I'm REALLY happy. I lost the pounds I gained after having all my fill taken away, and I've even lost MORE! I'm down to 209.5 now. Yippee! I'm working at it a little. Not really though. I did 20 mins on my Gazelle yesterday, and today. But, I'm not really watching what I eat. I seem to have a problem with the word "diet" or "watching what I eat." Weird I know, but if I tell myself, "hey, I'm gonna start watching what I eat," It's like I go into starvation mode. I know it's mental, but I can't think about ANYTHING but food!
So, I have decided to just eat what I want, stop with one serving, and try to keep busy, so that I'm not thinkin about food 24/7. Seems to be working so far.
37.5 pounds lost!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Restriction....
I've FINALLY got it! It's not as much as I COULD have, but I do have some, which is GREAT!
We ordered take out Chinese this weekend, and I was only able to eat 3 or 4 bites of General Tso's chicken, a few bites of fried rice, and a couple of bites of an egg roll!! I've been doing really good at NOT drinking anything with my meals too. So, I'm hoping to see the pounds start dropping. We'll see. I'd really like to lose at LEAST 10 pounds before Christmas! Of course, I still need to lose the 3 pounds I GAINED while my band was empty!!! So, I would REALLY like to lose 15 pounds, that would put me at 199.
That would be QUITE a stretch before Christmas, especially with Thanksgiving, and all the holiday goodies! Oh well, I gotta TRY!
We ordered take out Chinese this weekend, and I was only able to eat 3 or 4 bites of General Tso's chicken, a few bites of fried rice, and a couple of bites of an egg roll!! I've been doing really good at NOT drinking anything with my meals too. So, I'm hoping to see the pounds start dropping. We'll see. I'd really like to lose at LEAST 10 pounds before Christmas! Of course, I still need to lose the 3 pounds I GAINED while my band was empty!!! So, I would REALLY like to lose 15 pounds, that would put me at 199.
That would be QUITE a stretch before Christmas, especially with Thanksgiving, and all the holiday goodies! Oh well, I gotta TRY!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
WHEWWWWW.....
Well, I'm THRILLED to say, my Lap-Band is FINE. No leaks, no damaged port, no slippage, erosion or stretched pouch! I'm SO relieved. I went to Chicago last night, and Dr. Vitello thoroughly checked the system. I saw it all through fluoroscopy, and was happy to see it working as it should.
However, my band WAS completely empty! That is exactly what I had suspected. The first time my "home doc" (we will refer to her as that from this point on) managed to access my port she pulled out 2cc's. Then she injected me with 2.6, which actually went into my flesh, and NOT my band. That's why as soon as I left her office, I had NO RESTRICTION at all. The short needle was not long enough to inject saline into the right place in the port.
The next time I went back she pulled out .5cc. That would have been the last of Dr. Vitello's fill. The WHOLE 2.5cc's. So, she didn't add anything at that point, and I've been completely empty for over a week!
Last night, my band was only able to hold 2.25c's. He first tried 3, and I almost threw up. Nothing would go down at ALL. Then at 2.75, STILL too tight. 2.25cc's seemed to be the magic number last night, so we'll see how that goes. I'm "thinking" that since ALL saline was removed, my stomach walls thickened up a bit, since they were not being squeezed anymore. So, I wasn't able to handle as much saline as before when my walls were thinner. Make sense??? It's the only logical thing I could think of...LOL Or it could just be the fact that I gained 4 pounds when my band was completely empty! Ooooops! *blushing*
Once again...if you CAN use fluoroscopy....DO IT. The peace of mind is worth the extra $$$.
However, my band WAS completely empty! That is exactly what I had suspected. The first time my "home doc" (we will refer to her as that from this point on) managed to access my port she pulled out 2cc's. Then she injected me with 2.6, which actually went into my flesh, and NOT my band. That's why as soon as I left her office, I had NO RESTRICTION at all. The short needle was not long enough to inject saline into the right place in the port.
The next time I went back she pulled out .5cc. That would have been the last of Dr. Vitello's fill. The WHOLE 2.5cc's. So, she didn't add anything at that point, and I've been completely empty for over a week!
Last night, my band was only able to hold 2.25c's. He first tried 3, and I almost threw up. Nothing would go down at ALL. Then at 2.75, STILL too tight. 2.25cc's seemed to be the magic number last night, so we'll see how that goes. I'm "thinking" that since ALL saline was removed, my stomach walls thickened up a bit, since they were not being squeezed anymore. So, I wasn't able to handle as much saline as before when my walls were thinner. Make sense??? It's the only logical thing I could think of...LOL Or it could just be the fact that I gained 4 pounds when my band was completely empty! Ooooops! *blushing*
Once again...if you CAN use fluoroscopy....DO IT. The peace of mind is worth the extra $$$.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Word of Advice...
