thetig
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I really did not think that getting this revision would take so long but like always the insurance holds things up! In just an hour I will be leaving to go to Cedars again but this time it is just a very simple revision surgery. I will only be there for a couple of hours and then I will be back to home. Dr. Feiz said that he would make sure that my band was filled to the same place as it would have been after my third fill. I am really looking forward to the restriction. I have not had any for the last few weeks. I have made sure that I did not over eat but I have gained 3 pounds because I was able to eat larger amounts but that is okay, it will all come off in the next day or too cuz I am back to liquids and mushies! I will write more later today or tomorrow about the revision. Here I Gooooooooo! Back to restricted bandland!
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Just the other day I was reading a new entry by Band Groupie where she was saying that we all worry about if we are treating our bands right and not messing them up or if we will be one of the ones that has a problem, normal stuff that all bandsters worry about, I was agreeing with her every word.................... I went to get my third fill this past Wednesday and GUESS WHAT! As Dr. Feiz was injecting the saline and pulling it back out after I had drank water he noticed that the saline was not coming back out..............Oh My........so he tried a couple more times to see what was happening and needless to say he became a bit perplexed! Nothing had changed since my last fill I did feel the restriction for a week or so nothing great so we know that all was well in band land but still the problem with the saline now.........maybe there is a problem with my PORT! Still perplexed Dr. Feiz has decided to do a revision of my port. This will mean that I will have to have a small surgery thru the belly button and the existing port will have to be removed and a new port will have to be attached. He was very honest and stated that he has never had this happen before but it has been heard so................ I am being scheduled for my 20 to 30 minute procedure hopefully next week but there is a chance that it will not happen until the following week, something to do with my insurance we shall see. I was very sad at first not showing my emotion to anyone but myself, I was on the verge of tears the rest of the day at work, then I had a very nice talk with myself and I have come to the conclusion that this is why I have not been seeing a larger weight loss. I was thinking it was me but if I have had a slow leak for awhile......no restriction no great weight loss. My DH took the news very poorly but that is how he is with everything, he is mostly worried about the cost that this might cause and I can sure understand, as we all know this is not a cheap surgery and I am one of the lucky ones in that my surgery is all paid for already I did not have to take out any loans. I will continue with my program just as if I have restriction. My real concern that I am not talking about to anyone but my Blog is what if it is not my port and it is my Band that has a leak......I will just have to face that hurdle if it should arise.....here is to hoping it is only my port and I will be back in the band biz next week! I will keep all informed as to the progress of this type of problem! Thanks everyone out there for listening!
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Hi There, I just read your thread on port revision. Thanks for sharing! I am looking at having it done next week. I am interested in knowing if the weight has been coming off easier now that you have the port replaced, I read how you know have restriction so I guess that will be a yes to my question. Hey is it okay if I stay in touch with you? Thanks, Cheryl
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Hi There RTBT, I am thetig, Cheryl, you had asked me about restriction with my band. I could feel the restriction with both my first and second adjustments or fills but for only a week or so. I have been very careful to stay with the protein only eating carbs on limited occasions, but I do love carbs. If you have gained weight I would suggest that you go back on your liquid diet for a couple of days and get the kick start that you might be needing. Also please read as many blogs as you can especially Julie.ann.......it takes a while to get the band to really work as far as fills go. I have read that it can be up to as many as 4 or 5 before you have reached your "Sweet Spot" my Doc says the same thing to me. I know this was the best decision I could have ever made and it is working! Keep in touch!
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Just the other day I was reading a new entry by Band Groupie where she was saying that we all worry about if we are treating our bands right and not messing them up or if we will be one of the ones that has a problem, normal stuff that all bandsters worry about, I was agreeing with her every word.................... I went to get my third fill this past Wednesday and GUESS WHAT! As Dr. Feiz was injecting the saline and pulling it back out after I had drank water he noticed that the saline was not coming back out..............Oh My........so he tried a couple more times to see what was happening and needless to say he became a bit perplexed! Nothing had changed since my last fill I did feel the restriction for a week or so nothing great so we know that all was well in band land but still the problem with the saline now.........maybe there is a problem with my PORT! Still perplexed Dr. Feiz has decided to do a revision of my port. This will mean that I will have to have a small surgery thru the belly button and the existing port will have to be removed and a new port will have to be attached. He was very honest and stated that he has never had this happen before but it has been heard so................ I am being scheduled for my 20 to 30 minute procedure hopefully next week but there is a chance that it will not happen until the following week, something to do with my insurance we shall see. I was very sad at first not showing my emotion to anyone but myself, I was on the verge of tears the rest of the day at work, then I had a very nice talk with myself and I have come to the conclusion that this is why I have not been seeing a larger weight loss. I was thinking it was me but if I have had a slow leak for awhile......no restriction no great weight loss. My DH took the news very poorly but that is how he is with everything, he is mostly worried about the cost that this might cause and I can sure understand, as we all know this is not a cheap surgery and I am one of the lucky ones in that my surgery is all paid for already I did not have to take out any loans. I will continue with my program just as if I have restriction. My real concern that I am not talking about to anyone but my Blog is what if it is not my port and it is my Band that has a leak......I will just have to face that hurdle if it should arise.....here is to hoping it is only my port and I will be back in the band biz next week! I will keep all informed as to the progress of this type of problem! Thanks everyone out there for listening!
