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minpinmom

LAP-BAND Patients

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Blog Entries posted by minpinmom

  1. A year since my last post

    · minpinmom · 11/11/2010 20:28

    I really can't believe it has been a year since I updated my blog - but now that I feel pretty "normal" thinking of the lapband isn't something I do very often. I am still no where NEAR skinny - but I can shop in normal stores and I don't feel huge anymore. I am pretty happy with myself! I would love to lose 25 more pounds - but as it is - I maintain my weight and I don't have to worry or think about what I am eating - nor do I have to exercise. I hope to get back to working out - I felt better when I did. I know it is all about priorities and mine are just focused on enjoying life. I do have a fab announcement - I got a Spyder! I got my license and go everywhere on it. Love my bike!
     
    Hope all is well in bandland!

  2. A Banded Letter

    · minpinmom · 02/01/2008 22:00

    As I get closer and closer to being banded, there are so many things that start worrying the mind. I have read on this board so many stories of friends and family members being negative about Lapband. I decided I wanted to write a letter, ok, who the hell writes letters, I want to send an email to my friends and family explaining what is going on. Here is what I have so far, let me know if you think I am giving too much info, or not enough.


    Well, my 3 year wait is over – I have finally been approved for Lapband surgery. I wanted to send an email to everyone, explaining what the procedure is, what to expect and what not to expect. Feel free to ask any questions.

    Lapband is an outpatient surgery that places a silicone band around the top part of your stomach. The band is inflated/deflated “a fill” with saline through a “port” that is accessed (by needle) around your belly area. This surgery is completely reversible and has <1% complications. I will be home recovering for about 3 days.

    My surgeon is Dr. Felix Spiegel. He is the MOST experienced surgeon in the United States; he has done more than 5000 Lapband procedures and is very well respected. I am extremely lucky that he is in my network. People fly in from all over the world to have him perform their surgery and he is right here in Houston. Here is his website if you would like to see his information. http://www.felixspiegelmd.com/index.asp

    The Lapband is NOT a miracle; it is a TOOL, it allows you to feel full faster and keeps you from eating as much. However, if you don’t follow the rules, you can gain weight on the Lapband, just as without it. The nerves of your stomach are at the very top. So when we eat, you fill your stomach all the way to the top before you feel full. The band will hold the food at the top and have a small opening where the food will slowly disperse into the lower stomach, so not only do you feel full faster, but you stay full longer. For the majority of people, this surgery enables them to loose weight, but it does not work for everyone. Thankfully the band can be removed in minutes in an out-patient procedure if needed. I hope it won’t be needed.

    When I have the surgery, I will be on liquids while my body is healing and the stomach is swollen from surgery. Once the swelling goes down, I will be able to eat anything for a couple of months. The band will not be inflated, so there won’t be any restriction – Restriction is when the band is inflated and helps hold the food at the top of the stomach. Sometimes it takes 6 fills or more before your restriction is to a point where it helps control your hunger. So there may not be much change in my weight or eating for many months.

    There are 3 stages of eating following surgery.

    Liquids Following surgery, the Dr. doesn’t want the stomach to have to process anything. It is freaking out because it has a band around it. The band is stitched into place and after a while it creates a “place” for the band to sit. If you eat solid foods or take huge bites, it could move the band while it is supposed to be healing.
    Mushy Foods Instead of going from Liquids to solid foods, they have a mushy stage so that your stomach has time to adapt to everything. Also, since you won’t be very hungry following surgery and your stomach is still swollen, this allows you to consume more calories and promote healing.
    Solid Foods Finally, I will begin introducing normal foods again. Some people have problems tolerating certain foods after surgery, others don’t. Tough meats, nuts, dried fruit, soft breads and pastas are normally the culprits. Once I have proper restriction, you will notice that I won’t be able to eat very much at one time. Usually ½ a cup is normal for a banded person. Because I won’t be eating as much, I will have to eat a lot of Protein. Since I will get full fast, I am supposed to eat Protein first, then everything else. So, for all you people that I go out to eat with all the time – I am going to start eating off your plate! Ha! Also, I will be taking very tiny bites and chewing forever! A couple of other things you may notice, I won’t be able to drink with my meal – that is going to be so odd and I will be taking small bites.

    This surgery does not cause any type of starvation, malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency. I will be able to eat everything from before; I will just want less of it. The typical banded person eats 1200 calories a day, which is what anyone is supposed to eat. Bad foods, such as fast foods, fried foods, sweets, shakes and such, go right through the band with no problem, so there is always room for failure. This surgery usually results in loosing 70% of your excess weight.

