Marissa

Hi Everyone!! I have been missing in action for a looong time now, my apologies! I rarely log on to this site anymore, I'm normally on SparkPeople or Band2gether.net ... hopefully I'll see some of you there. I am down 89 lbs! That's 11 lbs away from 100! HOLY COW. It sounds so much 'bigger' when I say it like that. :confused_smile: It's such a good feeling. The band has helped me lose weight, but I contribute much of my weight loss to all of my exercise. Right after surgery I followed the nutritionists rules on eating, and I did the absolute minimum exercise necessary. My weight loss was very slow, and I was frustrated. About three months ago I kicked my exercising into high gear. I do a minimum of 60 minutes of cardio per day now, but I aim for 90 minutes. I break up my time throughout the day, and I actually ENJOY it now! Wow. I never thought I'd hear myself say that. I am so thankful for my band. It has helped me get my extreme portion distortion in check, and it has motivated me to get my butt moving! The band really isn't a quick fix, and it makes me very sad when I speak with people who think all of their problems will go away once they are banded. Everyday is a challenge...wouldn't you agree? Thanks to you BandPal for keeping us regularly updated on your progress. I love reading your posts! How is everyone else doing?! Just by looking at some of the weight loss tickers on your signatures, it appears that you guys are doing phenominal jobs!! I would love to catch up with everyone. I look forward to hearing all of your success stories! HAPPY 6 M0NTH BANDIVERSARY!!!! :biggrin2:

Hi Amanda! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Please keep us posted on your progress!!

Hello, friends! I apologize for not checking in for such long time - I think about all of you often, and I miss our fun conversations and support. I haven't posted lately because I was feeling pretty crappy about myself for a while. I saw myself sliding slowly back into my old habits (mindless eating, not exercising, etc.....) and it was horribly depressing for me. I know that a negative attitude can affect others. Which is why I avoid people when I'm having a rough time - I don't want to have a negative impact on others. I had been pretty out of control for about 3 weeks. Super Bowl night was when I realized what I was doing to myself. My husband and I were over at a friends house, and there were tasty little finger foods all over the place. I began to nibble on this and that (of course without measuring) and before I knew it I was uncomfortably full. So there I was, sitting there painfully full, thinking about what I could do to get the next bite of chips & dip down. I continued that way the entire evening - the entire time thinking to myself, "What am I doing?!?! WHY am I sabotaging myself?!?!". My obsession with food had won, once again. Over the past 2 months I had had a couple of sticking/sliming episodes, but they didn't stop me from continuing my self-destruction. The day after the Super Bowl incident I was so disgusted with myself. I was so angry that it took me that long to open my eyes and see what I was doing to myself. I'm only human, I know (blah, blah, blah)...but STILL!! I wonder, why did I try so hard to have this surgery, pay so much money - and still sabotage myself? Thankfully I didn't gain weight during my backsliding time, I merely maintained. Once I was back on track I began to drop the pounds. I still lost 10 pounds last month (but just think how well I would have done if I'd been good!). I know that I am only human. I also know that I will make mistakes in my journey...this is a learning process. I am now back on the path to health and thinness! I have lost a grand total of 65 pounds now, from my highest - that is a wonderful victory! HOORAY! I am nearly half way there. I hope to be a smokin' hot babe just in time for beach season. I am beginning to see subtle changes in my body - the biggest changes are noticed in my clothes, everything is too big (I'm not complaining!). Before surgery I was wearing an enormous 26/28, now I'm fitting in 18/20's! I'm getting very close to being able to shop in the 'normal' stores - which I am absolutely thrilled about!!! At least one person per day tells me that I look amazing and that they can tell I've lost weight, which is a huge boost to keep up the good work. I look forward to posting more frequently and interacting with all of you again. How is everyone doing?!?! Can't wait to hear from you!

Ovakummer - I am so sorry to hear that your surgery was postponed once again. What a bummer. However, I think it's pretty cool that the celebrity chose to have surgery at the same medical center as you...that must mean it's an excellent facility! I hope your surgery went perfectly yesterday, I can't wait to hear how you're doing - please keep us posted!! I'm praying for you. Towens - I haven't had my first fill yet. I was supposed to have it last Friday, but it was delayed until this Thursday due to my Dr. having surgeries scheduled. I don't think you should worry about gaining a pound just yet - your body has gone through so much in the past month and a half...give it time. I'm sure you're doing a fantastic job, keep it up!!