OK, so I'm still here. Shocked?? I'm just not real happy right now! I'm at 211, and I can't drop a pound. There IS a reason behind that. Just a tiny tip...TRY TO HAVE ALL YOUR FILLS DONE WITH FLUOROSCOPY!!! Unless you have a really good doc or PA who has done PLENTY of blind fills, and knows EXACTLY what they are doing!!
This is what has been going on with me. OK, I had 3 fills in Chicago, with fluoro. Everything seemed to be fine, except that I just haven't been able to get to my "sweet spot" (the right fill amount, where the weight falls off)! It was costing me over $300 a trip, not to mention it is a 7 hour drive round trip! So, I asked my family doctor if she would consider doing my fills. First of all, she knew NOTHING at all about what a FILL was. I explained the lap band to her, and even gave her my PRIZED copy of "Lap Band for Life" by Dr. Ortiz, plus many internet sites that explained the surgery/fill procedure etc. Not to mention, sites that even had VIDEO to SHOW how to do fills!
She told me she would have NO problem doing this for me, because she had accessed chemo ports, blah, blah, blah, and they are the same thing! OK, I can feel my port real well, so I'm assuming she can also locate it pretty easily.
Well, my first visit, I found she had ordered the wrong size Huber needles. They are supposed to be 2" needles. She had ordered 1" needles, and they were way too short. But she TRIED to access my port anyway. Well, I was "supposed" to have 2.5cc's in there. She pulled it all out, and I had 2cc's. (this is normal to have a .5cc difference in fill volume, some stays in the tube) She had to hold the needle in the port the whole time, because it was BARELY able to reach. I told her I had NO restriction, and to add .6cc to what was already there. So, I'm thinking that would have been around 3cc's or a little more depending on how much was left in the band.
I left, and had NO RESTRICTION at all. I was in TN for a week, but made an appointment as soon as I got home on Monday. I went in paid the $15 co-pay, was seated in her office, and she comes in long enough to tell me that she doesn't have time to do the fill, but for me to come back tomorrow at 9:00am, and she will do it then. Could she have told me this BEFORE I showed up?? I tell the receptionist to just keep the co-pay and use it for tomorrows visit. The next day, my doc tells me I WILL have to pay another co-pay. ??????? I paid for her to tell me she didn't have TIME for me yesterday??? What is up with that? I pay the 2nd co-pay, no questions asked.
She attempts to access my port with the smaller needle, because she forgot to order the longer ones since my last visit. GREAT. She "thinks" she accessed the port, but can only pull out .5cc. OK, now I'm PANICKING. Do I have a LEAK?????
Please Lord, do not let me have a leak!! She attempts to move the needle around, and around, and around to TRY to find the port again. It feels like she has accessed it. She said it felt like she was in the port. But, she isn't sure, so she says, "come back on Friday, and we'll try with the longer needle."
Anyway, I now have NO RESTRICTION AT ALL, and I'm totally flipping out thinking, what if she stabbed my TUBE, and now I have a leak?????? OK, so I go back Friday. She attempts to access my port with the longer needle, (which is STILL not the size she was supposed to order, it is 1.5") and still can't find it??? She moves the needle around like she's looking for a vein, you KNOW how painful that is!! And, I also might add that she is pressing so hard on my stomach at the port site, I thought my eyes were going to pop out! She does this EVERY TIME, trying to get the short little needle to reach the port.
OK, she "thinks" she is in the port, but can't pull out ANY saline!!???? She tries to inject saline, and says that the port will not accept it!!!! WHAT???? How can it NOT accept it???? It's a PORT. She pulls the needle out, and says "I'm sorry, I can't do this." Looks totally flustered, and starts putting things away. She says, "I think you may need to go back and have fluoro done, something is wrong with your port!" WHAT???? So, now I'm terrified! Has she punctured something in there, and KNOWS she has just destroyed my band??? I also had asked her to look at my daughter Haley, because she is sick. As soon as she threw the needle away, she says, "I don't have time to check her out right now, go to the front desk and make an appointment for later this afternoon." She then rushes out of the room! Well, I did make her an appointment, but not with her.
I know I shouldn't have come on here, and bad mouthed her, but I didn't mention any names! LOL Just be careful of you trust with your band! I have an appointment to go back to Chicago next week, so hopefully I will find out if I have a leaking, damaged port, flipped port, from all the pushing, punctured tube whatever. I'm so scared. Why on earth was I so stupid???? I went all the way to Mexico, to get the BEST surgeon, spent $8,000 out of pocket, and then tried to save a little money by going to my family doctor, and totally jeopardized my band. That was just CRAZY.
