Sunday Roll Call

Hi Carol. I think I had a lot of work done, more than expected. Maybe that is why I am having a lot of pain. The heating pad is helping me. Thanks Lucy

Hi Lucy, It has been a year since I was banded but boy do I remember the pain in my port site.  I actually had an infection in the site.  It was awful.  I walked like cromagnin woman for a week.  And I could not sleep on my stomach ( which was awful- I am a stomach sleeper).  I lived on the liquid lortab for a few weeks.  My site was oozing pus and you could see the stitches coming out of the site.   I actually had to clean the site and pack it 3 times a day.  But all of a sudden it got so much better and I could actually move again.  I too could not eat as I felt VERY full, but that went away and I did go through a period of bandster hell before my first fill.  My surgeon wont fill before six weeks out, so I had to wait the full six weeks.   I actually slept with the pillow on my belly to splint it for a good month and actually slept in my recliner the whole time also.  Lying flat hurt so much, it was not worth the pain to lie that way. Oh and for a while I would have shooting pain in the port area if I bent down too quickly, or if I coughed.   It hurt all the time - but it did get better with time.  I eventually even tried a binder - I dont recommend it!   I have found that a good spanx did the trick.  It held it in and didnt constrict.  The nausea is normal... it will pass.  I found that sugar free popsicles worked the best-  as well as lemon crystal light.  I could not tolerate regular water for a long time.    Also I used a small saucer sized plate to eat off of as well as a ****tail fork.  I carried it with me in the begining, you should have seen the looks people gave me.   One word of advice- make sure you have all your protein as much as possible.  I still have a hard time with protein and dont tolerate alot of protein rich foods.   My hair started to fall out in clumps.  I now live on liquid Isopure and biotin to make sure I get my 80 grams of protein a day.  1-2 isopures daily mixed with crystal light (i hate the protein after taste) as well as a protein bar for snack at 4pm, and then the protein with dinner seems to do the trick.  I found that I didnt eat all day until 2ish b/c I wasnt  hungry - not good!  Now i have breakfast daily (oatmeal or cream of wheat with a banana).   Also I usually have to open my band up with a cup of coffee or hot tea b/c I like to keepmy band on the tighter side or I loosen up too quickly and I eat too much.  So my band is really tight in the am.  By dinner I can usually eat whatever I cook for the family.  I DO NOT tolerate pork of any kind...... meat is a a 50/50 depending on the cut and how it is cooked.   And chicken has to be moist or it will come back up.  Cant eat bread too much... i prefer whole wheat tortilla or pita ( there are some that actually have quite a bit of protein in them).  Unfortunatly junk goes through the band quite well....  I learned the hard way that exercise is imperative.   I now do aqua fit class 3 times weekly, 1 latin impact class a week ( I have done one that damn near killed me) and walk on the treadmill and do the bike and machines on tues and thursdays.   I swear I had the longest plateau in the history of mankind. Almost a year long.  I finally went to see a personal trainer and he damn near killed me.  I almost passed out and couldnt breathe, but I broke the damn plateau!   The man worked me to death.  I thought my fat arse was gonna end up in the er on a vent!   Anyway he put together my exercise regime, and I am proud to say that one year later I am finally dropping the weight quickly and in a good pattern.   I am a girl that HATES to exercise, but I now love it and love even more how I feel.   Advice- keep drinking and use the sugar free popsicles. I loved them.  I ate so many my tongue started to hurt.  Splint with the pillow and take it easy - it will get better.  When you start solids I cannot stress enough to cut the food to baby size peices and chew like a madwoman.  This comes from someone who threw up her gyro all over the table at Navy pier b/c she did not chew enough.   Needless to say we left there quite quickly!  My husband tells everyone that he hates to eat with me b/c he never knows when its coming back the other way.  My daughter told my mother one day " look out shes gonna blow"   My whole family has had to adjust to my band - it has been a learning experience for all of us.  If you have any questions just ask.  I think I have been though it all.   If you get stuck make sure you have pineapple juice or papaya enzyme tabs on hand at all times. - once you have had a good stuck experience you are a LOT more cautious about your eating.  It hurts like hell! Gina

