hopeinapril

Hi Lynn! Congrats on the weight loss! That is wonderful! Glad you are moving to mushies. I'm feeling hungry with just liquids. The lapband support group is tomorrow (Tuesday) night at the St. Francis Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. They are located in the office next to CHRIAS in Newark. It is from 6-7:30. The title is Behavior Modification Education and Lapband Support group. I see nothing to indicate that they don't welcome everyone. (I know Christiana charges $5 to non-Christiana patients) It is my intention to be there tomorrow night. I haven't actually been to one of these meetings yet because of the way things worked out for me. But, I believe they are for lapband only issues, not the gastric bypass. I went back to the office today. I had worked from home Thursday and Friday. I only work until 2 on Mondays and I'm glad. It was stupid stuff like putting paper in the copier that surprised me. I am going to take some tylenol soon. But, it was good to be back!

Hi everyone! Delaware, I hope you are feeling better. It took me a little longer than it seemed to take many folks to feel better. Right now, at almost 2 weeks out, I feel pretty good. I still have some pulling sensations and gas, but I am doing ok. Hey Lynn: How are you feeling? I know you are little further along than I am. Are you going back to work this week? AMC! Your date will be here before you know it. It did seem to go much quicker than I thought it would. 366! I do feel the port. Not from the outside, but I feel a pulling sensation on my abdomen. Of course, I am not completely healed yet either. I can feel the band when I drink too much too fast. I get an immediate pain in my shoulder. I haven't done that too much. Glad everyone had a good experience at St. Francis. Overall, they were OK. They were a little busy when I was there. I think they were a little understaffed. Overall, I like the annex though. Sam and Maryellen seem nice. I think I will try to hit the meeting on Tuesday night. I think it is a lapband support group.

Hi Shamrocks! Harley, sorry to hear about the gas. Boy do I sympathise! I certainly did not get well as quickly as everyone else here. I still have pulling sensations and gas at times. I have been doing a yo-yo on the scale and since the last time I weighed myself it was the number that shows on my ticker, I decided not to weigh myself again for a while. They will weigh me when I see the doctor on Wednesday. I hope that it is a good day for me. I've been mad at the band because the weight has not come off as much as I would like it to. I have talked myself out of that now and am just trying to continue with the liquids. I have to admit it is difficult because the hunger is back. It is not like pre-band, but not like last week when I didn't care if I ate. I think I am going to try to ignore the scale for a while. It irritated me with the up and down nonsense. Since I have followed the liquid stage carefully, it shouldn't be doing that. So, since it is messing with my head, I'm not going to weigh myself. :regular_smile: Great to hear about everyones NSV and SV. I love to read about the successes! I think that this week will be a good one when I try on my jeans. I haven't worn them since before surgery.

My surgery was a short time ago and I am still swollen, so I have plenty of restriction. I think adding more protein to your meals is a good suggestion.

Good luck Kat! It is a tool, but the first few weeks give you a real jump start on your weight loss!

Hi Alicia! Welcome to the group! I went to a seminar in January as well. I was surprised by all the clearances that I needed. But, I did set up an appointment with the Dr. before I went to the seminar. As a result, I actually saw Dr. Peters in the morning and went to the seminar later on that day. Does your insurance company have any requirements? Well, it sounds like you will be banded soon. Feel free to ask questions! There are a few of us newly banded and a few who have been banded for a while longer.

Hey Delaware! Today is your band day, so I don't think I'll see you on the boards, but I wanted to post and wish you well. I like the Chrias staff as well. My surgeon was Dr. Peters, but Dr. Wynn was to assist. It turns out that Dr. Iragou did the band and Dr. Peters did the hernia repair. I have to admit that they were all real nice. Good luck in your journey. I'm guessing that you went to Christiana. I believe they do surgery there on Mondays and Wednesdays. I know there are more folks from Delaware out there. They banded 5 people the day I had surgery. Hopefully more find the group. Lynn gave good advice about the March, 2008 support group. They are a great group of folks!

