skinnyagain

So today is day 10 and I am suppose to be off bedrest after today. Since my drainage was 89cc for yesterday I don't think it is coming out any time soon. Follow up on Tuesday, so I might get it out...I guess we have to weigh that the drain is a source of infection, open portal to the abd. vs. increased drainage and having to hAVE MY BODY absorb the fluid! I guess thats why we rely on the knowledge and experience of the Dr.s... This morning I was treated with breakfast in bed by my 14 year old son. We watched a movie and then off to the shower. I am not having a lot of pain, just soreness...I can sure tell a big difference when my binder is off. I have to wash it every other day or so, cause it gets nasty...So while that is drying I get real sore... I tried to load some before and after pics, but either its my computer or the OCC programing and I couldn't get them to load...I got a error notice... Take care and happy banding... Kim

welcome to the Lapband world...We are hear for you just write and we will be able to help with your questions... Have a great journey, everyone of us has a had a slight different journey... Kim

I AM NOT A DR. BUT I JUST HAD A TT/LIPO/ AND BREAST LIFT ON APRIL 30TH...MY DOC WANTED TO STAY AWAY FROM MY PORT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. SO I WOULD THINK IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE MD, AND HOW MUCH LIPO THAT WOULD BE NEEDED. KIM

A HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT IS A MUCH MORE INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAN HAVING THE LAP BAND PUT IN YOU. THE HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENTS REQUIRE THE MD TO CUT THE BONE AND SQUREW IN A PLATE TO ONE SIDE OF THE BONE...VERY INVASIVE...THE LAPBAND IS A CLOSED OR LAPORASCOPIC SURGERY, (5 TINY HOLES VS A VERY LARGE OPEN INCISION WITH A HIP/KNEE). YOU DO GET ANTIBIOTICS PRE BAND...THIS IS TO KEEP ANY INFECTION THAT YOU MIGHT GET AT A MINIMUM...I ASKED MORE THAN ONE PERSON CONNECTED TO THE OCC WHAT THE INFECTION RATE WAS, AND I BELIEVE IT WA LESS THAN 1%...BETTER THAN US HOSPITALS... THERE IS A RISK WITH ANY SURGICAL PROCEEDURE THAT IS DONE, SOME MORE AND SOME LESS...I THINK THE OCC HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT KEEPING SURGICAL INFECTION TO ALMOST NONE... I HAVE NOT READ IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS SITE OF ANYONE HAVING A POST OP INFECTION... KIM

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD POST TO POST BECAUSE I HAVE POSTED SOMETHING TO ALL THE OTHER TOPICS... KIM

I THINK IF YOU DRINK IN MODERATION A GLASS OF WINE WITH YOUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER OR WHEN YOU GO OUT WILL NOT TOTALLY SABOTAGE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS. ANYTHING IN EXCESS IS BAD,,,THAT BEING SAID, I HAD A DRINK EVERY NIGHT (ONE) AFTER WORK...MY WEIGHT LOSS WAS VERY SLOW...I STOPPED DRINKING THAT GLASS OF WHITE WINE, AND STARTED SWIMMING AND THE WEIGH BEGAN TO ROLL OFF... IN MY CASE IT WASN'T IN MODERATION, SO IT HAMPERED MY WEIGHT LOSS. I STOPPED AND I BEGAN TO LOSE... I SUPPOSE IF YOU FIGURE THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE INTO YOUR CALORIE INTAKE FOR THE DAY YOU WOULD THINK YOU WOULD BE OK...SOMETHING TO PONDER KIM

REVY IS CORRECT--A MED TO HELP KEEP BLOOD SUGARS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. Glucophage, also known by the brand name Metformin, is a drug used to treat type II diabetes and has shown promise in treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS have elevated levels of testosterone. Metformin appears to help lower these levels, though research into exactly why Metformin helps PCOS patients is new and ongoing. Lowering testosterone levels can reverse many PCOS symptoms, including weight gain, excess hair growth and infertility. Instructions.Step 1Consult with your doctor about the dosage of metformin that he's prescribed for you to take. Pills are available in 500mg, 850mg and 1000mg increments. Step 2Discuss the advantages of the extended release version of metformin to see if it is right for you. The slow release reduces the gastrointestinal upset associated with metformin. It also allows you to take your full daily dose at one time. Step 3Begin by taking a quarter of your full dose for the first week. Add another quarter for the second week, another quarter for the third week and then take the full dose starting at the fourth week. Ramping up to the full dose also lessens the severity of the gastrointestinal upset. Step 4Be prepared to suffer some diarrhea, nausea, cramps and vomiting for the first couple of weeks. These side effects should go away after two or three weeks with regular use of metformin. Step 5Take the metformin at the end of a meal or at bedtime to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects. Step 6Follow a low glycemic index diet and avoid alcohol. This will help with the side effects, and also increase the effectiveness of metformin. Step 7Continue taking the metformin for 6 months. The majority of PCOS patients will see improvements in insulin levels and ovulatory function within that time. http://www.ehow.com/how_2318063_take-metformin-pcos.html SOURCE FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR DOCTOR CONCERNING THE GI UPSET OF THIS MEDICATION HOPE THIS HELPS KIM

