Rhonda / Betty - How are things?

Hi Ladies, I was just wondering how things are going. For me, I think I'm OK but I'm still figuring things out with the band and my body... Wish I could look in the mirror with XRay vision!!! Ramone

Hi Ramone, Glad to hear you're doing okay, me too. Actually I feel pretty good, my port incision is finally healing up. I'm down 18 pounds since the surgery, but I must admit I do get hungry a couple of hours after eating. I'm still eating the mushies until day 30, which should be Monday, then regular foods. I'm still a bit nervous about that, but I guess I'll just have to remember to chew well. I'm glad I made the app't for the fill - I think I'll need it then. Are you eating real food yet? My app't with Dr Mitchell is Aug 23 at 4:45 so maybe we'll be able to say hi in person then. Take care. Betty

I had started mushies a bit early and started solids a bit early (nothing major though... Stuff like Chili that was pretty much done for me). I've noticed I've caught myself not chewing enough or eating too fast, so I remind myself that if I had my fill I'd be hurting so I'm trying to get it through my thick skull!!!! I probably have about 1 cup with each meal which suits me fine. Overall I honestly can't say I feel hungry anymore... it's kinda weird. I'm sure that will change come fill time. If it doesn't then I'm not even sure I'll have a fill (part of me wants to no matter what, just to verify that the port is still OK, etc). I'm just wondering if I can count on Dr. Mitchell afterwards for more than just fills (ie. I think somethings not right, who do I call type of thing). I'm sure we'll meet on the 23rd and I look forward to it! Take care, Ramone

Hi Ramone and Betty, Things have not been going so well. While I was on clear fluids and full fluids everything went ok. But when I tried to go on pureed then solid foods, I had a lot of discomfort and pain and could only eat a very small amount (4 tsp). If I didn't stop eating then I would vomit. I can only drink a small amount at a time and I'm having a hard time getting in enough water. I only get in between 600-750 calories a day. I have lost 25 lbs. in 4 weeks, but I feel tired and lethargic. On Monday I'm going for a barium swollow to see what's going on. I'm hoping the band has not slipped or twisted. I don't know what would happen if that was the case. I'm glad to hear you are both doing fine. Take care, Rhonda

Hi Rhonda, I hope everything goes OK. It could be things are still just swollen but I'm glad you can get some answers with a barium swallow. Not knowing for me is the biggest problem with the Lapband thing. Did you arrange it through your family doctor and have you given the surgeon a heads up to how your feeling? Ramone

Hi Ramone, Yes, I first e-mailed Dr. Joya's human resources person, Nathalie. She suggested to have an x-ray using the fluroscopy. My doctor explained that the fluroscopy exposes a person to a lot of radiation and they shy away from it unless absolutely necessary, so I will do the barium swollow first. My doctor said I could request that they burn an extra CD and make extra pictures to send to Dr. Joya. I hope you are right and that things are just healing inside still. I don't know what will happen if the band has slipped or is twisted? Rhonda

Rhonda, I'm so sorry things haven't been going so well for you. I hope you're just healing more slowly than most. Is your doctor in your home town or do you have to travel? Maybe you'll have to go back on full liquids for a while. I hope all goes well with your doctor and please let us know how you're doing - we'll be thinking about you. Take care. Betty