Hi Shamrocks! Well, the last of us are now banded. We are all bandsters! Wonderful journey we are on! I have to admit that I am still feeling crappy a lot. I did WAY too much today. I stopped at about 5 different places and by the time I got home, I paid for it. I have no plans to go out tomorrow. I am going to veg in front of the tv. OMG - what the heck is with tv? I mean it sucks! I have a couple of DVD's that I have waiting and I think I will spend tomorrow watching them. For the past 2 days I have been like a man with the clicker, just flicking through the various channels. I like sci fi - so I am glad they are replaying Battlestar Galactica. I missed some episodes so it will catch me up. Fenton- I caught part of that show last night. I hope they replay it next week because I got several phone calls and couldn't concentrate. It was about emotional eating and I know I'll need that help. I have to admit that the not feeling hungry is a novelty for me. I'm enjoying it! I always felt hungry prior to this. Whether it was real hunger or head hunger, I was always hungry. I know it will go away for awhile until I get to the sweet spot, so I am trying to enjoy this now. BM's - well......water in, Water out.....nuff said I think the lifting restriction is tough as well. My son is 11 so I don't have to worry about lifting him, but I am very careful when he hops on my lap or my bed. I sort of forgot a little today and I lifted several shopping bags. Next time, I'll be sure to grab one. I can use the walking exercise going back and forth to the car! scale - victory - I haven't been weighing myself every day, but was very disappointed the few times I did because I weighed MORE than pre-surgery. I calmed down after reading a few other posts. Today I am below the pre-surgery number, so I am thrilled!!!! OK, I'm long winded today..........but I am so happy for our group that we are all bandsters now. Let the weight loss continue and grow! Weight Loss Tickers

Hi Lynn! I guess I thought I would be one of the people who could go back to work in one week. I do work at home sometimes. I actually just emailed my boss and told him that I could work only if I worked Thursday and Friday at home. I have more sick time, so that is not really the problem. If I do work at home those 2 days, it will be a good way to ease my way back into the office. I can get up and down when I please and dress as I like. We are pretty casual at work, but I think *******Warning Fenton TMI****** the no bra thing at work could be a problem. :scared2: Otherwise, I am slowly improving. I managed to gag down that gall bladder pill. YUCK! I am stopping by the Stanton pharmacy and getting the liquid version as soon as possible! It is hard enough to get all the Protein and liquid in even when it tastes good! That pill was nasty! Otherwise, I am feeling better! I wasn't sure if I ever was going to feel better, but I have more times now that I feel good than not. I actually have a ton of restriction. I went to the Olive Garden with family yesterday and had their Soup. I managed to take some sips of the broth. It was amazing! I am happy with the thought that I can taste and not gourge my way through life now! As far as telling. Well, I am keeping that to a minimum. I think it varies for everyone, but me personally nope, no way am I telling anyone else. The people in my life won't be surprised that I loose weight. I was on a diet by the dietician since January and have lost some weight anyway. If I really thought it would help someone, I would tell. I'm just not ready to have a nice conversation about how I took the easy way out. Nothing feels "easy" right now.

Greetings Shamrocks! I'm doing a little better. YIKES! the gas..... UGH, I am definitely not bouncing back like I thought I would. I had surgery on Tuesday and was expecting to go back to work this Wednesday. I am re-thinking that and may extend it to the following Monday. I did get the Protein and liquid in yesterday. That was a first. It is much easier getting the liquid in now. I like the ice pops. I have heard of folks making their own ice pops with unflavored unjury and crystal light and putting it in those tupperware pop things. It may be that I try that out. Right now, getting the protein in is a little easier than it was.

I cannot believe it! I thought this day would never come. March 25th is the date for me! Of course, my insurance company won't pay for it, so I am self pay. I will be $17,500 in the hole, but I KNOW it will be worth it!!!!! I am excited beyond belief. I really was beginning to believe that this day would never come! I am SO VERY HAPPY!!!!

