My First Bariatric Support Group Meeting

My First Bariatric Support Group Meeting

Thursday May 25, 2006

I went to My First Bariatric Support Group Meeting tonight.

Strangely they hold these things in THE CAFETERIA of the hospital. That just seems sort of cruel- the first meeting I went to was in a large auditorium type room, why can't they use something like that for this? At least the cafeteria stopped serving food before we got there.

Deaconess puts LapBand and Bypass patients together. While some of the things are the same, a few times a nice lady or two would say to me, "you don't have to worry about that with OUR BAND". 

The meeting was probably 8 or 10 folks total, me  being the ONLY GUY. A few ladies said a guy used to come, but once he lost 200 pounds they hadn't seen him for a while.

Deaconess is hiring a new nutrionist to work with us. Rebecca Erdman starts in a week or so. She teaches at UC and that ends near the beginning of June. Her handout has "MS, RS, LD" after her name. 

Rebecca introduces herself and tells of her weight loss of 120 pounds and that she works out a tremendous amount of hours per week. Once she introduces herself, she pretty much loses control of the group quickly as most of these ladies are a lively bunch. Three work at Children's hospital together, and most of the rest all seem to know each other pretty well.

When the ladies talk, I learn about dumping, I learn about alcohol (and even a websight to get ZERO CALORIE MIXERS). I learn about protein, Fruit leather, and a pile of other things including a recipe for a new beverage.

There is a bit of good natured name calling over who has lost the most weight, and who can still eat what. Every one of them says that they would do it again.

My first three questions to all the folks I've met with this are:

1. Which Surgery did you have? LapBand or Bypass?

2. When did you do it?

3. Would you do it again?

The nutrionist Rebecca pretty much asks the same of each. There was one lady that was pre op for the Bypass and she is starting the "TEN DAYS OF HELL" as the other ladies called it. One other lady is pre op for the Lap Band, but I don't think she knows what she is doing. And one lady was post surgery but kept pretty quiet.

It is all pretty overwhelming.

At the end of the evening, I have a list of websights to look up, and a zillion more questions.

I give out my card, get two in exchange, and will be planning on going back.

I even joke with the Children's hospital ladies to "Find me a cute nurse in their inventory" for a year from now . They said they already had one lined up. Let's hope they like her, and not dislike her. haha.

 

360 to 240 in 18 months -THE PLANNER Web sight

Friday May 26, 2006


Here is the web page link direct to the planner.

http://www.advancedbariatriccenter.com/postop-planner.php

I've picked 240 as my goal for 18 months.
That is losing 70% of my excess weight.
At 240, I would be just "Overweight" with a BMI of 29.

The 240 weight is a goal, based on when I felt best over the years.

JC

CPAP/BP study info from Doug

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:42 PM

 

Hey JC,

Thought this would interest you.

Hope all is well.

Doug

 

CPAP, but not supplemental oxygen alone, decreases BP in sleep apnea

News Story:
By Megan Rauscher


NEW YORK (Reuters Health) 

 

Nighttime CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy significantly lowers both daytime and nighttime blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, whereas supplemental oxygen does not.

That's according to a randomized, controlled study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference by Dr. Daniel Norman of the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

In an interview with Reuters Health, Dr. Norman noted that "many patients have a difficult time tolerating CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, and many times doctors will place people on supplemental oxygen as 'second best' therapy. Our study suggests that supplemental oxygen may not work as well in terms of improvements in blood pressure as traditional CPAP therapy."

Dr. Norman and colleagues obtained 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements in 46 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The patients were then randomized to two weeks of traditional CPAP, sham CPAP therapy, or supplemental oxygen alone.

"After two weeks of therapy in their assigned group, we again examined their 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure," Dr. Norman explained, "and found that patients in the traditional CPAP group had significant improvements in their 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure but patients in the placebo CPAP and supplemental oxygen groups did not."

The results of the current study, Dr. Norman said, mirror those of other studies in showing improvements in blood pressure following CPAP therapy.

