not2big42long

Congratulations Big Dog and Welcome to Bandlandia!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Hope everything went well and you have a speedy recovery. It will be nice to have your wife right there to help out and understand what you need and are going through. Let us know how it all went and how you are doing.

Hi Big Dog, Sorry the reply is so late, still been working a lot of overtime. That gas sensation sounds a little like when I eat or drink to fast. It's a little uncomfortable you burp a couple of times and then it's better. Take it easy with the heavy work:) Glad to hear all is going well. Good luck on Sunday when youand your wife step up to peek. Kathy

Thanks, the hic up burp thing is hard to get used to. I've run short on excuses for when I'm eating lunch at work and I have to stop for that. You do get used to it though. I have made quite a few mistakes eating and paid for it by pbing. I remember when I first heard that it was kind of a bizarre saying but now it makes sense. My surgeon explained it well, it's like throwing a ball over the fence and the person on the other side saying nope that don't belong here and throwing it back. There is no "real" vomitting just expulsion, if that makes sense. Just don't try hot dogs for a while It's great to hear your doing fine. When do you go to see your follow-up doc? How's your wife doing? Has she lost anymore? How much have you lost? Take Care, Kathy

Congratulations Big Dog!!! (no dancing banana's:D ), How did it go?? And how are you feeling?? Everything going down well so far?? Are you on clear or full liquids/soft foods?? I am down 30 pounds so far and these first 7 weeks have been quite a learning event. Once you get to real foods my advice would only be to eat slow and stop when you first feel like you are getting full. The overfull and the stuck feeling's are really uncomfortable. Still got the overeater in me and can't help sometimes to stop myself before I take that extra bite. Then only to find out it is truly not worth it. Of course what is overeating now compared to what it used to be??? Sometimes I have to stop and think about how much I used to consume. Can't wait to hear how your experience is going!!! Take Care, Kathy

Hi Everyone, I went to see my surgeon and got my first fill. Down 30 pounds now - woohoo!! :cool: I only got 1cc because I was worried about being to tight but realised I should have let him do more. I have absolutely no restriction still. I talked to him today and I am going back in on Monday and getting another fill. He has me drink water after the fill. Will I know if the second fill is good enough with water?? Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi Alexandra, Sorry the post is late, been working lots of overtime. I can't wait to start buying clothes, trying them on and finding I need a smaller size. How exciting for you!!! :cool: :cool: :cool: More inspiration for all of us newbies!! I found a great quote that works for the band. It made me think of you. "My advice is to go into something and stay with it until you like it. You can't like it until you obtain expertise in that work. And once you are an expert, it's a pleasure." It looks like you've become the expert and you have gotten to experience the pleasure. Can't wait to get to where you are!!! Take Care, Kathy

Congratulations!!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Hope it keeps going the way it has. Let us know how you do.

Oh my gosh Michelle, you have had your "fill" of the bad stuff. It really isn't uncommon for your gallbladder to go bad through all this. I eventually have to have mine out also. So far it has behaved. Do they know what you were allergic to? That was a pretty severe reaction. The steriods do tend to make you puffy and retain Fluid but as soon as you stop taking them it will go away. And like you said, "When I look all sleek and sexy..... ok...ok.... cute and adorable.... I will look back on ALL this and :p" and know it was all worth it. Your doctor sounds like a gem. Congrats on your upcoming fill. Amazing what tears will do. Maybe I'll try that also, my doctor thinks that I might have lost enough not to need a fill quite yet (I work with him) but I can eat so much more than I could before and I just am completely fearful that if I keep going all the weight is going to come right back on. Same old fears of the dieting yo-yo. He keeps reminding me that if that should happen, a fill is available to me at any time, he just doesn't want me to lose too quickly. Is that possible? Ha Ha! I know he's just looking out for me. Take care of yourself and rest, your body has been through a lot and being tired is your body's way of telling you to slow down and let it recouperate. Let everyone else take care of you! Let us know how your doing and how your fill goes!!!

