KariWI

Hi, I really would like to be able to keep in touch with all of you waiting for December surgery and as we progress on our way to success. Maybe start with Date of surgery, Where banded, Present weight and goal weight. Of course, add anything else that is helpful to others or if you need some words of encouragement hopefully someone here will step up and help us. I will be banded 12/12/06 Banded in Wisconsin Starting Weight 266 Goal 140

Had to be in Meriter at 6:00 AM for 8:30 surgery. Found our way and after the registration grinches everyone else was very nice. Kathey was our beginning nurse. She explained the procedures, got me in my gown, signed papers, gave me a shot of heparin. Dr. Garren came in and went over a few things, nothing really new. They wheeled me to pre op surgery area. I had to say good bye to Jim here and that was very very hard. The nurse, Bonnie was nice but unorganized and talked to herself. Did not instill confidence. The anesthesiologist came in and she was nice. Offered to put the IV in as Bonnie was struggling. The anesthesiologist tried 3 times on my left hand and finally got it on my right upper arm. Hurt like hell. I really thought about bailing out. It made me feel like when you are having a baby and you want to call it off in the middle of the process but know that you cannot. Went into the operating room and everyone was busy. Dr. Garren helped get me on the table. I was just about to get panicy and she put the mask over my face and told me to breathe. That was it. I woke up in the recovery room and hurt. The nurse told me she was sorry but she could not give me pain meds as my bp was low. She rotated the table to try and help and paged the anesthiologist. I really hurt and finally she got the okay to give me some pain meds. My bp stayed okay and she could give me more. Then I went to my room on floor 9. I was with another cantankerous lady for my roommate. She gave everyone probs that came in to help her. I went down to xray for a swallow test and even stood up. After that was okay I was given water. Before I could leave I had to get off the oxygen and pee. I did both and we headed home around 6:00. Had to go to Walgreens for the liquid pain meds so that wasn't planned but worked okay. Did not sleep worth a hoot and hurt but made it through the night. Nothing sounds or looks good but I am trying. The protein powder makes my stomach turn so I ordered some protein powder that is suppose to be less thick and more fruit flavored instead of vanilla or chocolate. I got to take a shower on thursday AM. that felt good and I got some of the goo off my stomach. I went for awhile with only tylenol for pain but took some of the rx later in the afternoon. I have been blue and feeling discouraged about eating but I am sure I am just being inpatient. The cold pack on my belly and the heating pad on my back is helpful. I am going to walk tomorrow for sure. If nothing else I need to get out and get the stink blown off. I am very surprised about how depressed and bad I feel but I also know that it will be better in a couple of days.

Gretchen did my 3rd fill, it was approx. 1/4 cc. She found it right away but it has been sore and she bruised me. I can feel the port so much more. I think the fill is great right now. I was just reading lap band talk and it said that even when you hit "sweet spot" you will need to be filled more as you lose weight. Gretchen wanted to see me in 4 weeks but I made it for 5 weeks.I had lost 6 lbs.

Gretchen did my 3rd fill, it was approx. 1/4 cc. She found it right away but it has been sore and she bruised me. I can feel the port so much more. I think the fill is great right now. I was just reading lap band talk and it said that even when you hit "sweet spot" you will need to be filled more as you lose weight. Gretchen wanted to see me in 4 weeks but I made it for 5 weeks.I had lost 6 lbs.

Thanks Socalgal !!!!!!

Kaelin's G-Ma Okay I plead ignorant. What is evoo????

I just got back from my 2nd fill. Dr. Gould had alot more trouble finding my port. I had lost 11 lbs so he would only put in 1/2 cc of saline, might be a blessing. I met with Diane in the AM and she is utterly useless. I have learned nothing from her and she always yawns while she is talking to me. I went out afterwards and got some new clothes. I totally deserved it. I got four tops for SPI for $60 and 2 pair of convertible pants for SPI that Linda had told me about. A got a top at Gordmans that I have on now. And a pair of jeans at Herbergers that are to big but were on sale for $14 and atleast they aren't as big as the other ones I had before. Oh my god, the tops...all the tops are XL. Not 3X, not 2X not 1X but XL. They are tight but they won't be for long. My convertible pants are 18!!!!!! I listened to IL DIVO on the way home and I was sooo happpy. I want to have this weight off before Brandon's wedding and dance with Jim. That is my ultimate dream. I dont' see Diane again for 6 months so I hope to be below 190 when I see her again. I have an appt with Dr. Gould for 6 weeks incase I need another fill. IF I don't need it I will have to call and see if he still wants to see me.

