Sugarbear

Ravenheart. OMGosh!!!!! That is a huge weight loss. Hurray for you! I know you must be ecstatic!!! I haven't posted here in a long time. I am actually a March Bandster but lurked around her a lot before surgery. Just thought I would come back and see how everyone is doing. Sounds like you got it goin on!! Wish I could say the same. Good luck and congrats.

Josiebies, the first few weeks are touch and go sometimes. Even on mushies, if too thick they will hang up so to speak. I had to stay on liquids for the first two weeks, then thin, to creamy mushies for another two weeks. Doctors post op diets are different. Just like some take longer to heal and some can eat one thing that another can't tolerate. My doc want to take it light and easy on the pouch the first month. I have chatted with a few that say they always start out with something hot or very warm to warm up and relax the esophagus and the band. If that returns, try that and see if that helps. By the way did your doctor say anything about it?

Priss, welcome to Bandland!! I am so glad to hear from you, and also that you did so well. Sometimes I read where some people do not have the gas discomfort. Hurray for you if you do not!! I would still do the walking, can't hurt, right? Be sure to not lift, push, or pull. Ms. Betty warned me about that, as not to disturb you port. I would imagine it wouldn't do those delicate stitches on you stomach that are trying to hold the band in place so it can get settled (or scar-in place) any good either. Take care of yourself and the band. A month will pass before you know it and you will be eating normal, even though it doesn't seem that way right now. Keep us posted. Lisa, congrats on the "HOMERUN!!" I have boys and have been there so many times. I can't tell you how much I miss all that! Just sorry you were working in the concession stand. We did that too, but we did it when other teams were playing, where we could watch ours play. There is no feeling like it, huh? 10-9, sounds like a "barn burner." What age group? Vlynn, I wonder if he had any irritation from the breathing tube?? I noticed at the last support meeting that someone mentioned that had a feeling in their throat, and sometimes in their chest. Some others said they had that too. I never did. If it is still bothering him Mon. he might give PS a call just for saftey and peace of mind. I am assuming he is only trying to get liquids down.? I hope you are right about my band, and or pouch. Just looks like that dang scale would move at least a pound or two. It hasn't budged since the fill. Maybe next time. I have even thought about getting back on the Slimfast. Imagine that, as much as I detested it!!! haha. Have a good weekend.

Hi Paula. How did you do after the first fill? I have little to none since I got my first fill. I hope I haven't dialated my pouch. I am afraid I may have. Hungry a lot, no restriction, never feel particularly full. I lost a few pounds in the 2 weeks before my fill, not another pound since. Hope things are better after the second fill. I have to wait 6 weeks between fills. It will be May 21 before I go back.:cry

Hello Priss. We are all wondering how you are:guess We were hoping you would post something this evening. I hope everything went well. I guess we will just have to wait until you post. Hope you are walking and moving around a lot. Take care. I usually get an email alert when someone posts, but today I have not, yet there are some new post. hmmmmm. Wonder what's up with that?

Kyethra, sorry you have been so sick. I lost my gall bladder after a fast weight loss of about 60 lbs. one time several years back. But I developed stones in mine. Seems like if you started getting sick before you lost too much weight it may not be the weight loss that triggered it. But, maybe so. I am just glad you found out what was ailing you and you are getting it taken care of. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. I don't want to be sick but I sure wish I had your weight loss! Take care and get well soon.

