MNilene

Here are a fw I put together: #1 is March 2007 #2 Yike Most unflattering ~ Dec 20 2007 night before surgery:eek: #3 Today March 14 2008

Haven't posted for a couple of weeks....Slipped (or lived?)a bit after Valentines Day, but still have had a few NSV to clelebrate! A parent of some children at the school where I work stopped me & said, there's something differnt about you...I replied, I cut my hair short, it looks more red now. She said NO, it's something else, as she motioned up & down her body & said you have lost some weight girl! :thumbup:It was nice to have someone who didn't know about my surgery say that! A p/t staff also approached me (she knows about my surgery) & said I think you are losing weigth everyday that I see you! I have a fleece jacket with school logo that has ALWAYS ben tight & I rarely wore it. Wiht the weather here being in the 20 below range the last week, I reluctantly grabbed it & WOW It fit nice, zipped it up & room to move! I also bought a new winter coat in XL, my last was a men's 2X. I can also wear my NEW belt (helps to keep the old pants up ) on the THIRD hole! Found 4 old pants, one still with tags that I could never fit into & they fit & are even a bit loose in the legs! Even had to dig out an old & smaller bathing suit for my water aerobics class! WOW..If I can do this & be successful....so can everyone else! MNILENE Surgery date 12/20/07 Dr. Redd Theif River Falls MN url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wGCmAbf/] [/url]

I've lost a cinder block. No wonder my clothes fit better! MNilene Banded 12/20/07 Dr Redd Theif River Falls MN url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wGCmAbf/] [/url]

I just came back from my 2nd Dr visit since surgery on Dec 20. So far I have lost 29 pounds. He recommended waiting for 2 more months for a fill, since I am losing sucessfully. He will do a fill sooner, if my weight loss decreases or my hunger increases. Seemed resonable to me.:biggrin: MNIlene

Sounds like you are resting comfortably at home...You'll regain your strength/energy within a week. Then you can start to enjoy your new banded life! Welcome & Good Luck on your journey! :regular_smile: Ilene Banded 12/20/07

[i try to get to the Y at least 2 times a week for water aerobics, but it is usually more like once a week. But, I thinkI am losing at a good pace....I often motivtae myself thinking, wow if I do this good without excersie, maybe I SHOULD do more!:eek: Banded 12/20/07 Dr Redd Thief River Falls MN

Hope these post. Firts pic from about MArch 07. Other pic from tonight just before bed, a little experiment (not my best photo moment :girl_hug:). Exactly one month out from surgery.

I am a teacher ass't wth preschoolers. I set my surgery date in August knowing it would be easier for me & the school/class t do it over a school break. I could've don it in Seotember, but after hving te summer off, doing over break semed like a good choice & it worked quite well for me. Ilene I had m surgery on Dec 20, just a couple of days before our winter break & had off until Jan 2. DEFINATLEY needed the rest the first 3-4days, by the middle of week 2, I think I could have gone back. Felt great to be back, just took it easy, no lifting. I asked the children to be careful of my tummy were I had stitches they were curious, but careful.

HI all, My surgery was 12/20. From my post on JAn 2 of being so BLue, things did turn around, as all your words of wisdom told me they would. I am down from Nov about 21 lbs, but better than that is: My wedding rings no longer cut the circulation off my finger. I bought a belt to keep my pants up. I don't miss food as much as I did a few weeks back (especially during the liquid diet phase!) My favorite though, is after an evening of intamacy :mad: ~ the next morning, my husband told me, Baby, you even feel different already.

I too, had a tough few days...an out of town trip with Girl Scouts, to where we were not allowed to bring outside food or drink, pizza, pop - none of that for me, water only. Then doughnuts for breakfast, a stop at a fast food place was too much for me too. Oh well, I know I will do better now that I am back on my regular schedule. Ilene

HI all, Didn't wnat to jump into the New Year feeling down...But, I'm not even at 2 full weeks out, was banded 12/20. Everywhere I look & see people eating, big people, I think, why did I do this, why couldn't I just be fat & happy like them, why do they get to EAT??? Why can they eat & eat & it's just okay. I know that wihtin a few short weeks I too will be eating real food again, hell, I've evn lost 10 pounds already, but I still can't shake this feeling :cry Happy & HEalthy new year to everyone! Ilene

THANKS so MUCH for all your thought & support! Being that I will also be returning to work tommorrow will help take my mind off of food & get me back on schedule with my life & allow things to fall into place. Also knowing I go back for a post op exam on Thursaday & will be able to each mushies helps too! LOL Ilene

When I first went to the informational meeting, I too was told I would have to be charted weight loss for so long, prior attempts with a dietition, physc eval, liquid drink for pre & post op & all this HAD to be done through THIER hopspital/drs/pharmacy, etc! Unlike most it was my insurance copmany that didn't demand that much(AND wouldn't pay for all that!), so I became discouraged & put it aside. Then I looked into other Drs/Hospitals....I found one, granted, it is a 2 hr drive from my home, a bit of a drive for exams, but I am going to switch to a local DR once all the preop stuff is done. So, Vent & look into other alternatives as you get the ball rolling for your first option...you never know what you will find out! Good Luck in your journay. Ilene Banded 12/20/07 Dr. Redd Theif River Falls MN

Hi all! I am now 7 days after surgery & really feel almost back to myself...Port area is still tender, but, otherwise feeeling Fine :whoo:! I am on a 2 week CLEAR liquid post op, broth, Water, decaf tea, Jello,suger free popsicles. Am sip,sip,sipping all through the day & am STARVING! Am going to call my Dr tommorrow, maybe even a Protein shake or something....Otherwise it's the Clear liquids unitl Jan 4 :rolleyes Ilene

Just got home from the hospital tonight. I feel pretty good, holding liquids down okay. My stay at the hospital, was YUCKY! I couldn't sleep, rolled around thinking, what have I done?!?! I am hoping to feel better tommorrow. I know it'll all work out.... Ilene

Hi all! I live in MN. My surgery date is Dec 20. I am excited, nervous, excited! LOL! I will have 2 weeks (winter break) off from my job as a TA after surgery, so I think I made good planning choices. My dr doesn't require preop liquid diet, but I am going to do so at least a wwek prior, I think it will make my bowel cleansing I need to do the day before easier (laxitives, liquids only day before preop). Have been reading alot & am looking forward to my new life!