caminco

I think I have an idea why some say 13 weeks to go and some say 12 weeks to go. As of yesterday(9/3), Thanksgiving is exactly 12 weeks away. The dates on the left hand side where it is saying 13 weeks to go are end of August dates. The dates where it is saying 12 weeks to go are beginning of September dates. I am excited to do this challenge to get me back on track. I got my band last summer and am having a hard time with these last pounds. Thanks, Colleen Lap band surgery: 5/6/08 Revision for kinked tubing: 7/17/08

I had my surgery in 5/2008 and had about 4 fills since surgery. I went in at the end of January and had 0.5 ml put in, could drink water in the office fine. Later that night, I could not eat food, I felt like something was sitting on my chest, only fluids would go down in sips. I had really bad heartburn. I got really scared. I went about a week doing this and made an appt and got 0.3 ml taken out. It made such a difference. It was like night and day. I'm glad I didn't let that feeling go on for any more time. I lost 4 pounds in 6 days during that time but I felt horrible.

Welcome Joanne!!! I am originally from Edmonton and I have a brother that lives in Winnipeg. Small world. I did my research, read a lot about the band and decided it was for me. It was the best decision I could have made. I was a self-pay also and decided I needed to do this for my health. I got my band in May of this year and have lost about 50 pounds so far. Keep reading all of the fantastic success stories. I have learned so much by the people on this site. They are really here to help you succeed and get you through all of the hurdles. Welcome again, Cami

Hi Wannabe I had Kaiser insurance this year and I didn't want to have to jump through all of the hoops. They wanted me in a Kaiser weight loss support group for at least a year before I would be considered. I called Dr. Kirshenbaum's office at the end of February of this year, met with him for a consult at the end of March and had my surgery scheduled during the visit for May 9. I decided to pay for it myself and put it on a credit card. I can claim it as a medical expense next year. It was something I really did my homework on, I looked at this website quite a bit, I looked on the internet, kept reading Dr. Kirshenbaum's website and I was convinced that this was the right option for me. I'm doing really well. I've lost over 40 pounds. I feel so much better. I like the way the band is working for me. Caminco

Hi Bikini I'm glad you are doing much better. I never had any type of surgery before this so I wasn't sure what to expect. Take it one day at a time, it gets better. Pureeds: let me see if I remember-I did Clear liquids for several days, then full liquids for several weeks: Soup and pudding, Jello, crystal light. Then I was on mushies: mashed potatoes, mashed up Beans with cheese, cream of wheat, mashed up tuna with light mayo, scrambled eggs. Talk to you later, Caminco

Bikini Beachy Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I know you're going to do great. Write us and let us know how you're feeling in the next few days. I would love to come to Red Robin next month if you would like another person to join in. Sounds like a great group!!!! I had my surgery done by Dr. K in May 2008 and got the kink in my tubing fixed in July. So far, I think I'm doing pretty well. I was working 4 jobs and going to school full-time so didn't spend enough time on exercise. I've cut back a little now so making time for exercise. I'm making myself a priority right now. I live in Aurora and had my surgery at Crown Point. Have a nice weekend, Colleen

Hi Indiana Girl Try not to gauge what the experience is like from one night's postings. Really do your homework. There are far more happy and uplifting stories on this site. You may be drawn to the negative things but trust me, there are so many successes. I have finally found something that helps me not think about food all the time, it tells me when I've had enough which is far less than I used to be able to consume. I am on the road to finding myself and it feels wonderful. Keep reading the good stuff-it's everywhere!!! Caminco Surgery date: May 9, 2008 Fills total 3.6 cc in 10 cc band

Welcome to this amazing site!!!! Read a lot of postings, look around the site, get familiarized with the pros and cons. Sit down and decide if this is really for you. I did my homework and getting the lap band was the best decision I could have made for myself. You are going to get a lot of opinions from friends and family and you really have to listen to yourself. There have been a lot of success stories on here. I am amazed at how much better I feel. Welcome again Eileen, take care caminco

Way to go everyone!!!! Looks like the May people have really been taking care of business. I have not been as diligent in my workouts this summer. Worked 4 jobs and had 3 classes this summer. I have 3 classes this fall and cut back to 2 jobs. Hopefully that will help me in my workouts. I have been walking but not faithfully. I have been eating pretty well on target, drinking my protein shakes, stopping when I am full. Have had a few times when things get stuck. I am learning to really chew well. I bought a bathing suit and joined the pool near my house. Found out when the lane swimming and water aerobics are. Will do weights and cardio the other days. I have penciled workouts on my calendar. Things have been kind of slow for me in the weight loss dept but not really surprising. I had a kink in my tubing in the original surgery but it is fixed now. I have had a few fills and going for another one in two weeks. I'm really starting to feel like I am close to the sweet spot. I booked a cruise over New Years so hopefully that will be motivation for me. Keep up the good work everyone, caminco Surgery date: May 9, 2008 10 cc band Fill date June 10, 2008 Kink in tubing-no fill Surgery date to fix the kink: July 17, 2008 2cc fill during surgery Fill Date: August 12, 2008 0.8 cc Fill Date September 16, 2008 0.8 cc Fill Date October 14, 2008 ?