Priss, just think....this time tomorrow you will be outside walking around your block. Oh when you are reclining, a heating pad is nice too. Several advised me to use it. Mine was mostly up around my shoulders and neck. The pad felt good. Just think...you will never see that number on the scale that you saw 2 weeks ago when you started your pre-op. I am hoping when I go back to PS my weight loss will be good enough for me to want to change my ticker. That will be May 21. I better slow down on my eating. Can't wait to get my next fill so I might get down to bussiness with the weight loss. Good luck tomorrow, you are in my prayers. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vlynn, glad to hear Billy is doing good. We all know the disconfort will pass, but we will still send him some sympathy until it does. He has a good coach to get him on the right track, the rest is up to him. How long does he get to take off work? Priss, I have been thinking about you. I know tomorrow is your big day! Hope you get to go early and get it over. I was the first one, and glad of it. How have you done on the liquid diet? Isn't that monotonous? At least after Friday you can change liquid flavors. I bought some sf Hersheys for hot chocolate and boy was that good! It will be a welcome change, or at least it was for me. I had that for breakfast some days. You can also have sf Jello, and with the warm weather comming you might enjoy sf popcicles. If you like that sort of thing it is a good snack. Those things are considered liquids. If you like tomato soup it will be good too. I thinned my soups mostly with milk so I could count on some of that protein. The protein is very important. I have to admit I wasn't good with that part. I was sick of the Slimfast. There are several that found drinks at GNC that were high protein that weren't too high in calories. I didn't get a chance to do that. Anyway, good luck tomorrow. Remember to move and walk when you get home as much as possible, it will help dissapate the air they put in.

Josiebies, You have lost nearly 40 lbs in less than three weeks. I was loking at your weight and current weight. What size band and have you had any fill. I know some docs put some in at surgery. Sounds like you are really tight or maybe a lot of swelling. I would say call the doc, but I see you have already been to see him. You shouldn't have trouble getting sood down. Of course you are probably on mushies, right? I had to do liquids for two weeks and then mushies a couple of weeks.Week 5 before I could go to solids. I think I would go back, maybe they will take a look with the flouroscope. Most of us ar too loose at that point and wanting a fill.

What are ya'll doing about your scars? Do you think the Scar Zone is as good as Merderma? The stuff by Neosporin, those strips that you apply are expensive! Whew! I am not too concerned really because who's going to be looking besides husband? Just wonder what your thoughts are. I don't go back for a fill until May 21. 6 1/2 weeks from my first one. ugh... I was hoping I could get another one by the first week of May. Oh well. Vlynn...How is Billy?? Hope everything went well. We are all anxious to hear I am sure. You sure won't have to worry about cooking him supper for 2 more weeks, huh? I am sure you have him walking and moving around. Later.

vlynn, hope Billy gets to go early and get it over with. I don't know what he does for a living but hope it isn't too physical. Caution him about likting, pushing, or pulling. We don't want him to "undo" his port. Good luck Billy!!!! We are all ROOTIN for ya!!!!!

Momlambert, just wondering how things are with your dad. I know that must be hard. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Please don't forget to take care of yourself through all of this. You have to take care now for the long term success. I hope you dad is doing as well as he can for the situation he is in. You know we are all here for you. I have lost both of my parents, I think I know a little bit of what you are going through. Take care.

Usually my doc gives the first fill at about 6 weeks. I got mine at four for some reason. Small amount. She will not do another before another six weeks. Never heard of 90 days. Maybe it is your insurance.

Ihave to wait 6 weeks inbetween fills. Just the rules of my doc. I would really like to get one sooner too. I had one two weeks ago today. I have the medium size band, 10cm. I think I got 1.7cc's fill. I don't have any restriction at this time. I hope the next one works better. Congrats Tammy on your fill. I think you will be happy with the smaller band. I think you will be more successful achieving your "sweet spot" in a shorter period of time than those of us with a larger band. I love your look with the shorter hair. It looks so cute on you I don't think I would let it grow out. It is so "chic." Maybe I will do something drastic when I lose some serious weight. Tracy, it won't be long now. You don't look very heavy in your picture. My face shows every ounce of my weight. I just know you will do well. Sounds like the pre-op diet is going well. Hang in there!

