Jan0421

HI EVERYONE! IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER 2 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE BOARDS. LIFE HAS BEEN A BIT COMPLICATING HEALTHWISE IN MY FAMILY. MY MOM WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH PNEUMONIA BUT THANK GOD SHE IS HOME AND RECOVERING. MY HUBBY GOT SICK WITH BRONCHITIS AND PASSED OUT ON ME WHILE COUGHING WHICH I HAD TO BRING HIM TO THE ER TO GET CHECKED OUT. THANK GOD HE IS FINE TOO! THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME HEALTH CONCERNS FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. BUT HOPEFULLY, THIS TOO SHALL PASS. I HAVE BEEN STAYING THE SAME FOR THE MOST PART THESE PAST 2 MONTHS AND I KNOW IT IS BECAUSE I WAS PICKING INSTEAD OF EATING MY MEAL. PICKING ALWAYS GOT ME INTO TROUBLE. THANK GOODNESS THAT IT HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW POUNDS UP AND DOWN BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANT. SO I MADE A COMMITTMENT TO MYSELF ON FRIDAY WHICH WAS MY BIRTHDAY THAT NEXT YEAR THIS TIME. I WILL BE 50LBS DOWN. THE WAY I WILL DO THIS IS FOR ME NOT TO PICK. IF I AM TO EAT, I WILL SIT DOWN AND EAT IT AS MY MEAL. I WILL EAT MY 3 MEALS PER DAY AND ALLOW MYSELF ONE SNACK OR TWO DEPENDING IF I EXERCISED THAT DAY. I ALSO WILL INCREASE MY EXERCISE TO 4 DAYS PER WEEK FROM MY 2 TO 3 TIMES PER WEEK. MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DO IT 5 TO 6 DAYS OUT OF THE WEEK. BUT FOR NOW I WILL TRY TO BE CONSISTANT AND DO IT 4 TIMES PER WEEK. I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF NOT TO BE TOO HARD ON MYSELF IF I SLIP. IF I SLIP I WILL JUST START OVER IMMEDIATELY. NOT WAIT TIL THE NEXT DAY! I AM HAPPY WITH MY PROGRESS BUT I DO SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR NOT DOING WELL IF I WAS TO CONTINUE TO PICK. DOES ANYONE HAVE THAT PROBLEM? WHAT DO YOU DO TO STOP IT? I THINK SEEING YOUR COMMITTMENT DOWN IN WRITING MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THEN YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS. I MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME. LIVE LIFE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST! I HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL WEEKEND CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY. I WAS VERY GOOD FOODWISE AND YES, I DID HAVE A SMALL PIECE OF MY ICE CREAM CAKE HOWEVER, I REALLY DID NOT FEEL LIKE EATING MORE. I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE FEW SPOONFULS I HAD. I ALSO LOVED THE FEELING OF WEARING NEW CLOTHES FOR MY BIRTHDAY WHICH WERE ALOT SMALLER THIS BIRTHDAY THAN LAST BIRTHDAY. I GOT BANDED ON DEC. 21, 2006 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE LOST 45LBS. PLUS, I LOST ALOT OF INCHES BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN GOING TO A BARIATRIC REHAB EXERCISE PROGRAM TWICE A WEEK. THIS HAS REALLY ENCOURAGED ME WITH EXERCISING BECAUSE BEFORE THIS I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO REALLY DO IT AND ALSO AFRAID I WOULD HURT MYSELF SINCE I HAVE SOME PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. BUT THE TRAINER THERE SAID TO ME THIS ONE PHRASE..."PACE YOURSELF"!! ...THAT ONE PHRASE HAS WORKED FOR ME AND I ALWAYS CHALLENGE MYSELF EACH TIME I AM EXERCISING TO INCREASE THE MINUTES EACH TIME OR DO MORE REPS ON THE WEIGHT TRAINING. MAKES ME FEEL GOOD I CAN DO IT. COMMITTMENT TO YOURSELF IS AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT NOT ONLY FOR YOUR WEIGHT LOSS BUT IT WILL ALSO INCREASE YOUR SELF ESTEEM. WHEN YOUR SELF ESTEEM GETS BETTER YOU ARE MORE CONSCIOUS AND CAREFUL ABOUT THE CHOICES YOU MAKE TO MAKE A HEALTHIER YOU! I COMMIT TO BEING MORE CAREFUL ABOUT THE CHOICES I MAKE AND CONTINUE THIS EXCITING JOURNEY THAT I CHOSE TO TAKE TO HELP ME LOSE THE WEIGHT I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO DO MY ENTIRE LIFE. I TURNED 48 ON FRIDAY AND I AM HAPPY THAT THIS BIRTHDAY I AM A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER PERSON. I FEEL THE LAP BAND SURGERY HAS TURNED MY LIFE AROUND. I JUST HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REMEMBER WHY I DID THIS AND BY REMINDING MYSELF WILL ONLY HELP MAKE MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY A SUCCESSFUL ONE! I WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS WITH STICKING TO YOUR COMMITTMENT. I KNOW WE WILL DO IT! ONE DAY AT A TIME!

