smilin_apple

That is not right of him to do that. I am glad he gave in and gave you one. Who is your Doc again?

Been a while since I have been on here. How are you all doing? I am doing well. I am just over 3 months out from surgery and total weight loss since surgery is 20.5 lbs. I had to wait 3 extra weeks to get my first fill since my Dr.was hurt and out of clinic for a few weeks. I was suppossed to get it by 12/19 and didn't get it until 1/7; so I just got my second fill this week... WOW how aweful that was!!! I was so nervous on my first fill and he was in and out in a snap...didn't even hurt. So this time I went by myself thinking it should be a breeze. Well it wasn't!!! My port was not cooperating with the DR. and he tried for about 15 minutes before taking me downstairs to do it under flouroscopy. Not a big deal then. He couldn't figure out what the problem was because when he saw it under x-ray it was in the perfect spot. Oh well, he said we shouldn't have any more problems in the future...I'm praying for that one!

Hi Vicki J and ilovelongnecks!!! Been a while since I have been on here. How are you both doing? I am doing well. I am just over 3 months out from surgery and total weight loss since surgery is 20.5 lbs. I had to wait 3 extra weeks to get my first fill since Dr. Alami was hurt and out of clinic for a few weeks. I was suppossed to get it by 12/19 and didn't get it until 1/7; so I just got my second fill this week... WOW how aweful that was!!! I was so nervous on my first fill and he was in and out in a snap...didn't even hurt. So this time I went by myself thinking it should be a breeze. Well it wasn't!!! My port was not cooperating with the DR. and he tried for about 15 minutes before taking me downstairs to do it under flouroscopy. Not a big deal then. He couldn't figure out what the problem was because when he saw it under x-ray it was in the perfect spot. Oh well, he said we shouldn't have any more problems in the future...I'm praying for that one! Well enough rambling on and on....how are you both doing? Oh and excuse my manners to anyone else that has joined since I have been on here...HELLO and Welcome! Well I better get back to work, talk to you soon.

I am from CA...nice to meet you! Thank you! How have you been lately? And to stilljackson.... I went through a similar program through my insurance company and I thought at first I would never make it to the surgery day and I did; yes it took me a year but I thank God it did, because I was able to get a better respect for the "tool" I was acquiring. I am not the same as everyone else and so I am only speaking for myself but I can say that looking back now if I had just gone and done the self-pay route and had my surgery in a month or so like they offer it. I would not have understood nor would I have appreciated it as much as I do. I know it seems silly all the stuff they put you through but they just want everyone to understand that this is only a tool and we still need to work at it. My insurance company had me do a "Psych Eval" - this is how they determined what help I might need after the surgery if any; I only had to do one appt. with the Psychiatrist. I had to meet one on one with a Nutritionist as well. They also asked me for information on how I tried to lose the weight in the past. All I had to do was document it all for them ( not sure what yours expects). I attended a monthly support group which was wonderful too; I made friends through it. Some people in the program had their surgery in as little as 3 months but for me it took almost 1 year to the date. My orientation class was on November 14th 2006 and my surgery was on November 7th 2007. I truly thought many times along the way that this was way too much...but I persevered through it with God and I made it! I know you can too!!! Just keep praying on it and always keep in mind that there are many people out here praying for you as well. May God bless you in what ever decision you make!

Hi all!!! I am an old/newbie.... I used to use frequent this site DAILY to talk to people who had this surgery but ever since my surgery in November I have only been on here about 2 times. I feel like I am loosing touch with myself, since I am not concentrating on the changes I am going through. I am also noticing a lot of difficult things I have been dealing with since the band and I have not looked to any fellow bandsters for advice. So I have decided to come back and start again getting to know people and sharing stories. A little about me... I was banded on November 7th, 2007 When I started the program at my hospital I was 416lbs. At the time of surgery I weighed 383. I am currently 362.5 as of yesterday when I went for my 2nd fill. I have an AP Band (10-11cc) I am currently filled to 5.5 cc's I have lost 53.5 lbs since the beginning and 20.5 since surgery 3 months ago. My first fill was a breeze, I was so nervous for nothing, the Dr. was right in and out witht the needle hit it on the second try. Then came yesterday.... I went in for my second fill not nervous because of how well the first one went and then he tried and tried and wasn't able to get it. He kept slipping right off the side of the port... after being stuck 4 times he sent me down to x-ray to have flourscopy done so he can see the port. He was able to get it this time on the second try! He apologized to me repeatedly because he said the port is in the perfect spot...doesn't know why he couldn't get it. So now today...I am still feeling a little sore and sick from yesterday but starting to feel better! Well enough rambling on for now. I hope all of you are having a blessed day and I will talk to you soon!:thumbup:

