starting a new thread for anyone who has or is considering surgery thru the Brigham/Falkner program.

~Mel

surgery 11/13/07 Dr Vernon

-35lbs

Hey everyone. I'm having a hard time. I have not lost anything in months!! :-( I know I have not been doing my best & been eating the wrong foods. I feel OUT OF CONTROL again like the OLD ME :crying:. Last time I had a fill I was too tight. I know I need to buckle down agian but I keep falling off the wagon!!! :frown:

Hi Heidi!

I tend to want to head for the carbs when I get stressed or when something or someone irritates me. Visually I get caught also...chocolate is sitting on the dining room table downstairs right now and I am tempted every time I walk by..I know they will go down real smooth and easy, ...but the calories!!!!

I try to avoid those occaisions like the plague so I don't binge..yes..I can even mini binge around my band., and even with only 1 fill(2nd in a few days), my band teaches me a lesson by blocking the food and my esophagus screams "enough already'. If I eat too fast, I feel like I am about to implode! No PB'ing as some have experienced..don't care for that, and it's one thing that has stopped me from overeating.

I find that having a Buddy often works wonders..someone with whom you can identify who was banded around the same time and is at the same stage of the process..plateaus and all. Can you find someone at the Support meeting to be a Buddy with whom you can communicate thru the week whether online , phone or meeting, heidi??(I don't mean a sponsor) It does help to have a seriously committed friend to help.

You have lost 40 lbs and that is great.

My goal is a mere 1 lb per week. If I stay the same for 2 weeks that is ok because I see a big difference in my health and my clothing size with the few lbs I have lost AND MAINTAINED.(I have a big bag to give to Rosie's Place) Yay! I set small goals for myself and reach them one step at a time.

Thak you for the words of advise Singing. :-)

I am doing ok. I have 6 small incisions and then the larger on for the port. I still have some steri strips on but one came off today and the incision is open. So I called Dr. Robinsons office 3X's with no luck. I put some butterfly bandaids on it sort of like steri strips and a band aid over it. I see Dr. R on Monday but im still in some pain. I was/am disappointed that no one called me back. Not sure If I should page him. I still have a good amount of pain, but no more pain meds. After my surgery he told me I had a big liver. Guess its just big or didnt shrink much on the liquid diet.

Alanna =)

I had the same trouble and I will tell you what I did that works fine..I got the tip from another surgeon a few years back:

The CVS carries a line of bandages called NEXCARE by 3M.

I got 2 types of bandages...both Waterproof so I could shower within a few days.

1 Nexcare Premium Adhesive Gauze Pad 2 3/8 x 4 in.

I put those on ALL..even over the steri strips that remained.

After a while I put Nexcare Tegaderm on all the wounds to keep them dry:Here's a link

I changed these bandages every other day to keep things infection free....especially because I perspire.

It took aout 2 weeks for all the bandages to be free of the steri strips.

The are usually on a lower shelf of the CVS, but a surgical drugstore would be well stocked...

under $5 a box.

That's how I coped on my own..maybe it will benefit you in some way.

My daughter has JRA and needed injectable medicine so I would use the tegaderm to put over numbing cream so the shots didnt hurt...works great too for blood draws too

I have some tegaderm bandages and guaze too.

. Thats how I was bandaged after surgery but I took that off to let my skin breathe. The only place I have steri strips that are left is on my port incision.

They should really sell steri strips =)

Alanna

Hi Heidi,

Hello, How did it go with I'm meeting with him and Phyllis on Wednesday, I've had my psyche done, sleep study done, what else do I have to look forward to besides the barium swallow? I have mild sleep obstructive apnea, however the sleep doctor said significant weight loss would help in the notes, psyche approved me....any help would be appreiated

Hello Everyone, I have my first appt with Dr. Tavakkolizadeh , I'm meeting with him and Phylis on Wednesday 8-5-09, I've had my psyche done, sleep study done, what else do I have to look forward to besides the barium swallow? I have mild sleep obstructive apnea, however the sleep doctor said significant weight loss would help in the notes, psyche approved me....any help would be appreciated, is it true they can take out most of the gas during surgery, how will I feel, with the lapband is it possible to take 4 weeks off, will the insurance accept that? my disablity doesn't cover one week off, but it will if I'm out for 4 weeks. Any help would be appreiciated. How will I feel, and how long will I feel it. I walk my dog everyday for 3 miles and have recently been going to the gym 3 times a week with zumba and yoga.

