BetsyB

Leigha! You're NORMAL--congratulations!! Jacki, I agree. Exercise is THE BEST medicine for me. I have to be careful what I do, but that's more because of other orthopedic issues. But within the parameters dictated by those issues, daily, prolonged, vigorous exercise is key to feeling good, for me. I scrapped the meds, too--though I found Cymbalta to be very helpful for quite a while. (Its effect diminished with time.)

Before my first fill? 16 pounds, if I recall correctly. I didn't stall--my loss has been pretty steady all along. (I really don't count staying the same weight for a few days as a "stall.") But I also only was on liquids for a couple of days; my doctor moves us to purees on Day Three. I kind of chuckled when I read your subject line. "Postop diet" describes what many of us do for months after surgery. I know I've been doing it since January! I just started feeling restriction with my third fill (2 weeks ago). And it's already relaxed enough that whatever weight I'm losing, at this point, is by sheer willpower. Please don't pin tons of hopes on your first fill. It does get the ball rolling toward restriction, but it usually does not give you a great sense of dramatic change.

Utterly untrue. It's true that many people do seek corrective surgery while they still have significant fat stores beneath redundant skin. However, this does not mean that redundant skin is mythological! Skin that has been stretched, long-term, by large amounts of subcutaneous fat may (and often does) remain stretched when the subcutaneous fat is lost. The link you posted may apply to a handful of bodybuilders, but let's be honest--it is not written by someone who has any expertise dealing with bariatric patients and their unique issues.

The Inspire protein powders from bariatriceating.com are outstanding. I am not sure whether they ship overseas, but if they do, they're well worth the shipping fee.

They've seen you lose and regain in the past. I think they're probably apt to just assume you're doing the same thing. Can you just take a "vacation?" The recovery from banding is very short, and unless your job is very physical and requires light duty, there's really no need to discuss it with anyone other than HR (if you need to take medical leave rather than vacation days). I've found it to be easier to just tell people--and have experienced no fallout from it. But I can understand your stance. I just think you're worrying about something that is very likely to be a complete non-issue.

The psych I saw drew it out over THREE appointments, then told me that while he'd clear me for surgery, his evaluation showed that I'd be less likely to succeed with the band than other patients. It pissed me off beyond belief. He had no real explanation for this assessment, except that (a) "An objective test" told him this (he did not identify the test--but I'm pretty sure the MMPI didn't yield this result), (:smile2: the conclusion was based on the fact that I was "too confident" that I could succeed with the band, and © despite my obvious ...whatever...I was completely free of psychopathology. Which means, "The real test tells me you're just fine, but something about your comfort with this procedure bugs me, so I' m going to knock you down a peg or two." (I have to add: this psychologist was NOT among those on my surgeon's list; I chose someone closer to home.) My surgeon got a good laugh from the report---seriously. Really, the guy could not have been more off the mark. The insurance needed the clearance---not the nonsense. Please don't worry too much about this. They are all, as my doctor says, "a little special."

Yep, they'll need to stop claiming you as a dependent if they're not willing or able to provide coverage to you. (Do they have a policy you could be added to? Maybe they would be willing to do so if you paid the difference in premiums; that might end up being less costly than purchasing your own coverage, and it may provide more coverage than you can afford on your own.) Failing that, I would strongly recommend that you look into the info Jax provided--it sounds like your best bet.

Well, the volume of food--and amount of residue remaining--diminishes markedly postop. Bowel habits really do change. So, I wouldn't freak out or be too, too concerned unless you're experiencing abdominal discomfort, distension, and the sensation that you have to go, but cannot. However, given that you're 13 days out, I would start taking a stool softener. Not a harsh laxative, and not a saline purge (blah---that'll make you feel gross before it works). Just a nice over-the-counter stool softener. If, after taking it daily for a couple of days, you haven't had results, I think another call to the doctor might be in order.

