hopeinapril

Hey Michelle! I was down 8 pounds at 2 weeks. I haven't weighed myself since. (I plan to tomorrow). Good - I have lost some weight. I am eating much better. I am starting to exercise a little. I have only a few aches from time to time. My first fill is 5/7. Bad- I am suppose to still be on liquids. (mostly I am, but I eat some pureed and soft stuff) My appetite is coming back. I am terrified to eat much more than the liquids because I don't want to gain any weight. Actually, I feel pretty good. I only get an occasional pulling on my left side. I am pretty much back to my regular routine, except I still won't lift anything over 10 pounds. (I had a hernia repair and the last thing I want is another one!) The weight isn't coming off like it seems to on others, but I guess even if I loose 10 pounds a month, that is 120 pounds in one year!

Hi Everyone! Hey Lynn I hope you are feeling better! I haven't had anything like that recently! So, today is my birthday.....yeah me. I feel mostly pretty good. My birthday present to myself was the surgery. This year I got a big present. I am slightly sad because I weigh more than I did this time last year. But, good news is that I will weigh much less next year. Life is OK. Yesterday was a tough one at work. I was SWAMPED! I worked until after 10 at home. I think I fell asleep before my head touched the pillow last night. I still get twinges every so often. That is not bad. What really sucks is that my appetite is back. That and I have found out that I really don't have much in the way of restriction. I have had a few mushie foods and they slide right down. I can't wait until I get my first fill. I am going to step on the scale tomorrow and see what the news is. I am pretty sure it will be a pound or so. I did weigh myself today, but I didn't write it down and now I can't remember what it was. (If it was up, I would have remembered that for sure!) Well, I am looking forward to walking tomorrow. I am going to ask my son's father to hang out with him while I go. My son is good, but that place is crowded and when he rides his scooter, he makes me nervous. (long story for this forum). Sooooo.........I'm Miss Chatty today, but I have to say I am really looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Howdy! OK, sounds good to me about walking Wednesday at 6 at 896/40. Is there more than one parking lot now? There used to only be one. I'll keep an eye out for you all. I'm putting it on my calendar now.

Hi April Avengers: I hope you don't mind me posting in your forum. I sort of have empathy with you all because I was suppose to be banded in April, but ended up being banded in March. Cool name by the way! FYI - don't weigh yourself for a week or so after the surgery. I spoke to several medical folks about this. Even though you are on restricted calories before and (obviously) after the surgery, they pump you full of liquids while you are in the hospital. The liquid is HEAVY. I speak from experience. I weighed myself the 2nd day after surgery and I had GAINED 6 pounds. I was ticked off! By the time I went to my 2 week post-op check up, I had lost 8 pounds from my surgery date. Good luck to all of you who are being banded!!!! Welcome to band land!

Hi Shamrocks! Diva: Thanks for the information. I actually almost went to Dr. Singh. He was the first doctor I found, then I found CHRIAS. I don't really regret my decision, but I did spend a little more cash then I needed. My insurance is weird. It paid for the pre-op stuff, but not the surgery. I'm hoping to get some of the money I paid back because of the hernia repair. We will see. Fenton: Great attitude. I have had a few slips here and there, but I truly believe that the best thing is to get up, dust yourself off and keep going. Wonderful about your 50 pounds lost. I'll be doing the happy dance when I am at the point! Amanda: By journalling do you mean like a blog for your feelings and emotions? Or are you talking about documenting your food intake? I do the journalling for feelings and stuff on an occasional basis. The food documentation I am almost 100% on. I don't know how to track my Protein and Water in any other way. I think I am doing better. I have a day or two every month where I am a bottomless pit. I could eat and eat. Yesterday was that day for me. I feel better recognizing it. The good thing is that I didn't stray too terribly far. Basically, I ate some mushies when I should be on liquids. Those are really the days when I will need the restriction. I am actually a little anxious to stray too far. I am afraid that I will test my limits and I don't want to know that I can eat bread...... It is the exercise part that I am having difficulty with at this time. I can't seem to get motivated. I know when the weather is better, it will be easier. It's not a good excuse, because there is always some reason not to exercise. I am locating some walking buddies, so I hope that will help! It's funny, but some of my scars are almost gone, but I still have some bruising. It seems odd. Ah well, the body works the way it wants.

I put a small wendy's chilli in the blender. It didn't look so great, but boy did it taste good.

