BlueEyedBaby

Hey guys. It's been a couple months since I popped on. This has been the busiest time of the year at work. But I have just about made it through. I was curious to see how much weight everyone has lost. I sometimes feel like I am not loosing at all. Especially since I litterally go 2-3 weeks without loosing a pound and then "boom" I loose 3 lbs almost overnight. Tell me that isn't weird. But overall, it looks like I am doing about average. I can truely say now that I am a real member of the "I LOVE my Band" club. This is just too easy. Don't get me wrong, I go days sometimes and can't hardly get a bite down and then I go days and do not have a problem getting anything down. But the secret is that I get full fast. And I seem to stay full for at least 3-4 hours. And I REALLY have to be careful to chew well and not eat too fast or....well, I don't have to tell you what happens :omg: I have joined a local fitness club and am trying to do water aerobics 3-4 times a week. Although the past couple weeks I have only got in about 1 time d/t working 12-14 hour days. Hopefully everything will get back to normal next week. Anyhow, hope everything is going well for all. Good luck on your Thanksgiving challenge. Sure wish I had time to be more involved but maybe soon things will slow down. Happy Loosing and Happy Thanksgiving just in case I don't see ya before then.

Peaches, Thank you so much for the moral support. Somewhere in the back of my brain, I knew that. I just had to hear it from someone in order to quit freaking about it. Does that make sense? I will try to relax and enjoy my food for the short amt of time I have left....oh, and try to not gain anymore...geesh

Hey everybody!!! LTNS I have been so busy since I started back to work. A quick update: Since I had my surgery I have really concentrated on eating things good for me and drinking plenty of fluids. Problem is, I started getting REALLY hungry about a week ago and although I am eating "right", I just can't seem to get enough and have actually gained 3 lbs back. I have till Sept 12th before my first fill. OMG, what am I gonna do? Is this what everyone calls Bandster Hell? Sorry for dumping but this is so depressing....I am terrified that I will just gain everything back that I have already lost...just like old times :think

Just popping on to see what's up. Wow, everyone is doing so well. I stepped on the scales this am and I am down 2 lbs from day before yesterday. I haven't lost a pound in so many years, it ain't even funny. I was a giddy as a teen. Come to think of it, that hasn't happened since a teen. Hey, did I see something about a Lucky 7 cruise?

Jeanniepenini-I was having a problem eating too fast too so I broke down and bought me some baby sized spoons. OK...hubby raised eyebrows and poked a little fun at first but it has REALLY helped. Anything I use a spoon on, I use the baby spoon. As far as hubby goes, just wait till I'm on regular food and we go out to eat. I WILL take my baby spoon with me and use it in public just to embarass him Kathy-Now that you mention it... Moods are affected by hormones....."Aunt Flo" is also affected by hormones....With so many ppl having different mood swings and strange "cycles", I am beginning to wonder if this surgery somehow affects your hormones. It is possible. As the RN Educator for the local hospital, I have a penchant for doing Research....I feel a research urge coming on...and since I have several researchers available to me at work, I may make some calls and get them on this and the Protein limit thing...hmmmm..... Cazulay-I totally agree. It's hard enough to sit and watch DH eating the most wonderful meals (he is an awesome cook) but add to it all the commercials on TV....Not fair

Caolin-I'm so glad everything is going so smoothly. Your surgery day events sound very much like mine. I was "surgerized" on the 27th and I can't believe how smoothly everything went. I still think I am the poster child for what a perfect surgery is like. I can only wish you the wonderful recovery period that I have had too. Brumbie-:welcomeB:

Cazulay-And I thought it was just me.....But isn't it wierd that lots of ppl that were not expecting "Auntie Flo" suddenly found her knocking at the door right after surgery. Wonder if it is just all that manipulation of your insides that they do during surgery that causes it? I was actually visited the day after surgery. (Guys, I have a real hard time keeping a straight face when I have to talk to my surgeon's nurse now....and it's all your fault....her name is "FLO"......ROFL:rofl:)

Denise-If it makes you feel any better, I was living on the Gulf Coast then and went through that hurricane myself. It was not fun afterwards having a name to match it. I am a nurse and everytime I walked into a patient's room to introduce myself, I got looks of shock and horror. Nearly started going by my middle name (Joy) I really wanted to go to N.O. to help with the relief but just couldnt quite bring myself to go with such a name. Wanna hear one better? Guess when my birthday is? Yup, 09/11....How's that for wierd? Guess I'm just a disaster waiting to happen....

