loss! Pris

Karri: Thanks

Hello again: Thanks to all who replied and remembered me. I do still feel like part of this group, though my surgery was different. First let me say I am NOT hungry eating my 1/4 cup of protein 2-3 times a day, plus my snacks of Sugar Free Ice Pops and Jello. However, I do need some advice and input. I suffer from clinical depression, and take medication for that. Which is not that easy, since I am supposed to crush my pills and mix them in with my jello, but it is so bitter, I dread doing it so much I have nearly stopped taking my anti-depressant totally. Which leads me to my questions. 1. Did anyone suffer from depression after the lap band, just because? 2. I live with my son and fiance who are both big eaters, and some times I feel envious that I just can't chow down like they do. Esp. in the mornings when they are eating bacon, egg and cheese on English muffins. I'm happy I'm losing weight and the praise they are giving me is wonderful. When does the psychological aspect of wanting to eat - seem to subside? Or does it ever really go away? 3. I also wanted to know about everyone's goal weight on your tickers. I am 5'3" tall and according to my doctor she would like to see me reach a goal weight of 147 lbs. So, are your goal weights what your Doctors set for you or are they your own personal goals? I'm sure I'll have a million more crazy questions before my journey ends, so bear with me. I'm the new kid on the block now. Hugs and kisses, Pris