DRobjohns

Not sure if this has been asked before...I couldn't find any recent posts on it... Has anyone purchased The Firm Express DVDs? They are offering the set for 3 payments of $29.99 and I was thinking of trying it. I like that it is a 20 minute workout and the short bursts of intensity seem like something I could keep up with. I'm a total beginner and I have no interest in a P90X type workout! Thanks in advance for any feedback!

First of all...CONGRATS on the 10 lbs NJGirl!!! That is great!! I had my 2nd fill on Wednesday. It's been 5 weeks since my first fill. I was so worried that I had not lost any weight since we had been on vacation and even though I was being pretty careful about my food choices, I wasn't being REALLY careful...we were on vacation! My doctor had me lay down, too. He told me that I had 7 cc's in my band and that he was putting another .5 cc into it. He asked me how much I had put in at my first fill but I told him that I forgot to ask and I wasn't told. I didn't think that 1/2 a cc was going to do anything for me. However, I did lose 6 pounds since my last fill! That was HUGE for me because I've also been able to eat too much in one sitting. We have pizza once a week and I can easily eat 2 slices. My doctor asked me what has changed since my last visit (when I had gained 3 pounds)? I told him that I have been walking more and that I have basically cut red meat out of my diet and only eat chicken, fish, or turkey. And I realized that I have stopped snacking, grazing, eating in between meals. He asked if I thought the band was doing what I had hoped? I said that I think it is, simply because it makes me more aware of everything I put in my mouth. But that I'm still concerned that I do not have the restriction that other people say they have. I'm also concerned that I'm eating too much at one time. He said to just keep making small changes and suggested that I start to wean myself off of carbs. I was so relieved that he was giving me encouragement after the frustrating visit I had the last time I saw him. YAY for us!!

OMG this was hysterical!!

I am right there with ya MarciaLynn!! I was banded 4/26/11 and I've lost about 20 pounds but now I just lose and regain the same 2-3 pounds. I know I eat too much...and I know I eat too fast...and I know I don't chew enough. I know what I have to do...just gotta get my arse in gear and do it!! Oh...and I work for a candy company!!! So I'm surrounded by M&Ms, Combos, Snickers, etc. on a daily basis!! Luckily I don't really have a sweet tooth...but there is just always food around.

Rachel I am the same way...if there is food in front of me I just keep eating...especially since I have barely any restriction at this point! I have to just get up and walk away!!

Cindy C I am copy/pasting this and putting it on my refrigerator!

That is AWESOME!!

Congrats on the new clothes...I still haven't gotten any! I really need to step up the exercise, too. And I'm right there with ya about needing a scare...I can eat anything...bead, Pasta, rice, pizza...and going on vacation in a couple of weeks...hoping I don't gain back the 20 lbs I've lost!

Yes glad to hear you are doing well!! I'm eating too much right now...I keep losing and gaining the same two pounds. Had an anniversary dinner and a wedding this past weekend and even though I ate much less than I normally would and I was dancing the whole time at both...I still ate too much. I've also not been drinking my Protein shakes -- I HATE THEM!!! But I have heard from others that they are crucial during the weight loss period. I still have no restriction after my first fill I'm still waiting for the day that I actually feel full and don't want to have a second dinner 90 minutes after my first dinner!! I'm trying to stay positive, but it's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I NEED to go to a support group meeting and get motivated again. Please give me the details of the meetings at Morristown Memorial and I will see if I can make either July or August. Thanks!!

Ohhhh...ok. I have never had anything get stuck. I've only had one fill and I still have no restriction I am waiting for the day that I actually feel full and my stomach is not constantly growling all day long.