Bob--welcome back from the Farm. I was beginning to think you'd been lost in a freak combine/thresher accident. What game will provide your next diversion? Dottie--I’m sorry your doctor wasn’t supportive. I am not sure why some doctors seem to approach giving fills as somehow bestowing a great, yet undeserved, gift. I’m with Leigha and Jim--remember that you’re paying him, and that he has a job to do. Heaven knows you’re doing your part of the job very well. Now he needs to do his. Preferably without making you feel bad in the process. (Phhht. Screw his stats. Does he really think they're reflective of his success? They're not.) TJ--I agree 100 percent with you. We have to be responsible for our own bodies. I’ve been remarkably lucky, because my doctor is very well-rounded and we click. But even so, there are decisions I make that don’t quite mesh with his “plan.” I am perfectly fine with that--and so is he. It works well. I’m glad you have a doctor who approaches things with you similarly. I think it makes a tremendous difference. Good aftercare is so important--and having it with a good doctor is a pleasure. Denise--I love your plate NSV! Good luck with the doctor--I hope you get set on a path to get good answers so that you feel well again. Stacey-- I will send a friend request on FB. I’m Betsy Banks-Golub. I’m glad you’re seeing your PCP. Getting your asthma under control will help a lot. But remember, exercise doesn’t have to be punishing in order to be effective. Can you walk without experiencing symptoms? I’m sorry you’re battling depression, too. It can throw a wrench into the works, for sure. There are lots of options for treatment. While some meds can produce weight gain, usually relieving depression makes it easier to comply with eating and exercise plans, so loss is quite often a feature that accompanies recovery. I took Cymbalta for fibromyalgia pain for a few years. It was very helpful in terms of weight loss. It’s one of the antidepressants for which this seems to be a common feature, so it might be worth looking in to. Wellbutrin, too, is frequently chosen because it promotes loss. But in general, the most important thing is getting the depression under control so that the lifestyle stuff can follow. Don't underestimate the value of exercise and good nutrition to reducing depression. Once you're in a better place (both in terms of your asthma and depression), you'll feel the changes these promote, and one good day will be the foundation for the next. Before you know it, you'll have a chain of successes. And that will help motivate you on the days when doing what you need to do just isn't all that appealing. I hope you get good guidance and help and are soon feeling much better. We’re all here for you. HB--That’s quite a video LOL Bobbie--I’m so sorry your “interview” wasn’t an interview. You must be so disappointed. We’ve had to endure the double-unemployment thing, and it’s so, so hard. Your family is in my prayers---I know you will find something soon.

Hi, gang--I've been an absentee, and will go back to catch up with everyone's goings-on later today. I've been swamped! I just wanted to check in --I was homesick! I've been playing with the same 2 pounds since my fill 2 weeks ago---while simultaneously learning how NOT to eat with a band that's providing some restriction (a new one for me). My doctor doesn't have "rules" post fill--just a general, "Listen to your body, and take it easy." And that was fine--until the swelling hit (a day later)---and I got blindsided by a stuck incident. I should have babied it after that, but live and learn. I've since been gradually dipping my toe back into the eating world. Next time? Liquids, then soft foods, and then real food. In no big hurry. Now I can reliably eat (swelling's down, and restriction is far less---I can now tell I will need another fill)----so I am hoping my body will fall off this mini-plateau it's landed on. I am going to shake things up a little to help out, if things don't start moving on their own quickly. Otherwise, things are ....well, okay. Mark's hanging in, but it's been scary for both of us to watch his mental acuity slip. This means, I assume, that his heart is not pumping enough oxygenated blood to his brain. This was already occurring before they dropped his meds, but has been precipitous since. I will be SO glad when his testing is done later this month--I am hoping they will bump up his meds again---at least then, when he feels crappy, he can still think a little more clearly. Otherwise, there's not much news from this end---hope you're all doing well. (Now I will go back to check!) Have a great day, everyone!

Dumping actually can cause a whole-body response that includes dizziness. It can be dreadful. That said, while some bandsters do experience diarrhea in response to sugar, they don't experience the same kind of dumping that people who've had gastric bypass do. If you're experiencing dizziness/lightheadedness in response to sugar, I'd ask the doctor to check for reactive hypoglycemia. It's a more likely culprit.

