dawnc27wa

Hello thirties...I was banded on May 9th, 2007. I am at 10 months post op and doing well. I have struggled in the last month or two with making some bad food choices which I KNOW has impacted my weight loss, but I am absolutely thrilled with what I have lost so far and how I look. I am about 1/2 of the way to where I want to be and I know that this last 1/2 is going to be WAY tougher than the first 1/2 was. I don't regret getting my band whatsoever & would totally reccommend this surgery to anyone out there who had the right "mind set" to commit to it. Way to go everyone and keep up the good work. To all those who are scheduled for surger...Good Luck and don't do any unnecessary worrying. :w00t: Surgery is, for the most part, a piece of cake. (so to speak) lol My pics are 1 month before surgery in the first one and the other one is 9 months post op @ 103 lbs. lost. (also with a new and slightly shorter hairstyle)

SeattleGirl... I also had surgery at NWWLS. I feel the same way with all the staff there. They are all completely friendly and professional. I was a self pay also and I felt the same about it being risky with some of the problems that could go wrong. But, sometimes when you gamble...you win. That's how I feel with this band. I could have never lost this much weight on my own. I talked with Dr. Montgomery for quite a while before I decided to do this surgery and afterwards I felt completely at ease. My advice...talk to your surgeon about your fears after you get the band. The only way you'll get rid of some of those jitters is by letting them roll off your tongue. :thumbup: GOOD LUCK!!! :party: Dawn

So, I waited a little bit to see about getting another fill. I decided to go ahead and call figuring it would be probably two weeks until they could get me in. Nope...I had an appointment within three days of calling with Esther. It was okay, it happened to be on a day off so I headed up to Everett. I told Esther what had been happening with sometimes feeling some restriction and then other times being able to eat quite a bit and she said maybe I could handle another fill at this time because it sounded like to her that I was almost at that "sweet" spot. If it proved to be too much of a fill I could always go back up the next day and she would fit me in for an unfill. She gave me 3/4 of a CC and I believe that put me at 11 CC's in a 14 CC VG Band. It has been a week since that fill and I have GREAT restriction. I am finally eating what everyone says is the "normal" amount to eat and feel full. About 1 cup of food is all I can handle. Since my weigh in at NWWLS last week, I am down 4 lbs. I think this might be that sweet spot. :thumbup: Although I am definitely having to watch my Protein intake a lot more closely than I did before. I have no hunger cravings almost all day long so I am counter measuring with a Protein shake every day. (which I should've been doing before, but I was able to eat enough in protein) Keep it going everyone...we're all doing great. :party: Dawn

Sue11... Thank you for the response. I will definitely try that. Since I posted the other day I thought I would go ahead and call to see when I could get in to get a fill. Every other time I have called it was at least a couple of weeks until they could get me in...well this time they got me in within two days. I went in this morning and had another small fill to try and tweak the band enough to see if I got a little better restriction. So far water and tea are going down okay. I will try the soft stuff tomorrow but I seem to be handling the adjustment okay. They weighed me in before the fill and I am down 103.3 lbs in just over 8 months. They said even though I hadn't lost any in December and over the holidays, not to worry too much about it and that I was doing great. So I think I was stressing for nothing. LOL:wink2: But, that's just me...a worrier. Thank you again...and everyone keep up the good work!!! Dawn

Hey all, I have been reading about all you guys with similarities that I am also going through. (Sliming and PB'ing) But sometimes I feel like I can eat A LOT also. I have been wondering if I need another fill...the last one I had was the 1st of November. My scale hasn't moved in over a month. I am confused about what to do. I am trying to choose good food choices, but sometimes they are pretty hard to get down. Then if I happen to PB I go to something a little soft and I'm hungry again after about an hour or two. Hopefully someone can whip me into shape about what I need to do. Thanks for any input. Dawn

Hello everyone from NWWLS. I am updating my posts...it has been a while since I have been on here. (Holidays and all) I was reading and it looks like everybody is doing really well. I have been thinking about getting another fill but not really sure. Sometimes I feel like I am too tight and then other times I feel like I can eat a TON. Any similar experiences out there?? I've had 4 fills since surgery in May of last year. But my scale hasn't moved in over a month?? Thanks for any input. Dawn

If I did this right, I am still in transition...but I thought I would post some pics also. I still have a ways to go, but I feel great with what I've lost so far. The top one is mid-April of 2007, just a couple of weeks before surgery and the lower one is about 3 weeks ago right before Christmas. In that pic I am down 102 lbs. Everyone is doing great!!! Keep up the fantastic work!! Happy 2008 to every bandster out there.

