awinner

Hey everyone....been a long time, just needed to see how everyone is doing. It has been a year and I have lost 100 lbs (see pic below). I wear a very loose 34 inch waist, I go to boot camp 5-6 days a week and have never felt and looked this good. It is very hard at times to be good and have slipped up quite a few times along the way. But...I just go back to the basics and remember why I did this in the 1st place. I wish everyone else much success!

I have my surgery date set for 3/24/11 in Los Angeles, and I am just looking for some support with another person my age (male or female), who will be doing the same thing around the same time. Your help will be appreciated.

Hey Party People!!! Just checking in with everyone....had my 2nd fill, about 1.5 cc, just enough to take the edge off. Anyways, I have lost a total of 57lbs since starting the liquids back on march 10, so losing about 5-6 lbs/week. I have donated tons of my clothes away as I don't want any of that in the house, no excuses to ever get into that clothes. I eat what ever I want for the most part, but in extreme moderation...still no soda, cake, candy, Cookies, etc....so pretty happy so far.

I forgot to mention this as I have not seen it here yet...if food gets stuck, the doctor recommended as well as tons of people in my support group is to get papaya enzymes....they have them as trader joes.

hey all had my fill on the 14th, they only put in 3cc, since i had problems in the beginning as many of you know. it did not feel like there was anything in there...so I went back on the 18th and they gave me another 1.5cc...which made a huge difference. Got on the scale today and have lost 45lbs!!! I am below 250 now, which means I can now go zip lining or horseback riding if so choose to. Had Passover this week and did just fine...and we have Easter today....I will do fine as long as the chocolate does not stay in the house....I think we will donate all of the kids chocolate to the children's unit at a hospital nearby. I go back for my 2nd fill on 5/25. People are really noticing the weight drop off....need to get some new work slacks asap!

Hey Everybody!!! Had my 1st fill today! They said they were gonna go easy on my and put in 3cc's as you all remember I had some issues in the beginning. Will do another fill in 6 weeks. So far I have lost a little more than 40 pounds since March 10, when I started my liquid diet....so I am pretty pleased. I started my soft foods over the weekend at that formal party I was talking about....I did ok....I had 2 bites of fish and was good...for the last 2 night I have had 2 tablespoons of ground turkey with 1 tablespoon of greek yogurt for dinner & a mouthful of applesauce....I was pretty full. I still really do not feel a restriction even after today...I will give it a week before I call them to say something. The doctor was very pleased with me and reminded me when I left that anyone can lose weight, but will I be the one of the ones who will keep it off...that statement could not have been more true...it is all about being in a positive mental state of mind and try to keep focused and look at the long term results.

Hi Everyone: Yes...I am still alive! I had a few rough days there. I had actually been doing well until 2 days ago...I had some Soup, but then later that night my left side where the band is...was really hurting everytime i took a beep breath. It also feels like mad spasms as well. Does everyone elses stomach growl and gurgle real loud non stop? Still...went to the bathroom once since surgery. My dr. does full liquid for 3 weeks post op...then 2 wks mushy, then regular. I am still only getting 400-700 calories a day, having 1 shake, 1 cup soup, 2 diet snapple, 1 sugarfree gatorade...and I wanna go crazy, a sugar free fudgcicle. Not too hungry, buy somethings got to give soon, or I may go ape-shit I have a big formal function/sit down dinner thing this Sunday, where there will be people I don't know sitting at my table, how weird will I look, not to eat a morsel. But I have lost 32lbs since preop liquid began...so I am looking at the big picture here, not the short term hurdles.

So...I have been miserable that last several days....I have been barely drinking 32 ounces of liquid, and the liquid I have been having is sugar free powerade. I take a sip of protein shake, or a bite of yogurt or anything...and the pain is unbearable on my left side. I actually have been feeling dizzy the last couple of days. I have been sleeping in a sitting position since my operation, and maybe only 4-6 hours of sleep a night. The gas pains are bad too....also having that same bubble feeling in my chest. Still have not gone to the bathroom since last wednesday. So I finally call the doctor today...they want to see me asap....he can't believe how little I am drinking and tells me how serious it will be if I don't drink....I tell him when I do the pain on my left side is really hurting....he lays me down....gets a needle and pulls out some residual liquid in the band...about 1cc....he thinks my band is really restricted on my side and that is why I am feeling so uncomfortable when I drink. He would not let me leave until I finished my powerade. He wants me to call him tomorrow to follow up with him and come in again to the office next week...so we shall see what happens.