    I have done so much research on this procedure; I think I could give classes on it. My favorite place to browse is http://www.lapbandtalk.com/index.php this website is devoted completely to Lapband. It is a great place for information. I have started an online Blog to document my experiences. Feel free to check it out. http://lapbandtalk.com/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=936

    Hopefully next time I see you guys, I will be happily banded!

  4. It has been forever!

    · minpinmom · 11/04/2009 20:34

    Hey there Band World - it has been so long since I posted on here. Things are going great - I finally lost all the weight I had gained during the un-fill for the gallbladder surgery. Took FOREVER, but I am back to my lowest weight. To tell you the truth - I am pretty darn happy! I still want to lose about 20lbs more - which is not nearly what the Dr.s would like me to lose - but I want to be in the 100s and that will get me there with enough room to spare for ups and downs. I still love my band - it doesn't work like everyone elses - I can't eat foods for breakfast ever - only liquids - for lunch sometimes real food - sometime liquids and supper is a free for all - I can eat anything in any amount. But you know what - it helps me keep from eating horrible all the time like I used to. But I can really still eat anything I want. Hope all is going well and I will post more updates soon!

  5. Hello world

    · minpinmom · 11/18/2009 16:15

    Hey there guys! Things are going great - I have held my own during Halloween I wanted to just maintain - but I actually lost a lb! Totally jazzed about that. I hope that keeps up for Thanksgiving. I am a baker - all the time I love to cook - and this is MY season! But Im doing awesome! :-)

  6. Dallas Convention

    · minpinmom · 10/08/2008 02:32

    Okay - so last weekend we had a great Lapband Convention in Dallas. Since I am in Houston, I had no excuse not to attend.
     
    I hooked up with another gal here in Houston, we rode together and shared a room. We arrived in Dallas around 4 (I think) on Friday.
     
    Friday night we had a meet and greet - there were about 30 people there - we had dinner (well, we had cheese, I will get to that in a few). I met a few really nice ladies and hit it off right away with them. It was really just a night of socializing. Of course, since we only ate cheese - we ended up going out for dinner with each other - it was really nice.
     
    Dinner on Friday consisted of 3-4 kinds of cheese, crackers, pineapple and strawberries. No drinks, no meat, no nothing. It was horrible. I think it would have been a great appetizer - but it was advertised as dinner (I don't know about y'all, but I could eat my weight in cheese) I am going to explain each meal - only because it was the topic of conversation ALL weekend. Cher apologized for the meal and said she talked with the Hotel. However, the next two meals were almost equally horrible. Saturday for lunch was BETTER, I will say that, it was lunch meat, cheese, bread, chips, a dessert and iced tea. However I was near the end of the line, when I got there to make my plate there was nothing left but ham and roastbeef. No cheese, no chips, no dessert, no tea . . . you get the drift. I asked if I could have the Hotel bring out more - they said that we only paid for 40 and we only get 40. So, I had ham, by itself. Hey, at least I got my protein! That night we had the exact same thing as the first night with the addition of meatballs and chicken fingers! Can you believe that-they gave us fried chicken that was so dry - I don't know of one single person who took more than one bite. Okay, that is all I have on the food - on to the Meat of the Conference (hehe)
     
    We had some wonderful speakers and a couple that we could have done without. We got great goody bags and they had some neat door prizes and such. There wasn't much in the way of vendors - but the Hurricane here in Houston caused some of that.
     
    We learned a lot and socialized even more. I really think some of the ladies I met - I will know for the rest of my life. The Dr.s were very infomative and I learned about JuicePlus a supplement that I immediately bought for myself and my hubby. I really think it will do great things for us both. I am actually thinking about selling it - I feel that strongly about it. anyways, google juiceplus and see what you think.
     
    Saturday night we had a Fall Fling - (the meatball and fried chickenstrip dinner) - We left after about an hour - no one was dancing - Cher wasn't there or I bet she would have gotten someone on the dancefloor. So we left and went clubbing. We went to see this Coverband - I can't remember the name, we had a drink and left for a hip-hop club next door. Had a freakin blast. What fun. Didn't get home till after 100 AM.
     
    The picture was taken at the entrance of one of the clubs - what a great memory.
     
    Our firealarm kept squealling every 30 minutes or so - we had to have the hotel people come fix it at 200AM. So we didn't get much sleep at all.
     
    Sunday morning was nice we had a WONDERFUL LB DR. out of Houston do a support group with us - I would have paid 100 bucks just for that! He totally rocked.
     
