Chastndeb

I was banded on Feb 28, 2012 by Dr Bagnato. Down 68 lbs, 40 more to goal...

I think whether or not we talk about lapband surgery is a personal choice, period. I had my surgery on Feb 28, and have lost 58 lbs. I still need to lose another 50 pounds to get where I want to be. It is a process, and I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, Watch what I eat and take my Vitamins. I share with people who are close to me, but I take pride in what I have accomplished so far. I do think WLS has a bad connotation for some...and I am sensitive to that.

I just had my third fill last Thursday....my surgery was Feb 28 and my first two fills took me up to 4cc in a 10cc band. I got 1cc on Thursday, and felt very little restriction til Thursday evening. Then, wow! I was painfully restricted. I considered going back in for a slight unfill, and I still might do that Monday....but I am anxious to get back to real weight loss after only losing 3-4 lbs last month. I have lost about 40 with 85 to go....tonight it seems a bit looser, since I have been able to drink pretty well. I was scared last night because I was spitting a sort of yucky saliva. Is this the "sliming" everyone talks about?? Is this just a normal reaction or should I consider an unfill?

Jean, this one hit home with me. I am 4 mos out, and down 40 lbs, but SO impatient with myself! I am walking 3 to 4 miles 4x a week...when I have been a couch potato for 30 yrs! This is a process, not a in a blink miracle....and I need to remember that!! Being off all type II diabetes meds is a huge nonscale victory, and I need to focus on the positive!!

Thanks for your imput, Cindy. I worry about anti inflammatories and NSAIDS because of potential liver problems. I very occasionally take Tylenol for arthritis, but am trying a hot soak to both feet after I walk and that helped last night. I also am switching up the distance depending on how my heel feels...for example, 4 miles one time, then 2 miles the next. I will google the diet info. I would much rather not take meds if I can help it. I have just started the glucosamine chondroitin a few days ago and am hoping this natural remedy helps.

I am 4 mos post op and have been working on a walking regimen. I was walking 3-4 miles a night, and began having some heel blistering and Achilles tendon pain. I went to a specialty shoe store, had my gait analyzed and bought some Asics sneaks which are made for people who put more pressure on the heel portion odd the foot while walking. I have also started walking one night and resting the next, still 4 miles, but 3 to four times a week. I am still having problems with my left heel and have just started glucosamine chondroitin 3x a day. If it gets bad, I am using Tylenol arthritis once a day. I am 55, excited about getting more active, and am down 38 pounds since surgery with 85 pounds to go. Any suggestions? Indon't want to stop my routine, but I want to be careful of my heel, too!

If your mess are going up, that may help your weight loss! I am going in for my first fill April 4...and getting my tsh levels checked out....I have lost 18 pounds since surgery...but things have really slowed down this week. Hopefully that will restart my weight loss!

I am also waiting for my first fill...my surgery was Feb 28, and my first fill will be April 4. I have lost 13 lbs since surgery, but now seem to be gaining and losing the same pound....I am going to join a gym this weekend to get some organized workout help. My only activity since my surgery has been sporadic walking and I know now that I need to get with it to see the scale move...I went back to work 2 weeks post op and feel good physically, except that I am now having some constipation every few days. I had a large hiatal hernia repaired so I have been slow about adding any raw fruits or veggies yet....I am exited and a little nervous about my first fill!

I am on Crestor and have had no problems...but Lipitor caused me terrible back pain.

I find that coffee or hot tea along with a fruit yogurt during the day and LOTS of water does the trick. I also use a stool softener if I miss a day. That is much easier on your system than a laxative, but don't wait to take it. I only have one cup of coffee each day, with the blessing of my doc. All other fluids are caffeine free: I drink a lot of herb teas and crystal light. I am 10 days post op, and so far, so good.

I just had surgery Feb 28 with Dr Bagnato. I feel like I am doing well, just the predictable gas pains. I had a hiatal hernia repair plus the banding. I have been very impressed with both his office staff and with him! They are very considerate and responsive! My first office visit will be this week on the 6th. One thing you should be aware of is that he puts the port at left upper breast level. I was pleased with that since I have had 2 c-sections, and three other laprascopic procedures: one for a kidney stone, one for an ovarian cyst, and one for a hysterectomy 2 years ago. I was glad of the port placement to avoid more abdominal adhesions. I am glad that I am taking 2 weeks off work to get myself adjusted before I return to business travel on March 12.

