gowalking

not to worry...this happened to me as well. I was very emotional...worried about complications, worried that I would have success and not have regrets, all of it. I'm three months out now and everything is fine so far. no complications, no big problems, and down 43 lbs. so far. be positive and good luck.

Missy is right. Talk to your doctor. I take nsaids daily for my bum knee. Without them, I'd be in worse pain than I already am. I hope to be able to go off them at some point as I continue to lose weight but for now, I have no choice..

Good post Terry. I've been on this site since late December to get info and find out what to expect. I didn't really get the hand holding I was looking for from the doctor's office and I was really nervous about this procedure and my life afterwards. It seems to me...also a generalization...that alot of folks have unrealistic expectations...that the weight will melt off...that hunger will no longer be an issue, and that somehow this will all happen magically. When that doesn't happen, people make poor choices. Then they post this experience and you get the moms and dads giving advice and/or sympathizing. When I post something, I just try to be positive and encouraging without lecturing. I think most folks know when they know they did something self sabotaging.. . Now I do admit that I have lost more weight than I expected at this point in my journey, but I know this will not continue. I'll slow down and plateau at some point. I just find that the band helps me to make better decisions because I'm not hungry all the time and I DO NOT want to get stuck or throw up. That is a great motivator for me..

OK, that's alot of info you are requesting...plus everyone's journey has been different. What I can tell you is that I started with a seminar last July, a meeting with the surgeon in August, several pre op visits...to the psychologist, the nutritionist, the cardiologist, blood work, etc. During the whole process, depending on your insurance carrier, you have to show anywhere from 3-6 months weight loss attempt under doctor's supervision. I also had to show proof of weight loss attempts over the year prior. Then if you are approved and you get a surgery date, you have to be on a mostly liquid diet for anywhere from a few days to about two weeks to shrink your liver. Then you are on all liquids for a week or more after surgery, then you graduate to very mushy foods, and then you start on regular foods. I was banded on January 14th so that give you an idea of how long the process took. Just a disclaimer though...I was supposed to have my surgery in late November but the hospital I was going to was shut down after Sandy and didn't open up again till January. So...figure unless you are self pay, that you will need at least 6 months from start to surgery. FYI, this was the best thing I could have done for myself. I've dropped 41 lbs. and am feeling fine and adapting to eating a fraction of what I used to eat. Good luck on your journey. I

Beautiful!

same here. doc told me 6 weeks. and it's not a silly question at all.

I'm with LadyDreadHead. I weigh myself once a week so the small fluctuations don't drive me crazy. I do, however, put every meal into Myfitnesspal. That's what keeps me on track as far as counting calories and following the Proteins, carbs, and sodium. Was floored by how much sodium there is in certain foods. It's good for me to know so I can avoid those foods except for once in a while. I knew that Chinese food would be bad sodium-wise, but so are baby back ribs....even if you only eat four of them. When I think of how much sodium I used to consume on a daily basis...well it's no wonder I have hypertension. Oh boy but do I hope to get off those meds one day.

I didn't know I had a hernia until the surgeon told me she fixed it when she banded me. I'm so glad she did so. I lived on Rolaids and Tums for years, and then got relief with Prilosec but I do know that it's not good to take it long term. Less than a week after the band was placed, I was done with antacids and all other related meds. I have no more heartburn, no reflux, no nothing. What a pleasure to not be popping tums anymore or waking up during the night with that awful feeling like the food is coming back up..

Great job ladybabie. Good for you. I was banded on January 14th and I weigh in every Sunday. I hit a pretty big number today. Down a total of 40 lbs. I have very bad arthritis in my knee so I can't move around too well but I joined the Y last week and am exercising in the pool. I'm looking to get in the water 2-3 times a week...not so much for burning calories but to strengthen my knee. I haven't had any fills yet...so far I'm not looking to eat between meals and I am doing OK sticking to around 1,000 calories daily so my dr. says to leave everything as is for now.

I also had Dr. Ren. Didn't know you were local Alex. Thanks so much for this site. It was, and still is, the place to go for info and support.

Something really significant happened at lunch today at work. I was eating my half of a tuna sandwich and chatting with my colleagues when another colleague came into the kitchen with leftovers from a late St. Patrick’s Day celebration happening somewhere else on the floor. I’m not a big corned beef and cabbage fan so that was not a temptation,but the big crockpot full of mac and cheese….well that’s a horse of a different color. Except that this time,when asked if I wanted any, I was able almost automatically, to say thanks but no thanks. And it wasn’t to look good in front of my friends…it was understanding that the satisfaction of losing weight was more important than the momentary satisfaction of eating that mac and cheese….and then likely paying for it long after the enjoyment of the food had passed. This is a real big shift in my thinking and even now, I am not unhappy that I walked away from that temptation. In fact, I am proud of myself for making a good decision without agonizing over it. Boy do I hope I can still do this when I’m at a plateau or stressed over something, or feeling entitled to eat whatever I want

Do you live in NYC? If yes, you can call NYU Bariatric Group and they will tell you the next time they are holding a seminar. You will get alot of your questions answered there..