I just got back from my 2nd fill. Dr. Gould had alot more trouble finding my port. I had lost 11 lbs so he would only put in 1/2 cc of saline, might be a blessing. I met with Diane in the AM and she is utterly useless. I have learned nothing from her and she always yawns while she is talking to me. I went out afterwards and got some new clothes. I totally deserved it. I got four tops for SPI for $60 and 2 pair of convertible pants for SPI that Linda had told me about. A got a top at Gordmans that I have on now. And a pair of jeans at Herbergers that are to big but were on sale for $14 and atleast they aren't as big as the other ones I had before. Oh my god, the tops...all the tops are XL. Not 3X, not 2X not 1X but XL. They are tight but they won't be for long. My convertible pants are 18!!!!!! I listened to IL DIVO on the way home and I was sooo happpy. I want to have this weight off before Brandon's wedding and dance with Jim. That is my ultimate dream. I dont' see Diane again for 6 months so I hope to be below 190 when I see her again. I have an appt with Dr. Gould for 6 weeks incase I need another fill. IF I don't need it I will have to call and see if he still wants to see me.

I am going for my mtg with the nutritionist tomorrow and then my 2nd fill. In between I am going to go shopping for SPI. I have such mixed feeling on what to say to both of them. I feel restriction sometimes. It is never when I eat certain things and other times I can eat and eat and it never feels like I have restriction. I know I am eating to fast and with to big of bites. I ate so much at the restaurant a couple of weeks ago that it scared me. I ate tuna a week ago and had maybe 1 Tbsp with mayo eaten and I got the worst pain in my chest and was really sick for several hours. I really cannot figure it out. I want more restriction as I do belive I am eating more than I am suppose to. I don't know how the weight loss has gone as I have been going more by how my clothes feel. I think I have lost. I want to get my weight #s from each time I was at the doctors tomorrow so that I am more accurate. I know my scales are way off from the doctors. I have settled on 172 as my start as I know I was atleast that when I originally went to Dr. Millers. Actually I think it was 176 but I am not going to go there. Last time I weighed here I was 132 but I have been eating more this weekend as we are snowed in. I wish I would of gotten busy and went to the gym today but it is closed now. I will try and get there tomorrow and I also tan Tues AM.

I am going for my mtg with the nutritionist tomorrow and then my 2nd fill. In between I am going to go shopping for SPI. I have such mixed feeling on what to say to both of them. I feel restriction sometimes. It is never when I eat certain things and other times I can eat and eat and it never feels like I have restriction. I know I am eating to fast and with to big of bites. I ate so much at the restaurant a couple of weeks ago that it scared me. I ate tuna a week ago and had maybe 1 Tbsp with mayo eaten and I got the worst pain in my chest and was really sick for several hours. I really cannot figure it out. I want more restriction as I do belive I am eating more than I am suppose to. I don't know how the weight loss has gone as I have been going more by how my clothes feel. I think I have lost. I want to get my weight #s from each time I was at the doctors tomorrow so that I am more accurate. I know my scales are way off from the doctors. I have settled on 172 as my start as I know I was atleast that when I originally went to Dr. Millers. Actually I think it was 176 but I am not going to go there. Last time I weighed here I was 132 but I have been eating more this weekend as we are snowed in. I wish I would of gotten busy and went to the gym today but it is closed now. I will try and get there tomorrow and I also tan Tues AM.

Hi all It has been a long time since I have posted, just been busy. I also started going to the fitness center. I have arthritis in my knees and that makes it all really hard. Treadmill was painfull but I did find a machine where I sit and push against restriction with my legs and pull with my arms. It just feels so good to be able to do something physical. An added bonus is my husband joined with me so it is something we can do together, eventually we want to take dance classes. Hopefully that will be possible with less weight on my knees. I have so many incentives to get this weight off. My son just got engaged and the wedding will be in about a year. I keep picturing my husband and I dancing at the wedding reception whenever I think of eating something I shouldn't. Not that it is all sunshine and flowers and I can relate to some of the obstacles some of you are working through. I really don't feel very much restriction at all after my first fill and my second is tomorrow and I hope it goes well. I leave in a week for TX for 10 days and I am worried about that being a problem as I will have very little choice in what is served. Good to hear how all of you are doing. Hang in there it will all come together in the end.

This week I had the monster of all stucks. I ate almonds at work and when I started getting the full feeling I quit. Well it grew and grew and so I wnt to the frig at work and gulped cold water. It was like having brain freeze in my esophagus. I broke out in a sweat and didn't have a clue what I was going to do. I finally stuck my finger down my throat and the water came up and then I felt so much better.