"However, the results create a little bit of discussion about what the mechanisms are about how obstructive sleep apnea may cause elevated in blood pressure," he told Reuters Health.

"Sleep apnea causes both disruption in sleep and arousals in sleep and also intermittent drops in oxygen levels during the night and many people think that drops in oxygen level at night are the prime force that are responsible for the increased blood pressure," the investigator explained. "However, we did not see improvement in blood pressure by treating the oxygenation issue alone."


Copyright Owner: Reuters

My first night with CPAP

My first night with CPAP

Tuesday May 23, 2006

Well, it was an interesting night. My nose still hurts and my chest did.

Hippy dude Jeff was my technician again. This time with a purple pony tail and a yellow top to his head. He said his ex girlfriend does his hair for cheap. I'm guessing she doesn't like him as much as he thinks she does.

The same set up as last time. Wires and more wires. T-Shirt, sweat pants. Hippy tech dude reminds me to breath ONLY WITH YOUR NOSE. NO MOUTH BREATHING. Apparently breathing through your mouth makes sleep apnea worse.

The mask that I got was for your NOSE ONLY. Most of the pictures I've seen on the web during my research were full face masks. This looked like a snorkel, but for your nose. A few tweaks here and there and off we went.

OK, it's ON! Ok, nothing. Five seconds later.....BAM! Air blowing up your nose and popping your ears and your chest raises by itself without you breathing.

Hippy tech dude asks me to answer if it is working. I open my mouth to say yes and nearly suffocate to death. Immediate choking. BAM that hurt.

It seems that the request for you to talk is to be a LEARNING EXPERIENCE. Once you open your mouth to talk, all the air blows out from your nose, and none gets to your lungs, as somehow your throat slams shut.

Now, when you are having difficulty breathing, your instinct reaction is to try to find more sources of air- FROM YOUR MOUTH. They tell you to fight this, but a number of times when the air pressure was changed during the night, I found myself gasping for more air. I opened my mouth instinctively for more air, and then got even less. You choke, freak out, wake up and feel the air blowing OUT of you. Somehow you shut your mouth and get some air and then remember to keep your mouth closed.

I'd compare this to a teenager learning to drive a clutch by stalling it out - AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN- in a vacant parking lot. It's not good for the car, or the co-pilot, but hopefully you learn in the parking lot and don't have the problem again. Let's hope I learn this.

During the evening, I could tell a number of times when different pressures were tried. A few were not enough to breath comfortably, and a few were just about enough to blow my eardrums and eyeballs out of my head. I didn't sleep much when the pressure was high, I just sort of "HELD ON". After a while, the pressure would be lowered, and I'd fall back asleep.

Thus the NOSE HURTS TODAY. First off, it's not used to being used to breathing at night. Second, it's not used to air pressure. Third, somehow during the night, one side of my nose got stuffed up. So, high pressure on one side, none on the other.

They say that once the pressure is "normal" that I should have less nose issues. Let's hope.

Hippy Tech Dude says I got around 5 hours of sleep in 7 1/2 hours of trying and at least FIVE sets of DEEP REM. I do remember some dreams, and that there were perhaps 4 or 5. The Tech says that as I have Sleep apnea I am most likely REM DEPRIVED. Thus when this is first starting, I will have much more REM sleep than the typical human. But in 10-14 days that typically drops and within a month, you go to normal.

----

Well, it's a bit later and the Sleep Institute called and said they had my sleep measured and were giving a prescription to Blue Cross for a mask and machine. Odds are that call will come this afternoon or tomorrow. Then another visit to have the mask fitted and show how to work the thing. Then off we go.

Wish me luck. I'm off for a walk at lunchtime, I had planned on a nap, but I'm not sleepy yet. WOO HOO!

JC

PS

The Sleep institute called me this morning and I have an appointment to get my machine Thursday. I'll use it this weeked (Memorial Day) and hopefully get used to it before returning to work in Tuesday.

