michelle88

I am curious why you had your port moved? I am having problems this last month with pain on my left side. Dr is not sure what the problem is, CAT scan didn't revel anything. I am going to have an ultrasound to see if this can find the problem.

Six month of Reflections... Life with the lap band I was banded on March 25th, 2008. I have struggled with my weight for the last 15 years. I finally decided to have surgery to give myself a tool to help me become healthy. I have learned many lessons along my journey this far. Some of those lessons have been positive and negative. I should start with the positive. The band has help me decrease my portions by 2/3. I eat as much as my 5 year old son! I occassionaly have a diet coke and I rarely finish a whole can. I use to drink 3-4 cans a day. Water and ice tea are my new drinks! I am down 2 jean sizes..from a 22 to a 18 I was able to zip up a size 16 formal gown for gala ball I am going to...bought the 18 but did zip the 16!! I have more energy to play with my kids I am working on my golf game I am gaining a little of my self confidence back. Exercise is starting to become a habit. I am going to do the work not the band. I have lost 40lbs. The other lessons- -I have only lost 40 lbs -did not meet my 50 lbs goal at 6 months -could not reward myself with the new bike for 50 lbs -my band does not stop me from snacking -I can and continue to eat for now apparent reason -I am not going to lose weight unless I exercise 7 days a week. My doctor had to look me in the eye and tell me this for it to really sink in. -I must always pay attention to how fast I am eating especially when eating in a social setting. -If your in a conversation while eating you can’t just swallow your food to get your word in the conversation...you must chew, chew then talk...I give my family the 1 more minute finger to let them know I have something I want to add but just need to chew. -my mental game with my weight is at a all time high. I have not lost anything in the last 3 weeks despite working out hard and with consistency, yet I am continuing on. -I knew going in to this that it wasn’t going to be easy but deep down I did think the weight was going to come off easier and quicker. Overall thoughts- I am glad I have the lap band. It is a tool that I must use. I can chose not to use the tool. It is my decision. I need to not put my sucess in the scale. I need to judge my sucess on the things I can control. I can control what I feed my body with and how often I feed it. I can control if I get up to exercise. I have to make the decision to exercise with minimal effort or really work hard. I have to make up mind DAILY that I am worth the time, money, energy it takes to make myself healthy. Here’s to the next SIX months!!!

Six month of Reflections... Life with the lap band I was banded on March 25th, 2008. I have struggled with my weight for the last 15 years. I finally decided to have surgery to give myself a tool to help me become healthy. I have learned many lessons along my journey this far. Some of those lessons have been positive and negative. I should start with the positive. The band has help me decrease my portions by 2/3. I eat as much as my 5 year old son! I occassionaly have a diet coke and I rarely finish a whole can. I use to drink 3-4 cans a day. Water and ice tea are my new drinks! I am down 2 jean sizes..from a 22 to a 18 I was able to zip up a size 16 formal gown for gala ball I am going to...bought the 18 but did zip the 16!! I have more energy to play with my kids I am working on my golf game I am gaining a little of my self confidence back. Exercise is starting to become a habit. I am going to do the work not the band. I have lost 40lbs. The other lessons- -I have only lost 40 lbs -did not meet my 50 lbs goal at 6 months -could not reward myself with the new bike for 50 lbs -my band does not stop me from snacking -I can and continue to eat for now apparent reason -I am not going to lose weight unless I exercise 7 days a week. My doctor had to look me in the eye and tell me this for it to really sink in. -I must always pay attention to how fast I am eating especially when eating in a social setting. -If your in a conversation while eating you can’t just swallow your food to get your word in the conversation...you must chew, chew then talk...I give my family the 1 more minute finger to let them know I have something I want to add but just need to chew. -my mental game with my weight is at a all time high. I have not lost anything in the last 3 weeks despite working out hard and with consistency, yet I am continuing on. -I knew going in to this that it wasn’t going to be easy but deep down I did think the weight was going to come off easier and quicker. Overall thoughts- I am glad I have the lap band. It is a tool that I must use. I can chose not to use the tool. It is my decision. I need to not put my sucess in the scale. I need to judge my sucess on the things I can control. I can control what I feed my body with and how often I feed it. I can control if I get up to exercise. I have to make the decision to exercise with minimal effort or really work hard. I have to make up mind DAILY that I am worth the time, money, energy it takes to make myself healthy. Here’s to the next SIX months!!!

Cella- Looks like you got your wish!! Congratulations!! It was 3 1/2 weeks from my pre-op till surgery. You are in good hands with the salsa team!!

Did anyone have shoulder pain with their first fill? I had my first fill on Monday..I am now having shoulder pain similar to the pain right after the first few weeks after surgery. I am now on soft foods since the fill. Any advice?? Michelle

Jetti- Hi there--I am little over two months out-9 weeks. My dr will not fill me yet since I have averaged 2 lbs per week since surgery. I cancelled my two month appt scheduled for 5/29 since I have lost 8 lbs this month. Congratulations on your weight loss!!: What rate have you lost your weight? My thinking- wait as long as we can before a fill so when we reach a plateau hopefully a fill will get us over the plateau. What do you think?? Michelle

March Bandsters- what is your average losses per week? Are you losing 1-2 lbs per week like the lab band literature says? are your losses greater?? I know we are all different and will lose at different rates but I just want to get an idea how I am doing. My dr. didn't fill me last appt since I am losing 2 lbs a week, but now I am starting to eat more often...starting to snack and for the first month I was never snacking...I am trying to determine if it's head hunger or real hunger...so hard when you have years of eating for no real reason! Maybe now I am needing a fill..my next appt. is on the 29th.

