ohjuly7878

What's downward dog? Is that the yoga move?

I'm so sad about this story. I wonder, does anyone know if she had the procedure laparoscopically, or was it an open surgery? I did not find that reference in the article. I am a physician as well (radiologist) and actually can see how she might have "poo-poo"ed her symptoms. They may have been really subtle and could have been explained by so many other causes. Because this type of post op infection is so rare, she herself might have thought of it and dismissed it. In medical school, we're taught over and over again: "When you hear hoofbeats, don't think zebras". In any case, my prayers go out to her family. It's such a tragedy.

I just wanted to share what I've been doing to get my Vitamins. I hate the chewables and although the small mulitvitamin pill might be small enough to get down, it does not have enough Calcium... So I have been using the Viactiv chews; they have chews for Multivitamins and for calcium. They taste delicious, and not too many calories each (maybe 20 calories each?). I basically bite off a small piece of the square and suck on it untill it is dissolved. (I take a small enough piece in each bite so that if I accidentally swallowed it, I could probably dissolve it with hot tea.) I also find this helps with my Water drinking, since it is very satisfying to sip water after each small bite of the viactiv. I take one multivit and two calciums each day. Because I do it so slowly, those three items plus a large glass of water gets me through several hours of work in the afternoon! The only thing I notice is that the viactiv is somewhat low on Vitamin A (I think that Vitamin is hard to get in a pill), so I also try to concentrate on carrots and spinach when I eat my veggies. Good luck to all!

Keep up the good work! I know it's especially hard to stay motivated if the weight loss isn't stellar... so you're doing great.

Thanks for that link, it looks very useful. I've added it to my "favorites" for when I may need it in the future (I probably will, at some point!) -Julie

Tweety thank you for the encouragement :thumbdown: i will do that!

Hello all; I've been away from this forum for awhile. I was banded on 8/12/08 and had my first fill in September (about 5 weeks after the surgery), and felt some restriction (although my doctor says that his first fills are really quite small; sort of to help you get used to the band). I did well at first; lost about 20 lbs. But, right before Thanksgiving, I noticed that I really didn't have any restriction anymore. I was going to schedule another fill right then and there, but I sort of wanted some freedom during the holidays, and also I had a sort of "macho" attitude where I felt like I "shouldn't" need another fill. (I realize that is sort of silly... I mean, why did I have the WLS in the first place?! lol) Between November and now, I have gained back about 5 of the pounds I originally lost. I had my second fill yesterday, which I'm sure was the right thing to do. My doctor has us go on clear fluids for three days, though, after a fill... then full fluids for a week, then mushies for a week, then regular diet.... and I'm SO HUNGRY! In the past few months, I truly reverted back to my old way of eating... so clear fluids for three days is torture! LOL I'm looking for a little encouragement here :thumbdown: thanks everyone and good luck to all

I had the same thing from one of my incisions, but there were no other signs of infection. There was only a little bit of clear yellow oozing. I just wiped it away... I think with a piece of tissue actually... and watched it. It did not return and I have had no other problems. But I agree with everyone that if you're worried, give your doc a call... just wanted to let you know how mine turned out.

I'm wondering if any readers can give me their ideas for how to increase Fiber in our diets? Although I have not yet reached the "real" food stage (just had my first fill 6 days ago), I have heard that the high fiber foods are hard for us to eat. In that case, what are your suggestions or solutions for increasing our fiber intake? Thanks in advance for all your help, this board has been wonderful reading so far!

Hiya... I'm sorry I cannot make it this weekend; I have to work... but thank you so much for letting me know! I will try to make the next one!

Hello all, I was banded 6 days ago. I'm *pretty* much feeling normal now (although a little weak from only having fluids!) but I am having one symptom that I am worried about: I get occasional pains that begin just below my sternum and seem to radiate up my chest in the center. They only last a few seconds... often I will get one, it will end, and then I will get another. It almost feels like I have to burp but I can't? I am imagining that it is some type of esophogeal spasm. I don't think it's reflux, since I never had that before and it is unrelated to when I last drank something, or what position I'm in. I will see my doc today but would be comforted to know if others experienced this, and even better if it eventually went away for those who have experienced it! Thanks all; this is a great site and I have always appreciated all your help and support. -Julie

Welcome back, VegasGirl! Glad it went as well as it sounds it did. Remember to keep up on your fluids; I got behind on my fluids the first day home, got dehydrated and felt awful.