You will eventually lose the fat in that region. It will likely require getting closer to a normal BMI---but your fat stores will be depleted as you lose weight. Sometimes it comes off in wacky ways---which is annoying, to be sure. Whether or not you will be left with excess skin is another issue altogether. That depends on your age, genetics, how overweight you were, and how long you were overweight. It has very little to do with how fast you lose or what you put on your skin. Muscle laxity in the abdomen can contribute to the belly problem---so continue what you're doing exercise-wise. If you're not doing cardio ---long, steady cardio---I'd add that, too. It will help knock down your BMI faster. It takes time and patience. (And ultimately, it may also take plastic surgery, if what remains after you reach a healthy BMI is excess skin.)

What are you eating? If you were to post a day or two of typical menus, we can give you a little feedback on that. FWIW, my doctor's office considers any loss greater or equal to 5 pounds a month to be right on target.

What are you eating? And in what amounts? Are you taking meds or Vitamins that could be upsetting your stomach? Is it possible that you've increased your activity enough that you're feeling muscles that were annoyed by the surgery protesting a bit? I am not sure that going back to liquids is an approach I'd take--there's no sense going backwards unless you've discussed it with your doctor and determined it's the best approach. I think it might be worth a call to your doctor, if you're concerned. But to me, it doesn't sound particularly ominous. You're only a few weeks from surgery, and there are lots of new sensations as you heal. I hope you feel better fast!

My doctor doesn't require liquids or mushy foods after fills, either. He does recommend, however, that we carefully listen to our bodies. And my body now tells me something completely different, after a fill, than it did after the first couple. As you approach good restriction, you are, as my doctor put it, "toeing the line between good restriction and too much restriction." You have to pay real attention to what your body tells you--and if it tells you, "I need to stick to Fluid or soft stuff until this swelling goes down," you need to do it. Some doctors cut to the chase and make it part of their protocol---because really, most people do need to baby their bands a bit after a fill as they get closer to the sweet spot. If you think you've been pushed a bit past that spot, go in for a little unfill.

I've known a few people to be told this. Vitamin D deficiency usually responds very well to supplementation. Certainly, you want to address the problem. Your doctor will tell you how best to do it. But I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you'll be done with the insurance requirements in six months, you must be working with a very busy surgical practice! A 3-4 month wait after approval might actually jeopardize the approval--especially if starting a new year is involved. Have they given an explanation to you for the long delay? The six-month supervision can start with your very first office visit. Are they really booked solid from October thru January?! Is there another surgeon in your area who accepts your insurance? The six month supervision actually will provide you with a good opportunity to really learn everything you can about the surgery and what you can expect after banding. We all hate THAT wait, but it's for a good reason. However, I would be really reluctant to accept another 3-4 months tacked on without a great reason. I'd be afraid that a doctor who saw so many patients that surgery couldn't be scheduled within a reasonable period is a surgeon who might not be as available as I'd like postoperatively. It might be a faulty assumption--but it does raise my antennae, and I'd want to address that with the doctor before moving ahead.

Bypass is a great surgery for some people. But it causes significant lifelong malabsorption of nutrients--which is something we are thankfully spared. And once the initial honeymoon period, the rate of weight loss success generally equalizes with ours---at a far greater lifestyle and health cost, IMO. You know, if you really want a revision, you can go the bypass route. But I think it's probably more constructive to let go of the grass-is-greener idea. On one hand, you're saying you wish you became ill in response to sugar, and on the other, you're saying that vomiting after being stuck is part of your rationale for wishing you'd had a different surgery. So---which is it? Is vomiting good (keeping you from sugar) or bad ('cause it happens when you get stuck)? From what I've observed, dumping makes stuck look like a walk in the park. I'm sorry you're having buyer's remorse. It's really common--and usually fleeting. I can tell you, we all wish our weight was gone, like yesterday. If, after really giving banded living a good try, you still are dissatisfied, you always can revise to bypass. You wouldn't be the first. As an aside to the poster who mentioned skin sagging: It has very little to do with rate of loss, other than it appears faster in those who deflate faster :smile2:

Awesome! That's just around the corner!