I just came back from my doctor's appointment. I was banded on 4/26/11. At my last appointment two weeks ago, I had lost 2 pounds, for a total of 17 pounds lost since the surgery. Today, I gained 2 pounds. SO...I asked my doctor a couple of questions: 1. Do I have any Fluid in my band? 2. What size band do I have and how much fluid does it hold? 3. How much of a fill should I expect for my first fill? I thought these were very reasonable questions and thought he'd actually be glad that I've been doing research and had questions to ask him (since I normally don't ask questions). I've been reading so many posts saying that a lot of people started to gain at the 6-week mark because there's no restriction and they are starting to eat "normal" food. Imagine my shock when my doctor started to lecture me about how I should be doing more to lose weight without worrying about fluid and the size of my band! He did agree that it was time for a fill, but he never answered my questions. He said that I do have fluid in my band, but didn't tell me how much. He said I have a "normal" size band. And when I told him that a friend of mine had 5.5 cc's added on her first fill and that I thought that was a lot, he said, "Everyone is different and you can't get so hung up on the amount of fluid in the band. If you aren't going to do the work, it doesn't matter about the fluid in the band. You need to get back on course and reduce your portions." I was really frustrated when I left his office. I knew that I was going to gain this week because I could tell that I was not having any trouble eating, so I knew my portions were too large. But I have started to exercise and I feel so good...so much better than I have felt in a long time. I had a hiatal hernia fixed during my surgery and I was sore up until about last week. I have only been able to really exercise in the past week. So what do you all think? Do the details matter?

Just wondering why you need to be near a bathroom to eat lunch? I wish I wasn't hungry at work...I have to go to lunch between 12:00-12:30 and I'm not hungry at that time, but by 2:30-3:00 I'm starving! This has been a challenge for me...because by the time I get home to make dinner for the family, I am ravenous and looking for anything to control the hunger beast. Doesn't help that we eat dinner late...usually around 7:00. I need to figure out how to spread out the food during the day.

I took my first shower 2-days post op. My dr told me not to take the bandages off...let them fall off themselves. But I got really itchy as the incisions healed and I ended up taking the last two off myself (the one covering the port and the one around my belly button). But then I had to be very careful when washing around those areas until they fully healed. Good luck to all the recent bandsters!

Morris County here, too! I replied to you a while back. Glad to hear that surgery went well. I had a LOT of soreness around the port area, too. That will take the longest to go away. And I got very itchy as I healed Took a couple of weeks before I could sleep comfortably, too. Have you found any support groups in Morris County? I had my gallbladder out years ago and I will say that the recovery from Lap Band took longer...I agree I think it's because of the port...but the discomfort is pretty much the same. Glad to find some other Jersey Girls here!

Ahab...I feel the same as you about the Protein shakes! Nothing is ever going to make me want to drink them! I love to cook, I love to eat, I love to watch others enjoying the food that I've prepared...I Celebrate with food, I mourn with food, I bond over food...I am totally, irrevocably, addicted to food!! And like you, I have no trouble at all giving up greasy fast food...but God help the person who tells me that I will never again enjoy an evening out with my hubby, eating the food that I love...even when I'm thin, the fat girl inside of me WILL come out and hand them a beating! LOL!! I'm recently banded and had only one fill...so I do not have the restriction that I need yet...but I'm making good choices and learning to make over some of my favorites. Like tonight...I made eggplant parmesan but instead of breading and frying the eggplant, I roasted it. Instead of adding a layer of ricotta, I added a layer of baby bella mushrooms. Instead of full-fat mozzarella melted over the top...I used half as much as I normally would and changed it to part-skim. It was still yummy!! Good luck to you as you start this journey!

NSV - Put on my size 24 capris today and they fell to the ground!! YAY my clothes are getting too big...YIKES I have to buy new clothes...LOL!!

I had my first fill on Thursday and I feel a little bit more restriction, but not a whole lot. I, too, expected that based on the information I got on this forum. I'm with you, NJGIRL (and I'm a JRZ GRL too)!! I WANT to feel something to assure me that the band is working. I was also wondering if anyone pushed their dr. to be more aggressive with fills. I don't hold out hope with my dr...he lectured me at my last appointment about not relying on the band to do all the work...which I totally do NOT understand because I wouldn't have had major surgery if I was able to control my eating on my own! I have lost another 3 lbs. since the fill, so that's something. But of course, I was on liquids for 24 hours afterwards so I think that had a lot to do with it. Now it's Saturday and I'm getting hungrier!!

