TXbandit

Hi, Campinhappy, I haven't figured out how to reply to private messages, and you asked me who I used in the Austin area.....I went through True Results in North Austin and used Dr. John Marsden who comes to Austin twice a month and operates in the Austin Surgical Hospital. The surgery was a breeze, and I have had 2 fills....I am not sure about the cost after the surgery because I got a bill for a visit to the center that I need to clarify. I had the surgery on Dec 4, have 70 lbs to lose, and have lost about 18 so far. The cost (which I was told was "all inclusive" ) was 15,000. I think of it as my new car!

Wow, I was scared! Almost as much as before surgery.....but it wasn't bad at all. Just creepy. :huytsao I had only .4 cc in my band, and she added 2 cc. Then I waited there and drank water, but it went down really slowly! She said to come back the next day if it was still really tight, but it is better now and I am eating mushies again. It sure made a difference in stopping the foraging for food that I was starting to do! Feels like the first 2 weeks, and that is what my doc said to look for.

I felt really HUNGRY after 4 weeks - still some restriction, though. Getting my first fill was great - got it yesterday, and I can tell a difference. You will too when you get your fill on the 8th.

The food commercials are unbelievable!! The pizza ones, expecially. I noticed that during my first week. It gets better when you can finally have something solid to eat!

CityGirl, you will do just fine - I know if I had kids I would want to stay overnight. Some people who have their surgeries later in the day stay overnight, too. I bet you are getting excited and nervous!!

Hi, Charly, What ever looks good to you - just take a small bite, chew it really well, and it should be fine. I was so afraid to eat a cracker! I made some chicken salad that first solid day.....Plus, you are 4 weeks out like me and you should have a little less restriction than right after surgery. I, in fact, have been eating too much, (only lost 1 lb since week 2) so I am looking forward to my first fill tomorrow.

You want to hear something funny? I read that some husbands have a problem with their wives getting banded...well, my husband was all for it - very much wanting me to get it. That should have satisfied me, right? Oh, but nooo - my first thought was "he must really think I am fat...." poor guys can't win for losin'!!

I am getting my first fill tomorrow.....I, too lost 10 lbs the first 2 weeks, then only 1 lb since then. I am looking forward to the fill. I can tell I have restriction, but not as much as the first week. Here's hoping I can't hold much after the fill! I would be pretty depressed about the band right now and my lack of weight loss if not for these wonderful folks who have gone before - and had the same issues. Thanks, y'all!

I had the surgery and went home the same day. I know in my area, this is considered day surgery unless there are complications. I did fine, and would rather be home than in a hospital. The nurses checked to be sure everything was "flowing" by doing an x-ray while I swallowed a vile substance. I went home and drank some watered-down SlimFast, took my pain med, and rested well in my own recliner.

I have found that if I want to try something new, I take very small bites of it and chew well. I remember I was afraid to eat a cracker, but it was fine. That is how I approach the new foods. Of course, I am awaiting my first fill and don't have alot of restriction yet, but so far, no problems with almost anything I have tried using this method!

Longhorn, I like your attitude toward eating with the band. That is my goal, to be able to eat anything; just small amounts of it, and feeling full because of the restriction. It's loving the "freedom of my chains..." (lyrics to some old song in my brain:rolleyes). Have a blast at the Alamo Drafthouse... such a cool place, and Merry Christmas.

That is so cool, SueSue!! I am also 55, and I wonder about that because my wt loss is slower than I would like. It is good to see you lose 3 lbs and it helps me hang in there (of course with the band restriction, I have no choice but to hang in there!!!:rose:) That is what I love about it!

Hi from Austin! I was banded 3 weeks ago, and my state employee insurance totally excludes the procedure, so I was self-pay. That was my new car. It was (and is) totally worth it, because I can see how it is changing my eating behaviors. It's a tool, and you won't be thin in 2 weeks, but it is very "liveable." Good luck!!

I lost 10 lbs the first week on liquids. Then started mushies on day 7, and I gained 2 lbs. I cut back and lost it again, but the scales haven't moved past that 10 lbs. When I went to fitday.com and started counting my calories for all I really ate, I saw that I was eating more than 1200 calories. Duh.....it is easy to eat more calories than you think, even tho it isn't near the calories consumed pre-band. I still gotta watch my intake! And get back to exercising.

I am at post-op day 8, and beginning to feel better. I went to the grocery store and made it almost to the end of my list before having to check out.:crutch: I have been going to Curves 3x a week up until surgery...I'm thinking I can start back in a couple of days. I am curious as to when some of you went back to your routine?:bandit

One time I forgot I had the band, I was starving and got a bite of garlic bread from my hubby. I ate it (inhaled) like I used to do, and oh, my! It hurt! I just sipped a little water and waited, and finally (about a minute) it passed on through. :phanvan It feels like a fist right behind your breast bone. Needless to say, I don't forget about my band any more!

I am also struggling with slow wt. loss 3 weeks after surgery. I lost 8 lbs right away, then have lost, gained, and lost 2 lbs over the past 2 weeks. If not for reading these posts, I would be nutz. But, you have lost a net of 16 lbs and I have lost a net of 10 lbs in 3 weeks. That is pretty good, actually!:clap2:

I have found that when eating with other people, the chewing and eating slowly helps you keep up with those who are inhaling their food, and you are not finished way early and just sitting there...only you are eating so much less and end up just as full!:biggrin1:

Try a heating pad - it helps the gas, too...

The day I got home from surgery, everything was too tight, so I cut the waistband of my favorite sweatpants. I felt pregnant! Then the swelling subsides....

If it goes thru whole to your lower stomach it will be as if you don't have the band. The pill has to be pretty small...

Jack, thanks for the referral to fitday.com. It is fast and easy to use. I can see that it will be very helpful to me!

Trana, I see you get fills in Chattanooga....I lived in Rossville, Ga for awhile and loved it - you actually have seasons! In Austin, there are 2 seasons....hot hot summer and a springy fall with a little ice thrown in once in awhile.

Trana, that is Soooo good to hear! Congratulations! I have always been a slow loser, and while I only have 60 lbs left to lose, I know it will take me 9 months or more. That is ok, 'cuz I know it isn't coming back - I can't eat nearly as much as I could pre-band. So glad to hear of your success. :clap2:

I take the chewable children's motrin - but not in the dosage it would require for back pain. Only 400 mg and taken with food. For back pain, the dosage is usually 600-800 mg. I don't recall my doc saying don't take it, but I probably wouldn't take the high dosage. Ask your doc - there are lots of other good pain meds that are non-narcotic out there. Good luck!