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

I usually try to check the posts every week but with work and vacation in July I just logged in today for the first time in a month.

I read all of July's posts and wanted to say hi to everyone and hopefully find support to keep going...which I always do! I hope to see everyone at the next support group meeting.

I have been working out regularly and would like to ENCOURAGE everyone to move at least 2-3 times a week! I feel so much better than I did last fall, winter or even spring. It's a process but REMEMBER...you don't have to kill yourself to get results. My trainer starting working with me last November 30 minute sessions twice a week. I had serious knee injury and lot's of excess weight. I felt like I would never feel mobile again. I can tell you that I have really taken ownership of my workouts and attend classes regularly now. Yikes me in a class...who would have thought!!! The benefits of exercise go way beyond appearance! I need it for my mind... it's keeps me in line for the most part...even though food still presents issues...but I am working on the part that the band didn't fix as Paige always says "my head"!

Miss all of you! Thanks for the constant words of wisdom and support!

I appreciate you all more than you know!!

Tanya:thumbup:

Thanks for that 'spur' towards exercising. It is so easy to just sit and bemoan the fact that it is hot and humid these days. I needed that.

Hey all -

I was wondering what to expect during the anesthesiologist appointment?

:crying:Hello everyone, My Big Day is tomorrow with Dr. Robinson and needless to say I am quite nervous. I am however very optimistic, and just want everyone to keep me in your thoughts. I did attend a couple of pre-op support groups and have throughly researched this to death and know this is the right decision.

Edited August 4, 200917 yr by Dragon Slayer

Hey all,

just checking in...I'm always reading even though I might not respond. I went in for a my second fill today..and once again..I didn't get one. Dr. Robinson says I'm loosing it a bit to fast about 3.5 lbs per week. So in 12 weeks (3 months), I've lost 41 lbs - with no fill. I'm not quite sure what this means.

I read that many people are frustrated with not getting return calls from Dr. R's office - I hear you. This morning I was running WAY late for my appointment and I couldn't even get through to anyone to let them know. I do think Jennifer gets the messages and listens to them - I just think she is really overwhelmed with everything.

I'm doing fine otherwise, I just tend to get some gas pain when I don't eat enough throughout the day. I haven't really started working out yet - I need to. Only if there was enough time in the day!

I really enjoy reading about what everyone is going through. Keep the posts coming.

Hey all -

I was wondering what to expect during the anesthesiologist appointment?

They just ask you a bunch of questions about your medical history and take lots of blood.

Hello Everyone, I have my first appt with Dr. Tavakkolizadeh , I'm meeting with him and Phylis on Wednesday 8-5-09, I've had my psyche done, sleep study done, what else do I have to look forward to besides the barium swallow? I have mild sleep obstructive apnea, however the sleep doctor said significant weight loss would help in the notes, psyche approved me....any help would be appreciated, is it true they can take out most of the gas during surgery, how will I feel, with the lapband is it possible to take 4 weeks off, will the insurance accept that? my disablity doesn't cover one week off, but it will if I'm out for 4 weeks. Any help would be appreiciated. How will I feel, and how long will I feel it. I walk my dog everyday for 3 miles and have recently been going to the gym 3 times a week with zumba and yoga.

Hi Boston Lady!

I only had to meet w/ doc, psyche, nutritionist, & lots of blood work. Then I was ready to roll. After the surgery I'd say I was sore for 5-7days. Was very easy recovery. I have 3 little ones & was fine taking care of them. Everyone is different though. Hope this helps. :-)