OH Failure!

Sep 26, 2010

I am a lap band failure!  I lost about 20 lbs pre-op with the liquid diet, then about 10 lbs since.  After about 7 months, my weight has not changed much, maybe down another lb or 2.  I have given up hope that this is the answer.  I followed all the rules for many months with little change.  My only positive claim is "I didn't Gain weight!"  Now, My favorite meal is 1 (or sometimes 2) Capt Morgans/diet Pepsi followed with about 1/2 a Marie Callenders beef pot pie.  On a normal day, I eat at least 1/2 of a "normal" meal = 1/2 sandwich, 1/2 salad, 1/2 anything.  I exercise no less than 1/2 hr/day and still I do not lose weight.  I have not seen my Dr for months, in part because I have had nothing but bad experiences with almost everything related to him and his office.  Also, I still have plenty of days I throw up so I am not a candidate for a fill but I would rather die than unfill and gain weight.  I know what you are thinking, lose the drinking, but after the Dr told me " if you were never a volume eater, then this probably isn't going to help you (months AFTER my CASH surgery!) then I probably wouldn't feel so helpless and so inclined to drink!  I am on my own and will have to figure this out all by myself because all the advertisements on the radio and TV are not relevant to me.  Good luck to all of you who are successful.  That is great!  I wish you the best.  But it did not work for me!!!
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Hmmm!

May 21, 2010

When I got my last fill (two weeks ago)  I had little weight loss from first fill, 1.5 lbs.  Sub Dr told me that I should be losing a lb. a week and if not, I should come back and not wait for a month to pass.  According to my scale and established weighing time, etc., I did not lose 2 lbs so I went in today.  Dr O was back and said I had lost 3.5 lbs and didn't need a fill.  I tried to explain that I had been on the road all day and hadn't had anything to eat or drink for 7 hrs, thought I was dehydrated and was sure I had not lost more than 2 lbs if that.  Basically he told me I was having head issues and need to just work with what I have, for now.  Hmmm, I just assumed that I would lose more weight with the band than I could do on my own, but I guess I have a lot to learn and for now am working on my head issues.  NO FILL.
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Protein

May 11, 2010

I attended a NUT group yesterday which was designed for those patients just one month out.  But since I didn't feel completely clear on some issues after all this time, I decided I could benefit with some face-to-face time.  One question on my mind:  I remember in a Nutrition class I took a decade ago, there was some real concern about diets high in protein, ie. Adkins, etc.  "as long term ketosis can cause kidney failure."   But my Dr clearly wants me to be eating mostly protein, so how does it work?

Well, this much I do know:  Carbohydrates are hard on the kidneys.  High blood glucose levels place excessive stress on the kidneys. That is why diabetes is the single greatest cause of kidney failure in the U.S.  And that is why my mother is on dialysis three full days a week.  So that much I clearly understand.

This well-educated NUT explained that the reason we are not in danger of damage by our high-protein diets is two-fold.

#1.  Our protein intake is limited by our portion limitations.  Adkins dieters are allowed to eat all the protein they want.

#2.  High protein with high fat is the key to true and possibly dangerous ketosis.  Because we limit our fat intake, we are not in that danger.

Well, I am comfortable with that explaination.   I know I can't eat  "the normal amounts" of carbs found in the All American diet.  My blood sugar goes up too high with just one sandwich.  And everyone knows that most fats are Bad, Bad, Bad.  So low fat protein is my friend and I don't have to worry about that anymore.
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HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May 09, 2010

To all us beautiful women!
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3 Months In...

May 08, 2010

Yesterday I had a good Dr. visit.  Only 2 lbs. down since my first fill but the best is yet to come, right?  Dr. Mahdavi was covering the office while Dr O is recuperating from back surgery.  The nurse said Dr M was the assisting Dr on my surgery although I never met him.  I was very pleased with his demeanor and he gave me a lot of information.  Who knew I had a Standard AP  10cc band.  My first fill was 2.5cc.  Dr M gave me a 1.5cc fill but unfilled .5 about 20 minutes later when I was uncomfortable with the prospect of being too tight over the weekend.  It was during this procedure that he found I had about .5cc residual in the band from surgery.  So they are counting 3.5cc when actually he unfilled 4.5 and put back 4ccs.  Note to self: no more Friday fills.  That would have been a very long weekend if I could barely swallow my own spit.