Hi all! Nice to see all the other August bandsters :thumbup: I was banded on the 12th. All is fine now except I get these really bad spasms of pain that start just below my sternum and then seem to go up my espophagus... they last only a few seconds... then a few seconds later, another one comes. They seem to come in pairs like that. I can't find any relation to what I've just had to drink, or what position I'm in, or anything. I think they are just random spasms of the esophagus? Or perhaps reflux but I think that is less likely (I never had reflux before). Anyone else have this? I am HOPING it will go away eventually!!! Happy weekend all! -Julie

Hi all... first I want to just thank all of you August All Stars for your input and support, you guys are great! I have to admit to being just a wee bit discouraged today. My whole post op recovery so far has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I had a lot of pain the first night, and then when I got home I got dehydrated... I think it was because I got behind in my drinking but also because I got nauseated from the Roxicet. Of course the dehydration just made my nausea worse and gave me a headache. Also, (sorry for TMI) both my bladder and bowel muscles seem to have forgotten how to work for awhile after the surgery. However, now all of those symptoms are gone except: I still get these weird pains (even if I haven't had anything to drink) that feel like something is getting stuck... they always go away in about 15 seconds or so, but I don't like them and I worry that they will be around forever! I know they will probably go away soon. In any case, I still don't have any regrets and I suspect that I will even look back on this post and laugh some day! Have a great weekend all!

:thumbup:Was banded to day and am spending the night in the hospital. (it was my choice and my surgeon advised that since I've really never had surgery before that it might make sense for me to stay). I just discovered that the hospital has wireless!! The day went very smoothly; I want to reassure everyone who is about to go in for their big day. Main problem I'm having now is gas pains but nothing I can't deal with. I have not taken any pain meds yet... we'll see how the night goes tho. Hang in there everyone about to have their surgery.... it's really not so bad!

Dotem THANK YOU so much for your warm wishes! I am at work now; on the liquid diet today for pre op; and very nervous! Your post, and everyone's posts on here, helped me so much.

and I am so scared! Glad I came to work today; try to keep my mind off of it. I keep thinking... what if something really bad happens to me?! I will feel so stupid! LOL Really looking forward to writing my first AFTER surgery post. Good luck to all of you and thanks for everyone's support and encouragement, and advice.

Hi all... wondering.. what is the longest that anyone here has had the lap band? Does anyone know of statistics of success and/or complications over 10 years out? Thanks for your input!

you guys are the best. Thanks so much for answering the question :thumbup:

I know, such a lovely title to my post! I'm 4 days away from my banding (very very nervous!!) and I was just wondering about the percentage of folks who actually NEVER throw up after the operation. I am assuming that, more often than not, one would throw up at least once! I ask because, although I'm scared of the surgery, I'm ALMOST as scared of throwing up! (I have really only done it about 5 times in my life that I can remember!). I mean, I know everyone is different; and if I do go really, really slowly on the post-op diet, I am less likely to actually regurgitate. But just trying to prepare myself! Does it hurt? Does it come on quickly? What if I'm at work? Would love to hear your thoughts; thanks everyone in advance!

I've noticed that some docs require no caffeine, some say that decaf coffee is okay, and some say no coffee at all. Just wondering; what were your instructions? And do you have any idea why they say what they say? I think that caffeine is frowned upon because it is a diuretic, and coffee in general is frowned upon because it is acidic. But what are your experiences? Thanks for the help!!

Good morning all! I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. My name is Julie, I live near Princeton, and I'm 48 years old. I'm getting banded on August 12th (one week from today!) by Dr Nusbaum in Livingston NJ. I have about 70 or so pounds to lose. I am looking forward to "meeting" all of you and supporting you in whatever way I can! Thanks for being here. -Julie

Good morning; and thank you to Lanakila for directing me to this area : ) My name is Julie; I'm 48 years old and getting banded on August 12th. I just joined this forum a couple of days ago. My surgeon is Dr Michael Jay Nusbaum in Livingston NJ; so far he has been a real gem. I have about 70 - 80 lbs to lose; I am 5'2" and currently weigh 195. Well maybe 80 lbs is wishful thinking LOL. In any case, as I was saying in my "general" introduction to this web site, my only reservations about having the banding is that I hope that I am doing this for the right reasons, and not just because I'm in a difficult point in my life (for other reasons... although not altogether unrelated to being overweight). I *think* I am smart enough to have thought it all through... but then again, I've made poor decisions in the past! In any case I am so happy to have found you all and am looking forward to many discussions. Good luck to all of you! -Julie

Good morning all! Is this the place where we introduce ourselves? I'm so pleased to "meet" you all. My name is Julie, I'm 48 and live in central New Jersey. I have a date to be banded on August 12th (one week from today!) with Dr Michael Jay Nusbaum. I really like him so far. I have about 70 - 80 lbs to lose. Most of the time, I am very happy with my decision and excited and committed to the decision... but sometimes I worry, and wonder, and say to myself, "Well, if you're willing to go through all THIS, then why can't you just PRETEND you have the band in, and stick to a friggin' diet?!". LOL Actually, I know why... it's because of stressors in my life as well as aspects of my personality. I just hope I'm doing this for the right reasons, and not hoping that this surgery will correct all of the problems in my life. I console myself by remembering that it is reversible; if I absolutely cannot stand it. But I think that, at this point in my life, it's something that I have to do. In any case, I'm so happy to have found this board and look forward to many discussions and hope to support all of you in whatever way I can! -Julie

I'm scheduled for August 12th!! I am nervous but excited. I don't have any pre-op diet except for clear fluids the day before surgery. I would love to keep in touch with all you Augusters!