    We packed up and headed home. I made some great friendships and hope to do it again soon. I am attending another Seminar in Houston in November - but it isn't Lapband specific - so not sure how informative it will be.
     
     
  7. Okay, so I went to the 2008 National Lapband Conference in Dallas at the beginning of the month. They had all sorts of Dr.s and speakers. The coolest thing - was a Dr. who was talking about Juice Plus. It is dried fruits and veggies in a capsule, chewable, gummie, etc. He did all sorts of illustrations and said we especially need Juice Plus since we can't eat as many fruits and veggies after being banded. I was interested, but not sold yet. EVERY Dr. that got up to speak after him, said that they too personally take Juice Plus and LOVE it, okay, so I orderd some. I and my hubby have been on in for a month.
     
    I feel better - have more energy - not a huge difference, but they said it usually takes 3 months before you start to see a huge difference.
     
    My hubby, on the other hand, has done a complete turnaround. He has MS, and one of the things he deals with so much is feeling down, sick and fatigued. A lot of days he doesn't get out of bed, or if he does, he never leaves his recliner. (he is 33). He rarely woke up before 11 AM. If he does something (exerts energy, like work on something outside), he is down for weeks afterwards. Let me tell you, after a month, he wakes up at 8AM every morning (no alarm), he has been working around the house, (putting up rain gutters all week). I have not seen him like this in 5 years! I can't believe it. It is like a miracle. So, I think I am going to become a distributor. I have seen first hand what this stuff can do.
     
    Who know fruits and veggies were so important!
     
    Wish me luck!


  8. Well, the drama continued until 5:30 Monday night, when I got the call that I had been approved for Dr. Spiegel to remove my gallbladder the next morning. I was so excited. We got there about 6:00, the place is freakin awesome. I got to see Dr. Davis (Big D off of Big Medicine), he has a patient in the pre-op right beside me - yes, I know I am easily amused.
     
    Everything went fine - but I had to tell Dr. S that I was so nervous I couldn't swallow my own spit - so he unfilled me during surgery. Everything went fine, but the pain was much worse than with the Lapband. I don't know why - but I am still really hurting (1 week out). With Lapband - I was back at work in 3 days and with this I didn't go back for almost a week. Now, I am one of the ones that doesn't take pain killers - so I can truly tell when the pain is worse - and this one sucked ass.
     
    But I am feeling better every day. I have a HUGE Christmas Party we are hosting this Saturday with 20 guests - wow, I don't know how I am going to get everything done - but it will all turn out. Everyone knows I just had surgery so hopefully they won't expect my normal gala.
     
    I don't know how much fluid Dr.S took out - he told me - but it didn't stick with me, it was in recovery and I was busy - uhm, waking up I guess :-)
     
    I am able to eat ANYTHING - wow, how soon did I forget to chew- chew- chew. Without the band sending me reminders - I eat just as fast as everyone else.
     
    I have enjoyed bread. I have had a few rolls over the past week - and I even ate part of a Hamburger. I am trying to make healthy choices - but I am also trying to take advantage of the fact that for a week I can eat the things I can't eat later. Its a hard line to walk.
     
    I go in on Thursday for my follow-up. He is planning on filling me back up - but I think I am going to see if he will wait another week - when I get in a lot of pain (usually at night after a full day of work), I feel sick to my stomach and I don't want to cause a problem with my band. I also don't want to be on liquids for my party.
     
    Well, thats my update for now. I haven't stepped on the scale - I am still swollen and think it will just make me sad :-)

  9. Ugh

    · minpinmom · 08/26/2008 00:16

    It spread to my neck. They started me on a steroid pack today - I don't feel like I am banded at all - I am starving - and eating like crazy. I feel very little restriction. I am super swollen - I hope that is what the weight gain is. I had gained 7 lbs when I went to the dr. today. I am trying to eat healthy. Okay - so the brownies weren't healthy - but they were low fat
     
    The steroids make me feel like I am running out of my skin. I feel like a humming bird. A huge freaking spotted humming bird. :-) The steroids are helping. I take 6 doses today. Everytime I take a dose - the bumps go away for a couple of hours. Hopefully it will get rid of them totally soon.
     
    Funny - at the Dr.s office - little kids were pointing and talking about me - and I knew it wasn't because I was fat! I guess you had to be there - in the elevator - I got in and everyone moved to the other side :-) too funny.
     
    I almost wish I was contagious!
     


  10. Our cruise

    · minpinmom · 02/05/2009 20:19

    I posted this on Myspace and thoguht you guys might find it entertaining.
     