Hi shamrocks! Lynn: Good to know someone else had the same feeling. Diva: I'm with Christine and Harley.....The scale is a rotten thing. I'm thinking of moving mine because the temptation is starting to get to me. It is in the bathroom. I think I should put it in a closet or something so I only take it out when I am going to weigh myself. enjoylife: Did you get banded in DE? If you didn't use CHRIAS, where did you go? I'm a little unhappy about all the extra fees myself, especially since I paid for surgery myself. I am too far in the process to change now, but I am interested in where you went. Teri: Great news that your scale moved. It sounds like you are doing great with the exercise. I have to admit that I am struggling a bit. I am on liquids for 4 weeks post surgery and have fudge into the mushies a bit. I am trying very hard to figure out when I am really hungry and head hunger. What I am finding is that I am NOT really hungry. I am also struggling with portions. At this point, I am doing OK with the portions, but have been tempted to increase them. When I eat something non-liquid, I have been eating a 1/2 cup or less. Unlike you Fenton, I am getting a fill asap. Even though I am not really overly hungry, I don't want to stretch my pouch. I WANT to feel the restriction, so I am not tempted to overeat. It is the reason I got the band in the first place. I don't overeat sugar free chocolate because of its nasty side effects! I do know that we go back to liquids for a day or two after a fill according to my doc as well. Well, I am looking for NSV and SV next week. Next weigh in is 4/15 or 4/16.

I got ice chips until I passed the test. (You drink this crappy stuff and they watch to make sure that it goes through the band) After that it was Jello, crystal light and Water. no catheter

Hi Judy: My costs ran about $20,000. The doctor charged $6,000 and the hospital charged $11,500 - which included the dietician - unlimited visits with no co-pays. It also includes education and support groups. Most of my pre-op visits were covered by insurance, but I had co-pays. I think it is totally worth it! I live in Delaware. The group of doctors that do this surgery are called CHRIAS. The hospital was St. Frances.

Hi Tulip: We have a clothing exchange through our support group. I also have donated my clothes in the past. (I haven't lost enough weight yet to give any of my current clothes away!) You could also do the garage sale thing. (Not for me, but if you have new stuff, it might be worth it)

Hi everyone! Welcome Alicia! Too bad you can't come to the support group meetings, maybe when we get together you can come and meet us. Paige: Yep, the track starts behind Delaware Technology Center. It runs 1.76 miles which is 3.52 if we go all the way down. It has .1 mile markers on it, so you can walk as much or as little as you want. I'd love to set a date. I thought about walking this weekend, only the threat of rain stopped me from suggestion tomorrow. We can try it if you want. FYI, the Protein powder at Walmart is called Body Fortress. It comes in chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and fruit punch. It has 26 grams of protein per scoop. I did the life classes for both St. Francis and Christiana. (long story!) Christiana gave us some recipes for Protein Powder and the ones I will put on here are all OK during the liquid stage. Here they are: Skinny Monkey (my personal favorite) 8 oz skim milk 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1/2 frozen banana (or 1 packet Healthwise banana shake mix - you will need to add an additional cup of milk if you use the shake mix) 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter (I use low fat) 1 package of Splenda (stevia or whatever you like - it also tastes ok without this if you don't like real sweet stuff) put everything in the blender and let it go. (it has 38 grams of protein with the body fortress chocolate) Peppermint Patty 8 oz skim milk 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 2 drops of peppermint extract ice cubes put in blender until smooth Citrus Shake 8 oz light lemon or orange yogurt 1 package healthwise grapefruit drink 8 oz Water 1 scoop vanilla protein powder blend until smooth these are concoctions I came up with: Cream of potato Soup made with can of skim milk (10 oz) 1/2 scoop chicken flavored unjury blend until smooth cook in microwave until warm. (You can do it without the unjury and put the unjury in after you cook it to avoid it clumping up) It makes 2 servings cream of chicken soup made with skim milk put in blender until smooth warm it up put a little soy sauce or worchester sauce on top this also makes 2 servings 1 can of cream of broccoli made with milk put 1/2 can of cheddar cheese soup put in blend until smooth this makes 3 servings (feel free to add unflavored unjury or chicken unjury) blend 1 can cream of potato soup with skim milk in a separate container put 1/2 can of cheddar soup. Warm both of them up. Pour 1/2 of the potato soup in bowl, put 1/2 of the cheddar soup on top. Sort of like a baked potato with cheese 1 package of cream of wheat (make it with skim milk or water - whichever you use) sprinkly 1 tbsp of sugar free syrup on top Ok, this is all that I have for the moment.....lol

