diane-south fla

Hi! I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area and wondering if there are any bandsters in the area? I am having surgery on Jan 29 at Cleveland Clinic, Weston FL. Like to share experiences!

It has been awhile since I posted - have been moving from our Florida residence to our home in south Georgia. That and all the things that go with getting a house together the way we want (or rather, can afford!) it to be. Retired, moved, life changing! My victories: I love the way I am looking! :tt1: My husband said I was really getting a nice butt! :ohmy: All of my clothes don't fit! :confused2: Keep trying on sizes that are way too big! Am exercising at Curves 4 days a week, working up to 5. :w00t: I have ribs, a waist, thighs (a lot more skin than I want) :eek: My sons say I look like a different person :thumbup: I am happy! I am pleased with my loss so far, knowing that I still battle the snaking urge. Try to keep it healthy. I have had one fill and am heading back to Florida to see Dr. mid June and get a second fill. Hope that helps pick up the weight loss pace. Exercising has been critical to me. Never thought I could do it - but I am and it works. I feel soooooo much better. Glad that everyone is doing well - we all do it our own way and at our own pace! My pace is slower but steady!! diane

Lena23: Just take it easy and follow your Dr.s instructions. I work so I took off 2 full weeks and that was just about right for me. The first 3 or 4 days were very tiring and I gradually picked up enegry. Kept up with my Protein drinks and just let myself heal. Listen to your body, you will know when you are pushing yourself. Some people go back to work in several days - that wasn't for me, but I am also older. And, my company gives me the time so I took it. Good luck and don't push yourself! diane

Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL does fills with fluoroscopy. Dr. Szomstein is my Dr. - it is fast and easy. My insurance pays for it, so I am not sure about the costs.

Just to let you all know - I spoke to Dr. Bagnato's office and they do take patients who have had surgery done elsewhere. Thank heavens! So many Dr.s do not take other patients and she said fills were $150. Quite reasonable considering they are 3 times that here! However, my insurance pays for it. They were very helpful and took all of my info. I will make an appointment with them when I get up there the first of April. I am very excited about this move. We have owned our home in Bainbridge for 6 months, and we really love it up there. I was hoping to have sold our house in FL much sooner. It has finally sold and I am eagerly anticipating a move to a much quieter, less stressful lifestyle. I will tell some some about my saga here........I chose to have the lapband surgery after much research and like so many of us..having failed too many times at diets. I had recently lost 60 pounds and was well on my way to putting it back on - gained almost 30 back. So, I had the surgery 1-25-08. It went very smoothly, I had no major problems and healed quickly. I was also very lucky that insurance paid for it. I lost 27 pounds in the 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Then I felt like there was no difference in my pre and post lap-band self. I had a very difficult time and struggled with my intake until my first fill. I received a 4 cc fill yesterday and it has made all the difference! I KNOW it may not last........but then again, it just may. I like to be optimistic! Total weight loss is 31 pounds as of today. I am married, will be going into semi-retirement. My elderly mother lives with us, along with three golden retrievers! They are much easier to handle than my mother! Will be working part time from home so am also anxious to join a gym and get moving with exercise. Walking is just not making much difference. Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to meeting all of you. diane

Hello to all: I have been reading your posts here regarding your surgeries with Dr. Bagnato. I had my surgery on 1/25/08 at Cleveland Clinic in South FL. Just had my first fill. I am moving from South Florida to Bainbridge GA the first of April. In doing my research it would seem that Dr. Bagnato in Albany is the closest physician for me and certainly one who seems to be held in very high regard by all of you! I am unclear on if he does the fills, if he takes insurance for the fills, does he do them under fluoroscopy?? I will be contacting him to get get an appointment once we move and I surely hope you all will adopt me as an orphan even though I did not have my surgery with him??!! You have a very close and supportive group, something I have not really had here in FL. Thanks for any input you can provide me! Much appreciated! Diane

I haven't been posting recently since we have just sold our house in FL and are moving to our home in GA. Going into semi-retirement. Busy packing and organizing! Had a good deal of trouble the last 3 weeks and had not lost one more pound. Eating anything I wanted with no restriction but still trying to watch what and how much I eat. My saving grace is that I have not gained any back! Just had my first fill this morning. He put in 4 cc and I already feel the restriction! Could only eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of cottage cheese for lunch and feel very full. I can feel a huge difference. Surely hope it lasts! Ang1982 - when do you get your first fill?..............make sure you tell your Dr. how hard it is for you without restriction. I felt the same way and let him know what a struggle it has been. He said he would be somewhat aggressive, put in 5 cc and thought that was too much so took out 1cc. Right now.......it has made all the difference in the world. Besides just losing the weight, I have seen a big difference in my clothes. That is encouraging! Down 2 sizes so far. We just bought a boat for our retirement and I want to be out on that boat in shorts (at my age a bikini is just NOT going to work!!) I would love to be down another 30 pds by June and will make that my mini goal! I have learned that I can't do this on my own, that I must be patient with the process and with myself. And I need to heal physically and mentally!!! Good luck all!