WHAT i HAVE LEARTNED BY HAVING MY BAND THAT MY BODY CAN RUN ON AWHOLE LOT LESS FOOD THAN I WAS ONCE SHUVING INTO IT I LOOK AT FOOD DIFFERENTLY, I CHOOSE FOODS THAT WILL NOURISH AND ALSO GO DOWN EASILY! THIS DIDN'T COME TO LIGHT OVER NIGHT. I TESTED THE BAND, WITH PROCESSED FOOD, MEATS, BREADS, SALADS, VEGGES ETC...I CAN MAKE A MEAL OUT OF VEGGIES, FEEL SATISFIED AND NOT WANT SUGAR AFTER MY MEAL.... I DON'T CRAV CARBS LIKE I USED TOO. IF YOUR NOT EATING THEM, YOUR NOT GETTING THE HIGHS AND LOWS WITH YOUR BLOOD SUGARS... i HAVE LEARNED THAT i CANNOT EAT BIG MEALS IN THE AM, SO USUALLY A DRINKABLE YOGURT IS WHAT I GET WITH COFFEE...AND MY BODY IS OK WITH THIS... FAST FOOD IS NO LONGER AN OPTION BECAUSE I CAN'T EAT IT, IT COMES UP VERY EASILY! I FEEL BETTER, I AM MORE SELF CONFIDENT, I AM MORE SEXUAL AS I BECOME A LIGHTER ME. I WOULD DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN AND I WOULD TELL SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT GETTING THE BAND TO DO IT! YOU STILL GET TO EAT ANY FOODS YOU WANT, IT MIGHT BE ONE OR TWO BITES, BUT THAT IS OK... KIM

ok, so I thought I was doing really well by ice packing, and following the rules etc..My drainage was down to just a trickle...So I may have over done it yesterday by being upright a bit more than I have been the last few days...Some friends came over and brought dinner, so I can't just sit and do nothing....after they left, I was messin around with my drain, and noticed a blood clot right where it comes out of my skin, so I messed with it and got the clot out, and whammo, 30cc of fluid came rushing into the drain...and then I emptied that and at midnight I had another 24cc, and this am another 25cc...so I guess I am not doing as good as I thought I was....sO BACK TO the couch to stay and not move around except to pee! kim

are you eating those fiber wafers, you can have three or four perday.. Fills you up...how about cream of chicken soup, make it a bit thicker so that it stays in your tummy a bit longer to send the signal to your brain that you are not hungry...Not that I think this is good, but I used appetite suppressants in the late stage of my liquid portion, that helped a bit to keep the killer hunger pains physical and mental at bay!!!! but yes call OCC and see if you can start some sort of solid!!!! Kim

post op day 7, have my post op appt with Dr Nyte Tuesday to get this drain out...I again feel better with each day..My drainage is down to a minimum....I actually put makeup on...this is usually the time that I get myself into trouble, because I feel good enough to do somethings around the house, and that is a huge NONO!!!! So the sunshine is out, kiddo is home from school so he gets to take care of his mama while dad is at work... Pictures to come soon Kim

I didn't feel any restriction until my second fill..Frpm what I gather your not suppose to feel restriction because the band is healing in place...that being said every body is different...There is a guy on here that has not had a fill...I would only speculate as you loose weight you would need addition fills as you become skinnier, thus maybe not! Only do what feels good...and if you not loosing and following the rules then it will be time for a fill. Kim

I tend to PB more in the am when my band is tighter. I try to drink lots of fluids to wash the slime that builds in the pouch throughout the night. I still find that I will PB if I eat to fast, and or eat something I shouldn't, like bread, and try to eat to much....So for me its a no brainer. Slow down, smaller bites, and don't eat food that I know won't go down... So if your doing all those things...and your still PBing I would think your to tight. For some reason we don't want to take that .5cc out that would make the world a difference,(cause we play mind games with ourselves) but I fought PBing with every meal, and finally had a.5cc removed and I started to lose finally... Good luck Kim

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE OCC IS GOING TO POST A LINK TO SEE THE WEBINARS FOR MAY? SOME OF US WERE RECOVERING! KIM

post op day 6...slept in my bed next to my hubby...still have to sleep semi upright, on my side....no tummy sleeping for 2 mo or so..this is hard for me...weird pain from my nipples...I never had much sensation in the boob area's, but sice surgery Dr. Nyte woke them up!!!...lol....Titty erection...24/7...lol.. and there still with the bandages on them...my sis had a boob lift and she said hers are very sensitive after surgery...So maybe I will get an additional benefit from the lift... drain still remains, not as much red drainage, more of the light pinkie color...Hopefully I will go for my post op check and get the drain out! If anyone wants to call and chat, I am bored out of my mind 360-202-3961 or if you skype we can do that too!!! Chow my fellow bandiva's and male bander buds Kim

I think for me the energy I get is usually late afternoon...maybe because by then I have fueled my body enough that my brain gets some nurishment... I think its going to be all different for each of us... Take that energy and do something with it!!!