Hey guys I finally did it! I had my surgery on 7/27. Stayed overnight in the hospital and came home the next day. I feel like I had the perfect surgery and so far everything has gone well. I am now sitting at home (well, not exactly sitting as I have a tri-level house) and was just thinking about all you wonderful people who have unknowingly helped me along so much in this process. I was amazed at the lack of pain post-op, and how quickly I was ready to get out of that bed and meander up and down the hallway. This was the first time I had ever been in the hospital and the first major surgery for me. I just keep waiting on something to happen because I just know it can't be this easy. I started out on Clear liquids and am now consuming full liquids without problems. I wil continue this until week 3 when I start pureed food and finally transition into regular food by week 5. I have my first MD appt in 2 weeks to remove the staples (couldn't talk him into using the surgical glue). I will have my first fill at 6 weeks. Just a question or 2: Anyone remember the "liquid days" and did you feel full after consuming the 4oz of liquids you took in? I am also kinda scared of doing something to my band in that I am afraid to cough but I need to cough to help my lungs recover from the anasthesia. Anyone have a comment on this issue? Anyhow, Just thought I would drop in and tell everyone about my progress so far. Oh, BTW, when they weighed me at the hospital I was 15 lbs lighter than my last MD appt. Did I really loose 15 lbs in the 2 weeks I was on liquids? Oh well, makes me happy to think that it may be possible.....:whoo:

OMG...I just got my new scales set up and weighed. I HAVE LOST 12LBS!!!!!!:whoo: I really did not think the scales at the hospital were right. At least I did not believe them until now. But my scales weigh me the same. That is unbelievable for me.....

I actually split it up throughout the whole day just like I do my protein shakes which result in 45 grams of protein each. I drink 1/3 in am 1/3 around noon and 1/3 in evening. Average recommended protein intake per day is 60 grams so still not really enough. But there really is no research basis for the 25 grams limit at a time. So until I see some evidence based research, I truely will not believe it. So far I have not found any. If anyone finds this please post because I would like to see it:)

OK, I finally broke down and bought me a great set of scales. My present set would weigh you 10 different weights if you stepped on and off of it 10 times. Enough is enough.... The scales are really cool. I kinda splurged but they were on sale so what the hey. These will tell you your weight (of course), BMI, Body water percentage, Muscle mass percentage and Bone Mass. Just by stepping on them...hows that for cool? Dini, Chim, Lynette- Who knows guys, you all may end up on the show.... Let us know and we will watch it Sunny-Ain't those protein smoothies just to die for? OMG, I just love them Sorry you overdid it. Someone also mentioned that you could get those protein bullets at The Vitamin Shoppe....I will absolutely have to check that out...We have one here right across the street from Smoothie King. This is just Band Heaven now :whoo:

Everyone is talking about these Protein shots. They come in a bullet shaped tube, right? I have some here at the house. They are called New-Whey and are 3 oz tubes of pure protein, sodium and potassium. Sugar free and fat free. They are awsome. I get mine here from Smoothie King. Only the most awsome "smoothie" store on planet earth. They are 3.49 per tube and I get the 42 gram ones and sip on them throughout the day. Smoothie King, for those who don't have one nearby, is a Nutrition Smoothie place where you can get your low carb low fat protein shakes already made up. And they are truely scrumptious. Better than a chocolate shake. They really are. In fact they are meal replacement shakes :hungry: in they are packed full of vitamins and minerals. They also sell the protein powder they use which is also packed full of the vitamins and minerals. It truely is a whole meal in itself. My surgeon loves them. Their protein powder is called The Gladiator and tasts wonderful, at least the chocolate does. That is what I am using and so far everything I have mixed it with has tasted wonderful and that is without having to add any type of sweetener. I would like to get some plain vanilla but will wait a bit as it only comes in a large container that is about $40. Both are WELL worth the price.