Hi all... Been a few weeks since I have been on here. I have been keeping myself busy. I have to say how excited I was when I went in for my first fill on Monday and I found out I had lost 6 lbs in the last 6 weeks. Now I know it is only about 1lb a week but that was before my first fill and it was over the Holidays too!

Hi all, It's been a few weeks since I have been on here but I am back to say hi and see how everyone is doing. I am now 9 weeks out from surgery as of today. I have lost about 16lbs since my surgery and trying to stay strong. I have involved myself with 2 different bible study groups at church and going to service every Sunday. I think it is the only thing right now getting me through each week. I have so much on my plate but with God by my side I feel like it all is at least within grasp. I am so blessed to have found a group on this site that not only can be there as a support which knows just what I am going through physically but also spiritually. I hope you all have a wonderful evening! God Bless

Hi all!!! I am new to this thread. I belong to a few others and don't remembe seeing this one when I was signing up on here. I am just elated to have found it, especially now. I have a long way to go, I started this whole journey at 416 lbs. back in November 14,2006 when I went to my first class. After a long and trying year I finally had my surgery on November 7th, 2007. So I have been banded a little over a month and a half. I am waiting for my first fill since my surgeon is out on Medical leave right now and will be back on January 7th to give me my fill. I am so finally looking forward to it, especially since my appetite has increased so much compared to what it was just 3 weeks ago. Well enough of me for now, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and New Year and I will try to check back in before the end of the year.

Hi all! It's been a while since I have been on here, but I thought I would stop in. I haven't seen Vickie J post since right before her surgery, I hope she is doing well. I am doing ok a little frusterated because I was due to have my first fill this coming Monday on Christmas Eve and that was cancelled sinc eDr. Alami is out on Medical leave for a little while. And I refuse to see Dr. Li or Dr.Le, I want my doctor he is the BEST! So they scheduled me on January 7th, I NEED it SOOO Bad too. I am eating pretty regularly. My portion are still smaller but pretty normal. I am still having one problem... when I let myself get too humgry then I start to eat too fast again and it gets stuck....my eyes water a little and it takes a minute or two to go down, but thank God I haven't PB'd or anything like that...but boy does that hurt when it gets stuck! I have also notice that some things make me almost have feelings similar to what Bypass patients describe as Dumping but it only lasts for 5- 10 minutes or less. Anyone else get anything like that???? P.S. WELCOME TO ALL THE NEWBIES!!!

I have a question I think I WAY over did it last night... We had a potluck at work and I only had little bites of different things here and there and I was full then later on I made a BAD choice and had some cheesecake!!! I was so mad at myself for that but then all the sudden out of nowhere I got really sick. I have had ice cream here and there a couple of nights a week and no issues but something happened after the cheesecake, I started feeling Cramps, sweaty, nauseous and I thought I was going to die for about 10 minutes. I had to do EVERYTHING in my power not to throw-up. Luckily I didn't but then this morning I still felt like crap I couldn't even have the broth from my soup without feeling nauseous. So I had a half of a Rice cake and went to sleep for 2 hours then finished the other half. By late afternoon I finally started feeling a little better. Any ideas on whether this is "Normal"?

Wow still not hungry??? I had my surgery November 7th also and I get hungry 3-4 times a day. I eat smaller but normal protions. I was on mushy foods from week 1-2 and week 3 on Solids. I have a question I think I over did it last night. We had a potluck at work and I only had little bites of different things here and there and I was full then later on I made a BAD choice and had some cheesecake!!! I was so mad at myself for that but then all the sudden out of nowhere I got really sick, now I have had ice cream here and there a couple of nights a week and no issues but something happened after the cheesecake, I started feeling Cramps, sweaty, nauseous and I thought I was going to die for about 10 minutes. I had to do EVERYTHING in my power not to throw-up. Luckily I didn't but then this morning I still felt like crap I couldn't even have the broth from my soup without feeling nauseous. So I had a half of a Rice cake and went to sleep for 2 hours then finished the other half. By late afternoon I finally started feeling a little better. Any ideas on whether this is "Normal"?