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It has been thee weeks since I last wrote anything here on my Blog.....shame on me because I know that I will not remember the last few weeks if I do not write it down so here goes. The last two weeks have been interesting! I have not lost much only a few pounds. I am down 30 pounds since my surgery and I thought I would have been closer to 40 by now, I am not complaining I am just disappointed in myself and let me tell you why. I like a lot of bansters have tried going back to some of my old treats like the one in mind is Wine. I love to have a glass or two and it is a way of unwinding but those glasses or even at times a entire bottle is just so many empty calories and this makes me believe that I have been hindering my weight loss instead of helping! I am going to go on a no Alcohol regime for a while and see how that is. Also I have not been on my treadmill since last Sunday and that is also something that will help with the inches coming off. After my 2nd adjustment or fill I was hoping for more restriction which I did get for about 2 1/2 weeks but now I am ready again for adjustment number 3. I like so many other blogs that I read am not real sure what I am feeling at the time of the fill so I am not sure if I am getting the max fill or if I am just getting a so so fill after all it is Me who is letting the Doc know if it feels right or not. What or Where or When Is the Sweet Spot?:thumbup: Now for any of you who might be reading this, I want you to know that this is not a BooHoo note to myself this is just a reminder that I, Cheryl, Need to be working a lot harder and to stop goofing around. I know what I need to do and I better start doing it. Also just a side note......I am still having trouble with the Free Air since surgery. It has now settled down near my bladder and makes me feel uncomfortable, the sharp pains have subsided and I am thankful for that. All in All I am a very thankful girl for this procedure all the little weirdness are worth it in the long run. Heres to being down 40 pounds by my Birthday! :biggrin:
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Nine Weeks PO and All is Well???????
thetig commented on thetig's blog entry in Banded March 26, 2009
It has been thee weeks since I last wrote anything here on my Blog.....shame on me because I know that I will not remember the last few weeks if I do not write it down so here goes. The last two weeks have been interesting! I have not lost much only a few pounds. I am down 30 pounds since my surgery and I thought I would have been closer to 40 by now, I am not complaining I am just disappointed in myself and let me tell you why. I like a lot of bansters have tried going back to some of my old treats like the one in mind is Wine. I love to have a glass or two and it is a way of unwinding but those glasses or even at times a entire bottle is just so many empty calories and this makes me believe that I have been hindering my weight loss instead of helping! I am going to go on a no Alcohol regime for a while and see how that is. Also I have not been on my treadmill since last Sunday and that is also something that will help with the inches coming off. After my 2nd adjustment or fill I was hoping for more restriction which I did get for about 2 1/2 weeks but now I am ready again for adjustment number 3. I like so many other blogs that I read am not real sure what I am feeling at the time of the fill so I am not sure if I am getting the max fill or if I am just getting a so so fill after all it is Me who is letting the Doc know if it feels right or not. What or Where or When Is the Sweet Spot?:thumbup: Now for any of you who might be reading this, I want you to know that this is not a BooHoo note to myself this is just a reminder that I, Cheryl, Need to be working a lot harder and to stop goofing around. I know what I need to do and I better start doing it. Also just a side note......I am still having trouble with the Free Air since surgery. It has now settled down near my bladder and makes me feel uncomfortable, the sharp pains have subsided and I am thankful for that. All in All I am a very thankful girl for this procedure all the little weirdness are worth it in the long run. Heres to being down 40 pounds by my Birthday! -
Hi Jenni! I am so glad to hear from you! You were in my thoughts on Wednesday and Thursday and then to get a note from you, how cool. I have already had my 2nd adjustment. I went at six weeks po and I am needing another one now. I will call on Monday to see if I can get in on Wednesday. I was going to ask Dr. Feiz how you were doing......How is life with your second adjustment? I felt more restriction with it for about 2 1/2 weeks then I was able to eat more again but I have kept it to a minimum of food intake. I am still not drinking enough water nor am I exercising enough but I am down 30 pounds. How is your weight loss going? How is work going?
