keepIToff

Down over 60lbs since my last weigh in before starting the pre-op diet. I look back and don't think I could have imagined getting to this point. The worst part of all this is trying to keep my wardrobe together...for all the good reasons. Anyone just getting started in this adventure good luck. Don't be too discouraged by what you see on these forums about problems people are having. Just remember people like me that are not having issues don't really feel a need to come here and post. Understanding the process and how the band works is the most important thing. Any questions I had from reading here I wrote down and had them clarified by my doctor, which really helped. I would like to loose another 50lbs, and the way things are going I think it is a obtainable goal.

Thats still pretty early to get back to work IMO, and your body still needs time to adjust. I wouldn't worry too much just try and keep taking in calories so you can keep up your strength. Also, kind of going against what I just said, don't follow what people say on here too much. If you have questions, ask the doctor. My doctor and my dietitian both warned me about reading forums due to the fact that everyone is different and people come here to complain about feeling bad and can give the impression that the band is causing problems on almost everyone. You are still very early and will probably start seeing some big improvements very soon with strength and energy, as well as weight. Just be sure to let your body heal.

Congrats, I am right there with you, about 45lbs. Been kind of slowing down over the last couple weeks though. I still feel like it was a great choice.

I was banded on the 16th of Dec, and had one minor fill of about 1cc Jan 17 so far. I have been losing weight pretty well, but still hungry a lot, although I have force my self to not eat too much and lost 8 more pounds since the Jan fill, total of about 24lbs. Well, yesterday I get a fill and the doctor puts in 2.4cc's and tells me to take it easy for the rest of the day and ease back into regular foods because it was a big fill. I have been stuck before, but for the most part could eat pretty "regular". So for lunch today I try a piece of chicken breast, knowing in the back of my head I am probably going to be too tight for this. Sure enough, three bites into it I get that feeling in my stomach of "uh oh, what the hell did you just do to me, you idiot!"....then proceed to burp and burp then finally vomit, all this while at work. Luckily no one was around to experience it. The point is, I should have known better, and this was a perfect example of not being smart, listening to the doctor, and anything else I know I should or should not do. Oh well, I feel better now, just not hungry and will have to go with mushy type food or a Protein shake later. I just want to point out to those wondering what it means to be smart about what you eat and how you do it.

I was banded on the 16th of Dec. After surgery my doctor came by and said everything went fine and had me drink some Water. He was concerned because my band was very tight going on. It seemed okay and I was able to drink about a half cup of water. On the way home I vomited and kept doing do every couple hours. I called him and he said to give it until the next afternoon. Worst time of my life, I couldn't hold anything down, not even medications. Long story short I had to go in and have the band replaced the next night. I still think my doctor is great, he called me constantly to make sure I was okay. Just maybe he should have went with the larger band to start with, and he admitted that, he just thought I would be fine with the smaller one. Down about 18lbs now, just had my first fill but still feel like I can eat too much. My doctor said just give him some time and he will get me to where I want to be. Just be patient.

I had it done on the 16th and been regular foods for about a week or so. I just focused on eating healthy and Proteins. I was a little nervous but when I talked to my doctor she said if I can eat with out having any problems then go for it. I was worried I would do damage if I tested different things but she assured me I would be fine and so far I can eat about anything as long as it is chewed well. I had some steak and one bite of potato for new years and a couple non carbonated alcoholic drinks, I felt full after the steak, so the potato didn't really appeal to me. I also had some pulled pork and a little chili on yesterday. So far so good...I just love being full after eating a little bit. I see that ordering kids portions will have to be something to get used to when going out. I get my first fill today and she said I will notice a big difference in the amount of food I will be able to eat and start dropping weight more quickly. I am down 16 lbs since the 9th (pre-op diet) of Dec and I am pleased with that so far, so I look forward to what the fill does.

