ellendeette
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Everything posted by ellendeette
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Hi Cheryl,
There are no more meetings at St. Joe's Hospital for the month of May. There will be a lapband meeting at Marissa's house next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. If you would like more information, you can e-mail me at: e.tippit@yahoo.com
I can then give you her telephone number, address, etc. Her apartment is in the Burbank area. Do you live near Burbank?
Ellen
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I agree. Being dehydrated is very serious. That is why I met with my bariatric surgeon in emergency to take some fluid out. Water was coming up!
I never thought I would EVER say that its difficult to get all the fluid in but its so true. Isn't that great? I never thought I would ever get full and not have cravings. Its all a blessing and I am so grateful for my new way of life. My eating doesn't rule my life any more. Have a good night. Ellen
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Hi Cheryl,
Congratuations on your weight loss! Sounds like you are on track and doing very well. There is a meeting this Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Hospital. It meets in a room on the second floor above the reception area. Every meeting is a bit different. If you can make it this Wednesday, come on over for a visit. We have a mix of bypass and lapbanders. Sometimes we will have a member talk and tell their experience, sometimes we will have a speaker like a nutritionist or plastic surgeon or exercise expert speak. The price is right - its free. Hope to see you there! Ellen
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Hi Teal,
I have had several fills and unfills since I had the lapband procedure almost one year ago (5/20/08). As you lose weight, you need fills (fluid placed into your band) and sometimes when your band gets too tight, you have to have an unfill (fluid taken out of your band). Its difficult to explain in words. I had the stomach flu a few months ago and the stress from the stomach flu made my band tighter. I could not drink fluid without it coming up. Taking some of the fluid out of the band made it easier. I think I'm in the right spot right now with having just enough fluid in my band to restrict my eating too much food but getting in enough food to have enough nutrition. I saw my doctor last Friday and she decidd not to put any more fluid into my band because I am having a slow but sure weight loss. I don't know if that answered your question.
Ellen
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Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
The best thing I took away from OA is "Take one day at a time." That is all we have to deal with. It makes it easier to deal with. It sounds like you may have too much time on your hands. Maybe look into finding something that interests you? Fix up the place where you live. Volunteer at the library or hospital. Sounds like you are on track. -
May 12th Surgery Stories - Terrific Tuesday!
ellendeette replied to Kellster's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Congratulations on a successful lapband procedure. Thank you so much for the low down on your hospital experience. You sound like your are doing excellent. Hope to see you at our next lapband meeting later this month! Ellen -
Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I do feel much better since my last fill. I still have restriction but I'm not throwing up, gurgling or having my stomach feel likes it sour (stuck food). I have an appointment with my bariatric doctor tomorrow morning. I will see how my weight loss is going. I only weigh myself when I go to see her. I haven't had a scale in my home for many years. I have made small goals per my doctor. My first goal was to get below 250, then 240, then 230, etc. I don't think I will stop at 200. If I didn't lose another pound, I would be thrilled. I love being able to buy clothes in regular stores, feel better, look better etc. I don't know how much of a friend you have because it sounds like they are sabotaging you! Automatic eating is very dangerous. In my support group we talk about "mindful eating." No television, reading, etc. The ideal is to eat and pay attention to each bite, small bites, chew, chew and chew some more, etc. You also have to pay attention the quantity of food. I have read that one of the biggest reasons for success with the lapband (and bypass for that matter) is to go to support groups. I love OA and they are very helpful but I think going to a lapband support group helps the BEST! -
Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I had my last unfill on April 18. I went to OA for many years. It helped me in many ways but the band has been the most powerful tool for weight loss success for me. I simply cannot eat the volume of food like I used to eat plus I don't have food cravings. My therapist doesn't have a speciality in food addiction but that might be interesting to find a therapist that has that. Can you go to a support meeting for lapbanders near your home? I go regularly to three meetings a month through my bariatric surgeon's office (bypass and lapband) along with a support group once a month with an emphasis in lapband. I found that I have to find another source of comfort for myself other than food. I exercise, shop, talk on the phone, take a hot bath, etc. Anything else but to eat or to eat over feelings or boredom, etc. Good luck to you! We are on the same path but it gets bumpy at times. -
Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Its a careful balance. Isn't it? I had an unfill and toying with the idea of a fill but I'm enjoying not throwing up and keeping things down. If I was you, I would get myself to a support group ASAP (if you are not currently attending one). Head hunger will not help with fills. Also, it really helped me by going to a therapist and working on issues related to head hunger. We need to learn that the band is only one tool and we need other ways to deal with life and our feelings without the use of food. Good luck! Let me know how you are doing. I care because I am walking the balance beam of having the correct restriction to limit the volume of food but enough food to give nutrition. -
I love the idea of taking a group picture of our support group. It would be great if we could take pictures individually each time and as a group. We could post some of the pictures on Lapbandtalk.
