jetsy62

I had my surgery 9/23, just got back to work from having my first fill and it was a lot of worrying about nothing. He had me lie down on the table, asked me to do a stomach crunch, felt for the port, told me to relax, stuck in the numbing medicine, had me crunch again and next thing I knew he said relax, you are done. Put a bandaid on, had me drink some water, made sure everything was okay and off I went. With him reminding me of my portion control, water intake, soft food for today, and call me if you have any problems. I honestly do believe the single best thing you can do for yourself in this process is research the surgeon well, ask for references from previous patients, research who does what in the office in regards to all aspects of the process and make a good choice from that perspective. Just my own personal two cent opinion, but I don't buy this attitude of the surgeon just "installs the band". I have invested a lot in this decision and I don't just mean money.

Yes, I am a bandster. Banded 9/23/08. I go tomorrow for my first fill. I researched this for about 2 years before having it done and made a few choices once that decision was made. One of those was to not get addicted to the scales. I had "issues" in my past attempts to lose weight that I do not want to fall back into and I will leave it at that. Anyway, I don't even have a scale in my house. When I went for my two weeks post-op I was down 21 pounds. When I go tomorrow I will be down whatever I am down. I am following the diet for the most part. Do I ever cheat. Sure, but it is different than before. Instead of downing a sleeve of oreo cookies (really did do that one time), I now eat one Archway fat free cookie. SF popsicles are always in the fridge. When my niece turned 12, I had a bite of her birthday cake. For me, it may take longer doing things this way .. but I am looking for a lifestyle change that I feel I can live with for the rest of my life. Not until I reach my goal weight. This is it for me. Tomorrow I can join the gym. Goal is to get there 3 days a week. That is realistic for me. I work a full-time job and work on the side also. The other 4 days I plan on doing what I am doing now which is 1/2 hour of walking, climbing the stairs. I am in this for me and as long as the weight comes off and does not go back on, I am succeeding. However long it takes is not the priority. I don't even have a goal weight. I figure I will know when I get there.

Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss. To put it into perspective, you have lost the equivalent of 180 sticks of butter! Doesn't that sound wonderful! I think it does. Please don't compare yourself to others. The band works differently for everyone. You are losing and you will continue to lose. Slow and steady apparently is the way it is going to be for you. But the best part is that you will keep it off. Most of us that have WLS have a history of losing, gaining, losing, gaining ... that vicious cycle. You have broken that cycle. I hope when I have had my band as long as you have I can say I lost 180 sticks of butter.

Hi, I am being banded 9/23. I need to go out this weekend and make sure I have everything at home that I might need the first couple of days I get home from the hospital. My sister will be there for me to run errands if needed but I want to be as prepared as I can be. Any suggestions? Thanks. Counting down the days. I can not wait!

Is anyone else having trouble "seeing" what others are seeing? I haven't lost a lot of weight but it is enough for people to comment. My daughter informed me that my gilly gilly gobber is disappearing. I am rather well endowed in the "upper frontal" category but when I looked down my belly always stuck out past my chest area. Now I can't see my belly. My niece informed me that my butt does not have a shelf anymore. Children can be so brutally honest. With all this being said, I still don't really see the weight loss when I look in a full length mirror. To me, I still look the same. Do you think it is just a mental thing. Being fat for so long that it will take time to accept the changes as they happen.

All I am going to say is thank God there are others like me. I get my first fill 11/5. Say a prayer that it helps. I want my restriction back like I had after the surgery. To be honest, I would rather feel like I did one day post op and not want to eat then feel the way I do now and struggle not to eat.

I was in the car last night driving home with my 14 year old daughter and she said" Mom, you seem so much happier since you had your surgery. Did it do something to you?" She then proceeded to touch one of my many chins and said "and look, your gobbler thingy is going away". Gotta love kids!

I feel the same way. I was banded 9/23 and I have lost 25 pounds but nothing for almost two weeks. I get my first fill 11/5 so I hope that helps. I have gotten rid of all the junk food that was in my house, still eat the sf jello and stuff like that. Today I had a banana for breakfast (I have to watch my potassium), veggie salad with low fat dressing and tuna for lunch, sf jello for snack. Will eat protein and veggie for dinner. Not sure what yet but that is typically the drill. If I want a snack I have been keeping low fat, no fat, sf stuff on hand. Thank God for sf popsicles. I was shopping yesterday and ran into someone who said their friend was banded 7 weeks ago and they have lost about 80 pounds so far. I find that hard to believe ... but who knows. Maybe I am just gonna be a slow loser. Darn it! Anyway, thanks for being here. Very much appreciate you all. Or as we say in my neck of the woods "Yuns are all very much appreciated".

I think I am in information overload. And I realize everyone has different informaton from their doctor's, nutiritionist, etc. But in a quick read, what would you say are the things you MUST follow. I think these are important. 1. Protein, veggie, fruit, other 2. Must exercise but does anyone have some general guidelines. I am joining a gym tonight and I was thinking cardio 5 days a week and weights 3 out of those 5. 3. Chew, chew, chew your food and no drinking with food. 4. Snacking - not sure about this one. Is sf Jello, sf popsicles okay between meals or not. Anyone else have input. I would appreciate it. Being a new bandster I want to do this right. Thanks.