HI everyone! Today was my big day to get my first fill! My mom went with me for moral support:) I was nervous but my doctor made me relax and before I know it it was over. However, he said to me he put in 4cc's in my band for the first time! I really didn't think I was going to have that much. I have a friend who had her first fill and she got 1 1/2 cc's however, I never realized there were 2 different size bands! My friends band can go up to 4cc's and my band can go up to 10cc's. So in relation to the amount given I would almost say they are similar fills. But I had no idea and I wonder why they never tell you this. I don't remember reading about different size bands. Why do they give one a smaller band as opposed to the bigger band? Does anyone know? My doctor told me to keep on liquids for a few days to get use to it and then go mushy and then regular food. I definately have to slow down a bit. But I must say right now I do feel hungry and have been a little afraid to drink as much. I guess when I wake up it will seem easier I hope LOL....anyway, I will write later...gotta get some rest...Thanks for the support! It really means alot! Have a super day! Jan:)

Hi Everyone! I had such a hectic day today. After teaching all day I had to go directly to the cardiologists office to meet my mom who had to have a consult there. When I was home recuperating from my surgery she had to take a 2 day stress test where they inject this radioactive stuff in her to take pictures of her heart when it is not exercising and when the heart is doing exercise (she had an injection to race her heart). My mom weighs only a few pounds less then me now however she is 73yrs old and has been overweight since she was in her late 20's. She never kept her weight off and now at 73 she is looking at the beginnings of heart disease. The doctor told her she has to lose weight. She has high blood pressure (since 30 yrs old) and venous insuffiency in her legs which is due from weight (I developed that in my early 40's), she has asthma and when she walks she has shortness of breath ( I developed asthma about 2 1/2 yrs ago but thank goodness I don't have the shortness of breath when I walk). My mom is on 3 medications (I was on 8 to 10 at one point but my main one I am off is the diabetic medicine which my mom thank god does not have). The reason I am writing this for you to read is because one of the reasons I had my operation is that I was seeing my mom in me. I felt that my asthma would get bad like hers and that my legs instead of being a little red from the venous insuffiency would become brown and discolored like hers. Weight as we all know is truly a killer. My mom's heart problem hopefully will be correctly with diet and maybe a medicine that can help her. She is going for an echocardiogram next week to make sure the muscle in the heart is good. The doctor was very thorough and as I was sitting listening to the doctor about what she has to do I was thinking to myself thank god I had the banding when I did because I was seeing my future. That is why I have to promise myself to be as diligent with making the right choices to help to continue my weight loss journey. So far, I am thrilled and really feel that I have been given another chance at life to be able to enjoy the simplest things like even going for a walk. My family is very happy that I did this where at first they were hesistant about me doing something like this. However, my brother and my sons were for it. My boys want me around a long time and they had faith that it was going to be good. My Mom wasn't for it until a few weeks before the surgery and then admitted to me that she felt I was doing the right thing to get healthy again. Even my husband came around and stayed at the hospital the entire day into the night until I got my hospital room. (and that was with having pain from a root canal the day before ! poor guy!) I wish my mom was a candidate for the band and maybe she is or will be down the line. Tomorrow or should I say later today is my big day because I will be getting my first fill. I am picking my mom up right after work and she is going to support me since I am a wee bit nervous about it. She has always been there for me my mom and needless to say, I will be there for her as well. I gave up my exercise session at the hospital today which I felt bad about but I will make it up towards the end of the week. I also had to bring my younger son to the pediatrician at 6pm because he has been home from school for 2 days. He had a low grade temp, headache and sinus pressure. The doctor gave him antibiotics for a sinus infection. Seems he always gets this at this time of year. He will be out one more day until the antibiotics kick in. By the time I got home it was after 8pm and I had left for work at 8am in the morning. Tiring day but yet hard to sleep because I keep thinking about everything. I figured writing to all of you will get it off my mind and let me get some rest before my next busy day! lol..... Diane, I hope you are feeling better and my prayers are with you. Eileen - I can understand in some ways why your doctor doesn't want to fill you. I think I could go a few more weeks without fill but I will see what my doctor says. I just don't want him to fill it too much the first time. I have to get going...I am getting tired! lol....Hope you all have a wonderful day and keep the faith! Just do a little more each day and if you have a bad day forget about it and move on...because each day is a new day...a new beginning...remember to take it one day at a time...best advice I ever received! Wishing you a day filled with happiness and good health always! Talk to you all soon! By the way, does anyone know how you can copy and paste the tracker on to what you write each time? I made one and tried to copy and paste it and of course, it wouldn't work! lol....I thought it was very nice! lol Have a great day! Take care! Jan banded on Dec. 21, 2005 32lbs down and 108lbs to go!