Hi everyone: So I finally have a moment to sit down and let everyone know how its going so far. My surgery was done at Providence St. Josephs Hospital by Dr. Quilici in Burbank, CA ...so got up on the 24th of March around 5am, and the laxative I took the day before was still working...I was a little worried about that as I had to be at the hospital at 6am.....so we get there, check in to admitting, 30 secs later, sent up to the 2nd floor to surgery waiting room with the wife. A nurse comes out with in 3 minutes, and I leave the wife there. They will get her again just before I go in. So they take me in to the preop surgery room where they put me in some snazzy "bair paw" scrubs, which has a bunch of slots and holes for different devices to be attached to...I was not nervous at all until I started to change, then I felt myself getting very emotional for a moment, realizing there was no turning back now. I had to run to the bathroom again...came back and they hooked up a hose that blows hot air into my scrubs to keep me warm. They weighed me again, I had lost a total of 25 lbs in 2 weeks. There were 2 nurses in the beginning asking me numerous questions, and I reminded them that I wanted sutures, not staples...not a problem. Then the Anesthesiologist came over to me and introduce himself. I asked him if he could give me something to take the egde off and he said he preferred not to as the more drugs he give the harder it is to wake up. He was the one who actually put in my IV. After 1/2 hour of questions and what not, they allowed my wife to come in around 7:20. The presurgery room was hopping with tons of other patients getting ready for whatever surgeries were going on that day. 10 minutes later 2 nurses came with their masks and hair nets on, kissed the wife goodbye, and they started to wheel me. They took off my glasses right away, which started to panic me as I can't see very well. As they wheeled me down the long hallway, there was a nurse behind me asking me a bunch of questions, she put a hat on me as well, and there was a nurse in front of me...they kept saying to me we were going to do timeouts as we went into the room, they kept asking me my name, birthdate, and what I was getting done...I remember the hallway getting colder and colder as we entered the operating room....in there was the anesthesiologist, and 3 other nurses, the doctor was not there....I remember looking around and there were 3 massive plasma big screens, a bunch of bright lights and lots of other gadgets. They helped me slide over from one bed to the other. A nurse came up to me and started to strap me in with my arms out to my side....all I kept thinking was I felt like I was in that movie "dead man walking". I remember saying how I had to go to the bathroom, the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to go...I said I am not sure, but within 30 secs of that I could feel going through my body the medicine...I even smiled and said you tricked me...I then said how I have a real funny taste in my mouth and hearing him say, that is a good thing . Next thing I know I remember slowly opening my eyes around 9:15ish, I felt something covering my mouth still, pumping in oxygen, apparantly I was intubated and had tubes down my nose during the procedure. They asked if I wanted any drugs, I said no as I was trying to be the hero. about 45 minutes later they put me into my own private room, my wife showed up about 15 minutes later. I was not in that much pain. about a 1/2 hour later, I said I would take some pain drugs. I met my new best friend for the next couple of hours and it was called "Dilaudid". They gave me a very strong dose via IV, and I felt it instantly...I actually got scared for a brief second as I felt so high and started to giggle...2 minutes later, you could have done open heart surgery on me and I would have not felt a thing. She came in 30 minutes later and gave me some Vicodin syrup as well, the nurse said they would work great together and they did...I dosed in an out for a while at the same time trying to sip water. I was so thirsty. So around 1pm they said time to get up and goto the bathroom and go for a walk. I got up no problem, did 3 fast laps around the floor. They could not believe how fast and mobile I was. They were ready to discharge me if I wanted to, I told them no. The wife went to go get lunch, I sipped on some diluted apple juice while taking breaths on my machine which you take home with you. I walked a few more times throughout the day and they wheeled me out of the hospital around 5pm. They had shaved my entire stomach, I hadn't been that smooth since I was 12 years old, my wife liked it, said it made me look thinner...so I guess I will be lasering when the time comes. I was in almost no pain when I left. Who was I to kid myself....around 7pm, the pain started to kick in. Not too bad, just felt like a small baby with nails on it butt sitting on my chest and stomach. I could not lay down at all. We went for several walks in the evening which really didn't help. I kept taking Lortab every 4 hours, which helped a little. I tried to goto bed around 3:30am, but had to sleep sitting up. The wife has had to help me with everything, getting in/out of bed (bed is very high), putting on pants (can't bend down). So I woke up at 7am today, with a lot of bloating...I was driven back to my mom's house while the wife was at work...I have been miserable all day, I feel so bloated. I am supposed to be back on a full liquid diet, but all I had today was a sugarfree gatorade, some chicken broth...need to be getting in 48-64 ounces of liquid a day...have not been hungry at all. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Hi everyone: So I finally have a moment to sit down and let everyone know how its going so far...so got up on the the 24th around 5am, and the laxative I took was still working and I had to be at the hospital at 6am.....so we get there, check in to admitting, 30 secs later, sent up to the 2nd floor to surgery waiting room with the wife. A nurse comes out with in 3 minutes, and I leave the wife there. They will get her again just before I go in. So they take me in to the preop surgery room where they put me in some snazzy "bair paw" scrubs, which has a bunch of slots and holes for different devices to be attached to...I was not nervous at all until I started to change, then I felt myself getting very emotional for a moment, realizing there was no turning back now. I had to run to the bathroom again...came back and they hooked up a hose that blows hot air into my scrubs to keep me warm. They weighed me again, I had lost a total of 25 lbs in 2 weeks. There were 2 nurses in the beginning asking me numerous questions, and I reminded them that I wanted sutures, not staples...not a problem. Then the Anesthesiologist came over to me and introduce himself. I asked him if he could give me something to take the egde off and he said he preferred not to as the more drugs he give the harder it is to wake up. He was the one who actually put in my IV. After 1/2 hour of questions and what not, they allowed my wife to come in around 7:20. The presurgery room was hopping with tons of other patients getting ready for whatever surgeries were going on that day. 10 minutes later 2 nurses came with their masks and hair nets on, kissed the wife goodbye, and they started to wheel me. They took off my glasses right away, which started to panic me as I can't see very well. As they wheeled me down the long hallway, there was a nurse behind me asking me a bunch of questions, she put a hat on me as well, and there was a nurse in front of me...they kept saying to me we were going to do timeouts as we went into the room, they kept asking me my name, birthdate, and what I was getting done...I remember the hallway getting colder and colder as we entered the operating room....in there was the anesthesiologist, and 3 other nurses, the doctor was not there....I remember looking around and there were 3 massive plasma big screens, a bunch of bright lights and lots of other gadgets. They helped me slide over from one bed to the other. A nurse came up to me and started to strap me in with my arms out to my side....all I kept thinking was I felt like I was in that movie "dead man walking". I remember saying how I had to go to the bathroom, the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to go...I said I am not sure, but within 30 secs of that I could feel going through my body the medicine...I even smiled and said you tricked me...I then said how I have a real funny taste in my mouth and hearing him say, that is a good thing . Next thing I know I remember slowly opening my eyes around 9:15ish, I felt something covering my mouth still, pumping in oxygen, apparantly I was intubated and had tubes down my nose during the procedure. They asked if I wanted any drugs, I said no as I was trying to be the hero. about 45 minutes later they put me into my own private room, my wife showed up about 15 minutes later. I was not in that much pain. about a 1/2 hour later, I said I would take some pain drugs. I met my new best friend for the next couple of hours and it was called "Dilaudid". They gave me a very strong dose via IV, and I felt it instantly...I actually got scared for a brief second as I felt so high and started to giggle...2 minutes later, you could have done open heart surgery on me and I would have not felt a thing. She came in 30 minutes later and gave me some Vicodin syrup as well, the nurse said they would work great together and they did...I dosed in an out for a while at the same time trying to sip water. I was so thirsty. So around 1pm they said time to get up and goto the bathroom and go for a walk. I got up no problem, did 3 fast laps around the floor. They could not believe how fast and mobile I was. They were ready to discharge me if I wanted to, I told them no. The wife went to go get lunch, I sipped on some diluted apple juice while taking breaths on my machine which you take home with you. I walked a few more times throughout the day and they wheeled me out of the hospital around 5pm. They had shaved my entire stomach, I hadn't been that smooth since I was 12 years old, my wife liked it, said it made me look thinner...so I guess I will be lasering when the time comes. I was in almost no pain when I left. Who was I to kid myself....around 7pm, the pain started to kick in. Not too bad, just felt like a small baby with nails on it butt sitting on my chest and stomach. I could not lay down at all. We went for several walks in the evening which really didn't help. I kept taking Lortab every 4 hours, which helped a little. I tried to goto bed around 3:30am, but had to sleep sitting up. The wife has had to help me with everything, getting in/out of bed (bed is very high), putting on pants (can't bend down). So I woke up at 7am today, with a lot of bloating...I was driven back to my mom's house while the wife was at work...I have been miserable all day, I feel so bloated. I am supposed to be back on a full liquid diet, but all I had today was a sugarfree gatorade, some chicken broth...need to be getting in 48-64 ounces of liquid a day...have not been hungry at all. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Well I am off to the hospital...not too nervous....but will take a little something once I get there to take the edge off. Talk to everyone soon.

