BeckyinTexas

I was scheduled to go in tomorrow for my first fill but it's been cancelled now and I was all psyched up for it. I've been banded since 4/29 and so far have lost 41.5 pounds and the doctor said that was losing it too fast so we're waiting on the fill now another couple of weeks. I'm one of the very lucky ones that still feels restriction even with no fill. I'm very happy about that but I was just so ready to get my first fill and see how that was going to be. But until then....I'll just wait and try to be patient. Wish me luck!

Good! I'm glad to know this. I was feeling like the Lone Ranger. I chew so slow that honestly sometimes I just get tired of eating and quit or else my food gets cold and that does it for me. But if that keeps the PS's away, so be it. It's always so nice to know how other people are doing so you can get an idea of how it's supposed to be. Thanks!

See I told you! Way to go! Ain't it great? I'm so glad that you're doing so well....keep it up and hang in there! Just remember to take care of yourself! Becky

Christine....I use Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas. I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks before surgery and then 1 week after and that was when I drop 28.5 pounds. Since full liquid and soft foods diet stage, my weight loss has slowed some but still I've lost 13. I go in for my fill this Thursday. Dr. Jay wants me to get a fill before he goes on vacation just to see how it goes for me. Also, the last couple of days my appetite has increased so I'm ready for my fill for sure.

We went and saw Guitarman's band last night, SoulDoubt. They played at a place here in McKinney. They were fantastic! They give 100% to every song they play! They are also a bunch of very nice people and that makes it that much more enjoyable. Go to their website www.soubdoubtband.com and check to see if they're playing close to you. I can guarantee you will have a good time cause they sure know how to put on a great show! After I lose some more weight, I might even have to hit the dance floor cause they sure make me want to now! :banana

Judy....hang in there! Hopefully your insurance company will get into the right hands this time. One lady that works for the same county as I do and has the exact same insurance as I do, took 3 1/2 months to get approval and she was definitely a candidate for surgery. I heard from my insurance within a week and a half. Stay on top of them and don't let them misplace you again! Good luck and keep us posted, please.

Krystal....the pain is normal. Everyone has pain to some degree. My port side, I sound like a boat, is still a little sore and it's been 5 weeks for me since surgery. The first few days are definitely the roughest so don't hesitate to use pain meds if you need to. Heck, nothing better than sleep to make that pain go away. Take care of yourself and remember...no lifting for a while. Becky

That a girl! I knew you would come through with flying colors! Trust me Krystal, each day gets better and better, I promise. Hang in there!

You can't see me right now but let me tell you I am giving you a standing ovation for your courage and attitude! Way to go Joe! (OK, I had to say that so feel free to boo me.) Gotta love a big person with no shame in their game!

Thank you all so much for the encouragement! Y'all are my inspiration every single day and always have support or a shoulder to lean on! My doctor called me last night and wanted me to come in on the 9th for a small fill. He's going on vacation after that for 2 weeks and he said he would like to see how I was going to react to a fill. He also told me I was losing too fast and I wasn't eating enough....boy that coming from a doctor was earth shaking for me! LOL I just want to thank y'all again for always being here when I need you!

Christina.....I just said a little prayer for you and I know you'll be fine! Congratulations! I hope you have a speedy recovery and welcome to the sisterhood of the band!

YEA for Krystal! I'm so happy for you cause darlin you won't regret this one bit....well maybe a couple of times if you have gas pains like I did on my day after surgery but that was the only time I have. I can't even begin to tell you how much better I already feel since my surgery. Your baby is the same age as my granddaughter and when we went and visited them Sunday, I was able to for the first time since Hannah was born, get down on the floor and play with her! What a feeling that was! Good luck, Krystal and God's speed! You'll do great I have no doubt! Becky

Judy.....right now I'm just tickled pink to get the weight off. Later on I'm sure I'll have a whole lot of "unwanted skin". If so, then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it but I keep telling myself this....heck on the Maury show they can take a man and tape and strap and girdle and whatever else to make him look like a woman so I can do the same to myself!

Pamela.....I was banded on 4/29 and it went great. I had my surgery at 11:00 a.m. and was home by 3:00 that day. I was a little groggy but not in any real pain. The next day was my "gas pain" day! Saturday was my roughest day and I had a lot of gas pains in my back. But oh what a difference a day made by Sunday. I couldn't believe how much better I felt. I even managed to go grocery shopping that day. I went back to work on Tuesday and other than having to get up and walk around quite a bit to keep from getting stiff, I was pretty good. I would get home after work and I was big time tired but other than that...not bad at all. So far, I've had no problems to speak of and I already love my band! I'm down 41.5 pounds and that's the best feeling ever. My sister had her surgery done 5/20 and she has done equally as well. So, other than my gas pain, it's been SO much better than I had imagined it would be. Good luck with your upcoming surgery and I hope things go as well for you! Becky