How was you visit with Dr. Feiz? Did he find anything wrong with your tummy?
Thanks for getting in touch! I will be talking to you again soon! Cheryl
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Hi There, My Doc says to try anything that I want and I will find out just what works and what does not. I have found that soda is okay or carbonation is okay but in small amounts. I get a feeling of being bloated that lasts a while. I drink wine but try to keep it to a very minimum! Like Band Groupie says everything in Moderation. But what you really need to know is that all of these tasty drinks are empty calories and you will pay for them in not loosing weight or having it slow down. I have found this to be true for myself. I have slowed way down on the weight loss and I am rethinking my need for Alcohol! Good luck! The Skinny Margarita sounds really really good.
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Hey There LL! I have not been in touch for some time so I thought I would check in with you to see how you are doing. In reading your messages with DD it looks like you are doing well. I feel Great and I also feel that I am doing well. I am down 27 pounds in 7 weeks, better then I have ever done before. I am going to have to get on the exercise program if I am going to be down 50 by my birthday in July! I have had my second fill now and still not as much restriction as I would like. I still can eat more then 8 oz at a time so I have to make myself stop. Not a problem though because I am not hungry! That is good! Staying with mostly protein. I can eat bread and cottage cheese with no problem. I limit myself to bread only a couple times a week.
Hope to hear from you soon. Cheryl
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I just want to say that I am so very very lucky to have the Doctor that I do here in So. California! His name is Michael Feiz and he loves what he does and be believes in each one of us that he does surgery on. It does not make any difference what type of bariatric surgery you have he is your greatest Cheerleader! I have read so many blogs and comments on all the different ways that Doctors have each one of us do before and after surgery, I am not sure why some LBers have to go on liquid diets 6 weeks or more before surgery and I am really not sure why other Doctors keep certain people on only Liquids for who knows how long after LB. I really hope that for those after LB who still are not taking in at least 60 mg of protein a day and are only on clear liquids that your body does not starve itself and go into the starvation mode which will cause you to not loose any weight or inches. When I spoke to my nutritionist, she really pushed the fact that after one week of PO or less I needed to get those protein shakes in me regularly it was really important to my weight loss. I was able to start eating mushies after 8 days PO then I was able to start eating food as I could tolerate but eating very slowly. I am very in touch with my body and I was able to tell after 3 weeks that I needed an adjustment. No problem I had one and now after six weeks PO I have had my second adjustment because again I was able to eat more then I should. My Doc told me that I would more then likely be back in another 3 weeks for the third adjustment and this is how it will be until I get to the place where I am not eating more then I should be. I have tried drinking a soda and I really did not like the feeling it gave me so back to Ice Tea for my caffeine! I always eat protein first if I am full then nothing more will pass my lips. I have allowed myself to have a glass or two of wine a couple of times and one of those times I drank the whole bottle, but I am not making a habit of that because I do realize that those are truly empty calories which I do not need. I do have to walk more and I am going to start that today. My Doc again says to not focus on the pounds gone, focus on the inches lost and the way my clothes are starting to just fall off me! I LIKE IT! Here is to all of our success! No Failures!