Major CONGRATS sweethinkr!!! That is WONDERFUL....I can't wait until I am able to feel what it's like to lose 100 lbs. Keep up the great work! I had some issues myself...I had a very HEAVY one this month which was 3 weeks after surgery, My norm is light and short. I think it has to do with the surgery. A question for you though... Were you taking Birth Control...before, during surgery??? I was told not to take any BC during, my OB Gyn suggessted that I started them after surgery. I haven't started them up yet personally. I agree with the other person that said it changes the meds in some way by crushing them up. My docs suggessted the I cut all my pills in half but not the gel caps.

Thanks! And I know you will do just as good if not better, just keep a positive outlook the whole way through...by the way I forgot to mention and this might sound silly but it wasn't silly for me. I had two prior surgeries about 2 years ago for my back and my gallbladder. Right before surgery I was so nervous that I started crying and my recovery afterwards was not easy for either surgery but I have to say this time I did just 2 things differently and I think it helped tremendously. This first is that I prayed the night before and right before surgery (I know not everyone can/will do the same thing depending on beliefs but it worked for me) and the second was I purchased the "Preparing for a successful Surgery" CD from the SSF Kaiser. at my final appointment before surgery. And at the hotel the night before I played it on the CD player just as I laid down in bed and listened to that as I fell asleep and even left it playing while I sleeping. I think it made a real difference. I was so calm this time before the surgery and this time I didn't even have my mom there like I have always had her in the past. My best friend who went with me kept asking if I was nervous and I didn't get nervous at all! Not once! I think that CD really put me in the right mind set. As far as the foods on stage 2, I started adding cottage cheese (1/2 c. a day) about 5 days out from surgery, then I also had instant mashed potatoes with a lowfat (Campbells) turkey gravy on it to thin it out a little bit. I ate that 2 times a day. A typical meal for me from Day 5 until I was cleared for Stage 3 was: Breakfast: 4 ounce Activia Vanilla Yogurt 2-4 ounces of Unsweetened Applesauce Lunch: 2 ounces (1/4 of med. size) Sweet potato 1/4 cup Lowfat Cottage Cheese Dinner: 1/2 cup Mashed Potatoes 2-3 Tbsp Turkey Gravy 1/2 of (4 ounce) Activia Yogurt Snack: 1-2 Sugar Free Popsicle or Sugar Free Fudgesicle About 3 days before my 2 week follow up I started to get really hungry so I started adding in some Stage 3 foods slowly and I was ok with that. I told Dr.Alami about it at my 2 week appt., because he told me to stop the protein shakes and I told him I stopped taking them a while ago because I had a hard time drinking them. At that time my typical meal was: Breakfast: 2 ounces (1/4 of med. size) Sweet potato 1/4 cup Lowfat Cottage Cheese Lunch: 2 ounces cooked ground turkey meatball (cut up in 8ths);topped with 2 Tbsp tomato sauce; little Italian seasoning (sort of like a spaghetti sauce) 1/2 - 1 (4 ounce) Activia Yogurt Dinner: 2 ounces cooked ground turkey meatball (cut up in 8ths);topped with 2 Tbsp tomato sauce; little Italian seasoning (sort of like a spaghetti sauce) 1/4 cup mashed potatoes Snack: 1-2 Sugar Free Popsicles or S/F Fudgesicle Sorry for the BOOK, I hope this helps!!! If you have any more questions let me know

I am so happy for you Vicki!!! :whoo: I am finally doing much much better. Dr. Alami just cleard me to Stage 3 which is pretty much all foods, when I went to see him on Tuesday this week. I have been doing ok, wish my appetite was still as small as it was the first week and half out from surgery. I really do notice the difference. I mean I still don't eat ANY where near what I ate in one sitting last month but it is about double what I was eating right out from surgery. The second good news is that I lost 10.5 lbs since surgery!!!! Yeah for me! The surgeon was so proud of me. He did tell me to be careful and at least try to maintain that and maybe lose some more before I go in for my first fill. We will see?!?!? I am hoping that works out for me, since my fill isn't until Chritsmas Eve. Well I hope everyone is doing well!