This week I had the monster of all stucks. I ate almonds at work and when I started getting the full feeling I quit. Well it grew and grew and so I wnt to the frig at work and gulped cold water. It was like having brain freeze in my esophagus. I broke out in a sweat and didn't have a clue what I was going to do. I finally stuck my finger down my throat and the water came up and then I felt so much better.

I had my first fill one week ago and I really do not feel much restriction at all. My doctor would not do the initial fill until 6 weeks after surgery and did 1 cc. He won't do the 2nd for another 5 weeks. I feel like I am able to eat about anything. I can eat chicken and beef if its marinated or in some kind of sauce which isn't a great idea for weight loss. I got some chicken stuck thursday and then did a dumb thing and took a couple drinks of cold water thinking I would help it slide down. It was like the pressure of the chicken and then a brain freeze only in my esophagus. I was sooo miserable. I finally put my finger down my throat and the water came up and that helped. I don't ever want to do that again. I hope most of you are feeling more restriction than I am. I keep telling myself to have patience.

I went to Madison and got my fill. It was very simple, the numbing shot burned for a short period of time and then I had to lift my head and tighten my abdominal muscles while he filled. He had a student with him so it was kinda kewl listening to what he was telling him. He said that he knew he was in the port because it almost pulls the saline in without pushing the plunger. He put in 1cc. I have not tried to eat since except for a mozarella stick. I'll write more later about how that goes as I have time. I am going to join the fitness center tomorrow as I know I need to get some exercise. I didn't hear from dr. Brooks office today so I am assuming I won't have a second interview. Hopefully I can learn MaryAnn's job and spend most of my time up on Warren Street.

I went to Madison and got my fill. It was very simple, the numbing shot burned for a short period of time and then I had to lift my head and tighten my abdominal muscles while he filled. He had a student with him so it was kinda kewl listening to what he was telling him. He said that he knew he was in the port because it almost pulls the saline in without pushing the plunger. He put in 1cc. I have not tried to eat since except for a mozarella stick. I'll write more later about how that goes as I have time. I am going to join the fitness center tomorrow as I know I need to get some exercise. I didn't hear from dr. Brooks office today so I am assuming I won't have a second interview. Hopefully I can learn MaryAnn's job and spend most of my time up on Warren Street.

Hi everyone. I usually take time on the weekend to catch up with everyone and see how ya'all are doing. I have my first fill tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it. The last 2 weeks I have been hungry and felt no restriction. Guess the swelling is all down because I did feel some for the first 4 weeks after surgery. I'm sure my surgeon will be conservative with the fill and I just hope it is enough to make a difference. I am really not nervous about the actual procedure of getting the fill.

bk I will be praying for your dad. bman I'm sorry for your experience and your pain. It took so much strength to focus on getting yourself to a place that you want to be for yourself. I was proud of myself for walking by a table full of cookies at work all day today. Baby steps.

1/8/07 and 1/9 Went tot he support group on Monday night. Jim went with me. the first hour was a group mtg on setting goals. I didn't learn alot I didn't know and like most mtgs a few people spoke, some intellingent with good ideas and some just plain dumb. The 2nd hour was more interesting with a break out group of just lapband people. The furthest out from surgery was about 9 month, then some of us just out, and several preop. I sat next to a really nice woman and gave her my email address looking for a friend but she hasn't emailed me. I am anxious for my 1st fill as I am hungry now and can eat anything. The next day I went back in to see Diane and I could of saved the drive. She gave me some sheets and told me to start eating solids so my pouch learns to work. I seem to be stuck weight loss wise at 240 or so. I know I need to exercise.

1/8/07 and 1/9 Went tot he support group on Monday night. Jim went with me. the first hour was a group mtg on setting goals. I didn't learn alot I didn't know and like most mtgs a few people spoke, some intellingent with good ideas and some just plain dumb. The 2nd hour was more interesting with a break out group of just lapband people. The furthest out from surgery was about 9 month, then some of us just out, and several preop. I sat next to a really nice woman and gave her my email address looking for a friend but she hasn't emailed me. I am anxious for my 1st fill as I am hungry now and can eat anything. The next day I went back in to see Diane and I could of saved the drive. She gave me some sheets and told me to start eating solids so my pouch learns to work. I seem to be stuck weight loss wise at 240 or so. I know I need to exercise.