And Tonight - I SLEEP! (I hope)

And Tonight - I SLEEP! (I hope)

 

Monday May 22, 2006

 

Tonight will be my first night with a CPAP machine.

 

 -----

What Is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)? 

Nasal CPAP delivers air into your airway through a specially designed nasal mask or pillows. The mask does not breathe for you; the flow of air creates enough pressure when you inhale to keep your airway open. CPAP is considered the most effective nonsurgical treatment for the alleviation of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

If your otolaryngologist determines that the CPAP treatment is right for you, you will be required to wear the nasal mask every night. During this treatment, you may have to undertake a significant change in lifestyle. That change could consist of losing weight, quitting smoking, or adopting a new exercise regimen.

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/snoring/cpap.cfm

---------

 

To test me on this CPAP machine, I get to spend a night at the hospital's sleep clinic.

The brochures say that sleep clinics study and measure  HOW WELL you sleep, but in my opinion, they measure HOW BAD you sleep.

 

Here is how the process works:

 

First Doctor's appointment-

Two cute receptionists give you a survey to fill out. This questionnaire has over 50 questions with rankings from good to bad, never to frequent. You meet the doctor and does some simple breathing tests, checks your nose and throat and asks you a few questions about your sleep habits and your health. My FAVORITE question- WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GAIN ALL THIS WEIGHT?  Um, gee, I thought it would be fun. ARRRRGH, I felt like taking the sample CPAP machine and whopping the doctor with it, but I restrained myself. The doctor then schedules you for an overnight SLEEP TEST.

 

The Test-

You are given some instructions, and asked to be at the sleep center by 8 PM that evening. You are also instructed to wear "GENDER FRIENDLY CLOTHING".  Apparently this is due to some people sleepwalking. When I arrived I saw a red headed pony tailed nurse's scrubs wearing person bouncing down the hall, taking the other patient to their room. As the nurse's scrubs are pretty formless, I am just hoping that my technician is a hot red head. NOPE. Jeff the Hippy Dude is my technician. But he does have a beautiful red ponytail. Later while he is getting me prepped, I ask him what he does for dinner at 2 o'clock in the morning- he can't leave us. he says "HOTPOCKETS". So, yup, he is a hippy, Hot Pockets are the universal slacker and stoner food. 

 

I usually sleep in boxers and perhaps socks. But as I am to wear "Gender Friendly Clothing", I have a T shirt and short sweat pants type gym trunks on. As a joke, I wore my BUBBA T Shirt that says "Just because I slept with you last night, what makes you think I'm gonna ride with you today." But as  neither of the cute girls from the first appointment was my technician, the joke fell flat.

 

The test includes you getting wired up. A wire on each leg, a strap around your chest, two on your shoulder and five on your brain and a few on your cheeks. Since I have a beard, they wanted me to shave it off- NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Technician Jeff chews gum and says "Dude" a lot while he wires you up and puts "Electrochemical gel" on your face and head to make the electrodes stick.

 

After getting wired, they ask you to blink, close eyes and turn eyes left and right, move left leg, move right leg. 

 

Then YOU SLEEP! Yeah, right.   

 

Well, somehow in 7 1/2 hours between when they told me to go to sleep and when they woke me up, I got nearly 6 hours of "sleep." I even got 18 minutes of REM sleep. But I woke up 369 times. Yup, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY NINE. 369. The tests show Shallow Breathing and a collapsing airway. So, basically, I fall asleep, breath for less than a minute, my airway collapses in my throat and choke and wake up. REPEAT 368 more times.

 

No wonder I feel like crap and have migraines so many mornings.

 

After you wake up, they ask you to fill out a survey and then you go home. Seven showers later, I have shampooed out all of the "Electrochemical gel" from my hair and beard.

