DawnG

Hi all. I haven't been online for about a month because I've been really busy with a new job and travel. I am, however, thoroughly fed up with constantly being hungry. I swear I am just as hungry as before surgery and I am not scheduled for my first fill until 10/11. My insurance makes me wait 90 days and I will be away on business so I had to postpone it another 2 weeks beyond that. Is there anyone else that has gone 3 months without a fill? I basically haven't lost a single pound in the past few weeks because I am caving in to my hunger. This is awful and I wish my doctor had warned me I'd have to suffer for this long without any help. It's really frustrating to read that others have already gotten several fills. If anyone is in the same boat, please let me know how you are managing because I am really struggling with this. Thanks!

I feel the same way and don't have any restriction yet. I am scheduled for my next week follow-up on Wednesday and hope that my Dr. will give me the OK for a fill. I am just as hungry now as I was pre-surgery. I actually broke down crying to my boyfriend yesterday because I get so frustrated sometimes. I am trying really hard not to eat large quantities, but I don't get full if I only eat the small portions my doctor recommends at mealtime. I see that others are already on their 2nd or 3rd fill and am jealous. This is definitely much harder than I thought. I prepared myself to make good food choices after surgery, but never thought I'd have to fight off hunger for so long. So far I feel as if I've been going at this alone... I really need the band to start doing its job!

My boyfriend has to lose about 200 pounds and is getting his WLS on Monday. He heard about the Oprah doc and grinned... thinking how much he'd theoretically grow. I'll be sure to let you all know once he reaches the footlong mark! LOL!

Hi there! First of all, you shouldn't be afraid to discuss improving your health with your doctor. If she isn't supportive of your desire to take charge of your weight and health, then its time to find a new doctor! I'm not sure where you live in NYC, but my PCP is in Clark, NJ... just over the Goethals bridge and was extremely supportive. I know its a bit of a drive, but I would completely recommend him if you live in Staten Island. He kept encouraging me during my 6-month supervised weight loss period and wrote two very strongly worded letters of support to submit to my insurance. The letters worked and I was approved for surgery within 1 week. Good luck and let me know if you'd like information on my PCP or surgeon. I'd highly recommend both!

Hello all! Just thought I'd share a discovery for "band-friendly" chinese take out. I was on my way home last night and did not feel like cooking so I grabbed a small hot and sour soup and an order of steamed bean curd (tofu) and mixed veggies. I poured the soup on top of the veggies and tofu for flavor. YUM! I only ate about 1/3 of my food and was full... tofu tends to fill me pretty quickly. Just thought you might like to have an option available incase you find yourself just grabbing some takeout.

No catheter for me either. My surgeon believes that his patients are motivated to get up and walk after surgery (to the bathroom!) if he doesn't give one. I did have a bit of a scratchy throat from the breathing tube, but overall was in pretty decent shape. They did send me home with an inspirometer (sp?) which reminded me to take slow deep breaths after the surgery.

Actually there are a whole bunch of exercises that can be done from a chair or a hard flat surface. I was taught these during my physical therapy (I had a back injury). I know you can do searches online and find them. Also, you may want to consider the exercise ball. I was terrified mine would burst the first time I used it, but my therapist assured me it could hold me weight and it has. I still use one at home 'cause it's great for strengthening your core muscles.

Lots of luck on your new journey! Congrats on making the decision to take back your health! It's a bit scary, but you can do it!

I'm sure each surgeon does things a bit differently, but here is what my experience was like on surgery day: ~7:30am - arrived at hospital ~8:30am - got a visit from my doc and the anesthesiologist (who promised to give me something to take the edge off ~9:00am - got wheeled into OR for prep, got my sedative and don't remember much else ~12noon - started waking up (I'm horrible with anesthesia!) and got sent for my barium swallow and x-ray ~3pm - woke back up from my pain injection and they let me go home after walking around for a bit Overall, my experience was much better than I feared. Did I mention I am a wimp with pain? I was scared before the surgery, but my mind was put at ease by the great staff at the hospital! GOOD LUCK!

My doc says no carbonation... ever. He said he's seen people stretch out their pouch by drinking too much soda. The nutritionist said if I must have some soda, that I need to let it go flat first. What's the point in drinking it flat though?!

Congrats Stacy! I also use a CPAP and cannot wait until I can toss mine too. Sleeping with the mask and dealing with the air leaks and tangled hose is a pain in the butt. My pressure is pretty low (6 cm), so I am hoping I can lose enough weight by the end of the year to ditch it!

Sounds like you are doing really well! Congrats and Happy 4th!