Congrats on your surgery! Good place to be recovering - home! Let everyone wait on you hand and foot, since you may never get the chance again. Good to have the support. Take care!

Hey all: Things are doing well for me. I am 8 days banded and feeling well. I see the Dr. post opt on Monday, I started on cottage cheese and eggbeaters, yogurt, but still keep up my Protein s hakes twice a day. All in all, I can't complain. My weight loss has been steady and I have felt pretty well. Still some pain at the port site, but otherwise healing quickly. I can tell that there is some restriction. Protein shakes go down fairly easily, but the eggbeaters and cottage cheese fill me up pretty quickly. Maybe get in 1/4 to 1/2 cup max. Taking another week off work to fully recuperate before I go back. hair doing OK - knock on wood!! And I surely do know about H0uston humidity! We lived there for several years. Now we are in South Florida, which is actually less humid than Houston! We get seabreeze all the time. Y'all take care now! Glad everyone is doing so well!

It gets better each day. It was Day 3 and 4 that I really felt a bit more normal and the gas really subsided. I still have pain at the port site, but have been able to sleep on my side. Not a good back sleeper. It is Day 6 and I am starting my walks about 3/4 mile. But, the first 3 or 4 days are shakey! Hang in there and take it easy. Trust your body.....it is healing! Glad you are all doing this well.

It is hard but you can do it. Use a container t hat has 12 or 16 ounces in it and just keep sipping. Remember, you take in liquid with each protein shake. Use Crystal light, Diet iced tea, broth........it all counts. I try to get 30 ounces in by noon and get a big amount out of the way....sip...sip...sip....constantly. You can do it!

I second all of that. I gained 4 pounds the day after surgery! It is Water and swelling. It will go away. Stay away from the scale for a few days. Mine came off very quickly after I got up and moving around. As to food, everyone is different. Check with your Doctor. Mine sent me home with a very specific eating plan for the first month. Take care and take it easy!

Amber: You do what is right for you and only you know that. It isn't time for you now. You always know tht this is an option and I truly hope that there is an easy path for you to follow. Take care and know that you heart is right!

Worried about you! Glad you are doing better! Take it easy and slow! This will so be worth it!

Let us know how it goes. You will be good! It's hard to get in all the liquid. I do it with 3 shakes and 2 water bottles of 20 ounces, plus 8 - 16 iced tea. It is really alot but I know I need it. It seems like I am always sipping. Dehydration can surely cause the lightheadedness and headaches. Take it easy.

Yep - clear liquids only for the first day. Day two was protein shakes and clear liquids. Even had a little egg beaters for breakfast. I am doing well with the eating, just now starting to feel some hunger in the late afternoons. Having problems with pain at the port site, but in only 4 days, I guess I am expecting too much! I did get up and walk this morning for about 20 minutes. Hang in there and keep us posted on your progress!

Amber - it's coming up - let us hear from you.

Amy - I was banded the same day - no problems like this. Shakes going down fine if I SIP! This does not sound right - CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! Don't take a chance here! Keep us posted!

Congrats A1barb! Glad you came through so well! I was banded on Friday too and still have some pain at the port incision if I get up in a strained position, but other than that........doing great. Sounds like you are too! Take it easy.....recover well!

Crystal: Congratulations!! Glad you are home and doing well. Trust your body and get good rest. That has helped me the most. Keep us posted.

Good Luck to all of you 29thers! May you have an easy surgery and swift recovery! diane

Good Luck Crustal and PeachesPJ! You are on your way now!

Good luck to all of you January 28th bandsters! May your surgery be easy and your recovery swift!

Hi there! I was banded on the 25th and had only clear liquids day 1 and 2. Now on "phase 2" = protein shakes, broth, diet jello for the next week. See the Dr. in one week and probably move on to mushies. Quite frankly, I am having a hard time even getting in 4 ounces of protein shake. Had a little chicken broth just before and it really filled me up. I would imagine that this will get real old as the week goes by and I feel better!

Same here, shots to stop blood clots, also leg massaging stockings in my hospital. They get you up and walking soon. Those complications are rare and they take plenty of precautions. Hang in there. The odds are very very low.