Sounds like you guys are doing well. I'm doing so-so. The weight is coming off fine...39 lbs since the first of the year, but my knee is still giving me alot of trouble. I know of other bandsters with knee issues that are walking with almost no pain, or have given up the cane and I'm just not there yet. It's better, but I still need the cane and I'm still taking shots for pain. I am trying to be patient and I tell myself it didn't get this way overnight and it won't get better overnight either but I must admit I was hoping for more improvement at this point. I'll just have to focus on the little improvements and hope that it gets better down the road.

hey Karen...I burp after a few minutes of eating. I don't have any issues with it..in fact, it reminds me that I'm almost done. I think some people call it a soft stop. All I know is that when I burp, I know I'm not hungry anymore and a few more bites and I'll be quite satisfied.

I have such sympathy for you bandsters with families. I live alone so there's no one to cook tempting foods for and no one to buy things for that I shouldn't eat. I can't imagine how difficult it is for those of you who have to feed a family while you can only have liquids. All I can tell you is to stay strong and know that it will get better. Once you are on mushies, you are much more satisfied.

That's terrific news. Good for you!

I just posted in success stories and it surely applies to this thread. I wrote the following: Something really significant happened at lunch today at work. I was eating my half of a tuna sandwich and chatting with my colleagues when another colleague came into the kitchen with leftovers from a late St. Patrick’s Day celebration happening somewhere else on the floor. I’m not a big corned beef and cabbage fan so that was not a temptation,but the big crockpot full of mac and cheese….well that’s a horse of a different color. Except that this time,when asked if I wanted any, I was able almost automatically, to say thanks but no thanks. And it wasn’t to look good in front of my friends…it was understanding that the satisfaction of losing weight was more important than the momentary satisfaction of eating that mac and cheese….and then likely paying for it long after the enjoyment of the food had passed. This is a real big shift in my thinking and even now, I am not unhappy that I walked away from that temptation. In fact, I am proud of myself for making a good decision without agonizing over it. Boy do I hope I can still do this when I’m at a plateau or stressed over something, or feeling entitled to eat whatever I want

Hang in there Karen. I lost nearly 17 lbs. during the two week pre-op diet and since the surgery, about two months ago, 19 more lbs. So...what took two weeks to lose before the surgery, took eight weeks to lose after. Try not to focus on the scale... I know it's hard to do, but try to ignore it. FYI, I joined the 'Y' today. They're saying bad weather tomorrow starting in the afternoon so I'll look to start on Tuesday after work.

This is so normal. I cried at the drop of a hat before having the surgery. I was frightened of it working, of it failing, of me failing, of making a bad decision..... I'm now 2 1/2 months post op and I've found that I can manage fine and have been losing steadily. No stuck episodes so far, I follow the rules....1,000 calories or so a day, small bites, chew well....I've gone out to dinner with friends and family several times and was so nervous at first until I realized I could eat out and not bring attention to myself and not overeat. I also noticed that my normal weight friends almost always do not finish what they eat either so no one pays attention to what I eat or don't eat. You are doing great so far. Take a deep breath and know that so many other have felt as you do. Congrats on beginning your journey to a better quality of life.

let me know if you get any other responses Karen. I bet we can get enough of us together to have our own support group in case they cancel April too. I know that Fielding occasionally has an evening out for the patients to get used to eating out. I asked the front desk to let me know when the next one was planned for. So far, I'm not having any issues eating out but I thought it would be a nice way to meet other NYU bandsters. Again...we can probably do the same thing via this site. .

that's the same formula I use as well Floridays. then I plug it all into the myfitness pal ap just to make sure I'm in the 1.000 calorie neighborhood. so far, it's working for me.

I just added you and Karen to that other thread I mentioned and sent you a message. Let me know if you are connected now.. I'm not terribly savvy with this stuff so I'm not sure if you can see the post. It's titled 'Hi'.

I was banded on January 14th so I'm pretty new to the process. Gosh, I was so nervous to do this. I worried about being sick, not being able to eat, not being able to socialize...blah blah blah. So far, things are going better than I could have hoped and I'm eating out same as before....I just eat considerably less. I went out with some friends last night as a matter of fact. I had a wonderful evening and have at least one or maybe two more meals sitting in my fridge thanks to the doggie bag. Are you here in the city or the 'burbs? I'm in the city and have a separate thread with some other city gals. I agree that we should have our own support group....I think we already do on this site...we just need to do it face to face.

Hi Karen: I used Dr. Ren. A friend of mine used her and was happy with her so I figured I'd see her as well. She's not real warm and fuzzy but she is good with any questions I have and I actually like her directness and no nonsense demeanor. I've never met Schwack or Kurrian. I met Fielding at the seminar. Sorry to hear about the friends...so far I've not had those issues, but firstly, I'm in my 50's and that makes a difference. Most of my friends are very understanding as we all are a bit beat up by life at this point...plus I have arthritis and had the surgery to help me to lose weight so my knees would be better. It has nothing to do with looking better...though that will be a nice side effect.

Hi Dani: FYI, I was in the office today for a regular follow up visit and saw a notice than said no 0-12 month post op support group this month. So...no group next Wednesday I'm presuming. I'm not sure why..and didn't think to ask, I'm guessing there will be a meeting in April, but not sure. I go for another office visit on the 12th so if I remember, I'll check to see if the support group is on for April.