Hello again to everyone. Too many posts going too fast for me to keep up with. This sure is an active group and I'm loving it :whoo: You all are great support!!! Im so glad that I did not have any problems or complications with my surgery or so far, with my recovery. No pain, just soreness. But I find it so interesting how different every Dr's orders and procedures both pre and post op are. I was one that had a 10 day liquid pre op diet. Not to loose but to deplete the glycogen stores. I remember someone recommending taking pads to the hospital because it was hard to make it to the bathroom. They put a catheter in me in surgery and left it in till just a couple hours before I went home. That was heaven. I also remember a lot of people saying that they had regrets the first few days in the hospital. And I asked myself during the roughest part, did I regret anything and I have to honestly say "At no point have I regreted anything so far" But I will say that my post op restrictions are way above and beyond what I have heard so far. They are just super careful in this MD office because they "demand" the best. I was on cl liquids the first day. Then full liquids for 2 more weeks. Then advance to pureed food for weeks 3-4. Then finally real food in week 5. I am not allowed to drive for 2 weeks and when I asked when the recommended time to return to work was, they told me 6 weeks off!!:omg: Well, me being a nurse and a little too stubborn to sit around the house for 6 weeks, :bored I told them they had 3 weeks to get me going again because I WAS going back to work in 3 weeks. I didn't tell them that I derived that number from looking at my sick time and PTO time and the max amt of time I had was 3 weeks. But I figured that if you all could go back within 1 week, then I'm sure I can do with 3. I do not work the floor as I have an office job so it's not like I'm lifting patients or anything. The only thing that I wish they could have done that they said no to was I wish they would have used surgical glue instead of staples. Oh well, it cant be all perfect The only bump in the road was a run-in with one of those arragant Doc's who lied on my chart (yes, I got my chart and read it). It was NOT my surgeon. It was a fill-in. But that's OK, I don't think he realized that I am high enough in this hospital organization to know who to speak to about that, and I am going to burn him real good. I can't stand a doctor that gets that attidude with a nurse much less a patient. And if he treated me that way, just exactly how is he treating the other patinets. He will wish he had never been born. Ok, normally, I am a very nice, compassionate person. Really, I am. But I am a true patient advocate and I am not mad because he did me that way, I can handle him and tell him where to get off. It just makes me mad knowing that he treats other patinets, that may not can stand up for themselves that way. That's why he will rue the day he talked to me the way he did, and then was stupid enough to put it in writing. Ok, Im done with my rant....I really just got on here to say Hi....But you all are so easy to talk to Grrr...it's thundering like crazy here...no outside walk for me today...:rain: I'll sign off by saying "Good Luck to Everyone having surgery tomorrow and all who had it today. My prayers are with you"

I don't know about anyone else, but I can still remember being skinny. I was 108lbs soaking wet as a teen and remember my step-mother saying over and over"Your too skinny, you need to gain some weight" A few years ago, I told her if I ever heard those words coming out of her mouth again....." Anyhow, I didn't finish the sentance but I got my point across. That was the point when I started eating more and more. Which didn't hurt me at first then as I started having major medical problems as I got older, I really piled the weight on and could not stop. This all seems like a really fast roller coaster ride and I still do not feel like I am as big as I am. That is why I am so shocked and embarrassed when I see pictures of myself. That's the time it really hits me how much weight I have put on since then. I enjoyed being skinny. Thought it was cool to be able to double cross my legs, and to see my ribs sticking out when I would breathe in. Still can't believe I cant get a regular pair of boots zipped up. Hehe...those were the days.....

Nice to meetcha' twin :eek: So how are you progressing? I am doing awsome. More detail later....as you can see it is quite late here. You have a good one and take it easy :notagree

My, this thread does move fast :eek: Since my first post I have managed to skip and skim through most of the 4000+ posts to this site. Took me 6.5 hrs. All I can say is that I wish I had visited earlier. I have been on LBT since earlier this year (cant remember exactly....it is under my name somewhere) and I just have not visited these threads because I thought they were strictly for ppl who had been banded already. Gosh, what a mistake. You all sound like an awsome support group. Almost like a family. Ok, a little about myself. If not interested, nows the time to scroll onward.... I actually started my band journey in 2004 when my BFF Darlene had RNY done. I went through the whole process with her including twice a day dressing changes when she got infected. (Im a nurse so who else would have the pleasure of changing those dressings? :woot: ) Anyhow, I was truely amazed at her progress. We litterally spent nearly every day together for the 2 years or so after her surgery. I learned so much from her but knew that there was no way I was gonna let someone take part of my gizzards out. That's when I started researching the Lap Band. Just so happened about that time, the hospital I worked at opened their own state-of-the-art bariatric unit. And just so happened that one of my friends was over it, so when they needed extra help, they would pull me down there. I got lots of experience and lots of knowledge from them. Well, it was during all this time that all the hurricanes hit in Florida, so me and DH decided it was time to move back to TN. I had decided about 9 months before we moved that I really did want the band but my insurance wouldnt pay (bummer) So I decided to wait till we got settled in TN to pursue it. It was a gut-wrenching decision to move as we were leaving our best friends behind but we felt it was time to go. We had only been here a few months when I got to "hankering" for the Lap Band again. So I started doing research and low and behold my new insurance where I work now, does pay for it. YIPPEE!!!!:bounce: I started on my real journey in January of this year. Everything went smoothly until I went to a follow-up with my surgeon in June for what I thought was going to be my presurgical visit. When I got there, the insurance lady told me that I was 1 "weigh-in" visit short and that I still did not have the 5 year history of weights that I had to have before they could send it in to the insurance company. I was very bummed to say the least but she was very encouraging and told me that according to what she was looking at so far that there would be no way they would turn me down. So I left the office and made a last weigh-in appt with my reg. MD who couldn't see me till later in July and called all over Florida to get my 5 years of records sent over. Now this is where it gets real good :woot: About 1 week later, I was driving down the road and my cell phone rang. Expecting it to be my hubby, I answered it and surprize...it was my surgeons office telling me I was APPROVED!!! I was so shocked, I had to pull over in a parking lot. But by then I was confused and asked the girl how? I didn't even have all the required info in. She said that the insurance lady went on vacation the day after my visit and someone accidentally sent my records in for approval and without question they approved it. That is why I am a July bandster instead of an August. And I think that it was the grace of God that it happened. I could not have been grouped with a nicer bunch of ppl. So without adu (sp?) I introduce myself and hope you will forgive this long post and accept me into this warm, cuddly group that you have.

