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TCarroll

Pre Op
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Posts posted by TCarroll


  1. OK here is what I think- but I am far from being a doctor- just with having lost weight and logging everything - I think this maybe a reason. I think that when pregnant your body is having to work harder - just naturally work harder with all the things it has to do to support a baby -- so in doing that you are burning more calories on top of your normal everyday and exercise without knowing it. So your 1200- 1000 calories minus what you normally burn in a day, and what you burn exercising is acutally lower than you usually take in bc you burned the calories supporting the pregnancy. Which might mean- that ulitmately your body to lose needs to have more burned off - so after the baby you might need to lower calories or try and burn off more -- My body is the same way- if i consistantly eat between 1200-1000 calories even with working out- i stall or gain weight... I know it just doesnt seem fair- but I have now realized this and i have to go below that to lose... Best of luck with you baby! Very happy for you and wish you the best during your pregnancy and on the weight loss after!


  2. I just wondered if anyone else had this. I've had 3 fills now, and after each one, I've got a killer headache for the rest of the day. I have had to take painkillers for it, but once I've gone to sleep, I wake up the next day fine.

    Is that usual? Does anyone know what causes it?

    I have no idea what causes it but every time i get a fill- for the last 2 years i have had the band- i get that headach and i have heard some other do also. I take an excedrian or headach med before i go in now- tends to help some but something i have just learend to deal with and get my fills late in the after noon now. Good news- it goes away by teh next morning-- not to terrible to deal with!


  3. I am just starting my adventure and looking for a good surgeon. I just signed up with the NewStart program at HMMS in the medical center. Would like to meet some Houston friends and get suggestions.

    Welcome! I am from Houston and i went thru the process and with amazing success with Dr. Jason Balette in the woodlands. I cant say enough good things about him or his staff. I call it "cheers" bc everyone knows your name. Dr. Balette is a very caring doctor- and sticks by your side thru the whole process encouraging you- yet giving tough love when needed.

    Good Luck with your Journey.


  4. Look I was miserable and had a horrible slip that was almost perferating my stomach-- but for me i knew it was bc of the gallbladder so i made the decision to put the band back in--- a no brainer for me... i mean -- what exactly are you scared of putting the band back in.... when you did have it and it hadn't slipped yet-- was it working- was life good? if so-- why scared to go back there.... For me watching all my hard work and dreams and health go down the drain was scary not a new band.....


  5. Hey- been there done that! I am now on my second band and i had to wait about 4 1/2 months to heal befoer they allowed the second band... and in my mind no doubts i was putting the band back in..... my slip was out of my control- my gall bladder went bad and i violently threw up for a while and the band slipped.... so we went in and took out gall bladder and replaced band --- this time around i got a 14 cc band- bigger band due to scar tissue and to make sure i could get teh band loose if it ever got too swollen again.... i was at my goal weight when i got the band removed and in those 4 1/2 months i gained 28 lbs no matter how hard i fought it... I got rebanded on 02/16/11 and it is taking me alonger to get to restriction of course--- but i will say almost instantly I was able to control the weight gain--- and after my last fill as of right now i have restriction.... and the scale is starting to go down. I reeally tried to keep the weight off i follwed my diet plan and worked out but the weight kept coming back on.... I am not gonna lie and say that it is easy bc it has not been- emotionally it is a rollercoaster... but glad i have a band back-- and looking forward to getting back to my goal weight i have 21 lbs to go to get there. Stay strong-- and just pray for what decision is right for you.


  6. I met with two surgeons that were both fabulous in my opinion.

    I chose the one that was closest to my house which was Dr. Erik Wilson in Bellaire, TX.

    The other surgeon that was recommended to me was Dr. Jason Balette in The Woodlands. I would highly recommend both places! Good luck!!!

    Dr Jason Balette in the woodlands.... I honest to God cant say enough good things about him.... not only did he do my lapband which i hit goal within 9 months- 115 lbs gone... but also took out my gallbladder out when it went bad.... He is a great surgeon and doenst rush you in and out- really takes the time to help.


