GR8

Welcome Istolo: WOW 43lbs since surgery -- I only lost 20 since surgery. You are doing tremendous---be PROUD! I stopped losing weight 2 weeks after surgery (went on mushies) till a week before my fill - when I went back to liquid protein drinks. Keep your spirits up -- we ALL have gone through the same situation. Hugs. Gina

Very well! I lost 6 lbs from fill (5/31) to 6/4. My doctors goal for the next 6 weeks is 12 lbs. I have been sticking to Protein shakes, bars and the IDS protein bullets. I have been able to eat solids -when I choose. Trying to minimize this -- that was when I stopped losing last time. My July appt is for a fill -- but I guess if i have lost excessive weight loss(over the 12 lbs goal) or if I am not feeling hunger - he won't give it. He will do as many as needed for as long as needed -- to get the sweet spot! The eating rules -- you get use to them quick - especially if your body REMINDS you! Have a good night -- keep in touch!

Maybe he thinks you are glowing!!!!!!!! Which looking at your pictures -- I see a glow... You look wonderful and are doing a fantastic job -- Kudoz to you!

Hi Angies577: Your first fill seems to have been 6 weeks after surgery -- which is what my doctor did as well. The fill amounts are very personalized I believe- it really is what ever feels good for you! Mine was 2.5 total and I left taking very small sips - taking 3 hours to get 10oz in me. My doctor won't do another fill for 6weeks - after the first -- just to let me and my body get use to it- or at least that is his excuse (hahaha). There seems to many different routines that doctors use - some have preop diets, others not. Some have you do liquids, mushies, softfoods in 2 week intervals - others don't, some have you do 2 days liquids, 2 days mushies following a fill, others go right to mushies for 1 day. (go figure?) Your doctor might give smaller first fill so you don't go from eating any and everything to only 3oz every hour, like mine did. Or it was Just Right for you? Did he do it under floro? (sp?) -- Mine was, he filled me to the point nothing got through - then backed it down so just the right amount of speed it took to get down? :phanvan As far as the size of your band -- look at your wallet band card that you received and tell us the type it says and I am sure one of us can help determine -- or you could call the doctor's office and they will be happy as well to check your chart. They have all that recorded. Mine says INAMED Health - LAGB VG --this is the larger band that holds 10cc's. Best wishes at your next fill -- hope it is what you are looking for. Gina

No, not for no good reason or when I am still in bed -- just when I eat to fast - old habits :guess are HARD to break sometimes. But I really haven't had any (or let's say not very much) :rolleyesrestriction -- I could eat anything from surgery to first fill == including Steak, Bread, salad, you name it! I had my fill last Thursday which did give me good restriction to begin with - been doing liquids for the most part. I hope it continues.:welldoneclap: Gina

Janine -- That is good news -- I know you have been waiting for this day to come... I also know that I was having cold feet and wondering if what I was doing was the right thing -- so if you are -- it is totally normal. "challenge getting the tube down my airway" I think you should try to NOT worry about this == because you will be out but also -- if you are tense with worry - I think that would not help things. I see only positive things in your surgery and you coming out like a champ with no complication! I believe!!! :welldoneclap: :success1: :) My thoughts and prayers will be with you today forward... take DEEP breaths and breath deep. Hugs! Gina

No problem. Glad you are back. 40lbs -- you are doing great -- :welcome::Banane40:Gina

Janine -- That is good news - hope they stay this course of action. Keep us posted! Gina