Me too, me too....add me as a July Bandster Anyone else here banded on the 27th?

Grant it I am just 2 days post op and am just taking liquids but I have yet to have the first bout of nausea or pain at all (except for some discomfort with gas). Every liquid I have tried has went down well and without problem. So does the "getting to know your band" period only start when you begin taking in solids?

Jeannie, You are just 2 weeks post op and already back on the floor? Oh dear, no wonder you are having pain...Man, I could not imagine. My MD wanted me to take 6 weeks off but once I explained that I had an office job and with a little more fast talking he finally agreed to 3 weeks. But even at 3 weeks, I would not even attempt to do the heavy lifting and running on the floor. You must really be made of steel . Keep in touch, it's nice to know there are fellow nurses here

Jfran-Where did you have your surgery? Princess Sophie-It is a tough decision. I decided not to dwell on the negative and only dwell on the positive and that was my deciding factor. Im sure you will make the right decision.

I too have Hashi's (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) It is an auto-immune disease in which your body litterally burns your thyroid out. My endocrineologist told me a few years ago that chances were that if I went on a starvation diet and never ate another bite of food, I would die of malnutrition before I lost a pound. How's that for encouraging? Even with the medications it is a tough battle but it can be done. It will just be harder for you. I also have PCOS which makes it doubly hard. But since I know what I am up against, and have accepted the fact that I will not loose as fast as some ppl, I am ok with it and can carry on with my weight loss, no matter how slow it is. I am just happy to be loosing period as opposed to constantly gaining....

Sorry to hear about all your pain. I truely expected a lot of pain also but so far have had none unless I cough or bump my stomach. But I am only post-op day 2 and am a dyed-in-the-wool old nurse who doesnt believe in babying pain so I just set my mind against it and so far it has worked. I really hope it gets easier for you. Have you had this pain all along or did it suddenly develop after so long a time?

My Dr wont let me drive for 2 weeks. Drugs or no drugs. I have yet to take the first dose of drugs but he want it that way. But every dr is different. As far as house sitting is concerned, well, I am sitting at my house this very minute with a brand new puppy that is still going through the "potty trianing" stages and who likes to jump and I also have 2 flights of stairs to climb. So far so good. I never bend anyhow as it is bad for your back so I just continue to kneel down on my knees if I need to do something on ground level. I am just Post op day 2 and I was more sore yesterday than right after the surgery but today seems to be much better. If you are an independent, determined type person, I don't see why you can't do it. My hubby is here sometimes but he works and I am alone then and seem to do well without him. I really think it is all in your mind and how determined you are that you will be able to do well. Baring any real surgical complications, that is....

My BF in Florida had gastric bypass and even though the complications around her surgery caused me to take a different route, she was my inspiration for this surgery. I was so happy and proud for her. She started out about 4 sizes larger than me and is now 3 sizes smaller. And I am so proud of her. I really miss her a lot since we moved back to Tn and I sure could use her right now (banded 7/27). Point is, as her friend I was there every step of the way. I was shocked when she first told me she was having the surgery but as a nurse, I did some research and decided it was best for her as I did not like to see her unhappy and unhealthy. And although we are several states away from each other, I still consider her my BF. I haven't established a BF here yet even though this is where I was raised. I am the type person who has very few REAL friends but am as loyal as anyone could ever be to the few I have. My old friends have mostly moved on and although we are still friends, I miss her true companionship. We spent nearly every day together and that is what I really miss. But as a friend goes, she is very happy for me to have had this surgery. I really feel for you dear, but don't loose sleep over ppl who are not willing to accept change. Give them time, they may come around.