MPatrizzi

I am finally posting some pics. I had my surgery on May 21, 2007. I am down 50 lbs. so far. The first pic is from the night before surgery, the 2nd is July 11, and the 3rd is from August 13. I just had my 2nd fill and I am feeling great! Looking at all these pics are inspirational!

Melissa.(MPatrizzi).

47# WoW you go girl !!! You are doing great Congratulations!!! I didn't make the challenge either but August is almost here and we can redeem ourselves. LOL I too drink plenty of Water. But I'm still hungry. I have 1cc in my 4cc band. May I inquire as to which band you hqave and how much of a fill you have. I don't go for another fill till middle of August and I'm gaining weight back. Yuck. LOL anyways keep up the good work.

Good Luck Sheila

Thank you!!!

I have a 4cc band, too. However, I didn't even ask how much they put in it. I am not sure it's enough though. I feel some restriction, but nothing like right after the surgery. I think I am going to call on Monday and get in next week again.

Can't you call your dr. and get an appt. sooner? You are doing a great job. Remember that if the fill isn't helping you are doing this all on your own. Don't beat yourself up or dwell on what you are doing wrong, today is another day to start over again. I would definitely call and get in sooner though.

Take it easy

HI everyone,

I haven't posted in a while. We had company come into town and that keeps you busy.

Needless to say, my exercising has not been the greatest these last 2 weeks. I have been great about the Water though. I went for my first fill yesterday. I can feel a difference. The most exciting part is that I still lost 7.5 lbs.

That brings my total to 47 lbs. since May 21st. I am down 2 sizes, too!

I feel great, but really need to get back to the treadmill.

I didn't meet that challenge this month with exercising. I'll try harder next month.

Take care

I had my surgery on May 21, 2007 and Dr. Opie from Olathe, KS did my surgery. I have lost 32lbs. How is everyone else doing that had the lapband in May?

Hey Kansas Kim,

We had our surgery on the same day!!! I weighed today and I have lost 39.5 lbs. We are doing great!!!

Hi All! I haven't posted in a bit and I wanted to update you on how I'm doing. Right now I feel very good and I'm loving this band. Still no fill and no plans for one - I'm still losing at least 2 lbs a week. I've been keeping up with biking, hiking, jogging, walking and sometimes swimming every week and it's been a blast. I didn't think I could have this much fun being healthy. I'm down from a tight 28 to a good fitting 24/22 on top. I can't wait to see even more weight come off.

I'd like to chime in with those folks who haven't told co-workers that they had lapband surgery - I didn't either. I told them I was having a surgery to help with my Intracranial Hypertension, which is true b/c it was caused by my weight (and it's now completely gone).

I also was certified through the doc to be off for 6 weeks and I took off the WHOLE time. I've spent some great time in therapy processing my food issues and really getting to know Maryum (that's me!). It's been a great experience but I go back next week and it's back to reality. I'm scared to go back because I don't want to fall into old habits and I don't look like I've been sick for 6 weeks. I'm more than 30 lbs lighter and I have an awesome tan... oh well!

Anyways - Congrats to EVERYONE. You all are doing so awesome. I'm proud of us..

MaryumC

Wow Maryum!!! That's fantastic!

It feels sooooo good, doesn't it?!!!

Melissa,

Well said or well written! We didnt put all this weight on over night!!! I am also in rush! I want 50 pounds gone NOW or even yesterday would be better! Lets just take are time and do it right.

Sandra

Highest weight 255

surgery weight 242

current weight 220

goal. 155 would be nice, but I will take anything under 200!!

Thanks Sandra,

I believe a lot of the journey is a mind set. You have choices. It's what you want to do and what you should do. Sometimes it's hard to see the difference between the two, but it is there.

Sometimes I WANT to sit down with a bag of Fritos and french onion dip, but I SHOULDN'T!!! So.....I don't!!

I am very happy that I have had this done! I know it will work. I closed that chapter in my book and life and have started a new one!

TOM=Time of the Month

Julie,

You are right...we don't want to ruin our hard work. And I had heard sometimes you have to up your intake, too. But isn't that so hard to swallow? After all the fad diets, etc. which focused on deprivation to lose weight. I keep telling myself that the first few months are about healing not losing weight, but you think that when you were use to eating 1000's of calories a day and not excercising, that when you cut way down and start to move your butt, that the weight would come off.

