wickedme

I attended a support group today and this was one of the topics. Everyone said what and how much they were able to eat varied often. I have not been banded yet and thought this was a very important thing to know.. Some who have had their bands for longer times said you get to know the signs when you should just drink liquids or other particular things... Hope it will be okay for you !

I haven't been banded yet, but have had hives more times then I can count and it was usually from something in the environment. Make a list of all the new foods, cleaners, vitamins, makeup, shampoos,, etc.. anything that you have used or eaten that is different.. If you think it is the protein shakes, try a different one just for a few days and see if that helps.. Its very annoying, but if you let it go it can get worse.. I went through a spell with it and I got to a point where I was having trouble breathing,, come to find out it was a certain type of cleaner we were using in our new softpool.. Hope you figure it out,, its really annoying!!

ouch!!! Glad to hear she didn't have any problems with the band afterwards..sorry to hear it turned out she had to had them blasted!!

Thank you for the info! Kidney stones are by far the worst pain I have ever encountered,, even a broken leg and childbirth didn't beat it.. Once I became delerious from the pain, the last time the nurse didn't believe I had an alergic reaction to oxycodone,, insisted it was just a "reaction",, they gave it to me,, my throat closed up,, they gave me adrenalin,, had a panic attack from that.. no fun at all.. Then the nurse signed me out before my IV ran out and I went home dehydrated (didn't know it at the time) had constipation so bad I had to go back to ER.. I have learned to be agressive with my care.. Its my body so I get last say from now on.. I don't drink our faucet Water even though it is filtered except with my coffee.. I too think it has a great deal to do with it. I have even had Salivary Stones which feel like a toothache and a earache at the same time.. not good.. I have tried to get the doctor to give me pain meds to keep on hand should it start.. maybey I will save some just in case,, at least enough to take the edge off should I have an attack and need to get to the hospital.

After a serious bout with kidney stones in February my doc found 11 stones sitting in my kidneys. No one seems to know why they formed or what to do about them, but sit and pray they don't come out at the same time!!! All are still relatively small.. My concern is that I started to pass them because I got dehydrated.. I have told the nurse, and its in my charts about this, but I'm wondering how hard it is to keep hydrated in the first few weeks, and how long you had IV for fluids in the hospital.. If they send me home fully hydrated I should be able to keep up with it.. My other fear is that should I have an attack the pain makes me vomit!! Has anyone had to deal with this? and how easy is it to mess the band up if you do vomit?

Hey, just wondering if anyone else is going to Casco Bay.. I got a call this morning for my meeting with "social worker" and wondered who and what comes next.. I assume its the dietician and then figuring out what tests I need to have done,, sleep, ultrasound and such.. can anyone tell me?? the suspense is killing me lol... all this waiting and thinking.. I'm just not patient enough!! I'm totally psyched to see the shrink on Friday,, what a freak!

DEJA VU-------------- so strange but I had a DEJA VU when reading the blog after posting it.. I have had many of them lately, but hadn't for the past three years. I have always associated them with "life being on track" or going in the right direction, and being where I am suppose to be. I had lost that feeling and have been struggling to figure out where I am at in my life. I am choosing to except it as a sign that this is truly right for me.

I got the call this morning and even though it has been 7 weeks, could not believe they chose me to fill a cancellation space with so many others waiting.. I don't think it will seem real until I get there. Of course I'm already thinking ahead of this to .. when will my nutritionist appt be?? when will I meet with the surgeon?? what if I need my gallbladder out?? what if they think I'm crazy?? I am sooo excited and feel like screaming it out, but there is really no to scream it to.. I called hubby but he is out of range,, so I told dad because he was sitting in our office,, hes 85 and doesn't get excited about much,, let alone me having surgery. He hasn't said anything about it, but is probably worried that I won't be able to get into the office..and he doesn't like being alone all day. That is the least of my worries at the moment, but I am saying my prayers for a speedy recovery so that he won't have to be alone during the day for too long. I live next door so I could come and stay here during the day, but unless I was bandaged from head to toe I don't think he would comprehend that I am healing.. He's not daft, just a man!! Like most people if you don't show a physical outward appearance you must be fine... I also told my sister but she didn't say much.. hmmm.. so I have been doing lots of reading on different eating plans (notice i didn't say diet??) for after surgery. I am trying to incorporate habits and the types of food necessary into my life now hoping it will make the transition easier.. portion control is the most difficult struggle right now.. I just don't know why I can't get a handle on it.. but if I could I wouldn't need the band right.. arghhh Just last night we had spaghetti,, homemade sauce with splenda,, chicken and ground turkey, whole wheat pasta,, garlic bread was whole grain with olive oil and grated parm.. one small slice is all I had of that.. 1 cup pasta with one scoop of sauce, at it and should have stopped but added another small scoop of each,, why?? mostly because I didn't feel full and my body wasn't satisfied.. I did stop myself from eating anything else for the rest of the night but it was an all out battle to stay out of the kitchen.. I can't wait for the day when it won't be so hard to stop, and I can spend that extra time doing something way more meaningful with my mind and time!!

