Food getting stuck and Pbing

Instead of typing up a whole blog post - I am just going to paste the email I sent to my local support group.

Here is what happened during my lunch date today with an old high school friend. By the way - PBing =Productive burping, which is sort of like a "sour" burp but there is no sour to it.

Well, I had my first major episode today with food getting stuck and sliming (or at least what I think sliming is). I met a male high school friend for lunch today at Moe's Southwest Grill. I ordered from the kids menu and got the Moo Moo Mr. Cow - it's a 4" x 2" burrito - filled with chicken, rice, black beans, salsa and cheese. It also comes with tortilla chips, but I didn't eat them.

I cut the burrito with a knife and ate it with a fork - taking very small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing. After my last bite I started getting the "stuck" feeling and knew that I had to start spitting my saliva or it was going to hurt more. I went into the bathroom for a couple of minutes and then came out. I told my friend that we needed to go sit in my car and talk for the rest of our lunch date because I needed to be near a cup to spit in. I was so embarrassed but luckily he knew I had the lap band and is very supportive (Diane - it was Dennis DePaul).
Normally things clear up within a few minutes when I have this feeling. This time around it hurt like hell for 55 minutes. We just sat in my car for the whole time because I was too weak and light headed from the pain to drive. I filled a medium size fast food cup half way with my saliva during that hour. He kept asking me what he could do to help and I said that I didn't know - that I thought time was the only thing that would help. So we sat it out. He was ready to bring me to the ER or to the doctors. I couldn't believe how long it went on. I did some pbing and they hurt so much. I also was getting the hiccups and they hurt also. It seemed like just when things were getting better, I would burp or hiccup and the shooting pain would start all over again.

So - my question is - is there anything but time that will make things better? Does walking around help? He suggested it but I knew that I needed to be near a cup to spit and I didn't want to do that in public.

I've been trying to figure out what caused it. I did get a fill two weeks ago and have noticed a considerable difference in this fill. I am finally feeling like I have the restrictions that I have been wanting. My portion sizes have shrunk a lot. I didn't feel full or that I was eating too much at the time. Do you think that the chicken, black beans or rice caused this? I'm thinking that I should start "testing" those food items individually to see if they might be the issue. I know that there are some lap banders that have a problem with rice and pasta.

If you have pbing and have had it go on for an hour - can you tell me what tips you might have used to lesson the amount of pain, if there is any. I really couldn't believe how long it lasted. I hope to never deal with something like that again.

NSV = Non Scale Victories

How often do you stand on your scale? Once a week, once a month, daily, maybe never? I step on mine each morning before I jump into the shower. Why do we care so much about the number on a scale? Is that the only thing that shows how successful we are with our healthy eating and exercise? I have been very discouraged lately because the number on my scale doesn't seem to be moving. Since December I have weighed the same amount, give or take 4-6 pounds. I keep bouncing from 252 to 246. It's been very frustrating. I was recently reminded that it's not just the number on the scale that I need to pay attention to.

I have been going to the gym anywhere between 3 - 6 times per week. I have noticed that I can walk two miles alot easier on the treadmill than I did when I first started working out two months ago.

I have also gone from a size 24 down to a size 18, all the while the scale has stayed the same. When I run into family or friends that I haven't seen in a month, they always tell me that I look like I have lost weight. It is nice to hear that and it does help keep me motivated. Especially when I'm stepping on the scale and seeing the same number.

Today I had an appointment at my lap band doctors. We talked alot about the lack of movement on the scale but the other non-scale victories. They reminded me that I really need to stay positive and focus on the other good things that are happening. Since I had lost 40 pounds prior to surgery, I actually may be in plateau stage. I'm going to keep track of everything that I eat. I start off the mornings good journaling but by the end of the day, I forget to write things down.