  7. Oh my heart is breaking for you... I have been in your shoes and I know that it is horrible and feels like your life has been turned upside down and dreams are going away. I had to have my band removed due to a bad slip and my stomach was too swollen to keep the band... I went 4 1/2 months without a band and did gain back 28 lbs.... durin g that time we realized that my gall bladder was bad and is what was making me throw up violently with the band and without it... so, i was able to have teh gallbladder out and a new band placed--- although a much bigger band due to scar tissue.

    Again, I completely understand the feelings you are going thru- you feel like you lost your best friend you best ali to get this weight off. I was at goal when this happened to me myself. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you are able to contine losing the weight and reach your goal. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can get back to your healthy life and working out to reach your goal.

    lapbandout211.jpgI am home from the hospital! I was released yesterday afternoon about 4:30. Monday mornin was my surgery and before I went in the OR my Dr. came by and we chatted for a few about what he would be doing.

    First he would go down with the SCOPE, check for ulcers or any obstruction..If nothing was found there, he was going to open me up and find out whats going on... Dr. told me that maybe from the Sliming and Vommiting; someting was really irritated. Dr. said the last resort would be to remove it, and just assume I am Band Intolerant!

    I remember them asking me to move over to the operating table (I was high as a kite with the cocktail mix they gave me to relax)... I woke up in the recovery room with my Dr's assistance telling me everything went well, but they had to remove the band.

    I cried, cried and cried! I am upset that it had to come to that.

    Later when I was in my room the Dr.'s came by and explained to me they found an infection underneath the rim of my band. One of the stitches came undone (possible from vommiting).

    Dr. gave me a few options! We are going to see if I can Maintain or even lose weight on my own (since I lost a huge chunk weight with the Lap Band. If I struggle and can't keep it off or can't lose any more.. we will discuss the options of Gastric ByPass.

    lapnamdout11111.jpg

    So, I am out of work for 2 weeks and have a drain coming from my stomach..to let the infection drain out! I can't sleep...I have 2 antibiotics and a narcotic to help with the pain.

    I am so full of emotions! I am just lost!

    I have a Visiting Nurse coming to the house to change the dressing and empty my drain!

    I JUST WANT TO SCREAM! I am so mad! I am upset! I am SCARED!

    Once this is all healed, I will work my ass off to try to lost more weight! I am 30lbs from goal! I will put my mind to it!

    Thank you all for your support! I see the Dr. on the 5th of May to take out the drain and discuss my options!

    Thanks again!!!

    ~Mandy


  8. I have had my Band sicne 2007 my weightloss was wonderful and then in mid 2008 it just stopped, no matter what I do it does not go down it goes up. I have been filled and un filled as we call it here. I have suffered three different times from a dilated esophagus, my band gets very tight weeks after the fill, I vomit so hard that I sob afterwards. I have developed all over again GERD, night reflux and a bit of a cough. I have re gained 20 pounds and all I get from my Dr. is well maybe this is where your supposed to be with your weight, well no I don't think so. I requested a revision with the same Surgeon last year and I was refused twice by my health plan due to new guiodelines and such. I exercise daily and walk and yes I even still watch my diet and no matter what I am regaining and not losing. My question is can the lap band become defective after so many adjustments in the port and a few times the nurse could not find the right area in the port and I would get stuck several times. would a new Lap Band help resolve these issues I don't know and the last time I seen the Dr. he was in such a hurry that he rushed me through the appointment due to his office being over booked. I eat very little due to the pain with swallowing and the vomiting. I contacted the Dr. on Thursday and well no one even gets bak withme. Maybe I need a different Bariatric Dr. This surgery is supposed to help the patient not make them get worse.