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Hey BG, I have been following your progress and I must say that I have been worried about you not getting your protein. Very Glad to hear that you have taken things into your own hands and have started a little food into your diet! I ate baby food during my mushie faze! hehe. I bet you are down a lot in inches with only the liquids for so very long! That is good! Well here's to you for a very Happy Mother's Day and happy planting. I love to plant also! Here in So Cal I can plant all year long! The Tig
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I just want to say that I am so very very lucky to have the Doctor that I do here in So. California! His name is Michael Feiz and he loves what he does and be believes in each one of us that he does surgery on. It does not make any difference what type of bariatric surgery you have he is your greatest Cheerleader! I have read so many blogs and comments on all the different ways that Doctors have each one of us do before and after surgery, I am not sure why some LBers have to go on liquid diets 6 weeks or more before surgery and I am really not sure why other Doctors keep certain people on only Liquids for who knows how long after LB. I really hope that for those after LB who still are not taking in at least 60 mg of protein a day and are only on clear liquids that your body does not starve itself and go into the starvation mode which will cause you to not loose any weight or inches. When I spoke to my nutritionist, she really pushed the fact that after one week of PO or less I needed to get those protein shakes in me regularly it was really important to my weight loss. I was able to start eating mushies after 8 days PO then I was able to start eating food as I could tolerate but eating very slowly. I am very in touch with my body and I was able to tell after 3 weeks that I needed an adjustment. No problem I had one and now after six weeks PO I have had my second adjustment because again I was able to eat more then I should. My Doc told me that I would more then likely be back in another 3 weeks for the third adjustment and this is how it will be until I get to the place where I am not eating more then I should be. I have tried drinking a soda and I really did not like the feeling it gave me so back to Ice Tea for my caffeine! I always eat protein first if I am full then nothing more will pass my lips. I have allowed myself to have a glass or two of wine a couple of times and one of those times I drank the whole bottle, but I am not making a habit of that because I do realize that those are truly empty calories which I do not need. I do have to walk more and I am going to start that today. My Doc again says to not focus on the pounds gone, focus on the inches lost and the way my clothes are starting to just fall off me! I LIKE IT! Here is to all of our success! No Failures!
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Hi Shelly, I read your comment to Gregnir and I just wanted to give a bit of support to you! This band will work if you let it and you really have to listen to it and get your fills or really they are called adjustments on a regular basis. I have a great Doctor who allows me to be the judge of when I need a fill. If I find that I am starting to eat more then my cup of food at eating time then I call and get the adjustment that I need. I have only been banded for 6 weeks and I have now had two adjustments. It sometimes takes 6-8 adjustments before you get to where to are loosing regularly. I hope that you will not give up and that you will get back to having the LB help you! Good Luck! Cheryl
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Here Here! This is a great Blog to read today! I agree 1 million percent! This LB for me is a new way of living and I am loving it! I love the changes in my diet and I love the CHANGES in ME! thetig
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Hi There, Do not give up! Keep up with the water and the protein shakes. Not sure why you can not have broth. That really was good to have. Also the Gas!!!!!! I feel like I am the QUEEN on the Free Air! I was banded on March 26th and I am still having a bit of trouble with the free air! It seems to start up in the shoulder or back, I just walked as much as I could tolerate and it got better and better, even six weeks later there is a little bit way down in my pelvic area but it is almost gone now. People try gas x but they all forget that this air is not in your intestine it is Free Air just floating anywhere it wants. It will go away! Call you Docs office about the liquids bet they will let you have broth! Good Luck, thetig
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Five Weeks PO and Some Bandster Hell
thetig commented on thetig's blog entry in Banded March 26, 2009
Well, five weeks have passed by so very very fast but here I am and so far so good. I see by many of the total of pounds lost on different people that we all start counting from different starts, so I would just like for everyone to know that I am only using my weight loss from two days before surgery when I started my liquids only diet. My Doctor does not believe in all of the pre Liquid or pre anything diet. He even does not believe in checking your weight. It is all about getting healthy and eating small portions and eating slowly! At my highest weight 16 months ago I weighed 263. I started So. Beach in January of 08 and I did pretty well with it until August of 08, I slacked off a bit but I kept off about 20 pounds. I decided to do the Lap Band in December of 08 and from that moment right up until my two days before surgery I tasted everything and drank everything I wanted and only gained 10 pounds. (I did this so that there would be nothing for me to really want from Head Hunger) Not bad, so having said all of that since my banding I have lost 25 pounds and in total I have lost 34 pounds. I now weigh 229 but I have seen 228 a day ago but that pound came back. As my doctor says that is the problem with weighing yourself all of the time. You really never get a perfect weight cuz every day, every minute you weigh a little different, you have to go by how your clothes fit to really know that you are loosing. Or getting the compliments on how different you start to look. Having