    Okay, so we went on our first cruise ever. It was awesome. We took the Carnival Ecstasy out of Galveston on a 5 night cruise to Mexico. It was very cheap - about 300 a person. Don't get me wrong - it was the tiniest cabins ever - but so worth it!
     
    It was pretty cold starting off - Galveston was overcast and probably around 50 degrees. I was surprised at how many people WORK on the ship. You can't turn around without bumping into someone asking if you need help. The food was awesome - and way too much of it. If you haven't been on a cruise, everything is included but your drinks and your tips. When you board, you give them your Credit Card and they give you a Fun Pass - everything gets charged to it. The first thing they do is charge 10$ a day per person for tips (very reasonable) if you order drinks (anything other than water), they charge your card. There are a couple places where they have coffee, tea, juices, etc. buffet style - so you can get around the drink thing if you work at it.
     
    We gambled in the casinos - watched shows, attended all sorts of events and sales and had a blast. Our first stop was Cozumel. We had pre-chosen and pre-paid for an excursion in Cozumel. A 3-reef snorkeling trip by boat. It was to take all day. They picked us up at the pier, we boarded their boat and were off. The water was so gorgeous - you could see the bottom no matter how deep. There were about 60 of us total (I think 2 boats). The guides spoke perfect English and were awesome. We stopped - got on our gear and jumped in. We swam quite a ways over some reefs and our boat caught up with us. This took about an hour or so. This is where it gets crazy.
     
    We all get back on board and the guides start acting funny - started speaking in Spanish to each other and something just didn't seem normal. We sat there for about 15 minutes, just kind of bobbing up and down in the water when a small emergency boat comes flying up. They board and ask for a lady - her and her husband were sitting next to Eddie and I - they took her to the side, spoke to her in private, she started crying, ran over, grabbed her stuff and told us something happened to her Dad (on the other boat). Her and her husband get on the emergency boat and they speed off.
     
    We asked the guides what happened and they said that her father had swallowed too much saltwater and they called an ambulance as a precaution - but that EVERYTHING was fine.
     
    We continue on to our next reef. Things start getting weird again - everyone speaking Spanish - and we are going super slow in circles - they finally stop - the guides go up top (where the captain is), we all get our gear on - they come flying back down - tell us to take the gear off - that the US Embassy and the Maritime something or other said all Americans have to disembark immediately. So they take us to the nearest pier - which is in the middle of the jungle - we have to step off of the boat onto barrels to get to the shore. We are met with 5 camera crews from local news stations, police and ambulances. Our friend was there with her husband and mom. Her dad had drown and was in the ambulance. We had to walk through the jungle about a half a mile to an area where taxis could come pick us up. They took us back to the boat and refunded our money.
     
    The family was from our ship as well. They were already taking their luggage off when we returned. Carnival was trying to keep it all hush - hush - but since we were sitting with the couple - we knew more details then most. It was really sad. We also have their disposable underwater camera - they left it when they got off our boat. Carnival wouldn't give us any information to get it back to them. I can't imagine losing a family member on vacation - I hope they are doing okay.
     
    We spent the rest of the day shopping in Cozumel. We had lunch in Pancho's Backyard and spent too much money on souvenirs. Can you believe a bottle of Don Julio Blanco was only 30 bucks? It is well over 100 here! I was totally stoked!
     
    We got back on the boat that night and woke up in Progresso. We took a van ride into Merida and took a tour of the city by Segway. It was the MOST fun! I loved it. I can totally rock and roll on those things. We toured a museum, had Sorbet and ended the day with a couples massage on the beach in Progresso.
     
    The rest of the cruise we spent relaxing, gambling, shopping and eating. What fun. I did get a bit sea-sick - I had the patch - but still felt the motion of the boat mostly in the evening (I think they speed the boat up at night). The last day at sea was warm and breezy - we arrived in Galveston to near freezing temperatures! I guess that MAY be the reason we are both sick now.
     
    If you ever get to go on a cruise - do it! And invite us - I am about ready to plan my next!

  11. Why is this so hard?

    · minpinmom · 12/08/2008 18:22

    Well, I haven't blogged in a while - things have been crazy. I am down 47 lbs! WOOHOO. But I am having problems with my gallbladder. Friday I met with a surgeon, he scheduled surgery for today - I went in on Saturday to my LapBand Dr. for an un-fill for surgery and he said HE wanted to do the surgery, he didn't want another Dr. doing it and it would give him a chance to look at my port.
     
    So, Saturday I called the Hospital I was scheduled with and canceled the surgery, along with calling the surgeon and letting him know.
     