Well, I had to vent, I'm sorry! Please, pray that when I go back next week, my band checks out OK. I have no restriction at all now. I can eat ANYTHING, and I don't LIKE IT. I LOVE RESTRICTION. I LOVE MY BAND. Please, dear Lord, don't let it be ruined.
This is what has been going on with me. OK, I had 3 fills in Chicago, with fluoro. Everything seemed to be fine, except that I just haven't been able to get to my "sweet spot" (the right fill amount, where the weight falls off)! It was costing me over $300 a trip, not to mention it is a 7 hour drive round trip! So, I asked my family doctor if she would consider doing my fills. First of all, she knew NOTHING at all about what a FILL was. I explained the lap band to her, and even gave her my PRIZED copy of "Lap Band for Life" by Dr. Ortiz, plus many internet sites that explained the surgery/fill procedure etc. Not to mention, sites that even had VIDEO to SHOW how to do fills!
She told me she would have NO problem doing this for me, because she had accessed chemo ports, blah, blah, blah, and they are the same thing! OK, I can feel my port real well, so I'm assuming she can also locate it pretty easily.
Well, my first visit, I found she had ordered the wrong size Huber needles. They are supposed to be 2" needles. She had ordered 1" needles, and they were way too short. But she TRIED to access my port anyway. Well, I was "supposed" to have 2.5cc's in there. She pulled it all out, and I had 2cc's. (this is normal to have a .5cc difference in fill volume, some stays in the tube) She had to hold the needle in the port the whole time, because it was BARELY able to reach. I told her I had NO restriction, and to add .6cc to what was already there. So, I'm thinking that would have been around 3cc's or a little more depending on how much was left in the band.
I left, and had NO RESTRICTION at all. I was in TN for a week, but made an appointment as soon as I got home on Monday. I went in paid the $15 co-pay, was seated in her office, and she comes in long enough to tell me that she doesn't have time to do the fill, but for me to come back tomorrow at 9:00am, and she will do it then. Could she have told me this BEFORE I showed up?? I tell the receptionist to just keep the co-pay and use it for tomorrows visit. The next day, my doc tells me I WILL have to pay another co-pay. ??????? I paid for her to tell me she didn't have TIME for me yesterday??? What is up with that? I pay the 2nd co-pay, no questions asked.
She attempts to access my port with the smaller needle, because she forgot to order the longer ones since my last visit. GREAT. She "thinks" she accessed the port, but can only pull out .5cc. OK, now I'm PANICKING. Do I have a LEAK?????
Please Lord, do not let me have a leak!! She attempts to move the needle around, and around, and around to TRY to find the port again. It feels like she has accessed it. She said it felt like she was in the port. But, she isn't sure, so she says, "come back on Friday, and we'll try with the longer needle."
Anyway, I now have NO RESTRICTION AT ALL, and I'm totally flipping out thinking, what if she stabbed my TUBE, and now I have a leak?????? OK, so I go back Friday. She attempts to access my port with the longer needle, (which is STILL not the size she was supposed to order, it is 1.5") and still can't find it??? She moves the needle around like she's looking for a vein, you KNOW how painful that is!! And, I also might add that she is pressing so hard on my stomach at the port site, I thought my eyes were going to pop out! She does this EVERY TIME, trying to get the short little needle to reach the port.
OK, she "thinks" she is in the port, but can't pull out ANY saline!!???? She tries to inject saline, and says that the port will not accept it!!!! WHAT???? How can it NOT accept it???? It's a PORT. She pulls the needle out, and says "I'm sorry, I can't do this." Looks totally flustered, and starts putting things away. She says, "I think you may need to go back and have fluoro done, something is wrong with your port!" WHAT???? So, now I'm terrified! Has she punctured something in there, and KNOWS she has just destroyed my band??? I also had asked her to look at my daughter Haley, because she is sick. As soon as she threw the needle away, she says, "I don't have time to check her out right now, go to the front desk and make an appointment for later this afternoon." She then rushes out of the room! Well, I did make her an appointment, but not with her.
I know I shouldn't have come on here, and bad mouthed her, but I didn't mention any names! LOL Just be careful of you trust with your band! I have an appointment to go back to Chicago next week, so hopefully I will find out if I have a leaking, damaged port, flipped port, from all the pushing, punctured tube whatever. I'm so scared. Why on earth was I so stupid???? I went all the way to Mexico, to get the BEST surgeon, spent $8,000 out of pocket, and then tried to save a little money by going to my family doctor, and totally jeopardized my band. That was just CRAZY.