Hi Gang, I have been so busy, I haven't posted for a long time. Went to see nutritionist today (4 weeks postop) So now I am on solids. She wants me to try things as says it is imperative that the stomach learn how to contract and expand as needed so I can eat "normal" Then in 2 more weeks I go for my first fill. They will not even talk about fill prior to 6 weeks post op. I went to our bariatric clinic support group last night and the first hour was about setting goals and the 2nd hour we broke up into lapband and gastric bypass groups. It was interesting as in the lapband group (about 15 people) was varied. Some were preop, some new postops and some were at goal. We just picked each others brains with the nurtitionist and nurse practitioner jumping in when necessary. I felt sorry for 2 people there as they have insurance that requires 24 months of doctor managed dieting prior to insurance determining if they will pay for surgery. I hadn't been here for awhile and so I had several pages of posts to read. I have came to the conclusion that some of you are to hard on yourselves. Everyone stumbles and to my way of thinking eating the top off a pizza is one heck of alot better than eating the whole piece. Take the postives from these experiences. Heavens knows most of us have had that little negative chatterbox talking in our heads for a long time and we need to shut him up. (why do I imagine him as male) I am working as hard on the emotional part of this as the eating part because I know if I don't change some of my thinking I'll never be successful at getting this weight off or keeping it off. Thanks for the book suggestion I'll get it asap. Well, good luck to all of you. I'll try to get here more often in the future.

Welcome to the new December bandsters. I don't get on every day and it seems like when I do get here I have an hour of catch up with everyone to do. Please don't think I'm ignoring anyone. StephC- I can totally relate to your posts and feeling restriction at first and not any at all now. My surgeon put me on mushies the day after surgery and then solids at 4 weeks. Prior to that I see the nutritionist. Like you my first fill will be 1/22. I had a "weird" experience. Last night I had a terrible tightness in my chest. I didn't think I had eaten anything to cause probs but now wonder if I just "out of habit" picked up a piece of hamburger I had fixed for my family and ate it and don't even remember. Anyway..I thought I was gonna die. It hurt to move, it hurt to lay, it hurt to breathe, I tried drinking water and that made it worse. I broke out in a sweat and my mouth watered like I was going to vomit, but didn't. It finally started to ease some over time and just very slowly resolved itself. I wish I knew what I had done to cause that and I'd for sure never do it again. I do have pineapple juice on hand as one of the "veterans" in another site said it works as human drano if you need it. I was about 1 minute from trying it when things started to get better. I hope everyone had a Happy New Years eve and we all have a successful and healthy 2007.

Cherg- I don't think I could give you any advise any better than Jahair. I wish you good health in the near future. Please make that your goal.

Hi all NN- One of my goals is to stop the "scale mentality". If I eat healthy, exercise, and use the tools that I have in my bariatric surgery notebook I will get to where I need to be both mentally and physically. Our society as a whole is so impatient ( I include myself in that). We chose the lapband knowing that we were not going to drop the weight like gastric bypass patients but that we wanted to learn how to keep it off during the process of losing the weight. As I read the threads everyone loses at different speeds and some feel restriction from the very beginning and some not until the 3rd or 4th fill. It is a journey for all of us, some of it we have to do alone but always with the support of friends and fellow lapbanders. Wow did I get philosphical or what. Didn't mean to get "preachy" to anyone, I am the last one to be able to do that but we are all works in progress. Beversman- You didn't mention how your incisions looked when you went to the doctor. Some of the things you eat my surgeon already called mushies like oatmeal. I have 2 more weeks on mushies and I'm trying to get creative so I don't get bored of them. StephC- Sounds like you have a great surgeon!!! That is a wonderful support system. Paloma- There are instructions on how to add a ticker under the preop thread I think. I have found two sites where you can build your own and then paste the url to your signature. One is tickerfactory.com and then other is choosing2lose.com. bkwalling- Sorry your neighbor sabatoged you with Milky Way. Forgive yourself and go on from here is all you can do. If you learned how to handle her the next time she swoops in then it was a experience to help you along the way.

Hi everyone. I am 2 1/2 weeks out of surgery and feeling really good. All stomach soreness gone and the arthritis in my knees is better already. I experience some light headedness and wonder if my blood pressure meds need to be adjusted. I'll check it out soon. Sometimes I am hungry but I find if I get busy I can forget about it so it was more "head hunger". I had left over pumpkin pie and had been fighting it so threw it in the garbage disposal this AM. Felt good. Carol-my thoughts and prayers are with you husband and you. I updated my ticker today and that felt good. I actually think I am staying pretty much the same on the scales the last few days and that is fine. I knew these first few weeks were about healing. I wish a good day to all of the fellow lapbanders.