My surgery was Feb 28. I had a large hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. I spent the night in the hospital since my insurance required it. I feel better than I thought I would. Stll having gas pains, but taking Gasx which seems to help. My doctor ordered a anti nausea patch for me which was placed behind one ear. He also ordered a bracelet thing which I am supposed to wear til the battery runs out...it is supposed to also combat nausea. I did not know about the hiatal hernia but my doctor suspected it because I had been having some pain after eating. Anyway, I am going to start my walking tomorrow!

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful success! Those of us waiting for surgery dates to come feel like your words are just the tonic we need!! I hope you have a GREAT trip!

Good for you! My pre op in Feb 14, and my surgery is Feb 28. I am thinking good thoughts for you! Please let us know how your surgery went as soon as you feel up to posting!!

Thank you so much for sharing that story! I feel very ready to have my surgery, but it is also scary to have surgery....I am determined to work as hard as I can, because this has been a several month process...and I know this is a lifestyle change....It is great to hear about positive and successful experiences!

I am so impressed with both of you! I pray I will be able to say the same a year from now! My pre op is 2/14 and my surgery is 2/28!

Woohoo! I've been combing the boards looking for your post!! You did it!!! You were in my prayers today!

Horse girl (I LOVE your sign on, I am a former "barn brat" myself!) GOOD LUCK and God Bless tomorrow!!! I will keep you in my prayers and will look for the "I did ok" post from you tomorrow!!

Amanda, congrats on your new degree! This is an exciting time...my surgery is scheduled for Feb 14 and pre op is Feb 28. My doc does not require a liquid diet, just the South Beach diet, which I am starting now. There seems to be a variety of pre and post surgery dietary rules, depending upon the doctor. I am interested in hearing about what liquids you recommend. The only Protein shakes I have tried so far are Atkins, Special K and unjury. I plan on sampling post op stuff in the weeks before so I can stock up on the things I find most palatable.

hey y'all, I am so glad there is a February Group! My pre op is Feb 14 and my surgery date is Feb 28...exactly a month from today!! I am excited...and a little scared, too. I had bronchitis and a sinus infection last week, and I feel like I am about 90 per cent my old self...I travel a lot in my job, and there seems to be a lot of stuff going around right now. I am really concentrating on getting as healthy as I can before my pre op. My doctor has recommended the South Beach diet pre op, so I am working on that. I plan to tackle cleaning out my pantry, fridge, and freezer this next weekend to get the house lap band ready. What are y'all stocking up on? I have tried the chocolate Unjury powder and it is pretty good. I am not impressed with Muscle Milk, but thinking about buying some ready made protein drinks to try out in the next few weeks. What are your suggestions for my shopping list? I am type 2 diabetic, have thyroid problems and am 2 years post hysterectomy, so using estrogen. (I am an endocrinologist's 401K builder!!) I am hoping the lap band will help me get my weight and my health back on the right track!!

Holly Dolly, your results are awesome! I hope I can say the same a year from now! I am getting banded Feb 28 and am trying to learn from everyone on here.

I think it is normal to freak a little bit about having surgery...no one does that often...I'm excited about changing my life, but I'd be lying if I said I am not apprehensive about the surgery itself. It will be my third laproscopic surgery--I had a Da Vinci "robot" hysterectomy 2 years ago, and a ovaian cyst removed 25 years ago. Anesthesia is not my friend, so I dread that. But I am trying to focus on how this lap band can help me get healthier as well as thinner....Deb

hi Kate, I am a newbie on here and pre op with a pre op on Feb 14 and surgery date of Feb 28. It is wonderful to hear of your success!! We hear so little from "vets" more than five years post op. I look forward to learning more from you and others on here! And everyone needs support, no matter where we are on our journey! I know a lot of people love Facebook, but I work for a large co where there are too many who know each other's personal business...this surgery is a private matter for me. Only my closest friends and a small circle of family members know I am doing this....so this board is going to be very impotent to me as I work on my new lifestyle! I appreciate everyone on here for sharing your questions, concerns and responses! I've dieted unsuccessfully for 30+ years...like a lot of people who choose WLS, this is a decision I've made after a LONG period of study, prayer and hoop jumping with insurance! Your story makes me feel like I'm gonna see my goal one day, too!!

Well, I can't take the generic for Synthroid. It just does not work for me. I'd ask your endo about that as well as about Cytomel, which helps some with absorption. My thyroid issues have been nuts for the last 9 months which is miserable! I am also post hysterectomy and using a hormone spray and am Type II diabetic. All these endocrine problems are affected by my weight. I am only 5'1 so I should weigh about the same as a Keebler elf!! I know I have a LONG way to go to get my weight down where it should be....and I am praying that the lap band will be a great tool to help me get my health back on track!