SO TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!! I had my last preop on monday with my own physician to give me final clearance, do my blood, ekg...etc. I had already lost 15 pounds on being on my liquid diet for the 1st 10 days...so who knows how much it will be when I arrive at 6am. I started the madatory potassium pills yesterday, which really hurt my stomach, since I took them on an empty one. I left work early today to do my magnesium citrate....be near a bathroom when you take yours or you could have some issues. The hospital just called and told me what my balance will be for the hospital stay ($1825=20% of negotiated rate), and asked me to pay prior to surgery...I said I don't think so...so I just gave them a portion. Can't wait to see what my bill from the doctors will be, even so, I will just pay 20% as insurance pays the other 80%. Not too nervous....may pop in a xanax or two or 3 . Waiting for the wife to come home with some broth from the deli...good luck to my fellow peeps tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted.

This is my 4th day on liquids and it is much better...I did have a frozen yogurt today...but i know I have been eating under 700 calories/day. I was never really a Soup fan to begin with....so I have been adding Tapatio to all my soup to spice it up a bit. Goto my 4 hour nutrition class on Tuesday....Still looking for other people from the Los Angeles area around here.

started my 2 week liquid diet for my 3/24 surgery. I took 2 sips of the protein drink and started to gag (world wide protein shakes/35mg protein)....so I ended up drinking to large smart waters, one with crystal light flavoring, a bowl of trader joes corn and pepper soup, a couple of sips of beef broth (gross), and for dinner, trader joes cream of potato soup, and a fudgicle....all in all about 400-500 calories, just got back from costco and bought premier protein shakes to try tomorrow. better get a little easier or i may hurt someone!

So my date is set for 3/24/11. Getting is done @ Saint Josephs with Dr. Quillici. Anyone else in the Los Angeles area getting the surgery around the same time? Looking for fellow peeps to try and support one another.

I start my pre-op this thursday....800-1000 liquid diet. I am still trying to get into a positive mindset with this surgery. Still trying to get my wife to support me on this, but yes, I am excited and anxious for the procedure.

Hi everyone: I am getting banded on 3/24. I live in the san fernando valley and would really like to meet/talk to others as well. preop on 3/7, nutrition class on 3/15, 2 week liquid only starting on 3/10. Having procedure done at St. Josephs with Dr. Quilici.

I am in the Los Angeles area and my date is set for 3/24/11. Have a lot of dates set in March. See doctor one more time on 3/7 to ask any additional questions and pay program fee, 3 hour Pre-Op class with nutritionist on 3/15, EKG/X-Ray/Lab Work with primary doctor on 3/18, and of course start full liquid 1000 cal/day diet for 2 weeks starting on 3/10. I would love to talk to others in the LA area, so we can get some additional support with one another. Good luck to all!

That sucks you live so far away! I added you as a friend so we can keep in contact....I have so many appts. set in march...start my 2 week, 1000 cal liquid diet on 3/10, should be fun!

I agree with you on that. I have my date set now for 3/24/10. I paid the $200 for the psyc eval. and will have to pay the $600 for the program fee. My yearly deductible is $350, then insurance will pay 80%. I plan on submitting that fee to my insurance company for reimbursement.