Judy and Ovakummer - I have only (I'm not saying only like it's a bad thing) lost 24 lbs since surgery. I have lost 46 since I first began my pre-op diet in the summer. It feels so much more like a significant weight loss if I add it all together, don't you agree? I have noticed a lot of changes in my body since I began my weight loss journey. Here's one story: I bought a pair of size 22 jeans the summer before last, at the time I was wearing 26's. I was trying to lose weight on my own with just diet and exercise, obviously unsuccessfully. I applied for the Biggest Loser, AND got a call back (wow!), I wanted to wear my new jeans for my 2nd audition, couldn't even get those friggin' jeans up over my bulging hips and thighs. I had really high hopes of being able to fit into those jeans, but it never happened, so I put them at the bottom of my 'jeans pile' and forgot about them. About 2 weeks ago I was doing my usual clothing inventory (I'm obsessive about organizing and getting rid of stuff), and I came across those size 22's...I thought, what the heck...let's give 'em a shot again. Holy cow, not only did they go up over my hips, but they zipped, and they were LOOSE, almost too loose...if it weren't for my belt, they'd be around my ankles. It's a miracle!! I know 46 pounds doesn't seem like enough to have such a significant clothing size drop...but, I'm an amazon (6'0, people!), so when I lose weight, it drops from everywhere. Yeah, baby! I'm still so excited about those big 'too small' jeans. I can't wait to buy the 20's, and then the 18's, and then, and then, and then. :whoo: :clap2: What are some of your non scale victories? I'd love to hear them!

Everybody ready for their New Year's celebrations?? Crispy98a – Welcome! Congrats on doing so well over the holidays, it’s never easy. You’ll do a fine job with your son’s birthday party too. Firebolt – I love your ‘1st fill’ story, it made me laugh. I have my fill on the 4th, I will remind myself of your story if I start freaking out. Ovahkummer – I found you on SparkPeople - yipee! So glad to have another band-friend on there. As for doing anything differently, I really can’t think of anything – just follow your Dr.’s advice, and all should go smoothly. I’ll be praying for you on Jan. 3rd…best wishes. Please keep us posted!! Hungryforchange – Sorry you had such trouble with caffeine withdrawals, know they can be horrible. I am so surprised that I didn’t go through that as well…

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Big plans for the New Year? Bandpal - I love your version of "T'was the Night Before Christmas!" - it's awesome. Towens - So glad that your first fill went well. I have mine on Jan. 4th, I'll let you guys know how it goes. I have done pretty well with my food intake over the holidays. I have over done it a couple of times, but, for the most part, I've been in control. I've managed to lose 4 more pounds over the holidays, I'm happy with that. I'd love to hear from everyone else!! Touch base and let us know what's going on.

I use SparkPeople.com for my food journal. They also have a fitness tracker, other goals tracker, tons of forums, recipes, tips, etc etc etc...I think it's absolutely wonderful - it's my #1 main motivator. You guys really should check it out. There are quite a few LapBand 'SparkTeams', if any of you decide to join, let me know...I'll find you there! Firebolt & Kristen - I am right there with you on the temptations. I've found that if I just have an itty bitty nibble of something 'bad', it fixes my cravings and I can move on. Have a great day everyone!