Howdy! I had the worst hiccups for the 1st week after surgery. It wasn't that they lasted for a while (cause they did), but that they hurt! I still get them but not as much. ****TMI**** - stinky pee and stinky breath have hit...... UGH, I have never been able to smell my own breath before, but now I can.... ew! My toothbrush and I and now spending significant time together. Last night I turned wrong and had a sharp pain that was sharp enough to wake me up. I moved a little tenderly after that. I didn't have any pain today, but a little soreness. I hope I didn't do anything! It was in an odd place, on my ribs to the left... I guess if it doesn't really hurt, I shouldn't be worried. Lynn: I'm with you. My jeans are fitting better every time I put them on! woohoo! Diva: I wish I had lost as much as you! I lost 8 pounds in 15 days. Don't dispair, I'm sure the scale will move soon. Plus, if you figure you loose 10 pounds a month, that is 120 pounds a year! Amanda: good information as usual! Kerri: I'm with you about the scale. I do have one, but am forcing myself to get on it only once a week. It is tough, but it was driving me nuts!

Hi Shamrocks! Harley, thanks for the information. It is good to be reinforced by seeing that stuff in writing. SpecialK - very cool that your group meets in the mall. I just started going to a support group and several of the folks were ones I had met here. Very cool to meet them in person. We are talking about getting together for a night out or even to walk together. I think the band is a great way to bond! Today was very busy for me. I did drink and got some Protein in, but by 4:45 I felt light headed and weak. I had some cream of chicken Soup with unjury and that helped a lot! I really think I had just not gotten enough protein in. I am taking some more unflavored Protein powder into work to make sure that I get what I need! I am so happy that I am less sore. I am glad that I am healing. Today I bent over at work several times and no pulling and no aches! YEAH! It seemed that I took much longer to heal that most everyone here. Of course that could be because I was baned at the end of the month, but who knows? I have to tell you that this being the last in line for the Shamrocks is an interesting experience for me. I am usually the first to volunteer for everything! Good growth potential for me! :redface:

Harley! You CAN absolutely do this. You just showed us you can. How fabulous that must feel! Jen - How cool is that! I can't wait until something that used to be snug is falling off me! Congrats!

Howdy Everyone! Gosh, today was sure a busy day for me! I felt a little light headed around 4:45 and ate some cream of chicken with Protein powder and felt much better. The good news is that bending over no longer causes me any aches. This morning I put 1/2 scoop of the unflavored unjury in those tiny plastic bags. That way I have several in my office already measured out. It turned out to be a good thing that I did! Thanks for the kind words about the weight loss. It makes me feel good. I love the support! Delaware: it is a really good idea to eat as much protein through the day as possible. I learned that today! It was the first time I felt weak since the surgery. Just be careful because you are still less than 2 weeks out. (OK, that is the mom in me coming out!) Glad the fat free sour cream idea worked. I have tried a few things with flavor. I like using the cheddar cheese Soup as a little bit of a topping on the other Soups. I keep trying to make stuff that is OK but gives me a little more taste. Fairy: it is funny that you say that you are OK with the exercise. I used to walk 3 miles 3 times a week. But, I couldn't get the food part under control! Now I am working on the food part. I am walking, but nothing like I used to. I think I need to get walking buddies again! I'll have to start calling around since the weather is nice. Lynn: How wonderful your dinner sounded! What is even better is your listened to yourself! WOW! Very cool that you felt the restriction. I love that went for a walk after! How wonderful not to even been out of breath. Paige: Welcome! It is great that we are all making the site active again. When I first arrived, there weren't that many people here. I am just about a week ahead of you. Don't worry, it gets better! I'd love to get together and walk. I used to do it fairly often and I know of several paths. There is a real nice one in Newark with lights and call boxes. It is right next to the railroad track. You did great with your first post! 366: I used to work at a law firm in town. We did asbestos and insurance defense. I got a better job a little over a year ago at a different law firm. We do mostly asbestos defense. It is not real exciting, but holy cow is it easy to bill! I don't blame you for not taking summer classes. It is tough working and going to school. I think you are wise to give yourself some time to get used to the band. I have told very few people in my life. Most people think I got only hernia surgery. I have told exactly 3 people. My ex-husband. I had to tell him as we live in the same place and he had to take care of our son. One of my close friends and my cousin in Texas. The reason I told my cousin is that she told me she is being banded in June. She is very excited. I don't blame you for not telling folks. Me, I'm not ready to deal with any negativity. It is quite possible that I will fess up in about a year when I am looking lovely! :redface:

Hi! I have the realize band. what the realize band folks say is their band is like a tube inside a bike tire and it molds around your stomach. The other types of bands are in sections and the stomach must mold around the band. The realize band folks are claiming the their band will have less slippage. I asked for the band. I think it is something you should discuss with your doctor. Personally, I am the type of person who will try new stuff. Realize also has a cool website for you to keep track of your food, exercise and gives you motivational tips. My doctor, his office, the dietician and coordinator all have access to my information and can make helpful comments to me. I hope this helps!

