Telecia

I only had hives once in my life and the doc said they were from stress!!! Even if you can't take a soaking bath you can still make up the oatmeal in a basin/bucket/sink of warm Water and use handtowels or washcloths and lay them on the skin. Avoiding the incisions as much as you can. I can't remember what the dr perscribed for me but plain old benadryl or any antihystamine helps with the itching. If the itching gets to bad as a last resort you can use oragel or any tooth numbing gel/liquid too. it won't work for long but can sometimes provide instant relief for 15-20 minutes, while meds kick in. I have had to do this with my daughter when she gets poison ivy to keep her from digging at it.

I would think waterproof would be the worst thing you can do for a wound trying to heal as they heal faster if they can dry out. Keeping moisture in just makes for germ breeding grounds. Since bacteria breeds best in warm & wet places. I's check with your doc on that though just to be sure. I know I was told NO to actually using waterproof bandages on my wound and was encouraged to shower and wash it out before each packing. But otherwise keep it dry. Even if it meant changing the gauze 4 times a day. The reason they pack gauze in them is so the wound can heal from the inside to the outside and not backwards, My-c section did that despite the packing and the doc zipped it back open with a scalpel one visit cause it was causing a underskin tube of sorts. After he did it and I freaked out on him he explained why he re-opened it. If it heals wrong it could cause nasty problems years later, like infection and reopening.

Most of the tests should be covered. And yea since pneumnia is such a worry for people after surgery explains why the chest x ray, but its not a standard like the ekg is. Probably the surgeons preference. I'd be glad you have a doctor who choses to me more proactive. I have cronic bronchitis/asthma so I would be disapointed if my surgeon didnt look at my lungs.

Been smoking since the age of 11. I am 40 now and my insurance won't pay for chantix yet. Not till I try other methods. They recomended classes to help with quiting. And my dr. did get approval for the patch to help. But I gotta go through the patch & classes, if that dont work there is another drug I have to try before they will approve chantix. You should see if there are classes at your local hospital or clinic to help with breaking the habits we all have along with the ciggarettes. I tried the patch 15 years ago and it didn't help at all then but I also wasn't really willing to try and stop then either. Now I am so that should make a HUGE difference. And I am the only smoker in the house now. My now EX smoked and all our friends smoked so it was a huge hopeless struggle then. My BF stoped a few ago after he got sarcodosis in his lungs so I will no longer be tempted at home. And he will be my support when I get weak lol. I just hope he can live through the withdraws!!LOL I am a HUGE BABY when I get cravings. He's already expecting a few weeks of hell for this. I haven't had a chest xray in years either something to possibly ask my doc for next appointment. I Know what you mean about the fears! I have them also! But stopping is the best thing to do. For your health. On a similar note I had my first mamogram this week too. And suposed to get the results in the mail and I have been waiting anciously and they are now 2 days late! And to top it off my net/phone was out all day yesterday and today till 8pm. Voicemail wasn't even working so now I gotta wait till monday to talk with my doc. Guess I will have to back to nailbiting lol !!

Sounds like what I had happen after my c-section years ago. It took me 6 months of packing & daily debrieding(Sp?) and the surgeon reopening it once even. To get it closed up but it was MUCH larger then a lapband incision. And even at 6months when the doctor released me it was still 1-inch long. But no longer needed packing just daily gauze changes and meds to prevent infections. But yes you have an open wound swimming is out of the question till it closes. You certainly don't want a infection to complicate it right now. I was also told NO BATHS either. Only showers or handbaths. That sucked cause I was still small enough to soak in the tub and couldnt. It's a good thing your husband is a nurse and can help with this. I had to have nurses come in twice a day to do mine and talk about expensive!! Not to mention some of the nurses weren't to gental either. Debrieding (Scrubbing the dead skin away basicly) wounds really sucks. Your probably in for a trial on your patience, so hang in there!!

Skirts are also MUCH easier to take in while your losing also. Something I did for years instead of buying new outfits each time I lost. Was take in some of the clothing. A skirt can be the easiest thing to take in without ruining the look of it.

I get muscle cramps really bad if Ii stop taking my magnesium & calcium supliments (its a all in one pill of magnesium, calcuim & zinc). Used to I would just eat a bannana when I got them and that would do the trick but now that I am trying to seriously stick to my diabetic diet no bannanas allowed now =/ I rarely get them in the feet or legs mine usually happen around my waist especially on the sides. And will last for hours. I dunno if it would help with female type crampig as that is seperate thing but I dont have those cramps as bad as I used to but also take a Iron supliment each month durring my TOM which seems to do me the most good.