Hi everyone! Good luck to the newest bandsters. As for the 3/25ers...how are you all doing? I think we are in one of the bad parts. I am dealing with the gas. Gas-x is a blessing. The heating pad helps. Walking seems to help. I feel a lot of pressure. Last night was a little tough. I changed pain meds and that seems to have helped immensely. I'm still sore at my iv points. Hopefully, this will pass quickly. I did manage to get in some Protein today. I know that helps with healing.

Hey shamrocks! Gosh, the gas pain hit today.....UGH! I took the gas-x and that sure helped! The heating pad is wonderful and walking is good as well. Then I get the hiccups which are even worse. I manged to get in some Protein this morning. Loving the shakes. It is more like chocolate milk. I am hating my waterbed! I spent the night on the couch. I think I'll be there for the next few days. Well.....I'm happy to be on my journey! Good luck to all the other new bandsters!

Greetings Shamrocks! Well I am now an official bandster! Too funny about the Rubick's cube. I am a licensed adjuster and went to a meeting in early March. We love toys and the vendor who sponsered the night gave us all a couple of rubick's cubes. I mesed one up and left the other one whole. I did play with it for a while. I figure it will take me a while to get the hang of it. Well.....my story is that I arrived at the hospital at 7:15. Got sent to the waiting room, they brought me to another waiting room to stripe and put on the gowns and little socks and robe. Sent back to waiting room. ***** warning Fenton, TMI******I was totally embarassed because people could see my hairy legs......oh well. They took me back and put me in a lounger with a tv and a nice warm blanket. Very cool. Then I was moved to a bed, they took vitals, started an iv and I waited, until 11ish when they wheeled me into the pre-or area. They asked a bunch of questions. Then they wheeled me into the or. Boy was it cold in there! They hiked up the bed. I scooted over onto the tiny OR table. I put my arm out and thought I hope I don't fall off. The next thing I know I am in the recovery room. I also managed to get the realize band. I asked my doctor about it and he seemed real excited that I was interested and made it all happen. I was one of the lucky ones, I recovered quickly, no real pain and no nausea. They moved me to my private room. I have to tell you that I loved that! I was on a pain pump, loved that as well. It was a good thing because they were a little overwhelmed. I was bummed because my tv didn't work. Well, I had sound, but no picture. The tv guy came and said "yep, it doesn't work". They could bring me a new one on Wednesday. I did listen to Biggest looser. I really like that show. It was a bummer that I couldn't see it. I slept in about 45 minute cycles. I'd wake up, hit the pain pump and fall back off. At times they were in to take the vitals. I enjoyed the young cute male nurse. It was nice to look at a pretty face. I walked as much as I could. I didn't see any of the other patients in the hallway. I don't know if they weren't walking or were on a different time table. Today was OK. It just took forever to get the x-ray thing to move me onto fluids. Fortunately, I wasn't hungry or thristy. The ice cubes were good enough. Finally, at about 12ish I could have fluids. Got to tell you that I (at this point) have minimal gas. The worse part is the stupid hiccups. I get them and they last for a few minutes. Yikes! I really love the lack of hunger. Is this what skinny people feel? I finally understand "forgetting to eat".

Good Morning Shamrocks! It's my turn now! So, I leave for the hospital in less than an hour and will be on my way. Fenton - I did watch TLC on Sunday and saw that show. Good thing you warned us about the infomercial way the show appears. I almost turned it off because of that, but I did watch it all. The process he taught to deal with emotional eating is called EFT. What is odd is that I learned that process just two weeks ago. I think I will continue to watch because he has some good things to say. I think it can help with the eating issues that I obviously have! Anyway, as I sit here, I am not overly excited or worried, just ready to go. I have to admit that I slept 6 hours last night, which was good for me. I took a percocet and it helped knock me out. I have them for knee pain, but my knee wasn't really bothering me that much. I just didn't want to be awake all night. I have a small bag of stuff. I would imagine that I won't need much of it. I have a rubick's cube to keep me interested as well as a book, magazine and newspaper. I figure I won't need much else. I did toss a small pillow in the bag for the ride home. Otherwise, I think I am set. I did loose some weight on the clear liquid diet. I had last supper syndrome for 2 days prior to that, so my weight loss wasn't that great. But, I am almost 20 pounds down prior to surgery, so that is a good thing. Bye, bye 270's! Well, I'm off for now. Not much else to do now, except wait to get my family up and moving and get me to the hospital! See ya all in a day or so. P.S. Anyone that is still not banded might want to slowly decrease your caffeine intake to avoid the headaches. I can't imagine having to deal with that as well as the liquid diet.

