Longhorn

The way it was explained in an article about my doctor, he believes that we have fewer problems if we don't introduce solid foods too soon. He is very conservative about fills, too. He encourages his patients to have as much food as they need in order not to feel hungry. So when you look at his total philosophy, it does not necessarily result in fast weight loss. He told me, when I asked, that he rarely has to do an unfill and his patients rarely get stuck, PB, or slime. I chose him for this approach as I had begun to think that the band worked as some sort of aversion therapy diet. I haven't been hungry at all so far. There are certainly some foods I wish I could eat but it's not from actual hunger. I can see this long break from normal food helping me break the bad habits I used to have and appreciate healthy food as it is reintroduced into my diet. His approach is not the only way but it seems right for me.

At my one week post-op visit yesterday, my doctor noticed that my port incision was a little red. He told me to keep an eye on it and call him if the redness spreads. Well, I noticed today that it had spread and called him and he called in a prescription for antibiotics to my pharmacy. My husband and I decided to wait until the Longhorn game was over (Hook 'em, Horns!) before we went to pick up the prescription. The nearest pharmacy is about 15 minutes away. Well, I called before we left to make sure it was ready and they were closed! It was about 6:10 and they close at 6 p.m. on Saturdays! I was hoping to get started on them tonight to make sure I'm in good shape to go to work on Monday. I guess if I can get them in the morning, I'll be on them for 24 hours so I should be okay. I don't have a fever but it's sore.

hollyberries: Do you have a body pillow? I found that I could get comfortable in my bed by tucking one end of the pillow below my belly and the other end between my knees. I sleep hugging the pillow. You can also do this with two regular pillows. Don't be hard on yourself for having to use the stronger meds. That's what they're for! Just keep resting and taking care of yourself. You'll be amazed that once you turn the corner to feeling better, it goes more quickly than you expect. Take care! :hug:

Be grateful! I don't get mushies until after six weeks! As to why the variation, I can only assume that each doctor is making adjustments to his or her schedule based on the results seen in the office. In fact, while I was leaving my initial consultation, my doctor decided to move blended soups to the second phase when I can have full liquids instead of in the first two weeks. I heard him tell the nutritionist that too many of his patients were reporting problems. I also don't know if we might have a tad more restriction in the beginning with the new AP band. Anyway, as tough as it is, I'm going to follow his schedule.

Good to hear from you, Kristin! So sorry about the spleen. I hope everything heals well and that you're over the soreness as soon as possible. Take care!

1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW Hungryforchange wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants Momto1plus1 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) 22nd luvmy4boys 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras TAWHarris

I hope it helps, Tamika (what a lovely name!) I understand about tone -- it took me several drafts to try not to sound like I was arguing! If anyone was offended by my letter, he or she hasn't told me and a couple of people thanked me for explaining it. So I hope the tone is okay. Good luck as you plan for your big day!

Great recap, hollyberries! I fully expected to read that you woke up with the anesthesiologist's autograph on your foot! The tiredness will probably linger but will become more manageable every day. The same with the pain, actually. I took some Tylenol with codeine last night when I hadn't had any since early this week and slept better than I had all week because it took away some of the intermittent pain I still have. But I feel more normal every day and the pain I do have isn't awful, just annoying. Thanks for your story! Take care of yourself!

Thanks, Alfie! Yes, we all have different circumstances -- for example, you're not married to Mr. Longhorn! Good luck! :clap2:

You're very kind! I guess time will tell if I regret telling so many but many members of my family could benefit from this surgery so maybe I can set a good example. Thanks and keep up your good work!

Thanks! I agree that I don't want to be asked all the time how much I've lost!

Thanks, Metalband! I guess the true test of success of my letter is when I see my family over the holidays. They may still have questions but perhaps I'll be spared any negative reactions. And if they're positive, they'll still be positive.

Thanks, IndioGirl!

Thanks! Yes, I sent it to the members of my family that I see on a regular basis with whom we normally share things like this. It's hard to draw the line on who to tell without putting family members in the position of feeling like they have to keep a secret. I did it by email so that I wouldn't have to listen to their initial reactions -- I'd give them time to take it in. If they think I'm crazy, fine, but they have time to be polite about it now.

Y'all come join us in the November 07 Bandsters forum. Just find it on the list of forums.