Sandra : Thank you for the great words. It's definitely been something I've had to struggle at. I knew what I was getting into, but sometimes it's been harder than I ever thought it would be. I'm extremely happy with the weight I have lost...but on the other end I know that this last amount I want to lose, which is another 100 lbs., is going to be even harder to get off than those first 100 lbs. I try to reinforce myself every day. :wink: Good luck with yours and to everyone. Dawn

Hey everyone...it's been a while since I posted. Haven't gotten on the ol' puter lately. Had a lot going on during the last month or two...but anyways. Enough of that...seems like everyone is doing really well. Congrats to all who "made" it through the holidays. I know I had some trouble with the sweets. It seems like that's all I wanted to eat. :girl_hug: Thought about getting another fill pretty soon...seems like I'm able to eat quite a lot in one serving for the last month. On top of that...the scale hasn't moved since around the last week of Nov. But with the way I ate during the holidays I really didn't expect it to. :mad: I guess it's time to actually start doing what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing. lol On a serious note, it is pretty hard to get motivated after you've plateau'ed for a month or so. This is my first one since I was banded on May 9th of 2007. I'm trying to take it with a grain of salt and realize that it's going to happen sooner or later, but it's very frustrating. :cry Hopefully I will find what I need to get it going again. Take care all and Happy 2008!!! Dawn :kiss2:

It's been a while since my last post, but I just saw this one about the 100's loss and I felt great at the fact that I am one of those. I hit my 100 lb. loss right around Christmas time. I have to say it did feel great. I have been idling here for around 3 weeks though. No loss and no gain since then...but I didn't eat too healthy during the holidays either. lol But, congratulations everyone!! Keep it going for the new year!! P.S. Oh yeah, Seahawks are going to win this weekend. I just had to add that in, couldn't resist. Good luck everybody!!!

Congratulations both of you...I'm glad you're both feeling well after surgery. I went home the same day of my surgery and I felt okay until around day 3ish. But nothing major that I couldn't handle. Mostly gas pain. Get to know your band well...it can be your best friend or a bad enemy if you don't treat it right. Take care... :clap2:

I am also a self pay. My fills are free for the first year with or without fluro, and after that they are $150. (also with or without fluro)

You shouldn't have to convince your doctor that you need a fill. You're the one who decided to get the LapBand and it's your body. As long as it has been at least 6 weeks since surgery you should be due for a fill anyways. Get in there...those doctors are there for you. I was banded on May 9th and I just had my 4th fill yesterday.

Virginiann - I waited until about 3 weeks after my 1st fill to call my doctor back to make another appt. for my 2nd fill. That's why it was a full month. But as far as I know, it's totally what each person feels comfortable with. & you are having regular feelings about wondering if its yet another diet you've failed at. Me too...but this is a process that we have to work at & really pay attention to our bodies. Believe me, your body will tell you if you need another fill or if you're fine & have found the "sweet spot". My rules are that for a full day after a fill is only liquids. I can understand about wanting to get to the right fill volume just because each fill costs X amount of $$. When I was researching Band doctors & surgery centers I chose the one I went to because of experience not because of cost. I paid more for my surgery, but for the 1st year after surgery all of my after care & every fill or unfill I need is all free. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the higher cost surgery to anyone, as long as it came w/the first year of free care. That way you have no worries about racking up the fees from how many fills you just might need.

Virginiann- I was banded on May 9th and had my first fill on June 18th. I thought there was something wrong, because like you, I felt restriction for the first day or two and then nothing. I went back to eating "normal"...never had any problems with eating too fast and not chewing well enough. Plus I hear of all these people that have gotten nauseous and throw up. Not one time for me. I'm able to eat about the same amount as you (the steak and potatoes), and I am not satisfied with that. I am still losing little by little, but from the amount of what I am supposed to be able to eat to what I actually am eating is a big difference. I called to schedule another fill for July 21st and we'll see if that helps out any. Good luck to you, and you're not alone.