On February 23rd I had my second fill. About two weeks later I started feeling some restrictions. Enough restrictions for me to pass up my fill that I was scheduled for this month. I normally eat a piece of toast with peanut butter in the morning. For the past couple of weeks I have only been able to eat 1/2 of it. I'm not sure if it's the peanut butter or the toast but it feels like it gets stuck in my pouch. I have changed to eating two Weight Watcher cheesesticks on my way to the gym. After working out I eat another cheese stick and a piece of fruit. That tieds me over until lunch time. Usually for lunch I eat leftovers from the night before. I have tried to cut back the amount of carbs I'm consuming. For supper I usually have a protein (usually chicken) and vegetables. I'll cook myself a 4-5oz piece of chicken and eat 1/2 of it. The other half I'll eat for lunch the next day. Then I usually have 1 cup of vegetables. Occassionally we'll have rice or potatoes but not very often. I find that 2oz of chicken and the 1 cup of veggies fill me up. If I get hungry later in the evening (sometimes around 8pm), I'll grab a handful of almonds and eat them. It's enough to take the edge off the hunger.


So, is your scale hiding from you? Do you stand on it too often trying to see those numbers going down? It's time to step away from the scale and take advantage of those non-scale victories.

Leave a comment here letting me know what your NSV are.

Flipped Port

A friend of mine who had the lap band placed in January just found out that her band flipped. After doing some research online I wanted to put together a post about what happens when a port flips. What are some of the causes and how do they fix it.

Remember, I am not a medical professional. I'm just sharing some of the info I found online.

Dislodging or Flipping: The access port is sutured in place on the fascia (gristle) and muscle of the abdominal wall. If the sutures pull out of the muscle, the port can become loose or even flip over. The port then becomes difficult to access. Fixing the problems requires a return to the operating room for minor surgery.

Only 2% of band patients experience flipped ports.

Usually a port flips after a traumatic event. For example, if you were in a car accident and your air bag went off, there is a chance you flipped your port. I read about one person who bent over in the shower and they heard and felt a "pop". That was actually their port unattaching itself and flipping over. Since your port is just held in place with sutures, there is a possibility of it becoming unattached.

If your port does become flipped, you will unfortunately need another operation. They say that the surgery is very quick (10 minutes), is done on an outpatient basis and is alot easier than the actual lap band surgery. They do not enter the abdominal wall nor do they do anything to the band itself.

I read on a lap band forum that one person who had the surgery said that within 8 days she was back to normal and couldn't even feel that she had surgery. That sounds alot better than the original surgery recovery time!

If you have experienced a port issue, please leave a comment and share your story.

I went and worked out again today. It's been a week since I joined the local gym. I'm feeling so good about myself and that I am finally putting myself first. Last week I worked out on Monday for two hours, twice on Tuesday (morning and evening), twice on Wednesday and once on Thursday. I was in a lot of pain so I skipped the gym on Friday. I had a big blister on my heel. The blister is healed up and luckily I found another pair of sneakers in my closet and wore them today.
I took a photo of myself the morning of my first workout. After the work out I came home and took some measurements also. I'm excited to see how many inches I'll lose in a month.

I downloaded a First Day to 5K Podrunner for my MP3 player and I've been utilizing these training sessions. You can download them for yourself at http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html. Here is some information on the Podrunner: Intervals.

FIRST DAY TO 5K - LEVEL 1
Series mixed by DJ Beatsmith
If you've never run before, or are returning to running after a long hiatus, this series is designed to take you from your first day to a full 5K (3.2-mile) run in just 9 weeks (plus a bonus "graduation mix").

General Information
•	Each mix should be used 3 times a week
•	Weeks 5 and 6 have a different mix for each of your three sessions
•	Each mix includes a warmup and cool-down period
•	Tempo changes are indicated by a chime, ascending to accelerate, descending to decelerate
•	Always stretch thoroughly before and after your session
•	Always hydrate adequately

If you use these mixes to train for a 5K - I'd love to know about it. Send me a photo of yourself at the 5K event and I'll post your picture here!

I'm having a GREAT day today!

I am having a really good day today. My husband and I joined the gym in our local town. We spent two hours there this morning working out. He is an ex-powerlifter so he knows his way around all those machines. He was a great teacher and showed me how to use everything. I hadn't put any regular exercising in place yet so I'm really excited to start this step of my healthier lifestyle.

