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I can't believe it's been 1 year since I had my surgery. I've lost 63 pounds and feel incredible. No complications, other than needing 1/4 cc removed due to being too tight. I'm thrilled with my results!!!!

What a fabulous accomplishment!!!

Just wanted to add a blog. I've been so busy lately...lots of traveling while school is out. It's hard to believe that I only have 2 more weeks off before preplanning begins. My weight loss has been astounding to me...it is literally just falling off of me. I look at myself in the mirror and can't believe the changes that I see. My relationship with food has changed so much (a little frustrating at times)...i now eat to live instead of live to eat. I still struggle with not eating the volume of food that I once did, but that is just a mental struggle; it's certainly not because I'm hungry. I looked through my closet today and thought that I have nothing to wear to work. I've resisted buying clothes because my weight has changed so much, but I know that I will have to go shopping before school begins. Part of me is excited about it and the other part of me dreads it terribly. There seems to be nothing like going shopping to snap you back to reality when it comes to your size. I actually took a picture of the scale this morning when I stood on it; it is right at 201 pounds...just two pounds away from onederland!!!! Holy cow!!! I haven't seen that number in 20 years; it is unbelievable to me. I have a dr appt on Wednesday...don't think I'll need a fill this month...still feel very tight. Can't wait to see the weight loss this month.

I also had an abnormal EKG and had to have a stress test and echocardiogram in order to get clearance for surgery. Both tests came back normal and I had surgery as scheduled. Apparently, it's quite common to have an abnormal EKG.

I have bcbs of ny and my approval was less than 3 days

I'm just so happy right now! I went to the dr on Wednesday and lost another 7 pounds last month for a total of 40 pounds...I have NEVER lost 40 pounds in my life!!! It feels amazing! I met with the dietician also and discussed how I am eating; she also showed me my before pics taken January 4th and I can actually see the difference. It was really good to see that because looking at myself daily, I don't see the difference...I know there is one, but I just don't see it. Being able to compare the two pictures was really good for me. I didn't get to see the dr on Wednesday because he was in emergency surgery, so I'll see him on the 27th...hope I don't gain weight between now and then (we're on vacation and all of a sudden I can eat a lot). I'm still super satisfied with the decision to get the lap band for many reasons beyond the way that I look....I have the energy to play ball with my kids....my husband can't take his eyes off of me....I just feel good....others are starting to notice (finally at 40 pounds)!!! Don't get me wrong, I still have struggles....I still get frustrated on days that I feel really tight and can't eat more than a couple of bites of food at a time....I struggle with head hunger...just knowing that it is dinner time but I'm not really hungry...for the life of me, I can't remember to take my vitamins....exercise sucks and I haven't found the joy in it (YET!!!). All that said...I wouldn't change a thing!!!!!!!

I think you are perfectly normal....all of us heal at different rates and have had varying experiences with the band. Continue to drink your fluids and move around...it will get better!

I was banded on 2/21/12 and have lost 40 pounds total (8 pounds during pre op diet). It may seem slow but I am over the top happy!!!!!

I use it to make spinach dip with knorr vegetable soup mix and fat free mayo....yum!

Headed to see Dr. G tomorrow....hope that scale has moved some. I'm torn about whether or not I want him to add any fluid....maybe a 1/2 cc...the last fill of 1cc still kicks me some days!! I think it's so weird that some days can seem really tight and other times a little loose....so strange.

I have one tiny incision and one larger one at my belly button.

I love this!!!!! Thank you so much for posting....I've been overwhelmed lately be the negative posts of band failure and really needed to read some positive words. I think I'm going to read this post every day to remind myself that this is truly a journey that I must take day by day!!!!

I love it when things fall into place. Good for you!!

Just a quick blog.....I went to see my Dr. today and I'm down 28.5 pounds since my very first visit (January 5th). I can't believe it....I've been banded since 2/21 and I had my second fill today which was half a cc (my first fill was last month and was 2cc). I'm so happy!!!!! I wish I had done this years ago!

That's fabulous! You should be so proud!!!

