bamboobabe

Mia; Good for you. You're guardian angel was there for you after all. Hope you feel better soon. Georgia Girl; Are you doing protein shakes only? Slim-fast? How many per day? Going for my fill today and will be on liquids for three days, may join you in the protein shakes only journey.

Mia: Sorry to hear that you're under the weather. Hope you feel better soon. My heart goes out to you about your Mom. I lost my mom about six years ago and feels like yesterday to me. Though I know she would be so proud of me for taking this step, as I'm sure yours would be. I know it's nowhere near the same, but I'm sending you a big cyber hug with chicken noodle soup and kleenex w/lotion!!!:blushing: I know what you mean about grazing. I don't feel any restriction right now, and I'm going in for my 2nd fill 2morrow. Hope this one is the 'sweet one'.

My port is on the left side, about two inches above the left breast. My doctor places all his ports in the left shoulder area. This way, our fills don't have to be done with x-ray. The NP simply uses small needle to locate, check amount of fill in and add new fill. So simple.

Georgia Girl; It's sounds like your somewhat of a perfectionist. You're so understanding and compassionate with everyone else, and hardest on yourself. Well, you don't have to be. As you probably have read, I have a recent bout of depression and self-pity, but am feeling much better now thanks to the support of everyone here at LBT. The band is a tool that assists us with losing weight, it doesn't make us 'super-human'. Even the healthiest people ocassionally treat themselves. You have done exceptionally well thus far, and will get continue to do so. I believe in you!! TOM!!! Enough Said. Keep your head up. This too shall pass!!!

Wow Jonathan!!! Great job! Keep up the good work!

Mia; Thanks for the post. I know what you mean about not telling anyone. I honestly didn't think it would affect me this way, I'm the youngest of my siblings and I've always been somewhat of an open book with my family. Good and bad. My older sister laughs because she says that I don't know the meaning of 'private'. Well, I've just learned. And to top that off, I told my church members!! Biiiggg mistake!! Now I feel as though everyone is just waiting on Sunday morning to see if I'll look different. I suppose the flip side to that is some accountability for me. I also noticed our fill dates. It's been that way from the beginning. Malik did tell me that scheduling is so hectic, it changes by the hour. I was orignally scheduled for my second fill on the 17th, but called Malik to see if I could come in earlier, she had literally just checked 20 minutes earlier for someone else, and there was nothing before the 20th!!! Someone cancelled in between her last check and my call!!! Thank God!!! BTW, you are doing great! Don't beat yourself up about the weekend thing, it's a really hard habit to break. And three slices of thin crust is far better than a whole medium deep dish! And I'm really glad that you found your dress. At this rate, it will be too big by your wedding day!!! Now wouldn't that make you want to float down the isle to your intended one? (lol)

Hello Everyone and Welcome to the new Baganto Bunch!!! It's official. I am depressed and want to thank each of you in advance for lending a cyber-ear to my woes. I was banded on 1/18, and to be honest I didn't really do a pre-op diet. Went to a seminar, visited the office the next week and had my surgery on that Friday. The quick turn around was because I'd decided I wanted the band, but had to simply choose a doctor and being self-pay, I was able to schedule right away. With that being said, I lost 15 pounds the first week after surgery, another 3 before the first fill, and have toyed with losing and gaining the same three pounds since my first fill on 2/25. I feel as though I have very little restriction, I'm struggling to get in all of the water and I'm really not working out that much because I really don't feel motivated. I suppose pre-band counseling might have been a good idea and post-band is always an option, but I'm truly struggling right now. It's truly frustrating to have family and friends constantly ask, "How much have you lost?", and have nothing more to report. I have my second fill on 3/11 and I'm hoping that it works better for me than the first. I've joined the gym, and haven't truly taken advantage of it, so I went to Sears today and bought a treadmill. (On sale for 799) Now I will have no excuses for not exercising. I'm really glad that you guys are doing so well. I just want to be able to post some real success!!!!! Thanks again for letting me share. I honestly don't know what I'd do withough my fellow Bandits!!!

Allykat; That's wonderful and very thoughtful of your friends. You are very blessed to have such a great support system. The bracelet is simply beautiful.

Mia; Yes, I've lost 2 pounds since my fill on the 25th and gained 1 and lost one and gained........get my drift? It is driving me crazy!!! I think that maybe I'll just stay off the scales until once, maybe twice a week. BTW, congratulations to you, I noticed that your ticker changed! Good for you!!

Mia; I hope your new scales bring good news for you!!! I've been toying with the same 2 pounds for a few days now. Up one day, down the next. It's really discouraging. I can feel less restriction now and it's only been about a week. I get my second fill on the 17th. Hopefully it will work. Georgia Girl; How's the excercise working for you? I have a gym membership, but haven't really taken full advantage. I have a friend who is also a personal trainer, I'm thinking of biting the bullet and buying a couple of "discounted" sessions per week. I try to use the walk away the pounds at home to get 'something' in. Do you workout at home or in the gym?