Howdy: I liked what the one person said about how you can't "untell" folks. I am keeping it close to the vest at this point. It's kind of like putting toothpaste back in the tube, pretty much impossible. Why create more aggravation for yourself? Only 3 people know and they are well aware that they are not to disclose this information to anyone. I picked the most supportive folks I know. One thing I thought I might mention is that if someone has not yet been banded or is not in the process, they usually don't understand all the things you have to do to have the surgery. From what I can see, most people are extraodinarily educated prior to being banded. I may change my mind later on down the line and tell everyone. Once I have lost most of the weight, how could they argue with success?

Wow Michelle.....I was banded the same day and am still healing on the inside. My doc said no work like that until 5-6 weeks out. If you do it, I'd be real careful. I wouldn't want to pull anything on the inside.

Hi! Did you call you doctor's office? I am scheduled for a fill on 5/7 but the dietician said that if I am starving, that they will do it at the 4 week mark instead. I think you kind of have to be a pain, but it might work. I hope things work out for you. I know how tough it is to loose weight an no one wants to gain any of it back. (it is why I won't step on the home scale anymore).

Hi everyone! Wow Fairy, it was good that it was a minor PB. It sure sounds unpleasant. Interesting, but I wouldn't have thought to eat triscuits because they are so stringy. I guess you have to chew very thoroughly for them to go down. It sure would slow me down eating wise. Congrats on getting back to the gym. That is my downfall as well. I usually can get the eating part right, the exercise is tougher for me. Lynn - I bet you are glad the day is over. Cool that you actually went back early. I know my bosses are still going "if you need to go home early, just let us know". That is nice. Good luck at Border's. I went to Olive Garden a few days after I got out of the hospital and ate the soup....well ate the broth out of the soup, which was pretty good. I kind of like the idea of a girl's night out. It would be fun. It is nice to be around other people who are banded that understand the limitations.

Hi Shamrocks! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. I had my first post op dr visit and it went well. I have lost 8 pounds since my surgery. Yeah! I'm not setting any records, but that is OK. I'm not that far from my first minigoal. My doc is keeping me on mostly liquids. I fessed up that I had eaten some light yogurt and he said that was OK. I'm glad because the hunger is coming back. Bad hunger - go away. So how is everyone else doing? Any fill stories?

It was wonderful to meet everyone last night. I really enjoyed the support group meeting. It wasn't quite what I expected. The time went quickly for me. Well, good news! I have lost 8 punds since surgery. Woohoo! OK, I'm not setting any records, but for me that is a good loss. I'm a little over 15 pounds until I reach my first mini goal. With any luck I will reach that by the end of May or beginning of June! It's nice to see you on the board Fairy! Thanks for the pumpkin Soup idea. As I spoke with Sam today, I realized that I have more liquid ideas that I realized. Alas, no early move to mushies for me. But, when I told Dr. Peters that I had eaten some yogurt with no problem, he did say it was OK for that. He did say I could eat some stuff with a thicker consistency. What great news for me! I'm happy that I can eat some yogurt from time to time. I also bought some sugar free fudge pops. They have a few more calories than the ice pops, but not much. Lynn: How was your first day? 366 - I keep forgetting you work at a law firm. So do I! What kind of law does your firm practice? I work for a defense firm. Delaware - How about your first day back?

Hi! Finally I have one to share. I put on my jeans on Monday. They are stretch jeans. But, when I put them on, they weren't the breath in and squish yourself until they zip! YEAH!

Wow enjoylife! I am doing the happy dance for you. Good for me to as I can use the exercise! Kerri! WOW! What a difference. I can see it all over. Amazing what a difference that amount of weight will make! I have to say that I am doing well. I still have the pulling sensation. Today was my first real day back at work. I am thrilled that I only work until 2 on Mondays. It has been a bit of chaos at work. It went so fast, I didn't really get the liquid and Protein in like I should. Time just zoomed by. But, I am hungry. Maybe not back to the Lion yet, but I am not a kitty cat! I would love to have some real food, but I guess I'll wait. I told a 3rd person about my band today. My cousin (who lives in TX) told me she is going through the process, so I swore her to silence and then told her that I already had it. It was nice to be able to tell another person.

Harley, what a wonderful idea! I'm 43 (I'll be 44 on 4/15) and I have one son, 11 years old. I am an office manager/paralegal at a law firm. I live in Newark, Delaware