mumof2boys

Lisa, I am a professional in the DC Metro area as well. I have not located a support group in my area. Where do you attend these? Although I am a professional, I am also a federal government employee and do not have some of the same issues that you are facing. I do meet with individuals on a daily basis, but the lunch and dinner meetings are not an issue that I have to deal with (thank goodness). I would be interested in talking more to you regarding the support meetings that you attend, etc.

Michael, I'm sorry to hear that you had to have your port reattached. That doesn't sound too pleasant. I am getting frustrated myself about fills and not losing weight. I was also banded in late April (4/30). I had a fill on June 26 and have not lost one pound since then. I did, however, lose 45 pounds before my fill. My doctor only allows fills 8 weeks apart. Unfortunately I cannot get another fill until August 28. From what I hear, everyone is different when it comes to the amount of fills that it takes to get to that "sweet spot". I hope that it doesn't take that much more time for me...I'm getting frustrated. Hang in there...it will work for you. Tina

Tanya, Thanks for the words of wisdom. I have known all along that the band is simply a tool and will power is the greatest thing. I think that my will power has completely changed or I wouldn't be where I am right now. Obviously, it took quite a bit to lose 45 pounds without the help of the band. Working out at least three times a week and completely changing my eating habits have been the key to my success so far. I just can't wait until I get a little assistance from the band. I know that it takes time, and I'm willing to wait until it kicks in...just gets a little hard sometimes. I sit here wondering why I have never lost this weight before like I have now and the only answer that I can come up with is... I have changed my life, my exercise habits, my diet...all because I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...I have a tool inside of me that one day will take effect and help me in this journey. Every once in a while I have to rant about the difficulties with all of this...but in the end...all is good. Take care and good to hear from you. :biggrin1:

I couldn't agree with you mroe. I would hesitate going to the doctor's office as much if they were all like going to see Dr. Brody. I take the metro from my work. I barely have to take any leave. It's great. I even get there early and they still take me right back. It's the best. You will learn that with Dr. Brody, you can only get fills 8 weeks apart. It's killing me. I can't wait until this thing starts to work. When was your surgery? Was it 7/16 or 7/9? When did he tell you that you could get a fill? Do you know what happened to Jorgina? You're right...I am happy that this year at the beach I will be smaller than last year, but I really wanted to be even smaller. Last year my bathing suit was a size 22...I went out last week and bought a size 18. That was nice. Not that I look amazing in it or anything, but it's smaller. Are you back at work yet? Do you work in DC or locally in Southern Maryland?

She's right...you don't want to lose it too quickly, but I am almost certain that I will need plastic surgery when all is said and done. My stomach basically fell after each pregnancy. I know that I'll have to have skin from my stomach removed, and that's alright with me. I have already prepared myself for it and already started saving. I'm planning on having it done in about two years. Dr. Brody will not budge when it comes to fills. To answer your question, no the first fill did nothing. I feel like I had more restriction prior to my fill. I have absolutely NONE right now. You are right...it will wear off before your first fill, but you should have it up until about a week or so before hand. I called today to make my next appointment. I told the lady (by the way...where's Jorgina?) that I had my first fill on June 26, which means that I can have my next fill on August 21. However, I will be on vacation and can I get my fill a week early and she said "no". So...I am scheduled for August 28...first appoinment of the morning...8:30 am. These next five weeks are going to be torture. If I can maintain, I guess I'll be happy, but if I could lose, I would be much happier. I would love to lose an additional 15 pounds before vacation. We are going to the beach and I will feel better about myself walking in the sand if I could drop a couple more. You are so funny calling Dr. Brody, Dr. Handsome. Isn't he just the nicest doctor? I love the entire office. You never have to wait forever before you are called back. You get in and you get out. I'm glad that you decided to go to him. Well...continue to keep me informed...can't wait to hear all the good news about your weight loss...