Hi Terranne-- Welcome and best wishes on your new journey! Let me walk you thru the ticker thing. 1. click on someone's ticker - it will take you to the website to create yours. 2. click the box that says: "Create your own ticker" 3. click the "WEIGHT LOSS" or "EVENT" (your choice if you want to track the weight loss or count down to the surgery -- or count from the date you had surgery.) I am going to assume you clicked "WEIGHT LOSS" for the following steps. 4. click the ticker bar you wish to have as yours (there are 13 pages of designs to choose from - to see another page just click the page #) once you have decided - click "NEXT" 5. click the ticker slider you wish to have as yours (there are 7 pages of designs to chose from) once you decided - click "NEXT" 6. complete this page with your options - password; tracking by change of weight or showing actual weight and lbs lost; your target and starting weight; current weight and weight date; your height - click "NEXT" 7. highlight the code in the first box - starts with "[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/..." copy it (right mouse click - copy) 8. goto your "EDIT SIGNATURE" on your lapbandtalk and paste it (right mouse click - paste) 9. preview signature -- then add spaces and additional content as you wish. Let me know if you need more help -- or if you have questions regarding these instructions. Good Luck!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

On my way home - I started thinking back about the WHOLE experience and started kicking my self in the butt -- thinking I should have asked you what your LBT Name was. ---who knew... I have lots of restriction -- only had 2 each day of the IDS 42gr Protein bullets (3.2 oz liquid Protein - Jello consistancy mixed with 6 oz of water) - and crystal light tea. Not hungry so far.... Hope it stays. Good luck with your sweet spot. Also - great kids -- I loved watching them before I went back. Gina PS: I go back 7-12 at 1:45 again - maybe see you there.

I hope you can get some answers from one or the other! Keep us informed. Gina

I know you are FRUSTRATED and DISAPPOINTED and SCARED -- you pump yourself up to do THIS and then all this other stuff gets in the way and makes the situation unknown -- I hate that too. I have never heard of polyp on gallbladder. I had my gallbladder out May of 1992 lapiscopically - due to gallstones. I would check and see if they can do BOTH at the same time. I can tell you the after surgery pain/recovery for me was equal or maybe just a tad bit worse with the lap-band surgery than the gallbladder. Just that the first night I wasn't able to lift my self from a sitting or laying down position with lap-band. 5 incisions with lapband spread across the whole stomach and only 3 with gallbladder - belly button I incision, and 2 under the right breast - can't even tell any more. I had GBS thursday and return to desk job (pillow in lap) on Monday, which is about the same time frame for the lap-band as well - for me. July 7th -- I am happy for you! It will be here before you know it! I was banded 4-9 and 3-4 weeks afterward I was able to eat anything - including steak. So even if you are banded - you can time it so - that it won't inconvenience you to much. Actually I just got my first fill yesterday (had to wait 6+weeks)-- you will find this funny - so here it goes: Well -- I reminded my doctor that I HATE needles and get faint during blood draws. He said I will be fine.. So they weighed me and took me in front of the xray -- located and showed me the port -- I asked --(stupidly) what is the ring just below the port -- the doctor said that's my wedding ring - the xray tech -- said yeah - he has been looking for it everywhere. I said --oh so that makes me your 2nd wife! We all laughted. He came back -- and said this won't hurt nothing like the IV did -- I told him I plan on NEVER doing that again --if i can help it! He swabbed me with COLD alchol and gave me a shot to numb the area ( 3 second sting) -- okay at this point got a little weird feeling - so I started talking to the nurse to take my mind off the procedure - he has now gottten the needle in the port -- and the Nurse and Doctor decide -- "she doesn't look good" -- "let's get her a chair." "Breath - Breath" -- I apologized -- Nurse takes my pulse -- "you have barely have a pulse -- keep breathing!" "Okay -- I feel better -- let's get this done!" I stand - he still has the needle in -- (thank goodness) Says I have .5cc's in there - fills me - asks me to drink the barum -- "are you okay???" I respond "ahh.. yea --sure let's just get done" I drink some Barium and he takes the cup and has me rotate 180degrees and places me in the chair --- I think I am done -- but OH NO I AM NOT. I guess I was passing out -- so with wet wash clothes on my neck and face we relax and just talk. I feel so bad -- so I said -- "I Just love doctor T. so much -- I wanted to make our time together --last as long as I can... everyone laughs... We go back up to the xray after 15 minutes -- he shows me in the xray the cup of barium almost sideways and tells me and the others -- "this is when I knew we were losing her" -- the cup was almost at a 90 degree angle. He had me look at the 2 tech's -- the one promised me he'd take me dancing after this is completed! He had to put the needle back in - missed the first time and clunck in the 2nd time -- filled me - I drank barium -- he took some Fluid back out. and sat me on the gurney. Thank god I was done -- the doctor was explaining to me I had .5 and he placed another 2 cc so I have approx 2.5cc -- I had to ask him to tell me that again -- I wasn't comprehending and wanted to know the #'s --they have me stay for another 15 minutes -- before they let me go to the waiting room to take as much time as I needed. They took the next patient back and I sat talking to another girl there for her 3rd fill -- and here comes the girl they just took back -- and I said -- see how quick she was -- she said when she entered the room - everyone asked -- are you going to pass out on us -- they all laughed. They will remember ME! I have lost of restriction -- on liquids. Can't get a 2nd fill for 6weeks - doctor's rules or he is scared of me(LOL). Have a great night -- and best wishes and lot's of prayers! Gina