However, I know that I didn't put the weight on overnight and I won't take it off overnight either.

What does help is to know that we are not alone and that we are probably not doing anything wrong.

Let's stay strong!!!!

Am I the only one banded in May that does not have a fill yet??? I go on July 19th and I cannot wait. I have not lost a pound in 3 weeks. (it is my tom and I hope the scale moves when tom is gone) I am not eating anything bad....I have only cheated once with pizza, other than that it has been healthy foods. I am exercising pretty regularly but not doing good on the Water. I do get hungry, especially in the evening but I have not had one morsel after dinner. I thought with the amount of food I used to eat vs what I am eating now, I would be losing something!!!!

Should I go back to shakes for a few days??? I was really losing during the liquid stage. I feel like I am losing, my clothes are bigger and some people have noticed but the darn scale is stuck!

Sorry for the rant....I will blame it on TOM!!!

Hi Metalband,

I feel the same way. I did really weel the first few weeks. So far I have lost 30 lbs. and it's been 6 weeks, but 2 of those weeks I haven't lost anything. I exercise regularly and eat how I am supposed to, but nothing happens. I haven't had a fill either. I won't get one until the 25th of July. My dr. is out of town. I don't really feel like a need fill really. I don't get super hungry, most of it's mental hunger.

I am very frustrated at this point and feel like I am doing something wrong.

Well, I finished my first day of the challenge. I jogged for about 15 minutes then did a fast walk for the other 15.

That's a lot of Water, too! I did it though. Still working on my last one.

We should all give ourselves a BIG pat on the back for the first notch completed in our goal.

HI everyone!!

It's been soooo long since I've posted. I am 1 month (approx.) post-op and doing pretty well. I still feel restriction and not super hungry. I am on to soft foods and sort of regular meal plan. I can only have 4 oz. of food per meal, at 3 meals a day. I try really hard not to snack and I'm pretty successful. I eat a cheese stick if it gets too bad. The drs. office gave me a scale to weigh my food and I take it everywhere I go. Once I weigh it that's all I eat! Even if I still feel like I could eat more, I don't. I push my plate away if I feel full even if I haven't finished. Also, I can't drink 30 min. before, during or 30 min. after I eat.

My question is....Does anybody else follow this? I know so many drs. are different. I find this REALLY helps!!

I have been following the magazine Family Circle's Walking challenge. It's great. It gives you times for each night to walk, and extra exercise if you want to. If you follow it, by the end of the week you've walked 10 miles. Of course you can always do more.

I would LOVE to set an exercise challenge!!

I hope everyone is well.

Hi all you a-May-zing bandsters!!

I am 7 days post-op and feeling very "normal" today. I also start my full liquids and I am on them for 2 weeks. I have been up and about since the day after my surgery. I would feel a little discomfort but nothing serious. I actually slept on my side last night, it was great! According to my scales I am down 16 lbs. I think I might go in the pool today or go for a walk. I am anxious to get "more" active.

I just wanted to say that I LOVE reading everyone's posts! There is so much encouragment and honesty. It really helps!

You guys are great. I'm getting nervous getting closer to my June 6th date and could really use the support. My doctor requires a 2 week liquid diet so I'm miserable. I'm also trying to stock up on liquid and mushies for after the surgery, any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hey Sheree,

Congrats on your date! I was banded on 5/21 and there are quite a few of us who have a May Bandsters thread going. You can search for a June Bansters thread and probably find a bunch of wonderful people who are having surgery in June. It's great!!

Hi everyone!

It seems mostly everyone is feeling ok. That's good. I don't feel as good today as I did yesterday. I am 3 days post-op. I did go see the dr. today for follow-up. I have lost 7 lbs. That's very exciting!!! I am still on Clear Liquids until Monday, then I go on full liquids. I really haven't been that hungry, which is good. I was lucky to have family come and help. They made meals for the dh and kids for the next week. I can't tell you how great that is!

I truly enjoy reading all the posts and seeing all the updates.

Way to go A-May-zing Bansters!!

You guys inspired me to try on some of my capris today. I pulled two because they looked rediculously big and most of them fit well. Ten more pounds and my 20's will be to big. I tried on my 18's but they were to tight in the waist (still swollen) I was shocked they fit on my hips and huge thighs. I have plenty of clothes till I reach a 14. I'm 5'10'' so I'm thinking when I get to size 12 I can buy,buy,buy!