    Dr. Spiegel scheduled surgery for tomorrow (Tuesday). I had to call first thing this morning to get a new referral to see him for the gallbaldder problem and call the Hospital and get my blood work trasnfered.
     
    Wow, this is where my world gets really upside down. I get a call that Dr. S is not in network - (mind you, he did my LB in Feb). They tell me, he is in Network as a General Sugeron with a specialty in Bariatrics, but it won't be covered unless he does something with my band during the surgery.
     
    I freak out, call his office, they say the insurance is crazy they are in-network.
     
    So I have been playing advocate, calling everyone, trying to get any inforamtion I can. So far I haven't even been successful in getting the freakin (please substitue the actual word here:-) blood work faxed over!
     
    On top of that, my nerves are shot - so my band was too tight to eat yesterday - I couldn't get 2 bites down and I am fasting today for the surgery tomorrow (that, lets face it, isn't going to happen)
     
    I am pissed, I feel like I want to puke and I need a valium, which I can't take in CASE I have the allusive surgery tomorrow.
     
    I hate insurance.
  12. I guess everyone has one - but here is mine.
     
    I went in last Wednesday for a small fill. I am great for Breakfast and Lunch, but can eat anything, in any amount for supper. So I wanted a small fill. I have a 4CC Band and I am already at 3CC.
     
    So, I go in and they tell me (and everyone else there) that the buildings AC was damaged during the Hurricane and only the front 1/2 of the building is cooled. So we ALL pile in the check-in area. Finally, it gets so crowded I ask if I can go to the back, I don't mind if it is warm. They let me and about 1/2 of everyone else.
     
    So it is hot and we wait and we wait. Another patient comes in from the front and says - I heard them say Dr. Spiegel is stuck in surgery and they are sending over another Dr.
     
    No big deal I figure - he is a LapBand Dr.
     
    So, he gets there, I go back, they say yes I can have a SMALL fill. .2 CC.
     
    He pokes and jabs and digs and even says he can't find it because I have GAINED weight! WTF I have LOST weight since the last time I was in. Ass.
     
    Anyway, he finally finds it after 10-15 minutes of poking and scraping the port (yes, I could totally HEAR him do it).
     
    So, I drink my bottle of water - no problem and go home.
     
    Next day - water seems to be going down slowly. I am on liquids for 3 days following the fill - but I can tell they are not going down as they should.
     
    So, day 4 I am supposed to start soft foods. NOPE, nothing will go down.
     
    By now it is the weekend - so I survive on SlimFast and juice - I know I am not going to die, I mean how many people were on liquids for weeks! So I am not in any danger, but getting a little bitchy.
     
    So, I call this morning (Monday) and tell the staff that I refuse to be seen by anyone other than Spiegel because of the pain that I endured. So, her response - you can come in on Thursday! AND, I will have to pay a regular visit fee, + the Barium Swallow Fee because it isn't an emergency! Apparently since I don't want to go back to Dr. PAIN I am going to have to pay.
     
    My Dr. is SO going to hear about this.
     
     


  13. Hurricane Ike

    · minpinmom · 09/23/2008 22:25

    As most of you know, Hurricane Ike blew through our area with much gusto. We lost trees and power. Our power was restored on Friday night giving us power 1 week after we lost it.
     
    We were one of the lucky families that had wonderful neighbors that gave us an extension cord to their generator so we could keep our freezers running. The last few days of no power, a friend of ours brought over her generator so we had fans and lights and such. No AC, but still - it was awesome.
     
    Neighbors pulled together, we chopped up trees and brought grilled food to all the neighbors who were without. We had a little lady living behind us, she is 86 and by herself. We thought about her after a couple of days and I am glad we did. She was living on cold chicken noodle soup.
     
    We grilled lunch and dinner at my house everyday. Neighbors kicked in on food and we fed lots of families.
     
    We also went through the food/water/ice lines every day and got what we could for the neighborhood. So many families lost all the freezers.
     
    It is amazing how something like this pulls a group together. I kinda miss the evenings in the front yard, grill burning and folks walking up and down the roads chatting with each other.
     
    I hope that part of what Ike brought remains.
     
    We are lucky to have power - 30% of the area is still without. Luckily, now food, generators and gas are easy to find. It was not fun to sit in a gas line for 3 hours to get a maximum of 25$ worth of fuel and then to find out they ran out.
     
    We drove hours to find gas stations and grocery stores open. Everyone would pile into one vehicle and we would hit the road. It was so nice to find milk and BREAD :-)
     
    Thanks everyone for the prayers - they were answered. I have included a few pictures of our neighborhood. I also have a video on myspace - you can find me by looking up Wendy Baldwin in Conroe TX
     
    The first picture is our backyard, the second is a neighbors tree, third is a sign that was completely bent and the fourth is a car that thought it could make it through a flooded street.
     
