Jobstud

I had my surgery in July 2007. I lost 70 lbs. I had one fill in December 2007. All was going very well. Then in April 2008 we learned my MIL who lived with us had terminal lung cancer. She decided not to have any treatments and insisted she wanted to live her last months at home which meant my wife and I had to put aside our lives to care for her with the help of Hospice. Finally the long painful struggle ended when she passed on July 4, 2008 just shy of my one year band anniversary. By that time I had not been to see the Dr in several months and had totally not paid attention to my diet. About a month later we learned my Mom had breast cancer. At least her prognosis was better and she initially was responding to treatment but later went out of remission and had to have chemo. She moved in with us and once again we focused on her care. She is once again doing very well and her Dr is pleased with her progress. She is beating the cancer and we are finally breathing a sigh of relief. So here I am having gained back what I lost and feeling bad about it. I feel myself making even more excuses for not seeing the Dr and starting over with new fills. Anyone gone off track and restarted? Advice and encouragement is welcomed

Had my first fill under x-ray this morning. Surgery was 7/11/07. Was doing OK but slowed down to 1/2 lb per week. Tried to do in office but could not feel port. He said that since he could see it fill he put in more than he would normally in the office. His advice was to stay on liquids for a day or 2 then mushies then solids

I eat much healthier than before. I focus way more on good Protein. For example, instead of a sandwich, chips and soda for lunch, its 4 oz or plain tuna in Water (no mayo) and about 10 lowfat triscuits. When I said anything I want I meant nothing seems to be a no no as long as I chew it and its moist. If not I have gotten stuck a few time.

Personally I think I am a proper fill level right now without ever having a fill. I argued a bit with the Dr at yesterday's check up that even though a 1/2 pound a week on average for 6 weeks is not a lot its still a continuing downward trend. Am I wrong or should I be losing much faster? I feel good. I can eat virtually anything in much smaller quantities than pre-band so I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. Anyway he couldn't find the port and wants to do it in the hospital under x-ray. He says only 2 cc at first. What can I expect 2cc fill to feel like?

I had surgery on 7/11/07 and just went for first fill yesterday. I had been losing weight fast so he put it off. Yesterday I had lost 3 lbs in 6 weeks (according to my scale I lost 6 but oh well). Mine did not go well BUT he stopped right away (after 2 pokes of the needle) and is setting me up to do it in the hospital under x-ray. The nurse who set up the stuff for the fill said people always say how gentle he is. I was OK with the pain. Just that familiar "pinch". Only problem is he hit a vessel and I bled onto my shirt and pants (He just had me unbutton rather than take it off). He was so apologetic thinking it ruined my clothes, but it came right out that night in the wash. I was afraid for him since he had a waiting room full of people and seeing someone walking out with a blood stained white dress shirt might have made them flee for their lives. He said not to worry but I beat it out of there fast with my hand covering it best I could. He was laughing about it but I could tell he appreciated it too.

My surgeon needed clearances for pulmonary including a sleep apnea study, cardiac which included a 2 part chemical stress test, ekg, echo, etc. In addition 14 vials of blood for what seemed every test known to man, urine, chest x-rays, etc. I didn't have a regular PCP at the time so I had to get one just so she could give me overall clearance. She ordered no tests and just reviewed the reports of all the specialists. OH and got paid a tidy sum for the 3 office visits she made me have before finally giving clearance.

My wife suspected I was looking at a porn site ever since joining this forum. Then she peeked over my shoulder and saw the posts about creaming panties, thongs, etc and is now convinced of it. LMAO! I guess bikes and panties help keep our minds off our old food habits. I just wonder if a thong is good to wear when riding a bike? Does it wick away the moisture? LOL LOL LOL Keep the posts coming. Their great!

