Mikee57

Everyone is different. When I have a stuck episode it takes at least 1 week to get back to normal. I guess I'm very sensitive and really swell up. And to top it off, I always get really bad acid reflux. I have to go 1 or 2 days just taking liquids like Water, Soups etc. then another 2 days just mushy foods. And so on. I find that after 1 week I am fully recovered, and believe me, that is enough to remind me to take small bites and chew chew chew.

Well at least you didn't wait till it got REAL bad and you did the right thing by going to your Doctor , I am so glad you are feeling better .

We did the seminar. I liked how honest it was, it wasn't a 'sell' at all, in fact quite the opposite. It made very clear just what kind of restrictions there are on eating and drinking. They seem to have a great team, psychologist, dietician, surgeon, insurance specialist.. it's one of our local hospitals in a very large healthcare system. I found out they insist on certain tests being up to date before surgery, like colonoscopy, mammography, physical and blood tests so I have been busy this morning arranging those to get a head start.
A part of me says I am crazy and should just diet, but that is what I have done since I was 6 years old.. and it hasn't worked long term in 50 years soooo....

The seminar was great, only five people there and only three of those were looking to be banded. It wasn't a 'sell' if anything it was the opposite. Very truthful and open. More later.

Im private. I herd to many of my friends and family say it's the easy way out. But they don't understand. It's not going to fall off on its own it still takes work. But id rather just keep it hush and if someone asks how I'm losing weight ill just say hard work and dedication! !! Because that's what it's going to take. I haven't been banded yet. Im waiting on insurance

Im private. I herd to many of my friends and family say it's the easy way out. But they don't understand. It's not going to fall off on its own it still takes work. But id rather just keep it hush and if someone asks how I'm losing weight ill just say hard work and dedication! !! Because that's what it's going to take. I haven't been banded yet. Im waiting on insurance

Yes I understand..He should know! I'm very excited for you!

I think you make a lot of great points labwalker and one of the things I will be doing on Facebook is sharing the journey and the things we have to go through to get there to show it isn't easy, that the band doesn't do it all for us. To be honest when I first found this out I thought.. well why have the thing then? But I get it now.
I am getting really excited, going to the seminar tonight with my husband, we will be there in just over an hour!! I feel like this is the start of the journey. I am prepared for what I hear, I have done a ton of research and reading but I think it is going to come as a surprise or shock to my husband. He isn't the most sympathetic or supportive person in the world but I told him I want him at the seminar. I want him to really understand the process.. ya know?

I kept it private... too many of my relatives would be likely to say or think that they'd "never go that route," or have similar comments. I don't need to be judged on what tool I use to lose weight.
And if you succeed, they general consensus will be that you could have, or should have done it on your own...
If you fail, they'll use it as a sign of weakness or as a judgement to condemn WLS as being a failure and a desperate measure. People can be cruel. I've told a very few family members, and I do share info with anyone who has had the surgery. They understand what is going on.

I was going to keep it private, but I decided that I was going to go public about a week or two pre-op. The comments were across the spectrum, and my brother called me in tears BEGGING me not to go through with it. He called me again the night before my surgery to say that it wasn't too late to change my mind ... and I told him no. That I needed to do this. He said "OK. Just don't die on the table. I love you."

my friends have been AMAZINGLY supportive, and I have a few friends who have had either lap band or gastric sleeve surgery. One of my friends said that her ex-wife had the roux en y gastric bypass surgery, and she's been a MAJOR support for me. So, it depends on what people have experienced, have heard, and are willing to hear.

I kept it quiet at first but as the weight started to literally fall off, I knew that most folks could figure it out anyway. I must say that all the comments have been positive so that's a good thing. But for me, it was an obvious medical need as my mobility was in jeopardy. I used to use a cane and was in terrible pain. These days, I walk unaided and nearly normally again so there's no reason for anyone to be negative. Good luck...as long as you are good with your decision, that's all that matters.

I have told my family and friends. At first I was going to keep it quiet but changed my mind. I do not talk about it on Facebook, because I am sure there would be some negative comments. Good luck!

My sister expressed upset but I wrote to her privately and told her my reasons and how much I weigh now. She sent back a beautiful and supportive note (I live in America, she lives in France) telling me how brave I am, she brought tears to my eyes, wonderful when you read something and know someone that matters to you gets you.

Congratulations to you! Everyone that knows me had known for years that I wanted the Lapband. I am very public about it and most people are supportive. Proud of you!

I went public on Facebook. My close family and friends knew I was planning to get banded and I wanted to be able to share updates with them, so I shared with the rest of my friends.. mostly the comments were positive.
Are you public or private? Who have you told or not told and why?

"A total of 274 patients between the ages of 45 – 64 were studied, with the researchers finding a direct correlation between the presence of hypertension – also known as high blood pressure – and impaired hearing. On a positive note, the researcher’s found that by bringing a patient’s blood pressure under control an additional loss of hearing could be prevented."
Whoa !!! Holy cow. I just discovered my latest NSV. Thanks for the link!!!!!

Wow. That is very interesting. It's amazing the impact that our illnesses have on the different areas of our body.

No, just a couple of years of irritating other people by asking them to repeat themselves. Suddenly no longer happening.

read the post AGAIN!!!

You know, I had never even thought about that but Dr. Google tells me you are on to something:
http://hearingsolutions.us/high-blood-pressure-linked-to-hearing-loss/
Good medical detective work there!

A few days ago, I visited with some friends who have not seen me in months. We met in a crowded restaurant that was pretty noisy and had some live entertainment. The next day, my best friend, who was also there, said that she noticed something recently about me. I had not asked anybody the entire evening to repeat themselves, nor said, "What?! I can't hear you" to something somebody said. I realized that she was right. I have been increasingly unable to hear quiet talkers up until very recently. So, what's changed? As I've lost a lot of weight pretty quickly, my blood pressure has come way down. I've gone from two blood pressure medicines down to one, and the one blood pressure medicine is keeping my blood pressure within very normal ranges for the first time in decades. Prior to this weight loss, even the two blood pressure medicines were not successful in controlling my blood pressure. It was really high for a long time. So, I was wondering, can high blood pressure cause hearing difficulties? Logically, it makes sense to me that pressure in the ears could create a difficult time hearing. Has anybody here experienced better hearing after losing a lot of weight and watching their BP come down to normal? Thanks in advance.

Have you seen a doctor, maybe you have an inner ear infection?
Any fevers or anything?

thanks Lisa and Debbie...I went back to the clinic and they did take out 0.5 cc that is what was put in last time...was a lot of swelling and was told if it stay irrated I will have to go in for more. but just that amount has stopped the stabbing pains and relieved the pressure lost 7.5 lbs since July 17th so she said that wasn't good...so had Soup for lunch staying on liquids until tomorrow night!!!

NewMeDebbie...so wish I had a magic wand that I could wave over you and make this work. I am finding I have met up with some challenges now myself. Got really sick last week and irriated my band to the point of no return, had to have a unfill...but am feeling so much better. I so take responsibility for anything I shouldn't be eating...but find myself too falling backwards at times...but most part I am true to form. Do to health matters the exercises are a bit of a problem, but I find walking in the pool helps me feel better about that part as well. So I am hoping that you can make changes in your life to make the band work for you. As your insurance company will not pay for the sleeve...mine will not pay for it either and there is no way I can pay for it...so I am happy with mine. Hopefully it will start working for you as well...my best wishes...don't give up okay!!!

oh I see, I misunderstood you. I guess I am venting and you are right. I need to quit all the grazing and snacking between meals. I don't know why I can't stop but I won't give up. I am back to basics this week...wish me luck