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't been posting lately but it has been so hectic. I went back to work on January 23rd and I am also going to a Bariatric Rehab Exercise Program over at Hackensack Univ. Med. Ctr. in Hackensack, NJ. The program is great but now since I am back at work I have to get there no later than 6pm because the hours are 5pm to 8pm on Tues. and Thurs. I was going from in the early part of the afternoon which began at 2pm and ended by 4pm. They have an exercise physiatrist like a personal trainer and they really guide you. I have some physical problems that I have been coping with for years and they are addressing them. I am now finally walking and walking faster than I have in years. I feel much better finally getting a bit more active now. I have lost 32lbs since my banding on Dec. 21. 2005. It was neat going back to work after not seeing me for a month. I lost all over and especially alot of bloat from my face. It feels good to look in the mirror again and not cringe. I am really happy to say one of the best things that has happened to me besides losing weight was that I have been off my diabetic medicine since the day before surgery. I test my sugar levels every morning before I eat. My levels are normal now:) Yesterday, my blood sugar was 94! I haven't been below 100 in years! I go to my endocrine doctor in about 2 weeks and I am sure he will be very happy. It is amazing to me that I didn't realize how bad I really felt until I started to feel GREAT! I pray everyday that it continues this way. I felt so bad for so many years. Even my arthritis feels better. I don't have to take advil everyday. I was taking at least 3 to 6 advils everyday for pain. The taste of feeling great is just wonderful. I am sure many of you would agree with me. I am a bit nervous for Wednesday, Feb. 1st. I go to the doctor for my first fill. Eileen, how come your doctor has not filled your band yet? My friend had her band filled after 2 1/2 months and her doctor filled it 1 1/2 cc. isn't that alot for a first fill? What is normal for a first time? My friend got banded on Nov. 7, 2005 and she had lost 50lbs by her first fill which was Jan. 11th and after her first fill she didn't feel good and was not eating alot except for pudding and pops. Finally, she began to eat again and when she went on the scale the next week she lost an additional 11lbs! In 2 1/2 months my friend lost 61lbs! That is wild! But she did say to me that she really doesn't want to lose in such big jumps because she doesn't want her skin to sag. She also added exercise to her program. She does it for half hour 3 times week. I do think the exercise does help to take off the pounds easier and faster.I must admit I do feel so much better since I began my exercise program. I even treated myself to a Gezelle. I tried it and it seemed like it will be fun to use. It even came with dvd's to use. Tony Little is like your personal trainer in these dvd's. Diane - I was sorry to hear that you had to have surgery again. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Just keep thinking positive and with all the good wishes from the group you are sure to have a speedy and successful recovery. God Bless you Diane! I better get myself back to bed. I have work in the morning but I had to place a Mary Kay order before 12 midnight. By the way, if anyone needs anything from Mary Kay just let me know. I give my customers a 10 percent discount and I do parties and complimentary makeovers. I have a good time with it. I have been doing it part time for about 1 1/2 years. Plus, I teach as a one on one teacher during the day so I am quite busy but I do enjoy what I do. My younger son has been keeping me quite busy and it will only get busier as the weeks go on. He is rehearsing for "Fiddler on the Roof". He is playing the part of "the Fiddler". He has rehearsals every weekend including some during the week. By the time February is here which is real soon. He will have it almost everyday of the week. Especially when March rolls along. I will never see my son Phil. I will just have to put on a taxi sign on my car:) I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of your week. Just remember to take it a day at a time. That is what keeps me sane lol....Feel free to write anytime. I will try to get on the boards more often. However, it is a big comfort to get here and read what everyone has to say. Stay healthy, be safe and feel great! Take care everyone! Jan Banded Dec. 21, 2005 Hackensack Univ. Med. Ctr. Dr. Trivedi Highest weight 340 2yrs ago/Pre-surgery Weight 299.4/ Lost 32lbs...267lbs now! "MAY ALL YOUR TOMORROWS BE BEAUTIFUL"

