Tess415

Hope you guys don't mind if I jump in with a few thoughts from my own life lessons. I too was very successful with diets for the short term. The most at one time for me was 75 pounds on Weight Watchers, but I always ended back to where I was plus another 20 pounds. At one meeting I saw a gal get her award for completing 6 weeks of maintenance, she physically looked fantastic but when you looked into her eyes you could tell she was one of the most miserable people on the earth. It made me think, I felt miserable on the inside and my eating choices were being driven by my emotions and things that were wrong in my life. If by some kind of magic I could be given a smaller and healthier body overnight... I would be like that sad and miserable person at her goal. THAT IS JUST NOT RIGHT!!!! Since that time I've made some really huge changes in my life!!!!! For the past 3 years, I couldn't even think about doing another diet. I told my self the next time is going to be the last time, and I need to get my head in the right place to do it! After spending over 1 year with a psychologist, going through emotional baggage that had piled up over many years... I was now ready to think about getting my weight under control. I read the book by Mohammed Ali's daughter and I really related to her struggles and emotions. I then admitted to myself that I need a plan to work through all of the emotions while I loose my best friend FOOD!!! I started seeing a life coach 4 months before I had my band placed. I spent those months training my brain to deal with stress in healthy ways, and staying focused and most of all to stay POSITIVE!!!! This is the first time in my life I am not using guilt and negativity as my motivators!! And WOW what a difference it is. I am a much happier person to be around. I have a lot to offer in this life!!!! I am not perfect, but each day is a brand new day... full of new choices to be made, and I am really trying to only look to the future!!! This whole thing is a process, and you'll know when you're ready. Take time now before the whole surgery thing to get yourself in the best shape mentally so that this too can be a successful journey for you. Best wishes to all for health and happiness!!!! Tess

Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose Bea1129.............231........200.......0......31(by 7/4) BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316..............235........200.......0......35 (by 7/4) faithmd.............305.5......300.......4.1....5.5(by6/21) Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 legster.............193........180.......0......13 Leslie2Lose.........226........208.......7......18 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........201........188.......3......13 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............237........222.......5......15 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.........195........170.......2......25 Sades...............197........185.......0......12 Sunshine2...........179........160.......1......18 (by 6/29) Tess415.............327........299.......5......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20 __________________ Wow!!! 33.1 Pounds total lost already for everyone!!! Way to go!

The nurse specialist told me that there is no rhyme or reason to how much each person needs. No scientific process involved. I also think the size of your band also has some determination of how much at a time they put in. During the needle insertion, my doctor had me lift my legs slightly off of the table, because it helps contract the abdominal muscles and pops the port up, so its easier to access. From what I've read on the LBT boards, the amounts really vary from person to person. My doctor also said the more that you are seen in the office, the better people to so that they can be adjusted as much as they need. Tess

I wanted to post my experience for others to read. I know I was doing a lot of reading on LBT to know what to expect. I was banded on 3/10/08, I had my first fill today and it was a walk in the park! It was done thru outpatient surgery at the hospital. I was given a local, then they accessed my port with a needle. I had to stand up with the needle in me and stood in front of the fluoroscopy arm, while he inflated the band with saline. Next was a few drinks of barium. It was really cool to watch! You can feel difference right away when they tighten it. Clear liquids today, 2 days full liquids, 1 week pureed, 1 week soft food. I even went shopping on the way home! Tess:thumbup:

Nice to meet everyone! My name is Tess. I am a Registered Nurse from Oregon Ohio. I'm 43, married for 18 years, mom of 2 teenage boys ( 13 & 16). I love digital photography and my new Apple Laptop!:frown:

Connie I felt fuller on the full liquids than I did on clears the first day. Today I start mushies and I am feeling satisfied. I had 2 soft poached mashed eggs for breakfast today and I feel full, and they went down easy! See how you feel on the next stage, you might notice a difference. Tess

BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316...............235........200.......0......35 (by 7/4) Hastings..............253........228.......0......25 KarenG...............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick..........318........288.......0......30 Leslie2Lose.........231........208.......2......23 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke...............217........190......4......23 Marissa's Mom.....388........358......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........204........188.......0......16 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie................193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me......177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............238........222.......0......16 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.......197........170.......0......27 Sunshine2...........179........160.......0......19 (by6/29) Tess415..............327........299.......2......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712.........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20 Yeah!!!! 2 more pounds gone!!! Exercise really pays off!!!! T.

I had my first fill today. I have an AP Standard and the doctor put in 3.5cc. I feel I have pretty good restriction. I have lost a total of 38 lbs. so far. T.

Hello fellow nurses! Isn't it amazing how many options we have in our careers? Who else can have our degree and do so many things with it? I love being a nurse. I don't always like the day I might be having, but I like the feeling I get from caring for others! I have been a critical care nurse for the past 22 years, I have worked in the same hospital, same unit for the entire 22 years... I am not even the one who has been there the longest! There are 2 other nurses who have been there longer!! We are one big family! We laugh together, fight together, work together and play together. No one gives more than our nursing community when it comes down to a crisis, or tragedy. I can always count on my co-workers!!! Tess

I am going to get my first fill on Monday May 5th. I can't wait! I feel like I have no restriction on eating, and I don't like it. My weight loss has slowed up, I want to keep on track. Still trying to follow all of the rules! Tess

Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 Leslie2Lose.........233........208.......0......25 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........151........140.......0......11 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......0......27 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........204........188.......0......16 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............242........222.......0......20 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) Sunshine2...........179........160.......0......19 (by 6/29) Tess415.............329........299.......0......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Good Luck to everyone!!!! We can do it!!!!! :biggrin2: Tess

Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still toLose luvinke........................217.............190..........0......... ..27 Leslie2Lose..................233.............208.........0..........25 (by 7/4) kathystrick..................318..............288.........0........... 30 Sunshine2...................179..............160.........0...........1 9 (by 6/29/08) TexasFire67.................170..............145.........0...........2 5 Nettie.........................193..............170........42......... .65 nurse7263....................244..............150........0............24 (by 7/4) tess415........................329..............299.........0............30 We can do it!!!!!!!:biggrin2:

This is an impressive list!!! Can I be added too? Special K you did a great job of putting this together!

Rain You look fantastic!!! I wish we could tell our bodies where to loose the weight so that shopping for clothes would be more enjoyable!!! Make sure you Celebrate and reward yourself with something besides being frustrated with your clothes!!! That is a huge milestone you just accomplished!!! Maybe you could look for a nice piece of jewelry or a day at a spa!!!! :redface: Congratulations again! Tess

Hi my name is Tess, this is my first post on the lbt. I've been reading for the past year in preparation for the surgery. I'm excited to be here! I go for my 6 week post op visit today, and am hoping to get the date for my first fill! Looking forward to meeting and chatting with everyone.

Hi Carol, Nice to meet you! I'm from the Toledo area. How are you feeling since your surgery?

My PCP was far from happy about me doing this surgery and the fact that she had to get records together made her really not like it. I did have a form letter I gave her... but I know for a fact the office staff took care of it, I know it takes a lot of their time to do it. I did have to listen to my PCP going on and on about how she doesn't have the time, but I've been with her for 22 years!! She owed me to do it! The office staff was wonderful, they put it together and are cheering me on!!!!

Hi Everyone-- nice to meet you. I went for my appt and found out that the first one will be done at the hospital and I'll have to schedule it for a Monday. I'll have to do some juggling with my work schedule though. I did loose another 4 pounds the past 2 weeks even though I have nothing in my band yet. No regrets about the surgery! I understand what Hazel means about being bombarded with information... but you can never arm yourself with too much knowledge!!!