Robin Bird

Ruby, I'm not offering any advice - just wanted to tell you that you gave me a giggle at work with the nibbling on the jockey thing! What a mental image!! Robin

Gloucester, Bless you for taking in this dog and her babies. I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face. I, like you, just cannot fathom how some people can be so cruel and apathetic when it comes to animals. I guess I'm too soft, but this kind of thing just gets to me like few other things do. I would take a puppy in a minute if I wasn't so far away (Wisconsin). But THANK YOU on behalf of animal lovers everywhere for having such a kind heart. Robin

Kelli, Thanks for the good thoughts! I go to get "re-filled" this Wednesday. Did you have surgery in Nov. 2007 and lose 125 pounds since then???? Robin

Hey Lizzie- This week I just went through basically the same thing you did. A little history: I was banded 11/2/07 and had fills in Jan. & Feb. which put me at 5cc in a 10cc band. I had gone in on March 5th to get a 3rd fill. My surgeon didn't give me one because, in his words, my weight loss thus far was "off the charts". Fine. I had an appt. with him on Monday (4/7) and told him I still didn't think I had very good restriction. He gave me a 1cc fill and had me drink Water, etc. before I left his office. No problem. I ate a little supper. No problem. Tuesday morning I was uncomfortable when I'd sip water, and couldn't even imagine trying to eat anything. By evening I couldn't get down my own spit. I spent a rotten night, and called my surgeon's office right away when they opened. He couldn't fit me in until 1:50! Geez! When I finally saw him, he said he wanted to take out 4cc for a few days to let things settle down a bit. So, I'm left with 2 cc and will go back next week for the other 3cc to bring me back up to where I was before the fill! He said that at 5cc I was tighter than I thought I was, because 1cc would not take me from too loose to completely closed off. I think he thinks I'm an idiot now and that I expect more out of the band than I should or something. That's not the case - I just didn't know if the restriction I had was enough or the right amount, you know? Anyhoo...lesson learned! Take care everyone! Robin

Tammygirl, I don't believe I've read of anyone that said they were able to ditch their anti-dep. meds. I have been on meds for persistent depression and anxiety for probably 8 years. I have lost almost 70 pounds and have not been able to drop the meds. In fact, I recently stopped taking one of them because of complete lack of sex drive (whole different thread). My sex drive returned, but so has the irritability due to the lack of the med.! It's a no-win situation for me, I'm afraid. Anyhoo...just wanted to let you know what my experience has been. Perhaps things will be different for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Robin

Tyrind, I only needed a 3 month physician-supervised "diet" because that's what the BCBS in the state where I LIVE requires. I'm not sure why they operate like that, but maybe BCBS in your state is similar. Some of the things I did: *see my Primary Care Physician for an initial visit and she noted in my records that I was beginning a low-calorie diet along with walking program) *had required labs done *see PCP once a month for 3 full months to record weight, etc. *kept a "food journal" for all 3 months (notebook w/ all food & bev. recorded) *kept an exercise log for all 3 months (blank calendar pages with all activity recorded) *had PCP initial each page of exercise log & food journal at each month's visit *got letters in favor of surgery and medical records from PCP, OB-GYN and psychiatrist *typed a document that listed my weights through the years (as far back as I could) based on medical records *submitted a copy of Weight Watchers record book I was never pre-approved. As I noted in an ealier post to this thread, you fulfill the requirements set forth by BCBS and proceed in "good faith" that they will cover it. Scary, I know! This is where the bariatric coordinator at your surgeon's office comes in. It's their job to make sure you have everything necessary to submit. Sorry I got so wordy. Other questions, just ask. Robin

tgranquist, Hi! I live in Marinette, Wisconsin. I was banded in Green Bay by Dr. James Kemmerling. Who is doing yours? Robin

Hi Bluz, Where in WI are you? I live in Marinette and was banded 11/2/07 in Green Bay. I truly hope you can find a way to make the surgery happen. With regard to the cravings, it's true that they don't go away. However, I can say that since I've been banded food just doesn't seem quite as important as it used to. The band has given more willpower, if that makes sense. Good luck to you, Robin

The only thing I know for sure is that I could never look into the eyes of my child, who depends on me and trusts me INFINITELY to always take care of her, and not do everything in my power to save her from suffering & needless death. IMHO

Thanks again everyone! I thought I read on here a while back that there's a nerve (Vagus nerve???) that runs down the left side of the body, so if it gets irritated anywhere pain can mainifest itself in the left side?? Another possibility, I guess. Glad to know I'm not the only one though!! Have a great day! Robin

Thanks for the responses! Robin

Hi all, I wasn't sure where to post this, but here goes: Sometimes after I eat (perhaps a little too much) I get an ear ache in just my left ear. Does this happen to anyone else, or does anyone know why? Thanks in advance for any insight! Robin

Chickie, Just wanted to say I looked at your before & after pics and you look INCREDIBLE!!! Robin

I'm with Gloucester - start kicking ass. I know that's easy for me to say since I don't have to live with your husband, but I don't think anyone has the right to tell you, after 100 POUNDS lost, that it's not enough! That loss is incredible, to say the least. Would it help if I kicked his ass for you?? Good luck to you, Robin

amsderb, Thanks! And good luck to you. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! Robin

Hi! I am from Marinette, WI. I was banded 11/2/07 in Green Bay. Best of luck on your surgery & hello to you other cheeseheads! Where are you, Spring???!!!!... Robin

Hi- I only had to do 1 week pre-op liquid diet. I used Slim-Fast ( with Jello, broth, popsicles) and lost 13 pounds in that week. Good luck to you! 4 weeks would suck! Be brave... Robin

Marcie, I had my surgery on a Friday afternoon and went home the next day. I was off work the following week. I had my husband on the weekend and he took off the Monday also. It's really nice to have someone around. Could you do it yourself? Probably. But everyone reacts differently to surgery. I probably could have cared for myself but I'm glad I didn't have to! I only ended up taking the Tylenol w/ codeine once after I got home. It was more discomfort than pain for me (think WAY too many sit-ups type discomfort). Good luck to ya! Robin

Hi Marcie, I live in Marinette, WI. Can I move with you to Arizona??? My husband and kids might miss me... Just kidding, but will this winter ever end? Best of luck with the surgery and the move. I was banded 11/2/07 by Dr. Kemmerling in Green Bay. Where in WI are you? Robin

Blund, Congrats! I was banded Nov. 2, 2007 which was my 37th birthday! Best birthday gift ever. Robin

I had no problem getting a letter from my PCP...and my OB/GYN...and my psychiatrist...and the mailman. I guess they all just took a look at my 300 pound body and jumped on board!! I'm just kidding about the mailman. I do not mean to make light of the situation - it would be seriously frustrating to not know if they would support you. BTW I was banded Nov. 2, 2007 and have lost 63 pounds (about 1/2 of what I'd like to lose). Best of luck to you all and don't give up! Robin

Angie, I have the exact same problem. I joke (no joke) that I need a cast-Iron sports bra. I have posted elsewhere about this, and someone suggested the Enell sports bra. I have not yet tried one myself, but thought I would pass along the info. Good luck to you, and I feel your pain!! Robin

OH MY GOD!! I just spelled grammar wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! Robin

Steph, I just have to tell you that I love your grammer/spelling box! Robin

Kat, You go girl! I totally subscribe to your eating theories. I have never met a "thin/normal" person who ate healthy all the time. Why should we? Just my opinion. Robin