    Hi there- if i was in your postiion here is what i would do.. I would call eht doctor and schedule a Upper GI /barium swallow to check to see if there is a possible slip of the band- causing you to tighten up like that. If all that is good- have with you a log printed off thru a calorie counter website that tracks your food intake and what evercise you did for that day-- if you arent already doing that you may realize that you are getting too few calories or too many calories... take that with you and have a planned meeting wiht the doctor and have him have the nutritionist there with him.... tell him you want answers... you expect support and that you will be in once a month to review wtih them this so they can get an game plan to get your weight loss jump started. Tell the office you want the last appointment of the day... so therefore they cant rush you out of the office. Also, yoiu might be like me who swells very easily-- therefore i had to get small fills more often--- see if that will help with the fill/unfill process and your eating. Also, make sure you are really following the lapband rules-- how big of bites you are taking, chewing, waiting before the next bite- things like that.... really make a effort to ensure you are doing all that corret to see if it could be user error so to speak--- especially if you have had it for a while and maybe going back to old habits.... everytime after an stuck episode- are you goign to liquids to wait for the swelling to go down before trying to cram food down the band again? All of these are just suggestions... I hope something i said helps--

    If the doctor refuses to sit and councel you with you r meals- i would look elsewhere for a different doc- but be careful alot dont want to take others patients.


  9. I've had 3 slips & I don't think I ever noticed (the time) it slipped. Yours does not sounds like a slipage to me. I currently have my 3rd slip & I started noticing I could eat things I shouldn't be able to eat & be able to eat more & more. Then the acid reflux @ night started. I got a barium swallow today & I have a serious slip. I've got to call my surgeon tomorrow.

    Tracy

    Personally with my slipped band- i was so tight had acid reflux at night - and was very very sick with it--- my band did not open up-- it closed up and no food would stay down. I know they say it is different for every person but i believe that this more than likely isnt a slip... my slip happened bc i was violently throwing up from a bad gall bladder.


  10. Hi there- i am living your worst nightmare---- I found out i had a slipped band on 10-1-10 and immediately they took me straigth upstairs to surgery-- to hopefully fix the band-- I was over a year from the first surgery hit goal at 9 months and at 114 lb loss when i found out i slipped-- well, surgeon stayed in there for 3 hours trying to fix band- my stomach was too swollen and no way he could get it on.... I go for my follow up tomorrow-- I have been suffering from depression and am frustrated that i am gaining almost 1 lb per day this week- staying strictly under my calories and working out---- After surgery- my dr did tell my family i was still a band candidate-- just needed to let stomach heal--- I am very scared to hear what he says tomorrow-- the possibility of not being able to have the band back in or a sleeve even.... I worked so hard to get here adn was so disciplined-- and still am-- but my body doesnt respond like it did with the band.... I will keep you updated... my best advise to you- is to make sure you go to liquids- or anything that doesnt cause you to be sick so you arent swollen when you go into surgery.... Best of luck to you... feel free to message me if you have any questions.


  11. Honestly.... I know its hard to do- stop stressing and obsessing over it-- your body will react to stress by holding on to weight.... take one weekend- and jsut relax- dont think about the band - or exercise.... just be normal.... take a 2 day vacation from it.. then Monday hit the gym... I promise- everytime i was stressing over the scale not moving-- it got worse- out of frustration on weekend I said - FORGET IT... and let lose- went out to eat with friends.... slept in instead of hitting the gym.... and just lived life... got up Monday morning dreading geting on that scale--- it was down! So i started back with my routine again....

    Sometimes you need to let yourself relax ...I know easier said than done.... I need to follow my words of wisdom.


  12. Hey Jordan, i think youi might need a fill - to hit your sweet spot and help with the hunger.. BUT in saying that- 2 things to remember... 1. there is no surgery to help you with the head hunger... you are going to have to fight taht on your own and it can honestly make you feel starving. 2. even though the lapband will help with true hunger- it is still all about decisions - what you choose to eat and no fill or amount of restriction is going to stop you from eating the slidder foods... you have to make the decision to eliminate those from your diet until you can learn how to control them.

    One rule that i think is most important is - every meal or everytime you are hungry- eat solid Proteins - then allow yourself to move on to other items.... you will fill up on the Proteins and not have room for the other stuff.... your head might tell you - you do-- but you will find out very soon you dont!

    Good luck to you.


  13. Stress- Yes can greatly effect my band.... My band got way too tight 3 months after a fill .... and i was rapidly losing weight and heartburn started- i went back in and got an unfill - felt so much better... honestly I havent gone in to get another fill since then- and that was in May. BUt I had reached goal so I didnt need to be in weight loss mode anymore anyway. It still amazes me how the stress does this- but i have always known stress in my body doesnt do good things.... usually i get severly sick- now i guess my band tightens! lol!