I really like the staff at the Orange office.  The nurse was very helpful and told me about a class with the NUT coming up this Monday.  I am looking forward to getting more info and support.  The daytime class is a plus for me so it is worth the 40 minute drive from the foothills.

Slow but steady!  A trip to the Podiatrist this Weds. for my heel spur will hopefully get me back on my feet and able to burn a few more calories.
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May 5

Apr 28, 2010

Hmmm, Dr O. is out of the office for a month due to surgery.  I am going to another office to see another Dr for my #2 fill on May 5.  This journey is full of the unexpected. 
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Month #2

Apr 08, 2010

2nd month out, one 2.5cc fill just 7 days ago so I have only been back on whole foods a few days since.  I had my first stuck episode last night... salad!  I was craving it and was so sure it would be okay.  I started my meal (against the rules) with the salad and was full enough that I didn't touch the rest of my meal. (Figured I would just get my protein in with a shake later.)   I chewed it a million times, but when it started trying to get past the band, yikes!  It was like a hair ball!  Everything I have been warned about!  I finally 'wilted' the salad with a cup of hot water.  So weird when you can't eat a healthy food!  Today I opted for beans and cheese.  Well, folks, seems like I am really on my journey now!
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FIRST FILLLLLL

Apr 02, 2010

Okay, I was going to try to post on the 8th of each month, but I can't wait another 6 days to blog about my 1st fill. 

I finally saw the Dr this morning, first time since surgery.  He had me up on the table in no time, pricked me with the needle and started pushing and prodding to find the right spot on the port.  Now, let me make it clear, despite my concerns, this did not hurt and he didn't pre-inject me with the xylocaine I saw sitting on the counter.  He told me to raise my head, then he pushed harder and then "oops, it slipped, tighten your stomach muscles (AS IF I HAVE ANY), there, that's better."   Let me mention to those that don't know, my port is sitting on top of my liver, probably near the edge of my liver because it felt like he 'fell off the edge' and punched me in the stomach.  Okay, now he wants me to sit up and drink some water.  It comes back up.  He unfills, water goes down, he slowly fills, water hesitates but goes down.  Good!  We're done.  First fill, 2.5cc.

Now that I am sitting back up to a dignified position, I ask him a few questions and then he tells me to call for an appt when I think I need another fill.  I ask...4 weeks? 8 weeks? and he says "when you feel that you don't have to chew your food 20 times to make it go down."  hmmm.

My port site is still tender.  I wouldn't be surprised if I got a little internal bruising from that punch.  Next time I will know to TIGHTEN MY STOMACH MUSCLES!  But I am happy that I am finally on my way!  Next learning opportunity:  my 1st air flight with a fill, coming up in a couple weeks.  Wish me luck!
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I'm back!

Mar 25, 2010

Well, I survived 8 days of travel, extreme stress , little support, limited exercise   and a birthday party    (three, actually) and still managed to lose 5 more lbs.  I haven't even had my 1st fill yet, so that is amazing!  
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a Very Important date!

Mar 13, 2010

Finally, I have a date with the Dr... My 1st post-op appt is April 1st.  It will be the first time I have seen or heard from my Dr since 2/8/10. In all fairness, I am going out of town from 3/17 - 3/24 so I can't see him much sooner anyway. I am assuming I will get a fill since I will be 7 1/2 wks out.  I know I am ready since I am hungry a lot and able to eat more than I should.  I am no (April) fool.  I am looking forward to my 1st fill and then I will really be on my way.
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About Me
San Dimas, CA
Location
36.4
BMI
Surgery
02/08/2010
Surgery Date
Feb 12, 2010
Member Since

Friends 33

Latest Blog 12

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