Miki- I just had a dr. appt on Wednesday and asked my dr. a similar question..he said--the fullness feeling is going to be different for everyone.. he said some people sneeze, hiccups, pain in shoulder, pain high in chest..he said it is nothing like the feelings we use to get...grabbing your stomach saying"boy I ate too much" . For me ..I think I just start to get a heavy feeling in my chest..I am still trying to figure this out!! :wub: It's nice to know were not the only ones confused by our band! I wish I could tell you what to do about your tightness..nothing here sorry.

I had my 5 week follow up appt. yesterday and the Dr. said "no Fill"...he said he didn't want to mess with my restriction since I have been averaging 2.15 lbs a week since surgery. Has anyone else have their Dr. not fill them since they are above the average loss of 1-2 a week ? I understand his line of thinking but inside I thought can't you just fill me and maybe I could lose 2-3 a week!! Don't we always want more!!

Hello all who were banded on March 25th...just thought we could check in... My scale mysteriously appears in my bathroom every Tuesday morning...(husband hides it the rest of the week). I am down 9 lbs since surgery. I am disappointed and thrilled at the same time. How is this possible?? Disappointed- I thought it would be more--I have been on regular food for a week now...my dr advances us quickly. I am just eating so little. Thrilled because 9 lbs in 3 weeks is really good.. I am feeling tired this week...maybe I over did it this weekend or maybe the flu bug is around the corner?? who knows?? How are you feeling??? how is your weight loss?? Michelle

Hello 25th bandsters... I went to my 5 week appt..and Dr. said no fill..."are you sure?" yes I am sure...Dr. said I am losing 2.15 a week and wants to wait another month unless I am getting really hungry in between meals. So I really need to pay attention to my hunger. Appt. went well, I asked about the shoulder pain...his explaination is the port tubing is rubbing up against the bottom of my diaphram which has a nerve that is connected to the left shoulder. Solution- move around :thumbup:---okay dr. will do :biggrin: "will it go away?" if you move :frown: Also asked if I can have a Diet Coke...dr said " do you need it?" well no, I just really want one once and a while. He promised I won't explode!! As you can tell my dr. has a great sense of humor!!! That's it for my updates! Take Care, Michelle

Yeah-- we made it one month!!! I convinced the scale hider (my hubby) to bring out my scale- since today is not Tuesday but a very important day for tracking purposes...I have lost a total of 12 lbs since being banded!!! Along with the 2 week pre-op diet...my total is 24 lbs in six weeks!! I am really excited!! I am eating anything really...I haven't yet had a salad...scared for some reason..I do miss them. Sometimes I am not sure if I am full or I am just stopping because I think I should be..does that make sense? My first fill is scheduled for next Wed April 30th. I am looking forward to talking to the Dr. and asking some questions. Hopeinapril-- Great job on your losses!! 100 lbs in a year that is going to be wonderful!!

Indio Girl- Thanks for your thought provoking post!! What brand of scale do you have?..I have an old ww one but it doesn't do all the cool things yours does...please share!!

Tomorrow is the ONE MONTH MARK!!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup.gif I will check in tomorrow with my official one month weigh-in results!!

Congratulations on your band!! I was not banded by Dr. Fuller but I am from Sacramento!! I was glad to see another bandster from Sacramento on this board!! I was banded by Dr. Waldrep in Roseville on 3/25/08.

Nicole- I just had surgery with Healtnet HMO on 3/25/08. I use Sutter Medical Group in Elk Grove. What medical group do you have? I would recommend you change your PCP. Their referral to the surgeons is what gets the ball rolling. I would recommend you go to Dr. Waldrep website, salsa.md and request the new patient packet. In the packet they offer a great letter to send to you PCP. Let me know if you have any other questions. Michelle

Hello all... I really want to start adding more fish into my diet...I am looking for mild fish. I have cooked tilipia and really like it. Any recommendations to try next???

Hello all shamrocks...I was banded 3/25..little over 2 weeks out. I started my ellipitical this week- 20 min/2 miles...wasn't sure if I should be doing ab work yet?? Dr's office said no restrictions?? but I am not sure...what do you think??

Thanks for all the suggestions...I emailed the dr's office yesterday and my doctor said to go ahead as long as I feel comfortable! I did a about 10 sit ups today...baby steps!!! :thumbup:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!! I think I will be headed to the sea food counter at my grocery store!!

Hi- I am 2 weeks out and am also having pains on my left shoulder- high near my neck, I thought it was strange..glad I am not the only one!!

Hi, My name is Michelle. I live in Northern California, near Sacramento. I am a stay at home mom of 2 wonderful children, daughter age 10 and son age 5.

Have you tried Dr. Waldrep?? at least with my insurance Healthnet I did not have to pay a program fee.

Is anyone else burping alot?? I am even stopping to say "excuse me" because it is happeing so often....I am one to say "excuse me" even when I am all alone. Have my manners disappered with my new found lap band :tongue: I am 10 days post op. Second topic--I had my one week appt on Tuesday..he said 3 days of soft food then on to regular food?? does'nt this seem to soon??

What about width??? I have to buy ww or e width shoes...they are so expensive...I am tired of living with cute shoe envy !! I want so badly to walk into to Macys and say size 8 please!!!...and then go upstairs and buy size 8 dress to go with my non wide shoes I just bought!!!