Alicia99

We could probably do an "unofficial" lap band support group in the Spokane Valley if anyone wanted to. Just no whining and complaining. But I could offer support to my bandit sista's!

April 2nd, 13 lbs too. 2 fills, and I had to fight with depression. Doc said that depression is 100% normal, we have always had "depression and anxiety" feelings to deal with, but we just took away our ability to self-medicate with food...she recommended eating peppers! Hot spicy peppers that burn your mouth, trick your brain into releasing endorphins. Works for me! Hang in here, we will lose weight. Last week I lost 2 of the 13. Its a balancing act. This has been the very first week I felt full, and did not want to eat. I honestly think my brain had to catch up with my stomach!

I was banded April 3rd 2008, 4cc band, two fills for a total of 2cc...but I have only lost about 7lbs. It varies between 7& 12, up & down. I suppose its going to be a waiting game until I get to the sweet spot, but in the meanwhile I am starting walk/jog 3 times a week. I don't want to spend time documenting every calorie, though, because I am sick of obsessing about it. And I would like to KILL my scale. Still not sorry I did this though...I catch myself sometimes eating for emotional reasons, and although I can still do that, the band is like a safety net to keep me from overdoing it TOO much, like before. Looking forward to my sweet spot someday!

Hi Spokane Ladies, What does Dr. Trotter charge for your first and later fills? I am in dire need of a fill! Time to lose some weight!! Thanks in advance!!:smile2:

Hi Short1, your ticker says you lost 57 lbs, thats fantastic! Mind if I ask what your weekly loss averages at a fill of 2.9?

I am so glad you asked that! I have been wondering myself, what others experiences are with a 4cc band. I was banded on April 3rd, with my first fill on May 31st and second fill on June 7th. I am currently at 2cc. Although I am kind of excited to have some minimal restriction, that is- I got stuck on Saturday for the first time ever and had a pb. At least after my second fill I can tell I have a band, but I can eat way too much. I ate an entire whole-wheat veggie sandwich yesterday, and I didn't get that uncomfortable feeling that comes when you are full full, that feeling that you are stuffing yourself. Know what I mean? I may have had one tiny sip of water!!! :cool2: Anyhow, 2cc's is not enough for me, but I will err on the side of caution with my next fill. I am really looking forward to finding out where others sweet spots are. Thanks for your post.:thumbup:

Hi Pamidoodle, We have close band dates (4/3) and I also have around 100 lbs to lose. I get my first fill on May 31..I am really looking forward to it! I have lost and gained back, but my overall is now just 4 lbs. Can't wait for a fill! I was interested in your post because I also have a 4cc band with no fill at surgery. I am looking forward to some restriction! Let us know how your 1.5 cc fill goes.

Chilly, I am with you! Just after surgery lost a few, and now gained them all back. I feel hungry all the time, just like before. I just want to eat eat eat at my desk. Fill is 5/31...hang in here with me, we WILL lose after the fill. Hugs.

I am not losing any weight either. For crying out loud- who wants to count calories? Seriously, if I could win by counting calories, would I be in this predicament? Certainly not. Lets be patient together, and be faithful with our fills, and make sure we get Protein, and count our victory in a year. Lets look at the big picture. Honestly, I think I still would have done the lap band if it ONLY stopped me from gaining more every year... Its not a race. Its a countdown. We will all be victorious.

I biked 8 miles yesterday! And my heart feels GOOD for it. I do an occasional elliptical...some walking. In general, I work when I go home, ride horses, chase kids, but need more of that good CARDIO! I could get used to the bicycle.

Hi there! Saturday was my 1 month, and so far I have lost...Nothing! I only post because I know I am not the only one out here who is not shedding the pounds like crazy...its not an instant fix, is it. I am seriously looking forward to my fill! On the bright side, this was a big hurdle to accomplish, just the act of the surgery itself, and I am thrilled to have this behind me. Now I am looking forward to the long run, the 1year, the 2 year...its a much brighter future than I was facing before I considered this lap band. Another bright side, the surgery was text-book perfect, the recovery was speedy, and I rode my bike 8 miles yesterday with my kids and hubby! My scars are tiny and almost gone. I know this will work for me, and I am not feeling impatient or disappointed, despite not losing 30 lbs this month :thumbup:

The band has fixed it for me, as of the day of surgery!

Dr Zapata and his staff, as well as the hospital staff in Monterrey, Mexico, all took very good care of me...Saw him before surgery, in recovery, in my hospital room that night, and also the next morning. I have a direct line for him to call for any questions, and I couldn't be happier. They did such a great job, I hardly had any questions for them. I guess its like anything, there are different standards of care wherever you go. But I think it should be noted, I spent an overall total of $10K for my surgery, hospital stay in a suite, airfare for two, passports for two, nutritional and lifestyle consult, and hotel (with a total of 5 nights stay) and some touring. Its been only 1 week, but so far not a single complication. I know there are some folks who are spending a lot more, and not getting even a hospital nights stay. I am not one for pushing any certain doctors or anything like that, but I think a person should shop around before considering where to go, especially when self-pay.

