Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum

Tornadoes are a way of life here. It's been very quiet this year around here, but very dry too.

I know I am lucky not to be on a liquid diet. I am getting a band to solve the GERD and hopefully its side effects. Having no carbs is causing it to really act up (bread and crackers really help). I am popping supplements, pro-biotics and stomach meds to compensate. It's only ten more days, I can do that. I would not be able to do nothing but tea and broth for a month. That just seems extreme.

After my last surgery under general, I had GI issues, didn't sleep for several weeks and had no appetite. I am trying to gather things beforehand this time. I lost a bunch of weight last time with no real side effects. I didn't have GERD back then, though.

I was just there on Friday! I was going to go there this afternoon, while waiting for Patty.

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I think you'l be happy with your Band and reflux. I had a very irriatating cough. I thought it was my BP meds, but after being banded, I haven't coughed at all. I used to cough constantly at night and all day. I think I probably had reflux. I also haven't had any indigestion. At night, after banding, make sure that you don't eat for 3 hours before bedtime and then drink a glass of water to rinse your upper tummy before going to bed. I read this in a LAP-BAND® book for people to avoid having reflux problems after banding. As long as you're not too tight and not eating late at night (just prior to sleep) you should be okay.

My thoughts on a pre-op of tea, coffee, sf popsicle and broth - it is too extreme and makes no nutritional sense. I feel a patient would be in a very weakened state prior to surgery, which is not good. AND it's very hard to stick to - causing people to cheat - causing them to feel bad about themselves.

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About 4 weeks after my LAP-BAND®, I stopped taking the Aciphex I had been on for nearly five years. What a miracle - my GERD is GONE!

One problem I have had with an extremely low carb diet is kidney stones. So be sure to drink plenty of water!

Good luck!
Mary

It is a miracle! Congrats! I hope it works for paracelsus51 too!

I think a Low Carb/High Protein diet is the worst for long term. It's best for short term to break a plateau or to shrink your liver for Band surgery. Our bodies really need balance. Fruit, veggies, appropriate amount of protein,

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Yep, my sister got kidney stones while on the low carb in pretty short time. I am eating more fruit than one a day to keep myself sane and the apples help the reflux and drinking all the time. Of course, with all the veggies, all I am getting is water. The reflux is bad and I now sound like I have a cold in the morning.

I would love to be off the pills, or only on one. I take two double strength nexium a day and two pepcid and they don't help that much. I inherited this, so I know it's not going away. I've also been tested by every test possible, just to make sure I had GERD. Then, after months of testing, they tell me there is nothing they can really do for it, put the head of my bed up and don't drink orange juice. Oh, gosh, that was helpful. I am on day five of this diet and I am really starting to get cranky. I am not even craving the carbs, but I know they would make the stomach happy.

I feel like I should be writing a blog from an island. Day 5-we've eaten everything available and now Bob is starting to look tasty...

Thanks for the encouragement!

eager to see everyone on wed. evening. dee, i will need directions to RR.
well, i am incredibly disappointed with my lack of commitment the last couple of months...sabotaging myself.
put me down for +.8.
hopefully, after a fill this week, i can get myself back into the right frame of mind.

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Deb
band surgery: 8/20/08
8/18: 307.8
(8/1/08..H321/254.2/G130)

Deb, when are you going in for a fill? I get one tomorrow and each time I go into Dr. K's office, I wonder if the other people in the waiting room are people I've talked to on here. Either way, I'll see you on Wednesday at Red Robin.

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Banded 3/19/09 by Dr. Kirshenbaum
1st fill 4/21/09, 4.6cc in 10cc band
2nd fill 5/11/09, .9cc (5.5cc total)

Patty is going to be there on Tuesday, but I am not sure what time. That would be cool to see her there! I haven't been in since my one year bandiversary because my fill is perfection - I miss those folks in the office!

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You got it Sweetie! I can't wait to see you! When is your appt. at Dr. K's?
The RR is off of I-25 and Arapahoe. Do you still have my cell phone number? Call me and I can help you get there. I am so excited!!!

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I'm sorry you're having a hard time. It is all worth it in the end, if that helps at all!

This too shall pass....

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"I feel like I should be writing a blog from an island. Day 5-we've eaten everything available and now Bob is starting to look tasty..."

LOL paracelsus51 LOL! I probably will NOT be laughing when I start my lo-carb diet on the 24th though. I fear that I will have the same issues with the carbohydrates tempting me. I am scheduled for surgery on July 8th with Dr. K. I'm so nervous...

my fill is on thursday morning. then i leave on thurs. afternoon.
i arrive in denver around 10:30 on wed. morning. have rented a car and am staying in a motel not far from dr office. will probably drive around and shop or if weather is decent, sit by pool and read. Hey, guys, whatn is the weather like? tell me so i can pack appropriately, okay?
dee, i still have your number, so i will call u when i get the car and get to the ge3neral vicinity of motel.

i am getting excited! did patty get in?

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Deb
band surgery: 8/20/08
8/18: 307.8
(8/1/08..H321/254.2/G130)

Patty did get in, by way of some other nearby cities, due to the Tornado!
The weather has been in the 50-70's. So bring a light jacket or coat. Patty didn't bring one, so I don't know how she's fairing. We are going to try to go to Estes Park on Wed after I take a nap. We have to be back in time for RR at 1900.
Would you like to go with us?

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You should do fine with the Lo-carb diet. If you don't have GERD, you will find that after 4 days your carb cravings totally leave you! I have done it several times to break my plateau. A Lo-carb diet is the best way to break a plateau. How long do you have to be on the diet?

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