showingmyinside

Great share Gary because it is pretty important to know that your "output" is as regular as your input. I have noticed that I actually feel pretty sluggish and miralax is my magic bullet. I get my first fill on the 11th and I am pretty ready for it. I have gone from 267 to 250 for the month of February which is awesome but I can eat way more than I should in order to stay full 3-4 hours. At any rate, school has started for me and I just need make sure I stay on track with eating and get to the gym. Stay positive everyone!

Name, real or screen~ Caren Goal weight for March 31st~ 240 Weight on March 1st~250 Age~34 City/State~Enterprise, Al Date banded~ 2/12/14 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~17 lbs What are you lucky to have in your life? My husband and kids

Thank you guys for the support! Come on March!

Well at the last day of the the month I can look back and see all the changes that have happened so far. My pre-op diet began....I only lost 4 pounds but a loss is a loss. I had my lap band placed on the 12th along with the hiatal hernia repair. Gas pain was really the worse but thank goodness I don't have to worry about it now. I can eat like a normal person but not really- if someone would have asked me if I ate a lot before I would have said no not really. *Sigh* Now I understand and accept that I was an over eater, a snacker, and all those things that damn weight loss and getting on the road to being healthier. This month I have learned acceptance. I accept how I was and I know I can accept the changes that are going to be. 12 years and 2 deployments in the Army has already taught me to adapt but to accept things, that is different. I accept that proof for me, so far, has been in the numbers. I am down 16.4 pounds, almost 1 pound a day since surgery, minus my 4 pound pre op diet. I do have a NSV also, my wedding rings spin around my finger...:-) I just had them sized up in August and they were still tight so I will be happy to get them sized down again, hopefully this August! Looking forward to next month-hitting the gym and my first fill but my journey's start is something I will always remember, and I can accept that too.

I can get down about 2-3 oz of protein, like fish or chicken without getting uncomfortable. I don't know how else to describe it because it is not pain or gas....I guess it what I actually should have been listening to, my body saying it is full! Crazy! I only did full liquids 5 days post op and now only eat when I actually feel like I need to, not even because I am actually "hungry". This journey is definitely going to take some time to get use to. I have to relearn me as well as learn how my band works!

Well guys, just to update, I am 10 days post op, been on regular food for a couple of days now and already down another ten pounds since surgery. I see a lot of you guys saying you are hungry so I must be one of the few that got lucky but then again my doctor also said I do already have some fluid in my band. It is actually hard to eat 3 times a day....I eat my chunky protein and will go what seems like forever to my husband without eating. However my doctor said that will wear out the closer I get to my first fill which is a couple of weeks. I guess we shall see. Still having gas pains but not as bad as in the beginning of course. Hope everyone has a great weekend and congrats to those that got their band this week and good luck to those that are about to get theirs!

Jezebel808....love to have some friends on mfp!

Hey everyone! Surgery went great, had to stay over night because Dr. Robbins did have to repair a hiatal hernia but I am super grateful that it went smoothly. The gas pain is the worst and burping is my enemy but other than that so far so good. I have to remind myself that the scale is not my friend while I am healing (nor is my time of the month but that is just kinda when all this happened). Just hoping to see something positive happen with the numbers in the next few weeks and hoping I get to skip the "bandster hell".

Ha, just drove threw there yesterday, hubby had an appointment in Columbus! Small world....hopefully smaller bodies for all of us!

I am in LA....Lower Alabama that is. My husband and I were stationed at Ft. Rucker....well he still is but I am, obviously am no longer in! Thank you very much!!! I will be glad to go home, get rid of the gas pain, and get healed so I can make the most of this journey

Hey Scuba! I have Tricare Prime, the insurance carried by the military. We are in the southern region so Humana acts as out point of contact here. It changes from region to region which is why some people have different requirements than others.

Thank you everyone for your good luck wishes! Done and "my precious" is now installed! Amazingly, I am just sore at my incisions but that gas is a painful mo-fo! Regardless, super glad it is done and over with! I get to go home tomorrow (have to stay for my insurance otherwise they won't pay for the hiatal hernia repair that was also done at the same time). Blessings and prays for those that have theirs surgeries come up soon!

So I have surgery in the morning and the most HORRIBLE thing so far is the mag citrate that my Dr has us drink the night before to ensure the bowels are empty and won't be in the way. UGH!!!! Good Lord why couldn't it be Miralax! Well, I got about 2 oz left and my lovenox shot to do so back to my stand off...btw flavoring nastiness is still nastiness! :-S

Good luck Paige! Wednesday is almost here!!!

Good luck Tim and everybody else! I have one day and a wake up here!!!! Pretty excited, going to do anesthesia work up today!

Well I hope your next fill is more successful for you. How much do they put in at a fill, is it standard or does it varies from person to person? I have anesthesia this afternoon and then my procedure is only 1 day and a wake away!!! I hope I get to leave the same day but if I have a hiatal hernia, which Dr. Robbins suspects that I do because of the medications I currently take, then I will have to stay over night since that is the only way my insurance will cover it. It doesn't bother me either way, I rather have everything addressed while I am opened up then to have multiple procedures anyway!

Once again, appreciate the advise Gary! I did the pre registration online this morning. Yesterday was like a mad house in there....the liver class, then seeing Dr. Robbins plus people coming in and out for fills...you would think they would use the conference room next door to do the classes. Just waiting for anesthesia to call and will go pick up my lovenox tomorrow or Monday from the pharmacy. I have had to take it before so the little class Jane or Alta gives will be a refresher! 6 days to go!!!

Good luck and congrats!!!

Thanks Tiza! Will let everyone know....nervous and excited....makes me nauseous!!!!

Started my pre op diet yesterday, liquids all day and a no carb dinner. It actually isn't so bad but will have my appointment in the morning to see if the 6 pounds that I had to eliminate to confirm my Feb 12th surgery date have been crushed. I am praying for the best, losing weight isn't easy but hopefully I will be getting an assist very soon. Just trying to remain focused and hopeful.

Thanks for the response Gary! I have been smoke and carb free for a week tomorrow. It sucked the first couple of days but I just keep reminding myself that I AM ready for the changes to come! I think I am going way better with the not smoking than the no carbs...not losing much weight but hopefully enough to keep my surgery date. Going to start the liquid diet tomorrow since my pending date is the 12th (good thing I am not attending any Super bowl parties). Fingers are crossed and lips are shut! LOL

I am having surgery on the 12th of February. I am pretty excited but concerned because I was a smoker. Dr. Robbins has been so great and encouraging but I don't want my date to be changed because I did not quit smoking soon enough. Do they do a blood or urine test for the nicotine test? My understanding is that if it is urine I should be just fine but the nicotine by product stays in the blood for weeks which may delay my banding.

Congrats to you and everyone else....it takes determination to get to this point...the I am ready to take control back!!! I can't wait....I have waited long enough!

I am Tricare Prime and am in the south. I started my journey on November 18th and am now scheduled for surgery February 12th. I had to get a referral to my bariatric surgeon (who is actually off post), psych, physical therapy, and a sleep study. Otherwise it was classes and weigh in at the bariatric clinic. It will seem like a lot of requirements are needed but it makes the time go really quick! Good luck to you on your journey.

February 12th for me!!!