AngieB2009

So I was reading on LBT and came across a thread about doing your own fill/unfill in a pinch/EMERGENCY. It was actually a poll with discussion. I voted, and then took the time to read through the posts. I have to admit it was interesting banter.

I am a DIY kind’a gal in most circumstance. I have done some limited reading on the topic and have discussed this subject with my family. My husband thinks it is CRAZY as does my mother. My father and I have a slightly different perspective.

During my pregnancy I administered my own shots. Although this is completely different than accessing a port, I mention this fact only to relay that I am capable of poking a large needle into my stomach. Although, I will say I have not done a 19 gauge needle in the tummy. Confidently, I do feel like I could do my own UNFILL in an emergency. That being said, I can say pretty confidently that my husband in an EMERGENCY would NOT be able to do it for me. Nope, he does not have what it takes. He can’t stand to see me in pain and it would bother him soo much. It would have to be in a situation where no one knew how to do it and I had the right equipment ect. Safety First! Also, I can forsee the situatiuon happening. Like when I visit my family in Wyoming. I would find it easier to trust myself over many of the health care providers there. Most likely I would walk someone through how to do it. I would also have to evaluate how bad off I was.....so many variables....

Here is how the question was posed. There are pages of responses.

“Be honest....

Have you ever done your own fill/unfill? Even in a pinch?

Scenario; it's late at night, your fill is too much, you are barfing your guts out, you can't even keep saliva down. You can't reach your doc (maybe he's not returning phone calls, perhaps he's in Mexico, etc.) and you are getting dehydrated. Many ER's don't have docs working that have a clue about a band.

What do you do? Or, what have you done?

BTW, this is a private poll, nobody will be able to see your response.”

Great read. I was upset yesterday at work. This gal I work with is always talking about her DIL. Each time she does, she puts a disclaimer on the end of her statement. You know, Becca is a big girl, or for a larger gal she did look nice in that outfit. It gets under my skin. I feel the urge to say to her, "have you looked in the mirror lately, you are no skinny minnie!" I manage to keep my mouth shut, but it gets hard sometimes.

Write on girl...right on!

equigles5 - so far I believe the WW scale is a good purchase. It is made of good solid materials, and will weigh a person who is 400 lbs. My other scale, jumped around more. I could step in it 2 times and get a different number each time. I didn't like that. This one seems to report the same weight each time. Bonus! I would recommend this scale!

So awesome! Sounds like you are on top of the world! Restoration of health is a very good thing!

Babs44 - Ugh a bakery.....that is a tough one! Thank goodness for restriction, otherwise I would be trying to eat all those bready/cakie items.....

imaluckydog - glad those silly images could give you a laugh!

Herman - I plan to keep on keepin on! Thanks for the encouragement!

For me the road to restriction has taken a while, so I have been able to eat bread and breaded foods for part of the time. Now, I don't do much bread at all. Bread is something that I don't miss. At least I haven't yet.

My portion sizes have gradually gotten smaller, which has been a nice adjustment. Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach, but I feel my way through it.

On the diabetic topic. I am not a diabetic, however I am sure you can have clear liquids with enough sugar to keep your levels up. You surgeon will be able to advise you on your diet.

When I am out in a social setting, I'll order soup. Soup for me does not get stuck. I have had a few "situations" while out. It happens because I get so engaged in conversation that I will swallow to soon or not pay attention to what I am chewing. Lovely right!? Ugh! I find soup is a safe, and easy choice when I am out with people I don't know well.

Have fun and good luck!

Babs44 - I think having the surgery was the easiest part of the process. Changing ourselves is the hardest part. I've really had some "forced behavior modification" going on. I was a night eater for the greater portion of my life. I am thrilled to say, I stumble now and again, but because of GLORIOUS RESTRICTION I have stopped almost completely.

Each of us have our own story, and process. Some of us take longer than others! Glad you are mentally in the game, so to speak. We can do this together! YES WE CAN!

Davia - That is so awesome! For a while, I couldn't wrap my head around why I was not loosing lbs. (I lost inches, not lbs.) After reading on the forum, I realized I was not the only one, and it became easier to be kinder to myself over the reality.

I am a teller, so I did feel some pressure from the people I had shared my WLS with. After I accepted the fact that I would need a decent fill in order to loose some "real" weight, the serenity flowed in. For me, I was a slow starter. After this 3rd fill, the lbs are beginning to drop off! Eureka!

My husband is very proud of me, I am proud of me. It's a great feeling. What is even better, is the feeling that food no longer has such a control over me.

Thank you for your comment! It means alot to be able to share this journey with others who have success!

I bought a new scale. It is a Weight Watchers scale. I have to say, it is nicer than my older one. When I stepped on it, I was nervous it would tell me I was heavier than the old scale. NOPE - LIGHTER! It read 246.6! Whoop! That number made me happy, considering last week I ate sweets EVERYDAY at work. Talk about a bad week for weight loss. Yikes!

