JC_GODOLPHINS

How many bandsters out there had or are having their band this month? Wondering, maybe we can get a thread where we can all meet and share our experiences and help support each other. As for me, I'm joining the BAND next week Friday. I never thought I'd be able to say the date that close. It is so close right now it is a bit scary. I can't wait!!

Hey Chris, I can tell you from experience, I was stuck at 35-40 for a good month or two. Holidays didn't help, but that's another story. Anyway, I can't help but stress the GET YOUR PROTIENS IN. After being stuck at that weight for so long, I cut the carbs, totally, and low and behold, weight starting coming right off again. Keep the carbs down, I really think that's the trick.

Hey everybody, I'm another one who's been MIA in awhile. Today I realized it's been almost 6 months since I started the August Bandsters thread, and now here's this one. Great to see everyone losing. Even if it's less than you wanted, keep your head up and don't give up!! As for me, I am very frustrated. I am down 49 lbs since Aug29th, and truthfully, I wish it were more. Clothes doesn't seem to be getting smaller anymore, but I do feel better. I fit in places I didn't fit before. My new goal, get to 200 by Aug29th. I am more than half way there. Good luck to all of you!!!

Marsha, my suggestion is in about a week or so call and get a case number from Cleveland Clinic. Even if they are rude, insist, and get on your insurance company's AZZ!!! They tend to drag it out. Stay on top of it.

Hey everyone, first off I know first hand how all the waiting crap sux. I had my first appopintment with Dr. Szomstien in early February. My surgery wasn't until August 29th. Just part of the process I guess. At one point it almost feels like it will never happen. My suggestion is to be nice as possible to the girls there. Namely Carmen, Karen, etc. Also, I would e-mail my doc every now and then, and he would respond pretty quickly and forward my messages to his nurses. I know it took long, BUT it was worth the wait. He's been great. SZOMSTS@ccf.org

Alright, I guess I'm the first in this section. I am being banded Aug 29th in Cleveland Clinic Florida by Dr. Szomstein. Anyone else?

Yeah, I lost my appetite at the beginning. Just think of what your insides went through a week ago. It will come back, just hope it's later than sooner. Anyway, I know Emily said to stay away from corn, but a little can't hurt, as long as I really chew. Another thing is that Emily has given us a diet, but I did this surgery so I don't have to diet anymore. I love meats, so I will always have that first, BUT, if I only eat meat, I'll probably need like 4 pork chops. I am practically eating what I want, had some cookies the other day, and usually eat for desert a sugar free fudge pop. Lost another 3 pounds in a week before my fill. Speaking of which, I had my first fill yesterday, no big deal. I still need a little more, but right now I am on liquids for the next 3 days. That should really boost weight loss. Again, good luck to you guys.

Very true, I didn't realize that with two big gulps it was topped off, and even backing up.

did you see your pouch?? How did it look? I had my fill yesterday, not that bad an experience, except for the part of seeing a huge needle sticking out of my belly. Anyway, my pouch seemed pretty big. Just wanted to know if anyone saw theirs, what it looked like. Oh yeah, he put in about 4cc's, and then pulled out some and left a total of 1.5 cc's in there. I feel some restriction, but nothing major.

No big deal. The local anesthetic was easy peasy. quick sting, then burn for 3 seconds, then felt absolutely nothing.

Jeanette, I am also getting filled 10-7. Hopefully anyway. I really feel I need one to keep this going. Good luck!!!

Hey Alex, sounds like we are sitting on the same boat. I can eat a house, but I feel totally normal. One thing I didn't mention, in the morning, I can eat very little. Then during lunch it's a little better, but by night time, I feel absolutely nothing. I don't feel like I am doing great though, cause I have not been following my prescribed diet at all. I am having sugar which I shouldn't. I am staying away from soda, but Arizona tea is yummy. Rice goes down fine, bread is okay, salad no problem. I know I am going to have less later, but I really want to loose already. Everyone who knows I was having WLS is looking at me asking me what I am doing wrong. I mean geez, give me a break, it works later, not now.

Hey August Bandsters, I know we shouldn't be comparing results, but how are all of you feeling? How are you eating? As for me, I feel great. I am eating like a horse. Yesterday I had some stuffing, corn, and two whole pork chops. OUCH!! That is too much. Regardless, I weighed myself, and I am down 22 lbs now.