Also, my mom and dad were here visiting me this past weekend and my mom kept complimenting me on how I look. With us going day by day it's so easy to miss those 1/2 pounds here and there - but to someone who hasn't seen us in awhile, it's noticeable. Although I did see my parents the week of December. I really needed to hear those nice words this weekend. I had been feeling a bit down about the slow progress of the band really working.

I had a fill a few weeks ago and I do notice a small change - but it's very small. I'm looking forward to my next fill to get me closer to where I really feel I need to be.

By the way, I'm loving this nice weather. That always makes me feel better and makes me want to get out and start moving more. :)

Two Weeks Post Fill

It's been a full two weeks since I had my first fill. I didn't think the fill was working but this past week I realized that I lost some weight without really trying. I felt like I ate the same, but then it dawned on me that I actually didn't eat as much as I normally do.
It has been hard trying to figure out when I am really full. I have actually stopped eating many times in the middle of my meal and realized that I really was satisfied. I don't need to wait until I have a stomach ache before knowing that I am full.
I've been using toddler divided plates from Tupperware. It helps me portion out my meals so I can re-evaluate whether I'm really hungry after eating a toddler's size portion. This has worked out really well. Plus, I've been using toddler spoons and forks. I highly recommend trying both of them out if you are struggling with portion sizes.
On Monday my husband and I are going to join a local gym. We don't really have the extra money for this since I am currently unemployed but we've decided we'll just have to make the cuts somewhere in our budget to make up for this new expense. I've been feeling pretty good on my eating the last two weeks, I just need to get moving on the exercise.

First Fill and Lapband vs. Gastric Bypass

I had my first fill on Monday. I am so excited to be on the next phase of the band. Since this was my first fill the doctor requested that I have my fill done under fluro. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect and I was a little nervous going into the appointment but more excited than anything else. I laid on the hospital table and the doctor clean the area with some antiseptic cleaner. He then had his assistant turn on the fluro to locate exactly where to insert the needle to find my port. It took him a few attempts until he found just the right spot. All I felt was a tiny prick and a few seconds later I was done. I sipped a little water to make sure I had no problems swallowing, which I didn't. That was it. I'm now on day 3 after my fill and I'm not really feeling anything different. I need to follow a full liquid diet for the rest of today and then soft foods tomorrow. I'm hoping that when I get back to normal foods I will notice a difference.


I also wanted to talk about the difference between the Lap Band and the Gastric Bypass today. I've had quite a few people ask me the difference or automatically assume that the lap band is the Gastric Bypass. The Lap Band is still pretty new to most people that they aren't really sure what it is and what it isn't.

The Gastric Bypass:




The Gastric Bypass can be done either through full incision surgery or through laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes a small pouch from your stomach and cuts away the rest of the stomach. They then cut away about 6 feet of your intestines and then attach your stomach to the now shorter intestines. The remaining stomach and intestines stay in your body.
Here is a bulleted list of the Gastric Bypass:

• Time Tested
• Complex Operation, multiple areas of abdomen involved
• Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel are required
• Rapid weight loss over 3-6 months, settling at final weight 10-16 months after surgery
• Portion of digestive tract is bypassed, reducing absorption of essential nutrients, requiring long term supplements
• Dumping syndrome (intolerance to sugars and some carbs)
• Not reversible
• No significant hardware in body
• Mortality rate: 0.5%3
• Total complications: 23%
• Major complications: 2%
• Most common include:
  Standard risks associated with major surgery
  Nausea and vomiting
  Separation of stapled areas (major revisional surgery)
  Leaks from staple lines (major revisional surgery)
  Nutritional deficiencies
• Higher perioperative mortality rate than LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System
  
  

The Lap-Band:



The Lap band is performed by laparoscopic surgery. My surgeon made 5 small incisions. They create a small pouch at the top of your stomach with the band. Attached to the band is a tube that leads to a port. The port is adhered close the outside so the doctor can access it later on. You'll need to have fills or adjustments to make the band tight enough to give you restrictions. It's the fills/adjustments that make the band work correctly. Without the follow up care, your band will not work as designed.