 

----

 

Doctor appointment #2-

 

Your tests are reviewed, and you get your scores. The doctor tells me the above numbers and also says that my BLOOD OXYGEN LEVEL was in the SEVERE TO DANGEROUS category when I woke up. The solution- a CPAP. He says that within 10-14 nights of sleeping with the CPAP, that I will feel much better, and actually have energy in the afternoon. If I follow the directions and use it properly.

 

----

So tonight is Sleep Test #2- CPAP NIGHT #1.

 

Wish me luck.

 

JC

SNORING

I got this email from my buddy SHROCK in Indiana. Shrock is a retired Indiana State Police detective that I became friends with on the worst day of my life, February 5, 1993.

As I am going to be having my first night with a CPAP machine tomorrow, I just thought this was darn funny!

JC

Subject: SNORING

Some retired deputy sheriffs went to a retreat in the mountains. To save money, they decided to sleep two to a room. No one wanted to room with JC because he snored so badly. They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns.

The first deputy (We'll call hime DOUG!) slept with JC and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you?" He said, "JC snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night."

The next night it was a different deputy's turn. In the morning, same thing--hair all standing up, eyes all blood-shot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful!" He said, "Man, that JC shakes the roof. I watched him all night."

The third night was BUBBA's turn. BUBBA was a big burly ex-football player; a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright eyed and bushy tailed. "Good morning." They couldn't believe it! They said, "Man, what happened?"

He said, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked JC into bed and kissed him good night. He sat up and watched me all night long."

Yet another drink to try

Sunday, May 21, 2006 11:38 AM

Subject: Yet another drink to try

John,

For the past few weeks I have been drinking Arizona Diet Green Tea.  It can be purchased in various sizes up to one gallon.  The gallon size cost about $3 and last some time.  Zero calories and no carbonation makes it a great option.

Just last week I discovered Citrus flavored Diet Green Tea made by Lipton.  The citrus flavor suits me fine and gives me yet another option.

Something I also do is add sugar free vanilla flavoring to the tea.  I purchase a large bottle from Starbucks for $7 and it last weeks since a little bit will work.  Really makes it taste extra refreshing if you like a vanilla taste.

One last thing I do, matter of fact I am drinking one now.  From time to time I find myself not as regular as before being  banded.  Back then, 5-10 minutes after breakfast I was heading to the reading room.   Since being banded, every 3 days or so is the norm.

So, I discovered a great way to work on that issue.  I  put some ice cubes in the blender or  bullet, what ever is more handy.  I then add the diet green tea.  Now the secret....I then add the required amount (two scoops) of sugar  free "Citrucel" and top it off with some sugar free vanilla syrup and blend.  The Citrucel thickens the brew as does the ice.  End results...Dream Cycle in a cup.  Thick.  Cold.  Calorie free.  Sugar free.  Healthy.  Damn  tasty.

Since doing this, about a week now, my reading room trips are every other day.

Its ALL Good

Bubba

Give it a try.

Bubba's note on "LAPBAND BY JC - THE BLOG"

Sunday, May 21, 2006 8:20 AM

Subject: Re: LAPBAND BY JC - THE BLOG

John,
Thank you so much for sharing with me. It is early Sunday morning and I am dabbing tears from my eyes now. Why? For several reasons. By reading your blog, it took me back in time. Took me back to where I was. Took me back to where it all started.

It has been just over five months since being banded and I can honestly say no longer "worried".. Instead, I am "waiting to live". Every night when going to bed now I think of the next day. How great it will be. How much more I can accomplish. How much happier I will be. How much healthier I will be.

I find myself walking faster, smiling more, enjoying the simple things in life.

You see John, it really is the simple things in life that most take for granted. Most that is except large people.

Really John, it all those simple things in life you will once again be able to enjoy. What are those simple things? Different for you then for me. You see, they are different for everyone. Simple little things only large people notice. Reading your blog, I picked out a few of those simple things which will soon once again be part of your life. Not having to search for a suitable place to sit. Not having to sit side- straddled on a bench. Not having to worry about that special Reds shirt fitting, well it might be to large for you soon. Not having to worry about the "elephant belt". What a Bitch she was.....editorial note!! Not having to worry about being seated in a booth with friends and not fitting. Not having to worry about walking up the water tower steps. Simple things. Simple things taken for granted. Simple things taken for granted by non-large people. Simple things which scare the hell out of large people.
Non-scale victories is what some call them. Accurate term I guess. Really though, it is just taking control, once again, of those simple things.