Shellmar : They weighed me at my appt when I met with the psychologist, nurse, and my doctor. That was my official pre surgery starting weight. When you go back for your pre-op appt I only met with a nurse to sign my consent forms, pay (of course) and get my time to be there on surgery day. They didn't offer to weigh me but I asked if I could be weighed on their scale to see how much I had lost for sure. On surgery day the first thing you do when you go back towards the operating rooms is get on the scale. I assume they do that because they want to make sure you have lost the needed weight you are supposed to lose to make the surgery "safer". From what I understood, if you don't lose the required weight, they could possibly reschedule you for a later time until you do lose the weight. If you are going to the meeting on the 11th, that is something that you could talk about if you're worried about it. Anyways, I still plan on going also, so see you there. Dawn C.

Pine Nut: Thanks for the reply. I did call up to the Surgery Center this morning. They said that I am completely normal in what is happening. It's not uncommon to gain weight during this phase and what I am eating is normal also. She said that if I feel like I'm eating too much than to eat less at a sitting, but if I'm hungry to eat smaller amounts more times during the day. I will try that and see if that works out better for me. Right now, I'm just ready for a fill. But hopefully June 20th will get here quick!! Dawn C.

Hello all!! I was banded on May 9th @ Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center in WA state. Congrats to all May bandsters & good luck to all upcoming ones!! Dawn C.

hello all....I have some worries that some of you might be able to help me with. I'm on my third week after surgery & I have moved to "mushy" food. I'm scared because it seems like I'm able to eat quite a bit. I have also put on 2 lbs. in the last week. I can tell you that I am disappointed & concerned that I am doing something wrong. I don't want to be eating so much that I'm stretching my pouch, but I know they say to eat slowly until you feel satisfied & full. Which is what I have been doing. Maybe it just seems like a lot after only having liquids for almost 3 weeks. Anyways, any replies or suggestions would help a lot. Thanks!! Dawn C.

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? outpatient. surgery @ 7am, discharged @ 11:30am 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? no complications 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid vicadin, only took it for two days after 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? Port incision was sore and gas was not really "painful", but very annoying. 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? Right after surgery...5, but went down to a 2-3 by the second day. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr. Kevin Montgomery, Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Wa state.

I am right along there with you. I was banded on the 9th of May and the first week after surgery I lost 10 lbs. The second and third week I stayed at the same weight. I'm going on my 4th week after surgery and I gained 3 lbs back. Needless to say this is beginning to get very frustrating. I have moved onto eating mushy foods, but I am still walking every day. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if this is just "normal". Is there anyone else out there who experienced the same kind of disappointment before your first fill??

PineNut, that sounds so familiar...lol. I think I went through the exact same routine one week earlier on the 9th. So....I am 2 weeks after surgery now and all of the pain has gone. Every once in a while I get a gas bubble, but usually goes away rather quickly. My incisions are healing and today I started on "mushies". The only problem....and this will need to be answered by someone who has had the band for a while....up until yesterday I wasn't having any sort of hunger pangs. I started feeling hungry and then after I ate my soup and applesauce it only took about 2 hours and I was hungry again. My mom, who has also had the banding, told me not to worry and to go ahead and eat if I was hungry but to stay within the "guidelines". I feel like I am eating too much and I'm worried about it. Plus, since my post op appointment last week I haven't lost any more weight. Dr. Montgomery told me that the weight I had already lost is above what should be expected at the beginning of all this, but I have to admit, I was doing so good and now to just stop losing is kind of a let down. Is this all normal or am I doing something wrong??

Hello, I was also banded at NWWLS. I was banded on May 9th by Dr. Montgomery. I have about 4 more days of liquids & then onto mushies. Yay!! Some mashed potatoes sound extremely good. lol I thought about going to the group meeting on June 11th also. By that time I will be almost ready for my first fill. Congrats to everyone and good luck.

Hi everyone. I havent posted since my surgery on the 9th, but I got through it great. I am on day 11 & I still have gas pain that comes & goes. When I wake up in the morning I feel great, but after Ive been up a while & when I get something to eat it comes back. Im hoping it goes away for good soon. I have 4 more days before I can have something other than broth, thin soup & water. I look forward to having some mashed potatoes. :hungry: Anyways, congrats to all the other new bandsters. This is a beginning for all of us.

I agree w/ the others....walking, Water & kneeling on all fours on your bed as much as you can tolerate it helps tremendously. I was banded on May 9th & today is the first day I actually dont have any gas pains. So hang in there, they will go away. :clap2: Seminar - March 15, 07' Consultation - April 12, 07' Psych Eval - April 12, 07' Pre-Op - May 2, 07' Surgery @ NWWLS (self pay) - May 9, 07'