     


  14. Are you kidding me?

    · minpinmom · 09/25/2008 17:12

    Okay, so I posted a while back about the allergic reaction I was having. So I finally got my referral and went to the specialist. By the time I got my approval, the reaction had gone away. However, I brought pictures . . .
     
    You are not going to believe this.
     
    I have something called Cold Urticaria. It is a reaction to COLD - like air conditioners, ice, fans, etc. It is very rare - but the only other case the Dr. has ever seen is another lady who had LB surgery.
     
    Apparently - fat insulates the body and keeps it in a kind of remission. So as I lost weight, it triggered it. Now, the good news, it only reared its ugly little head because I had been sick, had other allergies at the same time and was in a cold AC. The Dr. said my immune system has to be really beat down for it to happen. Hopefully that won't "happen" again.
     
    I thought I would share some of the pics with you guys again - in case it ever happens to any of you.
     
    BTW, I will take allergic reactions over being Morbidly Obese any day of the week!
     
     

  15. Hurricane Party

    · minpinmom · 09/12/2008 00:50

    Okay - so I live like 80 miles from the Gulf Coast so we aren't in grave danger. We don't have to worry about storm surge. We do have to worry about 100 mph wind and lots of rain. However - we have gotten everything we needed to done - so I am relaxing with a nice cool beverage.
     
    My neighborhood is mostly staying put. A lot of people boarded up their windows. We have TONS of trees - so the high wind is bound to bring some of them down. We didn't board up - hopefully the trees will miss our windows :-)
     
    I have friends and family that are a lot closer than we are - so I hope they are safe and of course any and all of my Lapband buddies in the area.
     
    But for now, I sit back with a nice glass of Riesling and enjoy all of my handywork. I have been a busy gal.
     
    I hope we don't lose power till close to the end of it all - Eddie can't handle the heat with him MS - so we will end up driving to my parents an hour North if we do. They have dial up - so if we do - you sure won't hear from me for a while :-)
     
    Anyways - I just wanted to give a shout out to my friends in the danger zone and let everyone know we will be hunkered down.
     
    Stay safe, dry and wear lots of hairspray!
     


  16. Walk for Eddie

    · minpinmom · 09/08/2008 00:03

    Some of you guys don't know me, so a little history. My husband Eddie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. It has been very difficult. MS is considered a Terminal Illness, not the best news for someone in their 20s. He is currently Medically Retired from the USAF with 100% disability. He is now 32 and living day by day. Some days, he does great - you couldn't tell he was affected. Other days, he stays in bed. We take each day given to us.
     
    Anyways, to raise money and awareness for the disease, I am doing a MS Walk this year. Below is the information - I copied the body of the email I am sending out.
     
    To all my friends and family,
     
    All of you know our struggle with MS. Each year there are MS Walks all over the country. This year I have decided I would walk for Eddie. My Mom is going to join me, along with Sasha (one of our dogs) on Saturday, September 27th in The Woodlands.
     
    I am asking for donations of any size. This is a great cause that affects us deeply. Here is the link if you would like to donate online, if you would rather write a check, either send me an email or give me a call and I will be more than happy to come pick it up. Here is the link to donate online.
    (you will have to copy and paste link, lapbandtalk won't let it link)
    http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Eddie.Baldwin
     
    (below is the suggested details I include - I didn't want to leave anything out - so I included it as well)
     
    Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That's why I registered for the MS Walk and that's why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.
     
    The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can't do it without our help. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me. Simply click on this link:
     
    (you will have to copy and paste link, lapbandtalk won't let it link)
     
    http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Eddie.Baldwin
     
    Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.
     
    P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Walk are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit Home : National MS Society.
     
    Thanks so much,
     
    Wendy Baldwin - walking for Eddie Baldwin
     


  17. WENDY
     
    Okay, so on Thursday evening my hands started itching and got red. Then, my arms, feet, knees and legs. Soon I was covered with red whelps.
     
    I have never been allergic to anything - but something has changed. I started taking Benadryl (which knocks me smooth out) and putting Cortisone Creams on. It helped, but it would come back after about 3 hours.
     
    I called my Dr. Friday morning (they are only open a 1/2 day on Fridays) The nurse said to continue doing what I was doing, that it should go away - if it gets worse, to go to the afterhours clinic.
     