• New Technology
• Simpler operation, gives lower risk around surgery (less chance of death or prolonged hospitalization)
• Lower short-term mortality rate than gastric bypass2
• Slow and steady weight loss (1-2 pounds per week), settling at final weight around 2 years after surgery
• No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal rerouting
• Possible deficiencies due to decreased intake, long-term supplements also recommended
• No dumping syndrome
• Reversible
• Long Term plastic material in body
• The Band must be adjusted for best success
• Mortality rate: 0.05%3
• Total complications: 9%5
• Major complications: 0.2%5
• Most common include:
  Standard risks associated with major surgery
  Nausea and vomiting
  LAP-BAND® System slippage
  Stoma obstruction

When you decide to go the route of gastric surgery, you need to decide which operation is better for you. I have thought long and hard about this before deciding to go with the Lap Band. I know a few people who had the Gastric Bypass. Some personally and some celebrities. I have watched them lose their weight and most have kept it off. Although there are a few who didn't keep it off and started gaining their weight back. I have also read the stats on deaths and complications. For the past 6 years or so I have asked myself if my weight problem was worth the chance of complications, mainly death. Each time i asked myself that question, I always answered myself with a "Hell No". When the lap band came along, I started doing some reading online about this new procedure. After reading that the risk levels were far less than the Gastric Bypass, I knew that this might be my answer. I thought long and hard about the commitment this new procedure requires; Long term eating healthy, continued care after placement of the band, eating smaller portions and having weight loss fall off slower than the bypass. After al ot of thought, I made the decision to go with the lap band. I am very happy with my decision and know that I made the right one for me.

I have heard stories about people who didn't succeed with the lap band. After listening to their stories, I soon came to realize that it wasn't the lap band that failed them, but themselves. They didn't listen to what their doctor told them. You have to follow up with your doctor, you have to continue getting fills until you reach the point where the band is working correctly. You have to eat correctly. You can always find things to eat that won't bother your band but aren't good for you - like chocolate, ice cream, high calorie drinks. If you don't listen to your body, eat healthy, exercise and follow your doctor's directions - you may not succeed. I know that there are times when you can follow your doctor's orders and do everything you're suppose to and things can still go wrong. Most of the time though, you'll find that it was bad choices made by the individual, rather than the surgery itself.

The Lap Band and Gastric Bypass are not for everyone. Each person needs to weigh their options and then make the best decision for them. What might work for me, might not work for you. Plus, what worked for you, might not work for me. We must all respect each person's decision.

My First Fill is Tomorrow

My first fill is tomorrow. I'm so full of emotions, high expectations, low expectations, nervousness and excitment abound. I really hope that this first fill gives me some restriction but after talking and reading about so many other lap banders that take numerous fills, I feel like this won't work. Although deep in my gut I'm hoping that this gives me at least some restrictions compared to what I have now.
Thursday I went to the doctor's office for my pre-fill appointment. Since I had been on full food (no more soft foods, etc.) the doctor wanted to make sure that I wasn't having any problems with eating. I'm sure once he saw that I had gained 2 pounds he knew I wasn't having any problems. I feel like I could eat anything and everything in my path - and unfortunately - I did. I completely threw out all the great coaching I have received along the way about what I should eat and what I shouldn't. I learned that chocolate melts really well in your mouth and that you can eat it without any problems. I also learned that pizza and tortilla chips don't effect me at all. These past two weeks I feel like I did during the pre-band phase - last supper ailments. Wanting to eat everything that I love before I get my fill and find I can't eat it anymore. I had these same feeling before the band. The timeframe between when I was approved and when I started my pre-op diet was very hard for me. I had a list of 100 food items I needed to eat before the band (not literally but close). Now I find myself in that same situation.
Yesterday I started journaling again. I vowed to get back on track. Today, the day before my fill and a week of liquids and soft foods, I find myself thinking about what I should eat today that I might not be able to handle in a week or so. Why would I think like this when I knew exactly what I was getting myself into and I was okay with cutting those food items out of my life for the betterment of my health?