Well, I had to vent, I'm sorry! Please, pray that when I go back next week, my band checks out OK. I have no restriction at all now. I can eat ANYTHING, and I don't LIKE IT. I LOVE RESTRICTION. I LOVE MY BAND. Please, dear Lord, don't let it be ruined.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
GRRRRRRRR, I HATE PLATEAUS!
I know you already know how bad I hate plateaus, because I've complained enough! I know that I'm settling out at a new setpoint, blah, blah, blah, but it still makes me mad when that scale won't MOVE! Anyway, I'm still stuck at 37 pounds gone!
I'm honestly thinking about doing something to jumpstart my loss! My birthday is Sept. 28th, and I was really HOPING to be below 200 by then! That was my FIRST BIG goal! So, I'm thinking of doing Cambridge for a week or two. That will probably take at least 11 pounds off me. Then I should be sitting at 199!!! HOPEFULLY the weight won't come back after I get off Cambridge. I'm counting on the band preventing me to take in enough calories to GAIN.
We'll see how it goes! HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO ME!! 199!!....haven't been below 200 in almost 7 years now!
I'm honestly thinking about doing something to jumpstart my loss! My birthday is Sept. 28th, and I was really HOPING to be below 200 by then! That was my FIRST BIG goal! So, I'm thinking of doing Cambridge for a week or two. That will probably take at least 11 pounds off me. Then I should be sitting at 199!!! HOPEFULLY the weight won't come back after I get off Cambridge. I'm counting on the band preventing me to take in enough calories to GAIN.
We'll see how it goes! HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO ME!! 199!!....haven't been below 200 in almost 7 years now!
Friday, August 24, 2007
OOOOOOOH, I'm so exasperated!!! I guess I need a fill! I'm scheduled to go Sept. 7th for my next fill. Yesterday, I ate like a PIG. I don't know why! Well, I was hungry, and I ate ALL DAY! I wouldn't have been able to do that a couple of weeks ago, nor would I have wanted to, because the band really DOES curb your appetite. So, I need to hurry up and get back to my fill doctor! My weight is creeping back up, and I'm not surprised...the way I've been eating! This has GOT to STOP. I want my restriction back!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Back Home
Well, I'm back from Tennessee. I had a good trip. I'm down to 210. A total loss of 37 pounds so far. I really feel bloated though, and I actually felt SMALLER when I was in Tennessee. So, I'm thinking Aunt Flo is probably playing a trick on me! In a couple of days, hopefully, I'll be down a couple more pounds.
I decided while I was in Tennessee, that no matter how BAD I hate it, I've got to start exercising! I'm really hoping that exercise will make me firmer. I really don't want a lot of excess skin hanging around. It may be hard to avoid after losing 100 pounds, but if I can do ANYTHING to help out, I'm gonna try!
So, I did a mile and a half on the treadmill, and Gazelle last night. It was a start! Gotta keep it up!
I decided while I was in Tennessee, that no matter how BAD I hate it, I've got to start exercising! I'm really hoping that exercise will make me firmer. I really don't want a lot of excess skin hanging around. It may be hard to avoid after losing 100 pounds, but if I can do ANYTHING to help out, I'm gonna try!
So, I did a mile and a half on the treadmill, and Gazelle last night. It was a start! Gotta keep it up!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Plateau Broken!
Finally, I'm losing again. I'm in Tennessee right now, so I'm not near any scales, but I feel smaller. I was down to 211 before I left home, so I'm hoping to be below 210 when I get back home. I walked 2 miles with my "lapbanded cousin" this morning. I was shoocked to see how TINY she was! I haven't seen her in a few months, and she has REALLY lost a lot. The last few pounds really made a difference. I told her I was going to take a picture of her for motivation! She's really small, and I could tell she really feels good about herself.
So, now I'm excited once again about my lapband. Everyone here (in Tennessee)said, "Wow, you've REALLY lost a lot of weight!" I was like...."Really????" Doesn't seem that way to me, but I guess it's because it's a slow loss.
So, now I'm excited once again about my lapband. Everyone here (in Tennessee)said, "Wow, you've REALLY lost a lot of weight!" I was like...."Really????" Doesn't seem that way to me, but I guess it's because it's a slow loss.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
OK, so nothing major going on here. I'm stuck at 212. I'm not too happy about that, but hey it happens! Atleast I know I'll never weigh MORE than 212 ever again, other than water fluctuations! Anyway, just stopping in to make sure you know I'm NOT gone. I'm still here. Just staring at my scale, and gripping a hammer tight in my fist. I'm tempted, boy am I tempted!