Karen Karen, I beg to disagree. I have not had my band very long but I did a lot of research before deciding to have it done. My understanding is that the band is a tool to help with weight loss. The way the tool is supposed to work is varied (limit the amount of food, limit the kind of food, teach you to chew and chew some more, and on and on). It seems from the op's comments that the band is not in fact acting as the tool it was designed to be. I would think that there may be a problem. What that problem is I have no clue. I would guess a leak but that is only a guess. After 4 fills there should be some level of restriction. If the band was not intended to help us learn portion control, etc. why have it done? And if "something doesn't happen" if you don't follow the band rules so to speak, why have it done? I am lost on this one if others feel that after 4 fills it is perfectly normal to be able to eat anything and everything and feel no restriction. Please explain since mine is still so new.

I am in a quandry. The nutritionist just called and wanted to know why I did not call her for my post-op appt. To be honest, the answer was three-fold. First of all, when I went to the doctor 2 weeks post-op he told me to do pretty much the opposite of what the nutritionist told me as far as what I am allowed to eat. I guess I should say they disagree on the texture of the food. She says I should be on soft food at present. He wants me on regular food. Both agree it should be protein first, veggies and a little fruit. I am having no problems and the doc wants me on what he called real, regular food as soon as I can tolerate it. The second reason is I can't keep missing work. And of course everyone wants you there during the day. The third reason is every time I go see the nutritionist I have a co-pay. That by itself is no big deal but even though I have insurance, I have been getting whacked lately with my daughter being sick, having MRSA three times now in the last 4 months, glasses, etc. Now I have to take her to the audiologist next week and that will be another co-pay. If it is needed I do what needs to be done and find a way, but if the doc and the nutritionist are not on the same page, why am I paying both? My brain tells me to pay attention to the doc. The nutritionist in a nice way told me not to listen to the surgeon, do what she says if I want to be successful, and come see her. This is my schedule for the next week or so. My family doctor on 10/21, pediatrician 10/27, nutritionist 10/28, audiologist 10/30, surgeon 11/5, dentist for both of us 11/12. All of this will cause me to miss work and have co-pays. None can be avoided that I can see. Why I posted this I don't know. Guess I just needed someone to talk to. But I am still wondering, why are the doctor and the nutritionist not on the same page? Anyone else have this problem. The nutritionist is not employed by the surgeon. She works for the hospital and counsels for two other bariatric surgeons also. I don't think my doc is her favorite. Thanks everyone.

You have to have a significant amount of skin for this to work, but a friend that had bariatric surgery had a tummy tuck done free of charge at a hospital that specializes in burn patients. They use the skin for grafting. I figure what the heck. All that excess skin might as well go for some good. I don't know the requirements as far as how much skin etc. but when I get to that point I am going to look into it.

I know I read it on here but I can't find it. Where is the site that let's you track everything you eat and it counts the calories for you? Thanks.

Knowing myself, I am not going to exercise unless I join a gym, health club, something. That is just me. I know if I spend the money I will use it. Pathetic I know, but I am being honest. Can anyone offer opinions on which one to join. I have contacted Curves, Snap Fitness and there a few private health clubs in my area. Just wanted people's opinion on what worked best for them. Thanks.

First of all, I am so glad you found this site and feel comfortable being able to talk with all of us. We are here for each other. We all came about having a problem with weight in different ways, but we all share one thing in common. We have a weight problem and have made a decision to do something about it! Yippee for us. I have only been banded about 3 weeks and I have already learned that this journey is different for everyone. The band is a tool to help the person inside become that person on the outside. Only my opinion, but I recommend you speak to your mom about this prior to the surgery. After surgery, you will be scrutinized by others about what you are eating, be dealing with the surgery and all kinds of challenges, deal with great weight loss and then plateaus (sp), and many other things. You will have a full plate so to speak and I don't mean food. Having this emotional garbage hanging around will just add to it. It does not have to be confrontational. Just explain your feelings. Right, wrong, or indifferent, they are your feelings. Ask your mom for her help and understanding because you will need all the support you can get. Good luck! My best to you.

Having researched this for about two years before actually making up my mind to have the band, I think you need to get your eating on a schedule. Sounds to me like you might have a metabolic problem. If it were me, I would try about 1/4 cup of food 5 to 6 times a day. That would mean starting with eating breakfast to kick things in. Everyone is different but you have to start with what the nutritionist calls "the basic plan" and go from there. And get the protein in. A good cheap source of protein is Carnation lowaft powdered milk. You can sprinkle it on sf pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese. I got mine at WalMart. And get your water in also. I am no expert by far, I am just passing along information that I have read or have been told by the nutritionist that works with the surgeon that did my surgery. Good luck. And please try to follow this plan, especially eating breakfast like others have advised, for two solid weeks and see what happens. I sure hope it helps. God bless.

Dissolving stitches and steristrips for me. Everything went fine.