Well -- I reminded my doctor that I HATE needles and get faint during blood draws. He said I will be fine.. So they weighed me and took me in front of the xray -- located and showed me the port -- I asked --(stupidly) what is the ring just below the port -- the doctor said that's my wedding ring - the xray tech -- said yeah - he has been looking for it everywhere. I said --oh so that makes me your 2nd wife! We all laughted. He came back -- and said this won't hurt nothing like the IV did -- I told him I plan on NEVER doing that again --if i can help it! He swabbed me with COLD alchol and gave me a shot to numb the area ( 3 second sting) -- okay at this point got a little weird feeling - so I started talking to the nurse to take my mind off the procedure - he has now gottten the needle in the port -- and the Nurse and Doctor decide -- "she doesn't look good" -- "let's get her a chair." "Breath - Breath" -- I apologized -- Nurse takes my pulse -- "you have barely have a pulse -- keep breathing!" "Okay -- I feel better -- let's get this done!" I stand - he still has the needle in -- (thank goodness) Says I have .5cc's in there - fills me - asks me to drink the barum -- "are you okay???" I respond "ahh.. yea --sure let's just get done" I drink some Barium and he takes the cup and has me rotate 180degrees and places me in the chair --- I think I am done -- but OH NO I AM NOT. I guess I was passing out -- so with wet wash clothes on my neck and face we relax and just talk. I feel so bad -- so I said -- "I Just love doctor T. so much -- I wanted to make our time together --last as long as I can... everyone laughs... We go back up to the xray after 15 minutes -- he shows me in the xray the cup of barium almost sideways and tells me and the others -- "this is when I knew we were losing her" -- the cup was almost at a 90 degree angle. He had me look at the 2 tech's -- the one promised me he'd take me dancing after this is completed! He had to put the needle back in - missed the first time and clunck in the 2nd time -- filled me - I drank barium -- he took some fluid back out. and sat me on the gurney. Thank god I was done -- the doctor was explaining to me I had .5 and he placed another 2 cc so I have approx 2.5cc -- I had to ask him to tell me that again -- I wasn't comprehending and wanted to know the #'s --they have me stay for another 15 minutes -- before they let me go to the waiting room to take as much time as I needed. They took the next patient back and I sat talking to another girl there for her 3rd fill -- and here comes the girl they just took back -- and I said -- see how quick she was -- she said when she entered the room - everyone asked -- are you going to pass out on us -- they all laughed. They will remember ME! I have lost of restriction -- on liquids. Have a great day - Thanks for asking!