John, I understand your pain. John, I understand your worries. John, I understand your fears. John, I understand your desires. John, I understand your wishes. John, I understand your dreams. You see John, I had them all myself just a little over five months ago.

I am so excited for you and pledge to be there for you in what ever way you need.

Your friend

Bubba

LAPBAND BY JC - THE BLOG - published to three friends.

Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:15 AM

Subject: LAPBAND BY JC - THE BLOG

Bubba, Doug and Kim-

 

http://lapbandbyjc.blogspot.com/

 

I've saved all my emails and research about my research and put some of my thoughts into this blog. I will be updating it as I go along the process. As I am still doing research, I will continue to update this as I go along. Also, as I go through these last few weeks, this will be like my "diary" with my thoughts, hopes, desires as well as my fears.

 

Many of the web pages I have researched, and those provided by Bubba and Doug are included in the blog. While the posting dates are recent, I have gone and tried to put the date of the email or the research in the beginning of each post.

 

Feel free to read, critique and comment. Bubba- you may share this with anyone that is considering the LAP BAND. I've not told anyone else yet, so please don't forward the blog to anyone I know as of yet.

 

Happy reading!

 

JC

waldenfarms

Friday, May 19, 2006 12:38 PM
Subject: Emailing: www.waldenfarms.com

Bubba turned me onto a ZERO CALORIE SALAD DRESSING. Apparently it will be
in the refrigerator section of salad dressings.

I will go look for it soon.

http://www.waldenfarms.com/
<<www.waldenfarms.com.url>>

Dr. Jeffrey Allen

This is the doctor that will be working for Inamed and will

be with Dr
Smith:

Friday, May 19, 2006 12:29 PM
Subject: Dr. Jeffrey Allen

http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+

profile+Jeffrey+A
llen+MD+fgg.html
<<bariatric+surgeon+profile+Jeffrey+Allen+MD+

fgg.url>>

Pretty much everything you need to know

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 12:24 PM

Subject: Pretty much everything you need to know

A note to a few friends who have been asking about my health- 

 

Here is pretty much everything you need to know. I was going to tell you this on Friday night.

 

Everything is solvable, but it might be a less than pleasant summer.

 

I will be having surgery on my throat / esophagus soon.

Approval is at the Insurance company.

 

I don't know how much you know already, so I will try to cover everything.

 

As a result of the endoscopy four weeks ago, I have three interesting rules from the doctor now.

    a. No carbonated beverages

    b. No alcohol

    c. No yelling.

 

It appears they will repair 4 hiatal hernias and possibly remove of part of my esophagus. One hiatal hernia is the classic one where your stomach meets the esophagus. The others are tears in the esophagus above that. Part of this is genetic, and the other tears probably occurred when I had kidney stones in the past and when I got sick on the MS 150 last year. The doctor believes that violent vomiting caused the tears, but no one can ever be sure.

 

The throat problems have caused:

    High Blood pressure

    Sleep Apnea

    Migraines

    Weight gain

 

With High BP, it has become too dangerous for me to ride my bike anymore.

With Sleep Apnea, I am waking a tremendous number of times nightly, and my blood oxygen levels are in the severe danger zone when I get up each morning.

With low blood oxygen levels, I get migraines A LOT.

The Doctor will not allow me to ride my bike, and being tired all the time, I am unable to effectively get much exercise. While dieting has kept me for gaining more than I already have, I am barely able to keep even without exercise.

 

----

 

The surgery will probably be the week of Father's Day. The doctor said I should request at least 4 days off, then work part time for a bit..