Krystal....you CAN do this! I am one of the weakest willed people around....I know I am or I wouldn't have let myself get this big. This might sound super silly to you but this is how I got through the two weeks of my preop clear liquid diet. I would look at pictures on this website of people before and after, that did a world of good for me and my will power. I can't wait to have my photos proudly posted here right along with them. Also, I would think of all the people that have done this before me and they liked eating as much as I do and they did it....so can you Krystal! I'm living proof that you can do it...I did. One day during my 2 weeks clear liquid I wanted some peanut butter so bad I thought I was gonna die! I mean I could think of nothing but peanut butter so I went to the store and bought a jar and got it home and just smelled the dickens out of it! I kept my nose stuck in the darn jar most of the day but I didn't taste it...I just kept getting what I call "smelly bites". I could smell that peanut butter and remember how it tasted and that seemed to help. Honestly, you can do this. I never thought I could give up my 8 to 10 cans of diet Dr. Pepper habit a day and I did. It's been one month and 3 days without one. Just to give you some encouragement....since April 27th I have lost 41.5 pounds. You can do this...when you feel like folding and giving in to a temptation, just think how many of us have done and it you'll fall right into step with us. I remember thinking how could I ever give up my daily habit of eating peanut butter cups but three days after my surgery I went to the grocery store and walked past the candy display and all I could think of was....this lousy candy was what helped get me in this shape and I swear, I haven't craved candy since then. I know I'm making it sound easier than it really is but Krystal, you can do it. Hang in there, Kiddo, you have a lot of people on your side and I'm sure one of them!

Annbo.....I was banded one month ago yesterday and have already lost 40 pounds and YES it helps knee pain! I still have about 175 more to lose but even with the 40 gone it has made a world of difference! I had polio when I was a baby and my doctor had told me it was just a matter of time before I was full-time in a wheelchair. That was my wakeup call! I have arthritis in both knees and in my left foot and have experienced horrible pain for a long time. Just walking a little while was nearly more than I could stand. I'm not gonna say it's a miracle and no more pain cause if I walk a lot it still hurts but not like before! I know that it's just going to get better and better for me and that wheelchair is a long, long time a coming! This band is the best thing I have ever done for myself! This little piece of plastic and rubber has given me a whole new hope for the future! Good luck and God's speed to you on this wonderful journey we're all on! Becky

This might sound really silly but.....if I eat breakfast, then I seem to be hungry all day long. Since getting my band, I've tried to have something with protein, usually a spoon of peanut butter before I go to work. I know it's probably all in my mind but it's like I put something in my stomach and it goes...."hey, we're open for business, now feed me more!" So, I may never become a member of the breakfast club other than my spoonful of peanut butter before I head off for work.

I read on here were so many people can't tolerate so many foods but so far I'm not one of them.....what's wrong with me? I've been on soft foods for a week today and I've even eaten baked chicken and bake pork chop in small bites and chewed like the dickens and they are fine. I don't blend things, I just try to stick to really soft easy to chew foods but so far, it's all been my friend. I even ate a helping of Turkey chili and was fine. I even ate a little bit off a pork rib from Sonny Bryan's and that was fine too. Am I a freak????????

Congratulations! I've had my band for 3 weeks and I already love it! My sister and you share the same bandanniversary. She was banded on Friday and she's doing great, too! I look back now and I can't believe how nervous I was before my surgery. Heck, getting my tattoo hurt more than my surgery did! Each day it gets easier, I promise. Just don't overdo. Oh, if my sister reads this....please don't tell Mother I have a tattoo!!!!!

Thanks....I will definitely try that!

I have clicked on the chat room several times and never found anyone at home but today it was different. I met a lovely lady from England and it was so nice chatting with her as she's as new to being banded as I am. I was wondering though, is there ever a set time for chats? If so, I'd love to chat with anyone that would be interested!

I was banded three weeks ago today and my big sister Linda got her band today. What a wonderful thing to be able to for the first time in my life be the one to give her encouragement and support! We're both doing great, thank goodness. I can't wait to be on this journey with someone who not only is my sister but one of my best friends! I'm just so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of people like the ones that have lended me an ear and loads of encouragement like all of y'all on this site!

Kathy....thanks so much for your post. I'm like you, I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing right now. I just eat until I start feeling full then I stop. I wait until at least an hour or more before I drink anything and I just pray I'm doing it right. I've been told the first several weeks after surgery it's all about healing and not weight loss and I keep telling myself that over and over but I count every calorie that goes into my mouth. The most calories I've had since surgery on April 29th in a day was 900. I've had baked pork chops one time and I tolerated that fine. Other than those I've pretty much stuck with chicken or tuna from the can and I mash those to doodle dust before I eat. I read every post on here so I can gain insight into how other people did it so I get it right. I just hope and pray that I am cause I so want to get the weight off forever!

Thanks everyone! My sister is doing great today and I'm so excited for her and for me, too. This band is wonderful and I haven't even had my first fill yet. She doesn't have a screen name yet but hopefully she'll jump right in soon.

I was banded April 29 and at 11:55 p.m. on April 28 I downed my last diet Dr. Pepper. It was like saying goodbye to an old friend but I did it! I drank from 6 to 8 cans a day of the stuff but since my surgery, not one single drop. It wasn't as bad as I thought either. I think it's just I finally have my mind set that I'm going to be successful and I ain't letting no 12 ounce can of diet Dr. Pepper stand in my way! I drink lots of water and I love Crystal Lite now. A good cold glass of that hits the spot! I know it's not easy and I sometimes feel really sorry for people that have stock in Dr. Pepper cause since I gave it up the stock has to be falling but you can do it...I'm living proof. Good luck!