Chanda, Congratulations on your weight loss. That's awesome. I called today to make my next appointment. Things have come to a screetching halt for me, but that's alright because I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I just have to concentrate on at least maintaining my weight loss and not gaining any of it back. Will power is a terrible thing. I have been wondering how you were doing. Have you gone back to work? How are you feeling? I was going to send you a message today so I'm glad to see that you wrote to us. Keep up the good work and let me know how things are going. :whoo::whoo::whoo: HIP HIP HOORAY!!!! GO CHANDA!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2: Tina

I'm in Maryland too. Let me know the date and time and I'll see if I can make it. Thanks!!! Tina

Hi there. I was banded on 4/30/07 by Dr. Brody at George Washington University Hospital in DC. He, his staff and the hospital are absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend him. There are others on this site who would recommend him too. Good luck! Tina

Chanda, Glad to hear that you're starting to feel better. Everyone is different. Honestly...I had a rough time of it myself, but once that gas pain goes away...it's all up hill from there. I was off of work for a week and a half. Bowel movements...I had a great deal of difficulty and I still do. Dr. Brody suggested that I take a stool softener. You can also sprinkle Benefiber on your liquids. You can't taste it and it works. I used to be a very regular person, in fact I had irritable bowel syndrom. Now...I'm lucky if I go twice a week. Keep going for those walks... Yes...it does take a while to get liquids down...every day will get better. I haven't heard back from Dr. Brody's office yet regarding my fill. I left them my work number and I called in today because my son is sick, so I need to call and check my messages. Well...continue to recover!!!! Tina :clap2:

OK...you are more experienced than I am, but I had to reply to this message. I just had my first fill two weeks ago. I have been doing very well, prior to my fill, and already had restriction. After getting my fill, I followed the liquid diet for a few days, lost a few more pounds and then once I got back on regular foods I feel hungry and have no restriction. I have lost 45 pounds (bandeed 4/30/07) and I'm terrified that I won't lose anymore, only gain. I cannot get another fill until the end of August. I was wondering myself if this was normal. I was thinking of calling my doctors office this afternoon to talk to them about it. Tina

Welcome home! I, too, got sick from the pain medicine. However, I already knew that I could not handle morphine so they gave me something else right from the start. Boy oh boy...it sure did hurt throwing up. I feel for you. How do you feel today? Can you believe that you got your band on? CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I think that I'm going to call the office because ever since I got my fill, I have no restriction at all and it terrifies me that I am going to gain weight. I'm so scared. I have worked so hard to get where I am right now and I don't want to blow it. I want the scales to keep going down. When I last saw him he said that I couldn't get another fill for 8 weeks...that puts me at the end of August. I'm not so happy about that. Maybe they can do a test to make sure that the fill took. Anyway...you take it easy and get lots of rest. Walk around to get rid of that gas pain and drink plenty of Water. I did a lot of sleeping during my time off. Take Care!!! :whoo: Tina

Hi Sonya. My surgeon was Dr. Brody too. I just love his practice and GW Hospital. The pre-op and post-op diets are hell, but if you can get through it, you will do very well with the band. The only problem that I have run into is after my first fill. I had a fill on June 26 and since then I have been able to eat more than I could before I got a fill. I'm thinking of calling the office to discuss it because I can't get another fill until 8 weeks after that. I'm fearful that I will gain some of the weight back. I was banded on 4/30/07 and so far have lost a total of 43 pounds (was 45 but I have gained 2 back). I don't want the scales to go up...just want them to keep going down. Anyway...good luck and let us know how you are doing. Tanya: Hi there...how are you doing these days? Tina

Everyone's recovery is different, but I tell you...if I had a laptop, I wouldn't have used it because all I did was sleep after surgery. The pain meds will have you in and out. The worst part of recovery for me was the pain in my chest for almost two weeks after and then one day is one magically gone. It was totally worth it. OK...my progress...I was at a weight loss of 45 pounds but I have gained 4 back because of my brother wedding, rehersal dinner and the infamous bachelorette party. So...the past two weeks haven't been that good for me, but he got married on Saturday and it's full speed ahead for me from here on out. Back to tuna, chicken, turkey and the gym. We can do this together...it will work!!! Can't wait to hear from you. Tina

Chanda, I can't believe that today is the day...it seems to have gone so fast. You will be fine. I'm sure that Dr. Brody will not have to cut you. Everything will be alright. Please let us know how you are doing once you come home. What time are you scheduled for? I'm so excited for you. Can't wait to hear from you... Tina

Yes...go out and get that Tylenol. You do not want to compromise your surgery date. I only had salad one night and let me tell you...it was the BEST salad that I ever had (not really, but it felt like it). I only use Fat Free Italian dressing. It was also a garden salad...only lettuce, tomato, cucumber and carrotts. I didn't have any meat or eggs or cheese. Yes, I did the Protein bars, but it wasn't enough for me. The liquid diet literally drove me crazy. I was determined to make it work, but it was probably one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. I knew, however, that there was a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Have you gone for the "What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay" meeting at the hospital? I found it very interesting. There were six of us there and only two were having lap band...the other four opted for gastric bypass. I didn't understand it. And, to be honest with you, I didn't think that they were that big. To me...to go through gastric bypass I would have to be so big that I couldn't get out of the bed and gastric was the only thing to save me. At the meeting, they show you everything that they put on you during and after surgery. They did say that the lap band patients did not get a pain medicine pump, but I did... Have I mentioned that I just LOVED GW???? Tina:whoo:

