gretchens4

I've read alot of posts today, but I still think I need someone to tell me personally that it's going to be okay. I was banded on 2/23/07. I had lost about 8 pounds doing a low carb liquid preop diet. Since then I have only lost about 5 pounds, and nothing in the last 3 weeks. I am having a hard time. I just have no restriction and feel like I spent $18,000 for nothing. If I could do this on my own I wouldn't have well over 100 pounds to lose. I'm reading the February thread and so many people have lost 25-30 pounds or more and here I am gaining back what little I lost. I can eat almost anything and have been forgetting I even have the band. I am feeling humiliated having to go into the office today for a post op visit. I do have a fill set up for 4/10, but I am so discouraged right now. Any words of encouragement. I just feel all the hope I had is slowly disappearing and I am having such a depressing miserable day:think Gretchen banded 2/23/07

Thank you all so much. I do feel better now. I went to my 2nd post-op appt. and I hadn't gained weight (which I thought would be the case). I will have my first fill on 4/10. My doctor's office is very flexible with the fills. They do the first one in radiology with the fluoroscopy (sp?) and fill the band while you drink until they get it to an optimal spot for you personally. I thought everyone just got the same fill. The nurse also said that it is very typical after 10-14 days to lose restriction and that I could come back again and get it filled more. I have the vanguard band (I think 11c). It doesn't mean much to me, but the nurse said she had some people great after 1-2 fills, and some that were up to 9cc's. I appreciate the information. It is reasurring to see that some of you were in the same spot and have still been successful after the fill. On the plus side, I'm still down 13 pounds in 5 weeks, so still on track overall. Thanks again! Gretchen

I am feeling just like you sunnysea! NO restriction whatsoever. My family had chinese food last night and I ate it. I just wanted to experiment, but I was shocked at how much I can eat. My portions are down though, and I don't feel really hungry or anything, but it's not enough to lose weight right now. I'm also getting a fill early April and am hoping I'll feel the restriction I did right after getting the band. I can see it working, I just hate to be at this standstill. Take care. Gretchen banded 2/23

I feel better reading this. I was banded on 2/23 and feel absolutely no restriction. I can eat anything and everything and haven't lost any weight in more than a week. My fill is set for 4/10, but I also just feel like such a failure. I see how much others are losing and it is depressing. I had lost 13 pounds at my post op appt. after 3 weeks, but most of that was from the preop diet. UGH. I am not a patient person.......this is really hard. I did feel so much restriction at the beginning, but now I just feel back to normal. I hope with fills I will start to lose again. Gretchen

I had my surgery with Eric Pinnar on 2/23. He is great. I have met Paul, but don't have my first fill until 4/10. I have been so impressed with the office, and the aftercare seems phenomenal. It looks like you are doing great with the weight loss, congrats!! Gretchen

I have this same problem. I have a 4 kids and my 3rd boy has the overweight gene. It's so hard. My 2 oldest are very intense into sports and exercise all day. My 3rd is very, very active, but just loves to eat. I absolutely agree that there shouldn't be different rules for different kids, it's just not fair and will only lead to secret eating and low self esteem. I am so torn by this issue and want to help him. He is shaped just like my husband. I gained my weight all on my own without much of a genetic issue. My husband is about 20 pounds overweight but always struggled even as a child, so my son has it coming from both sides. I guess I'm posting just to say I understand more than having any advice. I just don't know what to do and how to help him. He seems so obsessed with food and does not care what people think at this point. Gretchen banded 2/23/07

I had my surgery on 2/23 and am just waiting to get my fill on 4/10. The nurse at my doctor's office told me that about 10 days after the first fill almost everyone comes back into the office for a 2nd fill. She didn't explain why, but said it was very common to feel restriction for a few days and then have it go away. I'm glad she told me I could come back if it happens. I have absolutely no restriction now (I'm about 3 weeks out), so I'm hoping the fills will help. Take care. Gretchen

I don't think it's the easy way out either, but honestly, who cares if it is? The goal is to lose weight and keep it off to live a longer, healthier, and happier life. That's all that matters to me. None of my thin friends could deal with what I've been through. It's just ridiculous to even answer a comment like that......blows my mind how idiotic people are. Gretchen banded 2/23/07

I'm glad you asked this question. I am feeling the same way. I can eat pretty much the way I did before surgery (although I try to eat much less). I have lost almost 20 pounds since my pre-surgery diet that I started on 2/17, but it's really slowed down this last week. I forget a lot that I even have the band and am wondering if that's normal. Please let us know how your fill goes and if it works for you. Gretchen:)

I am shocked at how little I think about coke. I was a "real" coke addict, so you can only imagine how much shock my system was in. I am still having one cup of tea a day, but I haven't had a coke in 3 weeks and I truly don't miss it. I tried a sip one day and it wasn't even appealing anymore. It hasn't been very long for me, but so far so good. Gretchen

I had my surgery on 2/23 with Doctor Pinnar at Reston. He is awesome, but doesn't accept much insurance. Reston is definitely close enough to Arlington though if you want to check him out. He has a website and I think his office is called WLS. Good luck! Gretchen

Shelley, I feel very similar to you. I just sent you a pm. I was banded on the 23rd and feel very good physically, but am hanging on by a thread emotionally. I am SO sick of liquids. When did you go to mushies?? I am still stuck on liquids for another week. Good luck to you and feel free to pm me back if you get the chance. ps. I've also lost 14 pounds (including the preop diet for a week) Gretchen