Good Morning all, Lucy, I'm sorry you are having such pain.  Hnag in there.  It will pass in another day or two.  Believe it or not, the sipping will help.  Also, I found that the more I could walk, the better I felt.  It's all that gas that's left over from the surgery.  Gas-x helped a little but time and walking did it for me.  Just close your eyes and think about how it's going to be when you're back at goal weight!  My day is going to be spent at a cub scout family bike ride.  The family is excited and I put a new bike seat on Liz's bike for Meredith.  I'm planning on riding but will make a final decision closer to noon.  I feel up to it, but I don't want to over do it.  This morning I got out my juicer and made a bottle of really good juice up for the week.  It has spinach, cuccumber, tomato, celery and a carrot!  Ah, to be able to do full liquids!!!  I'm going to attempt to upload the new family picture today.  I hope everyone has a great day!  Paul

Paul, you should do the bike ride. Or, at least attemp it. I am seriously thinking of a bike for me. I haven't riden in 30 years.

Hi Paul. Thanks for the advice. I'm already on full liquids. It's ok but I do miss the solid food. Drinking it doesn't cut it for me. I can't wait for pureed foods! Lucy

Well everyone, it is official, I have a cold.  it is making me miserabe.  my nose is raw from blowing and wiping, my teeth hurt because me sinuses are enlarged, my chest hurts from the congestion.  Thank goodness that Tylenol makes cold medicine, there is my trusty friend zicam.   Lucy, I wish I could do something to make the pain go away.  But, just keep walking, sipping, and resting. Christine & Dave, it sounds like you guys are having amazing time in the Dells.  My family and I will be going up there on Father's day for a couple of days. Lisa, have a wonderful time at your GD birthday party.   Karen, your DH has been on the road that long?  My grandfather and FIL were both long haul truck drivers in the day, so I know that last thing you would want to do is laundry.   My agenda today is to go to Great Lakes and do some grocery shopping at the commisary. Laundry and a few other odds and ends.

Wendi, I also have my first cold since surgery and just got some Liquid Tylenol multi symptom cold stuff.  I am afraid that there is sugar in it and will make me dump....do you have any problems with it?

 

Good Morning Chris and the rest of my IL family,

Yesterday was interesting to say the least.  We went to Tyler's ball game, where they played great but still lost.  Then Mike and I came home, I napped and the boys went with their dad.  At about 5:30pm we left to meet my ex, his finacee, her mom and the boys at Olive Garden for Jacob's birthday dinner.  I knew right away that Jacob wasn't right. I thought he was upset because his dad wouldn't let him stay with me for his birthday so I just dismissed it.  We got seated and everyone ordered appetizers.  (I tried 1/4 of a stuffed mushroom from my ex and it was good)  I ordered the Venitian Apricot Chicken.  Everyone else got their soup and salads and I looked down the table at Jacob and notice that he just didn't look right still.  He kept complaining that his stomach hurt and running to the bathroom.  Well when he came back from the bathroom he whispered to me that he didn't feel good and that his throat kept feeling like it was closing up.  All in all, Mike, Jacob and I ended up getting our food boxed up to go and I took him to the ER.  Spent 3 hours there, he got fluids and a complete work up, including looking for Leukemia (on request from the Dr).  Everything came back great and we left.  He's here home with me today and feels a lot better, but still not great.  I just can't figure out what's going on with him.  It's been 3 weeks that he's not 100% now and no one can tell us anything. 

Anyway, sorry that was so long, today Mike and I are going to Verizon to upgrade our cell phones and then to Borders because a book I ordered is in.  Then we'll come home and Jacob and I will just hang out while Mike cleans out the garage!  lol

I hope everyone has a wonderful and fun day!

Hi everybody!

We went out to breakfast with friends and tonight dinner with family. Kay's grandniece graduates from high school today. I've already put in my time with hs and college graduations so I'm going to meet up with the family afterwards at dinner.

Lucy, try the heating pad. I hope you feel better soon.

Pam, thanks for your support!

Looking forward to support group tomorrow!

Connie 

Good morning Illinois           well not much going on, but I won't want to be locked in Lucy's closet again.  It is nice, but I need more space.  Not much to say besides that.  Yeah exciting life, eh?