I THINK YOU MENT HYPERchondriac, NOT hypochondriac....I GET WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT..IT GETS WORSE WHEN YOUR A NURSE. YOU KNOW ENOUGH TO FREAK YOURSELF OUT... AND YES, I HAD THE OCC HERNIA... KIM

SARAH--YOUR MOM HAS RESERVATIONS BECAUSE IT IN MEXICO, OR THAT YOUR 16? HAVE HER CALL ME, HAVE HER WAQTCH THE VIDEO'S ON UTUBE, SHE NEEDS TO READ THIS FORUM...LET ME KNOW IF SHE WANTS TO TALK TO ANY OF US...I AM SURE ANY OF US WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE OUT OUR PHONE NUMBER IF SHE WANTED TO TALK. THE OCC WAS VERY CLEAN, PROFESSIONAL AND THEY KNOW WHAT THE HECK THEY ARE DOING. I AM A RN AND HAVE WORKED IN HOSPITALS IN THE US THAT ARE NOT AS CLEAN AS THE OCC IS. THEY DON'T LET ANYONE IN THE BACK UNLESS YOU HAVE BOOIE COVERS ON. LINEN'S CLEAN, OPERATING ROOM CLEAN..I ASKED FOR A LOOK SEE IN THE OR SUITE....THEY DON'T HIDE ANYTHING. THE NURSES THAT HELPED OUT BY STARTING THE IV AND BEING THERE AT YOUR BECK AND CALL. THEY HAD ALL THE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT... THEY PICK YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT AND TRANSPORT YOU STRAIT TO THE OCC. THEN THEY WILL TRANSPORT YOUR FAMILY MEMBER TO THE HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT AND THEN BACK TO THE OCC...YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO SEE TIJUANA IF YOU DON'T WANT TOO. WE NEVER WENT INTO TJ. JUST TO THE OCC, HOTEL AND THEN HOME. I HAD NO COMPLICATION...NORMAL POST OP BELLY PAIN...MY HUBBY SAID I WAS IN AND OUT OF THE OR IN 20MIN. YOUR NOT OUT FOR VERY LONG. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE OCC 100X'S OVER. I WOULD SEND MY 15 YEAR OLD THERE IF HE NEEDED IT...THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU SARAH IS ARE YOUR MATURE ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS IN YOUR BODY AT 16...THERE ARE MORE FOODS THAT YOU MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT AGAIN. THE BENFITS OUTWEIGH ANY SIDE EFFECTS YOU MAY HAVE. A LOT OF FOLKS CANNOT EAT THINGS LIKE BREAD...TWO BITES IS ALL I CAN EAT OF BREAD. TACO BELL, I EAT THE INSIDES OF THE TACO... I WAS A 16 YEAR OLD MANY MOONS AGO...I STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGH FOR YEARS, AND I PROBABLE WILL FOREVER. THE BAND HAS TAUGHT ME TO SLOW DOWN...I HAVE TO THINK BEFORE I SHUVE FOOD IN MY GULLET. PLUS, I NEED TO MAKE SURE WHAT GOES INTO MY BODY WILL NOURISH MYSELF. SO I DON'T EAT ALOT OF CRAP...READ DR. ORTIZ'S BOOK, AND MAKE YOUR MOM READ IT TOO. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR MISSION. KIM