Hope everything went great with your surgery. Will be saying a prayer for you to feel better real soon:).... You have an exciting journey ahead of you now:) Take care of yourself and let your family do it all for now....rest up!!:eek: Jan0421 highest 340/prebanded weight 299.4/ 4weeks post op..lost 27lbs..272

HI EVERYONE! I WROTE PROBABLY ON THE WRONG MESSAGE BOARD SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE I HAD SURGERY ON DEC. 21ST YOU WILL SEE IT ON THE JANUARY EXERCISE BOARD. LOL...TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT...I FEEL REALLY GREAT DESPITE I AM ON JUST FULLER liquids FOR THE 2ND WEEK. I HAVE LOST IN A LITTLE OVER ONE WEEK 23LBS! FEELS GOOD TO HAVE THAT BLOAT OFF OF ME. PLUS, I AM OFF MY DIABETIC MEDICINE AND HOPE IT WILL STAY THAT WAY. I WAS REAL NERVOUS BEFORE THE OPERATION BUT ONCE I WAS THERE AND SPOKE WITH THE DOCTOR AND ANESTHESIOLOGIST I FELT SO MUCH BETTER. I WAS HAPPY I WAS ABLE TO GO HOME THE NEXT DAY. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AND MY KIDS HAVE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL TOO. THEY ACTUALLY LET ME GET THE TV CLICKER LOL!! WHAT FOODS DO YOU OR DID YOU FIND GOOD TO EAT WHILE YOU WERE IN THE FULLER liquid STAGE??I CAN ALSO HAVE BABY oatmeal WHICH ACTUALLY TASTED GOOD TO ME ....THEY COME IN LITTLE PACKETS AND ARE PERFECT AND EASY TO PREPARE. I CAN'T REALLY EXERCISE YET BUT I AM WALKING AROUND THE HOUSE ALOT. I HAD ONE OUTING TO THE MALL AFTER CHRISTMAS...WAS A BIT CRAZY BUT I FELT GOOD WALKING AROUND. HOWEVER, I DON'T PLAN ON GOING BACK THERE SO FAST...IT IS STILL A REAL ZOO THERE! HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR'S AND WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2006! MAY ALL YOUR TOMORROW'S BE BEAUTIFUL!!!:confused: JANICE:) BANDED 12/21/05 HACKENSACK UNIV. MED.CTR. , NJ 23LBS LOST SO FAR AND COUNTING.........