Terry -- you are right - I will set a exercise goal for June! Thanks for motivating me to do so! Gina

I agree -- it's nice to know what is coming at our first fills. Mine is Thursday yes I am nerves - I hate needles -- I am one of those that get's light headed and close to passing out - just having my blood drawn - and I have this done at a miniimum of 2x a year, you would think I would get better. I too can eat anything -steak, hamburger, bread, etc... I guess it would be better to say I haven't found anything I can't eat so far, I do limit intake -- but can't wait for the restriction -- so I can start losing. I haven't lost anything to speak of since 2 weeks after surgery -- so very discouraging -- I was hoping to be much further along and closer to my mini goals. Thanks for listening to me rant!!!! Have a good night everyone. Gina;)

MDRAI -- How are you doing? We should be hearing from you any minute -- if I am correct - you had surgery at 7:30 and expecting to be released in the afternoon. I had mine at 9:30 and was released at 2:15 --- We have been thinking of you ALL day with positive vibes and thoughts and praying for a safe and quick surgery and recovery. Gina :clap2:

Good Luck tomorrow! The best recommendations I received that I would like to pass on to you is: Take a chapstick - your lips are extremley dry and chappped from surgery. Immediately upon waking up from surgery - take big and deep breaths - as much as you can -to get as much of the gas out as quick as possible. Take a pillow to hold on your lap/stomach for your return trip home from surgery. Wear big - loose clothing - and slip on shoes to make getting dressed to go home a breeze! Use pillows to sit on and place behind your back in your favorite recliner -- you most likely will sleep here as well for 2-3 days. Get up every hour and walk around for 10 minutes to also help release the gas in your body. -- Do this for the rest of the week or so. Wishing you a quick and trouble free recovery!!! Gina

Oh Alexandra -- I feel your frustration -- please stay strong! What is the update on being re-banded? Do you have a date - if not can I ask what they are waiting for to determine if/when they can re-band. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Gina

Laura55: Welcome to LBT -- and I wish you the best of luck on this new journey of your life. Have a great day! Gina

I just noticed your updated picture -- you are looking sooo goood. There is a big difference in your face! Have a great weekend! Gina

You need time to heal -- When they place the band on -- you will have some swelling which equals restriction for some for a period of time-- and they take a portion of your stomach and pull it up over the band and place a few stitches (I have 5 there) to hold it in place --- to help prevent band slippage. These need time to heal completely as well. You have time to get use to the new way (do's and don'ts) of eating as well. My doctor waits 6 weeks -- but as you read there are many different plans. Just my opinion.

I love it tooo....

Fantastic news!!!!!!!!! I am very excited for you. Keep us posted how your are doing on your pre-op preparation (I don't want to use the word DIET) it is a new lifestyle!!!!!!! Hugs!!!:clap2:

I read everything under the sun on Gastric bypass 9/2006 - decided I would see if I could follow the diet -- lost 8 lbs -- in a few weeks -- and decided I could do this program -- went to the free seminar for the gastric bypass end of Sept. I decided I was getting the Gastric bypass -- but unable to until after March due to $$$ -- continued the diet and by xmas -- lost total 30lbs. I got off the strick diet - started enjoying my diet soda's and such -- decided no need to suffer the last few months -- keep the weight off and stable through early March. Made my appt with Doctor to discuss if I would be a successful patient and which surgery. He said sure - perfect canidate for either - the risks were less with lapBand - so I made my surgery appt that day -- took home the materials -- and back to starting my diet/program again - just a month to surgery -- Started the preop 3wks out replacing 2 meals a day; then 2 weeks out all three meals with Protein Shakes. Ended up losing additional 16.6 lbs. Had my surgery 4/9- weighed in 1 week after - and lost additional 6 lbs. Now I go up and down an additional 4 lbs since then -- but that is it --- haven't lost anything in like 4 weeks -- very frustrating. I do get my first fill 5-31 - since my doctor gives first 6 weeks afterward and this week I have been traveling (I do alot with my job). Have a good night!<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I had mine outpatient. They asked I be there (7:30am) 2 hrs before surgery (9:30am). They gave me the heparin shot (only 1) didn't hurt - more like a prick. (Left a HUGE BRUISE size of softball) the IV was the part that was uncomfortable going in. I was awake at 11am - spent some time with my husband and then they took me to xray to have the barium swallow - then I got dressed and left the hospital by 2pm. I appreciated being in my own home! Wishing you the BEST!!!! Feel free to ask anything. Hugs!