SARAH--YOUR MOM HAS RESERVATIONS BECAUSE IT IN MEXICO, OR THAT YOUR 16? HAVE HER CALL ME, HAVE HER WAQTCH THE VIDEO'S ON UTUBE, SHE NEEDS TO READ THIS FORUM...LET ME KNOW IF SHE WANTS TO TALK TO ANY OF US...I AM SURE ANY OF US WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE OUT OUR PHONE NUMBER IF SHE WANTED TO TALK. THE OCC WAS VERY CLEAN, PROFESSIONAL AND THEY KNOW WHAT THE HECK THEY ARE DOING. I AM A RN AND HAVE WORKED IN HOSPITALS IN THE US THAT ARE NOT AS CLEAN AS THE OCC IS. THEY DON'T LET ANYONE IN THE BACK UNLESS YOU HAVE BOOIE COVERS ON. LINEN'S CLEAN, OPERATING ROOM CLEAN..I ASKED FOR A LOOK SEE IN THE OR SUITE....THEY DON'T HIDE ANYTHING. THE NURSES THAT HELPED OUT BY STARTING THE IV AND BEING THERE AT YOUR BECK AND CALL. THEY HAD ALL THE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT... THEY PICK YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT AND TRANSPORT YOU STRAIT TO THE OCC. THEN THEY WILL TRANSPORT YOUR FAMILY MEMBER TO THE HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT AND THEN BACK TO THE OCC...YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO SEE TIJUANA IF YOU DON'T WANT TOO. WE NEVER WENT INTO TJ. JUST TO THE OCC, HOTEL AND THEN HOME. I HAD NO COMPLICATION...NORMAL POST OP BELLY PAIN...MY HUBBY SAID I WAS IN AND OUT OF THE OR IN 20MIN. YOUR NOT OUT FOR VERY LONG. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE OCC 100X'S OVER. I WOULD SEND MY 15 YEAR OLD THERE IF HE NEEDED IT...THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU SARAH IS ARE YOUR MATURE ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS IN YOUR BODY AT 16...THERE ARE MORE FOODS THAT YOU MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT AGAIN. THE BENFITS OUTWEIGH ANY SIDE EFFECTS YOU MAY HAVE. A LOT OF FOLKS CANNOT EAT THINGS LIKE BREAD...TWO BITES IS ALL I CAN EAT OF BREAD. TACO BELL, I EAT THE INSIDES OF THE TACO... I WAS A 16 YEAR OLD MANY MOONS AGO...I STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGH FOR YEARS, AND I PROBABLE WILL FOREVER. THE BAND HAS TAUGHT ME TO SLOW DOWN...I HAVE TO THINK BEFORE I SHUVE FOOD IN MY GULLET. PLUS, I NEED TO MAKE SURE WHAT GOES INTO MY BODY WILL NOURISH MYSELF. SO I DON'T EAT ALOT OF CRAP...READ DR. ORTIZ'S BOOK, AND MAKE YOUR MOM READ IT TOO. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR MISSION. KIM

DITTO, AND FIBER WILL MAKE YOU FULL TOO. i WOULD EAT 3-4 FIBER TABS TO KEEP THE HUNGER PAINS AWAY!AND TO THIS DAY I USE BENEFIBER IN MY AM COFFEE! BEST OF LUCK KIM

WORKING ON DAY FIVE...SO FAR I KNOW THAT THESE DRUGS MESS WITH MY MIND. I CUT UP SOME VEGGIES FOR MY SALAD, ATE THE VEGGIES, THEN I COULDN'T FIND THEM...DUH CAUSE I ATE THEM...I WAS GOING TO PUT THEM IN MY PASTA SALAD... THIS MORNING MY DRAIN OPENED ALL OVER ME, THE COUCH THE PILLOWS...YUCK...SO THEN I HAD TO CLEAN THAT UP...FEELING A BIT SHAKY, SO MY FRIEND IS BRINGING ME OVER SOME SOUP... MY POOR DOGS JUST LOOK AT ME AND WANT TO SO BAD TO BE IN MY LAP...UHHHH NO!!!I AM FARTING, BUT NO POO FOR 5 DAYS...I KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN, SO I HAVE UP'D MY BOWEL MED PROGRAM..NARCOTICS WILL BLOCK YOU UP SOMETHING FEIRCE...I KNOW I KNOW TMI!!! THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME..THE BAND YEAR AGO, AND NOW EVERYTHING IS PERKIE AND FLAT...WERE GETTING THERE... TAKE CARE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WELL WISHES. KIM

I THINK THAT INFORMATION WAS ON THE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS THAT WERE GIVIN TO YOU WHEN YOU LEFT THE OCC. I THINK 90 DAYS SOUNDS CORRECT.. THEY DON'T WANT THE BAND OR PORT TO MOVE SINCE THEY ARE HEALING IN PLACE. TO MUCH TORK ON YOUR MUSCLES COULD MOVE THEM...I WOULD WAIT 90 DAYS, OR ASK WHEN YOU GO IN FOR YOUR FILLS KIM

THESE ARE ALL GREAT REFERENCES...YOU CAN ALSO DO A INTERNET SEARCH IN YOUR AREA..I GO TO NW FILLS MANAGEMENT, BUT THAT IS HERE IN WASHINGTON STATE. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU KIM

WELCOME TO YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM...EVERYONE HERE WILL SUPPORT YOU AND BE VERY HONEST WITH YOU...CONGRATS ON BUILDING THE NEW YOU KIM