Even if you don't have sleep apnea a sleep study can be helpfull. There are other sleep disorders, and treatments for insomia at the least a slssp study might give your doctor insight on why your having insomia too since they measure all sorts of things durring them. Another helpfull site where you can learn alot about sleep is www.cpaptalk.com CPAP and Sleep Apnea Discussion Forum They do discuss more then just apnea and you can learn allot about sleep, habits, insomia etc.

the protien is mostly to help promote healing, you don't have to get in exact ammounts each day as long as you get in most of it. if you go a bit over or under shouldnt be a big deal as long as it averages out around what your doctor tells you your daily protien should be. Also important is to get in your fluids to keep hydrated and a Vitamin supliment. Many doctors dont recomend the protien shakes past the liquid phases though, And say you should get your protien through solid foods cause relying on shakes in the long term can really boost your calories. But ever doctor differs on this too. So go by what your doctor suggests. Also solid protien will last in the stomach longer keeping you from getting as hungry as fast. But if your suposed to be on liquids shakes are the best way to get the protien.

Depends on the type of cramping, female type or muscle cramps? Average muscle cramps can be a sign of a diet deficiency of not enough potassium, magnesium or Calcium. It can also be signs of dehydration too. Are you taking a daily Multivitamin that has calcium magnesium or potassium? Are you getting in enough Water each day? You should aim to drink enough fluids that your urine is light yellow to almost clear in color.

it's not wasting if you put it in the fridge for another time. heck being able to take home a resturant meal and have it for 2 or 3 meals is a money saver in my opinion lol. Or even home cooked ones. Thats awesome. I would seriosuly have a talk with him on the cleaning plate issue though or your right he will need a band next. As for food police as long as your doing well and losing as you and your doctor are happy with. Tell em to bug the heck off! in however manner your feel is you. Sometimes you just gotta put your foot down and TELL people what is or isn't acceptable to you.

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If you feel you must lie about it I would go with hernia if you do still have your gallbladder/apendix cause you can get a hernia more then once!! The girl stuff is a good answer also. lol but if by some strange chance you end up needing your gallbladder or apendix out later on there will be no reason for people to suspect anything. Had my apendix out in 2002 and the scars are identical to what a lapbander has from what ive seen. Or just tell them you had a problem. Now its fixed and you really don't want to get into details.

Sounds much like what I have been going through with my doctor, as my insurance won't pay for the inital surgical consult unless my primary doctor writes a refferal. She wouldn't even look at the printed out stuff I brought to her to try and *convince* her that the band would be a good thing for me. She was just so totally dead set against ANY weight loss surgery at all. Or even perscribing anything to try and help. But she also offered no real substantial reasons why she was against it. All she would ever say is "Eat less excersise more." But she might have weiged 140lbs soaking wet so I suspect she had no clue what someone has experienced who has weight issues. This is only one of the things though that forced me to find a new doctor. But I have to admit it was one of the biggest reasons, the other being she also refused to help in my treatment of sleep apnea, and also wouldn't approve a referal to a cardioligist despite having been seen by one in the ER for chest pain. I spent almost a year trying to *convince* her. And finally decided it was a no win situation. I would suggest doing a reasonable amount to try and educated your doctor, but If he/she doesn't seem to have a problem with his/her overweight patients then your probably asking to much, and might wanna try and find another doctor that shares your views. While it is true that some people are genetically predisposed to being overweight, that doesn't mean they shouldnt do something to try and remedy it. Personally I have a problem with the fact that If I had a doctor a year ago who was *willing, or actually cared* I could have already been banded and on my way on the journey instead of it being a year later and still struggling to get it started.

lol being a mom of 3 I remember how bad most baby foods are or at least used to be. At least now they have stages foods which they didnt have when my oldest was a baby. I never used baby foods that much only for times when we were out and about I kept a few assorted jars in the diaperbag. For emergencys and for those times when really pressed for time. For the most part just blenderized the kids foods myself. They ate them much better that way. Manufacturers of baby foods often put nothing else in them and they can be really bland. Cause sometimes babys can't handle all the spices we get used to. But some of the Desserts used to be pretty good. if you blend your own get a good brand of chicken or beef stock/broth. And keep it in the fridge and some apple or orange juice and you can belenderize anything. Just add a bit of broth or juice if needed to thin it. Adding a touch of various spices helps too. While you might wanna avoid salt, adding just about any other spices you like will help with the blandness.

A suggestion I found when I first bought ricotta cheese to see if I liked it. Which I don't if its plain but found if I add a few table spoons of your favorite spagetti sauce and heat it. its pretty good. Might wanna run the sauce through the blender first if it has any chunks in it.

Congratz!!! Keep up the awesome work :redface:

well good new is I was worried about my blood tests for noting. lol. the ONLY thing that had bad numbers was my cholesterol whoch has been bad honestly for the last 20+ years. lol. The great news part is I DO NOT Need thyroid meds anymore. my levels were good, so my old doc had me on the meds prematurely or unessisarily. Iron levels were good. so no more need for iron for my period unless I just want to keep the flow ammount down. Also the BEST PART. NO KIDNEY DAMAGE!!! 2 doctors ago they said I had kidney damage from my diabetes but he never sent to me a specialist like he said i needed. This weeks tests say there is no kidney damage. The only bad on the cholesterol wasn't a suprise to me. the numbers STILL aren't good so hes doubling my lipitor. And on another note man I'm getting used to the diet changes in a GOOD way. Me and the bf stopped at burger king the other day and decided to try one of the new steakhouse burgers, it sounded good. but MAN it wasn't. We deliberatly now do not large or king size value meals anymore. But the steakhouse for us was a big mistake. I actually felt WORSE after eating it. Sure I wasn't hungry anymore but man it was greasy and i dunno how to explain it. Rich or something. I guess heavy is the best way to explain it. I didn't even wanna touch food for 10-12 hours after it. I'm outta tomatoes and altern so its off to the store. Kroger has these awesome whole grain multigrain tortillas I am now addicted to!! If I didn't have kids I would stop buying bread totally. Also kroger has their own store brand whole wheat pastas too. I was shocked at how low3 my blood sugar was after eating spagetti with whole wheat pasta. it was great!!