I got the call this morning and even though it has been 7 weeks, could not believe they chose me to fill a cancellation space with so many others waiting.. I don't think it will seem real until I get there. Of course I'm already thinking ahead of this to .. when will my nutritionist appt be?? when will I meet with the surgeon?? what if I need my gallbladder out?? what if they think I'm crazy?? I am sooo excited and feel like screaming it out, but there is really no to scream it to.. I called hubby but he is out of range,, so I told dad because he was sitting in our office,, hes 85 and doesn't get excited about much,, let alone me having surgery. He hasn't said anything about it, but is probably worried that I won't be able to get into the office..and he doesn't like being alone all day. That is the least of my worries at the moment, but I am saying my prayers for a speedy recovery so that he won't have to be alone during the day for too long. I live next door so I could come and stay here during the day, but unless I was bandaged from head to toe I don't think he would comprehend that I am healing.. He's not daft, just a man!! Like most people if you don't show a physical outward appearance you must be fine... I also told my sister but she didn't say much.. hmmm.. so I have been doing lots of reading on different eating plans (notice i didn't say diet??) for after surgery. I am trying to incorporate habits and the types of food necessary into my life now hoping it will make the transition easier.. portion control is the most difficult struggle right now.. I just don't know why I can't get a handle on it.. but if I could I wouldn't need the band right.. arghhh Just last night we had spaghetti,, homemade sauce with splenda,, chicken and ground turkey, whole wheat pasta,, garlic bread was whole grain with olive oil and grated parm.. one small slice is all I had of that.. 1 cup pasta with one scoop of sauce, at it and should have stopped but added another small scoop of each,, why?? mostly because I didn't feel full and my body wasn't satisfied.. I did stop myself from eating anything else for the rest of the night but it was an all out battle to stay out of the kitchen.. I can't wait for the day when it won't be so hard to stop, and I can spend that extra time doing something way more meaningful with my mind and time!!

Yes, it is the same as the psych eval.. and thanks! I was getting discouraged and needed this boost!! I am worried about having to have my gall bladder out.. I heard through another patient that they won't take it out during surgery if it is infected, but do if it just has problems.. would hate to have to have two seperate surgeries in such a short time... I am glad for you that they found your cervical issues now,, I had a total hysterectomy and decided to have my cervix out, doc wasn't sure it was a good idea.. they found pre cancer cells during the biopsy.. glad I followed my gut!!

Thank you for the post.. I questioned what the response would be when some of the people at our church found out.. I would normally ask for their prayers when I have the surgery but am debating on that right now because of the type of response that you are getting.. also comments about putting faith in god to help me be strong and have willpower.. I have done that and am still doing that, and will have to continue to do that for the rest of my life. You take miracles where you can get them. I am afraid for my life and of it being cut short because of my health. You are obviously really hurt by your friends support and mayby hoping she would be a source of strength for you. I would collect my thoughts and approach her again and tell her you were really hurt by her response and see where it was coming from. More often then not people speak without thinking that words can hurt. I am using my own advice at the moment,, after taking sometime to regroup from the sting.. Hope you can work it out!

:biggrin:I got a call this morning, they had a cancellation and asked if I could come in Friday afternoon to meet with the social worker... sooo excited, hope she didn't think I was a flake, I think I let a crazy giggle out!!! I went to the seminar June 18th, it took 7 weeks..wow Sad thing, I don't feel like I had anyone to tell that would be really happy for me or that would understand the significance of this but all of you!! I was going to their offices that day anyway to attend a support group, now I can do both... Do they tell you their recomendation right away?? or do I have to wait?? I really feel like I am ready for this now, where a month ago I was still contemplating. I have had such a parade of emotions lately about what I want from all of this, and it comes down to wanting to be healthy and being part of the world again. My husband hasn't said anything negetive lately, but when I mention anything he doesn't respond. I know he is worried, and has done his share of taking care of me through hysterectomy and a broken leg, but I do everything 95% of the time except go to work for him. I think part of him is wondering where it will take us. We have had a really rocky road for the past few years, mostly because of his daughter, but also because I dream of better, and he can't or won't... hes stuck in his own fears. Anyways... so excited and so glad this website is here for me to share!