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Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The dreaded plateau!
Well, I'm back to plateau status! I hate this part, and I know...this too shall pass! It just get's terribly frustrating when those scales don't move! It makes me want to physically move them, out across the yard! But, hey I'd go crazy if I couldn't weigh EVERYDAY, and that is probably part of the problem! I shouldn't be doing that. I just can't STOP IT.
Anyway, for those of you who have been reading along, and haven't been able to post comments...sorry! That is now fixed! I forgot to enable anonymous users to post on this new blog. But, it's fixed now, so post away!
I'll chat more later!
Anyway, for those of you who have been reading along, and haven't been able to post comments...sorry! That is now fixed! I forgot to enable anonymous users to post on this new blog. But, it's fixed now, so post away!
I'll chat more later!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Well, I decided it was time to take a picture! I have avoided the camera for SO long! But, how was I gonna track my progress, if I don't have any pictures to compare to?? So, there it is!
------>
Down 35 pounds, and I THINK I might be able to see a little change from before. Anyway, my clothes are falling off, I guess that's a good sign! Everything is still going great. I have days that I feel tighter than others, and I can eat very little, and then some days I feel like I can eat much more. Strange, but as long as I'm losing, I'm OK with it!
We will be going on vacation in another week. I'd like to lose a couple more pounds before then, but I'll have to work on it! We are going to Point Beach State Forrest, on Lake Michigan. We're gonna have some fun in the sun, on the beach, and see some lighthouses. Who knows, I may even let someone take my picture while we are there!
------>
Down 35 pounds, and I THINK I might be able to see a little change from before. Anyway, my clothes are falling off, I guess that's a good sign! Everything is still going great. I have days that I feel tighter than others, and I can eat very little, and then some days I feel like I can eat much more. Strange, but as long as I'm losing, I'm OK with it!
We will be going on vacation in another week. I'd like to lose a couple more pounds before then, but I'll have to work on it! We are going to Point Beach State Forrest, on Lake Michigan. We're gonna have some fun in the sun, on the beach, and see some lighthouses. Who knows, I may even let someone take my picture while we are there!
Monday, July 9, 2007
WOW!
I can't believe it's been so long since I posted to my blog! Shame on me!
Where to start????
I had my first lap band fill on May 25th. That was a very interesting experience. I went to Dr. Vitello in Chicago. He is WONDERFUL. I got to see my band, (through flouroscopy) and I saw the barium go down. Then he put in 2cc's of saline. NOTHING went down then! He took out a little more, and finally the barium began to go down slowly. This is how he wanted it to be. I left with 1.2cc's in a 4cc band. I was happy! I lost more weight, but then I began to feel like I needed more! This is quite common after the first fill. Usually there is a little bit of air left in the band, and when you get that first fill, the air kinda seeps out over the next 2 weeks, so you dont feel as tight as you did!
So, I scheduled an appointment to see him again on June 22nd. I got .08cc's. So, now I have a total of 1.28cc's. But, the restriction is back, and I can feel it! I generally feel my restriction the MOST in the morning when I get out of bed. No eating breakfast for me! I never was a breakfast person anyway. The band is ALWAYS tighter in the morning. If you drink something hot, like coffee, or tea it will loosen up a bit. Or you can drink a protein shake to get in "something" for breakfast. (For my Cambridge buddies, this is where my Cambridge shakes come into play!)
OK, OK, I know you are wondering... "HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LOST?" Drumroll...........
I have lost a total of 33.5 pounds! Yippee. The funny thing is, and this is really odd. When I was on Cambridge, I KNEW I had lost weight, I "felt" really small, (even though I was still weighing in at more than 200 lbs.). I guess since I'm losing slowly now, I just don't notice it as much. Other people notice, and my clothes are falling off, but it's still like NOTHING is really going on. Weird.
But, even though the weightloss sometimes drags to a complete stop, I know it will start again, and NEXT year at this time I will be really happy with my weight.
I know if I would eat better foods I would lose faster, and I'm going to start working on that, PLUS, I have not done ANY kind of exercise. That would help a lot too. Lap Band works! It is a great way to lose weight, but it is NOT a cure all. You still have to work at it. Not NEARLY as much as before, but you have to pay attention, and I think that is the biggest part. You eat slower, so you eat less, and you chew much more, so you get tired of eating before you can finish off a 9 course meal with HUGE dessert.
Well, I guess I've written enough! I promise to come back sooner next time!
I'll see you then!
I can't believe it's been so long since I posted to my blog! Shame on me!
Where to start????