Crystal: I'm so sorry for the pain and frustration you've been through. In case you didn't know, there is a forum on this board for those who have had their bands removed. It's toward the bottom of the list. You might want to check in there and get information and support from others who have been through your ordeal. Good luck!

1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW Hungryforchange wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) 22nd luvmy4boys 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras TAWHarris

This is a very old list! I'll add you to the latest list.

Hi, Cindy. Copy the code that's in the top box where you created your ticker. Then on this board, click on UserCP at the top of any page and then click on "Edit Signature." Paste the code into the signature box. You can click on Preview Signature below the box to make sure it looks okay. Good luck!

Hi, Lynda! I've been pretty selective about who I tell. No one at work knows except the one student. I may eventually tell people but I'd rather wait until I have some results. With my family, I knew my mother and in-laws would be hurt if I didn't tell them but I also didn't want them to have to keep it a secret from my siblings, plus I'm hoping my sister may decide to do this eventually. They would tell their children, of course, so there seemed no reason not to tell my aunts and uncles and cousins. So my entire family knows but that's okay. It's kind of an "all or nothing" thing with them. I don't use my real name on the board. My name is not common and might make it harder to remain anonymous. Good luck!

I decided I didn't want to keep my surgery a secret from my closest family but I also didn't want to have to keep explaining it over and over and I certainly didn't want to argue or debate with anyone (something my family is known for, including me! ) So I sent out an email in advance and the results have been great. No one argued or disagreed, at least, not to me. I received some well wishes before and after surgery. And while there may be questions when I see them over the holidays, my hope is that I've cleared up a few things in advance. Here's my email: Subject: Do you know what Lap Band Surgery is? (Warning: this is long!) It's a procedure in which an inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of your stomach. There is a tube attached that runs to a port that is placed just below the skin. Saline is injected into the port to inflate the band. The idea is to create a pouch of the stomach through which food initially passes. When this pouch is full, you feel full and so eat less. I am having this procedure on Thursday. I have researched it extensively and have visited the surgeon, a nutritionist, a psychologist, and my own family doctor. All have been supportive but I was especially pleased with my own doctor's opinion, since he has no affiliation with the others, though, coincidentally, he knows the psychologist. (She has a regular family counseling practice and does not work for the surgeon.) My doctor said that he has about half a dozen patients who have had the procedure and all of them are doing great. He was very positive about me doing this. Also, he performed all of my pre-op tests and I am in excellent health. I have about 70 pounds to lose. The Lap-Band will not cause me to lose it especially quickly. However, it should help me keep it off. You may recall that I lost 70 pounds four years ago, too. I fought to keep that weight off with continual dieting and exercise. Unfortunately, diets don't work, and 95 percent of people who lose weight will gain it back. People tend to be blamed (or blame themselves!) for this regain but there is more and more evidence that our bodies are programmed to regain this weight. I read a recent study with rats: two groups of rats were given the same amount of food. The rats who had previously lost weight GAINED while those that hadn't stayed their normal weight. Of course, those of us who have struggled with our weight for many years don't need these studies to convince us this is true! Here's what's going to happen to me: I go in for surgery at 7 a.m. at Austin Surgical Hospital. It's a laparoscopic procedure that should take no more than an hour. After I've recovered, I'll go home the same day and I'll go back to work Tuesday. For the first week or two, I will be on a diet of Clear liquids. Then I'll be on full liquids (anything that can go through a straw) for another couple of weeks. Then I'll be on soft foods (foods that can pretty much be swallowed without chewing) for a few weeks. Finally, I'll be able to start adding normal food. I will need to chew thoroughly and slow down the eating process. I will also not be drinking with my meals because liquid just pushes the food on through. Eventually, I'll be able to eat most foods but more slowly and in smaller quantities. The process is slow in order to allow my stomach to get used the band while I get used to learning to eat differently. After six weeks, I'll go in for my first adjustment, called a "fill." My surgeon is conservative about filling the band, one of the reasons I chose him. I want to take my time and adjust to each change. I am not in a hurry about losing the weight, especially knowing that this will be the last time! The perfect amount of restriction is being able to eat almost anything I want in small quantities without being hungry but still losing weight. While some people get exactly the right amount of restriction with no fill at all, it is more typical to get three or four fills, or more, several months apart. Also, as one loses weight, there is less pressure from fat on the outside of the band, so the band can loosen up, requiring a fill. The band can be unfilled a little or completely if I ever get too much restriction or have a medical reason for needing more food. Also, the band can be removed completely in a similar surgery and my stomach would return to normal. However, this is only done if there is a medical reason for it. It's considered permanent like a knee replacement or defibrillator. This is a big difference from gastric bypass surgery, which is a permanent reconstruction of the stomach and cannot be reversed. One of the best articles I read that summed up the procedure is an ABC news article about Khaliah Ali's book, "Fighting Weight." She is Mohammed Ali's daughter and she had the Lap-Band surgery. An excerpt from her book is in the article and she does a good job of summarizing: ABC News: Excerpt: Khaliah Ali's 'Fighting Weight' I have other links if you would like to learn more about it. Mr. Longhorn and the girls will be taking care of me after the surgery, though I shouldn't need much. The surgery is considered comparable to gall bladder surgery. I'll be up and walking a lot that weekend to get rid of the CO2 gas that the surgeon will pump into my body during surgery to create room to work. Many people have very little pain afterwards. I'm getting the latest version of the band, made by Allergan/Inamed. While complications have been rare, this band has improvements designed to address those complications. I'm sorry this is so long but that's why I decided to let y'all know in an email. I didn't want you to confuse what I'm doing with gastric bypass surgery. I also wanted you to know what to expect when we're together for meals in the future. And I didn't want to have to repeat this "lecture" over and over! :eek: Love, Longhorn Feel free to use any part of my email if you find it helpful.

