On TOPIC, living on the Truman Show

I know I haven't posted for awhile, but I don't tend to write every little thing, but I don't think a day goes by that I don't check the headlines here. Last week I had my 4th or 5th Band Adjustment.  I'm still at the same weight that I was on the day of my surgery in June.  So yes, it is possible to NOT lose weight after surgery.  On my second fill they had me drink barium and then took pictures with the scope. He put in a bunch of fluid, then watched the barium, then backed off a ML and said you are really tight now.  The result?  I could still eat just as much.  Go figure.  The next time he didn't do the scope, just added 2 ML.  He said, you are really tight now.  The result?  I could still eat just as much.  Last week I drank barium and it was an exact repeat of adjustment 2.  He said you are really tight now.  Same result.  I feel like I'm on the Truman show and we are merely going through the steps for the sake of the hospital making some money.  I decided I am done with adjustments.   I do not regret having surgery.  I just consider that the tool has reached its end point and I must now look for alternatives.  A related note, I just found out that my thyroid is dead in the water.  I am now taking synthroid.  I have this suspicion that this may be the culprit in me not losing, because I am pretty much doing everything else right.  I have a strong family history of dead thyroids, so it's it was just my turn.  Since taking the synthroid I have not needed a nap in the afternoon (typically done on my bus ride) and I wake up refreshed.  I have more energy and I swear I can feel my metabolism working again.  Maybe this is the push I needed. Meanwhile work is busier than ever.  I write this while my computers are working hard.  I enjoy going to coffee groups, so if you don't see me there its not be being shy, it's me having a reason I can't make it.   I have been invited to guest speak at St. Cloud State, so perhaps I can arrange a coffee group in SC when that happens????  Also, I have to get fitted for a tux (friends wedding) in Chaska, so maybe I can time that one out with the SW coffee groups.   It would have been fun to hit the girls night out with ya'll, but I was out of town that night.  Hopefully next time, but I'm not a karoke type. Well, until the next summary....... Me

SOOOOO good to hear an update from you.  I just ran across your name in my cell phone and wondered how you were doing.  Major bummer that the Lapband isn't working like you hoped.  I can't even believe that it's been 7 months since you had your surgery.  But good news that you're able to get on synthroid - hopefully that will get things to turn around weight wise. What will you be speaking about in St. Cloud?  Any news on your job offering you anymore now that you got your certification?  I'm sure not, but I am hoping for you! Take care of yourself and keep your chin up! Tracy!

Hi Paul, hey it's awesome to hear from you!!! As an alternative, I just want to suggest you set up a time to go meet Dr. Buchwald at the U and discuss your options. I know you like Dr. Lederer a lot, but Dr. B's been around a LOT longer and may just have the answers you need. The man has done MANY, MANY revisions. JMHO. I totally want you to succeed at this because you deserve it! Stay warm & hope to see you again at a Maple Grove coffee, though leave your construction worker yellow shirt home, that thing was too dang bright for me. LMAO!

Hi Paul, So nice to see you again.  How much fluid do you have in your band at this time?  Are you filled all the way?  Can you ask to be?  But now maybe with your thyroid figured out, this may be what you need to get that scale moving downward.  Good luck!!

I can relate to the dead thyroid.  I was just diagnosed with papillary cancer and Hashimoto disease and had the entire thing and two lymph nodes surgically removed.  It's really terrible what a hypo thyroid can do to you.  I'm hoping the meds will work and get your metabolism refreshed and working again. Best wishes to you!  

Paul- it's really good to see you post again. I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how things are. Please don't give up. Maybe you just need to have more fills than the average bander. I really want to see you succeed with this because you deserve to be healthy.  The next outing will be bowling. I think that should be fun. There is a coffee group in Duluth on March 2nd. Are you going to that? I am planning on it. I think it should be fun.  Take care (and good luck), Lori

Hey Paul!!! We have missed you at coffee!!!! But completely understand!!!  You know, there was a gal on another board who had stopped losing weight and started regaining, even with doing all the rules and such.  Just found out her thyroid is bad and now they expect her to start losing again.  PLUS< I believe Nicole, she had the same issue and has lost weight since taking synthroid.  I would definitely see how this works!!  Hope it helps ya!! Our next coffee is Feb. 9th!!  Maybe you can make it!!!

bad thyroid... sounds familiar.  I was napping in my car at lunch time, nearly dozing off at my desk, and the thinning hair thing?  Been there, done that BEFORE WLS!  The synthroid certainly helped.  So did bringing my hemoglobin up to snuff by having a hystericalectomy.  (Sorry, not an option for you, pal...) I do hope this treatment will help jumpstart your loss, I've gotta think it will.   And yeah, we miss you !!!   Come on the 9th if you can, okay?  You always make me think!  I need brain exercise!!!  Or gingko, but that's another support board...

Answers to above questions: What will you be speaking about in St. Cloud?   Television protrayal of Video Forensics vs. how the real world actually works, criminal justice department.  Not sure of the date yet. Any news on your job offering you anymore now that you got your certification?  Not Yet...the wheels move really slow.  I still have an offer of pursuing Arizona, which sounds really good the last week of January in Minnesota. I just want to suggest you set up a time to go meet Dr. Buchwald at the U and discuss your options: Not ready to investigate other medical options....going to see if the synthroid works. How much fluid do you have in your band at this time?   Not exactly sure but it's probably on some record somewhere Are you filled all the way?   That's not easy to answer.  Filled as far as they will let me be filled, but according to the surgeon, they could fill it to close up the pipe. Can you ask to be?  You can ask anything you want.  There is nothing more they can do. There is a coffee group in Duluth on March 2nd. Are you going to that? As much as I love coffee and people, that is a bit far.  I love Duluth in the summer though, so I may revisit the idea when I can sit in Canal Park and watch the ore boats whilst I sip my coffee. Come on the 9th if you can, okay? I love coffee time with my sisters, it's higher on my priority list than it seems.

Hey Paul-Sorry your struggling-if you can eat more than a cup of food-you need a fill!!  Talk to your nut. and go over your diet with her.  I was told that 5-7 fills is NOT abnormal to reach your sweet spot.  Having said that, I know how darn frustrating it is!!  Best of luck to you and keep us filled in!!!