aimlagana

...to live a long, happy healthy life. To see my grandchildren one day. To not die with any regrets! To live everyday to the fullest and without limitations!

Congratulations! This is such an exciting time. You've made a terrific commit to yourself and your health. You'll do great! Please let us know how you are feeling and know that we are here for you. Best, Aimee

I think so many people are just so consumed with their own drama that they never take the time to walk in others shoes. "We" know that you are not lazy and the people that truly care about you know that too. This is by far NOT the easy road or a quick-fix solution. Hang in there and be at peace with your decision. The others will come around. Take Care and the best of luck. I can't wait to hear how it has been such a positive, life-changing experience for you!

Hi Dora, Congrats! That's great news. Which doctor are you using? Best, Aime

Hi. I had a similar issue when I first had surgery. Some of it was gas trapped inside so move as much possible and the other was what I was drinking. I'm 8 months out now and have just begun to be able to stomach cold water again. You may want to try drinking room temperature water or the opposite of what you are currently doing. I hope this helps. Best, Aimee

Hi Megan. I've grown to love my protein shakes. My nutritionist gave me a number of different recipes that I'd be happy to share with you if you're interested. My fav is: Banana Peanut butter Protein shake. 1 cup milk (skim or 1%), 1/2 banana, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter and 1 scoop any whey powder. Throw it in the blender and enjoy!

Hi Pat. My doc told me not to drink anything 30 minutes prior and to wait an hour to drink after I eat. This may help. I try to make sure that whatever I eat doesn't measure more than 1/3 to 1/2 cup. I hope this helps. Best, Aimee

Hi there. I'm in Harford County and work in Baltimore County. When were you banded. Best, Aimee

Hi Bananalee. I don't think that you can screw up your consultation. Give them the facts For most insurance companies, if your BMI is over 40, you don't even need co-morbidities. You're over 18 so in the eyes of the insurance companies, you are done growing so your age is good as well. Many insurance companies require a minimum of 3 months of nutritional counseling (AKA weight monitoring) before they will approve your surgery. I think you are experiencing normal anxiety. Just try to relax. Take Care.

Hi there. It sounds like our docs were carved from the same conservative mold. I have the 4cc band too :-( I just had a docs appt on Monday and my fill was 1/4cc this time...Not happy with that. We were banded right around the same time (10/23/07). I have a total of 3.25cc in my band and I am beginning to feel a restriction. My doc told me when that it was tight at 3cc but I really didn't feel much. I've lost a total of 46 pounds since October. I have another 43 to go. You've done so good thus far, don't get discouraged. You probably need another fill. Can you go back to the doc before September? That seems like a very long time to me. I see my doc monthly. Are you on a high protein, low carb plan (hate the word diet)? I'd be happy to share the plan that my nutritionist gave me. It makes everyday living really easy. Take Care

Hi Dan. Sounds like you need a fill. This gets better. Focus on your goal. My doc said that you never want to be full. This was a big adjustment for me. Stop while your ahead and get a fill. Once you have an adequate fill, the hunger pains will stop and it will become a chore. Good luck.

Congrats! Only advice is begin your new life NOW! Begin your exercise plan and new way of eating now. This will make it less of adjustment after the surgery. Know that once the surgery is done, you will inevitably ask yourself "What have I done to myself?" This is normal! You move past this stage very quickly! Best of luck.

Today is my 8 month anniversary and I have no regrets. I think that everything that you are feeling is normal. I was right there. Just a few days before surgery, I wasn't convinced that I was going to actually be able to make myself walk through the front door the hospital. I'm so glad I did. Had a docs appointment today and I'm down another 6 pounds. It feels so good! A lot of what you read is worst case scenario. Life is what you make of it. Go into this with a positive attitude and you will reap the rewards. I believe that in our hearts, we know if it's truly our time to go forward with the surgery. Take Care.

Hi there. I think the docs usually say to give yourself two weeks. Everyone is different but I definitely needed those two weeks to get myself adjusted to the band and my new life. Best of luck!

