Jazzywoman

I look at my port.. and it's a bump on my belly. I think of it as my "badge of Courage". It's also a reminder of my goal. Besides.. i will NEVER bear my belly in public! *eeewwww gross!*

I'm 2 months out.. and I can eat oranges as long as I don't eat the membrane around them... I also eat grapefruits peeled like oranges. Apples.. give me some trouble... I never thought of eating oranges like a grapefruit. :)O mmmmm

I think we've all gone through these feelings. I know I have!!! Let yourself have "the moment", then start new tomorrow. Food had been such a comfort in the past for me.. it's just a grieving process.. Huggles, dear one!

It does take a long time to decide! But once you decide on a dr. it will be much easier! I went to Dr. Trace Curry because he was highly recommended by a friend who had her surgery done by him. I went to the seminar, and decided that he was the right one for me. :wink_smile: First, check with your insurance to make sure they cover banding. You might also want to ask what the qualifications are in order to be banded. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and a bmi of over 35. I found out before I even started looking for a dr. Just a thought. :wink2:

Valentines day??? I had the liquid diet over CHRISTMAS!!!! Now that was a killer!!!!

Many of the items on that list are really not necessary... If anything .. I would say the gas-x, sugar free popsicles, broths are the most important things to have. Everything else isn't necessary.

Mine is the same way!!! It growls and I think everyone can hear! That's when I usually just drink a big glass of water and it quiets down.

I can eat oranges as long as I peel the outer membrane and chew the rest. If I eat too quickly or swallow too much whole.. I get a stuck incident. I love grapefruit peeled and eaten like an orange too!!! YUM!

giving up food is sorta like ... a very bad breakup between you and a boyfriend.. it's like losing your best friend... like ripping off a bandage from a very hairy arm. You go through a grieving process when you give up foods, and it's often difficult to adjust to a healthier lifestyle. For those of us who are older, we have had a longer love affair with food and it's hard to get through it. That's why many go to counseling. It's also required by many insurance companies.

Sorry to be a party pooper... My pain was a 7 after surgery, and after 5 hrs in pain, it finally subsided to a 3. I also had a hernia repair. By day 3 I was much much better, but still in some discomfort. I am a tummy sleeper, so I bit the bullet one night.. mostly because I had intense gas.. and laid on my tummy.. 3 days post op. It hurt less than sitting up! Be realistic... you may or may not be in pain... it's definately different for everyone. However.. on day 2.. I cursed myself and wondered why I decided to do "this" to my body..

You can't really get onto the site unless you have the surgeon's number AND another special number that goes along with your band. The dr.'s office is supposed to give you that info based on the physician and band type. My dr. gave me his number, but not the "band" number. I'll find out today when I go for my fill.

Welcome! with just 20 pounds gone, my feet don't hurt, nor do my ankles or knees hurt anymore! It's a great decision.. although at times you will wonder why you did it... It's ALL worth it! :confused:

Wow! Welcome! I have Anthem Blue/PPO and it was so quick and easy to get approved. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and my bmi was 40. No questions, quick approval - within 2 weeks! Welcome to the journey!

Welcome and I love your attitude! Congrats on your surgery date! It will be a life changing experience - I promise! The hardest is getting through the pre-op because of the excitement and anticipation of what's to come! We are all here with you on your journey! Huggles.

Welcome to the losers club!! I have twins too! They are 24yrs old, but my belly is shot too! Knowledge is crucial. Keep reading and asking questions, because that's how we learn. I'm almost 1.5 months out of surgery, and I feel really great! I've not lost much yet, but I'm getting there! It's normal to be nervous, and... well.. terrified- I was. Your dr. should make you feel comfortable. If he/she doesn't.. find someone else. Also make sure that your insurance pays for the surgery, and what the requirements are. Huggles dear one!

I'm right there with you. I'm a month out, and feel like I have no restriction. I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery, but now, the scale hasn't moved!!!! I've been trying to eat no more than 1 cup of food at a meal, but my tummy still gurgles and I feel hungry. I've had a fill of 2cc in my 9 cc band. I go next week, and I want another, more aggressive, fill. Like maybe 5cc!!!! I feel like I want to eat an entire box of chocolate chip Cookies, followed with a half gallon of Mint chocolate chip icecream, then finish it off with some salty potato chips.

I had one too! I didn't know I had one till after surgery. Before surgery, I would get incredible indigestion, but only occasionally. I think I had some extra pain where he repaired the hernia, because it burned soooo badly after surgery. Now 3.5 weeks out.. and I feel absolutely wonderful!!! I never did take any type of meds for the indigestion, and still don't!

golly.. I only got 2.1 cc in my Realize band. I go back in 2 weeks for another follow up, and a fill if i need it!

I had 2 weeks of last suppers! Got it out of my system, then went on the 2 week pre-0p diet and did fine! Lost 20 pounds. I don't miss any of it now. With my change of habits, also came a change of mind. I now realize what I was doing to my body with all that garbage food. I cook more at home with fresh ingredients, and it's 100 times better than any restaurant!

My dr. said that if my temp was 100 or more to call immediately. A low grade fever was normal. I'm just 3 weeks out, and I do remember that ton of bricks feeling. I was walking stooped a bit to protect my tummy and I wasn't taking deep breaths. I had soooooooo many mixed emotions during that recovery period. Even wondered WHY I did this to myself. But, now... I'm absolutely happy I did it. Give it time.. but do keep that fever monitored. Oh, and the headache.. do you have High blood pressure? If so.. are you taking your meds? I thought I was having migrains, but turned out to be HBP. Hang in there!

Hello fello Ohio people! I was banded yesterday at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, by Dr. Trace Curry.:clap2: I'm feeling really well, just some discomfort. But that's why they have meds, isn't it! Anyway.. time to walk and drink.. walk and drink...:flock::flock: Mary

Any Whey Protein powder has no taste and just a slight vanilla smell. I put it in my coffee (which according to my dr. is a clear liquid). I gagged any time I tried to use anything else. Try Bariatric Advantage Vitamins. I buy lots of things online, just make sure that the products are intended for adult use, and bariatric patients. You probably won't be taking vitamins for a while after surgery, so you can do some research before you actually have to purchase any. I'm also 3 weeks out of surgery, and just started taking vitamins.

I take Bariatric Advantage chewable multi Vitamin and Calcium. I also use the Any whey Protein powder in my coffee and on foods. It doesn't smell or taste funny. Just a slight vanilla smell. The Bariatric Advantage come in flavored tablets. The consistency is like eating a tums. They aren't bad.. but they sure do not taste like candy! Just a caution on medications. I asked my pharmacist if my pills could be crushed or broken because some meds should NEVER be broken. I take meds for high cholesterol and blood pressure. The pharmacist researched each for me and found that my meds can be broken. I've had my first fill, and so far haven't had to break any of my meds. I just have to take them one at a time. :biggrin:

I'm down 20 pounds!!! Yay! My butt isn't as big, nor are my legs.. and my jeans are really baggy!!! I just got the go ahead from my dr to start exercising, so I'm gonna get that going. I also got my first fill, and it's not as restrictive as I had hoped, but I go again in 2 weeks. Keep working Volemt23!! It is all worth it... the process is harder than the actual surgery.

Good Morning!! I'm Mary.. 49, married, 4 kids 2 grandsons I was banded December 27th, 07, and I'm hungry. I'm in Ohio, where it is rather snowy at the moment. Every notice how snow makes you think of vanilla ice cream, and if a rabbit happens to come trotting by.. you think of chocolate chip ice cream, and when you let the doggies out.. French Vanilla Ice Cream... Um.. i think I have an ice cream problem.. *sigh*