Hello Vlynn. Tell Billy we are thinking about him and when he goes in for surgery he has a whole group of people on here that will be with him in thought and prayers. He is lucky to have someone next to him that has "been there-done that." That REALLY understands. I called PS to see if I could get another fill any sooner than the 6 week mark. Possibly 4. The answer...No. Pooey! Guess I will have to stick it out. They said your band changes?? Don't really understand that. Not after two weeks anyway. Especially in a 10cm band and on the first fill. Oh well, they know better than me. All I know is, I am hungry A LOT! Have the munchies A LOT! I do not want to gain any weight back. I remember either you or Lisa telling me that day was the first day of the rest of my life. I thought about that the morning of my surgery when they weighed me. "I will never see this figure on a scale again." That helped me so much. I lost all nervousness and was so ready to get on that table. That will be six weeks ago tomorrow. Hmmmmmmmm. I remember thinking that the days would never pass when I was on the liquid pre-op diet. How many times did ya'll tell me..This too will pass.... I guess I am just impatient. I wanted to do a little shopping on our vacation, but I guess I will put it off. I am anxious for a few new things to wear. I knew I was going to do this and haven't bought a thing in over a year unless it was absolutely necessary, like undies. Clothes are a little looser but can't afford to buy them every time they get looser. I will wait til they get down right baggy. Ohhhhhh that thought!! haha. Are the meetings always on the second Mon. of the month in Texarkana?

Priss, it is perfectly normal to have the nervous thoughts....at any time. If you read back on some of these threads even this one, I think you will see a lot of Nervous Nellies. haha ME INCLUDED!! Like I said before, If I hadn't had the encouragement from here especially through the pre-op diet I may have backed out. Read back and you will see what a whimp I was!! Vlynnfogg and LisaG scooted me right along every day. I probably did not thank them enough. Even now I seem to have to have that occasionally. I guess when it comes from people that you truly feel that understand it is a big help. I think we are all in the same boat, some of us are just a little farther up stream than others. Take care and hang in there on that liquid diet, it is for your health and saftey. I know....that's easier said than done!! lo2us, I saw Dr. Keilin once and didn't see her til minutes before my surgery. As a matter of fact I was on the operating table and she poked her head in at the doorway, after that I was asleep and didn't see her until right before I left the hospital. The staff there was very nice. I made it very clear that I had a problem about getting sick when I woke up from surgery, and they were very cautious and gave me plenty of whatever, I did not get sick, and for me that is a real feat. You can check at noscales.com for when the next meeting is in Texarkana. They post it before meeting time gets here. Take care.

Hi Priss. I don't know what all you have done there, but I only signed my consent forms, which by the way took quite awhile. There are questions for you to answer on those forms to make sure you understand what you are getting done, ect. (about 20 minutes, I think). I had already seen the doctor, talked to Ms. Betty and the nutritionist, and about cost ect. I don't know if you have done all that or not. Probably so. I understand about the nervousness. I think most of us were, some more than others. But only you can know if it is truly the right choice for you. Are you on the liquid diet? Don't worry you will lose weight on it if you stick to it. They never mentioned anything to me about 10 pounds. I lost more on the pre-op than anytime so far. I am almost 6 weeks post-op. Remember, it is always reversible if you change your mind down the road. I am working on finding the proper restriction. Only had one fill. Good luck to you, and stay in touch. You have a good support group here. Have you been to a support group meeting? Take care and keep us posted.

TAMMY, YOU LOOK GRRRREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck tomorrow, and keep up the good work and attitude. It really helps those of us that success is slower in comming.

Purplemonkey, Momlambert, Hurrah!!!! for both of you!!!!!!! Those losses are fantantastic!! Purplemonkey, 43lbs after surgery, less than a month! Wow!! I think that is the greatest loss I have seen in that short of period of time. I have lost little since surgery, Mar. 7th. About 6 lbs since surgery, the rest about 18 was pre-op diet. I guess I am going to be a member of the slow losers club. I have even gotten a fill about 2 weeks ago. No restriction, and I too can eat anything. I am going to call and try to get another fill as soon as they will let me. I am really excited for both of you. I just have to hang in there till I get the proper restriction. I am going to try to get with an exercise program this week. Maybe that will help.