:confused: HI EVERYONE! HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2006! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A CHANCE TO POST ON THE BOARDS SINCE MY SURGERY ON DEC. 21, 2005! I MISSED WRITING EVERYONE AND SEEING WHAT EVERYONE HAD TO SAY. WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE MESSAGE BOARDS LIKE THIS TO HELP WITH THE INSPIRATION WE ALL NEED. MY SURGERY WENT WELL BUT I WAS A BIT MORE SORE THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD BE AND THAT COULD BE THAT I HAVE NO TOLERANCE TO PAIN! LOL...ANYWAY, AFTER THE FIRST 12 HOURS I WAS STARTING TO FEEL MUCH BETTER AND I WAS GETTING OUT OF BED. I EVEN SHOWERED BEFORE I WENT HOME. I ONLY STAYED OVERNIGHT. I THINK THE WORSE PART FOR ME WAS THE MIGRAINE I HAD FROM THE MORPHINE THEY GIVE TO HELP THE PAIN. BUT ONCE I GOT MY liquid MOTRIN I STARTED TO FEEL HUMAN AGAIN! LOL....THE FIRST WEEK OF liquids WAS NOT AS HARD AS I EXPECTED IT TO BE. I REALLY WAS NOT VERY HUNGRY BUT I FORCED MYSELF TO EAT EVERY HOUR MY 4 OUNCES LIKE THE NUTRITIONIST TOLD ME. I WENT FOR MY FIRST PRE-OP VISIT ON DEC. 27, 2005 AND I WAS SO EXCITED THAT I LOST 19LBS AT THAT VISIT. SINCE THAT VISIT AS OF YESTERDAY, I LOST A FEW MORE POUNDS AND NOW DOWN A TOTAL OF 23LBS! BEFORE MY SURGERY, I HAD LOST 60LBS BUT I HAD GAINED BACK 20LBS SINCE MAY WHEN I WAS PUT ON A HIGHER DOSE OF GLUCOPHAGE WHICH I WAS TAKING FOR MY DIABETES. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN OFF THE MEDICATION SINCE THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY!!!! THAT IS WHAT I HOPED FOR AND DREAMED ABOUT THIS SURGERY HELPING ME ATTAIN TO DO THAT. MY NEXT GOAL IS TO SEE IF I CAN GET OFF MY CHOLESTROL MEDICATION AND MY ADVAIR MEDICATION OR AT LEAST TO LOWER IT FROM 250 2X DAY TO 100 2X PER DAY. EVEN THOUGH THE MEDICATION GOES INTO YOUR LUNGS A LITTLE BIT DOES GO INTO YOUR BLOOD STREAM...I RATHER HAVE LESS OF THE STERIOD IN ME. BUT HAPPY TO SAY MY SUGAR LEVELS HAVE BEEN BETWEEN 111 AND 137 (THAT IS WITH AN INFECTION IN ONE OF MY INCISIONS THAT IS GETTING BETTER WITH ANTIBIOTICS). I MUST TELL YOU I WAS VERY NERVOUS BEFORE MY OPERATION BUT THEN I MET WITH THE DOCTOR AND I CALMED DOWN AND HAD A PEACEFUL FEELING IT WOULD GO WELL. JUST BEING IN A HOSPITAL MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE. BUT I WAS IN A GOOD PLACE FOR MY SURGERY AND HAD WONDERFUL NURSES THAT REALLY HELPED ME WHEN AT THE HOSPITAL...OF COURSE, MY