Corliss

Congrats chris, way to go! that is fab presurg wt loss. Corliss

Hey hon, I got my ear revised today but he didn't take the stitches out. He plans to do it late tommmorrow. I go home friday unless he says stay a couple more days in which i will stay. I had a small corner on the right ear lobe after the first surgery. I had extremely long ear lobs and have always been self concious of them. I asked him to trim them. One really looked funny. Very different form the other. Niether of them ended up small and pretty, however with the one not shaped right, i sort of freaked about both of them. Funny when he fixed the one with the little corner, it looked fine and so did the other one which he didn't touch today! They matched, lol! I would probably not look right if i had pretty little ears. As far as recipes go, there are loads of recipes without sugar on Low Carb Luxury website. It is free. I dont' know for sure what you can have right now as far as how solid, but one of the yummiest mushies/creamy things i have had was greek yogurt, with apple sauce, splenda and cinnamin. It was so good. You can also get a sweetener called erytritol from the netrition.com website and mixed with splenda it tastes just like sugar. Use it with cocoa for hot chocalate. You can take sf jello and chop up a banana in it, and add some cool whip which has very little sugar and fat free or close and it makes a nice light desert. Sweets are easy to make low carb and low fat too if you buy like low fat or fat free cream cheese or yogurt. You can make a little cake in a cup using protein powder and an egg, sweetener and chocolate, cook it in micro. I dont' watch my fat, just my carbs and calories, so i use fat in mine. But there are loads of options, just check out the low carb website. There is one called Eggface.com that has some really great recipes but not always low fat. I can send you some more some time. Glad you are feeling better. Corliss

How are you doing hon? Haven't heard from you in a day or two. Hope things are better with the pain. I am feeling much better from the plastics ands hopefully will get my stitches all out today except for the ear whear he is dong a minor revision today. Corliss

Hi Ellen, unless you are going to be in the hosptal all the time you are there it might be good to hire a sitter when you are discharged. I hear the inner thigh lift is one of the worst surgeries. The brachioplasty is not that bad. You have had one so you are prob aware of it. I hired a sitter for 2 days after discharge and am keeping her during days this week. She takes me to doc, changes bandages, gives med, takes me shopping and sight seeing, does my laundry, cooks for me, runs errands, makes appointments and arrangements and is a very nice and intelligent knowledgable person who specializes in the care of patients who have plastic surgury. I am getting a real bargain and the first two days i needed her desperately due to pain and language issues. She understands more english than she speaks and i speak a good bit of spanish. She has been extremely helpful. Good luck to you hon. I am sure you will do well. Corliss

I had a huge hiatal hernia which Dr zapata only found when he went inside. It did not show up on my upper gi which was very thorough nor did my surgeon who removed the previous lap band find it. I am so glad it was found and fixed. Hopefully this banding will be problem free, so far so good. No pain a little over a week out. I am on mushies now. Beans and potaoes are mighty good as is cottage cheese and mashed banana. Banded again and loving it! Corliss in Monterrey 1st band Nov 17, 2005 by Dr Sanchez Removed Sept. 19, 2008 in Chatt TN by Dr. Sass Day of banding 356 Day of removal <170 Gained up to 230 lbs and lost to 219 by day of banding June 18, 2009 Monterrey by Dr Zapata Plastic surgery June 23, 2009 by Dr Alexandro Cardenas arms and face, PLS SEE my PS album

Hey, I just had brachiplasty and face lift on Tuesday. I am a nurse and plan to be off work for 6 wks. Should be totally healed by then but the inner thigh lift is generally more diff to heal from I understand. You are probably young so you should heal quicker also watch your Protein and Vitamin c and Iron intake. Those ave very important for healing. My arms a looking great. The face is very swollen. I would not advise anyone to be alone after a plastic proceedure. I am glad you are oging to be in the hospital for five days. I have had a wonderful sitter for two days, stayed overnight in the clinic. I have had great care, but don't let anyone kid you, it hurts. Corliss