I can't believe this is happening so quickly. Tomorrow is my day. I am a lot less nervous than I thought I'd be. I've been on a liquid diet for 7 days (I did cheat a few times), but it's been under 50 grams of carbs which was the hardest part. I am shocked at how easy it became after the first 2 days (major headache-sugar w/d) the 2nd day. I am mostly excited now, but I've been prone to anxiety in the past, so I hope it doesn't hit me tonight. I have 4 kids and my major fear is just the recovery and how I'll be able to take care of them. My husband is very helpful, but he can only miss work tomorrow so I will most likely be on my own by Monday (although I have friends and family that can help). Any final words of wisdom? I think this site has made me less nervous, and I appreciate all the thoughtful posts. I am only scared that I am taking this risk right now while still having young children. I know, deep down this is not an "optional" surgery b/c I can't do it on my own. I want to enjoy my kids and live a healthy active life. I can't do that now at 278 pounds........... Thanks everyone. I'll report back after my surgery. Gretchen:)

Hi everyone, My surgery went remarkably well. The doctor told my husband it was one of his easiest ever! I was shocked at how painful the gas was the first day, but it started moving last night and I feel much better. It's been 48 hours now and at this point it's mostly just the getting up and down. I think my husband will stay home tomorrow b/c it's snowing and the kids will probably be out of school (that will be a little too much for me). Otherwise I feel very thankful that it went so smoothly. Thanks for all your responses. I will keep you posted. Gretchen banded 2/23/07

Thanks for all the info. Tomorrow is my day! I can't believe it. I'm trying not to think about it that much and just go for it without stressing myself out. I'm glad you're doing so well. Gretchen

I am so happy for you. You sound like you're doing great. I am having my procedure done on Friday. I am nervous, but when I see how well you and Gigi are doing I feel better. I also have 3 boys and a little girl, so the weekends are hard. I'm on my low carb liquid diet this week and have done really well. I've cheated a little, but I've still stayed in the carb guidelines so I'm losing weight quickly (of course, but who could maintain this kind of diet..lol). I'm really happy and can't wait until I'm a few days out. How did you do the first few days with the kids. My husband will have to go back to work on Monday after my Friday surgery? How did you feel. My younger kids are 5 and 3, so I worry I won't beable to take care of them. Congrats! Gretchen

Hey there, I am also being banded on 2/23. I'm the Mom of 3 boys and a girl and I'm also really nervous. Send me a private message if you want to chat in the upcoming week!! Take care. Gretchen

Hi, I'm new here too. My scheduled date is 2/23. I have a few more appt. next week and my preop appt. and then I should be good to go. I have 4 kids and stay at home and have about 140 pounds to lose. We can go through this together. Take care. Gretchen

I told my husband and one close friend/neighbor, but I doubt I'll ever tell anyone else. I am very private and don't feel like it's anyone's business but mine. If I lose a lot of weight and people ask I'll keep it simple, I eat less and exercise b/c I have more energy. I find other people much more open then I am though......... Gretchen surgery date 2/23/07

Hi, I have my surgery scheduled for 2/23 and just had my psych eval today (testing last week). I thought it was really interesting and dead on in my case. I am really annoyed though (b/c it is self pay), that I have to continue to see the psychologist at least once a month for over a year. No one ever mentioned this. I am self pay and this psychologist is out of my network. I really liked her, but now I'm going to have to pay her or find another Weight Loss psychologist in my network.....ugh. I think it is worthwhile, but I don't feel the need for ongoing therapy. Gretchen

Hi, I know this is farther than UVA (almost 2 hours), but I live near Dulles airport in Northern Virginia, and have a really good father/son doctor team (Pinnar). They do surgeries and have offices in Reston, Virginia. Just a thought. Gretchen

Hi, I am a BIG time coke drinker. Of course I need to stop for the obvious reasons. I talked to a nutritionist this week, and she said after you heal a small coke every once in awhile should not be a problem. Since coke it such a huge issue for me (and probably a huge part of my weight problem) I will try to stay away from it all together. I think if you're healed though, it's fine in moderation (at least according to my doctor's nutritionist). Gretchen surgery date 2/23/07

Hi, I just noticed this.......I was on zoloft for 18 months (and gained 40 pounds), but I was sweating ALL the time. Everywhere, no matter what the temperature. It could definitely be part of the problem. Gretchen

Hi, I'm a 37 year old Mother of 4, and am presently going through the pre-op appointments for the Lap Band procedure. I've been reading a lot on this site and I have a surgery date set for 2/23/07. I have an HMO and have no hope of having much covered, but I just can't wait any longer so I've decided to self pay (which should be interesting). My husband is supportive, and I think he'll probably follow along with my preop diet etc. I am pretty excited and apprehensive, but I just have such a good feeling about the surgery and how this will work for me. I am more of a volume eater, so I think this will really help me since portion control is my main downfall. I have been very overweight for a long time now, but just added another 40-50 pounds in the last 18 months, and know now is the time to do this. I have gotten to the point where I don't want to do anything with my family, and just getting up to do a load of laundry is a challenge. So far I have no major health problems, but so many aches and pains and discomforts. Sometimes it is hard to tell how much is the weight and how much is just me. Are there those of you that felt alot better after losing even those beginning pounds........I'm just wondering how long it will be until have more energy etc. b/c the total process is going to be long for me. I'm about 5'5" and 290 pounds right now. Thanks for listening and for all your inspiring stories.....take care. Gretchen

Oh my gosh......it's almost the same age differences, I'm just 3 years behind you.......My 3rd boy will be 6 in May. He's my hardest and in 1/2 day kindergarten so I'm suffering this year. It should be much, much easier next year. Everyone else is pretty easy these days. Please email me if you want gretchenlord@smartneighborhood.net Let's keep in touch. I had my nutrition appt. today and it went well. All these appt. are killing me b/c they are so hard to schedule around the kids. Thanks for your note. Gretchen