SURGEON WAS GREAT TOO! I HAD A MISHAP WITH A Vitamin THAT THE DOC RECOMMENDED TO ME. I AM ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH BIG TIME AND I TOLD THE DOC THAT I NEVER HAD IODINE SINCE THAT. HE FELT THE KELP IODINE IN THE BARIATRIC VITAMIN WOULD BE OK HOWEVERRRRRRRRRRR....IT WASN'T FOR ME...SO A WEEK LATER I FOUND MYSELF BACK IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BENEDRYL SHOT AND I HAD TO TAKE 40MG OF PREDNISONE BUT ONLY THAT ONE TIME. THANK GOD! PREDNISONE IS WHAT MADE ME A DIABETIC....THEY GAVE IT TO ME TOO LONG WHEN I WAS SICK 2 YEARS AGO. I DIDN'T REALIZE AT THAT TIME I WAS INSULIN RESISTANT...SO THAT JUST PUT ME OVER THE EDGE TO BECOMING A DIABETIC. IT WAS HAVING DIABETES THAT MADE ME MAKE THIS DECISION TO GET THE BAND. I AM REALLY HAPPY I DECIDED TO DO IT! I CAN SEE AND FEEL MYSELF GETTING BETTER AND EVEN LOOKING BETTER ALREADY. I JUST KEEP PRAYING THAT MY MAIN INCISION WILL BE OK. THE ONE THAT HAS THE PORT UNDER IT IS THE ONE WITH THE INFECTION. MY DOCTOR SAID SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO REDO THE PORT IF THE INCISION OPENS. HOPEFULLY, I WON'T HAVE TO FACE THAT. I AM JUST THINKING POSITIVE AND ENJOYING SEEING THE scale GO DOWN! I KNOW I HAVE BEEN WRITING ALOT BUT IT'S BEEN AWHILE LOL....ANYWAY, YES I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW YEAR! I FEEL IT WILL BE A REALLY GOOD ONE AND ONE THAT WILL HELP ME GET MY LIFE BACK TO WHERE I WANT IT TO BE. I HAVE HAD YEARS OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND I DO FEEL THAT SLOWLY BUT SURELY WITH SOME HARD WORK I WILL BECOME FIT AND VERY HEALTHY! I PLANNED ON CHANGING THAT WHEN I DECIDED ON THIS OPERATION. IT'S NICE TO GET THINNER BUT EVEN NICER TO SEE MYSELF GET HEALTHIER...THINNER IS THE REWARD FROM DOING WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO DO TO GET MYSELF HEALTHY! I KNOW WE CAN ALL DO IT TOGETHER! THE SUPPORT EVERYONE GIVES HERE IS INCREDIBLE. I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THE NOTES I HAVE GOTTEN IN THE PAST. I AM PROUD TO BE AN OFFICAL BANDSTER!! WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2006!! LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU ALL!! HAPPY NEW YEAR BANDSTERS!!!! JANICE (Jersey Girl) Banded 12/21/05 - Hackensack Univ. Med. Ctr highest 340/pre-op weight 299.4/ weight as of today 276 (down 23.4 since surgery) ...looking forward to the numbers going downnnnnnnnn!!!