Lillith, I have always struggled with weight and so has Taylor's father so she is genetically going into this with a strike against her. I have been talking to her about watching her weight and how it is so easy to put on but hard to take off. Our house now has sf popsicles, lowfat peanut butter, lowfat snacks, etc. Obviously since I am just 2 weeks post op most of this is for her and she really is not minding it. SHE decided to do this and I told her it will take a little while for her taste buds to adjust but it will pay off. She is 5'6" tall and could stand to lose about 25 pounds. I know it has only been about 1 month but she is losing one pound a week. Next week, we both join a gym. The other nice thing, something we can do together. I would never force her to do anything but since starting this process I have been brutally honest with her in regards to living life as an obese person. She is a smart kid so she really wants to do these things which is what I was hoping for.

Taty was a little scared for me. She wanted a reassurance that "nothing was going to happen to me". I am very honest with my daughter and explained that I can not guarantee that but I went through all the reasons why this was a good decision (I am healthy now except for the weight, the doctor is very reputable, etc.). She was there at the hospital when I came out of surgery and my sister brough her back that evening to see me before she had to go to bed. I came home the next evening and although my mother and sister wanted me to stay at one of their homes that night, I thought it important for Taylor and I to get back into our normal routine so we went home. I also took Taylor to a support group meeting so she could hear other people talk that have already gone through the procedure. Two weeks post-op and seeing me lose weight, she is happy I did it.

I had my two week post-op visit today. Including my two week pre-op diet, I have lost 21 pounds! I am so happy. 21 pounds in 4 weeks. Having battled weight all of my adult life, I was so afraid that for some reason this just would not work for me. Well, thank God it is. Dr. is very happy and wants me to slowly ease into regular food over the next week. He said I am doing so good, no problems, he wants me on regular food as quick as my body will tolerate it. I realize I have a long way to go but I just had to share.

I was just banded two weeks ago today and I understand what you are saying. I am a single mom with a 14 year old daughter. This is what finally made up my mind. Right now, I am healthy. No high blood pressure, cholesterol good, no signs of diabetes. But sooner or later this extreme excess weight is going to show itself in a medical way. Now, does it make more sense to have the surgery healthy or once I have other co-morbids? Easy answer. I want to see my daughter grow up and go to college, get married, etc. If I don't get this weight off, the odds of that happening are getting smaller and smaller. I had fears also and to tell you the truth, I really have no complaints. Listen to what people advise on this board. I started a thread right before my surgery about what to have on hand when I got home from the hospital and I took the advice right down to the letter. It was a lifesaver. Make sure you have a reputable surgeon, one you are comfortable with, and GO FOR IT! Having some trepidation when thinking of having surgery is normal. But look at the long term. And good luck to you.

I am almost 2 weeks post op. Everything is going great except I think I might be eating too much. I am eating only what is allowed on my diet (what they call ploppy food) but I am eating more of it than I should be. So far today I had a pack of oatmeal really watered down for breakfast, one of the pre-packaged sf jello, one pre-packaged smooth applesauce, 26 ounces of water. It is now almost 2:00 and one cup of decaf hot tea. This is stupid but I just didn't pay attention to the amount I was eating. Just making sure what I am eating is on my list. But now I am afraid I might stretch my pouch. Do you think I did? I am going to measure how much a pre-packaged sf jello actually is but I think it is more than the 1/4 cup I should have had. I know the oatmeal is because of how watery I made it. I feel so stupid.

Okay, first I will apologize if this thread offends anyone. But I have to ask. I had surgery 9/23 and everything is going great. I am on a liquid diet. Going to the bathroom has not been a problem. My BM's have been very easy up until two days ago. I have not done anything for two days. But I don't feel constipated either. Is this normal? The reason I ask is that I have always had a problem with constipation/hemorrhoids and I sure don't want that problem to come back. I realize I don't have much food in me but I just want to make sure that this is normal and just still my body adjusting to everything it has gone through. Thank you.

Thanks guys. I am thankful you are all here to talk with. I don't feel any pain, fullness, anything like that ... just was wondering. When something changes I am one of those people that goes "now, wonder why?". I am sure all will be fine.

I too had a delay in getting my surgery but I made up my mind to turn a negative into a positive. Don't know if this will work for you but it has worked for me. After reading post after post on this site I learned that people have this surgery with a wide range of experiences post op. Obviously, I wanted to be on the "good" side of things. So I made up my mind that I was going to get the healthiest I could be in the time I had leading up to my surgery. I believe it paid off. I was banded 9/23, came home 9/24, totally off pain meds completely 9/25. Really have not had any problems to speak of. Went back to work today, left a little early, I was tired but I have a stressful job. Taking care of all my household chores but staying within the doctors guidelines for lifting. Incisions look great. I burp, I leave fluffers, but nothing too dramatic. I am on what my doctor calls ploppy food (sf jello, sf pudding, plain yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese) and have had no problems. I really believe trying to get myself as healthy as possible going into the surgery has paid off. So get this taken care of, be diligent in living healthy until your surgery, and I really really believe you will be thankful. Good luck and all my best to you.