There is Benefiber, and a few other products like it. It is tasteless. So you can put it in food, or drink, without even tasting it. I sometimes mix it my hot cereal, or a bottled water with Crystal Light, that is a sugar free drink. You may have that there. You use it every day and it adds fiber to your diet, which helps without having to take a laxative. I haven't had problems with any pills yet, but at first I crushed them and put in applesauce. It was rather bitter but I managed. I decided it wad easier to cut it small and take them. Of course I don't have any restriction. Only had one fill and can't tell it. It may be a different story if I ever get restriction, which I am hoping for next fill.

Hello Dreamer. You are right about the 35 pounds, be proud of those that are gone forever. What I don't understand though if you are so tight it looks like you would have lost more. I am still relatively new at this. I have gotton my first fill but to my dismay I feel little to no restriction. I am hoping for better results with my next one. I have read that sometimes you have to go back and re-evaluate the rules of the band, and how we are supposed to be eating and of course "what we eat." I am finding myself having to do that already. I am about 6 weeks out from surgery with little weight loss. I am just hoping I haven't stretched my pouch. Do you worry about that? They say you can hold so much more when it is dialated. My greatest loss was on my pre-op diet. I am hoping things get better with another fill. How many have you had. I have a 10cm band, one fill, that I think was 1.7ccs.

Hello all. I got my first fill a week and a half ago. I thought I could feel some restriction at first but after a few days nothing. Several have told me their first fill was about the same experience. Then again some have gotten restriction and held on to it. I have a 10cm band. My dr. only puts in a small amount at a time. My next fill is was scheduled 6 weeks from the last, but I am going to call to see if I can get it any earlier. I think 4 weeks is the earliest I can get it. I am just hoping I haven't stretched my pouch. I am not gaining but I am not losing either. I am trying not to overeat but it is so hard. What little will power I have is helping me back off. Of course if I had a strong will power I wouldn't be in this baot in the first place would I? When I went for my fill, I had to lay back on the table with a pillow in the small of my back, she felt for the port, put she needle in and in went the saline. It was pretty quick. Oh, I did get a numbing shot first. I was kinda nervous about it but I won't be for the next one. Of course that is how my doctor did it. Some I have read, do it differently. I go to Precision Surgery in Texarkana. Good luck to all of you on your journey.

Vlynnfogg, he breathed into a machine? Hmmm I didn't do that either. I did have to take my shoes off and stand on some kind of clear-looking scale that gave more information than weight. They gave me a printed slip with my BMI and some other info on it. When did Mr. Vlynnfogg go ? I think it is so great that you and your husband are going to be doing this together. A few weeks after his surgery he and you will be on the same level of eating. You will be able to share everything when you go out to eat. Look at the money you two will be saving on groceries and eating out. When he is better you two should take a vacation to celebrate! How is the liquid diet going? That will be moving your train right along!!

Lisa, so glad you feel better today!!!! Lo2us, the physical isn't too much. Dr. K did mine, and also was my surgeon, she listened to my heart, felt of my abdomen, that was about it. The nurse took my BP and pulse. I talked to Amy, the nutritionist, Angie the person that talks about costs, insurance, ect. Ms. Betty came in and talked about the surgery itself and answered any questions you might have. If you set a date for your surgery they will have you read and fill out consent forms for surgery (that part takes a while). Oh, you will weigh in, almost forgot that part. haha. That is basically it. Dr. K did mine and I was very confortable with her. Not that there is anything wrong with Dr. H I think everyone likes him too. I haven't seen him except for the seminar. I guess it's a girl thing, I chose her. When I ask a question(s) she was attentive and seemed genuinely concerned. So relax about that part. They seem to have a wonderful staff. My experience was good. Keep us posted.

Good for you Neveragain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!