CTman

I have just attended my first meeting. I'm already scheduled to meet with the dietician, therapist and doctor. I'm very nervous about the surgery and post op pain. It would be great to here from fellow CT pre/post banders. I will be having my surgery at St. Vincents in Bridgeport. C'mon, CT let's not live up to our cruel and cold reputation and support on another. :help: Ctmann 5' 11", 301lbs. BMI = 41 12/11/07 - Initial Meeting 12/18/07 - Therapist & Dietician 01/03/07 - Dr. Ehrlich Visit

Hey CTband FAM, I havent been here in about 5 months. How is everybody doing? I wa not very focused over the summer. I have had 3 fills and am at about 5.5cc in the band. I do have some restriction. I think Im ging t go up tp 6.0 cc very soon though. I am currently 265lbs. and would like to reach my goal by March2009 . 65lbs. more lbs to go!!! The 1st meal of the day is the hardest. I have to chew chew chew. Gas continues to be an issue but I am learning how to adjust to it more and more. :frown: Today not too much wanted to stay down but tomrrow will be better. Hang in there everybody, we can do this. YES WE CAN :thumbup: Peace, CTman = Chris

It may take a few days but lay in any position that is comfortable. I now feel very comfortable laying on my stomach. It helps with getting rid of some gas

Hey Everybody, I havent been here in a couple weeks. I hope everyone is progressing well. April 4th I reached my 1mo. post op and had my 1st fill. I had a slight restriction right after surgery and now a little more. I see Dr. Erhlich in 2 weeks and I'm going to request a second fill. My port sight had just stopped being sore but it has kicked up a lil sensativity getting a fill. I am currently stuck at 269.0 so Im increasing the liquid protein and exercise. Best wishes to all of you and keepin going, it's going to pay off in the end. CTman

Hey Ct Bandsisters, I hope all are healing and loosing well. Today is my 2wk. preop and all is going great. The gas is almost completely gone. I still have a black and blue that is fading on my stomach and the sites are healing well but itchy. I'm walking everyday and joining the gym next Fri. CTcutie welcome to the fam. This site and especially this spot is full of the most supportive people you could ever meet. The Optifast shakes are good. I cheated 1 day and lost 15 lbs in 2wks. The chocolate was my favorite but they are all good. Ffld County Bariatrics are the best. Dr. Ehrlich was excellent to me. They kept me well informed and I researched a lot before I even went to the initial seminar. Surgery was a breeze and post op hasn't been bad at all. Good luck and remember you can do all things through HIM that gives you strength. Blessings to all of you ~ Chris = CTman PS. SHARONA - I made some changes just for u !!!

Sharona, OUCH !!! How is the beach and a scale "prissy". I like beaches and warm weather is my favorite. Hopefully all goes well for you today. When u wake up I hope you're lighter and nicer. CTman

Hey Ladies, Well I've finally made my 1st week. The post op diet is going well. The gas pains have decreased. I went to my primary phys. today. He was very happy to see that I have been losing. I see Dr. Erhlick thurs. AM , I hope I'm down to 270 by then. Im walking morning and evening now and increasing my Protein intake with powder. Im working to get this 5lbs off by Thurs. Cmon ladies let's press in and exercise some more to lose a few more pounds. We can do it. The CT Band Fam Rcoks !!! Sharona u will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Let us know as soon as you can about how well you are doing. I'm so excited for you. You know we have to work on the CT fellaz. I didnt realize I was the only one. They don't know what they are missing.

Ok here goes, my 15 yr. old is helpin me out, hope it works....

Girls I dont know how to do the ticker, Im really bad at those kind of things. I weighed 301.9, 2weeks prior to surgery. After 2weeks of Optifast the day of surgery I weighed in at 287.1. It's day 4 and I went on a 20 minute walk with my wife. Tonight I weigh 274.1. I am able to get down all the fluids I want and protein. I have to admit I did have a 1/2 a cup of blended smooth clam chowder and have not had a problem. The swollen belly and gas are my only issue. Shortgal you are right everyday gets better and better. You gals are the best band sisters in the world. Your support has been outrageous and I love and appreciate each of you. :thumbup: I'm lookin forward to the calender and we do have to get together this spring/summer to celebrate our weight losses and reached goals. Blessings ~ CTman

Hi Everyone, I was banded on 3/4 at 11:30AM. I woke up a lil disoriented but quickly realized I was okay and on my way to the Recovery Room. Pain has been minimal, gas has been getting better everyday. I'm struggling through the clear liquid week, next week is full liquids, week (3)purees, week (4) mushies and then full liquids. It gets difficult when everyone else is eating but, I have been constantly reminding myself why I did this. Good luck to everyone, we can do this.