I had my first lap band fill on May 25th. That was a very interesting experience. I went to Dr. Vitello in Chicago. He is WONDERFUL. I got to see my band, (through flouroscopy) and I saw the barium go down. Then he put in 2cc's of saline. NOTHING went down then! He took out a little more, and finally the barium began to go down slowly. This is how he wanted it to be. I left with 1.2cc's in a 4cc band. I was happy! I lost more weight, but then I began to feel like I needed more! This is quite common after the first fill. Usually there is a little bit of air left in the band, and when you get that first fill, the air kinda seeps out over the next 2 weeks, so you dont feel as tight as you did!
So, I scheduled an appointment to see him again on June 22nd. I got .08cc's. So, now I have a total of 1.28cc's. But, the restriction is back, and I can feel it! I generally feel my restriction the MOST in the morning when I get out of bed. No eating breakfast for me! I never was a breakfast person anyway. The band is ALWAYS tighter in the morning. If you drink something hot, like coffee, or tea it will loosen up a bit. Or you can drink a protein shake to get in "something" for breakfast. (For my Cambridge buddies, this is where my Cambridge shakes come into play!)
OK, OK, I know you are wondering... "HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LOST?" Drumroll...........
I have lost a total of 33.5 pounds! Yippee. The funny thing is, and this is really odd. When I was on Cambridge, I KNEW I had lost weight, I "felt" really small, (even though I was still weighing in at more than 200 lbs.). I guess since I'm losing slowly now, I just don't notice it as much. Other people notice, and my clothes are falling off, but it's still like NOTHING is really going on. Weird.
But, even though the weightloss sometimes drags to a complete stop, I know it will start again, and NEXT year at this time I will be really happy with my weight.
I know if I would eat better foods I would lose faster, and I'm going to start working on that, PLUS, I have not done ANY kind of exercise. That would help a lot too. Lap Band works! It is a great way to lose weight, but it is NOT a cure all. You still have to work at it. Not NEARLY as much as before, but you have to pay attention, and I think that is the biggest part. You eat slower, so you eat less, and you chew much more, so you get tired of eating before you can finish off a 9 course meal with HUGE dessert.
Well, I guess I've written enough! I promise to come back sooner next time!
I'll see you then!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
10 DAYS POST-OP
Well, it's been 10 days since my surgery, and I've lost a total of 18 pounds. That is counting my pre-op diet. I've lost 10 since I've been home. I'm almost afraid to start solid food again, for fear that I'll gain some of it back before my first fill. That would be a bummer! But, I know that I'll eventually lose all I want to lose, so I guess I shouldn't be stressing about how long it takes anyway!
Everything is going great. I'm really sick of soup though. ONE more week! I don't think I'll ever eat it again after this phase is over. But, I know it's for the best, and I'm not doing ANYTHING to mess up my band!
Everything is going great. I'm really sick of soup though. ONE more week! I don't think I'll ever eat it again after this phase is over. But, I know it's for the best, and I'm not doing ANYTHING to mess up my band!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Lap Band Sisters
Well this is us! The blonde on the end (Lindsey) didn't get banded with us, she is Toni's daughter. Melissa was banded prior to her mother, (Kathy) and she got her first fill while she was there.
We had a blast! Moved onto to "full liquids" yesterday. That is better, atleast I can have cream of chicken soup, and stuff with a LITTLE more consistency than water! I had Creamy chicken soup for lunch....yummy! I'm sure the cream soups will get old before long too. We went out to eat last night, and I thought SURELY the restaurant would have some type of SOUP on the menu. NOOOO So I had to sit there and watch my hubby eat the biggest stuffed burrito I have EVER seen. While my daughters gobbled down some cheeseburgers. They didn't even have any drinks that were NOT CARBONATED,(another lap band NO-NO) so I had to drink BLACK coffee. Apparently they didn't have cream and sugar either! Needless to say, I was ready to get back home to my creamy chicken soup!
BUT....I've lost 15 pounds so far. Hanging in there!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
CLEAR LIQUIDS
OK, this is my last day on clear liquids, THANK HEAVENS!! The first week post-op, you will be on clear liquids only. On the 4th day, you can add drinkable yogurt. The 2nd week you can have full liquids, which means all liquids are game, as long as it can be sucked through a straw.
The 3rd week, still on full liquids, uuuuuugh! The 4th week it's FINALLY back to solid food.
The reason for these 3 weeks of torture is to allow your stomach time to heal, and to let the band settle in place. Anything other than liquids can cause your stomach to have to do too much work, (churning and spasms of digestion) and possibly cause your band to slip! So, try to avoid anything but liquids that first couple of weeks, it IS really important.
