fool4dance

Bonus for you is, even if the boys are tall and thin and in no worry of their weight, their hearts and health can be a totally different matter. Keep in mind this isn't just a body image we are working towards but better overall health. Your boys are benefiting so much more than you think!

Slime or slimming. Happens when you over eat or something gets stuck. My experience (which has occured 5 times since surgery) has been that something is stuck. I get a heavy feeling in my chest and then I can feel my esphogas working to rid the object. It's kind of like puking but, for me, comes out in what can only be described as a luggie. A ball of slime surronds the object and then it comes back up. When you finally do "throw up" the object it's coated fully in slime. Thus sliming. Hope this helps and more importantly you never do it.

Cancelling fill 5 for the time being. Got my fourth fill last Monday. Stuck for the first time Saturday and thought maybe I just ate to fast. Stuck again Sunday but attributed it to again eating to fast. Today I got stuck on a small bite of eggplant. I think it's official, my restriction does not need enchanced. Sadly it happened at work for the first time and a few of my coworkers watched me race out of the lunch meeting. Another happened to be in the bathroom while the food worked itself out and I slimmed. Keep in mind my coworkers don't know I was banded. Eye brows were raised and I'm waiting for the questions to fly.

It hurts. It's a heavy feeling in my throat and chest. You know that it's just sitting there. It was followed by the immediate salivation that preceeds throwing up. Or in the case of a stuck bander, slimming. I can feel my espophagus working to process the blockage. I did postpone my fill for the time being.

Fear of the unknown is common. You'll do fine though you will have bouts of doubt and fear. Just know that most of us here did! I know I did!

Should be able to. It is likely that your surgeon will require an Endoscopy to see if an ulcer is present. I have had a long history of reflux and was required an Endoscopy as part of my pre-op process. It is better to know before going in if an ulcer is present. They can treat the ulcer and still band. If they don't treat it serious complications are going to mean a removal or worse.

Hey Kay, It is because you haven't had a fill. About 3-4 weeks out for me I noticed I could eat more than I thought I should. Further out I could eat anythign I wanted with no difficulty. The fill will change things. The thing I kept telling myself before the first fill was to use this time as practice for what's to come. Try to keep your meal servings measured and less than I cup. I know that mine stayed between 4-6 ounces and I lost throughout the period some others maintained. Good Luck!

Because you know it never really was about corn chips. The comfort that you are seeking isn't in the chips like they used to be. Grieve the loss of a friend. Find friends to share in a moment before you let all the joy seep in. Corn chips won't fill the hole your feeling left by Fred and Rita. But the coming days of happines for your family will!

My office requires no food 1 hour before, but fluids throughout. I asked Dr. Perlman why? Her explanation was that they want food to have passed through so nothing gets stuck during the fill. Our office isn't as strict though as most others. We do liquids for 6 hours after, softs that night and return to solids the next day. Giving the new restriction time to settle in.

To start.. If you weren't nervous then you haven't thought about this completely. The decision to band or not to band is personal. I think to be succesfull you have to committ to the decision. My preop consisted of an endoscopy, sleep study, psych eval, a visit to a hematologist, more "other" labs, and a letter signed off by my Rhuemaltologist. A psych eval is pretty standard insurance requirement. The rest is determined by your personal health assesment. I recommend the lap band. I can't imagine going forward with out it at this point. The morning of surgery though I wasn't convinced and almost didn't go. Most people will have their "what am I doing" moment. Read everything you can. Make an informed decision for your self. This isn't a quick fix but a tool for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!! Bandit and I are living happily ever after.

"A Slipped Band is not a BIG Deal, quit your whining it can be fixed. To who ever said this to you... BOO! That is such crud. I so adore you for holding your head up and taking a stance for your self. Band slippage is a big deal. We discussed it in depth at a support group Monday night. Band slippage and self injury of our bands are the strongest fears shared by bandsters. That you actually experienced it is sad and dissapointing. I'm only 2 months and 30 pounds out and if someone told me that my band slipped, and heavens to bessy, they had to take it away... My spirit would be crushed! Stay positive. I love your posts, your attitude and your fortitude!!!!

1. My health. I was recently diagnosed with Rhuematoid Arthritis, my hips are a nightmare. Lucky me though I come from a family with a long history of OsteoArthritis as well. Yep active in my joints as well. Neither will be cured but I can slow down the deterioration. 2. Missing out on events and places with friends. I skipped some great Rockies baseball tickets this year, I just never get comforatble. There are bars and restraunts I avoid because of know chair issues. 3. Self esteem. I would love just once in my life to get a compliment that stops with your really pretty.... (for a big girl) 4. Role modeling. I would like to adopt someday. I would like to live an active life and teach my kids how to do the same. 5. Living not existing! Everyday!