Hi Everyone! I Just Can't Believe It But Tomorrow Is My Surgery! I Am Excited And Yet A Bit Nervous But I Do Feel Ready For It. I Have Been Working On My Mindset And I Do Believe It Is Where It Has To Be For This Surgery. So Many People Ask Me "how Come You Are Doing This Before The Holidays?" I Say, When Is There A Better Time? At Least This Holiday I Won't Gain Weight! I Heard From A Gal I Met At My Chiropractor's Office And She Had Her Banding On Nov. 17th. She Is Doing Great And Already Lost 21lbs. She Also Went Back To Work Pretty Quickly. However, I Am Giving Myself The Time The Doctor Told Me To Take. I Want To Feel Good When I Go Back And Eating A Bit More Normal. Please Keep Me In Your Thoughts For A Successful And Smooth Surgery:) Hopefully, I Can Get Back Here Before Hanukkah And Christmas Begins To Let You Know How It All Went. Wishing You All A Happy And Healthy Holiday And New Year! We All Have Alot To Look Forward To In 2006!!!! Be Well Everyone! Hugs To All! Jan:)

Hi Eileen and anyone else that is reading this:)! I had an experience the other day I must share with you and anyone else who is interested in reading this. As you know my surgery is coming up real soon. I am being banded on December 21st! I am quite excited about it and I feel I am being very positive about the entire surgery. I feel it's the only way to be. I won't say I am not nervous at all but I think most people are before they have any surgery. However, the power of positive thinking is still good to have. Ok, so here goes my story....I had brought my mom to the hairdresser the other day and while I was waiting for her my mom said "Jan, Fran's daughter had surgery I think by the group you are having." Her daughter had the GB not the LB. I ask this lady who the surgeon was and she said....my surgeon's name. Then she says Oh but I can't stand him. He ruined my daughters life! I said to her that is my surgeon and I have very good feelings about him and have never heard anything negative about him only positive. She said that he punctured her spleen and that the other surgeon in the group had to fix his mistake. She said her daughter will never be the same because of what happened.Obviously, she is in a law suit against him. This happened in 2002. Then she said to me I am sure your surgery will go fine but I would never use him since what happened to my daughter! I then tell her I am really sorry to hear about what happened to her but I still feel very confident that he will do a great job on me. It's the only way I can think. She wished me luck with my surgery and then left. I still feel good about my surgeon but just figures I had to hear something like that right before I have my surgery. I don't want to post the doctor's name here but if you want to know the name feel free to email me and I will tell you. You could also find it in my introduction somewhere on the boards. This lady I do not know and some of it might be a bit exaggerated so I rather not post it here. On the positive side, a nurse I met a few days ago while taking my ekg. She had the GB and it was performed by the head guy. She had some complications but thank god were taken care of. She told me her husband had surgery of a different kind by my doctor and he was great. She said if she had to do it over again she would of used my doctor. She said I was in great hands. This is a nurse that told me that. So, I tend to go with the nurse then the other gal...but I just had to write this down and share this experience. All I can do is just hope and pray that things will go well and keep a positive attitude! Worrying what if will get me nowhere except get an ulcer!! lol....Anyway, I am happy my surgery is coming up soon. Just dreaming how things will be next holiday seaon:) I am hoping I will be half my size or at least close to it!! Anyway, the most important thing...I will be alot healthier and that is why I am doing this. I saw my endocrine doctor on Friday and he told me to stop my diabetic medicine 2 days before surgery. He said he feels I won't need it once I am banded!! I am thrilled to hear that!! I pray to god he is correct!! He said to ask my surgeon if they would give me an amino acid drip instead of a glucose drip so I wouldn't need insulin drip with it. Otherwise I will need insulin drip because the glucose will make the sugar count go high! He said if he won't do that just make sure I have an insulin drip. So I thought that was a good tip. I have to get ready for my day...couldn't sleep anymore so I decided to check the boards and say hi! Hope you all have a GREAT day!! Jan:)

HI EILEEN! LET ME KNOW WHAT SUPPORT GROUP YOU WILL BE GOING TO AT HACKENSACK. I WILL TRY TO GO TO THE SAME MEETING. THAT WOULD BE SO COOL IF WE COULD MEET. DO THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE MEETING? I FINALLY SPOKE TO MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND THEY MADE ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT SOME THINGS AS REGARD TO PREP BEFORE SURGERY. I HAVE A CALL IN TO THE NUTRITIONIST BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. I WILL ACTUALLY TRY TO EMAIL HER SINCE THEY DID GIVE ME HER EMAIL ADDRESS TOO. IT WAS A REALLY HECTIC DAY TODAY. AFTER I GOT HOME FROM WORK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I GOT A CALL FROM THIS MAN TELLING ME MY MOM WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT BUT SHE WAS OK. OF COURSE I FLEW THERE FAST AND THANK GOODNESS NOBODY WAS REALLY HURT. THE OTHER PERSON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR CAR HOME BUT SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO. MY MOM WILL BE AT MY HOUSE FOR AWHILE. SHE HAS A BIT OF A COLD RIGHT NOW AND I AM HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T SPREAD TO THE FAMILY. I HAVE TO STAY WELL TO HAVE MY SURGERY ON DEC. 21ST. HOPEFULLY ALL WILL GO WELL....AND I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MY MOM IS OK FROM THE ACCIDENT. SHE WAS JUST SHOOK UP A BIT WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE. HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SUPER, FANTASTIC DAY...KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP!! I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO READING ALL THE ENTRIES. THANKS TO ALL THAT SHARE! BYE FOR NOW:) JAN:)

