Momotrips

I thought that my thyroid was screwed up after surgery because I was cold ALL the time. I think I'm back to normal now. I never even thought about the anesthesia. I don't recall that happening any other time I have had anesthesia. Weird.

Gawd, me too! Banded on 10/20 and lost 11 pounds. I am on full liquids around 800 cals./day and I DON'T cheat. I wish it were faster, but it's 11 pounds less than before, so can't complain.

I had the juice from tortilla soup on liquid stage and I have had some thicker tortilla soup with veggies, etc. blended up on full liquid stage. When you get to mushies you can have mushed up beans & cheese. Just the little taste of Mexican was satisfying with the soups. I'm looking forward to mushies so that I can try the beans...I'm 19 days out.

Jacqui, the older you get, the more things seem to go all wonky with the period and the hormones. I have a heart arrhythmia that almost only bothers me right around my period. I keep telling my cardiologist and he says it's possible, because hormones affect everything, but he's never heard of that. Every other women that has PVC's that I've ever spoken to says that theirs only happen around their period or are worse then. My IBS sometimes becomes constipation at TOM - that's SO not my problem the rest of the month. However, IBS is funny, some have constipation, some urgency. Crista94, my husband cannot eat olive oil. It literally runs right through him every single time. It makes him instantly sick. He doesn't really have any other symptoms of IBS on a regular basis. This just developed in the last several years, too. Maybe that's what's happened to you, you just happened to develop this sensitivity around the same time you were banded. I'd go to your GP and ask about it. Perhaps visit a gastroenterologist. There are treatments if it is really bothersome. Otherwise, I'd just say you're lucky that your body is rejecting bad foods!

I'll go with the gallbladder theory - did your doctor remove your gallbladder during surgery? Did you have it removed at any time? PCS (post cholestectomy syndrome) happens after having your gallbladder removed in more than 40% of patients. It can happen immediately after removal or even months or years after. Most doctor's will only tell you about 15-20% of people experience PCS, but with practical information from patients, and asking patients months and years after their gallbladders were removed, a lot of doctors will tell you it is more like 40% if not more. It is a dumping syndrome - you can also have a type of dumping from IBS. Lucky me, I have both. My gastroenterologist gave me Librax to help combat it - it has a small amount of anti-anxiety medication in it, because anxiety is a big trigger. Funny thing is though, he also gave me Glucophage to help me clear my liver and try to lose weight. I told him that his humor was not lost on me! I will take my Glucophage at night, but if I am going to be somewhere out and about, I will NOT take it in the morning. No telling where you'll be when you just GOTTA go. The weird thing is you can feel it. Somehow, everything is liquified and all of a sudden just shoots through your intestines - you can feel it moving through back and forth. Very weird. So, you don't have a shortened intestines like in an RNY, but your body makes short work of whats there.

According to all of my doctors' staff, UHC is the best insurance with which to work and easiest from which to collect. Yes, there are many different policies, but WLS being covered or not is usually a stipulation of the employer, not UHC. I believe a company's policy is cheaper if they don't allow it. (Same with infertility - I got lucky on that one too. My former company changed the policy the MOMENT I gave birth! Hee!). I had no problems at all. I contacted all of my doctors and had them send my records to my surgeon, the surgeon's staff packaged it in the way UHC requests and off it went. My only snag came in that it floated around the UHC office longer than I would have liked. UHC was willing to let me get the surgery with just a phone call from my surgeon's office, but they preferred to get the official approval by letter. My surgeon loves to work with UHC - he has you pay the estimated difference up front and then they deal with UHC for the rest. Simple. I paid $600 out of pocket and may or may not get some of that back. Haven't gotten the hospital or anesthesiology bill yet, though. You never know with that stuff. I had a 39 BMI and co-morbidities. They ask for proof of a doctor assisted diet, but apparently it isn't really required. Especially since I checked off 95% of the list of recognized diets on the questionnaire for my surgeon! It was easier just to mark out the ones I hadn't tried! Good luck. Call UHC and ask them what your policy covers. I called one day just out of curiosity (and being sick and tired of being fat) and they said yes that I was covered! It all started from there.