Hi Big Unc and Ousooner, Thanks for your well wishes. Yup I was banded on 3/4/08. I'm doing much better than expected. I started walking as soon as they let me out of the RR bed to get into the chair in my room, The first night I had some gas pain that they were very attentive with handling. I have had no other pains, no nausea, no vomitting. I walked another 10 laps and ate breakfast and most of lunch before leaving the hospital. I've been lapping the house and today I think I'm going to walk a few blocks. Next week I'll be starting to do some working out at the gym. Thanks again and lets all keep encouraging on another. CTman

Hi Ct Band Fam, Sorry I didn't get back to you all but I was answering my family's emails and calls late into the evening. I am so very thankful for all of your well wishes and concern, I am blessed to have all of you in my online life. Well I arrived promptly at 9am, I went into the recovery room at about 9:30am, of course they were behind schedule sooo they played the stall game, introduced me to the anesthesia team, Dr Erhlick also came in and really helped me to calm down, and then took my glasses so it was a blurred walk to the OR, It also got colder at every turn. The OR was an ice box and Renae came up and reassurred me that everything should be completed in about 45mins. Gail started the IV and I woke u to someone saying Chris, you're in the OR and your okay as I began to calm down I was called a "freakazoid", I guess I was a little too disoriented for some of them. I woke with no pain. At 1:30pm I was finally taken to the RR and then to my room at 3:30. I walked about 5 laps around the unit after dinner and then 5 more before bed. The nurses were excellent. I did take pain meds twice due to gas pain but was able to take in fluids all night. I went to sleep around midnight. At 4am I woke and walked 5 more laps to get rid of the gas pain. went back to sleep, Ate breakfast and most of lunch ( decaf tea, 2 equal, jello, sugar free juice). Then my roomate left, I met with Renae again and she said I didnt look like I'd had surgery, I was discharged about 12:30 today. I made a quick trip to GNC to pick up a few things, sipped apple melon isopure with flavored no cal spring water,took some liquid tylenol, napped and then sipped broth, relaxed on the couch and in my bed and drank more protein drink, decaf tea and called it a night. Im looking for the gas to calm some, I have walked and taken some Gas x strips so we will see what tomorrow brings. The long and short of it is Im doing much better than I expected and I hope all of you that are waiting have even less to deal with. It'd official CTman id BANDED!!!!

Good morning KBosco & Beachcomber, Today is the day and I will be arriving at the hospital at 9am scheduled for 10:15am. I'm bringing my laptop so hopefully I can get a signal to chat and post later. I must admit I'm just a little anxious but I'm ready. Have a great day CT band fam and I'll talk with you all later. Blessings, CTman

Hey guys, I'm Chris and I am being banded this morning (3/4) in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Good luck guys, CTman

Hello March 4th Banders, I'm going in at 9am and am scheduled for 10:15am. Best Wishes to all of my band brothers & sisters pre/present and post. I pray all of you have minimal pain, speedy recovery and reach your goals. We are Marching On, CTman

How crazy is the name issue.... So since George Bush is the worst president we've had for way to long, should I hate everyone named George. people need to email CNN and others like crazy when they make foolish statements!!!!! Good Luck to everybody, CTman

KBosco, welcome and thank you for your encouraging words, what great timing, this Optifast diet has been a struggle, now Im doing clear today and tomorrow. I think the antibiotics have made it more difficult too. I have to keep telling myself just one more day. I met another band brother that just got abnded last week and he was up walking around with minimal discomfort. I hopemy post op experience is like that. Thanks again for the good news, I'll keep you posted. CTman

Hi Sharon, To be honest I started the Preop Diet last Mon. This past wkend I cheated on Sat. & Sun riding back from NC. I'm back on track but I really have to be focused. 3/4 Tues. will be here before I know it. 2 days before surgery is clear liquids only. The Optifast is convenient because its in juice boxes now. There's no mixing. Chocolate is my favorite but I have all three flavors. Thanks for your encouraging words and checkin up on me. 40 ish, 300.9lbs, 5'11", BMI = 41, (Optifast diet for 2wks. prior to surgery) 12/08/07 - Initial Seminar 12/18/07 - Therapist & Nutritionist Appts. 01/03/08 - Met w/ Dr. Ehrlich - Surgeon, Bloodwork, Gallbladder ultrasound 01/08/08 - Primary Care, EKG, more bloodwork 01/15/08 - Blasted the PC office so the Surgeon's billing dept. should have all of my paperwork. 02/14/08 - PreOp appointment & 2wks. of Optifast Diet 03/04/08 - I will be getting banded at St.Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. A Speedy Recovery wishes to everyone !!!!

