CruiseGirl2011

I was banded in July of 2011 -- best thing that has ever happened to me!!! I have lost about 40 lbs thus far with the band (had previously lost 20 for a total of 60) and this is wonderful. The weight comes off slowly for me (compared to others) and I am very happy with this. I am feeling better than ever and am very proud that I have succeeded at weight loss. My Dr., Scott Bovard is also so very proud of me and continues to tell me, the band is a tool, you are the one doing the work. Any way, Merry Christmas, the gift of good health!

Just want to tell anyone considering surgery in Raleigh, NC that Scott Bovard is the best. He shoots from the hip and expects hard work from his patients, which he has gotten from me. I am down almost 30 lbs since surgery in July and could not be happier. He is the best!

Wow, how great! He and his staff are awesome.

Just want to tell anyone considering surgery in Raleigh, NC that Scott Bovard is the best. He shoots from the hip and expects hard work from his patients, which he has gotten from me. I am down almost 30 lbs since surgery in July and could not be happier. He is the best!

So very happy for you and hope to join you soon. I have gotten to where I only weigh at surgeons office and don't go back until sept 29, it is a long shot, but a girl can hope, can't she?????

Well, banded on 07/14 and am now down 19 lbs!!! I'm tired of messing with the ticker so will go with the old fashioned way. Just wanted to let you know what is working for me. Am getting close to Onderland! I had my first fill on 08/15, which was 5 CC's -- the doc came in and said, you ready to turn this thing on??? Since I was down 14 since banding, that was very exciting. I can feel restriction and go back for a second fill in two weeks from that date which will be 08/29. What do I do during the day? Breakfast shake -- have fallen in love with Synthra vanilla Bean and Fuzzy Navel (Peach), I mix with ice, splenda, and benefiber, and fruit. I also have JD Robb's chocolate power, it is a light chocolate taste and wonderful. Why did it take me this long to figure this out?? Snack -- either Greek Yogurt with fruit or cottage cheese with fruit or salsa lunch -- lunch recipe from Eating for Life Snack -- another Protein shake, I will blend it all up without the Protein powder, don't mix until ready to drink dinner -- dinner recipe from Eating for Life How do I handle "cold things" during the day? I am extremely busy in my job, so I bought a cute cooler bag at Target, my actual bag is a bit larger that this: Snacks and lunch in and they stay cold all day, I go from floor to floor for meetings. I do have to travel some and on those days generally take a shaker bottle and protein powder and mix as needed. I am going to the gum several (3 - 4) days a week, even am up there at 5 a.m., but I am succeeding!! Will keep you folks posted.

Yes, the GYM at 5 a.m., will post examples of recipes. But my WONDERFUL SURGEON pushes Bill Phillips "Eating for Life" book, which you can easily find on amazon.com -- this is my whole regime -- so for example, dinner tonight is Yellow Fin tuna with cilantro, jalapeno, tomatoes, green peppers, lemon and lime. Will post back more.

How long did your insurance cover fills? I am in NC and had my first fill today. I have lost 15.5 lbs in one month and am very happy!

I mostly "lurk" on these boards, but anyone that could suggest that this is easy is so terribly misinformed. I have fought the weight battle for years and finally feel that I will accomplish thIs because of my extreme effort. So ANYONE that thinks different is wrong. Please do not reply to me if you do not agree. All positive folks, best wishes to you!

Banded on 07/14/2011 Down 16.5 lbs from pre-op diet 165 goal weight, 51.5 lbs to go!

Can I ask what you got at PF Changs? I am going there next weekend and was wondering. Thought about wonton soup? How did it go?

Keep these ideas coming until we can join you!

Banded Thursday (07/14) yesterday at 9 a.m. Weighed 222 yesterday morning. Left hospital at 2:20 and had still not been able to pee. Don't leave the hospital without doing this. Had to go back to urgent care last night for a cath. Had nothing but IV liquids and water yesterday and weighed 228.5 this morning. There is still 6.5 lbs of fluid in me and I am finally starting to pee but it is like I am learning how to. I had low-fat yogurt for breakfast, (my dr. allows this) anf just had a sugar-free popsicle. Doc said I did great. The nurse anehesist said to me yesterday. Happy Birthday to a new life!!

Surgery tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. So very excited.

Day 13 of Pre-Op Diet and I have lost around 10 lbs!!! Being banded on 07/14 and cannot wait. I'm sending positive vibes to everyone -- there has been some doubt and negtativity on the forum and I am trying to pump it up a notch! I struggled with weight my whole life and am looking forward to have a tool that I carry with me everywhere to overcome this, who is with me?? I am going to a support group meeting tonight at my surgeon's office and am looking forward to that. He will ahve me on "Eating for Life" within 3 - 4 weeks of surgery and plan to be a model patient. Get it model!! Not like a real model, but a good patient. This is worth it.

Shauna: Glad to know it was not just me. I did; however, have to recreate my profile so am now NewCruiseGirl2011 (I added the New to the list above). Thanks for keeping this list up. Being banded on 07/14 --5th day of Pre-op -- have hospital (anaestesia) and pre-op visits today and will post back. Looking forward to egg-drop soup on week 2 post op!

I'm actually not hungry.... FINALLY! LOL She said, I'm actually not hungry . . . . . such inspiration!!!

Will you share your list of questions? My pre-op appt is tomorrow at 1:00. Today is day 5 of pre-op and I am down a few lbs (3 to be exact), I am on Optifast and it is not too bad!!! I bought berry flavored protein bullets and will get additional protein shakes from WalMart. I also have ordered my vitamins that are chewable from WalMart, great prices and they ship to your door free.

Shauna: I ordered this the other day and should have it this week, can't wait!!! NEWCruiseGirl2011

Hello all, CruiseGirl2011NOW NewCruiseGirl2011 due to login problems. Being banded on July 14. Look so forward to sharing stories with you all.

Shauna, you are such a great inspiration, day 3 of pre-op and doing well all things considered (14 day) I felt so great when I made it on the list of July bandsters. For all of you, I could not be more excited.

Ahhh, I had the same type of day yesterday which was day 1 of pre-op diet. Had one on the way to work, people came in from out of town, didn't get the second one until after noon, tied up in meetings, forgot to take the third one home with me, so didn't get 3rd until around 5. My neighbor (who doesn't know) CALLED AND INVITED ME TO MY FAVORITE PIZZA RESTAURANT. I declined, said I was too busy, and now she thinks I am mad at her. I am committed to this, I (WE) can do anything!!!

I am on day 2 of a 14 day pre-op, so am doing well. I started a journal and want it to be positive. My 34th anniversary is tomorrow and we have dinner planned at our favorite restaurant and I will go to that, That was planned prior to the surgery but will be very mindful of what I need to do. Have two 4th of July cook-outs (one on Sun and one on Mon), but am going with confidence to handle any situation. I have a spreadsheet-type project plan that outlines the weeks pre and post op and what it boils down to is that I can have "diet as tolerated" on August 20. (I count everything). What that means is that in a mere 50 days I will be there. 50 days is not even a drop in the bucket as to thousands of days I have been overweight! So, no sweat!!

You are getting me way too excited and rooting for you!! I start Pre-op diet in Thursday amid tremendous stress at work, thank God for my family support system.