I realize you are 21 and probably don't want to lose your uterus at such a young age, but do your doctors hold any hope of you ever bearing children? With endometriosis and cysts severe enough that you have to be on Lupron for four years, I would wonder whether you will ever be able to conceive. If they assure you that you will be able to have children and you truly want biological children you are in a bit of a pickle. Are you married? Is this something you have thought about at this point? You may want to make the radical decision to have your uterus removed or have uterine ablation (they kill the lining of the uterus with heat). As far as I understand, they don't have to remove your ovaries and you would then have the alternative of surrogacy if you don't find that distasteful or against any religious beliefs. Otherwise, there is always adoption, not easy or cheap, but infertility treatments aren't either. I've been there. Ours was eventually successful (we have 8 year old triplets), but it took 5 LONG, HARD years and lots of time, money, physical discomfort and tears. Stacked against adoption, it's very much the same, except you don't have to put your body through hell for years first. Same outcome if you're lucky - you become a parent to a beautiful baby (or babies as the case may be). Try another set of doctors to see if there are any alternative treatments/drugs, etc. without the side effects of Lupron. It's a nasty drug. Birth control pills usually are used to treat endometriosis fairly successfully. Perhaps yours is too severe. It's worth trying for another opinion, though. Remaining overweight won't help your fertility or your overall health. Perhaps you could try alternative treatments and suffer a little until the weight comes off and then start treating more aggressively again. Or try and on and off cycle. It may take longer and you may have to put up with some pain and heavy bleeding, but you would be losing the weight which in the long run will improve things immensely. I took Lupron as part of my infertility treatments and it was always the worst part of the cycle. Aren't you just angry and sad and crazy all the time? I hated that stuff. Maybe you get used to it if you take it long enough. Good luck. I know how frustrated you must be. Try to be as proactive as possible with your treatment to see what can be worked out to improve your overall health.

Perhaps Mr. Alex/LBT can implement a password protection feature for threads since some people are so proprietary. Sheesh.

The stalking accusations are what have driven me to "log out and lurk". I will only log in to post. Why should we have to defend ourselves against reading and posting in ANY thread as long as we aren't being ugly and we ARE following the rules? Why do we have to get our user names plastered in a post asking "WHY are you here"? So, if the definition of being a "stalker" is reading posts and commenting whenever and wherever we feel like it - as I said last night - stalk on LBT, stalk on. However, I'll be doing it "stealth". That is all.

No worries! About the beer, I mean. A little grass never killed anyone - did it? I'll have to add that to my siggy, DrewsLou!

Ah, I see, the fireworks are lurking around out there...

Well? When do those fireworks start? And more importantly, where is my beer!? It's the full one!

I second that emotion, NurseKathy!

Damn, I forgot beer!

Diva, that was HI-FRICKEN-LARIOUS! Exactly! - I can't help myself. I just know someone's head is going to explode :D and God help me, I just don't want to miss it. How far will they go? How low will it sink? Will that ever-elusive "TRUTH" ever come out? STAY TUNED EVERYONE! If you can't beat 'em then watch 'em self-destruct. I'm just waiting for the "grand finale" - will it ever come? Do we even care about Lap Band anymore? Yesterday I was angry and more than a little upset about the unrest and hatefulness. Today, what the hell, let loose the lions, roll out the chariots! A little holiday entertainment is coming right up!:pop2: :pop2: :pop2: :pop2: Really, no matter where I go on the board, this stuff keeps popping up. I guess this makes me a stalker! Stalk on LBT! :rockon: Stalk on!

Hey Brat! I hope everything goes smoothly for you - I'm still waiting on my date... I'm in Sugar Land, where are you? What surgeon did you choose since you're self pay and not restricted by your plan? Take it easy - by tomorrow you'll be BANDED! Congrats!