I totally over did it today. Started to get the cold sweats in the grocery store but I felt soooo bad for my family that they didn't have hardly any food in the house. i had to come home and rest for two hours. The store loaded them for me and my kids unloaded and put it all away. Yea kids!

I never got the barium swallow so that might be why I was plugged up so long but things are moving daily so I'm good. My doc doesn't allow any dairy the first month so that might have something to do with it too. I have to say though that I did make some SF, FF pudding today and took a few bites. Sinful but yummy. I just couldn't take another broth. i called the doc and asked if I could start on my Protein Shakes and they said no. I told them I was lightheaded from the lack of calories and they said it was probably low blood sugar and to have some apple juice. You think!!!!! Everything I've had for 3 weeks is sugar free!!!

I was told to NOT have sf, ff stuff for the first week. You need the sugar. I thought that it would be better, too. That way I wouldn't be taking in empty calories, but for the first week it's not about weight lost, it's about healing. Can you check with your dr. and make sure that you should have sugar.

It's amazing how different the drs. are and what schedules and menus they give us.

Take it easy

I was self-pay. I am now 3 days post-op and things are going well.

Hi Everyone,

I am 2 days post-op and doing pretty good! Not a lot of pain, just discomfort. On the day of surgery, I got up every hour and walked about 15 minutes (just around the house). I sipped and sipped, too. Yesterday, I actually went to Wal-mart with sis-in-law, that really helped move the gas.

I have an appt with the dr. tomorrow. I think I might get a few hunger pains, but they hurt, so it might just be gas. Other than that it's been pretty easy.

I hope everyone else who has crossed to bandland are doing great!

Hello A May zing people,

I want to shout out to all 9 others that are getting banded with me on Monday!!! Are you all as anxious as I am. I just want it to be over!!!

Good Luck to all!!!

Me too!! I will be thinking of all of you! I can't believe it' already here.

I am getting ready!! I can't believe it's less than a week.

That's great about you date. Time will go fast!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!

Hi MPatrizzi---My dietician told me the same thing. Yes, you want to drink those juices because it is the most calories you will be getting for the first week at least and you need some calories. Mine told me, while on the Clear Liquids for the first week, drink broth, have Jello, drink apple, grape, or cranberry juice for the calories since the jello, broth, and popcicles<----dont have many calories, its not about the sugar, its about keeping your body hydrated and not feeling to weak. This is what I was told. Hope this helps.

That's what I figured, too! But then you read stuff and seems different. I am just going to stick with what the dr. says!!

Thanks for the input!

Glad to hear most are doing well.

I have a question....I went to see the nurse on Wednesday. We talked further about post-op diet. She of course kept saying to stay hydrated.

I asked about sf Jello and sf pops. I told her that I really didn't want to drink all those juices b/c they are so full of sugar. She told me that sugar is so important the first week. I am on full liquids for the first week, then go the Protein Drinks the 2nd week. She said I will need the sugar. I wanted to try and stay away from high calorie stuff as mch as possible, but she replied that the first fews weeks it's not about caloric intake.

Anyone agree?

Good luck Kitty, FaithMD and Melissa. I know the time is dragging today! We fly out tomorrow morning! My best to all of you. Let us know as soon as you can.

Good Luck Nickswife,

Let us know when you get back! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

I just got a call from an RN at Empire BCBS of DE and ...............

I'M APPROVED!!!

I screamed and asked her to repeat what she told me...just so I heard it right!!!

I can't believe it... its really gonna happen!!!!!!!

That's great Melissa O!!! BTW, love your name.....I'm a Melissa, too!!

I am banded! Arrived at 6:00 took me back at 6:20 to sign papers and start the IV. Surgery was at 7:30, woke up in recovery around 10. Move you to secondary recovery in a chair / lounger. Made sure pain (soreness at port site) was under control, vital are fine and that you can sip Water & tolerate ice chips. Was able to leave once I went to the bathroom at 11:10. It was great having a pillow for the ride home. Once home walk walk walk and sip sip sip. Took some pain medication at 8pm and have felt good today. The worse part yesterday was getting up to a standing postiton very sore at port site but once I was up, walking felt pretty good to me. I had my water and would sip and walk. It was much betther than I had thought it would be!

Good luck to everyone today.

Lubterp,

Glad to hear that you are doing well! You make it sound so easy.

I dont care what you call me as long as you call me thinner!!!

You got that right!!

I am going to change mine too!