Hey hon, hope things are better for you. I had lots of pain with my face and arms but no nausea or disiness. Take care, Corliss

YES it REALLY IS THAT BAD! LIKE THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THIS BAND AND WANT IT TO WORK! You may not have paid for it, but you went to a lot of trouble to get it, so why would you even think it would be okay to puke on a regular basis when all the docs say don't throw up if you can help it. Everyone tells you that you are to eat smalll bites and eat slowly, so I have to reason to believe you will listen to this, but you did ask the question. You can force yourself to eat slow. Put your fork or spoon down between each bite. What will happen if you keep throwing up is your stomach will get so inflammed you won't be able to keep anything down, then one or two things will happen1.You will go into soft food syndrom and possibly even gain weight 2. YOu will puke so much you loose your band due to a slip. I hope you reconsider your approach to the band. It is only a tool to help you feel more full and eat less. Yoou have to do some work. I hope you can make some changes, not trying to be judgemental, but that is the way it is, like it or not. Corliss

Mandie, I read about you husband and son, and that is unbelievably sweet about the 3 year old eating the yogurt! You may be breaking a multigenerational pattern of obesity. He just sounds adorable. Hang in there, girl. It will get better. I had almost no pain from the lap band this time, but my plastic surgeon tells me it is extrememly unusual for anyone to have pain from a face lift and I have had much more than my share, but it is getting a lot better, with the right drugs and the TLC from my sweet sitter named Angela. I call her mi Anghelita! She has been for sure. I would not advise anyone to have major plastic work without a professional sitter. She is amazing. My partner would not have been able to have handled this must less know what to do to deal with the issues I have had. Everything happens for a reason and I am actually glad she has not had to experience thsi with me step by step. I am so excited about what I believe the outcome will be. I think it will all be worth it. Glad you will not settle for just one md's advice if he is not doing anything for you because if you do have a pulled muscle and that is all it is, you need to know it. In the meantime, you might put some ice on it. If it has some infection then you need antibiotics and it will be no big deal but if you have infection and don't get antibiotics there could be big trouble. Take care, Corliss

Mandie, it sounds as if you have pulled a muscle. I am having no pain or soreness in my surgery sites. The first time I was banded, I had a problem in that I pulled my port. I also got a minor infection in the port area. My home doc was able to give me an antibiotic which cleared it up quickly. I believe when I pulled it, it irritated it enough to cause the minor infection. It was no big deal but needs you surgeons attention. Hope it gets better soon. Corliss

Sometimes, I think the muscle pain is due to tensing out muscles which is probably an unconcious response to stress and trauma. I have had multiple surgeries in my life and this is my second lap band and my first experience with plastic surgery and i had the musle and joint pain you are describing shortly after the lap band, but it went away after about 48 hours. I also had similar pain about 48 hours out with the plastic work in all areas of my body. Those areas were definately not touched by lap banding or my plastic work. The medications they gave me for lap band and for plastics have helped greatly with this type pain as they are primarily antiinflammatories. My plastic surgeon tels me that I am his first face lift patient that has face pain also. The anesthesiologist is taking good care of me, but the surgeon did express his surprise that I required anything other than the Supradol which is ketorlac or Tordol. With this lapbanding I was able to stop taking pain meds, 2nd day out of hospital, because all pain including muscle and joint pain stopped rather quickly. One weak out, I am not even experiencing any pain in the port area. You muscle and joint pain should let up fairly soon if you can conciously get in touch with body stress and work on relaxation. Good luck, Corliss

Mandie, I was supposed to have plastic surgery today, but i broke out in a rash, probably due to nerves. The PS wife is a dermatologist and she saw me this morning and okayed me having it tommorrow. So I will be having my face lift and arms done tommorrow around noon. Corliss

So sorry you are having so much pain. I had mine on 18th and have walked all over. The gas has been bad, but nothing unbearable. I have had no pain meds at all since last night. I can even sleep on my port side. I fear I not will be so pain free after the plastics tommorrow. Keep walking. It will get better. Corliss