Ain't that the truth? Even therapists can be jerks - they're mere humans. I'm still trying to figure out my son's therapist we see for ADD. So far she has really not told us anything we don't already know - everything she suggests we've already tried or are currently implementing. I constantly have to fight back the "duh" reflex. I'm wondering if my IQ (and my son's for that matter) doesn't outrank hers by quite a bit. Nothing against her, she's very nice but my son is smarter than the "average bear", so can't he see right through her? He's only 8, but really he knows that she's not just "playing games" with him during sessions. Maybe you're a little smarter than your therapist too, jgandg - at least where it pertains to what's right for you at this moment. You've made a point of researching WLS and yet, your therapist that is supposedly trying to counsel you on weight issues has not done his homework thoroughly. Trying to tell an overweight person that their problems can be solved simply by just "eating less and exercising more" is like giving them permission to binge, because they once again feel like a failure. It's not very supportive and not terribly constructive. Doc says: "Follow this diet and exercise program and you'll lose weight". Fat person hears: "I'm a lazy, lacking in willpower sack of lard and I am less of a person because of it - oh yeah, and I'm hungry. If that's all I need to do, why is my insurance company paying you $110/hour to make me feel like a loser?" I bet your (likely skinny) therapist never feels hungry on a regular basis. Ask him. While you're at it, ask him how many calories he eats per day - does he know? Does he know how many calories per day he burns? Does he measure or weigh his food? Does he go for months (or years) without a spoonful of ice cream/french fries/tortilla chips/(insert verboten food here) ever touching his lips? Does he know what it feels like to not be able to give up his one addiction because he will literally die without it even though it is killing him slowly? If he can't answer these questions, or at least hasn't done enough research to be able to understand a patient's pain when THEY have experienced all of the above and failed, then he doesn't get the right to "help" you. Find someone who is willing to help you with your issues and support you with your decisions for your life. Your therapist can't control your actions, or then he has to take responsibility for the product of those actions. I guarantee he won't want to do that. I'm sure that most of your issues are in some way related to your weight and vice-versa. Finding a therapist through your surgeon would be your best bet. The psychiatrist that my surgeon sent me to for my psych consult specializes in weight issues as well as other areas of psychology/psychiatry. He was very understanding and very positive. If I ever wanted to go to a therapist on a regular basis, I would either choose him or another recommeded by my surgeon who is a woman - I don't know if I could open up to a male therapist completely, no matter how understanding he seemed. Bottom line - don't let your therapist make you doubt your decision. You do what you feel is right for you and find a therapist that will support the better, more assertive and in-control you. Good luck!

Thank you Great Dame and Leatha_g.

I'm sorry, Mandy. I don't really know you, but I've read your posts and you seem like a really sweet person. I too am not feeling safe here. There are dangerous elements in play and who even knows which side is the "right" side anymore. I am going to try to stick it out a few more days to see if anything is done about it. I've just gotten tired of lurking around and watching things crash into the ground. Perhaps by next week I'll be gone, too. Lot's of others may be as well at this rate. The sad thing is then "they" whomever "they" are, will have won. So sorry to see someone like you with so much to offer driven away like this. Good luck to you.