Hi Cheri! Wow! You went through alot but you still are in great spirits which only means one thing....you are going to do great on your journey to losing your weight! I am not too far away too from getting banded. I am getting my surgery on Dec. 21. I am a bit nervous but overall excited about what the future will hold for me with the help of the band. Congrats Cheri! You are an inspiration to us all....and I can't believe it...shopping already! By the way, I can relate when you say that you have 2 small children. My boys are now 13 and 14 but when they were babies I had to have my gallbladder out. My babies at that time were 3 1/2 months and 10 1/2 months! It wasn't easy but with the help of friends and family I made it through somehow.lol...Now I guess you are wondering how come they were so close together...well, I was very fortunate and when I adopted my older son I found out that day I was pregnant. My boys are 7 months apart! That was exciting too! Now I'm excited for all of us beginning this journey together. I know we all have different banding dates but we are here to help each other and cheer each other on to keep on going!! I am really happy I was told about this website. Cheri, keep your spirits up...seems like that isn't a problem for you..and don't worry if you have to whine right now...hey, your the mom! Glad you are home and on the mend...feel better real soon!! Welcome home!! Happy Holidays!Jan:)

Hi Eileen! I see that we are neighbors! I also live in Bergen County. I am being banded on Dec. 21st. Also at Hackensack Univ. Medical Ctr. My doctor is Dr. Trivedi. Did you use him? Please feel free to email me at Jlynn4215@aol.com. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing. It really does help to inspire me and assures me I am doing the right thing. I am getting very excited about this and yes, still a bit nervous but I do have faith things will go well. I am just trying to take this all a day at a time. Hope to hear from you soon. Take care and be well neighbor! Jan

Hi everyone! My name is Jan and I live in NJ close to the NYC area. On Dec. 21, 2005 I will be having surgery to get the Lap Band. I have gone back and forth with debating do I do it now or in the summer thinking I will lose alot of weight and not need it. However, I know that is not really what would happen. In fact, I might even gain more weight. The reason I finally decided on doing it now is because I got Diabetes type 2 about 2 yrs ago. I am on about 8 medications for various health issues. I am tired of feeling pain when I walk or get up out of a chair. I am only 47 but somedays because of the pain I feel so much older. It worries me that I won't be here for my boys if I don't get this weight off. I want to feel better physically and emotionally. This weight is such a burden. I have done alot of research and done some talking to people about this procedure. I still think that the band is the best way for me to lose than to do anything else more invasive. If you have any tips or words of encouragement I would love to read them. I know I am in the right place but just need a little encouragement from people who have been there. I guess you know what I mean. Please feel free to write me here or email me. I look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Keri! Thanks for welcoming me to the LBT boards. I see you have done great so far with your weight loss journey. By the way, how do you get that count down picture to show your weight loss and goal? What link would get me there? Thanks. Happy Holidays! Jan:)

Hi Tootarts! Thanks for your message. You do really sound like you could be my twin! I want to wish you good luck with your banding procedure on Dec. 20th! One day before I get mine. Please keep in touch and feel free to write to my personal email as well. My email is Jlynn4215@aol.com. We do have alot to look forward to and I have faith that things will go well for both of us. Did your doctor give you anti nausea medicine to keep at home? I hope to hear from you soon. Take care and be well. Jan

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. They really mean alot to me. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!