I just had my first fill on Thursday...I had no eating restrictions before the fill and I really wish that I had eaten! I got very busy at work and only had a cup of coffee around 8:00 AM. My appointment was at 1:30 PM. I was starving!! And then I was on liquids for 24 hours afterwards. I recommend that if you have no restrictions, EAT SOMETHING!

I was banded on 4/26/11 and I'm in bandster hell right now!! I am always hungry, my stomach is always growling, and I could easily eat just as much as I could eat before I was banded. At my last checkup I told my doctor that I was way too hungry and told him that I wanted a fill. After he lectured me about having to do the work myself and not relying on the band to do all the work for me, he agreed that a fill was in order. Did you tell your doctor that you are always hungry? I was wondering if it's ok for us, as patients, to "demand" a fill even if the doctor doesn't agree we need it...I mean we know our own bodies, right? Has anyone ever had to battle their doctor to get a fill?

I've gotten some crazy remarks from people, too. I've been very open about my surgery and everyone knows that I've gotten the band. My thoughts were, the more people who know about it, the more I will work to make my weight loss happen. I know it's ultimately for ME, but it's also a good way to keep myself on track. I've had relatives tell me that I was stupid to have the band because everyone they know has gained back their weight. And others think that it's like gastic bypass and when they see me they say, "You don't look any thinner." I just smile and tell them that the band is not a magic wand...I still have to do the work...and I leave it at that. Let them think what they want...they will anyway! Good luck to all of us!!!

Hi! I'm from North Jersey (Morris County) and my surgeon was Dr. Robert Barbalinardo. He has an office in Lk. Hopatcong, but my surgery was done at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair -- his main office is right next to the hospital -- everyone on staff is awesome and they helped me so much with insurance issues (there were many). I would recommend them. I think someone else on this thread said their doctor was Dr. Strom...he is in the same practice as Dr. Rob (Montclair Surgical Associates). I was banded on 4/26/11 and I'm going for my first fill tomorrow at Mountainside. Dr. Strom will be doing my fill. I'm totally happy with my decision to get banded and I'm looking forward to a healthier future! I'm down 15 lbs. and I know it could be more...so I'm hoping this fill helps me to find my "sweet spot"! Welcome to the site...all of your questions will be answered here...everyone is friendly and eager to share their experiences (good and bad). Good luck to you!!

I agree...you will need more than 4 days to recover. I was still not feeling like myself until about 5 weeks after surgery. I had a hiatal hernia fixed so that can explain why it took me a little longer, but from what I've read on this forum, most people need at least 2-3 weeks to really feel "normal". And you will have a restriction on how much you can lift, regardless of whether or not you have a hernia repaired. As for never seeing a surgeon again, I haven't experienced that...I see my surgeon every time I go back for a checkup. Another dr will be doing my first fill at the hospital this week, but after that, fills will be done by my surgeon in his office. You will have a lot of post-op checkups though...so if you can't take time off, that could be a problem. Good luck to you! I hope everything works out.

I'm going for my first fill this Thursday and was also not given any food/liquid restrictions before the fill. I got the same instructions as Rachel did.

Thanks for this info...I was wondering the same thing since I use a lot of hot sauce to spice up my food.

Kim, this post is so informative! Thank you for posting your story...I'm at the 6-week mark and I thought I was being punk'd or something because I have no restriction and I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!!! I'm going for my first fill next Thursday and I'm hoping that it does something to help me get back on track. Whenever I feel like I'm about to lose my mind I come here and read the posts from the advanced bandsters and I feel hopeful Thanks again for your post!