So now we're not free to read all threads? Who made you people the LBT thread police? I can lurk and read anywhere I want to, thank you very much. At least I don't have to hide who I am. I am Momotrips, Melissa W. from Sugar Land, TX. I have 8 year-old triplet boys that behave better than some of the supposed "adults" on this board. I am waiting to get a date to get my lap band. I am sorry if by reading all threads I am lumped into a group that is considered to be stalking any one of you. I have found from reading these posts that some of you are not very nice people, even though you constantly claim to be. You seem to take great joy in hurting other peoples feelings and that is wrong no matter who you are. These threads are like a trainwreck that many of us can't turn away from. Sorry if that offends you. Don't post and I won't look. I am new here and spend most of my time lurking because I am too intimidated (like I'm sure are many others) by the ones of you that always have something "smart" to say to make anyone who doesn't agree with you 100% feel stupid, or feel bad about themselves. You should be ashamed of your selves and I KNOW you don't even know who you are because you are all too self-centered to "get it". I dare not name names for fear of retribution which will be swift and ugly. I'm sure I'll get it anyway. Oh, and don't ask me to prove it, either - that is childish and not a fair tactic. Now people can't even just READ the threads without being accused of stalking. What is wrong with you people? I wanted to see if anyone ever found out who the Kraggie Hope person was, because I found her posts to be odd. I should have known. If you don't want people to "stalk" you why are you all EVERYWHERE? My God, this has got to stop. What is the payoff? Are people trying to dismantle LBT altogether? Is that the intent? That's the only thing that I can figure out. Nothing like support, right? By the way, I have NO friends here. I support no one inparticular, so don't even go there. Friends are for the real world. I hoped to make some really good aquaintances and build a support network, but the hopes of that look mighty dim these days. Now, proceed to dissect my post and tell me how lame I am and to mind my own business. Try your best to make me feel small and bad about myself and denigrate me to the rest of the members here. Carry on...

P.S. I don't mean to speak for all newbies - I just know that as a newby that's the way I feel and ASSUME that many other newbies feel the same. You know what they say about assuming... See, already I'm apologizing. Oy!

Heaven knows I may regret this... I haven't posted in a long while because of the turmoil going down. But believe me, I have watched and read it all, but being a newby, have been too guarded to post ANYTHING for fear of someone taking something in the wrong way and attacking. It seems to take almost nothing these days. I just HAD to post now, because I had actually written a complaint to the mods that this is not a safe environment to share and be supported. None of this would be tolerated in a place of business, a church or your own homes - it shouldn't be tolerated here. I think that the mods and Alex let this go on unchecked much longer than I would have, had I been the owner of this board. Apparently they are much more tolerant and patient than I - nice people our mods. The hundreds of wonderful people on this board have been completely drowned out by the handful of pot stirrers. The ones who protest the loudest should take a look at their own actions and hurtful words. If everyone took a serious look at things they have said in the past couple of weeks (and farther back) you will see some uglyliness that has been claimed to be provoked but has really come out of oversensitivity and failure to think and cool off before posting and frankly spitefulness and pettiness. I am speaking from my heart. Do not attack me for putting into words what most of the newbies that have been reading this board have been thinking. No blame is being assigned, only concern for the wellbeing of everyone here that comes for support, information and entertainment. My feelings on Lisa go from one end of the spectrum to the other. She reminds me of the child in the book The Good Little Bad Little Girl; "When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid!" We have to let her go. It doesn't matter what her background or what her problems - we've all got our own weighty luggage. It doesn't give any of us license to say many of the things she did, or do many of the things she did. She did a lot of good for LBT (count the many fabulous threads she started from her fertile imagination!), but the turmoil she stirs up outweighs all the good she did. We should not get into a blame game - even those that plead innocence the loudest are nowhere near it. At this point, her mere presence is toxic. It's a shame, but true. The final word on all of this belongs to Alex, I believe. The blame can't be put on the mods. It's his domain and he can kick any of us out at any time. If anyone doesn't agree with his decisions then they are free to go elsewhere - it's better than staying and having bitter feelings and an unfulfilling support network. If this doesn't clear up soon, I'm afraid that that's what I may do - at the time I'll need all of you the most, which would be really sad. I have three eight year-old boys that behave better than many of the members have been bahaving lately. I really don't need more infighting in my support network. Please, let's all just let her go and go on with support and laughs as usual. In the past few months, I have come to love this place and depend on the levity and heartfelt good wishes of the members. I'd hate to see that change. Most Sincerely,

When I was in the hospital after having my boys, a wise older nurse gave me prune juice mixed with orange juice. I don't like prune juice, either, but the mix is not bad at all and it works! Much more gentle than laxatives. Make sure you're well hydrated, too. I have IBS, too but my problem is generally the reverse... Good luck!