    It got worse. :-)
     
    So, this morning I went to the clinic. They gave me a sterroid shot and warned me that it would cause me to be very hungry - she said most people gain a FEW pounds with them. That is just what I need.
     
    She also gave me a sterroid pack to take home and get filled on Tuesday if I am not significantly better by Tuesday. I am also taking Zyrtec (double dose), Claritin (double dose) and Pepcid AC (which I thought was weird, but she said it contains an anti-hystimine).
     
    I got home, took an oatmeal bath and the spots started going away.
     
    That was around noon.
     
    They are coming back.
     
    Ugh.
     
    So, I guess I will continue what I am doing and hope for the best.
     
    I thought I would include a few pics for you guys to share in my pain :-)


  18. So let me set the stage. My hubbs and I are sitting in the waiting room, excited that our Godson is being born later that day (by planned C-Section). The nurse calls me up and says - "Okay Wendy, you will have a $12.00 copay for today's fill and here is your paperwork for your fill." I smile and say, I am not here for a fill, just a follow up. (uhm, duh, this is just a follow up). She smiles back and says, "Yes, you are getting your first fill today - they didn't tell you that when they rescheduled you?"
     
    Thinking back - I remember Dr. Spiegel saying something about we will talk fills next time. I thought he meant we will TALK fills next time, not DO a freakin fill next time. Bravely, I shake my head and say, oh darn, I drank a SlimFast this morning, she smiles and says, "No Problem, you can have liquids today"
     
    So, I pay, look at the hubs, with that deer in the headlights look - he smiles and asks if I want him to go back with me. Now, I do, but I say no, because with any babying, I will get worse, crying and pouting and planning an escape route. So I decline his offer and I take the long walk to the seminar waiting room.
     
    My name is called, my hands start sweating, the nurse takes me back weighs me and sends me back out to wait. Sigh of relief. Maybe I can think of an escape out of this crazy scheme they have here.
     
    About this time a breath of fresh air walks in. Her name is Stefani - it was her first fill too. She is just as outgoing and outspoken as I am. We sat and laughed about our fears and thoughts about the dreaded first fill. Time flew and they called me back. Damnit! I forgot about my escape plan. I had nothing. I had to go in.
     
    I sat in the room for a few minutes, as quiet as I could, awaiting the screams I was sure to hear coming from the other rooms. I heard the patient talking with Dr. Spiegel and laughing - oh well, she must be here for her first initial visit!
     
    Dr. Spiegel entered the room, smiled his "no worries" smile and shook my hand. All I could say is "I am really nervous, I hate needles" He put his hand on my shoulder and said "don't worry, this won't hurt."
     
    They laid me back (by this time, there was Dr. Spiegel, another Dr., and his nurse in the room). He was explaining the procedure to the other Dr. (he is in training I presume). He said that he always uses the smallest needle - he felt of my port, and inserted the needle - it really didn't hurt. Even less than a regular shot. However, he couldn't reach my port.
     
    He said, "Wendy, your port is very deep - I can do 1 of 2 things. I can pull the needle out and use a larger needle, or I can press on your abdomen, and get the needle down into the port." The chicken in me said, For the Love of God, PLEASE don't take the needle out! So he pressed (very hard) I wasn't looking, but the needle burned a bit when he was pressing, then he said ok, there it is, inserted 1.6 and pulled the needle out.
     
    They sat me up, asked me if I was ok - I, knowing it was over, was very ok. I returned to the waiting room and announced to the not-so-interested crowd that I had survived my first fill! Stefani came out shortly after and she survived as well. I guess a fill can't kill. :-)
     
    I am on liquids for 3 days, then mushy foods for 4 days. If I am still hungry, he will do another fill in 2 weeks!


  19. A quiz about me

    · minpinmom · 08/17/2008 21:45

    Sometimes:
    I get mad just to get mad
     
     
    No one realizes:
     
    It is hard to be me
     
    I am so:
    glad I had the Lap Band
     
    People think:
    I am crazy for having so many dogs
     
    Tonight I:
    Will watch TV with Eddie
     
    It is hard to believe:
    I am wearing size 16
     
    I realized that:
    I may never see myself as anything but heavy
     
    More than before:
    I wonder if I will regret not being able to have kids
     
    Obviously:
    I wish I could start over at age 20
     
    I can't stop:
    Obsessing with the scale
     
     
    Nothing matters if:
    I didn't have my Eddie
     
    All I want is:
    Enough money, or a job to provide enough money to be stable
     
    Without even thinking:
    I know how many calories are in almost everything!
     