Congratz, time will fly now for sure. I know I am thrilled about my new band and it wasn't nearly as rough as I expected. I am walking around beautiful San Pedro which is a suburb of Monterrey and having fun:smile2:, then suddenly it is time to go back to the hotel and snooze. I can't sleep at night cause I keep thinking about plastics tommorrow. I should sleep good tonight! Corliss

I went for my consult with Dr. Cardenas today and i feel much less fearful than I did. He explained the way he approches cosmetic surgery with primary concern for patients safety and function with esthetics being the third concern. He also explained how he avoids complications by working above the muscle instead of below it. I have seen faces he has done and they are amazing. He showed some before and after digital pics and one of the women's results were miraculous. She was very wrinkled and it was unbelivable the way she turned out. I of course would love to have those results. He promised to give it his best. He will be doing my arms with a visible incision which is just to the back. He recommends it because it generally heals better and is less likely to compromise the lymphatics in the underarm area. He does not believe he will be able to make much change below my elbow as he will not cut that low due to the abundence of nerves there. He said he will try to draw some of the skin up but cannot make a major change. I would have loved for him to have had some miracle but he thinks I will be satisfied with the results. I will be spending the night at the clinic and two nurses will be there. A sitter will pick me up and take me back to the hotel. She will be with me 24 hours and stay longer if I need her. I will be going into the clinic daily for a few days. I can't say I am not frightened because I am, but he promises me no pain and feels strongly that I will be pleased. The clinic is very clean and pleasant. Dr. Cardenas is very nice and well spoken. He helped me to feel less fearful and I am even more anxious to get this over and done with. Corliss

Tappy, I went for my ps consult today. I am going in Monday for my face and arms. I am scared but am so excited. I look at the results and it is amazing what this man can do. My arms are so bad that he is going to do a back arm incision which will be more visable but is less likely to have healing issues. I am so excited about it, i don't expectt to look 25 but I would love to look 57 and not so angry all the time. I sure dont think you are too old....I think you are of an age that you have earned it! Good luck, Corliss

Hey Anarch, (kind of doc I like). I got banded on 18th also. This was my second banding. I had a slip :crying:the first go around and lost my band in Sept. 08. I lost 203 lbs with the first band. I guess that qualifies me for fairly fast lostt since i lost over half of it in first year. The things that work for me are to follow the guidelines as close as you can, but get in at least 1000 to 1200 cals perday unless you are super small anyhow for a banded person. Then make sure you eat low carb. I could not stay on low carb all the time but would get on it when I reached a plateau and voooom within a week I would see a huge weight loss. Usually stayed on it about 3 weeks and I am not talking about drastic low carb but around 50 carbs per day. Even when not low carbing eat your protein first. You didn't say whether or not you are female, but if you are and still have periods, then just know that you weight will fluctuate and don't let it throw you. Also either males or females should not expectt a steady wt loss, but males are more likely to see it. Track your calories in fitday. Exercise as soon as your surgeon permits. I got a trainer after I lost the first 50 lbs. It was well worth it. Lets see, for now, that is all I can think of from my previous expereience besides about fills. It is important that your band be adjusted so that it curbes the hunger, however it is equally important that it not be too tight. If it is it can actually slow down your wt. loss by causing you to get into soft food syndrom. This aside from the increased probablility of a slip is good reason not to have it too tight. If you are inclined to chat, the chat room on here is very active and a great source of support and fun. Good luck, let me know how it works for you, since we have the same bandiversary. Coriss

Walk slowly Spudsy, walk slow. It will honestly be a lot easier if you do walk slow, instead of racing to get it over with, stroll and enjoy it. Corliss

