BigHarleyGuy

Well its official I am in bandster hell, showed a 3lbs gain Friday. I know I was a bit dehydrated when I went in for my post op check up, so I am not too worried. I am still being very careful about what I am eating. Trying to keep the carbs and fats down, and ptoteins up. Can't wait until Sept. 18, should get a fill then. Good luck to all of you who are in a like situation. Jim

I had my surgery on a Tuesday, and said goodbye to the painkillers Wednesday afternoon. I would say I was feeling good by Sunday, but all in all I it was not too bad. I didn't have any of the gas pain I have read about, and I was REALLY gald about that. Jim

Oh I could eat a Double Whopper if I tried. I have been being very careful about portion control, cause I have no restriction that I can tell. Sept 18 can't get here soon enough, I have an appt. for a fill if needed, well I can tell them now I am going to need one. Jim

Hey guys got back on my horse yesterday. Just rode around town ran some erands ans such. Man was it hot, I mean it was Africa hot out there. I had a fleeting thought about washing my bike, but it didn't take long to change my mind about that. I almost melted just checking tires and fluids. On the band front, I have been feeling fine, no problems with any of the foods on my eating continuum. Don't feel much restriction though, I have been being very careful. I feel like I could eat a Whopper if I let myself go. I am definitely gonna need a fill when I have my next appt. on Sept. 18. I am going to be careful until then so I don't backslide. Jim

Had Post-Op appt, today. Everything is going fine, the best part, is that I am down 22 Pounds since surgery. That brings me to a grand total of 50lbs, since starting pre-op diet on May 10. I have been cleared to return to work on Saturday (shift work). Hope all of you Ates are having similar or better results. And Good Luck to all of you yet to be banded. It was no sweat . . . really. Jim

Check into Unjury protein shake. High protein low carbs, sugar it is what my Doc recommended, and the choc. tastes pretty good. Jim

EVERYBODY CALLS ME: Jim MY PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE: Live in girlfriend and 4 years old daughter. MY NON-HUMAN FAMILY CONSISTS OF: 1 solid black cat aptly named enough Nemo I LIVE IN: Ponchatoula, La. (Bout 35 miles northwest of New Orleans) OCCUPATION(S): I have been a police officer for the lase 23 years, I currently hold the rank of Lieutenant. AVOCATION(S): Cooking (Healthy Now), motorcycling, travel, poker.

I quit about 6 years ago using Zyban. It was so easy, I hit my quit date, and never had another puff since. Jim

Ok hold on for this one, I couldn't believe it either, but I lost 22lbs in 8 days. That brings the total since May 10 (start of pre-op diet) to 50lbs lost. Jim

Hey Randy, hope you all did well with T/S Erin. I am on the La. coast, bout 90 miles southwest of N.O. so I know what its like. We took a really good hit from Katrina, but you know all the focus was on N.O. Well good luck, and I hope you all dry out soon. Jim Watchin Dean Now

Hi Michelle, I understand your concern, I was concerned as well, but I came out of surgery with 5 small cuts, and a band in my belly. So to answer your question I did have the "Lap" band. Good luck to you. Jim

I started pre op Optifast 800 on May 10. But I had a BMI over 60. My Doc wanted me to reduce that as close to 50 as I could get it before surgery. I think I got down to 57 a week before surgery. He said that would make the surgery easier on both of us. It was hell, but I stayed pretty close until two days before surgery, I just had to have some pizza before banding LOL. Jim

Judi I just got back from post-op meeting with Nutritionist, she said if you don't feel hungry, Don't Eat! She said just keep hydrated, and Protein supplment. I am 8 days out, and have been on mushies, per my Doc's post op plan. Soft scrambled eggs tasted like the best thing I have ever eaten. Moving on to baked potatoes, and soft Beans Yeah! Sounds like your Doc's post-op plan was more restrictive, but you gotta follow what they give you. I actually did one additional day of clear liquids cause I just didn't feel up to full liquids or creamy Soup. Keep up the good work it will get better. Jim

Looks like everyone is gettin in from the rally. I was on the interstate here a few minutes ago, (coming back from post-op appt.) and saw a few bikes looked like they had been the wind for a while. Figured it must be some ralliers, they were heading east through Louisiana. Well post-op appt, went well I am now 8 days out and lost 22lbs since being banded, 50 since this all started in May. Return to the grind this Saturday. Found out that my assistant who has been running the show went down with gall bladder on Monday, and had Lap Surgery this morning. I talked to her and let her know what she would be in for, we laughed pretty hard about having similar surgery about a week apart. Well glad to see that some of you had a good rally experience, I can't wait to get in the wind again. Jim

Well here is where my journey starts, well not really, but you all know that I mean. Just about to leave for the hospital, I am Doc's first procedure of the day. I hope that is a good thing. See you all on the other side. Jim

No I did not have to spend the night and I am currently on some pain meds.

Beleive it or not I am home and BANDED. Feeing pretty good considering. I am sip sip sipping and walk walk walking LOL. More later. Jim

Well today is the day, I am just out the door for the hospital. I am first of the day. See you all on the other side. Jim

I know we have more La. bandsters, I mean La. is the fat food capitol of the nation. Lets hear from everyone.

I think I have posted in the monthly thread already, but going in Aug. 7th starting to get a bit nervous now LOL. Jim

Jim Louisiana 8/7/07

Good luck to you, I am scheduled for the 7th as well. I had no luck with insurance I am self pay all the way. Jim

Gonna get it on the 7th, less than a week now. I guess I should be gettin nervous, but I haven't really had time. I have been getting everything straight at work, and getting my post-op supplies lined up I haven't had time to be nervous. I guess it will hit me Monday, when I finally slow down. Jim

I have a friend who in a recovering alcoholic, when he hit rock bottom he spent 90 days in rehab. He came out and has never looked back. . . at alcohol. When he got out of rehab, he dived headfirst into exercise. He was not obese by my estimation, but he has lost a ton of weight, and gotten into what he admits is the best shape of his life. He runs marathons and competes in Iron man competitions. He admits that he had transfered his addiction for alcohol to exercise, but says in rehab they were told to expect this, and as long as the new addiction was not self-destructive, it was positive. He looks great and says at 40 he has never felt better. Jim

Molly, is right, now is for healing don't hurt yourself for different food. I am not yet banded, but I have been to all the meetings, and know how important this phase is. As a matter of fact, I have just finished planning my menu for next week, banding on Tuesday. I have set up "meals" for myself within the guidlines given to me by my Doc. I am hoping to keep things interesting, by making my own stocks and broths. No offense to Mr. Campbell, but just don't think that will work for a week. Besides this way I can control what goes in ie limit my sodium and such. Keep the faith, and follow your Doc's post-op guidlines, it will payoff in the long run. Jim