So anyway, I begin FULL LIQUIDS tomorrow, and believe me, after all this clear broth, and juice, I will feel like I'm in HEAVEN! I've stocked up on the "Campbells Soup at Hand" cups. I especially like the creamy chicken, so that will be a REAL treat!
We'll see how that goes tomorrow.
I'm down a total of 11 pounds so far!
The 3rd week, still on full liquids, uuuuuugh! The 4th week it's FINALLY back to solid food.
The reason for these 3 weeks of torture is to allow your stomach time to heal, and to let the band settle in place. Anything other than liquids can cause your stomach to have to do too much work, (churning and spasms of digestion) and possibly cause your band to slip! So, try to avoid anything but liquids that first couple of weeks, it IS really important.
So anyway, I begin FULL LIQUIDS tomorrow, and believe me, after all this clear broth, and juice, I will feel like I'm in HEAVEN! I've stocked up on the "Campbells Soup at Hand" cups. I especially like the creamy chicken, so that will be a REAL treat!
We'll see how that goes tomorrow.
I'm down a total of 11 pounds so far!
Monday, April 9, 2007
I Have Tried It All....
You name it...
Nutrisystem - 3 times
Weight Watchers - 5 TIMES!
Atkins
Cambridge
counting calories -over and over
Slim Fast
Cabbage Soup
Fat Free Diet
LA Weightloss
Doctors and Nurses High Energy Weightloss
The Moore Clinic (Dr. supervised weight loss program) - 3 times
Lean Cuisine
Xenical
Phentermine
Dexatrim
Nothing worked! Not for long anyway... I decided I had to do something different.
I wanted Lap Band surgery. I'm a big baby, so I wanted the LEAST invasive procedure possible. When I found out that lap band was an OUTPATIENT procedure, completely reversible, and had very few risks, my mind was MADE UP.
The next few months were a lot harder than it could have been if I had gotten the info I needed up front. First of all, my insurance would NOT pay for any type of obesity related surgery for ANY reason. So much for that idea. (your provider may pay) Then when I called around to ask how much surgery would cost for SELF PAYING patients, the range was anywhere from 15,500 to 23,000 dollars!
That was another depressing moment! I couldn't finance that much at this point. (even though there are many doctors who do financing for their patients) Then I joined a Lap Band forum. www.lapbandforum.com I was so thrilled that I wasn't the only one DYING to get lap band surgery, and couldn't afford it. I talked to many NICE people there, who were talking about going to Mexico to get the surgery!
First thought... NO WAY! That is ludicrous. But the more I researched, the better it sounded, especially at the price of 8,500 dollars with hotel accommodations for 3 nights, and transportation to and from the airport to the clinic and hotel. But what about the care??
Dr. Ortiz was the doctor I chose, and I could not be happier. He wrote the book "Lap Band for Life" which you can purchase from Amazon.com.
He is an ASBS member as well as a FACS member. He has done over 4500 lap band surgeries to date. He was the first surgeon to be designated as a proctor surgeon by Inamed (the makers of the lap band) which means he trained MANY MANY of the doctors in the USA.
He has been featured on the Discovery Health Channel, talking about lap band, and performing the procedure. He has done sattelite classes for Yale university, teaching the procedure, and his testimonials are ENDLESS.
Well, after thorough research I sprung the idea on my husband. I figured this would surely be the END of it. To my surprise after I showed him the info, he agreed to let me take the money out of savings and we flew out to San Diego!
We arrived in San Diego last Monday.(4/2/2007) They picked us up at the airport. It was a short 15 minute drive across the border into Tijuana, (no passport needed).
We arrived at the clinic, and it was GORGEOUS, it was so clean you could eat off the floors! TOP NOTCH, state of the art facility! They did my pre-op testing then, and took us to our BEAUTIFUL 5 star hotel (Hotel Lucerna). We dined at the Italian restaurant there (The Rivoli) and retired to our room for the rest of the evening. There were 4 other ladies there who had also done their pre-ops, and would also have surgery while I was there, these ladies became my "band sisters."
They picked us up the following morning, took us back to the center, and prepped us for surgery. We were all walking around in our hospital gowns, and joking and laughing! It was GREAT. My hubby stayed in my room until they took me into surgery. My room was awesome, flat screen TV, nice wallhangings, silk tree, relaxation fountain on the nightstand next to the bed, and free calls to anywhere in the US. IT WAS NICE. Surgery lasted about 35 minutes. I came out feeling GREAT. We spent that night there at the center, where the nurses TOTALLY pampered us.
The next morning we were taken back to the hotel. My hubby and I, went shopping on Revolution Ave. TONS of fun! We then came back to the hotel, took a nap, and packed our suitcases. The next morning, they picked us up at the hotel and drove us back across the border to the airport. It was truly an experience I'll never forget! I told my family it was like a vacation with a minor surgery thrown in!