I noticed your back online. How did everything go in Mexico? Feeling OK. Let us know. Take care, Kathy:)

Sorry, for some reason I thought you left this week. :mad: Are you getting excited?

Hi umonica, Congrats on your surgery. I was scared but also really excited about starting this new part of my life. Alexandra is right, these are relatively routine surgeries and before you know it you'll be done and ready to start anew. The gallbladder part will probably only add fifteen minutes or so to your surgery time. You may have a little more tenderness but the incisions are basically the same for both procedures. Just think you are getting two for one. You won't have to go in later for a second surgery!!! Take it as easy as you can and try to get some sleep tonight (not an easy task!). Good Luck!!!

Hi Monimoni, I am 5 weeks out and have had a few sharp pains when I have moved wrong and when I tried to work out in the yard for too long but your sounds a little more like maybe you might have torn a stitch that holds the port in place. A call to your surgeon might not be a bad idea. At the very least it might calm your fears. Good Luck and Take Care of Yourself, Kathy

Woo hoo Zadyzyu!!!! Congrats on the weight loss and a successful fill. It's amazing how different doctors can be. I go for my first fill next week. Right now I can eat anything and a lot more than I could before. Could you feel the band tighten around your stomach? You said that you had cottage cheese that night so I guess you don't have to go back to liquids for a while??? Again congrats on all going to well!!!

Hi Leannie, I have just the body type you are describing. I found that Venezia jeans (relax fit) fit both the legs and butt and the waist better than any other I have tried. I just shrunk out of my 22's, it's too bad that you don't live closer to me. As far as the extra skin at the knee. That is really hard to get rid of and sometimes requires plastic surgery. I can't work my legs very hard because like Shelly said it just makes them bigger. It sounds like your doing the right kind of exercise but maybe you should get a consult with a trainer to find out if there is anything else you can do. I plan, when all excess me is gone to hopefully and finally get rid of the excess I've always had in my butt and thighs and maybe for once be able to buy a pair of pants without having the waist be 3x the size it needs to be. Good Luck and Take Care, Kathy

Ditto what everyone has said, your web site is great! You are a great source of inspiration to us all!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Awesome Jennye!!!!:mad::D This was a great time to hear about results with exercise. I just started at a little womens gym by my house and I swear every muscle in my body is screaming back at me. Just sitting and getting back up when I pee makes me cringe. Thanks for the motivation and encouragement!!

How exciting!!! Won't be long and you will be writing to us about how well everything went. Welcome :banana :banana :banana :banana

Hi Denise, I just had a quick question. I am 4 1/2 weeks out and am trying to prune my weed garden, ha ha. But the up and down of weeding has caused my port site to be very uncomfortable. Does this happen whenever you overuse your abdominal muscles or do you think it is still because surgery was only a month ago? Thanks in advance!!

Hi Michelle, We are almost banding buddies. I was banded on 3/24. 14 pounds is GREAT!! I think the only reason I have lost more is that I got sick for a week and couldn't eat much and then we went to Disneyland and I walked more than I have in my entire life. Like Alexandra said you get to where there is almost no restriction and some of the weight may come back. I think I am getting close to that. I can eat a lot more now as long as I eat slow. How about you? I get my first fill on 5/6 and I can't wait. Have you scheduled yours yet? Welcome, let us know how it all goes!!

Hi Kombat, Everyone has given you great advice. Make sure to call the surgeon and get something for the nausea and ask about the numbness in your back. Do you have anyone helping you? Are you able to go for walks yet? Walking might help get some of the kinks out. You have a right to feel as you do and a little pampering would go a long way right now. Like everyone else said, because of complications you're road to recovery will be a little longer but your band will there waiting for you when you are ready. Even though it was a rough start you've made a great decision and you will love how it changes your life. Take care of yourself and let us all know how your doing.