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I really enjoyed meeting you last night. I thought the meeting was a great success! It would be fun if we can get all our members in our lapband group to meet here.
I'm fading fast. This is way too late for me to be up.
Ellen
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San Fernando Valley/Los Angeles Bandsters
ellendeette replied to BeTheBuddha's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
SAN FERNANDO LAPBAND MEETING!!! There is going to be a San Fernando Lapband meeting tomorrow, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. in Burbank at Marissa's house. See Marissa's telephone numbers, address and directions below: Marissa's Cell number is: (210) 797-6614 Marissa's Home number is: (818) 859-7524 Her address is: 707 E Orange Grove Ave, Apt E Burbank, CA 91501 *DIRECTIONS TO THE HOUSE (HEADING NORTH ON THE 5):*North on the 5, exit Olive Street. Follow the exit to the right which putsyou on Angelino Street. Go straight all the way down until you hit SeventhStreet (into the neighborhood area, past San Fernando, Glenoaks and Sixth).Take a right on Orange Grove and then park where you can (anywhere in thatintersection). *ONCE YOU ARRIVE:*It is on the Northwest Corner of Orange Grove and Seventh Streets. The second house on the left. There are a bunch of really tall trees in a linenext to the drive way and a huge Water wheel out front. Follow the trees topass through the gate. My apartment is all the way down at the end on thesecond floor. Up the stairs. There is only one set of stairs there :drool: We would appreciate it if you would let Marissa or me know if you can make it to the meeting. Ellen E-mail: e.tippit@yahoo.com -
- I had Anthem Blue Cross PPO for my lapband surgery. It covered most of the cost of my band. I still had to pay for my hospital and the doctor. My portion was much more than I anticipated. I was able to deduct the out-of-pocket expenses and received a tax refund for the first time. I chose Dr. Q from a list of doctors that I showed to my internist. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Blue Cross assigned a nurse to my case and called me prior to my surgery & on a monthy basis to answer questions. I have heard that Dr. Q is very highly rated as a bariatic surgeon. He is an excellent surgeon & has a great staff. Best reason to choose Dr. Quilici is that he has a support group that meets three times a month. I've meet other people who have become friends and are sharing the journey with me of living a life with the band. I am completely off high blood pressure medication and have lost 74 pounds. I feel and look MUCH better. Good luck to you!
- I had Anthem Blue Cross PPO for my lapband surgery. It covered most of the cost of my band. I still had to pay for my hospital and the doctor. My portion was much more than I anticipated. I was able to deduct the out-of-pocket expenses and received a tax refund for the first time. I chose Dr. Q from a list of doctors that I showed to my internist. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Blue Cross assigned a nurse to my case and called me prior to my surgery & on a monthy basis to answer questions. I have heard that Dr. Q is very highly rated as a bariatic surgeon. He is an excellent surgeon & has a great staff. Best reason to choose Dr. Quilici is that he has a support group that meets three times a month. I've meet other people who have become friends and are sharing the journey with me of living a life with the band. I am completely off high blood pressure medication and have lost 74 pounds. I feel and look MUCH better. Good luck to you!