Shonette, I am in the same boat as you. I was told that I had a $750 copay due before surgery. I paid it at my pre-op appointment. Imainge my surprise when I'm getting medical bills in the mail for 1,000's of dollars due in 90 days. I didn't know about these additional expenses, didn't plan for them. After draining my savings I still owe more than $2,500 in the next 3 weeks.I spoke with my clinic today. If I don't have it paid off prior to my 3 month post opp appointment they won't be able to do my checkup and fill. Cause I just have an additional $2,500 in disposable funds at the moment!

Your lucky to know now. I was told that I had a $750 copay due before surgery. I paid it at my pre-op appointment. Imainge my surprise now when I'm getting medical bills in the mail for 1,000's of dollars due in 90 days. I didn't know about these additional expenses, didn't plan for them. After draining my savings I still owe more than $2,500 in the next 3 weeks. Working on a plan myself. Still would have been banded.

Hey Precious. Don't forget that your body needs calories to metabolize what it's taking in. We all want to get to this really small need for food, and we can.. Sadly though it won't help. I went nuts after surgery 7/20/2010. I loved the fact that I was never hungry and so I barely was eating. I recently did a very honest food journal for my nutritionist. I was so pleased that I was consuming between 500 - 750 calories a day. I should have been losing huge amounts, I gained. The nutritionist explained to me that my body was hording. We actually will lose better eating about 1,200 calories a day. Much less and your metabolism slows down. Gotta metabolize. I am now at 1,200 calories a day and losing again. Lost 7 pounds in the 2 weeks since I saw her last. Don't not eat! Don't do what will harm you.

And a different life awaits you! Welcome to the banded life.

I say hold onto support, release all negativity. Note: A size 12 wedding dress is in the 135-148 pound range. Wedding dresses run small! Don't kill yourself for a number on a dress. Depending on your height 199 will be between a 14-18 and BEAUTIFUL! I'm 5'7 and at 194 still wore a tight 16!

Guilt is what probably helped you get to where you are today. Letting go and getting on with it will lead to change. You did what you had to. There is no shame in lifes mistakes. The best lessons are from falling... and getting back up. Right your wagon and onward with you.

It doesn't hurt. As far as surgeries go at least. Seriously it's not that big a deal. I had nuesea after but it was short term. I only took the pain meds the first 48 hours. Work to recover and you will recover. I've popped stitches in my port and didn't even notice. My port is starting to flip and were watching it to see if it continues towards my nose. It's easy sneezy. I'm a terrible slimmer. That's my complaint. I throw up a lot. Any emotional change, period, altitude change and everything sticks. Still wouldnt' change having the band for nothing.

I like how you think. Mind if I employ that strategy. I am trying not to grieve for what is no longer but to be mindful of the joys of new accomplishments and discoveries.

Maria, You will have doubts up until the moment that you actually do have surgery. Heck I had doubts as they were willing me back. I even tried to get out of the morning of when a panic attack loomed. Lucky me I had the patience of a loving older sister and an experience and understanding nurse. Don't let doubt be the decision maker for you. Choose you. Do you as successfully as you can!

Holy crap. I', not sure I would have made it with some of your doctors. Keep doing what your doing! Belief is half the battle.

:thumbup: I was banded on the 20th of July and thus far have had one fill. I am scheduled for my second fill on Thursday. I, of course, have since surgery met a really cool guy. We have been enjoying getting to know each other. A few coffees and meals have been shared. Mark asked me the other day how is it I survive on so little food. He's chided me about how slow I eat. He doesn't know. When would you tell someone your seeing? I am starting to think he might be around for a while. We have dates planned for the future. I can't keep saying I'm just not hungry or that I'm trying to eat healthier. I have told my very nearest and dearest friends. I haven't even told my mother (who would make it about her) or my brother (the body building wife sculpting/fake parts critic) or anyone that I work with. It's very personal to me. From the support I get from Mark about working out and eating healthy it's hard to say if he would understand or find it too much. Thoughts?

There are several reasons. The bubbles from carbonation are painful. Not uncomfortable, extremely painful. You aren't able to burp like you did pre-band so no way for the bubbles to clear. It hurts. It causes a pressure against your diagphram that causes a shot of pain into your shoulder. Secondly caffeine is an appetite stimulant causing hunger. Caffeine also helps to stretch the stomach faster. Just some fuel for thought!

As opposed to head bashing, completely opposed of self infliction of pain myself, get yourself in. Though we all want to lose we have to do it the smart and healthy way!