My First Post-Op Visit

I had my first post op visit on Thursday. Things seem to be progressing perfectly. Although I do wish I was losing more weight. Starting tomorrow I will be journaling all my meals again. I don't have any restrictions with my band like I did when my stomach was swollen from the surgery. Now that things are healing inside, I can get an adjustment/fill. I have one scheduled for January 27th. I will see the doctor again on the 22nd just to make sure that I am handling solids okay. I received the green light to start eating normally. Although I do need to remember to keep chewing and to eat slowly.

Last night I had a slice of pizza. I know it's not on my new eating plan but I just couldn't resist the temptation. I think that is the biggest thing I struggle with: resisting all the temptations around us. Throughout the day we are introduced to so many things that aren't good for us or our bodies. On your way to work or even the mall, how many fast food restaurants do you drive by? Why does the grocery store spotlight all those processed foods and seasonal candies (Valentine's Candy all over the Hannafords store). I love utilizing my DVR to watch a program because I can fast forward through the commercials. It seems like almost 1/2 of the commercials are based around food - whether it's for a product or restaurant.

I have found since being laid off in August that I spend alot more time watching tv. Now that the winter is here and it's so cold outside, I have found that I get lazy and want to just "veg" on the couch. I really need to find something to do during the day that gets me up and moving. I'd love to start walking at the University Mall in the morning. I'll be putting out an email today on my local lap band group for a walking buddy. I'm hoping that getting up early and getting in some regular exercise will help motivate me to keep moving the rest of the day. If anyone has any ideas on things to do besides watch tv during the day, please let me know. I do not love the cold so outdoor activities when it's 10 degrees out, is out. I also have no money to spend on anything, so it needs to be free. A group of lap banders when snowshoeing last night. I would have loved to have joined them but it was 2 degrees out and I don't have the proper winter clothes. I do have a nice winter coat but no snow pants or good boots for the winter. So - let me have it - send those suggestions to me. I'd love to hear them and hopefully I can find a couple that will help me. If I choose any of your ideas, I'll reward you with a repurposed notebook that I have made and sell in my Etsy store (http://sockmonkeygreetings.etsy.com). I have more on hand that I haven't listed yet - so I'll send you a photo of one to choose from.

If you live in the Burlington area and you'd like to meet me at the UMall at 7:45am each morning for a walk and coffee, let me know.

My New Blog

Welcome to my new blog. I have been thinking for the past month that I should start a blog to journal my lap band journey. I'll be getting my lapband on December 15th. Today I'm on day 5 of my pre-op diet which consists of full liquids (low fat, sugar free). I'm living on sugar free pudding, protein powder mixed with Carnation Instant Breakfast, tomato soup, yogurt and Campbell's V8 creamy soups (blended).
I'm so excited to have my surgery. I applied for the surgery in May 2008 after thinking about it a few months. I had to undergo an upper GI, Physc Evaluation, Nutritional post-op class and lose 5% of my body weight. I did all of it and passed everything with flying colors. This process took from July until October. In October I applied for approval from my insurance company (BCBS FEP) and was approved within two days. After that it has been a long, long waiting game. 4 more days and I start a new chapter in my life.
For the last three hours I've been trying to come up with a name for my blog. I orignally wanted to call it "Out of the Shadows" but it was already taken. This is exactly what I feel like I'm doing - walking out from the shadows. I have let my weight control so much of who I am, what I do and how I feel. I have tried to lose weight in the past and have been successful, unfortunately I always end up gaining it all back plus a few extra pounds. Not this time - this time I'll lose it and keep it off - thanks to the lap band.
I won't lose weight as quick as people who have gastric bypass. It will come off slowly, just like when I was doing Weight Watchers. I am planning on losing 1-2 pounds a week. Some people lose more and some lose less. As long as I see the pounds coming off and they don't return, I'm okay with it. My goal is to look great next September (2009) when a group of my high school friends and myself are renting a house on Lake Champlain.
So what will my blog be about? Just about anything that comes to my mind that day, or moment. I plan on blogging about my lap band journey, successes and struggles I face. Plus from time to time I blog about life and my family (two teenagers and a husband).
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog to follow my journey. If anyone is interested in the lap band and wants more information, please let me know.