Man, I am sorry, I forgot to check in with all of you. Hope everyone is fine. How was everybodies Cleveland Clinis experience? I know I loved it. When my dad went by to visit, he even said he wanted o get sick to stay there a couple of days!!LOL, too funny. Anyway, I have United Healthcare PPO and they paid for my surgery, had no problems with approval or anything. A week before surgery, I got a letter in the mail stating I was approved. Right now, I am feeling pretty good, but eating way too much. Occasionally I even forget I have this band, and won't chew really well, and end up with that nasty pain in my chest. Wait a few minutes, and it's gone. I have lost about 22 pounds to date, and can't wait to get some more off. I am scheduled for another follow up next Wednesday, hopefully Dr. S will give me a fill. I had two pork chops, a small scoop of stuffing and some corn for dinner yesterday. WAY TOO MUCH!!! Well, good luck to you all, let's keep checking in. :-)

Don't seem indecisive. Make sure you know all your facts. Tell him why you want it, and explain it with every detail. When he sees how passionate you are about having this done, there should be absolutely no reason why he would deny it.

You guys have no idea. Lately I have had absolutely no restriction. Especially late in the day and at night. Mornings are fine. The other day I ordered an omellete and had about a quarter of it and I was fine. But now yesterday at night, I had a whole plate of food, and probably could've kept going had there been more. ARGHHH, it pisses me off, I am down now 20 lbs since 8-20 and I feel like I am gaining again. Everything otherwise feels great. No more port pain, nothing. Even my scars are practically disapearing by the day.

Shelly - thanks, I am trying not to though. chicken wings are still good though. You are going down, wait and see. Coffeewench - thanks, feels good to get advice from you. I am starving though. I am just gonna live with it until I get the proper restriction.

Getting filled in two weeks, if weight loss stopped. We'll see.

Hey guys, good luck to you pre-banders. I'll tell you, Cleveland Clinic treated me so well. That place is awesome. Whatever surgeon you have doesn't make a difference. They are all great. Angie, I really hope you are doing okay. 6 days out for me, I was feeling pretty good already. I am now 19 post-op and feel awesome. Port site is a little sore, but ultimately, no complaints. I am about 20 lbs lighter. I have very little restriction, so I am eating way more than I want to. But I know this is part of the process. 10-08 I go in fora possible fill. Dr Szomstein said as long as I am losing, I don't need a fill. Good luck to you all.

My doc told me to stay away from steak and any red meats for at least 6 months. It is too hard he explained. I have some restriction now, no fills yet. I am eating more than I would like but a lot less than before. 18 days post op, down 20 lbs.:-)

Thanks for the encouraging words. I do plan on keeping it up. THese protein shakes are really killing me though. Starting to taste like total crap. Check it out, just yesterday I thought I'd be bold and I tried a chicken sandwich. BIG MISTAKE!! Two bites had me super full and I PBed a couple of times until it was comfortable. Man it really hurt. At least I know this thing is still working and in place. I just wish I could start my solids already, cause I am sure I would feel serious restriction with them. OH WELL, today I go to remove my staples, so I'll ask the doctor about it. Talk to you all later.

Man, reading all your posts really hits home. I am feeling like a loser lately. My SUPPOSED great restriction from the beginning seems like it was only swelling. I am now 1 weeks and 5 days post op and can eat a horse. I've been having my shakes for Breakfast and lunch but then dinner comes around and I have a BIG bowl of red Beans or lentils soup, then I start snacking. I know I shouldn't but I stay sort of hungry. Maybe it's just head hunger, but I continue to eat. I am hating myself for it. It feels like this thing isn't working. Another thing, I know I should be walking, but after work, I usually feel tired and like crap, and since my staples haven't been removed yet, my incisions are a bit sore. Walking makes them more sore, so I am going to try and walk next week. Tomorrow I have my first post op appointment and they remove the staples. Can't wait, I need a fill.

I personally haven't had it as I am only 6 days post op. WHat I can say is that you are already going for a fill next week, might as well and get it checked while you are there, don't you think?

Funny about dreams. A little over 3 months ago I quit smoking. For weeks after I was having dreams of smoking a cigarette while driving, or just smoking in general. Well, I am 6 days post-op and it is getting easier. As far as dreams, I just had one and I was having butter Cuban bread with coffee and milk in that dream. Weird, cause I was thinking how much I would like some but I just can't.

Hey there, can'tgive you much advice from personal experience, BUT my nutritionist said not to try and swallow anything larger than a pencil eraser. That is about the size of the opening that food will go through. Obviously, this is after you have the proper restriction.