dylansmom

Congratulations! March 5th was my lil bro's birthday too! His #24 to be exact! So glad that you found the $10 too. What a double blessing to be a few sizes smaller plus find the green too!

Best wishes to you! I was a ball of emotions and nerves going in that morning, but by the time I was in the OR I was just ready to get it done and over with. Once I got through the first week of healing, I was excited about life and ready to really begin living! Take care of yourself, and we'll all be here waiting to help and cheer you on when you return.

I just bought some tuna steaks in the cans yesterday. I'll have to let you know what I think of them.

To me it was VERY worth it. I was banded on Nov. 8th 2004 and I've lost 37 pounds to date. I started out in a size 30W pants, and am now almost able to fit into a size 26W. It was such a wonderful feeling when I could button those suckers and zip them up half way tonight in Walmart. I haven't fit in store bought clothes in years! I was a compulsive eater before, and would stuff myself with whatever tickled my fancy. I'd move from one thing right on to the next without batting an eye. My band gives me the control over how much I can eat without me even having to think about it. I just eat until it tells me I've had enough, and then I'm done. I can now eat a regular sized meal and not feel deprived. And I can eat slow enough to taste the food and enjoy it. I can't answer the question for you of whether or not you'll feel it's worth it, but I can say that yes, it's been more than worth it for me thus far. And I haven't even had a fill yet!!! Best wishes to you on deciding what is right for you. May the footing on your journey be steady and strong, and guided each step of the way with confidence.

Hey girl! Very good advice here by everyone who responded. The only other thing that I can think of that helped me a lot was my heatable bari bear. He's a bear shaped piece of fleecy material with heatable stones in him. If you can't find anything in the stores with heatable stones, then you will probably be able to find the little heatable herbal pillows somewhere. (Basically the same thing) You can ask the stewardess to heat it in the microwave for you, and then bring it right back to put on your tummy. It sure helped relieve my port pain that I had that 2nd day. Good luck to you sweetie. I hope that you and your husband have an extremely safe trip, and I will pray that the surgeon's hands are guided by angels. Lots of Love, ~Kelly

Well, I was one of the ones that chose to speak up (even though I knew I'd get knocked down) and sure enough, it didn't take one of the other members long to begin lashing out at me. So instead of allowing myself to become angry and lash back out at her, I decided to just delete that thread and let it die. I certainly didn't want to add to the ever building mayhem that was LBT last week. I do owe everyone an apology for saying that it was all a pile of horse shit. I shouldn't have started things off that way, I suppose that it was just the way that I felt about it all at the time. So please, accept my humblest of apologies for saying that. I was also one of the ones that decided to leave. I was tired of the way that things were going, and tired of this place being the melodrama that it was. I feel that I have enough drama in a day in the tantrums that my beloved son seems to love to throw as of late. Trust me, that's enough to deal with all on its own. This place had been my resting spot. It was the one place that I could come to for support, advice, to laugh, to cry, and to just kick back and relax. When it ceased being that for me I had to make the hard decision to let it go. I missed so many people in this last week that I actually called my mom telling her how bummed out I was about it all. Don't get me wrong - LBT is not my life. I have a wonderful husband and son who consume the major parts of my day (as well as trying my best to keep the house in somewhat working order and clean). But still - LBT is a "part" of my life. I have people who I care about and adore here. And yes, they HAVE become a part of my life as well. And that's why I got so darned sad over it all. I hated seeing a lot of those people being hurt by the chaos too. I do wish to come back to offer my support to those who still desire it. I long to feel the connection to those here whom I still adore. I miss feeling the support that I once felt from those same individuals. And I do want to see this place become whole again. My hope is that this place will become even better than what it was a few weeks ago. And I know that if everyone pulls together, we can make LBT an even better place than it was before we found it. Now I'll quit my speech, and let someone else take the floor, er and microphone. Love & Peace, ~Kelly

Thank you for the kind words everyone. I haven't been on here in a while, and it took an email from someone else who belongs here to tell me that this thread was here. I appreciate all of the well wishes and even more the support. I see that things have calmed here now, and may come back part time. I am trying very hard to devote more time and love to my son and husband, as I feel that they truly deserve it. However, I also can feel a small void and lack of support when I'm not here. I was just so saddened by all that was going on, that I chose to leave instead of feeling sad all of the time by it. I had to live my life, you know? Thanks again for all of your support, and I will do my best to be here part time for everyone now. I greatly appreciate all of the support and love that I previously received from here. I learned so much and felt good to give back to the newbies too. Everyone take care, and I'll be checking in from time to time on you all. Lots of Love, ~Kelly

Jack, I added all of the solid stage info to the list today. I agree with Betty though. You should definately follow whatever your surgeon tells you, even if it is different than my list. I posted this for a reference/guidline purpose only, and recommed that everyone follow their doctor's orders. Good luck with your surgery tomorrow!!! ~Kelly

Pat, I agree with Marie. Hood's has some awesome stuff. I also had some Dannon Light & Fit and loved them a lot too!!!!! I tried Nouriche, but didn't like the flavor of those, although you may. My doc said no homemade smoothies or shakes, but every doc is different. Keep up the great work!!! P.S. I saw those bullet things on TV too and wanted one!!! Don't they look awesome!!!

I definately didn't mean to post this as a MUST STICK TO LIST for any and all people. I just thought that it'd be nice for people who are either researching about getting the band, and also those whose doctors never give them much of a guidline to follow after surgery. I realize that every doctor is different, and that everyone's diets won't all match up. No matter what, we all need to use common sense when eating after ANY major surgery. I personally don't agree with eating NO pastas, but that's just my choice for me. Last night I ate some canned chicken mixed with macaroni and cheese. It kept me full for a long time, and it was a tasty and different combo for me. I think that as long as you're eating what you enjoy and what's appropriate for the stage that you're at, then you're doing just fine. Keep up the great work everyone!

Wow. As a fairly new bandster this is all very disturbing news to me. I feel so badly for those who are needing to or who have had their bands removed. I also feel so bad for those who paid to have aftercare services, only to find that their doctor completely ignores them like they never even existed! Shame on him! He ought to have his liscense revoked!!!! And if not for that, then for the simple fact that a lot of his bands are eroding! I am so thankful that my surgeon and her assistant are there for me each and every time I call their office with questions and concerns. They should be, as I paid them for that service. But they went above and beyond the call of duty when I was re-hospitalized here in my hometown hospital when the CO2 went up around my heart. They called 3 different times to check on me, to see what was wrong with me, to talk to my attending doctor, and to make sure that I was going to be OK. I not only didn't pay for that "service", but that REALLY showed me how dedicated my surgeon is to me and my care, and how much she genuinely cares about me as a person too. I truly wish that each and every single bandster could have a doctor like her to care for them before, during, and after their surgeries. And even though I know it's not my fault for what has happened to all of you who have had problems, I will say it again, I am so sorry for all of your pain and suffereing due to the negligence of an unfit and uncaring doctor. SHAME ON HIM!!!!!!!!! Best Wishes to all of you in your future. ~Kelly