I haven't had this surgery but have had others, like a complete hysterectomy. I heard of others walking as soon as they got back to their rooms and going back to work a week later.. It took me 3 days to come out of the anesthesia, and another few days to get over the nausea.. we are all different and there are a lot of factors that contribute to how fast we recoup. We are all overweight, short of breath most likey, out of shape and exhausted from not being healthy.. Don't give in to the bad feelings, its going to get better and you will start to forget most of these awful feelings in no time.. prayers for you,, hope your up and about soon

Since deciding that I needed to have this surgery everywhere I go there are mirrors.. My daughter and I went school shopping and stopped at friendlys for dinner... I walk in and theres a big old gold distorted mirror,, I ordered a salad and left there still hungry.. we went to an applebees and whats on the door?? another silver plated mirror... we split a meal and I still felt guilty.. I am starting to think that I have been in denial about my appearance for a very long time, and am ashamed of myself, and embarrassed that other people have been seeing this. I almost feel like people are looking at me differently then before. I haven't gained weight, but have not lost any in a long time. I also noticed that I never look in full length mirrors even at home,, shoulders up,, and never, ever, nekked!! I have also begun to notice other overweight people and after watching that pbs show, wonder what their story is and why they are overweight. Everyone has a story as you can read in here, and are judged so horribly for things that are out of our control.. I am struggling every minute of everyday not to eat too much, give in or give up, be physically active somehow and it is exhausting at best. I am terrified that I won't be able to lose the 5% I am going to be required to lose.. and those damn mirrors with that person looking back at me with the double chin and baggy cloths that are trying to hide my belly!! ahhhh It was easier being clueless!!! If I wasn't so worried about my health and being alive to raise my kids I probably would have never noticed how bad I had gotten. I am praying that I will get my golden letter this week with my appointment schedules so some of this anxiety will settle down.. has anyone else just had a rude awakening??:confused2:

I don't think you can predict peoples reactions.. I told my sister in law first, she wrote back not to do it,, its to scary and the diet is too restrictive and I would never be able to handle it... A friend?? said thats great, but its going to suck if your thinner then me.. what?? Another friends comment was.. she just needs more drama in her life!! lol (we're not speaking) my overweight friends are envious but happy for me, some have already had surgery and look and feel fabulous, my heaviest friend has other health issues right now, but needs to consider doing something drastic ASAP or her 4 kids might lose her. I have a sister who I haven't told. She is into naturalistic healing, a vegetarian, 6 ft and never been more then 30 lbs overweight. She is coming to spend a week with us so the subject will come up.. She is kind and takes time to think about her responses, but doesn't say anything at all which is even more annoying. She was convinced that my cholesterol problems were because of what I eat,, when she found out one of my brothers (one of 5, the only thin one) had higher then me she accepted the fact that its hereditary and she just got the better genes.. She thought accupuncture could cure my adenomyosis and pre cancer cells on my cervix so I didn't need a hysterectomy.. Shes extremely intelligent but doesn't live in reality at times I think.. My heaviest brother said,, you really need to do something about your weight,, I asked if mine was successful if he would consider it and he said his blood levels are better then ever and he lost 2 lbs in 4 months..??? He is pre diabetic and has already had a heart attack.. I am really worried about him. So, you just never know how people will respond.. If they start to give me the whole speech about researching and knowing what I"m getting into I tell them I wouldn't be thinking about it if I hadn't taken the last six months to look into it. I need to do this because I can't do it on my own. If they think I am weak, then they have no idea what I go through on a daily basis and how much strength it takes me to get through the day.. emotionally and physically. I am a force to be reckoned with on a bad day,, mayby they are just scared what I will be like on a good day!!

I went to my ortho doctor yesterday and had xrays, the redness was gone but my ankle was still swollen, on both feet!!! There was nothing out of the ordinary and my leg is completely fused. I had blood drawn and will get the results on Monday. If the swelling doesn't go away they will do an ultrasound, in the mean time I am wearing compression socks of my own free will just in case. My doctor was not convinced it wasn't a blood clot, but since the redness was gone and just my ankles are swollen he said to go to ER if it got bad over the weekend and he would meet me there. I am going to call the lipid doc and see if it could be a reaction to meds I am taking. It is not painful anymore, I just have a KANKLE!! I told ortho doc I was having lap band (at least I hope so) and he said if I am still having issues with the hardware he would take it out next year!! I am hoping that just losing the weight will make it better. I really don't want to be cut open again, and muscle has started growing over the screws so they would have to cut them.. arghhhhh being laid up was not a good experience for me mentally.