  14. I was self pay and i can honestly say- if I would have known what i know now- I would have worked 4 jobs to put away the money and do it sooner in life.. In 9 months my life completely changed.

    I went from 242 lbs to 135 - losing 108 lbs and hitting goal-- I am now (bouncing) between 130-132 and am ok with that... it keeps me under goal... I went from wearing a 18/20 and some 22's to 4's and 6's... and really big 8's bc i dont want to spend anymore money on clothes.... I actually did get in some 2's but I dont know if the brand just runs big.

    I feel healthy- live life now... not embarassed- but am still working on my image in my mind-- but I think that will only come with time- there is no surgery to use as a tool for that!


  15. Thanks for sharing! I find this all very interesting and helpful. I'm an emotional eater and my weight is 195 lbs. My BMI is about 33, so I'm assuming that my weight loss will be very gradual, provided I can change my habits to make it happen. Luckily I enjoy fruits and veggies. Unfortunately they just don't seem to sustain me and I reach for other things that may not be so good for me. I'm hoping that the slow absorption of food will help me stay full longer with the fruit and salads, and keep me way from the candy bars, chips and ice cream. I also love to work out, but since I've put on so much weight my stamina has decreased greatly, which affects my motivation. I'm hoping the LAP-BAND® will help to jump-start me back to the way I was 5 years ago.

    Hey- wanted to give you a helpful tip! First of all, it is great you love veggies and fruits... but the food you need to concentrate on EVERY meal first and eat it all then move on to veggies then fruits- is Proteins... lean meats! Fish, chicken, turkey, pork, beef serlion.... you need to up the Proteins first and foremost then eat veggies and fruits.

    The reason for this is-- solid forms of Protein will stick with you longer... make you feel full longer- you wont want to snack inbetween meals and you will lose weight at a quicker pace.

    I know it's a tool and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to make good choices. However, for those moments that we make bad choices, does it still help to keep the caloric intake down?

    I wont be able to cut out ice cream permanently, but I do make a lot of good choices in between my ice cream habit.

    Thanks for all the helpful information. I think it's important to hear the stories of those who weren't successful, as that information can help other's to make better informed choices.


  16. I did it!

    With all the stress of my wedding hitting right as i lost 100 lbs... I forgot one of my goals was to post in this thread!

    I lost 100 lbs about 8 and a half months from having surgery... that left me 8 lbs to go to get to my goal of 135. My 9 months and 1 week I was at goal.

    I am now 11 months from surgery and had made the decision i would like to be 130 ish so that way i wouldnt go over my goal with Water weight in a day(so strange how my mind works now! )

    Well I can honestly say i am down 111 lbs.. as of right now and holding....

    Seriously 111 lbs.... I still cant get my mind around the whole thing- I am amazed constantly on clothes that fit... and the sizes-- I was so used to and embarrased to be in the fitting room and say- ummm these 18's or 20's dont fit- i need a larger size.... so i would just leave.. NOW-- i am like.. wow, these 6's are a little big- do you think i would fit in the 4's.... seriously what a change...

    I know there have been so many successful people with the lapband- and I just want to say I am proud of each and every one of you....

    Congrats on taking back your life and your health!


  17. honestly... i followed south beach throughout my weightloss process with the band... and have seen great success and hit my goal in 9 months and 1 week. Now i still pretty much follow southbeach still, but here and there i allow some chips- with my Protein, or a little pasta(if the band lets me) and if i see the scale go up a little i just do a day or two back to strictly Proteins and veggies/beans. But this is how I think normal eating should be- but before surgery we just allowed ourselves to eat all the carb/fat crap everyday. Its all about moderation. I wish you success.


  18. Cheri... I agree with so much of your post!

    I have a wonderful doctor myself, who is very well respected in my area... like your doctor he did tell me to make sure to EAT the Protein... not to rely on the Protein drinks-- that they would stall your weight loss or you would lose slower. The only time I ever did Protein drinks was in the beginning before I could eat food.