well good new is I was worried about my blood tests for noting. lol. the ONLY thing that had bad numbers was my cholesterol whoch has been bad honestly for the last 20+ years. lol. The great news part is I DO NOT Need thyroid meds anymore. my levels were good, so my old doc had me on the meds prematurely or unessisarily. Iron levels were good. so no more need for iron for my period unless I just want to keep the flow ammount down. Also the BEST PART. NO KIDNEY DAMAGE!!! 2 doctors ago they said I had kidney damage from my diabetes but he never sent to me a specialist like he said i needed. This weeks tests say there is no kidney damage. The only bad on the cholesterol wasn't a suprise to me. the numbers STILL aren't good so hes doubling my lipitor. And on another note man I'm getting used to the diet changes in a GOOD way. Me and the bf stopped at burger king the other day and decided to try one of the new steakhouse burgers, it sounded good. but MAN it wasn't. We deliberatly now do not large or king size value meals anymore. But the steakhouse for us was a big mistake. I actually felt WORSE after eating it. Sure I wasn't hungry anymore but man it was greasy and i dunno how to explain it. Rich or something. I guess heavy is the best way to explain it. I didn't even wanna touch food for 10-12 hours after it. I'm outta tomatoes and altern so its off to the store. Kroger has these awesome whole grain multigrain tortillas I am now addicted to!! If I didn't have kids I would stop buying bread totally. Also kroger has their own store brand whole wheat pastas too. I was shocked at how low3 my blood sugar was after eating spagetti with whole wheat pasta. it was great!!

My son keeps telling me to try firefox 3, but I haven't yet I am so disapointed with firefox right now cause I lost a huge collection of bookmarks thankfully I was able to recover most of them but not all.

Yea I have 3 kids already and there was 2 miscarrages in between the last 2 my youngest is 13 now so no more kids for me. lol. I would just LOVE to not have a period anymore but heck if they can just be *normal* I would be happy.

hehe I'm not sure that is correct. I went ahead and put it in my ticker for now cause I was hoping. But seriously doubt its right. 6months ago i was weighed in at 440 at the dr. last week I started seeing a new doctor and when the nurse put me on the scale she didnt bother moving it out of the corner it was in so I was half leaning on the wall. I suspect if I have lost it isnt that much lol. But i don't have home scale or access to one outside my dr.s office so i gotta wait till my next visit to see!!! As for banding. dont know yet I just switched over to a new doctor (PCP) after fighting for a year with the old one to even get started on the insurance approval. The new doc wants to get a bunch of testing and a few visits in before even talking weight loss surgery.

Yep they have em on their website InStride Cycle XL | Stamina | Walgreens thats the XL version they have a smaller one that is cheaper also Now all i need is someway to be able to use it and have my keyboard in front of me at the same time. lol

Many places have horrid kids menus, hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken tenders etc. I would think the senior menu would be a better choice? Cause thats where many places have the lower fat & calorie stuff in smaller portions then the normal menu. I wonder if the card would still work for that? Think i'll just do the doggie bag thing lol. Sometimes you can find kids utensil that aren't characterized. Just colorfull or have larger handles etc. I found a good place to check is your local goodwill store.

Nonsense!! There is no reason to tell ANYONE you don't want to. If people question your diet changes then all you really have to tell them is your on a diet. And taking half of your meal home, or eating yogurt etc is what your doing.. If your carefull and chew well and do all your food testing at home none need know that you don't chose to tell. One of the reasons so many people react with shock/horror/negativity when anyone mentions surgery is people only tend to remember the horror stories. You know its always something like "My friend so and so had a friend whos sister had a friend who knew someone in abujaba who died from weight loss surgery!! or <Insert complication> Or gained all their weight back, or never lost weight!!" This site is a great example of loads of people who have awesome success with the band. Lack of knowledge is one of the problems many people face, the band isn't as widely popular with many doctors yet, allot of them push RNY or bypass etc cause they have no reall aftercare and the doctor makes a mint. Not the case with the band. Once you got it you have aftercare appointments a plenty. In the form of fills/unfills. Jealousy is another reason many people will get snarky and unsuportive also. The either couldn't do it themselfs and are to affraid of WLS to consider it. Sometimes its a case of "OMG now I won't be the skinny/cute/sexy one anymore! If you lose weight." Anyhow I didn't mean for this to be a small book. lol Important thing is those reacting to you badly its because THEY have issues. The band is something you should do for YOU not them. Good luck and its great that your taking the steps to regain your health. :smile: