RestlessMonkey

I'm pretty lucky in that when I'm sad or angry I don't want to eat, but I AM a reward eater (and you can tell from my stats that I rewarded myself A LOT! LOL) I went to a behavioral therapist, on my own (not a requirement or surgery or so on) and it really helped me figure out when and why I overeat, and what to do to stop it. Actually if I'd found that therapist 25 years ago when I only needed to lose 50 pounds, I think she would've done the trick for me. But at 200+ I felt I needed more and got the band. That therapy, though, that helped me understand how and when I use and abuse food, was very enlightening for me and I think has helped me be so happy and optimistic about the band. I know therapy isn't for everyone, but behavioral (not the kind where you lie on the couch and whine LOL) therapy has been a wonderful tool for me! :smile2:

Re: Help!!!! Please.... Longhornmom and I have the same Doc. He's very specific about what to have when: no protein for 1 week post op, and NPO after midnight, and only clear liquid (AKA Water in his world) from noon (plus the mag citrate) the day before surgery. ANYWAY GO Patti Go! I know you'll do great IF you read my post you'll see we (Longhornmom and I) have the SAME doc. We've discussed ad nauseam what he requires etc; and I ASKED him. Preop from the day before is essentially the same for all his band patients. Post op is the same for all band patients. I have the journal in hand. Had he given Patti special directions, then she'd surely have known that. She was wondering in general and I answered her PER OUR DOC. You are right we are all different and I would NEVER presume to tell YOU what your doc requires; I don't know you or your doc. But Longhornmon and I are in the same boat. Thanks for your concern but it's misplaced here. I was answering a personal friend who's going to the same doc as I am about what our doctor requires.

Maybe you could try some sessions with a behavioral therapist? Not the kind where you lie on the couch and whine, but a more action/goal oriented therapist? I went to one last year and she truly helped me figure out when and why I overeat, and gave some good ways to combat it. Now I can tell when I am wanting to eat just to reward myself (my big issue) or when I am REALLY hungry. It is truly helping me now. My ins paid most of it, I paid like $11 a session. Worth every penny. I googled "behavioral therpaist for eating disorder in San Antonio" and that's how I found mine LOL .... might be worth a try. I am really having an easy time all around with the band; no fears, no angst, no feeling like I'll never eat again etc and I know a big part of that is what I learned about my food habits from my therapist. Good luck!

Thank GOD I don't have this issue! I think it would be incredibly tough. I'm a reward eater but if I'm stressed the last thing I want to do is eat; I get vaguely nauseated. It's easy to find other things to reward myself with, things that aren't necessarily expensive (but hey, a new purse or CD is always welcome LOL) but stress? That's a hard one! Good luck! :smile2:

Whether or not you damaged yourself by eating depends on what you ate and when. THere's a reason they have us on this post op diet and it isn't to torture us. The band is lightly sewn into place around your stomach. When we eat food (mushies or soft or real, anything that isn't liquid) our stomach churns to digest it. This churning can rip some or all of your stitches loose. If I were you I'd tell my surgeon what I'd done so he can decide if you may need an X-ray or whatever to make sure things are still in place. You don't have to be in pain to have popped a stitch or 2 and that will set you up for slipping or erosion later on down the road. You just have to use willpower; the band is just a tool, not a miracle drug or something. We all know it's hard; I held a can of refried Beans and cried (and felt like an idiot, but I STILL cried!) but you have to heal properly. Tell your doc; not to punish, but to make sure you're ok.

Actually I'm not there yet but from what I've learned, what works if you have the issue is plastic surgery. Whether you have saggy skin depends on many factors...how heavy you were to start, how LONG your skin was stretched (how long you were obese), your genetics, your skin type (oily? elastic?) your age, your previous sun exposure, etc etc. Creams, rubs, etc may make it more supple but they won't tighten it long term. Exercise tones the muscles UNDER THE SKIN but the skin is an organ in it's own right; exercise doesn't tone or tighten it. Hope this isn't bad news; but each person is different and you may not have issues, depending! I'm pretty sure, since I started out at 405, that I'll need plastic surgery. I figure honestly I'd rather have plastic surgery than open heart surgery because of obesity, so it's all good. And the skin can tighten a good deal on it's own. From what I've been told they prefer, before Plastic Surgery, that you wait 1 year after you hit goal and maintain to allow your body a chance to do what it can on it's own. Good luck! maybe you'll be one of the ones who has no skin issues. I know I will have them but it still beats the alternative! :smile2:

You know I think this is one of the big benefits of the band. If you like to plan and be in control etc and it helps you to stay on track, the band accommodates. If you are like me and find, after a while, that counting and planning and weighing is tedious or at worst, just another form of food obsession (which it is FOR ME...) then with the band, we can just make good choices each meal and go from there. WW is big on "journaling" and the thought of having to weigh every portion, journal every bite every day for the rest of my life was staggering and miserable and frankly I knew I wouldn't do it. I love love love the flexibility of the band so those of us who would prefer not to think about food until time to eat, and those of us who want more control, are both able to get what we need to keep on going! :smile2:

I think it depends on how large the stomach opening is, actually. The "small" is standard and holds 10 cc's, (unlike the 1st Lap Band by allergan/inamed that only held 4 cc's) and the Large holds 14 cc's so it's a bit wider inside. Allows for more adjustment etc and I guess that's why post op we allergan/inamed banders don't feel as much restriction as people did in the early days. My doc picked it of course, once he was "in". If you get a realize band I think it only comes in one size. They both have pros and cons (both brands I mean)... glad my doc picked for me! LOL

Actually not all Wellbutrin is "time released"....that 3 times a day dose she's on isn't. The "SR" type you take once a day is.... but she still should check 1st with her prescribing doc to see if she can change to a different med, etc.

I agree Jodi. It's almost as if we lose, then for a while the scale stagnates while our bodies tighten up and catch up, then the scale drops again. Weight loss is odd, but it's all good! :smile2:

Longhornmom and I have the same Doc. He's very specific about what to have when: no Protein for 1 week post op, and NPO after midnight, and only clear liquid (AKA Water in his world) from noon (plus the mag citrate) the day before surgery. ANYWAY GO Patti Go! I know you'll do great!

Sneezing, itchy eyes, sounds more like allergies or a cold than the flu. If it IS the flu they can give you a drug to shorten it but it really sounds like a cold; your doc (PCP) can run a test to diagnose for sure though. When I'm that sick I only want Soups anyway; can't you have clear broth etc? Strain chicken noodle or vegetable Soup and drink the broth, and get sugar free cough drops. Mucinex will help, too. (one kind has a decongestant, one has a cough suppressant, get what you need) Of course liquid tylenol if you have a fever and/or pain. I got a cold 9/16 after being banded 8/29 and honestly the cold was worse than the surgery! Hope you feel better soon!

You need to go to a seminar. That's a good spot to start. And I had a BMI of 67 when I started so I don't figure 54 is "wrong". You just need to sit through a seminar or two, and they'll get you started!

Tell your prescribing doctor. They have a sustained release form so you can take it less often (and actually once you have restriction you'll need to be retitrated because regular doses may stay in your pouch, effectively being "sustained release) And how big are they? If they are M & M sized or smaller (I don't remember and my drug book doesn't have pictures) you should be able to just take them. If not, call your pharmacist (once you check w/prescribing doc) You may be able to dissolve it in some juice and drink it, or put it in some SF pudding etc. Just start with your doc who gave you the drug and see what s/he can do for you.

I have tinnitus in my right ear; got it when I was 19 at a Deep Purple Concert. I just have to tune it out; nothing they can really do for it. You need to see a doc to see if yours can be helped.

Patti you weren't supposed to have anything but Water pretty much from noon on. I don't really think 1 Protein drink will hurt you, but Dr. C wants you pretty cleaned out. And post op just Clear liquids for the 1st week, NO PROTEIN! (Just water, broth, and sugar free jello) Let them know tomorrow when you drank the protein. I am sure you will be fine because your surgery is going to be after 10am, but don't drink any more (of course), let the nurse know tomorrow, and remember no protein for the 1st week post op while you heal! You'll do fine!

Honestly? I'd want another doctor. My port is slanted and my doc had a little trouble but he was gracious as usual and I knew when he got it because he went "AHHH" LOL SOrry you had that happen; at the least it's very unprofessional.

And Januarysimp I don't know why you thought you stepped on my toes; actually it seems the reverse is true. All docs are different; we've been taught to hold all fluids for a few hours then try small sips etc. Whatever works, actually, is what one should do. Blood isn't really the bad part of nursing to most of us; but good for you realizing it's not for you early on! Upside and most importantly, Michelle feels better today!

Glad you feel better! It's just best to let the tummy chill out when you have a stomach virus or bug like that; to keep trying to drink anything can just dehydrate you.

Its a pain but it beats getting a flesh eating bacterial infection!

I know you are very unhappy but I don't think you're going to find your answer here. You'll just have to either wait and see what tricare says, pay him, or find another surgeon. That will be your decision to make...no one here can make it for you.

I'm too new to be a pro but I've lost 41.4 pounds so far...I have longed for something like the band forever. I truly get HUNGRY between meals and this will help that tremendously! I did go to a behavior therapist because many morbidly obese people are emotional eaters and that never really fit for me; but I discovered I was using food as a reward, if you will. (for example: I worked hard today I don't want to cook I'll pick up chicken I DESERVE a break) that type thing. Apparently I warranted a LOT of rewards LOL. Being aware of that helps, but the band has given me hope. Because I have successfully dieted many times in the past, only to get bored or tired of writing down every bite etc and I would gain it back. With the band, I think I'll eventually be freed of all that worry and nonsense. So many diets require you think constantly about food; I do better when I can put food in the background. Once I get the knack of chewing, Protein first, no liquids during meals etc I think I'll be able to do just that; let food take a back seat to life. SO I'm no pro yet but very hopeful; I think my plan will work! Welcome to you!

I'd probably threaten to bill him for the time he cost me.

NO because it's illegal for an in-network doctor to do that. I would feel like if he was that greedy or dishonest that who knows what he might skimp on etc. No way. There are too many reputable surgeons out there to bother with one that is unscrupulous. You need to wait and see what happens with tricare; but I think you'll probably need to find a new doc. Better you find out now that having problems post op, you know? I think he's probably a turkey.

Yes everyone has been wonderful. My DH was a little reticent at first. He's an RN and has seen many horror stories post bypass (he worked in a GI lab for years) but he trusts me and went with me to the seminar my surgeon holds. Once we went through that and the surgeon answered his extra questions, he was sold too. Because of his career and experience, I wanted him with me on it. Bless him he's even eaten my preop and post op diet along with me. Gotta love a man like that! :crying: My friends and the rest of my family know how head strong and capable I am and how far down all this weight has dragged me, so they are all behind me. And I wanted to point out that lots of happy successful banders are out living their lives. These boards usually attract the unfortunates who have problems. Statistically band failure, slippage, etc is very low.