Not sure about your doctor's thoughts but mine said Clear liquids the first two days, then anything I could drink through a straw (BUT DON'T DRINK THROUGH ONE) this is just an example of what consistency of food I can eat. This has allowed me (3 days out) to have some Campbell's Soup at Hand and other creamy soups, just watch calories. I also make my Protein shakes with a small piece of banana , and some yogurt and mix it in my personal blender. I have a hard time actually remembering to eat. lol

Glad you ae doing better, I had a similar problem and turned out my band was too small and had to be swapped out.

Well it has been a long weekend. Went in friday morning to get the band and everything seemed to go well with the surgery. When I woke up my surgeon came over and wanted to make sure all the Fluid was out of the band because he said it was a little snug. I drank a few ounces of Water and was discharged shortly after. On the way home I had to stop and get sick. My stomach was killing me but when I vomited I felt much better... Long story short this went on all of Saturday and after talking more with my doctor he said he wanted to swap the band out for a larger one. So last night I had to go back under the knife and get the larger band..all went well and I feel great now. One thing to remember is go with what your body tells you and not what other people do. I was advised the pain I was having was normal by a friend that had the band too..she said she was the same way. If I would have listened to her I would have still had severe pain and a band that was not allowing anything through.

Me too...waiting to find out what time to go in. Good luck everyone.

Day two of my 6 day crash diet on Optifast, before my surgery on Friday (12th). This stuff sucks but I am trying to keep a big picture point of view on the whole thing. I had some chicken breast strips yesterday and a no sugar added fudge-sickle so I hope that doesn't affect the goal here. I also had a 1/2 cup of no-fat cottage cheese and 1/4 cup of sugar free apple sauce this morning. I don't think that will hurt anything, but my head was killing me. I am doing okay right now, still a minor headache and actually have two shakes left so I am going to try and push through without any other foods tonight. Good luck to everyone, I love reading what others are doing and getting support here.

I wouldn't say I am keeping it a secret, just telling the people I want. I told my kids, Mother, and my girlfriend. I won't lie if someone asks what I did to loose all the weight (when I do) but I am not broadcasting it. Just not my style, but for some they announce it to the world, put it on Facebook, twitter or whatever, and that is fine just not me. I wouldn't have even told my mother or kids if my girlfriend didn't convince me too, but glad I did because I think it was right for them to know I was having a surgery. It's just up to the person having it done in my opinion.

Glad your party went well. I am getting banded on the 16th of Dec and was starting to get discouraged coming to this forum and began to think twice after all the limitations people have posted. I am a weekend drinker and know that has already changed in preparation for being banded. Anyway on my last consult with my surgeon I talked with them about this forum and was advised to be careful about what advice I take in from other people. My surgeon said there are some rules to follow but let your body tell you what you can and can't do. I brought up alcohol and he said the biggest problem other than the obvious health warnings of it was the fact that it contains empty calories. The overall message he was putting out was that everyone is different, and some people have different beliefs or tolerate different foods different ways, just the same as with the band or without. He said if I want to have a drink with the band I will be fine. I won't explode or anything, but just be smart and use common sense. Unless something goes wrong with my surgery on the 16th, I will be having a low calorie alcohol drink on New Years...

Insurance called today and said everything is approved. Surgery scheduled for the 16th....YES! :-)

I'm a little late to the party here but I have enough experience to realize that most people having success are NOT going to come here and post. The people having issues are going to come here looking for answers (for good reasons) but just be cautious of your decision being skewed because of posts here. That being said I have gain so much info here and my dietitian has added this place as a source of info for new potential people wanting the band.

I am scheduled for 12-16, Just had my EGD done and all went well.

I was told last week from my surgeons office that they heard that Tricare's requirements may be changing. Instead of the 3 months of dietary consoling it could be going to 6 months. Has anyone else heard this same news?

Tricare and my surgeon have been telling me since I started this adventure in July that it was 3 months, and the surgeon has done many Tricare patients in the past on three months. Just was wondering if anyone is hearing things have changed. I am continuing on with my dietary just in case it is actually 6 months now so I don't have to start all over. I meet with my surgeon again on the 27th to review everything then get my EGD done, and not look forward to that day.