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I think i may be overfilled! In pain,please help
ellendeette replied to cindie74's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was feeling many of the symptoms you are experiencing last week. I called my doctor last Friday night and she suggested that I meet her in the emergency room on Saturday morning. She took 1.5 cc out of my band. I am feeling much better. I was getting very dehydrated because I could not keep water or food down. This is not the purpose of the band. My band was way too tight. My doctor could not explain why other than it happens sometimes. I can now eat and drink without pain in my chest or throwing up the liquid and food (totally gross). Get some fluid out! Don't be uncomfortable and pain. The band was not meant to cause discomfort. You want the "sweet spot" of losing weight and having enough restriction. Good luck to you! Please let us all know how you are doing. -
No, I do not regret it. Its one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I used to wear size 22-24 and now I'm wearing size 14. I just went on a trip to see my family. I didn't have to huff and puff through the airport and search for places to sit to rest in between walking and I didn't need to ask for a lap extender to close my seat belt. My mobility has increased, I look better and my body feels MUCH BETTER. I only wish I would have done this years ago (although I didn't know about this years ago).
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Throwing Up every Night..Please Help
ellendeette replied to Maggie63's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
How are you doing now? Please let me know. It sounds like you have been having an awful time with throwing up. I sympathize with you. I had the stomach flu with the band and it was terrible. My band got traumatized (my doctor's words) and I had to have an unfill. -
Thank you for sharing. I agree. Eating slow and small bites does help but there are unexpected times that food gets stuck. I've been noticing that stress seems to effect getting food stuck. It can be bad or good stress. Good luck to you with your next surgery next month. I will be banded one year next month. Its the best thing I have EVER done for myself.
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I am still trying to figure out how to use the enzyme. Did you eat the enzyme along with the tuna? I'm wondering that if you eat the protein along with the enzyme that the enzyme helps to break down the protein?
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That makes sense about the difference in bread and Protein. I will make a note of that when it happens again. Somehow I know it will. I try to be so careful and eat slowly, make good choices, chew small amounts, etc. Sometimes I do well and sometimes I don't. Thanks for your help.
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Can you please tell me how you take them? I have had them for some time and they don't seem to work for me. Maybe I wait too long before I take them. Do you chew or swallow the tablets? I'm missing the boat on this and would really like to figure out how to use them correctly. I bought mine at Trader Joes. I don't know if you have that store by you or not. I also heard about unsweetened pineapple juice when you get stuck. I appreciate your feedback. I carry them in my purse and have used them several times. I end up throwing up the stuck food along with the tablets. Its very gross but they come up undigested as well as with the food.
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Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Lynn, I would suggest getting your hormones in balance first. Then make sure you are getting adequate Protein. Find a good Protein Drink to supplement your food. I was told to have between 60-70 grams of protein per day. Most of the time I get it from eating food. If I have had a fill or unfill, I drink Protein drinks the first day or two and then gradually add mushy foods. Also check yourself about how much you are exercising. Good luck and let me know how you are doing!0 Ellen -
I've tried them before but they don't seem to work for me. Maybe I'm not using them correctly or waiting too long before I take them. After reading this thread, I realize maybe I should try them again. I wanted to also share that if any of you are throwing up too much, your band may be too tight and you need to have an unfill. I had one a week or so ago and feel much relief. I was getting a sour stomach after eating and throwing up too much. My doctor said my band was too tight.
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San Fernando Valley/Los Angeles Bandsters
ellendeette replied to BeTheBuddha's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Shall do. We just had a meeting a few weeks ago so it won't be for awhile. The meetings really help me to stay on track and offers support and information. -
Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Good luck to you! Hope you get some relief soon. It took me several days before I got less restriction. In hindsight, I think I would have taken only in liquids for a couple of days. I don't know if the doctor will suggest that to you or not. I am now able to eat most anything but still feel full so I feel it is working well now. -
Band too tight? -OR- Eating too fast?
ellendeette replied to nothingcomesez's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I just read through this subject about your band being too tight. I just had an unfill yesterday. I found I was throwing up way too much and the food in my stomach would get sour and my stomach would gurgle. My doctor told me that my band was way too tight and she took out some Fluid. I am feeling much better. I think its a careful balance that you have enough restriction that you don't overeat but that you have not too much restriction that you can eat what you need for what your body needs. I guess I'm in my sweet spot right now. Thanks all for sharing on this subject.