    As for nuts, my doctor didnt tell me about the nuts, but I did keep a journal of my food and would compare it to how much I lost for the week. I immediately noticed that the weeks I ate nuts... no weight loss and sometimes I would even gain! I cut those out quick and did just fine. So I couldnt agree more- for my body nuts were just not good!

    The only difference I have in what you have stated is my doctor said that with the lapband he would get 80% of the weight off - the rest was up to me. He told me this since the first time that I met with him. Set those expectations from the beginning. I was determined to hit my goal and I knew that most of the weight loss would happen in the first 6 -9 months... he told me get the weight off during the first year. So I went on and ate just like he told me too- got my protein in thru eating a solid piece of protein first every meal and then ate veggies if I had room. I cut out nuts, Pasta, bread, rice, sweets and alcohol. I found that if I stuck to the simple rule of eat my solid protein first when hungry-- I never had room for the other crap. I hit my goal 9 months and 1 week after surgery.. 108lb down! I went from 242 to 134. I am currently going for 130 just because I have found that I have a 5 lb flucuation and I want to always stay at my goal weight. I am also back at the gym again... doing weight training to tone up.

    I really appreciate my doctor telling me the things he did and being realistic with me- by doing that he was the key to my success. Also, when I hit my 80% mark he said- step it up -- the rest is up to you!

    This has been a great journey - I have learned so much about myself and ways to better myself.


  19. hey there, first off- one thing that might help you is South Beach- it is like Atkins High Protein diet EXCEPT it allows for good healthy carbs.. Beans, lettuce, and veggies.. more of a well balanced meal. I know i did this many times and when I would get that feeling you are talking about - I would up my veggie/bean intake and it helped fight that off. South Beach is about healthy balanced meals and lean proteins... I have followed South Beach while banded and I truly believe it has aided me in my quick weight loss along with the band.

    Basically concentrate on your Protein first at your meal and eat veggies. You still stay away from breads, crackers, Pasta and chips - but with the veggies and Beans it is some carbs.

    Best of luck to you. I am sure you will do great


  20. All of a sudden I just realized how happy I am!!! I was banded on February 23. I was a little scared but really wanted this. For some reason I just realized it has not been a tough road so far. Its just so doable. I dont feel like if im starving. I was on a liquid diet for 7 weeks and got my first fill on the 8th week. Not even the 7 weeks of liquids were horrible. I figured ive been stuffing my face all my life why cant I just be on a liquid diet for 7 weeks. I think the attitude has so much to do with it.

    I Cook huge meals for my family yet dont feel bad if I cant eat what they are eating. There are days I wish I could have lost more by now, but all of a sudden people all over are noticing that Im looking SKINNY!!! What a great feeling.

    Im working out so that makes me feel better. Skin is really getting loose but that has motivated me to get into the gym so that things fall into the right place when I get to my goal weight.

    Any way just wanted to share how Happy Ive been feeling ever since Ive been banded and wondering if everyone feels the same way. I know some people feel deprived many times after weight loss surgery.

    I am currently at 193 lbs. I had not been under 200 lbs for over 7 years or more....so I feel Great!!!:thumbup::w00t:

    I couldnt agree more with you! I think that it is the attitude I went into sugery with and kept with that has made a huge impact on my success! This is why I have lost so much so fast! You are doing great and keep up the good work AND great attitude! :redface:


  21. I have been craving pancakes for a couple of months now. After church today, I went out for Breakfast and ordered some. I ate about 4 bites, was in extreme pain and had to go to the ladies room to vomit. I'm really good about eating in public, I always eat slowly so I don't have to get sick. But today was a must. A lady in the restroom asked if I was sick - of course I said "I think so", I didn't want to go into the long sordid story about WHY I wasn't sposed to be eating pancakes in the first place!

    Lesson learned. But those 4 bites were awfully good!

    Blessings!

    Marci

    not to laugh at your expense.. but bet you dont crave those pancakes anymore!!!!!!!!! My uncle who has had lap band done about 2 years ago.. told me -- if you ever have a craving that you can't get rid of-- go eat whatever that craving is... once you get sick on it.. that craving is gone!

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