Giant panties! OMG. LMAO here! Hey come to think about it I am gettin excited. LOL

OH Juli suggested I join this thread after reading the thread I started asking for help in finding a bike that would hold up under my big (although diminishing since joining the band-aid gang) frame. This thread got me thinking about taking up bicycling again (I haven't ridden a bike since I stopped delivering newspapers at age 16). I am looking for a good low impact FUN way to exercise and this seems to fit the bill. Plus my skinny wife has said she would love to get a bike too so we can ride together. Anyway back to my question. Where can I find an affordable bike that will hold 400 lbs? I have had some suggestions, but was wondering if a Schwinn Heavy Duti might be a good choice? Any help is appreciated.

I read several posts within another thread on bicycling and it has me interested in taking it up as an exercise regime especially when we go camping on weekends. I know most skinny tired racing bikes would not hold up to 400 lbs and the ones I have seen on the internet for "Big People" are way out of my price range. Would a Schwinn Heavy Duty handle this kind of weight? Any other affordable bikes out there? :help:

I was scheduled for 8 weeks post op so have about another 3 weeks to go before my first fill. I asked the surgeon if it was an "automatic" fill and he said in about 75% of cases yes. I have lost about another 12 lbs since my 2 week post op checkup (54 lbs pre and post op!!) so I am wondering if I might fall into that 25% that does not get a fill. I am very careful about eating now and don't push my luck with the band by testing the limits. I chew small bites thoroughly and don't drink for 20-30 minutes afterward. I think that as long as I am losing weight that I can live just like this. If I stop losing then fill r up. I like the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach. I hope the Dr. does too. Anyone have a similar experience or agree with me?

I also went to the movies with my wife and son last Friday (the first time since my surgery on 7/11). I ate my dinner before we left and brought a bottle of water and a Crystal Light packet with me. They did not eat dinner (he was at the gym and Mom had to go pick him up so there was not time) and ate at the theater's snack bar (hot dogs and cheese fries). I sat there and watched the show and amazed myself how content I felt sipping my lemonaide and basically could care less that they were eating. I think that had it been a couple of weeks earlier when I was on total liquids, I might have felt frustrated but having the pleasure of being to eat real food again sure helped. :hungry:

This is one of the harder adjustments to make for me as I am transitioning back to food. I always drank a lot of Water when I ate in my pre band life. I am finding that this is especially true at Breakfast when I just have to get my morning coffee (usually half a cup if I am lucky now) plus eat breakfast. For now I have decided on a liquid breakfast (coffee and a Protein shake) since I have such limited time in the morning and don't have the 20 - 30 minutes before and after eating to delay drinking. It gets easier as the day goes on. When I get to work I get myself a 16 oz cup of water and sip regularly. This keeps me satisfied until around 10 am or so when I have something small to eat like a small container of mixed fruit in light syrup. Then for lunch I force myself to eat slowly taking at least 30 minutes to eat lunch. Then once the hour is over I can resume the water again and try to get in at least 32 oz at work. Then after work I try to relax with some more water or V-8 before dinner then take my time eating (like lunch) and "forcing" myself to wait at least 20 - 30 minutes to drink again. Its tough and I have to admit that if my mouth is dry I do take a tiny sip within the time frame. So far I am not feeling hungry that much at all. In fact I have to remind myself (with wife's help) to get in my 80 grams of protein daily. This is usually topped off by a high protein snack about an hour before bed. I found South Beach Cereal Bars while shopping the other day. Only 140 calories and 10 grams of protein. Delicious and satisfying way to get added protein.

My nutritionist warned that lack of protein might cause loss of hair. I think you need to speak to Dr. and / or nutritionist about boosting your protein intake. I am finding that there are lots of high protein shakes and additives as well as foods out there that is making it easier for me.

Mine was egg salad. I never really went crazy for it before (like my wife did), but when I was going over the list of mushies I could have 4 weeks post op and saw it on there I began to crave it. I had it for dinner a week ago and was so into it that my wife insisted I make enough for her too. Nice to share dinner again! I made mine very smooth in my chopper with some low fat mayo. Having read so much about tasty stuff like refried Beans or chili with beans all mashed up, I am going to try that this weekend. In the words of Rachael Ray, "YUMMO!"