Oh Leslie- I am right there with you girl! I cried like a baby while waiting for my IV, while the wrapped my legs, and while I was not with my family...right up until they put me out. Then I woke up crying from anesthesia. Its not the pain, or anything terrible, its just a reaction I have...same thing happend when I got an IV and had my wisdom teeth pulled! I just have an internal fear. But the bottom line is this- the whole experience when off exactly as planned, and the pain was minimal. I feel like such an idiot when I cry like that...but I can't stop it. I felt much better when they brough my dh in and he held my hand, after I woke up...I guess everyone reacts differently. My mom is just fine with it! Its like a walk in the park with her!

Hi P3, I am doing well! Surgery was a piece of cake. We had fun in Mexico. I feel full all the time, or bloated, but not ever hungry. I have cheated on my post op diet, though, and had some salmon last night...it was good, but a good reminder to eat only a SMALL portion, and also DONT TAKE THAT LAST BITE!!! I am so glad I am a bandster now, and glad the surgery is behind me!!

My name is Alicia, I live in Spokane, Washington, have two wonderful daughters, ages 5 & 7. Been married for 8 years to a great guy..have a cat, two dogs, two calves, 6 horses, and numerous chickens. I am in software sales. I am 31 years old. I was banded on Thursday the Third of APRIL!! It was absolutely as expected with no problems, and I am so GLAD to have it behind me, and I can't wait to ride the horses again!

Mine is a little bit hard, and tender...kind of a lump. But normal I think...its healing, and the scar is itchy today.

So far, 12 lbs...but was not very good at the pre-op diet...

Just wanted to let you all know: my surgery was textbook, was up and walking within 3 hours, walked several "hall laps" the first night, walked as much as possible the next day, by the third day hiked up to a waterfall, just took it slow and steady...but that was a 5 hour outing..by the fourth day I was at the top of a mountain, about a 3 hour day...by the 5th day I flew home. So, I know its different for everyone, but in case anyone is wondering, it is possible to have a surgery and a vacation all in the same week! I just got bored in my hotel, and my DH wanted to see all this stuff...anyhow, I really seemed to feel better while walking or moving than I did when laying down...its like laying down brought on the gas and pain, so I just kept moving. Things are feeling pretty fine now, but I am glad to be home!

...i had my surgery with Dr Zapata, in Monterrey, Mexico. Everything went exactly as planned, no surprises. All things considered, I feel pretty good! Plus; I met a cute skinny lady here that was banded 2 years ago and returned for some work on her flabby arms...but know what? She looked GREAT and I do mean GREAT. Slight gas and port pain, no problems drinking Water or eating Jello or drinking gatorade....but although I have not eaten more than that in two days, I don´t feel hungry at all! I walked as soon as possible, like they said to, and it was the best thing. When I walked, I felt better right away. And when I feel bad or gassy, I walk and feel better right away. I am the biggest weenie, I cried when they did my pick line in my arm and when they gave me a shot. I am always like that..I went under anesthesia right away all as planned, and woke up a little upset, crying for my husband. The nurses were so great, they made him scrub up and brought him in right away to calm me down. It hurt a little bit but it was not too bad. I threw up a tiny bit coming out of anesthesia, then as soon as that was over began to calm down and was just fine. The port is the more painful thing, the band itself is fine. The port is stitched into your side, so feels pinchy..but not unbearable by any means. I spent the night in the hospital since my surgery was not until 4 pm, and the nurses were super all night long. Pain meds ontime and never needed a thing. They took care of my dh too, making him a bed. Our room was like a nice hotel room, with a fold out bed for him. I have received excellent care and I am looking forward to some tours tomorrow in Monterrey. I have a few more nights in Monterrey, they use a 4 star hotel so its nice here. Personally, I am thanking God for this safe surgery and how everything went so smooth...I had some great friends praying for me and things could not have been better. Best wishes to all of you, I am thrilled for this new beginning!:tongue:

My surgery is only 1 week away! Now I am getting concerned about these possible complications. Does anyone know the statistics of successful Lap Band placements VS. those who have erosion or slippage, and have to have the band removed? I really really want this to work, and I will be devastated if something goes wrong......

My doc suggested Atkins 1 week prior, but I am having such a hard time getting on it! If its hard now, think how hard it will be AFTER....Ugh! I knew this would be no cakewalk, but I sure hope I can behave myself and control my cravings! Have a great weekend all of you, THURSDAY will be here soon!

That was nice, thanks Lizalee!

Hi Big Band Fan, I am scared too. And I am having mine in Mexico! So thing is, I would probably be more OK if I were not a mom. I have a 7yo daughter & a 5yo daughter, and they mean the WORLD to me. If something happend to me, it would change their lives drastically. I have to have faith that things will be fine, and if worst case, faith that they would still be well loved and cared for. Its normal to be worried. Actually, I think I did not know what worry was until I had my daughters! And I thank God for them every day. But I want to be a role model, not a sit-on-the-sidelines watch-life-go-by mom, either.

I want to barrel race my fast horse, and WIN in the Open class!