Hi Karen and congratulations on your decision to change your life, Like Bonnie said your BMI is not too high. I work in the operating room and we do patients whose BMI is well over 60 and they have all done well. Make sure to do your research, the bypass is a big deal and not easily reversed. It doesn't give you the same tool that the band does either. Be careful not to let the surgeon talk you into one or the other. Be a wise patient and have an idea what each of the procedures are. There are surgeons that really believe in one or the other (which isn't a bad thing) and tend to sway their patients in that direction. One thought you might keep in mind - the band is minimally invasive, completely reversible and an effective tool that can last the rest of your life. Ooops there I go trying to sway you!!! Here are some helpful questions: ·What types of obesity surgery procedures have you performed? ·How many of each weight loss procedure have you performed? ·Can this surgery be performed using minimally invasive techniques? ·Can I be considered a candidate for surgery even though I have one or more associated health conditions related to my obesity? ·Which weight loss procedure is best for me? Why? What are the risks involved? ·How long will I be in surgery? ·What is the length of my anticipated hospital stay? ·How long will it be before I can return to pre-surgery levels of activity? ·How will my eating habits change? ·Do you have information about obesity surgery costs and payment options? ·What is the typical excess weight loss and improvement of associated health conditions for your other patients? ·Do you have patients who are willing to share their experiences, both positive and negative? ·What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand this surgery? ·What type of long-term, after-care services (such as support groups and counseling) can you provide for me? ·What do you expect from me if I decide to choose a surgical solution? Good Luck in your research!!! And let us know what you decide.

Hi Jackie, That "it is not long before I feel weird" feeling is strange isn't it? It took me a while to figure out what the new feelings in my new stomach were telling me. Now at a little over four weeks post-op I am starting to figure it out. My thought for you would be to REALLY pay attention to what your stomach is telling you and don't try to get that extra bite in, your stomach will let you know it doesn't like it. The beauty of the band - it won't let you forget that it's there!!! :mad: My surgeon let me go to full liquids as tolerated - I found the thicker the liquid the less I could eat. The first few days it's all about getting enough liquid in so you don't get dehydrated. Do you like egg drop soup? That went down really well and gives you both Fluid and some substance. I found that the protien shakes really help with energy. I got some Atkins ones (for ease of bringing it to work) and blended them with ice to make a shake. That way you get your Water in also!!! It tastes like a milk shake. You can also get the powder and get creative, add yogurt, fruit, etc. and make smoothies. The protien is important and I found that it really helped bring back my energy. Glad to hear your doing so well. Take care and let us know how your doing. If my scale is right (pleeeeease) I am down another 10 pounds for a loss of 27. :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny I LOVE my BAND!!!

Your the second person in the last couple of weeks that has said that a surgeon wouldn't do your band because of a BMI>45. When I questioned my surgeon wondering why a surgeon would say that, he was surprised. We have done patients with BMI's in the 60's and they have been very successful. Makes you wonder if they really believe in the band or not??:mad:

The Bioenterics lap-band system is a 13mm wide band which, when fastened, forms a circular ring with an inside circumference of 9.75cm (B-2210) or 10cm (B-2220). The Vanguard (B-2250) is a 20mm wide band which, when fastened, forms a circular ring with an inside circumference of 11cm. THESE ARE THE MAX VOLUMES FOR EACH: Lap Band---------------Max volume 9.75cm Lap Band---------4cc 10cm Lap Band-----------4cc Vanguard Lap Band-------10cc I got this information from the lap bands that we have available at work. The Vanguard is a new one used for those of us that have a little extra tissue around our stomach. I also found out that there are now medical cards (that come with the band) that are given to the patient that not only tells them which band they have but also gives them the option of carrying it around so should something happen to them the person that finds them can know that they have a band in place. I’m going to try to get a hold of the rep that we get our bands from and see if I can’t get some extra cards. I didn’t get one because they weren’t in the box yet. This was a great question to bring up and I think that it is the surgeon’s responsibility to let the patient know which of these bands he/she put in. The cards will be a great way to get that information to the patient I think. Hope this helps!!

Hi, Is there anyone out there? It would be nice to get a group going here. Maybe we could meet sometime. Hopeful,