jetti

I have BCBS of NJ and started my 6 month diet and monthly visits to my PCP before I even pick who the surgeon that I wanted to do my band. I knew it was required so I started as soon as I could so that when I finally picked my band doctor I would be a little ahead of the game. It worked out well for me - I had my first visit with my surgeon on 10/19 and had my surgery on 11/6

Alicia I was not bedridden but I did spend most of my time on the couch. I was more sore then anything not much pain - and I am a chicken when it comes to pain. After a few days I would walk around the house to get my body going and when that got boring about a week and a half after surgery I would walk on the treadmill at a VERY low speed just to keep myself moving fpr about 10-15 minutes at a time. It was November so it was too cold to walk outside so thats why I used the treadmill. I do remember getting winded quickly but I would take my time and just do what I could.

Lisa - I didnt weigh myself at the beginning and before I new it when I went to my doctor for my 2 week post op visit I was down almost 20 pounds. He didnt seem worried at that time so I just assumed that it was normal. when you go to the doctor I am sure he will let you know if there is reason to worry. I didnt get to much protein in during the first few weeks for the same reason as you. just keep up the good work and you will be fine

welcome to the board Trish!!! It is a little quiet around here but once everyone gets going there is no stopping us!

sorry to hear about your accident Sherry. I hope you feel better soon. Get some rest!

Hi ladies!!

I agree that portion control plays the biggest part. make sure you keep your portions small and eat proteins first. also start working out as soon as your doctor says you can. I started by doing the treadmill at home first and when I got bored of that I joined a gym and now I love going. I do 2 classes a day and they are fun so that makes me want to keep going. I have been lucky because I am over 6 months out and still dont have a fill and I am continuing to lose weight. keep up the good work and you will be just fine

I am 6 months out and yeah I have some saggy skin and will most likely have a little more but I would rather have empty saggy skin that fluffy skin full of fat...thats my look on it :-)

I would love to be an exercise buddy with you ladies!! I have a little head start because I was banded back in November and started the gym in January but I can still use a buddy! Moon - find something you love to do at the gym and you will stick to it and see the pound roll off. I enjoy the classes that are given at my gym and get mad when I can make it.

Stay positive Ailie I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled about 10 days before my band surgery so you may still be ok...good luck

Good luck Kat!!! cant wait to hear from you when you come back.

Harts you are doing a great job losing without a fill so why get one when its not needed? by waiting to get one you will save yourself room in your band to get filled when you really need it. I am just over 6 months out and I have yet to have a fill. If you continue on the pace you are on now it will not take 3 years to lose 65 pounds - Im down 60 from my surgery date - and once you start working out - if you choose to do that - you will lose even more. I was actually glad at my 1 1/2 and 3 month visits when my Dr said that I didnt need a fill. I am sure I eat more then the average banded but as long as I am losing weight to me that as all that matters. Keep up the good work and you will be just fine.

thanks Marisa

I was wondering if any NJ banders know of any support groups in NJ. I am ashamed to say that I have never been to a meeting held by my doctors group or the hospital that the surgery was performed at. I was looking to finally attend a meeting but both the groups that I know of hold the meetings the last week of the month and I was looking to go sooner then that. If anyone has any groups that they know in the area I would appreciate it. I dont have any friends that have the band so I dont really have anyone first hand that I can talk to about it - good and bad stuff. This board has been a great help but sometimes its good to acutally talk to someone in person. thanks for any info!!

It doesnt have to be only in Essex County just in the area. I think I am just going to wait until the end of the month and go to the one held at my doctors office.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you beautiful moms!!

just popping in to say have a great weekend to everyone! Im going dancing tonight and I am EXCITED!!!! I love to dance plus it is great exercise so its a double bonus for me!

I now understand. I didnt realize Pat was talking about on this board. I thought it was something in the "real world" DUH me!

hmm I have no idea what that means...can you use it in a sentence?

Im from North Jersey - Essex County - so im looking for something in this area.

I would suggest maybe another 30 minutes of exercise it may help your body boost up again and start losing weight.

most people say they can feel it and some can even see it under the skin after weight loss but I have not found mine yet. With all the different places that it seems to be located on everyone I dont think I will ever find it on my own. I suppose if I ever get a fill then I will know where it is but for now I will just be in the dark becaus I cant seem to get the guts to go searching yet :-)

I am sure this sounds odd but I have no idea where my port is and I have been banded 6 months!! Is the port generally located near the largest scar? Im not really looking to go feeling around for it - sad to say but I think I would be grossed out if I felt it. I was just wondering where its located...because I dont know where it is I feel like my doctor played a trick on me and didnt really band me!!! But whatever he did is working so I am not complaining just curious.:confused2:

No I have not had a fill yet. My weight loss is still going strong so I dont want to get a fill if its not needed. I try to gently rub along my left side but never seem to feel anything - maybe its still buried under all my fat?? Im a little worried about pressing to hard to locate it and if it is located around my largest scare then I would have alot of digging to do because that is where my shrinking spare tire resides

I agree with everyone else that if you only have a few then it would be fine to drink them and switch to the low carb when youre finished with the optima. They low carb ones are a little more expensive then the optima and I find that they are a little harder to find at most supermarkets but if you have a Sam's club around your area I would suggest buying them there. In my area if I find a 4 pack at the supermarket its about $7 and at Sam's you get 15 cans for about $17. I drink one a day so buying in bulk and saving money is a big deal. by the way I too started out drinking the Optima because that is what my nutristionist suggested but when I noticed the carb count was still very high and not much Protein I switched to the low carb which of all the Slim Fast drinks has the most protein - even more then the High Protein shake