It will be one year 8/18 since I broke my tib/fib. I have a rod and screws because a scoop of bone came out and it needs to be secured. It is actually one of my co-morbities because I will have chronic pain for life if I don't lose the weight. I have already made an appointment to see the ortho doc, but wondered if anyone has had anything similar with like injury?? My shin is hard and swollen in spots and red and hot to touch. Its not a blood clot, no calf pain. My ankle has been swollen on and off for 6 days. I put off calling because I thought it was just me making excuses for not wanting to exercise, but it was swollen when I got up this morning and hasn't changed. Its probably just me and my weird body and chemistry... but if you have experienced this I would like to know how it was treated.. thanks

I'm blown away that they are doing the surgery when she still smokes at all.. My surgeon does a nicotine test every visit and on the day of surgery. If you test positive for it at any time he will postpone or cancel surgery. Smoking with the band or with gastric by-pass is proven to cause ulceration at the band and by pass sights. I guess my surgeon believes that if you want to get healthy then you need to quit smoking too.. I am so glad I quit, its been 3 yrs and I will never go back to it. I needed a hysterectomy and my risk of getting other cancers increased with just that let alone if I still smoked so I stopped cold turkey.. The first year was rough, but I haven't looked back since. Hope your friend quits,, its the best thing!

I watched the video.. amazing stories. I was really interested in the stories around the nurse.. talking about Dr.s and nurses taking a history. Stop making suggestions about losing weight and find out why you are overweight.. The stories also touched on the fact that most of us have really tried to lose weight and have succeeded at it, we just can't continue with it and lose the battle. I am currently trying so hard to really control what I am eating, but having it be the main thing in my head everyday can and has made me crazy. I've gone almost a year before obsessing about it only to realize it consumed my waking and sleeping moments to a point where everything else didn't matter. I need the help of a lap band to take up some of the slack and help me control what I am eating.. Thanks for putting this up!

Any information you can give the people in your life about your decision is a good thing. My family and friends see me as the cook, party planner. Even after I started talking about my interest or intentions with lap band they still make dumb comments about how I won't be able to cook any more, how if I didn't do all that stuff I wouldn't be overweight... hello? been struggling with this for 20 years people... I am going to watch the video, and probably email it to my family members... hehehe...

don't beat yourself up for too long, we've all been there, banded or not!! I think summer is harder then the holidays in winter to stay on track.. BBQ's,, days at the lake, carnivals and fairs. At least on holidays there is a better chance of their being at least a few healthy things that don't contain mayo or grease!! Going to the gym is a huge undertaking for me.. I love it when I'm in to it, but as soon as I get distracted for a minute I lose my momentum. It is one of my goals to take on again when the kids get back to school at the end of august.. If I don't start to lose even a few pounds the doctors won't even consider giving me a date for surgery.. Hope today is better for you!!

I am planning on going to the aug 8th support group, if not the one on the 20th. I would have gone to one this month but thought I had to have my first evalution before going, but when I called to verify that they had all my info, the nurse said I could go.. I am trying to be patient, but am getting anxious. My 7 siblings and I are all getting together the last week of sept, first of oct so it needs to be a month before or after that,, more then likely it will take even longer. I met Dr. Cobean at the seminar,, hes pretty conceded, but I wouldn't want a wishy washy doctor of any kind. I chose this program and didn't look at any others because the people I know who have had succesful surgery's went there, the ones who have problems are not following any program and are not being accountable for their actions.. I know someone who just had their band removed due to an ulcer,, from smoking! So scarey. I would not put myself through this physical and emotional stress just to screw it up,,, at least I hope not!! I don't drink,, even soda,, haven't smoked in years,, and am really sick of being overweight, less active, and not able to be myself.. let me know how things go?? Maybey we will meet sometime.. all the best to you Donna

Hey Erin.. so glad to see someone here who went through Casco Bay. How long did you have to wait for your first appt? I went to the seminar and they have all my paperwork, just waiting for the mail!! Also glad to hear you are happy with the program. I have talked to others who didn't like the whole process of it, and thought it was easier to go somewhere else. I am looking forward to it because I want to fix the reason I overeat so that I never do it again. Sounds like you have a great start to a new you.. congrats and best wishes

My family is the ones I have talked to about it and will be the most difficult to deal with, especially the ones who don't agree with it.. Just recently I was at a SIL's house, I told her I had already eaten but the kids might want something. She harrassed me about not eating with them and I ended taking it and was sick.. I haven't even had the surgery yet and they know how hard it is for me, it will be really crazy when I finally have it.

My mother lost 86 lbs from 56 to 60, her stomach didn't sag, but her face wrinkled. She thought if she had used good moisturizers when she was younger it would have made a lot of difference and I agree. I was a cosmetologist once, one of my many career exploits. I would suggest using good lotions as soon as your surgery is scheduled, or even sooner to help the elasticity. You can try the pinch test also on your hands, if it goes back to normal immediately you have good elasticity.. Hard to judge that sometimes if your overweight though because we have so much excess fat under the skin... exercise and moisturizers and prayers.. thats my intentions!!