Sorry that happened to you - scary and embarassing. I passed out years ago after getting Fluid drained from my knee and steroids injected into the joint. I was a teenager and really interested in the procedure and I'm not afraid of needles. However, you have to realize that your mind experiences some trauma just watching those things happen to your own body. The doctor put this horrendously huge needle into my knee and extracted some fluid and then with a slightly smaller needle injected the steroids. No problem. I watched the whole time and was fine. I got up from the table walked out of the exam room and up to the payment window and BAM! :faint: down I went. I was completely embarassed. He TOLD me I shouldn't watch, but I thought I was so tough - I'd watched my friend's father do open heart surgery lots of times. How bad could a couple of needles be, right? I have NEVER watched a medical professional put a needle into my skin ever again. Once it's in that's fine, but the actual puncture is apparently too weird for the ol' brain to accept. The only other time that I remember passing out is when I was 8 years old and we took the train to the top of Pike's Peak in CO. Barfed on my mom and went down like a sequoia. I was out for quite a bit, too. My mom is paying me back from the great beyond for all the times I barfed on her at the expense of one of my boys - he has migraine's and barfs all the time at the most inopportune times. Last time was on a Jeep tour in South Dakota looking for Elk. He spewed on my husband, me and himself - not to mention all over the back seat of the Jeep.:confused: Whoopie. How embarassing is that? Don't feel bad - it happens. I'm actually surprised that the doctor was so concerned. It has to have happened before. I'd say, make sure you're hydrated, cool and don't lock your knees. And whatever you do, don't look!

My most memorable happened before I was even really FAT. I was well under 200 pounds and I have always carried my weight well... However, I was "fluffy". Anyway, my husband bought me a gorgeous emerald and diamond ring and it was too big. I am 5'5" and large framed on the bottom, medium on top, but I have tiny, small hands like my dad. I wear a 4 1/2 on my wedding finger and a 5 or 5 1/2 on my right ring finger. We took the ring in to the jewelry store to be sized and the young man behind the counter handed me the ring of ring-sizers. I slipped a 5 on and then a 5 1/4 and then a 5 1/2. I couldn't decide by the design of the ring which size to choose. I decided on the 5 1/4 and handed the ring-sizers back to him and said "I'll take it in a 5 1/4." The young man said "Oh, you must be mistaken - that can't be right!" I looked him in the eye and said "Just what exactly are you trying to say?" Much sputtering and back-peddling ensued. I grabbed the sizers back from him and slipped the 4 1/2 on to my wedding finger and said "See this one is even smaller. Do you have a problem with that?" :angry Heh. I loved the look of embarassment on HIS face. Dumbass. Mostly, my brother-in-law (a generation older than I) used to call me "buffalo butt" - in the most endearing way - but I still hated it everytime he said it. My more memorable embarassments came from having red hair. "I'd rather be dead than red on the head...", "Fireball", "Big Red" and the number one - "Big Red Gives Head!" this from a boy on the bus that had a secret crush on me and had no better way to express it. He yelled it EVERYDAY as I stepped off the bus at my stop. The best one happened at the homecoming game my freshman year in college. I was being introduced to my best friend's date, whom I'd never met previously. (I looked fabulous, by the way in a winter white silk herringbone suit BELTED at my tiny waist - those were the days). His FIRST and ONLY words to me were, "Nice to meet you. Are you red all over?":o I thought my friend and MY date would just die. I didn't even know how to respond except for with, "I guess YOU'LL never know." She cut the evening short and third wheeled it with us later on. I think that most of my insults probably go on behind my back - that's where the biggest part of me is anyway. Heh. Luckily, I know where to steer away from things and I also don't let being fat stop me from doing things I want to do - I'm stubborn that way. I'm so sorry that so many of you have been treated so poorly by so many. My mother was quite morbidly obese the last 15 or 20 years of her life and I know that she was hurt on many occasions - usually by innocent children or whispers. She also had the fear of restaurant booths and airplane seats. However, if she ever fell down, she got up faster than you ever thought a fat woman COULD get up. She was pretty clumsy - even when she was skinny, so I guess she got used to it. It was an ongoing family giggle.