Hi May Bandsters I have had a little setback but hopefully now everything will be alright. I was banded on 5/9/08 and did really well. I went in for my first fill on June 10 and the doctor could put saline in but couldn't draw it out. He suspected that the tubing was kinked. I couldn't get in until July 17 and I ended up getting surgery under local. My doctor went in through the same large scar/incision and fixed the kink. He put in 2cc of a fill and I don't really feel restriction yet. I have lost some weight but it's been pretty slow. I am ready to get going again. To All of the May Bandsters/Shrinko de Mayo's: You are all doing so well. Keep up the good work!!! I'm right behind you....Colleen in Colorado

Hi Ezma How are things going in Arizona? How is everything going with your band? Well I had my port revision surgery today but they didn't have to do anything with the port. My tubing was kinked, my surgeon didn't say anything about scar tissue on it. He straightened it out, put a 2cc fill in the band. I had it done under local anesthetic and it went really well. My surgeon sutured me up and I am supposed to get another fill and the sutures out next week. I am happy I got this done and I can continue my weight loss. Talk to you soon, Cami in Colorado

I had my band put in on May 9th. Everything went really well with the surgery, in my recovery and adjusting to life with the lap band. I lost almost 18 pounds in 4 weeks. I went in for my first fill on Monday and the doctor had a hard time putting the needle in-took three tries. He was able to put saline in but he couldn't get it out. He had me stand up with the needle in, at which point I felt dizzy and lightheaded. He ended up putting 1.5 cc in and said he didn't want to put too much in because he wasn't able to get it back out and that could be dangerous. He said most likely that my tubing was kinked and I have to go back and have him cut open the large incision again and find out where the problem is. I'll have local anesthesia instead of general. He wants me to have it done at the surgery center. I was self-pay and he said he wouldn't charge me for this surgery. I don't have a day off until the middle of July so I'm just in waiting mode right now. I spent two days sobbing, wondering what I did wrong. I followed the instructions to a T and this still happened. I don't know if this has happened to anyone else...would appreciate any feedback. Cami:sad:

Ezma I am so glad that you had your surgery to fix the kink and that everything went smoothly for you. Congratulations on doing so well. You are an inspiration! I'll let you know how everything goes for me in a few weeks. I am not keeping on track with my eating and exercise like I should. Time to step it up. Cami

Ezma Let me know how everything goes for you on June 25th. I know it's 2 days away. I was just thinking about you and hope everything goes well. I am scheduled on July 17th to check for scar tissue and kinking. I really have been eating more than I was before. I've only got 1.5 cc in the band. Hoping the best for both of us and we can get our bands working right again! Cami:thumbup:

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I am in the same boat as you. My problem actually showed up at the first fill. My doctor was able to get saline in but couldn't get it out. He thinks there is a kink in the system. I, like you, have to go back to surgery, under local. He is going to cut open the same place as before. I am going to have this additional surgery in the middle of July. Good luck to you, keep me posted. I cried uncontrollably for two days. I really thought it was something that I did although I have followed every instruction in the book. Cami:sad:

Hi there from Aurora The Homeland Security just changed the rules last year so if you go to Canada or Mexico, you do have to have a passport now(can't just use your driver's license anymore). I didn't go down to Mexico for my surgery but the rule would apply since you're crossing the border. I had my surgery here in Aurora. Good luck. Hope you didn't get too much damage with the tornados! Colleen

Band Fan1 Thank you for sharing your fill story. It makes me feel better as I am due for mine on June 10th. I hope I can maintain a sense of calm when I get mine done. caminco

Try to hang in there. You may also have to sit down and figure out if you have head hunger or stomach hunger. I was banded the same day as you(May 9th). I had to do full liquids for 2 weeks and it was a little difficult hanging in there but I did it. I started the mushy foods yesterday and I'm starting to get a hungry feeling now and then. I do get fuller on mushy foods if I go really slow. Don't worry about gaining right now. Small bites, take your time, walk every day. We can do this! Colleen

Allison Good luck with your surgery on Thursday. Soon you will be joining us May Bandsters and will have your new band! You are going to do great. I feel like a million dollars and I'm almost 3 weeks out. I have really learned a lot from reading everyone's stories, what works and what doesn't, it has really helped me recover. This is the best support that I could have asked for. Colleen PS I'll be up in your neck of the woods at a conference next week, flying to Boston, driving up to New Hampshire!

It is so great to so how everyone is doing. Everyone seems to be doing really well. I think motivation increases as the weight comes off. I had my surgery on May 9th and I'm down almost 16 pounds. I was on an Atkins type diet preop. I was on liquids for two weeks after surgery. I started mushy foods today. Yeah! Colleen

Grey's was so awesome!!!Can't wait for next season. I watched it on Thursday and Friday. Definitely some good advice about learning from mistakes, tomorrow is another day to do it better. I am 16 days post op and feel so energetic and so hopeful right now. I did the full liquids for two weeks and this week I get mushies. I hope I don't go overboard. I bought all the things on my list and am really going to sit down and chew slowly and listen to my hunger, drink my liquids in between, and stay on course. Am going out of town to New Hampshire for a conference next Monday. I hope I can find things to eat that are going to be good for me. Colleen

Way to go Lexy!!!! The worst part is over. Yes the pain is a little shocking at first but it gets much better. I am 10 days out now and feeling great. Colleen

Hi I had my band on May 9th in Aurora, Colorado. Can you add me to the May list of bandsters? Thanks, Allison. Caminco

Hi G Bear You are in such good hands with Dr. K!!!!I feel fortunate enough to live in Aurora and found Dr. Kirshenbaum. He is such a great surgeon. I had my surgery on May 9th and had an awesome experience. I am just a few years older than you and decided it was time to finally get my life in control. I didn't want to wait for insurance to go through and jump through so many hoops. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am healing and recovering well. I get my first fill in 3 weeks. Good luck in your journey. Keep me posted!C

If you go on Amazon.com and put lap band in the search bar at the top, there are several specific books out there for lap bands. There are two that were suggested to me. One is called Lap Band for Life and the other one is called Lap Band Companion. Good Luck!