Happy Monday, everyone! How was the weekend? Mine was great. NC is incredibly warm right now, it's supposed to be nearly 80 here today! It's totally not getting me in the Christmas mood, but it's great motivation to get me outside and exercising! I weighed this morning and I am down exactly 20 lbs since surgery, 42 since pre-op! I am soooo pumped! ovahkummer - Thanks for letting us know about the incision hardness. I too am dealing with this, although mine is more like a bubble than a hard spot. It's comforting to know that it's completely normal. Please let us know how your tests results turn out. I'm praying for you. admarino2001 - I am so sorry to hear about your less than wonderful LapBand experience. I'm glad your pain is better, before long you'll be back to 100%. Hang in there, it's worth it!! Congrats on losing 7 lbs so far, I think that's fantastic. Good luck on your fill, hopefully it will help you feel less hungry. tlwempen - I hope your stomach feels better today, I know how uncomfortable it is when you eat even a bite too much. It sounds like you're doing a good job overall, keep it up!! It's going to be SO worth it! Skinny_Jill - Best wishes on your fill on the 20th, let us know how it goes. I will get my first fill on Jan. 4th, yay! towens - Hooray for eating! I'm right there with you. Every bite of string cheese is the best bite of string cheese I've EVER had. I'm glad you're getting your exercise in, it really will help your body heal faster. My port site still feels strange too, but it gets better everyday. sugarbearlover - Welcome! Keep up the great work at the gym, you're my hero! bandpal - Your posts are so inspiring to me, you say everything that I've been feeling. Thanks - you too are my hero! Keep up the great work! Longhorn - I love this board too, it's wonderful to share notes with people that are on the same track. I hope you have a scale victory this week! Have a great day, everyone!!

Hi everyone! Just want to introduce myself, I'm Marissa - 26 years old, from Concord. I was banded on Nov. 20, 2007 (two weeks tomorrow!) by Dr. Pirrello. I've been a member of LBT for quite a while now, I just never scrolled down far enough to see the NC forum! Silly me. I've been married to my wonderful husband, Dave, for 2 years. We have a furbaby named Bella ... she's our baby! We have no children right now, we're waiting until Dave is done with school (prob. 1.5 years) and until I'm at my goal weight. That's all for now. Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

Bandpal - I hope your transition back into the 'working world' goes smoothly. I went back to work just one week after surgery, I sure wish I had been able to take more time off...I wasn't the least bit productive at work anyway! Squash and plastic is one of my absolute fav.'s! Ha! That's too funny...and totally sounds like something I would do. I'm so glad that you're learning new ways to deal with situations. I'm still working on that. I seem to be quite the opposite, actually. I have been so stressed out the past week - I don't know what the deal is, but I'm sure it's just a phase. I'm sure my husband is thinking the same thing - poor guy! :speechles Canadian - I am so glad that you're feeling better. Who would've thought that you needed a de-fill? My surgeon said he put some Fluid in mine during surgery, but, thank God, I've been problem free. Great job kicking the Diet Coke habit! I'm sure that wasn't easy. I don't care for sodas, so I didn't have that problem...however - I do have a love for FULL caffeine coffee, a minimum of 2 cups in the AM. :straight I've kicked that, and it wasn't easy. I know that I could go back to decaf., but there's no point, I'm already over it. Marilyn - Don't fret about your weight loss, it's 5 pounds GONE FOREVER!! Think of it that way. Add the 20 pounds that you lost pre-op, that's huge! Our bodies are all adjusting differently to this new lifestyle, give yourself time. I lost a mere 2 pounds this week, quite a contrast from the first week. Soon you'll be dropping weight - hang in there and give it time! Happy Monday (or Tuesday for Bandpal) everyone!!

Firebolt - I've lost 37 pounds since pre-op, 15 since surgery. I wish it were 37 since surgery though...soon it will be! Towens - Welcome! I haven't thrown up (haven't even been nauseas at all), but I'm still on liquids. I can have soft foods beginning Wednesday - and I CAN'T WAIT. AH! :whoo: Hope everyone had a good weekend!!

Hi SunShyne, I started my journey (the group seminar) at the end of June. I had my first appointment with Dr. Pirrello about 2 weeks later. Then I spent from July - September waiting on and going to the other required appointments (nut. eval, psych. eval, etc.). There was a bit of a mis-communication with my psych. eval. and it ended up taking 1 month to have it sent to Dr. Pirrello. So, I probably could have been approved and ready for surgery by the beginning of October or so if it hadn't been for the "psych." delay. I found out the 1st of November that BCBS had approved me, and I had my surgery on the 20th. So, for me it took around 5 months from start to end. But - you sound like you have a lot of the 'little' stuff taken care of, so you should move right along! Hope I didn't ramble too much. :confused: Keep me posted on your progress!!! GOOD LUCK!

Hello! I was banded on November 20th - I'm still having some pain when sleeping on my side...but I'm determined to do it anyway. :phanvan I find that my left side hurts considerably more than my right. I use a pillow against my belly (to hold it all in!) and that has really helped.