I actually didnt have to start until yesterday 2/19 so Valentines Day I enjoyed my meal. Its Optifast and clears from now til March 4th.

Hi Sharona, My banddate is Tues. March 4th at 10:15am. I started my Optifast diet yesterday. So far so good. I went out to the Chinese restaurant with my co - workers and had plain broth with a few pieces of scallion and was actually full. I'm going to sip on a shake when I get back to the office because I want to keep my proteins up. I'm not going to weigh myself until 3/29. I'm walking everyday so I hope I lose at least 15lbs. Beachcomber - Oh I pray I don't need the liquid Tylenol. I'm so glad u haven't had any serious pain. Shortgal - How are you doing??? I hope all is going well for you. Osangriared - Thanks for join us and good luck to you. The Connecticut Crew Rocks !!!!

Congratulations Sharon, By 3/12 I should hopefully be on my feet and moving around. Yesterday was long. I had to take a 4 page quiz, pre admission, met with the anesthisia nurse, answered too many questions over and over,and was there 2 hours. I begin my Optifast diet Mon. for 12 days and the last 3 days until surgery I am on a clear liquid diet. I'm going to work very hard not to be grouchy. Thanks for asking about the ticker I have to get my going too. We are almost there!!!! Talk 2 u soon, Chris

WHOSYADADDY - Man you are like the most encouraging band brother , WOW, 100lbs. in 5mos. That would be the best birthday gift for me. You just motivated me to work that much harder. Thanks for posting and thanks for working so hard. Keep up the great , CTMAN

HEY it's mighty quiet in this place. Now that we have disagreed about the fact that weight loss is a problem for all races not just Black people we have stopped the dialogue. Bigbaby - where are you sis. I hope all are doing well with reaching there goals and for those of us that are awaiting our band dates... Keep holding on... Our great day will be here before you know it. Blessiings - CTman

Hey Joe, Thanks for you posts. They were very encouraging. I have high blood pressure and am a boarderline diabetic. I have 3 children so I know what you mean when you mean when you want to be healthy for your wife and kids. I'm from Ansonia, CT and am having my surgery in Bridgeport. Good Luck to you with reaching your weight loss goals. We have a Connecticut post in here, if you like, it would be great for you to come on in and let us know about your post op experiences. 42, 300.9lbs, 5'11", BMI = 41 12/08/07 - Initial Seminar 12/18/07 - Therapist & Nutritionist Appts. 01/03/08 - Met w/ Dr. Ehrlich - Surgeon, Bloodwork, Gallbladder ultrasound 01/08/08 - Primary Care, EKG, more bloodwork 01/15/08 - Blasted the PC office so the Surgeon's billing dept. should have all of my paperwork 01/29/08 -I got my band date 03/04/08 at St. Vincents in Bridgeport, CT, my pre op diet begins on 2/14/08. Thanks again and Good Luck, CTman = Chris

Hey Guys, Thanks for the Post/Op updates. I'm dreading the gas pains. That seems to be the major complaint of most new banders. I heard walking, heating pads and more walking helps. 42, 300.9lbs, 5'11", BMI = 41 12/08/07 - Initial Seminar 12/18/07 - Therapist & Nutritionist Appts. 01/03/08 - Met w/ Dr. Ehrlich - Surgeon, Bloodwork, Gallbladder ultrasound 01/08/08 - Primary Care, EKG, more bloodwork 01/15/08 - Blasted the PC office so the Surgeon's billing dept. should have all of my paperwork 01/29/08 -I got my band date 03/04/08 at St. Vincents in Bridgeport, CT, my pre op diet begins on 2/14/08. I'm eating all of my favorite foods this week because it's going to a long time before I can eat solid food again. Some of my favorites I may never have again. Good Luck to all you guys.