Chanda, It is very difficult. I had to stop taking my naproxen. Didn't Denise tell you to stop? I couldn't take them two weeks before or two weeks after surgery. You might want to call the office and check on that. You are probably swelling because of the outrageous heat. It's suppose to cool down tomorrow and maybe that will help. If you keep on track with the Optifast, you will probably lose 20 pounds before your surgery. I had a very, very difficult time in the second week and I just wanted to chew something. I called Denise and she said that it was alright if I had a salad or something very low calorie, but I was still scared to do that. Keep up the good work, but before you take any more meds, call the office. Tina

I'm a new bander. I was banded on 4/30/07 and so far it has been the best decision that I have ever made. I have lost 40 pounds, and I received my first fill yesterday. I only wish that I would have done it sooner in life. The thing that you have to remember is that you did not get to the weight that you are at overnight and you will not lose it overnight either. It will take time, hard work and dedication. If you have your mind set to change your life, you can do it. I am a huge fan of the band and I would recommend it to anyone. Good luck with your decision and weight loss. Tina

OK...if anyone hates needles...it's me. My biggest concern of having children was getting an IV...not pushing them out or a c-section, but simply having an IV...how silly is that? You're right...it's the unknown that is so scarey. It really was nothing. I can't believe that I got myself all worked up over nothing. It's a simple little pinch (the first needle to numb the area) and then nothing at all. As far as what to eat...I didn't eat anything before hand. My appointment was at 8:30 in the morning. I initially thought that I had to do liquids for two weeks but yesterday my doctor told me 4-5 days and them move on to muchies. So...that was great news for me. Good luck with your first fill...it really is nothing!!! Also...congrats on your weight loss everyone!!! Tina :high5:

OK guys...it's all over...there was nothing to it. I was so nervous that my blood pressure was kind of high today. Oh well...now I know better for the next time. I'm so relieved...thanks for all of your comments and support!!! Tina:whoo:

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate everything. I'm leaving my office in about 30 minutes. Still nervous but I'll get through it. I'll let everyone know how I did. Chanda...I have lost 40 pounds...don't you just love Dr. Brody and his staff????

Thanks! I'm sure that I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but I have been thinking about it all day. As far as the diet...I have to do two weeks of liquids following a fill. YUCK!!! Thanks again! Tina

Welcome and congratulations on pursuing this weight loss journey. I am also from Maryland. I was banded on 4/30/07 and so far I absolutely love it. Who is your surgeon? I also had to do the six months of supervised weight loss with my PCP. The time goes by quickly. Where in Maryland are you located? I wish you the best of luck and keep us informed of how things go for you. GOOD LUCK!!! Tina

I was banded on 4/30/07 and am scheduled for my first fill on 6/26/07. I have restriction without a fill and it's almost impossible for me to eat bread. I have lost 36 pounds and feel that I can keep going, but I will keep my appointment for next week. I also feel that there is a huge mental change with me after my surgery. I have completely changed the way that I eat. I eat a lot of fish, chicken and turkey. I also walk just about everyday and workout at Curves. I have totally changed my way of life. Good luck with the band!!! Tina

Welcome and congratulations on taking control of your life. I was banded on 4/30/07 and I absolutely love it so far. I have not had a fill yet (will in 2 weeks from today), but I have already lost 34 pounds and I'm loving every minute of it. Just today I bought a dress that was not in the womans department. I couldn't believe it. I was a 22W and today I bought an 18. You are going to love everything about it. I wish you the very best of luck. Tina

Hi there and congratulations on taking charge of your weight and beginning this journey. I was banded on 4/30/07, so I am fairly new myself. I have not had a fill but the band has already changed my life. To date, I have lost 34 pounds. Some people don't feel any restriction until they begin getting fills, however, I already have some restriction and it is very difficult for me to eat bread (as in eating a sandwich). I have completely changed the way that I eat and I get full quicker. I have also taken on exercise. I think that once you see the numbers on the scales begin to go down, it will give you incentive and you will make it work for you. The biggest thing that you have to remember is that the band is a tool and if you don't use your tool correctly, it will not work for you. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress. Tina