Jack; Was just sitting hear having a self-pity party and came across this thread. Thanks for the encouragement. I've lost 20 pounds now since surgery, but the first 15 were one week post and it's kind of frustrating now that I've finally had my first fill on 1/25. Feel some restriction, but can still eat more than 'the cup'. Your words made me take an honest look at myself and realize that I haven't done a great deal to work this wonderful new 'tool' I've acquired. So thanks again.

I was banded on January 18th, and my doctor places the port on the left shoulder area. It's actually above the left breast. I sometimes still feel sensativity/achiness when I sleep in certain positions. It sometimes ache in the area if I wear a bra with underwire. Other times, most times, I hardly notice it's there. I don't know where you're port is placed, but I think it just takes time to completely heal and build scar tissue around it.

Wow Pamela and Mia!!!!!!! You guys are doing so well. Pamela, you look completely adorable and I love the bangs. Can't wait to see you with the sassy bob!! You could honestly do it now, but I understand wanting to wait for the 'goal makeover'. Mia, I can definitely see a change in the face. Way to go! Unfortunately, I don't see much change in myself. Down 20 pounds now and feel so much better, my family says they see it, but I'm still waiting. Will post before and during soon. Maybe another ten pounds!! Lord, I hope that's sooner than later!!

Sherri; Good for you. I hope that everything works out with the insurance. I was a self-pay, but think it's so worth it. I'd rather spend the money now by choice than later with some debilitating, weight-related health issue. Good luck and hopefully we'll be welcoming you to lapband land soon!!

Lindey; Welcome to Lapband Land!!! I'm glad things went well with your surgery. Only about 4 to 5 weeks to see if you can tolerate your favorite foods. Hope all continues to go well with you.

Georgia Girl; April would be great for me. I really am anxious to meet everyone. How about maybe a Saturday lunch? That way those of us who are about two hours can have easier travels? If that's not good, then I'll just have to get a non-banded companion to travel with me on a weekday. Either way is fine because I would live to be able to put faces with all of my newest friends. And life-lines!!! Literally!! :w00t:

Georgia Girl; Thanks for the info. I will check out the ones you recommended.

Mia; Congratulations on your weightloss!!! Wow, and to think you were really stressing. I think Malik and Elizabeth are such an inspiration. We're lucky to be a part of such a great team! I was down another pound this morning and will post a ticker as soon as I figure out how. (lol) BTW, where can we find the scales?

Brina; Thanks for the post. Your words were expressed beautifully. So much so that I felt as though I was speaking them. Thanks again, and I'm glad you're healing well. Mia; Sometimes we just have to step outside of our "woe is me box" and be grateful for all that we have. And this includes the extra weight. The way I see it, some people have crack, alcohol, gambling, etc. I have food. That's my addiction, but it can be managed with this wonderful new tool. Isn't a good sermon just wonderful when you need it most? Thank God for Jesus! Take Care.

Brina; I'm glad that you came through your surgery fine. I had no doubt!! Be sure to put the little ointment in the tube on your band when the vibrations become more intense. It really did help me a lot, as I have never heaved once. Get some rest, remember to try and walk as much as possible and I'll be thinking of you. Take care.

Hi Guys; I had my first fill today and everything went great. It was a real pleasure meeting Malik and Elizabeth. I didn't feel as though I had any restriction, but Elizabeth checked and there was 1cc in my band. She added three more. I did fine on the swallow test and have felt o'kay. Just a little hungry because I really didn't eat anything today because I wasn't sure of what to expect. I'm gonna have a lowcarb slim-fast and see if that helps. How long were you guys on liquids after your fill?

Mia; Congratulations on your first NSV!!! The numbers are moving slowly for me at this point as well, but my first fill is on tomorrow and I am so excited! I hope to be one of those lucky ones who hits their sweet-spot with the first one!! During my initial consultation Terri told me that some only need one fill and most only need two. Hopefully I'll be in the first category. Do you not feel any restriction at all with the fill given at the time of your port revision?

Ipeel; No, I haven't experienced any such thing, as I've only had my band since Jan. 18th, but I want you to know that my heart goes out to you. I too was a self-pay and couldn't imagine something this awful happening. I really hope that everything works out for the best.

Allykat; I don't think it matters about the nail polish. I have acrylic nails and that wasn't an issue. All of these things can be addressed during your pre-op visit to same day surgery. As for the bra, I found it be very helful to wear my bra after surgery, soft-up, no underwire. It gave support to my breast as I am a 44DD, and the post-op nurse advised wearing it to keep pressure off the port area. As for me, I found it more comfortable for resting once I got home. But everyone is different. Good luck!

Amy; Great Job and definitely an NSV!!! I find that I've only lost about 17 pounds and I can wear some of my pants that were too tight the week of my surgery. It's not the number on the scale that matters, but the NSV's, like wearing a size smaller..... Keep up the good work!