I went with Dr. Pirrello - but he and Dr. Bauman is in the same office. I also have BCBSNC, had a BMI of about 44... insurance approved me 1st try! I didn't go in quite as prepared as you, I had to get my pysch eval, nutritional eval, Upper GI, etc etc etc after my first meeting with Dr. Pirrello. You should be good to go! Best wishes - let me know how it goes!!

Girls, girls, girls! You are so CRAZY! :bounce: I definitely don't have depressed breasts... I have magic breasts, they're disappearing! I started as a 42C ... I won't have anything left but nipples in the end. Haa! (no, really!)

Bandpal - my corner of NC is so beautiful right now. It's very sunny & 60ish. My baby (furbaby) Bella is going to LOVE her afternoon walk today. This weather makes me in such a great mood. I want some hummus! But...I guess I'll just stick with me Unjury Chicken Soup for dinner. :bored 5 more days of liquid, 5 more days of liquid. <--that's what I have to keep telling myself. Have a great day!!

Hi Kayla, I too am a young bandster (even though I feel so old sometimes!). I was banded on Nov. 20th...9 days ago...and I turned 26 the day after my surgery. I agree with you completely - I don't think we're too young at all. I want to lose this weight while I'm still young, now I'll have the rest of my life to enjoy it. I want to be healthy before I even attempt to have children...that is very important to me. I hope you (and everyone!) has a wonderful day!!

Hello Everyone! I too was banded on November 20th. (The day before my birthday - what was I thinking?! ha!) ... however, I'm just now posting to this thread. Firebolt - My surgeon found a tumor on my liver too, it was benign - thank God. (What a coincidence, huh?) I had a severe car accident almost 5 years ago in which I suffered many life threatening injuries - including a broken neck - so, my surgeon thinks the tumor was actually scar tissue from the wreck. Which makes sense and is quite relieving. I've had quite a bit of pain after surgery, my doc said it was probably because of all the 'chopping' and 'cauterizing' they had to do on my liver. He actually gave me a picture of the tumor - how cool (and somewhat gross) is that?! :rolleyes I struggled with the gas pains big time. Sounds like everyone had a different experience with that. I was afraid that I would always have the gas pains, but they diminished after about 5 days or so. How is everyone's pain level on this 9th day after surgery? Mine is okay...I think I've just been overdoing it a bit. My belly hurts...the incisions and the port. My doc/nutritionist have instructed me to walk, walk, walk - including the day of surgery! They want me to aim for approx. 50 minutes a day! Wow. Yesterday I walked 2 miles in 38 minutes, and then I called it quits. I know it's not 50 minutes, but heck - it's still 2 miles, right? Have you guys felt much hunger? I'm on liquid (any liquid, not just clear) for two weeks. The first few days I had quite a bit of 'mind hunger', but I recognized it as that, and occupied myself with other things. Now I'm having real hunger pains. When I went to my post-op Tuesday, my doc said that it was to be expected. He said the actual banding procedure was so smooth that I probably don't have the stomach swelling that most patients do. He also said that he even put a little bit of Fluid in my band because he expected that...and in 5 weeks, I'll definitely get my first fill. Whoop whoop! :whoo: Anyway - I've rambled for entirely too long now. Keep up the amazing work everyone & have a wonderful day!!!

Hello everyone! My name is Marissa...I'm from Concord, NC. I have been waiting since June to find out if my insurance would pay or not - and I just got the good news the other day! Hooray!! My surgery is scheduled for November 20th. I am so excited, and nervous, and anxious, and and and. I'm sure all of you know exactly what I'm talking about. My surgery is actually the day before my birthday, and two days before Thanksgiving, so, I'm slightly worried about my emotions during that time. I have faith that I'll do just fine though. Does anyone have any holiday tips for a newly banded chic? Marissa

You're going to do just fine! I'm sure of it. My Dr. didn't put me on any specific diet, he just said to make sure I didn't gain ANY weight...and preferably lose some. I'm doing good with that.

Hi Ladies! It's good to know that there are several of us getting banded around the same time. We're going to have to stick together, big time!!! Let's make it a point to keep all of us posted on our status...whatcha think? Good luck!!!