Okay, so I had my first fill last Thursday, 3/22, under fluoro. It was super quick and painless; I did have a little needle stick when Dr. G. put in the lidocaine, but when he injected my port, it was painless. By the way, my port is just above my belly button. It was really cool to see my band on the X-ray....I kind of had that "seeing is believing" experience...especially since prior to being filled, I felt like I could eat anything. I had liquids for 24 hours after the fill followed by 24 hours of mushies and then back to a regular diet. I can definitely feel the restriction (even with only 2 cc in my band). Can't wait to see what this week brings... Deana

Did you have your fill done in the office or was it under fluoroscopy? Did you feel anything?

I haven't blogged in so long! I am currently almost 4 weeks post op and am getting ready for my first fill on Thursday morning. I have to be at the surgery center at 7:00 for my fill at 7:30....having it done under fluoroscopy. It should take about 5 minutes and I am SO ready for it! I am hungry!!!!! I am trying very hard to follow the rules and so far have been able to do so. Let's see what I've discovered so far in my journey: *my stomach growls a lot *even without fluid, I can't eat as much as before *I need my water *Remembering to take my vitamins is hard to do *my incisions look incredible...i only have 2...one is a tiny one below my breastbone and the other at my belly button *I've been very selective in choosing the people with whom I've shared about having surgery...those people have all been incredibly supportive *I am steadily losing weight...with my home scale showing about 21 pounds as of this morning *I feel incredible and have a lot more energy than I did 21 pounds ago *choosing food at a restaurant is tricky *finding time for exercise is sometimes a challenge while raising 2 boys and teaching *my portion of my hospital bill so far is about $2200.00 (I'm not sure how many more bills need to be processed by BCBS) *the things that I write here on this site have inspired others and that means the world to me And finally....I've learned that for me, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I don't regret it at all and pray that my positive experience continues. Sending positive vibes to everyone on this journey!!!! Deana

Wow! Woke up this morning with so much energy. Had my post op appt yesterday and to date have lost 18 pounds. I feel fabulous! My first fill (under fluoro) is scheduled for the 22nd and am kind of looking forward to it. I've had absolutely no issues and am so pleased with my decision to do this. My clothes are fitting better and I actually see a little difference. I'm just so excited! My Dr. said I should lose another 20 pounds by the end of summer which is pretty slow, but I'm okay with that. In my head, as he said that, I'm thinking....omg when I lose 20 more pounds I will weight what I did in college....holy cow!!!!!!!

I was banded on Tuesday, 2/21/12 and had a great experience at the hospital. Yesterday was a little rough...the excess gas was really bad and extremely uncomfortable. Finally last night it started to ease up and this morning, I feel wonderful. I actually got up and took a shower....I feel human again! I can't believe I've started this journey....my world has been in a whirlwind since January 5th (my 1st appt with my surgeon). My insurance company (BCBS of MA) was incredible easy in granting approval without having to jump through so many hoops and 6 weeks later I've already got my band.... I can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store for me....bring it on!!!!!!!

I had one also, and have to admit that the gas has been pretty bad. I too didn't know that I had a hernia and have no idea how large it was. I need to put this on my list of questions for my appt on Friday.

It is probably nothing.....but, just in case, call your doctor. That kind of thing can make you crazy and will make flutters worse if you stress out about it.

Today makes 3 days post op and I feel so good. I haven't needed my pain meds today, and I actually feel a little of my appetite coming back. I've tried to make a conscious effort to drink more today and I truly believe it has helped. I'm a little unsure of how I will handle my appetite and what it's going to be like to feel hungry again.

KIm....I would love to stay in touch. I had somewhat of a rough night last night. I just couldn't get comfortable and rest. My left side is really tender and I think I'm still dealing with the gas from the surgery..it is terribly uncomfortable. I can tell a little difference each day and my incisions look really good....i only have 2...one just below my breastbone and one at my belly button. i think my dr is a genius...don't think i will even have much of a scar from the upper incision. hope you are feeling well today...i think I'm going to tackle the shower.....i'm starting to get cabin fever and it's pouring rain here this morning.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. Today has been a good day....I've really had to make myself drink, as I just really don't want anything.....well I don't know if it's that I don't want anything or I'm just hesitant to put stuff in my stomach, but I'm working on it.