I thought the diet my Surgeon put us on was hard to do post-op. We were allowed pureed things like bananas, no-sugar added applesauce, sugar-free popsicles and fudgesicles, Creamed soups, Jello-O, Malt-o-Meal, mashed potatoes (thinned out), yogurt, etc. Tomorrow I will be upgraded to Thicker mashed potatoes, ground meats, etc. It has been really hard for me even with the variety. I have to admit I pushed the envelope a little bit already with my textures of foods and have been ok with that, luckily. But I am doing my best to stick to the plan they gave us. All I can say is hang in there! The next stage will be here soon. I never thought it would for me and it is hard to believe that it has been almost 2 weeks since my surgery. What types of foods will you all be on for your next stage?

Thanks I will and I hope you have WONDERFUL Thanksgiving too!!!

Hi all... I am back! Too much to go back and read right now on how everyone is doing and what's been going on. So I just wanted to log on and let everyone know that I am finally doing much better, I was banded on November 7th, last week, I finally feel good but the incisions still hurt too bad to sit in a regular chair right now for more than 10 minutes or so. That's why I decided to take another week off work. I go back on Wednesday next week, by they I should be back on here chatting it up wih everyone and back in the grove of things. Take care everyone!!

Hi all... I am back! Too much to go back and read right now on how everyone is doing and what's been going on. So I just wanted to log on and let everyone know that I am finally doing much better, I was banded on November 7th, last week, I finally feel good but the incisions still hurt too bad to sit in a regular chair right now for more than 10 minutes or so. That's why I decided to take another week off work. I go back on Wednesday next week, by they I should be back on here chatting it up wih everyone and back in the grove of things. Take care everyone!!

Hi all... I am back! Too much to go back an read right now on how everyone is doing and what's been going on. So I just wanted to log on and let everyone know that I am finally doing much better, I was banded on November 7th, last week, I finally feel good but the incisions still hurt too bad to sit in a regular chair right now for more than 10 minutes or so. That's why I decided to take another week off work. I go back on Wednesday next week, by they I should be back on here chatting it up wih everyone and back in the grove of things. Take care everyone!!

Thank you so much....but unfortunately in my job I work in a 24 hour computer help desk room and I ALWAYS (every year) work on Thanksgiving and the day after...but I am used to it. At least I don't go in until 1 in the afternoon, I always go see my family for a few before work they understand.

Hi all... I am back! Too much to go back an read right now on how everyone is doing and what's been going on. So I just wanted to log on and let everyone know that I am finally doing much better, I was banded on November 7th, last week, I finally feel good but the incisions still hurt too bad to sit in a regular chair right now for more than 10 minutes or so. That's why I decided to take another week off work. I go back on Wednesday next week, by they I should be back on here chatting it up wih everyone and back in the grove of things. Take care everyone!! April:)

I am at my hotel down the street from the hospital and my admitting time is 10:30 in the morning. I am on clear fluids right now until midnight and then nothing at all after 12:00am. Just wanted to send a quick note to everyone.... To say HI!!! By the way the only unflavored powder I know that you can add to anything is UNJURY...it's at unjury.com

Thank you so much for the info...I am going to start packing my bag now. I will let everyone know how I am when I can get on the PC again...I don't really have a comfortable desk to sit at at home so it might be a few days or so. Have a great week!

Welcome Sagebird!... I am having surgery on Wednesday. I leave for SSF tomorrow morning. I am so excited at the same time extremely nervous. How does the whole process go at the hospital the morning of surgery. When you get there what happens? I just like to be prepared completely!

My doc suggested No sugar added Applesauce too. There is also a protein drink you can buy from some nutrition stores or online and it is called "ISOPURE"...it is pure protein nothing else. I haven't tasted it yet but most people I heard likes it. It looks like a kool aid or something. It has No Carbs...No Sugar...No anything but protein and it is whey protein isolate which is suppossed to be one of the best to have. The bottle is like 32 ounces or so and it cost me $3.00...it had 40 grams of protein in it