You made it a week---awesome! Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do. There just aren't any other drugs that do so "much" for a person. Think about it. The smoker can use a cigarette for stimulation. OR for relaxation. Without any conscious awareness, you can use more or less---take deeper drags or shallower puffs---to create dose-dependent effects. And you tie it in to all kinds of other behaviors, so it becomes really entrenched in your day-to-day life. (You know: cig with coffee, cig after a meal, cig when you drink alcohol---all those connections with other activities. Those behavioral things are really, really hard to break.) AND YOU'RE DOING IT! Pretty amazing feat, if you ask me! I quit about 11 years ago, but used many crutches, including the patch--which (at my doctor's recommendation) I tapered off of much more slowly than the package recommends. Slowly tapering the nicotine allowed me to work on the habits surrounding smoking (things like the urge to have a cigarette with coffee, after a meal, etc...) so that, by the time all the nicotine was out of my system, I already had formed the new behaviors and felt like a nonsmoker. It was relatively painless (in an excruciating way LOL)---and I really did break that connection between smoking and other behaviors. I have rarely even thought of it since (and I was a long-time smoker with some pretty deeply-entrenched habits). I bring this up only because the recidivism rate with quitting is pretty high. If you backslide (and I'm not saying you will---just offering a tool in case you need it), don't beat yourself up. Just talk to your doctor about things that might bump up your chance of success. Quitting will be THE BEST thing you do for your body. Better than the band, even. And with relation to that, it will make your recovery (and pouch health forever after--because smoking increases risk of ulcers) SO much safer and more comfortable. Great job! And good luck--you can do it!

Yep, all normal.

Yeah, the cell wall thing makes perfect sense. They've shown that steaming veggies makes the nutrients more bioavailable than those in (most) raw veggies for the same reason---the cell wall is softened. It seems to follow that blending would have the same effect. I have a boatload of fresh spinach and berries...now I know how I will use them.

What's holding your doctor back from giving you a fill? What criteria does the doctor use to determine whether you need a fill? It should be a combination of things, including that you are able to overeat, and are doing so because you don't have adequate restriction. Your weight loss is also a factor, but should not be the only one. (For example, I'm losing at a rate consistent with good restriction. However, if I tell my doctor I'm losing because I'm white-knuckling it, he knows that a fill is appropriate.) Be sure to be forthright with him about what you are eating and how your body responds. Be specific. Tell him things like, "If I eat 4 ounces of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies, I'm not 'full,' but I'm no longer hungry. However, within x minutes, I'm hungry again." If he has a specific eating plan, it's a good idea to be as compliant as possible so that you can report to him, within the context of what he expects you to eat, your results. Again, in terms such as, "I am sticking to the x ounces per meal you recommended. But it is not satisfying; I am hungry at the end of a meal (or within 90 minutes, or whatever...)." My point is that one of the criteria used by doctors to determine readiness for a fill is patient compliance. Many doctors realize that it requires superhuman effort to comply when starving, and use that to gauge the need for adjustment. Others get pissy when their "rules" aren't being followed---and pissy can equal punitive, if you don't then get a fill. If you have to wheedle a single cc from your doctor, I'm betting he's in the latter camp. And in that case, you need to play his game to get what you need. (Or, better, find a doctor who will give you adjustments when you need them, without requiring that you jump through hoops.) Re: the 5-day pouch test. It can be a really good way to get back on track. But if you have difficulty day-to-day, it might be more extreme than you want or need. It might work better to commit to eating the way you've been instructed to eat. (My problem with the pouch test is that it perpetuates the overeat-crash diet mentality that the band is geared to help us break free from.)

The incisions are tiny, but your body's been through a lot. Sharp pain is typical. Often, it's related to the gas they introduce to the abdomen to make room for their instruments and manipulations. Don't hesitate to take pain meds prescribed to you and, as much as you can, get up and walk, walk, walk. It really does help.

Vomiting can sort of set up a cycle that can be tricky to interrupt. I would ask your doctor (either your surgeon or PCP) for a prescription antiemetic. Nipping the vomiting in the bud will allow your stoma to heal, so that the cycle stops.