Dr. Ortiz and his staff are the BEST, and considering most US doctors have only done 20 or more lap bands, I really felt like I had the most experienced doctor.
No matter WHERE you opt to have Lap Band surgery, I would reccommend getting Dr. Ortiz's book, "Lap Band For Life"! It tells you what to expect, what to eat, how to eat it, and thoroughly explains the surgery itself. I keep mine closeby at all times.
Nutrisystem - 3 times
Weight Watchers - 5 TIMES!
Atkins
Cambridge
counting calories -over and over
Slim Fast
Cabbage Soup
Fat Free Diet
LA Weightloss
Doctors and Nurses High Energy Weightloss
The Moore Clinic (Dr. supervised weight loss program) - 3 times
Lean Cuisine
Xenical
Phentermine
Dexatrim
Nothing worked! Not for long anyway... I decided I had to do something different.
I wanted Lap Band surgery. I'm a big baby, so I wanted the LEAST invasive procedure possible. When I found out that lap band was an OUTPATIENT procedure, completely reversible, and had very few risks, my mind was MADE UP.
The next few months were a lot harder than it could have been if I had gotten the info I needed up front. First of all, my insurance would NOT pay for any type of obesity related surgery for ANY reason. So much for that idea. (your provider may pay) Then when I called around to ask how much surgery would cost for SELF PAYING patients, the range was anywhere from 15,500 to 23,000 dollars!
That was another depressing moment! I couldn't finance that much at this point. (even though there are many doctors who do financing for their patients) Then I joined a Lap Band forum. www.lapbandforum.com I was so thrilled that I wasn't the only one DYING to get lap band surgery, and couldn't afford it. I talked to many NICE people there, who were talking about going to Mexico to get the surgery!
First thought... NO WAY! That is ludicrous. But the more I researched, the better it sounded, especially at the price of 8,500 dollars with hotel accommodations for 3 nights, and transportation to and from the airport to the clinic and hotel. But what about the care??
Dr. Ortiz was the doctor I chose, and I could not be happier. He wrote the book "Lap Band for Life" which you can purchase from Amazon.com.
He is an ASBS member as well as a FACS member. He has done over 4500 lap band surgeries to date. He was the first surgeon to be designated as a proctor surgeon by Inamed (the makers of the lap band) which means he trained MANY MANY of the doctors in the USA.
He has been featured on the Discovery Health Channel, talking about lap band, and performing the procedure. He has done sattelite classes for Yale university, teaching the procedure, and his testimonials are ENDLESS.
Well, after thorough research I sprung the idea on my husband. I figured this would surely be the END of it. To my surprise after I showed him the info, he agreed to let me take the money out of savings and we flew out to San Diego!
We arrived in San Diego last Monday.(4/2/2007) They picked us up at the airport. It was a short 15 minute drive across the border into Tijuana, (no passport needed).
We arrived at the clinic, and it was GORGEOUS, it was so clean you could eat off the floors! TOP NOTCH, state of the art facility! They did my pre-op testing then, and took us to our BEAUTIFUL 5 star hotel (Hotel Lucerna). We dined at the Italian restaurant there (The Rivoli) and retired to our room for the rest of the evening. There were 4 other ladies there who had also done their pre-ops, and would also have surgery while I was there, these ladies became my "band sisters."
They picked us up the following morning, took us back to the center, and prepped us for surgery. We were all walking around in our hospital gowns, and joking and laughing! It was GREAT. My hubby stayed in my room until they took me into surgery. My room was awesome, flat screen TV, nice wallhangings, silk tree, relaxation fountain on the nightstand next to the bed, and free calls to anywhere in the US. IT WAS NICE. Surgery lasted about 35 minutes. I came out feeling GREAT. We spent that night there at the center, where the nurses TOTALLY pampered us.
The next morning we were taken back to the hotel. My hubby and I, went shopping on Revolution Ave. TONS of fun! We then came back to the hotel, took a nap, and packed our suitcases. The next morning, they picked us up at the hotel and drove us back across the border to the airport. It was truly an experience I'll never forget! I told my family it was like a vacation with a minor surgery thrown in!
Dr. Ortiz and his staff are the BEST, and considering most US doctors have only done 20 or more lap bands, I really felt like I had the most experienced doctor.
No matter WHERE you opt to have Lap Band surgery, I would reccommend getting Dr. Ortiz's book, "Lap Band For Life"! It tells you what to expect, what to eat, how to eat it, and thoroughly explains the surgery itself. I keep mine closeby at all times.
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