    It is clear to me that:
    People judge you no matter what size you are
     
    I dont know:
    What other people see when they look at me
     
    The only way:
    My way :-) sorry, but its true
     
    Its hard to tell:
    What others really think
     
    The only person: in this room with me is
    Piper - my dog
     
    It kills me that:
    Eddie has a Terminal Illness
     
    If I were:
    able to make my parents live forever I would
     
    It is not that I:
    Am vain, I just want to know what THIN feels like
    My life:
    Seems to be easier than most
     
    One thing I know is:
    I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband
     
    I would never:
    Say I told you so
     
    I can not stand:
    When people are late
     
    Im sick of:
    The Texas Heat of Summer
     
    Im afraid of:
    Losing someone I love
     
    The best:
    Is yet to come
     
    Its weird that:
    I just recently started using Myspace
     
    I do not have enough:
    Self-esteem
     
    I need:
    Clean House
     
    I love:
    My family, friends and dogs
     
    I tried:
    to ride on the back of Eddie's Motorcycle - but I really need a sissy bar
     
    I am starting to:
    Take SCUBA lessens
     
    For some reason:
    I worry so much about what other people think - Everyone has to like me
     
    I should:
    Finish College
     
    I cant:
    Stand Spiders, snakes and ticks
     
    Tomorrow:
    Zoe has a Vet's appointment
     
    I cant wait until:
    We can travel more
     
    I miss:
    Chris, Stacey, Jodi, Tina and Alisa
     
    I always:
    Show up 10 minutes early
     
    My parents:
    Are the best parents in the world
     
    Someone:
    Lives too far away - ROBIN
     
    My friends:
    Always make me feel better
     
    Valentines Day:
    Is a great date night
     
    Parties:
    Have too many people
     
    Why can't:
    I get motivated to go back to school
     
    I dont want:
    To be different
     
    I have to:
    CLEAN HOUSE!
     
    I will never:
    Give up on Medical Science
     
    Marriage:
    Isn't just for the good days.
     
    Children:
    Make the world fun
     
    It seems like:
    Time goes by much faster now than ever before
     
    I dread:
    Making mistakes
     
    School:
    Uhm, I need to go back, but feel like I am way too old
     
    The best food:
    Mexican
     
    Eventually:
    I will buy a purse for my concealed carry
     
    Everyday:
    I have to try to eat right and workout
     
    Rarely:
    Do I get angry
     
    I still cannot decide:
    Who else I want to go to the Toby Keith Concert with me
     
    I am hoping:
    My job to get busier
     
    The suspense:
    Is killing me
     
    It turns out:
    Life isn't over at 30
     
    Everything:
    Happens for a reason
     
    Wendy

  21. Its been a while

    · minpinmom · 08/13/2008 15:55

    Hey guys, I am normally so good at keeping up with my Blog, but lately life has been hectic.
     
    I am doing great, I have lost 38lbs in 6 months. :-) My last fill took me to 3CC in a 4CC band and I finally got restriction. I have so much restriction in the morning that it takes me 30 minutes to finish a drink. For lunch I have perfect restriction - I can eat just a few bites and I am stuffed. For Supper - I can eat anything and in any amount. It just happens to be my window where the band is wide open. I know my Dr. won't give me another fill because of how tight I am in the morning, so I am learning to live with it. I have wonderful help from the band for 2 out of 3 meals a day. That is more than any diet program ever gave me :-)
     
    To tell you the truth, I am so happy with my results - never in my life have I been able to lose this much weight and keep it off. To be totally truthful, I have never been able to lose ANY weight and keep it off. Thank you BAND!
     
    I no longer snore, I have gone from wearing size 24 (sometimes bigger) to wearing a 14-16 top and 18 bottoms (sometimes 16!) I feel so much better. I can do anything without getting winded. I feel like a total success.
     
    However, I still don't feel any "thinner". I still feel like a fat person, just a smaller fat person. It is hard to explain. I am much smaller - but I still have all the problem areas as I did before, they are just smaller. I will take smaller any day.
     
    My blood pressure is back down to wear it was most of my life 105/60 and my resting pulse went from 125 to 90.
     
    Thank you band! I think it is time to give you a name!


  25. LapBandTalk

    · minpinmom · 01/27/2008 01:02

    I just wanted to reflect . . . this website has changed my life. I feel so empowered with the knowledge I need to change my life. Without this website, the support and the people, I don't know that I would have came to the same conclusion. To have Lap Band surgery. I can't wait to be one of the "old timers" here that can answer all of the newbies questions. Even the same questions over and over and over. "What does PB mean?"
    Thank you to all that support and help the people on this site. You are appreciated more than I can verbalize.
     
    Thank You!

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