 

After the surgery - I get to LEARN HOW TO SWALLOW AGAIN. That usually takes 6-8 weeks. I will be on a liquid diet for the first 3 weeks, possibly up to 8 weeks. After week three, if all goes well. I will proceed to soft foods for up to 6-8 weeks. Usually by month three I can eat whatever I want, with caution, quite slowly. I am currently trying SLIMFAST, and have switched my desserts to Sugar Free Jell-O and Sugar Free Jell-O Pudding.  The nutrionist wishes me to have 60 grams of protein a day, so I will be having a few "Protein Shakes" as well.

 

After the surgery - It is probable I will be without a voice for a few days, possibly longer.  I would expect that to be true, the first week after the endoscopy I could barely talk. I still had a sore throat two weeks after the endoscopy. I was on a liquid diet for the first two weeks after that procedure. At two weeks after that procedure, the doctor returned me to a diet of soft foods for those next two weeks. Yesterday he gave me the OK to return to any and all foods, but there is still a spot from a biopsy that hurts and makes things get stuck in my throat. .

 

I informed my co workers know that I had something done, but I did not tell them the rest until Monday. As things get closer to whatever date is chosen for the surgery, I will tell more folks if needed.

 

I am also being fitted with a CPAP machine for the sleep apnea. This is related to the throat problems. My throat basically collapses at night and I then choke, waking up constantly.

 

The Doctor wishes me to have been successfully on the CPAP for TWO WEEKS before surgery.

 

The Doctor does THREE surgeries in one day. When he has three patients in line, he will set the date. There are 11 others that are just a bit behind me in the process, but they do not have the CPAP issue.

 

Due to the CPAP, I will be spending the night in the hospital after surgery.

 

I am to call the doctor after my CPAP is delivered and I have had a good nights sleep.

 

Of my other friends- I am debating who to tell, so if I am in public, I would ask that the subject not be brought up until I know more and I make some more decisions. As such, I am keeping this private for a while. 

That's about it.

 

JC

 

PS, I discussed this with my god daughter Erica and her mom with MS - Kim, last night. The MS party was to be June 24th. If the surgery is not 10 days before that, odds are I would either postpone or cancel the party. So..... depending on when the surgery date is, will make my decision.  I want at least 10 days after the surgery to have a CHANCE of talking to folks. As Father's Day is the 18th, odds are the party is cancelled. If I am healthy enough, I will volunteer at the MS on July 8-9, but I will probably not be given a medical Ok to ride a bike until September. 

 

 

 

Tuesday May 16

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 8:00 PM

 

Today's update-

 

Approval is at the Insurance company.

 

Doctor wishes me to have been successfully on the CPAP for TWO WEEKS before surgery.

 

Doctor does THREE surgeries in one day. When he has three patients in line, he will set the date. There are 11 others that are just a bit behind me in the process, but they do not have the CPAP issue.

 

Due to the CPAP, I will be spending the night in the hospital after surgery.

 

I am to call the doctor after my CPAP is delivered and I have had a good nights sleep.

 

That's about it.

 

JC

band insurance information

A note from Bubba-

 

John,

Please send your insurance information, what you have found out reference covering banded to...Richard  at the copied email address.

Richard is thinking of becoming banded and has the same insurance you do. 

Maybe you can clue him in on what you have learned.

I am excited for you.

Talk sometime Tuesday.

Bubba

360 to 240 in 18 months

Monday, May 15, 2006

Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] 360 to 240 in 18 months

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/505012_4

 

Key: - possible loss of 120 lbs after surgery - excess weight you might keep is 51 lbs - your ideal weight is 189 lbs   Possible Weight Loss	360	336	312	300	294	288	282	276	270	264	257	252	246	243	240	243	240	241	240
Month	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Wt. Loss	0	24	48	60	66	72	78	84	90	96	103	108	114	117	120	117	120	119	120
BMI	44	41	38	37	36	35	34	34	33	32	31	31	30	30	29	30	29	29	29