Hi there. I was banded on 10/23/07 and I had my period at the time. Other than waking up with one of those silly hospital diapers on, it really didn't have any effect on me. I was concerned since I usually get migraines with my period along with terrible cramps. I'm happy to report that I haven't had a migraine or unbearable cramps since I was banded. Could be a coincidence but in any case, I'm thankful. Best of luck.

Hi Marisol. I've never heard of this website but I'm also from the east coast. I would reach out to others that have been banded in your area to determine who are the best docs. I think we are each others best resource. I learned from others in my area several surgeons to steer clear of. Some questions I would suggest: What are their requirements (aside from your Insurance company)? Do they require you to go to any informational meetings prior to your first appointment? Do they offer nutritional counseling? Do they offer a meal plan post-op? If so, what is their recommendation. Knowledge is power! Best of luck to you.

Hi Noahsmom! Hang in there. Exercising is not at the top list of my favorites but I know that I have to do it every single day to be healthy. Start out slow. This may seem silly but for me, it was mind over matter. I started out walking the dog. I was really "exercising," I was walking the dog :-) Before you know it, it will be a routine that you don't want to break.

I use craigslist.org a lot to get rid of clothes. What size are you wearing, I might be able to send you something? I'm in MD and my sister works in DC. Take Care

My advice...... Accept yourself for your imperfections and cherish them as they make you, you. We all fall down. The wonderfull thing is that we have a chance to get back on the horse tomorrow and make different choices. Weight loss is a battle. There's nothing easy about it. On the days that you forget to wear your armour, reach out to friends and family. They'll help get you through. Once you are properly restricted, you'll find these inclinations will be much less. Take care and be well.

Hi everyone, I'm looking for feedback on fills. I realize that we are all very different but I am curious to know how much of a fill your doc is giving you. I go to my doc monthly and I receive 1/2 cc each time. I'm finally at 3cc and am 7 months out. I need more but the doc is not willing to budge. Thanks!:frown:

The only one that I can stomach (and only on a rare occassion) is melon. I believe if you buy them at the Vitamin Shoppe and don't like them, you can return the unused ones. I've done this with different flavors of Muscle Milk.

Hang in there!!! It gets so much better. Everyone that I have ever talked to that has had any weight loss surgery has expressed feeling the same way and that includes me. I had reflux very bad for two weeks after my surgery. I wasn't able to drink anything let alone the shakes. Dehydration causes flu-like symptons and the only thing that kept running through my head is "what have you done to yourself?" I'm 7 months out now and have no regrets. The first month is probably the toughest. Try to move around as mush as possible. The pain that you are feeling is probably mostly gas but could be incisional too. The more you move, the better you'll (at least that was my experience). The emotional loss of food I think is normal too. You have wonderful, healthy life ahead of you. You'll find different things to fill your time with and you'll begin to wonder why others are so focused on food :-) Take Care

I had a nasty headache as well. Mine was from dehydration but I've heard that caffeine and anesthesia can also be the culprits. My doc told me that if I wasn't getting in at least 30 ounces of fluid/day, I was probably suffering from dehydration. I'd call the doc just to sure. Take Care!

Congrats! Just keep walking and don't be afraid to take a drink. Dehydration is the pits. Take Care and Good Luck on this amazing journey.

She is ultra-conservative. It's frustrating because I've only just begun to feel any sort of restriction. She said that I have the band that will hold up to 4 cc's. I'm at 3cc. I feel pretty confident that with the band completely full, I will be where I need to be. I am just discouraged that I will have to wait another 2-3 months to get an adequate restriction. At my last appointment, she said that she is usually doing 1/4cc per visit. I have an appointment next week and if I can't talk her out of 1/4, sadly I'm going to have to look for a new doc. She's happy as can be with my weight loss. I'm down 40 of 79 pounds that I need to lose. HOWEVER, I lost 18 pounds on my own prior to surgery that they take credit for and I wasn't able to drink/eat for two weeks after being banded which resulted in another 10 pound loss. The way I see it, I've lost 12 pounds by being banded. So frustrating!!! Thanks again for the posts. The information has been super helpful.