lost 30 Plus pounds it still is hard to notice because I was so chubby but from here on in it will be showing I am sure. My Bandster Hell is still the "FREE AIR" floating around inside of me. It has settled down in my right hip area and sometimes it doubles me over in pain. I am having acupuncture once a week and just starting to take Tylenol every day and it seems to be helping. This part of the healing is really not fun but......you can make it thru! I am looking forward to the day when there is no "Free Air" inside! That is funny I guess the reason it stays so long is because it is "FREE", HaHa. Other then the air there have been no problems. I am feeling the need for another fill so I will be calling my Doc on Monday to schedule one hopefully for Wednesday! I eat only protein and try to keep the Carbs at a minimum. I have the Protein first and then go back and make Vegies if I want them but so far the Protein fills me up. I unlike so many am really never hungry, I eat because I know I have to to lose. Hey, guess what I can feel my hip bone again! I forgot it was there! :wink: -
Well, five weeks have passed by so very very fast but here I am and so far so good. I see by many of the total of pounds lost on different people that we all start counting from different starts, so I would just like for everyone to know that I am only using my weight loss from two days before surgery when I started my liquids only diet. My Doctor does not believe in all of the pre Liquid or pre anything diet. He even does not believe in checking your weight. It is all about getting healthy and eating small portions and eating slowly! At my highest weight 16 months ago I weighed 263. I started So. Beach in January of 08 and I did pretty well with it until August of 08, I slacked off a bit but I kept off about 20 pounds. I decided to do the Lap Band in December of 08 and from that moment right up until my two days before surgery I tasted everything and drank everything I wanted and only gained 10 pounds. (I did this so that there would be nothing for me to really want from Head Hunger) Not bad, so having said all of that since my banding I have lost 25 pounds and in total I have lost 34 pounds. I now weigh 229 but I have seen 228 a day ago but that pound came back. As my doctor says that is the problem with weighing yourself all of the time. You really never get a perfect weight cuz every day, every minute you weigh a little different, you have to go by how your clothes fit to really know that you are loosing. Or getting the compliments on how different you start to look. Having lost 30 Plus pounds it still is hard to notice because I was so chubby but from here on in it will be showing I am sure. My Bandster Hell is still the "FREE AIR" floating around inside of me. It has settled down in my right hip area and sometimes it doubles me over in pain. I am having acupuncture once a week and just starting to take Tylenol every day and it seems to be helping. This part of the healing is really not fun but......you can make it thru! I am looking forward to the day when there is no "Free Air" inside! That is funny I guess the reason it stays so long is because it is "FREE", HaHa. Other then the air there have been no problems. I am feeling the need for another fill so I will be calling my Doc on Monday to schedule one hopefully for Wednesday! I eat only protein and try to keep the Carbs at a minimum. I have the Protein first and then go back and make Vegies if I want them but so far the Protein fills me up. I unlike so many am really never hungry, I eat because I know I have to to lose. Hey, guess what I can feel my hip bone again! I forgot it was there! :biggrin:
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Hey Julie Ann, Great Blog! You are an inspiration to me and I am just a newbie here in Bandyland. You are so very very right when we make a "Oppsidoodle" we must do just one band day at a time! I too have a goal of being down 50 pounds by my B-day in July! I will be seeing you in Onederland! Keep On Blogging and loosing! Oh also from experience, Most Docs are just jerks! your friend! Cheryl
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Hi There RSG, How R U? Have you been banded? When and by which DR? I was banded on March 26th 2009 and I am feeling and I really think doing great! My Dr. is a wonderful young guy named Michael Feiz out of the Beverly Hills Physicians group. I did research and found him to be one of the very best in the area and now that I am banded I truly believe that he is. Please keep in touch! Cheryl
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Hey Jenni! How is it going? I am at a slow part now. No weight loss since last Saturday! Not sure why. How are u doing with the fill. I really can not tell now that I had one. Hope u r well. Cheryl
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Hi There! How R U Doing? Have you felt any difference yet? I did the first couple of days but now not so much! I am down 23 pounds. I like that part. How much R U Down? Hope you are well! Cheryl
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Boy that was interesting how you get a fill. I was really surprised on how Dr. Feiz takes his time and makes it so your fill is just at a really good tightness. This Doctor really cares for all his patients. I felt no pain or discomfort. I had this done on Wednesday and I am still not really feeling super full but I have yet to feel really hungry either. I am very careful as to what I eat size wise and I am having trouble with the liquid intake. I must drink more. I am glad to have the fill! I can go back in another 4 weeks if I feel the need. I am now down 22 pounds. I am happy!
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Boy that was interesting how you get a fill. I was really surprised on how Dr. Feiz takes his time and makes it so your fill is just at a really good tightness. This Doctor really cares for all his patients. I felt no pain or discomfort. I had this done on Wednesday and I am still not really feeling super full but I have yet to feel really hungry either. I am very careful as to what I eat size wise and I am having trouble with the liquid intake. I must drink more. I am glad to have the fill! I can go back in another 4 weeks if I feel the need. I am now down 22 pounds. I am happy!