I am officially down 32.3 lbs! Yay me! I am relieved, and excited about the numbers going down. For a while, I was getting down hearted. It can be difficult not to compare myself to others. I knew as soon as I got a decent level of fill built up in my band, the numbers would start to change. Waiting is the hardest part.

The relief on my husbands face is nice to see. I think he was worried when the weight didn’t start to shed right away. I am happy, he is happy, we are happy! I mentioned to him this morning, I am nearing the weight I was at when I began my pregnancy in April 2007. I was 240 when I stepped on the scale at the Dr.’s office. We had just returned from out honeymoon. I think I gained 5 lbs on the cruise. Ugh!

Each new mark is great to see. Before long, I will need to clean out my closet. That will be exciting! What is great is I have plenty of cloths to fit into! I saved my cloths, so I won’t be shopping for a while. I have cloths all the way down to size 14.

Currently I am a size 20/22 depending on the pant. I can’t wait to wear some of my tops again. They are nice and waiting for me. My boobs are getting smaller! I realize I am going to have to buy a few bras in the next month or so.

Let’s talk fills….shall we. I have an apt for a fill this week. Still trying to decide if I need it, am I restricted enough?? During my TOM I noticed I tighten up. It was great! The amount of food I was comfortable eating decreased. The weight is coming off…..maybe I should wait on the fill. This week I am going to evaluate my eating, and weight loss. Right now, as it stands, I think I should cancel the apt for Friday. My hubby and I talked about it, and we decided to wait and see how this week goes. Will I loosen back up? That is the big question? Realistically, as long as I am loosing 1 lb a week, we are good to go.

Goals: along with my 10 lb goals, I am hoping to loose another 15 lbs by December. I believe that is do-able. I am hesitant to set the goal higher, due to my slow beginnings.

Can I take a moment to say, I love this band. Goal + Current weight loss = over 45 lbs! I love it. I am not unhappy with the weight loss, and feel happy to be loosing it slowly. My hope is to not have extra skin. It wouldn’t hurt my feeling one bit to avoid a tummy tuck.

I am noticing a difference in my skin and hair. I have been taking a vitamin E gel capsule, calcium, and NeoCell, along with take a multi vitamin, liquid. Today, I ordered some children’s’ liquid iron. I’ve noticed I am bruising more & I figure adding some iron in every now and again would be wise. Seems like a lot of supplements’. I joke they are my breakfast or snacks.

Getting a Grip!

Posted by AngieB, Sep 18 2009, 11:39 AM

Amazed..the scale loves me! Reward

Posted by AngieB, Sep 17 2009, 09:34 AM

It's a process. Each step gets you closer to the goal you are working for! Try not to beat yourself up, you are doing great. Set some small goals and work toward them. For example, if you don't normally have a veggie at meal time, add one. If you don't set down together for a meal, start. One step at a time.

There are some great food ideas that are tasty and easy to make. Check them out, it will give you a place to start.

You are doing great! Set some goals! You can change one step at a time!

WTG!!! That is a great amount of lbs to drop! Keep on keeping on!

Well this week has been a real challenge......it's "employee appriciation week" at work and WOW! Muffins, Cookies, Klondic Bars, Sandwiches, ect ect....Food Food Food Food. Plus I am having a visitor, so that makes me want sweets. Horrible time of the month to have will power! UGH!

I pretty much feel like this....

I don't need much along the lines of temptation when it come to food......give me a break....I dive in head first.....

Who hides from the camera......*looks both ways* LOL

WTG on the weight loss! Bummer about the BIG "P" guess it's out bodies way of catching up. I've avoided the scales all week due to TOM. Nice to just live for a week and not watch the numbers!

Made a good decision!

Posted by AngieB, Today, 08:49 AM

I think it's great you are striving for a healthy goal. To each their own. We all have our own ideas of what to fat and to skinny is.

It's crazy to me that she even approached you. She has some very passionate feelings, that is for sure. We are shaped by our past so you can see how her cancer experience really took a toll on her. God Bless her. I am glad she was well enough to concour her cancer! My Aunt always wanted to be thin. When she was battleing cancer she would comment, I always longed to be thin. I wish I wouldn't have seen it this way.

Keep on keeping on!

Let' get moving! And some other HONEST stuff.

Posted by AngieB, Today, 08:48 AM

Awesome! I am pumped for you and your upcoming surgery! Here is to our success! Enjoy the pre-op diet. It will prepare your body for the post-op! Woot! What a life changer!

Way to Go! I love reading this post! Congradulations on being down 100 lbs! What a success and great feeling! Keep on keeping on!

What a great post! Congrats on your weight loss success!

Love the pun! LOL I for whatever reason was blessed with no gas pain.

Band_Groupie - I have such a hard time keeping emotional composure when I think or read of this terror attack. Even now, I am nearly to emotional to type this reply. I set here and listend to the names being read off. This event is burnt into my mind. I was at home and work when this happened. What a numb emotional day that was. I mentioned it in my blog entry as well today. God Bless the USA!