Howdy! Here we go! I am not overly worried or excited. I thought I would be both! Right now I am just ready to get on with it. I'm sure that this morning will move quickly. I'll be back here chatting away soon. I am thrilled that I have a little over a week off work. My job is not physically demanding, but it is nice that I can just take it easy for a while. Well.....good luck everyone today!

Hi everyone! Yep, add me to the list. I leave for the hospital in less than an hour. My surgery is set for 9:30. Good luck everyone! See ya in a few days!

Hi Froglady! I am being banded tomorrow, so I know what you speak about! I love the support groups on this forum. I'd like to suggest that you come over to the March, 2008 forum and check it out. There is a thread called "master thread" that has tons of information. There are several folks who have gone through the process and have written about it. There are people in every phase there. Come join our group!

Hi April bandsters! I am being banded tomorrow. I would suggest that not only go check out the April, 2008 forum, that you might want to check out the March, 2008 Master thread. There is TONS of information on the thread and plenty of folks have gone through all the various phases. there could be some suggestions there to help you. In any event, good luck to all of you!

Hi beehawk! I am being banded the same day! Are you on a liquid diet? Come on over to the support groups, March, 2008. There is a "master thread" there that has TONS of information. Many folks have gone through the process and documented it on there. There are many suggestions. Come on over and join us!

Hi fellow March banders! Come on over to the support group for March, 2008. There are a bunch of us being banded or already banded and it is a great group. We do have a really cool name. (See below) Come on and join us!

Hi Lynn! Glad to hear it went well for you. Dr. Peters is such a nice man. Bummer you didn't get the realize band, but I guess as long as it works, who cares? Good that you were groggy! better groggy than in pain. Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm a little nervous and well know for not being able to sleep when nervous. I expect to be here in the middle of the night reading the boards! :wink: At this point, I am supposed to be there at 7:30 tomorrow. They said they could possibly call me to come in earlier. I figure 7:30 is pretty good. I would hate to wait around and not even to be able to drink Water. ah well.......drinking my first cup of chicken broth now..... I never realized the stuff tasted so good.

That was too cute Michelle! Welcome Mr. Toys! Thanks Maid Marion. Well, we are on our way! (Still no call from the hospital about the time yet, but I know they will call soon. Last I heard I would be 9:30 and need to be in the hospital by 7:30)

Greetings fellow Shrinking Shamrocks! Day 2 of the "clear liquids" is not as bad as day 1. I was really trying to be nice yesterday, but a little witchiness came out. YIKES! Anyway, today I'm thinking about surgery tomorrow. I'm glad Christine posted what she did. I'm not really scared, but it is a little intimidating at the moment. So, I'm really looking forward to eating full liquids. (Oh, and I have Healthwise tomoto soup which is loaded with Protein - so I guess it depends on which type of soup you are eating) I'm sure after 4 weeks of full liquids I'll be tired of them, but right now.........sounds wonderful! I'm sure I'll post again before I leave tomorrow. Good luck to anyone left to be banded!

Howdy Everyone! Well, day 2 of the "clear liquids" phase is much better than day 1. I think my stomach has stopped grumbling. Being at work and staying busy is helping. So, tomorrow is my big day. I'll report back when I get back on Wednesday. Good luck everyone!