tootsie_lou

Hey Stormy-- I had a C-section 21 years ago with my son. It was pretty painful. But, in addition, then I had a little baby to take care of, boobs that seemed to triple in size over night, and hormones out the you-know-what. I figure a TT will probably be just as painful as that, but now I have a couple of grown kids to help me, no milk let-down issues, and no (addtional) hormone issues. So I am not worried too much about the pain. My bigger issue is when can I get it. My mom is getting hip replacement surgery, and I'm worried if I get the TT before she has her surgery, that when I go up north to help her with her recovery I won't be healed well enough to help her if she needs lifting, etc. I can't wait for the consult, though. Since I was going to be there anyway, I scheduled Botox, as well.

Hey Lisa-- Did your doctor speak to you about options, or had you researched it a lot? For instance, when you mention the "pulled tummy", is that a term your doctor used, or did you already know to tell him you didn't want it? I have a consult for a tummy tuck with my plastic surgeon on Monday, 8/10, and I really want to go in informed. He would like me to lose 10-20 more pounds prior to surgery, but I got the impression it wasn't a deal breaker if I didn't. He did my upper and lower eyelid surgery in '06 and I really love how it looks (still). You had also mentioned in a post elsewhere that you had lipo in certain areas to achieve a curve in your shape. Did you ask him for that? Sorry so many questions. Diana

At WHOLE FOODS they practically have a whole aisle devoted to the colon--haha. Also, a capsule called Casgara Sagrada (also sold there) is helpful.

WAhoo, yippee, and Yay for you!! Way to go, Chloe!!

Hi Cindy! This has happened to me at dinner more often than I care to admit. On another thread we were going back and forth about whether it could be from not eating lunch. At home it is not much of an issue, my gang just watches me pace around. When I go out, I always order hot tea so I can have just a couple of sips to work some magic in there. (Yes, this is against lapband rules, but it sure helps when out with a group).

Oh AshleyMarie--I hate to be talking about your colon, and I know I have posted this a couple of other times, but I was notorious for "going" once a week whether I needed to or not (haha). My sister got me into taking a probiotic daily. There are many on the market, but the one I take is called Garden of Life Primal Defense. It has made all the difference for me. I had been taking it prior to getting the lapband, and have experienced little to no problems with constipation. Also, I tended to get occasional breakouts that for a fourty-something woman were very bothersome. Since I take the probiotic, I seem to have no problems with my skin either. I have never tried it, but I always see Jamie Lee Curtis on TV for a yogurt called Activia that is supposed to help with this. Seems like yogurt might be pretty good, especially if you are a little tight, you might not be able to take a pill very well. I hope this eases up for you, kid.

Yay for you, Ashely! You are doing amazing!!

I cannot imagine that I a taco would hurt anything. Some have posted here that they have eaten what could be called "their last meal"--haha. If you are staying at the Lucerna, their Tortilla soup was delcious. But there will pleny of time for soup in the post-op--have the taco!

Hi TwistedSister (love your forum name ) Our instructions stated to "arrive fasting on day of pre-ops/surgery (8-hour fast)". So I suppose if you were scheduled to get to the clinic at 8am, you could theoretically eat up until 12 midnight. We didn't eat the night before. The travel day was filled with a lot of drama (including luggage that didn't make it with us), and we were glad to get to the hotel and dive into our beds. All the best to you, and good luck on 8/13!!

I think you are on to something--I had problems in the beginning because I had a bad habit of eating real fast. I'm going to watch it, and really try to not skip any meals.

Oh Lena, So sorry to read of this! You've been missed here! How are you doing?

Hey Lena! My daughter and I went back to OCC for our first fills, also. Folks that we were banded with got like 1.7 or 1.8 in their bands for their first fills (at OCC), and we each got 1.0. My daughter was able to lose 50 lbs on just that one fill. I have had three fills and I'm sneaking up on 60 pounds lost. I was pretty weary after the first fill, because I really wasn't losing weight at a rate like I had expected to. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't know if it is because my daughter is young and hasn't screwed up her metabolism like I have because of years of whacky dieting, or if it just takes more fills for some because that is what it takes. I hope you have a safe trip there--are you going to Cosmed for anything "fun" while you are there?

Hey Lisa! I so love your outlook on everything! You are priceless!!

Oh Dawn--those types of experiences make you wonder if it will ever work itself out. I find it hard to concentrate on anything else, especially at work. Also, often wonder where all of the "slime" comes from. I think sometimes I must be an "over-producer"--haha. Good grief!! I think you are right to take it easy the next day or so. Hang in there, kid!

Hey Shy-- I've noticed that too--that if I happen to skip lunch (usually too busy, not that I would ever forget to eat-haha) dinner becomes a real challenge. I thought it was just me, but maybe there is something to it. Thanks for posting it.

DANG girl!! What a transformation! Inspire you have!!

Sometimes bruising is associated with decreased Vitamin K level. Just puttin' it out there--

Good for you! We went to OCC also. Dr Ortiz banded us, but we talked with Dr Martinez as well. They are the best!! They love their patients almost as much as we love them!! I was ready to fax my paperwork to a local doctor and did a google search to make sure that there wasn't anything negative out there on him. In doing that I hit on a post on this forum and the rest "is history" as they say.

Chloe--are you getting your lap-band done by a US doctor?

I was 232lbs at my highest, 5'8" and a 1x--but, I was a muscular 232-hahahaha!! You girls crack me up!!

Hey Chloe! First of all, I admire you for puttin' yourself out there. Being honest about what scares us helps us grow--good girl! I come at this whole thing from a couple of differerent fronts. I have the lap-band and so does my 15 year old daughter. She was 13 and 186 pounds when she went through the surgery. She did want it. I wondered if we were doing the right thing, as we devoured all the information on this forum prior to surgery. She has done great. She lost about 50 pounds and looks fantastic. She is going to be a sophomore in high school come the Fall. I say all this to say that as a parent, I want to cry sometimes that we were able to help our daughter avoid some of the crap in life by getting her this simple tool that has allowed her to change in so many ways. I am sure this is how your mother feels. Ultimately though, you are not 13. It really is your decision, your adult decision. It will not work simply because your mum wants it to. Many folks on this forum talk about working with their band, "teamwork" if you will. That pretty much means you doing your part, with your heart into it, following the lapband rules, etc. When you read on this forum, inlcuding the awesome posts here in this thread, the profound changes that folks have made in their lives by using this tool, please allow yourself to believe that these could be the changes that will happen to you also. This really is an awesome gift that we are given. We all are behind you, whatever you decide.

Hey SuzeeQ! We (teenage daughter and myself) were banded Feb '08 and received a small box with 4 or 5 tablets of a pain killer called Supradol. From the net, "Supradol--A potent NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to relieve moderately severe, acute pain for short term therapy (maximum 5 days)." It worked well for us. We both have a few pills left, where we didn't need all of them. Good luck to you on 8/18!!

Hey Kristi! Congratuations!! There is nothing like having your weight taken at your doctor's office and have it match what you think you're seeing at home. For me, it's a validation that I wasn't dreaming when I saw that number on my own scale. Keep up the good work!

WOW! What good news for you, Louise. For the folic acid deficiency, do you take a supplement?

Way to go, Maggie! Keep goin', girl!!