Thanks, Stephanie! I've always been one to tell a little too much about my business but as I've gotten older, I have realized that just because I was anxious to tell doesn't mean they were dying to find out! There are times I thought I'd be peppered with questions and I kept mum and surprise! No one asked a thing or if they did, they accepted my brief explanation. Who knew?

I agree with these suggestions. If you don't want to tell and anyone asks, you tell them that you had some minor surgery. If they ask more questions, you just repeat that you had minor surgery and if they are persistent, you just say that you'd rather not talk about it. I teach at community college and every one of my students in four classes knows that I had minor surgery because I had to cancel class. Only two asked me about it. One of them, a student closer to my age with whom I have become friends, I told and she has been very supportive. The other was just curious and accepted it when I told him I didn't wish to talk about it. Good luck!

Welcome to the board! I can't answer your questions about the drugs but I do think there area several ways of handling the holiday dinners with the family. Assuming you do not want to tell them, some suggestions: 1. Say that you're on a restricted diet. 2. Tell them you woke up feeling a little queasy and don't think you should eat anything until "later," which never comes. 3. Put some food on your plate, push it around, put an empty fork in your mouth now and then, and talk a lot. 4. If everyone is eating at different tables or in different rooms, move around and visit with a plate of food in your hand. 5. Excuse yourself and dump some food in the trash or the sink while getting a drink or "using the restroom." 5. Eat with your kids and move food from your plate to theirs. 6. Stay busy setting the table, pouring drinks, replenishing rolls, etc. 7. Tell them you ate did too much tasting while you were cooking and aren't hungry. I haven't been through this as a banded person but I lost 70 pounds on Medifast four years ago and didn't tell everyone what I was doing. But I found that people weren't that interested in whether I was eating -- they were too busy eating themselves! And even when I wasn't avoiding eating, I've found that I ate very little sometimes because I was so busy as the hostess. I'll still be on full liquids for Thanksgiving. My family knows but my daughter is having the dinner at her house and my son-in-law's family doesn't know about it. My son-in-law is going to make some pumpkin bisque and I might also have some mashed potatoes thinned with gravy. If anyone asks, I'm just going to say that my stomach is a little unsettled. I just don't feel like explaining it on a holiday!

Yes, it's pretty severe. He's convinced that his patients have fewer problems with adjusting to foods and will lose the majority of their weight during this period. I realize that there are different views on this subject and people have done fine on faster schedules but I'm going to follow his plan as best I can. I chose him partly for his conservative approach because I'm not in a hurry and would like to have as few complications as possible. I almost got scared off in the beginning reading all of the stories of being too tight, PBing, sliming, getting stuck, etc. I was beginning to think the way the band worked was through aversion therapy! But I realized that perhaps there is an over-representation of the negatives on a message board and both he and the psychologist assured me that this is true. I guess time will tell for me.