Lots of docs doing it out patient now. I would love to have some cremes right now, not to mention mushies, but i am happy that i am able to drink my clears with no problesm. I was banded yeasterday with a realize band. This is my second band and my second hiatal hernia repair and I cannot tell you how much easier it has been this time. I think my doc is a magician! Good luck, and remember there are always those of us who envy you your mushies,lol!:tongue: Corliss 1st band Nov 17, 2005 Dr. Sanchez 356 lbs reached 160-170 in Sept 08' Band removed Sept. o8 due to slip 2nd band June 18, 2009 Dr Zapata, 212 lbs Goal 170 by Christmas

Hope you are doing well. I got mine yesterday and I feel fantastic! Corlsis:thumbup:

Hi Ya'll, Had my banding yest. at 10 am and I am out of the hospital today, back at the motel and just got back from the grocery store. Kathy is going to VIPS to eat, darn her. It is sort of a Mexican version of City Cafe for anyone in the Chattanooga/Atlanta area. I had a big surprise when I woke up. They told me I had a hernia that the doctor repaired while he was inside. When the doc came round to see me, he told me it was a very large hernia and my whole stomach was going up above my diaphragm. I do not know how the doc that took the old lap band out could have missed it.:tongue: Dr. Zapata said when they are really large like that, they are harder to detect than a smaller one. Well all I know is that is a scary thought for my lungs to have to share their space with my stomach. Anyhow I have got my brand spankin' new Realize band and the doc said he had no problems with the surgery at all, that my liver was "Little Bitty." Finally something on me is "Little Bitty" besides my boobs, lol! Good luck to everyone. Corliss Dr. Zapata June 18, 2009 219 day of surgery

Hi Spud Mama, I am going for my second lapband on June 18 or 19. I had a lapband in Oct. 2005 and lost from 373 lbs (356 day of surgery) to 160-170 range before loosing my band. I can tell you with 100% certainty, people absolutely treat you better when you are small. There is no comparison between the things life has to offer when you are small enough to access them than when you are morbidly obese, especially super morbidly obese. I am morbidly obese now and it is ten times better than being super morbidly obese and I never want to go there again. I can hold out to work my long shifts but don't have any energy left when I get home from work, and my legs hurt. When I was skinny, and I was skinny at 165 I could even take shortcuts between the desks and a big post at work that cut about 25 steps off going to the drug room and since I have to do this many many times in the day, it made a big, big difference. I didn't have cramps in my legs the day after I worked either. I am so looking forward to all these things when I loose my weight again. It will be amazing. Don't get me wrong, if I can keep this band and avoid a slip, by keeping it super loose and don't get back down that far, I will just be greatful not to keep gaining. I had hoped I might be one of the few who could keep it off without the band, but alas I am not! As far as the romantic end of the spectrum goes, please do not make the mistake so many younger bandsters and RNY'rs do and make radical changes because they are "high" on the attention which they begin getting from men that they have never got or haven't got in a long time. The results are usually disasterous. I know you don't plan on doing something like this, but just be aware that attention is addictive. Fortunately I was of an age where those things just aren't that big a deal and I was focused on the great fun my normal size partner and I could have together and the great fun the grandkids and I have had. Shopping, OMG, it opens up a whole new world, lol! I have had a friend tell me that I am much quieter now, that I don't have to make shocking or controversial statements in order to get people to see and hear me. They tend to look through you as a super morbid obese person regardless of how intelligent or creative you may be. Now being in my fifties and loosing a huge amount of wt. left me looking much older close up than I am. I am hoping a little bit of plastic surgery ought to help some people avoid hooking into their stereotypes of "old women" being almost as worthless as fat women are viewed. I just wanted to share some of my experiences as I have been there and hope to be back soon! Corliss:thumbup:

It is so scary that we have to go through these things. Who knows what the future brings? Life as a morbidly obese person is pretty scary too! Corliss :grouphug:

Atkins has 160 cals in chocolate and 150 in vanilla. Other than that I dont know of any difference. I think you are gonna get a little hungry if you leave it out. Maybe you could put half a banana in all four. Might even it out for you.